Truth Magazine

By Clarence R.. Johnson 

It was recorded of some, in Old Testament times, that “they feared the Lord, and served their own gods . . .” (2 Kgs. 17:33). At first reading, such a statement sounds strange, but on second thought, it seems that many “Christians” are doing basically the same thing today.

They, recognize the first day of the week as the Lord’s Day, yet they are not willing to give Him more than an hour or two of it, and often begrudge that hour or two. Their minds are not on the death of Christ and the blessed gospel, but on the secular activities they have planned for the afternoon. They are far more likely to look at their watches to see if the preacher is quitting “on time” than to look into their Bibles to see if he is speaking “as the oracles of God” (1 Pet. 4:11). They are more interested in the meat that perisheth than the bread of life. Their god is their belly, or perhaps their television set (Jn. 6:27; Phil. 3:19). They sing “Take Time to be Holy” but they have far more time for nearly anything else but studying and meditating upon the truth of God by which one may draw nearer to the God of heaven.

Many worldly-minded church members realize the need to lay by in store upon the first day of the week, as they have been prospered (1 Cor. 16:1, 2), in order to the the one other things before they remember the kingdom of God and His righteousness (Matt. 6:33). By the time Sunday rolls around, they have nothing left for God but their spare time and their loose change. They sing, “Oh, How I Love Jesus,” but if Christians were being executed, there would not be enough evidence against them to put them in any danger. They excuse themselves by saying, “But I’m just a poor manager. I seem to never have enough time or money to serve the Lord the way I’d like to.” Oh well, 1 Cor. 16:2 and 2 Cor. 9:7 do not apply to poor managers-or do they? The problem most of us have along these lines could be solved if we, like the Macedonians, would first truly give ourselves to the Lord (2 Cor. 8:1-7). We need to learn first-hand what it means to seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness.

In addition to the problems mentioned above, which exist to some extent or another in virtually every congregation, every generation has had its share of “Christians” whose first love has become some unscriptural innovation that infatuation has built up in the hearts of some to the extent that the innovation means far more to them than peace, harmony and tranquility among brethren. To brethren in earlier generations, such innovations included the Missionary Society and show their appreciation to God, and to follow example of the first-century church, but when ‘paycheck comes, they think of a thousand and the use of instrumental music in worship. Many brethren in the late 1800’s and early 1900’s fell in love so with these innovations that they insisted on retaining them at the cost of division, even though it became steadily more evident that they could not be defended with a “thus saith the Lord.” In fact, the Christian Church denomination, that had its beginning in this movement, has little or no interest in trying to defend these practices. Many of our own generation have likewise accepted such innovations as the so-called “sponsoring church arrangements,” entertainment as a church function, church support of human institutions, etc., and in most cases it has become so evident that such practices cannot be defended by the scriptures that they will not even try to do so. Many of these brethren know the havoc that such practices have caused in congregations of God’s people throughout the world. They sing, “I Love Thy Kingdom, Lord,” but they love their innovations more, and will insist on keeping their man-made gods, regardless of the division and strife it heaps upon the kingdom of God.

In fact, each of us must practice self-examination, and purge ourselves of those things that would bring dishonor to God. Especially must we “beware of covetousness,” (Lk. 12:15), an ever-present danger in our materialistic society. We need to remember that “covetousness. . . is idolatry” (Col. 3:5).

Brethren, beware, lest we fear the Lord, and serve our own gods.

Truth Magazine XIX: 46, p. 722
October 2, 1975

By Dennis C. Abernathy

As we look around the religious world, we find all kinds of creeds, disciplines, manuals, and catechisms. All of these teach or set forth a particular doctrine for a particular church. Most all of these churches claim to follow the Word of God as their guide or authority. To this writer, this seems to be one of the biggest absurdities in denominationalism or creedism or whatever you choose to call it. Let me explain (or try to!!).

The New Testament 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). (By this, we are not saying that the Old Testament was not inspired, but we simply, in this lesson have under consideration the New Testament.) It is for the whole world (Mk. 16:15). This is the message we are authorized (the only message) to use in converting sinners (Mk. 16:15-16; Matt. 28:19-20). The word of God will endure forever (Lk. 21:33). We will be judged by it in the last day (Jn. 12:48). The Gospel is the power of God unto salvation (Rom. 1:16). James says it is able to save one’s soul (Jas. 1:21). Paul said it did save the Corinthians (1 Cor. 15:1-2). Any man who preaches another gospel (perverts the gospel) or adds to or subtracts from it, or abides not in it, stands accursed and has not God (Gal. 1:8-9; Rev. 22:18-19; 2 Jn. 9-11).

