Truth Magazine

By Ernest A. Finley

Can One Be Only a Christian?

If a man were dissatisfied with the condition of religious division which exists in the world today and were to desire to have fellowship with no denomination or sect, but to be simply a Christian, a child of God, a member of the church which the Lord built (Matt. 16:18), the church he purchased with His own blood (Acts 20:28), would it be possible for him to do so?

Division Contrary to the Lord’s Will

Suppose a man were to reason that the division which exists today is displeasing to the Lord and that he desires to have no part in it (1 Cor. 1:10; Jn. 17:20, 21), could he free himself from these entanglements and serve the Father simply as a Christian?

Denominationalism Confusing

No doubt, there are many in the world today who have had these very thoughts. But when one begins to look about upon the maze of religious confusion and conflicting doctrines, it is quite possible that he may despair of the task of ever coming to know pure and simple New Testament Christianity. Some have concluded that there is no religious body which bears the stamp of divine approval, and thus have settled down in indifference. Some have erroneously concluded that since almost all religious bodies contain some truth, all are right. So they drift on, compromising, without firm convictions, or else unite with some church which they know teaches doctrines which are in conflict with divine truth.

Others have considered the situation of divided sects and have suggested a course of action which involves them in an almost impossible task. They say they will worship and study with different churches and when they have found the right one that they will affiliate with it. But it is probable that time would fail before the individual would be able to thoroughly consider the doctrines, origin, practices and organization of all or many denominations and discern which is right, if indeed any of them be. But instead of spending time considering the doctrines of men, endeavoring to weed out the false or unscriptural teaching, is there not a better course to follow?

The Lord Can Supply The Answer

Yes, friends, I am confident that there is a better way than the one just presented. There is a course that we can follow in which we can turn away from the whole troublesome tangle of religious confusion, human theorizing, and doctrines of men. We can go straight to Him who assures us that He is “the way, the truth, and the life” (Jn. 14:6). He alone is right, true, and infallible. All men who teach in conflict with Him are in error.

Seek And Ye Shall Find

Rather than endeavoring to weed out all the doctrines that are false and all the religious bodies which exist without divine authority, why not go to the Word of God seeking to know the truth and learn of the Lord’s church which we read about in the Bible. The Word assures us that we can know the truth if we will to do so (Jn. 7:17). We must approach the Word of God with honesty. We must handle it aright. We must not wrest or pervert it. We must interpret it in harmony with all divine truth.

Scholarship An Essential?

Some would minimize the effectiveness of such a suggestion by saying, “Oh, but I am not educated; I fear that I do not have the educational background or wisdom to understand the truth.” “Indeed,” they say, “are there not many wise and learned men who differ upon that which is set forth in the word of God?” But this problem, for its proper solution, does not resolve itself to the scholarship or education of the man but more to the attitude of the man. It must be an attitude of humility and trust. The individual should know that he is seeking after the will of the Master who assures us that he will not let us perish if we seek to know His Will with the right attitude of heart. He says. “. . . seek, and ye shall find; knock, and it shall be opened unto you . . .” (Matt. 7:7). Our Master says, “Blessed are they that hunger and thirst after righteousness: for they shall be filled” (Matt. 5:6). Jesus invites all to learn of Him (Matt. 11:28-30).

Whence Came The Confusion?

There are those who contend that the division that exists today is the result of the individual’s endeavoring to learn the truth for himself without the aid of a professional religionist. They suggest that the error that is now being taught throughout the world is the result of the common man’s having erred, being insufficiently wise to discern the truth for himself without assistance from a learned theologian. But this is not true. The division came when men blindly followed religious leaders or teachers without looking, thinking, or studying for themselves to see whether the theologians were in harmony with truth. It is a fact that when men put prejudice, human conceptions, and human theology aside and search the scriptures in all honesty, that it is possible to come to a knowledge of the truth. But too many are afraid to let the Bible guide their thinking. They are afraid they might have to change their views or their religion. They had rather see what brother “BigName” thinks about it than to see what the Lord says about it.

