Truth Magazine

By David Dann

In Ephesians 5 the apostle Paul writes, “Christ also loved the church, and gave himself for it; that he might sanctify and cleanse it with the washing of water by the word, that he might present it to himself a glorious church, not having spot, or wrinkle, or any such thing; but that it should be holy and without blemish” (Eph. 5:25-27).

It clearly follows then, that each local church is to be “holy and without blemish.” In other words, each congregation must be kept pure from the polluting and corrupting influence of sin, while at the same time retaining the strength necessary to stand as the “pillar and ground of the truth” (1 Tim. 3:15). However, it is true that “your adversary the devil, as a roaring lion, walketh about, seeking whom he may devour” (1 Pet. 5:8). And, that “Satan himself is transformed into an angel of light. Therefore it is no great thing if his ministers also be transformed as the ministers of righteousness; whose end shall be according to their works” (2 Cor. 11:15). These evil influences seek to attack and undermine the purity and strength of every local church. Therefore, it is important for us to identify and guard against that which threatens the purity and strength of the church. Some of these threats include:

1. Worldliness among the members of the church. The term “worldliness” describes the lifestyle of those who are outside the body of Christ and living in sin with the rest of the world. Because of the tendency of Christians to adopt the sinful lifestyles of the world, Paul says, “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. 12:2). Similarly, James writes of the effort that must be put forth in order for a Christian to “keep himself unspotted from the world” (Jas. 1:27). Unfortunately, many Christians do not heed these admonitions and instead engage in the sins that are so common among those of the world. Members of the church engage in social drinking, ungodly forms of entertainment, dancing, the use of foul language, and the wearing of immodest clothing. Sadly, the purity of the church is compromised as the body is overrun by the blemishes and stains of sin. In order to preserve the purity of the church, Paul urges us to “have no fellowship with the unfruitful works of darkness, but rather reprove them” (Eph. 5:11).

2. Lack of proper church discipline. Concerning the discipline of members of the local church who are involved in sin and unwilling to repent, Paul says, “But now I have written unto you not to keep company, if any man that is called a brother be a fornicator, or covetous, or an idolater, or a railer, or a drunkard, or an extortioner; with such an one no not to eat” (1 Cor. 5:11). The apostle similarly encourages us to “withdraw yourselves from every brother that walketh disorderly, and not after the tradition which he received of us” (2 Thess. 3:6). We must guard against the tendency to overlook sin in the lives of the members of the church. Paul says that there is a two-fold purpose to discipline: “That his spirit may be saved in the day of the Lord Jesus,” and “a little leaven leavens the whole lump” (1 Cor. 5:5-6). We must exercise church discipline in order to bring the erring brother back to Christ, and to preserve the church from the corrupting influence of sin. By failing to do the Lord’s will in this matter we destroy the purity and strength of the local church.

3. Weak preaching and teaching. The New Testament instructs preachers to, “Preach the word; be instant in season, out of season; reprove, rebuke, exhort with all longsuffering and doctrine” (2 Tim. 4:2). There is a balance that must be present in our preaching and teaching. Gospel preaching involves exhortation as well as rebuke. It involves approval of that which is good, as well as disapproval of that which is sinful. It includes preaching about the promise of heaven to those who are faithful, as well as the promise of hell to those who are unfaithful. When we fail to make specific application in our preaching and teaching, we fail to preach the gospel of Christ. When we  neglect our responsibility to declare the whole counsel of God we undermine the strength of the church and fail to rid ourselves of its impurities. 

4. A lack of qualified elders. God’s plan is that there should be “elders in every church” (Acts 14:23). The elders are instructed to “Shepherd the flock of God which is among you, serving as overseers” (1 Pet. 5:2). Unfortunately, it is often the case that there are not men qualified to serve as elders according to the qualifications given in 1 Timothy 3 and Titus 1. Without elders, the church lacks the oversight and guidance these men are to provide. As a result, the local church is weakened and becomes susceptible to corruption and the sinful influence of those “who come to you in sheep’s clothing; but inwardly they are ravenous wolves” (Matt. 7:15). 

