Truth Magazine

By Michael Garrison

And without controversy great is the mystery of Godliness: God was manifest in the flesh, justified in the Spirit, seen of angels, preached unto the Gentiles, believed on in the world, received up into glory (1 Tim. 3:16).

The phrase “without controversy” means there is and can be no doubt. No one should have any doubt about Jesus Christ being the Christ. He fulfilled all the Old Testament prophecies concerning the Messiah. Jesus said, “Think not that I am come to destroy the law or the prophets: I am not come to destroy, but to fulfill. For verily I say unto you, Till heaven and earth pass, one jot or one tittle shall in nowise pass from the law, till all be fulfilled” (Matt. 5:17-18).

But, did he really fulfill all the Law? In Luke 24:44-48 we have the answer: “And he said unto them, These are the words which I spake unto you, while I was yet with you, that all things must be fulfilled, which were written in the law of Moses, and in the prophets, and in the psalms concerning me. Then opened he their understanding, that they might understand the scriptures, And said unto them, Thus it is written, and thus it behooved Christ to suffer, and to rise form the dead the third day: And that repentance and remission of sins should be preached in his name among all nations, beginning at Jerusalem.

Joseph P. Free reports, “There are three hundred and thirty-two distinct prophesies in the Old Testament which have been fulfilled in Christ.” He said, “The chances of all of these prophecies being fulfilled in one man are so overwhelmingly remote that it is strikingly demonstrated that they could in no wise be the shrewd guesses of mere men, but were given by God to holy men who ‘spoke as they were moved by the Holy Spirit’ (2 Pet. 1:21)” (Archaeology and Bible History, 284).

The title of this article is “The Mystery of Godliness.” The word “mystery” means “that which, being outside the range of unassisted natural apprehension, can be made known only by Divine revelation, and is made known in a manner and at a time appointed by God, and to those who are illumined by His Spirit” (W.E. Vine, Expository Dictionary of New Testament Words) So, the prophets and apostles revealed that which was once a mystery. The mystery is that God was “manifest in the flesh, justified in the Spirit, seen of angels, preached unto the Gentiles, believed on in the world, received up into glory. ” Let us examine each part of the “mystery of godliness” which is so important.

God

This means deity. The subject of this verse is Jesus Christ. He is God! John wrote, “In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God… And the Word was made flesh, and dwelt among us” (Jn. 1:1, 14). The apostle Paul informs us that though Jesus was “in the form of God, (He) thought it not robbery to be equal with God: but made himself of no reputation, and took upon him the form of a servant, and was made in the likeness of men: And being found in fashion of a man, he humbled himself, and became obedient unto death, even the death of the cross” (Phil. 2:6-8).

In Hebrews 1:8, God the Father calls his Son, God! And in Acts 20:28, we learn about “the church of God, which he hath purchased with his own blood, ” which is a clear reference to Jesus the Christ.

Yes, Jesus is God – He is not the Father, but God the Son.

“God Was Manifest In The Flesh”

Jesus was manifested – or made known – in the flesh. God the Son took upon him human flesh. See Philippians 2:6-8 again. In human flesh, Jesus became able to understand what it is like to be human. We are told in Hebrews 4:15 that “we have not an high priest which cannot be touched with the feeling of our infirmities; but was in all points tempted like as we are, yet without sin. ” So, Jesus knows what it is to suffer in the flesh, because he humbled himself unto God the Father and came to earth in fleshly form.

“God Was Justified In The Spirit”

“To justify one means to declare and prove him to be what he claims to be, and to disprove all false accusations that may be made against him” (E.M. Zerr Commentary). Jesus was once and for all time “declared to be the Son of God with power, according to the spirit of holiness, by the resurrection from the dead” (Rom. 1:4). Also, read Acts 13:26-39.

