Truth Magazine

By Earl E. Robertson

Introduction

In the early days of Christianity, Barnabas and Saul left Antioch in Syria to preach the gospel in Asia, travelling as far as Derbe (Acts 13 and 14). Then they returned visiting nearly all the places where they had preached on the trip, “confirming the souls of the disciples, and exhorting them to continue in the faith.” After a while they returned to Antioch, and gathered the church together, to rehearse all that God had done with them, and how he had opened the door of faith unto the Gentiles (Acts 14:27). After such manner Brother Larry R. Hafley and I spent thirty-five days (the latter part of April and the first part of May) in the Philippines, in which, we also preached Christ. Sixty-two adults were baptized in the services where we spoke. Others were baptized in meetings other than the ones in which we spoke. Several were restored to the Lord.

We sought only to accomplish good, though Brother Reuel Lemmons, Editor of the Firm Foundation, said in the May 28, 1974 issue of his paper our efforts were “divisive.” He wrote, “Work in the Philippines has suffered somewhat through the divisive efforts of brethren who push their hobby concerning orphans’ homes and church cooperation, but the church is growing stronger every year and good native leadership is emerging.” The truth of the matter is, the faithful churches are indeed growing! Many liberals are giving up their unscriptural positions and taking a stand for the whole truth. This is the reason for Reuel saying the liberals have “suffered somewhat.” It was shortly after the return of brethren Roy F. Cogdill and Cecil Willis in 1970 that they asked me to consider such a trip also. Almost immediately the Filipino brethren started writing to me asking me to come. The same was happening with Larry. With these invitations from the Filipinos and the overtures in their behalf from Cogdill and Willis, we decided that by the support of brethren and the grace of God we would make the trip in the Spring of 1974. Though we had not been before, and such a venture was against the publicly stated opinion of some, we went and believe that our labors were blessed of God.

Response of Churches

Our hearts were made to take courage at the immediate and overwhelming response with money and words of encouragement to our appeals. It exceeded all expectations. Some brethren knowing of our plans, yet before we asked, sent us support. Rather than sending small amounts, they sent $200.00 to $500.00 checks. This tells me that after more than twenty long years of struggle for the truth, many churches are now becoming free of their building indebtednesses (which was made when they had to leave for truth and conscience); and this money will, therefore, be spent to evangelize. The faithful preaching has not been in vain! All these contributing churches made me think they were eager to assist in this work. Many either wrote or called saying they would be glad to send more if we needed it. Thank God for this kind of faith in God’s plan to save the world.

Reception of The Filipino Brethren

Though the Philippine nation is under martial law and the airports are crowded with armed guards’ with no one but passengers allowed within the terminals, we were met by a great host of brethren at every place. We were not only met in this physical way, but these people were eager to “hear all things commanded of God.” There is a deep sense of personal pride and dignity among our, brethren there; but, we also found them to be reliant upon God. They, unlike Diotrephes, received us “that we might be fellowhelpers to the truth.” We found them in every place to be warm and congenial. They gave us the best of everything they had. We found them going “beyond measure” to meet our needs. We express our gratitude to them for all such expressions for our comfort and protection. There were a few instances where they took special interest for our safety. Some told us their own lives would be given for our safety and wellbeing. Before this trip was completed, we believed them.

Their Dedication and Devotion to The Truth

Let none say the Filipinos are ignorant, lazy, and indifferent! Many of the preachers are former denominational preachers and have good formal academic educations. Some have several earned academic degrees. Most of them speak a number of dialects or languages. Though many of these men barely make it economically, yet, their dedication and devotion to truth is so obvious. Their sacrifice in poverty reminds one of Macedonia (2 Cor. 8:lff). The commitment to the Lord is, in a measurable degree, the secret to the great success the truth is now enjoying in that nation. Nearly without exception, the preachers who are being supportee from the States are not only trying to have sufficiency for their families, but are also paying the rent for the places of worship. And with their meager support, they also find some way to do much benevolent work.

