Truth Magazine

By Johnie Edwards

Too many want to be like the sectarian churches around them. They are afraid they will offend some by preaching the truth. Without compromise, we must “preach the word” (2 Tim. 4:2). There are some things which are nothing more than “smacks of sectarianism”:

1. Offering Thanks For the Contribution: There is an example of offering thanks for the Lord’s supper when Jesus “blessed” the bread and “gave thanks” for the cup (Matt. 26:26-27). But I do not recall anything said about giving thanks when the command was given for “laying by in store” (1 Cor. 16:1-2). Do you? The only example of one praying along this line was that of the Pharisee who prayed, “I thank thee that I give tithes of all that I possess” (Luke 18:12). We can give thanks for all things, but this practice came from the sectarians who begged for money at every service and introduced prayer to get more and more from the people. Such binding prayers are but smacks of sectarianism.

2. Silent Public Prayers: The practice of “silent prayers” was first witnessed with denominational revivals. Jesus said that prayers that were being prayed to be seen were to be done “in a closet” (Matt. 6:5). Prayer is to be “with the spirit and understanding” (1 Cor. 14:15). The Bible knows nothing about public silent praying.

3. Hand-Clapping During Worship: Human churches practice hand ­clapping when the preacher says something they like or the music is good. Whenever such is done among our brethren, they have borrowed it from the denominations. There is no authority in the Bible for such being done. Did anyone lead a cheer when Peter’s sermon was being preached on Pentecost? I do read concerning the sermon, “Now when they heard this, they were pricked in their heart, and said unto Peter, and to the rest of the apostles, Men and brethren, what shall we do?” (Acts 2:37). No hand-clapping!

We must quit trying to be like the denominations around us and just let the church be the church as planned and purposed by God (Eph. 3:10-11).

4121 Woodyard Rd., Bloomington, Indiana 47404

By Ron Halbrook

And let us not be weary in well doing: for in due season we shall reap, if we faint not. As we have therefore opportunity, let us do good unto all men, especially unto them who are of the household of faith (Gal. 6:9-10).

What does it mean to be “weary in well doing”? When tested by temptation, and when buffeted by the storms of life, we may at times feel like giving up and giving in. We may wonder, “Why does it matter whether I give up, or keep trying to live a Christian life?” 
This question may come to us when we are facing some specific temptation or decision about lying, cursing, profanity, stealing, gambling, dancing, immodest dress, pornography, fornication, adultery, drugs, or drinking. It may be a decision about spiritual priorities involving school activities, demands on the job, sports and hobbies, or entertainment programs. Perhaps we become discouraged under the weight of the consequences of past sins, or of poor judgments, or of matters beyond our control such as accidents, diseases, growing older, or the death of loved ones. 

Just the grinding pressure of the daily duties of life may press upon us, such as shift work, the never-ending cycle of household chores, or trying to juggle the varied demands of family life. Gospel preachers, elders, and other saints grow weary at times under the strain of so many battles which must be fought in order to uphold the truth and to counter the subtle attacks and counter-attacks of Satan. We may be tempted to retire from the battle, or at least to relent in our efforts, in hope of relief from the strain. 

Satan is always testing and probing, trying to wear us down and wear us out. God warns, “Be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the devil, as a roaring lion, walketh about, seeking whom he may devour, whom resist stedfast in the faith, knowing that the same afflictions are accomplished in your brethren that are in the world” (1 Pet. 5:8-9). We are vulnerable to Satan’s attack when we get tired and weary, when we begin to wonder, “Is it worth the fight? Does anyone notice or care when I try so hard to serve God, to live right, and to help others? Is anyone listening when I speak up and speak out for truth and righteousness? Do I really want to press on? Does it matter whether I give up and give in?”  

We all need to be reminded at times why it matters that we not give up, why it matters that we keep on keeping on.

Because of God’s Love

It matters because God loves us so much that he sent his Son to die for our sins so that we can have the hope of heaven.
 
In this was manifested the love of God toward us, because that God sent his only begotten Son into the world, that we might live through him. Herein is love, not that we loved God, but that he loved us, and sent his Son to be the propitiation (perfect sacrifice) for our sins. Beloved, if God so loved us, we ought also to love one another (1 John 4:9-11). 

We were unworthy of God’s love because we sinned and rebelled against him. God’s love did not fail us when we were helpless and hopeless, doomed to hell by our own choice and our own sins. 
 
For when we were yet without strength, in due time Christ died for the ungodly. For scarcely for a righteous man will one die: yet peradverenture for a good man some would even dare to die. But God commendeth his love toward us, in that, while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us (Rom. 5:6-8). 

