Truth Magazine

By Jady W. Copeland

For several years I have thought that materialism is a major hindrance to the church. Young preachers often ask, “What will the next major issue be among God’s people?” Materialism will not likely divide brethren into “camps” as did institutionalism, but it is stifling the church and causing a hindrance to the teaching of people to say nothing about the fact that it could jeopardize the soul of the individual. Before getting to specifics let us lay the groundwork by looking at the mission of Christ and his people  the church.

Jesus came to the earth to save mankind (Lk. 19:10). We see by this that his mission was spiritual. He was the “word,” the logos or the “personal word,” which, according to scholars, was an expression of his deity. But he became flesh (Jn. 1:1,4). He was both flesh and deity while on earth and he was “life” (Jn. 1:4) and the “light of men.” He came to bring life that only deity could give. In describing man’s walk as a Christian Paul tells us that men were alienated from the “life of God” because of their sins and that the life of sin must be put away. The life of Jesus is found in putting on the “new man that after God hath been created in righteousness and holiness of truth” (Eph. 4:17-24).

Note that the “life” which Paul praises is in contrast to the life “alienated from” God. Therefore, the new life is the life in Christ. No longer “aliens” but children of God.

In Romans 6:19 he adds, “I speak after the manner of men because of the infirmity of your flesh: for as ye presented your members as servants to uncleanness and to iniquity unto iniquity, even so now present your members as servants to righteousness unto sanctification.” We have long (and well) preached the first part of Romans 6 where Paul has told us when we enter this new life (baptism into death), so that being the case we as saints are to live as the new life dictates.

Just as the mission of Jesus on earth was spiritual so is the word he gave. Jesus came as a sacrifice for sin (Eph. 5:2) which was a spiritual mission, and he also gave us a message that addressed the spirit of man for the salvation of his soul. Paul said the gospel is God’s power to save (1 Cor. 15:1-2) and this salvation was the salvation of the soul. Jesus said, “Ye shall know the truth and the truth shall make you free” On. 8:31-32).

Two questions we may ask here. First, what is the “truth” of which Jesus speaks? In defining “truth” W.E. Vine says in his Dictionary of New Testament Words, “the word has an absolute force in John 14:6; 17:17; 18:37,38” (v. 4, p. 159). In Galatians 2:5 Paul speaks of the “truth of the gospel.” This is the same gospel as Paul mentions in Romans 1:16 that he says saves people. In Ephesians 4:21 Paul says the “truth is in Jesus.” Jesus who is the “way, the truth and the life” (Jn. 14:6) left us (with the inspired men after he left) the truth of the gospel which will save the soul. This is a spiritual message.

Secondly, from what will the gospel free? It will not make us free of disease. It will not make us free of war in the world. It did not make us free to walk on the moon  science know-how freed us to do this. So from what will it make us free?

Let us go back to our passage in Romans 6. When Paul said we are “under grace” (v. 14) some may have concluded that we may sin because we are under grace. “God forbid. Know ye not, that to whom ye pre-sent yourselves as servants unto obedience, his servants ye are whom ye obey; whether of sin unto death or of obedience unto righteousness? But thanks be to God, that, whereas ye were servants of sin, ye became obedient from the heart to that form of teaching whereunto ye were delivered; and being made free from sin, ye became servants of righteousness” (vv. 15-18, emp. mine, JWC). What had the Romans obeyed? The gospel, God’s power of salvation (Rom. 1:16). Peter says that obedience to the gospel will free from sin (Acts 2:38). We are saved by God’s grace for sure (Rom. 6:14; Eph. 2:8-9). Without God’s mercy there would be no offer of salvation, but this grace is made possible to sinners by faith in Christ (Rom. 5:1-2). God’s offer of salvation is extended to all, his salvation is given to the believer (Rom. 5:1). God cannot save the unbeliever (Mk. 16:16b).