Several in the States are asking, “since so many are being baptized there, are many of them remaining faithful to the Lord:'” The answer is, Yes. The Filipinos do not have the materialistic detractions encountered constantly here in our country. They conduct many more services in which the gospel is preached than the average church here. Their worship services last much longer than the services here also. Many home studies are conducted by the preachers in these homes to assist the newly converted ones, Yes, they are making determined efforts to keep the saved saved! And we must remember that these brethren do not get into their air-conditioned cars and quickly arrive at the’ various places of such study,They have uo such means of transportation. They depend upon what public means are extant and upon walking. A very few preachers there have small motor bikes and one a world war two jeep. This is it! We would consider this a handicap, yet, they are able to stay busy in most all areas of that nation preaching the gospel; in debating for the victory of the truth, and giving themselves in strengthening the weak. The dawning of the day finds most of them already at work, and only in the late hours of the night are they able to get into bed. The two things stamped into my mind are: their poverty and sacrifice. Do not underestimate their concern and actions for saving the lost and keeping the’ saved saved.

Places In Particular

Our first work was with the Makati church (Manila). This congregation left the Christian Church through the work of Connie Adams and J. T. Smith. It has elders, and Brother Carlos Azacarraga preaches there. Formerly, these people were denominational, including Azacarraga. He is a graduate of some college in Manila and spent several years preaching for a denomination. He is in close association with Victorio R. Tibayan, Ben Cruz, June R. Salvarierra, Jr., Noli H. Vilamor, Billy Hayuhay, Narciso Romio and others. Twenty-eight were baptized in the Manila work. Our seevices in this series of lectures were conducted in the afternoons and evenings. Several hours were devoted to this each day. Open forums were held after each service. Perhaps the names of Victorio R. Tibayan and Julian C. Felix are more widely known than any of the other preachers in Luzon. Brother Felix works several miles North of Manila in Moncada, Tarlac. He is a close and long-time worker with Romulo B. Agduma in the South. Brother Tibayan is perhaps the ablest, and most often used, debater in Luzon. He preaches in Pasay and Tondo (Manila) and works in many sections of Luzon and the other Islands. These other brethren mentioned are younger in the faith; however, they are rapidly growing in grace and knowledge (cf. 2 Pet. 3:18). Manila is a large metropolis numbering into the millions of souls: These brethren have a lifetime of work before them. The city is growing exceedingly fast, and it seems to me that the brethren are diligent in their efforts to convert people there. They are using what means they have to get the gospel to the lost.

Our second week was spent in Pagadian City. The brethren met us at the airport, being accompanied by Dr. Aurelio M. Mendoza, President of a college in the city. We went immediately to the college and spoke, after which a lengthly open forum was conducted. We feel that good was accomplished. This being the immediate area where the Communists and Muslims had engaged warfare against the people (some saints were murdered), it was felt by the brethren that Larry and I should not stay in any of the local Hotels, but that we should stay in the home of brother Eduardo R; Ramiro. Brother Ramiro is the local preacher and is doing an excellent work. He is a graduate of the school in Zamboanga, a “deceased” liberal college. His wife, Sol, is a local school teacher. Brother Ramiro is able and sacrificial. He has the complete respect and confidence of the brethren and is highly respected by the citizens of Pagadian. Just last year he taught and baptized the whole family of Brother Diosdado L. Aenlle, who for twenty-five years preached in one of the largest denominational churches there. He held the respect and some of the highest offices in that denomination. He lacks three subjects having his third earned academic degree. This man is working closely with Brother Ramiro, and is now directly responsible for theconversion of several. In this area many good, able . men are laboring for the Lord’s cause, among whom I remember: Leonardo J. Lagasca, Wilfredo Samodal, Nebuchadnezzar Calope, Antonio Gunot, Federico Cadungog, Francisco Fallorin, Romeo S. Quesada, Ernesto Canon, and Artemio Labiano.

