Truth Magazine

By Jimmy Tuten, Jr.

The position that one is saved by faith only is very prevalent in some religious circles. One religious group maintains that justification is “solely through faith in Christ” while another group goes so far as to say salvation by faith only is “a most wholesome doctrine.” Those who advocate this find themselves in a dilemma, for they know that such passages as Acts 17:30; Luke 13:3, -etc., teach that one must repent before one is saved They recognize the consequence of their “salvation by faith only” position, i.e., if one is saved the moment he believes, he would be saved without repentance. In order to escape this consequence, the order of faith and repentance is reversed. It is argued that one must repent before he believes. It is argued, therefore, that the order is repentance then faith.

I fail to see how this order helps the advocates of “faith only,” for repentance is something in addition to faith. Since one must repent, salvation could not possibly be “solely by faith,” since “solely” is an adverb and means “alone” or “singly.” Faith only excludes everything else, so the matter of reversing the order of faith and repentance does not eliminate the problem. To argue that repentance and faith are inseparable only poses greater problems. The fact that Peter commanded repentance in Acts 2, bus said nothing of faith since these already believed (Acts 2:37), points out that faith and repentance can be separated, and what about the statements in the New Testament where people believed but refused to confess? If faith and repentance are inseparable, then these were saved in this state. Pshaw!

The order of repentance and faith, or repentance before one believes is a psychological impossibility. Repentance involves the change of one’s mind toward sin (with the exception of Luke 17:3-4) and always includes a change for the better (Dictionary of New Testament Words, W.E. Vine, Vol. III, pp. 280-281). It is produced by godly sorrow (2 Cor. 7:10), which includes a full and complete recognition of the truth of the story of the cross. One cannot possibly turn to God with “unfeigned contrition, confession and supplication for mercy” (Standard Manual for Baptist Churches, Article No. 8) without accepting Jesus as Savior, as Prophet, as Priest, and King. There is no access to God except thru Jesus (Jn. 10:1; 14:16). Since one cannot please God without faith (Heb. 11:6), and this faith involves Jesus as the one in whom God reconciles the world unto Himself (2 Cor. 5:19), one could not possibly turn to God in repentance without faith. The fact that +he individual must have faith before he repents is clearly demonstrated in Acts 2. After preaching the gospel, Peter commanded his audience to “know assuredly, that God hath made that same Jesus, whom ye have crucified, both Lord and Christ” (Acts 2:36). They believed, for they were “pricked in their hearts” (v. 37). Then they were told to repent! Look at the order: Believe, repent, and be baptized (Acts 2:36-38). It is impossible to repent of sins without first believing that sins have been committed against God and that remission thereof comes through Jesus.

When The Two Are Mentioned Together, Repentance Appears First

It is stated in rebuttal to the truth presented above, that in some passages repentance precedes faith. For example: “repent ye, and believe the gospel” (Mk. 1:15; Matt. 32). The reference to these verses assumes that they apply these to the alien sinner, when in fact, to make such an application perverts these scriptures. Look at the context of Mark 1:15; “Jesus came into Galilee preaching the gospel of the kingdom of God” (v. 14). This took place under the law of Moses before the Lord’s death. In Matthew’s account, it was John the Baptist who also taught “repentance, for the kingdom of heaven was at hand” (Mt. 3:1-3).

To whom was John speaking? To Jews, some of whom were Pharisees and Sadducees who thought to say within themselves, “We have Abraham for our father” (Mt. 3:9). These it must be remembered were God’s children under the law of Moses. As such, they were believers in God, though they had perverted worship to God and transgressed the law. These were hypocrites and as such, needed to repent! They also needed to believe the glad tidings of the nearly approaching reign of Christ. The kingdom had not been established; it is no wonder that they were told to repent and believe. They were to repent of their sins under the law, and to believe in the Messiah. We cannot apply these verses to aliens today, for the kingdom and Christ have appeared.

Conclusion

The sum total of commands with reference to the plan of salvation of these: The gospel must be preached for it is the power of God unto salvation (Mk. 16:15; Rom. 1:16). Faith is the direct result of instruction in God’s word (Jn. 6:44,45; Rom. 10:17). Faith leads to repentance (Acts 2:36-38). When one has repented of his sins and confessed his faith in Jesus (Acts 8:37, Rom. 10:10), he is then baptized into Christ (Rom. 6:1-6). This makes one a child of God (Gal. 3:26-27).

