Truth Magazine

By Ken Marrs

The title of this article may strike sonic as presumptuous. it may appear to a Jew that I am suffering from such arrogance that 1 can believe my wisdom is qualified to weigh and conclude for all, flatters of the utmost importance – I assure you, I am no scholar, no selfstyled expert, nor do I labor under any delusion that I am unusually wise. The only wisdom I may demonstrate has come from Gods revelation, and admittedly, I do not always live with it or by it on a daily basis. What I have to say is neither profound nor original. Anyone with the ability to objectively observe the world and culture we live in will probably have already colic to a similar conclusion. That being said, I humbly submit my thoughts.

The Problem

I recognize that worldliness, materialism, secular humanism various doctrinal errors, etc. arc all formidable and seriously threatening forces that confront the Lords church. While priorities may be subjective and differ, 1 believe the #1 problem facing the church, and this nation for that “latter, is the inability and/or unwillingness of people to definitively state an action as being absolutely right or wrong. To set a standard of right and wrong that does not change is seen as unrealistic, and o suggest that man is obligated to adhere to it is seen as narrow-minded, judgmental, arrogant and almost unforgiveable. To say that something is absolutely right is necessarily to say there are other things that are absolutely wrong, and this is totally unacceptable in todays world. Consequently, moral resolution is the rule of the day. The only absolute is that there are no absolutes.

Modern Causes

How did we get to this point in our thinking? While this attitude may have surfaced periodically through history, 1 believe the propulsion of todays problem, is found in the sexual revolution of the 1960s in general, and in two literary works specifically. In 966, Dr. Joseph Fletcher published his book Situation Ethics. This work simply reflected the current and increasingly prevalent thoughts of a “New Morality. His premise as a situationist was basically that love was the only law that could dictate an action in any given situation. Notice:

The situationist follows a moral law or violates it according to loves need  only the commandment to lo9ve is categorically good. Everything else without exception, all laws and rules and principles and ideals and norms, are only contingent, only valid if they happen to serve love in any situation . . .

In other words, if it is done or said with love, anything and everything is acceptable.

Three years later, Thomas Harris published his immensely popular Im OK, Youre OK. Like Situation Ethics, Harris book reflected the growing permissiveness in society, and actually helped fuel it. Clearly, this was a major move towards universal self-justification.

The “icing on the cake” has come in this past decade via the “New Age” movement. If you are familiar with the various teachings (whose spectrum is as wide and as varied as the colors in the rainbow), you will no doubt be aware that one of the basic tenets is that every individual is God. As God, I determine what is right and wrong for me and my situation. As God, I and only I can rightly judge myself. I cannot judge you because you are God too. As a God, each individual is the exclusive Judge and ruler of his own “universe.” In other words, everyone “does his own thing.” Sound familiar? “In those days there was no King in Israel; everyone did what was right in his own eyes” (Judg. 21:25). Truly, there is nothing new under the sun.

Early Effects

The effect this has had upon the Lords church can be seen in the institutional churches of Christ. In the 1960s we began to hear about the call to “preach the man, not the plan.” In other places it took the form of “Gospel vs. Doc-trine” (less law and more love). As more emphasis was being placed upon the life of Jesus and less emphasis upon his words, there came an inevitable break from the “book, chapter, and verse” mentality that so distinguished the restoration spirit (actually their ties to a scriptural anchor had been severed in the division over the “sponsoring church” controversy in the early 1950s, and though previously warned, it took a few- years of “drifting” before it was readily apparent to others that the true precedent that had been set).

Now, as our societal “wisdom” is increasingly extolling the virtues of “tolerance,” there is tremendous pressure to accept into their fellowship instrumental music and women leadership of the church, among other things. Many are already openly fellowshipping the “mainline Protestant denominations,” and when confronted with the scriptural prohibition of such, the cry is being voiced for a “New Hermeneutic.”

Waiting to take center stage next is homosexuality. There are some who have already “re-studied” this issue and have now come to the conclusion that promiscuous homosexuality is what is being prohibited in the Scriptures. As long as a “same-sex marriage” is monogamous, this is acceptable and pleasing to God. There can be no mistake about it, the modern preachers of the “new morality” (Phil Donahue, et al.) are having a major impact upon the religious community.

