Speaking Smooth Things About . . . Bible Baptism

By John Isaac Edwards

History repeats itself! The children of Israel cried out to the prophets, “speak unto us smooth things” (Isa. 30:10) and Jeremiah declared, “The prophets prophesy falsely. . . . and my people love to have it so” (Jer. 5:31). What happened then is going on today!

The time has come “when they will not endure sound doctrine; but after their own lusts shall heap to them- selves teachers, having itching ears; And they shall turn away their ears from the truth, and shall be turned unto fables” (2 Tim. 4:3-4). Many today “by good words and fair speeches deceive the hearts of the simple” (Rom. 16:18).

We must always demand the truth, no matter what, and we need men among us who have the courage and the conviction to preach the truth, the whole truth, and nothing but the truth no matter what! Paul penned, “Preach the word; be instant in season, out of season; reprove, rebuke, exhort with all longsuffering and doctrine” (2 Tim. 4:2).

Some Baptism Smoothies

There are a lot of smooth things being said today in regards to Bible baptism. Logan Fox, a Pepperdine professor, said, “It is possible to be filled with the Spirit without being baptized.” In his book, The Peaceable Kingdom, Carroll D. Osburn wrote, “There should be room in the Christian fellowship for those who believe that Christ is the Son of God, but who differ on . . . whether baptism is ‘for’ or ‘because of’ the remission of sins.” How much smoother can one get than this? This man is Professor of New Testament at Abilene Christian University. No telling how many young preachers are being affected by this smooth doctrine!

Max Lucado, who preaches for the Oak Hills church of Christ in San Antonio, Texas, said in a television inter- view in Nashville, Tennessee, July 2, 1997: “I believe in baptism. Jesus was baptized. The Bible teaches baptism. I just don’t believe that baptism saves you. I believe that Jesus Christ saves us. And baptism is one of those ways we celebrate our salvation. It’s really the initial step of the faithful believer.” In a radio broadcast, When Your Heart Needs A Father, KJAK, Lubbock, Texas, Lucado encouraged his listeners who were in need of salvation to pray a “sinner’s prayer” asking God to receive them as his child. Lucado then said, “Today is the first day you’ve ever prayed a prayer like that. Could you do me a favor? Could you write me a letter? I don’t have anything I am going to ask from you. I do have a letter I would like to send to you; I’d like to give you a word about the next step or two. I want to encourage you to be baptized, I want to encourage you to read your Bible. But I don’t want you to do any of that so that you will be saved. I want you to do all of that because you are saved . . .” Pretty smooth, don’t you think? And on and on it goes!

We must always demand the truth, no matter what, and we need men among us who have the courage and the conviction to preach the truth, the whole truth, and nothing but the truth no matter what!

The Truth About Bible Baptism

As long as there are men who come along and speak smooth things about Bible subjects, there will be a need for us to teach the truth and expose and refute error. Whatever the Bible says about baptism is the way it is, and we need to believe it and obey it! What does the Bible say?

1. Bible baptism is for the remission of sins. The apostle Peter said very plainly, “Repent, and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins” (Acts 2:38). To say that baptism is because of the remission of sins is to teach something the Bible just does not teach! We are not baptized because our sins are already forgiven. We are baptized in order for our sins to be remitted. The language of Peter in Acts 2:38 is parallel to that of Jesus in Matthew 26:28, “For this is my blood of the new testament, which is shed for many for the remission of sins.” Did Jesus shed his blood because men had already been forgiven of their sins? No! He shed his blood to make the remission of sins possible. And, the remission of sins is not possible without Bible baptism! That is the truth! Which will you accept: the truth or a smoothie?

2. Bible baptism saves. Some will tell us, “I don’t believe that baptism saves.” Why not? The Lord said that baptism saves. “He that believeth and is baptized shall be saved; but he that believeth not shall be damned” (Mark 16:16). The word “and” is a copulative conjunction that ties “faith” and “baptism” together. It takes both faith and baptism to save! Faith alone is not enough, as James declared, “Ye see then how that by works a man is justified, and not by faith only” (Jas. 2:24). If that’s not enough, listen to the apostle Peter, “The like figure whereunto baptism doth also now save us” (1 Pet. 3:21). I take my stand with the apostle Peter. What about you?

