Truth Magazine

By Ruben C. Amador

The opportunity to visit among the Cuban churches was due to the efforts of brother Antonio Lira from Barquisimeto, Venezuela. Antonio had corresponded with one of the preachers some years ago and this same preacher encouraged and requested our visits. When Antonio asked if I was willing to go, I was eager to make the trip. We did not know what to expect. After many inquiries and overcoming obstacles, we made the trip the first part of January 1992. It was a trip that produced much information on the work in Cuba and on the desperate living conditions under which most of our brethren live.

As expected, the Cuban brethren are rarely visited by brethren from other countries. This is specially true of those of us who are American citizens because our government limits who may travel to Cuba. Nonetheless, the Cubans were excited and encouraged by our visit and desire that we return to work with them. The Lord willing, Antonio will return the third week of March and I will make another trip soon after Antonio’s trip.

Limited Prior Knowledge of the Cuban Work

It was back in the mid 1930s that brethren Jose Jimenez and Luis Estevez from Tampa, Florida made the 90 mile trip from Florida to preach the gospel in Cuba. Through their efforts and that of converted Cuban Christians, over 30 churches were established. In 1959 a young Fidel Castro took control of Cuba and eventually all of the churches. During these years the churches lost their properties and furnishings. Many of the Christians did not suffer the communist persecution and as a result most of the churches disappeared.

In the mid-1950s when I was just a boy, a converted Cuban Catholic priest held a gospel meeting for the Spanish-speaking church in Sinton, TX. Brother Pedro Puig was that man, the first Cuban I remember meeting. He lived in Tampa, FL, established a Spanish-speaking church there and passed from this life some years ago. Bro. Puig had special ties with several of the brethren that are still living in Cuba and who speak very highly of him and his work.

There Is Light In Darkness!

Today the church in Cuba has people of all ages. It was good to see a good number of active young people. Among other things it clearly states that communism does not have the strong hold on all the young people in Cuba as reported. Children of all ages have a keen interest in the church and eagerly participate in their Bible classes and in the worship assemblies. What an experience to converse with the older people who had many stories to tell of their lives and of the Lord’s work in Cuba!

Isolation from the western world, having to make it on their own and mainly their faith in New Testament teaching have kept the church in Cuba in a biblical course! The churches are not exempt from problems. Some of these problems are a direct result of the laws imposed by the Cuban government.

Antonio Lira arrived one day before I did in the capital city of Havana. He and brother Angel Perez, local preacher for the only church in Havana and our main contact, met me at the airport. Angel moved us in his car most of the time, but when he used the allotted monthly amount of gasoline, we had to walk, use the crowded buses or the hard to find taxis. Much of our time was spent in Havana.

We were able to visit with five Cuban preachers and attend services with three of the churches (Havana, Consolacion del Sur, and Santa Cruz del Norte). There are five established, government recognized churches in Cuba: Havana, Consolacion Del Sur, Matanzas, Santa Cruz del Norte and Santiago de Cuba. The other churches that exist are meeting in the homes of brethren and are not yet registered, but they meet and worship the Lord. These churches are in Matanzas, San Antonio de los Banos and Sancti Spiritus. We understand that there are other small, isolated groups. According to our sources, there are some 250 Christians in all of Cuba.

The opportunities to preach were few since the churches are prohibited to use foreign preachers without prior government approval, but the churches in Havana and in Consolacion del Sur took the risk and asked us to preach. In Havana we had special classes with the church and the young people on several topics. We had no problem in teaching Bible lessons in the homes of the brethren or small gatherings in the church buildings. Their willingness to know and study was very evident. Considering the overall conditions in Cuba, I was impressed with their Bible knowledge.

Very little Bible literature reaches the churches. The brethren give much effort to safeguarding their songbooks, Bibles and printed material which they get from brethren in the U.S. and other countries. A Bible is available. A February AP report states that “the Bible has been the top seller at the Fifth International Book Fair in Havana . . . the book fair is also the first time in 20 years the Bible has been widely available in the communist nation” (Houston Chronicle, Feb. 15, 1992).

