Truth Magazine

By Lewis Willis

It would have been difficult to have listened to the news over the last few weeks without knowing something about the pop duo Milli Vanilli. In 1989 they won a Grammy for Best New Artist. They were so popular that they sold 7 million albums. An instant success! Newsweek (11/26/90) said they “boasted they were better than Elvis.” Now we know that they did not sing a single note on their hit record. They lip-synced the whole thing. To see them perform, you would think they were singing, when, in reality, they were only moving their lips as someone else sang. Their world came crashing down on them when this was known. I rather suspect it has affected the entire pop music scene. Are there other groups like them out there?

Obviously, I’m not terribly interested in Milli Vanilli, or any other pop group for that matter. However, I think there is a good lesson to be learned from this incident that has its application in religion. It seems to me that much of today’s religion is of the Milli Vanilli variety. People seem to be going through the motions, and lip-syncing a religion which they profess to be the religion of Christ.

For instance, many folks put on a major production about how much they love Jesus Christ. Theirs is a mighty devotion to him in every way. If you don’t think so, just ask them. They undertake mighty programs to convince the world that they are serving God. Their marketing scheme is so effective that they raise literally millions and billions of dollars (2 Pet. 2:3). Some even receive religious “Grammys” for their performance. However, a careful examination reveals that the commandments of Jesus are ignored in these performances. They teach the false doctrines of salvation by faith only (Jas. 2:24), the impossibility of apostasy (Gal. 5:4), that baptism is unnecessary to salvation (Mk. 16:16), that God approves observance of religious holidays like Christmas and Easter (Gal. 4:10-11), while ignoring the weekly observance of the Lord’s Supper (Acts 20:7), etc. It’s a great performance but it is a religious phony. Jesus gave commandments concerning these things but those commandments are being ignored! Still, these religious Milli Vanilli’s want us to believe that they love the Lord. Jesus said, “Ifye love me, keep my commandments. He that hath my commandments, and keepeth them, he is it that loveth me. . . If a man love me, he will keep my words. . . He that loveth me not keepeth not my sayings” (Jn. 14:15,21,23,24).

Any “do as you please, make your own rules as you go” religion is as counterfeit as Milli Vanilli. Furthermore, it is as vain, empty and deceptive as they were. Jesus said it like this, “But in vain do they worship me, teaching for doctrines the commandments of men ” (Matt. 15:9). Every religion which has drawn up its own creed, manual, confession of faith or catechism is “Milli Vanilli” in concept and fact.

Well, what about us? I’m talking about the Church of Christ. Do we have any Milli Vanilli influences and practices among us? If you were to ask the people who have their names in the membership directories of various congregations, “Are you a Christian?”, you would likely get an affirmative answer. “Yes I am! ” However, when you observe the life of a congregation you have to wonder. It is not uncommon in most churches to see a decline of approximately 1/3 in the number of people who assemble from Sunday morning to Sunday evening. It becomes increasingly difficult to get some members to do anything except come on Sunday morning. The work of the church struggles along because you seldom see any increase in the contribution. Many manifestations of indifference and apathy exist among us unfortunately.

These “Milli Vanilli Christians” profess that they know God and that God knows them. They lip-sync a “Sunday morning only” religion but they are caught up in the allurements of the world, they are openly disobedient and they have no time for the work Christians are supposed to do. These act the part, but it is only an act. Paul said of these kind of folks, “They profess that they know God; but in works they deny him, being abominable, and disobedient, and unto every good work reprobate” (Tit. 1:16).

Such indifference, though unconfessed, shall one day be exposed, just like the pop singers were exposed. To the church at Laodicea, Jesus said, “I know thy works, that thou art neither cold nor hot: I would thou were cold or hot. So then because thou art lukewarm, and neither cold nor hot, I will spue thee out of my mouth” (Rev. 3:15-16). Such Christians are trying to act out a saving religion without doing what the Lord said. He referred to such people by quoting from the prophesy of Isaiah, “This people draweth nigh unto me with their mouth, and honoureth me with their lips, but their heart is far from me” (Matt. 15:8). For awhile you might lip-sync a record and make big bucks. However, lip-syncing religion will not pay at the judgment – there will be no big, desirable reward. There will be a reward alright, but not the one we want.

