Truth Magazine

By James W. Adams

The “Sweet Singer of Israel” forever established the tone which should characterize the mourning of Christians for departed children of God when he said, “Precious in the sight of the Lord is the death of his saints” (Psalms 116:15). What is “precious” to the Lord, we should never allow to become inconsolable grief to us. It would be less than human not to mourn the passing of those whom we love, but our faith should enable us to turn our pain into joy arid our tears into laughter. Hence it is that I type this article with tears in my eyes, yet with joy in my heart.

A saint has died. A little before midnight of July 13, the Lord’s day, the noble spirit of Antonino Buta of Messina, Sicily, Italy, silently took its departure to be with Christ. Brother Buta had preached that day, after a period of two weeks during which he had suffered a severe spell with his heart. He was visiting, accompanied by Sister Buta, an ailing brother and his wife when he had another heart seizure. He was taken to the hospital but died within a short period of time.

I was privileged to know Brother Buta personally having spent some time with him and Sister Buta when they visited the United States several years ago. In March of this year in the company of Brother Foy Vinson of Dallas, Texas (Allen), I spent twelve days with him, almost constantly, in Rome, Lavinio, and Messina, Italy. Three of these days were spent in the Buta’s home in Messina. At that time, I was told by those who knew him best that his physical condition was extremely bad, but I did not expect death to come so soon to him. He is survived by his wife Cettina and three lovely daughters: Lydia (20), Deborah (13), and Claudia (9).

Antonino Buta was an unusual man. He was well educated having spent seven years in the University of Rome acquiring a degree in Philosophy and Letters, equivalent to a doctor’s degree from an American University. He was an accomplished musician even to the point of composing his own music which I have heard him play beautifully on the piano. He lacked only one year of being a medical doctor. He was converted very early in the efforts of our brethren in Italy after World War II by Cline Paden, At the time, he was the editor of a paper in Rome and an atheist. He detested Catholicism and all for which it stood, I suppose even before he became a Christian and certainly afterwards. He was one of the most capable Italian preachers in the whole of Italy and often defended the truth in debate. In addition to his work in Messina during the past twenty-five years as a preacher, he also edited a religious journal called, Risveglio (Awake), with much learning and ability. While I was in Italy in March, he received the news that he had been elected to the Academia Tibernina, an honorary society under the auspices of the Italian government whose membership consisted of the leading men of arts and letters throughout Italy, artists, sculptors, writers, etc, For the past twenty-three years, Brother Buta has been supported by the Pruett and Lobit Church in Baytown, Texas-longer than any man has been supported by any church in Italy.

It is heart breaking to report that because of Brother Buta’s opposition to liberal trends in the Italian work, he was anathematized, lied upon, and otherwise maltreated by American missionaries and other liberals in the Italian work. This almost broke his heart. In his last hours, I am told he kept saying that Earl Edwards, titular head of the so-called “Florence Bible School,” was “killing him.” May the “Lord reward these people according to their works.”

I loved Antonino Buta. He was a good man and a faithful Christian. In my judgment, he was probably too trusting and was victimized by liberals without conscience. However, one of the last things he said to me in March was that he saw that he was going to have to fight so-called “brethren” as distasteful as such was to him. He realized that he could not hold his peace and win the battle for truth. Sad it is that he did not live to carry out his resolution. I shall carry with me as long as I live the pleasant memory of this good man. May the Lord bless his memory and multiply the fruits of his labors.

Brother Buta’s passing poses some serious problems relative to the progress of truth in Italy and the erection of barriers against the encroachment of destructive liberalism, but there are other men who.will stand in the breach. One of these is Alessandro (Sandro) Corazza of the Via Sanio Church in Rome, another is Rodolfo Berdini of Rome and preacher for the church in Aprilia. Brother Berdini conducted the funeral services for Brother Buta. It is worthy of note that, despite Buta’s many years of service to the Lord in Italy, not a single liberal preacher, American or Italian, dignified (?) his funeral service with his presence. Prejudice, thy name is the liberal brethren, God help us! The following is a short memorial article written by Sandro Corazza which is supposed to be published in an issue of Risveglio soon.

In Memory of Nino

“Antonino Buta, Editor of Risveglio and evangelist for the Messina congregation, fell asleep in the Lord just before midnight of Sunday, July 13, 1975, overcome by illness.