Several of the young men in Havana publish a religious paper. While typing the builetin they use carbon paper to make extra copies for distribution. As you may guess, they do not have any type of duplicating machine. What an effort to communicate the gospel and news items!

The largest of the churches is the one in Consolacion del Sur with some 75 people. The other churches’ attendance range from 20 to 55. As far as we know, only three of the preachers receive financial support from the States.

The Cuban postal service is worse than poor. Letters, coming or going, rarely reach their destination. Nearly all correspondence is opened and reviewed. Religious literature does not reach its destination most of the time. When it reaches Havana it may stay there for months and may reach the intended person if the responsible (?) person gives its release.

A Plea for Understanding

The Cuban Christians have been left by themselves long enough. Actually, too long! For whatever reason some may give for forgetting the Cubans, I urge brethren everywhere to search their hearts and extend their hands to them. If you cannot go, why not help those of us who can. You can also help with the cost of sending printed literature to them through a dependable agency that serves Cuba from the States. We live in a country where our blessings are beyond measure and the basic needs of life are taken for granted. The majority of the Cubans including our brethren, lack even the basic needs of life. Far greater is their need of teaching, encouraging and strengthening. You and I can do this and more. The cry for spiritual help cannot and must not be ignored. The hope of civil change in Cuba is still there and whether it comes or not, it does not justify our neglecting them. Pray for them for they are our brethren in Christ!

Guardian of Truth XXXVI: 8, pp. 225, 247-248
April 16, 1992

By Frank Jamerson

When Scripture is quoted to show that miraculous gifts accomplished their purposes and ceased, those who believe in faith healers make several responses. We will notice some of them and reply to them.

The first response is usually, “Don’t you believe that God has the power to heal?” When we challenge faith healers, we are not denying God’s power to do whatever he chooses. God has the power to make men out of dust and women out of ribs, and he once did it, but he is not doing that any more! The Devil knew that Jesus had power to turn stones into bread, but the fact is that he did not choose to do so. He did produce water out of a rock for Moses, but faith healers never have duplicated that one. The question is not whether he has the power to do what he chooses, but what does the Bible say about miraculous gifts?

Another frequent response is, “Jesus Christ is the same yesterday, today, and forever” (Heb. 13:8). Then the conclusion is inferred that if he ever gave miraculous gifts to men he must continue to do so, or he has changed. This is a classic case of “proof-texting” – taking a verse out of context to try to prove a preconceived opinion. The verse was written to give assurance to Christians that God would be with them and that the Christ who had been preached to them by others has not been superceded and would never change. This does not prove that God’s ways have never changed. In fact, the same writer had earlier written, “For the priesthood being changed, of necessity there is also a change of the law” (Heb. 7:12). The fact that God changed his law did not mean that God has changed. Paul wrote the Corinthians that when “the perfect” (the completed revelation) came, then that which is “in part” (partial revelations) would cease (1 Cor. 13:10). Faith healers try to make “that which is perfect” refer to Christ and the second coming, but even if it did refer to that, it would not fit their interpretation of Hebrews 13:8. The passage says that Jesus would remain the same “forever,” and that would include after the second coming! So, according to their argument that miraculous gifts cannot cease because Jesus is “the same yesterday, today and forever,” miraculous gifts will have to continue eternally.

The favorite argument of many faith healers today is that physical healing is in the atonement and all a person has to do is “claim his healing.” They misuse Matthew 8:16,17, which is used of the work Jesus did before the atonement. The death of Christ was for forgiveness of sins, not physical healing. “Who himself bore our sins in his own body on the tree, that we, having died to sins, might live for righteousness – by whose stripes you were healed” (1 Pet. 2:24). If physical healing is in the atonement, then it should be as universal as spiritual healing! What sick person would not “claim physical healing” if it was as available as forgiveness? A little bit of “good old country honesty” would help here! Why did Paul not “claim his healing” if it was in the atonement (2 Cor. 12:7-10)? Why did he leave Trophimus at Miletus sick (2 Tim. 4:20), instead of telling him to “claim his healing”? Why aren’t all who claim to be saved by faith healers today also healed of their infirmities? They should have no sick disciples if their doctrine is correct! (One sure way to know whether your sins were forgiven would be if you could “take up your bed and walk!” Instead, they have many devout believers who continue on their beds.)

