Truth Magazine

By Leslie Diestelkamp

This is intended as the last in a long series of essays on the general subject of “The Family Circle.” We have tried to show that the home is the cradle of civilization and the bulwark of the church. That is, nations rise and fall, prosper of fail, depending largely upon the quality of character those nations have as that character is represented in the family circles of the country. Likewise, churches grow and accomplish great service to God, or else they stalemate and fail in fruitfulness, depending upon the quality of righteousness that emanates from the family circles in the congregations.

But the purpose of this final essay is to try to impress upon all of us that the home is the greatest influence to determine the eternal population of heaven. Of course, I hasten to stress that no one will reach heaven who has become accountable to God unless he has been led by the precious Word of God and, in an obedient faith has come into the body of Christ, the church of the Living God (Rom. 1:16-17; 10:17; 6:3,4,17,18; 1 Tim. 3:15; 1 Pet. 2:5). Please remember, this essay is not intended to minimize the influence of the Word of God, nor the necessity of the church for which Christ died. But my purpose is to show that few indeed will receive the Word or obey the Lord aside from proper influence from the family circle, and for that reason I say the home is the vestibule to heaven.

Parents are constantly preparing seed beds in which the seed of the kingdom (Mt. 13:3-8, 18-23), the saving gospel, may be planted. In order to accomplish this preparation for fruitful harvest, parents must instill three dynamic principles into the minds of the children:

1. From infancy, children must be taught and trained in respect for authority. They must learn to respect the policeman, the teacher, the president, their parents, the law of the land and the law of God. By word and by example, parents must help the children to learn to give responsive and responsible honor to whom honor is due.

2. Parents must also train their offspring in basic and fundamental honesty. Of course this includes honesty with money, but far beyond that, it must include honesty with words, with people, with principles, with practice and with self. Deception and hypocrisy must be abhorred and avoided.

3. In the family circle the children must learn the God-given and eternal principles of morality. By the wise words and the pure deeds of their parents the children must be lifted far above the course, vulgar, profane language of the world. At the same time they must be led into brave and courageous action that may set them apart from the sinful conduct of the community.

Of course, parents who have the eternal welfare of their children at heart will teach them the stories and lessons of the Bible. But such Bible teaching will fall upon deaf ears if they are not first and foremost trained in the three basic principles enumerated in the numbered paragraphs above. And, significantly, sometimes our neighbors who are not real Christians may do a better job training their children than do many Christians. Even if they cannot teach them the gospel, if they train them in respect for authority, real honesty and morality, then when the youth hears the gospel his mind will be a proper seed bed, and he may certainly be receptive. Conversely, even if Christians teach their children to say the names of the apostles and the books of the Bible, and if they take them to Bible class regularly, but if they do not train them in those basic principles of respect for authority, honesty and morality, then there will be no fertile seed-bed and little likelihood of response.

Of course it is true that a few people rise above the bad environment in which they grew up and turn to God with fidelity. They rebel against the fighting, corruption and permissiveness of the early home life, and deliberately accept truth and righteousness. But this is the exception, not the rule. Generally speaking, it is still true that, “as the twig is bent, so will it grow.” To say it another way, only occasionally may a poor seed bed be changed into a good one, but usually the quality of.the harvest depends upon the preparation of the soil. In other words, usually eternal destinies are settled in the training received in infancy, adolescence and youth.

Adults Also

It is not my intention to suggest that children are the only ones who are influenced regarding eternal destinies by the family circle. Every one of us, male and female, young and old, is greatly influenced by circumstances at home. In the many years of living and working in the remote and barren fields of the world, I have always said, “I can fight the old devil himself if everything is well at home.” And I have known many strong men who have been overcome by Satan, either morally or doctrinally, because they found no solace, no consolation, no encouragement, no sanctuary in the family circle. Of course the same thing is true of woman-that is, they need a place of refuge just as much so as do the men. Home must be good, wholesome, uplifting for the young and the old, for children and parents.

The population of heaven will be composed of three kinds of people: (1) those who died without guilt; (2) those who were able to overcome evil influences of the home and (3) the multitudes who were fortunate enough to have a part in a family circle that provided love, loyalty, respect and fidelity and thus provided the basic foundation for faith and obedience to God.

Husbands, wives, parents, and children, do not take home for granted. Do not expect God to make your home a sanctuary. Do not expect an accident to happen that will transform a house into a real home or that will change a den of iniquity into a house of prayer. But do not be discouraged! Love will cast out hate! Purity will overcome evil! Obedience from the heart will bear fruit in a conscience void of offense. Faithfulness to the Lord will pay dividends even in this life in consolation and assurance.

