Truth Magazine

By Ron Halbrook

A teenager submitted this question: Would it be wrong for a Christian to wear clothing like “Wu Wear” or “Fubu” or “Tommy Hilfiger”? It is encouraging to know that teenage Christians want to know and do what is right, even in how they dress.

It is not wrong to wear various kinds of clothes that come into fashion, with these limitations: (1) Be sure it is completely modest (1 Tim. 2:9-10; 1 Pet. 3:1-4). (2) Avoid clothes that are extravagant in cost. Expensive clothes lead to covetousness, pride, and materialism. We serve God, not materialism (Matt. 6:24). (3) Avoid clothes that are used by rebels, druggies, dropouts, boozers, gang members, homosexuals, and other ungodly people to “send a message.” We must not do things which hinder the light of a Christian example (Matt. 5:13-16).

Jesus prayed, “I pray not that thou shouldest take them out of the world, but that thou shouldest keep them from the evil” (John 17:15). We can participate in new fashions and customs within the perimeters and principles of God’s Word.

3505 Horse Run Ct., Shepherdsville, KY 40165-6954

By Irvin Himmel

A wealthy young man once approached Jesus with this question: “Good Master, what good thing shall I do, that I may have eternal life?” Jesus reminded him of some of the commands of the law to which he needed to give attention, and he responded, “All these things have I kept from my youth up: what lack I yet?” (Matt. 19:16-20).

Jesus knew precisely what was lacking in this young ruler’s life. Despite his being well acquainted with the law, the young man’s attachment to worldly possessions had a solid grip on him. Like the insect on the glueboard, he thought he had something but in reality it had him! The master told him to sell what he had, give it to the poor, “and thou shalt have treasure in heaven: and come and follow me.”

You and I need to think soberly and regularly about what may be lacking in our lives. There may be one thing in particular that is a deficiency.

Do I Lack Obedience to the Gospel?

There are some folks who have numerous commendable traits. They are good neighbors, morally upright, friendly and likeable, but they need to repent and be baptized for the remission of their sins (Acts 2:38). All have sinned (Rom. 3:23), and nothing but the blood of Christ can atone for sins. Moral goodness will not remit anyone’s sins. The best of good people have sinned and need to turn to Christ in submission to the gospel. Examine the case of Cornelius in Acts 10 and 11.

Associating with Christians will not automatically make one righteous. Being married to a child of God will not in itself transfer one into the family of God. Attending church services will not guarantee citizenship in the kingdom of heaven. Listening to the preaching of the gospel will not avail unless that preaching produces faith which prompts obedience. The soul is purified when one obeys the truth (1 Pet. 1:22). In the absence of obedience there is no promise of salvation from sin.

Do I Lack Diligent Study?

Some who have been baptized into Christ show no signs of growth. They are failing to feed their souls on the pure word of God which enables spiritual development (1 Pet. 2:2). They need to show more interest in assembling with saints, participating in Bible classes, and in private reading and studying of the Scriptures. They need to devote more time to meditating on God’s enduring word. They are a reminder of the people described in Hebrews 5:12.

Commonly, weak Christians make the lame excuse that they do not have time to study. What about the hours they spend in watching TV, reading newspapers, engaging in recreational activities, surfing the Internet, etc.? It is a fact that most of us manage to find the time to do whatever we set our hearts on doing. There is no shortcut to gaining Bible knowledge. One must be willing to apply himself to serious, steady, and systematic searching of the Scriptures.

Do I Lack Prayer?

Jesus said that “men ought always to pray, and not to faint” (Luke 18:1). “Pray without ceasing,” said Paul (1 Thess. 5:17). The Christian is to be “instant in prayer” (Rom. 12:12). How much better things would be if we would replace grumbling and bickering with prayer. We are taught to avoid anxiety, and “in every thing by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known unto God” (Phil. 4:6). Worry weakens; prayer has power.

