Truth Magazine – Page 674 – Taking His hand, helping each other home.

Respecting Bible Authority

By Donnie Rader

Most, if not all, of the problems to arise among brethren are due to a lack of respect for the authority of God’s word. If I were asked what I think the biggest problem we are facing is, I would answer: “A lack of respect for God and his word.” All of the issues that we are facing and will face are mere symptoms of the problem.

The issue may be worldliness, divorce and remarriage or the role of women. While each of these is a different issue, they are all symptoms of a lack of respect for the Bible.

Quite often we find ourselves treating the symptoms without addressing the heart of the problem. To kill the pain in the arm without fixing the pinched nerve in the spine doesn’t cure the problem or the symptom. The pain will recur. The same is true with those who have little or no respect for what the Bible says. To show what the Bible says on the subject of worldliness or the role of women will not correct the problem until those being taught have some respect for what God says.

God Has Authority Over Man

By “authority” we mean “The power to command, en-force laws, exact obedience, determine, or judge” (The American Heritage Dictionary). God has the power to tell man how he is to live and demand that he be obedient to his will.

1. He is God. The very fact that God is God suggests he has that authority. He is eternal. He said to Moses, I am who I am” (Exod. 3:14). He is the Almighty — the all powerful God (Rev. 4:8).

2. He is the creator. He created the world and all things in it (Gen. 1:1; Heb. 3:4). The world was created for his will (Rev. 4:11). He created man and gave him the very life that he has (Gen. 1:26; 2:7). Thus, he has the power to rule our lives.

3. He is infinite in his wisdom. His ways and thoughts are higher than man’s ways and thoughts (Isa. 55:8-9). God is so wise that man cannot dare to sit in judgment on God and question what he says and does (Rom. 11:34). Thus, man is not left to direct his own steps (Jer. 10:23).

4. He controls the destiny of man. Paul described God to those who did not know God saying, “for in him we live and move and have our being. . . `For we are also his off-spring”‘ (Acts 17:28). In light of that principle, Paul states that God has commanded all men to repent (vv. 30-31). God has the right to command that of man in that he controls the life and destiny of man.

5. He will judge man in the end. God has appointed a day in which he will judge the world (Acts 17:31). Whether we like it or not, whether we are ready or not, God will call all men to appear before him to be judged (2 Cor. 5:10). If he will judge man, then he has the power to demand obedience to his will.

The Bible Is the Infallible Word of God

1. How the word came to man. God speaks to man through his Son, Jesus Christ (Heb. 1:1). The Son revealed God’s will to the apostles by the Holy Spirit (Jn. 14:26; 15:26; 16:13; Eph. 3:3-5). The apostles wrote down the revelation (by inspiration) so men and women could read and understand the will of God (Eph. 3:3-5).

2. The word is inspired. The Bible was given by the mouth of God. Its words are his words. The Bible makes two claims about its inspiration. (a) All of the word is inspired (2 Tim. 3:16). This is what we call plenary inspiration. (b) Even the very words that the apostles spoke and wrote were chosen by God (1 Cor. 2:13). This is what we call verbal inspiration.

3. The Bible is the word of God. The Thessalonians received the message Paul preached “not as the word of men, but as it is in truth, the word of God” (1 Thess. 2:13). The seed of the kingdom is the word of God (Lk. 8:11).

If it is the word of God, we ought to reverence it as such and not view what is taught from it as the word or tradition from man.

2. We will be judged by the word. In the end of time we will give an account as to whether we have accepted and followed the Scriptures or rejected them. Jesus said, “. . . the word that I have spoken will judge him in the last day” (Jn. 12:48).

We Must Follow the Pattern of God’s Word

1. There is a pattern. God instructed Moses when he was about to make the tabernacle saying, “See that you make all things according to the pattern shown you on the mountain” (emphasis mine, DVR, Heb. 8:5). Bill Humble wrote,

The church of Christ is different! And the fundamental reason why this is true can be stated quite simply: We believe that the New Testament is a divine blueprint for what the church ought to be in every age, and it is our responsibility to build according to the pattern.

God has always had a pattern for his great institutions for the building of the tabernacle, he said, “According to all that I show thee, the pattern of the tabernacle, and the pattern of all the furniture thereof even so shall ye make it” (Exod. 25:9). Centuries later, God selected Solomon to build the temple and the houses thereof “. . . and the pattern of all that he had by the Spirit. . .” (1 Chron. 28:11-12). David told Solomon, “All this have I been made to under-stand in writing from the hand of Jehovah, even all the works of this pattern” (v. 19).

