Truth Magazine

By Paul K. Williams

I have noticed some articles in opposition to the practice of applauding speakers in church, articles to which I say a hearty “Amen.” Preaching is not entertainment to be measured by an applause meter.

In South Africa our problem is slightly different; it is that the denominations love to clap in rhythm to the songs. Naturally, denominational practices influence brethren; so we must frequently teach that, just as instrumental music in worship is unauthorized, so also is the “music” of clapping.

I attended a wedding at which a young denominational preacher made a speech. When he stood up he began a song. As he paraded up and down the aisle he first got everyone (except Christians, I am happy to say) clapping, then he got them on their feet stomping. When he began to speak he had the audience so “hot” that they roared “Amen” to anything he shouted.

Just here is a major objection to clapping to the rhythm of songs: It is a method of manipulating the mood of the audience. Frequently the clapping becomes faster and more vigorous as the song progresses, bringing the audience to an emotional “high.” This emotional feeling is thought to be spirituality, so the higher and more often the high can be repeated, the greater the spirituality of the people and the more they are convinced that they are being moved by the Holy Spirit. Yet what they experience is an artificially produced emotional feeling, a feeling which can be duplicated by dancing to rock and roll music. It has nothing to do with spirituality.

The Christian does experience spiritual emotions, deep emotions. Sorrow for one’s sins, grief over the fall of a brother, rejoicing with the angels of heaven over the return of the prodigal, the deep glow of security in the love of brethren, the inexpressible joy when contemplating God’s love for us, the sweet longing for heaven – these are real and precious experiences for every Christian. But they are not artificially induced; they come from real faith and an understanding of the word of God. They do not depend upon exciting circumstances such as clapping or upon mood-inducing actions such as dimmed lights, hand holding and closed eyes.

Several years ago I baptized a devout boy about 14 years old. He became very precious to Helen and me, so when about six months later he became enamored of the preaching of a Pentecostal preacher I was greatly concerned. I attended the tent services to see what was attracting him and was appalled to hear so much error preached in so little space of time! Yet the audience loved it because their mood was influenced by the guitar and organ music, clapping, shouting, and other such things. With difficulty I pried my friend away from that kind of emotionalism. Many months later he told me: “Brother Williams, after I was baptized I thought I had lost something. The excitement had gone out of my religion and I thought I had lost my spirituality. That is what the Pentecostal preacher supplied. But today I understand that he was producing an artificial excitement. Now that I understand the word of God better, I have an abiding excitement, an enthusiasm which I will never lose because it comes from God’s word.” He had learned to tell the difference between manipulated emotions and the emotions which come from faith.

Therefore clapping in rhythm to songs is sinful for two reasons: (1) It is as unauthorized as is instrumental music in worship. Clapping is not singing, and singing is all that the New Testament tells us to do (Col. 3:16; Eph. 5:19). Clapping produces a sound just like the guitar or organ or drum does, but that sound is not singing. (2) It produces artificial excitement which takes the worshipers away from the simplicity of the gospel and the true emotions produced by the gospel. When we rely on anything except the gospel to attract, or convert, or edify people we are sinning against God. The gospel is the power of God to salvation (Rom. 1:16), and it is that which will make us grow (1 Pet. 2:2). If the preaching and practice of that gospel will not attract, convert or hold a person, then other means will not work. Other means will only attract a person to a spurious religion, not to Christ. They will produce a counterfeit spirituality which will prove disastrous in the day of judgment.

Guardian of Truth XXXV: 15, pp. 451-452
August 1, 1991

By Mike Willis

In Philippians 4, Paul gives several exhortations to Christians which provide principles for living which result in the Lord’s “keeping our hearts and minds” (4:7). In studying these exhortations, I am emphasizing the theme that these principles provide for good spiritual health in the most bleak circumstances.

In the previous two articles, I presented material on the Christian’s obligation to “rejoice in the Lord” and to “let his moderation be known to all men.” A reason is given for this in the latter half of v. 5 – “The Lord is at hand.”

The passage cannot be understood to teach that Jesus’ second coming was imminent in the days of the apostle Paul. This cannot be so for the following reasons: (a) The apostle wrote under inspiration. The Holy Spirit did not reveal that Jesus’ second coming was imminent and then allow 2000 years to pass before he came. To so understand the passage is to charge that the Bible has errors in it, thereby undermining inspiration. (b) Elsewhere the apostle Paul foretold that a great apostasy would occur before the second coming (2 Thess. 2:23). That apostasy had not occurred by the time of the writing of Philippians.

There are two understandings of this passage which do make sense and both of which are necessary for good spiritual health.