Now we might ask, unto what can a creed furnish a man that the Scriptures do not? If they teach more than the word of God they teach too much. If they teach less than the word of God they do not teach enough. If they teach the same as the word of God they are not needed.

Human creeds, manuals, and etc. are not inspired, but the word of God is (2 Tim. 3:16-17; 1 Cor. 2:13). They are not perfect, but the word of God is (Jas. 1:25; 2 Tim. 3:16-17). They do not meet the needs of the whole world, but the word of God does (Mk. 16:15). They have to be revised or up-dated every so often, but the word of God does not (Psa. 119:89). We will not be judged by creeds, but by the word of God (Jn. 12:48). They teach many things contrary to the word of God therefore, they stand condemned (2 Jn. 9-11). They cause division in the religious . world, and are condemned (1 Cor. 1:10).

Dear reader, the only creed the Christian or church of Christ knows is the New Testament. Therein is found the authority of our Lord Jesus Christ. It needs no revision. What about your creed? Can the Baptist say he takes only the Bible, when he has the Baptist manual? Can the Methodist say he stands in the word of God when he has the Methodist discipline? Can the Seventh Day Adventist claim the Bible as the only source of light when they have their church manual, and their lesser-light prophetess, Ellen G. White? The same can be said of the Pentecostals, Catholics, Jehovah’s Witnesses, etc., and on and on we could go. But this one thing is sure: the Baptist manual will make a Baptist if adhered to, the Methodist discipline will make a Methodist, the Seventh Day Adventist manual will make a Seventh Day Adventist, and etc., but rest assured that the New Testament will make a Christian every time.

Last of all, let me say that I have never talked to many who even agreed with their own creeds and manuals. They are willing to be governed by them, but when faced with what the Bible says, they all of a sudden don’t remember what the creed says and are willing to give up the creed on that point for argument’s sake. Many also, don’t even know they have a creed that governs them or the organization of which they are a part. Isn’t it wonderful that the New Testament does not have to be patched up, propped up, and covered up like that?

I offer only one solution. Go back to the word of God. Rid yourselves of human creeds and unite upon the authority of Christ (Matt. 28:.18). Do you believe the Bible? Then live by it and be governed by ft. Then and only then can you give a “thus saith the Lord” for what you teach and practice.

Truth Magazine XIX: 45, p. 717
September 25, 1975

By James W. Adams

All of us to one extent or another are creatures of prejudice, or “predisposition.” While imagining that we are independent thinkers, studiously logical, and quite objective in our appraisals, we have strong dispositions toward certain views, procedures, and organizations. These dispositions result from many things: rearing, custom or tradition, popularity of the thing in question, innate personality traits, etc. The cause may differ with different individuals, and whatever the cause the practical result is the same, but we all have predispositions. This fact should cause every man who desires to spend eternity with God to re-examine the spiritual ground on which he stands. Am I what I am and do I believe and practice that which I believe and practice because they are right and true, or because they are what I want to be right and true?

One of the universal tendencies of mankind has been to worship a God of his own creation. This can and is done without constructing a graven image of wood, stone, or precious metal. Many individuals professing to be a New Testament Christians who would consider it quite heathen to bow down to a graven image worship a God of their own creation. The Psalmist warned against this tendency when he quoted God as saying to the wicked: “These things hast thou done, and I kept silence; thou thoughtest that I was altogether such a one as thyself . .” (Ps. 50:21). Do we worship and serve God as He is revealed to us in His word? Or, do we worship and serve Him as we desire Him to be?

Frances Bacon wrote: “What a man had rather were true he more readily believes. Therefore he rejects difficult things from impatience of research; sober things, because they narrow hope; the deeper things of nature, from superstition; the light of experience, from arrogance and pride, lest his mind should seem to be occupied with things mean and transitory; things not commonly believed, out of deference to the opinion of the vulgar. Numberless in short are the ways, and sometimes imperceptible, in which affections color and infect the understanding ” (Novum Organum via Logic and Language).

Jesus impressively taught in the “Parable of the Sower” that the “good seed” -“the word of God”-takes root and grows to fruition only in the “good and honest hear” (Lk. 8:11-15). The more strongly therefore we desire to believe a thing, the more carefully we should guard against being deceived by our own predisposition!

