Truth Magazine

By Dan King

In Acts 4, Luke informs us that the Jerusalem leadership was surprised at how unhesitatingly the apostles Peter and John responded to the challenge of their preaching and miraculous works. The little clan of cowardly men who had mostly hidden while Jesus was being tried and crucified had turned into a fearless group of proclaimers of the resurrection:

Now when they beheld the boldness of Peter and John, and had perceived that they were unlearned and ignorant men, they marveled; and they took knowledge of them, that they had been with Jesus (v. 13).

One is brought to ask, when reading this brief report, what factors there were which had so radically altered the mindset of these ordinary men to make them such powerful proponents of Jesus of Nazareth. Several things come immediately to mind, looking both here and elsewhere in the New Testament for the deeper explanation of their change:

1. They Were Bold Because They Had Been With Jesus. The relationship sustained by them in the Master’s companionship had a lasting effect upon the apostles. Jesus was no ordinary man, though they were quite ordinary men, so he was the one who determined that the disciples needed to change, and would be changed by him. “Except a man be born again, he cannot see the kingdom of God. . . Except a man be born of water and of the Spirit, he cannot enter into the kingdom of God” (Jn. 3:3,5). Again, “Except ye be converted, and become as little children, ye shall not enter into the kingdom of heaven” (Matt. 18:3). In every way, their time with Christ was a life-altering experience. This is equally true for us today. We must change in a positive direction on a constant basis: “But grow in grace, and in the knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ” (2 Pet. 3:18).

2. They Were Bold Because They Had Been With Jesus And He Was Bold. There never walked the earth a man who was more completely fearless than Jesus. Every human being has known the feeling of fear in his heart. This one who walked among men and was God in the flesh had no fear of what man could do to him. He offered the disciples the perfect example of spiritual courage. During the final week of his earthly life he confronted the “powers that be” in the temple and repeatedly called them “hypocrites” (read all of Matthew 23). When events were sweeping him toward death, he bravely told Peter to, “Put up thy sword into the sheath: the cup which my Father hath given me, shall I not drink it?” On. 18:11) And, as he stood before Pontius Pilate, who reminded him of his power over life and death for accused men, Jesus said: “Thou couldest have no power at all against me, except it were given thee from above” On. 19:11). The disciples were bold, because their Master had been bold!

3. They Were Bold Because They Had Been With Jesus And He Had Taught Them Boldness. Jesus taught his disciples about many different things. One of them was spiritual bravery, or boldness. “And fear not them which kill the body, but are not able to kill the soul; but rather fear him which is able to destroy both soul and body in hell” (Matt. 10:28). Often in his teaching he said to them, “Fear not.” For example, early in their relation-ship with him, Christ showed them a draught of fishes the like of which these fishermen had never seen. They were astonished and afraid of what sort of man this might be, who possessed such power. To this he said, “Fear not”(Lk. 5:10). Undoubtedly the Lord would often say the same thing to us in the different troublesome circumstances of our lives. In fact, he does, through the words of the New Testament.

4. They Were Bold Because They Had Been With Jesus After His Resurrection. Imagine how emboldened the disciples must have been by seeing Jesus after the resurrection. When they saw him alive, they knew that he was possessed of power over death and that nothing could ever hurt them. There was nothing over which he did not ultimately hold sway. He could say, “All power (authority) hath been given unto me in heaven and on earth” (Matt. 28:18); and, “Fear not, I am the first and the last: I am he that liveth, and was dead; and behold, I am alive for evermore, Amen; and have the keys of hell and of death” (Rev. 1:17,18). They had seen and talked to the risen Christ, no wonder they were bold! All of his claims had been vindicated. God had vindicated him by raising him up from death to reign as the Sovereign of Life (Acts 2:22-24, 31-32)!

5. They Were Bold Because They Had Been With Jesus When He Ascended To Sit At The Right Hand Of God. Their eyes had beheld as Jesus was taken up from them into heavenly glory: “And while they looked stedfastly toward heaven as he went up, behold, two men stood by them in white apparel; which also said, Ye men of Galilee, why stand ye gazing into heaven? This same Jesus, which is taken up from you into heaven, shall so come in like manner as ye have seen him go into heaven” (Acts 1:10, 11). They were emboldened to know that he was now with the Father in heaven, and that he would come again. Not only so, but they also knew that he was seated on the right a hand of God as the Messiah-King of Old Testament promise (Mk. 16:19; cf. Ps. 89:2-3, 35-37).