The sinless Savior prayed when baptized by John (Luke 3:21). He arose early in the morning, a great while before day, departing into a solitary place, and prayed (Mark 1:35). He “continued all night in prayer to God” before the selection of the apostles (Luke 6:12-16). He “went up into a mountain to pray” when the transfiguration occurred (Luke 9:28-36). He prayed in Gethsemane with a heavy heart, burdened with sorrow and agony (Matt. 26:36-44). He prayed on the cross (Luke 23:34). Who can be his true follower without learning to pray?

Do I Lack Patience?

Some Christians endure for a while then grow weary. “Behold, we count them happy which endure. Ye have heard of the patience of Job, and have seen the end of the Lord; that the Lord is very pitiful, and of tender mercy” (Jas. 5:11). There must be “patient continuance in well doing” if we seek for glory, honor, and immortality (Rom. 2:7). One must not allow “burnout” to destroy his soul. Let us be refreshed in spirit through Bible study, prayer, and fellowship with God.

We need patience in teaching others. There are times when we move too fast, pressing for immediate results. Correcting conditions that need to be changed requires much patience. Paul urged Timothy to “preach the word; be ready in season and out of season; reprove, rebuke, exhort, with great patience and instruction” (2 Tim. 4:2, NASB). The words of Hebrews 10:36 are a timely reminder: “For ye have need of patience, that, after ye have done the will of God, ye might receive the promise.” No patience, no promise.

Do I Lack Courage?

John the Baptist was not devoid of courage. Although Herod was a powerful ruler, John boldly spoke against his adulterous marriage. “It is not lawful for thee to have her,” said John (Matt. 14:4). He did not follow the path of some modern preachers by attempting to find a way to “okay” Herod’s sinful marriage. The beheading of John bears testimony that courage can lead to costly consequences. On the other hand, one who is too cowardly to stand on the Lord’s side faces consequences of greater magnitude.

Courage is firmness of mind and depth of conviction which empowers one to face dangers and discouragements without wavering. Stephen displayed remarkable courage in Acts 7 by “telling it like it is,” knowing that his own life was on the line. Peter and John showed courage when they were beaten, threatened, and told not to preach any more in the name of Jesus (Acts 5:40-42). The life of Paul is replete with examples of courage. The gospel challenges people to come to Christ and evince courage.

Do I Lack Zeal?

Many disciples of Jesus in this modern age need a greater degree of fervency, enthusiasm, devotion, zest, and energy. Resemblance to the lukewarm Laodiceans (Rev. 3:15-19) reveals complacency and apathy. Little enthusiasm is shown toward the work of the church. There is no real spark of energy in reaching out with the gospel. Warmth is noticeably lacking. A spirit of indifference prevails.

Zeal is contagious. Paul remarked to the Corinthians that “your zeal hath provoked very many” (2 Cor. 9:2). Of course, zeal must be properly directed. The Israelites had “a zeal of God, but not according to knowledge” (Rom. 10:2). Some cultists show extraordinary zeal, yet they are without knowledge, consequently they consume their energy in behalf of false religion. Conversely, some who know the truth lack the zeal and commitment to fulfill the demands of true religion.

Do I Lack Love?

In the absence of love, eloquent speech becomes no more than a clanging cymbal, intellectual attainments are valueless, benevolence is without advantage to the giver, and martyrdom profits nothing (1 Cor. 13:1-3). Love is the hallmark of devotion to Christ. “Let all that you do be done in love” (1 Cor. 16:14, NASB). Jesus said, “if ye love me, keep my commandments” (John 14:15). “If ye keep my commandments, ye shall abide in my love; even as I have kept my Father’s commandments, and abide in his love” (John 15:10).

Brotherly love is commanded. It is a mark of genuine discipleship. The Master said, “A new commandment I give unto you, That ye love one another; as I have loved you, that ye also love one another. By this shall all men know that ye are my disciples, if ye have love one to another” (John 13:34-35). Gospel preachers are not exempt from the command to love one another. Misrepresentations, personal attacks, demeaning innuendoes, derogatory dictums, and vilifications do not mirror love. The truth can be spoken in love (Eph. 4:15) without being watered down and without compromise.