“God Was Seen Of Angels”

Angels have always had an interest in things pertaining to man’s salvation. Peter wrote, “Of which salvation the prophets have inquired and searched diligently, who prophesied of the grace that should come unto you: Searching what, or what manner of time the Spirit of Christ which was in them did signify, when it testified beforehand the sufferings of Christ, and the glory that should follow, unto whom it was revealed, that not unto themselves, but unto us they did minister the things unto you with the Holy Ghost sent down from heaven: which things the angels desire to look into ” (1 Pet. 1:10-12).

Angels were present at various time while Christ was on the earth. In Matthew 4:11, after Jesus was tempted by the Devil, “angels came and ministered unto him. ” In Luke 22:38-43, as a result of his prayer to the Father before his betrayal, false accusations, crucifixion, and death, “there appeared an angel unto him from heaven, strengthening him. ” On the day of His resurrection, “the angel of the Lord descended from heaven, and came and rolled back the stone from the door, and sat upon it” (Matt. 28:2). So, Jesus was indeed “seen of angels!”

“God Was Preached Unto The Gentiles”

Jesus is the Savior of all who will obey his gospel. Jesus instructed his apostles, “Go ye therefore, and teach all nations” (Matt. 28:19). By the time Paul wrote to the saints in Colosse, he could tell them that the gospel “was preached to every creature which is under heaven – (Col. 1:23). So, the Jews and Gentiles had an opportunity to learn what to do to escape ungodliness and worldly lust.

“God Was Believed On In The World”

As the apostles went everywhere preaching the gospel, many believed and obeyed the gospel. In Thessalonica, when the gospel was preached, “some of them believed and consorted with Paul and Silas” and of the devout Greeks a great multitude, and of the chief women not a few” (Acts 17:4). When the unbelieving Jews realized what was happening, they went to the rulers of the city and said, “These that have turned the world upside down are come hither also” (Acts 17:6). So, many people were believing the saving gospel and Jesus was being believed on in the world.

“God Was Received Up Into Glory”

After Jesus had made it possible for sinful humans to escape ungodliness and have sins washed away in his blood (Rev. 1:5), he returned unto His Father in heaven. In Acts 1:9, the apostles saw Jesus “taken up; and a cloud received him out of their sight.” This fulfilled Daniel 7:13-14: “I saw in the night visions, and behold, one like the Son of man came with the clouds of heaven, and came to the Ancient of days, and they brought him near before him, and there was given him dominion, and glory, and a kingdom, that all people, nations, and languages, should serve him: his dominion is an everlasting dominion, which shall not pass away, and his kingdom that which shall not be destroyed. So, He went back to glory (Jn. 17:4-5).

In light of the six items above, no one has any excuse for not believing and obeying Jesus Christ. Do you believe? Have you obeyed? If not, why not do so as soon as possible? If you have fallen away from God, why not return to Him in humble obedience? He wants to save you and everyone else.

Guardian of Truth XXXVI: 8, pp. 244-245
April 16, 1992

By Connie W. Adams

It was with mixed emotions that we returned to Bergen, Norway in February for a gospel meeting. The brethren there are trying to have some men to come for meetings who have previously worked in that country. I hope others will be able to arrange to go should they be invited. Going to Bergen with mixed emotions was not new for me. In 1957 I took my six-months-pregnant wife with me to begin the work in the land of the midnight sun. We knew nobody there. We did not know the language. We had nowhere to live except for a week’s reservation in a hotel. We did not know how we were going to make contacts with people. But somehow, in the Providence of God, that all worked out.

The work was slow and hard. Then, as now, the population was over 90 percent Lutheran, the state church. Then, as now, many bristle at the thought that you have come to evangelize in what they consider a “Christian nation” which sends out missionaries to spiritually darkened areas of the world. They do not consider themselves in that category. Baptizing babies, confirming sixteen year olds, Christmas and Easter observances, weddings, funerals, and a place to be buried, is the major religious life of the vast majority of the people in that land. They are comfortable with it and do not particularly want to be bothered.