We found this church to be active, sacrificial, and at peace. For some time they have worshipped in a building, the funds for which were raised by various American saints. One preacher, Ramon G. Carino, would not attend our services and tried to keep others from attending. He ran Brother Samodal out of his house at midnight because Samodal would not listen to his rantings. He meets with less than a “handful,” separate from the Pagadian church, and it seems that he has no influence in that area. This man and his wife came to the airport when we were leaving, and we asked him as to why he would not attend the services. He would give us no answer. Several obeyed the gospel in this Pagadian effort.

When our work was finished in Pagadian, we flew to Davao City and then went by truck to Kidapawan-the present home of Romulo B. Agduma. We found the largest attendance here of all the places we visited. The church in this place is in dire need of a building. They are now seeking financial support from any individual interested in this work. Our services were conducted in the Pilot school on the Eastern edge of the city. Brother Agdurna moved here from M’Lang when the uprising came. The work has done real well, though a major part of brother Agduma’s time is spent in publishing gospel papers. We observed the respect he holds throughout the whole nation from the faithful. He is a humble servant, not a “pope” as some have inferred. Our services in this place were conducted from eight o’clock in the mornings until late in the nights. We feel God blessed these services and that good in the future will result from these labors.

In this part of the Philippine nation we found many great and good servants of the King, among whom are Virgilo B. Villanueva, Ernesto Argueza, Alfredo Bareng, Juanito P. Balbin, and many others. These men not only know the truth, but know how to defend it. They all seem to be busy sowing the seed of the kingdom. The liberals tried some two or three days to hinder our efforts, but were unsuccessful (see brother Hafley’s report concerning this).

When our work was finished here with a number becoming obedient to the faith, we, with tearful and prayful parting, went to Davao City where we spoke to a fine audience. In this city the work was only begun the first part of this year with brother Feliciano Caracas. The church was meeting in his house (many churches there meet in private homes), and the attendance is about thirty. Several have been baptized, and many students attending the various colleges and universities in Davao City have been contacted by brother Caracas and Reuben Agduma, which has resulted in their attending services with this church. Reuben is the son of Romulo and is working with Feliciano while finishing his degree. Upon these two able men rests much responsibility! They are able to meet it. Reuben spent two years in Florida College and has been in school since, hopeful of finishing this year. Feliciano was an instructor for about eight years in the Zamboanga Bible School. He has been recognized both provincially and nationally as a Newsman in newspapers and the radio hook-up. He was chosen as the number two Newsman during the presidential election of President Marcos. He is an excellent speaker, and he has something to say when he gets before an audience. This young man was saved through the efforts of Romulo Agduma and Eddy Ramiro. The future of the Lord’s cause in this great city seems very bright.

We flew from Davao to Manila and spoke to some few congregations around the city for some two days,and then rode a bus some two hundred and thirty miles North to Baguio City. This is the home of Andrew Gawe and his father. Andrew preaches in this city and has lived here for thirty years. He was instrumental in starting the Philippine Bible College (a work of the liberals) and was an instructor in it for ten years. Perhaps, there is more opposition to the preaching of truth in this area than any place else in the Islands. But what these good brethren are able to accomplish against such opposition is heartwarming! Brother Julian C. Felix lives just south of Baguio at Moncada, Tarlac and is exerting much influence for good. Several of the liberal preacher-students coming from this College have been taught the truth, and none know the preaching power of Gawe, Felix and other such good men, as do the liberals at the school. When we arrived in the city we shortly thereafter received a letter from the President of the school, Brother Robert Buchanan. Brother Buchanan and I were in Freed-Hardeman College nearly a quarter-century ago, but had had no correspondence or conversation with each other through intervening years. Though I have worked closely with many of his kin, including his grandparents, uncles and cousins, he chose to address us only as “Mr.” and “Sir.” His letter was arrogant, condescending, and hateful. Though he spoke this way, unwittingly there is revealed throughout his letter the fear of truth and confrontation. Knowing our schedule (it being advertised that our night services would be conducted at 7:30), he told us we could visit him at 7:30 Friday night! He even wrote; “I must say that if you come at a time when I cannot be here, you would not be welcome.” He further wrote, “I must confess that you men and your doctrine do not rank very high on my list of priorities.” Caesar, indeed, hath been eating the dainties of his spoiles! With this attitude there is no question but that the cause of truth will continue to grow in the right direction.

