Truth Magazine

By Thomas A. Hagewood

The scriptures reveal that the basic purpose of Jesus’ miracles was to establish his deity. Jesus assigned this purpose to them himself in John 10:19-42. Paul began his epistle to the saints at Rome by stating that the resurrection of Christ declared him to be the Son of God with power (Rom. 1:4). We see this in actual example in the case of Thomas in John 20:26-29. Only after close examination of the scarred hands and pierced side of our Lord did Thomas exclaim, “My Lord and my God.” John concludes the chapter with these words: “And many other signs truly did Jesus in the presence of his disciples which are not written in this book: but these are written, that ye might believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God; and that believing ye might have life through his name” (John 20:30, 31).

From these pertinent passages we can learn just what it means to believe in Jesus. The scriptures make belief in Christ as the Son of God essential to our having life through his name. This means no less than believing that Jesus is divine. Thomas declared, “My Lord and my God”-not a lord and a god, as the Jehovah’s Witnesses would have us believe. Nothing short of this will constitute acceptable faith in Jesus, the Son of God (Cf. John 10:30, 33, 36).

We also learn that Jesus, having once caused others to believe on him through his miracles, now accomplishes that purpose through the written word of God. Therefore, anyone who claims that miracles are needed today to prove that Jesus is divine denies the plain import of John 20:30, 31.

This same principle is true in regard to the miracles of the early disciples. When the great commission was given to the apostles in Mark 16:14-18, they were promised various signs contingent upon their believing what Jesus had just told them. When they went forth preaching, the Lord went with them confirming the word with signs following (Mark 16:20). Since we learn from the Hebrew writer that the word has been confirmed, anyone who declares that miracles are needed today to confirm the word of God denies the plain message of Hebrews 2:1-4.

The infidel or the unbeliever who is waiting for a miracle before he will, be convinced that Jesus is divine is lingering in vain for such will never happen this side of eternity. Indeed, such need not happen again in this life. Miracles have served their purpose and we now have the written word of God, which is all we need. The fact that no one on earth possesses miraculous powers now does not in any way diminish the veracity or credibility of the Bible. Jesus says, “Ye are from beneath; I am from above: ye are of this world; I am not of this world. I said therefore unto you, that ye shall die in your sins: for if ye believe not that I am he, ye shall die in your sins” (John 8:23, 24). Enough evidence has been recorded in the Bible to produce faith in Christ as the Son of God. Thus, Jesus warns, “He that rejecteth me, and receiveth not my words, hath one that judgeth him: the word that I have spoken, the same shall judge him in the last day” (John 12:48). Truly, if one will not examine the many infallible proofs and will not believe God’s written word he would not be persuaded though one rise from the, dead (Cf. Luke 16:2731).

Truth Magazine, XVIII:3, p. 2
November 15, 1973

By R. J. Findley, Jr.

At the time of the writing of the above lines, the state and position of Israel were at a rather low ebb. God, in his visions to Zechariah, is setting forth his plans for Israel in the contemplated building of the temple in Jerusalem. He points out there would be difficulties, but they were not to be discouraged. A mountain placed in his way, and a plain, both hinderances, would be removed. A foundation having been laid, assurance was given that what had been started would be finished. Those who might have despised the day of little things would rejoice to see the plummet in the hands of God’s servant.

The Lord, on many occasions, carried out His plans with modest numbers of men. His promise to Abraham that his seed would be as countless as the sands of the seashore had its beginning with righteous Noah and his three sons. Just seventy souls went down into Egypt to emerge two hundred and fifteen years later a nation estimated by some as between three and one-half and five million. Gideon, with three hundred men, vanquished a mighty horde of enemies, and the twelve apostles in a short period of forty years evangelized the entire then known world.

In the early days of the church in America, the greatest progress since its establishment was made. This was accomplished by zealous men, preaching to small groups in isolated places. But not so in this present age. We erect large buildings, hire high priced, big time preachers, become sated with good preaching and teaching, and resting on our oars, say, “look what we are doing.” As a result socialized gospel is rampant, and we appear as were the church at Laodicea; rich, and increased with goods, and have no need of anything, and have become wretched, miserable, poor, and naked.

What, then, is the answer to our problems? First of all, we need to be fully converted ourselves and quit making a plaything of the religion of Jesus Christ. We need to go again to the small towns and communities and carry the good tidings to the less sophisticated. How can this be done, some may ask? Well, we could start as Moses did, where he was, and begin as Elijah did with what we have, and be not weary in well doing.

Truth Magazine, XVIII:2, p. 14
November 8, 1973

By John W. Hedge

Baptism in the name of Christ is commanded of God. (Matt. 28:18-20. Acts 2:38. Acts 10:48.) God’s commandments as found in the New Testament were given to two accountable classes known as “the saved” and “the Lost,” or as children of God or children of the devil. This command (baptism) was given to only one class and certainly not to both classes. If it was given to those who were already saved, then salvation precedes baptism; but if the command was given to the lost, then baptism precedes salvation. It is just that simple. To settle this matter beyond doubt, one only has to read the book of conversions known as The Acts Of The Apostles. Here you will find the apostles of Christ instructing people what to do to be saved; in the epistles written to Christians you will find the things made binding upon them. Here is what you will find…

1. Always the command to be baptized was given to those who were lost and never to the saved.

2. Never in all the writings addressed to Christians will you read where baptism is made binding upon them along with other “Christian duties.”

3. All “Christian duties” recur. If baptism is commanded of Christians, why be baptized just once? Why not repeat it along with other Christian duties?

Truth Magazine, XVIII:2, p. 12
November 8, 1973

By William V Beasley

While a recruit in the Army taking basic training at Fort Knox, Kentucky our platoon sergeant let all the recruits know that one of the great “sins” of a recruit was that of “anticipating the command.” In marching a preparatory command, such as “Left Flank,” “Column Right,” etc., was given followed by a command to execute. Usually the command to execute was given one step after the preparatory command. Sometimes, to test us, “Sarge” would hold off giving the command of execution for several seconds. If we were not on our toes we would, anticipating the command, execute before the command. This, of course, raised the ire of our platoon sergeant.

What does this have to do with the type material generally found in Truth Magazine? Simply this, -I believe that our denominational friends who teach the doctrine of salvation by faith only are guilty of anticipating the command. They see the need of salvation (Rom. 3:23), and know that Jesus Christ is the means of salvation (Rom. 6:23; John 14:6). At this point they, like I and my fellow recruits of some years ago, anticipate the command or the receiving of salvation. Some are no doubt dishonest and know the truth, but most, I am convinced, simply have anticipated the receiving of salvation, and have not waited for the command to execute (baptism, Mark 16:16; Acts 2:38; 22:16; I Pet. 3:21).

Truth Magazine, XVIII:2, p. 12
November 8, 1973