Conclusion

We must realize that each local church is a “church of God, which he hath purchased with his own blood” (Acts 20:28). Are you working to preserve the purity and strength of the church?

41 Foch Ave. Unit #2, Etobicoke, Ontario, Canada M8W 3X3

By Eric Keiper

In approximately 536 B.C., Cyrus the king of Persia issued a proclamation. The house of the Lord was to be built again in Jerusalem. What excitement must have filled the hearts of the Jews as they longed to return to their land. They had been deported from Judah to Babylon for resisting Nebuchadnezzar’s rule and remained in captivity when Persian rule began. The Jews had remained in captivity for approximately 80 years in Babylon. How they must have longed to return home. Let alone, how excited they must have been to rebuild the temple which Nebuchadnezzar had burned with fire! 

The Jews knew the reason for their captivity. As a nation, they had forgotten God. They even had desecrated the Temple of the Lord with pagan worship. Their captivity was essentially discipline from God, directing them again to faithfulness. 

As the Jews began to move back to Jerusalem, they must have been filled with joy. However, I am certain that their joy was tempered with caution and fear. After having been disciplined by God for their unfaithfulness, perhaps they were uncertain what they ought to do. Some, though aged, were still present who remembered the former temple in her glory, and perhaps they too remembered the teachings of the priests and prophets in the former order. What confusion must have filled their minds as they recalled that the religious leaders were corrupt. Those who they had trusted for teaching and direction had mislead the people. The faithful prophets of the Lord had cried out, “Woe unto them that call evil good, and good evil; that put darkness for light, and light for darkness; that put bitter for sweet, and sweet for bitter!” (Isa. 5:20). And again, “For the leaders of this people cause them to err; and they that are led of them are destroyed” (9:16). 

These peo- ple had been fooled, and then disciplined for their foolishness. A sense of carefulness and caution surely prevailed as they returned to Judah to rebuild the Temple. One central question must have prevailed in their minds: “How do we know what is right?” They’d been fooled by their leaders before, so how would they know how to build the temple? Who could they trust? How would they know how to worship? How would they know how to organize the Priesthood and her work? How would they know how to live pleasing to the Lord? 

While these issues may sound complex, convoluted, and even frustrating, the answer is simple. The answer comes in the plain narrative about a man who sought the very answer to these questions. “For Ezra had prepared his heart to seek the law of the Lord, and to do it, and to teach in Israel statutes and judgments” (Ezra 7:10). Ezra lays out a three part plan that makes a whole lot of sense. 

The first thing Ezra did was “prepare his heart to seek the law of the Lord.” This is the very foundation upon which all inquiry rests. One who has determined to seek diligently will prize what he finds much higher than the casual observer. Remember the parable of the “Pearl of Great Price” “. . . the kingdom of heaven is like unto a merchant man, seeking goodly pearls: Who, when he had found one pearl of great price, went and sold all that he had, and bought it” (Matt. 13:45-46). Did you notice the response of the sincere seeker? He traded everything that he had that he could gain his great pearl. The same is true with word of God. When one is seeking the truth of God’s word, he will without hesitation lay down the “darkness that has been put for light” and the “bitter that has been put for sweet.” This process of “preparing the heart to seek” is determining to sort out falsehood and clinging to the truth. The measure we use is God’s word. 

The process that Ezra went through was much more than just learning the principles. Seeking and sorting was just the foundation. The purpose which he gives for his search is two fold: “to do it, and to teach.” Ezra sorted out all these things so he would know what was right so he could do it himself. He would then know the answers to: “How do we build the temple? How do we worship? How do we organize the priesthood and her work? How do we live?” The second part of his purpose was to teach others. Not only did Ezra benefit from his search, but others could benefit from his search. Others could then know what to do. Furthermore, I believe that the order of seek, do, and teach is important. How can one who has sought and not “done” effectively teach? The one who has “done” can teach in practical terms how the principle applies. 