Our services in Baguio were conducted in a large room in denominational facilities. Several came, though I believe our attendance here was the smallest of the places we went. However, I was most surprised to find a great host of men preaching the truth. These came from all directions. Most of these men make their living in various professions. I would hope that in the future more effort, by men from the States, will be given to this section of the Philippines. Some were baptized here, among whom were some two or three preachers. We have hope for the future of the Lord’s work in these Mountain Provinces with men like Gawe, Felix, Damsso Curimao, Virgelio Lacangan, Salvador Alapit, Jose Cruz, Marcos Balaleng, David Gamit, and many others. Many of these are new in the Lord and need time to grow and develop; they need words of encouragement, books, dictionaries, etc., for their use toward this goal. Some of these men need financial support.

With this Baguio effort finished we flew to Manila and then to Olongapo City for a service. Six were baptized in this place. This was the last service we were engaged in. There were other places and names, which, perhaps, should be mentioned in this report, but because of space we must forego.

Conclusion

I feel this trip greatly helped the Philippine work, but I feel it did us much good also. As stated earlier in this article, I do not share the opinion of some that men who have not been there should not go; but I do feel that men who have a rather extensive relationship with the churches over our country should go. In many respects the most good for the Philippine work will be done after the men get back home. The needs there are astronomical due to the fact of the reception of the truth on such a large scale, and this in relationship to their deep poverty. They need wages for their preaching, song books, books and tracts, church buildings, etc. Just small amounts of money, placed in the right hands, can accomplish so much. I appeal to brethren everywhere: be generous in this matter. Several already are responding most favorably. We are, by invitation, telling many churches and individuals what we know about that work. While this great nation of more than forty million souls are so responsive to the overtures of God’s mercy as expressed through preaching, we must meet its challenge. If we may be of any service to you in assisting your judgment-making in this matter, please call upon us.

Truth Magazine, XVIII:41, p. 6-10
August 22, 1974

By Cecil Willis

You probably are as tired of hearing about inflation as some of you have said you are of hearing about the “gracefellowship” subject, but whether we like it or not, it appears that both are here to stay. It appears that our national political leaders are going to continue to swing and sway to the siren song of “spend-our-way-to-prosperity” as long as anyone will dance to their tune. The economic prospect for the future of our country appears to be continuous and accelerating inflation, until our entire monetary structure crumbles into chaos. Meanwhile, we all must make the best of it and adapt to it, even while we make our own personal efforts to combat it.

But this article is not intended to be a discourse on inflation in general. We all already know most of the pertinent statistics about it. During the last two years, inflation has continued at the rate of about 10% per annum. At times, the rate has been found to be 15% per year. All of us see the jarring increases everytime we go into a grocery store, buy a new suit, repair an automobile, or visit our local dentist. We get hit with inflation every way that we turn.

Well . . . you are just about to be hit by it in one other area. I refer now to the increased costs connected with religious printing. As long as I have edited Truth Magazine, I have tried to operate it without its operation being done covertly, as though it were some deep, dark secret. When one asks me what the circulation of Truth Magazine is, I simply tell him. I might relieve your mind, at this point, by stating that I do not intend in this article to sneak up on your blind side and announce an additional price increase. But I would like to lay before you some of the facts connected with our religious printing efforts, which facts should be a help to you whenever we must increase our prices.

