Truth Magazine

By Randy Reynolds

The most recent part of the Bible was written almost 1900 years ago. Of course I am talking about the New Testament. In the almost 2000 years since the time of Jesus Christ, the Bible has been preserved, copied, and translated into many languages and distributed in every part of the world

One Book Containing

Many Books

The Bible is not just one book, it is a collection of 66 books, written by about 40 men. Its authors included kings, statesmen, fishermen, seers, a physician, a tax collector, a farmer, a general, and a tent-maker to name a few. Some of the writers were educated men while others were not. The Bible was written over a span of time that covered about 1600 years, with a cast of 2,930 characters in 1,551 places. The Bible was written and composed by men from totally different back-grounds, cultures, and time periods. One writer called it “the strangest publishing project of all time” (Terry Hall, “How We Got Our Old Testament,” Moody Monthly Journal 1987, 32).

The Bible is a book that consists of history, drama, narratives (stories), sermons, orations (speeches), memoirs (personal history), prayers and letters. It claims to foretell the future while promising eternal life those who follow and obey it. The Bible claims to provide the only way to true happiness, explains the why of human suffering, and teaches its readers the only true purpose of life here on earth. The Bible shows men and weaknesses, problems, and fears, while at the same time making dramatic changes in their life, including habits, morals, and desires. Most certainly the Bible is one very unique book.

The Book of Influence

I am not aware of any book in the history of man that has ever influenced so many people from all over the world so profoundly. Few books have been as popular or as important to so many people from so many different walks of life. For literally hundreds of years the Bible has spoken to the hearts of all people from every culture. People have in the past and continue today to use the great teachings of the Bible to enhance their social development. The Bible’s di-vine instruction on such things as psychology, mercy, love, kindness, justice, and ethics continue to be the standard for just about every culture, even if they don’t believe it came about through inspiration. Even some of the greatest motivational courses in well known universities throughout the world have based their teachings on this great book called the Bible.

The Bible is a Book about Real People

The Bible is a record of God’s message to men, women and children. The Bible is God speaking to mankind in every generation that man has ever existed. Whatever our situation or problem, we find the principles to guide our lives in the pages of the Bible. It is important to remember that the people that we read of and about in the Bible were real people, just like us. Even though they may have worn sandals and robes instead of jeans and gym shoes, they were not make-believe characters in a story book. Because they were real people, just like us, we can find help for our lives as we see what God said to them in their day. If you would read the Bible, then you would know that God can be trusted and that he will keep his word. Thus, one can live with the hope of God’s promises which he reads of in the Bible as being promises that will be kept.

The Bible is an Inspired Book

Before we begin to think of the Bible as just another book written by man, we need to look further. Even though the Bible was written by man in that man moved the pen to write, we must understand that the words that they wrote were not their own. The Bible claims to be stamped with the impress of God’s inspiration. In other words, the men who wrote the Bible were guided by God. Consider the claim, “All Scripture is given by inspiration of God…” (2 Tim. 3:16-17). “But I make known to you, brethren, that the gospel which was preached by me is not according to man. For I neither received it from man, nor was I taught it, but it came through the revelation of Jesus Christ” (Gal. 1:11-12). “But God has revealed them to us through His Spirit. For the Spirit searches all things, yes, the deep things of God” (1 Cor. 2:10). “If anyone thinks himself to be a prophet or spiritual, let him acknowledge that the things which I write to you are the commandments of the Lord” (1 Cor. 4:27). “Knowing this first, that no prophecy of Scripture is of any private interpretation, for prophecy never came by the will of man, but holy men of God spoke as they were moved by the Holy Spirit” (1 Pet. 1:20-21).

