Truth Magazine

By Larry Ray Hafley

(1) Often we are asked that if baptism is for the remission of sins, then why do we not baptize a child of God every time he sins? Those who ask the question think that it poses a dilemma for those of us who believe what Acts 2:38 says. So, if baptism is “for the remission of sins,” why not baptize a child of God every time he sins and seeks forgiveness?

Those who ask the question believe one should be baptized because his sins have been forgiven. When one is forgiven, he should be baptized “because of” the remission of sins, Now, turn their question back on them. If one is baptized because he is forgiven, why do you not baptize a child of God every time he sins and seeks forgiveness?

Baptists have argued this case for years. Since we teach that a sinner must be baptized to be saved and forgiven (Mk. 16:16; Acts 2:38; 22:16), then when one sins as a child of God, why do we not have to baptize him again “for the remission of sins”? Well, they believe that one should be baptized “as an outward sign” of his forgiveness when he is saved. When their convert sins, repents and is forgiven, do they take him and baptize him again because his sins have been forgiven? No, they do not. When they explain why they do not baptize again a penitent brother of theirs, they ought to be able to see why we do not baptize a penitent child of God (Acts 8:22; 1 Jn. 1:9).

(2) Those who believe in the impossibility of apostasy argue that sins of the flesh, the outer man, do not affect the condition of the soul, the inner man. Hence, the inner, spiritual man, the soul, cannot be lost because of the deeds or sins performed by the flesh. A number of passages knock this idea in the creek (Matt. 15:18,19; 2 Cor. 7: 1; Col. 3:5,6; Eph. 5:3-6; Rom. 8:12,13; Gal. 5:19-21; 6:7,8).

However, two are especially simple, useful and easy to be understood. “Abstain from fleshly lusts, which war against the soul” (1 Pet. 2:11). Sins of the flesh do affect the soul. They “war against the soul.” Further, in 2 Corinthians 5:10, the Spirit saith, “For we must all appear before the judgment seat of Christ; that every one may receive the things done in his body, according to that which he hath done, whether it be good or bad.” Could language be plainer? How, then, can Calvinists argue that sins of the flesh do not jeopardize the destiny of the soul?

(3) Catholicism says that the Lord gave prominence, preeminence and primacy unto Peter in Matthew 16:18,19. If that is true, the apostles and Zebedee’s wife did not know it. They argued over which of them should be considered the greatest in the kingdom (Matt. 18:1-3; 20:20-28; Lk. 9:46; 22:24). If the Lord had given Peter his papal primacy papers, nearly a year before Luke 22:24, why did he not simply settle the matter and remind them that he already had appointed the apostle Peter Pope in prospect? It would have been the logical thing to do if the Catholics are right about it. But, alas, they are not right. Jesus further blasted “Petrine” papal presumptions when he spoke of their pretensions of dominion and authority and said, “But it shall not be so among you.” In other words, the very thing that Catholics claim for Peter, his dominion and authority, Jesus said is “not so.”

(4) Pentecostal people cite Jesus’ words in John 14:12, “He that believeth on me, the works that I do shall he do also; and greater works than these shall he do.” Then they say that we must not be believers because we do not do the works or miracles of Jesus. If we were truly believers, we would do the works (miracles) of Jesus and even “greater works than” Jesus did. What shall we say to this?

First, Pentecostal preachers cannot do the works of Jesus. They cannot walk on water. I have tried to get them to take just one step across a baptistry (length-wise) by walking on the water, but they have never done so. They cannot feed 5,000 people with 5 loaves and 2 fish and take up 12 garbage bags of fragments. They cannot raise the dead. No, they cannot do the works of Jesus. Neither can they do “greater works than these.” Are they really believers?

Second, these promises are made to the apostles. They did the works of Jesus, as all of us, even our Pentecostal friends, admit (Acts 2:43; 3:6; 5:15, 16; 9:36-42; 14:3; 19:10). But what of those “greater works”? What are they? I purposely left off, because Pentecostals often do, the last clause of John 14:12. Jesus said, “He that believeth on me, the works that I do shall he do also; and greater works than these shall he do; because I go unto my Father.” Note it. Why were their works to be greater? “Because I go unto my Father.”

Jesus had to go unto the Father, “for if I go not away, the Comforter (“which is the Holy Spirit” – Jn. 14:26) will not come unto you; but if I depart, I will send him unto you” (Jn. 16:7). The apostles will do “greater works than these,” “because I go unto my Father.” But Jesus went unto the Father so that the Holy Spirit would be sent to them. Hence, the “greater works” were tied to the coming of the Spirit. So, Jesus ascended to the Father. The Spirit came, guided the apostles into “all truth” and convicted “the world of sin, and of righteousness and of judgment” through them (Jn. 16:7,8,13; 17:20; Acts 2:36,37). These, therefore, are the “greater works.”