We Must Accept All Truth

Almost every religious theory has some truth in it, but too often the support of a sect or denomination limits the individual’s right to see and knew and accept truth. The man or woman who is resolved to follow Christ has a right to all truth. He does not have to dodge any of it. He does not have to “read anything in” that does not belong. He does not have to assume an attitude of infallibility in order to grant that the Bible is infallible. Though we are human, the Bible is right and God is right and if we are going to be right with God we must line up with Him and hold a straight course in the Word of God (2 Tim. 2:15). If we take this attitude, we do not have any “ax to grind,” no position to “force,” nothing to “harmonize” or “explain away.” We will not have to formulate any human theories or support any human creed, we will not have to fight for any sect or manmade religious body or denomination.

We need sorely to realize that we need nothing but the God-given truth. Paul said, “Beware lest any man spoil you through philosophy or vain deceit, after the tradition of men, after the rudiments of the world and not after Christ. For in him dwelleth all the fulness of the godhead bodily. And ye are complete in him” (Col. 2:8-10). In view of the many warnings which the Bible gives against being deceived by false teaching, it is ridiculous that man should suggest that any course that he honestly follows in life will lead to glory. God said, “There is a way that seemeth right to a man, but the end thereof are the ways of death” (Prov. 14:12). Thus, we must not only be honest, but we must be right in the sight of God. The man who is resolved to be content with less than the whole God-given truth, while hiding behind a cloak of honesty and sincerity is not honest at all, and God knows it. Anybody who willfully refuses to see the truth need not try to convince God that he is honest.

A Christian

But how can I become a Christian? The only infallible way to find the answer to this question is to study your New Testament. Note where the cases of conversion are recorded and study each case carefully.

Observations on Conversion

There are several evident suggestions that we wish to make relative to these cases of conversion. First, when they were converted, they were children of God, their sins were taken away, and they became simply Christians, nothing more, nothing less. Is that not correct? Furthermore, when they had complied with God’s law of pardon, they were added to the Lord’s church by the Lord (Acts 2:47). Since no sects or denominations, such as we have today, existed then, they could not have been added to any one of them.

A study and summary of these cases of conversion will show that conversion involved (1) the matter of believing in Christ (Acts 2:36). This faith led to their salvation, but not until it led them to (2) repent of their wickedness, (3) confess faith in Christ as the Son of God and (4) be baptized unto the remission of their sins (Acts 2:38). There is no possible room for doubt that in each case of conversion recorded they believed on Christ, repented of their sins, and were baptized in order that their sins might be taken away. If that is what each one of them did, then it must have been God’s ordained plan for their salvation. This is how people in the beginning of the New Testament period became Christians-Christians only. This is how they became members of the Lord’s church. They believed in Christ, trusted in Him, obeyed His Will, and he added them to His body.

These people were not voted into the church. They did not suggest that they were already saved so they wanted to “join the church. ” The scriptures tell us that when they were obedient to Christ that the Lord added them to the church. “And the Lord added to the church daily such as were saved” (Acts 2:47). This is how they became Christians.

The Church Defined

The church of which they became members had no earthly headquarters. Its headquarters are in heaven. It had no earthly head. Its head, Christ, is in Heaven. It had no human-inspired manual or discipline formulated by a conference or council. Its manual was the Word of God alone, inspired by the Spirit, made known by men moving under the power and guidance of the Holy Spirit.

That church had no “mission” organization other than the local congregation (i Tim. 3:15). That church had no mechanical instruments of music to mar the purity of the worship which Christ made known in His will, “. . . teaching and admonishing one another with psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing with grace in your hearts unto God” (Col. 3:16). See also Eph. 5:19.

That church buried men in baptism and raised them to walk in newness of life, not granting, as some suppose today, that sprinkling or pouring are just as good; “We were buried therefore with him through baptism into death: that like as Christ was raised from the dead through the glory of the Father, so we also might walk in newness of life” (Rom. 6:4). See also Col. 2:12.

That church assembled every first day of the week to break bread, to keep the dying request of the Lord that we “show forth the Lord’s death till he come” (1 Cor. 11:26). “And upon the first day of the week, when we were gathered together to break bread . . .” (Acts 20:7).

