Truth Magazine

By Dick Blackford

It was my privilege to moderate for A. C. Grider for five nights in the debate at Central City, Kentucky, with Alan E. Highers, March 6-10. It is not our purpose to discuss the debate in detail but only to mention what we consider to have been the main arguments.

The first two nights were on limited benevolence. Brother Highers presented a chart on 2 Cor. 9:13 as his major argument. The chart contained Acts 5:11; 1 Thes. 3:12; I Thes. 5:15 and Gal. 6: 10 which are parallel in construction to 2 Cor. 9:13 (This chart is in The Arlington Meeting, p. 221). His argument was that because each of these verses includes more than saints, that the same must also be true in 2 Cor. 9:13. Brother Grider replied that we must keep a passage in context to determine who was relieved. He presented a chart containing I Cor. 16: 1; Rom. 15:25, 26, 3 1; 2 Cor. 8:4; 2 Cor. 9:1, 12, all of which say it was for the saints. He then asked if Paul misappropriated the funds by giving it to someone other than whom he said it was for. Brother Highers did not deal with the context but stuck to his “parallel constructions” argument.

On the second night when brother Grider again cited all the cases of church benevolence and pointed out that only saints were mentioned in each case, brother Highers replied by trying to parallel Griders argument to a Baptist preacher reading all the verses on faith and concluding that salvation was by faith only. Brother Grider effectively pointed out that there were other scriptures on the subject of salvation which proved that more than faith was involved. He emphasized the point that the Bible did not say sing only, but that it only said sing; that it did not tell us to take the Lords Supper on the first day of the week only, but that it only said the first day of the week: and that it did not tell us to take a collection on the first day of the week only, but it only said on the first day of the week.

Brother Highers presented a chart on Js1: 2 7 and Gal. 6: 10 (appears in The Arlington Meeting, p. 218) in an attempt to show that individual duties are discharged through the church. He paralleled Js. 1: 2 7 to I Cor. 11: 28 (Lords Supper) and said it was an individual duty discharged collectively and that Gal. 6: 10 was collective because it was addressed to churches (Gal. 1: 2). Brother Grider answered this with two charts–one showing that the Lords Supper was both individual and collective (I Cor. 11: 28 and Acts 20: 7) but that orphan care was only individual (Js. 1: 27) and that there was no passage authorizing orphan care on a collective basis. The other chart showed that Gal. 6: 10 could not be collective because of the context-particularly the fact that “they compel you to be circumcised” (Gal. 6:12) could not be collective action. These were the major arguments the first two nights.

The third night was on institutionalism. Brother Highers introduced a chart called “Which Organization?” with the church on one side, the home on the other and such things as 11 provide food, shelter, recreation, etc.” in the middle. His purpose was to show that these were home duties and not church duties. Thus the church could only contribute the money to the home and it could provide these things. Brother Grider again pointed out that it was the individual who was to practice pure and undefiled religion, Js. 1: 27.

Brother Highers presented his “Hobby Wheel” chart in an effort to make it appear that we are just like the anti-Bible class brethren. Brother Grider replied with a chart called “The Hobby Wheel Broke Down.” He pointed out that the brethren who oppose classes are objecting to something that does not exist-an organized Sunday-School society separate from the church. He said if that was what it was, he would oppose it too. He noted that the organized Sunday-School society, the benevolent society, and the missionary society are parallel and that all three are wrong. It was also pointed out that Brother Highers was confusing the word “home” by using it in several different ways without noting the distinction. Grider cited the charter of the Shultz-Lewis Childrens Home showing -that the organization called a “home” existed for the purpose of “providing a home” (another usage) and thus was an institution which could provide a thousand “homes” if it wanted to. He further emphasized that the church helps individuals, not “homes.”

On the fourth and fifth night co-operation in evangelism was discussed. Brother Grider showed what was involved in the sponsoring church system and noted that concurrent cooperation and not joint co-operation was the scriptural kind. Brother Highers did not show where one church sent to another in evangelism but asked by what authority Brother Grider got his salary from the first-day-of-the-week contribution. Brother Grider showed from 2 Cor. 11:8 that it is necessarily inferred that preachers were paid from the treasury and that I Cor. 16:1, 2 is the only passage telling when a collection could be taken. This did not satisfy Brother Highers and became his main argument the final night. On the last night brother Highers admitted that I Cor. 16: 1, 2 was not on evangelism but made a “two wrongs make a right” type argument that if preachers could get their salaries from this passage, he could also get authority for World Radio, etc. Again brother Grider said he did not get his salary from I Cor. 16:1, 2 but that a treasury was necessarily inferred in 2 Cor. 11: 8. He forcefully emphasized that I Cor. 16:1, 2 was the total revelation from God as to when a collection was to be taken and it was specific (first day of the week) and exclusive (first day of the week only). Grider further noted that we must first find authority for spending the money and that I Cor. 16:1, 2 was not authority for spending anything in evangelism and thus was not the passage which authorized a preachers salary.