Closer To Home

Has this affected churches of Christ that have taken a stand against “institutionalism”? Alarmingly, there is more and more sympathy in the Lords church for being “tolerant” of peoples circumstances, though they are living openly in sin. Gospel preachers and elders are catching more “heat” because they have the arrogant nerve to stand up and proclaim someones action as sinful. We are being told that abortion, gambling, social drinking, and adulterous marriages, among other things, are matters of personal and private concern, and those who oppose such in other peoples lives are sowing discord and “out of line.”

We are told that to stand up and speak out against an individuals sin is “building fences.” The fear is that we will alienate the church from the people in the world. In reality, a “fence” has already been “built” by the sinner when he chooses to do that which the New Testament prohibits. The “fence” is not between the church and the world, it is between the sinner and the Saviour. To allow this separation to remain without warning or informing the sinner is indifference and pure selfishness on our part. In a rush to be acceptable and “socially correct,” we allow the sinner to remain unacceptable and “spiritually incorrect” with the Lord. Is this being a “light unto the world”?

A few years ago I had a conversation with a woman who had visited our congregation. She stated that it was “un-Christ-like” to condemn and individual. My response: Jesus always loved the individual, it was this very love that he called us to (Jn. 15:9-13). However, no one can read Matthew 15 and conclude that our Lord was “tolerant” of all peoples lives. Jesus indeed made moral judgments and condemned sinners. He called the Pharisees “hypocrites” (15 times), “vain worshippers,” and “blind leaders of the blind.” In Titus 1.12, 13 the apostle Paul agreed that Cretans were “liars, evil beasts, lazy gluttons.” Stephen told the Jews in Acts 7:51 they were stubborn resisters of the Holy Spirit.

The point is not that we have the right to be condescending and call people ugly names. We do not. The point is that our Lord and his early disciples never shrank from the task of confronting sin in the lives of anyone. If the teaching of the minister or the Bible teacher is not to delve into and address the daily lives of people, then what on earth does the word “walk” in Galatians 5:16-25 mean? If the evangelist is not to bring to light the sin of another, then what, pray tell, is 2 Timothy 4:2-5 talking about?

What brethren must realize is that when we stand for something, we automatically and necessarily stand against the things which are contrary (go back and read John 15:18-25). If we embrace the worlds message of “tolerance” as the true yardstick of love, how are we going to convince our neighbor that faith, repentance and baptism are compulsory? What reason could we give to a weekly observance of the Lords supper as opposed to a yearly observance, other than “we just prefer a weekly observance”?

Conclusion

Although we will continue to battle various issues within and without the body of Christ, I am convinced the force behind most of the present and coming controversies will be the devil-inspired, society-driven philosophy that no one can make any moral judgments. Nothing is absolute, everything is relative (“thats your interpretation”). “Tolerance” is the true mark of a loving disciple, and “subjectivism” is the final authority for each individual.

The next time you hear a defense of someones unscriptural teaching or practice, see if you do not recognize some of these sentiments. As we are now beginning to see in the institutional churches of Christ, the next step in this progression is from “tolerance” to “pluralism.” Can that too be far behind for us?

Footnotes

Fletcher, Joseph Situation Ethics, Philadelphia: The Westminster Press (1966), pp. 26, 31.

The term “New Hermeneutics” is somewhat ambiguous, but it is basically a set of interpretive rules arbitrarily composed by the student to allow any and every religious practice desired. For a further look into its nature and effect, I suggest you read The Cultural Church (Nashville: 20th Century Christian, 1992) by F. LaGard Smith.

“Pluralism” is the universal and gratuitous acceptance of all thoughts, beliefs, and actions, sensitivity and accommodation to diversity. The “pluralist” is proud of his ability to please as many as possible.

(Editors Note: This article should have been included in the previous issue of articles written by California preachers at the request of brother Ron Halbrook. Somehow this article became separated from the others. We apologize to brother Marrs for the error.) Gr

Guardian of Truth XXXVII: 14 p. 6-7
July 15, 1993

By Bill Cavender

A few days ago a long-time friend and faithful brother in the Lord phoned to talk with me as he passed near Port Arthur in his work. He phoned to see how the family and I were doing, to tell me of his work in a new congregation begun about two years ago, and to ask my advice.

