Truth Magazine

By Donald Willis

The Bible nowhere mentions gambling. Thus, many Twentieth-Century Christians ponder the “right or wrong” of such activity. Today’s young people do not accept the positions of those who preceded, but must examine every point to their own satisfaction. This is fine, except that it manifests somewhat of a “gnostic” attitude and a disrespect for the older saints.

Gambling is a recognized evolvement of society. It is truly big business. People participate in gambling from childhood throughout adulthood; from pitching pennies, flipping for cokes, Bridge, racing, and/or the casino. The Christian will examine the evidence and determine the rightness prior to engaging therein!

Gambling is Wrong!

Gambling is wrong because it is against the righteous principles of God (cf. 1 John 1:5ff). Gambling is the wagering of material goods for the purpose of multiplying them.

Gambling is covetousness, a work of the flesh (Galatians 5:19-21). It is idolatry; i.e., an inordinate desire for money. The desire for gain is often addictive. The gambler has no intention to work in order to obtain his goals (Ephesians 4:28), but seeks to gain through wagering.

Gambling violates the law of labor and exchange. God ordained that man earn his living by the sweat of his brow in earnest enterprise (Genesis 3:17-19; Ephesians 6:5-9). Paul commands, “. . . if any would not work, neither should he eat” (2 Thessalonians 3:10).

Why would civil law be opposed to gambling if there was nothing wrong with it? Civil law often approves wrong activity, but generally opposes gambling! Vice, prostitution, and family neglect go hand-in-hand with gambling! Jesus said, “. . . by their fruits ye shall know them” (Matthew 7:20).

Conclusion

Gamblers do not love God, have little concern for their fellow man, and disrespect the laws of God and man. No Christian will engage in this unholy activity!

Truth Magazine XIX: 47, p. 749
October 9, 1975

By James W. Adams

Paul said, “Thanks be unto God for his unspeakable gift” (2 Cor. 9:15). He made this remark in connection with fervent exhortations to the brethren at Corinth to be generous in their giving for the relief of the “poor from among the saints at Jerusalem.” A reminder of God’s “unspeakable gift” would provide strong incentive for such giving.

For a study of that which makes God’s gift “unspeakable,” there is no better source than the text often called “The golden text of the Bible”: “For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life” (John 3:16). The following facts make God’s gift “unspeakable:”

(1) The greatest Giver: GOD is the original and superlatively the greatest of all givers. Our text says, “God gave.” Here is the benefactor extraordinary of humankind. Paul said to the Athenian philosophers on Mars Hill, “For in him we live, and move, and have our being; as certain also of your own poets have said, For we are also his offspring” (Acts 17:28). James said, “Every good gift and every perfect gift is from above, and cometh down from the Father of lights, with whom is no variableness, neither shadow of turning” (Jas. 1:17). Paul also said, “Charge them that are rich in this world, that they be not high-minded, nor trust in uncertain riches, but in the living God, who giveth us richly all things to enjoy . . .” (1 Tim. 6:17). All that we have, are, and every hope to be comes as a gracious gift from the storehouse of Jehovah. No giver is so great as He.

(2) The greatest motive: infinitely pure, Divine love. Our text says, “God so loved that he gave.” The scheme of human redemption embodying the greatest gift of the ages, the gift “unspeakable,” was (as Brother H. Leo Boles used to put it so beautifully) “born of the womb of God’s love for humanity.” Too, Brother Boles used to describe God’s working out of the scheme of redemption through the Patriarchal Age and the Mosiac Age as an expectant mother knitting the “swaddling clothes” or the “layette” for her developing, cherished offspring that lay beneath, yet so close, to her heart. No merit or worth in the creature laid upon God the compulsion or necessity to make his gift. It was the product of pure grace and love.