Among the dissenters from the state church, the majority are charismatics. These are as difficult to reach as they are here or in other places. Subjective religionists don’t care a hoot about what the Bible says, not if they have to question what they think they have “felt.” Some of these will come to hear you once or twice, long enough to see if you agree with what they already think. The Mormons and Jehovah’s Witnesses are very active there but their persistent door-knocking has served to aggravate the people.

Added to this situation is the fact that immigration laws have changed and it is very difficult, if not impossible, to gain entry to the country to stay for a long term to preach. People can yet enter on an American passport and stay for six weeks as a tourist.

In such soil the old Jerusalem gospel has not flourished as it has in other places. But over the years there have been some found with good and honest hearts. There have been some heartbreaking events which weakened and all but destroyed what progress had been made. One brother who preached for a while, left the faith to embrace denominational error. Another native preacher and his wife had serious trouble and they ended up going to the world. Others fell away for various reasons. The church in Bergen lost its meeting place by foreclosure and along with it the furnishings, boxes or tracts, song books, Bibles, Bible class literature and all of the files.

In 1980 when Tom and Shirley Bunting and their children came back to Bergen (they had spent two years there in the late 1960s), they had to start all over again. Only this time, it was even harder than it had been for us in 1957, for they had to overcome ill will which some former members had generated and the shame of the unbusiness-like manner in which the property was lost.

The Buntings have stayed. Their son Terrell and his wife Karen are there in Bergen with the intention of spending their lives there. They encountered difficulty getting in to stay. If they leave, it will be mighty hard to get anyone else there to replace them.

The Church in Bergen

We found a small group of eight members. They had worked hard to prepare for the meeting. They could have done more advertising in the newspaper if they only had the funds. They did what they were able to do. Many advertisements were hand-delivered. Two brethren came from the small group near Oslo to be with us the first two days of the meeting. Also a sister and her child from Stavanger came for four days. We had seven non-members to attend the meeting, three of these attending two times. The singing was ably led by a faithful Norwegian brother. While most attending understood English, some did not so the sermons were interpreted. Terrell Bunting did this twice and the rest of the time, Bjorn Ringdal interpreted. Both did their work well. Bjorn is a student in the university and hopes to one day be able to support himself and preach in Norway. He was baptized at Southside in Pasadena, Texas while an exchange student there. He is a most impressive young man. A young woman, who is also still a student, though married and with one child, is also a member. Another member has been in north Norway for a time but hopes to relocate in Bergen.

The congregation had purchased a building which was once a bakery and has made it into a very nice place to meet. It is in an old and very well-known part of the city and easy for locals and visitors alike to find. Their payments are not much more than the rent they had been paying.

We attempted to locate some people we had known many years ago so the brethren there would have these additional contacts with whom to work. We succeeded in finding a few people and managed to get four visitors to the meetings from that. We found two women who were young girls when we lived there and who had attended Bible classes. They came twice.

Needs

It is urgent that the Buntings continue their work. They have shown exceptional patience. The cost of living in Norway is the highest in Western Europe. Housing is especially expensive. Gasoline is $4.50 a gallon. Milk is over $4.00 a gallon. Eating out, even at McDonald’s or Burger King is very costly. A quarter-pounder, fries and soft drink sells for $9.50. Wages are high, though many are unemployed and live off the dole of a socialistic state.

Terrell Bunting and wife have two children and expect their third in the late summer. They are losing $350 a month support by summer. They can ill-afford this. While we were there, Tom Bunting received a letter telling him that he will lose $200 a month support in three months. They can’t afford that loss either. Tom’s wife, Shirley, teaches school now in order to help them stay. Some daylight is being seen in the work. If the Buntings have to come home, who could replace them? Who could even get into the country to stay for longer than six weeks? They are working under the conviction that “we shall reap if we faint not.” We are all thrilled about the opening opportunities in eastern Europe and other places, but we must not allow the light to go out in Norway. These few members there need the prayerful encouragement of brethren everywhere. The Buntings need the patient and understanding support of brethren who do not expect the same kind of results as we have seen in some third world countries and few other fields. If you can help these good brethren, here are their addresses. If you cannot financially help them, could you find the time to write them an encouraging letter?

