Truth Magazine

By Jerry Parks

The explosion of Mt. Pinatubo in the Philippines is over and done and no longer a subject of newspaper headlines. All that remains for us is the enjoyment and fascination of the beautiful harvest sunsets that have been enhanced by the volcanic dust that is still floating in the atmosphere. The temptation for most of us now is to view the situation with an “out of sight, out of mind” kind of disregard.

Because of my involvement with the Filipino people over the past years, and knowing the potential for misery from such a catastrophe, I felt compelled to make an unscheduled trip to Manila and make my way to the Mt. Pinatubo area to see first hand how bad the situation really is and gather as much information as possible to supply to brethren here in the U.S. who might be inclined to assist Filipino brethren in need.

Accompanying me on the trip from Manila to Mt. Pinatubo was my good friend and trusted fellow laborer, Ben Cruz. Ben is well acquainted with the brethren in that area and was most useful at helping me make contacts with brethren there. We used Ben’s trusty old jeep as our source of transportation and it served us well through the whole trip. Brother Fred Agulto is a good driver as well as an excellent mechanic. Brother Edmundo Cipriano was outstanding as a scribe. He recorded all information as we interviewed people and viewed the disaster first hand. Brother Emilio Alverez and Gary Aron-rin were also indispensable as photographer and caring for our equipment. I am deeply indebted to these fine gospel preachers for our safe return to Manila.

Our trip was unannounced and none of the brethren in the area had any indication that we were coming. We wanted it that way so there would be no temptation to gather crowds or exaggerate the needs. As soon as we arrived in the immediate area of the volcano, we could see that there was no need to exaggerate the situation. The misery and devastation was very real, almost unbelievable.

Fortunately, the worst of the damage was confined to three provinces; Zambales, Pampanga, and Tarlac. People in other districts experienced discomforts from the volcanic dust, but nothing like those brethren in the provinces just mentioned. We spent most of our time in the worst affected areas. Traveling was very difficult not only because of the volcanic ash flow called “Lahar” which destroyed roads and bridges, but also because at the time we were traveling, northern Luzon was experiencing a severe typhoon with winds up to 250 KPH. So in addition to the normal difficulties of traveling in that region, the wind and the rain blowing through the open jeep made it nearly impossible. But we managed to protect ourselves and the equipment and slowly made our way from village to village.

The brethren were surprised to see us and deeply touched that we seemed to care about their situation. They were eager to tell us their stories of that frightening day when the sun refused to shine because of the raining of volcanic ash and the ground trembling under their feet as the earthquakes repeatedly caused more and more damage to their little houses. They described running out of their houses just seconds before the roof, under the weight of the heavy volcanic ash, collapsed, and leaving their property and possessions in ruins.

I learned a great deal not only from the people, but by seeing first hand the natural results of a volcanic explosion in a populated area. I witnessed what happens when it rains and the rivers that are filled with “Lahar” will not accept the rain water. The water that normally is channeled by the rivers, flows out of control flooding streets, houses, and crop land. Often, all you can see is the roof top or a remnant of a house standing in total ruin. I stood on one hilltop with a sister in Christ named Angelita. She pointed to the fragments of the one wall of her house and explained with tears in her eyes that there was a street below the raging river of water, mud, and volcanic ash that we were viewing. The sea of water and mud behind the crumbling concrete wall used to be a beautiful rice field with a river off in the distance to irrigate the crops. Now the house is gone and the source of income is gone. She is left alone with three children who were obviously not feeling well. Angelita is living in a cardboard shanty in an area the government has provided called “Tent City.” Her husband had to travel to the Manila Bay area to look for work on a fishing boat. She invited us into the little smoke filled shanty house and offered us rice to eat. I gave her what little money I had with me and said that I would tell others in the U.S. about her sad situation. That seemed to be a great comfort to her, at least it was a ray of hope that might help her to continue her struggle for survival.

