Truth Magazine

By Hoyt H.Houchen

How often have we seen the above statement in Isa. 1:18 used by brethren as an invitation to others to come and study the Bible? It frequently appears as a motto at the bottom of church ads in newspapers, on bill boards, and on business cards of preachers. We would not at all discourage any Christian from inviting others to study with him; in fact, he should be encouraged to do it. But Isa. 1:18 should not be used as the invitation. It is just another passage which brethren frequently misapply.

What is the context of Isa. 1:18? It is an appeal by God to His people to consider a choice. The prophet Isaiah had declared the sins of the people in his day. They are described as a “sinful nation, a people laden with iniquity, a seed of evil-doers, children that deal corruptly” (Isa. 1:4). They were estranged from Jehovah, and He, through the prophet Isaiah, was pleading with the people to return to Him. Having rebuked apostate Israel, the prophet exhorted this nation to wash and be clean from her defilement and to be submissive to God. Hear him: “Wash you, make you clean; put away the evil of your doings from before mine eyes; cease to do evil; learn to do well; seek justice, relieve the oppressed, judge the fatherless, plead for the widow” (Isa. 1:16,17).

Then comes the plea. “Come now, and let us reason together, saith Jehovah: though your sins be as scarlet, they shall be as white as snow; though they be red like crimson, they shall be as wool” (Isa. 1:18). Now, what is the choice? God has offered cleansing to His people. It is a matter of Israel either choosing to be willing and obedient (vs. 19) or to refuse and rebel (vs. 20). The choice belonged to the people. If they chose to do the former they would eat the good of the land. That is, they would not be invaded and strangers would not eat their crops. (“The good of the land” commonly referred to its produce, Gen. 45:18,20; Ezra 9:12; Neh. 9:36; Jer. 2:7). But if the people chose to do the latter, they would be devoured with the sword.

The words of Isa. 1:18 are actually a challenge to Israel to a formal trial. One expositor has called this chapter “a trial at law” but he suggests that it is far more a personal than a legal controversy.(1) Delitzsch states that the Hebrew word nocach is used in a reciprocal sense, and with the same meaning as nishpat in Isa. 43:26.(2) The idea is, that like a court of justice, the parties reciprocally state the grounds of their cause. In Amos 4:12, God employs the imagery of battle and challenges Israel to a contest on the battlefield: “Prepare to meet thy God, O Israel.” Here in Isa. 1:18 He challenges His people to meet with Him and test their case in court. God is stating the same thing in Isa. 46:3 where he says: ” . . . let us plead together: set forth thy cause.” God has examined Israel’s sins and now He offers His compassion. God’s verdict is “guilty” but the nation has the option of returning to Jehovah. Israel has all to gain and nothing to lose by returning to Jehovah. She would lose everything by being rebellious and disobedient. This is what Israel must consider. It is acquittal or condemnation, depending upon Israel’s decision. Israel is worthy of death. Yet, Jehovah does not treat Israel according to His retributive justice, but according to His free compassion.(3)

Jehovah accommodates their differences with the words: “though your sins be as scarlet, they shall be as white as snow; though they be red like crimson, they shall be as wool.” This is the overture of mercy extended to a sinful nation if it will only repent.

It is always in order for brethren to invite friends and neighbors to the study of God’s word for an honest investigation of truth. It is never in order to take a passage out of its proper setting and misapply it. When Isa. 1:18 is studied within the sphere of its background and circumstances, it can only be understood to mean simply that God invited Israel to court. There could be no actual dispute. The sins of Israel were examined, she was found guilty, and God offered His proposition: repent or perish. The offer to come and reason (plead) was extended by God to man. This was not an invitation from one man to another man. May we always make every effort to be the best Bible students possible, analyzing each Scripture as accurately as we can, with the sincere desire to always arrive at truth.

Endnotes

1. Sir George Adam Smith, The Expositor’s Bible (Eerdmans: Grand Rapids, 1956), Vol. 3, p. 618.

2. Franz Delitzsch, Biblical Commentary on the Prophecies of Isaiah (Eerdmans: Grand Rapids, 1967), Vol. 1, p. 98.

3. Ibid., p. 98.

Truth Magazine XX: 49, pp. 777-778
December 9, 1976

By Bob Felkner

I am presenting this material in response to a book by Joe T. Odle, entitled, Why I Am A Baptist. The book contains sermons, testimonies, and articles by “Representative Baptists.”

