Truth Magazine

By George Hickman

I am writing about Velma Louise Gutting because I feel there is more to be said about this saint. The people who knew her, know what I mean. She was an outstanding per-son in all respects.

Velma Louise Gutting was born June 24,1909 and died September 12, 1996 at the age of 87. Her immortal spirit departed to rest in the bosom of Abraham (Luke 16:22), where she would no longer suffer pain and sorrow of this world (Rev 21:4); the former things are now passed for her.

“She was known by many as Velma but to me she was sister Gutting.” When I came to Kahoka, Missouri in August 1992 and began working with the Westside Church of Christ, I was very impressed with the work she had done over the years, keeping the doors open and the congregation together. Many times when the weather was cold and the streets were iced over, she would walk over to the church building, turn the lights on and read the Bible lesson on Wednesday night by herself. She wanted to be sure the building was warm and always open.

There was probably no Christian or person in Kahoka, or anywhere she was known who was more loved and respected than Velma Gutting. People would call or come by for advice on gardening, quilting, cooking, budgeting, and other matters. She was a very wise lady. Business men would seek information. Even her banker would call for advice on many occasions. She was absolutely untiring in her service to her family, her community, but most of all to the Lord’s service. No task was too small and none too great for her to perform.

She was always the preacher’s best friend and helper. Personally, I do not know what I would have done without her encouragement and advice during my time here. It is hard now that she is gone. I think of trips we made together, the telephone calls each morning, seeing her mowing her yard, working in the garden, or just visiting with neighbors.

To me she was a beautiful personification of the “Virtuous Woman” (Prov. 31:10-31). “Who can find a virtuous woman? For her price is far above rubies.” If you had the privilege of knowing Velma Gutting, then you knew a virtuous woman.

Sister Gutting was a devoted mother to her son Sidney and a second mother to many others. She was there to help in any way she could.

A Composite of Bible Women

As we study Sarah, wife of Abraham who is the “father” (or prototype) of God’s faithful spiritual children through-out time (Rom. 4:16), she is honored by inspiration because she obeyed Abraham, calling him Lord (1 Pet. 3:6). Like Sarah, sister Gutting recognized and honored the headship in both the home and in the church.

Jochebed, mother of Moses, deliverer of Israel and a type of Christ (Exod. 2:15; Acts 3:22-23; 1 Cor. 10:1-11), saw the superior qualities of her infant son. She protected, nourished, and developed them at the risk of her own life. She found a way to beat all odds and raised her son. Sister Gutting saw the good qualities in her son, and anyone who knows Sidney Gutting can see the love and care she gave him. You could also see the love and dedication of her daughter-in-law Phyllis. This was demonstrated in the care she gave sister Gutting in her last days on earth.

We read and study about other women of the Bible. The ones who knew Velma Gutting could see some of their qualities in her, such as Hannah (1 Sam.1:20) or Deborah (Judg. 4:4). Sister Gutting was an outstanding leader among the women of the church and had limitless moral courage. She was devoted to the Lord and worked hard for the cause of the Christian life.

She gave her love, time, and finances so Christians would be able to have a new auditorium. Many donations for the project came from friends. Also people came with her son (Sidney) from Louisville, Kentucky (approximately 450 miles), once a month to help build the building. People also came from places like St. Louis, Warrenton, and St. Peters, Missouri to work on the building.

Sister Gutting opened her house to the people who came. She gave them good home cooked meals and a comfortable place to stay. Many said it was worth the long trip just to be able to eat her cooking. No one could forget her apple pie.

Like Phebe, a servant of the church at Cenchrea (Rom.16:1), sister Gutting was a servant of the church that meets at 671 W. Thompson Street, Kahoka, Missouri. She was very dependable. She was always ready to visit the sick, the new corner, visit the nursing home, and do any-thing she could to help further Christianity.

Sister Gutting’s place in the congregation will be hard to fill for she was indeed a “Virtuous Woman.”

Guardian of Truth XLI: 5 p. 12
March 6, 1997

By Donald P. Ames

Unless I have overlooked it somewhere, the expression “disobedient to parents” is only found two times in the New Testament. The first reference is found in Romans 1:29-31, where Paul says, “being filled with all unrighteousness, sexual immorality, wickedness, covetousness, maliciousness; full of envy, murder, strife, deceit, evil-mindedness; they are whisperers, backbiters, haters of God, violent, proud, boasters, inventors of evil things, disobedient to parents, undiscerning, untrustworthy, unloving, unforgiving, unmerciful”; etc. The second time is found in 2 Timothy 3:2, and is joined with this: “For men will be lovers of them-selves, lovers of money, boasters, proud, blasphemers, disobedient to parents, unthankful, unholy, unloving, unforgiving, slanders, without self-control, brutal, despisers of good, traitors, headstrong, haughty, lovers of pleasure rather than lovers of God,” etc. Obviously such a disposition is not pleasing to God and is not the type of company we would like to be identified with.