“Nino will be missed by many, but especially by his wife and his three young daughters. He will also be missed by the Messina brethren whom he had loved and for whose spiritual interests he had tenderly cared for twenty-five years. They will remember him with happiness in those times when his heart was warm and exultant because ‘the church had rest and was edified.’ They will remember him with sadness when they recall those things in the Lord’s work which caused him to be downcast-things that caused the work not to proceed well and him to be filled with anxiety. For twenty centuries, these have been the ups and downs of anyone trying to do ‘the work of an evangelist:’ of anyone who has ‘chosen rather to suffer affliction with the people of God, than to enjoy the pleasures of sin for a season;’ of anyone who does not expect many blessings from the Lord here, rather many troubles and bitterness, and offers all to Him with devotion because he knows that the promise of the Lord is everlasting life;’ of anyone who very often must fight alone and for others while very seldom and by very few persons being only partially appreciated.

“With his degree in Letters and Philosophy; he chose not the comfortable and secure life of a college professor or some other lucrative profession but the life of hardship of one who spends his life telling `how great things the Lord has done for thee, and hath compassion on thee.’ Evangelist for twenty-five years, from the beginning of the church in Italy in modern times, he ‘lived on the gospel.’ I suppose he is the first evangelist of the church in Italy to ‘die in the Lord.’ His career ends honorably. Tonino died on the battlefield, on the Lord’s day, after having preached his last sermon.

“The death of a preacher is the beginning of very serious problems for those who remain. There is no pension for his wife, no benefits which automatically accrue to her, only memories. There are remembrances and regrets. Yes, Tonino leaves memories and regrets, but also three orphan daughters and a widow ‘in their affliction.’

“If there is dignity among brethren; if there is love ‘not in word, neither in tongue;’ there must be also down here some reward for those who have ‘fought a good fight.’ Let us take part with our warmth and generosity in the work of soothing the affliction of his own dear ones, deprived of their only source of maintenance. In this life, Tonino did his good in silence. Many know this perfectly. In these moments it would be a sad thing, indeed, if we manifest any lack of feeling.”

The good brethren that compose the church at Pruett and Lobit in Baytown, Texas, are now seeking to determine just what they can do to help the Buta family financially through this period of adjustment. If any church or individual desires to make a contribution to this end, contact the elders of that church concerning how this might be done. This is not an appeal; it is simply a suggestion and is done without the knowledge of the Baytown congregation.

Truth Magazine XIX: 42, pp. 662-663
September 4, 1975

By Donald Willis

Ralph Bunche was up to bat, score tied, last of the ninth. Bunches batting has been below par in this game. It’s time for a hit. Bunche is set, and the pitcher begins his pitch. Out of the corner of his eye, Bunche is again attracted to that little red hat in the stands. “Strike one.” Bunche talks with himself, “Forget about the red hat and concentrate on the ball game.” The pitcher is again set, and there is the red hat “strike two!” Bunche rearranges his feet, sets himself to face the pitcher, clears his mind of the little red hat. The pitcher begins his wind-up, and Bunche takes a last-second glance at the little red hat . . . “strike three, you’re out!”

Christians often have too many little red hats to distract them from the performance that Christ demands of them. Comes time for worship, and the little red hat comes into their vision. Time for visitation, another little red hat. Time for sacrifice, a great red hat!

“Therefore, since we have so great a cloud of witnesses surrounding us, let us also lay aside every encumbrance, and the sin which so easily entangles us, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us, fixing our eyes on Jesus the author and perfecter of faith. . .” (Hebrews 12:1-2). “Set your mind on the things above, not on the things that are on earth” (Colossians 3:2).

Truth Magazine XIX: 42, p. 662
September 4, 1975

By Cecil Willis

In this issue we resume our studies upon the great and important theme of faith. Probably there are but few themes that have caused so much confusion because of misunderstandings. It is our purpose in this article to try, by studying God’s word, to get an accurate understanding of the proper relationship existing between faith and salvation.

