Truth Magazine

By Jim McDonald

This article is a continuation of the tract written for distribution in the Philippines. The first part was in the September 19 issue of Guardian of Truth.

Is Church Membership Essential to Salvation?

Many say: “Church membership isn’t essential to salvation. One can be saved and never be a member of any church.” This is what man says. What does God say? “And the Lord added to the church daily those that were being saved.” “He (Christ)) is the savior of the body (church)” (Acts 2:47; Eph 5:23). To answer this question two more questions are necessary. Is the blood of Christ essential to salvation? Can one be saved outside Christ Jesus?

Christ’s death was essential that man might have remission of his sins. Since “it is impossible that the blood of bulls and goats should take away sins,” “all have sinned and come short of the glory of God,” and “the wages of sin is death” (Heb. 10:4; Rom. 3:23; 6:23), it is evident that there must be some sacrifice offered to permanently rid man of the guilt of his sins. That sacrifice is the blood (death) of Christ. Christ’s blood was “poured out for many unto re-mission of sins” and will cleanse from sin, loose from sin, justify and redeem (Matt. 26:28; 1 John 1:7; Rev. 1:5; Rom. 5:9; Eph. 1:7). None who believe in Christ will say Christ’s death was needless.

Since Christ’s death was essential, membership in his church is essential. The church was purchased with his blood and those who are his church have been bought by that blood (Acts 20:28; 1 Cor. 6:20; Rev. 5:9). It is an insult to Christ to say membership in the church is not essential to salvation for the church is the saved ones, the result of the applied and appropriated blood of our Lord. God makes no mistakes and since he adds the saved to the church, the saved are in his church. He saves his body, the church and promises salvation to none other (Acts 2:47; Eph. 5:23).

Paul’s earnest longing was to be found in Christ. The reason for that longing was because, among other things, salvation is there. “I endure all things for the elect’s sake that they also may obtain the salvation which is in Christ Jesus” (Phil 3:9; 2 Tim. 2:10). In Christ we are forgiven, reconciled, redeemed, chosen, and made God’s heir (Eph. 1:4, 7, 11; 2:16) There is salvation for none outside Christ(John 15:5, 6). If none can be saved outside Christ, none can be saved outside his church for his church is his body and none can be in him who is not in his body.

Membership in a church that exists by man’s authority will not save. There are hundreds of churches which exists by the authority of men yet somewhere in the maze of all human plans and schemes Christ’s true church can be found, for of that church (kingdom) God promised that it would stand forever (Dan. 2:44).

How Can I Know Which Church Is Right?

Surely, if our God purposed his church from the foundation of the world (he did, Eph. 3:8-11), gave his only begotten Son as sacrifice for forgiveness of man’s sins, he would not so obscure that church so that man whom he loves could not find it (John 3:16). He promised that man can know what is right and find him. “If any man willeth to do his will he shall know of the teaching whether it is of God or whether I speak from myself.” “And ye shall seek for me and ye shall find me when ye shall seek for me with all your hearts” (John 7:17; Jer. 29:13). He strongly warned us that there are counterfeits and ravening wolves who seek to devour men’s souls. “There is a way which seemeth right unto a man but the ends thereof are the ways of death.” The road to heaven is narrow, straitened, and found by very few (Prov. 14:12; Matt. 7:13, 14) So, man must search assured that if he searches with all his heart he can find God, but he must ever be aware that he can be deceived.

The need for a measuring rod is obvious. God gave an inerrant rod to determine which church is his. God designed it; Jesus built it according to those plans and we are urged: “See that thou make all things according to the pattern that was shown thee in the mount” (Eph. 3:8-11; Matt. 16:18; Heb. 8:5). The measuring rod is the word of Christ which we not only can but must understand (Eph. 3:4; 5:17).

Christ gave identifying features by which man can recognize his church. There are certain things essential to enter it. One must believe Jesus is the Son of God and be willing to acknowledge that faith (Rom. 10:10; Acts 8:36, 37). One must also repent of his sins and be baptized (immersed) in order that his sins might be forgiven (Luke 13:3; Acts 2:37, 38; Rom. 6:3, 4; Acts 22:16).

