Truth Magazine

By Norman E. Fultz

A few years ago friends kept telling me how much computers could help me in my work. From my strictly casual observation, folk basically were doing with computers what I was doing with an electronic typewriter. When I ultimately gave in and bought a computer, I eagerly opened the box, set up the machine, took out the manual and began to read. After a while frustration set in, and I felt very intimidated by that senseless machine. I turned it off and didn’t touch it again for quite some time, for I had grown to resent the thing. I almost felt like “pitching it”, but the existence of a canceled check quickly told me how foolish that would be.

This age of new technology has introduced many new words and given new meaning to old ones. It can be a daunting experience to plunge into computereez, for the language of the computer world can be most confusing to a newbie. One soon learns that a hard drive is not a baseball hit into center field nor a long trip made in a short time; hardware doesn’t refer to the store where you to get every-thing from nuts, bolts, and tools to stove pipes and clay pots; and software, not all of which is user friendly, doesn’t refer to an article of clothing and to run some of it requires a lot of megs and mhzs. A monitor is neither a teacher’s assistant nor an instrument used in mining and firefighting; a byte is not something you chew; and a gig is not a pronged spear for fishing and frogging, nor a musician’s engagement. A mouse is not a furry little rodent, and a port is not a place for the docking of ships. Serial does not mean a succession of weekly movie episodes nor a book published in installments. To go surfing has nothing to do with the ocean; and the information super highway isn’t referring to a well-traveled road lined with billboards, and the on ramp isn’t an approach to an interstate. Prodigy doesn’t mean a musical whiz kid; and America on Line doesn’t refer to military readiness. Windows are not some-thing you look out of; DOS is not a Spanish numeral; and a

CD is not a certificate of deposit. RAM doesn’t mean a male sheep nor a Dodge truck; E-mail has nothing to do with the Post Office or UPS; and Cyberspace is not where the shuttle flies. Without persistence and determination, prompted by some sort of motivation, many folk feel overwhelmed and just turn away from all this computer jargon.

Well, if I haven’t lost you yet, there’s a point I want to make . . . about religious matters.

What if you had no religious training, knew nothing of the Bible? But one day you perchance found yourself in the assembly of worship, perhaps at the invitation of a friend or simply because you were searching for something, even if you didn’t know what. How would you feel? Perplexed? Maybe intimidated? Confused? After the service would you depart wondering, “What was that all about?” For you would likely have been introduced to a whole range of vocabulary, the meaning of which you did not know. Your experience would neither be new nor peculiar to yourself. Paul, in 1 Corinthians 14:24-25, spoke of the difference in reaction that might be expected from a visitor in the early church if he only heard someone with the gift of “tongues” whereas the exercise of the gift of prophecy would be understandable. Even today, there are occasionally those among us who have no background for understanding what we’re talking about. They know nothing of the Bible and not much of religion in general. And often what they do know is erroneous.

You, our unlearned visitor, hear words like saints, atonement, redemption, Old Testament, New Testament, old man, new man, salvation, new creature, confession, prayer and supplication, new creature, propitiation, repentance, and baptism. You hear names like Pilate, Abraham, Israelites, Herod the Great, Caiaphas, Pharaoh, Jacob, and Judah.

A whole mass of words, phrases, and names that are common to us might well leave you almost gasping for relief.

You see, when someone like we’re describing comes among us, he may not know even the simplest little Bible stories, and if he does, they may be nothing more than a “nice little story.” He may see nothing of their meaning and significance. We grew up hearing the stories, and years of exposure to them and further Bible study has deepened our comprehension; but our unlearned visitor may feel overwhelmed and intimidated. He may be embarrassed at not knowing, or he may pretend that he does understand when in truth he doesn’t. This could be a real tragedy, even spiritually fatal, for it might well keep him from learning the truth just as a person intimidated by computers might deprive themselves of a truly fantastic tool.

What Are We To Do?

We must use the terms, names, and phrases for they are God’s word and the message they convey is vital. But we must be alert to those who may not know. We must be “user friendly,” doing all that we can to make things as plain as we can. We must help to arouse within those who do not know sufficient motivation to be willing to learn. We must encourage even the novice to feel free to seek assistance of us. But our knowledge must not reflect arrogance (cf. 1 Cor. 8:1). We must not say, “They can learn if they’ll search it out,” for they don’t know where to begin or where to find help. Re-member the eunuch’s question, “How can I except some man should guide me?” when Philip asked him if he understood what he was reading (Acts 8:31).