Thomas Bunting

Adolf Bergsvei 52-D

5030 Landaas

Norway

Terrell Bunting

Brormadalen 89

5071 Loddefjord

Norway

I would also like to encourage brethren from churches which support these men and who are able to do so, to visit Bergen and worship with these brethren. It would do them a world of good. But it would also do the visitors untold good. It would help them to appreciate what they have at home: commodious meeting houses, well-arranged and taught Bible classes at many age levels, abundance of available literature, several good song leaders, elders, and deacons, many Christians from whom to draw strength and who are just a phone call away, and many others besides.

Through it all we have to remember that many souls over the years have heard the truth in Norway. Some did obey it and some died in hope. There are some faithful Christians there now. A diligent search is still being made for good and honest hearts. We just must not forget those who have dedicated their lives to the search.

I keep thinking of all those children who came to Bible classes every Sunday for several years. And I think about two 45-year-old women who were so glad to see us, and who told us they had not forgotten all they learned. They were proud of the fact that they could so easily locate Scriptures during sermons, for we had drilled them as small children on how to find their way around in the Bible. Surely, brethren, it has not all been in vain. Please keep the sowers of the seed in Norway.

Guardian of Truth XXXVI: 9, pp. 262-263
May 7, 1992

By Harold Hancock

One must search these verses carefully to obtain the right meaning, but a correct interpretation will not nullify Jesus’ earlier teaching on divorce and remarriage and permit an adulterer to remarry.

After Jesus taught the Pharisees that God joins man and woman together and that whosoever puts away his wife except for fornication and marries another commits adultery (Matt. 19:6,9), his disciples said unto him, “If the case of the man be so with the wife, it is not good to marry” (Matt. 19:10). Jesus answered his disciples, “All men cannot receive this saying, save they to whom it is given” (Matt. 19:11). Several ideas about this passage are plausible, but none give a person guilty of adultery the right of remarriage.

The question arises, what is “this saying” that all men cannot receive “save they to whom it is given”? Is it the saying of Jesus – his teachings about divorce and remarriage – or the saying of the disciples – “it is not good to marry”? Lenski comments, “‘This saying’ is Jesus’ own word spoken in vv. 4-9. The fact that ‘not all’ have room for it the Pharisees amply demonstrate. In v. 10 even the twelve show that they do not yet have room in their hearts to submit to this saying and to carry it out in their lives. But this had been their trouble before this time (15:16; 16:8,23; 17:17-20). That is why Jesus elucidates what he has said and admonishes the twelve (v. 12, last sentence) to make room for what he tells them. To men such as the Pharisees it was not given to know the things of the kingdom, but it certainly was given to the disciples (13:11); hence Jesus expects them to measure up to this gift” (St. Matthew’s Gospel, R.C.H. Lenski). Barnes writes, “This saying evidently means what the disciples had just said. . . ” (Barnes Notes, The Gospels, Albert Barnes). Pulpit Commentary also agrees that “This saying” refers to the words of the disciples and explains, “All men cannot receive this saying; i.e. their words, ‘It is not good to marry.’But he endorses these words in a different signification from theirs. Their objection to marriage arose from the impossibility of putting away a wife for any cause. Christ passes over these ignoble scruples, and enunciates the only principle which should lead a man to abstain from marriage. They to whom it is given. They to whom are given the call and the grace to abstain from marriage. These persons’ practice forms an exception of the marriage state. Verse 12 – Our Lord proceeds to note three classes of men to whom it is given to abstain from marriage . . . eunuchs, which were so born . . . which were made eunuchs of men . . . which have made themselves eunuchs for the kingdom of heaven’s sake “Clearly, different views are taken about “this saying.”

