Truth Magazine

By Bobby Witherington

In John 8 we read of a discussion which took place between Jesus and certain Jews who seemed to have a case of spiritual amnesia. They prided themselves in being children of God. Yet in v. 44 of this chapter, Jesus identified them as being children of the devil. Also they were prone to regard Jesus as a mere man, and in v. 49 they even accused him of having a demon!

However, none of his opposers could convict Jesus of sin nor could they answer his arguments. In fact, instead of replying to the truths Jesus spake, they resorted to taking up stones to cast at him – which serves to illustrate how violent some religious people can become when they are charged with being in error and are unable to answer the charges.

In these verses, Jesus taught truths which every accountable person should learn. Especially is this so with reference to the Person of Jesus Christ. The importance of our knowing the truth regarding the Person of Christ is emphasized in the latter part of John 8:24 wherein Jesus said: “for if you do not believe that I am, you will die in your sins.” In the King James Version, this verse reads, “for if ye believe not that I am (he), ye shall die in your sins.” However, the word “he” is placed in italics, meaning it was supplied by the translators. So if you leave out what the translators inserted, Jesus literally said, “for if you do not believe that I am, you will die in your sins.” This is in keeping with the overall context, for in v. 58 Jesus said, “Verily, verily, I say unto you, Before Abraham was, I am.”

Concerning himself, Jesus said, “I am. ” Taken in its biblical perspective, Jesus thus affirmed the eternity of his being. To illustrate, we call your attention to Exodus 3 in which God commissioned Moses to lead his people, the Jews, out of the land of Egypt. Moses inquired of God concerning what answer he could give to the Jews when they would ask who sent him. “God said unto Moses, I am that I am: and he said, Thus shalt thou say unto the children of Israel, I am hath sent me unto you.”

Hence, when we compare Exodus 3 with John 8 we observe that the same affirmation that was made for God the Father was also made for Jesus Christ. He was not, as some unscripturally advocate, simply a created being of inferior quality. As the Father is from everlasting to everlasting, the Christ is also. In fact, if he had been of a different nature, he could not serve as our sin offering and as the mediator between God and man.

I Am The Bread of Life

As we pursue this theme regarding the “I am’s” of Jesus, I call your attention to John 6:35 where Jesus said, “I am the bread of life. He who comes to Me shall never hunger, and he who believes in Me shall never thirst.”

It is evident that many of the Jews to whom he spake neither understood nor appreciated what Jesus said. In fact, according to v. 41, they “murmured against him” because he said, “I am the bread which came down from heaven.” They had a problem in understanding for at least three reasons: (1) They were prejudiced; (2) They were carnal minded; and (3) They insisted on giving a literal interpretation of figurative statements.

Earlier in this chapter, we noted that Jesus had miraculously fed the 5,000 on 5 barley loaves and two small fishes. Afterwards, many sought Jesus, but Jesus knew what was in their hearts and said: “Most assuredly, I say to you, you seek Me, not because you saw the signs, but because you ate of the loaves and were filled” (John 6:26). They were concerned about physical food for the body, but Jesus sought to show the greater value of the spiritual food for the soul, of which one could eat and never hunger.

Jesus is that life-giving and life-sustaining bread to Whom we must go to in order to have life. But how do we come to him who is the bread of life? The rest of the chapter explains this figurative expression. In v. 45 we learn that in order to come to him we must be taught. In v. 63 he said, “The words that I speak to you are spirit, and (they) are life.” And in v. 68 we learn that Peter got the message, for he said to Jesus, “Lord, to whom shall we go? You have the words of eternal life.” His words, his truths constitute that spiritual food that he offered as meat to sustain men.

Christ is the bread of life who gives and sustains life and our means of approach to the bread of life is through learning and heeding his inspired words of life.

I Am the Light of the World

In John 8:12 Jesus spoke to the Pharisees and said: “I am the light of the world. He who follows Me shall not walk in darkness, but have the light of life. ” Then once again in John 9:5, just prior to his healing the blind man, Jesus said, “As long as I am in the world, I am the light of the world.” Jesus also said, “I am the light of the world.” In fact, he said it twice – as if he intended for us to get the message. Moreover, in John 1:4,5 the apostle said of Jesus: “In him was life, and the life was the light of men. And the light shines in the darkness, and the darkness did not comprehend it.”

But what is implied by Jesus’ statement, “I am the light of the world”? In one sense, we suggest that Christ occupies the same place in the moral and the spiritual realm that the sun occupies in the natural and physical realm. Life on earth, as we know it, would cease to be if the sun were suddenly hurled out of our solar system, leaving the earth deprived of its light and heat. Nor can there be any spiritual life outside of Christ who is light and in whom there is life.

Light enables us to see clearly. In the Scriptures, light is put for knowledge. This is why the Psalmist could say, “The entrance of Your words gives light” (Psa. 119:130). This is why we, in 1 John 1:7, are exhorted to “walk in the light.” He who walks in the light conducts himself according to our Lord’s teachings, as they set forth in the New Testament.