Conclusion

The rich young ruler went away sorrowful when told what he lacked and what he needed to do to supply what was missing. The realization of what we lack should spur us to work on overcoming our deficiency. Instead of being sad and going away grieved, let us draw closer to the Lord and make our calling and election sure.

2820 Hunterwood Dr., S.E., Decatur, Alabama 35603-5638

By Larry Ray Hafley

(The letter below was written to answer the questions of a young, Catholic man who wanted to know if baptism was immersion or sprinkling.) 

Thank you for your kind letter. I am so happy to hear from you! I have appreciated the way you have listened and studied. I pray that you will continue to “search the Scriptures” and abide by what you find therein. It is not my word versus the word of some other man. It is not that the word of one church is above that of another church. No, the question is, “What saith the Scriptures?” What does the Bible teach?

With that in mind, let me simply direct you to some Scriptures with respect to scriptural, New Testament baptism. 

1. When Jesus was baptized, he “went up straightway out of the water” (Matt. 3:16). Does that sound like he had water sprinkled on his face or dabbed on his forehead? If not, what does it sound like? In what action does one come “up . . . out of the water”?
2. When John the Baptist was baptizing folks, he baptized at a certain place, “because there was much water there” (John 3:23). Does that sound like a reason one might use if he were sprinkling a few drops of water on people? Would one need “much water” if he were immersing people?  
3.  Look at the language of Acts 8:36-39 — two men came “unto” the water (v. 36). In verse 38, two men “went down both into the water, both Philip and the eunuch,” the man being baptized. Daniel, when one is sprinkled or has water dabbed on his face, do both the baptizer and the one being baptized go “down into the water”?  Further, in verse 39, after the man was baptized, both men came “up out of the water.” Again, is this what happens when one is sprinkled? Or, is this what happens when men are immersed? 
4. In Romans 6:4-6, the Bible says we are “buried with him by baptism.” Note the word, “buried.” What does that indicate — sprinkling or immersion? Too, the passage speaks of being “planted” and “raised up.” Does that sound like sprinkling or immersion — which? 
5.  Colossians 2:12 speaks of being “buried with him in baptism.” It also speaks of being “risen” or raised with him. Again, observe the terms, “buried,” and “risen.” Does that best describe what occurs when one is sprinkled or when one is immersed? 
6. Before Saul of Tarsus was baptized, he had been praying (Acts 9:11). When Ananias was sent to him, he said, “Arise, and be baptized” (Acts 22:16). Daniel, if Saul was simply to have water sprinkled or dabbed on his head and face, would he have need to “arise”? Could he have simply stayed in his prayer posture and received sprinkling?  However, if he were going to be immersed in water (“buried”), would he have to “arise” from his prayer position in order to be baptized? See the point? If we saw a man kneeling in prayer, we could sprinkle him without telling him to “arise,” could we not? However, if he were to be immersed, if he were going to have to come unto the water, go down into it, be baptized, and then come up out of it, he would have to get up or “arise” from his position of prayer, would he not? 

You will note, Daniel, that I have not told you what to think. Nor have I told you what I think. I have simply taken you to the word of God, to that word which will judge us in the last day (John 12:48). I have let the Scriptures speak. You have seen what the truth is with respect to the action of baptism. 

When one knows the truth, he needs to obey it. He needs to do what God would have him do. I urge you to study, but when you see what is right, and when you know the truth, then you need to obey it. Once you believe and repent of your sins, once you are willing to confess Christ, then you need to “arise, and be baptized, and wash away thy sins, calling on the name of the Lord” (Acts 22:16). If I can help you in any way, if I can answer any question, do not hesitate to ask. 

Take care, Daniel. Let me hear from you again with respect to the material presented above. Sincerely, Larry  

(Addendum: Daniel was baptized immediately after receiving this reply!) 

