Truth Magazine

By Connie W. Adams

Throughout the Bible the word “table” has been used both literally and figuratively. When God gave instruction about the tabernacle, he ordered a table of shewbread (Exod. 25:23). The Psalmist described the bounty of God’s provision in that “thou preparest a table before me in the presence of mine enemies” (Ps. 23:5). In the time of Malachi divine worship had been polluted in that animals which were sick or lame were brought for sacrifice. In doing so Malachi charged that they said in essence, “the table of the Lord is contemptible” (Mal. 1:7).

When Jesus sat at the Passover table with his disciples, he instituted the Lord’s supper and said, “I appoint unto you a kingdom that you may eat and drink at my table in my kingdom” (Luke 22:29-30). The Lord’s table holds a central place in the kingdom of the Lord. It is there that we remember his sacrifice, that we commune with the body and blood of our Savior and that we look longingly to his coming again. Paul said we are “partakers of the Lord’s table” (1 Cor. 10:21) and pointed out that we cannot eat at the table of the Lord and the table of devils. We cannot have communion with both.

As Paul asked later, “what fellowship hath light with darkness .. . what communion hath the temple of God with idols” (2 Cor. 6:14-18)? Tables symbolize oneness, communion. How treacherous that one of Jesus’ disciples “which sat at the table with him” should leave that place of closeness to strike his evil bargain to betray the Son of God.

The Family Table

Historically the family table has not only met the physical needs of its members, but has done much to nourish their emotional needs as well. In godly homes, the table has been the place where God is thanked for daily provisions. It has been a place for shared moments for laughter, for concern, for instruction and training and has done much to establish memories which contribute to lasting bonds within a family. “Dinner is ready” has been a welcomed sound to many for a long time.

The demands of modern life in our culture have been such that the value (or even presence) of a family table has been diminished. In many a household, families do not eat together. It is difficult to set a time when everyone is present at the same time. Work schedules, school functions, part-time jobs, the desire to eat in a separate room to see something on television, or the notion that “I’ll eat when I am hungry” has interfered with the family table. Many in the present time regard anything which smacks of a routine or schedule as sinister. Forgotten is the fact that family meals are not just to satisfy hunger. They are social events  a time for families to share the same food at the same time, to talk of the events of the day, learn about what happened at work, at school. It is an ideal time for children to listen to their parents and learn something of their heritage. It is a time which ought to challenge every parent to make the occasion special.

Ah, but therein lies some of the problem. A family dinner demands, well, a dinner. And who shall prepare it? Whose turn is it to make dinner? The absence of a full-time homemaker in the modem home does create special problems about family meals. It is hard to set a time when everyone can be together. The lack of parental control of children whose whims and boorish manners set the agenda in too many households is a further hindrance to any kind of family dinner time. Parents who allow their children to grow up with picky eating habits deserve whatever grief and embarrassment that may cause them.

The Family Table in a Yard Sale

I always knew the family dinner table was special but I had it brought home to me in poignant manner which I will never forget. After my mother died in 1995, we decided to have a yard sale to dispose of things we did not intend to keep in the family. It fell the lot of Bobby and me to conduct the yard sale with the help of good folks from the congregation where my mother had attended at Rivermont (Chester), Virginia. We had two days of it and it went fairly well. I have never liked yard sales and some-how the excitement which seems to grip some about them has eluded me. It was distasteful to watch strangers rummage through things which my parents had handled so many times in the course of a lifetime. But I did all right with that until late the second day. We had all decided to sell the old kitchen table and six chairs (we used extra chairs at numerous times). The table was topped with a hard, vinyl-like surface with chrome legs and strips around the top. The chairs had been patched a number of times but were still sturdy and serviceable. Late that day, an older couple came and bought the table and chairs. As they loaded these on a pickup truck, I watched in silence as they hauled it up the hill. And then I had to go in the house for awhile to collect my thoughts and emotions. Through my tears I reflected on a flood of memories all of which had that table right in the middle of them.