One Bible researcher counted more than 3,800 times when the writers of the Bible used some variant of the formula, “The Word of the Lord came to me, saying. . .” Some examples of this are found in Ezekiel 6:1, “Now the word of the Lord came to me, saying. . .” The prophet Amos often times repeats, “Thus says the Lord. . .” (Amos 1:3, 6, 9, 11, 13; 2:1, 4, 6, 11; 3:1, 8, 11, etc.). The prophet Zechariah can also be found repeating many times over, “Then the word of the Lord came to Zechariah, saying. . .” (Zech. 7:8). Several books begin with the introductory statement: “The word of the Lord that came to…”

Not only is this the way of those known as the prophets of God, much of the Pentateuch (first five books of the Old Testament, written by the prophet and law giver Moses) is actually presented as the actual, spoken word of God. Time and time again this phrase is used, “And the Lord spoke to Moses saying. . .” In Exodus 33:11 we read, “So the Lord spoke to Moses face to face, as a man speaks to his friend.” John in the Revelation letter said that the visions and words he recorded in the book of Revelation came from God, not himself (cf. Rev. 1:1).

These few Bible passages should be enough to convince us that the Bible is the only book of its kind. The Bible is God’s book! It is God’s revelation to man! Not only did God’s Spirit inspire the writers of the sixty-six books that comprise the Bible, but God also superintended the trans-mission of these writings and their collection. It is a book that reveals who God is and how man can know him. The Bible reveals how God demands to be worshiped and what man must do in order to be pleasing in his sight. When people reject the Bible and its inspired teachings they have in essence rejected God! May I humbly suggest to you, my dear friends, that rejecting God is the most serious mistake, even the very worst mistake that one could ever possibly make!

Some of the more recent Gallup polls that have been taken suggest that belief in the Bible as the inerrant, infallible, God-breathed word is on the decline. A more recent survey suggests that only about one-third hold to such a belief whereas in 1963 about two-thirds held to this belief. But, regardless of what belief others may hold to, you and I are faced with the most awesome book that has ever influenced human society: a book that has now been preserved for literally thousands of years. A book that has and continues to straddle incredibly diverse cultures, beliefs, and teachings; a book that has caused notable men throughout the centuries to exclaim, “When you have read the Bible, you will know it is the word of God” (Woodrow Wilson [1856-1924], 28th President of the United States).

Bible Study Is Important!

The only question that remains is, what will I do with the Bible? Will I read and study it carefully making it a part of my life every day? Will I, as the inspired writer Jude pro-claimed, have the dedication and willingness to contend earnestly for its truths (cf. Jude 3)? Or will my Bible reading and Bible study succumb to the daily pressures that beg for more and more of my time? Or will I take the easier road of compromise, allowing those precious truths to be pressed into the background for a more positive, socially acceptable teaching and doctrine?

May our God help each one of us to be like David and make God’s inspired word the meditation of our hearts and the light for our paths so that we may walk in the way of the Lord, according to his inspired word. May we have the strength and the courage to stand firmly for the truth, even if we must stand alone.

The Old Testament books, 39 of them, language except for a few chapters in Aramaic. The New Testament books, 27 of them, were written primarily in the common Greek language of the Roman Empire.

Guardian of Truth XLI: 11 p. 1
June 5, 1997

By Tommy Glendol McClure

And when he was gone forth into the way, there came one running, and kneeled to him, and asked him, Good Master, what shall I do that I may inherit eternal life? And Jesus said unto him, Why callest thou me good? there is none good but one, that is, God. Thou knowest the commandments, Do not commit adultery, Do not kill, Do not steal, Do not bear false witness, Defraud not, Honour thy father and mother. And he answered and said unto him, Master, all these have I observed from my youth. Then Jesus be-holding him loved him, and said unto him, One thing thou lackest: go thy way, sell whatsoever thou hast, and give to the poor, and thou shalt have treasure in heaven: and come, take up the cross, and follow me. And he was sad at that saying, and went away grieved: for he had great possessions. And Jesus looked round about, and saith unto his disciples, How hardly shall they that have riches enter into the kingdom of God! And the disciples were astonished at his words. But Jesus answereth again, and saith unto them, Children, how hard is it for them that trust in riches to enter into the kingdom of God! It is easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle, than for a rich man to enter into the kingdom of God. And they were astonished out of measure, saying among themselves, Who then can be saved? And Jesus looking upon them saith, With men it is impossible, but not with God: for with God all things are possible (Mark 10:17-27; cf. Matthew 19:16-26; Luke 18:18-30).

