Truth Magazine

By Samuel Csonka

Down thru the ages, man has made mistake after mistake in anything he has ever tried to do. Thomas Edison tried hundreds of times before he finally got a light-bulb to stay lit. Wilbur and Orville Wright made numerous attempts at flight before they got a machine to stay up. And, how many of us have ever tried more than one time to accomplish a task?

God made man with intelligence, a conscience, and the ability to make choices. But, with the ability to make choices also came the ability to make mistakes and to sin. And ever since the beginning of time, mankind has been given one especially important choice to make: either to be children of God or children of Satan.

To be a child of God is to do as he wishes: to walk in obedience, to walk in faith, and to submit to his will. On the other hand, to be a child of Satan is to do our own will, to do as we please, and to disobey God.

When a person realizes that he has been living the way of the world and turns to follow the Savior, he puts away his former life and takes on a new one — he becomes a child of God (Rom. 6:1-13). With careful watching and proper nurturing, a young Christian can grow to be a strong soldier for Christ. Unfortunately, young Christians are weak and easily tempted back into the world (Matt. 13:18-23).

The majority of people in the world seem to be wicked. And, many of those that are religious are only hypocritical followers of Christ. So, young Christians must try hard, very hard, to overcome the temptations of the world. They need to be reminded that the temptations of the world are just temporal pleasures (lasting only for a short time) and certainly not worth losing their souls over (1 Jn. 2:15-17). Yet, some Christians lose their love for Christ and forget about their salvation from sin.

Sin is a gradual thing, and takes some time for Christians to get back into. Because it’s gradual, we have time to re-mind them of their eternal destiny, and can perhaps save them from going back forever (Jas. 5:19-20). When they do turn back to the world, they are forsaking God’s mercy, blessings, and salvation. How very unfortunate — some can never be brought back (Heb. 6:4-6). Hebrews 13:12-14 exhorts us to beware: “Take heed, brethren, lest in any one of you there be an evil heart of unbelief, in falling away from the living God.”

Why Do Christians Fall Away?

Worldly things are enticing. Because worldly things are enticing some Christians are lured back. If sin was not so enticing and physically pleasing, there wouldn’t be the tremendous problem that we have in trying to save sinners, not to mention fallen saints.

Laziness. Some Christians fall away because of laziness. Some people are so lazy it’s sickening. When it comes to work, or other physical exertion, it would be easier for a blind hog to find an acorn in a hail-storm than for them to get off their soft couches, leave the TV, and do some work for the Lord.

Peer or family pressure. Young babies in Christ are especially susceptible to peer pressure. Many people who have a tendency toward spirituality are kindly herded like cattle back to the paths of sin by their friends or famly. It’s too bad that these close ties to the world won’t keep them from Hell fire (Matt. 10:34-39).

False teaching. Sometimes we think that it is next to impossible for anyone we know to fall away due to false doctrine. Yet, this is still a cause for weak, unlearned babes falling away. And because it is not impossible, and because many babes are zealous and willing to be taught, they can be easily deluded by cultivators of false-teachings and led deeply into doctrinal quicksand. And the deeper they get in, the harder it is to get them out.

Pain, sickness and death. And then, there are those who because of no other scape-goat, leave the Lord as a result of their blaming him and not “sin” for the hurt and destruction in their lives. I guess they forget that we all have to pay the consequences for things we do. “If we kick a brick wall, naturally our foot will hurt. Likewise, if we are entangled in sinful things, we will most likely suffer physical as well as spiritual consequences (i.e., drunkenness: it can wreck your life physically and spiritually)”

Why Should They Return to God?

The answer is very simple. By not returning to God, the fallen Christian basically condemns himself. By turning his back on the Savior, he seals his fate and accepts the horrifying consequence of Hell-fire (Heb. 10:26-27). Unlike Lot’s sons-in-law who had utterly no concept of what would soon befall them, fallen Christians are not ignorant of their impelling doom — they chose to ignore the facts!

How Do Fallen Christians Return to God?

In Luke 15, the story of the “Prodigal Son” suggests that there is a simple progression of thought that fallen Christians must go through in order to turn their lives around. They must:

1. Come to their senses.

2. Realize their lost state.

3. Realize their sin.

4. Put away their sin (repent).

5. Turn back to God.

There are different ways by which we can repent of sin:

Privately — for sins of a private nature, between God and you (Lk. 18:10-14).

Publicly — which would apply in this case (Jas. 5:16),

Common sense says, “When the public has been subjected to your sin, you publicly make amends in an effort to buffer yourself and the church from the effects of your past sins. This can be a hard thing to do, but you were bold enough to get into the mess, and only you can get yourself out.”