We must be alert to get to these people. Every visitor who comes among us from within our area should be personally visited and shown genuine interest. A few simple questions can open doors, and any indication of interest to study and learn God’s word should be pursued (cf. 2 Tim. 2:2),

What Can the Unlearned Do?

With motivation, they can learn, grow, develop, and be-come a child of God. Just as one doesn’t have to understand everything about computers in order to beneficially use them, so the religiously unlearned do not have to have a broad knowledge of God’s word in order to be able to act upon the elemental things. They may then continue to grow and develop (cf. 1 Pet. 2:2), becoming an influence for good on others. They can become diligent workers in God’s king-dom. Having become disciples, being baptized into Christ, they are to be taught “to observe all things” Jesus commanded (Matt. 28:20). But remember that growth is gradual and development comes progressively. That’s exactly the course today’s leaders in the church have followed.

Some Things of Which We Hope to Convince

Just as Paul said the unlearned who came among the Corinthians might be convinced of all, judged of all, and made to cry out that God was of a truth among them; so there are some things of which we should hope to be able to convince the unlearned who come among us: that God is (Heb. 11:6; Acts 14:15-16; 17:24-26), that he is a rewarder of those who seek him (Heb.11:6; Acts 17:27-28), that sin is an affront to our holy God, and that sin places one in jeopardy (Ps. 51:4; Isa. 59:2; Col. 3:5-6; Rom. 6:23), that God doesn’t want any to be lost (2 Pet. 3:9), that the Bible, God’s word, is fully sufficient to meet man’s spiritual needs (2 Tim. 3:16-17), that Jesus is the Christ and God’s Son (John 3:16), that in Christ the price of sin has been fully paid and reconciliation is possible (Rom. 5:11; 2 Cor. 5:18), that it is by obedience that one gets into Christ (Acts 2:38; Gal. 3:26-27), that in Christ is peace beyond understanding (Phil. 4:7), and that faithfulness to Christ means life eternal (Rev. 2:10).

Naturally we cannot hope that this will be accomplished every time we assemble, for in our assemblies we have to deal with many Bible subjects. But we can aim to make our assemblies as “user friendly” as possible and then be diligent to follow up on those who come our way in an effort to help them in spiritual growth and development, We don’t want to leave them frustrated, intimidated, nor confused because they do not understand. Namely, we want to lead them to the Master for their salvation and for his honor and glory.

Guardian of Truth XXXIX: No. 21, p. 14-15
November 2, 1995

By Randy Harshbarger

Uncle Sam points a finger and says: “I want you.” The Marines are looking for a “few good men.” The Lord is too. The Lord is looking for men and women of faith who will stand in the gap, wield the sword of the Spirit effectively against Satan and sin, and contend for the purity and simplicity of the gospel. Consider the cry of David long ago as he asked for a few good men.

The twelfth Psalm, one of many by King David, pleads for a return to the Lord, as sin and rebellion were the order of the day. Much of what is spoken of in this chapter could very well fit today’s society. The wickedness of our age should make every Christian cry out for a return to principles of godliness and decency. Friendship with the world spells disaster for the child of God. Any courting of that which is against God will cause us to be lost.

David said, “Help Lord, for the godly man ceases to be” (v. 1). Yes, the number of godly men and women seems to be diminishing. Many are running toward destruction in the mad pursuit of life (Phil. 3:19). There is a great need for people who will love the Lord and his word and will dedicate themselves to living according to truth and honor. The influences of the world are hardly subtle. Without shame, sin is flaunted on television, in the movies, and in advertising (for almost every product). Christians are constantly bombarded with the message that says, “If you think it is right, then it is right.” Godly men and women must cry out as faithful watchmen (Ezek. 33: lf). A constant diet of filth will adversely affect anyone who does not take steps to counterbalance such influences (1 Cor. 15:33).

David said concerning the children of men: “They speak falsehood everyone with his neighbor” (v. 2). There is no longer a premium on honesty. Too many people “speak false-hood.” Liars abound in the government, in business, and sometimes even among brethren. If that possibility does notexist, why did Paul warn against it (Eph. 4:25)? Falsehood and dishonesty will bring about the downfall of our nation (Prov. 14:34). Liars should fear the eternal torment awaiting them (Rev. 21:8). Psalm 12:6 says: “The words of the Lord are pure words; As silver tried in a furnace on the earth, refined seven times.” Precious metals must be re-fined by fire to rid them of dross. The words of the Lord are always true and pure. Cursing and using God’s name in vain is simply a way of life for many. The speech of the Christian must edify rather than tear down (Eph. 5:4). We need to be careful what we say and how we say it. This is true in our dealings with people in the world and especially true with our families and brethren.

