Truth Magazine

By Connie W. Adams

The church at Ellettsville, Indiana has a long history of training men to preach the gospel. Such a program of work dates back to 1879 when W.H. Krutsinger conducted an extensive effort along that line. There was a frame building used as a dormitory and recitation room. This house still stands in Ellettsville and is now used as a dwelling. Sister Krutsinger prepared breakfast for the students in their home and all were expected to appear promptly at 6:00 a.m. with hair combed, shoes shined, ties on, and ready to proceed with the day. In addition to a wide variety of subjects, there was much “practice” sermonizing. Among those who attended this training program were such men as A.G. Freed (later of Freed Hardeman College), W.H. Davis, Homer H. Adamson, Fred L. Rowe, Ben F. Taylor, David S. Ligon and many others.

More than a hundred years later, the Ellettsville church is still involved in preparing men to preach the gospel. A few years ago, Johnie Edwards and his son, Johnie Paul Edwards, began a three-hour study one night a week to teach interested young men how to better themselves in the work of preaching. That developed into what is now an annual extended effort the last two weeks of July. In 1996 there were 31 men, most of whom were beginners, though some were more experienced men who came to better themselves in their work. Classes go on all day with a lunch break. A community building is available for that and women pre-pare the food there. The students stay in the homes of local members.

A study session will find these men around tables in a large classroom with Bibles, notebooks, and a growing collection of handouts. They move from one subject to another with much outside work assigned. Sermons are outlined, passages memorized, and subjects discussed. There is a no-nonsense, militant air about it all. One brother told me that he was up each night until about 2:00 a.m. working on assignments.

This past summer, the church at Danville, Indiana had a short meeting using some of the students as speakers. Great interest was shown. Guardian of Truth Bookstore, Religious Supply Center, and other brethren donated books, tracts, and supplies to help these men start libraries. Speakers were invited during the two weeks to deal with special subjects, but the bulk of the teaching was done by Johnie Edwards and Johnie Paul Edwards.

In traveling about over the country we often hear young men who are just beginning and who could benefit greatly by such a training program. Every student is expected to work. He will come away with the understanding that gospel preaching is serious work. The emphasis is on practical aspects of preaching. How do you teach a Bible class? How do you handle disruptive situations? How do you preach a funeral? How do you lead singing?

There are several extended training programs which have been in use for several years, such as the eight month annual program at Danville, Kentucky taught by Steve Wolfgang and Scott Vifquain. Well over 100 men who were taught here are now preaching around the world. A similar work began in September at Jordan, Ontario with Chuck Bartlett, Arnold Spiece, and Jack Maddocks teaching, assisted by a few Ontario preachers.

I am convinced that the two week, intesive effort at Elletsville is productive and much good. Experienced men who want to hone their talents and relight the fire that sometimes flickers, would profit greatly from this effort. Young men still in high school who want to prepare to preach, or late deciders alike can benefit from these efforts.

Guardian of Truth XLI: 7 p. 3-4
April 3, 1997

By James P. Needham

There can be no doubt that ex-posing error is as much a part of preaching the gospel as is the presenting of the positive precepts of divine truth. This is undeniably proven by the following Scriptures:

Jeremiah 1:10  “See, I have this day set thee over the nations and over the kingdoms, to root out, to pull down and to destroy and to throw down, to build and to plant.” In this verse, are found four terms: three negative (“root out,” “pull down,” “destroy,” “throw down”), and two positive (“build” and “plant”). Two thirds of Jeremiah’s preaching was to be negative, and one third positive.

2 Timothy 4:2  “Preach the word: be instant in season, out of sea-son; reprove, rebuke, exhort with all longsuffering and doctrine.” Three terms are used in this passage: two negative (“reprove,” “rebuke”) and one positive (“exhort”). Hence again, two thirds is to be negative.

Those non-combative soldiers of the cross who have more sympathy for the espouser of error than for its exposure had better spend more time taking inventory of their own preaching and less of it trying to determine if the combatant soldier is complying with their judgment in the battle.

If we learn anything from the above passages it is that more of our time should be spent in exposing error than in imparting the positive truths of the word. Anybody who has lived on a farm knows well the lesson. It takes more time to clear new ground of the trees and noxious weeds than it does to plant the seeds once that is done. The same is true in the spiritual realm. It is much harder to unteach people than to teach them. It is absurd to even think of going into a new ground and planting seed without first clearing it. It is worse than ridiculous to think of implanting the positive truths of

God’s word in the hearts of men be-fore they are disabused of the errors of men (Luke 8:14).