If God was so concerned about the temple and tabernacle (physical buildings) that he gave his people a pattern and demanded that they build according to the pattern, could he be so unconcerned about the details of the church (a spiritual house) that he has no blueprint for it? The tabernacle is a “copy and shadow of the heavenly things, even as Moses was warned of God when he was about to make the tabernacle… ” The tabernacle was a shadow, the church is the reality. Since the shadow had a pattern, the reality must also have one” (The Preceptor, October 1953).

Whatever the Bible says on any subject is the pattern.

2. What this means. If we must follow the pattern of God’s word, then several conclusions naturally follow.

(a) We cannot add to God’s word (Deut. 4:2; Rev. 22:18-19).

(b) We cannot take from God’s word (Deut. 4:2; Rev.22:18-19).

(b) We cannot change God’s word (Num. 22:18; 23:20).

(d) We must abide within the confines of God’s word (Col. 3:17; 2 Jn. 9; 1 Pet. 4:11).

Some False Concepts About Authority

1. “We don’t need authority. ” This would mean that man is at liberty to do as he wishes without any consequences. However, it didn’t work that way with Cain and Abel. They both offered a sacrifice to God. But God only accepted the offering of Abel because his was by faith (Heb. 11:4). Faith comes by the word of God (Rom. 10:17). Thus, Abel offered a sacrifice in harmony with the authority of God and Cain did not. Abel pleased God and Cain did not.

Nadab and Abihu offered a “strange” (KJV) fire unto God (Lev. 10:1). This was an “unauthorized” (NIV) fire. They offered a fire that God did not authorize. The consequence was they died from a devouring fire from the Lord (v. 2).

Those who practice “lawlessness” (acting without law) will hear the Lord say “depart from me” (Matt. 7:21-23).

If we do not need authority, then man is permitted to do anything he wants in the service of God. Not only will we have instrumental music, but we will have women elders, women preachers, snake handling and you name it. There would be no limit.

2. “We need only to strictly follow and believe the `core essentials’ or `the affirmations of Jesus and salvation in him,’ but we have the freedom to change things about the church. ” This is the old “gospel/doctrine” distinction that has been made for years. It is a call to abandon the idea that the book of Acts and the Epistles are a “blueprint” for the church today. The reason is quite clear: the blueprint is just not what they want.

This has also been advocated under the idea of “preach the man and not the plan.” The conclusion to this whole idea is that we must believe what the Bible says about Jesus and salvation in him, but we are left to a “what sounds good to me” approach beyond that. That allows us to ignore what the Bible says on any subject.

The “gospel” and “doctrine” are one and the same. The “core essentials” are called the “gospel” in Romans 10:16. Those same “essentials” are referred to as “doctrine” in Romans 6:17.

We must follow the pattern that is laid down in the Epistles as well as what some are calling the “core essentials.” Paul wrote that one who did not “obey our word in this epistle” was to be disfellowshiped in order to bring him to repentance (2 Thess. 3:14). Consider: 2 Timothy 1:13; Philippians 4:9; 1 John 2:5-6.

3. “We are not under `law’ today.” The idea is that if we are not under law then there could be no serious consequence to some violation. Again, man is left at liberty to do as he pleases.

We are under law. We obeyed the “law of the spirit of life” when we became Christians (Rom. 8:2). We are blessed if we continue in the “perfect law of liberty” (Jas. 1:25). If we were not under any law, then we could not be guilty of sin, for sin is a transgression of the law (1 Jn. 3:4; Rom. 4:15).

Let us learn to respect the authority of the word of God.

Guardian of Truth XXXV: 1, p. 8
January 7, 1993

Editorial Leftovers

By Connie W. Adams

Conference of Charismatics Needed Interpreters

Tom Bunting of Bergen, Norway sent me the following item about the “Pentecostal’s 16th World Conference in Oslo, Norway.” There were over 5000 participants from 90 different countries. There were 11,000 present each evening in the 0510 Spekrum. But with these charismatics from the entire world, not one could speak in tongues! The speeches were all in either Norwegian or English. The problem of translating (interpreting) was solved through a small studio where the interpreters sat. They would translate the sermons into ten different languages and the people could tune in on radio sets at their seats.

