Truth Magazine

By Harry R. Osborne

By Steve Klein

The Lord’s church needs watchdogs A watchdog sniffs out doctrinal danger and barks the warning. A watchdog remains alert, capable of recognizing a threat and sounding the alarm The watchdogs of ancient Judah were failures in this respect. The Lord reprimanded Judah because “His watchmen are blind, They are all ignorant; They are all dumb dogs, They cannot bark; Sleeping, lying down, loving to slumber” (Isa. 56:10).

Among God’s people today, preachers and elders are especial- ly charged with watchdog duty. As those who rule over churches, elders watch out for your souls, as those who must give account” (Heb. 13:17). The elders of the church in Ephesus were warned of “savage wolves” who would come in among them, not sparing the flock; they were therefore commanded to “watch” (Acts 20:29-31; Tit. 1:9). Similarly, in order to fulfill the ministry of evangelist, a preacher must “convince, rebuke” and “be watchful in all things” (2 Tim. 4:1-5).

Leaders in churches must understand that being a watchdog is a serious responsibility. A watch- man (or dog) is held personally responsible for the damage done when he fails to issue a warning (see Ezek. 33:6-7; Heb. 13:17). We must also realize that the duty to watch and warn extends beyond the borders of the local church. Paul had deep concern for all the churches (2 Cor. 11:28), and if apostolic examples are still worthy of imitation so should we. As a preacher, Titus was to make it his business to stop the mouths of the many false teachers in every city in Crete (Tit. 1:5, 10-14).

But as important as it is to have alert and active watch- dogs, it is just as important for each watchdog to be well trained in every aspect of his job. An untrained, undisciplined, and uncontrolled watchdog is a greater danger than no watchdog at all. In the real world, we sometimes hear of dogs turning on members of the very household they are supposed to be protecting. We have seen TV news footage of children horribly disfigured by attacks from a neighbor’s watchdog. Sadly, the same kind of thing can and does hap- pen in the Lord’s church.

One key attitude or behavioral trait that every watchdog must learn is meekness or gentleness. In 2 Timothy 3:24-25, Paul is training Timothy to be a good watchdog when he tells him that “a servant of the Lord must not quarrel but be gentle to all, able to teach, patient, in humility correcting those who are in opposition, if God perhaps will grant them repentance, so that they may know the truth.” Yes, Timothy needed to deal with those who were in error, but he needed to do so with gentleness. A watchdog who is never able to confront danger and warn against it without starting a dog fight is not doing his job correctly.

 Gentleness is an outgrowth of proper attitudes toward oneself and others. With respect to others, the gentle watchdog is acting from motives of genuine love and concern. He knows that biting and devouring another is not consistent with his mission to serve, love and protect (cf. Gal. 5:14-15). If there are enemies, the watch dog lets you know, but it gives his hearers no pleasure. Paul demonstrated the heart of a faithful and loving watchdog when he told the Philippians that “many walk, of whom I have told you often, and now tell you even weeping, that they are the enemies of the cross of Christ” (Phil. 3:18).

With respect to himself the gentle watchdog knows nothing of pride and everything of humility. He is humble because he sees himself as he is. He is, after all, a dog. He knows that he too is fallible, capable of making mistakes and committing sin. As he attempts to correct or restore a brother overtaken in “any trespass” he does so in a spirit of gentleness,” considering himself lest he also be tempted (Gal. 6:1). No matter who he is dealing with, he is “gentle showing  all  meekness  unto  all  men”  because  he  knows that he himself has at one time or another been “foolish, disobedient, deceived, serving divers lusts and pleasures, living in malice and envy, hateful and hating” others (Tit. 3:2-3).

Watchdogs are so greatly needed among God’s people today. We need watchdogs who are alert, vigilant, faithful, and gentle. And we need watchdogs who can read an article like this and profit from it, even if it has stepped on their tails.

By Lindsay A. Allen

What better way to hinder the gospel of Christ than to divide the church? Thus, in 1849 and 1859 respectively he (Satan) introduced, through his emissaries, the missionary society and instrumental music.

