Truth Magazine

By Mike Willis

“Jude, a bond-servant of Jesus Christ, and brother of James, to those who are the called, beloved in God the Father, and kept for Jesus Christ” (Jude 1). So begins the next to last book of our New Testament, Notice that the Christians are addressed as “those who are the called.” Several other passages describe God’s people in a similar manner (Rom. 8:28; 1 Cor. 1:24; Rev. 17:14). Thus, in our study of the descriptive terms by which Christians are called, we must include a study of the term “called of God.”

Definition

The term translated “called” is kletos; it is a term used to describe those who have obeyed the gospel. Klesis is another cognate word sometimes used to describe Christians; it is generally translated by the gerund “calling.” Both are derived from kaleo “to call.” Sometimes kaleo is used in a special sense meaning “to invite.” Because it is used for God’s invitation through the preaching of the gospel, the word takes on a technical sense to mean those who have accepted God’s invitation which was addressed to them in the gospel. Closely related to this word is the Greek word for church, ekklesia. Thus, the church is composed of the “called out” ones.

Even as we value invitations today on the basis of from whom we received them (e.g. an invitation from the President of the United States is more valuable than an invitation from me), we should also notice the source from which our invitation comes. Our invitation or calling comes from no one less than God Himself (Eph. 1:18; Phil. 3:14; 2 Tim. 1:9). God has invited us to the benefits which this calling brings not on the basis of the fact that we are somewhat but on the basis of His grace (2 Tim. 1:9). We do not deserve the salvation which He has invited us to enjoy. Access to this salvation has been made possible for us through Jesus Christ (Gal. 1:6).

Inasmuch as the word “calling” is used in another sense in contemporary usage, we need to be sure that we distinguish it from this special usage. We sometimes use the word “calling” to refer to one’s station in life. Too, we sometimes use the word to refer to one’s vocation. Neither of these usages has any bearing upon this discussion.

Characteristics of Our Calling

Noting to what we have been invited is worth our time. I am obviously more interested in attending the World Series than in watching someone slop the hogs. We have been called to enjoy fellowship with Christ (1 Cor. 1:9), to attain peace with God and ourselves (1 Cor. 7:15; Col. 3:14-15; Phil. 4:7), to inherit eternal life (1 Pet. 3:9; 1 Tim. 6:12; 1 Pet. 5:10), to participate in His kingdom (1 Thess. 2:12), and to liberty (Gal. 5:13). These are not things to be sneezed at! God has prepared quite a series of blessings for those of us who accept His invitation. Because the calling originates with God and terminates in heaven, it can be called a high calling (Phil. 3:14), a holy calling (2 Tim. 1:9), a heavenly calling (Heb. 3:1), and a calling of hope (Eph. 1:18, 4:4).

How We Are Called

Inasmuch as each of us is interested in answering such an invitation, we need to know how we shall be invited by God. While Jesus was on earth, He personally encountered men with His invitation for them to become His disciples, saying “Come, follow Me” (cf. Mt. 4:18-22). However, even then, the teaching process was employed. Jesus taught, “No one can come to Me, unless the Father who sent Me draws him; and I will raise him up on the last day. It is written in the prophets, `And they shall all be taught of God.’ Every one who has heard and learned from the Father, comes to Me” (Jn. 6:44-45). Today, we are called through the teaching of God’s word. Paul wrote, “And it was for this He called you through our gospel, that you may gain the glory of our Lord Jesus Christ” (2 Thess. 2:14).

Inasmuch as the Corinthians are described as the “called” (1 Cor. 1:24), we can study how they were called and learn the method by which men are called. In Acts 18:8, we read of how they were called: “And Crispus, the leader of the synagogue, believed in the Lord with all his household, and many of the Corinthians when they heard were believing and being baptized.” The men who were styled the “called” were simply those who had heard the Gospel preached, believed it, and obeyed it. The manner in which the Corinthians were called is exactly the same manner in which all others are called out. We need not wait for an angelic visitation, a still small voice in the middle of the night, or any other type of miraculous experience (e.g. glossolalia-Tongue-speaking). God has called us through the preaching of the Gospel. The invitation is already out; He is waiting for our response.