At that table we learned respect for each other and especially our elders. We had our turns to say what we wantedto say, but we did not interrupt when the “grown folks” were talking. At the family supper table I learned so much about the men with whom my father worked that I felt like I knew them all. From my father and mother we learned much about our heritage. Our grandmother added much spice with her stories of times past. Somehow we felt attached to the people and places of which they spoke so fondly. At that table I learned not to aggravate my brother, at least not in reach of my fathers hand! The only time I remember that he ever physically struck me was over just such an occasion. It startled everyone and scared the living daylights out of me! My father’s method of correction was usually to talk to us in such a way that we felt ashamed of ourselves. His sudden action was totally unexpected, uncharacteristic, and never forgotten.

It was at that table, when I was eleven years old, that my parents explained to us why we were leaving the Christian Church, in which we had many relatives and long-time friends. Serious Bible talk made lasting impressions. Somehow, at that table, we were all one family. There we could mourn our losses, savor our victories, commiserate with one another, pass down folk-lore from one generation to another. There at that table the pressures and stresses of the day, of work, school and play, dissolved as we sat down together. The food was not always gourmet, but it was abundant (even in hard times) and lovingly prepared. We did not have the finest china and silverware, but we sure did set the table with love.

And now, that table with all its memories had just been hauled away by strangers who could never fully know what memories had been made around it. It was just an inanimate object. Had I known what emotions the selling of it would evoke, it would never have been sold. That inanimate object was the centerpiece of events which had much to do with who we all became and what we have tried to do with our lives.

So, amid the rush and press of life as it is lived today, don’t forget the importance of the family dinner table. Take time to eat together, then sit back for a little while and savor the moment and talk to each other. Neglecting the family dinner table will have the same harmful effect on your physical family as neglecting the “table of the Lord” will have on your spiritual family. Do you think it was just an accident that the Lord chose a table as the place to re-member his suffering and to renew our hope for the world to come?

Guardian of Truth XLI: 24 p. 3-4
December 18, 1997

By Johnie Edwards

The apostle Paul wrote the Corinthians, “I robbed other churches, taking wages of them, to do you service” (2 Cor. 11:8). Some look upon the gospel preacher as an object of charity or benevolence. Not so! The law of Moses provided for the ox, when it was said, “Thou shalt not muzzle the ox when he treadeth out the corn” (Deut. 25:4). Timothy, a young gospel preacher was told,.. The labourer is worthy of his reward” (1 Tim. 5:18).

Paul Took Wages As A Preacher

In order to do service to the church at Corinth, Paul “took wages” from other churches (2 Cor. 11:8). This word “wages” means a stipulated amount, like a soldier’s pay. The non-located preacher doctrine says that a preacher cannot know in advance as to what his wages will be.

They Which Preach Should Live of the Gospel

Paul discusses that those who minister about holy things live of the things of the temple and they which wait at the altar are partakers with the altar. Then he said, “Even so hath the Lord ordained that they which preach the gospel should live of the gospel” (1 Cor. 9:14). Just as those who served under the Jewish law were supported by such, so, those who devote their lives to gospel preaching are to live of the gospel. That is, they are to be supported as they use their time and talents in preaching the word of God.

Collections Help Support Gospel Preaching

Some have said that when early saints met to worship, there was no pulpiteer (preacher) to support and if no immediate monetary need existed, no collection was taken. If I read 1 Corinthians 16:1-2 correctly, Paul said, “Upon the first day of the week let every one of you lay by him in store…” Every week has a first day, doesn’t it? Since there is no other passage that tells the Lord’s church to raise its funds to do its work, this is the way wages for gospel preaching was raised. If not, why not? The early church did use its funds to support gospel preaching (2 Cor. 11:8; Phil. 4:15-16).

Young Preachers Need To Be Supported Well

Often young preachers, with families, are hardly paid enough to support their families. I have seen places where the brethren live in fine homes, drive expensive automobiles, and fuss about paying the preacher a decent wage. More churches need to be like those of Philippi. Paul said of their support, “. . . I am full, having received of Epaphroditus the things which were sent from you, an odour of a sweet smell, a sacrifice acceptable, well pleasing to God” (Phil. 4:18). Most workers are paid increases once or twice a year plus a bonus and contributions to other employee funds. The gospel preacher often has none of these and when he is too old to preach, what then? Let’s have a change in attitude toward the faithful gospel preacher!