6. They Were Bold Because Jesus Was Still With Them. Before he left the disciples he promised them: “I will be with you always, even to the end of the age” (Matt. 28:20). Once more, “I will not leave you orphans, I will come to you” (Jn. 14:18). At all times when confronted with adversity, they could say with Paul: “The Lord stood with me, and strengthened me” (2 Tim. 4:17). The Lord is with us yet today in all our earthly sorrows, trials and tragedies.

7. They Were Bold Because Boldness Does Not Grow Out of Knowledge But Out of Faith. These men stood in the presence of the distinguished elite of Jerusalem. They were “unlearned and ignorant men” in comparison to those who accused and judged them. Yet, they were bold. The reason they could be bold, although they were certainly outclassed educationally and intellectually, was that knowledge is not the key to courage. Faith is the key to courage! Today we will often be outclassed academically and in other ways, yet our spiritual courage is not dependent upon our education or mental ability, but upon our faith in Him who died and rose again to fill us with courage! As Paul said, “We having the same spirit of faith, according as it is written, I believed, and therefore have I spoken; we also believe, and therefore speak; knowing that he which raised up the Lord Jesus shall raise up us also by Jesus, and shall present us with you” (2 Cor. 4:13, 14). Boldness does not grow out of knowledge, but out of faith: people who have faith are the people of courage! Let us try to develop this wonderful virtue in our own lives.

Guardian of Truth XXXVII: 15, p. 18-19
August 5, 1993

By Norman E. Sewell

It continues to amaze me how often we read the Scriptures and fail to see some of the statements found in them. A few years ago I was visiting in another community and worshipped on Lords day morning with the local church and heard the preacher there read from Philippians 2:19-24. Notice part of that with me. Paul wrote: But! trust in the Lord Jesus to send Timothy to you shortly, that I also may be encouraged when I know your state. For! have no one like-minded, who will sincerely care for your state. For all seek their own, not the things which are of Christ Jesus. But you know his proven character, that as a son with his father he served with me in the gospel” (vv. 19-23). Somehow I had missed the statement “for all seek their own,” or at least it had failed to register in my mind. Now, having finally seen it! believe there is a powerful lesson taught by Paul in that short statement, especially when combined with other clear statements of Scripture.

 All of us have experienced dealings with people who show that they are very selfish. Selfishness in fact seems to be part of being human unless we train ourselves not to be, and the only reason to so train ourselves is that God wants us, as his children, not to long for pre-eminence, or to think only of ourselves and what we may want, but of what is also good for each other. Earlier in this same chapter Paul told the Philippian brethren: “Let nothing be done through selfish ambition or conceit, but in lowliness of mind let each esteem others better than himself. Let each of you look out not only for his own interests, but also for the interests of others” (Phil. 2:3-4). To the Christians Paul wrote: “Let no one seek his own, but each one the others well-being” (1 Cor. 10:24). In fact, when Paul wrote to the Corinthians showing the nature of the love that God commands us to have he wrote that love “does not seek its own” (1 Cor. 13:5). So loving one another as God demands would do away with such selfishness.

 Yet in spite of this Paul was able to write to the Philippians concerning Timothy, For I have no one like- minded, who will sincerely care for your state. For all seek their own, not the things whieh are of Christ Jesus.” Those words will make you stop and take a good look at yourself! What about me? Am I self-willed, always wanting my own way and selfishly pushing my plans and thoughts on others? Is this an indictment of all the other men who worked with Paul from time to time? At least it seems that this statement was in praise of Timothy, and suggests that others needed to grow and mature to be more as he was.

