Truth Magazine

By Douglas Matlock

While watching a television interview with Mickey Rooney, the fact of his many marriages came out. I believe he said he had been married and divorced eight times. It was amazing to me that he stated, “the one real love of my life I have never married.” Perhaps if he had, he would have concluded that she was not so great and divorced her also.

Sometimes, we are given emotional arguments involving people who have been married and divorced (without fornication being the cause) and now are in another marriage with children born to that relationship, and they come to obey the gospel. We are asked, “How could you say they must get out of that marriage in order to repent of their sins and be acceptable to God?” Could we not also use an emotional case and say, “What if Rooney came to obey the gospel with wife number nine, would you say that he would be pleasing to God?”

We are told the alien sinner is not amenable to the law of Christ. That, actually, there are two laws in effect. One for the alien and another for the Christian. That Christ’s remarks in Matthew 19:9 were for those in the church but not for the alien. But look at the verse: we hear Jesus saying, “Whosoever divorces his wife. . . . ” Does that sound like it referred only to church members? Again, let us look at another passage. In Matthew 5:32 Jesus used “everyone who divorces his wife.” Does this sound like a directive to the church only? If Jesus had intended for his words to be applied generally, what other language could he have used?

Jesus said he would send the Holy Spirit to the apostles, and he would “convict the world in respect of sin and of righteousness and of judgment” (Jn. 16:8). The world, not just Christians were the subjects of the Spirit’s efforts. Paul writes also, “God will judge the secrets of men according to my gospel by Jesus Christ” (Rom. 2:16). Were only the secrets of Christians to be judged? Paul said, “And the times of this ignorance God winked at: but now commandeth all men every where to repent” (Acts 17:30).

But, let us suppose it is true, that the alien is under a moral law that applies only to them; would it be, or could it be any different than the teaching of Christ in the gospel? Paul wrote to the church in Corinth an& stated that the former life of some had been in such sins as fornication adultery, homosexuality, etc., but they had been “washed” (1 Cor. 6:9-11). Doesn’t this tell us that they had violated God’s law? Where there is no law, there is no transgression. They were guilty of sin. In obeying the gospel they were called upon to believe and repent (change of mind bringing about a change of life) and to be baptized for the remission of sins. The Jews understood Peter’s words to mean that “God has granted to the Gentiles also the repentance that leads to life” (Acts 11:18). The leader of Kuwait has four wives currently. This is the maximum allowed by their law. Could we tell this man that repenting would include putting away his wives, even though he may have children by each of them, or would they all be allowed to remain together?

To ask such questions is to answer them. Men and women need to be impressed with the truth of God’s word on this very important subject and not be carried away with the popularity or person of those who teach such. If we can take the plain passages of our Lord and explain them away, so that it allows the person living in adultery to obey the gospel and remain in a sinful state; then it will only be a short step to twist other passages to allow the Christian to put away a mate for any cause and feel acceptable to God as well.

Matthew 5:32 records the words of Jesus, “But I say unto you, That whosoever shall put away his wife, saving for the cause of fornication, causeth her to commit adultery: and whosoever shall marry her that is divorced comitteth adultery. “

It’s rather amazing that this plain passage could be interpreted to mean that in the event this woman should remarry there would be no adultery involved in that union.

One brother states, “Yes, Colossians 3:5 (please read) indicates people can live in sin by their walk of life, but it does not even hint that anyone lives in adultery within a marriage.”

I heard a denominational preacher say concerning this problem, “You can’t unscramble eggs.- It looks like we have a lot of brethren trying to say the same thing, only they are trying to work out a formula that will put God’s stamp of approval upon it.

Guardian of Truth XXXV: 22, p. 683
November 21, 1991

By Dan K. Graham

During the month of July millions of Americans have received a piece of literature in the mail* from the “One Nation Under God” campaign. This effort is advertised as a work of churches of Christ. Many of our readers already know that not all churches of Christ in the United States chose to take part in this. However, there might be some readers who do not know this, and some of them might not understand why. It is the purpose of this article to help explain why Underwood Heights and hundreds of other congregations have nothing to do with “One Nation Under God.”

