Truth Magazine

By Charley Alexander and James Moore

A true church of Christ must preach the original gospel of Christ and follow the original pattern given in the New Testament for its faith and practice. Such a church wears the name of Christ without any denominational name and teaches the doctrine of Christ without any denominational doctrines (Rom. 16:16; 2 John 9-11). That is exactly our aim.

As elders of the church of Christ here in West Columbia, we want to give a report marking thirteen years of work completed. A church of Christ began here in the early 1920s, moved to nearby Damon in 1928, and started again here in the early 1930s. The R.C. McKinney family was instrumental in this effort and the church met in their home at times. In 1940, Roy Stevens secured an old army barrack which was used to construct a meeting place. His son, R.J., would later marry one of the McKinney daughters, Pauline, and would become a gospel preacher and co-editor of a widely-used song book (Hymns for Worship). H.H. Norris was the first located preacher here. About 25 preachers have worked with us through the years, but none has continued his labors with us as long as Ron Halbrook. Together, we have completed thirteen years of work for the Lord.

The Halbrook family arrived in West Columbia on July 27, 1984 and moved on July 28, 1997. The Halbrooks and other Christians who meet here have many fond memories of our work together. As elders, we have tried very hard to fulfill the duties of overseeing the affairs of the church as outlined in Acts 20:28 and 1 Peter 5:2. As an evangelist, brother Halbrook has tried very hard to fulfill the duties of preaching the gospel as outlined in Titus 2:15 and 2 Timothy 4:1-5. There has always been a complete meeting of the minds on the truth of the gospel which was taught. There has never been a doctrinal disagreement between brother Halbrook and ourselves because we are united in “one Lord, one faith, one baptism” (Eph. 4:4-6).

Through the years, God’s people have faced controversies with denominationalism, premillennialism, liberalism, worldliness, and other devices of Satan. It has been no different during brother Halbrook’s stay with us and it will be the same in the future. He has held up our hands in these battles and we have held up his, because the Lord teaches us to “earnestly contend for the faith which was once delivered unto the saints” (Jude 3). Presently, God’s people are being tested by the marriage issue, the misuse of Romans 14 on fellowship with doctrinal error, and many forms of worldliness including immodest dress. We did not compromise with such error before brother Halbrook came, and the truth was upheld while he was here, and we do not plan to budge one inch from the strait and narrow way now that he is gone (Matt. 7:13-14).

Many have been baptized and others restored while brother Halbrook has been with us, and many have moved away or become unfaithful and have been withdrawn from (2 Thess. 3:6). This always has been the course of events among the people of God. God teaches us to be constant and consistent in preaching the truth and to trust in him for the results. As this church has worked together, “God gave the increase” according to his will during these thirteen years (1 Cor. 3:6). Rarely during the history of this church have we reached 180-200 in attendance, and one of those periods occurred while brother Halbrook was here. In recent years, about 80 people have died, fallen away, or moved their membership because of job changes, retirement, or other factors. In spite of that, we can still have 130-140 when everyone is well and present. Our small community numbers only about 4,500, yet the church is larger here than in many cities and we shall continue to spread the gospel in our area with confidence that God gives the increase.

Efforts have been made to improve our Bible classes during the last thirteen years. When brother Halbrook arrived in 1984, we had an unusually large group of young people, mostly pre-teenage. He began a short training class with songs and memory verses before Sunday evening services. Eventually, this program grew into four classes for different age groups. Brother Halbrook worked with one class teaching young men to prepare sermons. Also, our Sunday morning and Wednesday evening classes for young people have been better organized by using the Truth in Life and Walking With God series of workbooks. A pro-gram was devised offering three classes to the adults on Sundays and Wednesdays. During the three-year cycle, every book of the Bible was offered along with many topical subjects. The program has been revised as needed to accommodate new subjects and other factors. Wednesday morning classes have been a highlight for the men and women who have attended, having just completed a study of Genesis through Deuteronomy. In addition, brother Halbrook helped us to renew our Vacation Bible School work, which has been very successful.

During these years, the church has emphasized the importance of training men to faithfully preach the gospel of Christ (2 Tim. 2:2). Several of our own men have developed their talents through the years, and some of these are preaching regularly. Andy Alexander went into full-time preaching in 1988. While maintaining his secular job, Paul Krenek developed in a fine way and is helping the brethren nearby in Angleton at the Kiber St. Church of Christ, along with Rickey Moore. Five young men from other places spent several months with us gaining experience to preach. They were Carthel Thomas, Marc Gibson, Doug Lancaster, Steve Curtis, and Steve Deaton. So far as we know, all of them have remained faithful to the Lord.