Early Christians baptized those who believed on Christ and repented of their sins. They did not doubt nor deny the necessity of doing those things which Christ commanded and made conditions of our salvation; “He that believeth and is baptized shall be saved; but he that disbelieveth shall be condemned” (Mark 16:16). They went everywhere preaching the Word, telling men that those “who were baptized into Christ Jesus were baptized into his death” (Rom. 6:3).

Men inspired of the Holy Spirit taught that we have not yet laid hold on eternal life, but that we must press on toward the goal unto the prize of the high calling in Christ Jesus (Phil. 3:13, 14). They taught that we must guard against the sin which doth so easily beset us (Heb. 12:1, 2), buffeting our bodies daily that we may keep them in subjection and that we not be rejected by the Lord (1 Cor. 9:27). They warned that a man should “take heed lest he fall” (1 Cor. 10:12).

Inspired men spoke of that church as “the church of the Lord,” “church of God,” and “churches of Christ” (Acts 20:28; 1 Cor. 1:1, 2; Rom. 16:16).

They believed and taught that God has promised to save only those that compose the church, the kingdom of Christ, the body of Christ, “For the husband is the head of the wife, as Christ also is the head of the church, being himself the savior of the body” (Eph. 5:23). They did not suggest that Peter was either the head of the church (notice the passage above) or the foundation of the church. They taught that Christ is the head and the foundation. “For other foundation can no man lay than that which is laid which is Jesus Christ” (1 Cor. 3:11).

These early disciples highly regarded the name Christian and said, “Do not they blaspheme the honorable name by which they are called?” (Jas. 2:7). Peter spoke of the great privilege that is ours in wearing the name of Christ alone. “For let none of you suffer as a murderer, or a thief, or an evil-doer, or as a meddler in other men’s matters; but if a man suffer as a Christian, let him not be ashamed; but let him glorify God in this name” (1 Pet. 4:16). By wearing the name of His Son, we glorify the Father. When we can give Him glory by doing this, why should we refuse to wear this name? Why should we choose to wear some name which men have adopted?

The Church Purchased, Redeemed and Purified

The Word of God informs us that Christ shed His blood to purchase the church (Acts 20:28), that he gave himself for us “that he might redeem us from all iniquity, and purify unto himself a people for his own possession, zealous of good works” (Tit. 2:14). The Lord intends for His church to be free from sin. His followers are to emulate His example, “who did no sin, neither was guile found in his mouth.”

The Seed Still Being Sown.

The Word of God, which is the seed of the kingdom (Lk. 8:11), which was sown in the hearts of men at the beginning of this gospel period still lives today. Seed brings forth after its kind. The sowing of the seed then made Christians. The sowing of the seed now will make Christians. The sowing of the seed made men members of the Lord’s body, the church, then. It will do the same today.

The Word, which is God’s power unto salvation is able to “make you wise unto salvation” (2 Tim. 3:15). Paul tells us that, “the Word of his grace . . . . is able to build you up and give you an inheritance among all them that are sanctified” (Acts 20:32). We encourage you to study your Bible. Learn all you can about the Lord’s church. Learn what it takes to become a member of it. And learn how to live in that church so that you may be counted among the faithful in that great day. May the Lord bless you in your earnest search for truth.

Truth Magazine XIX: 50, pp. 794-796
October 30, 1975

By Roy E. Cogdill

In last week’s article we set forth the simple pattern of New Testament church organization. 1. Christ is the head over all things to the church-the only head it has and his authority the only authority in it (Eph. 1:21-23). 2. Believers who were saved by their obedience to the Gospel in every community where it was preached were added together to constitute the “church of Christ” in that community (Acts 2:41-47; Acts 4:4, 32; Acts 5:14; Acts 6:7; Acts 9:31; Acts 11:19-26; Acts 14:21-23; Acts 16:4-5; Acts 15:41; Rom. 16:4; Rom. 16:16; 1 Cor. 16:19; 2 Cor. 8:1, 19, 23; 2 Cor. 11:8, 28; 2 Cor. 12:13; Gal. 1:22; 1 Thess. 2:14; 2 Thess. 1:4; Rev. 1:4, 11, 20; Rev. 2:7, 11, 17, 29; Rev. 3:6, 13, 22; Rev. 22:16).

