Truth Magazine

By Frank Jamerson

When a person is “baptized into Christ,” the Lord adds him to the church, but this does not make him a member of a local church. We are baptized into “one body,” the universal church, but we “join ourselves” to a local church. Some brethren have “floating membership,” others “leave their letter at their home congregation,” and others deny that there is any obligation to be a part of a local church. What does the Bible teach about a Christian’s responsibility to join a church?

Agreement

Local church membership involves agreement of the individual and the group to work together. When Saul had to leave Damascus because of a threat on his life, he went to Jerusalem and “tried to join the disciples” there, but they were afraid of him, and would not receive him, until Barnabas recommended him (Acts 9:23-26). After they received him, he was “with them at Jerusalem, coming in and going out” (v. 28). Later, we read of brethren in Ephesus writing a letter to Achaia, exhorting them to receive Apollos (Acts 18:27). The letter served the same purpose for Apollos that the mouth of Barnabas served for Saul. Apollos was his “membership,” not the letter that brethren wrote; just as Saul was his “membership,” not the words that Barnabas spoke.

In these two examples we see that there must be a desire to belong, and a willingness to receive, in order for local membership to exist. A church cannot force a member to “join,” and a Christian cannot force himself upon a church.

How Do I Decide?

Some say that “one church is as good as another,” but few, if any, really believe that. Is the church of Satan as good as the church of the Lord? Others seem to think that they must examine every church to see which they like best, but this would be a difficult, if not impossible, task. By the time you finished studying the twelve hundred churches, some of them would have changed, and you would have to start over! There are others who simply look at the sign on the building. If it says “church of Christ,” they decide that they can join it. The worship may be unscriptural, and the work may be patterned after the denominational world instead of the word of God, but “it says church of Christ” and that settles the question for them.

Worship

A Christian should find a church where he can worship God “in spirit and in truth” (Jn. 4:24). The fact that the Bible mentions “vain worship” (Matt. 15:9), “ignorant worship” (Acts 17:23), and “will worship” (Col. 2:23) should indicate to any thinking person that one worship is not as good as another. Many churches add things to their worship which are not found in “the truth,” and leave out things that are taught in the truth. If I am to worship “in spirit and in truth,” I must find a group that does only what is “in truth” in order to acceptably worship.

Recent editions of The Examiner have been ridiculing our appeal to “the truth” as a pattern for everything we do in worship. Brother Holt no longer knows whether or not instrumental music should be used in worship, because he does not believe that we must do only what is authorized in God’s word. He said: “It is neither scripturally allowed, nor scripturally forbidden. The N.T. Scriptures say absolutely nothing about instrumental music one way or another” (March, 1990). Other writers have been attacking the Lord’s supper on the first day of the week. They try to make the “breaking of bread” in Acts 20:7 mean a common meal, so they know when Christians should come together to eat their common meals, but have no idea when they should come together to commune with Christ. Such “reasoning” is not because they respect the Bible as their authority and want to get back to the truth in all things; rather, it is the fruit of their rejection of the New Testament as a standard for our conduct.

Organization

The Bible teaches that churches had “elders and deacons” (Phil. 1:1). The fact that elders were not simply the “older men or women” in the group should be obvious from the qualifications that God gave (1 Tim. 3; Tit. 1). Among the qualifications, Paul said that a “novice” (new convert) must not be appointed. If the elders were simply “older members” there would be no way that “a novice” could be an elder. It would be useless to give that qualification, just as it would be useless to give the warning in 1 Corinthians 10:12, if it were impossible to fall from grace!

When a church has men who meet the qualifications, they should be appointed to the work (Acts 14:23). Having been “made bishops” by the Holy Spirit (Acts 20:28), they are to “Shepherd the flock of God which is among you, serving as overseers, not by constraint but willingly, not for dishonest gain but eagerly” (1 Pet. 5:2). The Bible says nothing about Presidents, Archbishops, Popes, etc., therefore churches that have such officers are acting without authority, and I could not “join myself” to one to them.

