Truth Magazine

By Roy E. Cogdill

The New Testament pattern of things evidences that the individual Christian should be a part of a local church of Christ. Paid “assayed to join himself to the disciples” when he came up to Jerusalem from three years of preaching in Arabia. This is essential to fellowship with the saints for fellowship is a congregational matter. When an individual is not a member of a local church, he is not subject, to an eldership (Heb. 13:17); he cannot discharge his duty toward other disciples of the Lord (I Thess. 5:14-15; Gal. 6:1-2; Heb. 10:23-25); he cannot have fellowship in the work of the church for he is not in a position to participate in it and do his part (Titus 3:8-14, 3:1-3, 2 Tim. 2: 21-26; 1 Cor. 16:1-2; Eph. 4:14-16). All of this failure means disobedience to the Lord and eventually condemnation in eternity.

There are a good many professed Christians, throughout the country that have no place in the local church. They are members of none. They are not a part of the church where they worship. They are not subject to its discipline and accept no part of its work as an obligation. They have no church home and are a part of no church family. They are religious strays or tramps, responsible for nothing and worth nothing to any congregation of God’s people.

Then there are those ill-humored, selfish, conceited individuals that cannot follow divine instructions to “let all bitterness, and wrath, and anger, and clamor, and evil speaking be put away from you, with all malice: and be ye kind one to another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another even as God for Christ’s sake hath forgiven you.” They get angry at the preacher when they do not agree with him, or at the elders when they do not follow their suggestions, or at other brethren when they are not shown the attention or consideration they think they deserve and are too obstinate to try to adjust such strained relations with others. They swell up and go elsewhere after doing all the harm they can by the nasty, ugly disposition aroused within them and by the ugly things which they say. Then they start visiting around from place to place, if they go to the services at all, and become disgruntled, soured, unhappy and useless in the services of the Lord.

Of course, if all local churches would do their duty and after trying to save such individuals, withdraw fellowship from them, and if all other local churches would respect the will of the Lord and refuse to accept them into their fellowship until they made things right where they came from, not only would such individuals be saved and restored to their usefulness to the Lord, but other churches would be prevented from experiencing the same damage being wrought to them. So many elders are afraid of trouble, if they exercise any discipline, that they allow their fears and their own judgment to overrule the will of the Lord. Then so many others are so anxious to increase their numbers and contributions they will disregard the discipline which has been exercised, when it is, and receive them without any questions asked or demands made. Both evidence a lack of regard for the will of the Lord and confidence in His word.

Of course, again, there are those who remain on the church membership list and count themselves in fellowship with the local body but who are worth nothing to it for they cannot be counted on to do their part. They will not fellowship the local church by regular and devoted attendance to its services. They feel no responsibility toward an effort to preach the gospel in a series of special services even though it is arranged in the interest of saving souls and edifying the saints. They do not furnish their proportionate part of the, resources with which the church can carry on its work. If they come regularly, that is all they do. Such are deceived, if they think Sunday morning attendance will take them to heaven, or if they count, themselves faithful in spite of their indifference to their responsibility to the local church and its program and their lethargy in the service of the Lord.

TRUTH MAGAZINE, XVI: 19, pp. 7-8
March 16, 1972

By Irvin Himmel

The history, of the church of Christ in America is closely linked to publications in which brethren have expressed thought, preached their convictions, waged battles, explored questions, reported the news, and left a fluent record of their actions and attitudes.

Hundreds of magazines and papers have come and gone. A few have had tremendous influence in shaping thought. In the early days of the Restoration Movement in this country, A. Campbell’s papers, the Christian Baptist and the Millennial Harbinger, along with B. W. Stone’s Christian Messenger, were unusually potent. In the next generation of journalism, Ben Franklin’s American Christian Review, Isaac Errett’s Christian Standard, and David Lipscomb’s Gospel Advocate wielded great power. Moses Lard’s Quarterly, though of short duration, made its mark.

Most religious publications have experienced financial problems. The few that are hoary with age have survived hard times, and most of the ones which have died were killed by the same plague-lack of money.

