Truth Magazine

By Mike Willis

“Why should we have gospel meetings? We are not baptizing people any more. Gospel meetings used to accomplish a lot of good when America was a rural nation and non-Christians would visit the meetings. But, now non-Christian Americans will not visit gospel meetings, so they are a left-over relic from a by-gone era which are no longer effective in reaching the people. Gospel meetings need to be discarded.”

Though these are not the exact words used, these are the gist of the argument which I heard a gospel preacher use while conducting a gospel meeting in our area. If this gospel preacher felt this way about gospel meetings, he should not be holding them and surely the church ought to accommodate him by not inviting him to conduct any more.

Let us consider the purpose churches have when they conduct gospel meetings. Reminding ourselves of the legitimate goals of gospel meetings and refocusing our aims on those goals should help us to have more effective gospel meetings.

Faith Comes By Hearing

The purpose of preaching the gospel is simple: this is God’s ordained method of creating faith. Consider these verses:

How then shall they call on him in whom they have not believed? and how shall they believe in him of whom they have not heard? and how shall they hear without a preacher? And how shall they preach, except they be sent? as it is written, How beautiful are the feet of them that preach the gospel of peace, and bring glad tidings of good things! But they have not all obeyed the gospel. For Esaias saith, Lord, who hath believed our report? So then faith cometh by hearing, and hearing by the word of God (Rom. 10:13-17).

For after that in the wisdom of God the world by wisdom knew not God, it pleased God by the foolishness of preaching to save them that believe (1 Cot. 1:21).

The only means which God has of reaching the hearts of men is through the preaching of the gospel. We preach the gospel in gospel meetings (or any other time) for the purpose of creating, building, and strengthening faith.

To Save the Lost

None can be saved without faith (John 8:24; Mark 16:15-16). We preach the gospel to save the lost. One of the primary purposes we have in gospel meetings is to win the lost. Even though we admit that fewer non-Christian visitors are attending gospel meetings than at times in the past, still there are non-Christians attending most gospel meetings. Think of the non-Christians who attend the meetings where you attend  the teenagers, mates of Christians, and friends who occasionally come. In nearly every gospel meeting I conduct, there are some non-Christians present and I am preaching the gospel in an effort to save them.

Christians can develop an evil heart of unbelief and fall into sin. The writer of Hebrews said, “Take heed, brethren, lest there be in

The Purpose of Gospel Meetings .. .

any of you an evil heart of unbelief, in departing from the living God” (3:12). We preach to save the erring Christians who have developed an evil heart of unbelief. Inmost gospel meetings that are conducted, there are erring Christians who would freely admit that they are presently in an unsaved condition. We preach with the purpose of saving their souls and restoring them to the Lord (cf. Gal. 6:1; Jas. 5:19-20).

Many erring Christians have been taught the truth on such things as institutionalism, church sponsored recreation, instrumental music in worship, unscriptural divorce and remarriage, and other forms of sin in which they were engaged through the efforts of gospel meetings. Some have repented of their sins and been restored to God through these efforts.

To Keep What We’ve Got

We preach in gospel meetings to strengthen all Christians. We want to hold the ones we have. To do so, we must keep their faith strong in the Lord. The means of doing that is to continue to teach them the word of God’s grace. As Paul departed from the elders of the church at Ephesus, he said, “And now, brethren, I commend you to God, and to the word of his grace, which is able to build you up, and to give you an inheritance among all them which are sanctified” (Acts 20:32). The teaching of the word of God’s grace is what strengthens one’s faith. We preach the gospel to hold what we already have won for Christ.

Many families have had their marriage strengthened through lessons on the family, received words of encouragement or hope, learned to pray more effectively, and otherwise been strengthened through the efforts in gospel meetings. Are the Christians in your local church so strong that they need no more strengthening?

Less Preaching is the Wrong Answer

If we understand that preaching is the divinely ordained way to create, build, and strengthen faith, we should immediately see that less preaching will produce less faith! In recognizing the fact that we are reaching fewer people today with the gospel, we must understand that less preaching is not the proper solution and answer to the problem.