I. Live with the awareness of the Second Coming.

The passage can be interpreted to say that the Lord’s second coming is “at hand.” This interpretation of the passage ties to the previous exhortations as a motive for “rejoicing in the Lord” and “letting your moderation be known to all men.”

In order to live pleasing to God, one must ever be aware that the second coming of Christ could occur at any moment. The first century writers, like us today, spoke of the Lord’s second coming as if it could occur at any moment, although they did not know the day or hour of Jesus’ coming (Matt. 24:36). They spoke as if they might be alive when Jesus comes again (1 Cor. 15:51; 1 Thess. 4:15), the same as all living men speak. They also recognized the possibility of their dying before he came (Phil. 1:23; 2 Cor. 5:1-10). Not knowing which would occur, the first century saints were exhorted to be ever ready for the Lord’s coming.

Jesus gave several parables designed to teach the lesson: “Watch therefore: for ye know not what hour your Lord doth come” (Matt. 24:42). Following this statement he gave the parable of the foolish virgins, concluding with the statement, “Watch therefore, for ye know neither the day nor the hour wherein the Son of man cometh” (Matt. 25:1-13). Then followed the parables of the talents (Matt. 25:14-30) and the separation of the sheep and goats (Matt. 25:31-46).

In the parable of the two stewards, Jesus warned about the danger of thinking that the Lord’s coming was long delayed. He said,

And the Lord said, Who then is that faithful and wise steward, whom his lord shall make ruler over his household, to give them their portion of meat in due season? Blessed is that servant, whom his lord when he cometh shall find so doing. Of a truth I say unto you, that he will make him ruler over all that he hath. But and if that servant say in his heart, My lord delayeth his coming; and shall begin to beat the menservants and maidens, and to eat and drink, and to be drunken; the lord of that servant will come in a day when he looketh not for him, and at an hour when he is not aware, and will cut him in sunder, and will appoint him his portion with the unbelievers. And that servant, which knew his lord’s will, and prepared not himself, neither did according to his will, shall be beaten with many stripes. But he that knew not, and did commit things worthy of stripes, shall be beaten with few stripes. For unto whomsoever much is given, of him shall be much required: and to whom men have committed much, of him they will ask the more (Lk. 12:42-48).

Having a constant awareness of the Lord’s second coming will influence the choices we make in life. Peter spoke of the Lord’s coming as a thief in the night and then said, “Wherefore, beloved, seeing that ye look for such things, be diligent that ye may be found of him in peace, without spot, and blameless. . . . Ye therefore, beloved, seeing ye know these things before, beware lest ye also, being led away with the error of the wicked, fall from your own steadfastness” (2 Pet. 3:14,17).

Good spiritual health requires that we live always aware that the Lord’s second coming could occur at any moment and, therefore, we should always be ready for that coming.

II. Live with an awareness that the Lord is near.

A second understanding of the phrase “the Lord is at hand” (eggus, near) is to recognize that the Lord is always with us and near us. This understanding has the same teaching as Psalm 145:18 – “The Lord is nigh unto all them that call upon him, to all that call upon him in truth” (Psa. 145:18). Christians know that the Lord has promised to be with us always (Matt. 28:20). There is no problem we face but that he is there to help us through it. We are aware that “he careth for you” (1 Pet. 5:7).

This understanding of the text has the advantage of tying to the following context. We can cast our burdens on the Lord because he is near to us and we are dear to him (Phil. 4:6).

Certainly we should live with the awareness that the Lord is ever near us. He will be ever present to help us through the trials and afflictions which come to Christians, providing us with sufficient grace to endure what lies before us (2 Cor. 12:9). Charles Spurgeon wrote, “He does not leave praying men, and men who confess his name, to battle with the world alone, but he is ever at their side” (The Treasury of David V11:358). Paul certainly was aware of the Lord’s presence as he stood trial before Caesar, for he wrote, “At my first answer no man stood with me, but all men forsook me: I pray God that it may not be laid to their charge. Notwithstanding the Lord stood with me, and strengthened me” (2 Tim. 4:16-17).

The Lord promised, “Let your conversation be without covetousness; and be content with such things as ye have: for he hath said, I will never leave thee, nor forsake thee. So that we may boldly say, The Lord is my helper, and I will not fear what man shall do unto me” (Heb. 13:5-6).

Good spiritual health requires that I have this awareness of the Lord’s ever present help in the face of trials and tribulations.

Guardian of Truth XXXV: 15, pp. 450, 470
August 1, 1991

By Lester A. Doyle, Jr. 

The Lord’s Death

When we consider the Lord’s death, we sometimes fail to realize the greatness of it. Not only did he suffer pain that would be beyond our imagination, but he suffered shame and humiliation more than the worst criminals. He did not die in a bed with a doctor and family at his side. He didn’t even die on the streets of the city. Instead they took Him to a place outside the city, to “the place of the skull,” the worse place they could fine and made him carry His own cross.

