Truth Magazine

By Larry Ray Hafley

The Psalmist said, “I thought on my ways, and turned my feet unto thy testimonies. I made haste, and delayed not to keep thy commandments” (Psa. 119:59, 60). Many excellent lessons can be gleaned from this passage.

1. He Considered His Ways: Some never take self inventory. They never look to the end of their behavior. But this man “thought” on his ways. He may have asked himself, “Where are my deeds leading me?” Paul said, “Examine yourselves, whether ye be in the faith; prove your own selves” (2 Cor. 13:5). How long has it been since you thought on your ways? In view of the inevitable facts of death, judgment, and eternity, is it not time to search your ways?

2. He Turned To God’s Word: First, he turned; he changed his ways. Reflection will not avail anything if you are unwilling to change when you find fault with your present course. Secondly, he turned to God’s testimonies, to God’s way. One cannot find God apart from God’s testimonies. One cannot find God by accepting human creeds and “joining a church” like he would some civic organization or social club. Turning to God involves a complete sacrifice of self will and of self ways. “Trust in the Lord with all thine heart; and lean not unto thine own understanding” (Prov. 3:5).

3. He Quickly Obeyed God: You may “intend” to obey God “someday.” But the longer one delays, the easier it is to serve self lusts and desires. Obedience to God becomes stacked on a shelf marked “someday.” Often, however, death intervenes and that someday never dawns. The Bible says, “behold, now is the accepted time; behold now is the day of salvation” (2 Cor. 6:2). The Psalmist “made haste” to obey God and to keep His commandments. Examine yourself, turn to God’s word, and obey His will. Why do you delay?

Truth Magazine, XVIII:28, p. 2
May 16, 1974

By Luther Blackmon

I have asked atheists why they consider it more immoral to kill a man than to kill a rat. After all, man is just animal matter, an improved monkey or a glorified ape. If he is not a direct “ascendant” of the rat, he is at least a cousin, according to atheistic evolution.

James Bales, in debate with a Mr. Teller, atheist, asked him what objection he could register if the citizens of that town should want to lynch him. He answered, “It would be unpleasant.” I would think so. But if 100 men found it pleasant to hang Mr. Teller, he should not complain because 100 to 1 are pretty good odds.

That’s real democracy at work. If there is no God, then there is no such thing as “right” or “wrong” except as men decide it, and what better way to decide what is best and pleasant than on a democratic basis? Of course, our civil laws protect men like Mr. Teller. But these civil laws are based on the “moral” law which was taken from the Bible. They were enacted by men who believe that the Bible came from God.

On the platform of atheistic evolution, who can say that Hitler did “wrong” when he butchered millions of Jews, and tried, by purging the weak and by selective breeding, to produce a nation of super-men? He was the strongest and his crowd the biggest in Germany at that time.

We destroy our dogs when they get old and sick. We ship our old horses off to make glue, fertilizer and dog-food. Why not take our old people, when they are no longer useful, and destroy them? Why not destroy a child who had the misfortune to be born deformed as we would a deformed puppy?

I challenge the atheistic evolutionist, every inch of him, from dandruff to bunion, whether he is illiterate or has a string of degrees as long as a well rope, to affirm that this would be “wrong” if the most of the people wanted it this way and made it law. It is safe enough for the atheist to teach his theories in a country where the law-making bodies ignore his theories when they enact laws. He will be safe enough as long as he is protected by laws which were enacted by men who believe in the God he denies. But if the law-makers ever start acting like they believe the theories of atheistic evolution, lookout!

Truth Magazine, XVIII:28, p. 2
May 16, 1974

By George T. Eldridge

“Or do you not know that your body is a temple of the Holy Spirit who is in you, whom you have from God, and that you are not your own?” (1 Cor. 6:19). One of the crimes and curses of men in all ages, and even in our own period, has been the failure to recognize the proper treatment of their body and who owns their body. Their failure has led them to seek happiness, for example, out of the stomach (belly), the sex act, and the consumption of alcoholic beverages socially as business drinking, intelligent drinking, or lunchtime drinking.