Good order prevailed throughout the discussion and the atmosphere among brethren seemed to be much better than it had been at previous debates.

Brother Highers remarked that whether we (conservative brethren) “win” in a debate or not, we always “win” when we write it up. Though the same could be said about them, we simply want to point out that we were not seeking a personal victory. Both truth and error were presented. And in spite of Brother Highers outstanding ability as a speaker, one can study the arguments presented and arrive at the truth.

TRUTH MAGAZINE, XVI: 28, p. 7a
May 18, 1972

By Tom Wheeler

I see in a UPI release in the Tulsa Daily World, October 25, 1971 some things that evidence the title. A group of so-called “churchwomen” and female liberationists reacted angrily to a stand taken by Episcopal Bishop C. Kilmer Myers. It seems that Myers teaches that Christs masculinity restricts the priesthood to men. One thing that puts the pressure on Myers is that previous area Bishop, James Pike, advocated women Priests.

Two truths that show the ignorance of those involved are:

1. All freedom is found in Christ. Those who walk in the light are in him. (I John 1: 7) Freedom is not found in the position of some would-be theologian, but in truth. (John 8:31-36) No man, woman, or young adult is free or liberated from anything until he is willing to submit to the will of God. God has informed woman about her work and man about his. Neither can be liberated from sin in the sphere of the other.

2. All Christians are priests (I Pet. 2:5). This passage is so simple that only those who want to create confusion, or a job for themselves, misunderstand it. I suppose one could be so ignorant of Gods Word that he would not know the passage exists. In such case ignorance is bliss “now.”

TRUTH MAGAZINE, XVI: 28, p. 7
May 18, 1972

By Wallace H. Little

Baptisms

The work in the Philippine Islands has been especially heartening with a large harvest of souls as indicated by this sampling of my correspondence since my last report. On Mindanao, Virgilio Villaneuva reported two baptisms in Lambayong and Linghanan Sendil seven by Disocoro G. Miparanum in Zamboanaga del sur. Sendil himself converted four including an eighty-three year old woman who strongly desires to serve Christ in the time she has left. Also from the same province, Rufo Samodal reported six baptisms. In still another part of that area, Antonio Gunot wrote of fifteen baptized in a gospel meeting in which a number of preachers participated. Wilfredo Samodal told of a conversion by Brother Jimenez. Philip Gon of Luanan sent a picture of some being baptized in a river, showing several standing on the shore, dripping, several more standing in the river, waiting, and one being immersed. Virgilio Galarn in Tacurong, Cotabato and Felix Abero in the northern port of this province reported on and two baptized respectively.

On the island of Palawan, Alfredo Agbisit wrote of two baptized in Narra, and Jose Ganan reported three in Bongabon, Oriental Mindoro. On the island of Luzon, Noli Villamor baptized five in Quezon, and Carlos Valenzuela another in Olongapo, the city just outside the United States Naval Base at Subic Bay. Sinforoso Pinote baptized one in Quezon City and Victorio Tibayan three in a meeting at Dian, Manila. Antonio Magbanua summarized his work in 1971 citing seventeen baptized while Castorio Gamit for the same year listed eighteen in Angeles City, just outside the United States Air Force Clark Air Base. I was stationed there from July, 1966 through July, 1968 and know well the conditions under which Brother Gamit labors. His results are spectacular.

Restorations

Castorio Gamit also wrote of six restorations in Angeles City in 1971 and his brother in the flesh, David, in Nueva EciJa reported one in early 1972. Sinforoso Pinote in Quezon City mentioned two liberal preachers restored. They ceased worshipping with apostate churches and renounced their support from liberal U. S. churches saying they did not want to be guilty under 2 John 9-11. Out of his own support, one of these is being assisted by Julian C. Felix of Tarlac, Moncada. Linghanan Sendil wrote of another liberal preacher leaving his error because of the Smith-Lacuata debate in 1971 and that harvest is not yet over. Brother Smith has, or is planning to send several hundred printed copies of this debate to brethren there. A number will switch their allegiance to the truth. Manuel Villaneuva in Manila wrote of seven, including two former liberal preachers, returning to their first love.