The High Calling Demands High Living

Paul wrote, “I, therefore, the prisoner of the Lord, entreat you to walk in a manner worthy of the calling with which you have been called” (Eph. 4:1). Thus, God, who has extended to us such a high calling, expects us to conduct ourselves in accordance with it. Even as I would be expected to dress appropriately and act accordingly should I receive an invitation to attend a White House dinner, so also those who have been called out by God are expected to act in a certain fashion in keeping with their calling. Peter said that we had been “called … out of darkness into His marvelous light” (1 Pet. 2:9); “God has not called us for the purpose of impurity, but in sanctification” (1 Thess. 4:7). Therefore, God expects those whom he has called to maintain ethical purity, to walk above the world.

Conclusion

Some of our songs emphasize the fact that God is calling us. One says, “God is calling yet;” another says, “Jesus is tenderly calling thee home;” still another says, “I can hear my Savior calling.” Listen to Him call: “Come to Me, all who are weary and heavy laden, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you, and learn from Me, for I am gentle and humble in heart; and you shall find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy, and My load is light” (Mt. 11:28-30). “Behold, I stand at the door and knock; if any one hears My voice and opens the door, I will come in to him, and will dine with him, and he with Me” (Rev. 3:20). “And the Spirit and the bride say, `Come.’ And let the one who hears say, `Come.’ And let the one who is thirsty come; let the one who wishes take the water of life without cost” (Rev. 22:17).

This invitation will not be extended indefinitely; if you want to partake of the benefits resulting from it, you must respond before you die or before Jesus comes again. When and if you accept the invitation, you will become a part of all of the others who have accepted it-a part of the called of God, the church.

Truth Magazine, XX:18, p. 12-13
May 6, 1976

By Denver Niemeier

Many things that not too long ago were plentiful are now in short supply. There are many shortages in evidence today that affect our daily lives.

While these shortages are of concern to all of us, there are others that should be of greater concern to every child of God. They are those “Shortages” to be found in the body of Christ. These “Shortages” are not the result of anything that is lacking from the divine, but they exist because of human failure. 2 Tim. 3:16-17 shows us that every instruction man has need of has been provided by God, so, therefore, anything that is lacking is because man has failed to follow that instruction and thus “Shortages” occur.

The “Preacher Shortage” as it has been called is one that most members of the church are aware, and is very widespread. Various factors have contributed to this shortage. One factor that I call “taking advantage” of the preacher has discouraged some men. Many times brethren have no idea of how to support a preacher, and as the result preachers make sacrifices that others of the church do not. Most of those who have to do with deciding what a preacher is to receive as his support have never had the experience of trying to live on “what the brethren give him.”

Those who preach have had the experience, as they have gone forth preaching, of some brother slipping up to him and quietly saying “here is a little something for you,” and too many times that is what it is-“a little something.” Preachers are asked to preach somewhere, are put to the travel expenses plus the time involved preparing and presenting the lesson, and are sometimes paid and sometimes not.

Brethren, we should not let “preachers” take advantage of the brethren in regards to the support he is to get; however, let us not be guilty of being involved in taking advantage of preachers: The lack of fair, adequate support has discouraged some from becoming preachers.

Another thing to consider is that too often we are reluctant to use men who are “just starting” or do not possess a degree or have at least attended a certain school. Too often the inexperienced preacher finds himself working with a small (many times new) group while the man of some years’ experience usually commands a place in a well-established congregation. Encouragement should be given to all to study, learn and apply oneself to teaching God’s word, and the fellow just starting out needs to be used. By the setting up of such unnecessary standards, men are discouraged from preparing themselves to preach.

The impression is given at times by members of the church that only those who depend on the brethren for all of their support are “full-time” preachers. Men are needed who devote all of their time working for the growth of the kingdom; men are also needed who support themselves in secular jobs to work in the Lord’s vineyard. Every Christian should be preaching (teaching) everywhere, all of the time, to every person, regardless of the manner they are scripturally supported.

