Truth Magazine

By Franklin T. Puckett

One of the most widely held beliefs of our day is the teaching that a man is saved by faith alone. Nearly all of the denominational creeds have the idea imbedded in their articles, either clearly stated as in the Methodist Discipline, or else clearly implied. It is taught that a man is saved miraculously, the very instant he believes in Christ, and that this belief is wrought in his heart by the action of the Holy Spirit. Man, in this view, is wholly passive and unable to do anything at all to bring about his salvation. It is all the work of the Holy Spirit. Neither the man’s obedience, nor the commands of Christ are taken into consideration. It is purely a miracle.

This is surely one of damnable of all false doctrines which curse the land this day. It does more to produce indifference in the hearts of the people than anything I know. It leads men to deny the essentiality of the church altogether. So strong a grip has the doctrine secured on the hearts of men that it is a very common experience to hear devoted religious people say, “Oh, the church is not important,” “The church does not save,” “One can go to heaven just as well without being a member of the church as he can in the church,” etc. Now if by the word “Church” such people mean some denominational institution, then surely no Bible student anywhere would argue with them. On the contrary, every informed person will agree fully with the idea that membership in a denomination (any denomination) is not essential to salvation.

But no person who has reached the age of accountability, and has transgressed God’s law either by omission or commission, will ever reach heaven without being a member of the church which is revealed in the Bible. I call your attention t the fact that Jesus Christ is the “Savior of the body” (Eph. 5:23). It is Christ who saves; Christ who is the Savior; and not the church. “The church” does not save; the church is the thing saved! “For the husband is the head of the church, being himself the savior of the body.” What does Christ save? He saved the body. But what is “the body”? It is the church (Col. 1:18, 24; Eph. 1:22-23). Christ is the head of the church – his body. And it is this body which is saved by Christ.

The conclusion is clear from this that if one does not belong to the church, he does not belong to that of which Christ is the Savior. It was the church which was purchased by the blood of Christ (Acts 20:28); and it is “to the church” that the saved are added (Acts 2:47). There are no saved out of the church; there can be none. For everyone who is “saved” is “added” to the church by the same one who saves him – God.

The church was purchased by the blood of Christ. Unless we are willing to say that Christ was swindled when he bought the church, we must recognize that the value of the church is equal to the value of the blood of Christ. If the church is not valuable, then Christ was cheated when he purchased it with his own blood. The church is a “blood bought” institution. If one is to be saved by the blood of Christ, one must be a part of the church, his spiritual body, which was purchased by that blood. If one is a sinner, at enmity with God, then salvation and peace and reconciliation are to be had only in the church, the blood purchased possession of Jesus Christ. “For he is our peace, who hath made both one, and broke down the middle wall of partition, having abolished in his flesh the enmity, even the law contained in ordinances; that he might create in himself of the two one new man, so making peace, and might reconcile them both in one body unto God through the cross, having slain the enmity thereby” (Eph. 2:14-16).

Where are people reconciled to God? In the one body, the church. Where is peace found? IN the one body, the church. The Bible says the body is the church, and that peace and reconciliation are to be had in the body, and not out of it. Talk about being “saved by the blood of Christ!” My fired if you are ver saved by the blood of Christ, it will be because you have come into that body where you are reconciled to God by the cross of Christ. The blood which was shed for our redemption can save us only in the church. There is no other way.

Does the church save? Of course not. It is Christ who saves! But what does he save? He saves the body, the church, God exercised great power when he raised Jesus from the dead and “made him to sit at his right hand in heavenly places, far about all rule, and authority, and power, and dominion, and every name that is named, not only in this world, but also in that which is to come; and he put all things in subjection under his feet, and gave him to be head over all things to the church, which is his body, the fullness of him that filleth all in all” (Eph. 1:20-23). So the church is the fullness of Christ. It was not some human institution or some man-made denomination which he purchased with his blood; it was “the church.” It is over this body that he reigns as head; it is here that the fullness of God dwells. It is here and here only that salvation is premised to the penitent sinner.