Only God knows how many periodicals were commenced to propagate someone’s it peculiar views. When a faction arises, a paper will soon be started to voice the heresy. Other papers may be started to counter the influence of that one. As long as brethren take up with false doctrines and promote parties, this trend will continue.

Some brethren are “down” on all religious papers because many of them are not worth the price of the ink with which they are printed. Such a reaction is not justifiable. Shall we downgrade all elders because some are not worthy to be called elders? Shall we refuse to hear anyone preach because some preachers are plain sorry? Shall we refuse to be associated with a local church because many congregations are digressive? Not all religious journals are bad. Like people, they have their faults. The best of papers cannot offer perfection in every issue. The men who write, edit, and publish the papers make them what they are. The folks who have “soured” on gospel papers are doing themselves a disservice by not reading at least some of the excellent material that is being offered.

Every year new periodicals make their appearance and others reach their demise. I think it will be of interest to the readers of this magazine to see a list of some of the papers circulated among members of churches of Christ during the past year, and to know, how widely (or narrowly) they were distributed.

Circulation figures were formerly a deep, dark secret carefully guarded by the publishers. Postal laws governing second class publications have changed that. Brethren who take it for granted that Goodpasture’s Gospel Advocate must have at least 100,000 subscribers are in for a surprise. It is a big and powerful paper, to be sure, but not really as powerful as some suppose.

A few years ago (1965) the Christian Chronicle was printing 37,883 copies each week. In 1971 it became a bi-weekly, printing 6,029 copies. Its circulation has dropped to one-sixth the 1965 level and it appears only half as often. We wonder if this represents a reaction to its more liberal stance?

Searching the Scriptures enjoyed the largest circulation of the papers published by conservative brethren during 1971. The combined circulation of Searching the Scriptures, Truth Magazine, Gospel Guardian, and the Preceptor was 16,787. It is obvious that many of us are much too “conservative” when it comes to spending money on subscriptions for good papers! That figure should be at least 50,000.

The circulation figures reported are the total number of copies printed on the average for a twelve-month period as published in the different papers in accordance with postal laws and regulations. Most of the figures were compiled and submitted in Oct. of 1971.

Name 20th Century Christian Gospel Advocate Christian Bible Teacher Firm Foundation Voice of Freedom Christian Woman Mission Messenger Searching the Scriptures Christian Chronicle Truth Magazine Gospel Tidings Mission Gospel Guardian Minister’s Monthly Christian Worker Preceptor Word and Work

Editor M. Norvel Young B. C. Goodpasture Bill Patterson Reuel Lemmons P. D. Wilmeth Ona Belknap W. Carl Ketcherside H. E. Phillips John Allen Chalk Cecil Willis Baxter Loe Roy Bowen Ward William E. Wallace Frank L. Cox Bill E. Freeze Stanley J. Lovett Gordon R. Linscott

Location Nashville, Tn. Nashville, Tn Abilene, Tex. Austin, Tex. Nashville, Tn. Austin, Tex. St. Louis, Mo. Tampa, Fla. Austin, Tex. Marion, Ind. S. Houston, Tx. Abilene, Tex. Lufkin, Tex. Nashville, Tn. Wichita, Kans. Beaumont, Tex. Louisville, Ky.

Frequency Monthly Weekly Monthly Weekly Monthly Monthly Monthly Monthly Bi-weekly Weekly Monthly Monthly Weekly Monthly Monthly Monthly Monthly

Circulation 46,028* 38,687 27,000 24,616 9,480 8,832 7,573 6,755 6,029 4,453 4,426 3,917 3,517 3,220* 3,200 2,062 1,360 *1970 circulation

 

TRUTH MAGAZINE, XVI: 19, pp. 5-6
March 16, 1972

 

A timid moon blushed behind a cloud

As somewhere a coyote wailed aloud

At the lonely loveliness tonight

Framed in its halo of hazy light

The plain spread its tablecloth of sand

At the feet of mountains old and grand

Stars like angels’ eyes blinked serenely

Viewing creation set supremely.