Third, “Oneness,” “Jesus only” Pentecostals had better not cite this verse. It has Jesus going unto His Father. That is two persons, or did he go unto himself? Jesus (that is one) went unto the Father (that is two), and he sent the Holy Spirit (that is three). Or did he go unto himself and send himself?

Guardian of Truth XXXVI: 15, pp. 456-457
August 6, 1992

By Tom Roberts

The ministry of Jesus was inextricably connected to salvation. In fact, the very name given to him by the angel of God, “Jesus” (Lk. 1:31), is of Hebrew origin (Joshua) meaning: “Jehovah is Savior.” As Joseph was told, “it is he that shall save his people from their sins” (Matt. 1:21). Not a Jewish rabbi, sociologist, revolutionary or confused dreamer, Jesus was the Christ, anointed of God, sent from heaven to “seek and save that which was lost” (Lk. 19:10).

The Book of Acts, describing the spread of salvation in the name of Jesus of Nazareth throughout the Jewish and Roman worlds, made no effort to disguise this theme of the apostles. The volume was not a social commentary, a comprehensive history of the day, nor an atlas of ancient civilizations. The thrust was plain and clear, without apology, but with sure defense against those who might have labeled its message bigoted and self-righteous. Quite clearly, the world was lost and salvation could be found only in the name of Jesus. “And in none other is there salvation: for neither is there any other name under heaven, that is given among men, wherein we must be saved” (4:12). This bold and distinctive message allowed no doubt, made no exceptions and permitted no quarter. Jesus was Savior and, without him, every man was eternally and irretrievably lost. Modern religions are embarrassed by such undisguised evangelism founded upon such exclusive claims. Most would be magnanimous and place Jesus among the company of “great” religious leaders like Muhammed, Buddha, or some other. But none of them is willing to grant to Jesus his rightful place as the only Savior. Without a moment’s hesitation, Luke declared the message of the apostles as one in complete harmony with the claims and ministry of Jesus. Its vision of Jesus was crystal clear, its clarion call rings from first century Rome to twentieth century America: Jesus, and only Jesus, saved!

Certified by the Resurrection

How could Luke and the apostles speak with such certainty? What gave them the assurance and boldness with which to declare salvation in the name of Jesus? Luke clearly showed that faith in Jesus was predicated on his resurrection from the dead. Having witnessed the resurrection (1:9), the apostles were not inclined to be quiet about the matter. Jesus had told them to witness (1:8), beginning at Jerusalem (Lk. 24:48) and, having receiving the Holy Spirit, they began to do so. The very first sermon under the Testament of Christ threw down the gauntlet: God sent Jesus, certified him by signs and wonders, you killed him, God raised him up (2:22-24). This was their explanation which remains ours today. Jesus died, was buried three days and nights, and rose from the dead. There is no salvation in any other for Muhammed and all others died, were buried and are still in the tomb. The conclusion of such evidence pointed to one truth: “Let all the house of Israel therefore know assuredly that God hath made him both Lord and Christ, this Jesus whom ye crucified” (v. 36). Jesus, and only Jesus, has been certified by God.

“Turn the World Upside Down”

The first sermon resulted in 3000 souls obeying the gospel 44unto remission of sins” (2:38). Later, the number of men rose to 5000 (4:4), with many priests becoming obedient (6:7). The message continued to be: “Repent ye therefore, and turn again, that your sins may be blotted out, that so there may come seasons of refreshing from the presence of the Lord” (3:19).

Opposition, threatenings, beatings and imprisonment did not deter these men. Luke detailed that the disciples rejoiced that they were worthy to suffer for the name (5:41), and they “ceased not to teach and to preach Jesus as the Christ” (v. 42).

Samaritans received the gospel (Acts 8:9-25), as did the eunuch from Ethiopia (8:26-40). Saul, the persecutor, became a believer (Acts 9,22,26) and, through him, people throughout Asia Minor (13:1-14:28) and Europe (15:36-21:15). Everywhere the message was the same: “Be it known unto you therefore, brethren, that through this man is proclaimed unto you remission of sins; and by him everyone that believeth is justified from all things, from which ye could not be justified by the law of Moses” (13:38,39). The Gentiles came under the same gospel (Acts 10,11,15) and efforts to turn the gospel of Christ into a “law/gospel” were soundly defeated. Salvation under the Law of Moses was based upon perfect law keeping, which, wrote James and the apostles, “put a yoke upon the neck of the disciples which neither our fathers nor we are able to bear” (15:10). Salvation in Christ was by “justification of faith,” a subject profoundly explored by Paul in his letters to the Romans, Galatians, etc. Judaizing teachers opposed the gospel and accused Paul of “turning the world upside down” (17:6).

