Truth Magazine

By Keith Sharp

“Blessed are they which are persecuted for righteousness’ sake: for theirs is the kingdom of. heaven.

“Blessed are ye, when men shall revile you, and persecute you, and shall say all manner of evil against your falsely, for my sake.

“Rejoice, and be exceeding glad: for great is your reward in heaven: for so persecuted they the prophets which were before you” (Matt. 5:10-12).

When Winston Churchill stood before the beleaguered British nation in 1940 to urge them on in valiant resistance to the Nazi war machine, he eloquently intoned, “I have nothing to offer but blood, toil, tears, and sweat.” Many centuries before Churchill uttered these stirring words. Jesus of Nazareth promised His disciples, if any would forsake all to follow Him, “. . . he shall receive a hundredfold now in this time, houses, and brethren, and sisters, and mothers, and children, and lands, with persecutions; and in the world to come eternal life” (Mk. 10:30). It is a great paradox of the Gospel that one of the paramount blessings of discipleship is persecution. What is the relationship of the Christian to persecution?

The Master does not offer to bless us simply because we suffer. We are blessed only if that suffering is “for righteousness’ sake.” Thus, there is no merit in suffering the just punishment for evil deeds (cf. 1 Pet. 4:15). When political radicals and common criminals who rob and murder are caught and punished, they should not be glorified as heroes or martyrs. They are receiving their just desert.

When others speak evil of us, there is no blessing promised unless the evil speech is false (Matt. 5:11). Thus, when false teachers are checked and exposed, or when sinners are disciplined, they should receive no comfort from spineless members of the church who have no stomach for the conflict of faith, but who can always take hidden potshots at faithful preachers and elders who expose the errorists.

Nor should Christians seek or provoke persecution. We are to strive “to live peaceably with all met,” (Rom. 12:18). If we live righteously, we will not have to seek persecution, for it will find us (2 Tim. 3:12). This is because Christians are not of the world, and the wicked world hates us for our very righteousness (Jn. 15:19; 1 In. 3:11-13). We should never be so paranoid as to seek or provoke others to persecute us.

Furthermore, suffering that is unrelated to discipleship is not that which is under consideration. All men, good and evil, must suffer pain and death (Heb. 9:27). An arthritic knee or a bad back is not persecution “for righteousness’ sake.”

The blessed ones are “they which are persecuted for righteousness’ sake” (Matt. 5:10). This means to suffer “for the Son of Man’s sake” (Lk. 5:22). If we simply live the kind of life Christ demands and refuse to renounce or disgrace His precious name, we will be persecuted. When we are, Christ will bless us. “. . . it is not the suffering, but the cause, that makes the martyr,”(1)

Three forms of evil are specified in the eighth beatitude to describe those things we must endure for Christ. In verse 10 the Master declares, “Blessed are they which are persecuted. . . .” In verse 11 He teaches, “Blessed are ye when men shall revile you. . . .” The Lord then promises to bless us when men “shall say all manner of evil against you falsely, for my sake.”

The term “persecute” is from a root which means “to put to flight, drive away.”(2) Thus, the word means “. . . in any way whatever to harass, trouble, molest one.”(3) This includes all that can be done to hurt one outwardly.

In ancient times God’s people were persecuted by being

“. . . tortured, not accepting deliverance; that they might obtain a better resurrection;

“And others had trial of . . . scourgings, yea, moreover of bonds and imprisonments;

“They were stoned, they were sawn asunder, were tempted, were slain with the sword; they wandered about In sheepskins and goatskins; being destitute, afflicted, tormented;

“(of whom the world was not worthy.) they wondered in deserts, and in mountains, and In dens and caves of the earth” (Heb. 11:35-38).

Today, when people flatter themselves as being “tolerant and broadminded,” persecution usually, although not always, takes on more subtle forms. It might come in the shape of the loss of a job or a failure to receive a promotion because a businessman will not engage in unethical or immoral practices. It could be a lower grade in P.E. because a teen-ager will not dance or wear shorts before the opposite sex. It could be simple ostracism, i.e., leaving one on the outside socially.