For ten years now, what printing I have had done or been responsible for having done, has been done by Economy Printing Concern of Berne, Indiana. Though I like the owners and their employees (they employ a hundred or more people), friendship only has not been the basis of our continued relationship. It simply hag been a matter of fact that Economy Printing Concern gave us a better price, or supplied us with publication capabilities we otherwise would not have, and in most instances, they have done both of these things for us. The Muselman brothers (Art and Carl) who own Economy Printing Concern have treated us wonderfully! (In case one of you Muselman brothers happens to read this article, I mean by that previous statement that you have not pressed us too hard when we owed you sizable sums of money!) It has been a pleasure to do business with people whom I can trust to deal fairly and honestly with us. We have sought to deal with them in the same manner. This ten year owner-purchaser relationship has been so satisfactory with us that we hope to see it continue for many years to come.

However, our friendship has not seemed to affect very much the cost of purchasing paper, hundreds of thousands of dollars worth of printing equipment, higher taxes, increases in wages, etc. Those increased costs simply have to be passed on to us periodically, and we in turn have to pass them eventually on to you, our customers. The price of the grade of paper which we mainly use increased more than 100% in 1973, and has increased about 10% more since the price increase was passed on to us January 30th. The price of printing Truth Magazine, our class literature, books, booklets, and tracts is tied into nationally published average costs on labor and paper. On January 30, 1974, our printing costs were increased 22.1%. That may not sound like too much of a cost increase, since it is about at the national average rate of inflation. But translated into another form, this price increase becomes much more vivid. It simply means that our total printing bill this year will be about $25,000 more than’ it would have been, if we had printed a similar amount of materials last year. $25,000 a year increase in prices means that we have an increase in our printing bill of about $500 per week, or about $100 per working day.

You may have noticed that a few months ago, the prices on the Cogdill Foundation cloth and paperback books were increased somewhat. We had no other alternative. Month before last (I do not have accumulated yet the figures for the past month), Truth Magazine lacked $800 bringing in enough money just to pay the printing, mailing, and postage bills for that month. This $800 one-month loss included nothing for salary payments to anyone, nothing for the lease on our newly built store building, nothing for equipment costs and operational expenses, and nothing for general operational expenses.

Here are some precise figures for you to think about. It costs us 12% plus, to print every copy of every issue of Truth Magazine. As a subscriber, you receive 50 issues of the paper annually. Printing, mailing, and postage costs alone cost us $6.36 per year per subscriber. The Cogdill Foundation now is paying me on a half-time basis, and three people are employed to work in the bookstore, which work entails the maintenance of a weekly corrected mailing list, making new plates for addressing, and running a mailing tape. We would have about $1 per subscriber per year upon which to operate, if all our subscriptions were sold on a $7.50 per year basis. However, about one-third of our subscriptions are sold in groups of 10, 20, or more. In group sale plans, subscriptions are sold for $6 per year. We therefore lose money on each one of these. At all times we carry 200-300 foreign subscriptions, most of which are never paid. For instance, we have at all times one hundred, or more, Filipino brethren on our mailing list, along with a goodly number in Nigeria and several other foreign countries. We advertise our foreign subscriptions at $9 per year, but we very seldom receive payment for these foreign subscriptions. I think we have been paid two out of five years for the Filipino brethren’s subscriptions. But it costs us $11.86 per year to send a subscription to the Philippines. Here is how that figure is arrived at: printing costs $6.36 per year subscription; required mailing envelopes cost us $1.50 per year per subscription; and foreign postage rates cost us $4.00 per year per subscription. Its hard to make money when you “sell” for $9 a subscription that costs you $11.86 just to print and mail! Even the “volume” for some reason does not seem to help this circumstance!! But the foreign preachers usually are the ones who need the paper’ the most, yet who cannot afford to pay for it. So we lose about $3,000 per year by sending these foreign subscriptions.