What does a person do who wants to eat fresh fish when the fish are not biting? Does he quit fishing or fish less? I used to fish a good bit as a young man. I learned that a person had to fish a lot harder to catch enough fish for dinner when the fish were not biting than when they were biting. We are living in a time when the “fish” (non-Christian world) are not biting. We are, therefore, going to have to work a lot harder to find the good and honest in heart who might respond to the gospel.

As A Testimony to the World

What was God’s message to his prophets when the world became unwilling to listen and hear his word? Did he tell them to quit preaching. I am reminded of God’s word to Ezekiel. He instructed him to go to the hardhearted in the house of Israel, knowing full well when he sent the prophet that the people would not hear. Yet, God said,

But the house of Israel will not hearken unto thee; for they will not hearken unto me: for all the house of Israel are impudent and hardhearted. Behold, I have made thy face strong against their faces, and thy forehead strong against their foreheads. As an adamant harder than flint have I made thy forehead: fear them not, neither be dismayed at their looks, though they be a rebellious house (3:7-9).

Noah ministered as a “preacher of righteousness” for 120 years while the ark was being prepared. Yet, he was only able to save his own household. Should he have done less preaching?

We must admit that Americans are less interested in spiritual things today than they were several years ago, if the measuring stick is how often non-Christians attend gospel meetings. We are not stating that gospel meetings should be the one and only means of trying to reach the lost. Home Bible studies, correspondence courses, radio and television programs, bulletins, newspaper articles, and other means of reaching out to those who are lost in sin must be used in the most effective manner possible. Those who calling for fewer and shorter gospel meetings seem ready to discard one of the ways which has been most effective in reaching those outside of Christ. If a person has another effective way of reaching the lost, by all means use it. However, what is gained by discarding another effective tool which also has helped reach the lost, especially in light of the many other goods which are being accomplished through these gospel meetings?

To Save Our Own Souls

We have a responsibility to make sure the world knows the word of God. As God appointed Ezekiel as a watchman for the house of Israel, he said,

Son of man, I have made thee a watchman unto the house of Israel: therefore hear the word at my mouth, and give them warning from me. When I say unto the wicked, Thou shalt surely die; and thou givest him not warning, nor speakest to warn the wicked from his wicked way, to save his life; the same wicked man shall die in his iniquity; but his blood will I require at thine hand. Yet if thou warn the wicked, and he turn not from his wickedness, nor from his wicked way, he shall die in his iniquity; but thou hast delivered thy soul (3:17-19).

Paul reflected the same concept when he told the elders of the church at Ephesus that he was “pure from the blood of all men” (Acts 20:26) because he had declared the whole counsel of God to them. Can we be free from the blood of all men without preaching the word of God even to those who are unwilling to hear?

No Excuse For Not Working

I have heard brethren excuse themselves from working by saying that no one is interested in the gospel we have to preach. We cannot salve our consciences by such statements. The fact of the matter is that too many churches have fallen into the rut of having a spring and fall gospel meeting from habit and custom. The church buys printed announcements which are mailed to area churches and the meetings are attended by the most spiritual ones from area congregations and many of the saints in the local church. The trouble is that sometimes a goodly percentage of the local church does not care enough about the preaching of the gospel to come to the meeting (or other services than the Sunday morning worship to observe the Lord’s supper). Many Christians are not inviting their friends, relatives, and neighbors to hear the gospel preached. They do not talk to those with whom they come in contact to open doors of opportunities for the gospel. Then when no one comes to the meeting, they say, “Gospel meetings aren’t doing any good any more.” What we need to be saying is this: “We have quit working to reach our friends and neighbors with the gospel. Many of us are too pre-occupied with the cares of this world to even come to the meeting ourselves, much less bring someone with us. We need to repent of our sinful negligence and apathy and give ourselves totally to the Lord’s work.” When this happens, brethren will be tremendously surprised at how much good can be done in gospel meetings.

Let’s not use the excuse that meetings will do no good to salve our consciences when we do not put forth the effort to reach those who are lost.