There is also a shortage of “Qualified Leadership” in the church. Numbers of congregations are, and in some cases have been for years, without elders. The organization of the church is important; it is a part of God’s plan. However, liberties are taken with it that brethren would not stand for in respect to things such as worship, work, etc. It is not uncommon to find substitute arrangements being used. We should be as concerned (if not more) about the “Elder Shortage” as we are about the shortage of preachers. But, very little concern and effort sometimes seems to be found where there are no elders that such a shortage exists. Elders are qualified men (1 Tim. 3 and Tit. 1), and, of course, if the qualifications are not found in men then there can be no elders. The spiritual qualifications are those that are developed, and every Christian is to possess them. If men do not have them, they should be working toward developing them.

The New Testament speaks of elders in every church (Acts 14:23), and in every city (Tit. 1:5). If that was the way in New Testament times according to God’s plan, then why isn’t it the way now?

We are rightly concerned that our teaching, worship, work, and name is as God’s word reveals. We are concerned that congregations are independent and self-functioning. But, are we as concerned as we should be about how the congregation is organized? In congregations that are without elders, who actually does what the elders would do if they had them?

Some are convinced that no one can fulfill the qualifications that have been given. The qualifications of being “the husband of one wife,” “having faithful children,” “not accused of riot or unruly,” “having his children in subjection with all gravity,” are those that some do not possess because they are not married, or if they are they have no children. Now take a look at the rest of the qualifications – compare those spiritual qualities for the elder; how different are they from those things that are to be characteristics in the life of every Christian? God has not given a list of qualifications that cannot be met by men.

Some just do not want, or think they do not need elders. But, if we are interested in pleasing God we are to do as He wills, and His will sets forth that there are to be elders in every church in every city (Acts 14:23; Tit. 1:5).

Some prefer to have preacher-oversight. This even happens sometimes where there are men who are supposed to be elders. There is no conflict in God’s plan between elders and preachers. Both are called for, and for his plan to be as he would have it both are needed.

When elders do their work, the congregation will be growing and developing as God’s children. Men will be trained and encouraged to preach God’s word, and as members of the congregation develop, men will come forth who possess the spiritual development needed by one to qualify as an overseer of God’s people.

Brethren, if a congregation has no elders, have you ever stopped to think that someone is doing the work of the elders? It is not unusual to find congregations both small and large using other arrangements in carrying on their work.

The church is in a sad state of affairs when we find Christians unconcerned about being and doing what God required.

Elders: “I have often stated, and do not now have cause to retract, that if there cannot be found in the church of Christ today, men who meet Paul’s requirements of an elder, we have a very poor set of Christians on earth today and that righteousness has reached a very low ebb” (The Eldership by Herbert E. Winkler, Page 86).

How concerned are you? Are you doing what you can to relieve these shortages?

Truth Magazine, XX:19, p. 11-12
May 6, 1976

By Paul K. Williams

That the Holy Spirit dwells in Christians is without dispute (Rom. 8:11; 1 Cor. 3:16), just as God dwells in us (1 John 4:12), and the truth dwells in us (2 John 2). Whether the Holy Spirit dwells in us “personally” or “representationally through the word” seems to me to be unimportant. What is important is that we understand what the Spirit does and does not do in the life of the Christian.

Puzzling to me have been the passages which refer to the “earnest” of the Spirit, translated “pledge” in the New American Standard Bible. An “earnest” is a token which is proof of the good intentions of the one giving it. Today a potential house buyer gives “earnest money” to the seller, which money will be forfeited if the buyer backs out of the deal. It is a pledge or guarantee of the good faith of the buyer.

Three times the Holy Spirit is referred to as God’s earnest – the evidence that God’s promise of salvation and eternal life is given in good faith and will be honored. In order for the Holy Spirit to be an “earnest,” He must be given in such a way as to provide evidence of God’s good intentions. He is the proof that God will give heaven to the faithful.

Is It the Indwelling of the Spirit?