3. Bible baptism is a planting and a burial. Too many have the idea that salvation comes at the point of faith, and that baptism is something you do after you are saved as an outward showing of an inward feeling. Whatever that is, the Bible teaches otherwise. Paul taught, “Know ye not, that so many

of us as were baptized into Jesus Christ were baptized into his death? Therefore we are buried with him by baptism into death. . . . For if we have been planted together in the likeness of his death, we shall be also in the likeness of his resurrection” (Rom. 6:3-5). If you are made alive (saved) at the point of faith, then in baptism you are burying them alive! If not, why not?

4. Bible baptism washes away sins. Somebody may say, “Now wait a minute, I thought the blood of Christ washes away sins.” It does. John recorded, “Unto him that loved us, and washed us from our sins in his own blood” (Rev. 1:5). The question is not, “Does the blood wash away sins?” The question is, “How does it do it?” According to John 19:34, Jesus shed his blood in his death. To contact the blood of Christ we must reach his death. This is accomplished in the watery grave of baptism, as Paul penned, “baptized into his death” (Rom. 6:3-4). The blood washes away sins as we are baptized into Christ. Until an individual submits to the Bible command to be baptized, he is yet in his sins! This is why Saul was instructed, “And now why tarriest thou? arise, and be baptized, and wash away thy sins, calling on the name of the Lord” (Acts 22:16). That may not be very smooth, but that is the truth and Jesus said, “Ye shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free” (John 8:32).

 

We need to take John’s advice, “Beloved, believe not every spirit, but try the spirits whether they are of God: because many false prophets are gone out into the world” (1

John 4:1). May we be as the noble Bereans, who “searched the scriptures daily, whether those things were so” (Acts

17:11).

Speaking Smooth Things About . . . Romans 14 and Fellowship

By Tom M. Roberts

The militancy and aggressiveness of the gospel of Christ is an undeniable facet of New Testament Christianity. The uniqueness and distinctiveness of Jesus as the Son of God, the church which he established, and the “one faith” that the Holy Spirit revealed allows no quarter or compromise with false Christs, counterfeit churches, and perverted gospels. A battle has been engaged between the forces of good and evil and we are involved whether we like it or not. Jesus said, “He who is not with me is against me” (Matt. 12:30). Timothy was urged by the apostle Paul (who, as much as any other disciple, exemplified militancy) to “fight the good warfare” (1 Tim. 1:18). He also instructed the Ephesian brethren to “Put on the whole armor of God, that you may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil. For we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this age, against spiritual hosts of wickedness in the heavenly places. Therefore take up the whole armor of God, that you may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand” (6:11ff).

In such a battle, there can be no fraternizing, no compromise with the enemy. The Bible is replete with examples of those who compromised: Adam and Eve, Balaam, Samson, King Saul, Judas, Demas, and many others. The Judaizing teachers wanted compromise on which gospel they accepted and were soundly rebuked by Paul (Acts 15:1ff; Gal. 1:6-9; etc.). From ancient times, advocates of “unity in diversity” (compromise) have had prominent spokespersons. The theme of this issue of Truth Magazine reflects the warning of Isaiah against those of his day who said, “Speak to us smooth things, prophesy deceits” (30:10). Against this sentiment, Paul warned that we must, “Preach the word! Be ready in season and out of season. Convince, rebuke, exhort, with all longsuffering  and teaching. For the time will come when they will not endure sound doctrine, but according to their own desires, because they have itching ears, they will heap up for themselves teachers; and they will turn their ears away from the truth, and be turned aside to fables” (2 Tim. 4:2-4).