Jesus teaches that collectively his church was called “Church of Christ,” “Church of God,” and “Church of God in Christ Jesus” (Rom. 16:16; 1 Cor. 1:1; 1 Thess 2:14). His people were identified by the name “Christian” (Acts 11:26; 26:28; 1 Pet. 4:16). Human names are designed to divide mankind and unity will never be attained until all lay aside party names and are identified by the name Christian.

Christ’s church was organized into local congregations and they were overseen by a plurality of elders called bishops and pastors (Acts 14:23; 20:17, 28; Eph. 4:11; 1 Pet. 5:1-4; 1 Tim. 3:1-7). These men were assisted by deacons (Phil. 1:1; 1 Tim. 3:8-10). No organizational structure beyond the local level was given. Elders were to take heed to all the flock, tend the flock of God among them. Such a command is inclusive (his oversight extends to all that are part of the flock he oversees), but it is also exclusive. No one else is over that flock (apart from other elders who serve in the same flock with him); his oversight extends no further than the local flock in which he serves.

The local church has a divine mission to accomplish in this world. First, it is the pillar and support of truth (1 Tim. 3:15). It has the responsibility to build up in the faith those saved. Apostles were to teach, baptize those taught, then teach them again (Matt. 28:18). Elders are to feed the flock and may be supported in their work of feeding that flock (Acts 20:28; 1 Tim. 5:17). There is also the work of relief for needy saints that must be attended to (1 Cor. 16:1f; 1 Tim. 5:16).

The worship of this church also is outlined. Scriptural worship must be offered in spirit and truth (John 4:24). The early church “continued steadfastly in the apostle’s doctrine, in the fellowship, in the breaking of bread and the prayers” (Acts 2:42). The Apostles’ doctrine is the doctrine of Christ, the gospel (Matt. 28:18; 2 John 9-11; Rom. 1:16). The whole counsel of God must be taught with neither addition nor subtraction (Acts 20:26, 27; Rev. 22:18,19). The early church continued steadfastly in the “breaking of bread” a reference to the memorial supper our Lord instituted in memory of his sacrifice the night of his betrayal (Matt. 26:26-29). This supper is comprised of two elements, unleavened bread and the fruit of the vine (1 Cor. 11:25, 26). It was observed each week on that week’s first day (Acts 20:7). Disciples also gave of their resources into the general treasury on the week’s first day (1 Cor. 16:1, 2); they prayed and sang psalms, hymns, and spiritual songs (Eph. 5:19; Col. 3:16). Their singing was vocal, for instrumental music was not introduced into worship until many centuries later. These are simple guidelines, but essential ones since they were given by the Holy Spirit’s direction.

What Must I Do to Become and Remain a Member of Christ’s Church?

It has earlier been shown what requirements must be met by him who desires to be part of our Lord’s church. Jesus said: “Except a man be born of water and the Spirit he cannot enter into the Kingdom of God. ” This is parallel to Jesus’s command to his disciples: “Go into all the world and preach the gospel to every creature. He that believeth and is baptized shall be saved and he that believeth not shall be condemned” (John 3:5; Mark 16:15, 16). Jesus has not changed his terms. None enter his church who has not been born again and when one believes and is baptized, he is therein born again.

There is a twofold requirement of man who becomes a Christian. (1) He must put off the old man of sin, and (2) He must put on the new man of righteousness (Rom.12:1, 2; Titus 2:11, 12; 1Pet. 2:11, 12). Thus we read:

Put to death therefore your members which are upon the earth: fornication, uncleanness, passion, evil desire, and covetousness, which is idolatry; for which things’ sake cometh the wrath of God upon the sons of disobedience: wherein ye also once walked, when ye lived in these things; but now do ye also put them all away: anger, wrath, malice, railing, shameful speaking out of your mouth: lie not one to another: seeing that ye have put off the old man with his doings, and have put on the new man, that is being renewed unto knowledge after the image of him that created him: where there cannot be Greek and Jew, circumcision and uncircumcision, barbarian, Scythian, bondman, freeman: but Christ is all, and in all. Put on therefore, as God’s elect, holy and beloved, a heart of compassion, kindness, lowliness, meekness, longsuffering; forbearing one another, and forgiving each other, if any man have a complaint against any; even as the Lord forgave you, so also do ye: and above all these things put on love, which is the bond of perfectness (Col. 3:5-14).