Unfortunately, we know some who spend two-thirds of their time in the negative alright, but not in fighting error, but those who are exposing it. They would do well to spend more time worrying about whether they are doing enough exposing error and less worrying about whether others are spending too much! If all would do theft share, maybe it wouldn’t appear that some are doing too much.

All my preaching life I have had to fight error with a mass of compromising brethren about my neck. They usually say they are behind me, but when I investigate, I find they are so far behind me that nobody can tell whether they are supporting the truth or the error! They usually have a lot to say about how sound they are, but generally I have found them to be more sound than anything else! They think they have to tell everyone how sound they are, otherwise, they might not find out about it! One would never guess it from their actions. Lightning kills, not thunder!

It is strange how some brethren think they can convince others they are sound when they fellowship error, and fraternize those who espouse it while destructively criticizing those who expose it!

Guardian of Truth XLI: 7 p. 6
April 3, 1997

By Mike Willis

John’s account of the gospel of Christ relates the conversation that occurred between Nicodemus and Jesus. Nicodemus is described as a Pharisee who was a ruler of the Jews.

The Pharisees was the sect among the Jews who were most concerned about personal holiness. However, the sect tended toward self-righteousness and arrogance. Jesus’ depiction of the Pharisee who prayed in the Temple surely called attention to widespread attitudes among them: “The Pharisee stood and prayed thus with himself, God, I thank thee, that I am not as other men are, extortioners, unjust, adulterers, or even as this publican. I fast twice in the week, I give tithes of all that I possess” (Luke 18:11-12). He also warned his disciples to avoid the hypocrisy of the Pharisees (Luke 12:1).

Being a ruler of the Pharisees, Nicodemus was a member of the Jewish Sanhedrin (John 7:50). He held a very prominent position among the Jews.

Nicodemus had witnessed the miracles that Jesus had done in Jerusalem (see John 2:23). When he approached Jesus he said, “Rabbi, we know that thou art a teacher come from God: for no man can do these miracles that thou doest, except God be with him” (John 3:2). Jesus’ response to him seems to pre-suppose that Nicodemus had asked him, “What does one in my station have to do to become a member of the kingdom of God?” Nicodemus would likely think that a man of his position and stature would be welcomed as he was into the kingdom of God. However, Jesus responded, “Verily, verily, I say unto thee, Except a man be born again, he cannot see the kingdom of God” (John 3:3).

Nicodemus may have been offended by such a statement. Publicans, vile sinners, and Gentiles may need to be “born again” to enter the kingdom, but should such be required of a Pharisee, one who was a chief among the Jews?

Nicodemus did not understand what Jesus meant by being born again. Did Jesus mean that an older man like himself had to enter a second time into his mother’s womb to be born again?

Jesus explained, “Verily, verily, I say unto thee, Except a man be born of water and of the Spirit, he cannot enter into the kingdom of God” (John 3:5).

The New Birth

There is no one among Christian people who does not understand that one must be “born again” to be saved. How-ever, there is much difference in understanding of what that new birth consists. Let us examine what the text says:

1. Salvation requires a new birth. We understand the figure of a birth, being born into something. The change that occurs when a person is saved from sin is so radical that it can be compared to being born again. A birth requires a conception and emergence from the mother’s womb. In the spiritual figure of a new birth, one is conceived by the gospel seed (1 Cor. 4:15; 1 Pet. 1:23). The preaching of the gospel causes the conception that results in the new birth.

2. Being born again requires that one be born of water. There is only one thing associated with salvation that involves water and that is baptism. The commentaries are generally agreed that “born of water” refers to being baptized in water (Meyer 123, Bloomfield I:342, Bernard I:104, Alford I:714, A. Plummer 95, etc.). The significance of this text is that water baptism (born of water) is a essential for entrance in the kingdom of heaven.

Only those who have a theological position to defend which denies that baptism is a condition of salvation look for a different meaning of “born of water.” To deny that water baptism is a condition of salvation, “born of water” is interpreted to mean the amniotic fluid of a physical birth (when a woman shortly before childbirth “breaks her water”). This interpretation is so transparently false that it needs little refutation. However, the conclusion would necessarily follow that a “dry birth” baby could not enter the kingdom of heaven. The text itself says that a “man” (not a baby) must be born of water.

