Truth Magazine

By Barney L. Keith

A cardinal point of emphasis concerning the Holy Spirit is that he speaks. There are at least two reasons for stressing this fact. (1) Many conceive of the Holy Spirit as an “It” which produces certain feelings or exhilarating sensations that are said to be “better felt than told.” From this misconception comes the false notion that “you can just feel the Spirit moving in their services.” (2) Also, referring to the “speaking Spirit’ puts emphasis on the intelligent, rational personality of the Holy Spirit who has communicated God’s will to men in intelligible language.

Some Pertinent Passages

Jesus informed the twelve as they went forth on the “limited commission” that “it is not ye that speak, but the Spirit of your Father which speaketh in you” (Matt. 10:20). Jesus told his apostles that when the promised Comforter, the Holy Spirit, should come, “He shall not speak of himself; but whatsoever he shall hear, that shall he speak” (John 16:13). On Pentecost the Spirit-baptized apostles “began to speak . . . as the Spirit gave them utterance” (Acts 2:4). “The Spirit speaketh expressly,” Paul affirmed (1 Tim. 4:1). The Spirit said certain things to Philip (Acts 8:29), and he said things to Peter (Acts 10:19, emphasis by BLK). Nothing is said about making these “feel” a certain way. Let it be noted again that the Holy Spirit is seen in the New Testament to be indeed the speaking Spirit.

Of What Has The Spirit Spoken?

It can be correctly stated that the Holy Spirit has spoken everything men need to know about their spiritual condition and needs. “All things that pertain to life and godliness” is an appropriate summary of what he has spoken (2 Pet. 1:4), but we shall consider only a few of these briefly.

Jesus As Messiah

He has spoken about Jesus as the Messiah. “But when the Comforter is come … even the Spirit of truth, he shall testify of me,” Jesus said (John 15:26). In fact, long before Jesus came to earth, the Holy Spirit, through the prophets, had spoken explicit things about him – things which were fulfilled in detail in the life of Jesus (see 1 Pet. 1:10- 12 and Rom. 1:1-4). The scores of fulfilled Messianic prophecies constitute irrefutable proof of the Deity and Messiahship of Jesus of Nazareth.

The Gospel Of Saving Grace

He has spoken about the marvelous grace of God – grace that moved the Holy One who had created men to show saving compassion to the very ones who had offended him by their sins and who were worthy of death (Rom. 3:23; 5:6-9; 6:23). The Holy Spirit spoke the gospel plan of salvation to a lost, undeserving world through the inspired men of the first century. On Pentecost (Acts 2) it is clear that those who were saved that day were saved because they had heard what the Spirit spoke through Peter. “When they heard this, they were pricked in their heart” (Acts 2:37). Here is the true explanation of how the Holy Spirit works in convicting and converting the lost. It is by his word! It is the Spirit’s word that produces faith (Rom. 10:17). It is his word that shows men how they can be born again (1 Pet. 1:22,23,25). No direct operation by the Spirit on the sinner’s heart is involved. It is by that same word that the Holy Spirit still appeals to men.

The Lord’s Church

The Spirit has spoken about that great assembly of redeemed, the church of Jesus Christ. The Spirit specified that the church was “according to the eternal purpose which he purposed in Christ Jesus our Lord” (Eph. 3:10,11). It is not only ironic, but also sinful, for anyone to ridicule the church or to denigrate its role in God’s plan for the reconciliation of sinners. Especially is this the case since the Holy Spirit has spoken in precise terms about the church Jesus built, purchasing it with his own blood (Matt. 16:18; Acts 20:28; Eph. 5:25). In the Spirit’s speaking can be found the perfect pattern by which it was built, and by which it can be identified even today; The many religious denominational bodies conceived in human minds came long after Jesus had created his blood-purchased body, the church. Men should be satisfied with what the Spirit has spoken about the one body of Christ.

