Truth Magazine

By Johnie Edwards

Some have a tendency to blame God for all the religious confusion that exists among churches. The apostle Paul told the Corinthians, “For God is not the author of confusion, but of peace, as in all churches of the saints” (1 Cor. 14:33). Jesus prayed for unity among men when he said, “That they all may be one; as thou, Father art in me, and I in thee, that they also may be one in us: that the world may believe that thou hast sent me” (Jn. 17:21).

Confusion Hinders

Religious confusion hinders the work of conversion as men view the divided condition among churches. As Jesus prayed for unity, he appealed for unity on the grounds “that the world may believe that thou hast sent me” (Jn. 17:21). Unity helps the world to believe the claim of Christ, that he was the Son of God. The non-Christian gets to thinking that, if the folks who are supposed to be religious and study the Bible can’t agree, who am I to think that I can understand it! Thus that person makes no attempt to study and understand the Word of God. We all need to get our act together.

The Bible Says the Same to All Churches

You would think by what men teach that the Bible says as many different things as there are churches. Does the Bible say one thing to the Methodist Church and something different to the Baptist Church, then something entirely different to the church of Christ? Who can believe that the Bible teaches all the different doctrines held and taught by men. Paul taught the same thing every where he preached. “For this cause have I sent unto you Timotheus, who is my beloved son, and faithful in the Lord, who shall bring you into remembrance of my ways which be in Christ, as I teach every where in every church” (1 Cor. 4:17). Can you imagine the apostle Paul teaching one church of Christ one thing and something entirely different to another as he preached the Word of God? Have you ever thought about the fact that whatever the Bible says to you, it says to me and whatever it says to me, it says to you! Take the subject of music in worship. Paul said, “Speaking to yourselves in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing and making melody in your heart to the Lord” (Eph. 5:19). What one is told to do, all are told to do. If one is told to sing, all are; if one is told to play a mechanical instrument of music, all are told to play a mechanical instrument of music. If not, why not?

Truth Is Consistent

Truth is consistent with Truth. Only error is inconsistent. I have read religious articles or the creeds of men and many of them contradict themselves, sometimes even on the same page on the same subject! No wonder Jesus said, “And ye shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free” (Jn. 8:32). Of course you remember, “Thy word is truth” (Jn. 17:17). Every subject in the Bible harmonizes with every thing said on that subject. Sometimes men think they see contradictions in the Word of God, but that’s their problem of not having the ability to harmonize difficult passages. I must not accuse God of being a God of confusion just because I do not have the ability to see the harmony of the Scriptures!

The Problem

The problem that causes men to be confused and teach so many different things is the lack of proper study. Paul told Timothy, “Study to shew thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth” (2 Tim. 2:15). To study is to put forth the effort and be diligent in an honest investigation of the Word of God, realizing that we are dealing with the greatest book which has ever been written! If one can rightly divide the word of truth, he can just as well wrongly divide it, and most seem to do a lot of wrongly dividing! Properly studying the Bible is hard work. And most people don’t like hard work. The wise man said, “. . . of making many books there is no end; and much study is a weariness of the flesh” (Eccl. 12:12).

The Bible Can Be Understood

The Bible is written in such a way as to be understood by those who honestly seek to do what it says. The key to understanding the Word of God is to be of such a disposition that when you find out what it says, you are willing to do it. Jesus said, “If any man will do his will, he shall know of the doctrine, whether it be of God, or whether I speak of myself” (Jn. 7:17). Paul told the Ephesians, “Whereby, when ye read, ye may understand my knowledge in the mystery of Christ” (Eph. 3:4). It’s past time that all of us get to studying the Word of God to see what each of us must do to please God and quit blaming God for the confusion that exists in the religious world.

Guardian of Truth XXXIV: 6, p. 165
March 15, 1990

By Lester A. Doyle, Jr.

Love Gives

Generally speaking, man is a taker because his love is not great enough. Our Lord and Savior is a giver. He is a giver because he loves all mankind. Love is always seeking ways to give to others. Before our Savior was crucified, he said, “No man takes my life. I give it myself.”