 Those who take a firm stand on a “thus saith the Lord” for all they believe and practice in their service to God are accused of splitting the Lord’s church, and are labeled with such unworthy epithets as “antis” and “orphan home haters.” This is a serious charge of the greatest magnitude, for it is much more serious to divide the spiritual body of Christ than his physical body. Such a false charge demands a forthright and honest reply, and above all it must be scriptural. The purpose of this article is to do that. Let it be understood in the beginning that the author of these lines has no ill will toward any person, much less his own brethren. Contrariwise, since he and his brethren are cut from the same gospel pattern, he has nothing but love and goodwill toward them. The only purpose of this article is to search out the truth concerning this charge, for Jesus said, “Ye shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free”; “Sanctify them through thy truth: thy word is truth” (John 8:32; 17:17). Paul reminded the Thessalonians that God would send a “strong delusion” to those who did not love the truth, that they could believe a lie and be damned (2 Thess. 2:10-12).

In order to have a firm background for the study of division in the Lord’s church, it would be helpful to make a brief survey of division in the church in the nineteenth and twentieth centuries. Such a survey will show the true nature and cause of such divisions.

The restoration movement began on American soil in the early years of the nineteenth century. Its purpose was to restore the Lord’s church in doctrine, in work, and in worship as it was in the beginning. The “battle-cry” of this movement was in perfect harmony with its purpose — “Where the Bible speaks, we will speak, and where the Bible is silent, we will be silent.” What a noble undertaking, and far superior to previous efforts to reform Roman Catholicism and to reconcile the animosities and differences among Protestant denominationalists.

It should be emphasized at this point that the battle-cry of the restoration movement was nothing new — it is simply a re-statement of the truths taught in the New Testament. In 1 Corinthians 4:6 (RV) the Apostle Paul reminded the Corinthians not to go beyond the things that were written; in 1 Peter 4:11 the Apostle Peter said, “If any man speak, let him speak as the oracles of God”; and John reminds us (2 John 9-11) that “whosoever goeth onward and abideth not in the doctrine of Christ, hath not God.” Brethren, what the Holy Spirit is saying here is that the Bible, the word of God, is complete and needs no additions or subtractions; it must not be tampered with in any manner, for it meets man’s needs. As someone has well said, “The gospel God gave is adaptable to the man that he made”; it equips the man of God for every good work (2 Tim. 3:16-17). It is man’s responsibility to study it, to believe it, and to obey its precepts.

The restoration preachers preached the gospel without fear or favor to over-flowing crowds who were hungry for something that would satisfy their spiritual needs. The time was ripe for religious reform for denominationalism was torn asunder, corrupted, and hopelessly divided by the doctrines of men. Thousands, even whole congregations, responded to the gospel call, were baptized into Christ and became New Testament Christians. These Christians met on the first day of the week to eat the Lord’s supper (Acts 20:7), to sing songs of praises to God (Eph. 5:19; Col. 3:16), to lay by in store (1 Cor. 16:1, 2), to engage in prayer to God (Acts 2:42) and to preach the gospel as was done in New Testament days. These meetings continued in peace and harmony, but not for many seasons for Satan, the arch-enemy of mankind, was ready to strike at the success of the gospel. It is well to remember that Satan, who works through carnal men, does not work haphazardly but has definite plans and schemes to perfect his work. What better way to hinder the gospel of Christ than to divide the church? Thus, in 1849 and 1859 respectively he introduced, through his emissaries, the missionary society and instrumental music.

These two innovations not only divided the church, thus creating ill will and bitterness among brethren, but corrupted the worship and dethroned God. The feelings created by animosity and ill will grew so intense that brethren who opposed these innovations found themselves locked out of their places of worship. Appeals to the courts were futile and only added fuel to the fires of division. Numerous efforts were made to settle these divisions on Bible grounds, but to no avail. These conditions existed for the next fifty years with brethren leaving their home congregations and finding separate places of worship. The larger group of brethren who had initiated and defended these innovations are today known as “Disciples of Christ” and are among the most liberal denominations in the nation; they have added numerous unscriptural activities besides instrumental music and the missionary society, even to open membership of the believers in Christ. Brethren, this is an object lesson teaching us the danger of going beyond that which is written. We cannot afford to be a part of that history that will repeat itself!