Guardian of Truth XXXVII: 16, p. 3-5
August 19, 1993

By Donnie V. Rader

This special issue of Guardian of Truth is about gospel meetings. In some places it seems that meetings have become a mere custom or routine. It’s time that we stop and think about why we are having a meeting and what we can do to improve on it. Are we having this meeting because it is that time of the year to have another meeting or do we have a real purpose in mind? What is our goal during the week? Are we trying to reach the lost in the community or work on building up those who are Christians?

I am delighted to see some churches taking more interest in the purpose and direction of the meeting. This year I have had more churches than ever before request a specific direction (some even selecting which sermons for a particular night) for the meeting.

Another purpose for this special issue is to emphasize that the day of gospel meetings is not over. A pessimistic attitude, that says that it is, will defeat the Lord’s work. When the gospel is preached, God is glorified and good is accomplished. We may go through cycles of how interested people are in coming to hear God’s word. We must, through each cycle, be there preaching the truth to those who are there. In so doing we edify Christians and prepare them to convert their neighbors. We also help prevent apostasy.

Meetings are good in that the local church has an opportunity to hear different preachers. Preachers have different styles, approaches and points of emphasis. Some visiting preachers may be able to accomplish with some “in some places it seems that meetings have become a mere custom or routine. It’s dine that we stop and think about why we are having a meeting and what we can do to improve on it” what the local man has been unable to do. It also helps them to hear the same principles from another man which serves to reinforce the local man’s work.

There is no doubt that gospel meetings have changed some over the years. While working on this special I have asked a few older preachers how meetings have changed since the day they started holding meetings. Some said that brethren don’t attend meetings in other places like they used to. One brother said that brethren used to drive 75 miles to attend meetings, but now many will not drive across town to encourage others in their efforts. Some of the preachers said that the preaching has changed. Now them is little preaching on hell, denominationalism and Bible authority. Yet those were the subjects in days gone by. I have a sermon on hell that I frequently preach in meetings. I generally get a reaction from several like this: “You don’t hear that kind of preaching much anymore.” I remember that preachers used to always have one sermon on hell in about every meeting. But, it has been years since I’ve heard a sermon like that. Brethren, it’s time to think about what we are preaching!

This special covers many aspects of gospel meetings. The pages to follow touch on the history of meetings, their purpose, the preacher, the local church, the singing, advertisement, the preacher’s pay and other things that will help improve our meetings.

If we can cause a few churches and preachers to evaluate how meetings can be improved, our goal will be accomplished.

Guardian of Truth XXXVII: 16, p. 1
August 19, 1993

By Carl McMurray

Our mouth has spoken freely to you, 0 Corinthians, our heart is opened wide. You are not restrained by us, but you are restrained in your own affections. Now in a like exchange  I speak as to children  open wide to us also (2 Cor. 6:11-13).

Paul reminded the Corinthians in this passage that he had been completely open with them in heart and speech. He had shared with them commendation, rebuke, love, and tears. There was a problem, however, in that some in Corinth were being led to attack the apostle. Not being willing to accept correction and desirous of Paul’s authority as an apostle, it seems a few were leading the congregation to question, doubt, and otherwise be suspicious of the apostle. The natural result of this action, however, was to cause barrier walls to be erected between the inspired teacher and his students. The apostle points out that although he was not “restraining” them, they were still very much being restrained by themselves. They were holding back their true and real affections in this matter, and Paul encourages them to let go and open up their hearts. The things he had taught them and the things he was still teaching them had to do with love, openness, and fellowship. No part of gospel truth practiced or taught openly can cause harm to man. It is only those motivated by selfishness or coveting power and preeminence who desire walls to go up, things to be done in secret, and hearts to be closed against their fellow man.

Isn’t that the way it is? There seems to be no end to the amount of love that the human heart can hold. We are not limited to just loving one, but are able, year after year, to add to the list of “loved ones.” One’s heart never seems to “fill up” so that we must say, “I just can’t love one more.” On the other hand, just a little hatred or envy seems to completely fill us. There is suddenly no more room in the heart when jealousy moves in. Love is brought to a halt and even past love is squeezed and damaged by this evil influence. The clear fact seems to be that God did not design the human heart to carry evil suspicions, doubt, motive judging and coveting. They don’t fit well and when we accept that load from Satan, it is an uncomfortable one that is borne with much sorrow.