Home life will not be perfect, for homes consist of people, and people are always faulty. But home life can be good if the people in the home will make it so, and that good life can find expression in happiness, usually, and in holiness for sure! Peter said, “The eyes of the Lord are over the righteous, and his ears are open to their prayers …. And who is he that will harm you, if ye be followers of that which is good” (1 Pet. 3:12,13). “Now the God of peace . . . . make you perfect in every good work to do his will, working in you that which is well pleasing in his sight, through Jesus Christ; to whom be glory for ever and ever. Amen” (Heb. 13:20,21).

Truth Magazine XXII: 17, pp. 277-278
April 27, 1978

By Mike Willis

Every week, I am privileged to conduct a call-in radio program on one of the local stations. During the course of an hour, I usually receive eleven to fourteen calls. In a recent program, a lady called to state that the reason she did not attend church service somewhere was because of the hypocrites in the church. During the remainder of the program, a clear one-third of all of the calls which I received pertained to hypocrisy in Christians. Surely, this is indicative of our need to be sure that we are not guilty of hypocrisy.

Defining the Word

What is a hypocrite? In order to answer that question, let us consider the meaning of the Greek words hupokritas and hupokrisis. Surprisingly, in classical Greek these words are rather neutral in meaning; they have neither a good nor bad connotation. The hupokrites in classical Greek was the man who expounded or interpreted. He was also the man who answered another. Because a play is a work which is made up of question and answer, it was not long before the words were used to refer to the ones who participated in the play. Hence, the hupokrites was the actor. From this latter usage, hupokrites developed its bad sense.

Because the actor is one who plays a part, the word came to mean a man who pretends to be what he is not. The art of the actor is that from the moment he dons the mask his whole conduct on stage should be in keeping with his allotted role. In ancient theaters, the actor used a mask to cover his face in order to help him to pretend to be the character whose role he assumed. From the moment he donned the mask, the hupokritts pretended to be someone other than who he really was. Soon, the word hupokrites was used to refer to the man who made human life the stage and his conduct his role. It came to refer to the man who pretended to be righteous when he was wicked.

Examples of Hypocrisy

To further illustrate the meaning of the word hypocrisy and to show God’s attitude toward the hypocrite, let us consider some biblical examples of hypocrisy.

1. Peter (Gal. 2:13). This passage records the conduct of Peter while he was in Antioch. In the early church, Antioch was one of the first congregations to overcome its Jewish background sufficiently to break down the middle wall of partition which separated the Jews and Gentiles. In Antioch, the two groups had fellowship with each other; they ate meals together. When Peter came to Antioch, he joined right in with the two groups. He ate with Gentiles on the same basis as he ate with Jews. Soon, however, some men from the Jerusalem church arrived in Antioch. The Jerusalem Christians apparently still clung to their Jewish heritage. These men would have considered it a sin to eat with a Gentile. Consequently, they would disapprove of what was going on in Antioch. When these men arrived in Antioch, Peter donned his mask; he pretended to be what he was not. Whereas he had been eating with the Gentiles, when the men from Jerusalem arrived he ceased to have anything to do with the Gentiles. Hence, he was playing a part, pretending to be different to what he really was. Consequently, we read this report of what happened in Antioch:

But when Cephas came to Antioch, I opposed him to his face, because he stood condemned. For prior to the coming of certain men from James, he used to eat with the Gentiles; but when they came, he began to withdraw and hold himself aloof, fearing the party of the circumcision. And the rest of the Jews joined him in hypocrisy, with the result that even Barnabas was carried away by their hypocrisy (Gal. 2:11-13).

This example from the New Testament illustrates what a hypocrite is; he is a man who pretends to be something he is not.

2. Matt. 23. Consider the various passages in this chapter which illustrate to us what the hypocrite is. Here is Jesus’ description of the hypocrisy in the Jews; He said:

The scribes and the Pharisees have seated themselves in the chair of Moses; therefore all that they tell you, do sad observe, but do not do according to their deeds; for they say things, and do not do them. And they tie up heavy loads, and lay them on men’s shoulders; but they themselves are unwilling to move them with so much as a finger. But they do all their deeds to be noticed by men (vs. 1-5).

Woe to you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites, because you devour widows’ houses, even while for a pretense you make long prayers; therefore you shall receive a greater condemnation (v. 14).

Woe to you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! For you tithe mint and dill and cummin, and have neglected the weightier provisions of the law: justice and mercy and faithfulness; but these are the things you should have done without neglecting the others. You blind guides, who strain out a gnat and swallow a camel! (v. 23-24).

Woe to you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! For you clean the outside of the cup and of the dish, but inside they are full of robbery and self-indulgence. You blind Pharisee, first clean the inside of the cup and of the dish, so that the outside of it may become clean also (vs. 25-26).

Woe to you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! For you are like whitewashed tombs which on the outside appear beautiful, but inside they are full of dead men’s bones and all uncleanness. Even so you too outwardly appear righteous to men, but inwardly you are full of hypocrisy and lawlessness (vs. 27-18).