Remember brethren, “If we confess our sins, he is faithful and righteous to forgive” (1 Jn. 1:9). And let us exhort one another to “cast off the works of darkness, put on the armor of light, and make not provision for the flesh to fulfill the lusts thereof” (Rom. 13:11-14). Young Christians, choosing to become a child of God was the most important decision you’ll ever make. Choosing to remain one is the second.

To God be the glory.

Guardian of Truth XXXVII: 7, p. 19-20
April 1, 1993

By Paul and Helen Williams

January 31, 1968. After being delayed for several days in Switzerland (when we enjoyed a great visit with the Jerry Earnharts) the seven Williamses — Paul (37), Helen (37), Kenneth (15), David (13), Mark (10), Timothy (8) and . Stephen (6) – arrived at Jan Smuts Airport, Johannesburg on a sunny, hot summer day. Because no one in South Africa knew exactly when we were to arrive I phoned the Topes and Votaws from the airport and we waited to be fetched. We had reached our new home:

Beginning in Johannesburg

We found the country to be a fascinating place. Although South African English has its differences from American English, and although Afrikaans is the first language of 60 percent of the 4 million whites, we had no zeal trouble communicating, Soon we had settled into a large, old house in Florida, a western suburb of Johannesburg, and our sons were wearing their new school uniforms as they set off to school. Old brother and sister John Sunn, baptized a few months Deviously as a result 6f the teaching of their daughter and son-in-law, Gloria and Basil Cass, and of the teaching of the Topes, began meeting with us each Sunday in the Johannesburg YMCA, thus beginning the church which now meets in Brixton, Johannesburg. Gene Tope introduced me to the three churches meeting in Soweto, the million-strong black township serving Johannesburg, and took me to Vendaland where about a dozen small churches were meeting in various villages. There was plenty of work to do, and we got stuck in.

A Fascinating Country

I say South Africa was fascinating. It was at least two different countries – not geographically, but socially. Apartheid (defined as “separate development”) separated the whites and the non-whites (Africans, Coloureds and Indians) and emphasized the separateness of the non-whites from each other (the thirteen-or-so African tribes, the Coloureds and the Indians). There were even separate schools? for English-speaking whites and for Afrikaans-speaking whites. The white population lived on a high standard of living, almost like Americans; the non-white population lived on a low standard. Living areas, schools, hospitals, transport, restrooms, even elevators, were separate and unequal Africans had to carry identity documents to show they had the right to live and work in the area where they were, and very often they could riot get official permission to live and work where they wanted to.

But part of the fascination of the country was, and the freedom of expression. The English language newspapers in particular were unmerciful in condemning the government for its apartheid policies. The white opposition party in Parliament was stridently proclaiming against the laws.” Ant? though non-white political parties were banned, there was plenty of organized and unorganized opposition among blacks, too.

And there was, and is, freedom of religion South Africa has an incredible mixture of religions, from the established western denominations to African ancestor worship and hybrids of the two, with the Hindu and Muslim religions strong among the Indians. Bible is taught (sort of) in the schools, and ministers of religion are treated with respect. We are as free to preach the gospel in South Africa as in the United States, and usually more welcome.

Preaching In Johannesburg

In Johannesburg we tried many forms of evangelism. There was a weekly teaching ad until the paper banned us -because a Jew in their composing room objected to my article showing that the law of Moses was nailed to the cross.

We held neighborhood gospel meetings when we engaged hail for–Four or five nights, advertised the services by distributing 5,000 copies of three different adverts for three weeks before the meeting, and prayed for visitors to come. Enough came for us to get contacts for home Bible studies, and sonic were baptized. A few members from other places moved to Johannesburg and began meeting with us. The church grew until in 1973 we were able to buy a house in Brixton, tear out some walls and begin meeting there.

In Brixton we were able to hold gospel meetings and lectureships. The attendance of blacks at these services led to one informal objections from white neighbors but no official problems. (The law has always allowed blacks to attend churches in white areas.) Then two Coloured families ere converted and became the first non-white members of is congregation. (Today the Brixton church has an attendance of about 90 on Sunday mornings and its membership consists of whites (majority], Coloureds, Indians and blacks.)

It has been a joy to me that one of the early ones to be baptized, Hendrik Joubert, is now preaching the gospel. He and his wife, Suzette, are like our own children to Helen and me.

The Brixton church continued to grow. Several families Rhodesia placed membership. Most of them were untaught concerning institutionalism, so there had to be a lot teaching on that subject: On one of our lectureships I’ve three lectures on the problem. As we grew, we formed two other churches. The Coloured brethren decided to start meeting in Eldorado Park where they lived, and brethren Krugersdorp (15 miles west) started meeting there. (There had previously been a church In Krugersdorp, and people taught there at that time are still faithful Christians, but it had ceased meeting some years before.) Because one of the men in the Eldorado Park church became a hindrance to the cause, that church did not prosper and one of the original families is now worshipping with the Brixton church again. The Krugersdorp church has continued to grow and is a good congregation. Hendrik Joubert, David Beckley and John Schultz (who is now there) have worked with them.