What a wonderful opportunity that would have been for those, who claim that speaking in tongues is the usual sign for those baptized in the Spirit, to demonstrate their claim for all the world to see. I wonder where the translators sat on the day of Pentecost? What was that about “every man heard them speak in his own language”?

Don’t “Share” With Me

I understand that sometimes the idea of fellowship includes the notion of a joint sharing or participation. We have a common part because of our mutual relationship to the Lord. But I am weary of preachers who have made “sharing” a weak substitute for preaching. Just preach to me, O.K.? Just take a passage of Scripture, put it in context, and then come straight at me. Whether we “share” it or not will depend on whether or not I am willing to appropriate it to my life. Denominational preachers don’t have much confidence in the power of simply preaching the word. They think they have to sort of slip up on people, take the sting out of it and make it as painless as possible. “Share” sounds less threatening than “preach.” “Woe is unto me, if I preach not the gospel!” (1 Cor. 9:16).

Calling Evil Good

By a vote of four to three, the Kentucky Supreme Court overturned its sodomy law. As might be expected, an editorial in the October 1, 1992 Courier-Journal praised these four justices and called them “courageous.” The new ruling argues for the rights of an adult’s private conduct unless it is harmful to someone else. One dissenting judge, Justice Joseph E. Lambert, castigated his colleagues for disregarding “virtually all of recorded history, the teachings of the religions most influential on Western Civilization.” He further urged that if the morality of the majority plays no role in forming criminal law, “and the only standard is harm to another, all laws proscribing the possession and use of dangerous or narcotic drugs would fall.”

We are in trouble, folks. The action of these four justices was not courageous. It was a sop to a special interest group which has been making a lot of noise and which is determined not just to be tolerated in society but to flaunt their evil before the world and to force all the rest to regard it as an innocent, alternate life-style. Paul called it “vile affection,” said it was “against nature,” identified it with “lust,” called it “error,” said those guilty had a “reprobate mind” and then declared that such behavior was “not proper” (Rom. 1:26-28).

“Woe unto them that call evil good, and good evil; that put darkness for light, and light for darkness; that put bitter for sweet, and sweet for bitter” (Isa. 5:20)!

Suggested Lectureship

My friend, Donnie V. Rader, said he was thinking of arranging a lecture program with Dorris Rader, Carroll Sutton, Shirley Mullins and Connie Adams with the theme “Just Between Us Girls.” Well, what are friends for?

I don’t know about the other three fellows, but I have had my share of jokes during meetings about “I didn’t know you had women preachers.” I have heard that joke at least 500 times already. When I urge brethren to use my picture in advertisements of meetings, it is not vanity (there is nothing about my picture to encourage vanity!), but self-defense against that joke. Why, one place did not want to put my name on a sign in front of the building about the meeting for fear of what some might think. Of course, there are other possibilities to that.

Behold I Thought

There are many humbling lessons in everyday life. Take for instance the last night of a meeting at Canal Winchester, Ohio. We were invited for dinner with a good family and a sister from Columbus was also invited. After I misjudged a turn and destroyed a good Michelin tire, the good brother of the house and I garnered my checkbook from my wife’s purse and headed off to buy a new tire. Upon our return, in a big hurry to catch up on dinner before time for services, I put the checkbook back in my wife’s purse. Well, I did. I know I did. Well, I thought I did. Next morning as we were packing to come home, Bobby could not find the check book. We unloaded her suitcase to make another search of that (it was on the bottom of everything else in the trunk and it was pouring down rain). No check book. There were two credit cards, an insurance card and a driver’s license, along with a check book — gone. We searched the house, drove back twelve miles to the meeting house and then to the house where we had dinner the night before — all to no avail. We called and cancelled the credit cards and notified the bank. It was a long, dreary ride in the rain with sparse conversation all the way to Louisville. Next day, we received a call from Columbus. The sister who had supper with us had discovered a strange check book in her purse and wondered how it got there. So did I since I know, well, I thought I knew where I had put it. Right check book — wrong purse. Now don’t tell me my frustration was not genuine. I was sincere. Surely such strong feelings of gloom could not be wrong. Like Naaman of old — “Behold I Thought!” I firmly believe that my feelings were as real as any of those who claim to have had some feeling to sweep over them and then interpreted that as an evidence of salvation.