The sad story of sister Angelita was common and we heard it again and again as we traveled from place to place. Help is needed to buy medicine, rebuild houses, replant crops and to repay the loan sharks that these brethren have had to turn to for help.

Before the trip, I was unable to give any first hand information. But now I can supply names, addresses and damage assessment information and pictures of brethren who are desperately in need of your help. It seems that the terrible calamities in the Philippines are unending. Even as I was making my way to the Manila airport to return home, another typhoon was raging through the Visayan Islands 350 miles south of Manila. The early reports of death and destruction are shocking. I do not understand why so many calamities are befalling these people, but I do know that the suffering is real and the needs are real. All I know to do is what I have done. Hopefully this information that I have gathered will help to generate a desire on your part to want to provide some much needed help. I pray that we will not become weary in well doing. Even if you have helped before, will you not extend a helping hand again? Feel free to contact me day or night to provide you with the information that I have obtained. My home phone is (618) 3773842. My office phone is (618) 259-7532.

Guardian of Truth XXXV: 24, pp. 753-754
December 19, 1991

By Louis J. Sharp

“It has been said that there are two reasons why men turn to God. First, they find an order in the universe that they cannot explain without God. Second, they find a disorder in themselves that they cannot deal with without God.”

I know not the author of this statement, but it does bring into focus two reasons for men turning to God. Many others can be given, but these two are pertinent.

Order in the Universe

There is no way to explain the order of our universe apart from intelligence. This intelligence cannot be accounted for separate and apart from God. In his book, I Believe Because, Batsell Baxter wrote:

The universe demonstrates order and design, hence there must be a designer. The existence of order and system demands an orderer. Beauty, form, design, and purpose in nature all imply a creative mind, an intelligent architect (p. 50).

He also gives a quotation from Dr. Arthur H. Compton, nobel prize winner in Physics:

For myself, faith begins with the realization that a supreme intelligence brought the universe into being and created man (emphasis mine, LJS). It is not difficult for me to have this faith, for it is incontrovertible that where there is plan there is intelligence – an orderly, unfolding universe testifies to the truth of the most majestic statement ever uttered – “In the beginning God!” (p. 64)

When mere man can observe and calculate time, seasons, eclipses, astronomical data, and events in the distant past or predict the future, things that appear unfathomable, one must know that there is an order to our solar system that is perfection. The dream of men reaching the moon became a reality because there is an orderly movement of the earth and her satellite. Every movement of each is predictable.

However, the source of my faith is found in Genesis one. I accept this written record as inspired of God. That which is recorded is verifiable by things which are seen! As the Psalmist declared:

When I consider the heavens, the work of thy fingers, the moon and the stars, which thou hast ordained; What is man, that thou art mindful of him? and the son of man, that thou visitest him? (Psa. 8:3-4)

Disorder in Self

Long ago, Jeremiah seemed to point to this problem. He exclaimed: “O Lord, I know that the way of man is not in himself: it is not in man that walketh to direct his steps” (10:23).

Yet, how many are attempting to do just that. Take note of what happens when men try to take direction away from God. Anarchy ensues, exhibited in all kinds of crime, corruption, disease, hostility, disunity, and perverseness of every description. Read Romans 1:21-32 for a demonstration of what occurs when men try to take over from God.

Isaiah suggests the same problem: “For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways, saith the Lord. For as the heavens are higher than your ways, and my thoughts than your thoughts” (55:8-9).

We should learn this lesson. Yet, men seem to be continually challenging God. The inquire:

“Why did you make me thus?’

“Why is your law given as it is?” or

“What you are saying, Lord, makes no sense at all.”

As we view disorder in our lives, and contemplate God’s plan for bringing order into our lives, we graciously thank God for his wonderful gift. Be reminded of the beautiful invitation of Jesus:

Come unto me, all ye that labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you, and learn of me; for I am meek and lowly in heart: and ye shall find rest unto your souls. For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light” (Matt. 11:28-30).