He lives in a small town, about 6,000 population, near a large metropolitan area, and for years he and his family drove into the city to worship, about 35-40 miles round trip. Desiring to begin a faithful, scriptural church in his own community (there was already a very liberal-modernistic church of Christ in the town), he consulted with several other families from different congregations who are within driving distance of his community, and they agreed together to begin a “faithful” church in that community. They set the date, met in the city hall, and began with thirty-seven people present and shortly grew in number to fifty or more, had a contribution of about $275.00 per week, bought a lot on which to build a meetinghouse, and the future looked bright. Two or three were baptized, several confessed neglect, and all prospects were for a good work, a good church, and steady growth.

Then it began. As the men took their turns preaching at the worship hours and teaching the classes, their opinions began to be expressed, resulting in disagreements, strife and strained relationships. One brother preached on the Lord supper, proving (?) how sinful it is to have and to take the Lords supper on Sunday evening, that this evening supper is “a second supper,” and that if it is after 6 p.m., it is in reality Monday because the Jewish days began at sunset. Brethren tried to teach him the truth but when they would not accept his opinion, he pronounced his anathemas upon them and left  to join himself to the liberal church in town where they also have the Lords supper on Sunday evening!

Another brother in the congregation preached on the sin-fulness of the Bible college (a college where the Bible is daily taught in classes) and how sinful it is for parents to permit and pay for their child to attend such a school. (One family in the church has a daughter in Florida College, Tam-pa, Florida.) Discussion with the brother by this family and other brethren availed not, and even though Florida College is not connected with any congregation, has never taken a contribution from a church and has no intention of doing so, the brother who preached his opinion still insists the college is sinful and this family is committing sin!

And two brethren strongly insist it is sinful to have a wed-ding or funeral in the meetinghouse, although they have no meetinghouse, no one has died, and no one has gotten married. And another young man has preached the past two holiday seasons how sinful it is for the other brethren to give gifts to loved ones, decorate a tree or have a family gathering during the holidays.

My friend concluded in about these words: We have thirty now meeting, hobbyism reigns, relations are strained, there is little love for each other, every opinion is a matter of faith to some, brethren are suspicious of each other, and associate very little with one another. We began so well but have got-ten crossed up over a bunch of opinions.

This is a sad, tragic story but not an isolated case by any means. Many conservative (?) churches are majoring in minors, pushing opinions as matters of faith and gospel, resulting in divided churches, alienated brethren and hindrances to spiritual growth. Many churches and preachers have little influence for good because of extremism. Brethren pride themselves on “standing for the truth” when the truth of God in the New Testament says nothing about the opinions they hold so dear as they make these opinions matters of faith and conscience within themselves. Then they bind these “matters of faith” on others, wanting their con-sciences to be everyone elses guide.

Hobbyism and opinionism have ever been the bane of the Lords work. The missionary society and mechanical instruments in worship hobbies led to division and strife over one hundred years ago, resulting in the Christian Church. In our generation, opinions and hobbies over institutions supported by churches and unscriptural centralized co-operation between churches has resulted in a new sect of liberal-modernistic churches, denominational in attitude and practice, but still calling themselves churches of Christ. On the other hand, many brethren and churches who opposed those innovations of liberalism, have gone or are going to opposite extremes, making all kinds of opinions matters of faith and doctrine. There are the old ones which have ever been with us, such as: sinful to use printed literature; sinful for women to teach a class of children of women; sinful to have Bible classes for different age groups; sinful to have a located preacher; sinful to cut a womans hair or to wear make-up; sinful for a woman to worship without an artificial covering on her head; sinful for a Christian to vote or have anything to do in or with civil government. Then some of the new ones going around: sinful to sing an invitation song; sinful to have Sunday night communion; sinful to have a wedding or funeral in a meetinghouse, sinful to give contribution by check; sinful to put the name “Church of Christ” outside the meetinhouse (it must be “Church of Christ Meets Here”); sinful to send a child to Florida College, etc.

When the world (and the church) so desperately needs good sound gospel preaching, godly living and strong, loving churches, we are giving them opinions, strife and ill-will. Some of us may just go to hell along with the world for such ungodliness if we do not repent.

(Reprinted from Messenger of Truth, Jan. 1975, published by Imhoff Ave. Church of Christ, Port Arthur, TX)

Guardian of Truth XXXVII: 14 p. 12-13
July 15, 1993

By Bruce Reeves

The work ethic of the Christian is a topic of great importance. In this article, we will take a serious look at Gods teaching concerning a godly work ethic. Worldliness is invading the Lords church even today. One manner in which this is happening is the unscriptural ideas many Christians have concerning the role our work should play in our lives.