As we consider this example of virtue, let’s make direct application today. The apostle Paul links Old Testament examples to New Testament application when he says, “For whatsoever things were written aforetime were written for our learning, that we through patience and comfort of the scriptures might have hope” (Rom. 15:4). Ezra’s example gives us hope. Sometimes when we try to search for what is right, as Ezra did, we can lose hope. It can become discouraging to sort through what is false. It can be discouraging to try to sort through all of the issues challenging the church today. How do we know which way to go? How do we know what is right and wrong? How do we know what is pleasing to God? How do we know what is acceptable as worship to God? How do we know what to do in the work of the church? How do we know how to organize the church?  

All of these questions can find an answer in the scriptures. Just as Ezra sought to restore the Jewish nation to faithfulness, we can be restored to faithfulness today. Have we forgotten this plea of restoration? Do we perceive that the church has already been completely restored and there is no more work to do? Will there be no more issues which will cause us to delve again into the pages of Holy Writ to learn which way to go? Will there be nothing more to test our mettle? The Apostle Paul said, “For there must be also heresies among you, that they which are approved may be made manifest among you” (1 Cor. 11:19). Sounds like issues will continue! 

Where will you stand? Are you approved? If you’re certain of your answer, how do you know for sure? I read a bumper sticker recently that read, “Question everything!” Does that make you uncomfortable? Sometimes it’s hard to question what we believe and what we do. It impugns our own judgment if we have believed what is false. But if we seek like the man did for his pearl, we will make diligent inquiry and exchange everything we have for the truth. 

900 Pump Rd., Apt. 77, Richmond, Virginia 23233-5516

By Larry Ray Hafley

(In the spirit and principle of 1 Thessalonians 5:12, 13, and Hebrews 13:7, this tribute of praise is offered with love and thanksgiving.)

Recently, while in meeting work southwest of Chicago, I was privileged to see again my long time friend, mentor, and beloved brother in the Lord, Oliver P. Walker, and his dear wife, Ollie. The Lord has blessed our generation with the good and the godly, but none shine better and brighter in the way of righteousness than do they. 

Though the ravages of age and the afflictions of the flesh are taking their inexorable toll, still it may be said of brother Walker that his “inward man is renewed day by day” (2 Cor. 4:16). Though his eyes are dimmed, his spiritual force remains unabated. Indeed, it was a humble privilege and a high pleasure once again to preach the gospel with him and Ollie in the audience. 

If ever steely resolve and tender purpose were rooted in one man, it is brother Walker. In nearly seven years of intimate association with him in the work of the gospel, I saw his unflinching faith and tender heart as he kindly dealt with those who troubled themselves and threatened the church. Despite provocations, never once did I ever see or sense the slightest indication of an unholy motive or an ungodly expression of any kind from brother Walker. Many times did I sit in business meetings and listen as all of us expressed our views about what should be done in a certain case. Almost always, brother Walker would be the last to speak, but when he spoke in his quiet, humble way, that was the end of all controversy. Not once in those happy years did I ever hear an unkind word with respect to brother Walker. Would to God that every church had such an elder serving in it as the Plano, Illinois church has had for many years.

Oliver and Ollie have never been too busy to render menial service. They were first at a “clean up” day at the church building. They have opened their home to brethren, especially to preachers who came for meetings. Brother Walker never thought that a sermon was “too strong” or that a false teacher had been mistreated when his doctrine held him up to ridicule. He supports sound doctrine and insists that the truth be preached in love and “with all boldness” (Acts 4:31; Eph. 4:15). He has written several articles and is an interesting, edifying speaker. Thus, privately, quietly, and publicly without flair, he has stood firm and forthright for the cause of truth.  

He and his son, Paul, now serve together as elders of the Plano church. (Paul yet remains the only sixteen year old boy who ever called me and asked if he could ride with me to a meeting in the area. Now, he is a mature man, soon himself to be a grandfather!) What a tribute to brother and sister Walker that their son should now be serving and working with them in this way!  