Introduction

During the personal ministry of Jesus, questions were often asked of him by his hearers, disciples, and critics. In response to the rich young ruler’s question, “what shall I do to inherit eternal life?”, Jesus pointed out the necessity of keeping the Law and because of his love for the young man, he told him the one thing he lacked to enter the kingdom of heaven. Jesus instructed the young ruler to “go thy way, sell whatsoever thou hast, and give to the poor, and thou shalt have treasure in heaven: and come, take up the cross, and follow me.” The text tells us that this man rejected the instructions he sought from the Good Master ”And he was sad at the saying, and went away grieved: for he had great possessions” (Mark 10:22).

Jesus’ Illustration

Not only did the words of Jesus have a marked impact on the young ruler, but the disciples of Jesus who had witnessed this encounter were astonished at his words as well. Jesus then began to teach the impossibility of one entering heaven who trusts in riches. In verse 23 Jesus said, “How hardly shall they that have riches enter into the kingdom of God!” The RSV renders this verse “How hard it will be for those who have wealth to enter the kingdom of God!” Similar language is used also in verse 24. Upon the astonishment of the disciples by this saying, Jesus in verse 25 uses a proverbial statement to illustrate this impossibility by saying, “It is easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle, than for a rich man to enter into the kingdom of God.”

The Needle’s Eye

Jesus uses the literal “camel” and the “needle’s eye” (Luke 18:25) to illustrate the absolute impossibility of one entering heaven who trusts in riches. The Greek word rendered “eye” in Matthew 19:24 and Mark 10:25 is trumalia,..used of the eye of a needle” according to Vine. (Expository Dictionary of New Testament Words 404). Some have attempted to soften this saying of Jesus and water it down by saying that the needle’s eye was only referring to a small passage way or small gate. Such a notion is unfounded! Listen to comments of various commentators: Vine says in his note on the word “needle,”  “The idea of applying `the needle’s eye’ to small gates seems to be a modem one; there is no ancient trace of it. The Lord’s object in the statement is to express the human impossibility and there is no need to endeavor to soften the difficulty by taking the needle to mean anything more than the ordinary instrument.” Mackie points out (Hastings’ Bible Dictionary) that “an attempt is sometimes made to ex-plain the words as a reference to the small door, a little over two feet square, in the heavy gate of a walled city. This mars the figure without materially altering the meaning, and receives no justification from the language and traditions of Palestine.” (Ibid., 788). J. W. McGarvey and Phillip Y. Pendelton in the Fourfold Gospel comment, “The needle’s eye here is the literal needle, and the expression was a proverbial one to indicate that which is absolutely impossible. Lord George Nugent (1845-6) introduced the explanation that Jesus referred to the two gates of a city, the large one for beast of burden, and the small one for foot passengers. This smaller one is now called The Needle’s Eye, but there is no evidence whatever that it was so called in our Savior’s time. In fact we have every reason to believe that this smaller gate received its name in late years because of the efforts of those who were endeavoring to soften this saying of Jesus” (547).

These attempts to soften this and other sayings of Jesus is not surprising. What Jesus and the apostles taught as being an impossibility, many religious rebels, renegades and even some of my brethren, try to make a possibility in an effort to justify their lawlessness! The impossibility of putting that camel through the needle’s eye can be set in contrast to other impossibilities we find revealed in the Scriptures!

Other Impossibilities

It is impossible for those who have not been baptized into Christ to enter the kingdom of God. Jesus said to Nicodemus in John 3:4, “…Except a man be born of water and of the Spirit, he cannot enter into the kingdom of God.” Jesus said in Mark 16:16, “He that believeth and is baptized shall be saved; but he that believeth not shall be damned.” Paul said that “we are buried with him in baptism” (Rom. 6:1-6); that those who “have been baptized into Christ have put on Christ” (Gal. 3:27). Recorded in the book of Acts are those who were baptized in the name of Christ in water  on Pentecost 3000 were baptized (Acts 2:1-47), the Samaritans (8:5-12), Simon (8:13), the Ethiopian eunuch (8:26-40), Saul (9:1-18; 22:1-6; 26:12-18), Cornelius and his household (10:1-48; 11:1-17), Lydia and her household (16:14, I5), the Philippian jailer (16:25-40); the Corinthians (18:8). Therefore, those who have not been baptized into Christ have not put on Christ and shall not enter the kingdom of God, denominational and Baptist doctrine notwithstanding!