In all of these above passages, the reference is to the community of saved believers who constituted the church in the particular locality or area mentioned. This means that repeatedly in the New Testament the arrangement made by divine wisdom for the church, as a body, unaffiliated with any other in any manner, except in a common faith, salvation, and relationship with deity, existed and carried on the work and worship of the Lord. This is all that is found in the way of an organic body in New Testament scriptures, that is, that can be identified with the church of our Lord.

We have learned, further, that each of these “churches of Christ” had the same organization: (1) elders, bishops, or pastors in every church (Acts 14:23); (2) that they were made up of Saints (Phil. 1:1. 1 Cor. 1:1-2); (3) and that they had men who served in a special sense called deacons (Phil. 1:1. 1 Tim. 3:8-13). Both elders and deacons were men chosen by a divine standard of qualifications and appointed to do the work ordained of the Lord for them to do. Both are essential to the maturity of the church, therefore, and to a proper respect for God’s plan for the operation of the church in its fullest capacity. No man has the right to dismiss these divine appointments any more than any other in the church and it is just as much a matter of apostasy to teach there is no need for them today as to pervert this local organization to serve a brotherhood plan and purpose. Both evidence disrespect for divine authority.

The Work of the Elders

The New Testament teaches concerning the work of “elders,” “bishops,” or “pastors” that they are to have the oversight of the church. These three terms are used interchangeably in Acts 20:17-28. They were the same men in the Ephesian church and doing the same work. The words come from three words in the original language of the New Testament: “elder” is from presbuteros; “bishop” from episcopos; and “pastor”from poimenas. The word presbuteros is defined as it is used concerning this organization of the church –“(3) in the Christian churches, those who, being raised up and qualified by the work of the Holy Spirit, were appointed to have the spiritual care of, and to exercise oversight over the churches. To these the term bishops, episkopoi, or overseers, is applied (see Acts 20:17-28, and Titus 1:5-7), the latter term indicating the nature of their work, presbuteroi, their maturity of spiritual experience. The divine arrangement seen throughout the New Testament was for a plurality of these to be appointed in each church” (An Expository Dictionary of New Testament Words, by W. E. Vine).

It is sometimes contended that the word “elder” means only older men. There can be no question that the term presbuteros is sometimes used to denote age, or a person advanced in life. But it does not always mean that and it never makes simply physical age a qualification of “elders” to oversee the work of the churches except as physical age is required in order to develop Christian experience and maturity and to keep one from being a “novice” or a new hand (1 Tim. 3:6).

It is also contended that the work of elders or bishops belonged only to the age of miracles and passed away with that age and that God has not ordained that such should exist in the work of the church today. The men who ordinarily so contend think, however, that the work of an “evangelist” has continued and they have no hesitancy assuming such a work and even becoming officious in their very attitude as such. The fact is that no passage teaches that elders were to cease in the churches when miracles ceased or that the work of an elder in the New Testament day was dependent upon some miraculous endowment any more than any work of the church. In New Testament days all who were charged with special responsibility in the Lord’s Church were distributed extraordinary endowments that they might under the direction of divine guidance perform their service and demonstrate to men the divine will. In this we see that the divine pattern of church government or supervision did not include the continuation of these extraordinary endowments but rather called for their discontinuation when revelation had been fully completed and the church had come to maturity through the knowledge of the divine will (1 Cor. 13:8-13; Eph. 4:7-16).

Under these qualified men the churches of the New Testament day carried out their divine mission. This government was adequate to the fulfillment of God’s purposes in His churches then and it is adequate now. When this divine pattern (elders in every church) is not followed, then the church is left without any play. or means of carrying out the will of the Lord and at the mercy of every novice, untaught, unscrupulous, self-willed, individual that aspires to “greatness in the Kingdom of God” through prominence or by the exercise of authoritative direction or control. The church without this divine pattern of government is “without form and void,” like the earth was before God set things in order in the beginning. Majority control is the only alternative to dictatorial power in the hands of a few (sometimes only one) who assume the right to direct the affairs of the church, when the church has no organization after the divine pattern.