We must not betray the love of God by turning back to our sins. 

Because of Christ’s Sacrifice

It matters because Jesus Christ was willing to give up the beauties, glories, and grandeurs of heaven to come to this earth as a man so that he could suffer and die for our sins. He loves us and wants to save us so much that he was willing to die as the perfect sacrifice for our sins. 

Let this mind be in you, which was also in Christ Jesus: who, being in the form of God, thought it not robbery to be equal with God: but made himself of no reputation, and took upon him the form of a servant, and was made in the likeness of men: and being found in fashion as a man, he humbled himself, and became obedient unto death, even the death of the cross (Phil. 2:5-8). 

Knowing that Christ endured hardship and made difficult sacrifices for our salvation, we can learn to suffer trials and temptations to be faithful to him. Jesus said, “If any man will come after me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross daily, and follow me” (Luke 9:23). Self-denial rather than self-indulgence is necessary for our salvation. The temptation to give up and give in is the encroachment of self-pity and self-indulgence. Such impulses destroy rather than build godly character. 

Because of Our Commitment to the Lord

It matters because we have made a commitment to love and obey the Lord with all of our heart, mind, and soul. We do not want to do things which destroy that commitment, but we want to do things that renew and strengthen it. 

Know ye not, that so many of us as were baptized into Jesus Christ were baptized into his death? Therefore we are buried with him by baptism into death: that like as Christ was raised up from the dead by the glory of the Father, even so we also should walk in newness of life (Rom. 6:3-4). 

In becoming Christians, we committed ourselves to walk a new life and not return to the old ways of sin, disobedience, and rebellion against God. 

I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that ye present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable unto God, which is your reasonable service. And be not conformed to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God (Rom. 12:1-2). 

There is no higher commitment we make in life than to serve the Lord. To break this holy and sacred vow is to violate and nullify every vestige of honor, honesty, and integrity in our soul.

Because of Heaven and Hell

It matters because we want to spend eternity in heaven with God where there is no more sin, guilt, sorrow, sickness, darkness, depression, and death. It matters because we do not want to spend eternity in hell with Satan where there is constant torment, guilt, disappointment, darkness, depression, anguish, regret, pain, and punishment. On the Judgment Day, we want to hear our Lord say to us, “Come, ye blessed of my Father, inherit the kingdom prepared for you from the foundation of the world.” We do not want to hear him say to us, “Depart from me, ye cursed, into   everlasting fire, prepared for the devil and his angels. . . . And these shall go away into everlasting punishment: but the righteous into life eternal” (Matt. 25:34, 41, 46). In spite of every trial or test, we must press on in serving the Lord in view of the Judgment Day.

Because We Take Others With Us

It matters because if we are saved, we will take others with us to heaven, but if we are lost, we will take others with us to hell. When we serve God, our light shines in this dark world in such a way as to encourage other Christians to keep on serving God and to help those who are lost find their way to God. “Do all things without murmurings and disputings: that ye may be blameless and harmless, the sons of God, without rebuke, in the midst of a crooked and perverse nation, among whom ye shine as lights in the world; holding forth the word of life” (Phil. 2:14-16). When we live in sin, we become a stumblingblock or offense to others, thus causing them to be lost, and thus bringing upon ourselves the great wrath of God. 
 
But whoso shall offend (be a stumblingblock to) one of these little ones which believe in me, it were better for him that a millstone were hanged about his neck, and that he were drowned in the depth of the sea. Woe unto the world because of offenses! for it must needs be that offences come; but woe to that man by whom the offence cometh! (Matt. 18:6-7)

Just as someone was concerned for our soul and taught us the truth, others depend on the light of our teaching, example, and influence so that they can be saved. Often, we do not even realize whom we may be helping when we do what is right and live for the Lord. There are some people in the world who know no other true Christian but each one of us! Only God can measure the impact for good we already have had, and the impact we can have in the future if we continue to serve the Lord! Yes, each individual light matters very much!

Because of the Love Christians Share

It matters because of the love we all share for each other as Christians. 

Seeing ye have purified your souls in obeying the truth through unfeigned love of the brethren, see that ye love one another with a pure heart fervently. . . . Love the brotherhood. . . . Finally, be ye all of one mind, having compassion one of another, love as brethren, be pitiful (compassionate), be courteous. . . . And above all things have fervent charity among yourselves: for charity shall cover the multitude of sins (1 Pet. 1:22; 2:17; 3:8: 4:8).

