Truth Magazine

By Dickey Howard

During the 50s the Lord’s church divided over institutionalism, and there was a clear line drawn between truth and error. Many of God’s people stood for the truth, and continue not to support institutionalism, but one battle does not win the war. “Be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the devil, as a roaring lion, walketh about seeking whom he may devour” (1 Pet. 5:8). The devil must be very pleased so many are living in the past, and think the war has been won. Yes, the lines were clearly drawn in the past, but today those lines have become fuzzy and gray, because of soft preaching in some pulpits and dusty Bibles in the home.

The church today is in trouble because it is uninformed. How many know anything about the issues that are dividing the church today? How many even know there is a division taking place in the church? Soft preaching has left the church uninformed and has tickled folk’s ears. When error is clearly taught, it is called false teaching by those who will stand for the truth, and is easy to recognize. Soft preaching is not error, but it does not teach the whole counsel of God, and is not as easy for many folks to see. It is dangerous because it allows the church to ease into apostasy. It doesn’t point out sin in the congregation, nor expose error or the names of those teaching it, as did Paul in 1 Corinthians 5:2. Soft preaching is for those with itching ears (2 Tim. 4:3).

Many will say we are not in trouble. Let us look at this honestly. Are we not in trouble when there are those, in the Lord’s church, who will condemn a gospel preacher be-cause he exposes error and calls the names of those who teach it. Some may say he doesn’t have the right personality, or his sermons are a little too long. No one would dare say he taught any error, in fact everyone would say he taught the truth right down the line.

There are those who would say such a gospel preacher would cause dissension in the congregation where they preach, and also the surrounding congregations. God’s word has always caused division, because the word clearly separates truth from error. The truth turned the world upside down in Acts 17:6. “Am I therefore become your enemy because I tell you the truths” (Gal. 4:10).

Soft preachers are not the only ones to blame for the softness in the church today. Hebrews 13:17 tells elders they will give an account of how they watched for souls. God will not overlook elders who do not have the backbone to stand for the truth, and to see to the feeding of the flock that is among them (Acts 28:28). Be vigilant, which means to be alert or watchful (1 Pet. 5:8). Reactive preaching is like closing the gate after the mule is out. Elders and preachers must be watchful and listen to what is being taught and supported. God’s people must be warned of the dangers that face the church.

There are those who want to hear hard or plain gospel preaching like Paul and the other apostles did. It was preaching that exposed error and called the names of those who did it. It was preaching that encouraged the brethren to love God and their brothers and sisters in Christ and to have unity according to the word. It was not unity in diversity by fellowship of any and everything for the sake of peace.

We must remember, no one can go to heaven on the group plan. Each of us will stand before God in judgment and give an account of himself. Matthew 12:37 says, “For by thy words thou shalt be justified, and by thy words thou shalt be condemned.” Let us not let friendship or kinship cause us to say or do things that will cause us to lose our soul in eternity. I long for the day when folks will come to the elders and preachers and say, “Give us the truth and nothing but the truth.” God told the Laodiceans that he would spew them from his mouth because they were lukewarm, and we had better check our temperature before it is too late.

(Reprinted from The East Florence Contender, Florence, Alabama, September 1997. Dickey Howard is an elder in the East Florence Church of Christ, Box 915, Florence, Alabama 35631-0915 )

Guardian of Truth XLI: 23 p. 24-25
December 4, 1997

By Lowell Blasingame

“In The News,” a column in the Arkansas Democrat-Gazette, (9/30/97), reported that Brazil’s leading religious artist, Claudia Pastro, had accepted the Vatican’s invitation to give Christ a “face lift” for the third millennium and that he plans to design an “evangelizing, dynamic Christ” as opposed to a “suffering, despairing Savior” and to give him “a more universal look with Asian, black, white, and Indian traces.”

Isaiah describes Christ as having “no form nor comeliness” and “no beauty that we should desire Him” and as one “despised and rejected of men” so that “we esteemed him not” (Isa. 53:2-3). His genealogical records (Matt. 1:1-17; Luke 3:23-38) clearly show him to be of Jewish not multi-racial descent. It is not the physical features of Christ but what he did and taught us to do that makes him our Savior.

Pastro’s proposal to give Christ a new image, one different from Isaiah’s, isn’t something new. For generations men have been doing this by face lifting his teaching to make it pleasing to others. Consider the following as an example of this.