(3) The greatest number of objects: Our text says, “God so loved the world that he gave.” Every sinful son of Adam’s race, from the first to the last, was the object of God’s love and giving. There is no fact more clearly taught in the word of God than the truth that Christ died for all men. “For the love of Christ constraineth us; because we thus judge, that if one died for all, then were all dead.” (2 Cor 5:14). “This is a faithful saying, and worthy of all acceptation, that Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners; of whom I am chief” (1 Tim. 1:15). “For this is good and acceptable in the sight of God our Savior; who will have all men to be saved, and to come unto the knowledge of the truth. For there is one God, and one mediator between man and God, the man Christ Jesus; who gave himself a ransom for all, to be testified in due time” (1 Tim. 2:3-6). As evidence of the universality of God’s gift note that Jesus, when he sent out the apostles with the “word of reconciliation” (2 Cor. 5:19), told them to: “Go teach all nations;” “Go into all the world and preach the gospel to every creature;” “That repentance and remission of sins should be preached in his name among all nations” (Mt. 28:19; Mk. 16:15; Lk. 24:46, 47). Our text says `Whosoever believeth . . might have everlasting life.”

(4) The greatest blessings: Our text says, ” . . . . might have everlasting life.” Earthly gifts from friends and benefactors are as perishable as time. Even God’s physical blessings are ours only until the “grave is our home.” But God’s gift “unspeakable” conveys to us blessings that transcend the realms of time. The “life” of God’s gift is “life everlasting.” Not only does it have “the promise of the life that now is, but also of that which is to come.”

(5) The greatest gift: The gift in its very nature is superlative. It is the gift of “God’s only begotten Son”-He who was God, the Eternal Word. “In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. The same was in the beginning with God. All things were made by him; and without him was not anything made that was made …. And the Word was made flesh, and dwelt among us, (and we beheld his glory, the glory as of the only begotten of the Father,) full of grace and truth” (John l:l-3, 14). “Let this mind be in you, which was also in Christ Jesus: Who, being in the form of God, thought it not robbery to be equal with God: But made himself of no reputation, and took upon him the form of a servant, and was made in the likeness of men: And being found in fashion as a man, he humbled himself and became obedient unto death, even the death of the cross” (Phil. 2:5-9). The nature of the gift is enhanced when we consider the fact that Christ died for “sinners” and for those who were his “enemies.” Jesus once said, “Greater love hath no man than this, that a man lay down his life for his friends” (John 15:13). Jesus died, not simply for friends, but for enemies: “But God commendeth his love toward us, in that, while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us. Much more then, being now justified by his blood, we shall be saved from wrath through him. For if, when we were enemies, we were reconciled to God by the death of his Son; much more, being reconciled, we shall be saved by his life” (Rom. 5:8-10).

It is small wonder then that Paul exclaimed: “Thanks be to God for his unspeakable gift.”

Truth Magazine XIX: 47, p. 747
October 9, 1975

By Truman Smith

On June 18, 1975 Brother Bob Vezinat and I made a trip to Haiti. Though we went prepared to do some teaching, the main purpose of the trip was to look into the situation to see what had been done, if anything, toward spreading the gospel in the land. Being supported for the most part by the church in Cleveland, Texas, where Bob Vezinat preaches, and the church in Greens Bayou, Houston, where I preach, we spent several days there and it was an experience we shill never forget.

As you may know, Haiti is located on the eastern side of the island Hispaniola in the Greater Antilles or West Indies. The country of Haiti occupies about one-third of the Island, while the Dominican Republic holds the other two-thirds. It is very beautiful in Haiti. When Columbus discovered the island in 1492, the mountains, trees and climate reminded him so much of his home land, Spain, that he called it “Hispaniola.” It is characterized by great mountains, hills, beautiful trees and a very warm climate. In the winter the temperature stays somewhere in the 60’s, and in the summer it hovers around the 80’s and 90’s. Though Haiti is considered the poorest country in Central Atherica, and the poverty there is almost unbelievable, the scenery, favorable climate, along with help of travel agencies, are fast making Haiti a tourist attraction. The city of Port au Prince serves as the Capital of the country. Their native tongue is Creol French; yet you will find many Haitians speaking Spanish and some broken English. Religiously, it is predominately Catholic and Voodoo. We also found some Seventh-Day Adventists, Baptists, and two varieties of the Church of God denomination.