Every generation has those who are ashamed of the gospel (Rom. 1:16), those who want “smooth things” and those who have “itching ears.” Like those of Israel who wanted to be “like the nations about us” (1 Sam. 8:5), we have some in the church who plead for unity in diversity, who want tolerance toward error, who are willing to sheath their sword and sit down at tables of compromise with those in error. Reactions against strong preaching abound. The editor and staff writers of Truth Magazine have been accused of “turning off a whole generation of younger preachers” because of the “hard preaching” being done. Many churches today are filled with unrest because strong preaching of- fends some while others feel that distinctive preaching is being omitted. I know of churches which have had to plead for their preachers to speak plainly, to preach a distinctive gospel message. Some of these preachers have gone into the liberal, institutional fellowship because they refused to preach the distinctive gospel in a local church and courted unity in diversity until asked to leave. When they leave, they find a church where smooth things are more palatable, where tolerance for error has a home. Epithets of disdain are hurled against those who preach “the whole counsel of God” (Acts 20:27). They are “watchdogs,” “guardians of orthodoxy,” “new Catholics,” “buzzards looking for dead carrion,” or “brotherhood managers.” Please note the disparity between those who want smooth things in doc- trine but who are willing to use vitriolic language toward brethren who insist on sound doctrine.

Some who are currently espousing “smooth things,” who want tolerance toward error and unity in diversity, those who are embarrassed by strong preaching, have found what they believe to be comfort in Romans 14. This chapter of the Bible which directs brethren to receive one another in “matters of scruples” (v. 1), “authorized liberties” (1 Cor. 8:9; 10:23), is being twisted and wrested (2 Pet. 3:16) so that some are willing to receive one another in sinful doctrines and practices. A rationale for open-ended fellowship with sin is being preached across the nation and around the world by esteemed brethren who, because of their reputation and popularity, are leading many astray. Of course, different brethren accept varying degrees of smooth preaching, but that there is a movement, a voice, a rationale for apostasy cannot be denied.

The leading voice for smooth things today is Christianity Magazine which began its maiden voyage into the sea of religious journalism by the keynote: “accentuate the posi- tive; eliminate the negative.” That this is thematic and not incidental nor accidental is indicated by instructions to its writers from an editor to limit the use of Scripture. “Each article is thus to be short and limited to one major point. Do not tell us all you know, but what you know most surely. Generally speaking, two or three passages should provide a sufficient base for such articles — perhaps even one.” Not content just to limit the amount of Scripture, the same editor proposes suggestions to make the articles “popular.” “Obviously, what we are after is a piece of journalistic writing. The thrust of the article should be practical, speaking to the real needs of people. The style of writing should be popular. We urge you to be your creative best: think of interest-catching leads, sharp illustrations, and, if appropriate, and if possible, sprinkle in a little wit.” (Contrast that with the instruction of Paul to Timothy and Titus and the difference is obvious.)

Lest someone think this approach to religious writing inconsequential, error has been boldly taught by Ed Harrell in his series on Romans 14 in defense of Homer Hailey’s error (cf: Homer Hailey: False Teacher?, Nov. 1988; The Bounds of Christian Unity, Feb. 1989-May, 1990). Though this series of articles was a bold departure from the stated editorial theme of non-controversial material, that same editorial policy was reinstated when numerous brethren asked to respond. In effect, error was taught smoothly by Ed Harrell and no rebuttal was permitted. None of the other editors ever publicly rejected the error that was taught. Thus, Romans 14 was twisted by brother Harrell to teach that it “tolerates contradictory teachings and practices on important moral and doctrinal questions” (May 1990). The “important moral and doctrinal question” put under the aegis of Romans 14 by brother Harrell was the error taught by Homer Hailey on “aliens who would come to God” in adulterous marriages.

As this controversy has spread, and as Romans 14 has been widely used as a defense for fellowship on adulterous marriages, other brethren have advocated this twisted use of Romans 14 to allow fellowship in other areas. We have seen the beginning of departure, not the end.

The Language of Smoothness

It is not hard to recognize the voice of those who want “smooth things” to be advocated today. There are key phrases and “Shibboleths” that reveal a softness toward sound preaching and a desire to promote compromise. Have you been hearing this lately?

We need to have unity in diversity. We have more in common with some people than we have disagreements. Let’s just emphasize our agreements.

Let’s eliminate the negative and accentuate the positive. We have heard too much of preaching that is against sin.

