Truth Magazine

By Joe R. Price

In the last year of Jesus’ life during the Feast of Dedication (present-day Hanukkah), unbelieving individuals confronted him and demanded of him a plain declaration that he was the Christ (John 10:22-24). Like ravenous wolves the Jewish rulers had encircled him, ready to pounce upon their prey (v. 24).

The Context

Jesus was surrounded by unbelievers. They had seen his miraculous works and their results (i.e., the healing of the man ill for 38 years, John 5:2-18; sight restored to the man born blind, John 9:1-34), but still they did not believe on him. His works and his words had provided ample proof of his claims (John 5:36; 10:25). A further demonstration of his power would no doubt be casting pearls before swine (Matt. 7:6). They had made up their minds. They were looking for a reason to put Jesus to death.

His Sheep

Their failure to believe in Christ made it clear that they were not his sheep (John 10:26). They were not his disciples. Jesus made a contrast between his sheep and the unbelieving Jewish leaders in John 10:27-28. By so doing, he specifically stated the blessings of being his sheep. His sheep hear the voice of Christ (consequently, he knows them, John 10:14). They follow the words of Christ (consequently, he gives them eternal life, John 10:10). As a result, they shall never perish (no one shall snatch them out of the hand of Christ).

Jesus taught that human salvation rests upon the pillars of man’s faith and God’s grace (John 10:27-29; Eph. 2:8-9). Jesus rejected the Calvinistic doctrines of unconditional election and the perseverance of the saints. If the conditions of verse 27 are not obeyed, the blessings of verses 28-29 will not follow. As one hears and obeys the voice of Christ (the gospel) he receives the security of his soul that the Son and the Father provide. The Jewish rulers did not hear his voice nor did they follow him. Therefore, they did not have any true confidence of salvation. Because of their unbelief, Jesus implied that they would die in their sins (cf. John 8:23-24).

“I And The Father Are One”

Jesus claimed to possess the same power as the Father when he claim power to give eternal life and to protect his sheep from danger (vv. 28-29). This mutual protective power illustrated his unity with the Father. As Lenski observes, “To snatch them out his hand is the same as snatching them out of the Father’s hand.” So, what his enemies were pressing him for they now receive. Jesus uttered a clear and decisive statement of his divine nature by affirming, “I and the Father are one.” His works proceeded out of the Father and testified of his unity with the Father’s purposes and power (John 10:32; cf. 8:42).

To claim the same power as the, Father was to claim oneness with the Father (John 10:29-30). The Jews immediately saw such a claim as blasphemous and tried to stone Jesus (John 10:31). They did not misunderstand what Jesus said. They simply did not believe him. They knew Jesus was “making himself God” (John 10:33).

Jesus declared for himself equality (sameness) with God (cf. John 5:17-18). They considered his words to be blasphemous because they had rejected the evidence  his works  which proved him to be divine. They thought he was just a man. So, they charged him with blasphemy and considered him worthy of death (John 10:33). Think of it! A man making himself God (v. 33)! Yet, the very works he did showed his declaration to be true (John 10:32; 5:36; 10:25, 38). Jesus is more than just a man. He is also God (John 1:1-3, 14). Had they believed his works, they would have readily received his words (John 10:37-38).

“Ye Are Gods”

The Jews were completely intolerant of Jesus’ claim of Godhood. Jesus continued his defense by exposing their inconsistency through an appeal to the authority of Scripture. “Is it not writ-ten in your law, I said, Ye are gods? If he called them gods, unto whom the word of God came (and the scripture cannot be broken), say ye of him, whom the Father sanctified and sent into the world, Thou blasphemest; because I said, I am the Son of God?” (John 10:34-36).

The Jews accepted the statement from their own law that described God’s appointed judges among his people as “gods” (Psa. 82:6). Jesus reminds his opponents of this (it is significant to note that he says the book of Psalms belonged to their “law” (cf. Rom. 3:19, 10-18). Jesus stated what his Jewish opponents conceded. Namely, that it stood written in the law (i.e., it was firmly established by the binding nature of God’s law) that God said of men, “Ye are gods” (John 10:34-35).