Another response is, “Don’t you believe in the power of prayer?” The implication here is that if you do not believe in miraculous gifts today, then you do not believe in praying for the sick. This does not follow at all. We believe in praying for our “daily bread” (Matt. 6:11), but we do not expect to receive it like the Israelites received manna (Exod. 16:4), or like Elisha multiplied the widow’s oil (2 Kgs. 4:1-7). God can answer prayers through his providence. We believe in praying for prosperity and health (3 Jn. 2), but God does not have to preform a miracle in order to answer these requests. God answers prayer, but he has not promised miraculous powers to men today. There is a difference between “divine healing” (which the Bible teaches) and ,’miraculous healing” (which has ceased).

Faith healers claim that “power will go forth from my hands,” but when they fail, the tune changes to “I have no power, God does the healing.” In this they tell the truth! They do not have any power, and that is a contrast to what the apostles claimed. Peter said, “Silver and gold I do not have, but what I do have I give you: in the name of Jesus of Nazareth, rise up and walk” (Acts 3:6). Peter was authorized by Jesus to perform miracles and he plainly said that he had that power. The apostles also could lay hands on others and give them that power (Acts 8:18), but those claiming miraculous powers today have not had the hands of an apostle laid on them and they cannot do what the apostles did.

The apostles of Christ used miracles to prove that the message that they preached was from God (Mk. 16:15-20). Faith healers today use the word to try to prove that they can do miracles. The miracles of the apostles confirmed the terms of salvation – “he that believeth and is baptized shall be saved.” Faith healers deny the message that was confirmed, teach salvation by faith only, and argue that they have apostolic powers!

Guardian of Truth XXXVI: 7, p. 212
April 2, 1992

By Lawrence Kelley

Influence is not something you can be for or against; it is something you must wield. It is the power by which we intangibly affect other people and events or the power that so affects us. Words and actions influence people in matters of moral importance. Therefore, it is important that Christians be mindful of the influence they have on others as well as how others influence them.

Jesus Christ wields the greatest positive influence of anyone who ever walked the earth. His death is remembered by millions of people every week and even the infidel is forced to acknowledge him every time he dates a letter. But Christ’s influence is primarily seen today through the lives of his followers.

“Let the lower lights be burning” exhorts the song we often sing. Jesus is the light of the world but he has left us with the task of being the lesser lights (Matt. 5:14-16). We are to permeate the darkness of this world. “Ye are the salt of the earth,” pronounced our Lord. We must bear the preserving influence of the gospel to a corrupting world. There is not such thing as neutral influence: we are either helping people come to or serve Christ, or we are turning people away from him.

Where do you stand on the so-called “questionable issues”? Issues like social drinking, dancing, mixed swimming are called matters of little or no importance by some Christians. But how many times have you spoke to a person about his soul while holding an alcoholic beverage in your hand? What kind of influence is your silence? Today’s swimsuits are designed to sexually arouse the opposite sex. Jesus said, “Whoever looks at a woman to lust for her has already committed adultery with her in his heart” (Matt. 5:28). If we display our bodies before members of the opposite sex in such a shameless fashion are we being a light to the world or a worldly influence? If we move our bodies in a suggestive way while listening to music that glorifies unlawful sexual gratification, are we helping our partner serve Christ or Satan? I have heard preachers tell stories about people being baptized in places you would never expect, but I never have heard of anyone obeying the gospel at a beach party, bar, or dance. Why? Because being in such places excludes the possibility of anyone wielding a godly influence.