Truth Magazine XXII: 13, p. 213
March 30, 1978

By Mike Willis

In recent years, the premillennial controversy has raged once again. Practically every time that an attempt is made to re-establish the nation of Israel, men begin to think that the time of the end is near. Consequently, they speculate concerning Bible prophecies in the light of the current events which they read in the daily newspaper. Since 1948 when Israel was once again established as a nation, the religious market has literally been flooded with materials proclaiming the theories of premillennialism.

The terminology of premillennialism has become well known. We have seen bumper stickers mentioning rapture. Radio evangelists have discussed pre- and posttribulation theories to such an extent that practically everyone is acqainted with the seven-year tribulation period. Another term of premillennial importance is the term “Battle of Armageddon.” Most every preacher has been asked on one or more occasions, “What is the battle of Armageddon?” I would like to try to answer some of the questions that people are asking about the battle of Armageddon. Certainly the term is a Bible term, although it is only used in Rev. 16:16. From the amount of discussion it receives, one could get the idea that it is mentioned on every page of the Bible.

However, before discussing the biblical meaning and usage of the word armageddon, let me be sure that you understand how premillenialists are using the term. In order to do this, I must briefly summarize the main points of premillennialism according to the pretribulation rapture point of view.

The Battle of Armageddon According to Premillennialists

Let me begin by relating the series of events which surround the battle of Armageddon according to this view point. We are presently living in what is termed the “church age.” Premillennialism teaches that Jesus came to this world to establish His eternal kingdom. However, when the Jews rejected Him and had Him crucified, a second plan was inaugurated which postponed the establishment of His kingdom. In the meantime, the “church age” occurs. At the end of this church age, Jesus is supposed to come again and take His saints quietly from the earth. Saints are supposed to mysteriously disappear from the earth at the rapture. The rest of the population on this earth will continue life as it is at the present.

The rapture will be followed by a seven year period of tribulation. This period is designed to prepare the nation of Israel to receive her Messiah. A remnant of the Jews will believe the gospel and serve as evangelists to try to persuade the rest of the Jews to accept the gospel of Jesus Christ. Some Gentiles will also turn to the Lord during this period.

During this period a personal Antichrist will arise, be popularly received as a ruler over Europe, and oppose the work of Jesus Christ. The forces of the Antichrist and Jesus Christ are destined for a great final conflict called the Battle of Armageddon. After Jesus victoriously defeats Satan, He will establish His kingdom on the earth and reign over it for one thousand glorious years.

The participants in this battle are already revealed, according to those who accept premillennialism. Four world powers will enter the fray. (1) Europe. The first great world power will be Europe. This Europe will be different from the independent nations which presently are known as Europe. The independent nations of Europe will form a ten-state United States of Europe. Premillennialists generally interpret the Common Market which is presently developed in Europe to be the first steps toward a United States of Europe. This ten-state confederacy will be under the leadership of one man who is the Antichrist. Premillennialists identify this new United States of Europe as the Roman Empire prophesied in Dan. 2 and 7. (2) The Russian Confederacy. This is the second great world power which will participate in the Battle of Armageddon. Russia is identified as “Gog, of the land of Magog, the chief prince of Meshech and Tubal” (Ezek. 38:1-3). Her allies will be Persia, Cush, Put, Gomer, and Togarmah (Ezek. 38:6,9,15,22; 39:4) which are identified as Iraq, Iran, Ethiopia, North Africa, Germany, Armenia, etc. (3) Egypt: the King of the South. The third great power in the Battle of Armageddon will be Egypt. Premillennialists understand Dan. 11 to be discussing the Battle of Armageddon and identify the king of the south with Egypt. (4) China: the Eastern power. Elsewhere in Dan. 11, a power from the East’ (v. 44) is mentioned. Premillennialists generally understand this to refer to China today, although premillennialists of the World War II era dogmatically asserted that this eastern power was Japan.

When the conflict begins, the battle will occur like this: Egypt will initiate a conflict with Israel. Because of the present tensions in the Middle East, premillennialists are convinced that this could happen at any time. At the same time that this occurs, Russia will invade the Near East pushing its conquests all the way to Egypt whom she will also defeat. The reason that Russia enters this war is her need for crude oil. Having defeated these countries, Russia will hear of rumors from the East (China) and from the North (Europe under the Antichrist). At that time she will return to Israel to defend her newly conquered area at Megiddo. Through some sort of nuclear holocaust, Russia will be defeated leaving a “power vacuum” in Israel which the Antichrist will quickly fill. Europe under the Antichrist will engage in battle with the East and then against the Jews.