Truth and Courage

Brother Julian C. Felix wrote, . ..In Quezon City the PBC (branch) which was organized by Brother Gunselman is also getting weaker. There are orgy two (2) boys and several girls who are studying. But most of these are utilizing the school as dormitory for they are studying at the nearby secular colleges and university, hence they are taking advantage of the opportunity. . . .” Our institutionally-minded brethren have touted “Christian Colleges” as the way of spreading the gospel overseas by training native preachers. Question: is the PBC going to endorse “Womens Lib” by using female preachers?

The Philippine Bible College is in trouble. A number of its students and graduates, learning the truth, have deserted. Ken Wilkie, the president, published a plea for money to paint the buildings (judging form accompanying photo, they needed it, too). Moreover, there are faithful saints in the PBCs home town of Baguio under the very nose of the school. To the lovers of that idol, this must be a source of public shame.

Bob Buchanan, a one time member of the PBC staff and now at ACC, is a moral coward. Months ago I mailed him sixteen propositions for debate, that lie might have opportunity to defend the PBC. Cecil Willis and Connie Adams as well as I are willing to meet him in a fair debate on these. He is not even man enough to reply. These are the same propositions I sent him registered, on March 25, 1967 while we were both still in that nation. He gave them the same attention on both occasions-none! It is

characteristic of those in error and who know the Bible does not support their practices, to avoid a public confrontation with truth, especially when this might lead some of their sheep out of their error. In this contest for souls, error has never limited itself to ethical means. Bob Buchanan exactly fits this pattern of cowardice. Nor is he alone in this.

Philippine Preaching Trip

By the time you read this, brethren James P. Needham and Dudley R. Spears will be in the Philippines. I anticipate considerable good from this. Much of their teaching will be aimed at upgrading the capability of young and inexperienced preachers which should prove particularly fruitful in the years to come. They will report their trip in detail after their return to the U. S.

For the past several years, faithful Christians there have asked that several American preachers visit that nation yearly. They want our exhortation, fellowship in spreading Gods Word and to maintain the contact with conservative churches. In 1970 Roy E. Cogdill and Cecil Willis made the trip. Last year it was I Connie W. Adams and J. T. Smith. This year Dudley R. Spears and James P. Needham continue the effort. God willing, Frank Butler and I will make the trip in 1973 and Earl Robertson and Larry Hafley in 1974. These last two groups will need considerable financial assistance. The estimated expenses are $2500. 00 per man, most of which will go for the airline fare to and from, and air travel within that country. We solicit the help of churches and individuals. Please contact us.

Final Note

Especially gratifying to me is the progress in locating support for faithful native preachers. While there, I knew of only three who had support from the United States. Today there are more than sixty. Due to the extremely poor economy of that nation, the churches there are incapable of supporting their preachers. Outside help is necessary. For the same reason, it is virtually impossible for men to support themselves while preaching. As fine as it is to have this number supported, yet there are at least that many more still needing fellowship in this if the full potential of the Philippines is to be realized for the Lord. My experience indicates the Philippine Republic is one of the most fruitful places on the earth today in bringing souls to Christ. While the opportunity lasts, let me hear from you on this. I have detailed information on these men and will put you in contact with them.

TRUTH MAGAZINE, XVI: 28, pp. 5-7
May 18, 1972

By Cecil Willis

With all the information and enlightenment now at our fingertips, it is astonishing to detect that astrology and black magic should have such a hold upon the people of our land. Astrologers are known by many different names, such as witches, mediators, Satanists, fortune-tellers, magicians (not to be confused with sleight of hand artists), conjurers, sorcerers, demonologists, palmists, card readers, divinationists, soothsayers, voodooists, augurers, charmers, wizards, spiritualists, gypsies, or necromancers. Several of these terms are to be found in the condemnation of this sin in Dent. 18:9-12. Astrology probably is the most commonly used term in our country today for this witchcraft.

Astrology had its beginning almost five thousand years ago in Mesopotamia. From Babylonia and Assyria, the idea that the stars and their formations somehow foretell, and sometimes predetermine, the future traveled to Greece, Egypt, and finally to the East.

The Babylonians invented the concept of the zodiac, “an imaginary orbit of fixed stars that occurs in the course of a year.” The zodiac is divided into twelve sections which are called “houses,” and each “house” is supposedly ruled by a planet, with the sun considered one of the planets. The days of the years are assigned to various “houses,” and one can determine his horoscope for a particular day by viewing the various relations and positions of stars and planets.

