Truth Magazine

By Joe Neil Clayton

When God saved Israel from bondage in Egypt, He led them in the wilderness, and provided for them there. By miracles he protected them from enemies and gave them food to sustain their lives. He spoke laws to them directly and through Moses, and commanded them to heed these laws. Jude tells us, however, that “the Lord, having saved a people out of the land of Egypt, afterward destroyed them that believed not.” (Jude 5). When Paul issues a similar warning to Christians, and illustrates it with a description of the sins of Israel, the accusations suggest monstrous sins, such as lust, idolatry, fornication, etc. However, we can be profitably enlightened, if we go back to the accounts of the actual events. We think that we do not need warnings against such terrible sins, but we may learn that we can easily imitate the Israelites, and receive the same condemnation.

For example, Paul says, “We should not lust after evil things, as they also lusted.” (I Co. 10:6). Without knowing the details of the actual sin, we might picture in our minds all sorts of morbid and sensual sins that could have been called lust. Yet, in fact, all they were guilty of was a desire for a change of diet! In Numbers 11:4-6, Moses records that the children of Israel “lusted exceedingly” for flesh to eat (mentioned is fish, cucumbers, melons, leeks, onions, and garlic). All they had to eat was the manna God sent each day. Later, they were to say, “Our soul loaths this light bread.” (Num. 21:5). Remember that these people began this trek into the desert on a 7-day diet of unleavened bread (Ex. 12:15). Ever since, die diet had been manna. For months, or even years, they had eaten nothing else, apparently. If we had been confined to such a diet, would we have “lusted” for a change? Certainly! We cannot condemn them, yet God charged them with sin, and “smote the people with a very great plague.” (Num. 11:33). So, the enormity (i the sin is not so apparent, when we view the circumstances. Our own lack of contentment and our restlessness could easily supply fertile ground to be tempted, as they were.

Again, Paul says, “Neither be ye idolaters, as were some of them.” (I Co. 10: 7). The same verse identifies the incident Paul had in mind. It was the making of the Golden Calf. But, when we think of Idolatry, we identify it with heathen worship of dumb images. We protest, then, to God that we are not like the heathen. Yet, we can be guilty of the idolatrous worship of God. It is revealing to notice that the worship of the Golden Calf was in the form of a “feast to Jehovah” (Ex. 32:5). The Israelites were not worshipping false gods. Rather, they worshipped Jehovah God by their own method. It must be an easy thing to do this, since so many religious people do it. The first time we worship God in some way other than His prescribed plan, we become idolaters.

The pattern of this warning runs true in the other faults of Israel. They were guilty of fornication, Paul says. Yet, what they actually did seems to relate more closely to our concept of idolatry. We abhor the thought of Christians defiling their bodies in sensual fornication, but Moses says that the fornication of Israel was spiritual; “. . . the people began to play the harlot with the daughters of Moab: for they called the people unto the sacrifices of their Gods; and the people did eat, and bowed down to their gods” (Num. 25:1-2). This quotation from the American Standard Version casts a different light on the action. Their fornication was like that idolatrous worship described in Lev. 20:1-5. The man today who would shrink from joining his body with a harlot might make light of the sin of “exchanging the truth of God for a lie.” (Rom. 1:25).

Paul says that the Israelites “made trial of the Lord” (I Co. 10:9). We think that we would never deliberately “make trial” of the Lord, but we might if we had suffered the same discouragement they did. Moses says, “. . . the soul of the people was much discouraged, because of the way.” (Num. 21:4). They complained to the Lord because they were footsore, perhaps. We would have to walk over the same rough wilderness ground to test our own ability to resist the temptation to complain, probably, but it is likely that if we were honest, we would admit that we are made of the same fabric.

The “murmuring” mentioned by Paul (I Co. 10: 10) refers to the reaction of the people to the report of the spies sent to Canaan (Num. 13:25-14:2). The fears confronting them exceeded those left behind. Their faith to follow the Lord was weak. Can we be guilty of this? Of course, many Christians figuratively “return to Egypt” in their hearts after beginning the journey to heaven.

