Truth Magazine

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to Christians that God would be with them and that the Christ who had been preached to them by others has not been superceded and would never change.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

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