Then, Jesus affirmed the authoritative force of Scripture by saying, “The scripture cannot be broken” (John 10:35). Inspired scripture cannot be deprived of its binding authority by the whims of men. All individuals are obligated to harmonize their beliefs and practices to the authority of God’s writings (2 Tim. 3:16-17; 1 Cor. 14:37; Col. 3:17).

Not only did the Jews reject the evidence of Jesus’ works, in their charge of blasphemy they also failed to respect the authority of Scripture. In Psalms 82:6, the judges of Israel were called “gods” because of their representative position of authority and responsibility among the people. These judges were God’s representatives, charged with executing fair and impartial judgments in Israel (82:2-4). To go before the judges was to go before God (cf. Exod. 21:6; 22:8-9, 28), for they were charged with rendering God’s judgments (Deut. 1:16-17). The 82nd Psalm depicts God rebuking these “gods” (the unjust judges) for their corruption of justice. Because they failed to judge righteously, God would now judge them (82:1, 7-8). Even so, because of their God-given position of power, the psalmist called the unrighteous judges “gods.” (Please note, these “gods” are on the earth judging among the poor, fatherless and needy, vv. 2-4. God’s judgment would be executed on “the earth,” v. 8. The Mormon explanation that this passage proves their doctrine of many gods is without contextual support, cf. 1 Cor. 8:4-6.)

The Jews had never considered the statement from Psalms 82:6 as blasphemous, even though it depicts unrighteous men as “gods.” Yet they were charging Jesus (whose words and works showed that he was approved by God) with blasphemy because he said, “I am the Son of God” (10:36). That which had been written in their law must be accepted by them as authoritative (“the scripture cannot be broken”). Butler observes, “How then could the Jews have the right to accuse Jesus of blasphemy when He says, `I am the Son of God …’ especially since all of His miraculous works indicate that He has been sanctified and sent into the world by the Father” (Paul Butler, The Gospel of John 127). The Jews were not being consistent in their reasoning. Since God’s law called unrighteous men “gods” because they had been sent by God to execute his judgments in Israel, the righteous Jesus was not blaspheming when he identified himself as one with the Father. Jesus argues from the lesser to the greater here. The Father had set him apart and sent him into the world with a far greater work than the judges of Israel received. Jesus’ works proved he was from the Father. He was righteous in every way. Truly, he is the Son of God (John 10:36).

Conclusion

“I and the Father are one” is equivalent to saying “I am the Son of God” (v. 30, 36). This was a clear declaration of deity by Jesus and the Jews took it as such (v. 33). Only in a representative sense have men ever been called “gods.” However, one has lived among us who was more than just man. Jesus was God in the flesh (John 1:14; Col. 2:9). His works confirm it. His words attest to it. He has power to save and to protect your soul. Do you believe it? Are you his sheep?

Guardian of Truth XL: 3 p. 6-7
February 1, 1996

By Connie W. Adams

When Satan tempted Jesus to make stones into bread, Jesus responded by saying, “Man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word that proceedeth out of the mouth of God” (Matt. 4:4). This was a reference to the incident recorded in Deuteronomy 8 when God gave the Israelites manna in the wilderness. He gave specific instructions as to how much to gather for a day’s supply. Any more than that would breed worms and stink and they could not use it. They were to look beyond the actual manna to the source of their very existence. God was their provider and they were answerable to him. So it is in all human relations. The God who made the world and who made us has the right to command, to direct, and to enforce obedience. He also has the right to enact punishment upon the disobedient.

Order in the Family

Concerning the family Jesus said, “Have you not read, that he which made them at the beginning made them male and female, and said, For this cause shall a man leave father and mother, and shall cleave to his wife: and they two shall be one flesh? Wherefore they are no more two, but one flesh. What therefore God hath joined together, let not man put asunder” (Matt. 19:4-6). Marriage was created by God, even as he created the universe and set in motion the laws by which it is ordered. As God made man and determined the bounds of his habitation, even so God made marriage and set in motion the laws by which it functions. Notice that “at the beginning” he made them male and female. That denies evolution, even the theistic brand. Both male and female were distinctly formed by God and that was done “at the beginning.”

