Truth Magazine

By Dennis L. Shaver

I am firmly convicted that it is impossible to teach one of the above subjects by itself. The more I see taught and written on these subjects, the more I am convinced such is true. I believe that for a christian to single out one of the above subjects, is at best, poor judgment. For years denominatiODalists have singled out Love, Grace, and Faith. The teaching they perpetrate is completely false and foreign to the word of God. It has been said that some in the Lord’s body have singled out Works. If this be true, then they are as wrong as anyone else who fails to declare the whole council of God. I am sure that the real problem is not that christians teach works only, but that we teach works more than anything else, because that is what we differ on. If you went into the home of a christian who was living in adultery would you teach him the importance of the Lord’s Supper? Most likely you would teach him what the Bible says about adultery. The same is true when we teach those outside the body of Christ. We talk about Love, Grace, Faith, and mostly Works. Why? Because that is where we differ. I do not believe that many have taught works only. If so, then I have missed it. Every christian needs to be “well-rounded” in his knowledge and teaching of the Bible. Just because one brother seems to be teaching “works only” does not mean I should teach “love or grace” to the exclusion of works. This kind of teaching is not “well-rounded.” What happens here is that we have two men, supposedly christians, failing to teach all of God’s will.

A Christian, who intends to teach and preach all the truth, can leave false impressions, and misconceptions by singling out one of these subjects and giving it “overemphasis.” I am not questioning their sincerity or motives, I only say it is poor judgment. When one subject is “over-emphasized” it always results in the neglect of another related subject. This does not necessarily mean that false doctrine has been taught. It does mean that only part of the truth has been set before the listeners. Such was the cause with Abram and Sarai. Abram chose to emphasize the fact that Sarai was his sister. He did not actually tell a lie, or teach false doctrine, but he failed to tell all the truth. The final result was misconception on the part of Pharaoh. This can happen today when one “over-emphasizes” Love, Grace, Faith, or Works. These subjects are so closely related that it is hard to teach one without the others. To do so often results in those who hear us gaining false impressions.

When we teach the word of God let us not be guilty of “over-emphasizing” mail’s part in salvation, nor let us “overemphasize” God’s part. The Bible is a tool honed to perfection. We need to use that tool as it has been designed and not as we see fit. Let us remember that the Love of God extended Grace toward man, and man by his Faith, performs the Works of God. Thus we obtain salvation by each of these avenues, but not by one only.

Truth Magazine XX: 42, pp. 670-671
October 21, 1976

By Larry Ray Hafley

Question:

From Oklahoma: “A Baptist preacher, using Acts 26.20-2-3 as a proof text, says that Moses and the prophets did not predict that a new doctrine should come after Christ was crucified on the cross. What is he teaching of Paul in that passage, and did the prophets teach a different way of salvation after the cross?”

Reply:

Acts 26:20-23 is part of Paul’s answer before King Agrippa “touching all the things whereof I am accused of the Jews” (Acts 26:2). Paul recalls and recounts his conversion, discussing and describing the Lord’s appearance unto him. Having received a divine summons, Paul says, “Whereupon, O King Agrippa, I was not disobedient unto the heavenly vision: But shewed first unto them of Damascus, and at Jerusalem, and throughout all the coasts of Judea, and then to the Gentiles, that they should repent and turn to God, and do works meet for repentance. For these causes the Jews caught me in the temple, and went about to kill me. Having therefore obtained help of God, I continue unto this day, witnessing both to small and great, saying none other things than those which the prophets and Moses did say should come: That Christ should suffer, and that he should be the first that should rise from the (lead, and should shew light unto the people, and to the Gentiles” (Acts 26:19-23).

The Teaching of Paul in Acts 26:20-23

The Jews constantly charged that advocates of the faith of Christ spoke “blasphemous words against Moses and against God,” and “against this holy place and the law” (Acts 6:11, 13; 21:27, 28; 24:5-9). This accusation was of their own imagination; it was false. In countering the indictment, Paul and others showed that the church was but the fulfillment of Old Testament promise and prophecy. Moses and the prophets said, “That Christ should suffer, and that he should rise from the dead, and should shew light unto the people, and to the Gentiles.” Paul said he preached those facts because that is what “the prophets and Moses did say should come.