These passages very well portray the nature of hypocrisy. Like the beautiful mausoleum which is very beautiful on the outside but full of decaying bodies on the inside, the hypocrite puts on a front which is very attractive but inwardly he is full of wickedness.

Hypocrisy Is Still In the Church

There is probably no church which is without hypocrites. I have been in the company of song .leaders who told more ungodly stories than many non-Christians with whom I have associated. Having had the opportunity to know a few Christian businessmen, I have. heard many of them warn me not to do business with other Christians. When asked to tell me why they said that, they began to tell me of one case after another of brethren in the local church who were indebted to them and who refused to even answer their statements of debt. Quite frankly, I would have had a pretty hard time following such a brother when he led the congregation in prayer if he refused to pay his debts and I knew about it.

I have known of men who served the church in various capacities getting involved in immoralities. Rather than having the decency of resigning from the offices which they held or classes which they taught, they preferred to play the hypocrite. Consequently, they manifested this spotless image to the church while wallowing in the immoralities of sin. That, my brethren, is hypocrisy.

We could cite other examples of hypocrisy. The man who pretends to be righteous but who cheats on his income taxes is a hypocrite. The man who portrays the image of a faithful Christian while loafing on the job which he is being paid to perform is a hypocrite.. The man who waits on the Lord’s table but lies when asked about the condition of the car which he is selling is a hypocrite.

Not All Sinners Are Hypocrites

Let me hasten to relate that not all sinners are hypocrites. None of us who claim to be Christians can live a perfect life. Consequently, we are going to be guilty of sin from time to time. The man who, when guilty of sin, falls down on his knees, prays to God for forgiveness, and honestly tries to cease practicing the sin of which he is repenting is not a hypocrite. This man is not trying to put on a cloak of righteousness to cover the wicked conduct in which he is engaged; he is a man who openly admits his guilt and asks God’s forgiveness. The hypocrite is aware of his guilt but has no intention of quitting his sinful conduct. Rather, he only wants to retain the respect of God’s people while following the Devil.

Conclusion

The hypocrite has the ability to hide his devious deeds from the sight of men, at least some men on some occasions. However, he can never conceal his conduct from God. Though the hypocrite might have a good reputation among men, his character is rotten and God knows it. The hypocrite is, therefore, a man who cares more about what men think of him than what God thinks of him.

God has revealed to us that all hypocrites will be exposed. Jesus said,

Beware of the leaven of the Pharisees, which is hypocrisy. But there is nothing covered up that will not be revealed, and hidden that will not be known. Accordingly whatever you have said in the dark shall be heard in the light, and what you have whispered in the inner rooms shall be proclaimed upon the housetops (Lk. 12:1 3).

The hypocrite will be exposed by God at the judgment. At that time, God shall tear away the cloak of righteousness with which the hypocrite hides his wicked heart underneath. Every idle word (Mt. 12:36) and every evil thought (Heb. 4:13) will be exposed for what it is.

Are you ready to stand before the judgment seat of Christ? Only the man who is protected by the blood of Christ can stand before God. Having had his sins washed away, this man is acceptable to God Almighty. The hypocrite, on the other hand, will be cast into Hell. Let us be sure that our righteousness is genuine and not feigned.

Truth Magazine XXII: 17, pp. 275-277
April 27, 1978

By Johnie Edwards

Speaking in tongues is a misunderstood Bible subject. The first occurrence of miraculous tongue-speaking is recorded in Acts 2. Tongue-speaking is very limited in the Bible. In order to have a good Bible understanding of the subject, let me call your attention to some things about tongue-speaking.

(1) Bible Tongue-speaking is associated With the Baptism of the Holy Spirit. Jesus promised the Holy Spirit in the baptismal measure to only a certain few — the apostles (Jn. 16:13; Acts 1:4). The apostles were the ones who received the Holy Spirit on the day of Pentecost (Acts 2:3). As Acts 2:3-4 shows, tongue speaking came with the baptism of the Holy Spirit. In the case of Cornelius, the baptism of the Holy Spirit brought about tongue-speaking (Acts 10:44-46). For people today, to miraculously speak in tongues, they must first receive the baptism of the Holy Spirit and this does not occur. Speaking in tongues and the baptism of the Holy Spirit were never a command, but a promise to a certain group and this has been fulfilled.