The message of salvation, so beneficent and propitious, is controversial only to those who reject its wisdom and direction. To those “who are being saved, it is the power of God” (1 Cor. 1:18), neither a stumbling block nor foolishness. But one can scarcely be indifferent to it. As someone said of Paul: “When he entered a town with the gospel, he started a church or a riot, and sometimes both.” On trial for his life before Agrippa, Paul tried to convert his judge, having this response: “With but little persuasion thou wouldest fain make me a Christian” (26:28). One might not agree with the message, one might even fight against it, but one could not misunderstand: without Christ, you are lost. Felix was terrified by the message of judgment for sin (24:25), but sent Paul away.

Before Jews and Greeks, Romans and Ethiopians, slaves and masters, common people as well as kings and governors, the message of salvation was proclaimed. The whole world heard it (Col. 1:23). As Luke’s chronicle of the Acts came to a close, we see Paul in jail at Rome, pressing his case to all who would come to him: “Preaching the kingdom of God, and teaching the things concerning the Lord Jesus Christ with all boldness, none forbidding him” (28:31).

“Preach the Word”

It is an honor and a privilege to know that we are fellow laborers with these godly men and women in the proclamation of the same saving message. The power of the gospel (Rom. 1:16) has not diminished with years or distance; it still contains the same saving message. There is not one whit difference in the message of the first century Christians and that preached by faithful brethren today. The seed (Lk. 8:11) is the same; the harvest is the same, only the sowers are different. Perhaps we need to be less apologetic about preaching it. Perhaps we need to have more conviction of the rightness and distinctiveness of the message. Perhaps we should not be embarrassed by charges of bigotry and self-righteousness when we speak out. Perhaps we should be more aggressive and bold in attacking strongholds of error. But we have this assurance: wherever good and honest hearts are touched by the message of Jesus, sins will be forgiven and salvation will be granted. God is still “visiting the Gentiles, to take out of them a people for his name” (Acts 15:14). Let us pray to God that we be counted worthy to stand with the giants of past years and tell the world of saving grace. “Jesus saves! Jesus saves!”

Guardian of Truth XXXVI: 15, pp. 454-455
August 6, 1992

By Lewis Willis

Alright, I admit it: I listen to country music. A few weeks ago I wrote an article about a line in a country song which said, “Some of God’s greatest gifts are unanswered prayers.” Well, by now you have guessed it, I heard another line in another song and I think it deserves our consideration in this article.

A performer has a song out with this line: “You’ve got to stand for something, or you’ll fall for anything. ” That is certainly a truism! However, it is true, not because a country song says so, but because the Bible says so.

There are many passages which teach us the importance of “taking a stand” for God, and against the Devil and error. Let me cite some of these. Paul told the Ephesians to, “Put on the whole armor of God, that ye may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil. . . Wherefore take unto you the whole armor of God, that ye may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand. . . Stand therefore” (Eph. 6:11-14). He also reminded the Corinthians of the meaning of being a Christian. He said, “Moreover, brethren, I declare unto you the gospel which I preached unto you, which also ye have received, and wherein ye stand” (1 Cor. 15:1). As he was closing his first epistle to Corinth, Paul admonished, “Watch ye, stand fast in the faith, quit you like men, be strong” (1 Cor 16:13). Paul said to the Philippians that he wanted to hear “that ye stand fast in one spirit, with one mind striving together for the faith of the gospel” (Phil. 1:27). He also told these brethren to “stand fast in the Lord” (Phil. 4:1). Several other New Testament passages require that Christians take a stand for Truth, against error (Rom.5:2; Col. 4:12; 1 Thess. 3:8; 2 Thess. 2:15; 1 Pet. 5:12). The responsibility is clearly and emphatically appointed to us – Take a stand with and for God, for truth, and against sin.

One would suppose that a faithful Christian would look at this evidence and take a stand. Many do! But, many others don’t! When Paul wrote to Timothy, he said, “At my first answer no man stood with me, but all men forsook me” (2 Tim. 4:16). Most of us would like to think we would have stood firmly with him for the truth. But just “thinking” it is not “doing” it. Thus, he warned, “Wherefore let him that thinketh he standeth take heed lest he fall” (1 Cor. 10:12). There is an ever present danger that we will not carry through with our convictions and stand for right, against evil. The road of time is littered with the remains of those who knew that they should have stood for Christ and the gospel, but failed to do so. “The cause of truth has suffered immeasurably because God’s people did not find the courage at the hour of trial to stand for that cause.” Too many fell for error!