For a world in the darkness of ianorance. Christ is the light, and his word can erase the ignorance. For a world in the darkness of sin, Christ is the light, and through his blood the sinner can be redeemed. For a world in the darkness of death, Christ is the light, and in him those who are dead in trespasses and sins can be made alive. But in each case, one must learn his will, and render obedience to Christ who is the author of eternal salvation to those who obey him (Heb. 5:9).

I Am The Door

I also call your attention to the words of the Savior as they are recorded in John 10:7-9. “Then Jesus said to them again, ‘Most assuredly, I say to you, I am the door of the sheep. All who (ever) came before Me are thieves and robbers, but the sheep did not hear them. I am the door. If anyone enters by Me, he will be saved, and will go in and out and find pasture.'”

I suggest unto you that this is a very simple metaphor that is full of meaning. In vv. 1-5 of this chapter, Jesus gave the parable of the sheepfold, and even in these verses we see the importance of the door. According to v. 1, we learn that the door is the means of entrance into the sheepfold, and that he that would strive to enter by some other way is a thief and a robber. This parable seems simple enough to understand; however, according to v. 6, the Pharisees to whom Jesus spoke, did not understand what he said. Their problem, though, was not a lack of intelligence. It was a lack of sincerity. They were prejudiced – probably one of the worst diseases that can afflict the soul.

But beginning at v. 7, Jesus further explained the parable he had just spoken. And he said, “I am the door of the sheep.” A door presumes a “within” and a “without” relationship, and those who have not entered by the door, meaning through Christ, are outside the sheepfold, or outside the realm of salvation.

Jesus said, “I am the door. ” Neither Abraham, Moses, John, nor any of the righteous prophets had ever made such a claim – and for good reason; there is only one door of access to the Father. Jesus is it. In a word, Jesus herein placed himself between the whole human race and true blessedness. The one door is not the so-called “Father Divine,” or Joseph Smith, Jr., or Jim Jones, or a rabbi, or a preacher or a priest. The dignity of being “the door of the sheep” belongs to Christ alone. He is the Door by which the spiritual sheep are admitted to divine pasture, divine security, and divine society.

No other figure of speech more vividly portrays man’s need for Christ, and consequently the necessity of obeying Christ so as to be admitted into the family of God. Have you tried to enter the Sheepfold by some other door than Christ? Your efforts are in vain! For Christ is the only door!

I Am The Good Shepherd

In John 10:11 Jesus says, “I am the good shepherd. The good shepherd gives his life for the sheep.” Then again we note John 10:14 wherein Jesus said, “I am the good shepherd; and I know My (sheep), and am known by My own.”

These verses, in context, belong to that portion of Scripture in which Jesus gave and then explained the parable of the sheepfold. This parable presumes a shepherd-flock relationship, and in the metaphor used here, Jesus portrayed himself as the shepherd of the flock. In our society, because of our different environmental conditioning, it is hard for us to appreciate the role of an eastern shepherd. Theirs was a demanding work. They were exposed to the extremes of heat and cold. At times, they encountered such wild beasts as wolves, lions, panthers, and bears, and occasionally their lives were endangered by robbers. This was not a job for a hireling whose sole interest in the job was how much he could earn for himself,

But in calling himself the “good shepherd,” Jesus intended for us to learn something greater than just eastern shepherding customs. Jesus herein spoke of his own death in which he would lay down his life for the sheep, and of the time when there would be one fold and one shepherd. Furthermore, this one fold would include other sheep, in addition to those of Jewish nationality. In other words, this one fold would consist of both Jews and Gentiles united together and heeding the voice of the good shepherd.

To fully understand John 10, one has to continue reading through this book, and even into the book of Acts. In John 19 we read of the crucifixion of Christ, the good shepherd, as he literally gave his life for the sheep. In Acts 2 we read of the establishment of Christ’s church which at first consisted of Jews only. In Acts 10 we read of the conversion of the Gentiles, and then in Acts 20:28 the church is called “the flock of God,” and we are informed that it was purchased with the Blood of Christ. Hence, in the book of Acts, as signified in the New Testament Church, there is indeed the one fold, consisting of Jews and other sheep, generally called Gentiles, and the one shepherd.

Christ, then, is the good shepherd. The New Testament church is the sheepfold. And the other sheep are those who have heard the shepherd’s voice in preaching the gospel, and followed through with humble obedience to his will.

I Am The Resurrection and the Life

The background of the particular “I am” of John 11:1-24 is this: Two sisters, Mary and Martha, and their brother, Lazarus, lived in Bethany. They sustained a close friendship with Jesus. On one occasion while Jesus was away, Lazarus became critically ill and his sisters sent for Jesus. But Jesus did not arrive until after Lazarus had died, and was buried.

As Jesus returned and drew near Bethany and the house where the grief-stricken sisters of Lazarus lived, they received news that he was returning. Martha went out to meet him. Jesus said unto her, “Your brother will rise again.” Much faith was evident in Martha’s reply, as she said, “I know that he will rise again in the resurrection at the last day.” Then Jesus said to her, “I am the resurrection and the life. He who believes in Me, though he may die, he shall live” (Jn. 11:25).