Notice further that in marriage male and female become one. There is a perfect and intimate union of mind, soul, and body. They function not as adversaries, or competitors, but with one heart and soul. This union is a divine creation and it is just as damaging to disregard that as it is to reject God’s authority in the natural creation. For man to “put asunder” what “God hath joined together” is to invite great harm upon this relationship. The balance of moral behavior is poised upon the permanence and stability of God’s divine order for the family. To “put asunder” what God has joined together is to tear down the basic unit of all orderly human society. No wonder such violation of divine authority results in broken hearts, devastated children, rebellious behavior, hatred, and every evil work. Malice, bitterness, jealousy, envy, hatred, lying, cheating, stealing, and murder often follow in the wake of man’s presumption in tearing apart what God joined together.

There is something else here worthy of note and that is that marriage is more than a social or civil ceremony. While the customs and laws of man require certain things which validate a marriage in any given culture (and devout people ought to respect such things), it is God who creates the bond. Only divinely expressed authority can sever that. Death severs this bond (Rom. 7:1-3). In the context of the passage we are considering (Matt. 19), Jesus taught that fornication grants the injured party the right to put away the guilty (v. 9). But while we debate the exception, let it not be forgotten that there is a rule here. It is simply that God created marriage. He establishes the bond and man is not to put it asunder. Any violation of what he taught about it flaunts divine authority. That cannot be done without a price to pay.

Order in Civil Government

The same divine power that created the universe, made man in his image, designed the family and fashioned the laws by which each of these is ordered, designed civil government for the good of mankind. “Let every soul be subject to the higher power, for there is no power but of God and the powers that be are ordained of God” (Rom. 13:1). Without specifying any one form of civil rule over another, God still ordained “the powers that be.” By di-vine authority they function. Peter clearly stated the design of civil government. “Submit yourselves to every ordinance of man for the Lord’s sake: whether it be to the king, as supreme; or unto governors, as unto them that are sent by him for the punishment of evildoers, and for the praise of them that do well” (1 Pet. 2:13-14).

It is the duty of civil rulers to “punish the evil doers.” Lawbreakers, the rebellious, those who do not respect the rule of law, are not to be tolerated. They are to be punished. In every dispensation this principle is revealed. In Genesis 9:6 God said, “Whoso sheddeth man’s blood, by man shall his blood be shed.” It is this same principle revealed in the law of Moses which contained over 30 instances in which capital punishment was to be inflicted. Ezra spelled out the demand for punishment upon the law-breakers, showing the punishment suited to the seriousness of the crime. “And whosoever will not do the law of thy God, and the law of the king, let judgment be executed speedily upon him, whether it be unto death, or to banishment, or to confiscation of goods, or to imprisonment” (Ezra 7:26). Note that whatever punishment was to be ad-ministered to suit the nature of the crime, it was to be done “speedily” (KJV, NKJV). The New American Standard Version reads “strictly.” There was to be no dalliance. The offender was not to “get off.” The punishment was exact, determined beforehand according to the offense and it was to be executed with speed. Solomon added that failure to carry out sentence against an evil work “speedily” would cause the hearts of men to be set on evil (Eccl. 8:11). Is strict punishment a deterrent to crime? The Lord thought so and revealed it through inspired men. The whole de-bate on this issue now springs from a lack of respect for the divine authority of the Almighty.

In the New Testament, Paul said the civil ruler is “the minister of God to thee for good. But if thou do that which is evil, be afraid; for he beareth not the sword in vain: for he is the minister of God, a revenger to execute wrath upon him that doeth evil” (Rom. 13:4). The civil ruler has a “sword,” a weapon of force. Who gave it to him? By what right does he use it? “He is the minister of God, a revenger, to execute wrath on him that doeth evil.” Civil law exercised without prompt and certain punishment for those who violate that law, opens the door to anarchy. When policemen are stripped of power, when the system is rigged in favor of the criminal and his “rights” transcend those of his victims, then justice is perverted and an escalation in crime is inevitable. When cases are decided without regard to the evidence and verdicts are based on emotion in spite of clear evidence, then the rule of law has suffered a serious blow.