Now in summary, let us note that Jesus came to the world for the purpose of saving souls. He did not come to keep us from dying a natural death, but he came to make us alive when we all die a spiritual death (Rom. 6:23). We have no choice about physical death (Heb. 9:27) but we do have a choice as to whether we sin  causing spiritual death (Rom. 6:23). When he left, he gave the apostles instructions in giving out his pattern for salvation, and after his sacrificial death, he ascended into heaven to sit at the right hand of God (Acts 1 and 2). He there reigns as king until time shall end. The message that the apostles gave us by inspiration is a spiritual message that gives us all that we need for the salvation of the soul (2 Pet. 1:3). The life he instructed us to live is one that will prepare us for heaven, the home of the soul. It is a spirit world and our lives here must be centered in the eternal, not in the material world. As Jesus’ mission was spiritual, and as our mission here is spiritual, just so we must keep our minds on the spiritual life. Material things are temporal, and we need them only to prepare for heaven. Think on these things; the Bible is right.

Guardian of Truth XXXV: 1, p. 12
January 7, 1993

By Vestal Chaffin

In former articles we have talked about the sphere of operation of the wife and mother in relation to the home. We have talked about the responsibility of the husband and father to provide for his family. In this article we want to talk about the environment and discipline in the home.

Not only will the proper environment in the home have its reflection in the lives of the children, but will reflect itself in their usefulness in service to God. The Bible clearly demonstrates this in the life of Timothy. He had been taught to respect God and his word, by his mother and grandmother. They were both women of great faith in God. Paul referred to them in this manner: “When I call to remembrance the unfeigned faith that in is thee, which dwelt first in they grand-mother Lois, and in thy mother Eunice; and I am persuaded that is in thee also’ (2 Tim. 1:5). Paul said concerning Timothy, “And that from a child thou hast known the holy scriptures, which are able to make thee wise unto salvation through faith which is in Christ Jesus” (2 Tim. 3:15). Why had Timothy known the Scriptures from his childhood? Simply because his mother and grandmother had taught him! When your son or daughter reaches manhood or womanhood can it be said they have known the Scriptures from their childhood? No doubt the teaching and training given Timothy by his mother and grandmother in his early years, was the determining factor in his being a Christian, and a faithful gospel preacher. The home always has been and will continue to be the place where permanent and durable impressions are made.

What a tremendous responsibility parents have resting upon them to teach and train their children for eternity! Oh, yes, we spend large amounts of money to educate and train our children for this world and its pursuits. But how much time, energy and money are you spending to educate, train and prepare your children for eternity? Things of this world are for just a short time, and will perish with using; but things that we do in preparing our children for eternity will be enduring and lasting, and may determine their eternal destiny. Parents, think seriously of your responsibility in making your home what God would have it be.

We are living today in a permissive age – an age where little restraint is placed upon children and young people in the home. It is indeed amazing to behold how parents in the last few decades have fallen for the pseudo-psychology that a child must never be told that he “can’t” do a thing. Also included in this false psychology is the idea, that you must not under any circumstance whip or spank a child, for you might hurt his personality. Even some members of the church have fallen for these “doctrines of devils.” Oh, I know the Bible says, “fathers, provoke not your children to anger, lest they be discouraged” (Col. 3:21). But I also know, that the Lord requires children to obey and honor their parents (Col. 3:20; Eph. 6:1-2).

When discipline is mentioned in relation to the home, about the first thing that many people think about is the rod. There are two kinds of discipline namely, instructive and corrective. When the proper “instructive” discipline is applied in the early years of a child, there is not too much danger of him becoming “discouraged” when the proper “corrective” discipline is applied in later years. Most parents do not begin to discipline their children early enough. After they have grown older and have not had to endure restraint, then when it is applied by the parents, it is naturally resented.

I am now considered to be an old preacher and, I have been a rather close observer of many families and homes. During my over fifty years of preaching the gospel, I have been called a number of times, to talk to some stubborn and rebellious child, and in many cases a delinquent father and mother. In many of these cases, the parents failed to apply the proper discipline to the child early enough. They waited too late to apply too little. They simply did not make “little Johnny” or “little Mary” mind them when they were small, and now it is too late. They loved their child too much, so they say, to correct him when he did things he ought not to have done. Such is a false love for the child. For it is absolutely contrary to the teaching of God’s word. Listen: “He that spareth his rod hateth his son; but he that loveth him chasteneth him betimes” (Prov. 13:24).