We see then that the warnings of Paul were not “far-fetched.” On the contrary, they touch on sins that we are capable of doing. “Wherefore let him that thinks he stands take heed lest he fall.” (I Co. 10: 12). Our security rests on our endurance quotient. Can we survive the wilderness of mortality, so as to enter into the Canaan land of blissful immortality? We must, because the alternative is unthinkable.

TRUTH MAGAZINE, XVI: 36, pp. 12-13
July 20, 1972

By Robert Hines

Peter said to “be ready always to give an answer to every man that asketh you a reason of the hope that is in you.” This positive defense, the strong, reasoned “yes ” to the question of the truth of Christianity also has a negative side; this is the equally strong “no” to false teaching concerning God and His revelation to man. Such an opportunity came recently when two young Mormon “missionaries” came by the house and left a list of questions titled “The Testimony of Two Nations.” These questions were to be an introduction to their beliefs as well as an opener for discussions we might possibly have later. Let us look at their questions and reply with Bible-based answers

Q. “Do you believe in the teachings of the Bible?”

A. Yes; the Bibles message is the message of God, written 4″not in words taught by human wisdom, but in those taught by the Spirit.” (I Cor. 2:13). And these words make up “the sacred writings which are able to give you the wisdom that leads to salvation through faith which is in Christ Jesus.” (2 Tim. 3:15). The Bible has what I need!

Q. “In your opinion is the Bible understood today, as the Jewish Prophets intended it to be?”

A. Yes, by those who would study it; no, by those with “itching ears.” But this situation faults no one but man, and in no way makes an additional revelation necessary to explain or clarify the Bible, whether it be “The Book of Mormon,” “The Doctrine and Covenants” or “The Pearl of Great Price.” The Bible interprets itself. “Obscure” or “thorny” passages are clarified by other more easily understood passages on the same subject. Many troublesome problems would be solved problems if men would only follow this basic principle in Bible study. Let the Bible explain itself; and being Gods all-sufficient word, it can do this. In the Bible “His divine power has granted to us everything pertaining to life and godliness.” (2 Pet. 1:3).

Q. “Have you ever considered why the record of God speaking to men came from only one people?”

A. Because of the way the next question is phrased, the answer wanted here is that “God only spoke to one group of people.” To the Mormons, “one group of people” seems to mean a group of people in one area as is suggested by the title of their questions. But the Bibles “one group of people” includes all men throughout the world: “And opening his mouth Peter said, I most certainly understand now that God is not one to show partiality, but in every nation the man who fears Him and does what is right is welcome to Him” (Acts 10:34, 35). As to why then the record of God came from only a group of people in one area: the one record was and is enough, for it shows the way of salvation to all mankind.

Q. “Now, God being a just God, would He speak to one group of people, or would He speak to more than one?”

A. Now, you Latter Day Saints, claiming to be a people obedient to Gods will, would you put yourselves above God and call Him wrong or unjust because He does not meet your standards of justice? “Rather, let God be found true, though every man be found a liar.” (Rom. 3:4). Secondly, and again, God speaks through the one revelation not only to “more than one” people, but to all people. Jesus told His apostles, “but you shall receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you; and you shall be my witnesses both in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and even to the remotest part of the earth” (Acts 1:8). Their testimony has gone to the remotest part of the earth. The Bible is enough for every man who would save his soul through obedience to the will of God.

Q. “If He had spoken to another group of people, would He make it known to us?”

A. Yes: in the Bible! If this is not the case then Paul would have said something other than “learn not to exceed what is written.” (I Cor. 4:6). The Bible is Gods final revelation to man until the Day of Judgment, and it is not to be tampered with. Its words are the words of God and “if anyone adds to them, God shall add to him the plagues which are written in this book.” (Rev. 22:18).

Q. “Would the witness of two nations be more valuable than one?”

A. No, if the one is sufficient and the reliability of the second is doubtful.

Q. “Another people have left us their witness that God spoke to them, as recorded in the Book of Mormon. May we invite you to examine their testimony?”