In 1983 the Brixton church remodeled the house in which they were meeting and the result is an attractive little church building with an auditorium seating almost 100, a baptistry under the speakers platform, three classrooms and two .rooms. Later they put a rondavel (round room) behind the building for an extra classroom. Brother Leslie Maydell has been working with them since we left Johannesburg in 1984.

Soweto and Vendaland

With the Johannesburg church, I was also working with the Soweto churches and with Vendaland churches, There was a good bit of informal debate between black faithful brethren and black institutional brethren. Brother Tope and I did a lot of teaching on this subject. I had a debate with Seventh Day Adventists (which continued weekly for sometime) in Soweto and in Vendaland l had two debates with brother John Hardin on institutionalism. The three Soweto churches grew to be five.

Debates

On the subject of debates, I moderated for Ray Votaw in a one night debate with a Seventh Day Adventist and I had a one night debate with Mr. Ahmed Deedat, the head of a Muslim Propagation Society, which about 2,000 people attended in a sports stadium near my house. In that debate I affirmed that Jesus Christ was raised from the dead.

Political Change

Part of the fascination of South Africa is the profound political change which has and is occurring. The change between 1968 and 1993 is almost unbelievable. All apartheid laws are gone, schools and living areas are integrated, an interim government is just months away, a new constitution which will bring in a complete new political dispensation is probably a year away. The part of this change which none of us likes is the violence which is accompanying it, violence which is affecting the lives of Africans very much. Pray for our black brethren, please. The whites feel threatened, but have not had to endure much direct violence. Helen and I have been quite safe wherever we have gone.

Preaching to Zulus

As the years went by, we visited the United States each four years. In 1972 we stayed 11 months, since then each visit was for three months. And of course our children grew up. By 1984 they were all in the United States except David and his family (three sons), who were getting ready to return. Helen and I decided to move from Johannesburg to Zululand where the need to preach the gospel among the Zulus was very great. Since then we have been living in the small town of Eshowe where there now is a church of about 35 members with an attendance of 50-60 on Sunday morning and there are churches in six other places in Zululand where there were none. Brethren converted here are strengthening churches in other places, even as far away as 700 miles. The little church in Eshowe is fully supporting David Ngonyama who is preaching the gospel together with me and it is active in helping the poor of this congregation and elsewhere.

Throughout these 25 years, churches and individuals in America have faithfully supported us and our work. God has blessed us with good health and continuing opportunities. Helen and l are happy in this work (and would be sorry to have to return to the United States) and continue to thank God for his marvelous blessings.

Guardian of Truth XXXVII: 7, p. 6-7
April 1, 1993

By Connie W. Adams

Paul cut short his visit to Ephesus. He “entered into the synagogue, and reasoned with the Jews” and some “desired him to tarry longer time with them.” But Paul was in a hurry this time. “He consented not” but promised to come back, God willing. Paul left Priscilla and Aquila in Ephesus and continued his journey into Syria (Acts 18:18-28).

Apollos of Alexandria

Sometime later, a very able, learned and fervent preacher came to Ephesus. He was Apollos of Alexandria. When Alexander the Great founded the city of Alexandria in northern Egypt, he settled it in part with learned and wealthy Jews. It became a show place for Grecian culture. Its library was known far and wide. It was here that the Septuagint translation was made. Seventy scholars were assembled to translate the Old Testament from Hebrew into Greek. Jesus and his apostles later used this translation.

Apollos was not just an educated preacher. He was “mighty in the scriptures” (Acts 18:24). His was not a casual knowledge. It was deep It was also precise for he taught “accurately” the things of the Lord (v. 25, NKJV). Somewhere in his travels, possibly into Judea, he had learned of the work of John the Baptist and of his baptism. He had a clear understanding of the work John was to do and that means he knew well the prophecies which foretold the work of John the Baptist but also of the Messiah for whom John came to prepare the way. The trouble was, he did not know that the one whose way John came to prepare had indeed come and accomplished his work.

Apollos was no ordinary speaker. Luke says he was “an eloquent man” (Acts 18:24). He had a way with words. Not many speakers are able to capture the imagination of an audience and hold it spell-bound. Further, his style was enhanced by fervency in the spirit. He poured out his heart in his work. He was neither dry nor boring. There was nothing cold or matter-of-fact with him. What a combination we have here: a well trained man who was mighty in the Scriptures, eloquent, fervent and precise. What more could be wanted?

Apollos Needed More Instruction

This powerful preacher knew “only the baptism of John.” But that baptism was only for Israel and was preparatory in nature. It was to cause those who submitted to it to believe on him who should come after. There is no indication that Apollos was attempting to persuade Gentiles to submit to the baptism of John. In Ephesus he was involved in boldly speaking in the Jewish synagogue (v. 26). That’s where Priscilla and Aquila heard him. No doubt they marveled at his knowledge, speaking ability and fervent manner. But they also saw that something was lacking. John’s baptism had served its purpose. The one whose way John prepared had come, had died, had been gloriously raised and was now seated at the right hand of the Father.