It is impossible for those involved in religious error to inherit the kingdom of God. Jesus denounced doing things religiously without his authority. He said in Matthew 7:21-23 , “Not every one that saith unto me, Lord, Lord, shall enter into the kingdom of heaven; but he that doeth the will of my Father which is in heaven. Many will say to me in that day, Lord, Lord, have we not prophesied in thy name? and in thy name have cast out devils? and in thy name done many wonderful works? And then will I profess unto them, I never knew you: depart from me, ye that work iniquity.” Jesus also identified the worship of doctrines and commandments of men as vain worship and proclaimed, “Every plant, which my heavenly Father hath not planted, shall be rooted up” (Matt. 15:9, 13). Religious error of any kind is iniquity in God’s sight and will prevent those involved in it from entering the kingdom of God. All things must be done by the authority of Christ (Col. 3:17).

It is impossible for those living in an adulterous marriage to enter the Kingdom of God. Many have tried to soften the definite teaching of Jesus on the subject of divorce and remarriage in Matthew 19:9 where he said “And I say unto you, Whosoever shall put away his wife, except it be for fornication, and shall marry another, committeth adultery: and whoso marrieth her which is put away doth commit adultery.” Even those who heard Jesus were shocked at this strict law of Jesus. Jesus in this en-counter with the Pharisees reaffirmed Genesis 2:24  one man for one woman for life with one exception for divorce  the innocent party is permitted to put away the guilty mate, only for the cause of fornication! Therefore when one divorces his mate for a cause other that fornication and marries another, he goes to the bed of adultery with the unlawful mate and Paul taught that the adulterer shall not enter the kingdom of heaven (1 Cor. 6:9; Heb. 13:4)!

It is impossible for the sexually immoral to enter the kingdom of God. The word “fornication” includes all sexual immorality. This word includes homosexuality, lesbianism, incest, rape, pedophilia, bestiality, whoredom, and adultery. This also includes the ungodly practice of “shacking up” that so many are involved in where a man and woman live together and are joined sexually without being married. Paul condemned those involved in sexual immorality as well as those involved in the list of sins in Romans 1:21-32; cf. Galatians 5:19-21; 1 Corinthians 5:1-5; 6:15-20; and Colossians 3:5, 6.

It is impossible for the liar to enter kingdom of God. John the revelator said “…and all liars, shall have their part in the lake which burneth with fire and brimstone: which is the second death” (Rev. 21:8). The lake which burneth with fire and brimstone is far from the kingdom of heaven, it is eternal ruin!

It is impossible for those consumed with worldly pleasures to enter the kingdom of God. Paul said in Philippians 3: I8, 19, “For 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: Whose end is destruction, whose God is their belly, and whose glory is in their shame, who mind earthly things.” Sadly to say, many brethren are in this condition and this truth can be applied to those brethren who more interested in stuffing the stomach rather than feeding the soul (cf. John 6:26-37).

It is impossible for the covetous person to enter the kingdom of God. Jesus in response to a request to be the divider of an inheritance said to the man who made the request “Take heed, and beware of covetousness: for a man’s life consisteth not in the abundance of the things which he possesseth.” Jesus then spake the parable of the rich fool who was not rich toward God, neither cared nor had any concern for his fellow man. He was only interested in keeping all he had and canning all he could get (Luke 12:13-30). Jesus called the man a fool! This man lost his life, favor with God, his soul and all the worldly treasures he laid up for himself. That very night his soul was required and Jesus said in verse 21, “So is he that layeth up treasure for himself, and is not rich toward God.” Are those who are miserly, grudging givers or not givers at all, rich toward God? Would one of this nature be pleasing to God? All people like the rich fool, including covetous brethren, will loose their souls because of the desire of worldly pleasure and desire to satisfy the lusts of the flesh (1 John 2:15-17). Think about it!