 There are examples in the Scriptures of men who sought their own self and their own way first. The rich young ruler, as he is often called, exhibits this attitude of selfishness and unwillingness to put anything on a higher level of importance that his wealth. Since this young man lived under the Mosaic law Jesus told him to keep the commandments in order to have eternal life. But he seemed to want to know more because he had already kept the commandments from his youth. But Jesus told him, “If you want to be perfect, go, sell what you have and give to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven; and come, follow Me. But when the young man heard that saying, he ~vent away sorrowful, for he had great possessions” (Matt. 19:21-22). There is no doubt that Jesus did not come first with him, or that he loved his wealth more than he loved God –

 Then there are men like Epaphroditus who was sent by the Philippian brethren to carry support to Paul. Apparently he stayed with Paul for some time as a fellow worker and fellow soldier (Phil. 2:25). When Paul sent him back to the Philippians he asked them to receive him with gladness and hold him in esteem, “because for the work of Christ he came close to death, not regarding his life to supply what was lacking in your service toward me” (Phil. 2:30). We need not think that one must be a preacher to put the kingdom first as Jesus taught in the Sermon on the Mount (Matt. 6:33). Toward the end of the Roman letter Paul mentions Priscilla and Aquilla, “my fellow workers in Christ Jesus, who risked their own necks for my life” (Rom. 16:3-4) and a great many people who in one way or another labored with Paul for the Lord. Every one of us faces the choice as to whether we will “seek our own” or “the things which are of Christ Jesus” (Phil. 2:21).

What is involved in being less self-willed, and less selfish with our lives? Truly following after Jesus requires self-denial. Jesus told the disciples in Luke 9, “If anyone desires to come after Me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross daily, and follow Me” (v. 23). In fact, in the following verse Jesus went on to say that this might include giving up your life for his sake. “For whoever desires to save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for My sake will save it” (v.24). No one denies that this is hard, but think of those John saw in the vision recorded in Revelation 12 who “overcame him,” that is Satan, “by the blood of the Lamb and by the word of their testimony, and they did not love their lives to the death” (v.11). There was, and there is, something more important than life here on this earth. Recognize that if you are a Christian then you do not own yourself. Paul told the Corinthians “For you were bought at a price; therefore glorify God in your body and in your spirit, which are Gods” (1 Cor. 6:20). The Macedonians, apparently recognizing this, “first gave themselves to the Lord” (2 Cor. 8:5).

Look into your own heart. Are you more like Timothy and seek the things that are of Christ, or more like the others and seek your own? I’m afraid such an inner look may be painful. It was for me.

Guardian of Truth XXXVII: 15, p. 23-24
August 5, 1993

By Lewis Willis

While driving down the street the other day, I saw a message on a sign in front of a Baptist Church. It said, “God’s help is only a prayer away.” Wouldn’t it be great if this was always true? If you have a problem, or if you get in trouble, God would always be there to bail us out. Yes, it would be great  if it were only true.

One of the false notions of this statement is that God’s assistance is available, even when men do nothing to receive it. Just ask, and the help comes! Or, so we are led to believe. If the idea is true, one could live to please the Devil until in great trouble, then ask God to assist, and he would come through. Do you believe this? Does God respond in such cases, as the sign suggests?

Another thing the sign falsely implies is that every time we ask God for something, he always answers, “Yes!” Does God always grant every request we make in prayer? If a loved one is sick, and we pray that God will make them well, does he always do so? What if we ask, and he says, “No!”? If people have been led to believe that he will always say, “Yes,” they are going to be disappointed and discouraged if they do not get what they ask. They will, then, blame God for treating them poorly. Furthermore, modern religion will be responsible for deceiving them about prayer. (Incidentally, after reading the sign referred to above, I turned at the next corner and read this on another church sign: “Fear  a prayer headed in the Wrong Direction.” If I ever figure out what this means, I might offer a comment about it.)

The Apostle Peter wrote in 1 Peter 3:12: “For the eyes of the Lord are over the righteous, and his ears are open unto their prayers: but the face of the Lord is against them that do evil.” Therefore, if we expect God to answer our prayers, we had better be busy being righteous! Other-wise, we will be as deceived as the denominations are.

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

By Phillip E. Staggs

Many people watched the news with rapt attention for some 51 days while a cult leader, David Howell (David Koresh), the leader of the “Branch Davidian” cult, was in a compound in Waco, Texas with his followers. That confrontation came to an abrupt end on April 19, 1993 when David gave the order to set a fire which resulted not only in his own death, but the deaths of many of his followers.