We are pleading with people to become members of the New Testament church. We are pleading that men and women in our day do exactly what they did in the days of the apostles. These people then heard the gospel, believed it, repented of their sins, and were buried through baptism for the remission of sins. And when that happened God added them to the church. Here they were reconciled to God, washed and made clean by the blood of Christ; they were then heirs of God, and joint heirs with Jesus Christ. They were in the church – the saved of God.

Guardian of Truth XXXIII: 24, p. 743
December 21, 1989

By Robert Wayne LaCoste

On one of the recent meetings, a family asked me to an evening meal in their home. Naturally, as any good red-blooded American who loves Italian food would, I accepted.

I don’t suppose I had been seated five minutes when I was asked, “Bob, how do you feel about Christmas? Do you observe it?”

My answer for the past 25 years has always been the same. “I surely do not observe it as the birth of Christ, since God’s word says nothing about the birth of God’s Son from a when standpoint. However, I have no problem with observing it as any other national holiday in our country, paying notice to the folklore and festivities surrounding it, No Christian can attach any spiritual significance to it, though. A Christian can observe it non-religiously.”

My brother in Christ seemed startled at my response, and I feel that he spoke before thinking, as the next comment surely got my attention. “Well, Bob, to me it’s all idolatry.” Now, I have been called a lot of things over the years, but being called an idolater (and by one of my own brethren in Christ!) was indeed an eyebrow raiser. Since this brother had a son, I asked, “Was your son circumcised?” “Yes, he was,” came the response. “Why do you ask?” “Because Paul said that if ye be circumcised, Christ shall profit you nothing” (Gal. 5:2). “Well, err, he was circumcised, but not for spiritual reasons.” ‘,’Yes, I’m sure that’s the case,” I said. “But now, if you can take an act that was originally intended to be for spiritual reasons, and observe it non-spiritually or non-religiously, then why can’t I take a day that was originated for spiritual reasons and observe it nonreligiously?” My brother’s tone softened, his attitude changed remarkably, and he uttered, “I don’t press my convictions on Christmas. I take note of my brethren’s conscience and respect it.” “Ah,” I said, “Now there’s something we both agree on. Surely we must respect one another’s feeling on Christmas and not allow that liberty we hold to be, a cause of offense or stumbling one to the other.”

I wish more conversations about Christmas would end as this one. Dear reader, I have seen those professing to be children of God who will take something like Christmas and further divide God’s people. Just what we needed right? Wrong! What we need is a respect for one another’s conscience and allow that brother or sister their liberty as long as it isn’t flaunted in our face. Surely this is why Paul wrote Romans 14. This non-religious observance of Christmas is like the eating of meats and observing of other days, as the Romans -did. Paul noted, “One man esteemeth one. day above another; another esteemeth every day alike. Let every man be fully persuaded in his own mind” (Rom. 14:5).

Some consider putting up a tree or decorating their house hypocritical. “How could you ever convince your neighbor, especially if he’s Catholic, that you don’t believe in Christmas?” Oh, but I do believe in Christmas – from a non-religious standpoint. I have also been known to put a skeleton oil my door at Halloween or put a pumpkin in the window; however, that doesn’t mean I follow the pagan occult that originated that holiday, either! Dear reader, I know of Jews who put up lights and decorate things around Christmas time. Have you ever met a Jew who believed in the birth of Christ as being December 25, or for that matter believed in Christ, period? Let’s get serious! I may rest on Saturday, but no one ever accused me of being a Seventh Day Adventist. I have had fish on Friday, but no one ever accused me of being a, conservative Catholic. My, kids dress up and go trick-or-treating on Halloween, but no one ever accused us of paganism. In years and years of putting up my plastic Christmas tree no one has ever accused me of believing December 25 as the birth date of Jesus!