Psalm 12:8 says: “The wicked strut about on every side, When vileness is exalted among the sons of men.” The wicked seem to delight in their debauchery. Jeremiah lived in a world that had forgotten how to blush (6:15). Sin has become such a way of life that nothing is thought about it any more. This mind-set spills over into the church. The Corinthians (Christians) were blase about the sin among them. Paul exhorted them to correct the matter and they eventually did. Refusing to do so weakened them spiritually. The same is true of us today. “Vileness might be exalted” by the world, but it must never be condoned by God’s people. Clear teaching needs to be done that extols God’s will concerning the works of the flesh and the works of the Spirit (Gal. 5:19-24). Application to things such as dancing, principles of modesty, and social drinking need to be made. Let us cry out for truth and righteousness and be sure we live lives of conformity to God’s will rather than the world’s (Rom. 12:1-2).

Yes, the Lord wants men and women who will do his will. Let us purify ourselves by his word and remember that the Lord will preserve those who seek the way of truth.

Guardian of Truth XXXIX: No. 21, p. 13
November 2, 1995

By Larry Ray Hafley

(Recently, a young couple called and wanted to study the Bible. The young lady is a Presbyterian who is facing serious objections from her parents. Her parents do not accept the Bible as the standard of authority, and they believe that if one accepts “Church of Christ dogma,” they will “send” all their family and loved ones “to hell.” Not everything we discussed is included, but perhaps these thoughts, extracted from a letter written to them, will be helpful in your study with those who resist the truth.)

I trust that our Bible study over the phone was helpful to both of you. Our lives will always be improved by a diligent, thoughtful consideration of the word of God. Jesus said, “Ye shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free” (Jn. 8:32). He also said, “Thy (God’s) word is truth” (Jn. 17:17). So, if we know the word of God, we know the truth, and if we know the truth, we can be made free from sin (Jn. 8:32-36; 1 Pet. 1:22-25; Jas. 1:18).

I am sure that both of you are convinced of the absolute authority of the Bible, but, nevertheless, let me prove even this point from the word of God.

“Ye shall not add unto the word which I command you, neither shall ye diminish ought from it, that ye may keep the commandments of the Lord your God which I command you” (Deut. 4:2).things which are written in this book” (Rev. 22:18, 19).

“What thing so ever I command you, observe to do it: thou shalt not add thereto, nor diminish from it” (Deut. 12:32).

“Add thou not unto his words, lest he reprove thee, and thou be found a liar” (Prov. 30:6).

“For I testify unto every man that heareth the words of the prophecy of this book, If any man shall add unto these things, God shall add unto him the plagues that are written in this book: And if any man shall take away from the words of the book of this prophecy, God shall take away his part out of the book of life, and out of the holy city, and from the

Hence, from beginning to end, the Bible stresses the fact that we must not “add to” nor “take away from” what it says. That is not “my interpretation.” It is simply what the text says.

Though we have already seen the eternal danger of tampering with the word of God in the words of Revelation 22:18, 19, cited above, let us note other, similar passages:

“To the law and to the testimony: if they speak not ac-cording to this word, it is because there is no light in them” (Isa. 8:20). While there is no “light” in the words or doctrines of men, “Thy word is a lamp unto my feet, and a light unto my path” (Psa. 119:105). Thus, if one wants to “walk in the light,” he must do so by walking in accordance with the word of God. But what if one will not follow the word of God?

(1) One is walking in darkness, and his deeds are evil if he will not go by the Bible. This is not my opinion. Jesus said, “For every one that doeth evil hateth the light, neither cometh to the light, lest his deeds should be reproved. But he that doeth truth cometh to the light, that his deeds may be made manifest, that they are wrought in God” (Jn. 3:20, 21).

(2) One is accursed, or cut off from God, if he will not follow the Bible. “But though we, or an angel from heaven, preach any other gospel unto you than that which we have preached unto you, let him be accursed” (Gal. 1:8; cf. Acts 3:22, 23). We must learn “not to think of men above that which is written” (1 Cor. 4:6). One must not think more highly of the word of any man “above that which is writ-ten” in the word of God!

(3) One does not have God as his heavenly Father nor Christ as his Savior if he is not led by the Bible. “Whosoever transgresseth, and abideth not in the doctrine of Christ, hath not God. He that abideth in the doctrine of Christ, he hath both the Father and the Son” (2 Jn. 9). Further, Jesus said, “He that is of God heareth God’s words: ye therefore hear them not, because ye are not of God” (Jn. 8:47).