The fact is, I used to be a Baptist. I grew up in an area which was predominately Baptist. I was born in Waco, Texas, the home of a large Baptist University. My mother and father are Baptists; my brothers are Baptists; my sister is a Baptist; their spouses and children are Baptists; my grandmother and grandfather were Baptists; my aunts, uncles, and cousins are Baptists; many of my closest friends are Baptists, and I want to tell you plainly, that I love those Baptists. In fact, that is the reason I am so motivated to expose the error of Baptist doctrine.

“Camelites”?

Historically, Baptists have been at odds with Christians, During the last century, there were many heated controversies between members of the Baptist Church and members of the church of Christ. Various remarks in Odle’s book show that Baptists still have strong feelings against the things we teach. An unfortunate practice among Baptists is to resort to prejudicial name-calling. This is done on page twenty-one of the book where the term “Campbellite” is employed. I used to think that the “Camelites” had something to do with camels. I certainly agree with the statement on page sixty, which says, “we must go . . . beyond Alexander Campbell . . . . ” Since the sermon on page fifty-three mentions the Church of Christ, I feel an even stronger obligation to review Baptist doctrine and expose its falsehood. Members of the church of Christ believe that there is only one church, and that is the one which Jesus promised to build (Matt. 16:18), Just any old church will not suffice. If we are going to be saved, we must be members of the true church that Jesus purchased with His blood (Acts 20:28). We cannot assume that “one church is as good as another.” A church that practices false doctrine is not as good as a church that practices the doctrine of Christ. Sincerity is not enough to save your soul. Listen to one of the Baptists: “I cannot accept the theory that it makes no difference what one believes, just so he is sincere, or that one church is as good as another. I can think of no other realm in which we would take that position” (Odle, p. 60).

Church Membership

Although Baptists claim they find their doctrine in the New Testament, I disagree. When they practice Baptist doctrine, they are rejecting the doctrine of Christ. “To the Baptists the New Testament and the New Testament alone, must be the one and final authority for all they do and preach” (Odle, p. 94). However, when we compare Baptist doctrine to the New Testament, we find no support for the Baptists. That is why I am not a Baptist.

I want to provide a few specific examples that will show the difference between being a Baptist and being a Christian. I want to show you why I am not a Baptist.

I am not a Baptist because Baptists are wrong when they say a person can be saved outside the New Testament church. “Dr. Buell Kazee says, ‘Baptists believe that all who repent toward God and put their faith in the Lord Jesus are saved, anywhere, everywhere, under any condition, without church membership, without baptism, in any church or denomination, or with any kind of baptism'” (Odle, p. 99). In essence, Baptists teach that a man can be saved without church membership. I will expose this error by showing that church membership is required.

On the day of Pentecost, those who received the word and were baptized were added to the church, for the church consisted of the saved. Those who remained outside the church were not Christians, and they did not have the benefits of Christ’s blood. Remember, He purchased the church with His blood, and that is why we must be members of it (Acts 20:28). Without church membership, we are without the blood of Christ. From the scriptures we learn that there is only one body and we are baptized into that body (Eph. 4:4; 1 Cor. 12:13). That one body is the spiritual body of Christ, and we must be in that body to be saved. It is true that we are saved by faith in Jesus Christ, but we are not saved by “faith only.” Take a good look at Galatians 3:26-27: “For ye are all sons of God, through faith in Christ Jesus. For as many of you as were baptized into Christ did put on Christ.” This passage teaches that those who had an active faith were baptized into the spiritual body of Christ. Romans 6:3 says: “Or are ye ignorant that all we who were baptized into Christ Jesus were baptized into his death?” Baptism puts us into the body of Christ and into the benefits of His death. When we are baptized into Christ, we become new creatures who are free from sin (2 Cor. 5: 17).

When we are baptized into the one body, which is the body of Christ, we are then members of His church. A little logic will clarify this truth:

The church is the spiritual body of Christ – Col. 1:18.

We must be in the spiritual body of Christ to be saved.

Therefore, we must be in the church to be saved.

The one body is the church – Eph. 4:4; Col. 1:18.

Christ is the savior of the body – Eph. 5:23.

Therefore, He is the savior of the church.

From the scriptures we see that one must be a member of the New Testament church in order to be saved. Baptists teach that a man can be saved “without church membership,” and that is why I am not a Baptist.