Peter said the rulers are also to “praise those who do well.” The rights and safety of those who are submissive to law must be secured by rulers. The greatest asset which law enforcement has is the presence of God-fearing, law-abiding citizens who are not only concerned with their “rights” but the “rights” of others as well. People who pay their debts, go to work on time, work hard, and observe the laws (whether the speed limit, the requirement for hunting or fishing licenses), rear decent and honorable children, and who practice the Golden Rule are benefactors to the powers that be. They ought to be encouraged in right doing. Any time laws are slanted to punish people for doing right, then God’s will is not done. When married people are taxed at a higher rate than those who simply “live together” then evil is encouraged and those who do well are disadvantaged. Instead of mocking and working to punish those who live by the law, not just out of fear of punishment, but because they believe this to be the will of God, civil rulers ought to protect and praise those who do well, as Peter said. Something surely is out of whack in these times! What is the real problem? It is disrespect for God who authorized civil government. (More to Come)

Guardian of Truth XL: 2 p. 3-4
January 18, 1996

By Dick Blackford

This is the question of the Ages. Try as one might, it is an inescapable question. Whether he phrases the question orally or not, every man makes a decision concerning what he will do with Jesus. All are confronted by it. We are told that Moses made a decision regarding Christ (Heb. 11:24-26). As it appears in the title of this article, the question was first phrased by Pontius Pilate when he faced a blood thirsty mob who demanded the crucifixion of Jesus. Though he thought he had avoided the question, he had not. And though he thought he was dealing with a temporary problem of the moment, it had eternal consequences. And so it is with everyone.

Perhaps you have heard sermons on this subject that show how some in the Bible answered this question. The answer of Judas was sell him (Matt. 26:14-16). The Jews’ answer was crucify him (Matt. 27:22, 23). Peter dealt with the question by denying him (Matt. 26:69-75). Some of his disciples decided to walk no more with him (Jn. 6:66). Felix thought he could postpone a decision, but that was a decision! Agrippa was almost persuaded, but too many things stood in his way. Pilate thought he could be neutral, but his balancing act showed which side he was on (Matt. 27:24-26). It amounted to a rejection of Jesus. “He that is not with me is against me” (Matt. 12:30). The 3000 who obeyed on Pentecost will be eternally in the presence of God, if they kept their commitment to Jesus.

One may find himself described by one or more of these, for they cover all the basic reasons why men reject the Christ. However, this article is not about Moses or Pilate. Nor is it about Judas, Peter, or others. It is about you. What will you (put your name in the blank) do with Jesus?

Why You Should Make A

Decision Of Complete Acceptance

1. Because Jesus Deserves It. At any moment Jesus could have called a halt to the process that was pushing him toward the cross. He didn’t have to become a man. His doing so benefited us, not him. His ministry was spent in a struggle with the opposition who did not recognize him for who he was and is. “He went about doing good …” (Acts 10:38). The people he tried most to help treated him horribly. Nevertheless, his love for you was stronger than the opposition of the whole world and he forged on to a terrible destiny.

2. Because of the Value of Your Soul. Here is some-thing on which Jesus and Satan agree. Your soul is valuable. Consider the price Jesus paid for it. Would he have done such a thing if he didn’t believe in your soul’s worth? It was “redeemed, not with corruptible things .. . but with precious blood . . . even the blood of Christ” (1 Pet. 1:18, 19). If you lose your soul, God’s grace will have been in vain. He taught that it has more value than the whole world (Matt. 16:26). Men handle their money and other valuables with caution and care, but seem to give no thought for the soul. He said, “Fear not him who can kill the body but cannot kill the soul. But fear him who can destroy both soul and body in hell” (Matt. 10:28). It is more valuable than your body or any member of it (Matt. 5:29, 30). Men often spend great sums to insure the body (2 Cor. 4:16; 5:1).

The devil also knows your soul’s value. The powers of hell are constantly laboring for its everlasting ruin (1 Pet. 5:8, 9). Your soul is in imminent peril of being lost. The loss of your soul is a total loss. It is a loss irreparable. It is an eternal loss. You only have one soul. If it is lost, all is lost. It is the greatest of all tragedies possible that can hap-pen to a human being. Who can deny the value of the soul?