What the Bible Has to Say

One very readily can see that there is a definite connection between faith and salvation. There is some way that salvation is related to one’s faith. Many, many passages could be cited in which salvation is attributed to faith. First of all; we cite some passages on the positive side of the issue, pointing out that salvation may be attributed to faith. We refer you to the frequently quoted passage, Jn. 3:16 first: “For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth on him should not perish, but have eternal life.” Further, “Verily, verily, I say unto you, He that heareth my word, and believeth him that sent me, hath eternal life, and cometh not into judgment, but hath passed out of death into life” (Jn. 5:24). “He that believeth on the Son hath eternal life; but he that obeyeth not the Son shall not see life, but the wrath of God abideth on him (]no. 3:36).” In Acts 16 we find the Philippian jailer crying out, “Sirs what must I do to be saved? And they (Paul and Silas-CW) said, Believe on the Lord Jesus, and thou shalt be saved, thou and thy house.” In this passage, salvation was conditioned upon the hearer’s faith in Jesus Christ. Another frequently quoted passage on this subject is Eph. 2: 8, 9: “for by grace have ye been saved through faith; and that not of yourselves, it is the gift of God; not of works, that no man should glory.” All of these passages and many more might be cited pointing out the fact that salvation is predicated upon faith.

But not only are those who believe said to be the recipients of eternal life, but those who do not believe are said to be condemned. Very early in our Lord’s ministry He expressed this truth; “He that believeth on him is not judged: he that believeth not hath been judged already, because he hath not believed on the name of the only begotten Son of God” (Jn. 3:18). Again our Lord said, “I said therefore unto you, that ye shall die in your sins” (Jn. 8:24). The writer of the Hebrew letter had this to say: “and without faith it is impossible to be well-pleasing unto him; for he that cometh to God must believe that he is, and that he is a rewarder of them that seek after him” (Heb. 11:6). In giving the great commission, Christ placed a premium upon faith and declared that those who did not believe would be damned. “And he said unto them, Go ye into all the world, and preach the gospel to the whole creation. He that believeth and is baptized shall be saved; but he that disbelieveth shall be condemned” (Mk. 16:15, 16).

It very easily is seen that there is a definite relationship between faith and salvation. Our Lord gave a very plain and simple command that one must believe that He is the Son of God. A commandment of the Lord cannot be declared to unnecessary. If it is necessary that one believe, then there is a definite connection between faith and salvation.

Faith Only?

Today there is a wide variance of opinion`as to the part that faith plays in one’s salvation. To the majority of the religious world, faith plays the only part in one’s salvation. In other words, the majority of the denominations would have one believe that there is nothing else in the world that has a thing to do with one’s salvation except faith. They teach one that he is saved by faith only.

We have already quoted a good number of the passages in the New Testament on faith and salvation, and yet not one of those passages had one word to say about salvation being by faith only. In fact, not any passage in the New Testament, nor the Old Testament, teaches that one is saved by faith only. Yet today, one of the leading tenets of almost every denomination is that one is saved by faith only. Every passage that one can find in the Bible concerning faith says no more than that faith is necessary. It is impossible to find one single passage saying that one is saved by faith only. The passages only assert the essentiality of faith.

Yet in view of this fact, observe this quote from the discipline of a prominent denomination: “We are accounted righteous before God only for the merit of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ, by faith, and not for our own works or deservings. Wherefore, that we are justified by faith only is a most wholesome doctrine, and very full of comfort” (Methodist Discipline, “Articles of Religion,” Article IX, pg. 73 of the 1944 edition). This doctrine of faith only might be a very wholesome and comforting doctrine to some, but the question is, “Is it a true doctrine?” If it is not truth, then it can be neither wholesome nor comforting to those who respect the Word of God.

“not only by faith”

If there were not another passage in all the Bible the following passage would be enough to set aside the doctrine of justification by faith only as false: “Ye see that by works a man is justified, and not only by faith” (Jas. 2:24). James is saying that there is something more required than mere mental assent or intellectual persuasion. Man must do something more than just believe. It is said in this passage that salvation is by works and not by faith only. James did not say that salvation is by works only, and neither do I so argue. If I should, then I would become guilty of the same error that denominationalists make when they read a passage that says one is saved by faith and they conclude from it that he is saved by faith only. We shall have occasion to refer to this passage and its context in a future lesson. The works by which one is justified are the works of God. These are the things that God has commanded man to do, and are not just some things that man has conjectured in his own mind and has supposed that by doing them, he can be justified. This passage alone would destroy the doctrine of the justification of a sinner by faith only.