At this point, Christ’s second coming will occur. He will enter into a physical battle with the army of Satan under the leadership of the Antichrist and summarily defeat it. Having defeated His enemies, He will establish His kingdom and reign for one thousand years over the nations of this world from the city of Jerusalem. The temple will be re-built and animal sacrifices will be reinstituted. The glorious reign of Christ will begin.

It seems that a comment about the imminence of these events needs to be injected. Premillennialists have always expected the Battle of Armageddon to occur at “just any time.” In 1924, William Edward Biederwolf wrote,

“In keeping with the interpretation which makes the word descriptive of a characteristic (great slaughter) rather than a definite place, there are those who think the last world war lust closed (World War I-mw) was Indeed the very battle of ArMagedon, and that therefore, as John Robertson says, `The Second Advent of our Lord is now by Prophetical schedule due, and may at the next tick of the watch in your pocket be seen In the sky”‘ (The Millennium Bible, pp. 662-663).

The usefulness of such a theory to the evangelism process is readily perceived. Whether used intentionally or unintentionally, the premillennial theory is used to scare people into obeying the gospel because the end time is right around the corner.

Having a grasp of the premillennial theory of the Battle of Armageddon, you are somewhat better prepared to tell whether or not this is in harmony with the Bible. Does God’s word foretell the coming of such a great, physical conflict between Christ and a personal Antichrist? Can we see the signs which precede this conflict through the reading of our daily newspapers? These and other questions must be answered by going back to the Bible to see what it says about the Battle of Armageddon in particular and premillennialism in general.

(Continued next week)

Truth Magazine XXII: 13, pp. 211-212
March 30, 1978

By Larry Ray Hafley

Question:

From the Philippines: “Will you please explain about the thief on the cross? Was he saved without water baptism?”

Reply:

This is an old question. It is a frequent objection against the necessity of water baptism. Obviously, the denominational world has great confidence in the “thief on the cross argument,” else it would not make the contention that it proves salvation before and without water baptism. Thus, it must be dealt with each time it is presented (2 Tim. 4:2b).

The thief lived and died:

(1) Without believing that God had raised Christ from the dead. Can we (Rom. 10:9)?

(2) Without being a member of the body of Christ. Can we (Eph. 1:22, 23; 2:16; 4:4; 5:23-26)?

(3) Without hearing the gospel as preached by the apostles. Can we (1 Cor. 15:1-4; Eph. 3:3-6; 1 Pet. 1:10-12)?

If the fact that the thief was not baptized means baptism is not essential for us, then the same reasoning also excludes the three items listed above.

Jesus had “power on earth to forgive sins” (Matt. 9:6). He exercised that authority more than once (Lk. 7:50; Matt. 9:2). I believe the thief was saved by this same power. However, this was before the cross, before the preaching of repentance and remission of sins began in Jerusalem (Lk. 24:47-49; Acts 1:1-8; 2:1-5, 36-47). Jesus still has power to forgive sins (Matt. 28:18.20). That Divine right is expressed in the terms or conditions of the gospel. “He that believeth and is baptized shall be saved; but he that believeth not shall be damned” (Mk. 16:16).

Jesus is not now on the earth pardoning people as He did then. He is now qualified, certified and verified as Lord at the right hand of God (Acts 2:29,36; 1 Pet. 3:22). We are now living under the new testament system (Heb. 9:16, 17). It is the “new and living way” which He consecrated for us through His flesh, i.e., His death on the cross (Heb. 10:19.22).

Actually, whether the thief was saved with or without water baptism has nothing to do with our salvation. But forget the thief for a moment. Consider the rich, young ruler (Mk. 10:17-22). He could not inherit eternal life without going and selling all that he had. If one demands that salvation be “just like the thief on the cross,” then I shall demand that salvation be “just like the rich, young ruler.” So, we can exclude baptism, but we shall have to go and sell all that we have. Absurd, you say? Yes! Our terms are different from those of the ruler and the thief. One can understand that when he contemplates the ruler, and he ought to be able to do so when he hangs with the thief.

John 3:16

In the letter accompanying his letter, our querist mentioned John 3:16. “For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life.” John 3:16 does not mention:

1) The necessity of repentance. Must one repent before he can be saved?