Warnings About Apostasy

The Spirit has spoken about the possibility and the certainty of apostasy from the original pattern Christ gave. Paul warned some elders that “grievous wolves” would enter among them, stating also that “of your own selves shall men arise, speaking perverse things to draw away disciples after them” (Acts 20:29,30). The Spirit gave the Thessalonian church a word picture of the blatant blasphemy that would come about “in the temple of God” by the usurpation of authority by lawless forces (2 Thess. 2:3-7). Widespread digression set in rather early. Incipient forms of Catholicism became visible. Wholesale apostasy became rampant. Digression from the New Testament pattern is always to be resisted by the faithful. The Digression that is evident in our own day will be halted only when digressing people return to the Spirit’s word.

The Christian’s Lifestyle

The Spirit has spoken about the Christian’s manner of life. He has said it is to be conducted “soberly, righteously and godly in this present world” (Tit. 2:12). He has said that such things as adultery, fornication, uncleanness, lasciviousness, drunkenness and others are “works of the flesh” (Gal. 5:19-21). “They which do such things shall not inherit the kingdom of God,” he has said. Rather the Spirit has called us to produce the “fruit of the Spirit” – such things as love, joy, peace, longsuffering and kindness (Gal. 5:22). He has exhorted Christians to “let your conduct be worthy of the gospel of Christ” (Phil. 1:27). How shameful then are the inroads made by worldly lifestyles into the Lord’s congregations. Only when more disciples truly become the “light of the world” and “salt of the earth” can such erosion of morality and spirituality be halted (Matt. 5:13-16).

The Importance of Listening to the Spirit

Nothing that the Holy Spirit has spoken is unimportant. Anything beyond what he has spoken is a perversion of truth (Gal. 1:69). Since he has revealed everything men need for salvation, our hearts should be full of gratitude. Our lives should be demonstrations of joyous obedience to his message. We need to remember, too, that the Spirit has spoken about the eternal home of the soul, heaven. Our only hope of reaching heaven is to listen to the Spirit, learn from his speaking, and obey from the heart his word. His description of heaven with its surpassing beauty and its never ending blessedness for the redeemed should evoke in every sensitive heart a strong desire to go there. May all of us listen to the speaking Spirit.

Guardian of Truth XXXIV: 6, pp. 161, 183
March 15, 1990

By Larry Ray Hafley

I. Introduction:

A. Fifty years ago, a prominent preacher warned:

The ship of Zion has floundered more than once on the sand-bar of institutionalism. The tendency to organize is characteristic of the age. This writer has ever been unable to appreciate the logic of those who affect to see grave danger in the missionary society but scruple not to form organizations for the purpose of caring for orphans, and teaching young men to be gospel preachers. Of course it is right for the church to care for the fatherless and widows in their affliction, but the work should be done by and through the church with the elders having the oversight thereof (Guy N. Woods, A CC Lectures, 1939, p. 54).

B. Using commonly accepted terminology as employed in the quote above, the Scriptures shall be our authority in this study of institutionalism (2 Tim. 1: 13; 2 Jn. 9; 1 Pet. 4: 11; Col. 3:17; Matt. 28:20).

C. Topics to be discussed:

1. Is there a Bible pattern?

2. How is scriptural authority established?

3. What is the church?

4. What is the work of the church?

5. What is the issue?

II. Discussion:

A. Is there a Bible pattern?

1. Noah had a pattern (Gen. 6:22).

2. Moses had a pattern (Exod. 25:8,9,40; 26:30; 27:8; cf. Acts 7:41,44; Lev. 10:1,2; 1 Sam. 15).

a. “Works of their own hands” (Acts 7:41 vs. God’s, v. 44).

b. “Obey better than sacrifice” (1 Sam. 15:22).

c. Cf. Jereboam – “devised of his own heart” (1 Kgs. 12:33).

3. New Testament pattern (2 Tim. 1:13; 2:5; 3:16,17).

a. For gospel obedience (Rom. 6:17,18; 1 Tim. 1:16).

1. If not, cannot bind baptism.

2. If not, cannot forbid infant baptism.

3. If no order, no disorder.

b. For worship (Col. 3:16,17).

1. If not, Lord’s supper on Saturday.

2. If not, piano, beads, candles.

3. If no order, no disorder.

c. For organization (Acts 14:23; Tit. 1:5; 1 Pet. 5:2).