A. Yes; may I invite you to examine the testimony of Gods commentary on the Book of Mormon? You tell me that Galatians 1: 8-9 does not apply to you as your gospel is that of Christ, yet you deny this by your church organization, your ideas of man and of God, your distorted plan of salvation … in short, your refusal to adhere solely to the will of God as fully revealed in His holy word, the Bible. So again I quote: “But even though we, or an angel from heaven, should preach to you a gospel contrary to that which we have preached to you, let him be accursed. As we have said before, so I say again now, if any man is preaching to you a gospel contrary to that which you have received, let him be accursed.”

TRUTH MAGAZINE, XVI: 36, pp. 9-10
July 20, 1972

By Leslie Diestelkamp

Suppose a farmer furnishes his son with sufficient equipment and seed and then directs the son to plant a certain field. But suppose the son plants only half the field-that part right near the barn-leaving the more distant part completely uncultivated and unplanted. Evidently the father would not be pleased.

Our heavenly Father has supplied his people with sufficient equipment (2 Tim. 3:16, 17) and seed (Lk. 8: 11). Jesus said, “The field is the world” (Mt. 13:38). Our directive is, “Go, teach all nations.” But we have only planted half the field. Nearly half the people of the world live in Asia and most of those people have never seen a Bible nor heard one gospel sermon.

But someone will say, “We want to spend our money right around home where we can see the harvest ourselves.” Well, of course we must “plant the field at home. But we must also go afar. Some may ask, “Why should we send a preacher to Asia when so many souls are still lost right here at home?” Well, there are three answers to that question: (1) We must go to all the world, including Asia, just because Jesus said so; (2) We must go to all humanity because, as Christians we love everybody; (3) And we must especially go to the underdeveloped nations because almost invariably the harvest is greater there.

Of course it is now impossible for Americans to go into China and some other parts of Asia. But little by little progress is being made. A very fruitful work is being done in the Philippines. The people of India have proven very receptive. Smaller but significant efforts are being made in Japan and some other places.

Surely in the next decade or two many young preachers will turn their eyes away from the glamorous pulpits in the fashionable congregations in America, and toward the implanted fields of Asia. Christians everywhere will then gladly supply the transportation (3 Jn. 5, 6) and the wages (2 Cor. 11: 8).

In the meantime we hope the faithful Christians in Asia and in the island nations nearby will proceed diligently to sow the good seed, and that they may soon be able to reach into the heartland of the continent, even before Americans are allowed to go into such places.

One-hundred-fifty years ago there was a great harvest in America but it was mostly in a small area of the country. Today the harvest is not only nation-wide but even in the whole continent. Let us work and pray that the huge harvest in the Philippines may spread to all of Asia, that the great strength that prevails in

Nigeria may spread the gospel to all of Africa and that other smaller beginnings around the world may develop and spread until, in the foreseeable future, it can be said again that the gospel has been preached to every creature under heaven (see Col. 1-23).

In the providence of God, Americans who read this paper have been granted exceeding great advantages: (1) to have had opportunity to have heard the Word; (2) to have had great ability in manpower and money to give the Word to others. God surely holds us accountable for the advantages he has granted us. Let us not shirk nor neglect lest we fail in our stewardship. We must try hard to plant the whole field in our generation, for “The field is the world.”

TRUTH MAGAZINE, XVI: 36, pp. 8-9
July 20, 1972

By Grant B. Caldwell

One reason for believing that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God, is that he and others claimed that he was. It would be a mistake to ignore the claims made in behalf of the Sonship of Jesus. One might think this to be an unacceptable proof as to the matter under consideration. The argument (made possibly by infidels and believers alike) would be that the claims made by Christ and by others could be lies and fabrications. Some would say that we are begging the question by saying we believe Jesus to be the Son of God because of his claims and we believe his claims because he was the Son of God. Such circular logic is unacceptable to most and rightfully so.

However, if Christ made no such claims and no claims were made for him, it would be equally fair for the infidel to charge us with an extension on the evidence. Since the claim was made by Jesus and others, we should be aboveboard about the matter. We should look not only for the truth of the conclusion, but the truth of the premises as well.

The Claims of Christ

Jesus claimed to be the Son of God. In John 10: 36, he said, “I said, I am the Son of God.” Just back one chapter, he made a similar claim. (John 9:35-37). In Mark 14:61-62, he was specifically asked if he was the Christ, “and Jesus answered, I am.”