That water baptism is essential to salvation is confirmed by the following texts:

He that believeth and is baptized shall be saved; but he that believeth not shall be damned (Mark 16:16).

Then Peter said unto them, Repent, and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins, and ye shall receive the gift of the Holy Ghost (Acts 2:38).

And now why tarriest thou? arise, and be baptized, and wash away thy sins, calling on the name of the Lord (Acts 22:16)

The like figure whereunto even baptism doth also now save us (not the putting away of the filth of the flesh, but the answer of a good conscience toward God,) by the resurrection of Jesus Christ (1 Pet. 3:21).

Those who have not been immersed in water for the remission of their sins have not been born again.

3. The new birth requires that one be born of the Spirit. Water baptism without the accompanying “born of Spirit” is inadequate for salvation. What does being “born of the Spirit” mean? Various explanations have been given. Some interpret this to mean Holy Spirit baptism, speaking in tongues, or some other miraculous manifestation of the Holy Spirit.

We can find help in understanding this statement by looking at other verses that mention the Holy Spirit and water baptism. Consider the following:

And such were some of you: but ye are washed, but ye are sanctified, but ye are justified in the name of the Lord Jesus, and by the Spirit of our God (1 Cor. 6:11).

For by one Spirit are we all baptized into one body, whether we be Jews or Gentiles, whether we be bond or free; and have been all made to drink into one Spirit (1 Cor. 12:13).

Not by works of righteousness which we have done, but according to his mercy he saved us, by the washing of regeneration, and renewing of the Holy Ghost (Titus 3:5).

That he might sanctify and cleanse it with the washing of water by the word (Eph. 5:26)

These verses help us to see what the work of the Holy Spirit is in conversion that might be compared to being born again. The Holy Spirit who was sent to the apostles did the work of convicting men of sin, righteousness, and the judgment to come (John 16:8). That occurs through the preaching of the Holy Spirit revealed word of God. When one hears the gospel preached, he is convicted of his sins (Acts 2:37; 1 Cor. 14:24). The Holy Spirit revealed gospel proclaims the conditions of one’s salvation  belief in Christ (Mark 16:16; John 8:24; 14:6), repentance of one’s sins (Acts 2:38; 17:30), confession of one’s faith (Mau. 10:32; Acts 8:37), and water baptism (Mark 16:16; Acts 2:38; 22:16; 1 Pet. 3:21). When one believes the message revealed by the Holy Spirit, genuinely repents of his sins and determines to be obedient to the Lord, and is baptized in water, he has been born of the Spirit.

Sometimes a person is immersed in water for one reason or another without this great transformation having occurred. He may be baptized in order to date a person, to please his parents, or because some of his friends were baptized. However, if one did not experience the change that is described above in which he ceases to live to please himself in the service of Satan and resolves to live for Christ, he just got wet.

4. He becomes a part of the kingdom of God. The kingdom of God on this earth is the church (Matt. 16:18). Because the church is an eternal kingdom that shall be delivered up to the Father at the Lord’s second coming (1 Cor. 15:24), this kingdom is but a prelude to heaven itself (2 Pet. 1:11). Hence, the new birth is essential to become a member of the church (1 Cor. 12:13) and to enter heaven itself.

Conclusion

Have you been born again? Some of our religious neighbors need to realize that they have not been born again because they were not baptized into Christ for the remission of their sins. Perhaps some of us need to reconsider whether or not we were born of the Spirit when we were baptized or just went through some ritual for some reason or the other. Whichever the case might be, if you have not been born again, you need to be if you desire to be a citizen in the kingdom of King Jesus.

Guardian of Truth XLI: 7 p. 2
April 3, 1997

By Jared Hagan

It is a shame that the Hebrew writer was short on time and could only mention a few men of faith by name in the chapter commonly called the Faith Hall of Fame. The Old Testament de-votes much time and space to David and his deeds, but he is among those who only have their names mentioned in Hebrews 11. Time had failed the author to give anymore detail about David. The author could have spent hours on David and his deeds of faith alone. Three of David’s acts of faith apply well to our lives today.