4626 Osage, Baytown, Texas 77521 LarryHafley@compuserve.com

By Walton Weaver

Jesus was in Caesarea Philippi when he announced to his disciples that he would build his church (Matt. 16:13, 18). The coming of the kingdom, or the building of the Lord’s house, had long before been a subject about which the prophets had spoken (Dan. 2:44; Isa. 2:3-4). The time for the coming of the kingdom, however, was drawing near in Jesus’ time. Both John the Baptist, the forerunner of Christ, and Jesus spoke of it as being “at hand” (Matt. 3:2; 4:17). Jesus told his disciples that some of them would not experience death until they had seen the kingdom come with power (Mark 9:1).

This means that the kingdom promised by the prophets, John the Baptist, and Jesus himself would come within the lifetime of some of Jesus’ disciples. The kingdom that was drawing near was just another way of describing the church. Jesus had used the terms interchangeably in Matthew 16:18-19. After saying he would build his “church” in verse 18 he went on in the next verse to tell Peter he would give him the keys of the “kingdom.”

“The Promise of the Father”

Just prior to Jesus’ ascension back into heaven he gave instructions to his disciples to go to Jerusalem and wait for “the promise of the Father” (Luke 24:46-49). This “promise of the Father” was the promise Jesus had made to his disciples that he would send the Spirit to them as a “Comforter” (Helper). A careful look at this promise in connection with Jesus’ statement that they were to “tarry  . . . in the city of Jerusalem . . . until ye be endued with power from on high ” will prove quite rewarding in helping us understand “the beginning” which we are looking at in this study. Note the following things about this promise to be endued with power:

Endued With Power — When? Two statement made by Jesus just before he returned to heaven point specifically to the time when these disciples were to be endued with power from on high. In Acts 1:5 Jesus shows it would not be long until they would be endued with this power, for he says, “not many days hence.” In verse 8 of this same chapter of Acts they would receive this power “after that the Holy Ghost is come upon you.” If we can discover exactly when the Holy Spirit came upon them, and we can demonstrate that it was not “many days hence,” or many days from the time Jesus made this statement to them, we can know for sure when they were “endued with” the “power” Jesus promised them.

Endued With Power — Where? Jesus is also very specific about where these disciples would be when they were “endued with power from on high.” In Luke 24:49 he gave specific instruction that they were to “tarry . . . in the city of Jerusalem.” Not just a city, but the city — the city of Jerusalem. The place is stated again by Luke’s account in Acts 1:4 where he reports that Jesus “commanded them that they should not depart from Jerusalem, but wait for the promise of the Father . . . which . . . ye have heard of me.” Jerusalem was the place where they were to be endued with power from on high. This is where they were to receive the promise of the Father.

Endued With Power — Why? Why did they need to receive this power from the Holy Spirit, as they had been promised? The power would be given to them when the Spirit came, but why did they need to be endued with this power? Jesus says that the Spirit would be sent to them to “guide you into all truth” and “to shew you things to come” (John 16:13). He would teach them “all things” and enable them to “remember” the things he had said to them (John 14:26). The Holy Spirit, whom Jesus would send to them would “testify of me,” Jesus said, and they themselves would also “bear witness, because ye have been with me from the beginning” (John 15:26-27).

Endued With Power — How? Acts 1:5 specifically states that this promise of the Father would be fulfilled, and these men would be endued with power from on high, by being “baptized with the Holy Ghost.” Acts 1:8 shows that this baptism with the Holy Spirit would take place when the Spirit had “come upon” them. When did the Spirit come upon them? To get the answer to this question we must now go to Acts 2:1-4. Please read these verses at this time.