Throughout the years, the West Columbia church has been evangelistic minded. During these thirteen years, we have supported ten to fifteen men on a regular basis in the U.S. and around the world. In foreign evangelism, we pro-vide regular support to men in Mexico, Italy, South Africa, and the Philippine Islands. U.S. preachers making trips to various places have been helped temporarily, such as helping brother Halbrook go to the Philippines and helping Steve Deaton go to Lithuania. We often have sent emergency help to brethren scattered around the world. Brother Halbrook’s sermons often emphasized the importance of spreading the gospel throughout the world and we hope to always press forward in that good work (Mark 16:15-16).

Much teaching has been done through sermons, newspaper articles, home Bible studies, gospel meetings, and other efforts during these years. Brother Halbrook will tell you that all of this work is not a one-man effort, and it cannot be done with the help of the elders and deacons alone, but it requires everyone doing his part. We have recently completed gospel meetings with Connie W. Adams of Brooks, Kentucky (March 16-21) and Tom Roberts of Ft. Worth, Texas (July 20-25) with good lessons for saints and sinners. Future meetings are scheduled with Mike Willis, W.R. Jones, Alex Caldwell, and Bill Cavender.

As these thirteen years are completed, we bid Godspeed to each other, but we plan to stay in close contact. When brother Halbrook first approached the elders in late 1996 about his plans to move, he made it clear that it was not because of any ill-will or doctrinal disagreements but was due to a new program of work he wanted to begin. He will be holding more gospel meetings and spending time preaching in the Philippines Islands each year. To accommodate this work, he will labor with Andy Alexander in a two-preacher arrangement with the Hebron Lane church in Shepherdsville, Kentucky. Andy (the son of Charley) grew up here in West Columbia and was in the lumber yard business. Shortly after Ron’s arrival, Andy studied and worked with Ron in preparing to preach. His first full-time work was with the El Bethel church in Shelbyville, Tennessee (Jan. 1988-Aug. 1993). Since then, he has preached at the Hebron Lane church.

When the Hebron Lane elders heard about the program of work Ron planned to do, they invited him to work with them there. Because of our common interest in spreading the gospel in the Philippines, the church here will help with brother Halbrook’s expenses in his travels. We recently sent another large shipment (30 boxes) of used song books, Bibles, Bible study literature, and clothes to our struggling brethren in the Philippines. As he enters his new work and travels, he goes forth with our blessing, prayers, and moral support in addition to any needed financial help. We recommend him to churches wanting book, chapter, and verse preaching in gospel meetings. His new address is 3505 Horse Run Court, Shepherdsville, KY 40165.

While thankful for the past thirteen years, we are not resting on the past. Our attitude is like that of Captain Paul Jones in 1779, who said to the British, “Sirs, I have not yet begun to fight.” There is always much work to do in God’s kingdom and we plan to do our part to the best of our ability. In all these labors, God and not ourselves must be glorified. “We are unprofitable servants: we have done that which was our duty to do” (Luke 17:10). Just as we have enjoyed a good relationship with brother Halbrook, we expect to have an equally good relationship with the new preacher.

We take this occasion to announce the arrival of David Weaks and his family as of August 11, 1997. Brother Weaks was converted from Roman Catholicism some years ago. He comes to us after spending five years working with the Fourth and Groesbeck church in Lufkin, Texas. He is an able student and effective preacher of God’s Word. Sound preachers highly recommend him and we welcome him along with his wife, Perry, and their daughter, Lindsey, to West Columbia.

We are confident brother Weaks will hold high the banner of Christ, preaching the whole counsel of God, like brother Halbrook and the preachers before him have done (Acts 20:27). Brother Weaks’ new address is 654 Gray St., West Columbia, TX 77486. When traveling in our area, visit the church meeting here on the corner of 15th and Jack-son Streets. A warm welcome awaits you!

Guardian of Truth XLI: 17 p. 16-18
September 4, 1997

By Lewis Willis

One of the great problems we face is, how do we know the difference between right and wrong; how can we know our relationship with God is what it must be; how can we tell the difference between those who serve God and those who don’t? Every generation struggles with these questions and the practical applications concerning them. Great exception is taken when a favored preacher or brother is identified as a false teacher because we do not seem to know how that determination is made. How can I know if Brother Whoever is in error or teaching error? That is the question.

Fortunately, God did not leave us without guidance regarding this problem. As a matter of fact, he addressed it directly. The question becomes: Will we accept what God said about the situation, or will we rebel against his will? There is a test prescribed in the Scriptures to determine who is teaching and practicing Truth and who is teaching and practicing error. Consider The Test with me.

