Truth Magazine

By Johnie Edwards

The Sunday Herald Times had an article concerning church growth in the April 19, 1992 issue. I would like for you to just see what most churches are using to promote attendance and growth.

1. Some churches of Christ: “Morgan Street church of Christ in Martinsville has replaced revivals with educational meetings, and sponsored a film series on how to deal with family crisis.” Did you ever read where New Testament churches ever did a thing like this? I do read about them “sounding out the word” (1 Thess. 1:8).

2. First Presbyterian: “First Presbyterian Church in Bloomington has started volley-ball and softball teams, a young mother’s group, a men’s breakfast group, and bring-a-friend Sunday.” Didn’t the apostle Paul say that the power to save is the “gospel” (Rom. 1:16)?

3. Shiloh Temple: “Shiloh Temple, near Lake Monroe, has started a big brothers/big sisters program, sponsors outdoor concerts, and plans a new building with a gymnasium and lighting for theatrical productions.” Paul wrote the Romans, “For the kingdom of God is not meat and drink: but righteousness, and peace, and joy in the Holy Ghost” (Rom. 14:17).

4. First United Methodist: “First United Methodist Church in Bloomington, is offering shorter-term Bible study groups at a variety of times, started a Christian Cookie Corps that delivers cookies to first-time attenders, and uses more story-telling in sermons to make them meaningful.” Sounds more like a “welcome-wagon” than a church! What do you think?

5. Sherwood Oaks Christian: “At Sherwood Oaks Christian Church . . . offers a cafeteria menu of more than 30 committees. They include athletics, property upkeep, sound equipment and lighting, homebound visitation,. big brothers/big sisters, communion and baptism, anti-abortion efforts, drama presentations, evangelism and outreach, finances, hosting international students, and music.” Jesus instructed the apostle to “go teach, baptize” and teach folks to “observe all things whatsoever I have commanded you” (Matt. 28:19).

6. New Testament Churches: New Testament churches grew when: (1) The gospel was preached (Acts 8:4-13); (2) When discipline was exercised (Acts 5:1-14); (3) When the church did its work (Acts 6:1-7); (4) When the church was at peace (Acts 9:31); (5) When Christians were persecuted (Acts 12:1-24); (6) When the decrees of God were declared (Acts 16:1-5). If we expect the church to grow and be strong spiritually, we must get back to this work as was done in New Testament times. Men are drawn to God when the word of God is preached (Jn. 6:44-45).

Guardian of Truth XXXVI: 14, pp. 417, 439
July 16, 1992

By Mike Willis

We want to continue an examination of what the plea to restore the New Testament church means.

5. The plea to restore the New Testament church means the restoration of apostolic evangelism. The early church saw its mission as taking the saving gospel of Jesus Christ to the world which was lost in sin. They were committed to the obedience of the charge of the Great Commission.

Go ye therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost: Teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I have commanded you: and, lo, I am with you alway, even unto the end of the world. Amen (Matt. 28:19-20).

And he said unto them, Go ye into all the world, and preach the gospel to every creature. He that believeth and is baptized shall be saved; but he that believeth not shall be damned (Mk. 16:15-16).

And said unto them, Thus it is written, and thus it behooved Christ to suffer, and to rise from the dead the third day: And that repentance and remission of sins should be preached in his name among all nations, beginning at Jerusalem. And ye are witnesses of these things. And , behold, I send the promise of my Father upon you: but tarry ye in the city of Jerusalem, until ye be endued with power from on high (Lk. 24:46-49).

From the Great Commission, we can learn that the apostles preached the gospel, the Word, the Christ. They preached “repentance and remission of sins” in the name of Jesus. In doing this, they made disciples or penitent believers; when these penitent believers were baptized they were saved or received the remission of their sins.

In this apostolic commission is found the apostolic rule of conversion: (a) preach the gospel; (b) faith or belief; (c) repentance; (d) baptism of penitent believers; (e) salvation or forgiveness of sins.

Having noticed the charge of the Great Commission, we can readily see that much of modern preaching in denominationalism (and some among us as well) is wholly unlike the plain preaching of the apostles. Sermons should convict men of sin, show them the way to salvation through Christ, and teach men all things whatsoever Jesus has commanded us. To restore the apostolic preaching of the New Testament church is going to require that we cast aside sermons designed to influence politics, propagate social change, treat temporal ills, create a better self-image, teach one how to manage his finances, teach pop psychology on how to have better inter-personal relationships, teach time management, and other self-help lessons. Many of the sermons preached today would have left the 3000 present on the day of Pentecost still in their sins.