We need to love one another and stop all this preaching against things. The Bible is just a love letter, not a pat- tern book.

We are hearing too much about the church and not enough about the cross; too much doctrine and not enough about Christ; too much law and not enough about grace.

We need to stop judging in matters of opinion such as shorts and swim suits, the use of wine, how many times members ought to attend worship services, clapping in services, gambling, and such like.

Who can say for sure that a certain doctrine is absolutely wrong. Do you know everything? Are you setting yourself up to the another’s judge?

There are so many different positions on this subject (remarriage and adultery, use of wine, etc.) that who can be sure which is right. The Bible is just not clear on this subject.

It seems like there are some brethren who are intent on controlling the brotherhood. We need to have a moratorium on controversial preaching.

Let’s just let each local church decide for itself who it is going to receive into its fellowship. It is nobody’s business but the local church.

Have you heard about the large crowds that turned out to hear brother P.M.A. Goodspeak? We need to get him here for a meeting so we can have large crowds too. He doesn’t condemn anyone.

Aren’t you tired of the old church of Christ traditions? We need to tune in to the Spirit more and liven up our worship with new songs like they sing at camp, clap our hands, be less formal and have shorter sermons.

We need to learn the language of young people. They are the church of tomorrow and we need to do things for them to keep them interested in the church. If we don’t watch out, we are going to lose our young people to other churches that have planned youth programs.

Brethren, the battle against unity-in-diversity will never be won. The cast of characters and list of issues will change from generation to generation. Within the Lord’s church are some that are “ashamed of the gospel.” However irate some become when this charge is made, it must be emphasized that there are brethren who want to be tolerant of error, fit into modern society, eliminate strong preaching against sin, and go smoothly into apostasy. Their policy for smoothness is to use Romans 14 as a chapter of permissiveness, allowing error to be fellowshipped. Of course, some are ignorant of the danger and are shocked to hear this condemned, blaming those who oppose the error as the instigators of controversy. Some stand on the side lines, shaking their heads, dismayed that names are called, hoping it will all go away of its own accord. However, we need not be naive. Error will disappear only when it is met by the “sword of the spirit” (Eph. 6:17). Such battles do not permit smooth sailing into apostasy. There will be controversies, battles, debates, and discussions. Through this fiery time, truth will triumph and those who want “smooth things” will depart into their place. Has it ever been any different?

Speaking Smooth Things About . . .God’s Righteousness Versus the Imputed Righteousness of Christ

By Connie W. Adams

The ecumenical mood has caught up with us. Instead of uniformity of belief and practice, based on objective truth, the going concern is for “unity in diversity.” In an attempt to broaden the base of fellowship, a smooth, but deadly Calvinistic doctrine has been pressed into service. It opens the door for fellowship with those who advocate instrumental music, institutionalism, pre- millennialism, false teaching and practice on marriage, divorce and remarriage, and who knows what next.

The Protestant doctrine of the imputation of the personal righteousness of Christ to the Christian, makes the grace of God an umbrella to cover sins of “weakness” and “ignorance.” Instead of working to bring all to agreement with “the faith once delivered to the saints,” a warm syrup has been poured all over us so that we can “build bridges, not fences” as some like to express it.

False Assumptions

“For the Lord promises nothing except to perfect keepers of his law” (John Calvin). “His perfect law must be vindicated by being kept perfectly in a human life” (Edward Fudge, A Perfect Salvation). But we have a problem here. Man does not perfectly keep God’s law. Ah, but Jesus did. “As Bunyan so beautifully put it, for thirty-three years Christ wove a garment of perfect righteousness to be given away” (Present Truth, April 1977, 21). Since we do not perfectly keep God’s law, and Christ did, then somehow his perfect life must be credited to us. This is the doctrine of the imputation of the perfect righteousness of Christ. It is assumed then that the perfect life of Christ is a substitute for my sins. The truth is that his death was a substitute for my penalty.

What About Imputed Righteousness?