A few weeks ago the world of Milli Vanilli came crashing down because of the deception they had wrought. Could we learn a lesson from them? Indeed, we can. If the religion we practice is not true to the book of God, and if we are not genuine and loyal in our practices of that religion, we will know a fate far worse than Milli Vanilli. We will loose our souls when we stand before God in judgment.

Guardian of Truth XXXV: 12, p. 372
June 20, 1991

By Lester A Doyle, Jr.

Qualities of Our Lord

As we look back on our Savior, we see that our Lord had all the qualities that every world leader would idolize. He took five loaves of bread and fed a multitude of people and had twelve basketfulls left, He walked on the stormy waters of the sea. He touched the eyes of the bind and instantly they could see. When he spoke, the dead came to life. He was brave as he faced men possessed with many devils.

Jesus was a carpenter’s son, raised in poverty, as many world leaders. With all the qualities Jesus had, it seems he would have been the most popular leader of all times. Instead, he was rejected. He was rejected because he didn’t want approval of the people. He chose instead the road to Calvary. He chose to offer them salvation, Jesus chose to give his own body and blood for the salvation of the whole human race.

Reading from Matthew 16:24-25, “Then Jesus said to his disciples, ‘If anyone desires to come after me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross, and follow me. For whoever desires to save his life will lose it, and whoever loses his life for my sake will find it.”‘ Had he not chosen the road to Calvary, we would be a people separated from God, without hope beyond this present world.

Guardian of Truth XXXV: 13, p. 388
July 4, 1991

By Raymond E. Harris

In our first article on Holy Spirit baptism we discussed the action and the element involved.

1. We pointed out that the action of baptism is always the same. The word baptism when properly translated means to be immersed. Hence, a baptized person is one who has been immersed.

2. The New Testament speaks of several elements into which a person may be immersed. John the baptizer came testifying that he would baptize them with water but that there was one coming after him who would baptize with or in the Holy Spirit and fire.

3. So we learn that there is only one action in baptism (immersion). But, there are a number of elements into which a person may be immersed. And in this study we are focusing on baptism or immersion in the Holy Spirit.

3. The Agent: Just who is the agent in Holy Spirit baptism? In other words, who can perform or administer Holy Spirit baptism? You will remember that John the Baptist acknowledged that he could only administer water baptism. But he said there was one who would come after him who would baptize with the Holy Spirit (Matt. 3:11).

In John 1:33-34 it is written: “. . . but he that sent me to baptize with water, the same said unto me, Upon whom thou shalt see the Spirit descending, and remaining on him, the same is he which baptizeth with the Holy Spirit. And I saw, and bare record that this is the Son of God.”

In John 15:26, Jesus promised the Apostles, “But when the Comforter is come, whom I will send unto you from the Father, even the Spirit of truth, which proceedeth from the Father, he shall testify of me: And ye shall bear witness, because ye have been with me from the beginning.”

In Acts 1:5,8, Jesus told the Apostles, “For John truly baptized with water; but ye shall be baptized with the Holy Spirit not many days hence.” “But ye shall receive power after the Holy Spirit is come upon you: and ye shall be witnesses unto me both in Jerusalem, and in all Judaea, and in Samaria, and unto the uttermost part of the earth.”

In all the New Testament, we find no one, save Jesus himself who claimed to have power to baptize with the Holy Spirit. No mere man ever was able to immerse another man with or in the Holy Spirit. This should help us see the folly in some of the claims made today regarding Holy Spirit baptism. The Son of God was the only agent or administrator of immersion in the Holy Spirit.

4. The subjects: Now we want to consider who was to be baptized in the Holy Spirit. Was Holy Spirit baptism something that every Christian was to receive? You will remember in Acts 1:5,8, Jesus promised the apostles that they would receive the Holy Spirit. The baptism of the apostles into the Holy Spirit was the fulfillment of that specific promise made by Jesus to the apostles.

Now we come to the second and last New Testament example of people being baptized or dipped in the Holy Spirit. This account is found in Acts chapters 10 and 11.