Fathers, mothers, the way you train your child in those early and impressionable years may very well determine his attitude toward authority all the days of his life. Don’t wait too long to start the proper discipline. God said concerning Abraham, “For I know him, that he will command his children and his household after him, and they shall keep the way of the Lord, to do justice and judgment; that the Lord may bring upon Abraham that which he hath spoken of him” (Gen. 18:19). Abraham had proved himself to be faithful to God, hence God could say, “I know him that he will command his children and his household after him.” What would God say about you in reference to commanding your children? Would you be pleased if your children followed after you? If your children are no more faithful when they reach a mature age than you are, would you be proud of them? Parents, be assured that you are setting an example before your child, whether you are faithful or unfaithful.

God has said, “Chasten thy son while there is hope, and let not thy soul spare for his crying” (Prov. 19:18). This is important in preparing your child to honor his father and mother in later years. Corrective discipline is absolutely necessary in the life of every child. “Withhold not correction from the child: for if thou beatest him with the rod, he shall not die. Thou shalt beat him with the rod, and shalt deliver his soul from hell” (Prov. 23:13-14).

No, I am not a heartless reprobate! I love children, and a home without them is hardly complete. But a home with children who are resentful, rebellious, and rude to their parents, is a sad spectacle indeed. Such children need to be warned that such attitudes and actions on their part puts them in the same class of sinners as “fornicators,. . . covetousness, . . . murder, . . . haters of God” (Rom. 1:2930), and they shall suffer the wrath of God.

It is the grave and solemn obligation of parents to, “train up a child in the way he should go: and when he is old, he will not depart from it” (Prov.22:6). And to “bring them up in the nurture and admonition of the Lord” (Eph.6:4). When these two verses are complied with, happiness will characterize the home, and souls will be trained and prepared for eternity. May God help parents everywhere to realize and recognize their responsibility and to fulfill it in making their home what God would have it be. For if we forget God and his law, he has said, “I will also forget thy children” (Hos. 4:6). Parents think seriously about the way you are conducting your home.

Guardian of Truth XXXVI: 24, pp. 744-745
December 17, 1992

By Norman E. Fultz

Under Moses’ leadership, Israel had made her exodus from Egypt, and received the law at Mt. Sinai. She then came to the very border of the “promised land,” but because of the incident involving the spies (Num. 13-14), was then made to wander for 40 years. Ultimately Moses brought the survivors to the plains of Moab, and he and Eleazar were instructed of God to number the people – the second numbering since leaving Egypt (Num. 26:63-65).

The daughters of one Zelophehad come to Moses and Eleazar to request the possessions that would have fallen to their father when the land should be divided (Num. 27:1-4). They did then receive it after reminding Joshua and Eleazar of their right (Josh. 17:3). But our attention here is turned to something they said as they made their request of Moses. “Our father died in the wilderness, and he was not in the company of them that gathered themselves together against the Lord in the company of Korah; but died in his own sin, and had no sons” (Num. 27:3).

The Stark Admission

Most folk don’t want to admit of a loved one who has died that he died in sin, much less to be so specific as to say “his own sin.” The tendency rather is to want to exonerate, at least in speaking with others about the deceased, if not in one’s own mind. Some might even try to convince themselves that in dying, the person’s own death took care of his sin. Not so these daughters of Zelophehad. They admit it. But they want it understood that he was not in the “company of them that gathered themselves together against the Lord in the company of Korah,” the account of which is recorded in Numbers 16. Moses implied that Korah and company sought the priesthood (v. 10), and they are later referred to as “wicked men” (v. 26). Jude calls it a sin of rebellion (Jude 11).