1. If not, one man pastor plan of Protestants?

2. If not, accept priestly caste of Catholics?

3. If no order, no disorder.

d. Some want to pick and choose which patterns they will follow – “Lazy Susan” patternism.

e. Others use the Bible to show there is no pattern! Is the Bible a pattern for “no patternism”?

B. How is scriptural authority established?

1. Direct command, statement – “Take, eat” (1 Cor. 11:24-26) – Observe Lord’s supper.

2. Approved apostolic example – “Upon the first day of the week” (Acts 20:7) – When to observe Lord’s supper?

3. Necessary Implication – “Upon the first day of the week” (Acts 20:7; Exod. 20-8) – Frequency of observance.

4. Generic and Specific authority:

 

C. What is the church?

 

1. Universal body of all obedient believers (Matt: 16:18; Eph. 1:22,23; 2:16; 4:4; 5:23; 1 Cor. 12:13, Gal. 3:27,28).

2. Local congregations (Rom. 16:16; Gal. 1:2; 1 Cor. 1:2; Rev. 1:11,20).

3. Cf. Eunuch and Saul – both members of the church, but a member of no local church (1 Cor. 12:13; Col. 1: 13; Acts 8:26-40; 9:26; 2:47).

4. A plurality of local churches did not move, act or work in concert as a single unit – no “churchhood” concept.

a. If so, cite head, organization, work, treasury. b. If so, what are entrance qualifications? Officers qualifications? How appointed?

D. What is the work of the church?

1. Preaching (1 Thess. 1:8; Acts 11:22).

2. Edification (Eph. 4:12; 1 Cor. 14; Acts 11:22-26).

3. Benevolence (Acts 6:1-6; 1 Tim. 5:16).

4. Recreation, Entertainment? No Scripture.

a. “For the church to turn aside from its divine work to furnish amusement and recreation is to pervert its mission. It is to degrade its mission. Amusement and recreation should stem from the home rather than the church. The church, like Nehemiah, has a great work to do; and it should not come down on the plains of Ono to amuse and entertain” (B.C. Goodpasture, Gospel Advocate, May 20, 1948).

b. “Building recreation rooms and providing and supervising recreational activities at the expense of the church is a departure from the simple gospel plan as revealed in the New Testament” (Gospel Advocate Annual Commentary, 195 1, p. 229).

E. What is the issue?

1. In evangelism:

a. The issue is not.

1. Should preaching be done.

2. “How” preaching should be done (means, methods).

3. May churches cooperate.

4. May a place be maintained.

b. The issue is: May churches of Christ build and maintain missionary societies to do work God gave the church to do.

 

2. In edification:

 

a. The issue is not:

1. Should saints be edified.

2. “How” edifying should be done (means, methods).

3. May churches cooperate.

4. May a place be maintained.

b. The issue is: May churches of Christ build and maintain colleges to do the work God gave the

church to do.

 

 

3. In benevolence:

a. The issue is not:

1. Should needy receive care.

2. “How” should care be done (means, methods).

b. The issue is: May churches of Christ build and maintain benevolent societies to do work God gave the church to do.

 

 

III. Conclusion:

A. Compare principles above to church sponsored recreation.

1. Note a “what if” comparison:

 

2. Church does the work, provides gym, games, toys, coaches.

 

3. Not this:

 

 

4. If the church is not a “home” and must contribute to a benevolent society, as some argue, then since the church is not a gymnasium, must it contribute to YMCA’s to play?

B. The local church is all-sufficient to do the work God assigned it to do.

Guardian of Truth XXXIV: 5, pp. 142-143
March 1, 1990

By Edgar J. Dye

Introduction

As we indicated in the first article in this series, 2 John 6-11 serves as our text and in view of the pertinent points declared therein suggests to one and all what our attitude toward error should be.

The cry is heard repeatedly that we must have the proper attitude and is one with which we agree provided the attitude called for is in harmony with the doctrine of Christ. There always has been and always will be a need for that kind of attitude. Unfortunately, what some have in mind when they raise their voices in this cry is not at all in harmony with the doctrine of Christ and biblical principles. Therefore, our need to study this matter.