By the time we were checked in at our hotel in Port au Prince, Bob had gotten some practice using his Louisiana French and was able to communicate very well with them in their brand of “French.” After freshening up a bit, we decided to go to God in prayer. This we did, asking Him to be with us, open our eyes to the many opportunities about us, and to give us the courage and zeal we needed to take advantage of them. Walking outside the hotel just to look the area over, we met a young man by the name of Johnny Audate. Johnny was a very friendly man about 19 or 20 years of age. He had finished his schooling, he told us, and had studied English and Spanish. He had left Voodooism to become a member of the Baptist Church. He agreed to go out with us the next day and show us around. Although he had no job and was broke, Johnny offered his services free of charge. We asked him why he would not charge us, and he said: “It is `Christian work.'”

The next morning Johnny directed us to the American Embassy where we registered and got other needed information. He had thought there was a church of Christ meeting in Port au Prince, but we were unable to locate their building. After inquiring through several sources, we finally resigned ourselves to the idea that there was no church in Port au Prince. Johnny suggested that we might go out to Leogane, a small town of about 5;000 population located some 25 miles south of Port au Prince, and find a place to teach the truth. It takes about two hours to travel there by camionet (A camionet is a small pick-up, usually a Toyota, converted into a bus). We arrived in Leogane around 2:00 p.m. Soon we found a place where a crowd could meet, which we rented for the night, ran an ad in the local newspaper, and also had a large poster or sign printed which a Haitian carried around and showed all over town. Then we went out on the streets and personally invited people to come to the Bible study being offered that night. About 150 people were present that first night. We had brought along the Visualized Filmstrips (for cottage meetings) series by Jule Miller, arid Bob was able to translate this into French and explain it to the audience. It was evident by their interest and good attention that they were starved for the truth. They also very eagerly accepted tracts which we had brought with us translated into French. Since this had proven to be such an overwhelming success, we announced that we would plan. to return the next night and continue the series. The next night about 200 came, and they all seemed very receptive. More tracts were handed out. The next night was Saturday night, and though few carne due to this being a night for worldly pleasures, Bob continued the series.

Bob and I met in our room for a brief period of worship and broke bread on Sunday morning. That afternoon we were invited by a man from the States, who was staying at our hotel, to accompany him to a village about 50 miles northeast of Port au Prince near St. Mare. Since he spoke only a little French, he needed Bob to interpret for him. He and his business associates had established a school there last year and he wanted to see how they were progressing with the school. It was while on this journey, as we were passing through a village called Pont-Matheux, Bob saw a sign which read, “Eglese du Christe.” We stopped and finally found a young man by the name of Petit Frore Rolart. This young man was the preacher for the church of Christ in this village. The members of that congregation called him “the pastor.” We mentioned the possibility of our coming back to this place and conduct our studies with them, and the preacher suggested that he ride back to Port au Prince with us. He said he would need to ask the “head pastor” about our coming to work with them! He said this “head pastor” preaches for the church in Port au Prince. This was when we first learned that there was an “Eglese du Christe” in Port au Prince. We were eager to learn more about this brand of “Church of Christ” in Port au Prince. Thus, as we returned to Port au Prince Brother Rolart directed us to the building there. The preacher’s name in Port au Prince is a Brother Sylvester. The liberal brethren in the States had sent him to Alabama Christian College for a couple of years, and he was able to speak very good English. He somewhat reluctantly agreed it would be alright with him for us to go to Pont-Matheux for the study series. The Port au Prince church consists of about 345 members, and Brother Sylvester was anxious to show us their plant, which consisted of an auditorium on the ground floor, then a second story still under construction for a second auditorium. There were also several Bible class rooms; then we were led on around and through the building where more class rooms were. Brother Sylvester said this was their “college” (Art School). Then he showed us their “medical clinic,” “dental clinic” and “pharmacy” which were all built into the operation. He told us that all these things were being supported by some churches in the States; but we were never able to get him to name these supporting congregations. He told us that Haitians who were not members of the church were charged 2 gorde (404) for these medical services, but that members received such free of charge! He said that they were baptizing people this way! Brother Sylvester said he supports himself by working as a secret policeman for the Haitian Government. We noted that their sign said, “Eglese du Christe du Haiti.” Also, a large picture of Jean Claud Devalier hangs in the foyer of their building. As you may know, Devalier is the president (dictator) of Haiti. Needless to say, we decided not to conduct the film study at Pont-Matheux, for we did not wish to be a part of the liberal element and help them to promote their ultra-liberal cause!

