Truth Magazine

By Ron Halbrook

One of the steps taken by the elders to strengthen the church here in 1985 was an effort to reach the weak and erring before they fell away from Christ completely. When some new deacons were appointed, the specific assignments made to various deacons were discussed and reviewed, and a new task was divided among them all. A peg board was already in use to keep tabs on attendance patterns; at each service, every members pulls his peg and drops it in a box, and a deacon records each member’s attendance on a chart in a notebook. The members’ names were divided among the deacons as a new step, so that each deacon is responsible to check on anyone on his list who is absent. An announcement was made and the lists were posted matching the deacons with the other families in the church. Additional members are added to the lists as they joined themselves to the disciples here (Acts 9:26). If a person knows in advance he will be absent, he can call the appropriate deacon.

When a problem or pattern of absence appears, not only does the deacon try to help and encourage the person involved but also the matter is discussed in the regular meeting of elders and deacons. As a result, counsel is shared on how to best approach the matter and visits are made in an effort to resolve the problem and to help the person grow.

The deacons perform a wide range of tasks, many of them involving physical aspects of the work, but the fact is that there is an interplay between physical and spiritual aspects of the Lord’s work (study Acts 6:1-7). Deacons are selected on the basis of qualifications which reflect spiritual maturity (1 Tim. 3:8-13; Acts 6:1-7). Their office and work cannot encroach upon that of the eldership, but wise elders will find the skills and counsel of deacons to be a great asset in every aspect of the Lord’s work. This does not mean that deacons are “junior elders,” sharing the oversight and rule. Deacons are servants and helpers who minister under the oversight of elders. Elders need the help of such godly men to make their own leadership more effective.

Communication was vital to the effort to identify problems and strengthen the weak. The whole church had to understand the importance of this goal. In addition to public statements, teaching, and admonition, a letter was sent to each family seeking their help and prayers. The elders asked that the letter admit their own neglect in some aspects of dealing with the weak in the past. They wanted everyone to know that they were setting higher goals for themselves in the role of overseers, as well as for the whole church.

The result of communication with and through the evangelist, with and through the deacons, and with each family in the church was that everyone knew exactly what the goals were, what the plan of action was, and what was expected of everyone. The whole church began to pull together and the elders have continued to do a more effective job in helping the weak. This does not mean that we have no more weak Christians among us. It does mean that we are trying more earnestly to help them grow and to reach them before they fall away completely.

The letter which the elders sent as one phase of communications higher goals in this area of their work is published below.

Letter from the Elders to Every Member of the Church Here at West Columbia

Dear brother and sisters in Christ,

As elders, overseers, and shepherds, we bear two heavy responsibilities according to Hebrew 13:17. “Obey them that have the rule over you, and submit yourselves: for they watch for your souls, as they that must give account, that they may do it with joy, and not with grief: for that is unprofitable for you.”

First, we must “watch for your souls.” That means to watch with love and care for the well-being of each soul here. We watch for signs of growth and progress so that we may encourage you to continue in that direction. We also watch for signs of weakness and wavering so that we may help you to change your direction for the better. Every effort is for your profit and for your gain spiritually.

Second, we are responsible to give an account of our efforts to Christ himself. There will be great joy when we tell the story of the progress of those who are growing. We will have grief and sorrow when we must tell of those who wavered and then fell away. On that Last Great Day, we cannot profit you any longer.

We are constantly looking for ways to profit and help you more. As you know from your home life and other relationships, some acts of love are difficult and painful to perform, but they must be performed if the bonds of love are to grow. This letter speaks of some difficult and painful duties of love, but it will bear fruit for the good of us all if we can be united in doing what God teaches us to do. We ask for your prayers, your moral support, and your help in every possible way.

As elders we confess our neglect in following to completion God’s plan to strengthen the weak and to restore the fallen. There is the need for greater diligence in following every step of God’s plan, including the final withdrawal of fellowship. With God’s help and your help, we want to be better leaders in this area.

One of the danger signs in a Christian’s life is a lukewarm attitude toward the duty of assembling with the saints each time they meet (Heb. 10:25; Rev. 3:15-16). Such things as old age, sickness, and job requirements are not sinful; we do not have them in mind. But willful absence is sinful. Willful absence sears the conscience (1 Tim. 4:2), sets the wrong example (Matt. 18:6), and leads to other kinds of unfaithfulness (Gal. 5:19-21). After much exhortation and warning, the church must “withdraw from every brother that walketh disorderly” (1 Thess. 5:14; 2 Thess. 3:6).