We need to listen to the apostle’s advice to Corinth. We often need to quit “restraining” (tying up, holding back?) ourselves with the burden of a bad attitude or selfish motives. We need to “open wide” our hearts and let these sinful burdens fall away. We must learn to accept and deal with one another in an open and loving fashion  as Paul said he had done with Corinth.

When you appreciate the activities or attitude of a brother or sister, go tell them so  don’t be “restrained.” If you love one another, say so. Likewise, if there is a problem, go talk to that Christian and deal with it. Let’s leave the “mind games” and “rule keeping” to the politicians and lawyers. Let’s “open wide” our hearts and talk to one another instead of about one another. When we learn this principle of doing things openly and not looking for hidden motives, great things are in store for us. We will all be profited by being able to accept correction better. Parents and Bible class teachers will work together for the benefit of the child rather than one fearing the reaction of the other. Preachers and congregations will work together as a team instead of one trying to control the other. Elders will come out from behind closed doors and quit making decisions for the congregation instead of “leading” the group to make decisions for themselves. And the list goes on and on.

Nothing but good can come from a gospel of openness and love. Let us not wait until trouble arises as in Corinth and we have to be told this in correction. It is Satan that wants us all tied up and burdened. The Lord would set us free through truthful behavior with one another. Let’s open our hearts and be not restrained.

Guardian of Truth XXXVII: 15, p. 19-20
August 5, 1993

By Donald P. Ames

Years ago, brother Homer Hailey used to say that if you got into a study with a Jehovah’s Witness, just focus in on the plan of salvation  if we could not agree on this, the rest did not matter anyway. While there is certainly a lot to differ with them on (i.e. the deity of Christ, the nature of the soul, the 144,000, the role of government, the eternal nature of hell, the future of this planet, the kingdom of God, blood transfusions, the return of Christ, the inspiration of The Watchtower, etc.), the older I get, the more I see the wisdom in what he had to say. Why study all these complicated subjects if we can not even agree of what one must do to be saved? Also, the Jehovah’s Witnesses have a pre-schooled program and a string of arguments ready to discuss these subjects. However, off their pre-programmed arguments, they’re like a fish out of water  they do not know where to go or how to study from the word of God. A brief examination of their reasoning on baptism is certainly evidence of this.

If you ask a Jehovah’s Witness what one must do to be saved, he can not give you a direct answer. He simple does not know. Somewhere along the line, you just slide over the line from being lost to being saved; and where and how, he cannot explain. When you begin to study such passages as Mark 16:16; Acts 2:38; 22:16; Romans 6:3-7; 1 Peter 3:21, etc. with him, he will quickly agree with you that baptism is essential to salvation and that is what he believes and teaches. Yet, in the very next breath, he will tell you God is more interested in the incentives of the heart than in the act itself (see Acts 10:1-2; Rom. 10:1-3 to reply to this reasoning). The bottom line is: He does not know what he believes on this subject!

The truth is that their publications teach exactly what the Baptists teach on baptism (Jehovah’s Witnesses denials notwithstanding). They do believe baptism is “essential” for salvation, but not for the remission of sins! To them, it is the same as a faithful Christian attending church or partaking of the Lord’s supper. A Christian must do these things to be saved (and faithful), but the act itself has nothing to do with forgiveness and becoming a Christian. But, a Jehovah’s Witness will openly deny that this is what he believes! He only knows that he does believe baptism is “essential” to be saved  but how is it “essential”? That is the question!