God’s plan. First of all, let us be clear that we all understand God’s plan for congregational organization. According to Acts 14:23, each local church is to have elders appointed. Obviously, there is something more to this than just their being aged, for it is something to which they are appointed. Their realm of authority is that local church, period (1 Pet. 5:1-4). Thus, each congregation is autonomous (self-governing) and independent of all other congregations. No congregation has the right to take the oversight of another group, nor does any congregation have the right to relinquish its autonomy to another. Further, no congregation is to pay another to do its work for it. Finally, the only scriptural way for a church to raise funds to pay for the work it does is through the weekly contribution described in 1 Corinthians 16:1-2. Later we will see how the “One Nation Under God” campaign violates these principles.

What the problem is not. In order not to be misunderstood, let us clearly state what the problem is not. First of all, the problem is not that somebody is trying to reach the whole nation. According to Matthew 28:19 and Mark 16:15, the church needs to try to reach not only the whole nation but the whole world. This is not the problem. Second, the problem is not the fact that literature was mailed. In fact, the New Testament itself is in large part “mailed literature.” This is not the problem. Third, the problem is not the use of TV and radio to promote it. Underwood Heights has a radio program. Other sound congregations use TV programs. This is not the problem. Fourth, the problem is not that large sums of money were spent of evangelism. This is the best possible use of the Lord’s money. The church needs to spend as much money as possible to preach as much gospel as possible. This is not the problem. Fifth, the cartoon format used in the flier is not the problem. Some might question the judgment, but it is only a matter of judgment. This is not the problem. Sixth, what was taught in the flier is not the problem. As far as I can tell, the truth was taught about the best way to overcome society’s ills and find salvation from our sins. This is not the problem. Seventh, in a general sense, the problem is not even that churches sent money to other churches. There is scriptural precedent for this in Acts 11:28-30 and 2 Corinthians 8:1-5. However, in a specific sense, this is part of the problem. In the two biblical cases cited, churches sent to other churches to relieve needy saints. There is no scriptural precedent for churches sending to other churches to pay for evangelistic work being done.

If these things are not the problem, then what is? Why does Underwood Heights oppose the “One Nation Under God” campaign and not participate in it?

What the problem is. The problem of the “One Nation Under God” campaign can be summarized under the problems of the sponsoring church arrangement. The Sycamore church of Christ in Cookeville, Tennessee, is the sponsoring church for this effort. They have raised about $ 10 million to pay for it. Most of it has come from other congregations throughout the United States. This kind of scheme, no matter what the congregation and no matter what the specific work, violates the principles discussed earlier as being God’s plan. Such a scheme violates the divine principle of congregational autonomy and independence. No church has the right to take money from others in this way to pay for their work. Neither does a church have the right to relinquish its independence in this way. Also, the church in Cookeville has raised money in some other way than by the weekly contribution. This differs from the New Testament pattern for evangelism. The church at Thessalonica did it themselves (I Thess. 1:8). The church at Philippi did it by supporting Paul in his work (Phil. 4:15-16). There is no scriptural pattern of one church sending its money to another church to oversee the use of those funds in some evangelistic effort. This violates New Testament law.

Questions to consider. If the Sycamore church can oversee some funds of some churches, why not all funds of all churches? If they can do it for this one work, why can they not do it for all works? If they can do it temporarily, can they not do it permanently? If future generations want to establish a regional, national, or international headquarters for the church of Christ, with a board of overseers, and they point to Herald of Truth and One Nation Under God as justification, what passages will supporters of One Nation Under God use to oppose such a move? The truth is that any passage you would use then can be used right now to condemn One Nation Under God as unscriptural.

Finally, do the ends attained justify the means used to attain them? Is it all right to do it this way since there could be thousands baptized as a result? Samuel told Saul that the ends do not justify the means. “Behold, to obey is better than sacrifice, and to hearken than the fat of rams.” Uzzah’s desire to keep the ark of the covenant from falling and being destroyed did not keep God from killing him when he violated the law by touching a hallowed thing. The way to please God is to do the right thing in the right way. Nothing else will do. Brethren, let’s put all our might into saving souls, but let’s do it God’s way. God’s way cannot be improved upon. It works. Let us therewith be content.