6. The plea to restore the New Testament church means the restoration of the names worn by the followers of Christ. In the New Testament, the followers of the Christ are designated by several names, which names signify the Christian’s character, his relation to other children of God and to their Lord. Here are some of the names by which they were known:

a. Disciples (Acts 11:26). The word “disciples” means “learners” or “pupils” of some great teacher. “Disciples of Christ” means “learners of Christ.” The designation indicates the relation that exists between Jesus and his followers as that of teacher and pupil.

b. Brethren (Acts 6:3). Jesus said, “But be not ye called Rabbi: for one is your Master, even Christ; and all ye are brethren” (Matt. 23:8). The word “brethren” indicates that relationship to God as his children (2 Cor, 6:17-18) and to one another as brothers and sisters. The term indicates that tender and endearing relationship which exists between fellow disciples of Christ.

c. Believers (1 Tim. 4:1). The designation of disciples as “believers” points to their conviction that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of the living God (Matt. 16:16).

d. Saints (Rom. 1:7). The word “saint” emphasizes that disciples have been “set apart” to God. As his set-apart people, they are also committed to walk in holiness. The followers of Christ are to be holy in heart and life.

e. Christians (Acts 11:26). Three times in the Scriptures, the Lord’s disciples are called Christians.

And when he had found him, he brought him unto Antioch. And it came to pass, that a whole year they assembled themselves with the church, and taught much people. And the disciples were called Christians first in Antioch (Acts 11:26).

Then Agrippa said unto Paul, Almost thou persuadest me to be a Christian (Acts 26:28).

Yet if any man suffer as a Christian, let him not be ashamed; but let him glorify God on this behalf (1 Pet. 4:16).

A Christian is a “follower of Christ.” This is the “worthy name” by which he is called (Jas. 2:7).

As Christians worked together in local congregations, they also were designated by various terms. They were called the “church of God” (1 Cor. 1:2), “churches of Christ” (Rom. 16:16), the “house of God” (1 Tim. 3:15), and several other names. Some may object to calling these terms names. Paul exhorted the saints at Corinth not to cause others to stumble saying, “Give none offence, neither to the Jews, nor to the Gentiles, nor to the church of God” (1 Cor. 10:32). If I can understand that Gentiles and Jews named two groups of people, I can also perceive that “church of God” is used as a name for a third group of people.

The plea to restore the New Testament is a plea for men to renounce the unscriptural and divisive names by which men are called today. Let us forever throw aside such terms as the following: Baptist, Methodist, Presbyterian, Catholic, Pentecostal, Episcopalian, Congregationalist, Unitarian, Muslim. Let us restore the names worn by the followers of Christ and be content therewith.

Guardian of Truth XXXVI: 14, pp. 418, 439
July 16, 1992

By Michael R. Baggett

All You Can Eat

Vegetable Soup

with beef or chicken, cornbread or crackers, dessert and drink

Adults: $3.50 – Children: $2.00

Carry Out:

Pints: $1.50 – Quarts: $3.00 – 2 Quarts: $5.00

Entertainment begins at 6:00 p.m.

The Wilborn Ashby Family

Fellowship Building of Ashland Church of Christ

(intersection of Highways 4 & 5)

All proceeds go to Magnolia Bible College

“All You Can Eat”

The fact that some churches are putting the Lord’s church in the “fast-food business” is clearly seen in advertisements from time to time. (The one above is taken from The South Reporter, published in Holly Springs, Mississippi.) Who would have dreamed forty years ago that a “church of Christ” would sell food to the public to raise money? Today, some seem to think that if it’s a “good cause,” any method of doing good is accepted with God; in other words, the end justifies the means.

It is not true that the end justifies the means. Proverbs 14:12 says, “There is a way which seemeth right unto a man, but the end thereof are the ways of death. ” When Nadab and Abilm thought they could offer a “strange fire” to God, God showed his disapproval of their means when he consumed them with fire! (Lev. 10:1-2). The fire for burning incense was to come from the altar (Num. 16:46; Lev. 6:12-13). When God told Moses to “speak” to the rock to get water, Moses struck the rock with his rod instead! Moses’ method got water out of the rock, but he wasn’t allowed to enter the promised land because of his method! (Num. 20:8-12) Moses was punished because he did things “his way” rather than God’s way. Getting water his way did not justify the way he got it.

Today, Christ is not pleased when men choose to do things their way rather than his way. 2 John 9 says, “Whosoever transgresseth, and abideth not in the doctrine of Christ, hath not God. . . ” This means that when churches practice things not found in Christ’s doctrine (the New Testament) they no longer have fellowship with God; instead, they have run off and left him behind! When churches raise money by selling food, having a car wash, or by entertainment, they transgress and abide not in the doctrine of Christ; therefore, they have not God!