3. Because of the Brevity Of Life. Life is short (Jas. 4: 14). You live in an emergency situation. It is urgent that you become a Christian now. With every tick of the clock and with every beat of your heart your time to obey the gospel is running out. Both of these will eventually happen. The clock will stop ticking. Your heart will stop beating. Whichever happens first, the other won’t matter (Heb. 9:27). There are others whom you want to see go to heaven. You only have this chance to teach and be an influence upon them.

4. Because of the Certainty of The Judgment. When you appear before the judge of the universe it will not be to go on trial. You are on trial now. The purpose of the judgment day is to pass sentence. God has told us everything we need to know about heaven and hell. He has told us everything we need to know about the consequences of sin and the blessings of righteousness. He has not kept it back as a surprise to spring on us at the day of judgment.

5. So You Will Have Hope And Happiness. How can anyone be genuinely happy without hope? Jesus is the only one to die and be raised, never to die again. Thus, he is the only one who can give us hope of doing the same. No one can enjoy genuine happiness unless he is a Christian. Jesus has gone to prepare a place for the righteous (Jn. 14:1-3). In the black days as well as the bright days; in the days of fasting as well as the days of feasting; the dreary days of winter as well as the sunny days of summer, you can have hope.

6. So You Can Avoid Eternal Torment. Hell is depicted in the Bible as a place of punishment, torment, and suffering. All three of these words imply consciousness. There is not a word in human language that expresses duration with-out end that is not applied to the future punishment of the wicked. You can weaken the word hell to its lowest possible level and it still remains a fearful thing to fall into the hands of the living God.

If You Deny Jesus

You will be denying infallible proof of who he is (Acts 1:3). You must explain away what he did (Jno. 21:25). You must explain the empty tomb, which the enemies could not explain. You must line up with the scribes and Pharisees who said he was possessed by Beelzebub, the prince of demons (Matt. 12:24). You must put yourself with the cowardly rulers (Jno.12:42). Jesus will be ashamed of you (Mk. 8:38). You will die in your sins (Jn. 8:24).

What Is Your Excuse?

We can often “justify” ourselves before our boss, our friends and our judges in courts of law today. But is your excuse for not becoming a Christian one that can endure the all-seeing eye of God? God is not a man that can be deceived.

If we could call all of the most intelligent men together (all who ever lived)  the Solomons, the Einsteins, the Werner Von Brauns  and have them spend one year together devising the very best excuse for not becoming a Christian, guess what would happen to that excuse upon the day of judgment. It will fall just as flat as the one you are using! There is no excuse (Rom. 1:20).

Conclusion

I used to say, “I wish I possessed the right words that would cause a person to obey the gospel.” I have quit saying that. If I have preached the pure gospel then I have said the right words! It doesn’t depend on my intelligence or ability. It depends on your heart. If the words of Christ and the apostles are not enough, then there is very little that the feeble and frail children of dust, such as I am, could to do persuade you.

If you have any intention of obeying the gospel, do it now! You have no guarantee this offer will be extended after you pillow your head tonight. What will you do with Jesus who is called Christ? What will your answer be?

Finally, I plead with you to find a quiet place by yourself and give solemn consideration to the words of the hymn writer, Will Thompson.

There’s a great day coming, A great day coming,

There’s a great day coming by and by;

When the saints and the sinners shall be parted right and left,

Are you ready for that day to come?

There’s a bright day coming, A bright day coming,

There’s a bright day coming by and by;

But its brightness shall only come to them that love

the Lord, Are you ready for that day to come?

There’s a sad day coming, A sad day coming,

There’s a sad day coming by and by;

When the sinner shall hear his doom, “Depart, I know ye not,”

Are you ready for that day to come?

Are you ready? Are you ready? Are you ready for the judgment day?

(Author’s Note: I want to express my appreciation to the brethren who agreed to participate with me in compiling the material for this special issue of Guardian Of Truth. I have read all of the articles and believe it will be useful in our efforts to carry out the Great Commission. We regret that the article by David West would not fit with this issue. It will be printed in the next issues of Guardian of Truth.)

Guardian of Truth XL: 1 p. 22-23
January 4, 1996