While doing research for this article, some of the titles I saw concerning the loose attitude many have when it comes to ethical principles in business was disturbing. This very attitude seems to be working its way into the Lords church, and it alarms me to see such an attitude on the part of Christians. Some of the titles I saw were as follows: “Honesty, Is it Still the Best Policy?”; “Ethics For Sale”; “Whose Ethics are the Most Ethical?” We will look at what Gods Word reveals to us concerning the work ethic of the Christian.

What The Work Ethic Of The Christian Should Be

In thinking about what the work ethic of the Christian should be, the first principle that comes to mind is the truth that the Christian ought to be honest in everything he does, including his work.

Be Honest

I am still a young man, but one thing my parents have always impressed upon me is that since I am a Christian. I ought to give an honest days work for an honest days pay. There is a prevalent attitude that everyone wants to get all he can and give as little as possible. Especially, is this true with the attitude of people toward their jobs. It used to be that an employer could expect an honest days work for an honest days pay. Many employees spend their time complaining either to fellow employees or to their bosses about what the other person is not doing and how hard they are having to work. God has instructed us in his word that-if a man does not work, he should not eat. He also gave us some guidelines whereby we are to work. (I Thess. 4:11-12: “And that ye study to be quiet, and to do your own business, and to work with your own hands, as we commanded you; that ye may walk honestly toward them that are without, and that ye may have lack of nothing.”)

As Christians, we need to think about what God commands us regarding our jobs and our attitude toward our employers. We need to realize as children of God, that we are to be servants of Christ, doing the will of God from the heart. With goodwill doing service; as to the Lord, and not to men.” Do we render service with goodwill or do we do so with a sullen attitude! The Christian should not be the one who is a burden to those around him. Rom. 12:11: “Be not slothful in business; fervent in spirit, serving the Lord.”

When we make mistakes in our work places, do we admit them and correct them? Or, more often, do we look for reasons to blame them on someone else or refuse to admit we made them in the first place? Peter said, “for what glory is there, if, when ye be buffeted for your faults, ye shall take it patiently …?”

Worldly Perversions

Too many Christians possess a dishonest and difficult work ethic rather than an honest one. Sometimes we seem to be the ones who cause envy and strife in the work place. By the things we say, we hurt others, all in the name of “business.” 1 Peter 2:1 says, “Wherefore laying aside all malice and all guile and hypocrisies, and envies and all evil speakings.” Brethren, as Paul has said in Romans 13:11-14, its high time we awake out of sleep, and put on the Lord Jesus Christ. Are you living a lie? There may be one looking at you! (One who looks at a person who claims to be a Christian may develop the opinion that if this is what a Christian is, he wants no part of it.) Through a sinful work ethic, will you be the one guilty for turning them away from the Lord? Some of us seem to cast Gods will aside when it comes to work and have decided that we can do what ever we choose regardless of whom it may hurt. Some would do anything, in order to advance in their work, including: social drinking, lying, cheating, all sorts of wickedness. Paul says, we ought to practice a work ethic that adorns the doctrine of Christ (Tit. 2:9,10)

Many Christians are very active in the worship service and do a great deal of speaking upon the subject of “Putting God First.” Yet in their daily lives, will go to the work place and completely forget about their service to the Lord and Gods instructions regarding the Christians work practices.

Adorn The Doctrine Of Christ

Do you possess the type of work ethic that adorns the doctrine of God? As some have said, “If one could be arrested for being a Christian, would there be enough evidence to convict you?” Can those we work with see our dedication to Christ by the way in which we conduct ourselves? In Matthew 5:13,14, Jesus speaks of the servant of Christ as the salt of the earth, and the light of the world. Can our fellow-workers see the light of honesty, justice, and faith shining through our hearts by our behavior? Or do they rather see “salt that has lost its savor and is good for nothing, but to be trodden under foot,” because of our distasteful and disgusting hypocrisy? Folks, its time we come to the realization that we must be Christians in all aspects of life including earning our daily bread. 1 Peter 2:9: “Ye are a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, an holy nation, a peculiar people.” We are Christians! We are special, sanctified, separate.

If we will strive to adorn the doctrine of God in our work place, we will chew forth a worthy influence to those around us thereby glorifying Gods name. Paul says in Colossians 3:17: “But whatsoever ye do in word or deed, do all in the name of the Lord.”