Acts 2, A Fulfillment

Acts 2:1-4. A reading of the first four verses of Acts 2 should convince any honest reader that the kind of things we have been reading in the closing verses of Luke 24 and the first few verses of Acts 1 are finding their fulfillment here. The events recorded in this chapter are taking place “not many days hence.” Jesus had ascended into heaven only ten days before this day of Pentecost which is introduced to us in Acts 2:1. Pentecost means “fiftieth,” and the feast of Pentecost came on the fiftieth day after the Sabbath of the Passover week (Lev. 16:15-16). After Jesus was raised from the dead he made appearances to his disciples for a period of forty days before he ascended back into heaven (Acts 1:3). This would leave about ten days between his ascension and this day of Pentecost. So, indeed, it was not “many days hence” before the events of this first Pentecost after Christ’s resurrection transpired. This puts these events within the “time frame” stated by Jesus for his disciples to be “endued with power from on high.”

Acts 2:1 says that “they were all with one accord in one place.” “They” who? The antecedent for this plural pronoun is the word “apostles” in the last verse of chapter one. We conclude therefore that it is the apostles who are being described here, and it was the apostles who were “filled with the Holy Ghost, and began to speak with other tongues, as the Spirit gave them utterance” (v. 4). Remember that “the promise of the Father” was the promise that the Spirit would be sent as a Helper to lead and guide these apostles into all truth. These men were “filled with the Spirit,” language that very much sounds like what was promised when they were told they would be baptized with the Holy Spirit. The fact that they “spoke as the Spirit gave them utterance” is an indication that the Spirit is now revealing to them the “truth” Jesus had promised he would lead them into when he came to them. They were indeed being “endued with power from on high” as the Spirit had fallen upon them and as a result of having been filled by the Spirit they were speaking as the Spirit gave them utterance. Peter later said in describing the coming of the Holy Spirit upon Cornelius that he “fell on them, as on us at the beginning” (Acts 11:15). He used the same language that Jesus had used when he said, “John indeed baptized with water; but ye shall be baptized with the Holy Ghost” (Acts 11:16 with Acts 1:5).

In other words, when we look at the terms used it becomes obvious that what is happening on Pentecost is a fulfillment of what Jesus had told his disciples. They were at the right place, Jerusalem; it was the right time, “not many days hence”; the Spirit was doing the thing promised, “leading them into all truth”; the Spirit did his work in them in the way they were told it would happen, they were “baptized with the Holy Ghost.”

Acts 2:14-36. In verse 16 Peter shows that the work of the Spirit on this occasion is a beginning of the fulfillment of what had been promised by Joel in Joel 2:28f. As he begins to explain what has happened by this outpouring of the Spirit, he says, “this is that which was spoken by the prophet Joel,” and then in verses 17-21 gives us the words of the prophet. He gives a description of Jesus’ mighty works, how he was delivered over into their own hands and as wicked men they had crucified and slain him, but God had raised up from the dead in accordance with words spoken before by David (vv. 22-31). The apostles were all witness of Christ’s resurrection from the dead (v. 32). This resurrected Christ had ascended and was now at the right hand of God exalted (v. 33). From God’s right hand he is to rule until all his enemies are made his footstool (vv. 34-35). All the house of Israel should be assured of this one fact: “God has made that same Jesus, whom ye have crucified, both Lord and Christ” (v. 36).

Acts 2:37-38. Upon hearing this sermon, many in Peter’s audience were convinced. They were “pricked in their heart” and wanted to know what they must do (v. 37). Peter’s answer that they must “repent and be baptized, for the remission of sins,” takes one back to Jesus’ promise that “repentance and remission of sins should be preached in his name among all nations, beginning at Jerusalem” (Luke 24:47). This “beginning at Jerusalem” is similar to Peter’s reference back to Pentecost as “the beginning,” which we saw earlier (Acts 11:15). It was several years after Pentecost before the prophecy of the outpouring of the Spirit took place upon the Gentiles; the fulfillment of Joel’s prophecy only “began” with the events of Pentecost. The same would be true for this promise concerning repentance and remission of sins in the name of Christ. This message was first preached to the Jews on Pentecost (“beginning at Jerusalem”), but it would eventually be made known “for all nations” when Peter preached the gospel for the first time to Gentiles when he preached to Cornelius and his household (Acts 10-11).