Teasing rocks, playful brooks brushed their banks

Sailing o’er their beds without care or thanks,

But in thanksgiving the blanket of sod

Lifted its red rose and Goldenrod

Stamped with the words, “Handiwork of God”

-Larry Ray Hafley

TRUTH MAGAZINE, XVI: 19, p. 4
March 16, 1972

By Ray F. Dively

By the title of this article you might think these strange teachings are being taught by the Catholic or Protestant churches. But they are not. These are being taught by Christians. I wish to point out a few.

“Men do not have to have believing children (Christians) as a qualification to become an Elder.” In the King James version Titus 1:6 states, having “faithful children” but the Greek has “believing children.” The American Standard and some other have “children that believe.” Goodspeed and the Twentieth Century New Testament translate it “whose children are Christians.” Therefore the Bible teaches that a qualification for an Elder, the man must have children who are Christians.

“That Elders are not to make decisions but the whole church.” The Elders are to oversee and feed the flock (Acts 20: 28). 1 Peter 5: 2 says, “Tend the flock of God which is among you, exercising the oversight.” Elders are to direct spending of money (Acts 11:27-30), and are to make decisions (Acts 15:6). The Elders are to rule or exercise authority, we are to obey and submit to them (I Timothy 5:17; Hebrews 13:17). It is even falsely being taught that Hebrews 13:17 refers to the preacher. Elders make the spiritual decisions as long as they are in harmony with the scriptures and they make the material decisions with wisdom for the benefit of the congregation.

Exchange of pulpits with denominational churches. 2 John 10, 11 says, “If any one cometh unto you and bringeth not this teaching, receive him not into your house, and give him no greeting: for he that giveth him greeting partaketh in his evil works.” Therefore, how can we have a false preacher speaking to us? Also, we are to worship God in spirit and truth (John 4:23, 24). We cannot worship in truth if we have a false preacher delivering the sermon.

We can have fellowship with the Christian Church (Disciples of Christ). There are those who are advocating that Christian church members can take part in our worship services and have fellowship in the Lord’s work. Jesus only built one church (Matthew 16:18). Christ is the only foundation (I Corinthians 3: 11) and chief corner stone (Ephesians 2:20). Other scriptures to prove there is only one church are: Romans 12:4, 5; 1 Corinthians 12:12-31; and Colossians 3:15. It was our Lord’s prayer that his followers be one (John 17:20-23). Therefore the Christian Church is not the Lord’s church and we are not to fellowship them. Of course we are to teach them as any other denominational church. We cannot fellowship with those who are in error. We cannot fellowship any denominational church. There are some churches of Christ and individual members who do.

The church should provide recreation for the youth. There are Churches of Christ today providing recreation for not only the youth but the adults also out of the church treasury. Churches are buying recreation buildings for the youth. Others have bought camps with cabins, lodge, swimming pool, etc. Families may use these camps where the main feature is fun and entertainment at the church expense.

Also, Student Centers (places of recreation) are being built by churches near the campuses of Universities. One such example of this is the Student Center at the University of Tennessee, sponsored by contributions from churches. They call it a home away from home complete with “television, piano, kitchen facilities, telephone, refreshments, ping-pong and various other games and sports.” Plus other activities such as suppers, parties, games, etc. Also, a “Christmas” party for underprivileged children is sponsored by the students each year. They do throw in some religious activity. They have regular devotionals four nights a week at the center. This gives it a religious flavor, enough to have the churches pay the bill.

Parents have the responsibilities to provide recreation for the youth and themselves, not the church. The work of the church is to teach the lost (Mark 16:15), teach and edify the members (Ephesians 4:11-16; Romans 4:9) and to do benevolence (Acts 4:34, 35; 6:1-4; 1 Timothy 5:16 and 1 Corinthians 16:1-3).

You can be saved without hearing the gospel. Where does the Lord save … in the church or out of it? Salvation is only in Christ (I Thessalonians 5:9; 1 Timothy 2:10; Acts 4:11, 12). “Neither is there salvation in any other.” The Bible then emphatically states that salvation is in Christ and in no other.