The Apostle Paul addressed the question of “falling for anything” when he talked about the edification of God’s people. He wrote, “That we henceforth be no more children tossed to and fro, and carried about with every wind of doctrine, by the sleight of men, and cunning craftiness, whereby they lie in wait to deceive” (Eph. 4:14). When Jesus warned of the danger which false teachers present, he said, “Let them alone: they be blind leaders of the blind. And if the blind lead the blind, both shall fall into the ditch” (Matt. 15:14). Note Peter’s warning: “Ye therefore, beloved, seeing ye know these things before, beware lest ye also, being led away with the error of the wicked, fall from your own steadfastness” (2 Pet. 3:17).

It is evident that a failure to stand for Truth, subjects us to the possibility that we will fall for error. God’s people have not been diligent in guarding against this danger. Practically every generation has had “issues” of right and wrong with which to grapple, and each time these questions arise, scores “fall for” error. There is no way to measure what the strength of the church today would be if we had not lost these people through apostasy. Had they stood for the truth of God’s word, they would not have fallen for such errors as instrumental music, missionary societies, benevolent societies, church supported colleges and fellowship halls.

I trust that by now you are aware that a major problem is developing in the church regarding the truth about marriage, divorce and remarriage. I thought we knew the basic truth about this subject, but evidently we don’t. Those who are teaching error regarding the matter are men who should know better. History and the Scriptures say that they will teach their error and many will fall for it (Acts 20:29-30). It is not yet possible to determine what the effect of their heresy will be. It is rather obvious that it will not be good for the cause of our Lord. So, the warning that “you’ve got to stand for something, or you’ll fall for anything, ” is an appropriate warning again. We had better make up our minds to stand for the Truth about God’s teaching on marriage or we will fall for anything that false teachers might say on the subject, depending upon the confidence we happen to have in the false teacher. Does history always have to repeat itself, or will God’s people finally learn to stand for truth?

Guardian of Truth XXXVI: 15, p. 458
August 6, 1992

By Joe R. Price

Scientists believe they have discovered relics of the “Big Bang” which they say created the universe 15 billion years ago. These celestial fossils are “massive wisps of gas more than 500 million light years long” and are the “oldest structures ever observed” according to astrophysicist George Smoot (Salt Lake Tribune, Al, 4/24/92). The discovery of these gaseous masses is now being described as “one of the major discoveries of science.” It seems incredible that upon discovering these “structures,” many continue to be believe that they were “built,” not by an intelligent builder, but by such lifeless, thoughtless things as “gravitational forces,” “space” and “time.”

If you are unfamiliar with the “Big Bang” theory, here is a brief summary of it:

The Big Bang is perhaps one of the most difficult physics concepts for laymen to accept. Its chief assumption is that 15 billion years ago all matter in the universe was compressed into an unimaginably dense sphere smaller than the period at the end of this sentence.

The ball exploded at a temperation of trillions of degrees, launching all the matter on the expansionary course it continues to follow today. Within the first millionth of a second after the explosion, quarks and other exotic particles combined to form protons and neutrons, most of which were just as rapidly annihilated by collisions with antiprotons and anti-neutrons, releasing their energy in the form of light waves (Salt Lake Tribune, Al, 4/24/92).

What an amazing theory! But before you believe it, we offer a few questions with which to test it. First, where did “all matter” which was in the form of an “unimaginably defense sphere” come from (matter is not eternal)? And, what tremendous power compressed all that matter into such an amazingly small size (“Honey, I shrunk the universe! “). Also, what generated a temperature of “trillions of degrees”? Truly, the “Big Bang” theory of the origin of the universe is an “assumption”!

The presence of gaseous structures of such massive size (500 million light years) provides greater evidence that some power, which is infinitely superior to man, constructed them. It remains true that design demands a designer. This Master Builder would have the ability to create matter and put it under the control of such forces as gravity, space and time. This Master Designer is God, who has revealed his power and divinity through his creation (Rom. 1:20), and his mind through the inspired Scriptures (1 Cor. 2:10-13,16; 2 Tim. 3:16-17).

When will man learn to look at the incredible evidence in the universe for the creative power and presence of God (Psa. 19:16)? Like the ancient skeptics, the so-called wise men of today are “ever learning, and never able to come to the knowledge of the truth” (2 Tim. 3:7). The evidence in the universe explodes the “Big Bang” theory!

Guardian of Truth XXXVI: 15, p. 459
August 6, 1992