Truth Magazine

By George Welsh Tyler

The congregations of the churches of Christ need not only the enlargement resulting from evangelism, but also the edification resulting from Christian nuture in truth. They cannot grow in one direction alone. They must grow both within and without. They must reach out to win the unsaved to the Lord Jesus Christ, and also edify those who have found salvation through the Son of God. They cannot afford to sacrifice either of these important tasks in the interest of the other. Both of them are plainly included in the Great Commission which Christ gave His disciples.

Both the vision and the zeal of the local congregation are indicated in a large measure by the type of evangelistic program which it adopts and carries on, according to its resources and ability. What a pity it is when a church with five talents performs like one with only two! It is a terrible tragedy when congregations bury the talent which the Lord expects them to use to the best of their ability. No church can expect to really prosper when it neglects using all the talents which He has placed at its disposal. Too, no congregation can expect to find life if its attention is directly, solely and selfishly centered upon itself, and especially on the progress and prosperity of its material organization. I once heard an elder of a congregation say, “We will have to get in some new members, with money, to help us pay off our church debt.” This is far different from the Spirit of Christ who told His disciples to evangefize in order that men might be saved! No church which tries sincerely to carry on the Lord’s program of evangelism will find itself without the blessing of the Lord, no matter bow difficult to carry on its work. Neither churches nor individual members will receive a real blessing from the Lord if they neglect the Lord’s program of evangelizing regardless of how prosperous they are from the worldly viewpoint. It is ‘Evangelize a n d Edify ” or die.

It is very unfortunate that many new born Christians are immediately neglected after they have been won to Christ Jesus as Lord. It is no wonder that there is a “falling away” of many! Brethren, the obligation of the church is Dot fulfilled when a convert has been buried with his Lord in baptism. He must be taught to “observe all things whatsoever I have commanded you.” This includes working in the vineyard of the Lord. His character must be transformed, his understanding of ihe gospel enlarged and his attitudes brought into harniony with those of Christ. Paul wrote to the Corinthiali church, “Be ye imitators of me, even as I also am of Christ” (1 Cor. 11:1). Again, brethren, the work of edification, like that of evangelism, never ceases. When the convert has been trained to be an active worker in the church and given opportunity to use his talents for the Master and for the salvation of men, he is not going to become a lost convert-“a fallout.”

Truth Magazine XX: 46, p. 722
November 18, 1976

By Dennis C. Abernathy

There is an attitude among us today that is growing ever more prevalent. It is manifest by statements such as: “I don’t like to worship there, they are too critical.” “There is too much name-calling in their preaching.” “Just preach the truth and leave everybody alone.” Now just think about this for a moment. Is the truth ever critical? Yes, when applied to error. Was there any narne-calling done by the Lord and His apostles? Yes, when false teachers and their errors were rebuked and exposed. Can we preach the truth and let everybody alone? Yes, if we preach with flowing generalities and never apply it to the individual.

Now this attitude is against “hard preaching.” These loving brethren want to “love” folks into the church. Their idea of preaching is this: “If you are critical of some denominational doctrine, don’t come right out in the pulpit and say it-just allude to it somehow.” “If vou want to preach on immodest dress, or the hair question, don’t ever say that this is what the Bible says-just give your opinion of the subject.”

Friends and brethren this is a sick attitude. It is a compromise. It is weak. It leads to acceptance of error and the fellowshipping of anything that comes along. Let us wake up and be watchful!

Truth Magazine XX: 46, p. 722
November 18, 1976

By Dennis L. Shaver

“And it shall come to pass afterward, that I will pour out my spirit upon all flesh; and your sons and your daughters shall prophesy, your old men shall dream dreams, your young men shall see visions: And also upon the servants and upon the handmaids in those days will I pour out my spirit” (Joel 2:28,29). A few years ago a television show, Sixth Sense, used this passage of scripture to prove that E.S.P. was a gift from God, and a reality. Whatever E.S.P. might be, I know this passage does not refer to it, and to use it in this manner is to pervert God’s will. In Acts 2:16-21, the entire prophecy of Joel is quoted. The time is the day of Pentecost, the first gospel sermon, and the establishing of God’s kingdom. Some in the audience accused the apostles of being drunk. But Peter stood up and proclaimed: “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 . . . ” (Acts 2:15). Peter states that Joel’s prophecy applied to that which was happening at this time. This in no way comes close to what people call E.S.P. today.

What About E.S.P.?