Our body is the property of Christ! Our body is “for the Lord; and the Lord for the body” (1 Cor. 6:13). The clause “you are not your own” should once and forever inform us that our body is not ours; we are its trustees, not its proprietors. We hold our body “for the Lord” and we should use it according to His directions. 1 Cor. 6:19 plainly tells us not to harm our body, yet people continue to place alcoholic beverages in their body!!

“The pathological effects of alcohol are due to a chronic poisoning rather than an acute. Large doses may, however, cause death almost instantaneously by a reflex action on the heart or by cardiac and respiratory depression after the drug has been absorbed. If the alcohol is taken in the form of spirits, the subject usually becomes thin, probably owing to the spirits so affecting the gastrointestinal tract that little or no nourishment is absorbed; if beer is the form of drink the subject is liable to become fat. Prolonged drinking of any form of alcohol makes persons less able to withstand operations and diseases, such as phthisis and pneumonia, and is the direct cause of certain diseases of which the chief are the following:: (italic for emphasis is mine-gte)

Chronic Gastritis-This is most likely to occur in those who drink spirits. The action of the strong alcohol on the stomach sets up an inflammatory condition which, owing to the continued action of the irritant, never subsides, with the result that permanent damage results and the proper digestion of food cannot take place and the patient becomes thinner and thinner.

Chirrhosis of the Liver (gin-drinker’s liver)-The quantity of alcohol associated with this condition differs with different persons; in some cases a few month’s indulgence may suffice, in others it may be a matter of years . . .

“Multiple or Peripheral Neuritis

“Gout C The habitual drinking of heavy or sweet wines may be one of the causes of this disease, as may be excessive beer drinking when combined with poor or insufficient food.

“Mania C may at times be due to chronic alcoholic poisoning and possible chronic Bright’s disease. Certainly the kidneys will be affected more or less adversely by the toxins resulting from the gastrointestinal disturbance.”

(“Pathological Effects of Alcohol,” Encyclopaedia Britannica, Vol. I, Chicago, 1952, p. 541).

What Is Your Reaction to the Evidence?

The majority of people, as well as a few churches, will not accept the proof that the “prolonged drinking of any form of alcohol makes persons less able to withstand operations and diseases . . . and is the direct cause of certain diseases.” Such people are guided by their opinions and not by the truth. They do not have an honest and good heart in which the teaching of God can find good ground. Since they are not good ground, they cannot receive God’s Word, have salvation, or hold loyally to God’s Bible and “bear fruit with perseverance” (Luke 8:15). A few will accept the evidence of alcoholic beverages being harmful to the body! We want our body to be the shrine, sanctuary, or temple wherein the Holy Spirit dwells as we continue in all humility to “receive the word implanted which is able to save . . . souls” (James 1:21).

Hear a Final Thought

I am willing to talk with anyone who believes God-fearing and God-obedient people should drink alcoholic beverages and that these beverages are not harmful to the body. Remember, we are not asking anyone to uphold drunkenness. We are asking for defenders of drinking alcoholic beverages socially such as business drinking, intelligent drinking, or mealtime drinking. Will one please step forward?

Our task and plea is for every individual to come to the realization that “you have been bought with a price: therefore glorify God in your body” (1 Cor. 6:20). Being “bought with a price” has no reference to a strictly commercial transaction. “Bought with a price” is talking about the redemption of man, “for all have sinned, and fall short of the glory of God” (Rom. 3:23). The “price” is the blood of Jesus the Christ, the Son of the Living God, “which is shed on behalf of many for forgiveness of sins” (Matt. 26:28). You can never “glorify God in your body” until you understand clearly the “price” and yield voluntarily to Jesus. “In Him we have redemption through His blood, the forgiveness of our trespasses” (Eph. 1:7). You cannot honor God, do honor to God, hold God in honor, glorify God, or praise Him until your sins are washed away in baptism! You then can keep the body pure and sound and as the “temple of the Holy Spirit” by never drinking alcoholic beverages which harm the body. Will you accept the evidence?