There are certain consequences of this doctrine that its propagators are not willing to admit, but they logically follow. The doctrine says that one is saved just the moment that he-believes, and before he can do any work that might affect his salvation. The doctrine of faith only would say that one is saved when he becomes persuaded that Jesus Christ is the Son of God. If this inference is not true, than there is no such doctrine as justification by faith only taught. This false doctrine says that believing is the only essential pre-requisite to salvation.

If believing alone saves one, then all believers would be saved. If not, then why not? But notice this passage: “Nevertheless even of the rulers many believed on him; but because of the Pharisees they did not confess it, lest they should be put out of the synagogue: for they loved the glory that is of men more than the glory that is of God” (Jn. 12:42, 43). Now the question is, “Were these men saved?” Most denominationalists would logically be forced to answer “Yes.” The doctrine of salvation by faith only says that all one has to do to be saved is believe. The rulers in John 12 believed, so they must have been saved, if the “faith only” doctrine be true. But Christ said that “whosoever shall deny me before men, him will I also deny before my Father in heaven” (Matt. 10:33). Could these men have been saved with Christ denying them? Certainly, they could not have been saved in this condition. Further it is said of the rulers that they loved the praise of men more than the praise of God. Could these “believers in Christ” have been saved in this condition? But someone objects, and says, “These men were not true believers.” The “faith only” doctrine says that all one has to do to be saved is believe. The Bible said that these rulers believed, so they should have been saved, even though they preferred the praise of men to God’s praise. Paul says that these believers could not have been saved, “For am I now seeking the favor of men, or of God? or am I striving to please men? if I were still pleasing men, I should not be a servant of Christ” (Gal. 1:10). The doctrine of salvation by faith only says that these men were saved, but the Bible implies that they could not be.

Further, if believing is the only thing that affects one’s salvation, then even the demons could be saved. “Thou believest that God is one; thou doest well: the demons also believe, and shudder” (Jas. 2:19). Even the demons were believers, but it would be absurd to say that they were saved; but this is the logical implication of the doctrine of justification by faith only. If faith is all that is required, then these demons were saved, for they believed.

An Alleged Bible Contradiction

This doctrine has caused many people to array Paul and James as contradicting each other. They assume Paul said that we are saved by faith only. Since James said that we are not saved by faith only, it is claimed that they contradict each other. But Paul simply said that we are saved by faith, and James says that we are saved by works. These do not contradict when we see that James says that faith is made perfect by works. But this false doctrine and supposed contradiction has led some to deny the inspiration of James. When Paul said that we are justified by faith in Rom. 3:28, Martin Luther added the word “only,” and made it read that we are justified by “faith only.” This would contradict what James had said, and so Luther said that the book of James is a “right strawy Epistle.” (Thiessen, Introduction to the New Testament, pg. 28). This is the consequence of the doctrine.

Preachers of denominations believing the doctrine of salvation by faith only come to the passage in Mark 16 which says, “he that believeth and is baptized shall be saved.” Since this would contradict their doctrine or salvation by faith only, by implying the necessity of baptism, in debate they often deny the inspiration of Mark 16:9-20. I would not hold to any doctrine that necessitated my denying the inspiration of the Bible (See also the article by Howard See, “Is Mark 16:9-20 spurious or Genuine?” Truth Magazine, Vol. XIX, No. 29).

Do They Practice What They Preach?

Although it may seem contradictory to all that I have already said, of those claiming to teach salvation by faith only, I do not know anybody who truly believes that we are saved by faith only. I do know many who profess to believe it, and many who even teach it, but actually I know none who believes that one is saved by faith only. Notice that they use the word “only” to express what they are supposed to believe. I turn to Webster’s Dictionary and find that the word “only” means: “alone, exclusively, solely, merely, singly; as the only one, sole.” According to Webster’s definition of the word “only,” and their use of it in defining their dogma, they think that one is saved by faith without anything else. They will tell use that this is what they believe, until we begin pointing out to them their logical conclusions. If one is saved by fiath only, the he is saved without the love of God; without the love of Christ; without grace; without hope; without hearing the Word of God; without the Holy Spirit; without the Bible; without repentance; without obedience; and without confession of the name of Christ. But, someone who holds to this doctrine says, “I never said that all of those things were non-essential.” Yes, in so many words they never have said that these things were non-essential, but when they said that one is saved by faith only, the word “only” excludes everything else. Therefore, these things were excluded. You see, friends, that is why I claim that I do not know a single person who believes that one is saved by faith only in its true and full meaning, although I do know many who teach the doctrine.