In Acts 10 we learn of God’s direct intervention to direct the apostle Peter (a Jew) to the house of Cornelius (a Gentile). Up till this time, perhaps 10 years after the establishment of the church, the Jewish Christians had not understood that the Gentiles were to be recipients of the Gospel. That was about to change.

Acts 10:44-48: “While Peter yet spake these words, the Holy Spirit fell on all them which heard the word. And they of the circumcision which believed were astonished, as many as came with Peter, because that on the Gentiles also was poured out the gift of the Holy Spirit. For they heard them speak with tongues, and magnify God. Then answered Peter, Can any man forbid water, that these should not be baptized, which have received the Holy Spirit as well as we (“we” means Apostles, REH)? And he commanded them to be baptized in the name of the Lord.”

Please note that in this study we have already learned that only Jesus could administer Holy Spirit baptism. Peter nor any other man had anything to do with this out pouring of the Holy Spirit upon the household of Cornelius. Peter could command and administer water baptism but Deity was the sole administrator of Holy Spirit Baptism.

Now let’s look at a second account of Peter’s visit with Cornelius as recorded in Acts 11:15-17: “And as I began to speak, the Holy Spirit fell on them (Cornelius’ household, REH) as on us (the Apostles, REH) at the beginning (Pentecost – Acts 2, REH). Then remembered I the word of the Lord, how that he said, John indeed baptized with water; but ye shall be baptized with the Holy Spirit. Forasmuch then as God gave them the like gift as he did unto us, who believe on the Lord Jesus Christ; what was 1, that I could withstand God?”

Again Peter stresses the fact that God alone could baptize with the Holy Spirit. He further noted that what Cornelius and his household received of the Lord was like what the apostles received on Pentecost and that it was a “gift” (see Acts 15:8-9).

We close our study now reminding you that only Deity could administer Holy Spirit baptism; and there are only two occasions of such baptism recorded in all the New Testament.

In our next article we will deal with the design or purpose for Holy Spirit baptism.

To Be Continued

Guardian of Truth XXXV: 12, pp. 364-365
June 20, 1991

By Michael Garrison

Few among us would not be aware that the number one drug problem in America, and probably the world, is alcohol. “Although cocaine is the most publicized drug of our day, the most widely used drug in the U.S. is alcohol” (Lloyd Shearer, Parade Magazine, May 10, 1987). In the years of 1976 and 1978, 71 percent of Americans said they drank some type of alcoholic drink (Parade Magazine, Dec. 24, 1989). This was down some by 1989, but alcohol consumption is still a major problem!

God has repeatedly warned us against the use of beverage alcohol. Despite these warnings, many lavishly spend millions of dollars on this harmful drug and under its influence commit any number of serious crimes from robbery to murder. Also, many marriages are broken up as a direct result of the husband or wife’s alcohol consumption.

In Isaiah 28:7, the prophet wrote: “But they also have erred through wine, and through strong drink are out of the way; the priest and the prophet have erred through strong drink, they are swallowed up of wine, they are out of the way through strong drink; they err in vision, they stumble in judgment.” Note the various results of drinking alcoholic beverages: “have erred”; “are out of the way”; “err in vision”; and “they stumble in judgment.” These are most serious, because they separate people from God!

In Leviticus 10:9-11, God, through Moses, gave some commandments to Aaron and the other priests of the Law of Moses: “Do not drink wine nor strong drink, thou, nor thy sons with thee, when ye go into the tabernacle of the congregation, lest ye die: it shall be a statute for ever throughout your generations: And that ye put difference between holy and unholy, and between unclean and clean; And that ye may teach the children of Israel all the statutes which the Lord hath spoken unto them by the hand of Moses.”

We note that one who imbibes alcoholic beverages will not be able to put a difference between what is holy (right) and unholy (wrong). One who uses alcoholic beverages will not be able to teach God’s people (or others) God’s law. Yet, even with this warning, some of God’s priests still transgressed God’s law. Some just will not listen and obey God!

In Luke 21:34, Jesus said, “Take heed to yourselves lest at any time your hearts be overcharged with surfeiting, and drunkenness, and cares of this life, and so that day come upon you unawares.” Jesus is warning his disciples about being ready for the destruction of Jerusalem at this place, but the warning can be applied to us who await his second coming. The word “surfeiting” means “overindulgence, esp. in food or drink” (Webster’s). So, Jesus’ disciples should be careful not to be gluttons or drunkards! Will we hear what he says to us?