Baptism

Another reason I am not a Baptist is because Baptists are wrong when they say that baptism is not essential for salvation. Let us again compare Baptist doctrine with the doctrine of Christ. “Baptism, to the Baptist, has nothing to do with making a person a Christian, but when a person is baptized it is to proclaim to the world that he is a Christian” (Odle, p. 105). Our Lord speaks to us today through His inspired word, which says, “baptism doth also now save us” (1 Pet. 3:21). There are many things which save us. We are saved by the grace of God (Eph. 2:8); we are saved by faith in Jesus Christ (Rom. 5:1); we are saved by the blood of Christ (Rev. 1:5), and we are saved by baptism (1 Pet. 3:21). But in an attempt to defend their false doctrine, Baptists will explain that baptism is “not the putting away of the filth of the flesh, but the answer of a good conscience toward God” (1 Pet. 3:21). Evidently, they think we have never noticed the rest of that passage; but we have, and we know that the purpose of baptism is to take away the filth of the soul, and not “the filth of the flesh.” Baptists will also say that the purpose of baptism is to “have a good conscience toward God.” But if you understand the scriptures, you cannot “have a good conscience toward God” while you are still in your sins. That is why baptism is essential, because baptism is “for the remission of sins” (Acts 2:38). When a person is baptized, he is indicating his desire to “have a good conscience.” When he is baptized scripturally, he becomes free from sin, and that is when his conscience is made clear. He can then go “on his way rejoicing” (Acts 8:38-39). If a Baptist preacher had preached to the Eunuch, he would have had him rejoicing two or three weeks before his baptism.

Another good example is that of the jailor. He was baptized for the remission of his sins, and his conscience was clear. It was after his baptism that he “rejoiced greatly” (Acts 16:33-34). There is no doubt about it, “baptism doth also now save us.” Jesus expressed the same truth when He said: “He that believeth and is baptized shall be saved; but he that believeth not shall be damned” (Mk. 16:16). As they do with 1 Peter 3:21, Baptists like to ignore the first part of this passage and emphasize the latter part. This is done in an attempt to e-emphasize the essentiality of baptism. But the first part of the statement is clear enough to show that every man must believe in Christ and be baptized to receive the forgiveness that is in Christ. Certainly, there would be no need of baptizing an unbeliever. To be valid, belief must precede baptism. When Baptists begin losing the argument about the meaning of this verse, they will assert that it is a spurious text. Although two of the oldest and best manuscripts do not include Mark 16:920, it is imperative to observe the positive evidence. “In favor of Mark 16:9-20 there are a host of witnesses: the Alexandrian Manuscript, the Ephraern Manuscript, Codex Bezae, other early unicials, all late unicials and cursives, five old Latin authorities plus the Vulgate, the Old Syriac manuscript, the Syriac Peshitta version, and many other versions. Besides, there is a plain statement from Irenaeus (early Christian writer) which clearly shows the existence of Mark 16:9-20 in the second century and the belief that Mark was its author” (Neil R. Lightfoot, How We Got The Bible, p. 38).

Baptists say: “Baptism has nothing to do with salvation” (Odle, p. 53). They contend that “baptism is not essential for salvation” (Odle, p. 107). However, the passages we have already cited disprove the Baptist position. In addition, Acts 2:38 declares: “Repent, and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins, and ye shall receive the gift of the Holy Ghost.” Look at the obvious conflict between Baptist doctrine and the Bible. Baptists say, “baptism is not essential for salvation,” but the inspired writer of the New Testament says baptism is “for the remission of sins.” Now, which one should we believe? I chose to believe the inspired writer, and that is why I am not a Baptist.

Baptists say that baptism “identifies one with a movement. This is the exact reason Christ was baptized. Baptism, for him, was not to wash away his sin – he had committed no sin” (Odle, p. 53). Since Christ had committed no sin, we cannot compare our baptism with His. We have committed sin; therefore, we should be baptized for the same purpose as sinners during New Testament times. Saul (Paul) was a sinner who was told to be baptized. But what was the purpose of his baptism? Was it to identify him with a movement? Did Ananias tell Saul to “arise, and be baptized, and identify with a movement”? Certainly not! Then what did he say? What was the purpose of Saul’s baptism? Ananias told him to “arise, and be baptized, and wash away thy sins, calling on his name” (Acts 22:16). In this statement, we see the purpose of baptism; it is to “wash away thy sins.” During all the years that I was a Baptist, I never heard a Baptist preacher quote that verse. I have never heard a Baptist say, “arise, and be baptized, and wash away thy sins,” and that is another reason why I am not a Baptist.

Baptists claim: “Baptism is not an obligation, it is an opportunity” (Odle, p. 53). In contrast to Baptist doctrine, the Bible teaches that baptism is a command that must be obeyed. When Peter preached to the household of Cornelius, “he commanded them to be baptized” (Acts 10:48). Baptists say it “is not an obligation,” but the Bible says it is a command. You should readily see why I am not a Baptist. (Continued Next Issue)

Truth Magazine XX: 49, pp. 775-777
December 9, 1976

By Franklin Burns

Although the entire Bible is God’s word, yet only the New Testament is God’s law to man today. The old law was blotted out and nailed to the cross of Christ (Col. 2:13-14).