It seems to me that “this saying” must refer to the disciples’ words – “it is good not to marry.” The saying is something that “all men” cannot receive; only some, only those to whom it is given, can receive it. Jesus’ words about divorce and remarriage is for all. They were spoken to the Pharisees and given to the disciples. Jesus expects all to live by these teachings. However, not everyone has to marry. As Jesus said, some are born eunuchs, some are made eunuchs by men, and some deny themselves the privilege of marriage for the kingdom’s sake. Furthermore, as shown by Pulpit Commentary, the idea that “this saying” is the words of the disciples fits the context well.

To suggest that vv. 4-9 teach that a man commits adultery if he puts away his wife except for fornication and marries another, that v. 10 encourages that man not to marry, but that v. 11 gives him permission to remarry if he simply cannot remain celibate and that he will be all right if God feels this person cannot “stand” to be unmarried, is erroneous and absurd! Such an interpretation would render the words of Jesus (vv. 4-9) useless. It would contradict the instructions given by Paul that one should not depart and that if he departs he should remain unmarried or else be reconciled to his mate (1 Cor. 7:10,11). And how shall we know if God “feels” that we really cannot “stand” being unmarried? Shall one risk his soul by remarrying without a scriptural reason and wait patiently for the judgment to see how God feels about the matter? Shall we excuse other sins because people do not think they can live without their wickedness? God forbid such wresting of the Scriptures!

In Matthew 19:10, the disciples understood Jesus to teach that a man should not put away his wife except for fornication and marry another. They perceived this to be a hard saying and reasoned if that were true, then it was better for a man not to marry. Jesus said not all can receive celibacy (v. 11), only some can (v. 12). If we choose to marry, then we must receive Jesus’ teaching about marriage, divorce and remarriage -man cannot put away his wife except for fornication and marry another without being an adulterer (v. 9).

Guardian of Truth XXXVI: 8, p. 243
April 16, 1992

By Thomas G. O’Neal

When Roy Cogdill was in his twenties, he wrote The New Testament Church. At the time, little did he realize the far reaching effects for good it would have. It has been translated into about a dozen foreign languages. The American Braille Society has put it into braille. It has been through more than twenty editions over the last fifty years. It is still in great demand among churches of Christ for Bible classes. Many preachers have found it to be an excellent book of sermon outlines. This book has probably had a greater circulation among brethren than any other single book in this century!

I have been in recent contact with brother Phil Morgan of Paris, Kentucky, and brother Greg Gwin of Knoxville, Tennessee. They spent three weeks in Russia this past summer studying Russian. They were amazed at how open Russia is to gospel opportunities and the way the Russian people received them. In the three weeks they were there they baptized a lady, Lena Zakheim. The week-end of February 16, I was able to meet and visit with her and Greg Gwin in Knoxville.

As you read this letter, The New Testament Church is being translated into Russian by two individuals, one an American and one a Russian. Also, I have already had requests for copies of The New Testament Church in Russian from preachers planning on going to Russia this year.

The cost of translating and printing 5,000 copies of The New Testament Church is going to run about $1.60 per copy. These books will be given to the Russian people just like we would a tract in this country.

No greater investment could be made at this time in Russia except to distribute Bibles. Would you or the congregation where you worship make a one time investment in the cause of Christ in Russia by paying for some of these books? Ten would be $16; one hundred would be $160 and one thousand would be $1,600, While the door of opportunity is open we need to move quickly. May I hear from you with your commitment within the next few days? The translation work is being done, money is needed to pay for this as it is done. To each contributor a full accounting will be made. Any money received over the initial amount needed will be used to print additional books. May I hear from you at once? Everyone who reads this letter can do something. Several have already sent a check to pay for 10 copies. If you knew Roy Cogdill, you can honor his memory by helping circulate his book in Russia.

Guardian of Truth XXXVI: 8, p. 230
April 16, 1992