Guardian of Truth XXXV: 22, pp. 679-680
November 21, 1991

By Johnie Edwards

A number of churches of Christ in this area have sent money to the Sycamore Church of Christ in Cookeville, Tennessee to help pay for a ten million dollar evangelistic campaign throughout the United States. The projects was conceived and is overseen by the elders of the Tennessee church of Christ. The Ellettsville church of Christ did not and will not contribute to this project. The Herald Times recently singled out the Ellettsville Church of Christ as one who “abstained” (Herald Times [July 12, 1991]). Some have asked why we have not contributed to the promotional effort. Here are some reasons:

1. The Tennessee elders have planned a brotherhood work beyond their financial ability. Elders of the church of Christ have no scriptural right to plan a work of evangelism beyond the ability of the local church to pay for. When elders try to do a work larger than they can pay for, in evangelism, then the work becomes a brotherhood action, with the receiving church overseeing it. “The Sycamore elders . . . are overseeing the project” (July, 1991 update). Some argue that it is okay to send funds to the sponsoring church and that the sending of funds does not affect the autonomy of the sending church because they decide how much to send. This is also true of the Christian Missionary Society which divided the Lord’s people more than 130 years ago. Try telling the receiving church how to spend the funds!

2. The oversight of elders is limited. Peter said to elders, “Feed the flock of God which is among you, taking the oversight” (1 Pet. 5:2). The oversight of elders begins and ends in the local church where they have been appointed elders. For elders to oversee a brotherhood project like “One Nation Under God” is outside the scope of this page. It is easily seen that the $10 million project is not the work of a local church, but is a brotherhood work being overseen by a local eldership. And there is just no scriptural authority for such an arrangement!

3. No stopping place. Every church is to have its own elders (Acts 14:23; Tit. 1:5). If the elders of a local church can turn some of their funds over to a sponsoring church, what passage of Scripture would stop them from turning all of their funds and all of their work over to them? This arrangement carried out to its fullest would lead to the setting up of a central center through which all churches of Christ could function! If not, why not?

4. Funds sent directly to the preacher. In the New Testament, when a church did the work of evangelism, the church did not send to another church, but directly to the preacher in the field. A good example of this can be seen in these words: “Now ye Philippians know also, that in the beginning of the gospel, when I departed from Macedonia, no church communicated with me as concerning giving and receiving, but ye only. For even in Thessalonica ye sent once and again unto my necessity” (Phil. 4:15-16). The church doing its work God’s way was able to teach the gospel to “all the world” in a few short years (Col. 1:16). And so can we!

Guardian of Truth XXXV: 22, p. 678
November 21, 1991

By Doug Lancaster

Though the Persian Gulf war has officially ended, we are not quick to forget the events that literally unfolded before our eyes as they were broadcast on public television. The news media covered well those terrifying days, perhaps too well. One scene in particular continues to weigh heavily on my mind. As the allied soldiers were nearing the end of the war, Iraqi soldiers in great companies began to surrender. The scenes were flashed on our TV sets of how happy the Iraqis were as they finally got the food and water they needed. The problem was many were fighting for fear of their lives; not fear of the allies, but of their own commander. In debriefings, they told of their harsh treatment by Saddam Hussein. They said they were forced to be soldiers with life threats, and when they were on the front, they did not receive the food and water they needed, all these events taking place before the allied bombing actually started. The bottom line is they just did not believe in the cause for which they were fighting.

Psalm 19 shows us that David realized the way of the Lord is the perfect way. The one who would be a child of God must concede that he is not in authority, but must submit to the authority of the Almighty. Sometimes man must answer to other men but ultimately he will answer to God for how he has conducted his life.