Why did the daughters of Zelophehad, if they weren’t going to admit that their father died in sin, seek to make it clear that it was not in Korah’s uprising? We can only speculate, but it was perhaps because Korah was thereafter held in such disdain that one would want to put as much distance between himself and that rebellion as he possibly could. Did they seek to imply it was less tragic to “die in his own sin” than along with Korah? Surely no one in our day would try to play such mental games, would they?

What was Zelophehad’s sin? We are not told, but there are two strong possibilities that might be suggested from Israel’s history. Could it have been the sin of believing the evil report of the ten spies. After all, that was murmuring against God (Num. 14:2,37; 1 Cor. 10:10) and that congregation was said to be characterized by iniquity and is called an evil congregation (Num. 14:34,35). Or could it be that his sin was, along with many others, committing “whoredom with the daughters of Moab” (Num. 25)? Perhaps so, if their encampment in the “plains of Moab” is considered a part of “the wilderness” wandering. But while we can only surmise what his sin may have been, there are some lessons we may plainly draw from the narrative.

Jesus said to the Jews of his day, “I said therefore unto you, that ye shall die in your sins: for if ye believe not that I am he, ye shall die in your sins” (Jn. 8:24). From Paul we learn that one can walk and live in sin (Col. 3:5-7). One in that state is dead in sins (Eph. 2:1-2) and, dying in that state, thus dies “in” sin. And if so, it will be “his own sin” (Ezek. 18:20).

One Need Not Die In Sin

A way of escape has been provided, because “God who is rich in mercy” loved us with such great love (Eph. 2:4-5; Jn. 3:16). He “commendeth his love toward us, in that, while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us” (Rom. 5:8). “Christ died for our sins according to the Scriptures” (I Cor. 15:3), and in so doing “gave himself a ransom for all” (1 Tim. 2:6), giving himself “for us, that he might redeem us from all iniquity, and purify unto himself a peculiar people, zealous of good works” (Tit. 2:14). Deliverance then is provided, and the Master himself invites, “Come unto me” (Matt. 11:28). However,

One Must Die “To” His Sin

Paul said, “How shall we that are dead to sin, live any longer therein? . . . For he that is dead is freed from sin” (Rom. 6:2,7). That death to sin is accomplished in repentance wrought in the heart by “the goodness of God” (Rom. 2:4) and “godly sorrow” (2 Cor. 7:10). Upon dying to sin, he who would be delivered is then “baptized into Jesus Christ . . . baptized into his death . . . (and) raised to walk in newness of life” (Rom. 6:34). Having accepted the provision of God in Christ to deliver him from his sins, that one will then be, as was Paul, turned from “0 wretched man” to “no condemnation in Christ” (Rom. 7:24; 8:1).

The task before God’s people is to make men see the tragedy of dying in their sin and to call them to salvation in Jesus. Preaching on sin may not be pleasant, and most may not desire to hear it, but it must be clearly proclaimed.

Guardian of Truth XXXVI: 24, p. 748
December 17, 1992

By William V. Beasley

Most gospel preachers with whom I am acquainted are more than happy to answer questions and/or preach on a requested subject. Especially is this true when the question/request is specific, and asked/requested in written form. A verbal “How about a sermon on repentance?” can be forgotten, and it is a bit discouraging, after a lesson on “Repentance in the Gospel Plan of Salvation” (Lk. 24:47; Acts 2:38) to learn that the questioner was really wanting to know what was meant when Judas “repented himself” (Matt. 27:3).

A sister-in-Christ, nearly fifteen years ago, asked the following question(s), in written form, requesting that the response be given in a sermon. “Discuss meaning of the verse: ‘. . . when that which is perfect is come, when that which is in part shall be done away. . .’ (a) What is ‘that which is perfect?’ (b) What is ‘that which is in part’ (c) When did (will) spiritual gifts cease?” A verbal response (sermon) was -liven shortly after the request; now, in order to share the study with others, a written response (article) is also presented.

A second reading of the request shows that there were really three specifics asked. Each of these we will attempt to answer, but in a different order. She understood, or assumed rightly, that the subject of the passage (1 Cor. 13:8-12) is spiritual gifts. This we intend to prove, by turning to the word of God.

“What Is ‘That Which Is In Part’?”