God has assigned the work of elders in the churches of Christ. They have no primary authority to exercise or residual right to direct the work of the Lord’s Church by their own will. Like all other Christians who serve in any capacity they are prescribed, bound, limited, and restrained by what the Lord authorizes and can move only in harmony with his will. One of the qualifications laid down in the word of God is that they must not be “self-willed” men (Tit. 1:7). When any man uses the office of “bishop” to have his own way or to follow his own will, he is not fit to be an elder for the reason that he is disqualified by such a disposition. The fact that there are men who mistakenly are selected or appointed and have such disposition and abuse the privilege of so serving the Lord does not mean that we have the license or right to dispense with the divine plan. There are unworthy preachers too. Must we dispense with preaching the Gospel? There are also apostate churches, so shall we just dismiss the idea of having the church in existence today. There is no justification in running past Jerusalem in trying to avoid Rome and knocking ourselves out on the walls of Jericho. One extreme is no more right than another.

(To be continued)

Truth Magazine XIX: 50, pp. 793-794
October 30, 1975

By Dennis L. Shaver

Men, who consider themselves religious, have devised many ways in which believers in Christ can be united. The cry is “unity,” “unity.” And yet, the ways of unity devised by man can never accomplish the oneness for which Christ prayed in Jn. 17:20-23. Because men are so concerned with “false unity,” they have rejected “true unity,” which can be obtained through God’s way. All one has to do is fill in the blank at the top of this article, and he has devised yet another way for “unity.” Although there are many different schemes to attain “false unity,” there are two we hear more often than riot.

Unity Through Diversity

The definition of diversity is: “1. the state of being diverse, dissimilitude. 2. Variety; a diversity of interests. synonyms: change, difference” (Funk and Wagnalls p. 372, Vol. I). A major denominational group started this kind of thinking long ago, but now it is considered “fashionable” and “keeping up,” to adopt such reasoning. The trick with this kind of unity is to accept everything about nothing, or anything about everything. It is really the same old denominational song of “it doesn’t make any difference” being put into practice. All denominations used to say it does not make any difference, but not all really believed it. Now, they are practicing what they have been preaching. This type of reasoning can produce union, but it will never produce unity. If Solomon were alive today he would say of such reasoning: “There is a way which seemeth right unto a man, but the ends thereof are the ways of death” (Prov. 16:25).

Unity Through Love

Brotherhood and love for all people will supposedly conquer all differences-especially religious ones. Those who profess unity through love act as though love has magical powers in causing differences to disappear. This “false unity” actually hides differences in a cloud of “false love.” It is an easy way out of proving what you believe is what the Bible teaches. When you love someone (as they define love) you will not tell him when he is wrong, and you will never bring up any differences you have; even if you feel strongly about them. Through this form of “false unity” one is never called upon to defend his particular doctrine. One thing we must say for this form of “false unity,” it is very convenient. Especially is this true for those who teach and practice things without authority from God’s word. The best thing this type of reasoning will produce is a surface love. It will not produce love that is needed to obtain “true unity.” As the prophet of God, 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 steps” (Jer. 10:23).

Unity through Truth

Now here is a novel way. Unity through truth. It has not been tried, but it is the only way unity will be attained. There can be no unity where there is no truth. Someone might ask, “Why hasn’t this way been tried?” Because this is the way God provided and man always tries his way first. “For my thoughts are not as your thoughts, neither are my ways your ways, saith the Lord. For as the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways, and my thoughts than your thoughts” (Isa. 55:8,9). This is a much quoted, but little understood passage of Scripture. Man is determined to put his thinking and reasoning above the ways and thoughts of God. Until man gives up his “false unity” ideas, there can be no “true unity” for which Christ prayed.

To accept unity through truth, all religious denominations, and even some of our own brethren, would have to give up their unscriptural creeds and practices and unite upon the word of God, the Bible. I am afraid however, that they do not desire unity. What they really want is a way to go ahead and do what they want without anyone calling them into question for a “thus saith the Lord.” A truce is what they want, and not unity. There will never be unity as long as each different group teaches its own doctrine and does “its own thing” in rebellion against God. The apostle Paul declares, “Now I beseech you brethren, by the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, that ye. all speak the same thing, and that there be no divisions among you; but that ye be perfectly joined together in the same mind and in the same judgment” (1 Cor. 1:10).