In John 15:13 Jesus said, “Greater love has no one man than this, than to lay down one’s life for his friends.” Jesus tells us he laid down his life for the sins of the whole world. He could have escaped and fled, but through divine love he stayed and, like a lamb to the slaughter, he went to the cross.

This is the humble and loving Savior that asks of us: “This do in remembrance of me.”

Guardian of Truth XXXIV: 6, p. 171
March 15, 1990

By Johnny Stringer

Christians should recognize that God providentially works in earthly events. If he did not, prayer for his help would be but an empty, meaningless exercise. We may not always discern precisely which occurrences are the result of God’s providential action, but we know he does act.

The Bible makes it clear that he acts in the affairs of nations. Time and again he did so in the days of the Old Testament. God promised, for example, that he would bring Edom down (Obad. 1-4), and we often read of his using certain nations to punish other nations.

Nebuchadnezzar, king of the Babylonian Empire, was a mighty ruler among men. To whom did he owe his preeminent position? Hear the prophet Daniel: “The God of heaven hath given thee a kingdom, power, and strength, and glory” (Dan. 2:37). Later on, when Nebuchadnezzar was lifted up with a feeling of self-importance, he had to be taught the lesson that “the most High ruleth in the kingdoms of men” (Dan. 4:17,32).

Some believe that God’s active involvement in the affairs of nations was limited to the Old Testament period. There is no reason for believing that, and the New Testament proves otherwise. Jesus taught that God would use the Roman armies to destroy the city of Jerusalem (Matt. 24:1-2; Lk. 21:20-21). Moreover, his divine power would bring down the great persecuting power pictured in the Revelation, a book in which Christ is depicted as the King of kings and Lord of lords, ruling the nations with a rod of iron (Rev. 19:15-16).

If God were not active in the affairs of nations, he surely could not bring about a peaceable life for his people. Yet, we are taught to pray for national rulers so that we can live a peaceable life (1 Tim. 2:1-2). It would be futile to pray for national leaders if God had nothing to do with their actions.

Indeed, the very fact that we are taught to pray about earthly matters proves that God is active in earthly affairs. Of course, we may pray for things which conflict with some plan or purpose God is working out. In such a case, he will not grant what we ask (1 Jn. 5:14). Furthermore, he may act in response to our prayers in some way other than the way we expect. Or he may see fit to delay his response. Our job is to express our desires and then leave it to God to respond however and whenever he sees best.

Application to Current Events

Through the years many saints have fervently prayed for peace. We have thanked God for our freedoms, especially the freedom to worship God and teach his word. We have considered the countries which have been bound by the chains of Communism, and we have prayed that someday they too could enjoy these freedoms. Yes, we have prayed for God to act in international affairs.

Now look! The winds of change are sweeping across Eastern Europe with historic force, dramatically shaking established institutions and producing monumental changes which few of us imagined we would see in our lifetime. These winds are seemingly – seemingly – blowing away the iron curtain and causing the Soviet empire to disintegrate before the gaping gaze of an astonished world.

Can we doubt that God’s hand is behind these events? And although we are not now certain of the final outcome, must we not believe that it is at least possible that God is presently responding to the many prayers from his saints that have for so many years ascended to his throne?

Brethren, keep praying!

Guardian of Truth XXXIV: 6, p. 169
March 15, 1990

By Ron Halbrook

(NOTE: Immediately after my article “Why No Fellowship Hall or Gym ” appeared in the 2 Nov. 1989 Guardian of Truth, I received a letter from a young preacher who has already studied his way out of many aspects of institutional liberalism. Being unsure on the matter of fellowship halls, he offered some typical questions and arguments used to defend them. He did not want to appear to be “severe and critical” but explained, “What you have in your hands is the result of many weeks of frustrated study. ” Believing that other honest souls share the questions posed by this good brother, I am publishing my response to him.)