Observe, please, that I have not reached these conclusions based upon my own beliefs. I have simply set forth what the word of God says. Since the word of God completely and thoroughly furnishes us with all things that “pertain to life and godliness,” what need do we have for anything else (2 Tim. 3:16, 17; 2 Pet. 1:3)?

Occasionally, some may say, “Well, if what you say is true, that means that my dear loved ones are going to hell.” This is an intensely emotional argument that stirs strong feelings and causes one not to be open and receptive to objective truth. However, it is an argument that must be dealt with. How shall we respond to it?

First, note that the objection implies that what one teaches cannot be true if, because of its difficult conclusions, it causes mental and emotional pain. When doctors and scientists concluded in the mid-1960s that heavy smoking causes disease and early death, were the facts nullified by the objection, “Well, if that is true, you scientists have just caused my dear uncle to contract lung cancer because he has been a heavy smoker for many years”? Were the scientific facts of the connection between smoking and heart disease done away with, if, when they were announced, someone said, “If it is true, you doctors killed my dear friend. He smoked two packs a day and died of a heart attack be-fore he was fifty years old. If what you say is true, your medical conclusions killed him”? See the point? Did the learning of the facts, the truth, cause their deaths? If so, would a denial of the scientists’ facts and conclusions re-store the smokers back to life? No, whether or not one accepts or rejects the facts, the truth, does not change the state or condition of anyone.

Second, when I was a young boy, we were not allowed to go swimming because it was erroneously feared and believed that being in the water caused polio. Since I was not allowed to go swimming, did my belief of error keep me from contracting polio? Did my sincere adherence to a false view prevent me from having polio? No, the facts were not changed by my behavior. Though I was sincerely obeying what I believed, I still could have developed polio.

Until the 19th century, doctors “bled” their patients. (This was called “bloodletting.”) It was thought that by bleeding a sick person, the infected blood would be removed and the patient would recover. This, in part, contributed to the death of George Washington. They “bled” him, and the loss of blood served only to weaken him further, and he died. The doctors were sincere. They meant well. Now, it is known that doctors only succeeded in killing many people who may have recovered if they had not been bled to death. What if someone says, “My great, great, great-grandfather was a loyal patriot and doctor during the Revolutionary War. If what you are saying is true, you are convicting him of causing the deaths of those he sincerely sought to save.” Does the denial of the fact change the truth? Shall we urge doctors today to practice “bloodletting,” because if they do not, they will condemn former doctors as having practiced something dangerous and injurious? What doctor today would be moved by this emotional argument and begin to practice “bloodletting,” lest he “condemn” George Washington’s doctors?

Third, since we can see the folly of this reasoning in mundane matters, let us apply it to spiritual realities. To-day, some will say, “If one must be baptized to be saved, then you have just condemned my dear grandmother to hell.” There is no question that one must be baptized to “be saved.” Jesus said, “He that believeth and is baptized shall be saved” (Mk. 16:16). Who “shall be saved”? “He that believeth and is baptized.” At least, that is what the Son of God said. Having settled that fact with all who believe the word of Christ, what shall we say to the emotional argument which says, “By so teaching, you have condemned my dear grand-mother to hell”?

(1) Atheists, evolutionists, Jews, and Buddhists have “dear, sweet” grandmothers, too. But the person who objects to baptism often will say that one “must believe on the Lord Jesus in order to be saved.” In this, they are correct (Jn. 3:16; 8:24; Acts 16:31). Jesus said, “No man cometh unto the Father, but by me” (Jn. 14:6). Suppose the one who rejects baptism, because he believes it condemns his relatives, is talking to a Jew or a Buddhist and is trying to persuade him to “believe on the Lord Jesus Christ” and be saved. Suppose the devout, upright, sincere, and honest Jew or Buddhist says, “If I have to believe in Jesus to be saved, that means that my dear mother is in hell because she did not believe in Jesus as the Son of God.” Jews and Buddhists have dear relatives, too. Shall we cease to teach and preach faith in Jesus because such preaching condemns the loved ones of our unbelieving Jewish friends?

Now, if Baptists and Methodists, for example, can reject baptism as being essential to salvation “because it condemns my wonderful grandfather,” will they reject and refuse “faith in Christ” as being essential to salvation because “such a doctrine condemns” the dear loved ones of the Jews, Hindus, and Buddhists?

