Truth Magazine

By Myke Morris

“Wherewith shall I come before the Lord, and bow myself before the high God? Shall I come before Him with burnt offerings, with calves of a year old? Will the Lord be pleased with thousands of rams or with ten thousands of rivers of oil? Shall I give my firstborn for my transgressions, the fruit of my body for the sin of my soul? He bath shewed thee, O man, what is good; and what doth the Lord require of thee, but to do justly, and to love mercy, and to walk humbly with thy God?” (Micah 6:6-8, KJV). With this statement, the prophet Micah summarizes the spirit that lies behind faithful service to the living God. He informs us both what is acceptable and what is not.

In the overall context of the book’s condemnation of Israel’s wickedness, it is apparent that the actions mentioned in verses 6b and 7a were not the answer to the question at the first of the passage. Although these things fulfilled the mechanical requirements of the law of Moses, they alone were not satisfactory. Paul explained in Romans 6:17 that obedience must be “from the heart”; that is, as a result of a love for God. It cannot be “of necessity” as Paul expresses in the example of giving in 2 Corinthians 9:6-7.

In the latter part of verse 7, Micah draws for example upon a practice common at that time-human sacrifice. Only the vain imaginations of men could conceive this to be pleasing to Jehovah. It is used here to illustrate the horribly depraved state of those who would add to the word of God Read 2 John 9 and Revelation 22:18-19 for comparison.

Micah does not leave us hanging, knowing only what is not acceptable. “He has told you, O man, what is good,” and from this we must necessarily infer that all else is evil. This is born out by 2 Peter 1:3 and 2 Timothy 3:16-17 as well as the passages cited in Revelation and 2 John above.

“To do justly.” God’s justice is certainly one of the overriding attributes portrayed in His word. It was first manifested in His dealings with Cain after the murder of Abel. Read the story in Genesis 4 and especially the expression of God’s justice in verse 7. Thomas Jefferson, reflecting on the slavery issue, said, “I tremble for my country when I recall that God is just.” Indeed, this fact should strike terror into the heart of the wicked and comfort. the righteous.

“To love mercy.” In this Micah expresses the corner stone of the disciple’s attitude toward the God of Heaven. Paul wrote “The end of the charge is love” (1 Timothy 1:5). To love mercy is to love God, for the only unbounded grace this old world ever received came from above, from the Father of Lights (James 1:17). Jesus tells us then that if we love Him, we keep His commandments (John 14:15).

“To walk humbly with thy God.” The greatest expression of humility found in the Bible is the description of Christ’s humility in the Philippian letter chapter 2:5-8. When God’s commands seem too rigid or His chastisement too severe, we should remember what Christ went through for us. We should have the same attitude toward God’s will that Christ had.

God really requires so little when fie has given so much. Yet the world continues to offer, not what Jehovah wants, but its “thousands of rams” and “rivers of oil.” Why not do what God has shown us is good and please Him, After all, He’s done a lot for us.

Truth Magazine XX: 31, p. 482
August 5, 1976

By Franklin Burns

We are hearing much these days about how someone could be honestly mistaken and still be acceptable in God’s sight. It is sad indeed to think of those that are morally good people and those who appear to be so sincere in their practice of religious error as being eternally lost. However, we must remember that all we can know about the matter is what God has revealed in His word. Beyond this we dare not go, no matter how great the pull of sympathy and sentiment may be (1 Cor. 4:6). No man has the right to presume upon God’s mercy.

The Plan of Salvation

The plan of salvation is so plain and simple, and yet so many are honestly mistaken on it. The plan is plainly revealed in the word of God. The books of Matthew, Mark, Luke and John clearly set forth what Jesus did to effect salvation for man. All recognize that the blood of Jesus is essential to salvation because this is so clearly revealed in the New Testament. It is just as clearly stated that, in order to receive the benefit of the blood of Jesus, there are certain commandments that must be obeyed. The great commission of our Lord as was recorded by Matthew, Mark and Luke sets forth faith, repentance and baptism as terms of pardon. Confirming this, we have a number of cases of conversion or record in the book of Acts which serve as examples to us that God’s terms of pardon must be met by man before he can enjoy the hope of life eternal through Jesus Christ.

Instrumental Music

Some of my brethren say that one can worship with the instrument and be honestly mistaken in it and still be justified in God’s sight. Again we say we have no authority but that revealed in God’s word.

The New Testament teaches one to sing; but it does not teach by command, example, or inference that one should play on an instrument in worship. “And when they sang a hymn, they went out into the mount of Olives” (Matt. 26:30, Mark 14:26). “And at midnight Paul and Silas prayed, and sang praises unto God and the prisoners heard them” (Acts 16:25). “For this cause I will confess to thee among the Gentiles, and sing unto thy name” (Rom. 15:9). “What is it then? I will pray with the spirit, and I will pray with the understanding also: I will sing with the spirit, and I will sing with the understanding also” (1 Cor. 14:15). “Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly in all wisdom, teaching and admonishing one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing with grace in your hearts to the Lord” (Col. 3:16). “Saying, I will declare thy name unto my brethren, in the midst of the church will I sing praise unto thee” (Heb. 2:12). “By him therefore let us offer the sacrifice of thee” (Heb. 2:12). “By him therefore let us offer the sacrifice of praise to God Continually, that is, the fruit of our lips giving thanks to his name” (Heb. 13:15).