A Brief Survey of Some of the Divisions in the Restoration Movement in the Twentieth Century

The twentieth century has proven to be turbulent with changes. The industrial revolution has brought many major changes that have lifted the face of the nation. The building of business enterprises to do the work that God gave the church, and the introduction of numerous innovations have corrupted the church and will lead to apostasy. The last two decades have seen a decided change in the substance of preaching. Sermon topics today consist principally of moral and ethical lessons that deal with the issues that beset our nation. Many of these sermons are scriptural, timely, and need to be preached, but brethren, that is not the full gospel. Jesus said, “Go ye into all the world, and preach the gospel to every creature” (Mark 16:15). Regardless of what else preachers may preach, the fundamentals of the gospel must not be put on the “back burner.” There is no substitute for the gospel, for it is God’s power to save the sinner (Rom. 1:16, 17). In the division of the nineteenth century those who opposed innovations were the smaller of the two groups; after separation they soon grew to be the larger, for the preachers preached the gospel without fear or favor — it brought results! Brethren, what I am saying here is this: the church will die without the gospel!

In 1906 the U.S. Bureau of Census listed the non-instrumental churches of Christ as a separate and distinct group. This separate listing of churches of Christ was both timely and encouraging, for it gave the brethren a solid place in society. In 1910 the church at Columbia, Tennessee established the Tennessee Orphan Home that was moved to Springhill, Tennessee in 1935. The advent of the orphan homes brought a new era to the disciples for they and their children’s children would experience strife, alienation, and division throughout the remaining part of the century. It is safe to say that the orphan’s home has divided more churches of Christ than any other one innovation. The late Luther Blackmon sums up the influence of the orphan’s home in this short statement: “The Orphan’s Home is the key that opened the treasuries of the churches of Christ to human institutions.” The key that opened the treasuries of the churches was its emotional appeal, for there is nothing that touches the human heart more than the cry of a hungry orphan child. Satan knew that this device would get the job done (2 Cor. 2:11)! Many brethren followed their emotions, not the Scripture!

What Then, Is the Issue That Divides Brethren?

Let us look first of all to the negative: it is not orphan care, all orphans need care; it is not orphan homes, for all orphans need a home. The issue is simply this: do churches of Christ have divine authority to build and maintain, from their treasuries, social institutions? This question begs for a scriptural answer. How far can the church go in the social field? Some churches of Christ are now building and maintaining schools, orphan homes, old folks homes, homes for un- wed mothers, and medical clinics (or hospitals). Brethren, if churches are to build and maintain orphan homes from their treasuries, why engage a human institution to do this work? Do you not believe that the church is sufficient to do all the work that God gave it? The inspired Scripture tells us that the word of God is able to furnish the man of God completely unto every good work (2 Tim. 3:16-17).

Finally, does God not have a plan to care for orphans? Yes! In every age God has cared for orphans. In the Old Testament he exhorted the people time after time to look after widows and orphans. In the New Testament the only passage that deals with the care of orphans is James 1:27; here the responsibility is given, not to churches, but to individual Christians — “Pure religion and undefiled before God and the Father is this, to visit the fatherless and the widows in their affliction, and to keep himself unspotted from the world.” Brethren, this is God’s answer!

The Social Gospel

The purpose of the social gospel is to improve the quality of human life. To this end many churches are engaged in some kind of social work such as orphan and elderly care, education, recreation, entertainment, and as one preacher put it recently, “just plain fun.” This so-called “gospel” (or pseudo-gospel) is in sharp contrast to the gospel of Christ; one is carnal and thus creates carnality, while the gospel of Christ deals solely and entirely with the salvation of the soul. The social gospel followed the orphan home in influence in the states for several years, but has been more widely accepted than any other innovation and thus, has led more churches away from spirituality to carnality and secularism than any other one innovation.