Guardian of Truth XLI: 24 p. 15
December 18, 1997

By Steve Wallace

In the spring of 1996 Dennis Scroggins and this writer worked together in spreading the gospel in Kaunas, Lithuania. The theme we chose for the lectures one Sun-day dealt with matters related to the Holy Spirit. When that Sunday came, a small group of Pentecostals were in attendance to hear our words. They had some questions after Dennis’ lecture and then I started my lecture. Be-fore I had gone very far they suddenly stood up, one of them began speaking loudly, and then they all left the hall, the last one shaking the dust off of his feet as he went. We could not use our interpreter in such a situation and the only thing that I could come up with in Lithuanian was to ask them over and over, “Is discussion not possible?” It was not. They left.

Our experience there was similar to the experiences many brethren go through when seeking to discuss the Bible with their friends in other religions. Discussion is often not an option many wish to consider. Very obvious differences might exist, but the willingness to investigate them does not. This phenomena is also found among brethren.

The Liberals Among our

Institutional Brethren

Many of us are aware of the problems our institutional brethren are having with men from among them teaching common denominational doctrines and practicing open fellowship with human denominations. The conservatives among these brethren (those who want such unscriptural practices as those found in the sponsoring church arrangement and support of human institutions from the church treasury, but nothing more) are involved in the fight of their lives. One of them, Paul Sabi, has put out a paper entitled, Set for the Defense of the Gospel. In the July 1, 1997 issue he shucks down the corn, exposing those who have come to be known as “change agents” among these brethren. He mentions such men as Max Lucado, Rubel Shelley, and others like them. In closing, he asks, “Can we discuss these matters?” In answer to his own question he writes:

We would like nothing better than to openly discuss these matters. Formal discussions have been requested of key individual change agents, but they have refused to date to engage in such discussions. Please know the intent of our heart is for good to be accomplished, for the faith once delivered (Jude 3) to be lovingly, faithfully boldly defended (23).

Discussion has not been possible! Two groups are clearly emerging among our institutional brethren, but one is not willing to discuss with the other. Are there any parallels among us?

Those Calling for Unity-in-Doctrinal-Diversity Among Us

There is a similar problem among conservative brethren. Some have said that we can fellowship those who teach error on marriage, divorce and remarriage on the basis of Romans 14. They have also sought to justify such a practice by appealing to what the church has practiced with regards to the question of a Christian killing for his government. They say that if the conscientious objector can fellowship one whom he believes is a murderer (the one who kills as an agent for the government), then we can fellowship those in error on divorce and remarriage. Further, it is being argued that church autonomy somehow gives a church the right to practice that for which there is no authority. This allows brethren to say they do not agree with what is being taught or fellowshipped at a given church but then stop short of condemning sinful practices. Meanwhile, other brethren (of whom I confess to be one) teach that there is only one scriptural reason for a divorced person with a living mate to remarry (Matt. 19:9). In contrast to brethren advocating unity-in-diversity on this matter, these brethren condemn all departures from Matthew 19:9 as error. Two groups are clearly emerging among us.

Is discussion not possible? Can we not sit down as brethren and talk about our differences (Acts 15)? Will God forgive us if we stop our ears and close our hearts to our brethren and let things go as they are (2 Cor. 6:11-13)? If any of us are wrong either in our teaching or in our actions towards our brethren, will we not repent of it for the sake of unity and our own salvation (2 John 9; Man. 18:15-17)?

Conclusion

We have too long asked for audience with our institutional brethren and those in human denominations to deny such audience to conservative brethren. What is currently happening among our institutional brethren shows too clearly what the passing of time can bring in circumstances such as exist among us. Let us reach out to one another while there is yet time and opportunity to do so.