Thank you for your good letter of 3 November 1989. You have both a right and a duty to question all who teach (1 Jn. 4:1-6). When you have Bible questions to pose to any teacher, he has the obligation to give Bible answers (1 Pet. 4:11). Every teacher by the act of teaching invites investigation, criticism, and review, and anyone who complains about it when it comes is not worth his salt. I commend you for being open and not hesitating to question me.

Authority for Church Building

1. Where is there authority for a church building? Every command authorizes automatically the details (time, place, etc.) necessary to carry it out. Details need not be specified.

Bible Command		Includes Details to Facilitate
Build Ark Gen. 6:14		Saws, Hammers, Measuring Line, Etc.
Baptize   Mk. 16:16		Garments, Pool – Baptistry, Etc.
Lord’s Supper   Matt. 26:26-29		Table, Containers, Etc.
Assemble For Worship – Acts 2:42; 20:7; 1 Cor. 11:17-34		Time, Place (Borrow, Rent, Build, Buy)
Church Provide Social and Recreational Activity   Scripture?????		Time, Which Activities, Facilities (Supper & Party Room Called “Fellowship Hall,” Gym Called “Family Life Center,” Etc. – Hunting Lodge, Fishing Lake, Etc.)

 

The line is drawn at providing an adequate and convenient facility for doing what the church is authorized to do. Bathroom, classroom, etc. facilitate the activities authorized for the church, but supper-party rooms and gyms facilitate social meals and athletics, activities not authorized for the church. If the latter is authorized, put your finger on the passage as we do with singing.

Koinonia: Social Recreation?

2. You imply that “social recreation ” might somehow be included in the New Testament usage of koinonia. Of the passages you listed, which one authorizes the church to conduct social recreation?

a. Hebrews 2:14? Jesus shared the flesh-and-blood body of human nature. Nothing about local church action here.

b. 1 Corinthians 1:9? We are called into a spiritual relationship with Jesus. Nothing about gymnastics or supper parties here!

c. 1 Corinthians 10:16? We share with Christ in the Lord’s Supper. This is church action, but do we facilitate the Lord’s Supper by providing facilities to conduct ball games and ice cream suppers?

d. Philemon 17? Paul and Philemon share a spiritual partnership in Christ as fellow laborers in the gospel (cf. v. 13). Does this mean that through the gospel they were called to sign up for a church league ball team and would be partners in the next church chili cook-off?

e. Philippians 4:15? Philippi shared with Paul’s labors in the gospel by financial help – i.e., supported him to build barbecue grills and basketball courts in the name of the church?

f. Galatians 2:9? Peter and Paul acknowledged their common faith and common labors. They shook hands to start a church football game? They held a common stick over a fire to roast a hot dog at a church party? They agreed to organize church recreational programs among both Jews and Gentiles in preparation for the church-wide olympics?

g. 1 Corinthians 5:9-11? No form of koinonia is used in this whole chapter!

(1) The church acted by publicly turning the sinner over to Satan. Individuals are told not to undermine what the church did by having the sinner as a close associate in social activities.

(2) Does this somehow imply the church, rather than the individuals in their own personal activities, was providing social and recreational gatherings? If so, perhaps the point is that the church should not let the sinner get into the “fellowship hall” for the next ham supper, or to buy a coke from the church’s coke machine, or to play a game of ping-pong in the church’s exercise room. Would this authorize church “bouncers” to police the church’s social activities?

(3) We must call Bible things by Bible names and do Bible things in Bible ways (1 Pet. 4:11). The effort to bootleg the Bible word koinonia into 1 Corinthians 5, and then to bootleg church action into the arena of individual responsibility, all reminds me of hearing a liberal preacher use Hebrews 13:2 to justify these social gospel programs. He defined “entertain” to include everything from parties to athletics, and then assigned it all to church responsibility!

Social Aspect in Acts 2:42?