Work

Another thing that should be considered before joining a church is the work it does. Paul told the Philippians that their support of him abounded “to your account” (Phil. 4:17). If God credits the right things the group does to my account, when I have participated in them, then he will credit wrong things to my account if I participate in them!

Churches provided and arranged for the teaching of the word (1 Thess. 1:8; Heb. 10:25), and the relieving of their needy (Acts 6:1-7; 1 Tim. 5:16). They also assisted preachers in teaching in other places (Phil. 4:15; 2 Cor. 11:8), and sent to other churches that had more needy than they could care for without assistance (2 Cor. 8:1-15).

Churches that are involved in business enterprises, sponsoring of recreation and entertainment and social meals are acting by the same authority as those who have Presidents, Archbishops or a Pope.

Conclusion

It makes a different which church I join, because it makes a difference how I worship, and what organization and work I fellowship.

Does this mean that I must agree with every member of the group on every issue before I can “join” that group? Certainly not! But it does mean that we must agree in the things we do together. There are many groups who practice what I believe the Bible teaches, but probably none of them would agree with every belief that I hold. Since I fellowship that in which I participate, I should find a group where I can “join up,” and “join in” the doing of those things that God authorizes me to do.

Guardian of Truth XXXIV: 22, pp. 675-676
November 15, 1990

By Larry Ray Hafley

Of which salvation the prophets have inquired and searched diligently, who prophesied of the grace that should come unto you: Searching what or what manner of time the Spirit of Christ which was in them did signify, when it testified beforehand the sufferings of Christ, and the glory that should follow. Unto whom it was revealed, that not unto themselves, but unto us they did minister the things, which are now reported unto you by them that have the Holy Ghost sent down from heaven; which things the angels desire to look into (1 Pet. 1:10-12).

Five items in the above text are essentially interchangeable expressions of the same thing; namely, the gospel of Christ. Observe: (1) “Salvation”; (2) “Grace”; (3) “The Sufferings of Christ And The Glory That Should Follow”; (4) “Things . . . Now Reported”; (5) “Gospel.” These terms fly in the face of those who would have us preach a sentimental “salvation” and a “gentle” grace which ignores terms and conditions of the gospel. “Speak unto us smooth things” is the cry of the ages (Isa. 30:8-11). So, today let us hear of great grace and salvation, but do not burden and oppress us with the binding, chafing “commandments of the Lord.” We want to hear of great grace and sweet salvation, but do not tell us what we must do to receive it. That is legalism. Preach the greatest love story ever told and thrill us with the free gift of grace, eternal life, but do not turn sinners “off” with the necessity of repentance and baptism.

However, the passage in 1 Peter cited above shows us that salvation, grace, the sufferings of Christ, and the things now reported are the gospel, the word of God, the incorruptible seed, the word of the Lord that endureth forever (cf. 1 Pet. 1:22-25). It is in “obeying the truth … .. the gospel … .. the word of the Lord,” which was given “through the Spirit” (1 Pet. 1:22), that one receives the grace, salvation and redemption provided by the “precious blood of Christ” (1 Pet. 1:18, 19). Hence, one cannot fully preach the grace and salvation of God without preaching the terms and conditions of the gospel of God.

Certainly, if men are ignorant of grace, salvation and the blood of Christ, by all means tell them of those things – When the lost hear the good news, when they learn of the goodness of God, it will lead them to repentance (Rom. 2:4). When their heart is cut, stabbed and pierced through thoroughly, they must then be told to repent and be baptized in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins (Acts 2:36-38). Grace has been granted. Blood has been shed. Salvation has been offered. Now, truth must be obeyed (2 Cor. 8:9; 1 Pet. 1:18,19,22).

Usually, when a man talks about “the spirit of Christ” and decries the preaching of the commandments of Christ, he has a hidden agenda, a plan of his own. No man speaks by the Spirit of Christ if he disdains the word of Christ. Do not be fooled by sentimental tears and heart touching stories that de-emphasize the terms and conditions of gospel obedience.