Guardian of Truth XLI: 24 p. 14-15
December 18, 1997

By Jim McDonald

“They groaned because of their burdens”

The following is a letter which was received in late June from brethren in Tambobong, Davao City, Mindanao: “Greetings to you all from the Tambobong Church of Christ in the precious name of our Lord Jesus Christ .. . We here in Tambobong are living in the mountainside of Davao City. We are very poor people, and are surviving from our meager products of sometimes nothing at all because of the pests and diseases of the plants. Sometimes, the sudden bad weather like the strong winds come and destroy our crops, and sometimes the rains will suddenly flood and wash out our plants. This is the reason why we are hard-up. Many of us are hungry and sick, especially the children. Last year, brethren died of hunger and sickness, and many of the children got sick and died also . . . Our basic needs are food, medicine, and clothes. Many of the brethren do not have clothes. Some cannot simply worship because they do not have clothes to wear … It is of this juncture that we appeal for your mercies and kindness our dear brethren in Christ. Please help us; whether in cash to buy us food, medicine and clothing, or in kinds like canned goods, used clothes, and in any other kinds. These are all needed, and useful for us. Whatever is extended to us is deeply and heartily appreciated; so we ask of your helps to us, our dear brethren in Christ . . . May the Lord be with you my dear brethren in Christ. We await of your mercies and reply . . . In Jesus our Lord. Signed  Elders: Lopes Amoy, Kuting Enock, Tinoy A. Suboy, Pelayo Wading. Deacons: Aing Adoing, Aquino Linao, Henry Amoy; Preachers, Tinoy A. Suboy, Cito Ibog, Rolando Batawan, Henry Amoy; Attested by: Juanito P. Balbin.” We are told that the “membership of the Tambobong Church of Christ is 110 including children. Average attendance every Lord’s day is between 70 to 80.”

From the northwest corner of Mindanao comes a similar story from Luis Calapayan who sends pictures with his letter. The enclosed picture shows a “crop of rats” killed by brethren in their “rat campaign.” According to Luis the “harvest not even enough to pay back of what we have spent during the planting season, for it was being eaten by the rats. In fact we were able to get sack of rats on a one hectare of rice land.” From Cotobato (Southern Mindanao) comes another report: “I’m imploring for mercy to them who fall into the ditch of misfortune . . . farmers in Cotabato area are groaning due to black bugs infestation in their rice fields. Their rice production has terribly dropped down. Before the coming of the black bugs infestation farmers will harvest one hundred to one hundred fifty sacks per hectare but now fifty to thirty sacks per hectare …”  Benjamin V. Libertino, Poblacion 5, Midsayap, ROP.

In northwest Luzon not only are rice crops destroyed by typhoons, other crops are affected as well. Garlic is a “cash crop” in that region, much needed by the folk. Last year these brethren were victims of a “double-whammy.” First, came a typhoon which caused the planted crops to rot; the second crop was hit by drought. Brethren had borrowed from a Chinese money changer with the agreed payment of two for one. Many brethren have sold their animals to pay back their debt and that not being enough, they have been compelled to work so many days in the Chinaman’s tobacco fields (on Sundays) to clear up the debt. The last letter from brethren of the area said they had thirteen more days (Sundays) to work. Such calls to mind the hardships of Israelites in Egypt, the land of bondage.

Some crop disorders are man-made. In parts of Cotabato, southern Mindanao, the crops, homes, and church buildings of brethren have been burned by Muslim rebels, with some even being killed. When we were in Davao City last June we heard the same stories confirmed by different brethren several times. Recent letters tell of brethren from three different congregations in three different municipalities (Kabacon, Pikit, and Pagalungan) who are suffering much from the violence that often strikes their land. Forty thousand evacuees have left the region, including several brethren.

How thankful we should be that we live in a land of plenty and do not experience the terror of persecution. What compassion we ought to have for our brethren in Christ!

Brethren in each of these regions (and many more) need our help. Names and addresses of responsible brethren who will faithfully distribute relief to the needy in these congregations can be supplied to those who want to provide relief. Remember, “What doth it profit, my brethren, if a man say he hath faith but hath not works? Can that faith save him? If a brother or sister be naked and in lack of daily food and one of you say unto him `be ye warmed and filled’; and yet ye give them not the things needful to the body; what cloth it profit?” (Jas. 2:14-16).

Guardian of Truth XLI: 24 p. 10-11
December 18, 1997