In calling himself “the resurrection and the life,” Jesus among other things, declared that he is the giver of life. Based upon John 5:28,29, we learn that in the last day, when Jesus returns, all the dead will hear his voice and shall come forth, some to the resurrection of life, and others to the resurrection of damnation. And even in John 11:44, Jesus demonstrated his power over physical death by raising Lazarus from the grave.

However, in John 11:25 wherein Jesus, said “I am the resurrection and the life,” he was primarily referring to his power over spiritual death. This is evident from his statement that “he who believes in Me, though he may die, he shall live.” Those who are spiritually dead, or “dead in trespasses and sins” as Paul expressed it in Ephesians 2:1, can be made alive spiritually.

It is well to note, however, that when Jesus said “he who believes in Me, . . . shall live,” he used a word which includes and incorporates the obedience that accompanies true faith as it is pictured in the New Testament.

I Am the Way, The Truth, and The Life

I call your attention to an oft-quoted and a very meaningful passage of Scripture – John 14:6 where Jesus said unto Thomas, “I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through Me.”

The statement in the passage that we just cited almost staggers the imagination. Jesus said, “I am the way, the truth, and the life, ” and then, as if to underscore and give emphasis to what he just said, Jesus further said, “No one comes to the Father except through Me.”

In the preceding verses where Jesus made reference to the many mansions in his Father’s house and to his disciples he said, “I go to prepare a place for you.” Then he made them a promise saying: “I will come again and receive you to Myself; that where I am, (there) you may be also.”

It seems that the disciples had difficulty understanding the spiritual nature of the kingdom. This is implied on numerous occasions. For example, in Mark 10:37, James and John requested of Christ that they be privileged to sit one on his right hand, and the other on his left hand in his glory. Such a vain request as that was surely made in contemplation of an earthly kingdom. Hence, in John 14:5 Thomas said to him, “Lord, we do not know where You are going, and how can we know the way?” It is most likely that he was wondering where on earth, or in what earthly city existed the royal and regal home to which the Messiah was about to depart.

However, as Jesus said in John 18:36, his kingdom is not of this world. Hence, when he talked about going to his Father’s house, he referred to the place where God, his Father, was – which of course is heaven, and concerning which Jesus is “the way, the truth, and the life.”

Being “the way,” Jesus is our medium of access to the Father, as Paul so vividly taught in Ephesians 2:18. Being “the truth,” he stands opposed to all falsehood, either secular or religious. Being “the life,” he is its Author and Source, and being also “the truth,” he has stated the conditions upon which life is to be attained.

But note please, the sobering statement following his claim to be the way, the truth, and the life; he further said, “No one comes to the Father except through Me.” You will never find a more narrow statement than this, and it was uttered by Jesus the Christ. Apart from Christ, and our obedience to his revealed will, there is no salvation.

Conclusion

In John 6:35 Jesus said, “I am the bread of life. He who comes to Me shall never hunger, and he who believes in Me shall never thirst.” Being the “bread of life,” he is both the giver and the sustainer of spiritual life to those who come to him in scriptural obedience. In John 8:12 Jesus said, “I am the light of the world. He who follows Me shall not walk in darkness, but have the light of life.” If he is, as stated, the light of the world, then those outside of Christ are in spiritual darkness, and should they die in that condition, they will forever be banished from the light of his presence. In John 10:7 Jesus said, “Most assuredly, I say to you, I am the door of the sheep.” Being as it were the door, those who desire to be saved must enter in accordance with the plan which our Lord has ordained. In John 10:14 Jesus said, “I am the good shepherd; and I know My (sheep), and am known by My own.” Inasmuch as he is the good shepherd, to be saved, we must be a part of that relationship which is called “the flock of God,” and according to Acts 20:28, that is the New Testament church. In John 11:25 Jesus said, “I am the resurrection and the life. He who believes in Me, though he may die, he shall live.” This implies, among other things, that if we in that last day desire to be raised unto everlasting life, our faith in Christ must express itself in true obedience. In John 14:6 Jesus said, “I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through Me.” Hence, from this we learn that those who know and obey the truth, which is the Word of God, enter into Christ, the way, and possess the hope of eternal life through him.

And finally, we call your attention to John 15:1 in which Jesus said, “I am the true vine, and My Father is the vine-dresser.” Then in the verses that follow, Jesus gave the parable of the Vine and the branches, and taught that the individual child of God is the branch. Hence, inasmuch as the branch is the individual, and Christ is the vine, it is apparent that the person who is herein approved is the one who is in Christ, and is bearing fruit in that relationship. In Galatians 3:26,27 we learn that the believer who is scripturally baptized is the believer who is in Christ, the true vine.

Surely from these “I am” sayings of Christ, it is evident that every accountable person needs to be “in Christ.” Dear friend are you in Christ? If not, why not?

Guardian of Truth XXXV: 13, pp. 392-395
July 4, 1991

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