We must not with indifference surrender the battle to the foe. The church must remain a distinguishable body. We must never exchange the banner of the cross for a comfortable relationship with the world. It is time for more Christians to take a stand for their Lord. We must be different from the people we work, live, and study with. Many are so frightened by the thought of being recognized as different, they camouflage their Christianity under a cloak of worldliness that can be put on at a moment’s notice. The plea is for Christians who will sell out to God, who will hang the consequences of standing for what they believe in. If we are to enjoy the privileges of being a child of God then we must be willing to stand the peculiarities of holiness. Tolbert fanning put it like this, “We have set our lives upon a cast and we will stand the hazard of the die.”

God expects you and I to brighten the corner of the world we happen to have been allotted. As individuals we may appear an insignificant point of light, but anywhere the truth is prevailing, the cause is prospering and that is important. We must remember to whom we belong and allow his beautify to be seen in us. Like it or not we affect people everyday by our words and deeds. Contrariwise, we are swayed by the things we surround ourselves with. We must read, listen to, and watch the right things. We must continually consider where influences are leading us, then examine ourselves to determine if we are leading others in the way they ought to go. The following words are written on a marker at the grave of a little girl,

“A child of whom her playmates said, ‘It was easier to be good when she was with us.”‘

Can this be said of you?

Guardian of Truth XXXVI :7, p. 213
April 2, 1992

By Stan Adams

The power of the Word of God in the lives of individuals is indeed marvelous. It has been my privilege for the past year and a half to be acquainted with a very sincere brother in Christ named Steve Brandon. Steve has a very interesting story and one I believe many can profit from hearing. He is an example of how the gospel can really change lives.

He was born in 1956 to a young woman who was unmarried. In order to “give the baby a name,” she married and divorced after he was born. He was supposed to be given up for adoption, but because of the intervention of his grandmother and other relatives, he was kept. He was raised by his aunt and uncle until he turned three. After this, his mother married a man and they lived with his aunt and uncle until he was five. From the age of two and a half he remembers his “job” being “getting the whiskey from under the seat of the truck and bringing it to the men.” He had his first drink of liquor at age two. The adults gave it to him.

He considers himself to have been addicted to alcohol from 1958-1985. He also began smoking and became nicotine addictive from 19631988. At the age of 14, his mother and stepfather told him things would be better if he were not around. For many years he had been abused, both mentally and physically. So at the age of 14 Steve went out on his own and became a “roughneck” in the oil fields of Texas. He was making $400 per week and living it up by drinking and carousing. Although he was making good money, he seldom had enough. His alcohol and cigarette habit and other vices quickly drained him of his money.

He began to experiment with a new drug during this time. It was called marijuana. This was a new kind of “high” for him and he became highly addicted to it. This abuse started in 1970 and continued until 1987. In order to “feel good” it began to take more and more of these drugs to get a “buzz.” He could not start a day without his morning “joint.”

All the parties and drugs were taking their toll on his energy and he needed more, so he turned to amphetamines and barbiturates (uppers and downers) from 1972-1986. There wasn’t one of them he did not try at some point. About 1971 he had habits that were costing a lost. He quickly learned that he could make some “extra money” if he sold these drugs. He let it be known he was willing and he was “connected” with the suppliers.

A two year stint in the Navy did not help his morality. He was well traveled and very hardened by the world. He spent a lot of time in the brig in the Navy. He had a hot temper and would fight over anything. The drugs accelerated and heightened these characteristics.

From 1977 to 1987, he began his final journey into the drug culture and adopted cocaine, heroin and speed, as his “drugs of choice.” In order to afford these drugs, he became “The Pusher. ” If anyone wanted drugs in Edna, Texas (never make the mistake of thinking small towns do not have drug problems, sometimes they are the worst), “Redbone,” as he was known, was the “man” to see. He was rugged, and intimidating and took nothing off of anyone. He had one redeeming quality (a sort of drug-dealer morality); he would not sell to children. He was a user and dealer for over 16 years. As a result of his wickedness he has one felony, several misdemeanor offenses, and two DWI convictions. He spent a lot of time in jail.