To “revile” someone is to insult them and call them by contemptuous names. Jesus warned: “If they have called the master of the house Beelzebub, how much more shall they call them of his household?” (Matt. 10:25).

As the Son of God hung dying on the cross, His tormentors cruelly mocked and reviled Him (Mk. 15:2932). Tertullus contemptuously styled the church “the sect of the Nazarenes” (Acts 24:5). Faithful Christians today are labeled “Campbellites” and “Anti’s.” Teen-age Christians are mocked as “square” and “chicken.” Name-calling, i.e., reviling, is the last refuge of vicious, ignorant people who cannot meet one’s arguments but refuse to admit they are wrong.

If you follow the Master, people will “say all manner of evil against you falsely.” Jesus was called “a man gluttonous, and a winebibber” (Matt. 11:19). Tertullus called Paul “a pestilent fellow and a mover of sedition among all the Jews throughout the world” (Acts 24:5). The great apostle told the Corinthians: “Being defamed, we entreat: we are made as the filth of the world, and are the offscouring of all things unto this day” (1 Cor. 4:13). No man can long preach the Gospel faithfully without having a multitude of lies told about him by vicious sinners and false brethren. Indeed, all faithful Christians must endure the stigma of slander and misrepresentation.

Jesus promises of those who suffer for Him, “theirs is the kingdom of heaven” (Matt. 5:10). This is a repetition of the blessing of the first beatitude. The “poor in spirit” possess the kingdom in that they gain entrance there into. The persecuted possess the kingdom in a yet higher sense, enjoying the fullest blessings possible from citizenship and finally inheriting the kingdom in the heavenly abode. This is amply demonstrated in the second promised reward.

The Master reveals, “for great is your reward in heaven” (Matt. 5:12; cf. Lk. 6:23). Although we will never earn our salvation, God has graciously decreed that, in reward for service rendered, there is a corresponding blessing. But the blessing so outweighs the service as to be incomparable.

“For our light affliction, which is but for a moment, worketh for us a far more exceeding and eternal weight of glory”( 2 Cor. 4:17).

‘For I reckon that the sufferings of this present time are not worthy to be compared with the glory that shall be revealed in us.” (Rom. 8:18).

“Be thou faithful unto death,” promises the Lamb of God, “and I will give thee a crown of life” (Rev. 2:10). The basis of this reward is revealed in the statement, “for so persecuted they the prophets which were before you” (Matt. 5:12).

First, to withstand persecution shows our faith to be of the same stalwart quality that caused the prophets of old to remain loyal despite terrible suffering. Steven rebuked the Jews thus:

“which of the prophets have not your fathers persecuted? and they have slain them which showed before of the coming of the Just one; of whom ye have been now the betrayers and murderers”(Acts 7:52).

One of the most famous of all the martyrs was Polycarp, the aged bishop of Smyrna. The mob dragged him to the tribunal of the Roman magistrate. He was given an inevitable choice-sacrifice to the godhead of Caesar or die. ‘Eighty and six years,’ came the immortal reply, ‘have I served Christ, and He has done me no wrong. How can I blaspheme my King who saved meT So they brought him to the stake, and he prayed his last prayer: ‘O Lord God Almighty, the Father of Thy well-beloved and ever-blessed Son, by whom we have received the knowledge of Thee . . . I thank Thee that Thou hast graciously thought me worthy of this day and of this hour.’ Here was the supreme opportunity to demonstrate his loyalty to Jesus Christ..(4)

To suffer for Christ is to have fellowship with those immortals “of whom the world was not worthy” (Heb. 11:38; cf. 1 Cor. 4:9-13). What a grand privilege, to share in so glorious a succession, with those who overcame tribulation and look down upon us as a “great cloud of witnesses” (Heb. 12:1-3). Yes, it is even to share, however so slightly, in the suffering Christ endured in our behalf (1 Pet. 4:12-13). And, in our tribulation, Christ goes each step with us (Acts 9:4-5; 22:8; 26:14-15; 2 Cor. 4:9; cf. Dan. 3:19-25). How thrilling the very thought!

