Truth Magazine

By P.J. Casebolt

“And as they went on their way, they came unto a certain water: and the eunuch said, See, here is water; what doth hinder me to be baptized” (Acts 8:36)?

At this point in the eunuch’s life, he may have been hindered from being baptized by a number of things. Divine intervention could have hindered this baptism, other people could have hindered it, the eunuch could have hindered it him-self, or Philip could have refused to baptize the eunuch. And if sectarian preachers are correct in their claim that baptism is not necessary, that unbelievers (infants) should be baptized, or that sprinkling is just as good as emersion, then some of these possible hindrances should have prevailed.

But, an angel of the Lord and the Holy Spirit had sent Philip to preach Christ to the eunuch, and that preaching included baptism. No one else was hindering the eunuch from being baptized (no sectarian preachers were present), Philip was ready to baptize the eunuch, there was sufficient water for baptism, and the eunuch not only believed in Christ, he was willing to confess with his mouth the faith which was in his heart (cf. Rom. 10:9, 10).

The apostles were sent into all the world to preach the gospel and baptize believers (Mark 16:15, 16). Later, Saul of Tarsus was chosen to be an apostle and became a party to this same commission (Acts 9:15). Yet, on one occasion, Paul and his companions “were forbidden of the Holy Ghost to preach the word in Asia,” and when they endeavored to preach in Bithynia, “the Spirit suffered them not” (Acts 16:6, 7). But, when Paul received an invitation to preach in

Macedonia, Luke said “that the Lord had called us for to preach the gospel unto them”(Acts 16:9, 10).

“Wherefore we would have come unto you, even I Paul, once and again; but Satan hindered us” (1 Thess. 2:18). We may reasonably conclude that the Lord, the Thessalonians, and Paul himself approved of this effort to strengthen and edify the saints at Thessalonica, but as Paul said, “Satan hindered us.” Of course, Satan has ministers who do his bidding just as the Lord has servants who do the Lord’s will (2 Cor. 11:13-15). By some means, Satan hindered Paul from visiting the saints at Thessalonica, at least on this one occasion.

It is possible for us to make decisions which hinder the gospel of Christ, either intentionally or unintentionally. Paul decided not to exercise his liberty to “live of the gospel” (1 Cor. 9:14), as far as his preaching at Corinth was concerned, “lest we should hinder the gospel of Christ” (1 Cor. 9:12). At the time, Paul said he pursued this course and “robbed other churches, taking wages of them, to do you service” (2 Cor. 11:8). Yet, some of the Corinthians did not appreciate Paul’s sacrifice, and the apostle later said, “forgive me this wrong” (2 Cor. 12:13).

In a given matter, how can we know if we are being hindered by the Lord or by Satan? If the answer to that question is unclear at the time, let us make a decision based on the best knowledge we have, turn our efforts elsewhere, and continue to serve the Lord.

Guardian of Truth XLI: 11 p. 4
June 5, 1997

By Donald P. Ames

In Hebrews 6:18, the writer speaks of Christians as those “who have fled for refuge to lay hold of the hope set before us.” As we look at the world around us, the news is full of accounts of refugees who are fleeing from one country to another, often at great risk of life and limb. Maybe we can learn some important lessons from these people that can help us in our role as refugees as well.

Refugees do not regard their material possessions as their greatest treasures. They are willing to leave home, land, and nearly everything else behind, because they are after something far more important  be it political or religious freedom, or safety from dangers in their old country. Material things can only deter them and hinder their movement to achieve those goals. We need to beware that we do not “set our mind on earthly things” (Phil. 3:19). Instead, like some of the other refugees before us, we need to desire a better, heavenly country  a city whose builder and maker is God (Heb. 11:10, 16). Attachment to things of this world will only cause us to perish rather than commence our journey (1 John 2:15-17). Or, in pausing to dwell on those memories, cause us to fail to achieve what we sought (cf. Gen. 19:26).