It is difficult to see how these scriptures can be misunderstood by responsible beings who are entirely free JI prejudice. To seek to give those who worship with the instrument hope is to confirm them in their error and to question the wisdom of God.

Where Does It End???

The Modernists say we can be honestly mistaken about the inspiration of the scriptures (1 Cor. 2:13, 2 Tim. 3:16). They also claim we can be honestly mistaken on the virgin birth (Isa. 7:14, Matt. 1:18-25). Going another step, they also say that we can honestly differ on the resurrection (Matt. 28:1-7). This line of thought completely overthrows the New Testament concept of Christ and the Church.

If honesty in religion is all that is necessary to salvation, why was the gospel of Christ revealed? Why did Jesus set forth positive terms and give positive commandments? Why is man restricted to one system of doctrine, if anything will do (Gal. 1:8)? Let us abide in that which is written (Rev. 22: 18-19).

Truth Magazine XX: 30, p. 477
July 29, 1976

By Dennis L. Shaver

“It is unreasonable to suppose that any one person, or race, encompasses all truth, and alone can reveal the way of life to others.” The preceding quote comes from Mr. Ernest Holmes in his tract entitled What Religious Science Teaches (page 9). After this statement Mr. Holmes proceeds to do what he says it is unreasonable to assume can be done. He says, “Religious Science reads everyman’s Bible and gleans the truths contained therein” (page 9). Continuing on page 10 he adds, “What is truth? Where may it be found? And how used? These are questions that an intelligent person asks. He finds his answer in the STUDY OF RELIGIOUS SCIENCE.” I find it interesting to notice that Mr. Holmes feels he can do that which he assumes is unreasonable for anyone else to do. Of course, upon reading his book of unreasonableness, I understand his predicament.

Mr. Holmes states that religious science gathers truths” (plural) from every man’s Bible and then informs the reader of the truthfulness of it. In the first place, by his own admission, this cannot be done. And perhaps even more important, he comes up with the word “truths.” The Bible speaks of truth (singular) as one, not truths (plural) as many. Jesus, in speaking of truth says, “I am the way, the truth, and the life . . .” (Jn. 14:6). In Jn. 8:32 He said, “And ye shall know the truth, and the truth, shall make you free.” Again we read from the Word of God, “Howbeit when he, the Spirit of truth, is come, he will guide you into all truth: for he shall not speak of himself; but whatsoever he shall hear, that shall he speak: and he will shew you things to come.” Notice in this last passage the singular nature of truth and its revealer. Jesus speaks of the spirit of truth, and He, shall guide you into all truth.

Mr. Holmes says it is unreasonable to assume that one man can reveal the way of life to others. Jesus did. The apostles did. Christians in the First Century did (Phillip, Stephen, Timothy, Priscilla and Aquilla, Apollos, etc.). Me Apostle Paul told Timothy, “Take heed unto thyself and unto the doctrine” (not doctrines); “continue in them: for in so doing this thou shalt both save thyself and them that hear thee,” (1 Tim. 4:16). Christianity is perpetuated through individuals teaching individuals (2 Tim. 2:2). Christianity is one man’s leading another to the way of life eternal, despite Mr. Holmes unreasonable assumption. It is not unreasonable to assume that one man, with the truth of God’s Word, could convert the world.

What Mr. Holmes, and other denominational champions, fail to understand is simply this-there is one truth that leads to life eternal. That truth is contained in the Word of God, the Bible. Outside the Bible there is no spiritual truth! Jesus said, “Sanctify them through truth, thy word is truth.” There are not many truths, and there are not many faiths, or churches. Men need to return to a study and acceptance of God’s book that we might not see such false doctrines as Mr. Holmes propagated. The unreasonableness does not lie within the Word of God, but within men such as Mr. Holmes who have no conviction and want others to be as they are. Rather than this, I would plead with men and women everywhere, “. . . receive with meekness the engrafted word, which is able to save your souls.”

Truth Magazine XX: 30, pp. 476-477
July 29, 1976

By Jimmy Tuten, Jr.

The church of the Bible is uniquely undenominational in nature. Is it possible, in this age of ecumenical emphasis, church mergers and denominational federations, to simply be a member of the New Testament church? It has been demonstrated repeatedly that by going back to the Bible we can restore the First Century church in the Twentieth Century. In like manner if we determine from the Bible what First Century disciples did in becoming Christians and seek to imitate their action in our lives, we too, can be Christians only. What made people members of the church nineteen hundred years ago will make people members of it today. We can be members of the New Testament church today. The purpose of this writing is to determine what the Bible teaches about membership in the church.