Persecution is valuable to us in a very practical way, because it purges our character of dross, making us fit for the Master’s service (Rom. 5:3-5; 2 Cor. 12:10; Heb. 12:1-11; James 1:2-4; 1 Pet. 4:1-2).

What, then, should be our attitude toward and reaction to persecution? We should not seek revenge or use spiteful language in return for mistreatment (Lk. 23:34; Acts 7:60; Rom. 12:14; 1 Cor. 4:12; 1 Pet. 2:21-23), but we should rather pray for our enemies and seek to win them over by kind deeds (Matt. 5:44; Rom. 12:17-21). We should not allow even the most severe persecutions to hinder us from spreading the Gospel (cf. Acts 8:1-5, 22:4-5; 26:9-11; Gal. 1:13). We must not let suffering be the means of causing us to stumble (Matt. 13:21).

Rather, when we fall into Persecution, we should “Rejoice, and be exceeding glad” (Matt. 5:12).

The word for be exceeding glad . . . has been derived from two Greek words which mean to leap exceedingly.(5)

Luke records the Master as having advised, “leap for joy” (Lk. 6:23; cf. 2 Cor. 12:10; 1 Pet. 4:12-16). And why shouldn’t we “leap for you” in the face of suffering, when we realize how great the blessings are that follow? This will cause us to patiently endure all the abuse the world can heap upon us (Heb. 12:3-7). Dear Christian, you must face persecution if you would follow the Master. Don’t complain and gripe about your lot. Don’t become discouraged. Consider the reward. Think of the value and gain. “Rejoice and be exceeding glad: for great is your reward in heaven.”

Endnotes

1. Matthew Henry, Commentary on the Whole Bible (Old Tappan, New Jersey, 1721), V. 53.

2. W.E. Vine, An Expository Dictionary of New Testament Words, (Old Tappan, New Jersey, 1940), 111, 177.

3. Joseph Henry Thayer, A Greek-English Lexicon of the New Testament (Chicago, 1886), p. 153.

4. William Barclay, The Gospel of Matthew (Philadelphia, 1956), I. 111.

5. Ibid., 112.

Truth Magazine XX: 29, pp. 460-462
July 22, 1976

By Irvin Himmel

Faithful Christians sometimes have heartbreaking experiences. A chain of events may produce a situation in which someone is deeply hurt by people who ought lo be his best friends.

To illustrate, a preacher may give his best for a number of years to strengthening and building up a congregation. He loves that church and he loves the Lord’s work with all his heart. An unprincipled element temporarily gains attention, the worst in the people surfaces, and abruptly the preacher is told to leave. With a heavy heart he seeks a new location where he can continue preaching and teaching.

To further illustrate, an elder may serve a church with remarkable dedication for many years. He gives the best part of his life in unselfish service. Then one day it becomes necessary that he and the other elders remove a preacher who has become ungodly in life or unsound in teaching. But the preacher has charmed a sizeable portion of the flock, and these mesmerized members oust their shepherds in order to retain their unscrupulous preacher. Sadly, that old elder who has so long tried to be a good shepherd turns from the flock that chose to completely reject him in a most unholy and ungrateful manner. With a heart broken and bleeding, he lives out his last years.

Or the case may run somewhat like this: a mother and father bring up a daughter in the nurture and admonition of the Lord, They love her with all the parental affection that they could have. She becomes a Christian and later marries a young man who is a Christian. Her parents are happy when she establishes a home of her own. Years pass and these parents never have any feeling but rejoicing and thanksgiving when they think of their daughter. Then suddenly, for a reason that none can explain, she deserts her husband and runs off with another man. Her parents spend sleepless nights wondering how such a tragedy could come about. She abandoned the principles that were taught in tier youth. She knows and admits she is wrong. Her loving parents keep asking themselves if they somehow failed in her upbringing; they feel empty and forsaken.