A faithful life of devoted service to God, coupled with his abiding love and grace will bring to such an one these welcome words: “Come, ye blessed of my father, inherit the kingdom prepared for you from the foundation of the world” (Matt. 25:34). Such was Paul’s expectation and one he said might be mutually shared by all others who would seek to be found in Christ. He said: “I have fought the good fight, I have finished the course, I have kept the faith. Henceforth there is laid up for me the crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous judge, shall give to me at that day: and not to me only, but also to all them that have loved his appearing ” (2 Tim. 4:7, 8).

Guardian of Truth XL: No. 19, p. 18-19
October 3, 1996

By Darleen Sweets

I was thinking that it’s awful warm in here, but you know I really like it that way. It always feels as if the walls are pushing inward. They seem to be getting closer all of the time. I see everything as pitch black. I wish I could see more. I know that I don’t look like everyone else. I feel so cramped and closed in. Everyone else seems so relaxed and comfortable.

I realize I don’t eat like everyone else, but maybe some-day I will be able to. The doctors say I am starting to grow more. I wish so badly to be like everyone else. I only wish I could get out into the real world. I hope everyone will accept me the way I am. I’m human and I have feelings too.

I know my mama loves me. I can tell by her gentle touch. Sometimes she rubs me gently, and it feels so good. I try to tell her I love her, but it doesn’t come out so clear. I say it in my mind over and over. I wonder if she knows that I love her. I hope she does.

Some people think I’m deaf, but they don’t realize that I really can hear. It must be because I don’t speak.

I went with Mama to the doctor. We had to wait a real long time. I had time for a nap. I could hear people laughing and chattering, but what I liked most was the soft music in the background. I know it was my time to see the doctor because my mama carried me in and the doctor was talking to my mom. I had hoped the doctor’s visit would be quick and easy. I knew what was coming next, the doctor always poked on me when I have gone to him before. I wish he wouldn’t poke on me so much.

Mama, what’s wrong? Why are you crying? Mama don’t be upset! I wish so badly she could hear me. Good, Mama stopped crying so much. I’m glad she’s settling down a bit. My doctor and nurse told my mama to lay down, I could hear them. I know that they would help her now.

Oh! That hurts, Mama help me, can’t you hear me. Oh! Mama what did I do wrong? Please help me. Mama help me, I’m being cut. I know you love me, why won’t you help me? Mama don’t leave me. I can’t hear you much more. I feel icy cold, everything is fainting, it hurts! Why? Mama! Mama! The last thing I heard was the nurse say the abortion is over. All is gone and quiet, all is calm. I hear no more .. .

Then his loving hand took me! I know that God loves me.

(This article was written by Darleen (age 14) after having submitted one to her English teacher that was similar, only to see it rejected because of its plain language. The teacher read this one through and began to cry. Afterwards, she showed it to other faculty members who also wept. Thank God for young people such as Darleen.)

Guardian of Truth XL: No. 19, p. 7
October 3, 1996

By Randy Blackaby

One of the darkest spots in the moral blackness that seems to be enveloping our nation is the pervasive dishonesty that leaves us distrustful and doubtful about almost everything and everyone.

Dishonesty, from the slight bending of truth to the bold lie, is the norm in American society today. Gone is the hand-shake agreement. Gone is a man’s word as his bond.

It comes in many forms and is called by many names. It may be infidelity, faithlessness, falsehood, deceit, trickery, duplicity, cheating, stealing, swindling, fraud, forgery, per-jury, treason, or just plain lying. It’s all the same thing and it’s all grossly immoral.

But there is little in our society to support honesty and integrity today. Situational morality is commonly taught in most of our schools and there are few examples of genuinely honest people to imitate anymore.

Much of today’s advertising is nothing short of professionally created deceit. And what is more dishonest than the men and women who throw their marriage vows out the window and commit adultery. They are liars as well as fornicators.

Our politicians have a reputation for near inability to even come close to telling the truth. Our last president boldly said, “Read my lips. No new taxes.” He then approved a major new tax increase.