It is impossible for the unrighteous or disobedient to enter the kingdom of God. It should be obvious to all who are honestly trying to live a godly life, that the there is no end (ad infinitum) to things that could be mentioned that will keep one from entering the kingdom of God. What about the gossiper (Pss. 16:28; 26:20; Eph. 4:31)? What about the hypocrite (Matt. 23:1-30; Luke 12:2; Jas. 3:17)? What about those negligent in their service to God (Matt. 25:1-3)? What about the rebellious (1 Sam. 15:23)? What about those who engaged in addictive practices such as smoking, drinking alcohol socially, illegal drugs, gambling, and pornography? And what about those with the wrong attitude toward the truth and preachers of it? In Galatians 5:19-21 and 1 Corinthians 6:9-19, Paul lists numerous sins that are “works of the flesh.” In answer to his own rhetorical question, “Know ye not that the unrighteous shall not enter the kingdom of God?”, he answered with the warning, “Be not deceived: neither fornicators, nor idolaters, nor adulterers, nor effeminate, nor abusers of themselves with mankind, nor thieves, nor covetous, nor drunkards, nor revilers, nor extortioners, shall inherit the kingdom of God” (I Cor. 6:9, 10).

Conclusion

Some teach and many are deceived into believing that such people will inherit the kingdom of God. Paul’s teaching says that this notion is not so! The truth is, heaven is reserved only for the obedient child of God whose faith has endured “the trial of fire” (1 Pet. 1:3-9). Let these Apostolic words sink deep into our hearts, “For the grace of God that bringeth salvation hath appeared to all men, Teaching us that, denying ungodliness and worldly lusts, we should live soberly, righteously and godly, in this present world” (Tit. 2:11, 12). To attempt to put the ungodly, the disobedient, the alien sinner, or an erring brother into the eternal kingdom of God (heaven), is like trying to put that camel “through the eye of the needle.” An Impossibility! “Be not deceived” my friends and brethren!

Guardian of Truth XLI: 10 p. 20-22
April May 1, 1997

You don’t know me, but I know you. You are the woman who gets up early, gets ready for work, gets the kids on the bus, drops your toddler/infant/and or preschooler off at the baby sitter or day care. Then you put in a full-day of work, putting up with cranky bosses, irritable co-workers, and sometimes obnoxious customers. Then you pick up your children, go home and put in another day of work  getting supper, doing laundry, washing dishes, bathing kids, getting clothes ready for the next day, helping kids with their homework … the list goes on and on! Then you get up the next day and start it all over again! Saturday rolls around and you try to catch up on all the things that have gotten behind, dusting, laundry, etc. Sunday is hectic enough as it is  trying to get everyone ready for Bible Study, have a nice “Sunday dinner” and try to sneak in a nap before evening services. Then it’s Monday morning again and the whole cycle begins again!

Now ask yourself honestly … “How much time am I spending with my children and husband?”

Like I said, I know you . . . the reason I do is because I was just like you … I did all those things and more! I told myself “I have to work.” “We can’t make it without what I bring in!” But when it came down to it, I had to ask my-self, “Is it really worth it?”

Consider the following: If you work a 9-5 job, Monday through Friday, your child is spending 47 and ‘h hours per week with a sitter or school teacher and only 25-27 waking hours with you. And that is if you are spending all day Saturday and Sunday with them! So ask yourself, “Who is raising my child?” “Who is having the most influence on him?” I thought I was O.K. because I had their grandmother taking care of them, but when it comes down to it nobody can raise your child the way you would have them to.

Now I know that there are some mothers out there that really do have to work. And I am not directing this toward them. I would ask you to ask yourself the questions that my husband and I discussed before we decided that I should stay home to be a full-time wife and mother.

How many times do you eat out a week? I know that we ate out a lot more when I was working  the reason was that I was too exhausted after work to even think about cooking.

Do your children wear new, name-brand clothes? I found that we could get by just as easily with used clothing from resale shops and yard sales.