Position of the Church in the World

Our first article (which see) dealt with the correct understanding of the position of the people of God – the church – in the world, which is necessary if we are to develop and maintain the proper attitude toward sin and error. In that article we noted that the church is the “called-out” body of people belonging to the Lord by right of purchase – a “called-out” and “purchased” people; each member of that “called-out” body has been called and chosen of the Lord by means of the gospel of Christ, which is God’s power to save and which all the apostles were commissioned to preach; each member is blood-bought; thus the whole body is a people of God’s own possession, a peculiar people, a purchased people; God’s people are people who are in the world, but not of the world; they are a people who must be separate from the world and every evil work or every form of evil; they are a people who must not be fashioned after or conformed to the world, but transformed; a people identified as “the salt of the earth” and “the light of the world”; they are a people who have learned, believed and obeyed the truth by which they are made free from sin and its condemnation; they are a people who “hunger and thirst after righteousness,” and hate every false way; a people identified as God’s spiritual family – God’s born-again sons and daughters, the church of God; they are a people identified as saints, who are sanctified unto the Lord – a saved, purified, justified people by “the washing of water by the word . . . a glorious church, not having spot, or wrinkle, or any such thing . . . holy and without blemish” to be presented to the Lord; also, that they are a people who are identified as Christians, adherents of the Lord who are to be holy as he is holy.

The Father and the Son’s Attitude Toward Error

We now turn our attention to the attitude of both the Father and the Son toward error, without a knowledge of which we can neither determine nor maintain the right attitude toward it.

The Father’s attitude toward those who teach falsely is revealed in Jeremiah 23:30-32, where he said, “I am against the prophets that steal my words every one from his neighbor; I am against the prophets that use (marg. “smooth”) their tongues, and say, He saith; I am against them that prophesy false dreams, and do tell them, and cause my people to err by their lies and by their lightness . . . therefore they shall not profit this people at all.” (Sounds as if the Father was somewhat of an “Anti,” doesn’t it?) In Deuteronomy 18:20 he said, “But the prophet, which shall presume to speak a word in my name, which I have not commanded him to speak, or that shall speak in the name of other gods, even that prophet shall die.” In Deuteronomy 13:5 he demanded that his people put all such “evil away from the midst of thee.” In Proverbs 6:16-19 he reveals that speaking falsely is one of the seven things which he “hates,” which “are an abomination unto him.”

The Father’s attitude toward those who believe not the truth and live wickedly is that “your iniquities have separated between you and your God, and your sins have hid his face from you, that he will not hear” (Isa. 59:1-5). “The face of the Lord is against them that do evil, to cut off the remembrance of them from the earth” (Psa. 34:16; cf. Jer. 44:11). “The Lord is far from the wicked” (Prov. 15:29). He will laugh at the calamity and mock the fear of those who refuse his call, who set at naught his counsel (Prov. 1:24-28). His wrath “is revealed from heaven against all ungodliness and unrighteousness of men, who hold the truth in unrighteousness”; and those who “commit such things are worthy of death” (Rom. 1:18-32). (See also Rom. 2:1-11; 1 Cor. 10:5-10; Heb. 3:7-19; 11:6.)

The Son’s attitude toward error will remind us of what ours must be. Through the apostles he demands that we preach the truth and condemn error (2 Tim. 4:1-5); we rebuke them that sin, one and all (1 Tim. 5:19,20; Eph. 5:1-11; Tit. 3:10,11; cf. Acts 5:1-11); we endorse no one in error (2 Jn. 6-11); we try the spirits (1 Jn. 4: 1; Rev. 2:2); we stop the mouths of vain talkers and deceivers (Tit. 1:9-11). This is not done by force or deceitful pressure tactics, but by the word of God, the Sword of the Spirit. We must not condemn, cut off, disfellowship, mark or quarantine anyone before first proving false teaching and ungodliness against them (Tti. 3:11). When repentance does not take place after such has been proved, we have no choice in the matter but to do the Lord’s will; for he already has decided for us (I Tim. 5:19-21; Rom. 16:17,18; 1 Cor. 5:1-7,13; 2 Thess. 3:6). He also demands that we recognize all perverters of the gospel as accursed (Gal. 1:6-9).