In Romans 4:3-8, Paul spoke of Abraham and said, “Abraham believed God, and it was counted unto him for righteousness.” Even so, when the ungodly turns to believe on him who justifies, “his faith is counted for righteous- ness.” He then quoted David who describes the blessedness of those unto whom God “imputeth righteousness without works.” “Blessed are they whose iniquities are forgiven, and whose sins are covered. Blessed is the man to whom the Lord will not impute sin.” To impute means to credit to one’s account. Paul said nothing here about imputing the personal righteousness of Christ to man. The man to whom God does not impute sin is the one whose iniquities are forgiven and whose sins are covered.

Paul said that in the gospel is “the righteousness (justification) of God revealed from faith to faith, as it is written: the just shall live by faith” (Rom. 1:16-17). That “faith comes by hearing and hearing by the word of God” (Rom. 10:17). When a sinner hears, believes, and obeys the gospel, then on the basis of the shed blood of Christ (his sacrificial death, not his perfect life) God forgives and sins are covered. To that man God does not impute sin. Why? Because his sin is forgiven, covered. He is now justified, proclaimed righteous. He has emerged from darkness into marvelous light (1 Pet. 2:9).

But this smooth false doctrine proceeds from one false assumption to another. If Christ’s perfect obedience is transferred to our account, then it is not necessary for us to obey the gospel to be saved. Then when we sin, either through ignorance or weakness, when God looks upon us, he does not see the sin at all, but only the perfect obedience of Christ. Even though we may persist in this ignorant or weak sin, it does not matter. We are under the umbrella of grace. When that good-hearted man worships with the instrument, or supports the missionary society, or endorses church support of various human institutions through which to do the work of the church, or that sincere preacher who advocates that we should extend fellowship to those who have divorced  and  remarried  without  fornication  as  the cause of divorce, then we should not be judgmental about any of that, for God only sees the perfect life of Christ, not the sinful practice. Smooth? Yea, verily! Wrong? To be sure.

Fallacies

Such a doctrine eliminates obedience. Christ is the author of “eternal salvation to all them that obey him” (Heb. 5:8-9). Saul of Tarsus was to go into Damascus for there he would be told what he “must do” (Acts 9:6). We can’t even get a verse like these quoted before the charge of “legalism” pierces the air. We are told that we have just ruled out grace. Grace is the basis of our salvation. God did not offer his favor because we deserved it. But the question that has to be settled is whether or not that favor is bestowed conditionally or unconditionally. If unconditionally, then there is no escape from universal salvation. Grace is still grace when we believe and act upon what God said.

This notion denies the truth of personal accountability. “The soul that sinneth, it shall die. The son shall not bear the iniquity of the father, neither shall the father bear the iniquity of the son: the righteousness of the righteous shall be upon him, and the wickedness of the wicked shall be upon him” (Ezek. 18:20). “For we must all appear before the judgment seat of Christ; that every one may receive the things done in his body, according to that he hath done, whether it be good or bad” (2 Cor. 5:10). There is not a single passage which states that the righteousness of Christ is imputed to anyone. There is no passage which says that our sins were imputed to Christ.

This doctrine falsifies the nature of man. “Man . . . by nature utterly void of that holiness required by the law of God, positively inclined to evil. . .” (The Standard Manual For Baptist Churches, by Edward T. Hiscox, 60). “The fact that man, by nature, is a sinner . . . It is an eternal principle that man, because he is man, sins” (The Grace of God, by Edward Fudge, 14, 17). Does man sin? Yes. Does he ever obey the Lord? Yes. Now, when one obeys the Lord, does that mean that he is “inclined to good” and that “by nature”? If not, why not? The truth of the matter is that God made us with the power of choice. Every time I have ever sinned, I chose to do it. Every time I ever did something right, I chose to do it. Neither the nature of Adam nor the perfect life of Christ has been imputed.

This view offers false security. It leads people to think that error is as acceptable as truth. “Buy the truth and sell it not” (Prov. 23:23). A perverted gospel is not as good as the real thing. If you think it is, then ponder Galatians 1:6-9. Those who are determined, for whatever reason, to shelter those who teach error, do them no favor and render a disservice to the coming generation. Don’t be deceived by smooth things.