Notice that “that which is in part shall be done away” (1 Cor. 13:10b). This, to me, is the key to understanding the passage. The actual doing away was to be accomplished “when that which is perfect is come”; thus, we begin to establish the time. The context tells us plainly what was to be “done way” and thus what was “in part.” That which was to be done away was “prophecies … .. tongues,” and “knowledge” (1 Cor. 13:8). Each of these is a gift of the Spirit: (1) The “word of knowledge” (miraculous knowledge) is presented in 1 Corinthians 12:8; (2) “prophecy” is listed two verses later; as also is (3) “divers kinds of tongues.” These stand not for the individual, specific gift of the Spirit, but for the whole of spiritual (miraculous) gifts. This is a good example of a figure of speech called synecdoche (a part given for the whole). At the Pima County Adult Detention Center we take a head-count of the inmates at least four times each day. We are, in reality, counting the whole of the inmates and not just the heads. If we had a two-headed inmate that would still be counted as only one inmate. If we had a Herodias (“Give me here on a platter the head of John the Baptist” – Matt. 14:8) the extra head would not be counted. The miraculous gifts of the Spirit (all of them, and not just the three mentioned) were, in the days of the apostle Paul, to cease in the future.

This part being done away was, once again, to be accomplished “when that which is perfect is come” (1 Cor. 13:10). We can learn when these were to cease by learning when “that which is perfect is come”; or we can learn when “that which is perfect is come” by learning when these (the miraculous gifts of the Spirit) did cease. The two events are tied together.

“When Did (Will) Spiritual Gifts Cease?”

The common/denominational view of this is that spiritual gifts (miraculous gifts) will continue until either Christ comes again, or we are in heaven. The basis for so arguing is the use of the words “perfect” (1 Cor. 13:10a – both Christ and heaven could be described as perfect), and also the use of “face to face” (1 Cor. 13:12 – in heaven we will see Christ face to face).

Miraculous gifts of the Spirit were given by the laying on of the hands of the apostles (Acts 8:17-18; 19:6; Rom. 1:8-11). When the last apostle (evidently John) died, the age of passing on miraculous gifts ceased; when the last man on whom an apostle had bestowed such a gift died, the age of miraculous gifts was totally gone. When the last of these men died, that which was in part was gone, and, of necessity “that which is perfect” had come . . . and it wasn’t the second coming of Christ, nor was it heaven.

“What Is ‘That Which Is Perfect’?”

Already we know what is not. Neither the second coming of Christ nor heaven appeared with the cessation of the miraculous gifts of the Spirit. Niether of these meets the divine requirement.

The purpose of miracles was to confirm the spoken word; miracles produced faith (Acts 9:42; 1 Cor. 14:22) in those who beheld or heard of the miracle. Today we have the written word of God, a record of the miracles (Jn. 20:30-31; 2 Tim. 3:16-17) to produce faith. When we see the what (the written word of God, the New Testament) and the why (it begets faith unto salvation) we can readily understand James speaking of the “perfect law, the law of liberty” (Jas. 1:25). James is speaking of the very same thing as was Paul (1 Cor. 13:10); both are perfect. Does the New Testament meet the divine time qualification? The “perfect” was to come at the cessation of “the part.” The New Testament was fully written by the time of the death of the last apostle, or by the time of the death of the last man who received the laying on of apostolic hands.

There are two “now . . . then” comparisons in 1 Corinthians 13:12. It is not a comparison of physical, earthly life (“now”) versus spiritual, heavenly life (“then”). It is “now” (the condition in Corinth, with the miraculous spiritual gifts, that which was “in part”) compared with I ‘then” (the time when “that which is perfect is come,” the condition possible when men would have “the perfect law, the law of liberty” – Jas. 1:25). In actuality, it is a comparison between Paul’s now and our now,- we have, beloved, the perfect law of liberty. God has given us, the recipients of the “perfect law,” complete instructions (2 Pet. 1:24) on how to live before him.

Guardian of Truth XXXVI: 24, pp. 750-751
December 17, 1992