By faith David, though he was a youth, fought against the mighty Philistine and slew him. The situation looked bleak for Israel. The Philistines’ mightiest warrior stood before them, challenging them to fight. The sight of this warrior was enough to cause all the men of Israel to flee from him (1 Sam. 17:24). David, however, was willing to face this giant. Saul discouraged David because he was just a youth and the Philistine had been a warrior from his youth (1 Sam. 17:33). But David confidently declared that the giant would fall before him because he had “taunted the armies of the living God,” and that God would deliver him from the Philistine (1 Sam. 17:36-37). Saul permitted David to face the giant, and with one stone, the giant fell. By faith, David killed the Philistine warrior, and Israel slaughtered the Philistines.

As Christians, we ought to stand against those that mock the children of the living God with the same courage and faith that David had. “If God is for us, who is against us (Rom. 8:31)?” This is more than a question. It is a plea to the Christians to have faith. What enemy shall we fear? What warrior can stand against us? Even if the entire nation stands against us, if God is for us, we will conquer. As children of God, let us take our stand by faith against abortion, homosexuality, women in the pulpit, and the rest of the modernist agenda realizing that those who support such things are directly opposed to God.

They are standing across a valley mocking our God and his people. As Christians, we must not flee from the giant. Today the giant may take us to court or persecute us in other ways, but if God is for us, it will only take one stone. God will cause the giant to fall at our feet.

By faith David stored up treasures for the temple because he believed the promise that God made to him concerning his son. David desired to give God a dwelling place with more glory than even his own home. God forbade David from doing this, but made David several promises instead (2 Sam. 7). One of these promises was that one of David’s children would build God’s temple. Again, David demonstrates his great faith. He believed God too such an extent that he began preparation for the fulfillment of the promise. David made blueprints for the temple and even began stockpiling supplies (1 Chron. 28:11-19; 29:1-5). David would never see the temple, but by faith he prepared much of the material which would go into it.

Let us have the same faith in God’s promises that David had. Let us consider a promise from God to be no less than already fulfilled. Hebrews 12:26 tells of the promise that God is going to destroy the earth, but in v. 28 the Hebrew writer reminds the Christians that they will receive a “kingdom which cannot be shaken.” Let us have enough faith that we “show gratitude, by which we may offer to God an acceptable service with reverence and awe.” David would have believed this promise, offered thanks, and prepared for the fulfillment of this promise. We should be no different.

God has promised many things to Christians. God has promised us that if we pray, by faith, we can move mountains (Matt. 17:20). God has also promised to us that “all things work together for good to those that love God (Rom. 8:28).” Like David, we should have the faith to believe that God will fulfill these promises. This also applies to the gift of the Holy Spirit in Acts 2:38. While we may disagree about what this gift is, by faith we know that we have received it.

By faith David, when his most loyal men threatened to stone him, strengthened himself in the Lord (1 Sam. 30:6). They had just refused David the chance to battle with the Philistines. He and his army returned to their home, Ziklag, only to find that the enemy had burned down the city and taken captive all of their wives and children. David’s army, embittered by defeat, threatened to stone him. David remembered that every time Saul had attempted to kill him, God had delivered out of Saul’s hand. Because God had never left him, David had always managed to survive. This situation would be no different, so “David strengthened himself in the Lord his God” (1 Sam. 30:6), and then he inquired of the Lord if he should pursue the attackers.

We ought to have the same faith that David had. It is not often that an enemy threatens our lives, as his was, but we all do suffer various types of persecutions and endure many threats. There may be times in our lives when our jobs are at stake. Sometimes we may find that those threatening us are our own families or our trusted friends. Becoming anxious and distressed is easy at these times, but we, like David, should strengthen ourselves in the Lord our God. He has taken care of each of us up to this point, and he is not going to stop now. Just as God provides for the sparrows, he will also provide for us. We must not allow the worries of this life to overtake us, instead, we ought to have faith in God, and inquire of the Lord what it is that he would have us do.

Although it is a shame that the Hebrew writer mentions only David’s name in Hebrews 11, we can still learn much from his faith. We must stand against those that oppose God or his people no matter how powerful they are. We must take courage even when those whom we trust most threaten our lives. We must also prepare for the fulfillment of the promises which God has made to us, even if the fulfillment may not come in our lifetime. By doing these things we can walk by faith, as David did, and no longer live in fear because of our sight.

Guardian of Truth XLI: 7 p. 22-23
April 3, 1997