So many individuals are led astray by charismatic, so-called “religious leaders”; I believe that “religious deceivers” would better describe these individuals, including David Howell. But none the less there are people still willing to follow these nuts. These leaders offer people so much and actually give their followers so little. Promises are made but we can see so clearly that their promises are soon broken. Commonly the damage has been done, and the deception has already taken place to the point that these “religious deceivers” have brain washed their followers or rather their victims; and they never see through the facade.

With so many denominations, religious organizations and cults which deceive their followers into having a false sense of security, it is no wonder people are hesitant about talking to anyone about spiritual matters. I have heard numerous people make remarks such as, “I don’t know what to believe any more.” They wonder, “Can I know the truth?” Friend, yes, you can.

Can We Know the Truth?

Men have a tendency to want to do what seems right to them, to devise new plans, to write creed books. They claim that we need new revelations, doctrines or dogmas. God’s word still says, “For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways, saith the Lord.” Jeremiah 10:23 adds, “0 Lord, I know that the way of man is not in himself: it is not in man that walketh to direct his steps.”

Now we conclude after reading these verses that since our ways are not God’s ways and the way is not in man to direct his own steps, then naturally we need someone to show us the way. Is there hope for man? Can he know the truth? How can he know? Well, thanks be to God we can know the truth because it is revealed to man in God’s word. John 8:32 says, “And ye shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free.” “What is truth?” one asks. “Thy word is truth” (Jn. 17:17). The Bible is the word of God, the truth, and it is inspired by him. 2 Timothy 3:16 says, “All scripture is give by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness: that the man of God may be perfect, thoroughly furnished unto all good works.” We have all things in the Bible that pertain to “life and godliness” (1 Pet. 1:3). God’s word is complete and we don’t need any new revelations; in fact, Galatians 1:8 reminds, “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.” Revelation 22 makes it perfectly clear that we should not add to or take away from God’s word. Someone says, “Well, Phil, that applies to the prophecy of this book” (Revelation); and yes, that is true but certainly this is applicable to all of God’s word. The old adage that says, “We should speak where the Bible speaks and be silent where the Bible is silent,” still holds true today.

God’s word is long lasting. “Heaven and earth shall pass away: but my words shall not pass away” (Mk. 13:31). “The word of the Lord endureth forever. And this is the word which by the gospel is preached unto you” (1 Pet. 1:25). We need no new revelations, doctrine or dogmas. Christ’s will is fully revealed in the New Testament.

Whose Authority?

Cult leaders often claim to have some kind of special authority or to be an authority themselves. The religious world around us which is caught up in denominationalism claims to have authority that they don’t have. “And Jesus came and spoke unto them saying, All power is given unto me in heaven and in earth” (Matt. 28:18). All power here is literally “all authority” (ASB). If Christ has all authority, how much does that leave for anyone else? When we are honest we can only answer, “None not a bit.” Councils, synods, associations, conventions, and ecclesiastical authorities are sinful and have no authority. Jesus has it all. He expresses it to us today in his word, and we must obey it.

So often people say, “I love the Lord,” with bumper sticker theology. T-shirt slogans and words. But Jesus still says that this is how you prove it  “If ye love me, keep my commandments” On. 14:15). Actions speak louder than words Many may claim to follow Christ and to be doing so much for his cause while Matthew 7:21 says, “Not every-one one that saith unto me, Lord, Lord, shall enter into the kingdom of heaven; but he that doeth the will of my Father which is in heaven.” You can know that you are by looking into the Bible, the truth, and keeping God’s commands, not man’s.

Conclusion

Can we know the truth? We certainly can. The truth does not come from any man but men can know the truth for the truth is revealed in the Bible. Friend, man can even speak the truth as long as he speaks where the Bible speaks and is silent where the Bible is silent. Christ has all authority. Isn’t it time to follow him? Lay aside all human names, creeds, doctrines and practices to follow Christ and his word, so that when this life is over and some day you stand in judgment, you won’t have to hear those sad words, “I never knew you: depart from me, ye that work iniquity” (Matt. 7:23).

Guardian of Truth XXXVII: 15, p. 12-13
August 5, 1993