Jesus Lived Under the Law

If the law of Moses was not done away until the death of Christ, it is evident that Jesus lived his entire life under the law. Since that is true, it is not surprising that He said to one who had asked what to do to inherit eternal life, “What is written in the law? How readest thou?” (Luke 10:25-26). Jesus then quoted from the Ten Commandments in answer to the rich young ruler’s inquiry about what to do to have eternal life (Matt. 19:16-29, Mark 10:17-30, Luke 18:18-30). Jesus did so because Moses’ law was binding at the time, but this does not prove the law of Moses is still in effect today.

Disciples Were Told to Wait

In His teaching Jesus set forth many new principles and contrasted His law with the law of Moses to show its superiority (Matt. 5:21-48). Shortly before His final ascension into heaven, He told His disciples, “Go ye into all the world, and preach the gospel to every creature” (Mark 16:15). He also said, “But tarry ye in the city of Jerusalem, until ye be endued with power from on high” (Luke 24:49).

Jesus did not preach His new law of pardon during His earth life, nor did He allow His disciples to preach it until an appointed time after His death. The time when they were “endued with power from on high” was to be the appointed time.

Power Received on Pentecost

After Jesus arose from the dead, He talked with His apostles about the coming kingdom. “And He said unto them, it is not for you to know the time or the seasons, which the Father hath put in His own power, but ye shall receive power, after that the Holy Ghost is come upon you: and ye shall be witnesses unto me both in Jerusalem, and in all Judea, and in Samaria, and unto the uttermost parts of the earth” (Acts t:7-8). In verse five of the same chapter He said, “Ye shall be baptized with the Holy Ghost not many days hence.”

Since they were to receive power when the Holy Ghost came, the time of the descent of the Holy Ghost on the apostles must have been the appointed time when they were to begin preaching that the new law was then in effect. Jesus said that the Holy Spirit would be sent not many days after He was talking with His disciples on the day of His ascension to heaven (Acts 1).

In Acts 2, we have a record of what happened about ten days later on the day of Pentecost: “And when the day of Pentecost was fully come, they were all with one accord in one place, and suddenly there came a sound from heaven as of a rushing mighty wind, and it filled all the house where they were sitting. And there appeared unto them cloven tongues like as of fire, and it sat upon each of them, and they were all filled with the Holy Ghost, and began to speak with other tongues, as the Spirit gave them utterance. But Peter, standing up with the eleven lifted up his voice, and said unto them, ye men of Judea, and all ye that dwell at Jerusalem, be this known unto you, and hearken to my words, for these are not drunken, as ye suppose, seeing it is but the third hour of the day. But this is that which was spoken by the prophet Joel, and it shall come to pass in the last days, saith God, I will pour out of my Spirit upon all flesh, and your sons and your daughters shall prophesy, and your young men shall see visions, and your old men shall dream dreams, and on my servants and on my handmaidens I will pour out in those days of my Spirit, and they shall prophesy” (Acts 2:14, 14-18). The appointed time had come!

The Beginning of Christ’s Kingdom

Jesus had said on one occasion, “Verily I say unto you, that there be some of them that stand here, which shall not taste of death, till they have seen the kingdom of God come with power” (Mark 9:1). Later the apostles asked if He would “restore the kingdom to Israel” while He was then with them; He said that they did not then have power but would receive it after the Holy Spirit came upon them (Acts 1:6-8). These statements imply that the kingdom would be established when the Holy Spirit came bringing them the necessary power. Since the Holy Spirit came on Pentecost, that is evidently the birthday of the kingdom of Christ, the church. It was then that the new law became effective.

Christ’s Executors

Jesus had told Peter, “And I will give unto thee the keys of the kingdom of heaven, and whatsoever thou shalt bind on earth shall be bound in heaven, and whatsoever thou shalt loose on earth shall be loosed in heaven” (Matt. 16:19), The other Apostles were to have this power, too (Matt. 18:18). Peter delivered the sermon on Pentecost, “Standing up with the eleven” (Acts 2:14). Christ, the testator, made a testament or will which could not go into effect during his life (Heb. 9:16-17). His apostles were His chosen executors of the new covenant; or, to change the figure of speech, they were His personal ambassadors as He took the throne of glory (2 Cor. 5:20).