A Primer in Personal Evangelism

There is a time for a head-butting confrontation. There are also times when something else is better. Priscilla and Aquila, this devoted husband and wife, these tentmakers, “took him aside and explained unto him the way of God more accurately” (v. 26). How did they know he would be receptive? They did not. That was his choice to make, not theirs. They were not intimidated by his knowledge and ability. They did not search for a thousand reasons to put off trying to teach this man. They were not awed by the fact that they were common laborers, or at best small business people, and this man had obviously been given the best of training. They knew something he did not know and which he needed to know. So they told him. They did not try to match oratory with him in a public forum. They “took him aside” for their teaching.

We learn a great deal about the true character of this man. With all his knowledge and skill as a speaker, he was yet humble. He received their instruction. We next find him taking leave of the disciples at Ephesus and going into Achaia. When he left, he took with him a letter from the brethren to introduce him to disciples he would meet there. People with honest hearts will accept help wherever they can find it. The power to change the thinking of Apollos did not reside in the skill or eloquence of either Priscilla or Aquila, but in the gospel itself. It is God’s power to save (Rom. 1:16).

Apollos — A Faithful Worker for Christ Shortly after learning the way more accurately, he was found utilizing the same scriptural knowledge (now with added application), the same eloquence with the same boldness and fervency of spirit to preach the whole counsel of God. His arrival in Achaia “helped them much which had believed through grace.” It should be the simple desire of every preacher of the gospel to “help much” believers where they go. Some men prove to be a hindrance rather than a help. Not Apollos.

He was not only effective among the brethren in building them up, but he was a powerful weapon for good in teaching the unbelieving Jews. “He mightily convinced the Jews, and that publicly, shewing by the Scriptures that Jesus was Christ” (v. 28). Notice he did not convince them through his Alexandrian training, nor his power to paint word pictures, nor by flamboyance of style. While these might have been natural to his delivery, the reason he convinced the Jews was that he showed them “by the scriptures.” It is the business of every preacher to be sure that the ultimate appeal to hearers is to the Scriptures. Knowledge, eloquence, fervency and boldness are powerless without that. Without Scripture, we may succeed in eliciting the adoration and awe of those who hear us, but we cannot lead them to the Lord.

This good brother worked effectively at Corinth. Paul said he had planted but it was Apollos who watered and “God gave the increase” (1 Cor. 3:4-6). Paul used himself and Apollos to teach the brethren not to honor men above “that which is written” (I Cor. 4:6). Let us learn well the lesson that knowledgeable, eloquent, bold, fervent preachers must always be measured by “that which is written.”

Guardian of Truth XXXVII: 7, p. 3-4
April 1, 1993

By Larry Ray Hafley

Blessed are the grumblers, for theirs is the kingdom of crankdom. Blessed are they that mumble for they shall

Blessed are the moaners and groaners, for they shall moan and groan with me forever.

Blessed are they that sow strife for they shall never reap eternal life.

Blessed are they which persecute the righteous, for theirs is the delight of the devil.

Blessed are they who divide over human opinion, for they shall inherit my eternal dominion.

Blessed is the tongue that lies, for it is the one that forever dies.

Blessed are they which hunger and thirst after gossip to be heard, for they shall be all ears to me and my word.

Blessed are the shirkers, for they are my best workers.

Blessed are they that whine, for they shall not be his, but mine.

Blessed are they who unforgiving stew, for they shall be unforgiven, too.

Blessed are the hard in heart, for they shall never from me depart.

Blessed are they that walk in anger’s path, for they shall dwell with me in eternal wrath.

Blessed are they who of the godly make sport, for they shall be beautiful, like a wart.

Blessed are they who defame and defile, for them I shall claim after a while.

Blessed are they that on truth cast doubt, for they with me, shall be cast out.

Blessed are they that must have their own way, for they shall never see that eternal day.

Blessed are they who murmur and dispute, for theirs is the kingdom of ill-repute.

Blessed are they who in anger rage, for they shall receive my eternal wage.

Blessed are the haughty, for they shall abide with the naughty.

Blessed is the local grouch, for I have him in my universal pouch.

Blessed are they who cause tribulation, for they shall reap everlasting damnation.

Blessed are they who the truth do compromise, for they shall share in my eternal demise.

Blessed is the peacebreaker, for he shall never see the Peacemaker.

Blessed is the man whom you cannot advise, for he shall never see the kingdom of the wise.

Blessed are they who hate these beatitudes, for they know they represent their attitudes.

Guardian of Truth XXXVII: 7, p. 8
April 1, 1993