I cannot explain many things that take place in the human mind. Can you tell me why a man will plant himself on top of a building and murder 8 or 10 people? Can you explain why men have mental breakdowns? The workings of a man’s mind are complex and hard to understand or explain. I would not try to prove that extra-sensory perception is nonexistent. I have seen many things that I do not fully understand nor would I attempt to explain. Everyone is intrigued with the unknown, and especially so when they think they can look into the future. It is this attitude that helps E.S.P. and other mysteries gain such a large following. A Christian needs to be careful lest he allow this preoccupation with any subject lead him away from the Lord. Many children of God have been led away with preoccupation of one thing or. another. Therefore, concerning E.S.P., I feel that we should ask a few basic questions, and examine this “phenomenon” in the light of God’s word.

1. Will E.S.P. help me live a better life in service to God? I am afraid that if anything, it gives man a feeling lie can control anything. It gives him a feeling of self-importance and self-reliance. Anything that would cause man to trust less in the Lord cannot be helpful in living as God intends. Jeremiah said, “O, Lord, I know that the way of man is not in himself: it is not in man that walketh to direct his own steps” (Jer. 10:23). If heaven is the home I desire, I must trust in God (Psa. 25), and be faithful to His will (Rev. 2:10). I don’t believe that E.S.P., or any other mysterious power can help me live a better life in service to God. If so, we would have to throw out such passages as 2 Pet. 1:3; 2 Tim. 3:16,17; Heb. 1:1,2; etc. Rather than giving much thought to E.S.P., “set your affections on things above, not on things on the earth” (Col. 3:2).

2. Can E.S.P. give me more knowledge of’ God’s will than Bible study? I am firmly convinced that the Bible is God’s inspired revealed will of God. The only way I can understand His desire and command is to study His word. Peter said “According as his divine power hath given unto us all things that pertain unto life and godliness, through the knowledge of him that hath called you to glory and virtue” (2 Pet. 1:3). The prophet Hosea stated, “My people are destroyed. for lack of knowledge . . . ” (Hos. 4:6). Which is best, study or waiting for special powers to learn God’s will. Jesus stated that we must hear, be taught, and learn of the Father (Jn. 6:44,45). Waiting for F.S.P. to give me more knowledge will be a long wait.

3. Will E.S.P. help convert the lost to Christ? Each child of God has a responsibility to convert the lost (Jn. 15-1-8; Mk. 16:15,16; Ezek. 3:18-21, etc.). If E.S.P. were to help in converting the lost I would say it has a good use. However, in New Testament time the apostle Paul declared that the “gospel” was God’s power for salvation. I believe the same is true today.

What then should the christian do about E.S.P.? “Wherefore the rather brethren, give diligence to make your calling and election sure: for if ye do these things, ye shall never fall; For so an entrance shall be ministered unto you abundantly into the everlasting kingdom of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ” (2 Pet. 1:10,11).

Truth Magazine XX: 45, pp. 717-718
November 11, 1976

By Larry Ray Hafley

Question:

From Wisconsin: “Were the apostles baptized in water? During a recent rather lively Bible class, we all seemed to agree that what the Apostles did has no direct affect on our salvation. However, one non-Christian has challenged a member to prove that the Apostles were baptized in water, if water baptism is all that important.

“But back to the question, the class ended with two mutually exclusive positions on the Apostles. One, that they were set in the church miraculously and did not need to be baptized in water; and, two, that the only way anyone can receive the forgiveness of sins is after water baptism, including the Apostles. Your comments would be appreciated.”

Reply:

This is a controversial question. It has, however, no bearing on the importance of baptism. The challenge raised by this “non-Christian” is similar in design and intent to the old question, “But what about the thief on the cross?” Suppose none of the apostles were baptized. How does that alter Mark 16:16, “He that believeth and is baptized shall be saved; but he that believeth not shall be damned?” The answer to whether or not the apostles were baptized does not prove anything relative to the significance of water baptism for penitent believers today.

“Set In The Church”

Many believe the apostles were “set in the church miraculously and did not need to be baptized in water.” Their proof text is 1 Cor. 12:28. “And God hath set some in the church, first apostles, secondarily prophets, thirdly teachers, after that miracles, then gifts of healings helps, governments, diversities of tongues. ” If this proves the apostles were “set in the church miraculously,” it proves the same for prophets and teachers. The text says they were “set in the church” as certainly as the apostles. Were they, too, “set in” without the need “to be baptized in water?”

Further, in 1 Cor. 12:18, Paul said, “But now hath God set the members every one of them in the body, as it hath pleased him.” If verse 28 proved the apostles were “set in the church miraculously and did not need to be baptized in water,” why does not this verse prove that all members are “set in the church” before and without water baptism?