Some have complained about our $10 per volume price on bound volumes. I do not like it either! But here are the figures on bound volumes: printing 50 issues costs us $6.36, and binding costs us $3.50 per volume. So we have $9.86 in each bound volume, without counting anything for salaries, overhead, truck operation, or leasing costs.

Every sane business man would say, “Then why do you continue to publish a paper upon which you lose money?” That’s a good question, but the answer is simple: We merely happen to think that Truth Magazine does a lot of brethren good, when they receive it and read it. The fellow who goes into the religious publishing business in order to make a profit either has a few holes in his head, or else he is going to be forced to cater to the general religious public and must therefore sell everything from crucifixes, on up or down. And some brethren scruple not to do this. This, however, we refuse to do. This is why we do not operate a “walk-in” type store downtown in Marion. Instead, our business is nearly 100% mail-order business. There are some religious items which we simply cannot sell, in good conscience, and we would much rather sink financially than to compromise our convictions.

Further, to illustrate what inflation has done and is yet doing to us and others in a similar business, let me just relate what has happened to the cost of printing Walking With God (which formerly was known as Journeys Trhough the Bible). When we purchased this series in 1969, we negotiated a contract printing price, with built-in escalation clauses. Presently we are using a 52.9% cost increase factor. The increase in printing costs therefore have averaged more than 10% per year for the past five years.

We have done, and shall continue to do, our best to keep prices as reasonable as possible. At the same time, it would be irresponsible of us to operate Truth Magazine financially in such a way inevitably to portend its demise. The business done by the bookstore must subsidize the publishing of Truth Magazine substantially every month. I have never been able to prose that our bookstore netted as much as 10%, at the end of any year of its operation. This is why we entirely eliminated discounts to individual customers, including the Editor of this journal. In fact; I think I am the bookstore’s best customer! I get the same kind of monthly hills from them that some of you get. I, at this very moment, am paying $50 per month in order to pay off some books I have ordered, and have on order books that will cost about $300 more. If we offered some preachers a 10% discount, they would be highly insulted. Some are just sure that there is net 40% profit in every book! And they are just as surely wrong about the matter! In order for the bookstore to help to defray the losses incurred through the publication of Truth Magazine, and some of our other publications, we therefore; give no discounts to any individual purchaser. Perhaps there are some other bookstores that can give every preacher a 25% or 30% discount, and stay in business. If so, then I say, “More power to them!” But we cannot do so. General book price discounting has bankrupted some of our brethren’s publication efforts, and we do not want to see that happen to Truth Magazine,

Inflation has hurt us badly, and we really have not passed on to you, our customers, the real additional cost of these inflationary price increases. Though we; have no timeschedule in mind, it appears that brethren might as well be getting their minds acclimated to paying $10 a year for a sixteen page weekly journal, That $10 a year sounds prohibitively high, doesn’t it? I do not like the sound of it either. But if you will notice; there are several monthly religious journals that now sell for $5 to S7 per year. If a journal sells its sixteen’ page monthly for $5 per year, then it would follow that Truth Magazine should be charging four times that much per year for our sixteen page weekly, and we throw in “two-color printing” to boot.

Approximately half of all our items in both our Walking With God and Truth In Life series are either “loss items,” or “break-even” items. If we looked at our publications strictly from a monetary point of view, we would never publish another tract. But we are trying to supply materials and services that will be useful to brethren as they try to increase the effectiveness of their teaching efforts.

Pardon this “shop-talk,” but these are some things I thought it would be good for all of you to know in order that you might better understand some of the changes and price increases we are forced to make, from time to time. We intend to try to provide you as much good materials and services as possible for as little cost as possible. But at the same time, we must conduct our business affairs so that we will survive as a product-producing and service-selling business enterprise. In other words, we hope by the grace of God, to stay around for a while to service our customers with the kinds of materials and services that they need. The accomplishment of this objective necessitates that we keep ourselves sound financially, and to do this, it appears that price increases rather frequently will continue to be necessary. You may now borrow my handkerchief to wipe that tear out of your eye. But please do continue to patronize Truth Magazine Bookstore. We will do our best to provide you with prompt service and suitable materials to aid you in your teaching efforts.