The social gospel, instead of making the world a better place to live, is laying the foundation for widespread apostasy in the next few years. When churches capitalize on fun and frolic and give little or no attention to Bible study and to spiritual worship, they are preparing the minds of the people to accept any kind of false doctrine or dogma. Friend, the social gospel is subtle and acts as a decoy for it gives to the people a sense of false security — they think they are busy doing the will of the Lord with all their social activity.

This statement may surprise the reader, but the roots of the social gospel reach back to near the close of the middle ages. When the Roman church built schools for priests and went into the education business, began to look after the poor, the down-trodden and the sick, they laid the foundation for the social gospel. During the Protestant reformation the Protestant churches (some time later) took over the role of the social gospel.

In England and in the states, the industrial revolution played a major role in crystallizing the idea of the social gospel. Factories brought multitudes of people from the country into the city to small congested areas which created slums and many other unhealthy situations. Industrialists saw the need of giving some assistance to these poor people, and then later turned the work over to churches.

In the 1950s and 1960s in the states, the social gospel grew rapidly and was accepted by most of the churches of Christ who had already accepted the orphan homes and the schools. The social gospel continues to grow rapidly among some churches of Christ. Even as this article is being written there are churches in this county who are either building separate buildings for fellowship halls or are adding such to their present buildings. These halls will be used for congregational meals, for banquets, for special events during graduation, and there will be basketball goals, volleyball nets, and other athletic equipment.

Brethren, have you forgotten, or have you ever known, that the word “fellowship” as used in the Scripture always refers to spiritual fellowship, never to secular affairs? The auditorium is the only “fellowship hall” you need. Recently I asked a young lady how the church was doing in her community; she said, “Fine, we have just given the grandest program and supper for the volunteer fire department.” Brethren, that bothers me; have you forgotten that the Lord’s church is spiritual, that its work is spiritual, and that the church does not engage in carnal activities?

These things as stated above only lay the foundation for widespread apostasy in the near future. Since preachers do not preach the gospel as they once did, and many churches have given themselves over to fun and frolic, what can you expect of the church in the future?

Brethren, now is the time to get busy; lay aside these carnal works and activities and concentrate on things spiritual. Brother Preacher, preach the gospel; preach the power of God unto salvation to those who receive it (Rom. 1:16, 17). Nothing can take the place of the gospel of Christ. Let us keep the church pure as the Lord gave it to us in the beginning. This is serious business; let us get busy!

By George Harris

We live in a modern world of advanced technology and creative competition. When we take a long hard look at the world, it becomes obvious that we can take a leaf out of their book. The Lord told us that we are to “be as wise as serpents and harmless as doves” (Matt. 10:16). Secular organizations galvanize themselves behind a shared mission, which can be an exciting and successful place to work, but it takes the commitment of every employee to attain the goal of the mission statement.

Cases where managers have created a real sense of mission, set a daunting standard for the less able . . . Bill Marriot, for example undertook “walkabouts” with his hotel managers where he noted down in his pocket-pad a range of faults, some seemingly trivial, but not to Bill. The news of Bill’s likes and dislikes quickly circulated to all the other Marriot hotel managers. Such attention to detail has undoubtedly helped the group become one of the most successful hotel chains in the world.

Forrest Mars, founder of the Mars Corporation in Slough, England some 65 years ago, considered product quality to be the most important factor for his customers. Certainly, competitive prices, availability, packaging etc. were also very important, but quality was above all. His motto was, “I want to be proud of our product.”

The apostle Paul was proud of his product. He said, “For I am not ashamed of the gospel of Christ: for it is the power of God unto salvation to every one that believeth; to the Jew first, and also to the Greek. For therein is the righteousness of God revealed from faith to faith: as it is written, The just shall live by faith” (Rom 1:16-17). This characteristic demonstrated boldness of spirit in a series of characteristics is revealed by him as a true spiritual leader in the first chapter of his epistle to the Romans. He reveals the gospel’s power, salvation, righteousness, and faith. The Greek word for power is dunamis from which our English word “dynamite” is derived. Paul expressed that he had a dynamite product. Some nearly two thousand years later we have the same product, and what a powerful product it is. It is God’s power to save depraved man from a fate worse than death, and give him a hope beyond that which he could have ever dreamed of. It is the gospel (the good news) of Jesus Christ.