The issue again is: I will not flaunt my liberty. I will respect the feelings of my brethren opposed to an observation of this holiday, but as I respect theirs, I would appreciate not being branded as an idolater by them. Only when we make those teachings of Christ written in Scripture the standard for “righteous judgment” (John 7:24) and avoid any form of railing against a brother who chooses to exercise a liberty not regulated by God, shall we, dwell together in the peace the Lord taught.

Have , fun this holiday season. Observe what God wants observed, not man; but at the same time, allow your brethren their rightful liberty in Christ Jesus.

Guardian of Truth XXXIII: 24, p. 745
December 21, 1989

By Mike Hughes

Introduction:

The Christmas season has become so much a part of our national life that is it practically impossible to isolate oneself from it. Manger scenes, the “Christmas Story” in schools, and appeals to put Christ back into Christmas have the effect of presenting as truth what are really fictional parts of the “Christmas Story.” These fictional parts have no foundation in fact, as presented in either the Scriptures or in historical record otherwise. We must be willing to investigate biblical teaching concerning the Birth of Christ to separate fact from fiction, so we might believe whatever truth is presented and practice whatever is authorized. We also should want to avoid believing that which isn’t justified in the scriptural account.

Body:

I. The Facts about the Birth of Christ.

A. It is a fact that a baby boy named Jesus was born in Bethlehem more than 1900 years ago and that he became one of the most influential men of history.

1 . Biblical and extra-biblical sources prove his birth.

2. Josephus the Jew, Tacitus, Suetonius, and Pliny the Younger support the fact that he lived and was believed and followed as the N.T. teaches.

B. It is a fact that he was born in a stable.

1. Read Luke 2:7. The innkeeper was the first in a long line of people who turned away the Son of God. He still finds no room in the lives of many.

2. Archaeological discoveries have confirmed the general accuracy of Luke’s account of the circumstances.

a. It was denied by many that there was imperial census, that Cyrenius was governor (Lk. 2:2) or that all had to go to their ancestral home.

b. Archaeological finds have shown all three to be true – papyrus documents indicate a census every 14 years, that Cyrenius was governor on two occasions that would allow him to have been governor at the date of Jesus’ birth, and that Roman-ruled countries were required to return to ancestral homes for taxation.

C. It is a fact that angels announced his birth to shepherds (Lk. 2:8-14).

D. It is a fact that wise men from the East came to worship Jesus.

1. These were magi (magoi), possibly priests or philosophers from the Euphrates Valley with the learning of the East, guided by the Lord by means of “his Star” (Matt. 2).

2. They came asking the location of the new-born King!

E. It is a fact that Jesus was born of a virgin.

1. Read Matt. 1:22,23.

2. Notice the evidence for the virgin birth.

a. Mary (Lk. 1:34,35): She immediately went to see Zachariah and Elizabeth, although Zachariah would have condemned her for adultery. At the cross she remained silent when her admission of adultery would have saved Jesus from death. What kind of mother was this?

b. Joseph: Why would Joseph invent such a story?

c. Elizabeth, Matthew, Luke, John the Baptist, Peter, Paul, and others preached he was not the son of a mere man.

3. Acceptance of this evidence prepares one to accept all else the Bible says of him, but repudiation undermines the trustworthiness of the whole Bible.

F. It is a fact that Jesus came on a mission of salvation (Matt. 1:21; Lk. 2:29-32).

II. Fiction Surrounding Jesus’s Birth.

A. It is fiction that there were three wise men.

1. The three gifts could have been brought by a smaller or larger group of wise men.

2. The Bible doesn’t say how many came.

B. It is fiction that the wise men visited the stable.

1. In spite of the manger scene depicting wise men there, Matthew 2:11 says they visited Jesus in a house.

2. The flight to Egypt after their visit, as well as the public presentation in the Temple at age of 40 days, would indicate the wise men came after 40 days (cf. Lev. 12:1-4).