After His death, Peter, the executor, “read” the will. What Peter said was that which the Holy Spirit guided him to say, which was the words of Jesus. This guidance has been promised by Jesus: “But the Comforter, which is the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in my name, he shall teach you all things, and bring all things to your remembrance. whatsoever I have said unto you” (John 14:26). When the will was “read” it became effective, thus starting the church of God’s family or kingdom on earth.

Truth Magazine XX: 49, pp. 774-775
December 9, 1976

By Warren E. Berkle

Though the subject of this article is not very pleasant for everyone, it is necessary as a warning for all. Honest Bible students will admit that Satan’s power no longer involves demon possession (as some of our age seem to think), but it is still a fact that Satan is at work today. His aim is to “do us in” spiritually, and separate us from God. So, if we treasure our souls and want to remain in fellowship with God, we will endeavor to familiarize ourselves with the activity of Satan (1 Pet. 5:8; Eph. 4:27; 6:11; Jas. 4:7).

Presently, we shall direct our attention to what we are calling “The Platform of Satan.” Candidates in the political arena have their “platform” composed of promises and aims; through these platforms they inform us of what they will do for us, if elected. Satan, too, has his platform, composed of his promises of what he will do for us-or, DO TO US! Three major planks in his platform are worthy of our consideration.

Satan Will Continue Our Assumptions!

Every time we assume something to be true or false without any sound basis for our conclusion, Satan is on the spot to confirm our assumptions. An “assumption” is something we take for granted, or suppose without any evidence or proof; we are really not sure, we just “think” that this is the way it is.

When we get into this habit of assuming with reference to our spiritual lives, we are sealing our own doom. Our eternal destiny ought to be built upon something stronger and more dependable than mere guesswork. Yet, the religious lives of a substantial number of people are predicated almost entirely upon assumptions. Assumptions that baptism is not necessary; assumptions about the amount of time one has left to change; assumptions concerning what folks think they can get by with; and many other assumptions of equal danger.

Friend, are you making numerous assumptions with reference to your spiritual life today? And, are you allowing Satan, through his various devices, to confirm those assumptions? The eternal destiny of our souls should be built upon the promises of God, not the guesswork and speculation of mere men.

Satan Will Comfort Us In Sin!

Ordinarily, being in sin is not a very comfortable place to be! The Bible says that the sinner is dead (Eph. 2:1), lost (Luke 15:24), condemned (John 3:36), without hope (Eph. 2:12), and at enmity with God (Rom. 5:10). If we believe what the Bible teaches about the peril of the sinner, we will surely be uneasy in that condition and will seek redemption through faith in Christ.

But then Satan comes along and says, “It’s just not all that bad!” Satan speaks to us through the vain philosophy and “new insights” of human wisdom in his attempt to lessen the impact of what the Bible says about sin. “It’s just the result of your background . . . it’s not your fault . . . it’s involuntary . . . you really don’t make any choices!” On and on, he continues to comfort those who are living in sin. That is part of Satan’s platform; that is what he will do to us, if elected!

Why does he comfort us in sin? He is afraid that if we find out about our deplorable condition of sin, we will do something about it, and he will lose a patron.

Satan Helps Us Plan Ahead

“One of these days, I’m going to start teaching the gospel to my friends and neighbors . . . One of these days, I’m gojng to obey the gospel . . . One of these days, I’m going to begin a regular program of Bible study.” Sound familiar? Perhaps Satan has helped you plan ahead?

Anytime we do not want to do what we ought to do ioday, Satan is present to help us plan ahead. He is always willing to help us put off until tomorrow what ought to be done today (based upon the assumption that there will be a tomorrow). He knows that tomorrow may never come!

Conclusion

So that’s part of Satan’s platform; that’s what he will do to us, if we allow him the room to operate in our lives. But if we will resist him, he will flee. A candidate noi elected cannot carry out his platform!

Now, shouldn’t we give the Lord “equal time?” Here’s what the Lord will do for us, and His platform is infinitely more appealing.

“The Lord is my shepherd, I shall not want. He makes me lie down in green pastures; He leads me beside quiet waters. He restores my soul; He guides me in the paths of righteousness for His name’s sake. Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I fear no evil; for Thou art with me; Thy rod and Thy staff, ,hey comfort me. Thou dost prepare a table before me in the presence of my enemies; Thou hast anointed my head with oil; My cup overflows. Surely goodness and lovingkindness will follow me all the days of my life, And I will dwell in the house of the Lord forever” (Psalin 23, N.A.S.B.).

Consider the platforms, and register your vote!

Truth Magazine XX: 49, pp. 773-774
December 9, 1976