The Apostle John spoke about the marvelous love of God bestowed upon his children. The full significance of that love has not be defined in the Scriptures; some aspects of his love await the second coming to be realized in their fullness. We know, however, that we shall be like the Lord through the love of God, when Jesus comes again (1 John 3:1-2).

Because of that love and these blessings, those who desire this hope, keep on purifying themselves, as he is pure (v. 3). We are then advised about sin and its effect upon that love, hope, and purity. “Whosoever committeth sin transgresseth also the law: for sin is the transgression of the law” (v. 4). Sin is the enemy and destroyer of God’s love, our hope, and our purity. If we allow sin into our lives, we forfeit these blessings and benefits. The Test is: Have we transgressed God’s Law? If we have transgressed the Law, and failed or refused to correct the transgression, we have lost salvation and our identity as faithful servants of God. The only alternative that remains is, we have become servants of the Devil.

Let’s follow John’s instruction further. He said that Jesus was manifested to take away our sins (v. 5), and those abiding in him do not keep on sinning. Those who keep on sinning have “not seen him, neither known him” (v. 6). In chapter 2, verse 3, John wrote: “And hereby we do know that we know him, if we keep his commandments.” Those who do not keep the commandments, do not know God! This is true if you are talking about an atheist, a denominationalist, or a brother who decides, for whatever reason, not to teach or stand for the Truth. Such an one has transgressed God’s law and is in sin, not righteousness. All we need do is compare what he teaches and/or practices with the Scriptures, to know whether or not he has passed The Test.

But, John is not through, yet. He warns that we not be deceived about this matter. He affirms: “He that doeth righteousness is righteous” (v. 7). Not “he who thinks or believes he is righteous,” but “he who doeth righteousness.” The Test is: Is this person we are concerned about doing righteousness? If not, he is guilty of unrighteousness, which the same author said is sin (1 John 5:17). Abiding in unrighteousness (sin), one has neither seen nor known the Lord (v. 6). The Test (the decision we must make) is, “Is this person in unrighteousness?” If so, he is lost, and if he is teaching unrighteousness to others, he is teaching them to be lost, thus making him a false teacher! This is true if he is teaching unrighteousness about the deity of Christ, the inspiration of the Scriptures, instrumental music, or marriage, divorce and remarriage. God gave us The Test for making these determinations, so we must use it. Otherwise, we are in danger of becoming partaker with them in their evil deeds by supporting and defending them in theft sin (2 John 9-11).

This gets easier and easier, if we will listen to the Apostle. He continues: “He that committeth sin is of the devil” (v. 8). Is there any among us who cannot understand that language? Not maybe … possibly … supposedly. Rather, if one is committing sin (teaching error) he is of the devil. We can make all the apologies for the false teacher we wish, but these apologies do not change the fact! We hear people saying, “He just lacks knowledge . . . is honest and sincere . . . is right about most other things … doesn’t have the spirit of the false teacher of 2 Peter 2 . . . etc.” However, he is committing sin by teaching error, and the Bible says he is of the devil. The question becomes: Do we believe the Bible?

Sometimes, once a person has spoken on a subject and then learns he did not say the truth, it is impossible to get him to admit he was wrong and repent. His pride and stubbornness come into play, and he refuses to do what the Bible tells him to do about his sin. What about that person? John tells us about him. W e know he is not of God f o r “Whosoever is born of God doth not commit sin … he cannot sin, because he is born of God” (v. 9). John is not teaching the impossibility of apostasy. He is saying that one who is of God does not and cannot keep on sinning! Ignorance and pride are swept away, as the child of God corrects his sin. If he does not correct it especially after the sin has been identified to him  he is no longer in fellowship with God, but is of the devil.

“Please, John, draw us an easy conclusion!” All right, here it is. This is the conclusion of The Test: “In this the children of God are manifest, and the children of the devil: whosoever doeth not righteousness is not of God, neither he that loveth not his brother” (v. 10). We need help to misunderstand this statement. If one is in unrighteousness or sin, he is not of God. Whose servant is he, John? “The Devil’s.” “How dare you call our be-loved Brother Whoever the servant of the Devil,” we hear some say. We were not the ones who said that. The Holy Spirit, through John the Apostle, was the one who said it.

As the saying goes: God said it; I believe it, and, there-fore, I must accept it! Brethren, before it is too late, study 1 John 3:1-10. The peace and security of the Lord’s church is well worth the time and effort.