Another characteristic of religious enthusiasm is to plead for the “leading of the Spirit.” Let us, they say, open our hearts and minds to the guidance and direction of the Spirit of Christ. Perhaps, they infer, we are missing out on the message of the Spirit if we devote too much time to trying to figure out legal commandments and patterns. Mark and eye closely the teacher or preacher who attempts to get you to pay attention to some deep spiritual “meaning” while diverting you from the words of the Bible. Do not be deceived by mystical allusions to “the deep things of the Spirit,” or the “real” message God has for us, and that we can only attain this special, hidden, inner wisdom if we are willing to “launch out in faith,” while not being so concerned or consumed with cold, literal Bible texts. We should, they say, not be arguing our positions; we should not be debating; rather, we should allow the Spirit of Christ to lead us to relevant and kindly feelings of brotherliness. “Heart felt,” “devotional,” “meaningful relationship,” “inner calling and leading,” “the real, living message of the living Spirit,” – these and a host of other similar terms, words and expressions are all “buzz” words of those who would “beguile you of your reward in a voluntary humility and worshiping of angels, intruding into those things which he hath not seen, vainly puffed up by his fleshly mind, and not beholding the Head, from which all the body by joints and bands having nourishment ministered, and knit together, increaseth with the increase of God” (Col. 2:18,10).

Of course, we are to be led by the Spirit of Christ. The Spirit of Christ does indeed testify and signify. He is a witness unto us. No one who is a Christian could ever doubt or deny it. But, how? How does the Spirit of Christ testify and witness unto us? That the Spirit of Christ testifies unto us is not a matter of dispute. Peter said the Spirit testified. Of what did he testify? He testified of “the sufferings of Christ, and the glory that should follow.” But in Luke 24:25-27, no less an authority than Jesus our Lord said, “0 fools, and slow of heart to believe all that the prophets have spoken: Ought not Christ to have suffered these things, and to enter into his glory?” The Spirit of Christ testified when the prophets spoke. When I read what the prophets wrote of the sufferings of Christ and the glory that should follow, I am reading the Spirit’s testimony. There is no other way under heaven to have the Spirit’s testimony of the sufferings of Christ than to read what the prophets said about it.

“The Holy Ghost also is a witness to us: for after that he had said before. . . ” (Heb. 10:15). The Holy Spirit is a “witness to us” by what he said through Jeremiah. When the Spirit said what he said through the prophets, he witnessed to us. The only way on earth for the spirit of Christ to witness to you today is to read his testimony given through the apostles and prophets through the Spirit” (Eph. 3:5). The witness and testimony of the Spirit is found in the word of the Spirit, the Bible.

Still, we are told that we need to “get to know the Person of the Spirit,” rather than merely studying the Bible. That is just so much “vain jangling.” You cannot know the “Person” of the Spirit except as he reveals himself to you. The only place he has revealed himself is on the pages of the book we call the Bible. Can I know and obey the word of the Spirit and not know the Spirit? Can I know the “Person” of the Spirit and not know and obey the word of the Spirit (I Cor. 2:10-14)? One can only receive the Spirit of God as he receives what the Spirit has said. Can you receive the Spirit and reject his word? Can you accept his word, obey it, and not receive him?

Finally, what is the effect of all this? If I accept the gospel and obey the word of the Spirit sent down from heaven, what then? “Wherefore gird up the loins of your mind, be sober and hope to the end for the grace that is to be brought unto you at the revelation of Jesus Christ” (1 Pet. 1:13).

Guardian of Truth XXXIV: 21, pp. 658-659
November 1, 1990

By Irvin Himmel

The just man walketh in his integrity: his children are blessed after him (Prov. 20:7).

A just man, contrary to pictures painted by artists, does not go about with a halo over his head. He is a man who lives righteously and piously. The Bible describes Noah as a just man – one who was perfect or upright in his generations and one who walked with God (Gen. 6:9). Joseph, the husband of Mary, was a just man (Matt. 1:19). Simeon was just and devout (Lk. 2:25). Joseph of Arimathea, who buried the body of Jesus, was a good and just man (Lk. 23:50). Cornelius the centurion was a just man (Acts 10:22).