Probably most commentators connect these passages with the indwelling of the Holy Spirit (cf. James D. Bales, The Holy Spirit and the Christian, 117-119). This is the way I used to understand them.

But this view presents quite a problem. If the indwelling of the Spirit is the earnest of our inheritance, that indwelling is the evidence of God’s good intentions. The indwelling itself must produce the evidence to show that we belong to God and that He will give us heaven.

But what evidence does the indwelling give us? The denomination alist is quick to point to his feeling in the chest and to say, “I know I am saved because I feel it here.” Christians have long ridiculed this position, and rightly so, as being without foundation. There is not a statement in the New Testament which says the indwelling of the Holy Spirit produces feelings, other than those of love, joy, peace, etc. which are the natural fruit of the Spirit-the fruit of obeying the words of the Spirit. No “better-felt-than-told” experience is referred to in the Bible, and such things cannot be ascribed to the Holy Spirit.

But if the “earnest” of the Spirit is not a feeling in the chest, what is it? James D. Bales says it is two things (op. cit.): (1) faith that the Holy Spirit dwells in us and (2) the fruit of the Spirit (Gal. 5:22-23). But neither of those two things seems to satisfy the definition of an “earnest” or “pledge.” My faith is certainly not evidence that God will fulfill His promises. And the fruit of the Spirit is evidence that I am letting the word of God work in my heart-evidence of the indwelling of the Spirit-but it does not, in my judgment, provide evidence that God’s promises are true.

The Baptism of the Holy Spirit

An article in Truth Magazine by O. C. Birdwell challenged the idea that the earnest of the Spirit is the indwelling of the Spirit, and I am now convinced that Brother Birdwell is right. (See Truth Magazine, Aug. 7, 1975-Editor.) A careful examination of the three passages on the subject will demonstrate this.

2 Cor. 1:21-22-`Now He who establishes us with you in Christ and anointed us is God, who also sealed us and gave us the Spirit in our hearts as a pledge.”

The key to these verses is to find out who the “us” and “you” are. The “you” are obviously the Christians at Corinth, and Paul does not say that the Spirit was given in their hearts as a pledge. The ones who received the Spirit as a pledge are those Paul refers to as “us,” and they are “me and Silvanus and Timothy” (v. 19).

It is easy to see how the Holy Spirit was given to those men as a pledge. They received miraculous powers-powers of revelation and signs. The Holy Spirit given to them was a foretaste and assurance of the fulfillment of all the rest of God’s promises, truly an earnest.

As we shall see in the other two passages, the same explanation of the earnest holds true in them, too. God’s earnest was not some vague feeling. Nor is it our faith or even the fruit of the Spirit. His pledge to us of His faithfulness and ability in carrying out His promises was the pouring out of the Holy Spirit upon certain early Christians, giving them power which came unmistakably and directly from God. This was a valuable pledge, and one which even today assures us of God’s power and faithfulness.

2 Cor. 5:5-“Now He who prepared us for this very purpose is God, who gave to us the Spirit as a pledge.”

This verse does not say how the Spirit was given as a pledge. The verb is in the past tense, not present, indicating that Paul was looking backward at an event already accomplished. “Us” in this passage appears to be Paul, but he seems to be speaking as if his feelings and experiences are shared by those he was writing to. Thus it is possible to understand the passage as saying that God gave the Spirit to Christians as a pledge.

But note also that Paul does not say that it is the Spirit in our hearts which is a pledge. Everything in this verse is consistent with the idea that the pledge was the pouring out of the Spirit upon the apostles and the house of Cornelius, with the accompanying gifts given to others by the apostles. The verse certainly cannot be used to prove the earnest is the Spirit dwelling in Christians today. It does not indicate that at all, though this verse alone might not rule out the idea. But to establish that the earnest is the Spirit in our hearts today will require other passages. This one does not say that.

Eph. 1:13-14 – “In Him, you also, after listening to the message of truth, the gospel of your salvation – having also believed, you were sealed in Him with the Holy Spirit of promise, who is given as a pledge of our inheritance, with a view to the redemption of God’s own possession, to the praise of His glory.”