On the day of Jesus’ resurrection, two dismayed, discouraged disciples were lamenting His death. They thought the end of His life was the termination of their hopes. “Then he (Jesus) said unto them, O fools and slow of heart to believe all that the prophets have spoken: Ought not Christ to have suffered these things, and to enter into his glory? And beginning at Moses and all the prophets, he expounded unto them in all the scriptures the things concerning himself” (Lk. 24:25-27). In other words, this is what “the prophets and Moses did say should come.” See Luke 24:44-47.

In Acts 2 and 3, Peter made the same appeal to Old Testament testimony (Acts 2:25-36). “Yea, and all the prophets from Samuel and those that follow after, as many (prophets-LRH) as have spoken, have likewise foretold of these days” (Acts 3:24). What they preached was divinely documented, Peter urgently affirmed.

Paul’s speech in Acts 13 is a masterpiece on this theme. Read verses 14-41. He says that Jesus’ death was !he fulfillment of Scripture. Note the emphasis on fulfillment of Scripture as Paul repeats that very word three times to italicize the thought that he is preaching “none other things than those the prophets and Moses did say should come.”

Compare Acts 3:24-26; 13:32-39; 26:6,7. Each passage refers to “the promise made of God unto our fathers.” Jesus is the fruition, the completion of the hope of the Jews. Far front being its detractor and destroyer, He is its object and subject. The gospel is, in Paul’s words, “the hope of Israel” (Acts 28:20). Paul was imprisoned for the Gospel’s sake (Col. 4:3; 2 Tim. 2:8, 9). He was in bonds “for the hope of Israel;” therefore, the Gospel is “,he hope of Israel.” The Jews sought to kill Paul because he preached the Gospel (Acts 26: 20, 21), but ,he Gospel he preached (Christ’s suffering and death-Cf. Acts 17:2, 3) was the very thing “the prophets and. Moses did say should come.”

A “Different Way,” A “New Doctrine”?

Can one say, “New Testament,” without speaking of a new doctrine? Does the Baptist preacher who promoted the questions ever use the term, “New Testament?” The Lord said, “I will make a new covenant with the house of Israel, and with the house of Judah: not according to the covenant 1 made with their fathers when I took them by the hand to bring them out of the land of Egypt” (Jer. 31:31-34; Heb. 8:8-13). God says it is “new,” and if it is “not according” to the covenant of Sinai, then it is different in some respects.

Jer. 31:34 reveals at least two fundamental differences. First, entrance into the kingdom will be by means of the law, the word of the “new covenant,” written in their hearts. It will not be necessary in the new covenant to teach one to know the Lord, for he will know the Lord, else he would not be in the fellowship. The Jews were raised in the nation of Israel and were taught, saying, “know the Lord.” In spiritual Israel, one is a citizen because he knows the Lord (Jn. 8:32; 17:3). Second, continual sacrifices were no longer essential. All new,” “different” sacrifice is in effect. That sacrifice is Christ, not animals (Heb. 10:1-17). The Hebrew writer says the Holy Spirit spoke of the will and sacrifice of Christ in Jer. 31:31-34 (Heb. 10:15-17). He calls the remission of sins procured and provided by Christ, “a new and living way” (Heb. 10:20).

Conclusion

In Acts 26:20-23, Paul taught that Jewish charges against the Gospel were false because what he preached was precisely what “the prophets and Moses did say should come.” “But this I confess unto thee, that after the wav (the Gospel-LRH) which they call heresy, so worship I the God of my fathers, believing all things which are written in the law and in the prophets” (Acts 24:14).

Yes, a “new covenant,” “a new and living way” came after Christ’s death. It was “not according” to the covenant made at Sinai; hence, it was different. Remember the sequence of events: (1) Christ should suffer; (2) He should be raised from the dead; (3) He should show light to the Jews and Gentiles; thus, it was after Christ was crucified on the cross” that this “new” and “different” way was to come into force. See Hebrews 9:16, 17.

Truth Magazine XX: 42, pp. 669-670
October 21, 1976

By Tarry L.Cluff

The constitution of the United States was framed and adopted in 1787. In it is the right of every man for the pursuit of happiness. The quest to obtain happiness has led men in many different directions without achieving that goal.