Put First Things First

In having a proper attitude toward our work, a Christian should “put first things first.” Of all people, Christians ought to be a people who have their priorities straight. Often times we allow the Lords church and our families to take a backseat to our work. We should ask ourselves the question, “what type of sacrifice am I offering Christ?” Romans 12:1,2: “I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that ye present your bodies a living sacrifice.” Not only are our lives our sacrifice to God, but our worship is as well. Many of us have been putting Gods kingdom on the back burner for too long! Do we really think God is going to be pleased with a lame, sick and half-hearted sacrifice such as that? Brethren, we need to give him our most dedicated offering, by putting Gods kingdom first. (Matt. 6:33: “But seek ye first the kingdom of God …”)

The Home: Our homes are of precious value. The family is a beautiful treasure created by the hand of God. The future of the kingdom of God starts in godly homes. In order for our homes to be what they should, they must be directed by the word of God. This loving haven of rest doesnt come by accident. It requires our time and care. It forever seeks our priority. For too long our families have been neglected and the kingdom of God has had to pay the price. In Ephesians 5:23-29, Paul depicts the importance of the home. Paul teaches that the husband is the head of the family and is to love his wife as Christ has loved the Church. The wife as well has a great responsibility to God and to her family. She is extremely important to the structure of the home. She isnt just a “housewife”; she is the keeper of the home and the heart of the family. Children ought to see parents who put Gods kingdom first, who love their homes, and who are honest in everything they do. So often when we fail to put first things first, destruction sets in. There are too many Christians today who have focused their efforts in their work and have given the Lords kingdom nothing! The church was so important to Christ that he gave his life to purchase it. Shall we fail to give the church which Christ died for the priority it deserves?

Worship and Work: There seems to be a trend among some young Christians that is very upsetting. It is great for young Christians to work, but when they are missing worship services to work, something is wrong. If working were an absolute necessity, it might be understandable. But its not a necessity to have a better automobile, or more of what we already have (Matt. 6:33). Young people, we should put first things first.

The future of the Lords church is in our homes today. Are you neglecting your families in order to possess more things. This time is precious! Someday your children are going to be gone from your home. Our homes demand our love and time. According to a University of Maryland study, parents have been spending an average of about 17 hours per week with their children. Although our work plays an important role in our lives, the first thing in our life should be God. Christ should be the center of our lives. When we leave God out of our lives; our lives will be void of any lasting love or joy!

Often times some would forfeit their Christianity for material things. What would you say to Jesus if he were standing before you now? “Lord, Ive been a Christian everywhere but at work,” seeing that he gave and sacrificed everything for our souls. Realizing as he prayed in the Garden of Gethsemane with sweat as great drops of blood pouring down his face, “Not my will, but thy will be done.” Friends, Jesus would say to us, as he did in Peter in Matthew 16:23-26 “For thou savourest not the things of God, but those that be of men.” Jesus has said, “If any man will come after me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross and follow me.” In verse 26, he tells us that even if you gain everything in the world, and yet fail to gain the salvation of your soul everything was vain.

I would hope that through a proper understanding of the importance of the Lords church and our families; we will recognize the relationship they ought to have to our work.

Principles For Developing A Godly Work Ethic

(1) Understand the difference between temporary and eternal things (2 Cor. 4:18).

(2) Love the Lord! (Jn. 14:23)

(3) Set your affections on heavenly things (Col. 3:1-3).

Conclusion

I would hope this article would not only help us to develop a godly work ethic, but also godly lives. As Solomon said in Ecclesiastes 12:13: “Fear God and keep his commandments, for this is the whole duty of man.”

Guardian of Truth XXXVII: 14 p. 18-19
July 15, 1993

By Donnie V. Rader

The story of the conversation of Cornelius and his household is found in Acts 10:1-48. Peter recounted the events when he went to Jerusalem, Peter related the story of this conversion there (Acts 15:7-9). Lets look at Cornelius, the miracles surrounding his con-version and the gospel message he heard.

Cornelius

1. A Gentile (Acts 15:7). Cornelius was the first Gentile convert. At the time of his conversion the church was made up largely of Jews. This family was the first of the Gentiles to become Christians. Today it has been reversed. Now the church primarily consists of Gentiles with only a few Jews obeying the gospel.

This conversion proved that the Gentiles can be saved just like the Jews (Acts 11:18; 15:7,9).

2. A military man (Acts 10:1). Cornelius was a centurion of the Italian Regiment. He was a man of power and authority. He had a lot of men under his command. Yet, with all of this power, he had the same needs as the lowest private or a civilian  he was in need of salvation from his sins.

