Truth Magazine

By Roger Hillis

I may not be very bright, but I don’t understand why you don’t just leave the churches of Christ. You no longer believe most of the things that make the Lord’s church distinctive, so why do you stick around and, under the guise of unity, try to convince others to stop believing those things?

For instance, if you really think that it is all right to worship with instrumental music, why not just go to the Christian church? They already have it; they have no problem with it and you have no problem with it, but those of us who still believe in the silence of the Scriptures do have a problem with its use. So why don’t you go where they believe what you do?

When it comes to the subject of baptism, why not go to any of the mainstream denominations? Rubel has said that salvation is wholly of grace and that man does not contribute one whit to his salvation. Max has taught that salvation is received in prayer and that one should then be baptized because he is already saved. Lots of religious groups teach this. Here, you would have a wide selection of choices. However, this would probably eliminate most conservative Christian churches because they still believe in baptism for the remission of sins (Acts 2:38). Perhaps this means you would feel more comfortable with the Baptists, for example.

And, if you so despise what the phrase “the church of Christ” represents, why do you still insist on using that name religiously? Why don’t you change the name of the congregations where you preach? Let me suggest some logical alternatives.

My personal favorite would be for you to call yourselves “not a church of Christ.” Surely that would make a statement about how wrong you think you have been in the past and it would clearly separate you from those mistakes and from those of us who still want to use that descriptive phrase (Rom. 16:16).

If you don’t like that, how about “The Unity Church”? This would emphasize your willingness to compromise almost anything so everyone can pretend to be united biblically.

Perhaps you would prefer “The No Pattern Church.” After all, this is the basis for your new views. You have concluded that the New Testament is not a pattern for the church, but simply a love letter from God. (If you are really lucky, maybe Pat Boone might even let you call your- selves the “Love Letters in the Sand” church.) Maybe you would like “The New Wineskins Church” or “The Church of the Second Incarnation” or “The Core Gospel Church.” See how easy this would be! Surely you are all smart enough to put your heads together and think of a new name that wouldn’t embarrass you like the one you use now.

Can’t you see that your desire for “unity” is being more and more divisive? If you do not believe what the Lord’s church has stood for these many years, why continue to proselyte her members (Matt. 23:15)? There are plenty of other groups that believe and practice what you now believe and teach. Why not go to one of them?

If you don’t want to do that, why not just officially separate yourselves from the churches of Christ that you are so ashamed of and give yourselves a new name? That would help others not to confuse you with the legalists and Pharisees you believe the rest of us to be.

Don’t go away mad, but it seems that you really could do the Lord’s church a big favor by just going away. “They went out from us, but they were not of us; for if they had been of us, they would have continued with us; but they went out that they might be made manifest, that none of them were of us” (1 John 2:19).

Or maybe you could just repent of teaching false doctrine and return to the Lord.

By Larry Ray Hafley

On November 5, 1996, the 9th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals ruled that a 1990 law linking standards of decency to federal arts funding was unconstitutional. The earlier law had been passed when a furor arose over federal funding of erotic, homosexual “art.” Now, it has been decided that the government’s funding of the arts “must be viewpoint neutral,” said Judge James Browning.

In other words, the most vile, disgusting depictions of sexual acts and of private, body parts may be protected and funded as works of art, regardless of what message the pictures present.

Remember, this is the same legal system that forbids voluntary prayer in schools and makes it a crime to post a copy of the Ten Commandments in school buildings. While being protected from prayer predators and Ten Commandment hangers, it is comforting to live in a country where it is still constitutional to slaughter unborn babies and pay taxes to support erotic, homosexual art! Are we fortunate, or what?!

Imagine the poor people all over this world who do not have the freedoms that we take for granted. They cannot kill the unborn child; they are not allowed to pay their hard earned money to display homosexual pornography at government expense; their children are forced to view copies of the Ten Commandments, or other incendiary moral codes, in the hallways of their local schools. But, thank the good (censored), we do not have to put up with such things. On the one hand, many in our government consider the execution of murderers an immoral act, while on the other, they clamor for the rights of a serial, suicide doctor.

Six-year olds who kiss their class mates are suspended for sexual harassment. Bibles cannot be passed out in schools, but condoms are available from the school nurse. Religious displays cannot be placed on government property, but government may fund “homoerotic images.” Under no circumstances must one disturb the egg of the unborn eagle or cut down a tree inhabited by a spotted owl, but if your wife is inconveniently pregnant, you may kill the unwanted baby. You may gather outside a penal institution and pray for the government to do away with capital punishment, but you must not assemble on the sidewalk in front of an abortion clinic and pray and petition for the life of an unborn baby.