Characteristics of a Just Man

The following are some of the ways in which a just or righteous man shows that he is just:

(1) By generosity. Cornelius was charitable. He “gave much alms to the people” (Acts 10:2). Joseph of Arimathea was generous. He furnished the tomb for the burial of Jes s; it was a new sepulchre. In contrast to the greedy, “the righteous giveth and spareth not” (Prov. 21:26). “The righteous considereth the cause of the poor” (Prov. 29:7).

(2) By Mercy. “The wicked borroweth, and payeth not again: but the righteous showeth mercy, and giveth” (Psa. 37:21). A just man demonstrates pity and compassion on the unfortunate.

(3) By speech. This just man is careful about what he says. He weighs his words. “The heart of the righteous studieth to answer: but the mouth of the wicked poureth out evil things” (Prov. 15:28).

(4) By truthfulness. The just man is honest. He refrains from deceit. “A righteous man hateth lying” (Prov. 13:5), and he knows that “lying lips’ befit only a wicked fool (Prov. 17:7).

(5) By wisdom. The just man increases in learning (Prov. 9:9). Consequently, “The mouth of the just bringeth forth wisdom” (Prov. 10:31).

(6) By justice. The just man has a deep sense of fairness. “It is a joy to the just to do judgment” (Prov. 19:15).

(7) By thankfulness. The just man is humbly grateful to God. “Surely the righteous shall give thanks unto thy name: the upright shall dwell in thy presence” (Psa. 140:13).

The Walk of the Just

There are many ways in which people choose to walk. The following are some of them:

(1) In pleasure. Some live to serve “divers lusts and pleasures” (Tit. 3:3). They are “lovers of pleasures more than lovers of God” (2 Tim. 3:4). A fun time is all they think about. The just man does not walk in pleasure.

(2) In profit. A lot of people have dollar signs in their eyes. They are money mad. They walk in the quest for material gain. Their love is the root of all kinds of evil (1 Tim. 6:10). This is not the walk of the just.

(3) In pride. Some are lifted up with vanity. They walk in self-esteem, ostentation, and conceit. They seem not to realize that “God resisteth the proud, but giveth grace unto the humble” (Jas. 4:6). The just man does not walk in pride.

(4) In pollution. There are people who wallow in the mire of drunkenness and uncleanness. They are filthy before God. To use the language of Isaiah 28:8, they are “full of vomit and filthiness.” This is not the walk of the just.

(5) In poverty. Some walk in poverty because of their slothfulness. The Bible says, “Love not sleep, lest thou come to poverty” (Prov. 20:13). Some walk in poverty due to wasteful spending. “For the drunkard and the glutton shall come to poverty” (Prov. 23:21). Others may be in poverty because of circumstances beyond their control.

(6) In integrity. This is the walk chosen by the just man. To walk in integrity is to follow a course that is upright before God. The life is spiritually well-rounded. No part is lacking for the completion of the whole. There is sincerity, singleness of purpose, and soundness of heart.

Blessing to His Children

The children of a just man are blessed by his walking in integrity. His example of righteous conduct is worth more than lands and houses; it is a far better heritage than money, stocks, and bonds.

The father who influences his offspring by his life of integrity leaves a legacy of highest value. How blessed is the son whose father was a just man. Whatever may have been the father’s faults and shortcomings, if he walked in the integrity of a sincere and pure heart, he has bequeathed a gift that a sensible son can cherish all his days.

Thank God for just men who walk in integrity! They leave their children a cherished legacy.

Guardian of Truth XXXIV: 21, p. 660
November 1, 1990

By Funda Mpanza

The Holy Spirit is God. Jesus promised to send his apostles the Spirit of Truth. He told them what the work of the Holy Spirit was going to be. The Bible tells us a lot about the work that the Holy Spirit came to accomplish.

Many people today have altered, changed or distorted the work of the Holy Spirit. Here I would like to write about seven things that the Holy Spirit was not given for.

1. The Holy Spirit was not given to make people brag. Simon, the ex-sorcerer, wanted the Holy Spirit so people would applaud him saying he was a great one. He was not given the Holy Spirit because he had a wrong motive – his intention was to boast (see Acts 8:9-11; 18:23). If Simon was not given the Holy Spirit, it is obvious that God cannot give anyone his Holy Spirit for the sake of boasting.

