Truth Magazine

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

By Randy Reynolds

The Bible account of the conversion of Lydia can be found in Acts 16:5-15. In this text, verse 12 informs us that Paul and Silas (Paul now on his second Missionary Journey) had now traveled to the city of Philippi, the foremost city of that part of Macedonia. As was true in other cities, they had come to Philippi to preach the gospel. In verse 13 we find this account, “And on the Sabbath day we went out of the city to the riverside, where prayer was customarily made; and we sat down and spoke to the women who met there.” While there they met a woman who was away from home on business. Her name was Lydia. She had traveled from Thyatira and was a seller of purple. Thaytira, about 300 miles from Philippi, was a city well noted for its expensive purple dyes.

Immediately in our text we notice two outstanding characteristics about this woman named Lydia. (1) She is a worshipper of God. (2) Worship is very important to her. She is almost 300 miles away from home selling purple, yet, when the Sabbath arrived she put her business aside and went to worship her God. She went down by the riverside to pray. It was at this time that she came in contact with Paul. This would prove to be a very eventful day for this woman from Thyatira.

Notice the words of v. 14, `Now a certain woman named Lydia heard us. She was a seller of purple from the city of Thyatira, who worshipped God. The Lord opened her heart to heed the things spoken by Paul.” The last sentence of this verse has caused much discussion in years gone by. Our Calvinist friends would suggest to us that this is a proof text of one totally depraved and having her heart opened in a miraculous way by God.

Not to my surprise, yet to my disgust, this teaching was being voiced in a lectureship that I attended a few years ago in Canada by those who would claim to be New Testament Christians.

Was Lydia totally depraved as a result of inheritance from Adam to the point that she couldn’t do right until God’s Spirit by immediate and direct action opened her heart? Not only does this passage not teach this; it denies it. Before any mention is made of Lydia’s heart being opened, she is said to have heard something. What did she hear? She had heard the preaching of the Word.

Notice with me briefly the conversion of others in the book of Acts. In Acts 2:4 we find that the apostles, on the Day of Pentecost were preaching “as the Spirit gave then utterance.” The result? Some were cut to their heart v. 37. What brought these Jews to the point of repentance? “Now when they heard this” (v. 37).

In Acts 8 we find the conversion of the Samaritans. Notice what took place in verse 5. “Then Philip went down to the city of Samaria and preached Christ to them.” What effect did this preaching have on them? “But when they believed Philip as he preached the things concerning the kingdom of God and the name of Jesus Christ, both men and women were baptized” (v. 12).

Acts 8:13 tells us that the same thing is true concerning Simon. In verses 35-39 we find that Philip taught Jesus to the one referred to as an Ethiopian eunuch. Notice in the text the result of this teaching.

Saul of Tarsus (cf. Acts 9:1-20; 22:6-16) was told to continue into

Damascus and there it “will be told what you must do” (9:6). He went and waited as he had been instructed to do. Sure enough, just as the Lord had said, one by the name of Ananias joined himself to Saul and told him what he needed to do (cf. Acts 22:16).

Cornelius in Acts 10 heard the preaching of Peter. Soon, Peter by the authority of Christ commanded them to be baptized.

In Acts 16:30-33 we read of the one called the Philippian Jailer. In verse 30 he had asked, “Sirs, what must I do to be saved?” In verses 31-34 we find the answer to his question. But take special note of verse 32: “Then they spoke the word of the Lord to him and to all who were in his house.”

What about Lydia? Did the Lord open her heart? Yes, certainly he did! How? First, he sent Paul into Macedonia (cf. Acts 16:9). Second, through inspiration he had given Paul (and others) a wondrously saving message to teach and preach (cf. I Cor. 2:1-16). Thus, through the Word that had been taught by this great preacher, the truth of the story of Christ pierced any and all prior misleadings and preconceived notions that this seller of purple may have had. “For I am not ashamed of the gospel of Christ, for it is the power of God to salvation for everyone who believes” (Rom. 1:16). “So then faith comes by hearing, and hearing by the word of God” (Rom. 10:17).

The conversion of Lydia, is but another instance of the pure seed finding a good and honest heart (cf. Lk. 8:4-15). However, as a good friend of mine used to say, “We’ve got to get the seed out of the barn and plant it so that God can give the in-crease.”

Guardian of Truth XXXVII: 7, p. 5
April 1, 1993