The Corinthians had the same problem as those in denominations, and even some of our brethren, do today-a desire to be true to some organization rather than true to God’s word. Until men give up this attitude, “unity” will never be attained. Unity cannot be accomplished until every individual decides that he wants unity and he is willing to give up whatever he must in order to have it.

The apostle Peter declared, “If any man speak, let him speak as the oracles of God . . . ” (1 Pet. 4:11). Of course this would mean giving up such things as instrumental music, sponsoring churches, fellowship halls, youth recreations financed by the church, etc. Why? Because none of these practices, and many more, are unauthorized by God’s word. Their authority is “Where did God say not to?” Such cannot be our plea if we are to be united through truth.

Only by accepting God’s word as truth (Jno. 8:32; 17:17), our guide (2 Tim. 3:16,17; Psa. 119:105), and our standard for unity and authority (2 Pet. 1:3; Jno. 12:48; Matt. 28:18), can we be truly “united.” Until all men will accept truth as the basis for unity, there can be no unity. Truth will not allow compromise. “Endeavoring to keep the unity of the Spirit, in the bond of peace. There is one body, and one Spirit, even as ye are called in one hope of your calling; One Lord, one faith, one baptism, One God and Father of all, who is above all, and through all, and in you all” (Eph. 4:36).

This is God’s plan and way for unity-unity through truth. We must all desire unity because Christ prayed for it. However, we cannot allow this desire for unity cause us to compromise or minimize truth. Yes, we desire unity, but only on God’s terms.

Truth Magazine XIX: 50, pp. 791-792
October 30, 1975

By Rufus R. Clifford

If you were to ask a Christian for a copy of the “creed” or “book of rules” of the church of Christ, he could only offer you a copy of the New Testament. The only written creed the church that Christ built has ever had is the New Testament. It was given by the inspiration of God and is sufficient to furnish the man of God unto all good works (2 Tim. 3:16,17). It meets the needs of the whole world (Mk. 16:15). This is the only message we are authorized to use in the conversion of sinners (1 Cor. 9:16; Matt. 28:18-20). Jesus taught that the word of God is enduring and that by it we shall be judged (Lk. 21:33; John 12:48). The authority of Christ as expressed in the New Testament is the only safe guide for the church. It is sinful for the church to submit to any other authority. The gospel is God’s power to save (Rom. 1:16). James says it is able to save (Jas. 1:21). Paul writes that it did save the Corinthians (1 Cor. 15:1,2). The curse of God rests upon the man who preaches another gospel or dares to add to or subtract from it (Gal. 1:8,9; Rev. 22:18,19).

In spite of the plain Bible teaching given above, we find good, religious people subscribing to human creeds. Even those who subscribe to man-made creeds will not claim for them any saving power. They are but the products of human opinion and stand as barriers to the unity of religious people. Man-made creeds are based upon two wicked assumptions: (1) The New Testament is not sufficient to meet the needs and govern the people of God. (2) This supposed insufficiency can be remedied by weak, fallible, erring men. Without such assumptions there is no excuse for the making of human creeds.

Human creeds are objectionable for a number of reasons. (1) They are not inspired of God. (2) They do not meet the needs of the whole world. (3) They are not perfect. (4) They must be revised every few years. (5) We shall not be judged by them. (6) They set aside and make void the Word of God. (7) They teach many things contrary to the New Testament. (8) They keep people divided on the question of religion. They should, therefore, be laid aside forever, or better still burned and forgotten. As long as a single one of them is in force anywhere, division will exist. They are subversive of divine authority and of the peace, unity, and fellowship that should characterize those who desire to please God and go to heaven.

As simple Christians we take the authority of Christ as expressed in the New Testament as our only rule of faith and practice. It is the one creed that needs no revision. We invite all people to meet with us on the New Testament in order that we may be united in work and worship.

Truth Magazine XIX: 50, p. 791
October 30, 1975