To clarify their real teaching on this subject, let us note a few statements from their own publications. In The Truth That leads to Eternal Life, they state: “When love for God moves you so that you want to do his will, then it is proper that you go to him in prayer. . . . It is appropriate that you tell Jehovah that you want to belong to him and that you want to do his will. . . After you have made your dedication to Jehovah to do his will, he will expect you to keep it. . . . What, then does Christian baptism signify? It is not a washing away of one’s sins, because cleansing from sin comes only through faith in Jesus Christ (Eph. 1:7). Rather, it is a public demonstration, testifying that one has made a solemn dedication to Jehovah God and is presenting himself to do his will. . . . If you have made up your mind to serve Jehovah and want to be baptized, then make this known to the overseer of the congregation of Jehovah’s Witnesses with which you are associated. He will gladly assist you without any charge for the baptism” (pp. 182-194, emp. mine  DPA). Again, in New Creation, they state: “The views of the `Disciples,’ otherwise calling themselves “Christians’ … is that baptism (immersion water) is for the remission of sins. We cannot accept this to be a correct view of baptism; to us it is neither scriptural nor reasonable. We cannot believe that the word has made the eternal welfare of our race dependent upon their knowledge of, and obedience to, any such institution” (p. 428, emp. mine  DPA).

Certainly that ought to be adequate to clarify their position, but apparently they are still having problems explaining what they believe on it. In The Watchtower magazine (4-1-93), they carried an article entitled: “Baptize!” they ask: “Why did Jesus require that his disciples be baptized? Well, it was a fitting symbol of their whole-hearted dedication to God …. Are you one who has been associated with Jehovah’s Witnesses for some time? Perhaps you have already made the necessary changes in your life in accordance with Bible principles but have not taken the steps of dedication and baptism. .. . There are many people who have taken in an accurate knowledge of the Bible but have not yet fully availed themselves of God’s provision for salvation by being baptized…. A person who truly has such love and wants a special relationship with Jehovah God would not hold back from freely dedicating his life to him. Baptism is but an outward symbol of that dedication” (pp. 5-7, emp. mine  DPA).

Then, in an attempt to explain baptism away and get around the passages that teach it is essential, they state: “The Scriptures do not support the widely held view that baptism is a sacrament, that is, a religious ceremony imparting meritgrace, holiness, or spiritual benefit  to the one baptized… . Moreover, according to the Scriptures, re-mission of sins comes only through the ransom sacrifice of Jesus Christ” (emphasis mine, DPA). This supposedly explains away such passages as Matthew 28:19. They then turn to Jesus and argue that baptism could have nothing to do with the remission of sins, because Jesus himself was baptized, yet he had no sin. Acts 22:16 is explained away with the statement `by `calling upon his name’ in faith – Hebrews 9:22, 1 John 1:7.” I wonder what had moved Saul to such repentance prior to Ananias even coming to him? 1 Peter 3:21 is explained away by stating, Noah “showing full faith in God built the ark for the preservation of his family (Heb. 11:7). Similarly, by exercising faith in Jehovah God… people today can be saved from this present wicked world. They must also act on that faith. By repenting of sins, turning around from a wrong course, and making an unreserved dedication to Jehovah God in prayer, the request is made to God for a good conscience” (all emp. mineDPA). Note how they completely skip over the mention of “water” and talk instead about the ark as the means God used “by faith” to save Noah and his family.

No, a J.W. does not believe baptism has a thing to do with one being saved (i.e.: forgiven of his sins)it is only “essential” as an act of dedication, showing we are already saved and want to do God’s will. But, a J.W. will argue the point with you, and when finally forced to see their own statements in their own publications, will then turn around and argue one can be saved before and without baptism! Again, if we cannot agree on the subject of salvation, what difference do all those other doctrines make? If one is going to be lost for not obeying God’s will to get rid of his sins, the rest doesn’t matter! And if baptism is essential, then The Watchtower and their publications have published falsehood, and if that is so, they are not inspired! This, in turn, makes all the rest of their teachings suspect as well.

Jehovah’s Witnesses need to see these points, then challenged whether they will continue to follow teachers who are not teaching the truth of God’s word on so vital a subject. If they will teach error of one point, can they not also be in error in these others points as well? At least one point has been established though, The Watchtower can no longer be held up as the infallible interpreter of the word of God!

Guardian of Truth XXXVII: 15, p. 20-21
August 5, 1993