There is a special love shared by all of those who love the Lord because we share a common faith, we share common trials and temptations, and we share the common goal of helping each other reach heaven. 

We share that love by reaching out to each other to seek and to give advice, counsel, comfort, encouragement, and strength in times of trial. This special love is shared by taking time to listen to each other, to discuss temptations we face, to read God’s Word together, to weep together over failures and tragedies, to rejoice together over successes and victories, and to pray for each other. 

For as we have many members in one body, and all members have not the same office: So we, being many, are one body in Christ, and every one members of one another.       . . . Let love be without dissimulation. . . . Be kindly affectioned one to another with brotherly love. . . . Rejoicing in hope; patient in tribulation; continuing instant in prayer. . . . Rejoice with them that do rejoice, and weep with them that weep. Be of the same mind one toward another (Rom. 12:4-16). 

If we give up and give in, we abandon and isolate ourselves from all of those who truly love us — and who need our love. This is too high a price to pay for the folly of sin. 

Because of Our Fellowship with God

It matters because we find strength, encouragement, meaning, satisfaction, comfort, peace, and purpose in life only in God. Our fellowship with God is the whole meaning and purpose of life. It matters because we must keep our focus on God. When we lose our focus on God and our fellowship with God, we sink into a sea of discouragement, deception, sin, disobedience, rebellion, and evil. 

Let us hear the conclusion of the whole matter: Fear God, and keep his commandments: for this is the whole duty of man (Eccl. 12:13). 
That which we have seen and heard declare we unto you, that ye also may have fellowship with us: and truly our fellowship is with the Father, and with his Son Jesus Christ. And these things write we unto you, that your joy may be full. This then is the message which we have heard of him, and declare unto you, that God is light, and in him is no darkness at all. If we say that we have fellowship with him, and walk in darkness, we lie, and do not the truth: But if we walk in the light, as he is in the light, we have fellowship one with another, and the blood of Jesus Christ his Son cleanseth us from all sin (1 John 1:3-7). 

I create the fruit of the lips (God makes the beautiful message which follows possible); Peace, peace to him that is far off, and to him that is near, saith the Lord; and I will heal him. But the wicked are like the troubled sea, when it cannot rest, whose waters cast up mire and dirt. There is no peace, saith my God, to the wicked (Isa. 57:19-21).

Yes, it matters very much what decisions we make and what steps we take in life. If we have been drifting away from God, it matters very much that we confess our sins to God, ask our brethren to pray for us, and seek God’s forgiveness. Our brethren will rejoice with us! The angels will rejoice with us! God will rejoice with us! If we have been drifting away from our focus on God and our fellowship with God, now is the time to change that. We must not let Satan deceive us and destroy us. God can save us and help us to go forward in his service.

Conclusion

When we reach out to God and to our brethren, we will be able to make the right decision in times of trial, temptation, and weariness. As a result, we will draw closer to God. Each battle we face and win with God’s help makes us stronger. The fact that God has a plan to help us demonstrates that he believes in our capacity to grow stronger in Christ with his help. Let us say with Paul, 

Brethren, I count not myself to have apprehended: but this one thing I do, forgetting those things which are behind, and reaching forth unto those things which are before, I press toward the mark for the prize of the high calling of God in Christ Jesus (Phil. 3:13-14). 

And let us not be weary in well doing: for in due season we shall reap, if we faint not. As we therefore have opportunity, let us do good unto all men, especially unto them who are of the household of faith (Gal. 6:9-10). 

Yes, it matters in every way what we do. We must not give up and surrender our souls to Satan. We must press forward in serving God every day, every step of the way, until we receive the crown of everlasting life.

3505 Horse Run Ct., Shepherdsville, Kentucky 40165

By Bruce Reeves

The March 25, 1991 issue of the U.S. News and World Report devoted several pages to the subject of hell. Some statements from the article are significant: “By most accounts hell has all but disappeared from the pulpit rhetoric of mainline Protestantism” (U.S. News and World Report, March 25, 1991, 56).

Martin Marty, University of Chicago professor, said: “Hell has disappeared and no one noticed . . . if people really believed in hell, they would not be . . . watching t.v. preachers, they would be out rescuing the lost.”

In an article entitled, “Hell Is Still On Fire,” Helen T. Gray of the Kansas City Star quoted from Robert Collins a Southern Baptist preacher of the area as follows: “. . . Even among conservatives, hell in the last decade has undergone a gradual cooling. Some church leaders no longer preach or teach about it . . . It has become land of a silent doctrine in the church . . . This has been done to make the church more acceptable to the baby boomers and generation X, which I think is tragic” (Kansas City Star, January 30, 1996).