Refugees will also take note of others who have made the journey before. They seek to profit by their success, and to learn by their mistakes. Hebrews 11 is set forth as an example of some of the refugees who have successfully made the journey. We are encouraged! It can be done! Don’t give up (Heb. 3:12)! And hopefully, we can also profit from the mistakes of others (1 Cor. 10:1-11). Such information, how-ever, can only help us if we take the time, learn, and apply it (Phil. 4:9; Heb. 13:7).

Refugees realize the journey is fraught with danger and discouragement, yet they set upon it with the hopes of achieving their destination. They know it will require great perseverance if they are to be successful. Living a Christian life is not an easy task  nor always a pleasant one. Paul warns us we will face persecutions (2 Tim. 3:12), and Peter says to expect mistreatment even from some of our former country-men (1 Pet. 4:4). Jesus also warns some of them will turn against us (Matt. 10:35-37). It may require overcoming many obstacles (Jas. 1:12; 1 Cor. 10:13), and even cost some of us our lives (Rev. 2:10; Acts 7). It will also re-quire great perseverance on our part as well (Rom. 5:3-5; 2 Pet. 1:6; Rom. 12:12). We cannot give up at every set back or stumbling point, but must “set our mind on things above” (Col. 3:2). And thus we pursue our destination, because the goal is worth it all (2 Tim. 4:7-8; Phil. 1:23)!

Refugees also learn they have to choose friends care-fully. All cannot be trusted, and some cannot be trusted at all. If someone is weak, ready to betray their efforts  or even eager to do so for material gain, they may have to part company to achieve their destination. Some would readily betray us for their own purposes (2 Pet. 2:18-20; 1 Cor. 15:33). Some have no intentions of helping us, but are bent on our destruction (Rom. 16:17; 2 Tim. 3:1-4). We must identify these and avoid them, or our journey will have no hope of success!

Yet there is also a comradeship amongst those who flee as refugees. They pull together, trying to help each other, and know their success partly depends on their joint efforts. As Christians, we are to help the weak (1 Thess. 5:14), en-courage and admonish one another (Heb. 10:24-25); and to pull together, each doing what he can, as we strive for our goal (1 Cor. 1:10-13; 12:120. We should want all of us to get there, if possible (Gal. 6:1-2), knowing our own efforts are also helped by the efforts of others as well (Rom. 1:11-12; Phil. 4:3, 16). Failure to have such comradeship may lead to our own downfall on this journey (1 John 3:16-20).

And, finally, when they reach their goal, there is much rejoicing  even if they don’t know everything that yet lies ahead of them. As Christians, we may not know all the glories of heaven, or the details of what we will be doing there. But we are excited, because we do know it is well worth the effort! And when we achieve our goal, there is rejoicing in heaven by those who hear of it (Luke 15:7). Those waiting for us will rejoice (Phil. 2:16). And we will also have great rejoicing (Matt. 25:21). Let us never lose sight of that goal, but as struggling refugees, press on that we may achieve our destination, even though the cost at times may appear to be great. Remember, we are seeking a better country and will be blessed for it (Rev. 14:13)!

Guardian of Truth XLI: 11 p. 8-9
June 5, 1997

By Tommy Hagewood

“We have lost two good soldiers.” These words were spoken to me by sister Jeannetta Clifford just prior to the funeral service of her beloved husband, brother Rufus R. Clifford, Sr. The other soldier sister Clifford was referring to was brother Grover Stevens. Both men passed from this life to their reward on Friday, February 21, 1997.

Truly these were two great men of God. Both men preached the unsearchable riches of Christ for many years. Both struggled through many battles for Christ during their early pilgrimage. Both shall be greatly missed.

The earthly remains of brother Clifford were laid to rest in Columbia, Tennessee on Saturday, February 22, 1997. Brother Stevens’ funeral service was conducted in Louisville, Kentucky on Monday, February 24, 1997. We extend our sympathy to both of these families in their time of sorrow. We sorrow but not as others who have no hope.

From a personal standpoint brother Rufus Clifford had a greater impact on my life because I was around him more. I’ve known him since I was a small child and have heard him preach many times.

When he retired from preaching a few years ago, he and sister Clifford greatly blessed Maury County by moving into our area. He served as an elder for the Lanton church of Christ until illness forced him to resign. Everyone who loved the truth and gospel preaching loved brother Rufus Clifford.