C. The principle fiction is that he was born on December 25.

1. The Bible does not date his birth, and learned men have put the date in various months of the year.

2. Articles in any encyclopedia will show lack of evidence to support December 25th as being Jesus’ birthday!

3. The rainy season of Palestine makes it very unlikely that shepherds kept flocks out in the fields.

D. It is fiction that Christ wants us to observe a special day in honor of his birth.

1. Too many of us are inclined toward special observances rather than regular observances. We render service in spurts.

2. Christians remember his death on the only special day found in the N.T. teaching – the first day of every week, even as the early church did Acts 20:7; 1 Cor. 16:2).

3. Since we walk by faith, which is based on the Word of God, we cannot make a special religious observance of any day in the absence of any justification from the Scriptures.

Conclusion:

Notice the facts and fiction stated above. As a national holiday, December 25 may be observed by Christians as any other such holiday; but we should not attach any religious significance to Christmas. All Christians should give thanks daily for his birth and his willingness to sacrifice his life on the cross so we, through obedience to his will, will have hope of eternal life with him in Heaven (Jn. 14:1-4).

Guardian of Truth XXXIII: 24, pp. 744, 751
December 21, 1989

By David Weaks

Have you ever been to a restaurant where the employees seem unfriendly and unmotivated? Such a place makes for a very unpleasant dining experience. Sometimes we may get the feeling that our waiter or waitress feels “put out” in serving us. The very idea! Don’t they know that my patronage helps provide for their job security? On the other hand, if you have ever worked in a restaurant, then you probably look at the situation in a different light. I worked in a restaurant for three years and, as a result, I am generally very patient with these people.

When one spends some times working as a waiter or a waitress, he learns very well what it means to be a servant. Very often the customers are disagreeable and impossible to please, and will expect your undivided attention, regardless of how many other customers you may be serving. How discouraging it is to be waiting on ten different tables during the “dinner rush,” and have one customer storm out because he wasn’t served quickly enough I Sometimes it is difficult to wear a bright smile, and echo the phrase, “The customer is always right!”

A person who takes a job as a waiter or a waitress does not serve customers for glory, honor, or recognition, but rather because the job requires it. When one provides a customer with good service, it is done out of duty. Jesus illustrated this in Luke 17:10 with the lesson of the servant, “Even so ye also, when ye shall have done all the things that are commanded you, say, we are unprofitable servants; we have done that which it is our duty to do.”

How many of us have really learned what it means to be a servant? How difficult it is to learn that lesson! It is so much easier to be on the receiving end of service, than to be the server. Have you ever heard someone say, “I just don’t seem to get anything out of services anymore”? These people seem to have forgotten that the whole idea is to serve the Lord, rather than to be served by him (Josh. 24:14-15; Lk. 4:8).

We often find it difficult to serve the Lord properly; how much more so, our neighbor? In Luke 10:27ff the Lord gives us an explicit example of our obligation to our neighbor. Truly the Samaritan man looked upon himself as a servant, and demonstrated that type of a spirit. Ali too often I am afraid that we are too proud to stoop to that level of humility. Let us not forget that the Lord is not pleased with that kind of pride (Jas. 4:6). A true servant is a person who has the ability to put away feelings of pride, and do the job that is required. A servant realizes that pride very often causes one to stumble (Prov. 16:18); therefore, he will have no part of it.

Our Lord has provided for us a perfect example of a servant, and all we need to do is look to him. Would you be willing to wash your guests’ feet before dinner? The Lord did that (Jn. 13:14-16)! Are you willing to seek out the seat of least honor at a celebration? Jesus taught us to do that (Lk. 14:7-11)! Would you be willing to give up your highly exalted position and home, just to be a servant to mankind? Jesus even did that (Phil. 2:5-1 I)l Jesus was a servant to the end, “even the death on the cross” (2:8).

If we are ever going to be the kind of people the Lord wants us to be, we must learn to be servants. Jesus beseeches us to “learn i of me; for I am meek and lowly in heart” (Matt. 11:29). If we are able to thoroughly learn this quality of Jesus, we will be able to truly “submit to one another in the fear of the Lord” (Eph. 5:21).

Guardian of Truth XXXIII: 23, p. 712
December 7, 1989