It had been our original plan to remain in Haiti for two weeks, but with this development of finding such rank liberalism, we decided that it might be unwise to remain that long spending more money than necessary. Thus, on Monday we took Johnny with us to the Airlines office and made arrangements to depart from Haiti and go back home the following Thursday (June 26). We wanted to spend the remaining few days continuing to teach at Leogane. I suffered a kidney stone attack that night and had to stay at the hotel all day Tuesday, but Bob and Johnny traveled by rented car to Leogane that day and got out advertizing for the study series to continue. We found about 100 people gathered that night. As the lesson neared its conclusion several Haitians made it known that they desired to obey the gospel! But because there was no water nearby, and it was getting late in the night, they asked us if we could come back the next afternoon and take them to the Atlantic Ocean and baptize them. Thus, we took them out into the ocean, and a total of 13 were baptized into Christ for remission of their sins. Johnny was among that number.

We had worked with Johnny constantly while we were with him, and he agreed to try to preach to the people at Leogane after we left. We learned that same afternoon, when these people were baptized, that the Baptist Church in Leogane was abandoning their building to go to Africa, and that they would no longer be using it; thus there was the possibility these brethren might be able to secure this building for themselves. All those baptized were young men ranging in age from 15 to 35. Three or four of them were brick and rock masons, and they were already talking of plans to build a building. Wednesday night concluded the lesson series, and we said good-by to these precious souls.

Brethren, there is hope for this group to survive if someone is willing to go there and work with them. They need a building in which to meet. Perhaps if Johnny Audate could come to the States and be properly trained he could return to Haiti and accomplish untold good. We would not recommend a preacher with a family moving there, but if there is a preacher not married, and can speak French, who might consider moving, we would be most happy to talk with him about the work and possibilities. Any church wishing to know more about the work in Haiti may call on either Brother Bob Vezinat or myself and one of us will be happy to come and show color slides and explain about the cause of the Lord there. That is, Truman Smith, address above, phone 713-453-2502, or Bob Vezinat, 807 S. Fenner, Cleveland, Texas 77327, phone 713-592-5676.

Truth Magazine XIX: 47, pp. 745-746
October 9, 1975

By Roy E. Cogdill

When the doctrine of Christ is adulterated with human doctrines and traditions by the people of God; when the mission and work of the church of the Lord is prostituted to serve human pleasure and will; when the worship of the church is corrupted; when the name and speech of God’s people becomes unscriptural; and when the government God has established over his people is forsaken by the effort to remodel and modernize the church in its organization, the church is no longer undenominational. The church of Christ, God’s dwelling place among his people (Eph. 2:19-22) can be. defiled by bringing in any of these unholy things. Profane things cannot be mixed with those things made holy by the blood of the New Covenant without bringing upon ourselves God’s judgment (1 Cor. 1:19, 25, 17-31; Rom. 1:16-18; Eph. 5:6).

Many churches of Christ today are being corrupted by federating themselves into “inter” congregational arrangements under the guise of “co-operation.” No one likes the charge of being “non-cooperative.” That is an ugly spirit and has become a dirty word in our vocabulary. We want to avoid it and sometimes we are willing to “co-operate” with that which is contrary to God’s will rather than be given such a stigmatized label. We need to remember that it is possible to “co-operate” with Satan and fellowship him. We cannot do so and enjoy fellowship with God, however (1 Cor. 1(1:20-21). In this passage Paul was writing to Corinthian Christians who were trying to be “co-operative” by attending the idolatrous feasts of the heathen people of that city. But one cannot partake of the cup of devils and the cup of the Lord!

When any movement transcends congregational limitations and boundaries, it becomes “inter” congregational instead of “intra” congregational and is thereby federated into an unscriptural arrangement. There is no such thing as an “inter-congregational” function of the church in New Testament scriptures. The man does not live that can find it. We have seen some of the experts try to justify such and always it has been by perversion, sophistry, and human reasoning and wisdom. God has authorized nothing of the sort and to engage in it is to corrupt the government of God’s Church, rebel against divine authority, depart from God’s ways, and denominationalize the church. The church cannot remain undenominational when its government is corrupted and human arrangements set aside divine authority.