I shall never forget hearing him preach on heaven thirty years ago when I was a student at Florida College. He was holding a meeting at the Seminole church of Christ in Tampa. Another young preacher remarked to several of us after the lesson, “Brother Clifford talked about heaven like he had already been there and had come back to tell us about it!” Obviously he had not been there in body but that’s where his heart, treasure, and citizenship were while he lived on this earth. I can still close my eyes and see him preaching and hear his touching words, “If you miss heaven, you’ 11 have missed it all.”

I first met brother Grover Stevens when his son Phillip was my roommate my first year at Florida College. Though I didn’t have much contact with brother Grover over the years since, I was always greatly blessed at those times when I did get to hear him preach.

To me, the thing that stands out about brother Stevens was his courage. He had the courage to leave the false religion of denominationalism for the truth of Christ. In preaching the gospel he put his own physical life in jeopardy at times  especially I believe when he exposed the false religion of Masonry. (The sermons he delivered a few years ago at the Downtown church of Christ on Masonry are classics.)

I do not mean to imply in this tribute that these men were sinless men. They would have been the first to acknowledge that they had feet of clay and were saved by the grace of God. However, both of these men were good men, holy men of God who loved the Lord, loved the truth of the gospel, loved souls, loved the Lord’s church, and loved their families. Both sought to exalt Christ and not themselves. Both are worthy of our love, respect, and gratitude. I plan to see both of them in heaven!

From the lives of godly people who precede us in death let us learn some valuable lessons:

 A person can live the life of a Christian even in a wicked world.

 A Christian’s life is to be a happy, joyful, purposeful life.

 Though seemingly an endangered species, there are men who are unashamed to be identified as Christians.

 There are still men who risk their lives and who give their lives to preach Christ.

 There are men who live and die as good husbands, fathers, brothers in Christ, and friends.

 It truly pays to be a Christian in this life and to died in Christ (Rev. 14:13).

 These men, being dead, yet speak (and so some day shall we).

Guardian of Truth XLI: 10 p. 5-6
April May 1, 1997

By Larry Ray Hafley

You have heard of the recent suicides of religious cults in Canada and in southern California. Forty-four have died in the two suicide pacts. This number, tragic as it is, does not approach the 913 who followed the notorious Jim Jones in Guyana, in 1978.

Unbelievers will paint all religious people with the same brush. In other words, all who profess faith in God are “nuts.” If you believe in God, you are a blind, fanatical robot. You have lost your mind. “Much learning doth make thee mad.”

Any valid points that are made against the cult suicides will have to be taken from Bible principles, from biblical standards. See the irony in that? Those who do not believe the Bible will use it to condemn the suicides. Do “quack” doctors invalidate medical science? No, true science is what discredits the “quack.” Do “shyster” lawyers prove that the legal profession is crooked? No, true jurisprudence arrests the “shyster.” Do religious cults make faith void? No, the absurd actions of religious cultists do not prove that all religion is ridiculous. As one must take truth to defeat the quack and convict the shyster, so one must take Divine revelation to refute human imaginations (2 Cor. 10:3-5).

Infidels cannot remain consistent and criticize those who have taken their own lives. If assisted suicide should be legalized, and if mothers may kill their unborn babies, why should an adult be condemned for taking his own life? If a mother’s body is her own, and she may choose to abort her child, why is not any person’s body his own which he may kill if he chooses to do so? Unbelievers cannot answer without contradicting their own philosophy.

No, it is not right to commit murder, and suicide is murder, self murder. But let an atheist tell us why it is wrong, or why it should be viewed as a sign of “madness.” If consenting adults have the right to engage in every form of vile sexual conduct without facing condemnation, why may not consenting adults agree to kill themselves for whatever reason? If, according to modern thought, one’s “sexual preference” or “sexual orientation” is no one’s business, whose business is one’s “spiritual preference” or “religious orientation”? Let an agnostic explain.

Guardian of Truth XLI: 10 p. 15
April May 1, 1997