We want to do a better job and encourage everyone to help us in calling, visiting, teaching, admonishing, and rebuking those who are willfully absent. When we see a Christian missing from our assembly, let us inquire where they are and contact them to see if they need our help in any way. Please expect someone to contact you when you are absent. You can help by getting the word to one of the elders or deacons if you get sick or when you know in advance you cannot be here. Any time you learn that a person is absent only a few times or is habitually absent, please help us to be more effective in reaching that person.

Some of you can help us by being more careful to pull your peg on the attendance board. With the appointment of new deacons shortly, we will divide the names or our members among the deacons so they can help us to stay in better touch with you about your attendance.

When a person obeys the gospel, he is asking Christ and the people of God to follow God’s plan completely if he begins to stumble or if he falls away. We fail in our duty to God and to our erring brother if we fail to do everything the Bible teaches in an effort to reach the erring. The church must continue in the relationship, fellowship, and process of working with these people until the point of a final withdrawal of fellowship. Final withdrawal is designed to bring the erring to repentance (1 Cor. 5:5), to assure the removal of the leaven of sin from the church (1 Cor. 5:6-7), and to cause others to fear (1 Tim. 5:20). Final withdrawal is a part of God’s plan and must not be neglected.

The church at West Columbia continues to have a great potential for good in the service of the Lord. Let us unite in love and patience toward the weak and the erring. Let us work closely with them as long as they show any desire to grow and to correct their lives. If there are spiritual problems in Your life and you are willing to talk with us, please contact us and we will get together with you. If you have any suggestions on this matter, let us know. May all of us unite in following every step of God’s plan regarding those who stumble or fall away. We ask the prayers and the help of every deacon, of all our teachers, of the evangelist, and of each member of the church.

With our love and care for each of you,

Signed Elders

Guardian of Truth XXXIV: 21, pp. 648-649
November 1, 1990

By Lynn D. Headrick

The title of this article is the wording of the headline over Ann Landers’ column in the Birmingham Post Herald of May 17, 1990. Her column reads as follows:

Dear Ann Landers: if anyone has the slightest doubt that we are living in a totally different world today, I challenge them to browse through the stationery store on the corner and check out beautiful cards for all occasions with the following messages:

Best wishes to My Dear Mother and Her Husband.

Greetings to my Wonderful Stepson.

Many Happy Returns to Dad and His New Wife.

Holiday Wishes to My Former Grandparents. I divorced your grandson, not you.

Congratulations on a Great Divorce!

Happy Anniversary to My Former In-Laws Who are Still in My Heart.

Best wishes to My Former Husband on His Birthday.

Happy Fourth of July to My Live-In Sweetheart.

Congratulations on Your Marriage. This one is sure to work. The third time is always a charm.

Indeed, these messages on greeting cards mirror a great change in our society. As Ms. Landers says, “We are living in a totally different world today.” God spake to Moses concerning the people saying, “Oh that there were such a heart in them, that they would fear me, and keep all my commandments always, that is might be well with them, and with their children forever!” (Dent. 5:29) Things are not well in marriage relationships in our society because people do not keep God’s commandments which are for our good (Deut. 10:13).

Have ye not read, that he who made them from the beginning made them male and female, and said, for this cause shall a man leave his father and mother, and shall cleave to his wife; and the two shall become one flesh? So that they are no more two, but one flesh. What therefore God hath joined together, let man put asunder” (Matt. 19:4-6).

Commercial greeting card publishers will not publish a card which will not sell for a profit. There must be a demand for a card which congratulates one on what is termed a “Great Divorce!” How desperately we need to teach young people that marriage is to be entered into with the idea that they will remain together until death. When problems in the marriage relationship arise, the thinking should be toward settling them immediately and there should not be the idea of getting a divorce. God said, “I hate putting away” (Mal. 2:16).

There would be no demand for cards which congratulate mother on her new husband and father on his new wife if every mother would teach the younger women to love their husbands (Tit. 2) and do so by way of personal example. If every husband would love his wife (Eph. 5:28) he would never receive a card to congratulate him on his new wife.