Yes, the order of the universe and the disorder in ourselves prove the existence of God. We also see our need for him!

Guardian of Truth XXXV: 24, p. 748
December 19, 1991

By Larry Ray Hafley

During the first week of August, brother Kevin Campbell met Cecil Patterson, a Missionary Baptist, in a debate on the general church question. Both men affirmed that “The church of which I am a member is scriptural in origin, name and doctrine.” It was an orderly discussion without the slightest hint of misbehavior. It was my pleasure and good fortune to serve as brother Campbell’s moderator.

Though he is a young man (23 years of age), this was brother Campbell’s second debate. Brother Campbell was thoroughly prepared. He has a quiet, almost shy, manner, but there beats within him the boldness begotten of righteousness (Prov. 28:1). He speaks with “great plainness of speech” (2 Cor. 3:12) that is kind, yet firm. He dealt with his older opponent, Mr. Patterson, with the power and authority of truth, yet with tact, compassion and godly sincerity. Kevin is indeed a workman that needeth not to be ashamed for he handles aright the word of truth (2 Tim. 2:15). The cause and kingdom of Christ sorely need more young men like our brother Campbell who know how to send arrows of truth into the heart of the errors of men.

N.T. Church Vs. Baptist Church

Origin: Kevin showed the scriptural origin of the church from a variety of Scriptures (Matt. 16:18; Mk. 9:1; Acts 1:8; 2:47). Mr. Patterson said the Baptist Church began “on the sea of Galilee.” Kevin pointed out that the foundation of the Lord’s church was laid “in Zion” (Jerusalem, Isa. 28:16). So, Baptists have a building put up on the shores of the sea of Galilee while the Lord laid the foundation in Jerusalem. With telling effect, Kevin asked why one would lay a foundation in one place but put his building somewhere else.

Patterson argued that “Christ established his church during his personal ministry.” If so, Kevin said it was a church that could not preach Jesus as the Christ (Matt. 16:20). It was a church under the law of Moses (Matt. 23:2-5). It was a church whose preachers were preaching that it was still at hand” (Matt. 10:7; Lk. 10:9). It was a church that had not yet been purchased with the blood of Christ (Acts 20:28). It was a church whose members did not have the remission of sins in the name of Jesus Christ, for that began at Jerusalem in Acts 2 after Christ’s ascension and not during “his personal ministry” (Lk. 24:47-49; Acts 2:21,38).

Name: Brother Campbell asked Mr. Patterson if it would be scriptural to refer to the church as “a church of Christ.” Patterson said, “I don’t have any problem with that.” But Mr. Patterson had signed his name to deny that the church of Christ to which Kevin belongs is “scriptural in name.” Hence, he had surrendered that part of the proposition. “The churches of Christ” are mentioned in the Bible, but Missionary Baptist churches are not (Rom. 16:16).

In typical Baptist fashion, Patterson argued that both John the Baptist and Jesus the Christ were “Missionary Baptist preachers.” Said Cecil, John and Jesus were preachers sent on a mission who baptized; hence, they were Missionary Baptist Church preachers. Kevin contended that if that established the Baptist name, then the Mormons also have a scriptural name. The apostle Peter was a preacher and a saint, a member of the church who preached in the last days. Kevin asked, therefore, if that made the apostle Peter a Latter Day Saints Church preacher. It would prove that the Mormon name was scriptural according to Baptist reasoning. The truth is that neither is found in the Bible. When the debate ended, Mr. Patterson had found no reference to Baptist churches in the Bible. Some things never change.

Doctrine: Note a few of the stark, startling contrasts between New Testament teaching and Missionary Baptist doctrine. Kevin simply stated a number of Bible teachings to which Patterson replied with Baptist doctrine.

(1) “Elders in every church” (Acts 14:23). Patterson: “We (Baptists) don’t, have elders; we don’t appoint elders in every church.”