Guardian of Truth XXXV: 1, p. 3
January 7, 1993

Welcome to Searching the Scriptures Subscribers

By Mike Willis

This first issue of 1993 is also the first being mailed to the combined subscribers of Searching the Scriptures and Guardian of Truth. We welcome each new subscriber to our mailing list. A few words pertaining to Guardian of Truth may be in order.

Like Searching the Scriptures, Guardian of Truth is committed to teaching and defending the truth. Because we recognize our own fallibility, we provide those who disagree with us an opportunity to reply. This should not be interpreted to mean that we are irresponsibly going to publish every article we receive in disagreement with another article (for some are not worthy of publication), but we do open our doors to reasonable and responsible disagreement.

We have invited several of the regular contributors to Searching the Scriptures to be added as staff writers to Guardian of Truth. In addition to adding brother Connie W. Adams as associate editor, we have already received letters of acceptance from H.E. Phillips, Donnie Rader, J. Wiley Adams and Paul Casebolt to be added to our list of staff writers. We expect some others will soon follow. Too, we have encouraged other contributors to Searching the Scriptures also to send in articles regularly. Because of this, we think that Guardian of Truth will not appear so different from Searching the Scriptures to many of you.

Although many of our articles come from our staff, we by no means limit articles to our staff. We invite and encourage our readers to submit articles for publication.

We also have added the church ads from Searching the Scriptures to Guardian of Truth. To prevent taking too large a space in each issue for the church ads, the ads are being divided into two sections. Half of them will appear in the first issue of each month and half in the second issue. We think that this is equitable because of the in-creased circulation to which all ads will be exposed. This will allow more room for teaching and provide for a better balanced journal.

As a service to our readers, we continue to provide free space for churches in need of a preacher to advertise that need, preachers desiring to relocate to mention their intention, field reports from brethren around the country, notices of deaths of Christians, announcements of special series of lessons, and such like. Be sure to give us a minimum of 30 days to get these items in print. Most of the time we can accommodate brethren under these terms.

Guardian of Truth is just another way to serve the Lord. We entertain no egotistical and sinful ideas that we are controlling the brotherhood, creating a party, or otherwise dictating to the conscience of others what they must believe and practice. We make no apologies for teaching the truth and calling on brethren to align themselves with the truth. When we align ourselves with the truth, we necessarily will be standing together. When and where we are not standing for the truth, we pray that God-fearing brethren will stand against us and call upon us to repent. We promise to listen to what our brethren have to say in such circumstances and to search the Scriptures to see if the things taught are so.

We are available to serve. We invite our readers to use us in God’s service to the fullest extent possible.

It was often necessary to call on weekends or between 12:00 a.m. and 5:00 a.m. Moscow time. It is fairly easy to communicate through a fax machine. Faxed messages can be received at the central telegraph office in central Moscow. This can consume a good bit of time, but the telegraph office is near McDonalds so the trip is worth the time and effort.

Food is easy to find and fairly cheap for Americans, but not so for the average Russian. There are no American type grocery stores in Moscow. Food can be purchased from venders and at “markets” throughout the city. The variety is not as great as Americans are accustomed to, but it is food on which one can live. In the absence of large refrigerators and pantries, it is necessary to shop quite often. Some items such as bread are often purchased every day. There are “hard currency” stores throughout the city which supply a limited amount of American type food at American prices. (I was able to find Sugar Smacks at one!)

Life in Moscow moves at a slower pace than in the United States. It takes longer to do everything in Moscow than it does here. Patience is a necessary virtue. The people are not as time conscious as we are. No one is considered late unless he arrives for an appointment 15 minutes past the designated time. Life for Americans in Moscow is different, a little more difficult, but not oppressive.

The door for the gospel is open. The Russian people are genuinely interested in things spiritual in nature and eternal in consequence. But, how long will the door remain open? The Russian Orthodox Church is hard at work trying to establish itself as the official state religion. If this happens, religious persecution and intolerance may once again return to Russia. The political situation is volatile. Historically the Russian people have turned to strong individual leaders at times of crisis. If this happens the character of such a leader will determine the degree of religious freedom tolerated. The door is now open. We must take advantage of it while we can.

Guardian of Truth XXXV: 1, p.
January 7,1993