On the other hand, Jesus himself warned us to beware of false prophets in sheep’s clothing (Matt. 7:15-20); condemned transgression of the commandments of God by following human tradition (Matt. 15:1-9); twice cleansed the temple and publicly rebuked those who would make his Father’s house a house of merchandise (Jn. 2:13-17; Matt. 21:12,13). In Matthew 23 he exposed the religious leaders of Israel of his day as false teachers, hypocrites, blind guides, fools, and unclean persons full of iniquity. Unlike Jesus, we can’t look on the heart and immediately know one has improper motives. Proper attitude today demands that we give one the benefit of the doubt and count him as honest until we have definite proof to the contrary. But whether it is a case of ulterior motive or being honestly mistaken, one must be exposed for his error. For the Bible is filled with examples of those who were wrong, but had pure motives, were honest and sincere, and were highly religious (Acts 8,9,17). Whatever we do we must not assume one is unteachable simply because he is zealously devoted to error; Saul of Tarsus wasn’t!

Jesus himself employed various ways of exposing error and the need of repentance. The Samaritan woman at Jacob’s well is one example (Jn. 4); the Pharisees and the adulterous woman, another (Jn. 8:1-11). Since he used various ways to expose and correct error, so must we. Sometimes error can be corrected by merely preaching the truth on it. Sometimes error has to be exposed, but it may not be necessary to name the propagators of the error. However, sometimes error can’t be properly exposed without exposing the man or men who are teaching the error, due to the proneness of some people to. follow their favorite preacher, preachers of reputation, or because of close ties of friendship which blind some to the error they are teaching.

N.B. Hardeman forcefully expressed himself on this matter in Hardeman’s Tabernacle Sermons (Vol. IV, pp. 119, 120), where in substance he said: Christ was crucified because he condemned error and exposed wrong, not for preaching the truth. Opposition of the religious world is not aroused by merely preaching truth, but by exposing their false doctrines. . . When exposed they seek first to ignore you. Next they want to debate the issue, and finally they want to put you to death. Paul did not suffer merely because he preached the truth, but because he exposed the errors of his day (Acts 13:6-10; 1 Tim. 1:19,20; 2 Tim. 4:14,15).

Conclusion

By this we can hardly misunderstand the attitude of God the Father or of God the Son toward falsehood, error and sin. Of course, both the Father and the Son are longsuffering and also require us to be (Rom. 2:4; 1 Pet. 3:18-20; 2 Pet. 3:9-15; Acts 20:30,31; Gal. 6:1,2; Eph. 4:1,2; 2 Tim. 4:1,2; Rev. 2:21).

Our attitude toward sin and error is one thing and our attitude toward the one sinning is another (Psa. 119:104,127,128; Matt. 5:43-48; Rom. 12:18-21). Both the Father and the Son love people – all people (Jn. 3:16; Rom. 5:8). But both hate every false way. So must we! For our attitude toward error must be the same as the Father and the Son. If not, why not!

Our life declares the thoughts of our heart – the attitude we possess: Wrong action, wrong attitude; right action, right attitude. If we have the attitude the Lord expects us to have we will study to prepare ourselves and to save our own soul; we will give of our time, talent, and money to preach the gospel -, the whole truth – the plain truth – to the lost that they may be saved; we must fight the good fight of faith hating error and loving truth and righteousness.

Guardian of Truth XXXIV: 5, pp. 137-138
March 1, 1990

By Jon Quinn

“To every thing there is a season, and a time to every purpose under heaven ” (Eccl. 3:1). We live in a world of constant change. Time changes everything we see and touch. Things that were “in” yesterday are “out” today. I remember when I was a boy seeing all my father’s old ties hanging in the closet. They were wide and colorful, full of intricate designs. He never wore them so I asked why. He said no one wears ties like that any more but he expected that if he waited long enough that they would come back in style. I doubted that anyone would every wear anything like those ties again, at least not unless forced to do so at gun point! But sure enough, by the time I was in high school I was able to borrow his old, outlandish ties and let everyone assume that I had paid big bucks for them at the store.