(2) “Upon the first day of the week when the disciples came together to break bread” (Acts 20:7). Patterson: “They might have been doing that at that time, but we Missionary Baptists don’t do that.” Again referring to the Lord’s supper, Cecil said it should be taken “once a year.”

(3) “Ye are fallen from grace” (Gal. 5.41). Patterson: “It is not possible for a child of God to lose his salvation. ” Patterson said that a child of God who died guilty of murder would “go to heaven.” Compare Galatians 5:19-21; 1 Corinthians 6:9-11; 1 Jn. 3:15 – “no murderer hath eternal life, abiding in him.”

(4) “He that believeth and is baptized shall be saved” (Mk. 16:16). Patterson: “That is church of Christ doctrine.” “He that believeth and is saved should be baptized is akin to Missionary Baptist doctrine.”

(5) “Repent, and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins” (Acts 2:38). Patterson: “I know it says in Acts 2:38, ‘Repent, and be baptized for the remission of sins,’ but there’s just too many other places where it’s not mentioned.” “Baptism for the remission of sins is false, untrue and is biblical idolatry.”

(6) “Baptism doth also now save us” (1 Pet. 3:21). Patterson: “Baptism does not save us.” “Missionary Baptists don’t believe that baptism saves.”

Mahmoud Abdul Rauf

Ever heard of Mahmoud Abdul Rauf? Mr. Patterson has, but he wishes he had not: Mahmoud Abdul Rauf is best known as Chris Jackson, the basketball star from LSU who now plays for the Denver Nuggets of the NBA. Jackson is a favorite son of Gulfport, NIS where the debate was held. Midway through the debate the local paper came out with the news that Jackson was to “convert to Islam” and become a Muslim. “And what is so special about that,” you may ask? Well, “Jackson . . . attended Morning Star Baptist, Church in Gulfport . . . and was baptized into that church last year.” Further, the paper said, “Muslims do not believe that Christ is the son of God.”

Brother Campbell put the newspaper clipping on a chart and wondered if Patterson still considered Muslim Mahmoud saved. Here is a clear cut case of one who was baptized into a Baptist Church who has now joined a religious movement which denies that Jesus is the Son of God. On another chart, Kevin cited Hebrews 3:12 – “Take heed brethren, lest there be in any of you an evil heart of unbelief, in departing from the living God.” Kevin asked:

What Is the Condition of One Who Forsakes:

Jehovah for Aliah?

Jesus for Mohammed?

Bible for Koran?

Brother Campbell pressed Mr. Patterson for an answer, but Cecil finally said he would “say no more about” Chris Jackson’s defection and departure from the Baptist Church. The reason was obvious. According to Baptist doctrine, a child of God can commit “every sin from idolatry to murder” and it “will not make his soul in any more danger.”

Conclusion

There were many interesting points, but you will have to secure a copy of the debate in order to hear them. Video and audio tapes are available. I do not know the cost, but contact Kevin Campbell, 106 Beverly, Gulfport, NIS 39503.

The brethren of the Morris Rd. church are to be commended for their eager, enthusiastic encouragement of open Bible discussions. Perhaps not all churches of Christ would want to be a part of a debate of this nature, but such an attitude will bring havoc to them in time to come. The brethren were edified greatly by the debate. They were provoked and stirred to more teaching and preaching of the gospel of the grace of God. They saw first hand, the glaring error of denominationalism. They saw the beauty, power and authority of plain, simple New Testament preaching. One had better not tell the church in Gulfport that “debates don’t do any good.” They know better!

Liberal views creep in where the truth is not contrasted with error, where men are ashamed and/or afraid to expose the doctrines of men and exalt the doctrine of the Lord. After liberal views slip in, false doctrine and, ultimately, apostasy occurs. Recently, a brother in Christ argued with me that one could not prove that Philip preached baptism when he preached Jesus unto the Eunuch (Acts 8:35,36). He said the Eunuch probably saw people being baptized in Jerusalem and that is why he asked Philip about baptism. In other words, one may preach Jesus without preaching about baptism. Cecil Patterson, a Missionary Baptist, made the very same argument! Brethren, it is later than we may think! Debates can help all to see the truth and avoid error. Press the battle e’er the night shall veil the glowing skies.