There is no describing the emptiness that overtakes us when people whom we love and trust betray our confidence. We must guard against bitterness and complete despair.

Think how Paul must have felt when he was nearing the sunset of life, He was a prisoner at Rome and knew die time of his departure was at hand.

“Demas hath forsaken me, having loved this present world. . .”

“Only Luke is with me.”

“Alexander the coppersmith did me much evil . . . for he greatly withstood our words.”

“At my first answer no man stood with me, but all men forsook me: I pray God that it may not be laid to their charge.”

These statements in 2 Tim. 4 do not paint a very pretty picture. Others who could have given support and encouragement to Paul at the time when he needed it most were not there. Except for the presence of Luke, the apostle was largely forsaken and alone.

Paul was quick to add this thought: “Notwithstanding the Lord stood with me, and strengthened me . . . and I was delivered out of the mouth of the lion. And the Lord shall deliver me unto his heavenly kingdom: to whom be glory for ever and ever. Amen.”

What a comforting realization! Though all others may forsake me, I can count on my Lord to stand with me! He can give me strength in time of weakness, hope in the face of adversity, comfort in sorrow, and victory in defeat!

He hath said, “I will never leave thee, nor forsake thee” (Heb. 13:5).

David once wrote, “Fret not thyself because of evildoers, neither be thou envious against the workers of iniquity. For they shall soon be cut down like the grass, and wither as the green herb” (Psa. 37:1, 2).

In this world failures, disappointments, sorrows, and hardships are many. We cannot afford to build on a human foundation. To keep faith in the Lord is to have a Friend who never fails. When life’s little day fades and the sun finally sets, when the struggle ends and the battle is past, the righteous will shine in eternal glory Mid wear the crown that awaits all who conquer through Christ.

Truth Magazine XX: 29, pp. 459-460
July 22, 1976

By Jimmy Tuten, Jr.

There are over three hundred religious bodies in America. Out of this vast number of churches only one can lie identified as the New Testament church. How one goes about identifying the church is the purpose of this writing.

The dictionary defines “identify” in the following manner: “sameness of essential character . . . The condition of being the same with something described or asserted; as to establish the identity of stolen goods”. This means that if we want to identify something, we have to point out the distinguishing marks or characteristics of the thing to be identified. To illustrate: suppose you were seeking to identify a stolen 1974 auto. To simply give the style and color would not be sufficient. There are many models bearing the same style and color. If you give the serial number, the license and title number you have properly identified it. No other auto will bear these marks of identity.

So it is with the church. If we want to identify it we must present the identifying characteristics. We do not look for one that simply worships. All churches worship. We do not look for one that loves the Lord. All but Satanic churches love Him. We have to be more specific and definite. We turn to the New Testament for definite marks of identity and compare the church with those marks. What does the New Testament say about the church?

It Recognizes the Authority of the Scriptures

The New ‘Testament church accepts the inspiration of the Scriptures, recognizing that all Scripture is given by the inspiration of God (2 Tim. 3:16-17). It accepts the fact that all that. God has given has been revealed by the Spirit (1 Cor. 2:10); that the scriptures are inspired in word and thought (1 Cor. 2:13). It is certified as having been given by the revelation of Jesus Christ (Gal, 1:11-12). The New Testament church therefore speaks as the oracles of God (1 Pet, 4:11). It knows that “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 Jn. 9). The church appeals to the Scripture for authorization for its practices. It believes in having book, chapter, and verse for all that it does, What is not authorized by general or specific authority is not of God. The New Testament church believes and accepts this fact. This is what makes it a New Testament church, Friend, does the church to which you belong believe in the all-sufficiency of the Word in things religious? Let it be remembered that the approved and universal practices of the first churches (i.e., The New Testament churches) are recorded in Scripture for our learning. These New Testament practices constitute a complete system, adapted to every age and to all circumstances. To be a New Testament church we must be regulated by these principles, We must speak as the oracles of God.