Truth Magazine, XVIII:41, p. 3-5
August 22, 1974

By Irvin Himmel

In the New Testament every person converted to Christ learned that he was wrong and made a change. Many persons heard the gospel but refused to change from unbelief to faith, from disobedience to submission, from sin to righteousness.

Pentecost

On the day of Pentecost (Acts 2) the hearers of the gospel were religious people. These devout Jews had come to Jerusalem from every nation under heaven for one of the annual feasts of the Mosaic system. Included in the number were ”proselytes-Gentiles who had submitted to circumcision and had accepted the law of Moses. Having deep religious attachments, many in this great Jewish multitude had clamored for the death of Jesus a few weeks earlier. Peter reminded them that they had “crucified and slain” the same Jesus whom God raised from the dead. He offered proof that Jesus is “both Lord and Christ.”

A large number in Peter’s audience saw how utterly wrong they were. Pricked in their heart by the truth presented, they said to Peter and the other apostles, “Men and brethren, what shall we do?” They were ready for a change. Peter explained what they needed to do to be made righteous by God’s grace. He said, “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.” As the process of change was explained, he admonished, “Save yourselves from this untoward generation.” Verse 41 sums up the outcome: “Then they that gladly, received his word were baptized: and the same day there were added unto them about three thousand souls.”

Here is a case in which about three thousand persons learned that they were wrong, saw the need for a change, and proved themselves courageous by making the needed change.

The Eunuch

In Acts 8, we read of a man who had come hundreds of miles from Ethiopia to Jerusalem “to worship.” He obviously was either a Jew or a proselyte to Judaism. Like the people who heard the gospel on Pentecost, he was deeply religious. Riding toward home in his chariot, the man of Ethiopia was reading the scriptures. With his attention centered on a passage in the book of Isaiah and puzzled over whether the prophet was speaking of himself or someone else, the Ethiopian was approached by a stranger. That stranger was a gospel preacher named Philip. After being invited to “come tip and sit with him,” Philip preached to the Ethiopian. Beginning at the same passage, he preached unto him Jesus.

Despite the Ethiopian’s being a sincere, devout, scripturereading man, he needed to change. Philip made it possible for him to be enlightened rather than uninformed, and to be a baptized believer rather than an ignorant worshipper. After hearing about Jesus, the Ethiopian asked, “Here is water; what doth hinder me to be baptized?” The chariot was stopped, both Philip and the Ethiopian went down into the water, and he baptized him. Coming up out of the water a changed man spiritually, the Ethiopian “went on his way rejoicing.”

Saul of Tarsus

Saul of Tarsus presents another case history. Saul emerged as the ringleader of opposition to the church after the death of Stephen. The Bible says, “As for Saul, he made havoc of the church, entering into every house, and haling men and women committed them to prison” (Acts 8:4). Later we find him armed with letters of authorization from the high priest, and “breathing out threatenings and slaughter against the disciples of the Lord” (Acts 9), he journeyed toward Damascus to seek out followers of Christ and bring them bound to Jerusalem. That journey was halted suddenly by a miraculous appearance that Jesus made to Saul in a heavenly vision. Jesus called out to the persistent persecutor, “Saul, Saul, why persecutest thou me?” Not knowing the identity of the speaker, Saul asked, “Who art thou, Lord?” After Jesus had identified himself, Saul knew how completely wrong the whole thrust of his action had been up to this point. For the first time, Saul knew he was a rank sinner, a defiant disbeliever, a daring foe of the Son of God. Saul saw how sinful his ambitions had been, how wasted his energies, how useless his course. It was time for a change.