The twelve constellations of the zodiac are Capricorn (Dec. 22-Jan. 19); Aquarius (Jan. 10-Feb. 18); Pisces (Feb. 19-Mar. 20); Aries Mar. 21-Apr. 19); Taurus (Apr. 20-May 20); Gemini (May 21-June 21); Cancer (June 22-July 22); Leo (July 23-Aug. 22); Virgo (Aug. 23-Sept. 22); Libra (Sept. 23-Oct. 23); Scorpio (Oct 24-Nov. 21); and Sagittarius (Nov. 22Dec. 2 1).

Various stars, such as Sirius, Antaras, and Vega, are used by astrologists in their computations. The working tools of an astrologist are the twelve houses, seven planets, other stars, and their relative positions. As the heavenly bodies move about from day to day, astrologists attempt to predict your future by the relative positions of stars and planets. Indeed, astrology not only believes it can predict your future by such heavenly bodies, but that your future is determined by the sun, stars, and planets.

Proscriptions

The Bible specifically condemns such “stargazing” in many, many different passages. Perhaps I should here recite some of these passages in order to show the relevance of articles on this subject in a journal of this kind. In Deut. 18:9-12 God said: “When thou art come into the land which Jehovah thy God giveth thee, thou shalt not learn to do after the abominations of those nations. There shall not be. found with thee any one that maketh his son or his daughter to pass through the fire, one that useth divination, one that practiceth augury, or an enchanter, or a sorcerer, or a charmer, or a consulter with a familiar spirit, or a wizard, or a necromancer. For whosoever doeth these things is an abomination unto Jehovah”

In Isa. 47:11-14 God showed the futility in trusting in those who claimed familiarity with the spirit world. Therefore shall evil come upon thee; thou shalt not know the dawning thereof: and mischief shall fall upon thee; thou shalt not he able to put it away: and desolation shall come upon thee suddenly, which thou knowest not. Stand now with thine enchantments, and with the multitude of thy sorceries, wherein thou hast labored from thy youth; if so be thou shalt be able to profit, if so be thou mayest prevail. Thou art wearied in the multitude of thy counsels: let now the astrologers, the star-gazers, the monthly prognosticators, stand up, and save thee from the things that shall come upon thee. Behold, they shall be as stubble; the fire shall burn them; they shall not deliver themselves from the power of the flame: it shall not be a coal to warm at, or a fire to sit before. Thus shall the things be unto thee wherein thou hast labored: they that have trafficked with thee from thy youth shall wander every one to his quarter; there shall be none to save thee.”

Jeremiah added: “But as for you, hearken ye not to your prophets, nor to your diviners, nor to your dreams, nor to your soothsayers, nor to your sorcerers, that speak unto you, saying, Ye shall not serve the king of Babylon: for they prophesy a lie unto you…(Jer. 27:9, 10). There are many other such warnings in the Old Testament.

In the New Testament, we can read of the conversion of one sorcerer (Acts 8:9-11), and of the striking blind of another one (Acts 13:611). The eternal destiny of those who traffic in such black magic is explicitly stated: “But for the fearful, and unbelieving, and abominable, and murderers, and fornicators, and sorcerers, and idolaters, and all liars, their part shall be in the lake that burneth with fire and brimstone; which is the second death” (Rev. 21:8). After having spoken of those who may enter into the eternal city, John said: “Without are the dogs, and the sorcerers, and the idolaters, and every one that loveth and maketh a lie.” (Rev. 22:15)

All of these spiritualists claim to be mediums with the spirit world, but not with the Spirit of God! However, there are false prophets who claim new revelations from God, but I do not now have these under consideration; the workers of “black” magic claim to have contact with the evil spirits of the spirit world. Joseph Bayly said: “What is the source of the power a witch claims to foretell the future, to establish contact with the dead? The one person this is not is God. Witches do not claim to mediate between a seeking person and the divine being; if they did they would be priests rather than witches.” (What About Horoscopes?, p. 27)

Sorcery or witchcraft is a false religion, and this is why it is so stringently condemned in the Bible. A Mrs. Leek, a self-confessed witch, said: “Witchcraft, like any other religion, must be accepted consciously. It is a decision that requires maturity.” (As reported in the Chicago Daily News)

They even have their own bible, called The Book of Shadows, which contains charms, rituals, chants, and curses. There are even churches of Satan established over our country by these false religionists. They have priests and high priests.

Yet some members of the church read their horoscope in the daily newspaper with greater regularity and enthusiasm than they read the Word of God. (More to Follow)

TRUTH MAGAZINE, XVI: 28, pp. 3-5
May 18, 1972