Marriott and Mars, both founder entrepreneurs, were “walking missionaries” in their organizations, constantly demonstrating and expressing in their day-to-day activities, their preferred ways of doing business. The Bible says, “where there is no vision the people perish” (Prov. 29:18). The church needs leaders who are visionaries, people of God who lead the flock of God by example, to live, eat and sleep their mission statement. The employees of Marriott and Mars were left in no doubt about “the way things should be done.”

Percy Barnnevik of Asea Brown Boveri, the giant Swiss conglomerate, has created a sense of mission which permeates his portfolio of over 1300 companies. He has a simple but compelling philosophy which can be paraphrased as “putting people before cost, thinking globally, but acting locally, and keeping business small and simple so they re- main customer focused.” In Christian terms Christ put the souls of men before the cost to himself, the church thinking universally, in prayers for all the saints, but acting locally in carrying out its mission, keeping the gospel simple (not as false teachers) so that she can remain soul focused.

A mission statement is only created with a sense of mission if the mission statement is understood, believed, and acted upon by the majority of the organization’s members. Campbell and Yeung, “gurus” in this field, suggest a mission with these qualities will have four components: purpose, strategy, values, and behavior standards. The purpose of the mission statement of the gospel is to “present every man perfect in Christ” (Col 1:28), the strategy to preach the gospel to every creature in every nation (Matt 28:19; Mark 16:15), the values, love, joy, peace and all the other fruits of the Spirit (Gal. 5:22, 23) and behavior standards, to “put off the old man, put on the new man, and walk worthy of the gospel of Jesus Christ” (Col 3:9-10; 1:10)

Some mission statements of big business that are worthy of our consideration are: Sainsburg’s (an English super- market chain) “. . . contribution to the public good and the quality of life.” Merck (a big American health care group), “We are in the business of preserving and improving human life.” Matsushita, “To recognize our responsibilities as industrialists, to foster progress, to promote the greatest welfare of society. . .” All of these mission statements have a spiritual tone to them but are secular in nature, as are the businesses that produce them.

The Lord has given us our mission statement. In probating his own will, subsequent to his resurrection but prior to his ascension, he told his disciples, “Go ye into all the world, and preach the gospel to every creature. He that believeth and is baptized shall be saved; but he that believeth not shall be dammed” (Mark 16:15-16). “Go ye therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost: Teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I have commanded you: and, lo, I am with you always, even unto the end of the world” (Matt. 28:19-20). “Thus it is written, and thus it behoved Christ to suffer, and to rise from the dead the third day: And that repentance and remission of sins should be preached in his name among all nations, beginning at Jerusalem” (Luke 24:46-47). Within this mission statement are the four components: purpose, strategy, values, and behavior standards.

The Lord did not give us an impossible mission, but there are many among us that act as if he did. Yes, from a worldly view point the mission may seem impossible, but the world takes God out of the equation. God is “able to do exceedingly abundantly above all that we are able to ask or think” (Eph. 3:20). It takes commitment to be challenged to the mission. It requires vision to see the results of the mission, and it necessarily depends upon laborers for the execution of the mission. The Lord has told us, “The harvest truly is plenteous, but the laborers are few; Pray ye therefore the Lord of the harvest, that He will send forth laborers into His harvest” (Matt. 9:37-38). If secular business was given the church’s mission statement, would its performance be more successful than the children of light?

Nehemiah had the vision to get the city walls of Jerusalem rebuilt. He had a passionate perception of what his mission was. He planned the work meticulously, then he worked the plan. He motivated a demotivated people to rise up and build the wall. The wall was completed in an extra-ordinary time frame because “the people had a mind to work” (Neh 4:6).

A hit and miss approach to the mission at hand will not get the task done. It is the Lord’s business. It is the greatest work that the world has ever known. It requires laborers who have a mind to work. The mission statement has been given. Every worker of Jesus Christ must take up the challenge and conduct the business within the framework of the mission statement. The mission statement must be “understood, believed and acted upon by the majority of the organization’s members.” However, it will be mission impossible without commitment.