Do not forget that Saul was a conscientious, dedicated, zealous religionist. His opposition to the church reflected his ignorance that Jesus of Nazareth was the Christ. Saul had supposed that Jesus was an impostor. He thought the disciples of Jesus were Jewish renegades. He was attempting honestly to prove himself a loyal son of Abraham by opposing with all his might what he thought was a heresy.

Realizing that he needed to change, Saul asked Jesus, “Lord, what wilt thou have me to do?” He was told to go into Damascus, “and it shall be told thee what thou must do.” Later, a disciple named Ananias was sent to Saul in the city to tell him to be baptized. Saul obeyed Jesus.

Conclusion

Anytime that we learn that we are wrong is the time for a change. God’s word does not change; the Bible teaches the same truth now that it did when first penned by inspiration. Our wills must be changed to conform to the divine will. Whenever we learn that we are in error, or if we are failing to obey what the Lord teaches on a given point, it is time for a change. Reader, is it time for a change in your life?

Truth Magazine, XVIII:41, p. 2
August 22, 1974

By Ken Osborne

Up to this time I have let older, wiser, more experienced preachers of the Gospel fill the pages of this paper, and others like it, because I felt they could and would do a far better job than 1. However, there has now appeared a problem which I think needs to be written about by a younger person for the most good to be accomplished. This problem is the younger generation’s acceptance of advice.

Refusing to accept advice is certainly not a problem confined to the young of this generation; rather it is one we can see exemplified throughout the ages. Rehoboam refused to listen to older, wiser men and turned instead to those of his own generation for advice. The consequence of his action is seen in the split of the Jewish Kingdom. Throughout the ages the young have been convinced that they had the answers only to find out, with the”passing of time, that the “old man” knew what he was talking about.

The danger involved in this problem is not, however, slackened simply because the young have always suffered from it. Some have . gone through this period of time relatively unscathed, emerging to find out, as did Samuel Clemens, how much the “old man” had learned over a period of a few years. Others, however, have plunged themselves into grave situations while blinded by the “know it all” syndrome, By not listening to advice given them by older men many have wound up in prisons, in regrettable marriages, and even in cemeteries. Still worse than these, however, are those who have put themselves in spiritual danger by rejecting the counsel of older, wiser men in regards to spiritual matters and plunged bare-handed into the forest in search of truth in total disregard of paths blazed years ago. Some by so doing have convinced themselves that there is no God because of their “superior” knowledge. Some with whom I am acquainted and with whom I spent several years at Florida College, setting out blindly on a quest of their own with total disregard for any advice given them by older preachers, have departed from the truth in nearly every conceivable direction. Some have gone almost to the point of accepting predestination, some have gone into the camps of the institutional brethren, and still others have been led away by the teachings of Carl Ketcherside.

A large percentage of these, I feel, had determined to search out truth for themselves with total disregard for the advice of others; this is the end of their road. It is the end which Solomon foretold time and time again in the book of Proverbs. Indeed, one of the main purposes in writing The Proverbs was to give advice to the young (1:4). Time and time again Solomon instructs the young to -listen to the words of the older. I am not saying that young preachers and -young people in general should not study the Bible on their own, for this is the only way true knowledge and understanding may come. What I am saying is that when in their studies they come up with ideas contrary to those they ,have been taught, that they should talk to older preachers and teachers and see if they can answer the questions raised. I, myself, have found this approach to be invaluable in my studies. Usually these older men have been down the same road you are on and can point out your errors, if indeed they are errors. Many however, turn to those their own age and suffer the consequences of Rehoboam.

In seeking advice it should go without saying that you should seek one who can give it, for as the Bible says, “If the blind lead the blind, then both shall fall into the ditch.” In seeking advice, seek greater wisdom than your own, by seeking the counsel of those older than yourself. It is not a disgrace to ask for advice; it is using common sense. It could very well be a matter of spiritual life or death – yours.

Truth Magazine, XVIII:40, p. 13-14
August 15, 1974