The Holy Spirit painted the Lord’s church as his spiritual body (Eph.1:22-23) stated that he has but one (Eph. 4:4; 1 Cor. 12:20) and that he reconciles us to his Father in it (Eph. 2:16), But men have given a face lift to the biblical picture of the Lord’s church and make it appear as a composite of denominations, with different names, doctrines and practices, and as of being of no importance in our being reconciled to God. This image of the Lord’s church is as adverse to the Scriptures as is Pastro’s proposed new image of Christ.

Biblical pictures need to be left as painted by the Lord (2 John 9; Gal. 1:6-8).

Guardian of Truth XLI: 23 p. 19
December 4, 1997

By Shane Carrington

Baptism involving absolutely no water! At least that is the claim. “Dry baptism” supposedly describes the process through which people become Christians. God does teach baptism “in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins” (Acts 2:38), but does this baptism include no water? Let’s examine this waterless (dry) baptism idea; what does the Scripture really teach?

The Claim: Dry Baptism Places Believers Into Christ

People portray “dry baptism” as the process the Holy Spirit uses to “place the believer in Christ.” In their terminology “dry baptism” equals “Holy Spirit baptism.” Notice the following passages and comments from “dry baptism” advocates.

For by one Spirit we were all baptized into one body; whether Jews or Greeks, whether slaves or free; and have all been made to drink into one Spirit” (1 Cor 12:13). “… we were all baptized. The Spirit joins all believers to the body of Christ (The Ryrie Study Bible New Testament 305).

“For as many of you as were baptized into Christ have put on Christ” (Gal. 3:27). “. . . baptized into Christ. Not water baptism but Spirit baptism, which brings believers into a living union with Christ (cf. 1 Cor. 12:13) (Ryrie 336).

For similar comments see Ryrie on Romans 6:3, 4 (Ibid. 271); Unzer’s Bible Dictionary 496; and Word Studies In The Greek New Testament, Treasures of The Greek New Testament 3:86-88, by Kenneth Wuest.

Baptism In Jesus’ Name: The Truth!

What does the Bible really say about baptism in Jesus’ name? “Go therefore and make disciples of all the nations baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit. teaching them to observe all things that I have commanded you; and lo, I am with you always, even to the end of the age. Amen” (Matt. 28:18-20). People baptize people. The Holy Spirit was not commissioned to baptize people. Note this:

1. Jesus commanded disciples to baptize people “in the name” of the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit (Matt. 28:18-20; Mark 16:15, 16).

2. But the baptism of the great commission “in the name” of God is water baptism (Acts 10:47, 48).

3. Therefore the baptism Jesus commanded is “water baptism” not Holy Spirit baptism.

Water Baptism in Jesus’ Name

More proof? When disciples began carrying out the great commission, what did they do?

Philip “preached Jesus” to the eunuch (Acts 8:35). “Now as they went down the road, they came to some water. And the eunuch said, `See. here is water. What hinders me from being baptized?’ So he commanded the chariot to stand still. And both Philip and the eunuch went down into the water, and he baptized him. Now when they came up out of the water, the Spirit of the Lord caught Philip away, so that the eunuch saw him no more; and he went on his way rejoicing” (Acts 8:36-39). You cannot miss the water in this passage!

After teaching Cornelius and his family, Peter said: “`Can anyone forbid water, that these should not be baptized who have received the Holy Spirit just as we have?’ And he commanded them to be baptized in the name of the Lord” (Acts 10:47, 48). They had already received the Holy Spirit (Acts 10:44-48; 11:15-17). After they received the Holy Spirit, Peter commanded them to be baptized in water! Peter would not “forbid water” (Acts 10:47); he “commanded them to be baptized in the name of the Lord” (Acts 10:48). Therefore when disciples “baptized in the name of the Lord” they were baptizing people in water” not the Holy Spirit.

The above passages prove Jesus’ disciples practiced water baptism “in the name of the Lord” (Acts 10:47, 48), not Holy Spirit baptism. Take note:

1. Baptism “in the name of the Lord” is water baptism (Acts 10:47, 48).

2. Baptism in the name of Jesus is “for the remission of sins” (Acts 2:38). Peter said, “Repent, and let every one of you be baptized in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins; and you shall receive the gift of the Holy Spirit” (Acts 2:38).