In Ephesians 1, Paul speaks of those “who were the first to hope in Christ” (v. 12). Those were the Jews. Then he speaks of “you also,” obviously the Gentiles. They also were sealed in Christ with the Holy Spirit, who is given as a pledge of our inheritance.

This occurred when the Holy Spirit was poured out upon Cornelius and his house, the first Gentiles to be accepted into Christ. We Gentiles have the same assurance that the Jews have-we are acceptable to God on the same basis as they, and we have the same assurance of Heaven.

Peter showed that he understood the outpouring of the Spirit in this way when he said, “If God therefore gave to them the same gift as He gave to us also after believing in the Lord Jesus Christ, who was I that I could stand in God’s way?” (Acts 11:17). “And God, who knows the heart, bore witness to them, giving them the Holy Spirit, just as He also did to us; and He made no distinction between us and them, cleansing their hearts by faith” (Acts 15:8-9). When he said that God “bore witness to them,” he was saying that God had given an earnest, or a pledge, to them by giving them the Holy Spirit.

Thus the baptism of the Holy Spirit, with its accompanying gifts, was the earnest of the Spirit. This miraculous outpouring was tangible assurance of God’s promises. We can be sure there is a heaven for the faithful because of this earnest.

Truth Magazine, XX:19, p. 9-10
May 6, 1976

By Roy E. Cogdill

There are any number of scriptural reasons that should enable any one to see that Christianity is incompatible with denominationalism and religious division. 1) Christ prayed that division might not exist among believers (John 17:20-21). 2) Paul commanded by the authority of Christ, “Let there be no divisions among you” (1 Cor. 1:10). 3) Division is evidence of carnality of spirit (1 Cor. 3:1-9). 4) Division is a work of the flesh (Gal. 5:19-21). 5) Division misrepresents Christ as a divided Christ (1 Cor. 1:13). 6) Division destroys the Temple of God (1 Cor. 3:16-17; Matt. 12:25).

There is no representation of the church of the New Testament that permits division or denominationalism. 1).There is one head and one body (Eph. 1:19-23; Col. 1:18; Eph. 4). 2) There is one bride and one bridegroom (Rom. 7:1-7). 3) There is one family and one father (Eph. 3:14; Eph. 4). 4) There is one kingdom and one King (Luke 22:29; Heb. 12:28; Rev. 1:5-6).

Denominationalism is not only unscriptural but it is anti-scriptural. Division is sinful and therefore condemned in God’s sight. A Christian cannot be a party to it or give it any endorsement or encouragement. It is the product of the wisdom of man and contrary to the will of God.

The church of the New Testament was and is not a denomination wherever it may exist upon this earth because it respects the will of God and is therefore unalterably opposed to religious division and denominationalism. There is no compromise with error that can be made without truth’s being forsaken and forfeited and when the Lord’s Church is guilty of that, identity with the Lord is lost (2 John 9-11). We must not go beyond that which is written (1 Cor. 4:6; 2 Cor. 4:13).

The word “denomination” signifies a part of something. It is fractional in its meaning and cannot therefore truly represent the religion of Christ and the teaching of New Testament scriptures. The church of the New Testament is not made up of the various sectarian bodies in the so-called “religious world” and, if it were, it would be a living monstrosity for it would be characterized by a mass of contradictions in its doctrine, worship and organization. This concept of the New Testament church can only result in confusion and unbelief. When we preach a different “body,” we preach a different Christ and that is unbelief.

The church of the New Testament cannot therefore be characterized by denominational organizations. The churches that men have built have their own established authority and man made regulations and laws. They have their various types of human organizations with their government designed by the wisdom and will of man. The Mormon Church, for example, has its president and the twelve apostles to govern it. The New Testament church had no “president” and it does not today have any living apostles for the reason that there are none living on earth today who can qualify as an apostle of Christ (Acts 1:20-23). The Roman Catholic Church has its universal organization with the universal Pope and his college of Cardinals. But in the New Testament we read nothing of a Pope or a Cardinal or any such authority vested in men as these prelates of Catholicism claim. Such human organizations centered in a single head of government or centralized governing body or some Convention or Association form of government is characteristic of all human religious institutions but no hint or description of such organizations can be found in the New Testament scriptures. Such human organizations did not exist in New Testament days. They are all the result of departures from the teaching of the word of God and cannot be justified in their existence by it.

