Truth Magazine

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

By Stan Cox

This series of articles contains much of the material I presented at the annual Dallas/Ft. Worth Truth and Freedom Forum on October 5, 1991. In the September issue of The Examiner magazine, Charles Holt advertised that event, and in doing so gave a description of our discussion which took place that Saturday. Following is his description, Holt stating that it would be a “Discussion of the elders, who they are, what is their role, and do they have authority over the church and the people. One man will affirm and one will respond.”(1) I accepted their invitation to state my believe concerning the office and authority of elders, and Bobby Hoover was chosen to present the alternate view. It was not my purpose in the speech to question or judge their motives or heart. However, as I mentioned in my speech, I thought it necessary to examine their position as revealed in the writings of The Examiner magazine.

These articles will examine the three main points of the above quote. The questions I will answer by going to the word of God are as follows: (1) Who are the elders? (2) What is the role of the elders? and (3) Do the elders have authority over the church and the people?

Who Are Elders?

First, what does Holt believe? He writes in the March 1986 issue of The Examiner, “Yes, definitely, I believe in elders and always have! Rumors to the contrary are false. I am an elder! I am a ‘Senior Citizen.’ The word elder’ simply means ‘older’ or senior.’ We have taken our ‘pattern’ from Rome and the denominations and have given the word ‘elder’ an ecclesiastical meaning; indicating that an elder is a church officer or official. In this usage it is a title or name. In the NT it had no such meaning . . . You do not, can not, make someone an ‘elder’ by ordination or appointment.”(2) But does the New Testament truly teach that “elder,” as we use the term in our discussion, simply means an older person? Are we truly to believe, as Holt states, that “you do not, can not, make someone an ,elder’ by ordination or appointment”? Or are we to take Paul’s word for it, as he exhorted Titus in Titus 1:5, “that you should set in order the things that are lacking, and appoint elders in every city as I commanded you.” They talk around it, they try to twist it, they use all of their sophistry to try to wiggle out from under it, but in the end it remains that Paul told Titus to do what they say can’t be done.

Some quick definitions are appropriate. The first term to define is the word “elder.” The Greek term is presbuteros and simply means older, senior, or old. One passage in which this term is used is 1 Peter 5:1-4. It is the height of simplistic thinking to look at the literal definition of the word, and use it to deny what the context of the passage clearly teaches. This is exactly what The Examiner writers do. I do not believe the word presbuteros means anything other than older. What I do affirm, is that context and plain Bible statements in such passages as 1 Peter 5, show that the inspired writers used the term in certain places to indicate a special office to which a man might be appointed. You can’t ignore the context!

Now, the second term bishop or overseer. The Greek word is episkopos and is best defined by that idea of oversight. This term is found in 1 Timothy 3:1.

The third term is, pastor or shepherd. The Greek word is poimen and literally means a shepherd. It is used in this sense in Ephesians 4:11. In Acts 20:28, Paul exhorted the elders of the church in Ephesus to, “Therefore take heed to yourselves and to all the flock, among which the Holy Spirit has made you overseers, to shepherd the church of God which he purchased with his own blood.” The phrase “to shepherd” has its origin in the Greek term poimaino, which means to do the work of a shepherd.

Not everyone qualifies to serve the Lord in this capacity. You must be qualified before you serve. Note the statement of Paul in 1 Timothy 3, verse 2, “A bishop then must be and then he goes on to give a list of qualifications. But notice, a bishop then “must be. . . ” Holt states that all senior citizens are “elders.” He even intimates that older women are elders. Well, they may be older, but in the sense that Paul is using the term in 1 Timothy, they sure can’t serve as a bishop. Why? Because Paul says they must be, must be, . . . the husband of one wife. For a complete listing, read through verse 7. No man can serve with God’s approval if he does not fit the profile established by God. And, if a man’s life and character conform to this profile, he is qualified to fill the “office” of a bishop.

Being qualified does not automatically place one in the position and work of an elder. Acts 14:23 and Titus 1:5 teach that men are chosen for that work. Notice the plain statements of the inspired writers. Acts 14:23, “So when they (Paul and Barnabas) had appointed elders in every church, and prayed with fasting, they commended them to the Lord in whom they had believed.” You might notice again the statement of Holt, quoted earlier. “You do not, can not, make someone an ‘elder’ by ordination or appointment.” It amazes me that someone of his knowledge and age would make a statement which so very obviously contradicts what Paul and Barnabas plainly did. Not only did Paul appoint elders in every church, but he also exhorted Titus to do the same. Notice again his instruction in Titus 1:5, “For this reason I left you in Crete, that you should set in order the things that are lacking, and appoint elders in every city as I commanded you.”