(2) Bible Tongues Were Foreign Languages. Acts 2 find Jews present from “every nation under heaven” (Acts 2:5). These people spoke different languages. As the events in Acts 2 “were noised abroad, the multitude came together and were confused, because that every man heard them speak in his own language. And they were all amazed and marveled, saying one to another. Behold are not all these which speak Galileans?” And how hear we every man in our own tongue, wherein we were born? (Acts 2:6-8). You can see from this passage a fact that needs to be realized. That these tongues were not just a lot of jabbering, but languages which could be understood

(3) One of the Spiritual Gifts was That of Tongue-speaking. There were nine spiritual gifts in the early days of the church to keep the church pure and to keep men on the right track (1 Cor. 12:1-11). One of these gifts was that of tongues and the interpretation of the tongues. These tongues in 1 Cor. 14 were also languages as in Acts 2. It can be seen from 1 Cor. 14:3,9, 13,23,27, 28,19.

(4) Bible Tongue-speaking was Orderly. The so-called “Tongue-speakers” that I have observed were disorderly with everybody trying to talk at once. Order characterized Bible tongue-speaking. “If any man speak in an unknown tongue, let it be by two, or at the most by three, and that by course; and let one interpret” (1 Cor. 14:27). In fact, Paul said, “Let all things be done decently and in order” (1 Cor. 14:40).

(5) Bible Tongues Were to be Understood. Truth must be spoken in such a way as to edify the hearers. If truth cannot be understood, how could it edify? Paul said, “So likewise ye, except ye utter by the tongue words easy to be understood, how shall it be known what is spoken? for ye shall speak into the air” (1 Cor. 14:2-9). Words which could be understood were more important than speaking in unknown tongues! Paul said, “Yet in the church I had rather speak five words with my understanding, that by my voice I might teach others also, than ten thousand words in an unknown tongue” (1 Cor. 14:19).

(6) Use of an Interpreter. Many times Bible tongue-speaking required an interpreter. If, during the time of spiritual gifts, one was present who could not understand the language, one had to interpret. “Wherefore let him that speaketh in an unknown tongue pray that he may interpret” (1 Cor. 14:13). The reason for an interpreter is that the unlearned would not understand the language (1 Cor. 14:16).

(7) Bible Tongue-speaking has Ceased. The Bible teaches that the use of tongues in the Bible way was only temporary. Bible tongue-speaking was associated with the baptism of the Holy Spirit and the laying-on-of-hands measure of the Spirit and, since we no longer have these, we no longer have miraculous tongue-speaking! Paul said, that “tongues would cease when that which is perfect (New Testament) is come” (1 Cor. 13:8-10).

Truth Magazine XXII: 17, p. 274
April 27, 1978

By Ronnie McCarty

In the previous article on this subject we dealt with the fact that when God designates a name for anything, He means for this name to be used. Now, let us examine some other names that are commonly misused and misapplied by the world and by Christians. The first term I would like for us to examine is “saint.” This name is misused and misapplied primarily because of the teaching of the Catholic church concerning one becoming a “saint.” According to their teaching, only a certain few are “saints”; for one to become a saint is extremely difficult. That this false teaching has spread into the world and even into the church is evidenced by the statements some Christians make-“Every man sins. After all, none of us are saints.” Or, “I know I’m not perfect; I’m not a saint.” It is true that all sin (Rom. 3:23), but we had all better be saints, because all Christians are saints (1 Cor. 1:2; 16:1; Eph. 1:1; 3:8; Phil. 1:1; Jude 3; Rev. 5:8). Saints are not just a group of men and women that have been deified by the Catholic Church.

Another term I would like for us to examine is reverend. Men apply or allow this term to be applied to themselves. But this designation is found only one time in the Bible, and it does not apply to any man. In Ps. 111:9, the Psalmist is speaking of Jehovah when he writes, “. . .Holy and reverend is His name.” No man has a right to wear this name. When man allows himself to be addressed by this term, or thinks of himself as reverend, he has taken the same attitude Herod displayed in Acts 12:20-23. From this passage we can also note the fate of Herod for his assumption.

The last name or designation we will consider in this article, is that of minister. This term is more misused than it is misapplied. The apostle Paul referred to himself as a minister (Rom. 15:16, Eph. 3:6-7). Paul described others as being ministers: Tychicus (Eph. 6:21), Epaphras (Col. 1:17), and Timothy (1 Tim. 4:6). From these passages and others, many (even Christians) think that the term minister is for use only by the preacher. This is erroneous thinking. It is true that preachers of the Gospel are ministers, but the fact is that all Christians are to be ministers (Heb. 6:10, 1 Pet. 4:10; 2 Cor. 9:1). Even some who are not necessarily Christians are called ministers of God (Rom. 13:6). Therefore, let us try not to call or make the preacher exclusively “the minister.”

There are other misused and misapplied Bible terms we could discuss. We could also mention the many unscriptural terms used in the realm of religion today, but I believe these few terms we have talked about will help us all to better appreciate the fact that when we speak that we must be “. . .speaking as it were the oracles of God . . . .”

Truth Magazine XXII: 16, p. 265
April 20, 1978