It is important for us to recognize the truth that we must accept all of Jesus or we cannot have any part of him. The same Jesus that offers us the great and precious promises of heaven is the same Jesus that said: “And fear not them which kill the body, but are not able to kill the soul: but rather fear Him which is able to destroy both soul and body in hell” (Matt. 10:28). The apostle Paul wrote the following: “. . . the Lord Jesus shall be revealed from heaven . . . in flaming fire taking vengeance on them that know not God, and that obey not the gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ: Who shall be punished with everlasting destruction from the presence of the Lord, and the glory of His power” (2 Thess. 1:7-9). Let us notice what the Bible has to say about the subject of hell.

Why Does Hell Exist?

Sir William Blackstone said, “Law is a rule of action. In the fourth or vindicatory part of law consists the main strength or force. Where there is no law there can be no violation; where there is no penalty the law is null and void. The principles of right and justice must have a penalty behind them.”

Why is there a hell? (1) If there is no hell or penalty, there is no law. (2) If there is no law, there can be no sin. (3) If there is no sin, there is no moral or spiritual responsibility.

Many in our time feel that the Bible’s teaching about hell is antiquated and such teaching, quite frankly, is met with a certain amount of disdain and abhorrence. Yet, if there is such a place, we are compelled as Christians to warn the lost of their condition outside of Christ. We can, however, receive great consolation in the realization that none of us has to go to this awful torment. Every sinner who is lost to hell walks over the crucified body of Jesus and tramples the “blood of the covenant” with no concern for his own soul. Everything that divine love and human suffering could do to redeem a lost people has been done (John 3:16). 

The Nature of Hell

Hell Will Be Eternal. The same word that describes the existence of God and the Holy Spirit describes the duration of hell (Matt. 25:46). This will not be temporary torment, but everlasting.

Hell Will Be Dark. Hell will be dark because God will not be there. There will be no hope for the future and no opportunity for change, for our destinies will be sealed (Matt. 25:30). Hell will be a place of darkness because it will be the abode of sinners (1 John 1:5; Rev. 21:8).

Hell Will Be A Place Of Fire. “And the smoke of their torment will ascend up forever and ever: and they have no rest day or night, who worship the beast and his image, and whoso ever receiveth the mark of his name” (Rev. 14:11). 

Why Is Hell Decribed As It Is?

These are all descriptive terms to represent to the human perception and mind the awfulness and terror of the punishment awaiting those who do not obey Jesus Christ.  The Bible describes heaven as having “streets of gold” and “gates of pearl.” Certainly, we understand that this is figurative language of heaven. In like manner, God is unsparing in his use of every concept and term possible to describe the terror of hell.

The term “Gehenna” in the Greek is used to describe this place, but why? The valley of Hinnom, or Gehenna, bounds Jerusalem on the south below Mount Zion, and is the place which is so often mentioned as the setting of the awful idolatrous rites practiced by the apostate kings before the idol Moloch. When King Josiah at last succeeded in overthrowing the idolatry, he defiled the valley by casting into it the bones of the dead, the greatest of all pollutions among the Jews. From this time on, all the dead refuse of Jerusalem was cast into it and the combustible parts of it destroyed by fire, which was kept forever burning.

In the time of Christ, the festering bodies of criminals according to the barbarous fashion of execution then prevalent, were cast into this terrible valley and the smoke of their ever burning fires carried this horrid stench mingled with the smell of dead swine. To the Jew the name “Gehenna” would provoke within him the most profound sensations of disgust. Jesus is using the term to express the nature of the place for which the lost are destined.

Who Can Save Us?

It is true that each of us deserves hell because of our sins against the Lord (Rom. 3:23; 6:23), but the wonderful truth is that no one has to go to hell. We can lay hold on eternal life through faith in the divine Son of God, Jesus Christ. God is gracious and merciful and wants to save us, but he gives us the choice! Listen to the apostle Paul: “For when we were without strength, in due time Christ died for the ungodly. For scarcely for a righteous man will one die: yet perhaps for a good man some would even dare to die. But God commendeth His love toward us, in that, while we were yet sinners Christ died for us. Much more then being now justified by His blood, we shall be saved from wrath through Him.”

10 Cedar Hill Road, Conway, Arkansas 72032

By David Dann

Toward the end of his epistle, Jude writes, “But, beloved, remember ye the words which were spoken before of the apostles of our Lord Jesus Christ” (Jude 17). There is certainly a great deal written in the New Testament concerning these men known as “the apostles of Christ.” The word “apostle” simply refers to one who is sent by another for some purpose. Therefore, the apostles of Christ were sent by Christ in order to accomplish a specific purpose. 