Guardian of Truth XLI: 17 p. 18-19
September 4, 1997

By Dick Blackford

Do we underestimate the power of God’s word? It is far more powerful than any of us could imagine. However powerful you imagine it to be, it is greater. The power of the human word usually depends on the one doing the talking. We are to submit to “the powers that be” in civil government. But a higher power has told us to do that (Rom.13:1; 1 Pet. 2:13-15). It is contained within the gospel, God’s power to save (Rom.1:16).

Consider the spoken word of God. It is so powerful that God spoke the world into existence. By faith we under-stand that the worlds were framed by the word of God (Heb. 11:3). By the word of the Lord were the heavens made .. . For he spake, and it was done; he commanded and it stood fast (Ps. 33:6, 9). In Genesis 1 the phrase “God said” appears ten times. And whatever God said, happened! Keep in mind that it was his son “through whom also he made the worlds” (Heb. 1:2). “For in him were all things created … ” (Col.1:16). “All things were made through him; and with-out him was not anything made that hath been made” (John 1:3). Stand in awe at this power!

Consider also the written word of God. How powerful was it? The written Old Testament was available in Jesus’ day. It was so powerful that by quoting the written word Jesus resisted the devil. The devil never attempted anything like that again. Then the devil leaveth him (Matt. 4:11). Furthermore, it was powerful enough to prevent the rich man’s five brothers from going to the place of torment (Luke 16:19-31). Man, that’s power! It was the written law of Moses that Abraham had reference to, for Moses and the prophets had been dead for some time.

Let’s now look at the spoken word of Jesus. How powerful is it? It is powerful enough to sustain the universe and keep it operating. He is upholding all things by the word of his power (Heb. 1:3). Imagine the tremendous amount of power it takes to sustain this universe! And “in him all things consist” (Col. 1:17). Marvel at such power.

The spoken word of Jesus was so powerful that the centurion’s servant was healed the same hour without Jesus seeing or touching him (Matt. 8:8-13). Some of the fake healers of today will nearly squeeze one’s head off and the person is still no better. And if healing does occur, it may take months.

It was the spoken word of Christ that calmed the sea (Mark 4:35-39). None of today’s so-called miracle workers would even attempt to control the weather.

It was by the spoken word of Christ that the dead were raised: (1) son of the widow of Nain, “Young man, I say unto thee, arise” (Luke 7:14). (2) Jairus’ daughter, “Maid, arise” (Luke 8:54). (3) Lazarus, “Lazarus, come forth!” (John 11:43). One black brother wisely said, “The Lord’s word was so powerful that if he had not specified Lazarus, everybody in there would have come forth.” Truly, the word of the Lord is exceedingly powerful. This is because of who he is (Matt.28:18).

Finally, consider the written word of Jesus. How power fill is it? The gospel was put in written form that it might be more easily preserved. It also is more conducive to each person having his own copy of this valuable treasure. The written word of Jesus is just as powerful as his spoken word. The Scriptures make no distinction in the power of either. The written record of Jesus’ works was so powerful that John said one could have life by believing the written record of it. “Many other signs therefore did Jesus in the presence of the disciples, which are not written in this book: but these are written that ye may believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God; and that believing ye may have life in his name (by his authority or power, db)” (John 20:30, 31). Man, that’s power. The gospel is the written word (Eph.3:3, 4; Rom.1:16).

Just as the written word of Moses and the prophets could have prevented the rich man’s brothers from torment in flames, so can the written message of Christ prevent us from such a fate. Abraham said, “They have Moses and the prophets, let them hear them” (Luke 16:29). Remember, it was the writings of Moses and the prophets to which Abraham referred. Jesus said if they would not believe the written word neither would they believe if one rose from the dead (v.31). There is no difference in the power of God’s spoken word and his written word! It pains me deeply to hear some charismatic or Pentecostal refer to the written word as a dead letter (an objective source) but that he has the living Spirit in his heart (a subjective source). Please notice the chart below.

They had Moses and the prophets. It had already been written and confirmed (Gal. 3:15). Men today have Christ and the apostles. What they said has already been written and confirmed (Heb.2:3, 4). We stand in the same relation-ship to Christ and the apostles as the five brothers did to Moses and the prophets. If men won’t believe the written word of Christ and the apostles, neither would they believe if one rose from the dead. Incidentally, one did.

Guardian of Truth XLI: 17 p. 10-11
September 4, 1997

By Emilio W. Lumapay, Jr.

God has given a plan by which his church can finance to carry out the work. And his plan is recorded in the New Testament as follows:

Now concerning the collection order for the saints, as I have given order to the churches of Galatia, even so do ye. Upon the first day of the week let every one of you lay by Him in store as God hath prospered Him, that there be no gatherings when I come (1 Cor. 16:1, 2).