All spiritual blessings are in Christ (Ephesians 1:3). Forgiveness is in Christ (Colossians 1: 14). Redemption is in Christ (Romans 3:24). One is a New creature in Christ (2 Corinthians 5:17). Life is in Christ Q John 5:11, 12). One can not enjoy spiritual life and at the same time be outside that realm where it is found. One is reconciled in Christ (2 Corinthians 5:1820). One is reconciled in the One Body (Ephesians 2:16). Therefore, one must be in that one body to be reconciled to God.

The Bible explains that “one body” is the church (Ephesians 1:22, 23; Colossians 1:18; Colossians 1:24). Hence, one is reconciled in the church. Thus to be in Christ is to be in His church. Also, Christ is the Savior of the body, which is the church (Ephesians 5:23).

Since the church is the body of Christ and Christ is the Savior of the body, how can a person be saved and not be a member of that of which Christ is Savior?

It is true that the church does not save anyone, but Christ saves the church. Hence, salvation is promised only to those who are in the body of Christ. The church is not the Savior; it is the saved. All those who are saved are in the church (Acts 2:47).

To be in Christ is to be in His church, which is His spiritual body. Threfore, one cannot be “in Christ” and outside of His church, for the church is the body of Christ. There are no saved people outside the church of the New Testament.

Blessed are the dead which die in the Lord (Revelation 14:13). One does not die into the Lord, but one may die in the Lord. A person cannot die in the Lord (or in Christ) for Christ is Lord (Acts 2:36) unless he first enters into Christ by being baptized in Him. Those who are out of Christ are lost in sin (Ephesians 2:12). There is no possibility that they will be saved so long as they remain out of Christ. The eternal blessings of God are pronounced only upon “the dead who die in the Lord,” not upon those who die out of the Lord. If you can be saved without hearing the gospel, we could save more people by staying home. Why spend our time, effort and money teaching others if they are already saved without the gospel?

Just to name a few other false teachings and practices: This is a Christian nation, churches can support colleges (because Bible is taught), churches sponsor Boy Scout troops, youth Sundays, and churches can support unwed mothers homes, orphan homes, Herald of Truth, ball teams, child care centers, hospitals, camps, and other such like human institutions.

Since I have been a member of the Lord’s church, I hear over and over, “We speak where the Bible speaks and are silent where the Bible is silent”; also, “We go only by the Bible.” How false this is. How far may a congregation depart from the truth before it is no longer the Lord’s church? We are departing from the truth as the early church did. I believe the church, as a whole, has departed so far that it may be impossible to bring them back to the truth. ‘

There are false preachers, elders and others in the church today. We must study the Bible (2 Timothy 2:15) to understand what is scriptural and what is unscriptural. These are perilous times for the church.

I am fully convinced that a new denomination has been formed. For the present it is called “Church of Christ.” Many churches have joined this new denomination. How much more error must others embrace in order to become part of it?

In conclusion, may I say, let us go back to the Bible as our guide, as our only rule of faith. For we tell others we do this. The church did not completely fall away after it was established, over night. Changes were made that were not noticeable at the time. The church of Christ is making departures from the Bible now as the early church did. The great apostasy within the Lord’s church that finally resulted in the Catholic Church slowly developed. It took 600 years for a Universal Bishop called a pope to develop.

I pray all we say and do is according to God’s written word. Let us speak as the oracles of God 0 Peter 4: 11). Jesus said, “If you love me, you will keep my commandments” (Matthew 14:15). “He that saith, I know him, and keepeth not His commandments, is a liar and the truth is not in him” (1 John 2:4).

Acts 17:30 says, “The times of ignorance therefore God overlooked; but now commandeth men that they should all everywhere repent.” Today ignorance of God’s word is no excuse. Those who do not know God shall suffer eternal destruction.

Let us be faithful unto death and he will give us a crown of life (Revelation 2: 10).

TRUTH MAGAZINE, XVI: 15, pp. 9-11
February 17, 1972