Acts 2:41, 47. Some 3,000 of those present were baptized on that day. These were the ones who “gladly received  his word” (v. 41). These were added to the number of the saved. The last part of verse 41 says, “and the same day there were added unto them about three thousand souls.” After the day of Pentecost, the practice was the same. Verse 47 says that as men were being saved “the Lord added (them) to the church.” This was done on a daily basis because at that time people were being saved each and every day.

Acts 2:41 and 47 is the first time in our New Testament that the church is spoken of as being here. All references to the church or the kingdom that had been made before, in either the Old Testament or the New Testament, pointed forward, or to the future. This is the reason you may have heard it preached many times that all hands before Pentecost point forward to something yet to come, but after the day of Pentecost all hands point backward toward Pentecost expressing the fact that the church has come. In other words, the church is spoken of a present reality from Acts 2 forward. It is referred to often throughout the rest of the book of Acts and in Paul’s epistles. Christ purchased the church with his own blood (Acts 20:28; Rev. 5:9), he is the Savior of it (Eph. 5:23), and he is the head of it (Eph. 1:22-23; 5:23; Col. 1:18). The saved have been translated into it (Col. 1:13). Christ now reigns as king in his kingdom (Acts 2:29ff; Rev. 1:5-6). He must reign until the last enemy, death, has been destroyed (1 Cor. 15:24-26). John was in the kingdom (Rev. 1:9).

Added to the Church

The expression “added to the church” is significant, especially in view of the many misconceptions people have today regarding church membership. It is true that most modern translations do not include the word “church” in this verse. The American Standard Version has replaced the word “church” with the word “them” (“added to them”), and then it gives as an alternate rendering the word “together” (“added together”). The New American Standard Bible renders this part of verse 47, “And the Lord was adding to their number day by day those who were being saved.” In other words, as people were being saved they were being added to the number of those who were already saved, which of course is the same thing as the church. What is the church? The body of the saved. The church is those who have been purchased by the Lord, because he “purchased the church with his own blood” (Acts 20:28). As one is saved he is added to the number of the disciples, or the church of the Lord.

Who Were Added? But if we are asked, exactly who were added to the number of the disciples, or to those who already make up the body of the saved, the answer is not hard to find. Verse 47 says it is “the saved” who are added. “Who are the saved?” you ask. According to verses 37, 38, and 41, the saved are the penitent, baptized believers. No guesswork is required here.

How Added? How were these people added to the church, or the number of the disciples? Acts 2:47 says, “the Lord added them to the number.” Again, there is no guesswork here. These people did not become members of the Lord’s church by “joining” the church. We “join” a local congregation, but to get into the Lord’s church, the body of the saved throughout the world — the church Jesus said he would build (Matt. 16:18), the body, the church, over which he serves as head (Eph. 1:22-23), and the church which he purchased with his own blood (Acts 20:28) — he must be added to it by the Lord. Neither did they become members by a “vote” of approval on the part of the members of a local church. The Lord adds one to the church as he is saved.

Which Church? To which church did the Lord add these people as they were being saved? He added them to the only church there was at that time. He added them to his church. All others came later, and they are the churches of men. The Lord never added any person to a church founded by man. Such churches are apostate churches. Paul warned about these kinds of departures from the truth some time before they began to develop (Acts 20:29ff.; 1 Tim. 4:1ff.). The Lord only adds people to the church he promised to build (Matt. 16:18), and the one he purchased with his own blood (Acts 20:28).

What was done to make Christians in Acts 2 can be done today and with the same results. The simple gospel must be preached (Acts 2:22-36). People must hear the gospel, believe in Jesus Christ, repent of their sins, and be baptized for the remission of their sins (Acts 2:37-38). As they are saved the Lord will add them to his church (Acts 2:47). He won’t put you in the wrong church. As people are being saved he is adding them to his church. That’s the way it was then, and that’s the way it is now.

1820 Hairston Ave., Conway, Arkansas 72032