What About the Believer?

John gives us the true picture of one who has believed, when he says that the Lord gives him the right to become a son of God. “But as many as received him, to them gave he the right to become children of God, even to them that believe on his name” (Jn. 1:12). If one is saved at the very moment that he believes, then he is saved before he becomes a child of God, for John says that the right to become God’s children is given to those who believe.

Conclusion

We have found in our study that there is a definite relationship between faith and salvation, but this salvation does not come by faith only. It comes when our faith is made perfect by doing the things commanded by the Lord. Certainly one could not be saved without faith, and no one contends that they can. It is only when this faith leads one to obey that he can be saved. Paul tells us how it is that we put on Christ, and thus become God’s children. “For ye are all sons of God, through faith, in Christ Jesus. For as many of you as were baptized into Christ did put on Christ” (Gal. 3:26, 27). Our whole plea in this lesson is that you believe on Jesus Christ in order to gain the right to become children of God, and that you then put on Christ by being baptized into Him.

Truth Magazine XIX: 42, pp. 659-662
September 4, 1975

By Larry Ray Hafley

Question:

From Illinois: “Rom. 11:13-Would you please explain why Paul says, ‘I magnify mine office?’ “

Reply:

The passage and context itself explains why Paul says, “I magnify mine office.” “For I speak to you Gentiles, inasmuch as I am the apostle to the Gentiles, I magnify mine office: If by any means I may provoke to emulation them which are my flesh, and might save some of them” (Rom. 11:13, 14).

In the context of Romans 11, Paul has been discussing in lengthy detail the position of the Jews before God in view of their rejection of the gospel. But lest the Gentile believers think he was ignoring them, he reminds them that he was “the apostle of the Gentiles.” In point of fact, the Lord said Paul was his “chosen vessel . . . to bear my name before the Gentiles” (Acts 9:15; cf. 26:17; 2 Tim. 1:11). Far from forgetting the Gentiles, Paul says, “I magnify mine office.”

But Why?

But why, Paul, magnify your office? For two reasons, answers Paul in effect. First, I want to provoke or move my Jewish kinsmen in the flesh unto jealousy. Then, I trust their investigation and consideration of Christ after being provoked by my ministry will lead them to faith in Christ, that is, that I might “save some of them.”

The gospel system of justification by faith that Paul preached and the prophets promised was largely accepted by the Gentiles but rejected by the Jews as the book of Acts abundantly demonstrates (Acts 13:26, 4447; 18:4-6; 28:22-28). Paul’s “heart’s desire and prayer to God for Israel (was) that they might be saved” (Rom. 10:1-3).. But how could this be accomplished seeing they rejected the gospel and would not hear the word of God that produces faith? They would not tolerate the teaching which said Jesus was “delivered for our offences and raised again for our justification” (Rom. 4:25). How, then, could they be saved? Well, in this condition they could not be. They could not be saved unless they could be led to hear, for “faith cometh by hearing” the word of God. But they had closed their eyes and ears and hardened their hearts to the truth (Matt. 13:15; Jn. 12:37, 38).

So, How?

So, how can they be moved to hear Paul? In this way, answers Paul, I will magnify my office or ministry to the Gentiles that I may move my Jewish brethren to jealousy and ultimately to salvation. Paul’s function or office had the stamp and seal of approval from the Holy Spirit-from the writings of the Old Testament prophets unto the miracles which were worked through him, the evidence was seen. Might not the Jews be moved to look into this accreditation of the Gentiles and see the truth, too? That was Paul’s fond hope and fervent prayer.

Conclusion

That same gospel remains today as “the power of God unto salvation” (Rom. 1:16). Have you “obeyed from the heart that form of doctrine” and thereby been “made free from sin” (Rom. 6:17, 18)? Have you been “baptized into Jesus Christ,” “baptized into his death” (Rom. 6:3)? Have you been “buried with him by baptism into death” and raised to “walk in newness of life” (Rom. 6:4)? If not, “why tarriest thou? arise, and be baptized, and wash away thy sins, calling on the name of the Lord” (Acts 22:16).

Truth Magazine XIX: 42, p. 658
September 4, 1975