Essentiality of the Church

The church of Christ is exclusive, the special and only realm of the saved on earth, and cannot be otherwise. The essentiality of the church is seen in the attitude of Christ toward it. He promised to build the church. He said, “thou art Peter, and upon this rock I will build my church; and the gates of hell shall not prevail against it” (Matt. 16:18). He did this by giving Himself for it. Hence, “Christ is the head of the church: and he is the savior of the body.” Again, “Christ also loved the church, and gave himself for it; that he might sanctify and cleanse it with the washing of water by the word, that he might present it to himself a glorious church . . .” (Eph. 5:23, 25-27). He purchased the church with His own blood. Regarding this, Paul told the Ephesian elders, “take heed therefore unto yourselves, and to all the flock, over the which the Holy Ghost hath made you overseers, to feed the church of God, which he hath purchased with his own blood” (Acts 20:28). The church is therefore redeemed “with the precious blood of Christ, as of a lamb without blemish and without spot”(1 Pet. 1:18-19). Christ thought enough of the church to give Himself for it. It is essential that we be members of it, otherwise we are not redeemed by the blood of Christ. Those who argue that it makes no difference to what church one belongs show their lack of understanding of what the Bible teaches about the church. The church of the New Testament is exclusive and unique. We must be members of it if we are to be numbered among the saved of the earth.

The Process of Church Membership

The New Testament teaches that the process that Puts one into Christ puts one in the church. Paul called the church the “house of God” (1 Tim. 3:15). Thayer’s Greek Lexicon tells us that “house of God” is translated from the Greek oiko theou, which means by metonymy “the inmates of a house . . . the family of God . . .church” (p. 441). Therefore, whatever makes one a child of God, makes one a member of the church. One becomes a child of God by faith and baptism. Look at it: “for ye are all the children of God by faith in Christ Jesus. For as many of you as have been baptized into Christ have put on Christ” (Gal. 3:26-27). Baptism puts one into Christ. To be in Christ is to be a child of God. To be a child of God is to be of the family of God, the church. So, the process that puts one into Christ puts one in the church. The baptism of the believer is the means of entering the church. The Baptist Manual tells us it is different now, It says, “it is most likely that in the Apostolic age when there was but one Lord, one faith and one baptism, and no differing denominations existed, the baptism of a convert by that very act constituted him a member of the church, and at once endowed him with all the rights and privileges of full membership. In that sense, baptism was the door into the church. Now it is different (The Standard Manual For Baptist Churches, p. 22, italics mine, j.t.)

We ask the questions: why is it different today and what makes it different?? The thing that makes it different is denominational teaching. Were it not for this teaching things would not be different. The truth of the matter is that the statement admits that what made one a member of the church in New Testament times will make one a member now. It also admits that in becoming a member of the church by baptism one does not become a member of a denomination. If you want to become a member of the church, then believe and be baptized (Mk. 16:16; Gal. 3:26-27). This simple process results in one being numbered among the elect.

Responsibilities of Membership

The greatest blessings, and the highest and holiest privileges are bestowed upon the one who comes into the church. It also involves serious obligations and responsibilities. (1) The Christian must identify himself with a local flock or congregation of Christians. Early Christians always sought to be identified with the brethren whenever they moved from one place to another. “And when Saul was come to Jerusalem, he assayed to join himself to the disciples” (Acts 9:26). On one occasion a letter accompanied the one going into another area (Acts 18:27). The importance of such action is seen in the fact that the local church is the only unit of function for the carrying out of the work of the church. One must be associated with the local church. There is no such thing as “floating membership.”

(2) The christian must subject himself to the elders of 1he congregation. Elders have the oversight of the flock over which they have been made bishops (Acts 20:28). As members of the flock, we are to know, honor and esteem them for their work’s sake (1 Thess. 5:12-13).

This is done with an attitude of submissiveness. The writer of Hebrews says, “obey them that have the rule over you, and submit yourselves: for they watch for your souls, as they that must give account (Heb. 13:17).

(3) The Christian is to seek to bear fruit and be ready unto every good work. In his obedience to Christ the christian is married to Him that he “should bring forth fruit unto God” (Rom. 7:4). Those branches that do not bear fruit will be cut off and burned (Jn. 15:2, 6). Furthermore, we are to be ready unto every good work. Paul told Titus, “put them in mind to be ready to every good work” (Tit. 3:1). As members of the church seek to do these things they demonstrate that the whole body is fitly joined together and compacted by that which every joint supplieth (Eph. 4:16). It is importapt therefore that “every man prove his own work, and then shall he have rejoicing in himself alone” (Gal. 6:4-5).

Conclusion

Other matters could be mentioned such as seeking to preserve peace and unity, seeking to maintain purity within the church and our duty to the erring. But what has been said thus far demonstrates the importance of the church and the essentiality of our being members of it. It demonstrates that there are certain responsibilities imposed upon each member of the church. May God help us to seek the church. After having found it and having become a part of it, may we seek to fulfill our duty.

Truth Magazine XX: 30, pp. 475-476
July 29, 1976