Truth Magazine

By Kenneth D. Sils

Not long ago, the Southern Baptist Convention had been meeting in Salt Lake City, Utah for their annual convention. It has been reported that they have amended their system of beliefs to reinstate the following statement, “A wife is to graciously submit to her husband.” Consider three observations concerning this ruling.

First of all, it was interesting to hear from the many liberal women pundants all over the television news shows speak about this archaic, narrow-minded, ridiculous, oppressive and Neanderthal type of mentality which would even dare think a wife should be in submission to her husband. You would think from their hysteria that these women have been projecting on television that Hitler had just invaded America to begin throwing all women into gas chambers. Oh, the panic of having to live the Bible way!

Secondly, missing in this discussion I have observed from anyone in the media is, “What does the Bible say about the issue of wives submitting to their husbands?” This is the reason why there is so much confusion on all subjects of morality. Without a standard of morality and ethics, what else can there be but confusion. The New Testament makes the answer of Jesus Christ quite clear. Ephesians 5:23-24 says, “For the husband is the head of the wife, as also Christ is the head of the church; and He is the Savior of the body. Therefore, just as the church is subject to Christ, so let the wives be to their own husbands in everything.” The husband is the head of the wife in the same light as Jesus is the head of the church. The wife is to submit to the husband in the same manner as the church is to submit to Christ, in everything! To reject these truths from the pen of the inspired apostle Paul is to reject the authority of Jesus Christ himself. This issue has no room for debate. This issue should not be controversial. The apostle John wrote in 1 John 3:4, “Whoever commits sin also commits lawlessness and sin is lawlessness.” Women who refuse to submit to their husbands in everything are sinning against their husbands and against Jesus Christ.

Is there any surprise in our day of women’s liberation that the divorce rate is sky high? Is there any wonder why many congregations across America have been finding themselves in bitter divisions for the laws of God are cast aside by some who call themselves Christians in the name of equality, fairness, and womanhood?

There is a third observation I want you to consider about this ruling. Friends, you do not need a denominational church to determine which laws given in the New Testament apply to the church of Jesus Christ today. The Southern Baptist Convention does not have authority from God to repeal or reinstate this law or any other law of Christ in the New Testament. Actually, in their attempt to do so, they have usurped the authority of Christ unto themselves, granting themselves unlimited power to make laws for their congregations. In the New Testament, there was no such thing as a Southern Baptist Convention or any other earthly church headquarters. We read that Christ is the head of the church (Eph. 5:23). Since this is the truth, there is no room for the Southern Baptist Convention or any other governing religious authorities making laws, amendments or rules for believers in Jesus.

The church we read about in the Bible had no earthly governing theological body who dictated which laws that would be enforced religiously. Christians in the New Testament followed the apostles’ doctrine (Acts 2:42), and the apostles’ doctrine is the New Testament, the gospel of Jesus Christ. Christians understood the seriousness of John’s instruction when he wrote in 2 John 9, “Whoever transgresses and does not abide in the doctrine of Christ does not have God. He who abides in the doctrine of Christ has both the Father and the Son.” The doctrine of Christ is complete in the New Testament and real true Christians are satisfied with the doctrine of Christ.

Ladies, be content to accept the truths of Jesus Christ by submitting and respecting your husband in everything. Men, let’s remember that God has placed upon us the responsibility to be the head of our wife. When we consider the headship of Jesus towards his church, we observe a loving, caring and compassionate leader. If you will exercise this type of headship towards your wife, your marriage will blossom into the joy God designed marriage to be. Don’t try to change the truth that God has given concerning the roles of men and women in marriage. Try living like Christ would have us to live. You’ll discover that Jesus knew what was best all along.

The word “watch” is found in the Scriptures about 90 times. It suggests the idea of “caution, carefulness, giving close attention to.” Watching is essential to our spiritual welfare and our eternal salvation.

Moses missed Canaan because he failed to watch (Num. 20:1-12; Deut. 34:1-4). Samson’s failure to watch allowed the Philistines to overcome him (Judg. 16). David was ensnared by sin and gave the enemies of Jehovah an occasion to blaspheme because he failed to watch. Solomon was led into idolatry because of his failure to watch (1 Kings 11:3-4).

During his personal ministry on earth, Jesus told the apostles to watch! He admonished them saying: “Watch and pray that ye enter not into temptation: the spirit in- deed is willing, but the flesh is weak” (Matt. 26:41; cf. 24:42-44).

Disciples are told to watch. 1 Corinthians 16:13 says: “Watch ye, stand fast in the faith, quit ye like men, but be strong.” In 1 Thessalonians 5:6 Paul exhorted, saying: “Therefore let us not sleep, as do others; let us watch and be sober.” Peter warned disciples, saying: “Be sober, be vigilant, because your adversary the devil, as a roaring lion, walketh about, seeking whom he may devour (1 Pet. 5:8).

Evangelists are told to watch! In 2 Timothy 4:5 Paul exhorted Timothy saying: “But watch thou in all things, endure afflictions, do the work of an evangelist, make full proof of thy ministry.” It is absolutely essential that evangelists give close attention!

Elders are told to watch! To elders Paul warned, saying, “Take heed . . . therefore watch . . .” (Acts 20:28-31). Elders are to watch for the souls of others! A serious obligation. It must not be taken lightly!

Jesus said: “And what I say unto you, I say unto all, watch” (Mark 13:37).