The “sponsoring church” method of federating the efforts of the churches is but an example of such “intercongregational” arrangements. The Herald of Truth radio and television broadcast by the Highland Church of Abilene is such an arrangement. There are many others but this is an outstanding one. Brother Harper in the debates with Brother Tant tried to defend it as a scriptural organization. He tried to make out of it a local church and identify it with the pattern of New Testament church organization. But his defense was of the form of organization of the Highland Church and Dot of the Herald of Truth. The Highland Church has elders, deacons, and saints in it. He argued that this made the Herald of Truth scriptural. But in order to make this contention it was necessary that he contend such a position. However, he and they found to be indefensible and they abandoned it. In the debate at Birmingham on this issue Guy N. Woods threw this contention out of the window in his first speech on the Herald of Truth and argued that the work of Herald of Truth was the work of many churches and that one church had undertaken to take care of the details or manage it. This, of course, is the truth of the matter.

The Herald of Truth transgresses congregational boundaries. It has a brotherhood treasury; a brotherhood work; a brotherhood eldership. It is not a local church! It has its own treasury, its own name, its own address, its own employees, its own contracts, its own mailing permit, and its own program of work which cannot in any sense be identified as the program of a local church. This is so evident that it needs no argument to support it in the minds of the honest informed.

The very fact that such a work is “intercongregational” in its scope, financing, promotion, and nature makes it an unscriptural undertaking. All of the propaganda in the world cannot change that fact. If it were doing all of the good that they claim for it, and it is not, it would not justify such a denominational organization. Mr. A. T. DeGroot of Texas Christian University, refers to it as the Church of Christ Million Dollar Missionary Society. And he is right! That is exactly what it is! When any work or promotion crosses congregational boundaries it is a denominational affair.

This same thing is true of such promotions as the. “World’s Fair” advertising and evangelistic campaign. Under the direction of one group of elders, to whom God gave the right to govern and oversee only the program of work carried on by one congregation, they have amalgamated workers, and money from many churches. Some congregations in certain vicinities have become very enthusiastic over such a program and have sent their preachers and other workers to have a part in this “inter-congregational” promotion. It is bigger in every aspect than a local church. The fact that the eldership of a local church in New York City is directing it does not do away with the fact that it crosses congregational boundaries with abandon. In their zeal, without knowledge or respect for divine authority, those participating have become “workers of iniquity” which the Lord will not own in the last day unless they repent. Iniquity comes from “anomia” which means without authority or contempt for Divine law. This they are guilty of and they cannot successfully deny it. They have even lost the courage to try to defend it by the scriptures.

The modern projects called “Campaigns For Christ” are other setups that claim to be accomplishing great things. But, suppose they are, does that establish the scripturalness of them. Does the end justify the means? Shall we do evil that good may come? Some brethren evidently think so. One congregation, and there are several engaged in the business, through their preacher or some other promoter solicits money from many churches, in order that they might engage a preacher of the “Billy Graham” type, take charge of the advertising and promotion, engage workers from many congregations in a “personal work” high pressure campaign and hold an evangelistic meeting for another “church of Christ.” This is happening all around us. It has happened in Ventura and is to take place in Santa Barbara. Of course, the faithful of the Lord in neither place are counted in nor would they participate. But a high-pressure campaign ,is promoted and it crosses congregational boundaries. It is purely and simply a missionary society and putting it supposedly under the direction of a local preacher and a local eldership does not change its complexion one whit.

These are just a few of the modern day promotions that are leading the churches of Christ, many of them, into denominationalism. Their identity is being lost and complete apostasy ensues. Out of these unscriptural practices a new denominational body is emerging just as certainly as the missionary society and instrumental music gave birth to one (The Christian Church movement) more than a hundred years ago! Deny it if you can, and give us a chance and we will prove that you can’t do so successfully. Ugly epithets and a bad spirit will not answer the truth!

Truth Magazine XIX: 47, pp. 743-744
October 9, 1975