Social workers, juvenile court judges, school teachers and administrators and, indeed, all who think about the well-being of children know that divorce has a traumatic effect upon children. If God’s laws were followed parents would stay together and love their children. As you read this article determine in your own mind that there will be absolutely no need for your having to purchase and send a card to a stepson or to former grandparents, or to former in-laws because you have been selfish and divorced your partner or because you have married someone with whom you have no scriptural right to live.

Even the casual observer knows that cards which send greetings to one’s live-in sweetheart are very marketable because of the great number of people who live in such a situation. Our society uses a polite term like “my live-in sweetheart” but God calls this sinful arrangement by the term “fornication.” May God help God-fearing young people to overcome any temptation to live in this manner. “Flee fornication” (1 Cor. 6:18) because it will cause the loss of your soul.

We need to teach, teach, and do some more teaching concerning God’s marriage laws. They are for our good. Much heartache is spared by doing the will of God. Brethren, uphold the hands of Bible class teachers, preachers, elders and faithful parents who teach the truth on marriage. Little children need to memorize John 3:16 and Acts 2:38 but now let us include Matthew 19:4-6. May God give us the courage to live above the world in all areas of life.

Guardian of Truth XXXIV: 21, pp. 641, 663
November 1, 1990

By Glenn Seaton

I for one have heard about all the quotes from psychologists and educators in preaching that I can stand. One elder told me, “We finally told our preacher that we wanted to hear less about the university and more about the Bible.” Later the same elders told me that his preaching really improved “for a few weeks.” Notice this point from Pulpit Helps:

Biblical truth is theocentric (God-centered) whereas psychological counseling systems are anthropocentric (man-centered). The focus of biblical truth is God. The focus of Psychology is self: self-esteem, self-worth, self-image, self-love, self-awareness, and self-actualization.

With centers of importance that are opposite (God or self) would you expect God’s will in believers’ lives to be helped, or hindered, by integrating the theories of psychological counseling systems with God’s Word?

The fact is that many preachers are simply not getting the job done. If you cut through all the Greek words and statistics and cute stories and motivation hype and psychology and university stories you’d find little Bible truth that will save a man’s soul or expose error. What a shame!

Guardian of Truth XXXIV: 21, p. 652
November 1, 1990

By Mike Willis

The deity of Christ has been under attack for centuries as modernists have methodically tried to remove supernaturalism from the Christian religion. The Christ of modernism is merely a man – a good man, but still only a man. The Christ of the Bible is the incarnation of God.

The Christ of Prophecy

The prophets who foretold the coming of the Messiah described him as more than a mere man. He is “God with us.” Here are some of the prophecies which emphasize the deity of the Messiah.

1. Isaiah 7-14. In foretelling the virgin birth, Isaiah describes the child to be born as “Immanuel.” Matthew explains the meaning of the Hebrew word to be “God with us.”

2. Isaiah 9:6. The child who was born of a virgin would be known as “Wonderful Counselor, The mighty God, The Everlasting Father, The Prince of Peace.” The government of God’s kingdom would be placed upon his shoulder.

3. Micah 5:2. The Messiah who would enter human history as a baby born in Bethlehem is him “whose goings forth have been from of old, from everlasting.”

4. Psalm 2. In the second Psalm, the Messiah is represented as being so inseparably united with God that the heathen could not separate the Lord from his Anointed. The Lord promised to set his king upon his holy hill and said, “Thou art my Son; this day have I begotten thee” (2:7). The author of Hebrews refers this passage to Jesus showing his superiority to the angels: “For unto which of the angels said he at any time, Thou art my Son, this day have I begotten thee?” (1:6) The nations were commanded to “kiss the Son” in giving worship and honor to him.

5. Psalm 45. This psalm describes the marriage of the Messiah to his bride (the church). The Messiah is “fairer than the children of men” (45:2) and “most mighty” (45:3). To the Messiah, God said, “Thy throne, O God, is for ever and ever: the scepter of thy kingdom is a right scepter. Thou lovest righteousness and hatest wickedness: therefore God, thy God, hath anointed thee with the oil of gladness above thy fellows” (45:6-7). The author of Hebrews used this statement to attribute deity to Jesus in contrast to the angels (1:8).