2) The command to confess Christ? Can one be saved without confessing Christ (Rom. 10:9, 10; Matt. 10:32, 33)?

If the fact that baptism is not mentioned excludes baptism as essential to salvation, then it excludes repentance and confession because they are not mentioned. Remember, too, that John 3:16 is in the context of John 3:3, 5, where Jesus said that one must be born of water and of the Spirit. That certainly includes baptism (Eph. 5:26; Titus 3:5; 1 Pet. 3:21).

Truth Magazine XXII: 13, p. 210
March 30, 1978

By Dennis C. Abernathy

“For the preaching of the cross is to them that perish foolishness; but unto us which are saved it is the power of God” (1 Cor. 1:18). “For after that in the wisdom of God the world by wisdom knew not God, it pleased God by the foolishness of preaching to save them that believe” (1 Cor. 1:21).

These are very beautiful verses indeed. They show God’s power and His wisdom in the carrying out of His plan in spite of man. Man has always prided himself with his much wisdom. Why the learned men, the philosophers of the day, with all of their investigations, experiences, and etc. knew not God. Some even denied His very existence; some represented Him under some idol form (Acts 17) showing that they had no real acquaintance with the true God.

But the same is still true today. Our society is almost education mad. We pride ourselves with our much learning. We think we know so much. We are so self-sufficient! Therefore “the Bible is put-dated.” “It was fine for those ignorant people back there, but not for our enlightened age.” Men are still denying God in outer space, in the test tube, in the theories of evolution.

But, my friend, God chose His plan (it may not suit the learned of our day) but He is yet pleased with it. It is simple. This, of course, involves His only begotten Son, who left the riches of heaven and made Himself a little lower than the angels and became as man to suffer and die the cruel death on a Roman cross. All of this because you and I were sinners, and this was God’s means of saving us from our sins. It involves the teaching of God’s Son, that is recorded for us to read and understand and then do, so that we may be pleasing to the One who loved us so much and shed His grace forth unto us. It may not be like man would have done it, and man may think he can improve upon it, but it is according to the wisdom of Almighty God and it pleases Him. Therefore it should please us.

1.”The Foolishness of preaching”: Not, by “foolish preaching” but, by the preaching of the cross, which was regarded as foolish and absurd by worldly minded men. God’s plan is wise, but along corner puny man, and esteems it as foolish. Who can believe that we can live or have life through one who died? That we can be blessed forevermore by one who became a curse? That we can be justified by one who was Himself condemned? That we can be saved by one who could not save Himself? That is foolishness to many who do not know any better.

But not only was the preaching considered foolish, but also the manner of preaching the gospel was considered foolish. Not many of the famous men of wisdom and eloquence were employed, just a few unlearned and ignorant fishermen. But my friend, the power was not in the men, but in the message and the one from whom the message came. They had been with Jesus. They could not be discounted as just ignorant and unlearned men. Even the elite of the day marveled and took note of them (Acts 4:13).

Men yet today will scoff at the gospel of Christ, ridicule it proclaimers, and disapprove its precepts. These have never seen the beauty of the cross. They have not humility, and know not greatness through service.

2. It Is The Power of God To Save Them Which Believe: “For I am not ashamed of the gospel of Christ; for it is the power of God unto salvation-to everyone that believeth; to the Jew first and also to the Greek” (Rom. 1:16). Man may consider it foolish and he may ridicule its proclaimer, but it is God’s power to save man. Man must put self behind, discard his human wisdom, humble himself at the cross and accept the preaching of the gospel-the cross, that he may be saved.

I may trust in my wealth, but it cannot save. I may trust in my wisdom, but it cannot save. I may trust in my popularity, friends, prestige and station in life but they cannot save. But God can save, and He is not willing that any should perish, but that all should come to repentance (2 Pet. 3:9). He wants all to be saved (1 Tim. 2:4); but His power to save is in the gospel.

Dear reader and friend, do you think of the gospel as foolishness and trivial? Give it a fair hearing, examine the evidence, and you will see God’s wisdom. It is the foolish one who does not accept the teaching of the Lord. He is as the foolish man who built his house upon the sand. The floods came and the winds blew and that house fell, and great was the fall thereof. A failure to accept the gospel means the loss of one’s soul. Think about it!

Truth Magazine XXII: 12, pp. 205-206
March 23, 1978