Lest there be an attempted sidestep here, let’s quickly define what the term “appoint” means. In Acts 14, the Greek word is cheirotoneo, and is defined by Strong, “to be a hand-reacher or voter (by raising the hand), i.e., (generally) to select or appoint: choose, ordain.” The same word is used in Acts 10:41, and refers to the witnesses that God chose or appointed to see the resurrected Christ. God selected or ordained certain individuals to see the resurrected Jesus, and Paul and Barnabas selected or ordained certain individuals to be elders. That does not mean that Paul and Barnabas went up to men and women and said, “We select you to be older people.” To say such is ridiculous. Paul and Barnabas went up to qualified men and ordained them or selected them to a particular office or work. This cannot be denied. The same is true of the term translated appoint in Titus 1:5.

Many other scriptural arguments could be cited, but these serve to prove that elders are qualified men, appointed to serve in a divinely ordained office. This, of course, is something denied by Holt and his followers. Our next article will answer the question, “What is the role of elders?”

Endnotes

1. The Examiner, Vol. V1, No. 5 (September, 1991), p. 9.

2. The Examiner, Vol. 1, No. 2 (March, 1986). “Questions and Misconceptions,” p. 11.

Guardian of Truth XXXVI :7, pp. 202-203
April 2, 1992

By Wayne S. Walker

(Author’s note: In the meeting house of the congregation with which I labor, there is a question box. It is not used very much, except as a depository for lost items, but recently there was a question in it. I thought that the question and my response to it might be of general interest since it is a topic that I have heard discussed at various times and places. Yet I have seen very little written on it.)

“I believe something should be done about the selling of Avon, Tupperware, House of Lloyd, and Home Interiors (to name a few) in the church during services. Is there a lesson that can be brought concerning this situation?”

Such a subject probably could not be worked up into a full-fledged sermon, but I believe that perhaps an article might be appropriate. The Bible does not deal with this issue specifically, so it must be handled by the application of general principles. Furthermore, some judgment must be involved, so no one answer is going to satisfy everyone. Some are rabidly opposed to any private commercial transactions between individuals on church property whatever, while others make their living by discreetly providing products and/or services to other members when seeing them at the church building.

First of all, I seriously doubt that there is “the selling of” anything “in the church during services.” If I saw buying and selling going on while the congregation was singing, praying, listening to the sermon, taking the Lord’s supper, or giving, I would be among the first to oppose it. I have an idea that the question concerns “the selling of” things at the church building before or after services.

We all recognize that the meeting house of a church is an expediency. It is authorized by general authority under the command to assemble (Heb. 10:25). The church is commanded to assemble. Thus, a place to assemble is necessarily authorized. The church building itself is not “sacred” in the denominational sense. It is not a shrine or a sanctuary. Rather, the church itself, made up of saved people, is God’s temple or sanctuary (Eph. 2:19-22).

At the same time, the building should not be used as a public auditorium for just any and every purpose. It exists as a place for the church to do what God has authorized it to do. Therefore, whatever activities are planned and promoted within the church building must be authorized by God for the church to do. This, of course, prohibits the church from using its facilities for that which pertains to social affairs, recreation, and entertainment (cf. Rom. 14:17; 1 Cor. 11:22,34).

However, we also recognize that there are incidental uses of the building. It is not a highway rest stop, but we do have restroom and drinking facilities. Their use is incidental to our assembling for study and worship. Also, the church building is not a lounge, but we do take the opportunity to visit with one another before and after the services (and in between, too), to talk about our children or grandchildren, the weather, sports, and many other subjects. Again, such is incidental to our coming together as God commanded.

Normally, in the instances contemplated by the question, very little actual selling goes on at the building, although sometimes this is the case. Usually, orders are taken at a party in someone’s home or over the phone. Then members use the opportunity of seeing one another at the building before or after services to deliver the merchandise. Even if orders are taken at the building, these are private transactions between individuals and really have nothing what ever to do with the planned activities of the church in the building. They are simply incidental to what we have come together for.

The only passage which I can imagine that someone might use to condemn this kind of thing is John 2:13-17 where Jesus drove the money changers from the temple. But remember that this was done while the old law was still in effect, in the temple which was indeed a sacred or holy place under that law. The situation then is simply not comparable to individual transactions before or after services today. The lesson in this passage for us is not to take that which is spiritual and make it into something which is purely physical or material.

Certainly, anything can be carried to an extreme and thus become wrong. It may be that some brothers and sisters have been over zealous in promoting some product before or after services. But the same can be said for some of the visiting that we do at the church building before, after, or between services. For the life of me, I cannot see how a group of people can be standing around at one minute before worship time talking and even arguing about football, business, politics, or whatever, then run to their seats and a minute later be ready to praise God.

But such abuses do not make the visiting wrong in and of itself. And the fact that some may not have been as discreet as we might like in taking orders or delivering merchandise at the building does not necessarily make all such private transactions sinful. On the one hand, let us remember that we are coming together for a spiritual purpose and not let any incidental business that we end up doing get out of control. On the other hand, let us exercise love and tolerance for our brethren in such obviously individual matters.

Guardian of Truth XXXVI ;7, p. 211
April 2, 1992