3. Therefore water baptism, not Holy Spirit baptism, is “for the remission of sins.”

When people with the right disposition of heart  faith and repentance  are baptized in water, they become Christians. “And now why are you waiting? Arise and be baptized, and wash away your sins, calling on the name of the Lord” (Acts 22:16).

Two Baptisms Today?

Most who believe that non-miraculous Holy Spirit baptism “places people into Christ” also believe water baptism plays a part in God’s scheme. Sometimes they use the same passage to discuss both water and Holy Spirit baptism (Ryrie Study Bible New Testament 271). However they must choose one or the other. “There is one body and one Spirit, just as you were called in one hope of your calling; one Lord, one faith, one baptism; one God and Father of all, who is above all, and through all, and in you all” (Eph. 4:4-6). We have no more scriptural foundation for two baptisms than for two Gods, Lords, or faiths. In the past, God employed several baptisms. By the time Paul wrote Ephesians, there was only one. What is the one baptism of Ephesians 4:5? Water baptism!

Reasons:

1. It was for all people (Matt. 28:19, 20; Mark 16:15, 16).

2. It was for all time (Matt. 28:18-20).

3. It is unto salvation (Mark 16:15, 16; Acts 22:16).

Reasons Holy Spirit Baptism is Not the

“One Baptism”

1. It was miraculous, with evidence of speaking in tongues (Acts 1:5-8; 2:1-4, 14-21). Miraculous power in men would not last throughout human history (1 Cor. 13:8-13). Water baptism was a continuing provision (Matt. 28:18-20; Mark 16:15, 16). Therefore Holy Spirit baptism is not the “one.”

2. We possess only two possible recorded occurrences of Holy Spirit baptism (Acts 1:5-8 with 2:1-4; 10:44-48 with 11:15-17). God never promised Holy Spirit baptism for all people! Peter appealed to “the beginning” (Pentecost, Acts 2) to find another occurrence (Acts 11:15-17). Holy Spirit baptism happened seldom, while water baptism occurred often (survey the book of Acts).

3. God baptized the apostles with the Holy Spirit to guide them into all truth and give them power to prove they were preachers from God (Acts 1:5-8; John 16:13; Acts 2:1-43). The Holy Spirit came upon Cornelius and his family to convince Peter and the rest of the brethren that God was willing to accept Gentiles (Acts 10-11:18). No passage suggests God made Holy Spirit baptism necessary to salvation! Water baptism places people into Christ (Rom. 6:3, 4; Gal. 3:26, 27)!

What About 1 Corinthians 12:13?

Some think they have strong evidence for “dry baptism” from 1 Corinthians 12:13 (cf., the works cited earlier). They interpret other passages in light of this one: “For by one Spirit we were all baptized into one body; whether Jews or Greeks, whether slaves or free; and have all been made to drink into one Spirit” (1 Cor. 12:13). But this does not teach Holy Spirit baptism.

Notice several reasons:

1. It says baptized “by” the Spirit, not “in” (in spite of what some translations say). “By” comes from the Greek word, en, which has several possible meanings: “in, on, at, with, by, among” (The New Thayer’s Greek-English Lexicon 209). Since multiple possibilities exist, we must determine its meaning by the context. In 1 Corinthians “by (en) the Spirit” means the Holy Spirit is the source: of spiritual cleansing (1 Cor. 6:11), information (1 Cor. 12:3), and power (1 Cor. 12:9). Therefore, “baptized by the Spirit” means the Holy Spirit is our source of information concerning baptism  not the element into which we are baptized! The Holy Spirit is the baptizer here, not the element into which people must be baptized!

2. Only Jesus baptized people in the Holy Spirit (Matt. 3:11; Mark 1:7, 8; Luke 3:15, 16; John 1:25-34). Yet the Holy Spirit  through the word (Eph. 5:26)  teaches people the baptism of 1 Corinthians 12:13. So the Holy Spirit baptizes us in the sense that he revealed God’s instructions about baptism.