I’m sure, especially from this context, that Paul is not referring to a child who might misunderstand or disagree sometimes with his parents. Rather, the context suggests a child of the nature who might “curse” his parents (Exod. 21:17, Lev. 20;9) or “strike” his parents (Exod. 21:15). Such a child, along with the rebellious and lazy (“glutton and drunkard”), was to be brought before the elders, formally accused, and stoned (Deut. 21:18-21). According to a Jewish commentary I have in my library, they interpret to “curse” to invoke the name of the Lord against, and to “strike” to leave a bruise. And although there is no record of anyone actually being put to death for such, it does well express God’s disapproval for such an attitude. Such a child, refusing to heed anything his parents might say, would also rebel against the laws of the land and the laws of God as well.

Contrast this with the attitude of Christ, who was subject to his parents (Luke 2:51). Also with the other child, interested in doing God’s will, who is instructed to “obey” his parents (Eph. 6:1, Col. 3:20), and to “honor” them (Eph. 6:2). They may not always be right, but they are our parents, and in God’s divine plan, they are to be respected as such. When differences arise, we need to learn to discuss such with them, showing the proper respect due their position and wisdom (Prov. 13:1). We may not always agree with them, or even like their decisions; but to respect God’s divine arrangement, we must learn proper respect for them as well. And sometimes, as we grow older, we learn their wisdom was much wiser than ours was at a younger age. That is why God made us subject to our parents, and not the parents to the children.

In 3 John 11, John says, “Beloved, do not imitate what is evil, but what is good.” Now, pause and think a moment: Which group are you imitating? Is it the group that respects God and his word, or the group that is in rebellion against all that pleases God? If you are in the wrong group, perhaps you need to reexamine your disposition and make some changes! And when was the last time you praised your parents for what they did for you?

Guardian of Truth XLI: 5 p. 8
March 6, 1997

By Steven Deaton

I am searching for a congregation of saints with which to work and worship, upon my expected release from prison. If you are seeking a man to locate with you, and in the interest of being “above the board,” please consider the following.

Education

I was not educated at any school or in any program run by brethren. I spent several years studying in a system that was run by people who are violently opposed to the body of Christ. In fact, I was among the top of the class.

Background

During my younger days, I was involved with a rather rough crowd. We traveled from town to town and either drug people out of their homes, beat them, or murdered them. Sometimes I would just watch or supervise as these things took place.

Experience

Since the time that I learned the truth, I have labored among many different brethren, not staying very long at any one place. I did stay three years in one city and warned them daily of the dangers they would face (some call this a “watchdog” mentality). If you check with those with whom I have worked, you will find that some love and respect me, while others have no confidence in me at all. You are likely to find brethren who say that I preach only for the money and am a hypocrite, among other things. There will be those who say that I preach too long and put them to sleep. I have been run out of several towns for doing what I do. It seems almost everywhere I go, there are members of the community and church, that do not find my teaching to their liking. It is either too critical of their practices and beliefs or simply considered ridiculous.

At times I will write other congregations with either exhortation or rebuke, or both. In some of my writings, I “write-up” those who work evil. Also, I will not hide the fact that I am considered by some to be a “name caller” when I name the ones who are teaching error. I have been accused of having a personal vendetta against one brother because he is named in two different letters. I have quoted and circulated in my writings the position and actions of men in sin. Some may not wish to invite me to preach for this very reason.

Moreover, in some of my writings, I put great emphasis upon the church, for which I have been told, “You have a `church centered’ religion.” Additionally, I am very adamant to call upon my brethren not to be tolerant of any other message, teaching, or religious organization other than that which the truth reveals and supports. There are those who consider this to be narrow minded and legalistic, and in one respect, it is. You should really know, I am quite narrow about truth.