Brethren, we need to pray for, support and encourage men like our young brother Campbell. Let us not make heroes of those who can offer us only “good words and fair speeches,” but who will not “reprove, rebuke and exhort with all longsuffering and doctrine,” who will not cast down the arguments of men but will, rather, apologize to those in denominationalism for the “legalistic, Pharisaical” preaching of those who are in the “church of Christ Denomination.” I pray that Kevin may have a long and useful life in the service of the Lord, and that he may maintain his poise, balance and equanimity of spirit as he fights the good fight of faith.

Guardian of Truth XXXV: 24, pp. 742-743
December 19, 1991

By Mike Willis

When a person mentions thirty pieces of silver, many immediately think of Judas’ betrayal of Jesus, so familiar is his betrayal etched in our memories. The Bible recounts the weaknesses of character of various men, not merely to embarrass them, but to teach as lessons that we might not follow in their footsteps. We can learn from the weakness of King Saul which led to his disobedience when he thought that sacrifice was more important than obedience (1 Sam. 15) and from the rich young ruler who loved his money more than he loved Christ (Matt. 19:16-22). Similarly, we can learn from the apostasy of Judas – lessons which may help us not to stumble as he did.

The New Testament tells us that Judas betrayed Jesus by making a covenant with the Jews for thirty pieces of silver. His decision to go to the Jewish leaders follows hard upon the account of the woman anointing Jesus with very expensive, precious ointment in the house of Simon the leper in Bethany. Judas resented the “waste” and protested to Jesus that the precious ointment might have been sold and the money given to the poor. Judas was not concerned for the poor but “because he was a thief, and had the bag, and bare what was put therein” (Jn. 12:6).

Having gone to the Jews, Judas asked the chief priests, “What will ye give me, and I will deliver him unto you?” They made an agreement for thirty pieces of silver, the sum legislated by the law of Moses as payment for a slave who had been gored by an ox (Exod. 21:32). The Amplified Bible in 1958 translated thirty pieces of silver as $21.62.

What Thirty Pieces of Silver Could Buy

There were some things that thirty pieces of silver could buy. The chief rulers found that thirty pieces of silver were sufficient money to buy the betrayal of Jesus into their hands. Thirty pieces of silver were not what Jesus was worth; rather they were what Judas was worth. Judas sold out his loyalty to his friend for a mere thirty pieces of silver. How many times do we find men willing to sell out their integrity for such a small sum of money. For less money than that some sell themselves to the Devil by shoplifting a small item at the mall, stealing a tool from work, or doing something else equally small. Such men value themselves at a very low price, although Jesus said a man’s soul is worth more than the whole world (Matt. 16:26).

Thirty pieces of silver were also sufficient to buy a field to bury strangers in. When Judas came to these same chief rulers on the morning after he betrayed Jesus, he threw the money at their feet and said, “I have betrayed innocent blood.” Then he went and hanged himself. The Jewish leaders could not put blood money in the Temple treasury so they used the money to buy a potter’s field in which to bury strangers. (Note the parallel between Jesus’ blood money buying a place to bury the body of strangers [Gentile sojourners] and his blood making atonement for the sins of Gentiles.)

What Thirty Pieces of Silver Could Not Buy

While thirty pieces of silver could buy these things, there were several things which thirty pieces of silver could not buy. Consider these:

1. Thirty pieces of silver could not redeem Christ from death. We do not know for sure what thoughts passed through Judas’ mind as he witnessed the chain of events which followed his betrayal of Jesus. One thing is for sure: he never intended for his betrayal to lead to Jesus’ death. When he saw the series of events which followed, he regretted what he had done and came back to the chief rulers of the Jews and said, “I have betrayed innocent blood.” Returning the thirty pieces of silver, however, was not enough to secure the release of Jesus and stop the ordeal of death which was in place.