The Bible word “faith” is used in more than just one way in the Scriptures. In one sense, it denotes the “system of belief, what is believed, the faith.” Paul, in 1 Corinthians 2:4-13, shows that God has revealed to man his will. He is not dealing with the opinion of Paul but the revelation of God through the Spirit. 2 John 9-11 bears out that we must abide in the faith if we would be pleasing. The reference here is to the “system of belief.” Paul also told the Galatians not to heed any “other” gospel, stating they must abide in the truth.

In the primary use of the word, faith is “firm persuasion, conviction based on hearing.” This faith is personal where the system of faith is not. Romans 10:17 shows that faith can be produced in man only by hearing the Word of God. Neither the experiences nor observations on life are capable of producing one ounce of faith. Your personal faith is dependent upon your heart as you hear the Word. This personal faith is always used of conviction in God, Christ or otherwise spiritual things. It is never in the physical but always in the spiritual.

Personal faith is essential. The Hebrew writer shows that without faith one cannot please God (Heb. 11:6). Paul stated we are saved by faith (Rom 5:1-2). Faith is more than a simple acknowledgment of a thing. It is the “conviction of the truth of something; the conviction that God exists and is the creator and ruler of all things and the bestower of eternal salvation through Christ.” Faith is not a result of scientific proof because, scientifically, you cannot prove something unless it can be duplicated in an experiment. Faith is a result of examining the evidence God has provided for man, in hopes that man will seek after him and find him. (Acts 17:25-27)

Now to the point. Why do you do the things you do ? If the Bible teaches anything it teaches that a man is responsible for himself. Paul told of the judgment scene and shows that it will be an individual judging (2 Cor. 5:10). This means there will be no local church judgment or family judgment or judging of a group of friends. You will be individually judged on how you have handled your opportunities based on your abilities. All through the Bible there are instructions to the individual on how he can please God. If you are to please him, you must follow him (Matt. 16:24). There is no denying some things must be done collectively, but still, the individual will be judged.

Are you convicted? We “know” the authority principle. That is, we must not act without God’s authority to do so (Col. 3:17). We also “know” we will be judged individually, but do we know why we do the things we do? Could you show someone, without help, your authority for your actions ? The problem is that we are oftentimes just like the Iraqi soldiers. We are simply not convicted in the cause for which we are “fighting.”

The sad but true fact of the matter is that people act for various reasons, other than the correct ones. Some act because of tradition. Please do not misunderstand. Tradition is not always a bad thing, but some would bind tradition as God’s law. Note Matthew 15:7-9 and see what warranted the condemnation of Christ on the Pharisees. They too had a “form” of righteousness, but they tried to bind their own traditions as necessary elements of God’s law. Perhaps an example for today would be the time of worship services. Some would be unchangeably bent out of shape if the local church worship time were moved by as little as half an hour. There are literally hundreds of examples that are silly to some but are matters of “law” to others.

Some act because of influence. Just because my family or friends do a particular thing I will too, even though I really do not know why. Influence can be either a good or a bad thing. Paul taught of the danger of influence by alluding to leaven. Leaven was not a bad thing at that time. It was sour dough frequently used in making bread when time allowed. The adultery that existed in Corinth was to be taken care of quickly before it could influence others to sin (1 Cor. 5). Note also one of my personal favorites in Acts 19:28-32. As Paul finished his discourse to the Ephesians, a violent uproar occurred. Verse 32 shows that there were a variety of things being said, because the most of them did not even know why they were there. This sounds like us sometimes. Some say one thing and some another because we just do not know why we do the things we do.

The monkey is on your back and mine individually to study and know for ourselves how we must act and why. Peter informed his audience that they must be ready to make a defense for their hope. To be ready necessitates willingness and ability, for both of which I will give answer individually. We simply must take a stand for our convictions, but first make sure we are convicted. May the accusation never be made against you that you do not believe in the cause of Christ. The faith has been delivered (Jude 3), but you are responsible for your faith. Let us follow after God’s righteousness because we believe and not because someone else does. May God help us be pleasing to him.

Guardian of Truth XXXV: 22, pp. 686-687
November 21, 1991