The state of the world is different than it was ten years ago; far different than forty years ago. What will it be like ten years from now? As we read the Bible we see that it has always been so. We see changes in society; apostasy and return; dynasties thought eternal crumble and new ones take their places. Individuals age and grow closer to God, or sometimes grow away from God. We are accustomed to seeing things change.

It seems as if everything changes but such is not the case! Our link to Abraham, Moses and Paul is that we serve exactly the same God as they did. We may live in a different time, under a different government, but we build our relationship with the very same God, and for that reason the lessons they learned will find application in our lives today. God does not change. Let us consider this idea.

God’s Existence Does Not Change

“Of old Thou didst found the earth; And the heavens are the work of thy hands. Even they all perish, but Thou dost endure, And all of them will wear out like a garment. . . but Thou art the same, and Thy years will not come to an end” (Psa. 102:25-27).

God had no beginning nor does he have an ending. Children sometimes ask the question, “Who made God?” The answer is that God did not need to be made because there was never a time in which he did not already exist. He will never cease to be, nor will he ever cease to be what he already is, He is deserving of our trust because “The eternal God is thy refuge, and underneath are the everlasting arms” (Deut. 33:27).

God’s Character Does Not Change

“And God said to Moses, ‘I AM WHO I AM’ and He said, ‘Thus you shall say to the children of Israel, ‘I AM has sent me to you'” (Exod. 3:14).

In the course of human life, events may alter the character of a man. There are things that happen to us that can change us forever. For example, a trusting soul may become cynical when he has been betrayed. But nothing like this happens to the Creator. He will never become less fair, honest, truthful, or good than perfection will allow. The character of God today is exactly as it was in Bible times, and as it will be long after this world ceases to be. Even the name “Jehovah ” or “I AM” bears out the eternal changelessness of God. The New Testament describes God as “the Father of lights, with Whom there is no variation, or shifting shadow” (Jas. 1:17).

God’s Purpose Does Not Change

“And the Glory of Israel will not lie or change His mind; for He is not a man that He should change His mind” (1 Sam. 15:29). God does not alter his purpose. He does not go half-way into a job, then realize that he has made a mistake and repent. All his plans are based upon perfect wisdom and knowledge so he never has to! Nothing can take God by surprise. If he were painting a room he would not paint himself into a corner.

The Psalmist declared, “The counsel of the Lord stands forever, the thoughts of His heart to all generations” (Psa. 33:11). Some may wonder about a few passages which seem to indicate that God does repent (Gen. 6:6; 1 Sam. 15:11; Jon. 3: 10; etc.). However, it must be understood that none of these suggest a change in his eternal purpose, nor do they suggest that God was taken by surprise. They are cases of God’s reversal of his prior treatment of an individual or group because the people had changed. If a people grew increasingly wicked, then God’s treatment of them changed from what it was before. If a people repented and sought forgiveness, then God would bless instead of punish.

God’s Son Does Not Change

“Jesus Christ is the same yesterday, today, yes and forever” (Heb. 13:8). Jesus loves us as much today as he did on the road to Calvary. There is a story of someone asking him, “How much do you love me?” Jesus answered, “This much ” and he stretched his arms out wide, and died. Certainly the gift Jesus has given us shows us that his love is eternal. His death proves that his love is undying. Jesus is “the Living One, and I was dead, and behold, I am alive forevermore” (Rev. 1: 18). Jesus is “able to save forever those who draw near to God through Him, since He always lives to make intercession for them” (Heb. 7:25). He is our absolutely trustworthy friend. What a friend we have in Jesus!

Conclusion

What is the difference between our relationship with God and those in Bible times? We worship the same God, not a new one. His character remains the same, we can know what he is like now by observing what he was like then. His purposes remain unchanged. The Messiah we accept is the same Son of God who they looked for, welcomed, and accepted.

We may live in a different age. We may rejoice that we live under a new covenant. We may have a complete written revelation and therefore a more accurate picture of God’s eternal purpose, character and nature. But God remains the same. By all means, place your eternal spirit in his hands.

Guardian of Truth XXXIV: 5, pp. 149-150
March 1, 1990