Truth Magazine, XVIII:27, p. 13
May 9, 1974

By Jeffery Kingry

Almost every church is faced with the problem of dwindling numbers each Sunday night and Wednesday evening. Brethren like to think of their congregation being as “strong” as the Sunday morning assembly. The real church in any given community might better be numbered on Wednesday night rather than Sunday morning.

Usually the reason for this drop in numbers is attributable to plain old, garden variety indifference. But recently, I came across a novel idea expressed by an unfaithful brother, that the Christian has no responsibility nor authority to meet an any other day than the first day of the week, and then only to take the Lord’s Supper. “You people are all the time talking about coming to every service. The only time we read about Christians meeting in the Bible is on the first day of the week. I don’t have to come all the time!” Is this true? Where does it say anything about coming together for any other purpose than to take the Lord’s supper? Are we correct in assembling at other times for other purposes? Let the Word of God speak to us.

There are several passages in scripture which record the church coming together for purposes other than the Lord’s supper, which by approved example, give us our authority for other meetings. In Acts 11:26 we find that Barnabas sought Paul in Tarsus, ‘And when he had found him, he brought him unto Antioch. And it came to pass, that a whole year they assembled themselves with the church, and taught much people . . . .” While in Antioch, these men gathered together with the saints, and for what purpose? “And taught . . . . ” Teaching was the responsibility given Barnabas by the Apostles when he was sent to Antioch (Acts 11:22). The Gospel had been preached in Antioch (11:19), great numbers of gentiles had been converted (11a;20), the Lord approved of their conversion by the signs that he sent among them (11:21), and when Barnabas saw “the grace of God, was glad, and exhorted them all . . . then departed Barnabas to Tarsus, for to seek Saul” (11:23, 25). Teaching and establishing the church in Antioch was the purpose of Barnabas and Paul in assembling with the saints. That teaching was a primary goal in “coming together” is further illustrated by the coming of Prophets from Jerusalem unto Antioch (11:27). The results of their teaching, or “forth telling” was that a common collection was made to cover the responsibility of the church in helping the needy saints in Judea. “Then the disciples, every man according to his ability, determined to send relief unto the brethren who dwelt in Judea” (11:29). In another instance, each man purposed in his own heart (2 Cor. 9:7), the collection was made weekly (1 Cor. 16:2), and was done as a church, or a collectivity, “As I have given order to the churches of Galatia, even so do ye” (1 Cor. 16:1).

These passages do not state a time other than that which is inferred in 1 Cor. 16:1, “the first day of the week . . . . ” But these passages do establish that there was more than one purpose for gathering, i.e., edification, and weekly group contributing for benevolence. The saints met collectively to do more than keep the Lord’s supper on the first day of the week.

Another example of the saints gathering is found in Acts 4. Peter and John were arrested for teaching the resurrection (4:1, 2). The day following their arrest they were arraigned before the Jewish power structure (4:5, 6). After Peter and John had testified of the things they had witnessed, and the Jewish leaders perceived that neither of the two apostles was to be cowed, and they admitted that a miracle had been performed, “They could say nothing against it ” (4:13-14). They let the apostles go, `and being let go. they went to their own company, and reported all that the chief priests had said unto them”(4:23). The response of the church was to pray to God (4:24) “And when they had prayed, the place was shaken where they were assembled together, and they were all filled with the Holy Ghost, and they spake the Word of God with boldness” (4:31). They assembled for mutual encouragement, praise from the word of God, and prayer. God approved of their collective action by a sign, i.e., “the place was shaken . . . they were filled with the Holy Ghost.”