3. Jesus baptized people in water, yet not personally. “Therefore, when the Lord knew that the Pharisees had heard that Jesus made and baptized more disciples than John (though Jesus Himself did not baptize, but His disciples)” (John 4:1, 2). Jesus taught; others baptized. Similarly, the Holy Spirit teaches us water baptism via the word (John 16:13; Acts 2:38; Eph. 6:17), while humans baptize us in water. No one is scripturally baptized otherwise, for the Holy Spirit revealed the Scriptures! Jesus “made and baptized more disciples than John” (John 4:1, 2)  though not personally. Similarly the Holy Spirit baptizes us  though not personally  in the sense that his word (the gospel) teaches us to be baptized.

Conclusion

Baptism is necessary to salvation  water baptism, that is! Holy Spirit baptism was temporary, ending before the first century closed. Holy Spirit baptism never directly saved anyone! But we must preach and practice water baptism unto salvation  until the Lord returns. “And Jesus came and spoke to them, saying, `All authority has been given to Me in heaven and on earth. Go therefore and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit. teaching them to observe all things that I have commanded you; and lo, I am with you always, even to the end of the age.’ Amen” (Matt. 28:18-20). And this is immersion in water  nothing “dry” about it!

Guardian of Truth XLI: 23 p. 14-16
December 4, 1997

By Johnie Edwards

The Bible often refers to the Lord’s people by the term “fellow,” including the preacher! Instead of thinking of the preacher as the hire of the church, we need to think of the gospel preacher as a Bible fellow.

Fellow Citizens

Paul referred to Christians at Ephesus as fellow citizens. “Now therefore ye are no more strangers and foreigners, but fellow citizens with the saints, and of the household of God” (Eph. 2:19). There was a time when the Gentiles had been aliens from the body of Christ, but they now possessed citizenship and family membership in the New Testament church. Every Christian is a citizen in the kingdom of God when he obeys the gospel (Col. 1:13). By the way some act toward the preacher, you would think that he, although a member of God’s family, is not a fellow citizen!

Fellow Workers

In writing the Colossians, Paul named three Jewish Christians as being his fellow workers as he said, “. . . These only are my fellow workers unto the kingdom of God, which have been a comfort unto me” (Col. 4:11). Paul said of Onesimus, “. . . a faithful and beloved brother, who is one of you” (Col. 4:9). I sure wish more brethren thought of the gospel preacher like this! Preachers and other members are working together for a common cause  the spread of the gospel.

Fellow Helpers

Paul did not look upon the young gospel preacher, Titus as a hire of the church, but rather as, “. . . my partner and fellow helper concerning you . . . they are messengers of the churches, and the glory of Christ” (2 Cor. 8:23). Preachers and other members of the church are partners (Phile. 17), and fellow helpers in the work of the Lord.

Fellow Servants

All Christians are fellow servants. The Holy Spirit refers to the gospel preacher, Epaphras, as “. . . our dear fellow servant, who is for you a faithful minister of Christ” (Col. 1:7). Please notice how Paul refers to a gospel preacher.” All my state shall Tychicus declare unto you, who is a beloved brother, and a faithful minister and fellow servant in the Lord” (Col. 4:7). Instead of referring to the preacher as a hired-hand, why not refer to him like the Lord said  a beloved brother, a faithful minister and a fellow servant?

Fellow Soldiers

It is penned concerning Epaphroditus, “Yet I supposed it necessary to send to you Epaphroditus, my brother, and companion in labor, and fellow soldier, but your messenger, and he that ministered to my wants” (Phil. 2:25). Paul thought of this preacher as a companion, fellow soldier and his brother in the labor they were engaged in. What a refreshing way to refer to the gospel preacher! As the letter to Philemon was being written, Apphia and Archippus were referred to as, “. . . our beloved, our fellow soldier” (Phile. 2).

Fellow Heirs

God’s children, including preachers, are fellow heirs when faithful to serve God. Paul encourages Gentile Christians by stating that they, “. . . should be fellow heirs, and of the same body, and partakers of his promise in Christ by the gospel” (Eph. 3:6). Remember Paul said, “And if children, then heirs; heirs of God, and joint-heirs with Christ …” (Rom. 8:17).

It is past time that we begin to think of gospel preachers the way the Lord thinks of them and quit calling faithful gospel preachers, a professional hireling, a manipulator of the innocent, a cancer in the body, obstructer of spiritual growth, proxy for others, a paid functionary, the professional sermonizer, and the like. If a gospel preacher is any of these, he should stop being such immediately.

Guardian of Truth XLI: 23 p. 20
December 4, 1997