 

Speaking Smooth Things About . . .The Lord’s Church

By Harold Fite

 

The theme of this special issue of Truth Magazine revolves around Isaiah 30:10. God’s people wanted a change! They informed their seers that they would have to change their way of thinking. They instructed the prophets to cease prophesying “right things,” but “prophesy deceits” — to speak “smooth things.” God’s word was too restrictive and condemning. They substituted their wisdom for God’s wisdom. They were only willing to hear what they wanted to hear. They were probably buoyed by the thought “that a new day is dawning in Israel.”

Today we hear an ill “Wind of Change” blowing across the kingdom of God. “Change Agents” are telling us we are going to have to change our way of thinking about the church or it will die. They have deduced that “the church is not relevant in these modern and changing times.” It is not meeting the needs of the people. We must change its nature and form and work to gain a greater relevance in the world. This “will bring the lost into a church environment that makes sense to them.”

Those who seek change tell us traditional worship must go! According to those who advocate changing the Lord’s church, we must “change our way of worship so that it will be more appealing to the present generation of younger adults,” who want “the freedom to worship in their heart language.” Solos, special singing groups, drama, lifting up holy hands, hand-clapping, testifying, contemporary music are just a part of this heart language. The words of the wise man are appropriate here: “Keep thy foot when thou goest to the house of God, and be more ready to hear than to give the sacrifice of fools: for they consider not that they do evil” (Eccl. 5:1).

What are these needs the “baby-boomers” are demanding the church satisfy? For the most part they are physical and social. Churches are becoming more frequently involved in all kinds of social programs to satisfy the selfish, carnal demands of the populace. Churches are becoming social institutions, preaching a social gospel, and church buildings are becoming community centers for social activities.

Not one of these programs, or all combined, will save one soul! But those who advocate changing the Lord’s church recognize that social and entertaining programs will draw more people than the pure gospel of Christ. Those who are pushing change are seeking to destroy the uniqueness of the Lord’s church and shape it in the mold of denominationalism. It places them on more of a competitive plane with the denominations. To denominationalize the church of our Lord is to drain it of its strength and destroy its uniqueness.

Is the church relevant to our times? Does it fill the needs of people today? The church in its primitive form is entirely relevant for the spiritual needs of man, but becomes highly irrelevant when placed in an area for which it is not designed. One can know the work of the church if the nature of the church is known.

The church is spiritual in nature (John 18:36). Jesus said, “The kingdom of God comes not with observation: neither shall they say, Lo here! or There! for lo, the kingdom of God is within you (Luke 17:20, 21).

Its purpose is to give culture to the soul. It exists, not for the entertainment of the masses, to alleviate hunger in the world, or to correct all social inequities and bad environments. The church doesn’t minister to carnal minds. The carnal mind doesn’t demand spiritual food. That is why the church is not relevant to some (cf. John 6:26, 27).

The church was conceived in God’s mind (Eph.1:4-5, 11; 3:11); constructed by God through Christ (Eph.1:19- 20); fulfilled in Christ (Eph.1:22, 23; Gal.1:22; 1 Thess. 2:14), and reigned over by him (1 Tim. 1:17; 6:15). He is the head of the church (Col. 1:18), and exercises all authority in it (Col. 1:18; Eph. 1:22, 23; Jas. 4:12). Who is man to think he can improve upon that which God has created? How dare man prostitute the worship of God and make it a time of entertainment to satisfy carnal desires. “God is a Spirit: and they that worship him must worship in spirit and truth” (John 4:24). In doing so we will be worshiping “decently and in order” (1 Cor. 14:40).

Brethren, “It is an ill wind that blows nobody good.” Be not “tossed to and fro and carried about with every wind of doctrine, by the sleight of men, in craftiness, after the wiles of error” (Eph. 4:14). “By their smooth and fair speech they beguile the hearts of the innocent” (Rom. 6:18).

The church is equipped to do all for which it has been created. The passing from one generation to the next doesn’t change this truth. The church is just as relevant today as it was in the first century. The church in Christ is designed to satisfy all the spiritual needs of man. This is the real need.