Other Things To Consider

Having been disliked by many, I often end up in unusual situations. I have been arrested and kept prisoner in different places for nearly four years now. I have been beaten several times, so my physical appearance is not all that appealing to the young or old. Also, at times I have found myself without proper clothing, thus lacking a “professional” appearance when I show up in some cities. Speaking of which, some brethren that I have worked among believe me to be quite the barbarian while delivering my sermons. That is, in their eyes, I am not very eloquent.

I travel quite a bit, but do not think of it as a vacation, as some brethren do. I would like to use my next “located work” as a base of operation, being gone in my labors much of the time, but still putting in 100% while at home.

I am not married, never have been, and do not anticipate so doing. Therefore, I will not bring a “husband-wife” team to do the work. (Note: Some outside the body of Christ may have thought that I was a homosexual because I do not have a wife at this late age.)

Summary

Realizing that it is very important whom you choose to work with, please do not forget that my habits will not change all that much. (And by the way, knowing how vital it is to many, let it be known that I am getting up in my years now.) So, take all of this into consideration and let me hear from you. The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, and the love of God, and the communion of the Holy Ghost, be with you all.

Paul, formerly, Saul of Tarsus

c/o Roman Prison System

Separate Quarters #1

Guardian of Truth XLI: 5 p. 5
March 6, 1997

By Ron Halbrook

When should a person be baptized? When he understands and accepts the gospel of Christ in his heart, or some time later?

Infants and young children should wait. The Bible does not teach infant baptism. The Great Commission says, “He that believeth and is baptized shall be saved” (Mark 16:16). Faith must precede baptism, but infants and small children do not yet have the ability to understand  much less believe  the gospel.

At some age, we reach an understanding of right and wrong and we have the ability to make a moral choice between the two. It is not merely a matter of choosing to obey our parents, and receiving their approval, or to disobey them, and receiving their disapproval. It is a matter of choosing in a deeper sense, making a moral choice between right and wrong. When a person reaches that age of responsibility and chooses to break the commandments of God, he be-comes guilty of sin. Thus, the Bible says, “All have sinned and come short of the glory of God” (Rom. 3:23).

Christ died to save us from the guilt and condemnation of our sins. His death provided a perfect sacrifice for sin: Sin was punished in such a way as to offer pardon to the sinner. He died for our sins, but he did no sin. This is the basis of salvation rather than any merit in ourselves (John 3:16; Rom. 5:6-8).

Salvation is offered to all men but not forced upon any-one. The conditions upon which we make the choice to receive or to reject salvation include faith in Christ, repenting of sin, confessing Jesus as God’s Son, and being immersed in water by his command (Acts 2:38; Rom. 10:10). There is no merit in man when he accepts these conditions; rather, he throws himself upon God’s love, mercy, and grace by yielding to these conditions.

When we accept the truth of the gospel in our mind, should we delay our baptism until later? No, we should be baptized immediately! Just accepting the truth in our hearts will not save us, for we are not saved by faith alone (James 2:24). We must immediately repent of our sins (Acts 2:38), immediately confess Jesus as God’s Son (Acts 8:37; Rom. 10:9-10), and immediately be baptized for the remission of our sins (Acts 2:38-41).

In Acts 2:40-41, the sinners were baptized “the same day” when they believed the truth  they did not wait. In Acts 8:35-38, the eunuch was baptized as soon as he believed the gospel and confessed Christ  he did not wait. In Acts 16:32-34, the jailer was baptized “the same hour of the night”  he did not wait. In Acts 22:16, Ananias told Saul, “And now why tarriest thou? Arise and be baptized and wash away thy sins, calling on the name of the Lord”  he did not wait.

Why did they not wait? Because until they were baptized, they were still lost in their sins. If they died before being baptized, they would have been lost forever! When a person learns his house is on fire, does he leave immediately or does he wait until a later time to leave? He leaves immediately because he does not want to risk his life! When a person learns the truth of the gospel and knows he is lost in sin (his spiritual house is on fire!), he needs to obey immediately  without delay! We do not know when our life may end through disease or sudden accident, or when the Lord will return. To obey the gospel is urgent!

The denominations delay baptism because they teach that a person is saved the moment he believes in Christ, but such teaching is from Satan. We are saved by faith, but only when faith acts to receive forgiveness in baptism. We are not saved by faith only (James 2:24). Dear sinner friend, flee the denominations with their “faith only” doctrine. Obey the original gospel of Christ  be forgiven through the blood of Christ  let him add you to the church of Christ  receive a home in heaven at the side of Christ!

Guardian of Truth XLI: 5 p. 9
March 6, 1997