Those who are Christians should know that all of us are priests before God. Peter told us that we “. . are a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, an holy nation, a peculiar people; that ye should shew forth the praises of him who hath called you out of darkness into his marvelous light” (1 Pet. 2:9). The apostle John said that Jesus “hath made us kings and priests unto God and his Father” (Rev. 1:5).

In the Old Testament, we learned that priests were not to drink wine nor strong drink lest they err and not be able to teach God’s law to the people. How can some think it is acceptable for Christians, priests of God now, to use various alcoholic beverages? How can we show people the way of Truth and righteousness with a beer can, glass of wine, or other alcoholic beverage in our hands? Let us set a good example to all!

But, after all this, some may be thinking, “A little alcoholic drink can’t hurt.” Does this reflect Truth? In Ephesians 5:18, the Holy Spirit inspired the apostle Paul to write, “And be not drunk with wine.” The word “drunk” here, “signifies to make drank, or to grow drunk (an inceptive verb [“expressing the beginning of an action,” Webster’s], marking the process of the state expressed in No. 1)” which is “to be drunk” (Expository Dictionary of New Testament Words, W.E. Vine). So, we see God condemns even the process which leads one to be drunk!

In 1 Thessalonians 5:6 and 8, Christians are told to be “sober.” This means “free from intoxicants” (Vine). How can any Christian think it is acceptable to drink any alcoholic beverage? God has clearly shown us that it is not right in his sight. Temperance and self-control are vital to lives of Christians. In Galatians 5:19-23, we have a list of the works of the flesh and of the Spirit – drinking and alcoholism would come under the works of the flesh, not of the Spirit; therefore, they are sin!

Dr. Melvin Knisely, head of the South Carolina Medical School team researching alcohol and its effects on people, gave up drinking alcohol. He said, “There is no such thing as an innocent cocktail.” He explains that “Alcohol, even in moderation, speeds up the destruction of nerve cells and initiates senility earlier in the life of any drinking man – or woman.” He continues, “Alcohol . . . forms an adhesive substance in the blood which cuts off blood cells from their oxygen supply. The trapped cells die, affecting the heart, liver, and brain” (Parade Magazine, Sept. 12, 1971).

Another consideration is that modern alcohol differs greatly from that of Bible times. Natural fermentation (the only kind in Bible times) allows only 5 to 8 percent alcohol (see Archaeology and Bible History, J.P. Free, p. 352). This was the strong drink condemned in the Bible. See Proverbs 23:29-35; 31:4-6.

Is alcoholism a disease? Brother Billy James wrote, “Alcoholism is now being looked at less from a viewpoint of being a disease to more of addiction. Since it is noncommunicable and self-induced, it is an addiction, not a disease, even though the word ‘disease’ is used accommodatively” (Pause-Ponder-Profit, Dec., 1974).

Dr. Max Rafferty, formerly of Troy State University, wrote in the Birmingham (Alabama) News (July 29, 1979) that he does not believe “that alcoholism is a disease. (A disease is caused by germs, viruses or organic deterioration, and is involuntary. None of these things are true of alcoholism.)” These men expressed the Truth well!

It is true that alcoholism can lead to disease – cirrhosis of the liver, for example. But, fornication or adultery can lead to veneral disease, but we don’t refer to adultery or fornication as a disease. We call it sin – because God’s word calls it that. So, we must refer to drinking or alcoholism not as a disease, but as sin. The problem, is a moral, more than a medical, one.

The sin of drinking and alcoholism can be overcome by a sincere desire to obey God’s will. “It is not for kings to drink wine; nor for princes strong drink: lest they drink, and forget the law, and pervert the judgment of any of the afflicted” (Prov. 31:4-5). When one drinks even a small amount of alcoholic beverage, his judgment and reactions are impaired. Then he forgets the law of God and the laws of the land. Let us flee alcoholic beverages!

Guardian of Truth XXXV: 13, pp. 387-388
July 4, 1991