Our current president had earned the nickname “Slick Willie” before he was ever elected to the highest office in the land. He promised middle class tax cuts and a variety of other changes that he immediately backpedaled on when put in office.

It would be a mistake not to mention the charlatans in religion who wave their Bibles and call for others to repent when they are themselves are philandering. Hypocrisy is yet another form of untruthfulness.

What Is the Result of All this Dishonesty?

First and foremost is the loss of trust. Whether you are buying a product, choosing a candidate, considering marriage or just wanting to find a good friend, you suffer from this nagging lack of confidence, a fear that you are going to be ripped off, lied to, cheated on, or betrayed. It is a source of considerable unhappiness.

Trust is the bond or glue that holds relationships together. When it is destroyed those relationships and the institutions built upon them are jeopardized.

Honesty is a basic building block of civilized society. But it must be taught, reinforced, prized, and honored.

Too many today throw away one of the greatest possible pleasures of life  a reputation for honesty and integrity. Many business people fail because they destroy their greatest asset  trustworthiness. Truthfulness has great value. The ancient Solomon wrote, “Buy the truth, and do not sell it” (Prov. 23:23).

Some religionists have attempted through sophistry, euphemism, and a situational ethic to water down the moral demand for the truth, the whole truth and nothing but the truth. Some speak of “little white lies” in contrast with “blacker” ones. But the Bible makes no such distinctions.

Some, like the Roman procurator who sentenced Jesus to death, can’t seem to tell the difference between truth and lies. Pilate said, “What is truth?”

But in Revelation 21:8 the Scripture teaches that “all liars” will spend eternity in “the lake which burns with fire and brim-stone,” along with the cowardly, unbelieving, abominable, murderers, sexually immoral, sorcerers, and idolaters.

That puts liars in pretty bad company and affirms our premise that dishonesty doesn’t pay, here or hereafter.

Guardian of Truth XL: No. 19, p. 5
October 3, 1996

By Dr. Norris Belcher

(Editor’s Note: The following article appeared in a paper circulated among the Baptists. The article demonstrates that other religious groups are facing some of the same problems that we are  namely, some do not want error rebuked from the pulpit.)

How many times has this happened to you? You get a letter  usually not signed  which is a scathing denunciation for the sermon preached last Sunday. You read how offensive your remarks were and how upset this per-son became over your insensitive comments.

What on earth did you say that was so offensive? Did you use suggestive slang? Or were you overly graphic in a description of some horrible event? Or did you lose your temper and say things you should not have said? What on earth could you have said that up-set the listener?

All you did was expose compromise or reveal heresy or deny false doctrine, and for that you were condemned and probably lost a family from your church!

In this world of political correctness and tiptoeing around, we are seeing more and more of this kind of thing taking place.

“Oh, I can’t believe what he said about the pope!”

“I just don’t think you ought to criticize other religions.”

Most fundamental, Bible-believing, gospel-preaching, Hellfire-and-brimstone preachers have heard this kind of comment about their “insensitivity” and “intolerance.”

In defense of all the narrow-minded bigots who unceasingly anger their congregations, let me reason with you for a moment. How many ways are there to heaven? How many “truths” are there in the world? The Bible teaches that there is only one way to Heaven. The same Bible teaches there is only one Truth.

In John 14:6 Jesus said, “I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by me.” Jesus did not say he was a way, as if to say one among many, but he is the one and only way to Heaven. He is not a truth among many truths; He is the one and only Truth.

With that truth from the word of God, then when a Roman Catholic teaches that a man is saved by keeping the seven sacraments and that the church is his source of redemption, I, a man of God, have a responsibility to denounce that and preach the Truth.

The Bible says in Ephesians 5:11,”And have no fellowship with the unfruitful works of darkness, but rather reprove them.” The Greek word for “reprove” means “to expose.” When folks come to my church and are convinced about some false teaching, I am acting in a biblical manner if I preach the truth to them. And it grieves me when a member of my church gets upset at me for doing what the Bible says I am to do. “But who are we to judge?” they piously say. When you reprove, the word of God is doing the judging. The truth is exposing error.

Ultimately, this issue boils down to one simple question: What is your final authority? The Word of God is the final authority for faith and practice. In other words everything I believe and everything I preach has to have a scriptural foundation.