The church of the Lord or “churches of Christ” (Rom. 16:16) of the New Testament day knew no earthly head, had no centralized authority to govern it such as a conclave, congress, synod, convention, etc. There is not even an amalgamation of association of local churches known to New Testament scriptures. On the contrary each congregation in its own locality was an independent body under its own elders or bishops, governing itself in the conduct of its own affairs in harmony with the will of Christ. These local “churches of Christ” are all that is known to New Testament teaching. They had no human societies, missionary, benevolent, educational, or of any other kind. When any church of Christ forms, becomes a part to, or affiliates itself with the work of any human institution, that “church of Christ” departs from the New Testament pattern of things and apostatizes and it does not matter what kind of sophistry might be used to justify it in doing so. Human arrangements and organizations without or within the “churches of Christ” are no more justifiable by the Word of God than universal denominational organizations. The church of the Lord can denominationalize itself and does do so when it either establishes or maintains such human organizations. Brethren today who are busy building human organizations to do the work of the Lord’s church cannot consistently or sincerely condemn the organizations of human denominations. They are guilty of the same error.

The “church of Christ” of which Paul wrote had no human creed. They rejected all of the doctrines and commandments of men and adhered only to the “doctrine of Christ.” When Judaizing teachers went about among them teaching that Gentiles had to be circumcised in order to be Christians, the Apostles in Jerusalem said, “We gave no such commandment” (Acts 15:23-24). Only the Apostles could bind and loose on earth by the authority of Christ (Matt. 18:18). No Christian can teach anything which the Apostles of Christ did not teach without alienating himself from God and being accursed (Gal. 1:6-8; 2 John 9-11). Human creeds therefore are condemned and when the church of the Lord departs from the truth and teaches the doctrines and commandments of men it loses its identity and its worship to God is in vain (Matt. 15:7-9). ‘What then is the creed of a Christian and what must he teach? Christ is the only authority and His word the only creed a Christian can have.

The “churches of Christ” in the New Testament did not recognize and wear any human name. Paul condemned the Corinthians who claimed to be followers of Paul and raised the question: “Was Paul crucified for you? or were ye baptized in the name of Paul?” (1 Cor. 1:13). The answer to these questions was negative, of course! Paul had not died for them and neither had they been baptized into his name. The argument was then “why wear the name of Paul?” They had no right to do so. But reverse the argument, “Who was crucified for you? and into whose name were ye baptized?” The answer is Christ died for us and into His name are we baptized. The argument then is, “Why not wear the name of Christ?” We have no right to wear the name of man-any man-for none of them died for us and into none of -their names have we been baptized, if we are Christians. This simply demands that all believers wear only the :name of Christ.

The disciples were called Christians first in Antioch (Acts 11:26). Isaiah had prophesied that a new name would be given by the mouth of the Lord when the Gentiles saw the righteousness of God and Kings beheld his glory (Isaiah 62:2). Saul of Tarsus was made a special emissary of Christ to the Gentiles to bear the name of Christ before them and the kings of the earth (Acts 9:15). When he was at Antioch where the Gentiles and the Jews were brought together in the fellowship of a church of Christ for the first time, the new name was given and it was the name “Christian.”

The name of Christ is above every name (Phil. 2:9). We can glorify God in this name (1 Peter 4:16). Whatever we do in word or deed is to be done in the name (Col. 3:17). There is no other name in which men can please God and there is no other name in which unity can be possible. Human names are divisive.

Undenominational Christianity can never be characterized by human organizations, human creeds, or human names. Any church of Christ on earth loses its identity with the Lord whenever any of these are adopted or recognized.

Truth Magazine, XX:19, p. 8-9
May 6, 1976