But there is an interesting thing that is connected to this event that bears with our discussion. In Acts 2:42 we find that the church “continued steadfastly in the apostles doctrine and fellowship, and in breaking bread and in prayers. ” Verses 46 and 47 continue, “and they continued daily with one accord in the temple, and breaking bread from house to house, did eat their meat with gladness and singleness of heart, praising God, and having favor with all the people. ” What did they go to the temple “in common consent” for? For what did the church give “daily attendance with one intent” in the courtyard of the temple? In chapter three Luke tells us that they went to the temple “at the hour of prayer. ” Their intent in going to the temple at that hour was to worship God with the saints. If we look again in Acts 2:46, 47 and remove the phrase which records what the brethren did apart from the place of worship, the passage reads, “and they continuing daily in the temple (were) . . . praising God, and having favor with all the people. “

It was while Peter ana John were on their way to the temple to worship with the saints, as was their daily custom that they were arrested. But, in Acts 4:3 we find that the two were arrested at eventide and held until the next day. After their trial they met again with the saints in worship. The question is this: Which day was the first day of the week? Obviously, the scriptures do not specify the day of gathering, merely the fact of their gathering: daily (Acts 2:46).

There are many other examples we might refer to. Paul’s 14th chapter in the first Corinthian letter discusses the manner of the Corinthian public assembly. Paul saw the gathering of the brethren as a place for edification (1 Cor. 14:26) in which every man was to take part. Women were excepted from public participation in teaching (14:34, 35). The assembly was not “closed” but open to outsiders for the purpose of evangelism (1 Cor. 14:23-25). These passages should prove to any right thinking Christian that we have authority to meet any day of the week, and are specifically commanded to meet on the first day of the week. Our gatherings are not solely centered about the Lord’s supper, but in acceptable worship and edification.

Hebrews 10 relates to us what our responsibility is to these gatherings. The theme of the Hebrew letter is the supremacy of the life in Christ to the life under the Law of Moses. We understand the great sacrifice that was made on our behalf (Heb. 10:10). Under the Law of Moses the people only kept a shadow of that which we now enjoy in the church (10:1-4). In Jesus we have “a new and living way, which he hath consecrated for us, through the veil, that is to say his flesh” (10:20). Recognizing this, Christians are to draw near to God acknowledging that they are free from sin by Christ’s sacrifice (10:22). We are to hold close the promise of our hope which is contained in God’s word (10:23). We are to take thought for our brethren continually exhorting one another to live worthy of the calling by which we have been called (10:24). We accomplish these ends by “not forsaking (neglecting, staying away from, holding apart) the assembling of ourselves together . . .” (10:25). The one who neglects God’s will in this can expect no different treatment from God than the way he treated those who neglected his will under the old law (10:28; cf. Num. 15:32-36). “Of how much sorer punishment suppose ye, shall he be thought worthy of who hath trodden underfoot the Son of God, path counted the blood of the covenant, wherewith he was .sanctified an unholy thing, and hath done despite unto the ,spirit of grace” (Heb. 10:29)?

Indeed, when one wilfully neglects to assemble with the brethren each time they meet, he has poured scorn upon and spurned the One who died for him. He has treated the blood which was shed on his account as if it were of no account – common. He has affronted the Holy Spirit – given grave insult to the One who has delivered God’s unmerited favor to man. Certainly for such an one there remains only a terrifying prospect of judgment from the one he has spurned; a fury of fire which will consume all those who set themselves to oppose God’s will. There is no higher court that one may appeal to after one has rejected God (10:26-29).

The real problem does not lie in understanding the scriptures, but in doing them. In 2 Pet. 2:20, 22 Peter compares those who have fallen back into the world through neglect of service with dogs and pigs. “The dog is turned to his own vomit again: and the sow that was washed to her wallowing in the mire.” It is not that the dog or the pig are untrained, or weak. The point of the proverb is that the dog enjoys its own vomit, and the newly cleansed sow prefers her mire. Solomon said, “The righteous man falleth seven times, and will arise again: But the wicked man will fall and come to mischief” (Prov. 24:16). We can encourage the weak, and teach the ignorant, but we must use the rod of discipline upon the one who prefers to spurn God and God’s people.

Truth Magazine, XVIII:27, p. 11-12
May 9, 1974