Truth Magazine XIX: 45, p. 716
September 25, 1975

By Irvin Himmel

Baptism is a command of the gospel. Jesus said to the apostles, “Go ye into all the world, and preach the gospel to every creature. He that believeth and is baptized shall be saved; but he that believeth not shall be damned” (Mk. 16:15, 16).

On Pentecost, the hearers of the gospel asked Peter and the other apostles, “Men and brethren, what shall we do?” Peter answered, “Repent, and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins, and ye shall receive the gift of the Holy Ghost” (Acts 2:37, 38).

Paul preached the gospel at Corinth. Later he wrote, “For Christ sent me not to baptize, but to preach the gospel. .” (1 Cor. 1:17). It is useless to baptize people unless they understand the gospel and the meaning of baptism. Paul’s preaching at Corinth resulted in many of the Corinthians hearing, believing, and being baptized (Acts 18:8).

After mentioning that in Noah’s time eight souls were saved by water, Peter wrote, “The like figure whereunto even baptism doth also now save us (not the putting away of the filth of the flesh, but the answer of a good conscience toward God,) by the resurrection of Jesus Christ” (1 Pet. 3:21). The New American Standard Bible translates this verse: “And corresponding to that, baptism now saves you-not the removal of dirt from the flesh, but an appeal to God for a good conscience-through the resurrection of Jesus Christ.”

Today, when I preach that baptism saves through the resurrection of Jesus, therefore one must be baptized “for the remission of sins,” a somewhat common reaction is, “I cannot accept what you teach about baptism, because that would condemn my mother and father.” Perhaps the individual’s parents are deceased and he knows that they never were baptized in order to have forgiveness of sins. He is unwilling to obey the Lord in baptism because he feels that his obedience would be a testimony against his own mother and father.

Let us change the situation a little and apply the- same line of reasoning. I preach to a Jew that he must believe in Jesus as the Christ in order to be saved. Jesus said, “For if ye believe not that I am he, ye shall die in your sins” (John 8:24). I point out, “He that believeth on the Son hath everlasting life: and he that believeth not the Son shall not see life; but the wrath of God abideth on him” (John 3:36). My Jewish hearer responds, “But I cannot accept what you preach about believing in Jesus, for it would condemn my mother and father who did not believe.”

Suppose I preach to a man from a backward African or Asian country that one must believe in God. After all, the Bible says, “But without faith it is impossible to please him: for he that cometh to God must believe that he is, and that he is a rewarder of them that diligently seek him” (Heb. 11:6). This man replies, “I cannot accept what you preach about believing in God, for my doing so would condemn my parents who knew nothing of the God you preach.”

In each of these three parallel cases, the rejection of Bible truth is on the same ground: Condemnation of one’s parents. If the rejection in the first case has any validity, so do the other two.

An examination of this line of reasoning for not doing right, whether in relation to baptism, belief in Jesus, or belief in. God, prompts the following observations:

1. Our actions will not change the destiny of deceased parents. If our departed parents are rejected in the day of judgment, it will be their fault. When death overtakes anyone he has either prepared, or failed to prepare, for judgment and eternity. No one’s acceptance of the truth will alter the destiny of anybody whose life on this earth is already completed.

2. Our actions may help to save living parents. If our mother and father are still living and have not obeyed the gospel, we may be able to help them by our own example. We should think in terms of saving them rather than condemning them.

3. Each one must give account for his own life. Whether one’s mother and father are saved or condemned, or possibly one is saved and the other is condemned, every person is individually responsible before God. It is absolutely foolish to refuse to believe in God, or refuse to believe in Jesus who is the Son of God, or refuse to be baptized .into Christ,. on the ground that one’s parents did not do it. “So then everyone of us shall give account of himself to God” (Rom. 14:12).

4. Refusal to believe and obey the truth will condemn one’s own soul. Instead of saying, “I cannot accept what you preach, because it would condemn my mother and father,” one should realize that if the truth is being preached, the reaction should be, “If I do not accept this, I will condemn myself.”

5. God must come before our parents. Jesus said, “He that loveth father or mother more than me is not worthy of me. . .” (Matt. 10:37). Some by their attitudes show more reverence for their parents than they show for God. The thoughts of the earthly father carry more weight with them than the thoughts of the heavenly Father. To please the Lord, we must to love Him more than we love father. and mother or brother and sister. This is the root of the problem in the hearts of some who do not obey God.

Truth Magazine XIX: 45, pp. 715-716
September 25, 1975