1 Cor. 12:18,28 do not deal with the method or the “how” of gaining entrance into the church. Verse 13 does this. “For by one Spirit are we all baptized into one body.” All members of the body were indeed “set” by the Lord, but it is verse 13 that tells us how they were “set in” the body, the church. Verses 18 and 28 refer to God’s arrangement of the functions in the body as the entire context clearly reveals. The duties are prescribed of God. Some have one place in the body while others have another. It is the ranking or ordering of the Lord who sets or arranges them ” as it hath pleased him” (1 Cor. 12:11,18,28).

“Were The Apostles Baptized In Water?”

Peter and Andrew were disciples of John the Baptist (Jn. 1:35). As such, they had been baptized in water. Jesus also made and baptized disciples (Jn. 4:1,2). The apostles were disciples. “He called unto him his disciples: and of them he chose twelve, whom also he named apostles” (Lk. 6:13). Those who refused John’s baptism “rejected God’s purpose for themselves” (Lk. 7:30-NASB). So, surely, the apostles. were baptized in water. This answers the question so far as it goes, but the implications are more extensive.

The real issue here is, “Were the apostles baptized in the name of Jesus Christ” (Lk. 24:47; Acts 2:38)? One of them was. Paul was told to, “Arise, and be baptized, and wash away thy sins, calling on the name of the Lord” (Acts 22:16). “And he . . . arose, and was baptized” (Acts 9:18). But what of those baptized of John or Jesus before the cross? Were they baptized in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins? This is the knotty, controversial portion of this query. There are at least two views.

1) Those baptized by John before the cross did not need to be baptized as per Matthew 28:19 and Mark 16:16, If this outlook be correct, it does not negate or mitigate against the importance of baptism. This view states that John’s preaching of repentance and baptism were prepatory to entrance into the kingdom. John baptized “for the remission of sins” (Mk. 1:4), and those thus immersed were inducted into the kingdom on the day of Pentecost.

2) Those baptized by John before the cross also were baptized under the “great commission ” of Matthew 28:19 and Mark 16:16.

None should be overly dogmatic about either view.

“But What About Acts 19?”

The disciples in Acts 19:1-5 knew only the baptism of John. They were likely disciples taught by Apollos (Acts 18:2426). It appears they were baptized “unto John’s baptism” after the Pentecost of Acts 2. Hence, the need to be “baptized in the name of the Lord Jesus” (Acts 119:5). If it is granted they received John’s baptism postPentecost, this text is not germane to the issue before us. Our question involves only those legitimately baptized under John’s baptism. However, it is noteworthy that Paul said John urged that his disciples should believe on Christ which should come after him (John). Does not belief on Christ include obedience to His gospel?

Questions For Study

“Some questions may serve to get before you what we mean: (1) Did the baptism of John constitute the new birth? (2) Did John’s disciples enter the kingdom without the nlew birth? (3) Did John’s baptism make Christians? (4) Did it put men into Christ? (5) Was it in the name of the crucified and risen Lord? Paul settles this question in Acts 19, rather Luke settles it, in these words: ‘When they heard this, they were baptized in the name of the Lord Jesus.’ If John’s baptism had been ‘in the name of the Lord Jesus,’ it would have hardly been necessary to say that.

“John’s baptism was temporary and provisional. It lasted until the baptism of the Great Commission, and there it ended, just as definitely and certainly as has the law of Moses.

“Whatever relationships existed under the law of Moses ended with the abrogation of the law. Would not the same hold true in respect to those blessings brought about by the baptism of John? The baptism of the Great Commission is for the remission of sins, but it also establishes us in a relationship where we may continue to receive pardon for sins committed after baptism. John also baptized for remission of sins. Did that baptism put them into a relationship through which they could continue to receive forgiveness of sins after the new covenant began? and after the baptism of John had ceased?” (Luther Blackmon, Gospel Advocate, “The Baptism of John,” April 22, 1948, p. 389). I think not.

This question may never be settled to the satisfaction of everyone. It is a moot question. It has no bearing on our salvation. Let no one be unduly disturbed about it. Surely, Christians will not be alienated by pushing it to the point of strife, contention and division. Regardless of one’s view, he must continue to press and preach the necessity of baptism for sinners today (Mk. 16:16; Acts 2:38, 22:16; 1 Pet. 3:21).

Truth Magazine XX: 45, pp. 716-717
November 11, 1976