Sadly, a country that has lost its moral and spiritual compass will one day ban articles like this, calling them indecent and unconstitutional. It is just a matter of time (Rom. 1:18-32; 2 Tim. 3:1-13).

By Mark Mayberry

As revealed on the pages of the New Testament, the church of our Lord Jesus Christ is all-sufficient. It is excellent or complete beyond all practical or theoretical improvement. It is positively suited to the spiritual needs of mankind. It is entirely without flaw, defect or shortcoming. In short, God’s pattern for the church is an expression of perfection. Indeed, when it comes to spiritual things, God has given us all sufficiency in all things (2 Cor. 9:8). In writing to the Colossians, the apostle Paul made repeated reference to the concept of perfection: His aim was to present every man perfect in Christ Jesus (Col. 1:28). This was no idle daydream, because in Christ Jesus we realize fully God’s purpose for mankind (Col. 2:9-10). Those who are faithful to the divine pattern can stand perfect and complete in all the will of God (Col. 4:12).

A Perfect Standard

God has given the church an all-sufficient and perfect standard. By following the inspired Scriptures, the man of God can be complete, thoroughly equipped for every good work (2 Tim. 3:16-17). James said the blessings of heaven are reserved for the one who “looks into the perfect law of liberty and continues in it” (Jas. 1:25). Peter alluded to the all-sufficiency of God’s word when he said that God “has given to us all things that pertain to life and godliness, through the knowledge of Him who called us by glory and virtue” (2 Pet. 1:3).

There is no need for any addition, subtraction or alteration to the word of God. Latter-day revelations like those claimed by Joseph Smith, Mary Baker Eddy, Ellen G. White, or the Watchtower Society, are unauthorized and unnecessary. The revealed faith has been once delivered to the saints (Jude 3).

A Perfect Work

God has given the church an all-sufficient and perfect work. It is ideally suited to fulfill the work of evangelism, edification, and benevolence. The first two responsibilities are affirmed in Matthew’s account of the Great Commission (Matt. 28:18-20). Brethren should be built up in the most holy faith (Jude 20-21). The church should also come to the aid of needy saints (Acts 2:44-45).

There is no need for any addition, subtraction, or alteration to God’s pattern for the work of the church. Let us not become side-tracked with a substitute mission. Why should we forsake the high and holy task of seeking the lost for the inane trivialities of the social gospel? When tempted to misdirect our energy and squander our strength, let us remember Nehemiah’s words to Sanballat: “I am doing a great work, so that I cannot come down” (Neh. 6:1-3).

A Perfect Worship

God has given the church an all-sufficient and perfect worship. Since worship is directed towards God, he has the right to dictate the kind of worship that he desires. The Psalmist said, “Give unto the Lord the glory due to His name; worship the Lord in the beauty of holiness” (Ps. 29:2). Jesus said that true worshipers will worship the Father in spirit and truth (John 4:23-24). The book of Acts records that the early church engaged in the following acts of worship: Lord’s supper, giving, singing, prayer, and preaching (Acts 2:42).

There is no need for any addition, subtraction or alteration to God’s pattern for the worship of the church. As the author and object of true worship, God has the right to dictate the form of acceptable worship. Teaching as doctrines the commandments of men renders our worship null and void (Matt. 15:8-9).

A Perfect Organization

God has given the church an all-sufficient and perfect organization. Each congregation is independent and autonomous, answerable directly to Christ, the head of the church (Eph. 1:22-23). Elders are to be appointed in each local church (Acts 14:23), where they are to shepherd the flock that is among them (1 Pet. 5:1-2). This arrangement is ideally designed for the upbuilding of the body (Eph.4:11-16).

There is no need for any addition, subtraction, or alteration to God’s pattern for the organization of the church. The manifold wisdom of God is reflected in the simple order of the New Testament church (Eph. 3:10-11). Religious hierarchies and human institutions are, therefore, both unscriptural and unnecessary. Let us not allow para-church organizations to supplant the church in its God-given role.

A Perfect Appeal

God has given the church an all-sufficient and perfect appeal. We have the ideal means of appealing to the lost_.Jesus simply stated, “And you shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free” (John 8:32). Man is drawn to God through hearing and learning the word of God (John 6:44-45).

There is no need for any addition, subtraction, or alteration to the appeal that is offered to sinners. Jesus recognized that many followed him only because they ate of the loaves and were filled (John 6:22-27). A carnal appeal cannot bring men to God. Only the truth is sufficient for such a task.