3. A moral man (Acts 10:2,22). The text tells us that he was “devout” man which means he was a sincere and devoted individual. He was also good to others for he gave alms to people. He was a “just” or honorable, honest man. He had a good name and reputation. What better neighbor could be found? If you were to list his good traits and contrast them with his bad ones, the good would no doubt out-weigh the bad. However, in spite of his good moral character, he still needed to hear the gospel and be saved (Acts 11:14). I learn from this that sincerity and honesty within themselves are not enough.

4. A religious man (Acts 10:2). He was devout. He was devoted to his religious service and activities. He had an active religion. He feared God. He stood in awe of Gods majesty and greatness. He was afraid of doing that which displeased God. He prayed to God. This tells us that his faith in God was real.

Again, in spite of being religious, he still was not a child of God. Being religious and being devoted are not enough. One still needs to be obedient to God like Cornelius had to be.

Desired to know the word of God (Acts 10:33). Cornelius was open and receptive to the truth. He wanted to know what God has said  including what God would command to be done. When Peter had come, he said to Peter, “Now therefore, we are all present before God, to hear all things commanded you by God.”

Miracles Surrounding His Conversion

There were three miracles connected with this conversion. The reason for these is obvious from reading the text: this is the first conversion of a Gentile.

1. An angel appeared to Cornelius (Acts 10:3-8). The angel told Cornelius that his prayers had been heard (v. 4). The fact that God hears the aliens prayer all will agree. God may even respond somehow. It seems here that he did. However, that is not the same as the assurance that God answers our prayers (1 Pet. 3:12). Otherwise, passages like 1 Peter 3:12 would be meaningless.

Cornelius was instructed to send for Peter (vv. 5-6) for he would tell him what he “must do” (v. 6). This appearance had nothing directly to do with his salvation. If it did, why do we not read of such in other cases of conversion? The angel didnt save Cornelius. There is no evidence that he believes in Christ at this point.

2. Peters vision (Acts 10:9-18). While Peter was on the housetop waiting for a meal to be prepared, he fell into a trance and saw a object like a great sheet coming out of heaven with all kinds of animals and beasts in it. He heard a voice that told him to rise and eat. He refused saying that he would not eat that which was common or unclean. The voice rebuked him saying, “What God has cleansed you must not call common” (v. 15). The point was that the Gen-tiles (who had been considered common and unclean) can now be accepted into the kingdom of God. This is the explanation that Peter later gave saying, “I shall not call any man common or unclean” (vv. 28-29).

3. Reception of the Holy Spirit (vv. 44-47). As Peter was speaking the Holy Spirit fell upon Cornelius and his family. What did they receive? They received Holy Spirit baptism. What fell on the Gentiles here was like that that the apostles received (vv. 45,47). What Peter saw on that day reminded him of Holy Spirit baptism (Acts 11:16). It was called the same gift (Acts 11:17). Peter said God gave them (Cornelius and his house) the Holy Spirit “just as he did to us” (Acts 15:8).

What did this prove? It proved to all present that the Gentiles are now gospel subjects (Acts 11:18). It did not prove that Holy Spirit baptism is for all believers in all ages. It did not prove that Cornelius was saved before baptism. If it did, it proved he was saved before faith.

The Sermon (Acts 10:34.48)
Peter made three fundamental points in his sermon.

1. There is no partiality with God (vv. 34-35). Peter preached that God is not a respecter of persons  he shows no partiality. Rather, he accepts everyone who (a) fears God and (b) works righteousness.

2. Salvation through Christ (vv. 36-43). Jesus Christ was: (a) anointed with the Holy Spirit and power (v. 38), (b) killed by crucifixion (v. 39), (c) raised from the dead the third day (vv. 40-41), (d) ordained to be the judge of the living and the dead (v. 42), (e) a fulfillment of the prophets (v. 43) and (f) the one through whom men can have the remission of sins (v. 43).

3. What man must do. Cornelius was told to hear words whereby he could be saved (Acts 10:6; 11:14), believe in Christ (Acts 14:43), repent of his sins (Acts 11:15) and be baptized (Acts 10:48).

Peter stated that Cornelius did what he was told to do to be a child of God (Acts 15:7-9). You can be saved the same way that he was.

Guardian of Truth XXXVII: 14 p. 14-15
July 15, 1993