You will hear many people saying that the Holy Spirit drives them to do their mighty deeds – In denominational tent meetings you will hear someone saying, “I can perform miracles.” Usually if he claims it, his audience thinks he is someone great from God. This man does not have the Holy Spirit because the Holy Spirit was not given for boasting.

2. The Holy Spirit was not given to protect people from temptations. Those people who are running after the Holy Spirit believe that if they can get the Holy Spirit, he will protect or immunize them from temptations. I hear people testifying in pulpits that they have the Holy Spirit that guides them. He protects them from temptations and they don’t sin any more. But I find the very same people in immoralities and many other sins!

In Galatians 2:11-14 you will find that Peter and Barnabas were tempted and sinned. These men had the Holy Spirit. Peter was an apostle who had been with Jesus; Barnabas went preaching with Paul and there is no doubt that he had the Holy Spirit. This explains to us clearly that the Holy Spirit was not given to protect people from temptations.

3. The Holy Spirit was not given to keep people always well. Those who claim to have power from the Holy Spirit think he was given to heal everyone and keep everyone well. Some have even taught that if you go to the hospital you have little faith. Many people have died because they refused to go to the hospital.

In a place called Kwaceza in Zululand there is a so-called “Church of Christ” denomination. When I visited this denomination I wanted to know more about it as it called itself “The church of Christ.” The young man who was telling about it told me that its founder was already dead. I asked him how he died. He replied that he had died a few years ago because his feet were swollen up and he would not go to the hospital.

Almost all of their members believe that it is wrong to go to the hospital. This young man told me that they would not go to the hospital because the Bible does not let them do that. I tried to reason with him by the Scriptures but he would not listen because the founder and the teaching of his denomination were against taking medicine.

A preacher told me about an incident which took place in Mandini, south of Eshowe. Some people believed that it was a sin to go to the doctor or to immunize their bodies against any disease. It happened that cholera attacked our country a few years ago. These people who believed that it is a sin to take medicine were urged to be inoculated. These children died because of their false doctrine taught. False doctrine kills physically as well as spiritually.

What does the Bible say about medicine? Paul told Timothy to use a little wine for his stomach’s sake and his often infirmities (1 Tim. 5:23). Paul was an inspired man. He had power from the Holy Spirit but he did not say to Timothy, “You have little faith.” Instead he prescribed medicine. Wine was to be taken by Timothy as medicine as we sometimes take Coke as our medicine for stomach aches. I visited home one day and my mother prescribed salt and sugar mixed in water as medicine for my stomach ache. It helped me a lot.

Paul left Trophimus sick at Miletus (2 Tim. 4:20). Why didn’t he pray for him? The answer lies clearly that the purpose of miraculous healing was not to keep everyone well. Even Paul himself became sick. In Galatians 5:13 he says, “Ye know how through an infirmity of the flesh I preached the gospel unto you at the first.”

4. The Holy Spirit was not given to tell people whom to marry. This is a wrong idea believed by many people in this country, especially in black communities. They believe that you can’t get married unless the Spirit of God tells you to do so.

If the Holy Spirit was for telling people whom they should marry, those who get married before becoming Christians are not married at all! Therefore they would be committing adultery. If they are committing adultery they must repent. If they repent they must abandon their spouses until the Holy Spirit tells them the right partners. But that is not true. A married person is married irrespective of whether they married before or after their conversion to Christ.

In 1 Corinthians 7:2 Paul says, “. . . let every man have his own wife, and let every woman have her own husband.” In this verse he doesn’t tell us to wait until the Holy Spirit tells us whom to marry. In 1 Corinthians 9:5 he says, “Do we not have a right to take along a believing wife?” From these verses there is nothing about Christians being told to wait for the Holy Spirit to tell them anything to do as far as getting married is concerned.

Some read Genesis 24:10-21 and say, “Aha! Isaac did not do any thing, but God did something for him.” The people who say that must open their eyes to the Scriptures. Isaac did not wait for the Spirit of God to tell him anything. The verses put it clearly that it was his spokesman who put something forward as a sign that God was with him. Therefore no one has a right to use this verse in justifying his practice.