3. You refer to the “social aspect, ” apparently to suggest brethren being together in any and every way. Acts 2:42 and Hebrews 10:24-25 do indeed show the importance of being together, but these passages refer to spiritual activities provided in the assembly. Social activities are needed but belong to individual duty and not the work of a local church (Acts 2:46 distinguishes their assemblies in the temple area from their social gatherings at home, as does 1 Corinthians 11:34).

a. Yes, brethren can be taught to extend hospitality to each other in their homes. Let the church teach it, just as we teach the responsibility of parents to earn a living to provide their children’s medical and educational needs, but the church does not operate a business for parents to work in, a school to teach math and science, or a medical clinic or hospital. We can teach people the benefits of social activities and good, clean recreation without obligating the church to provide such activities.

b. As to finding conservative brethren weaker and more divisive than liberal churches, remember that your sampling is rather limited. I travel around the country and find many strong, vibrant churches preserving the distinction between the church’s spiritual realm and the individual’s social realm. I also see many liberal churches with their superficial “social fellowship” which are eaten up with apathy, false teaching, upheavals and controversies occasioned by their social activities (how far to go, who will run them, how to keep them going, etc.), and compromise. A liberal church in San Antonio, Texas recently surveyed all the churches of Christ there and found the conservative churches with no social programs to be far more active and consistent in their work than the liberal churches with their social activities. The study gave special attention to the correlation between “extra activities” and the degree of interest and involvement manifested in the Lord’s work. They found that the more extra social programs a church had, the weaker and less consistent it was!

c. I have lived and preached full time in ______________ (state where young man lives) for eight years. . . . I have many dear friends in the state. Every area of the country has certain strengths and weaknesses. A pronounced weakness among many churches in ______________ is the tendency toward friction and factionalism centered around the great emphasis given by some men through the years to trying to establish certain matters of personal choice as law (head covering, kneeling, a sin to vote, no Lord’s Supper at Sunday PM service, etc.). Patience, forbearance, and teaching on Romans 14 will ameliorate this problem, but introducing the apostate practice of church socials will only compound the problems.

If One Thing Is Unauthorized, What Then?

4. At times you slide toward the approach which says since church buildings seem to be unauthorized and we have them anyway, we can have church socials too even if they are not authorized. This would only prove we cannot have either (1 Pet. 4:11). The church owning a building is not specified but it is authorized because the church is authorized to provide for worship and teaching. Social activities, athletics, and entertainment do not constitute such worship and teaching, therefore the church has no authority to provide a place for such activities – nor to plan them – nor to oversee them.

Revelation Draws the Line

5. The church must make some arrangements for a place or it cannot provide worship and teaching of the truth. The activities authorized are specified, but the arrangements and provisions are not specified. They are authorized but not specified. Therefore, the church can borrow, rent, or build a place for worship and spiritual teaching. If we had authority for the church to engage in social and recreational affairs, it could borrow, rent, or build a place. The line as to what kind of “room” or place is provided must be drawn where the Bible authorizes one activity but not the other.

Revelation Draws the Line!
Build Ark (Gen. 6:14)	Excludes	Build Tower
Gopher Wood (Gen. 6:14)	Excludes	All Other Woods
Lord’s Supper First Day (Acts 20:7)	Excludes	All Other Days
Priesthood – Levi (Heb. 7:14)	Excludes	All Other Tribes
Sing	Excludes	Play
Church – Spiritual Work	Excludes	Social & Secular Activities

Is Social Activity Spiritual Edification?

6. The effort to slip social activities in under the guise of spiritual edification opens the floodgates to apostasy. Some people enjoy suppers, parties, and gyms, but other people enjoy association in golfing, fishing, hunting, camping, working on old cars, wood working, etc. When you said, “. . . it includes a whole host of activities,” you said a mouthful. Can you see all the things the church will have to plan, provide, finance, build, and oversee? If such is truly spiritual edification, why can’t we read of the New Testament churches providing such things (with or without special buildings for it)?

Guardian of Truth XXXIV: 6, pp. 163-164, 184
March 15, 1990