Solomon in the book of Ecclesiastes, chapter two, tells of his quest to find the secret of “what it was good for the sons of men that they should do under heaven all the days of their life” (Verse 2). Solomon had everything: he tells of his fame and fortune in Ecclesiastes 2:10 “and whatsoever mine eyes desired I kept not from them . . .” Wouldn’t you think if a man could have anything his eyes desired he would be happy? Not so, look at verse 11, “then I looked on all the works that my hands had wrought, and on the labor that I had labored to do: and, behold, all was vanity and a striving after wind.” At the end of the book, Solomon tells us the secret to a true and lasting happiness. Ecclesiastes 12:13: “This is the end of the matter all hath been heard: Fear God, and keep His commandments; for this is the whole duty of man.” Solomon realized, that the God who created man knows best what will and will not make man happy.

Many known men of our time have tried various things in life only to find happiness was not there. Voltaire was an infidel of the most pronounced type. He wrote: “I wish I had never been born.” Jay Gould, an American millionaire, with all his money said when he was dying: “I suppose I am the most miserable man on earth.” Lord Byron lived a life of pleasure, if anyone did. He wrote; “The worm, the canker, and the grief are mine alone.” Alexander the Great conquered the known world in his day, having done so, he said in tears: “There are no more worlds to conquer.” Lord Beaconsfield enjoyed more than his share of position and fame. He wrote: “youth is a mistake; manhood, a struggle; and old age a regret.” The answer to happiness is not found in unbelief, nor money, nor pleasure, nor military glory, or in position and fame.

Where, Then, is Happiness Found?

The answer is simple; in Christ alone. Jesus said to his Apostles; “I will see you again, and your heart shall rejoice, and your joy no man taketh from you” (John 16:22).

Paul wrote the Christians in Philippians 4:4 and said, “Rejoice in the Lord always; again I will say Rejoice.” Over 600 times in the Bible the words: Joy, Happiness, Bless, etc. are found. The Bible even speaks of the joy in suffering as a Christian. Colossians 1:11, “. . . unto all patience and longsuffering with joy;” James 1:2, “count it all joy, my brethren, when ye fall into manifold temptation.” 1 Peter 4:16, “But if a man suffer as a Christian, let him not be ashamed; but let him glorify God in this name.”

Everyone can find happiness by obeying Jesus. We can have the joy that is found in being a Christian. But, how do we become a Christian?

How to Become a Christian

God did not forget to tell us, nor did he leave it up to our own judgment as to how we become a Christian. The Bible is plain on the subject. In the Book of Acts we have examples of conversions. The Jews on the day of Pentecost were told to believe Jesus is Lord and Christ, and to repent and be baptized in the name of Jesus, for the remission of sins (Acts 2:36-38). Those that were baptized (verse 41) were added to the church (verse 47).

In every case of conversion the steps were the same: faith in Jesus, repentance of sins, and baptism for the remission of sins. Any person who has not taken these simple steps for the reasons that the Bible gives is not a Christian.

Friends, do not fool yourself into thinking you are a Christian when you have not obeyed the Lord’s commands. Jesus said only those who do the will of God will be saved (Matthew 7:21; Mark 16:16).

Truth Magazine XX: 42, p. 668
October 21, 1976

By Roy E. Cogdill

One of the most vital rules to learn in the study of the Bible is that the Bible must speak for itself. Men too often read into the Bible what they want it to say, or wish it would say. There can be no reading between the lines in a successful effort to study the Word of God. We must take God at His word, and remembering that the Bible is an all-sufficient divine revelation of God’s will; we must be willing to take the truth exactly as God has stated it without addition or subtraction. Reading into the Bible what is not there results always in our being led away from the truth.

The same passage of scripture is not susceptible of conflicting interpretations. To say that you can interpret it your way, and I can interpret it my way, and both be right is to accuse God of “double-talk” and indefinite, ambiguous language, which, of course, is not true. God has spoken in definite and positive terms that are plain enough for us to understand. Otherwise the Bible is no “revelation” at all. We can therefore understand what God wants us to know if we will strive to learn the intention of the language used and determine what the will of God actually is.