Now, with all that is going on in the religious world today, I must have something upon which to gauge whether a matter is right or wrong. I have found that the best way to see if a stick is crooked is to lay a straight stick beside it. And as I lay the straight stick of the word of God down beside one of these things that go on and which impact the understanding of my people, I have a responsibility to cry out and let them know that the other stick is crooked.

Granted, this will make some angry, but it is also going to stop some of the wrong ideas and false doctrines floating around. One of the areas where churches are misguided is the charismatic movement. Again, what is the final authority? Is it the Word of God? Or is it some revelation that Sister so-and-so claims to have received? The Bible says in 1 Corinthians 13:8, “Whether there be prophecies, they shall fail; whether there be tongues, they shall cease; whether there be knowledge, it shall vanish away.” When is this going to happen? Again the Bible says it will be when that which is perfect is come (1 Cor. 13:10).God has given us only three perfect gifts. Three is the number of completion in the Bible. The three perfect gifts God has given are: first, his son, Jesus Christ; second the Holy Spirit; third, the word of God. Now when this epistle was written, the word of God was not yet complete. Much of the New Testament was yet to be written. The other two gifts had al-ready been given. The first-century church “knew in part and prophesied in part” (v. 9) because the word was not yet completely given. It was there-fore necessary for God to give them these sign gifts, like tongues, prophecy and words of knowledge. But at the end of the first century, with the penning of the book of the Revelation, the word of God was complete.

Everything we need to know about God, Jesus, the Holy Spirit, salvation, faith, the future, Heaven, Hell, angels, demons, life and death, is revealed in the word of God. God no longer speaks the way he did in the first century be-fore the word was finished.

So when people say God gave them a revelation and told them something, or when they say they got a “word of knowledge” that someone in the room was being healed of some disease, I lay the straight stick down beside that, and it doesn’t take long to see that the stick they are using is crooked.

Again, what is the final authority? Is it what is perceived as right by society? In other words, what is political correctness? Is it what Aunt Susie says she saw? Is it what Dr. Know-More-Than-God received in a vision? Or is the final authority the complete, holy, inspired word of God?

As a man of God who has some people who may be persuaded by this false doctrine and accept it, I have a responsibility to declare the truth and expose error. In the book of Acts, we read that the Apostle Paul, Barnabas, Silas, James, and several others were jailed, beaten, stoned, scourged, and hated. Do you know why? Because they believed that there is only one way to go to heaven. So that is the gospel they preached. No compromise, no backing down, no apologies; they preached the one truth and let the chips fly where they would! And that gospel was totally contrary to the accepted teaching of the day.

Judaism prevailed, and that was a “works” religion. The disciples made people mad because they would not bend. They preached the gospel and exposed the false doctrine.

Are we to bend simply because, our society accepts any attempt to get to Heaven? Are we not to reprove false doctrine because our nation thinks everything religious in nature is “just wonderful”? Do we drop our convictions and compromise the word of God for the sake of political correctness? I certainly hope not. I hope you take a strong stand against error and for the cause of the one true gospel of Jesus Christ.

Now don’t get me wrong. I don’t think we ought to spend every service blasting false doctrine. But if we are to preach the whole counsel of God, we will invariably have to reprove some false doctrine.

So what is to be done when one gets a poison letter filled with anger and hurt. First, it will not help to get angry and say something in retaliation. Second, love and pray for the writer or writers. Even if they leave the church, pray for them and love them still. It has been my experience that most will eventually come back. When they get hungry, they will come back where the food is being served. Third, keep a good balance and keep teaching and preaching the one true message of God’s word.

Rest assured that if you preach the word you will be offensive to some. We never want to hurt nor offend any-one. But in this age of confusion and chaos, the truth of God’s word is going to offend. However, don’t let that stop you from preaching the word of God. Preach it in the right spirit and with clarity, with power and with a burden. God will bless it. Don’t forget that Jesus “came unto his own, and his own received him not.” But thank God, “As many as received him, to them gave he power to become the sons of God.” Not all will receive you and your message, but more will than won’t, and they will love you for teaching them the truth.

Guardian of Truth XL: No. 19, p. 16-17
October 3, 1996