6. Psalm 110. The reign of the promised Messiah is described in this psalm. The psalm opens, “The Lord, said unto my Lord, Sit thou at my right hands, until I make thine enemies thy footstool” (110:1). This statement was quoted by Jesus to confound the Jews who could not understand how the son of David could also be David’s Lord (Matt. 22:44). The Messiah is pictured as reigning in his kingdom, seated at the right hand of Jehovah God. His reign combines the office of priest and king, just like Melchizedek; his reign is everlasting, not being limited to a brief period of earth history. An everlasting dominion is possible only for an eternal Being.

7. Daniel 2:44. Writing during the Babylonian captivity, Daniel foresaw the establishment of the Lord’s kingdom during the days of the kings of the fourth kingdom (the Roman empire). The kingdom which the Messiah would establish “shall never be destroyed: and the kingdom shall not be left to other people . . . it shall stand for ever.” His everlasting dominion would include those from every nation.

8. Daniel 7.-13-14. In a later prophecy in the book, the prophet saw one “like the Son of man ascending with the clouds of heaven to the Ancient of days (a prophecy of the coronation of Jesus after his ascension into heaven). To this Son of man were given “dominion, and glory, and a kingdom, that all people, nations, and languages, should serve him: his dominion is an everlasting dominion, which shall not pass away, and his kingdom that which shall not be destroyed.”

9. Zechariah 13:7. This passage states that the Messiah is “the man that is my fellow,” describing him as the equal of the Lord of hosts.

From the testimony of the prophets, we can learn that the Messiah could not be merely a man. A man does not have the attributes necessitated by the descriptions of him as “God with us,” “The mighty God,” eternity, dominion over the entire world, and such like phrases. His humanity is also described in the Old Testament pointing us to the incarnation of God in human flesh.

The Birth of the Babe

Did Jesus leave his deity behind when he became flesh? That he did not leave his deity is seen from several lines of evidence.

1. Matthew 1:21-23. In Matthew’s birth narrative, the child born to Mary is no ordinary man produced by human generation. The child was conceived in Mary by the Holy Ghost and is Immanuel, “God with us.”

2. Luke’s record. Luke’s record of the birth of Jesus gives emphasis to the deity of Jesus. The babe born in Bethlehem was no ordinary child, like every other child. In announcing the work of John the Baptist to Zachariah, the angel foretold his work to prepare for the Messiah: “And many of the children of Israel shall he turn to the Lord their God. And he shall go before him (that is, the Lord their God, mw) in the spirit and power of Elias, to turn the hearts of the fathers to the children, and the disobedient to the wisdom of the just; to make ready a people prepared for the Lord” (1:16-17). The “Lord their God” of Luke’s gospel is none other than Jesus. In studying the work of John the Baptist, we can see how he turned the hearts of men toward the Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world (cf. Jn. 1:29,36); he turned the hearts of men toward Jesus – the Lord their God.

When the Lord announced the birth of baby Jesus to Mary, he described the infant as the “Son of the highest” (1:32), the “holy thing” (1:35), and the “Son of God” (1:35). These words cannot be used to describe a mere human infant!

When Mary went to Elizabeth to confirm the announcement of the angel by the visible sign of the pregnancy of the aged barren woman, Elizabeth was filled with the Holy Ghost and described Mary as “the mother of my Lord” (1:43). The baby in Mary’s womb was Elizabeth’s Lord!

After the birth of John the Baptist, Zacharias was enabled to speak once again. In his prophecy, he spoke both of his son John the Baptist and the babe to born to Mary. He recognized Mary’s child as the “horn of salvation for us in the house of his servant David” (1:69). When he turned to speak of John’s work, Zacharias said, “And thou, child, shalt be called the prophet of the Highest: for thou shall go before the face of the Lord to prepare his ways.” Of course, John went before the face of Jesus to prepare the way for him.

When the baby was born, the angels in heaven announced to the shepherds of Israel that “a Savior, which is Christ the Lord” had been born (2:11). A multitude of the heavenly host sang praises to God at the birth of the child.

The birth narratives emphasize that the child born in Bethlehem was no ordinary child. He was the Lord’s Messiah, the Son of God, the Lord. To the mind of an humble Jew, such descriptions could not be given to a mere human being without being guilty of blasphemy. These descriptions must be understood to describe the deity of Christ, a deity which did not begin at some later point in his life but was there the moment of his birth. The miracles of Jesus’ humanity point us to his deity: he enters the world by one miracle (the virgin birth) and leaves it by another miracle (his ascension).

Guardian of Truth XXXIV: 21, pp. 642, 662-663
November 1, 1990