Here is a Plan of God For Church Finance

1. What? The collections for the saints. The purpose of this collection is for (a) the needy saints (Acts 6:1-6; 11:27-30; Rom. 15:25, 26; 1 Cor. 16:1-4), (b) the work of edification. Ephesians 4:11, 12, “Perfecting the saints …” Saints are built up through Bible study. They must be fed the milk of God’s word that they may grow thereby, ac-cording to 1 Peter 2:2. The saints must exercise themselves in order to grow. Then, (c) the work of evangelism. The local church has an obligation to spread the gospel to the lost world. The first century church sent gospel preachers to spread the word of God (Acts 13:1, 2; 2 Cor. 11:8; Phil. 4:15). The local church is involved in a program of work which God authorized. God has given a plan for the work, worship, and organization of his church.

It Tells Us the Reason for Giving

2. When? The collection is made “upon the first day of the week,” which is the day when all the saints come together for worship. The Lord expects his people to “stimulate one another to love and good deeds, not forsaking our own assembling together . . . encouraging one another” (Heb. 10:24-25). By meeting in this way, we obey our Lord’s command to devote ourselves to the apostles’ teaching (Acts 2:42). We who share in the meetings of the church ought to contribute our part by a cheerful involvement with and encouragement to all our brethren present. Be an active part of what God has ordained for us to do. God says, “The heaven is my throne, and the earth is my footstool. Where is the house that ye build unto me?” (Isa. 66:1). God is spirit and those who worship him must worship in spirit and truth (John 4:24).

3. Who? “Every one of you” means each Christian who has been born again and added into the Lord’s church (John 3:3, 5; Acts 2:42, 47). According to Paul in his letter to the Corinthians, “If any man think himself to be a prophet or spiritual, let him acknowledge that the things that I write unto you are the commandments of the Lord” (1 Cor. 14:37). It is the will of God that we have to give. All goods committed to man belong to God (Matt. 25:14). God entrusted to us his goods, so we have to expect what we can do for the church to carry out his work.

4. Do what? “Lay by him in store” is a part of our worship. The fact that each Christian is to lay by in store, implies a treasury into which the money is put. This was a practice by the Corinthian church to be instituted in each local congregation which establishes its own treasury from which needs may be met according to God’s plan. In Proverbs 3:9: “Honor the Lord from your wealth and from the first of all your produce.”

5. How much? “As God hath prospered him.” The giving is to be done according to how we have been prospered, or according to what we have. God does not expect us to give what we do not have (2 Cor. 8:12). But watch our giving “not grudgingly or of necessity for God loveth a cheerful give?’ (2 Cor. 9:7). Let us not say, “My power and the might of mine hand hath gotten me this wealth. But let us remember the Lord our God. For it is he that giveth us power to get wealth” (Deut. 8:17, 18). God will hold us accountable of our possessions. The context is open wide to all of us; none of us is handicapped by what we have or we don’t have. I tell you the Lord is watching our giving whether we are faithful or not. But remember, the more we have the more we are required. The Scripture says: “Freely ye received, freely give” (Matt. 10:8). Giving is not determined by what is in the pocket, but what is in the heart. God is interested in our sacrificial giving to support his work. Jesus said, “He that is faithful in that which is least is faithful also in much” (Luke 16:10).

6. Why? “That there be no gathering when I come.” The apostle Paul was collecting money from Gentile churches to help the poor saints in Jerusalem (Rom. 16:25-27; 2 Cor. 8:9). God used this plan for church finance to carry out his work. It is to be followed in all local churches in every place in all ages until he comes (Jude 3). The Corinthian church was an example “to all that in every place call upon the name of Jesus Christ our Lord” (1 Cor. 1:2). This is addressed to those of us who are Christians as well as to all the churches of Christ in the first century. According to Paul “he taught the same doctrines at Corinth that he taught everywhere in every church” (1 Cor. 4:17).

The Lord’s church will have all the money it needs be-cause each member is required to lay in store on the first day of the week, as God hath prospered him (1 Cor. 16:1, 2). This is God’s plan for us to finance his work. We should not be weary in well doing (2 Mess. 3:13) because this is the will of God for us to finance his work. God blesses us, as we give more than when we receive (Acts 20:35). God sees the heart of the giver rather than the size of the gift. We must dig into our pockets and give generously on the first day of the week to keep the works going on around the world. Let us dedicate ourselves to what we can do for the church  to support more evangelists in every part of the world.

Guardian of Truth XLI: 17 p. 14-15
September 4, 1997