What about a morally upright atheist? Shall we convince him that God exists, and that he is accountable to the Lord? What if our atheist friend says, “If there is a God, and if there is a future judgment, you have just condemned my dear father to hell. He lived a good, moral life, but he is the one who taught me that there is no God.” When our atheist friend makes this very emotional statement, shall we deny that one must believe in God in order to be saved? No, for “without faith it is impossible to please him (God): for he that cometh to God must believe that he is, and that he is a rewarder of them that diligently seek him” (Heb. 11:6). However, if one can reject what the Lord said about being baptized and still be saved, upon the very same basis, why cannot the atheist reject belief in God and still expect to be saved? If this is so, universal salvation prevails; all will be saved; none will be lost; it matters not how anyone lives; it matters not what anyone believes; there is no heaven to gain and no hell to shun; it matters not at all whether Jesus Christ ever lived or died or even existed. All will be saved, if emotional arguments abolish divine truth.

(2) After his death, the rich man prayed and pleaded for the salvation of his brothers (Lk. 16:19-31). Despite his earnest and sincere desire that his brothers not “also come into this place of torment,” they (his brothers) still had to hear and obey the word of God (Lk. 16:27-31). The story of the rich man in this text is an exceedingly emotional one. Surely, if ever an exception were going to be made, it would have been in this case. Here is a man who has passed from this life. He recognizes that all hope for himself is gone forever. Unselfishly, he begs that his “five brothers” not be allowed to “come into this place of torment.”

But the strong emotions and desperate feelings of this poor, suffering man do not alter the situation. His brother sstill had to “hear” and obey the word of God. That being so, what makes us think that our emotions and pitiful circumstances will offset or override the loving incentives and tender inducements of gospel obedience?

(3) In a Bible study some years ago with a very respected and good man, a member of a large and prominent protestant, denominational church, this fine man said, “My dear wife recently died of cancer. She was a devout and active member of our denomination. She was a good wife and mother. If what you say is true, and if I accept it, I will be condemning her.” As gently and softly as I could, I related some of the things addressed above, then I said words to this effect:

“Your dear wife is in the hands of an infinitely just and loving God. He will do right by her and by all of us. We cannot affect the eternal destiny of any soul who has gone on from this life. Now, (and I called the gentleman by name) if your wife, being the good and wonderful person she was, if she knew what you now know, what would she do if she were here? Would she deny the truth, or would she obey the truth? Further, if your good and honest wife knew that you now know the will of God, what would she encourage you to do? Would she, devout and honorable woman that she was, tell you to ignore the truth? Would she insist that you reject the truth and not be obedient to it, or would she en-courage you to believe and obey it?” I paused. Tears were in our eyes. Silence and sorrow enshrouded our hearts. A week or so later the man obeyed the gospel, being “baptized into Christ.”

These are some thoughts for your study and prayerful consideration. Please be patient and kind with those that appear hardened against reason and truth. Often, people who are the most difficult to teach are the ones who can be won to Christ. Sometimes their stubborn hearts cause them to study and “prove that you’re wrong.” When they do this, they discover the truth. Keep an open, honest, receptive heart to what God says in his divine word, the Bible. Those who love the truth and who desire to know and obey it shall find it. Take care.

Guardian of Truth XXXIX: No. 21, p. 10-12
November 2, 1995

By Edward O. Bragwell Sr.

“For the time will come when they will not endure sound doctrine, but wanting to have their ears tickled, they will accumulate for themselves teachers in accordance of their own desires” (2 Tim. 4:3, NASV).

When one’s standard of conduct begins to bind his con-duct, something must give. He may alter his conduct to fit the standard, but too often he alters the standard to fit the conduct. Like those of the text, he seeks teachers who will make the standard fit his practice. Thus, he finds temporary relief from the pressure.

Once I watched my wife cut out a dress. Being the prudent man that I am (“prudent” does sound better than “cowardly”), I silently watched as she used the same size pattern as before  but just allowed a little around the edges. I guess this seemed to be the easier way out. I thought how typical this is of many brethren. They get their lives out of step with the pattern (the Bible), but seem to still want to use the pattern  so they just allow a little here and there.

People often get themselves involved in situations and then go looking for some teacher who will tell them that they are alright. This happens so often in the matter of divorce and remarriage. They get into it and then call every preacher in the country hoping one will justify them in it. This is true of many other problems of life.

Churches get involved in questionable, to say the least, activities  then hunt teachers who will try to make enough allowances with the biblical language so that the brethren can feel comfortable in their error. As the digression grows other allowances have to be made until someone talks about “where there is no pattern”  as if we may not always need the pattern for the church and her practices.

We must confine our practice to the doctrine of Christ  with no allowances. “Whosoever transgresseth and abideth not in the doctrine of Christ, hath not God” (2 John 9).

(I wrote this line piece about 30 years ago. I thought we would run it again. Brethren in every generation need to be warned against stretching the pattern, BOB).

Guardian of Truth XXXIX: No. 21, p. 8
November 2, 1995