When any instrument is introduced into court and its construction becomes necessary, the first rule that is followed to learn what its language actually means is this: What does the instrument as a whole actually say? The purpose of this is to take the whole instrument into consideration and really construe it, first of all, as a whole instead of in separate parts. Whatever any statement may seem to say, when taken by itself, surely Must be in harmony with the rest of the instrument or else the instrument is faulty and is not binding. This is a simple principle but it needs application badly in the study of the word of God. No statement of God’s Word is out of harmony with the truth which the Word as a whole leaches. When we reach any conclusion concerning any passage which is out of harmony with what the rest of God’s word teaches, our conclusion is wrong. Peter makes this very demand of teachers when he said, “If any man speak, let him speak as the oracles of God” (1 Peter 4:11). Be sure your utterances are in harmony with the rest of what God has said, The rule is: study every passage in the light of the whole truth God has given.

The Context

Frequently a careful study of the context of a passage will prevent its misuse and our misunderstanding of it. The verses that go immediately before and those that follow should be studied in the light of the question what is the writer discussing? The subject matter under treatment cannot be disregarded in any proper study of the Bible. Further consideration of the context will require that we examine the passage and ask – to whom was this written? The application of commandments or promises contained in the Bible and addressed to particular and special groups should certainly not be extended beyond those groups. Jonah’s message was for Nineveh. Noah’s message was for the world before the flood. Moses’ law given at Sinai was for the Jews or those who had been delivered from Egypt. The Promises of the direct guidance of the Holy Spirit were directed to the Apostles (John 14:16, 17, 26; 16:17-14). No man has the right to try to extend these and many others like them beyond the scope God gave them at the time they were spoken.

Still another question to ask concerning any passage is – by whose authority is this spoken? God speaks unto us in this last age through his Son (Heb. 1:1). We are under law to Christ (I Cor. 9:21). All authority both in heaven and on earth has been given into his hands, therefore no one else speaks with any authority at all unless he speaks what Christ has spoken (Matt. 28:1820). The gospel of Christ is the only message that this world has ever been given that has the power to condemn the souls of men who do not believe it (Mark 16:15, 16).

Literal or Figurative

Good common sense employed in the study of the Word of God will easily determine when the language is literal or figurative. Men do not ordinarily have any difficulty in determining what is figurative when they read the daily papers about ordinary events. Signs and symbols abound in the Bible, especially in the prophesies and the book of Revelation. There is no justification for basing a contention upon such a passage when no plain positive statement of the Word of God can be found elsewhere to support it. Jesus called Herod “all old fox,” but we understand easily that this is a figure of speech. The prophets said that John would come “levelling down the hills and filling the valleys and preparing the way,” but we have no problem in understanding that John was not to be a road-builder or highway engineer. Yet, many people will take such passages as Revelation 20, and in spite of symbolic language and the figures of speech the highly abounding on every hand, will try to make a literal application of some portions of the chapter, selecting those verses which they think support some particular theory they have accepted. Such is not only irregular, it is unscriptural and contrary to all proper use of language. John meant to prevent such use of the book when he said, “If any man shall add unto these things, God shall add unto him the plagues which are written in this book: and if any man shall take away from the words of the book of this prophecy, God shall take away his part from the tree of life, and out of the holy city, and from the things which are written in this book” (Revelation 22:18, 19).

The Silence of the Bible

Many theories and practices have been defended not on the ground of what the Bible does say, but on the ground rather of what the Bible has not said. Thus a premium is placed on the silence of the Bible. We need to learn that what God has said cannot be properly respected unless we respect God’s silence likewise. John tells us that to respect God’s silence and to refuse to trespass upon it is demanded at our hands. “Whosoever transgresseth, and abideth not in the doctrine of Christ, hath not God. He that abideth in the doctrine of Christ, he hath both the Father and the Son” (2 John 9). Paul wrote. to the Corinthians that they were not to go beyond that which was written (1 Cor. 4:6). To presume upon God’s will when he has not spoken and transgress God’s word by trespassing upon his silence is sinful and has always been condemned. We should be satisfied with what God has said, and abide within the testimony He has given. Faith requires this of us.

Truth Magazine XX: 42, pp. 665-666
October 21, 1976