Like Judas, many sinners give little thought to the consequences of their sins. They only look at sin’s pleasure and never stop to think about its consequences. If Magic Johnson had thought about his possibly contacting the HIV virus, how would he have changed his conduct? If fornicators thought about an unwanted pregnancy, disease, and getting caught, they would not commit fornication. If drinkers thought about the death they might cause by an automobile accident, their addiction to alcohol, drinking’s impact on their family, and such like things, they would never take the first drink. But thirty pieces of silver cannot undo the consequences of sin.

2. Thirty pieces of silver could not buy concern for Judas’ soul from the leaders of the Jews. When Judas returned with his money and said, “I have betrayed innocent blood,” the Jewish leaders said, “What is that to us? See thou to that” (Matt. 27:4). These Jewish leaders were leaders of religion – the high priest, chief priests, etc. They should have been concerned for the souls of those to whom they ministered, but they had no concern for Judas’ soul.

Judas learned that his accomplices in sin were willing to go much further then he was ready to go. His thirty pieces of silver were unable to stop them from going all the way. How many times does something very similar to this happen when men join hands with the wicked. When the scheme takes one deeper into sin than he is willing to go, he cannot stop them by his decision to bail out. When he decides to bail out, these same men who induced him to join them in their sin will care nothing for his soul, guilty conscience, or feelings of shame. They will say, “See thou to that.”

3. Thirty pieces of silver could not give Judas the pleasure he thought they would provide. I can picture Judas as he walked away from making an agreement with the chief rulers of the Jews. His pockets jingled with the sound of thirty pieces of silver! He must have thought about what thirty pieces of silver would buy. He may have had plans for how he was going to spend the money, thinking of the pleasure this would bring him.

But Judas found that blood money could not give him the happiness it promised. Whatever joy he thought this money would bring to him, he found that it could not give what it promised. Consequently, he thrust the money from himself (Matt. 27:5). How different thirty pieces of silver appeared to Judas before and after his sin.

Sin always promises more than it can deliver. It promises liberty but brings bondage (2 Pet. 2:19). It promises pleasure but brings pain. It promises satisfaction but creates want.

4. Thirty pieces of silver could not buy a clear conscience. When Judas threw the money at the feet of the chief priests and elders, he was trying to buy a clear conscience and peace of mind. He found that thirty pieces of silver could not give him peace. Only the gospel of peace could give one the peace that passes all understanding (Phil. 4:7). Judas’ remorse led him to commit suicide. In his remorse, he hanged himself. No, thirty pieces of silver could not bring him peace of mind and a clear conscience.

Two men committed sin on the night of Jesus’ arrest. Judas betrayed Jesus and Peter denied him. One showed remorse and hung himself; the other repented of his sin, confessed his sin to God and was forgiven by the blood shed on the cross. He became the first preacher of the gospel, delivering the first gospel sermon on the day of Pentecost. Thirty pieces of silver could not obtain for Judas what Jesus’ forgiveness gave to Peter.

5. Thirty pieces of silver could not redeem Judas from hell. Returning the blood money could not save Judas’ soul. Jesus foretold his damnation saying, “The Son of man goeth as it is written of him: but woe unto that man by whom the Son of man is betrayed! It had been good for that man if he had not been born” (Matt. 26:24). Judas’ eternal state is perdition (Jn. 17:12). Thirty pieces of silver could not save his soul.

Conclusion

There are some things that thirty pieces of silver cannot buy. Neither could thirty thousand pieces of silver have bought what these thirty pieces of silver could not buy. May we learn the lessons from the sin of Judas that we not fall into similar condemnation. (Note: The idea for this lesson is not original with me, but I cannot remember the source from which it was taken.)

Guardian of Truth XXXV: 24, pp. 738, 752
December 19, 1991