The apostle Paul describes the work of Christ’s apostles in the following manner: “And he gave some, apostles; and some, prophets; and some, evangelists; and some, pastors and teachers; for the perfecting of the saints, for the work of the ministry, for the edifying of the body of Christ; till we all come in the unity of the faith, and of the knowledge of the Son of God, unto a perfect man, unto the measure of the stature of the fulness of Christ” (Eph. 4:11-13). 

The apostles of Christ were sent to carry out the work of edification among the churches of our Lord in order to bring about unity among God’s people through proclaiming God’s word. However, it is important to note that this work was only conferred upon a few select individuals. The Scriptures teach that there were certain qualifications that one had to meet in order to be able to serve as an apostle of Christ. In order to qualify, a man must have been:

1. A witness of Jesus Christ. Shortly before his death, Jesus told his twelve apostles, “And ye also shall bear witness, because ye have been with me from the beginning” (John 15:27). The apostles were a special group of messengers sent by Christ to spread the gospel message throughout the world. These men must have been with Christ during his ministry in order to qualify as his witnesses. This point is made clear in Acts 1 where we are told that the remaining eleven apostles sought a man to replace Judas Iscariot as an apostle in order to fulfill the prophecies concerning Judas. The apostle Peter pointed out on that occasion that for a man to qualify to serve he must “have companied with us all the time that the Lord Jesus went in and out among us, beginning from the baptism of John, unto that same day that he was taken up from us” (Acts 1:21-22). Even the apostle Paul was a personal witness of the resurrected Christ (1 Cor. 15:1-9).

2. Chosen by Christ. All of Christ’s apostles were personally called and chosen by Christ himself. Luke writes that Jesus “called unto him his disciples; and of them he chose twelve, whom also he named apostles” (Luke 6:13). Christ carefully selected twelve men from all of his disciples to serve as apostles. Paul refers to himself as, “Paul, an apostle, (not of men, neither by man, but by Jesus Christ, and God the Father, who raised him from the dead)” (Gal. 1:1). No man had the right or authority to take it upon himself to become an apostle of Christ. According to the Scriptures, only those who were personally chosen by Christ could qualify to serve as apostles. 

3. A personal student of Christ. The apostles were also personal disciples of Jesus (Luke 6:13). Therefore, they were constantly learning the truth of the gospel from their teacher during their time with him. They were able to teach others the same truth that they had learned directly from the Lord. Not only did they learn from Christ, but they were guided into a further and more complete disclosure of the truth through the Holy Spirit after the resurrection and ascension of Christ (John 14:26; 16:7-15). Even the apostle Paul learned the truth directly from Christ, for he says, “But I certify you, brethren, that the gospel which was preached of me is not after man. For I neither received it of man, neither was I taught it, but by the revelation of Jesus Christ” (Gal. 1:11-12). 

4. Able to perform miracles. In Acts 2 we are told that “many wonders and signs were done by the apostles” (Acts 2:43). While these miracles confirmed the truth of the apostles’ message, they also proved that a man was qualified to serve as an apostle. Paul made this clear to those who questioned his own right to apostleship when he said, “For in nothing am I behind the very chiefest apostles, though I be nothing. Truly the signs of an apostle were wrought among you in all patience, in signs, and wonders, and mighty deeds” (2 Cor. 12:11-12). Not only were the miracles themselves proof of apostleship, but the ability to confer miraculous gifts on others through the laying on of hands was also exclusive of the apostles. While Philip the evangelist enjoyed much success in preaching the gospel and performing miracles (Acts 8:5-13), he had to wait for Peter and John to come and lay hands on the converts so that they could receive the miraculous gifts of the Holy Spirit (Acts 8:14-17). Simon the Sorcerer rightly observed, “that through laying on of the apostles’ hands the Holy Ghost was given” (Acts 8:18).

Conclusion

The apostles were a special group of carefully selected messengers. Only those who meet the qualifications given in the New Testament can rightly serve as apostles of Christ. No one today meets those qualifications. Therefore, let us guard against those whom Paul warns are “false apostles, deceitful workers, transforming themselves into the apostles of Christ” (2 Cor. 11:13). We would do well to follow after the example of the Ephesians whom the Lord commended because they “tried them which say they are apostles, and are not, and hast found them liars” (Rev. 2:2). 

41 Foch Ave., Etobicoke, Ontario, Canada M8W 3X3