Conclusion

The church is all-sufficient. It enjoys a perfect standard. It has been given a perfect work. It engages in a perfect expression of worship. Its organization cannot be improved upon. It offers a perfect appeal to a lost and dying world. Yet, these consummate qualities are often unappreciated. Only those who have been transformed by the saving gospel can truly understand that God’s will is good, acceptable, and perfect (Rom. 12:1-2). Hopefully, as we draw closer to God, we will develop a deeper appreciation for God’s simple, yet sublime, pattern for the church.

By Olen Holderby

J.W. Roberts, in his small commentary on the first epistle of John (124), quotes Stott as referring to the three lies which John discusses as “three black lies” of this epistle — thus the title of this article.

The “moral” black lie — 1 John 1:6. “If we say we have fellowship with him, and walk in darkness, we lie and do not the truth.” This is parallel to 2:4, “He that saith, I know him, and keepeth not his commandments, is a liar, and the truth is not in him.” So, if we claim to have fellowship with God, but walk in darkness, John says we lie.

Since the Scripture is God’s word (2 Tim. 3:16), this means that it is God calling such a person a liar. Now, if I called you a liar, it would not make you one; but, if God calls you a liar, you are it! God makes no mistakes.

“Walk” is a way of life and without reference to time; while “darkness” (sin) is one way of life — moral or spiritual darkness. John says, “God is light, and in him is no darkness at all” (v. 5); so, there is no sin with God “at all.” The darkness of verse 6 is the same as the dark- ness of verse 5; and the light of verse 7 is the same as the light in verse 5. This suggests that only the sinless can have fellowship with God. This thought may seem to be contradictory to verses 8 and 10, which affirm our sinfulness. Not so!

John goes on to show how this sinfulness can be changed: It is changed by the blood of Christ (v. 7), but only on the condition that we confess our sins (v. 9). Christ is the propitiation for our sins (2:2), and he is our advocate with the Father (2:1); but, it still remains that in order to have fellowship with God, we must rid our- selves of our sins, since there is no darkness at all with the Father. When this is done, the door of fellowship with God is left ajar.

Now, if you claim to have fellowship with God and have not done the necessary things to remove your sins, John says you lie. “. . . all liars shall have their part in the lake with burneth with fire and brimstone; which is the second death” (Rev.21:8).

The doctrinal black lie — 1 John 2:22. “Who is a liar but he that denieth that Jesus is the Christ . . .” Keep in mind that this would be God calling such an one a liar. John has already said, “no lie is of the truth” (v. 21). Since God’s word is the truth (John 17:17), this amounts to a denial of God’s word. Further, this amounts to a denial of his divine Sonship (5:20), and, a denial of the Father — God himself.

The Gnostics believed that Jesus existed, but they denied that certain divine attributes were his. Matthew 1:23 argues that Jesus was “God with us.” If Jesus was God, he had to possess the attributes of God; otherwise he could not be “God with us.” In Mark 1:22, it is said that Jesus taught them “as one that had authority, and not as the scribes.” The scribes taught with delegated authority and that from their own priestly officials, and they taught their traditions, opinions, and the Rabbinical teachings. On the other hand, Jesus taught with inherent authority, and he taught the words of his Father (John 12:49). Being all-wise, he could cut through the traditions and teachings of men, and say, “This is it!” His word was law and there was no appeal from it (Ps. 119:89).

So, in both matter and manner Jesus proved himself to be the divine Son of God, the promised Messiah. If I make him any less than this, I make myself a liar. Again, “. . . all liars have their part in the lake which burneth with fire and brimstone.”

The ethical (social) black lie — 1 John 4:20. “If a man say, I love God, and hateth his brother, he is a liar . . .” So, if I claim to love God and hate a brother, I simply am not telling the truth — I am a liar. For the third time, keep in mind that this would be God calling such a liar.

In verse 19 we read, “We love him, because he first loved us.” This, of course, is in refernce to God’s love for us; and, who could deny this factual statement. However, this is not true when it comes to loving our brother. We love our brother whether or not he loves us.

In John 13:34-35, Jesus gave the whole world the right to judge whether or not we are his disciples, by the love we have one for another. Since love always does what is best for its object, our love sometimes appears to be cruel (see 2 Thess. 3:6). Man’s love goes upward to God, outward to our fellows, and downward to our enemies.

“And this commandment have we from him, That he who loveth God love his brother also” (1 John 4:21). Thus, we are commanded to love one another; and, if I fail to do so, and at the same time claim to love God, John says that I am a liar. And, once again, “all liars have their part in the lake which bureth with fire and brimstone.”