A certain young man had a similar false idea about marriage. He liked a young lady but wanted to make sure that God had given him this young lady. As many people do, he did something that he thought was going to be a sign from God. He unfolded the collar of his shirt and said to himself, “The lady who will fix my collar nicely will be the one the Lord has chosen for me.” This young man began moving among the young women. By accident a lady who was not very pretty fixed his collar. When this unfortunate thing occurred he cried out, “Oh Lord, that is not the right one!” You see from this that he wanted what he desired to fall on him by chance.

5. The Holy Spirit was not given to roll people on the ground and make them dirty. Many denominational churches teach that if you receive the Holy Spirit you must fall down and become dirty. To them this shows that you are submitting yourself; therefore some people will fall down and roll if they think they are receiving the Holy Spirit.

A denominational preacher was busy preaching. One of those in his audience got excited and disturbed the preacher. Almost everyone got excited and thought the man in the audience was driven by the Holy Spirit. I was also in the audience as it happened in 1984 before I was taught the way of the Lord more perfectly. After the session finished my friend said to me, “Funda, that man disturbed the Holy Spirit (meaning the man who got excited). If he didn’t, we would have seen you under the seats and dirty.” Is it the Spirit of God that is making people fall down and dirty themselves? Certainly not!

On the day of Pentecost when the apostles were baptized by the Holy Spirit, they did not fall down or become dirty (Acts 2:14). Neither did Cornelius and his companions roll in the dirt when they were baptized by the Holy Spirit (Acts 10:44-46).

6. The Holy Spirit was not given to harm or injure people. A woman was telling a certain preacher that if she receives the Holy Spirit she runs and harms herself with thorns and stones. But that cannot be the Holy Spirit. Her problem is either mental, psychological or some other thing which causes her to run out and hurt herself.

While we were having a weekend meeting in Vyrheid, Natal, a Zionist Church had its meeting. An old woma was standing at the door of the classroom where the Zionists were singing and running around, praying and hitting one another. We asked this woman why she didn’t join her people. Her answer was like this, “If they are like this, we who are old do not enter inside because they drag and hurt us.” Is it the Holy Spirit that drags people and hurts them?

If we examine these practices in the light of the Scriptures we will find that the Holy Spirit never hurt the people who received the Holy Spirit. Who hurts and injures people? The answer is found in Acts 19:13-16 and Mark 5:1-5. Demons hurt people. The Jewish exorcists who claimed to be doing things in the name of Jesus were wounded and prevailed upon by a man who had an evil spirit – not by the Holy Spirit. Mark tells of a certain man who had his dwelling among the tombs. In verse five he says, “And always, night and day, he was in the mountains, and in the tombs, crying, and cutting himself with stones.” This man was cutting himself because he was possessed by the unclean spirit, not because of the Holy Spirit. Therefore no one should harm himself and blame the Spirit of Jesus.

7. The Holy Spirit was not given to make people indolent and not read the Bible. Sometimes we are faced with the problem of those people who will not reason with us by the Scriptures. They claim to have the Holy Spirit so they will not let anyone reason with them in the light of the Bible. Some even say, “No, don’t keep on memorizing verses. Just be filled with the Spirit.” These people will not search the Scriptures; they receive anything that comes to their minds.

In Acts 17:11 we have an example of noble-minded people who searched the Scriptures daily to see whether the things preached by Paul were true. Paul in Ephesians 3:3-4 emphasized reading the Bible. He said that if we read we may understand the mystery that was made known to him through revelation.

Conclusion

From these seven points we can all see that the Holy Spirit is not a toy to play with. He is God. In John 16:8 the Bible tells us that the Holy Spirit was given to Jesus’ apostles for three reasons: “to convict the world concerning sin, and righteousness, and judgment.” Therefore do not run after the Holy Spirit. He has accomplished his work. We now have the New Testament to follow. It is inspired by the Spirit of God. It is “profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, for training in righteousness; that the man of God may be adequate, equipped for every good work” (2 Tim. 3:16-17).

Guardian of Truth XXXIV: 21, pp. 656-657
November 1, 1990