Friends, the doctrine of Christ concerning raising money in a local church is a first-day-of-the-week contribution from each of its members (1 Cor. 16:2; 2 Cor. 9:6-7). Paul wrote in 1 Corinthians 16:2, “Upon the first day of the week let every one of you lay be him in store as God has prospered him, that there be no gatherings (collections) when I come. ” This is God’s way for the local church to raise funds. It may not seem like an important point but, in the Judgment Day, someone is going to give an account for adding to God’s way (Rev. 22:18-19).

Guardian of Truth XXXVI: 13, p. 405
July 2, 1992

By Randy Harshbarger

Uncle Sam points a finger and says: “I want you.” The Marines are looking for a “few good men.” The Lord is too. The Lord is looking for men and women of faith and righteousness who will stand in the gap, wield the sword of the Spirit effectively against Satan and sin, and contend for the purity and simplicity of the gospel. Consider the cry of David long ago, as he too asked for a few good men.

The twelfth Psalm, one of many by King David, pleads for a return to the Lord, as sin and rebellion were the order of the day. Much of what is spoken of in this chapter could very well fit today’s society. Indeed, the wickedness of our age should make every Christian cry out as David did, for a return to principles of godliness and decency. James 4:4 says: “Ye adulteresses, know ye not that the friendship of the world is enmity with God? Whosoever therefore would be a friend of the world maketh himself an enemy of God.” Friendship with the world spells disaster for the child of God. Any courting of that which is against God will cause us to be lost.

David said, “Help Lord, for the godly man ceases to be” (v. 1). Yes, the number of godly men and women seems to be diminishing. Too many are running toward destruction in their mad pursuit of life (Matt. 7:13-14; Phil. 3:19). There is a great need for people who will love the Lord and his word and will dedicate themselves to living according to the oracles of truth and honor. The influences of the world are hardly subtle. Without shame, sin is flaunted on television, in the movies, and in advertizing (for almost every product). Christians are constantly bombarded with the message that says, “If you think it is right, then it is right.” Godly men and women must cry out as faithful watchmen (Ezek. 33:1ff). A constant diet of filth will adversely affect anyone who does not take steps to counterbalance such influences (1 Cor. 15:33).

David said concerning the children of men: “They speak falsehood everyone with his neighbor” (v. 2). There is no longer a premium on honesty. Too many people “speak falsehood.” Liars abound in the government, in business, and sometimes even among brethren. If that possibility does not exist, why did Paul warn against it (Eph. 4:25)? Falsehood and dishonesty will bring about the downfall of our nation (Prov. 14:34). Liars should fear the eternal torment awaiting them (Rev. 21:8). Psalm 12:6 says: “The words of the Lord are pure words; As silver tried in a furnace on the earth, refined seven times.” Precious metals must be refined by fire to rid them of dross. The words of the Lord are always true and pure. “As for God, his way is blameless; The word of the Lord is tested; He is a shield to all who take refuge in him” (2 Sam. 22:31). There is no impurity in what the Lord says. In contrast, consider the filth of the world. Cursing and using God’s name in vain is simply a way of life for many. “Every word of God is tested; He is a shield to those who take refuge in him” (Prov. 30:5). The speech of the Christian must edify rather than tear down (Eph. 5:4). We need to be careful what we say and how we say it. This is true in our dealings with people in the world and especially true with our families and brethren.

Psalm 12:8 says: “The wicked strut about on every side, When vileness is exalted among the sons of men.” The wicked seem to delight in their debauchery. Jeremiah (6:15) lived in a world that had forgotten how to blush. Sin has become such a way of life that nothing is thought about it any more. This mind set spills over into the church. The Corinthians (Christians) were blase’ about the sin among them. Paul exhorted them to correct the matter and they eventually did. Refusing to do so weakened them spiritually. The same is true of us today. “Vileness might be exalted” by the world but it must never be condoned by God’s people. Clear teaching needs to be done that extols God’s will concerning the works of the flesh and the works of the Spirit (Gal. 5:19-24). Application to things such as dancing, principles of modesty, and social drinking needs to be made. Let us cry out for truth and righteousness and be sure we live lives of conformity to God’s will rather than the world’s (Rom. 12:1-2).

Yes, the Lord wants men and women who will do his will. Let us purify ourselves by his word and remember that the Lord will preserve those who seek the way of truth.

Guardian of Truth XXXVI: 14, p. 426
July 16, 1992