It Is Autonomous In Organization

In Matt, 16:18 Jesus promised to build His church. Following the metaphor of a “building,” Jesus is an architect with blueprints for His church. The church is to be structured or built according to the divine pattern (Heb. 8:1-5).

The divine organization of the church is demonstrated in Phil. 1:1, where reference is made to “the saints in Christ Jesus which are at Philippi, with the bishops and deacons.” Qualifications for bishops and deacons are given in Tit. 1:5-9 and 1 Tim. 3:1-13. The local church is made up of saints with its bishops and deacons, This is the only organization known to the church, There is no arrangement larger or smaller. The collective of saints in any location is the only unit of function. As such it is independent and autonomous. Elders are to be appointed in every church (Acts 14:23). They have the oversight only over the flock over which they have been appointed (Acts 20:17-28; 1 Pet. 5:2). Arrangements such as conferences and synods are unscriptural in nature. Each local collective is to be independent and self-governing. This is an important identifying mark of the church.

Its Name Is “Church of Christ”

Another identifying mark of the New Testament church is its designation. It is called “Church of Christ,” While other names are attached to the church, this name alone shows identity and ownership Jesus Christ built the church (Matt. 16:18), He gave Himself for it (Eph. 5:25-26). lie purchased the church with His own blood (Acts 20:28). It belongs to Him. The fact that First Century churches wore the name of Christ is demonstrated in Romans 16:16 – “the churches of Christ salute you,” We can know whether a church belongs to Christ or not by observing the name it wears. Human names are carnal and cause one to glory in men, We are to glory in the Lord (1 Cor, 1:31). We wear the name of Christ in order that we might glorify Him on earth. Every time the expression “church of Christ” is used, honor is given to Jesus Christ.

Its Worship is in Spirit And Truth

Another way to establish the identity of the church is to look at its worship. Concerning worship, Jesus said: “God is spirit: and they that worship Him must worship Him in Spirit and in truth” (Jn. 4:24). “In spirit” refers to ones’ manner of worship, “In truth” has reference to the application of truth. Does our worship conform to the truth? Worship must be in the right frame of mind, but it must also conform to truth. What is worship in truth? To determine this we need only to observe what First Century christians did when they worshipped God. When we observe in this respect what they observed we are identified with them. When we study the Scriptures relating to New Testament worship we find that worship involves five acts: the Lord’s Supper, the contribution (called fellowship), preaching, prayer and singing (Acts 2:42; Col. 3:16; Eph. 5:19). These acts were done in the assembly and the assembly was on the Lord’s Day (1 Cor. 16:1-2; Acts 20:7). We can identify the church by observing whether they engage in the five acts each Lord’s Day.

It Performs Its God-Given Work

The church has a definite function to perform. We can know what the church is to do by observing the New Testament church’s function. This helps us to identify it. What is the work of the church? It is, first of all, preaching and teaching the gospel. The church is to do this at home and to the extent of its ability abroad (Phil. 1:3-5; 4:15-48). Secondly, it is to edify the saints among its number (Acts 13:1; Eph. 4:11-16; Rom. 1:8-17). Thirdly, it is to relieve the needs of its own needy members (Acts 6:1-6; 1 Tim. 5:9-10,16). It is not the work of the church to provide entertainment and things of like nature. Also, the church is all-sufficient to perform these tasks. It can, to the extent of its ability, do all that God has assigned to it.

Conclusion

These features identify the church. They tell us what the church is and what it is like. Are you a member of the New Testament church? You can be added to it (Acts 2:47), if you are willing to repent and be baptized (Acts 2:38).

Truth Magazine XX: 29, pp. 458-459
July 22, 1976