All of this took place for us while we were yet sinners. When he died, he gave us the hope of eternal life. That is the greatness of it all.

Guardian of Truth XXXV: 14, p. 439
July 18, 1991

By Don R. Hastings

Recently, I was with several preachers and I was surprised to hear some of them speak of their swimming pools. Swimming pools have become very popular, particularly in Florida, where I live.

When my wife and I were looking for a house to buy, we saw many realtor’s signs in front of homes with the word “pool” attached to the signs. When we saw such a sign, we didn’t stop to investigate the possibility of purchasing the house. Why would anyone refuse to buy a house with a swimming pool? Most people would consider a pool to be an asset and not a liability.

God has told us the standard we are to use by which we are to determine what we are going to wear. “In like manner, that women adorn themselves in modest apparel, with shamefastness and sobriety; not with braided hair, and gold or pearls or costly rainment; but (which becometh women professing godliness) through good works” (1 Tim. 2:9,10). We must not let the world set our standard of dress! Christians should be different from the world (2 Cor. 6:14-7:1). Can others see a difference between the way you dress and the way the world dresses? Is your style of dress modest? Does it reveal that you have a sense of shame which prevents you from shamefully exposing your body before others? The world has destroyed most of her sense of shame! They are like those of whom Jeremiah wrote about in Jeremiah 8:12, “Were they ashamed when they had committed abomination? Nay, they were not at all ashamed, neither could they blush: therefore shall they fall among them that fall; in the time of their visitation they shall be cast down, saith Jehovah.” Jeremiah was writing about children of God. Our lack of a sense of shame is reflected in our thoughts, speech, actions and dress. There are many who “glory in their shame” (Phil, 3:19). They like to display their bodies.

Does your manner of dress show that you dress with “sobriety”? The Greek word, which is translated “sobriety,” “denotes soundness of mind . . . it is that habitual inner self-government, with its constant rein on all the passions and desires, which would hinder the temptation to these from arising, or at all events from arising in such strength as would overbear the checks and barriers which aidos (shamefastness) opposed to it” (An Expository Dictionary of New Testament Words, by W.E. Vine, pp. 44,45).

Jesus said, “. . . that every one that looketh on a woman to lust after her hath committed adultery with her already in his heart” (Matt. 5:28). Do you believe, that a woman or man who dresses in such a manner as to arouse lustful desires in the heart of another, will not be guilty of sin in the eyes of God? If your answer is “no” to this question, please read Luke 17:1,2.

The Greek word, which is translated “lasciviousness,” is defined by W.E. Vine as, “absence of restraint, indecency . . . the prominent idea is shameless conduct” (Ibid., p. 310). Indecent dress is lascivious. This work of the flesh will keep you from inheriting “the kingdom of God” (Gal. 5:19-21).

How one dresses is a very serious matter! People do judge you by what you are wearing. Our apparel makes a statement about us. What is your apparel saying about you? God is concerned about how we influence other people (Matt. 5:13-16).

If a bathing suit is “modest apparel,” what would be immodest apparel? Please, think soberly on this question.

Brethren, if you own a swimming pool: do you permit boys and girls, or men and women, to swim together; do you swim with them; is your pool private, that is, cannot be viewed by others not on your property; do you permit just your family to swim in it; does your family consist of more than wife, or husband; have your restrictions become more lenient since you first owned your pool?

Those of you, who preach the gospel and have a swimming pool where you live, or swim at other places: do you swim when only boys, or men, are present; do you believe a bathing suit is immodest apparel and if you don’t, what would constitute immodesty in dress; do you preach against, and define, immodest apparel; have you changed your convictions on this subject; are you compromising your convictions; do you resent these questions? Whether we go swimming with a mixed group, or refrain from doing so, we must teach and practice what the Lord has taught for it is his word that will judge us (Jn. 12:48).

I am not saying it is wrong to own a swimming pool, but possessing one will present many grave temptations that few resist. I hope that this article will make you think soberly on how you dress before others. I hope you will fill your swimming pool up with dirt if it is causing you to sin. It is far better to endure the heat of the sun than to be cast into “the lake that burneth with fire and brimstone” (Rev. 21:8)! Why would a follower of Christ desire the things of this world that could cause him, or her, to lose eternal fellowship with God? Brethren, we must all be on our guard for our “adversary the devil, as a roaring lion, walketh about, seeking whom he may devour” (1 Pet. 5:8). Let us not be devoured by Satan, but enjoy the wonderful, eternal fellowship of the Father, Son and Holy Spirit.

Guardian of Truth XXXV: 14, p. 431
July 18, 1991