During the latter part of this time, he married a fine girl, who stuck with him. Neither were Christians, however. After a while, they were expecting a child. Steve was getting deeper and deeper into the drug scene and knew that he would soon be facing a crossroad in his life. It was just a matter of time before he may be called on to injure or kill someone. This is the way the drug life goes, He did not want his new child to have a life like he had, and did not want her to have a father as wicked as he was. He began searching for answers. He found them first while in jail.

There were some Christians who were coming to jail and having classes with the inmates at the county facility. Steve attended these classes and began to read the Bible. After he got out, he started attending services with these same people. Although they were “liberal” they still taught him about salvation and where the solutions to his tremendous guilt could be found. He humbled himself and was baptized, and then converted his wife. His daughter is now a member, too. He began to diligently work with the inmates himself, and has continued to do this since 1988. He had some struggles with his addictions and had a brief relapse for a couple of years, but “came to himself” and is now “clean and sober.”

I do not know many individuals who are more dedicated or more thankful for the blessing of salvation than Steve. Since he began working with the inmates, there have been over 130 baptisms. He is extremely effective in dealing with them and when he speaks they all listen. He has an evangelistic zeal and a free heart. Although he makes very little money, he is, perhaps, the most free-hearted man, I have ever known.

He never became rich from his drug days, because he spent it all. As the prodigal son, he “wasted his substance on riotous living.” He recently addressed our Junior High class on drugs and their effects. This was difficult for him, but he really made an impact.

To any young people who may be reading this article, Steve would want you to know that Drugs will lead you into sin and destruction. You may think you want to live without any restrictions, but coming from one who tried it, he would want you to know, it is a lonely life. He wishes he had parents that cared about his well-being. He wishes he had someone who cared enough to tell him no, and to stick to it. He lived his life with “all the worldly gusto, he could muster” and has sad memories. He has suffered permanent damage as a result of this life. He is almost blind in one eye because of a fight, he has joint problems from cigarettes and marijuana. He has memory lapses from cocaine and is unable to sleep through the night because of instances of paranoia. He suffers headaches and has trouble being in a room with a door shut. In spite of this, he has set his mind to learn the Bible. He says that all the drugs in the world cannot compare to the “high” he experiences when one he has taught obeys the Gospel. He loves attending services and is always busy doing the work of the Lord.

To see him, might intimidate you, if you did not know him. He has the rugged marks of the world on him, but under all of that, he is a tender-hearted compassionate servant of Jesus Christ, who cares deeply for his brethren and for lost souls everywhere. He has little or no patience with those who are involved with drugs and refuse to put them aside. He can readily identify anyone who is a user. He has turned his back on the drug life, and as a result has made some folks upset. However, they have left him alone, partly because of his firmness.

I thank God that I have been privileged to know Steve and his family and to count him as my friend and brother in Christ. The gospel truly is the “power of God unto salvation. ” We work together having classes at the jail now, and it is a field that is truly “white unto harvest.” These souls are hurting and are looking for answers. If you are not seizing this opportunity where you are located, start now!

His courage, conviction and desire to do right moved him to leave the liberal church where he was attending and to take a stand for right with the people of God. He is dedicated and staunch in his desire to do “exactly” what God wants him to do.

Yes, a dealer named “Redbone” died in 1987. In his place emerged Steven Brandon. As Paul said about himelf, “no longer I live but Christ liveth in me,” this is true of Steve. He has given a few sermons but is best at small classes and gatherings. He wants to preach more and more and is preparing himself to do this. Thank God for the power of Truth and for fertile soil like Steve (please read Phil. 4:13; 1 Cor. 10:13; Psa. 19:14-27; Prov. 10).

If anyone would like to contact him, he can be reached by writing P.O. Drawer Y, Edna, Texas 77957. He stands ready to serve any who feel he would be helpful.

Guardian of Truth XXXVI: 7, pp. 206-207
April 2, 1992