Jesus also claimed to be sinless. Such a claim would be the disastrous end of a fraud. But even the enemies of Christ found no fault in him. He challenged any to show sin in his life. (John 8:46)

He claimed to be equal with God. This claim made him as unpopular as anything he did. (John 5:17-18) Yet, even in the face of charges of blasphemy, he claimed to be one with the Father. (John 17)

He allowed his disciples to believe he was the Son of God. (Matthew 16:18) He accepted worship which many desired to give to him (Matthew 8:2; 9:18; 28:9; John 9:35-38; 20:26-29), even though only God should be worshipped. (Matthew 4: 10) He claimed to be the fulfillment of the Old Testament prophecies concerning the Messiah to come. (John 5:39)

It should be noticed that if Christ was not the Son of God, he was not the good man many claim him to be. If he was not the Son of God, he was a liar, an imposter, and a blasphemer. Good men do not conduct themselves in such manner as this. He was a good man only if he was indeed who he claimed to be.

The Claims of John

John the Baptist made claims also in behalf of Christ. He constantly spoke of the one to come after him, “the lamb of God,” etc. Listen to John as he speaks concerning the Christ, “And John bear witness, saying, I have beheld the Spirit descending as a dove out of heaven; and it abode upon him. And I knew him not: but he that sent me to baptize in water, he said unto me, Upon whomsoever thou shalt see the Spirit descending, and abiding upon him, the same is he that baptizeth in the Holy Spirit. And I have seen, and have borne witness that this is the Son of God.” (John 1:32-34)

The Claims of God

“This is my beloved Son in whom I am well pleased.” (Matthew 3:17; 17:5) “Thou art my Son, this day have I begotten thee.” (Psalms 2: 7; Hebrews 1: 5) These claims ought to finish forever the controversy over the Sonship of Jesus. The Father himself claimed that he was.

The Claims of the Apostles

Peter claimed, “Thou art the Christ, the Son of the living God.” (Matthew 16:18)

The apostles as a whole claimed “Of a truth, thou art the Son of God.” (Matthew 14:33)

When Saul was converted, the claim remained “Jesus, that he is the Son of God.” (Acts 9:20)

In Pauls preaching, he equated “the Son of God” and “Jesus Christ.” (2 Cor. 1: 19) He boldly affirmed that our high priest is “Jesus the Son of God.” (Hebrews 4:14)

John frequently referred to Jesus as “the Son of the Father” and “the Son of God.” (I John 4:14-15; 2 John 3)

The Claims of Historians

Throughout the writings of the historians of this period, Christ appears as a magnificent character. Writers such as Ignatius, Barnabas, Polycarp, Clement, Hermas, Irenaeus, Justin Martyr, etc., all wrote concerning Jesus, the Christ.

Yet more interesting than the ones who made claims of being of the faith as those just mentioned, are those who made no claims to a part in Christianity. These wrote of Jesus as well.

Consider the works of such men as Tacitus, Suetonius, Pliny, etc. We quote from but one. This is perhaps the most famous of all statements found in secular history concerning Christ Jesus, though its genuineness is disputed by some. From the writer Josephus we read,

“Now there was, about this time, Jesus, a wise man, if it be lawful to call him a man; for he performed many wonderful works. He was a teacher of such men as received the truth with pleasure. He drew over to him many of the Jews and also of the Gentiles. This was the Christ (emphasis is mine, gbc). And when Pilate, at the instigation of the principal men among us, had condemned him to the cross, those who had loved him from the first did not cease to adhere to him. For he appeared to them alive the third day, the divine prophets having foretold these and ten thousand other wonderful things concerning him. And the tribe of Christians so named for him subsists to this time.” (From Jewish Antiquities, Book 28, chp. 3, section 3)

Conclusion

Either Christ was the Son of God or he was not. He claimed he was. Others claimed he was. Both friend (John 11:27) and foe (Matthew 27:54; Luke 4:41) agreed that Jesus was the Christ, the Son of God.

TRUTH MAGAZINE, XVI: 36, pp. 6-7
July 20, 1972