How many times do you go to the movies? Go to ball games? Go bowling? Golf? Tanning? Exercise classes? How much money do you (or your spouse) spend on little “extras” such as fishing equipment, hunting supplies, craft supplies, books, magazine subscriptions …?

You don’t have to give up everything to be able to stay at home. You just have to learn to cut corners. My husband and I found out that it seemed like the more money we made, the more we “had to have.” We have learned to be content with the more simpler things in life. Instead of going to the movies, we might rent a tape (or better yet borrow one from a friend), and have popcorn at home. We have learned to leave the TV off more and play board games, or even have a Bible study.

You can go on a picnic, take the kids to the park, go for a walk. The list goes on and on. Years from now your kids are more likely to remember the time you spent with them and the little things more than their designer tennis shoes or pizza for supper. Please take the time to really reevaluate your priorities. After all God has given us these blessings. He expects us to take care of them, and make sure that they know his will (Deut. 6:7-9). And how can we truly bring our children up “in the nurture and admonition of the Lord” if other people are spending more time with them than we are?

So I ask you dear friend, who is raising your children?

Guardian of Truth XLI: 10 p. 7
April May 1, 1997

By P.J. Casebolt

“And as they went on their way, they came unto a certain water: and the eunuch said, See, here is water; what doth hinder me to be baptized” (Acts 8:36)?

At this point in the eunuch’s life, he may have been hindered from being baptized by a number of things. Divine intervention could have hindered this baptism, other people could have hindered it, the eunuch could have hindered it him-self, or Philip could have refused to baptize the eunuch. And if sectarian preachers are correct in their claim that baptism is not necessary, that unbelievers (infants) should be baptized, or that sprinkling is just as good as emersion, then some of these possible hindrances should have prevailed.

But, an angel of the Lord and the Holy Spirit had sent Philip to preach Christ to the eunuch, and that preaching included baptism. No one else was hindering the eunuch from being baptized (no sectarian preachers were present), Philip was ready to baptize the eunuch, there was sufficient water for baptism, and the eunuch not only believed in Christ, he was willing to confess with his mouth the faith which was in his heart (cf. Rom. 10:9, 10).

The apostles were sent into all the world to preach the gospel and baptize believers (Mark 16:15, 16). Later, Saul of Tarsus was chosen to be an apostle and became a party to this same commission (Acts 9:15). Yet, on one occasion, Paul and his companions “were forbidden of the Holy Ghost to preach the word in Asia,” and when they endeavored to preach in Bithynia, “the Spirit suffered them not” (Acts 16:6, 7). But, when Paul received an invitation to preach in

Macedonia, Luke said “that the Lord had called us for to preach the gospel unto them”(Acts 16:9, 10).

“Wherefore we would have come unto you, even I Paul, once and again; but Satan hindered us” (1 Thess. 2:18). We may reasonably conclude that the Lord, the Thessalonians, and Paul himself approved of this effort to strengthen and edify the saints at Thessalonica, but as Paul said, “Satan hindered us.” Of course, Satan has ministers who do his bidding just as the Lord has servants who do the Lord’s will (2 Cor. 11:13-15). By some means, Satan hindered Paul from visiting the saints at Thessalonica, at least on this one occasion.

It is possible for us to make decisions which hinder the gospel of Christ, either intentionally or unintentionally. Paul decided not to exercise his liberty to “live of the gospel” (1 Cor. 9:14), as far as his preaching at Corinth was concerned, “lest we should hinder the gospel of Christ” (1 Cor. 9:12). At the time, Paul said he pursued this course and “robbed other churches, taking wages of them, to do you service” (2 Cor. 11:8). Yet, some of the Corinthians did not appreciate Paul’s sacrifice, and the apostle later said, “forgive me this wrong” (2 Cor. 12:13).

In a given matter, how can we know if we are being hindered by the Lord or by Satan? If the answer to that question is unclear at the time, let us make a decision based on the best knowledge we have, turn our efforts elsewhere, and continue to serve the Lord.

Guardian of Truth XLI: 11 p. 4
June 5, 1997