Truth Magazine

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

By Jerry Crolius

The National Center for Health Statistics says there were nearly 2.4 million weddings in 1988. Some 10.7 percent of these marriages were divorced men marrying never-married women, and 10.9 percent were marriages of divorced women to never-married men. (There were no figures reported in the article about how many marriages united a divorced man with a divorced woman, but it is safe to say that in at least 30 percent of today’s new marriages, one or both spouses have been previously married and divorced.) “Everything is changing,” says Beverly Sitnick, bridal manager at the Claire Dratch women’s specialty store in Bethesda, MD. “I’m noticing so many combinations of divorced and single people. “

Andrew Cherlin, a sociologist at John Hopkins University who studies divorce and remarriage in the USA, made these comments when the statistics were released: “If this says anything, it says divorce is becoming more acceptable and less of a barrier to getting remarried. There isn’t much difference between being divorced and single when you’re marrying a spouse.

From our society’s viewpoint, then, divorce and remarriage is acceptable. This phenomenon is greatly affecting the Lord’s church, and it is likely we are only seeing the tip of the iceberg. Brethren, we had better accept the Lord’s teaching about divorce and remarriage and contend for it earnestly if we are to remain faithful Christians and faithful churches in the future.

Jesus made his teaching on the sanctity of marriage very clear. All the fuss in the Lord’s church over divorce and remarriage is rooted in our unwillingness to submit to the Lord’s plain teaching. Jesus said in Matthew 19:9, “And I say to you, whoever divorces his wife, except for fornication (sexual unfaithfulness, JC, and marries another woman commits adultery.” In Matthew 5:32, Jesus said, “But I say to you that everyone who divorces his wife, except for the cause of fornication, makes her commit adultery, and whoever marries a divorced woman commits adultery.” Jesus added that the woman “who divorces her husband and marries another is committing adultery” (Mk. 10:12). Is this so difficult to understand?

The Lord does not condone divorce, he does not allow divorce, and he does not allow divorced people the right to remarry. The only exception to this law is when one spouse divorces the other for sexual unfaithfulness, in which case only the “innocent” spouse may remarry without committing adultery. Jesus spoke this doctrine plainly and to the point.

What is the problem, then, in the Lord’s church? Many in the church do not want to accept Jesus’ plain teaching. Jesus spoke to the point of issue at hand. He stated his law simply and clearly. But many have made Jesus’ plain statement into one full of confusion and doubt, creating “loopholes” (under the banner of compassion) for divorced persons to drive sin through.

A strict doctrine will cost too much, people say. Too many people who divorced at a young age will have too high a price to pay, they say. Too many people who have been wrongly divorced by their spouses will suffer for a lifetime, they say. Too many divorced people will never become Christians because of this law, they say. Too many Christians with children and happy homes will discover that they are living in adultery and will have to change their relationship; or they will find a different church that allows them to continue in adultery; or they will stop attending anywhere, they say. It will tear up the church, they say. It will tear up families, they say. It will tear up children, they say. Sadly, many of these statements are true. But I suppose the disciples had similar things in mind when, in obvious discouragement, they answer the Lord, “If the relationship of the man with his wife is like this, it is better not to marry” (Matt. 19:10). Things haven’t changed that much after all, have they?

What would the Lord say in response to us in his church today? Probably the same thing he said in response to the disciples, “Not all men can accept this statement, but only those to whom it has been given” (Matt. 19:11). Essentially, Jesus said, “My statement (law) is plain. There are those who will accept it and there are those who will reject it.” Those to whom it has not “been given” are not able to accept it. Only the ones to whom it has “been given” are able to “accept it.” Jesus said there are haves and have nots. The haves will understand, receive and submit to his teachings on marriage. The have nots will not understand, receive or submit to his teachings.

But who are the haves and who are the have nots? Let Paul answer in 1 Corinthians 2:14, “But an unspiritual man does not accept the things of the Spirit of God, for they are foolishness to him, and he cannot understand them, because they are spiritually examined.” Those to whom it has “been given” are spiritually-minded people, i.e., they base their judgments on God’s revealed will through the Spirit, and are therefore able to understand and willing to accept God’s teachings. Unspiritually-minded people base their judgments on their own observations, desires, and opinions, and are therefore unable to understand and unwilling to accept the teachings of God as revealed by the Spirit. This is just what is happening in the Lord’s church on the issue of divorce and remarriage.

Those who advocate loose doctrines on divorce and remarriage are not able to understand Jesus’ clear teaching because they are unwilling to accept it. They base their understanding first on human thinking and desires rather than the revealed things of God’s Spirit (i.e., they are unspiritual on this subject).

Where in all these doctrines are the plain statements of Jesus? They are buried under the rationalizations and emotions of minds who do not want to accept the serious consequences of Christ’s law on divorce and remarriage. Man is going to find a way out of the difficult consequences of sin, whether or not God has granted him one. Man has been doing so since the Garden of Eden. (I remember a debate on baptism where the gospel preacher in his final statement quoted over and over Mark 16:16, Acts 2:38, 22:16, 1 Peter 3:21, Galatians 3:27 until he finally said, “I don’t know what else to do. It’s so plain. Why add to or take anything away from it? ” Yet the Baptist preacher was unable to understand it. See the point?)

Notice that contained within all the intricate doctrines of men on divorce and remarriage are complex human reasonings, improperly re-defined words, out-of-context forced interpretations, and strong appeals to emotion, all of which combine into “rational” escapes from what Jesus plainly spoke. “He didn’t mean what he said,” is the core of these doctrines. “He was only talking to the Jews, not to us,” some rationalize. “He was only making a law for those who would already be Christians, not for people outside of his kingdom,” others reckon in sincere hope for the many. “In 1 Corinthians 7:15 Paul adds another exception for remarriage to Jesus’ teaching,” others say with sympathy for those divorced by unbelieving spouses. “Already divorced people can ‘mentally divorce’ and remarry if their ex-spouse commits fornication at some time in the future,” many scribes tell us. “If people get baptized they can stay in their adulterous marriages because God has forgiven them.” And on and on. Loophole after loophole. We are guilty of the very sins Jesus condemned the Pharisees for in their doctrines on divorce.

Jesus had another thing to say in response to the disciples’ difficulty with his plain teaching. He said, “For there are eunuchs (those who remain celibate) who were born that way from their mother’s womb; and there are eunuchs who were made eunuchs by men; and there are also eunuchs who made themselves eunuchs for the sake of the kingdom of heaven. He who is able to accept this, let him accept it” (Matt. 19:12). Jesus said there are some people who will stay celibate for the sake of the kingdom of heaven.

Singles may choose never to marry, perhaps even for reasons Paul states in 1 Corinthians 7:32-35. Or unscripturally divorced people may submit to Christ’s law on remarriage and stay celibate because they are under Christ’s rule and want to please him above all things. They will control their sexual desires for the sake of the kingdom of heaven. They will accept the consequences of their (or their ex-spouse’s) sin of unlawful divorce, and not try to find a way out of Christ’s plainly taught law. Will spiritually-minded brethren sympathize with them? Certainly. Will they help them? Definitely. Will they compromise Christ’s law for them? Absolutely not.

Jesus’ teaching on divorce and remarriage is clear. He intended it to be so. The disciples understood the consequences of it. They knew it was a strict law. The ones who are able to accept it, let them accept it. And if we want ourselves and our children to go to heaven, let us contend earnestly for it. The Lord’s church faces threatening times.

Guardian of Truth XXXVI: 15, pp. 462-463
August 6, 1992