By Mike Willis

Little remains of “the town of Jesus,” except for the ruins, enclosed within black basalt walls, excavated by Franciscan monks over the last 100 years. According to Matthew 4:11 Jesus moved to Capernaum from Nazareth to fulfill the words of Isaiah (9:1-2). Jesus performed numerous miracles in and around Capernaum. Enlarged by refugees from Jerusalem after A.D. 70, the town thrived until it was completely destroyed during the 7th century Arab conquest. Franciscans acquired the ruins in 1894 and began a program of excavation which continued into the 1960s. One of the buildings which has been reconstructed is a synagogue which dates from the 2nd century A.D. This synagogue stands on the same spot as the one where Jesus taught.

The village is called Kefer Nahum (village of Naham the prophet). The word kepher, from Myrpk  is a village in distinction from a Mykrk a city. The “city” was usually girt with walls whereas the village was not. Capernaum is located on the northwest shore of the Sea of Galilee. It is a quiet place, away from the hustle and bustle of Jerusalem. Located on the trade routes, it was also a place for tax collection and was the place where Matthew worked as a tax collector, for it was here where Matthew was called to be an apostle and entertained his former publicans (Mark

4:13; Matt. 9:1, 9-13).

Capernaum was an important part of Jesus’ Galilean ministry. Here are some of the important things said about Capernaum:

• Jesus made Capernaum his home after he entered his ministry (Matt. 4:13; John 2:12) in fulfillment of Isaiah 9:1-2.
• The centurian who did not think himself worthy for Jesus to come into his home appealed for Jesus to heal his servant in Capernaum (Matt. 8:5; Luke 7:1ff).
• Jesus instructed Peter to catch a fish, in whose mouth would be a coin for the temple tax, in Capernaum (Matt. 17:24).
• Jesus taught in the synagogue at Capernaum (Mark 1:21).
• He healed the paralytic borne of four here (Mark 2:1).
• The disciples argued about who would be greatest here (Mark 9:33).
• Jesus performed many miracles here (Luke 4:23). He cast out a demon from a man (Luke 4:31ff).
• While in Cana, he healed the son of royal official who lay ill in Capernaum (John 4:46f).
• After feeding the 5000, Jesus crossed the Sea of Galilee and came to Capernaum where he taught in the synagogue and gave his “bread of life” discourse (John 6:17, 24).
• Despite witnessing so many miracles, the people of Capernaum did not manifest great faith in Jesus (Matt. 11:23; Luke 10:15).

The ruins at Capernaum are impressive. The restored synagogue, dated from the second to the fourth century A.D., is built on the foundations of the first century synagogue. One can be fairly confident that he is standing in the place where Jesus worshiped on the Sabbath day when he is in the synagogue at Capernaum. Some of the carved stones there display the Jewish menorah (lampstand), transporting the ark of the covenant on a cart, a mile marker of the Via Maris, millstones, olive presses, etc.

At Capernaum, Jesus healed the man who was let down through the roof because the door to the house in which Jesus was teaching was too crowded (Mark 2:1ff). The little houses in front of the synagogue at Capernaum give us some picture of what happened that day.

The Roman Catholics have erected a monument at Capernaum over what they believe to be the house of Peter or his mother-in-law. The building is somewhat distracting from the simple little village at Capernaum.

In Hosea 8:7 the prophet of old laments the condition of Israel and how the people are turned to idols from serving the true God.

While it is true that man reaps in kind to the thing sown, it is also true he reaps more than he sows of that kind. Paul said, “Be not deceived, God is not mocked: for whatsoever a man soweth, that shall he also reap.” For instance, from one grain of corn there comes forth a stalk. It can stop growing at that point, but if it grows, in time an ear of corn (or maybe more than one ear) appears on the stalk. One grain is sown and ears of corn are produced. How many grains on one ear? It may vary but, even though I was raised in the country, it has never been appealing to me to count the number of grains on an ear of corn. But, it is evident from casual observation that more was produced than was planted. It was all corn, however.

Hosea said Israel “had no stalk.” If there is no strong, sustaining stalk, anything produced will come to naught for lack of support.

Israel had sown the wind (sin) and reaped the whirl- wind (even greater consequences) because there was “no stalk.” When we speak of sowing and reaping, we may be speaking good or evil. The principle is the same as it pertains to rewards or consequences. It is a consequence even though it may be good. And, of course, it is also true if we are speaking of sin.

So whether it be righteousness or sin, the principle of sowing and reaping is there. The farmer delights when he has an abundant harvest of good things from his field. God’s people reap many blessings, both temporal and spiritual. The wicked reap much more than they bargained for. Wind is one thing. A tornado is something else. But both are wind.

Hosea warns (8:1). The trumpet sounds forth the alarm and calls the people to repentance. God will surely have his vengeance, make no mistake. Their cries will be to no avail and will come too late. They say “My God, we know thee.” But, Israel has lost her identity. Jesus said this could happen. In speaking of the final judgment and day of wrath on the wicked, he said to some “Depart from me, I know not who you are.” Sin can so deform us as to make us unrecognizable as the people of God. It was true of Israel then and is no less true in the Israel of God, the church, today.

So Israel had “no stalk.” Anything produced was too heavy for the stalk to support. Brethren, indeed sin is heavy. Hosea said even the “bud shall wither” without the sustaining stalk.

In John 15 Jesus talks of the vine and the branches. The secret of growth and fruit-bearing is found as we “abide in the vine.” To become separated from the vine or stalk cuts off the flow of strength needed for the required “much fruit.”

Brethren, be profited from a study of God’s Word!