Are there young men, young husbands and fathers among us who aspire to such noble character and service? Are there young girls, wives and mothers among us who desire to develop that “meek and quiet spirit” which will love, train, and support such goodness and greatness in the cause and kingdom of Christ? Surely, in the heart of one who reads this there beats the drum of love and faith which will summon others to spiritual service. It is good to think that the generation to come may have the benefit of those today who are raising up the seed of Abraham, who, like the Walkers, will bless those yet unborn. “For he established a testimony . . . and appointed a law in Israel, which he commanded our fathers, that they should make them known to their children: That the generation to come might know them, even the children which should be born; who should arise and declare them to their children: That they might set their hope in God, and not forget the works of God, but keep his commandments” (Ps. 78:5-7; cf. 2 Tim. 1:5; 2:2; 3:14, 15).      

 4626 Osage, Baytown, Texas 77521 LarryHafley@com

And when they were come to Capernaum, they that received tribute money came to Peter, and said, Doth not your master pay tribute? He saith, Yes. And when he was come into the house, Jesus prevented him, saying, What thinkest thou, Simon? Of whom do the kings of the earth take custom or tribute? Of their own children, or of strangers? Peter saith unto him, Of strangers. Jesus saith unto him, Then are the children free. Notwithstanding, lest we should offend them, go thou to the sea, and cast an hook, and take up the fish that first cometh up; and when thou hast opened his mouth, thou shalt find a piece of money: that take, and give unto them for me and thee (Matt. 17:24-27).

This incident in the life of Jesus tells how Jesus paid his Temple tax. On this occasion, those who were appointed to collect tribute money came to Peter to ask if his teacher (didaskalos) paid tribute. The tax under consideration is not the poll-tax for the Roman government (kenson, from which our word “census” is derived) or the tax on goods (phoros). He is asking about the “tribute,” the didrachma, the half-shekel tax collected in obedience to God’s commandment.

This they shall give, every one that passeth among them that are numbered, half a shekel after the shekel of the sanctuary: (a shekel is twenty gerahs:) an half shekel shall be the offering of the Lord. Every one that passeth among them that are numbered, from twenty years old and above, shall give an offering unto the Lord. The rich shall not give more, and the poor shall not give less than half a shekel, when they give an offering unto the Lord, to make an atonement for your souls (Exod. 30:13-15; cf. 2 Kings 12:4ff; 2 Chron. 24:6; Neh. 10:32).

The money that was collected was used to sustain the Temple and was generally known as the “Temple tax.” It was not enforced by civil government as those collected by government usually are; it was a voluntary “tax.” The question that is asked presupposes that the teacher will pay the tax, as commanded by the Law. 
 Jesus used the occasion of this tax to emphasize various lessons for his disciples which we now consider:

1. Jesus pays his taxes. Although Jesus argues that he is exempt from paying the Temple tax (see below, nevertheless, to avoid giving an offense to those who might take note of Jesus not paying such taxes, the son of God pays his tax. (In this respect, he voluntarily chose not to       practice that which he had the right to do to avoid occasions of stumbling. Compare Paul’s conduct in 1 Corinthians 9:1-16 and the general discussions in 1 Corinthians 8-10 and Romans 14.)  However, he does not have the funds to pay his taxes. Rather, he sends Peter to the Sea of Galilee with instructions for how to secure the funds to pay their taxes. He who was the Son of God indeed became poor that we might become rich (2 Cor. 8:9). Later he said, “Foxes have holes, and birds of the air have nests; but the Son of man hath not where to lay his head” (Luke 9:58). We see details of the degree to which Jesus denied himself, emptied himself, in order to become the Savior of mankind.

2. Jesus, the Son of God, is exempt from such taxes. When Peter approached Jesus about the tax, Jesus asked him about taxes in general. He asked whom kings usually taxed. Things were a bit different in Rome than in America. The Roman government usually exempted its own citizens and collected its taxes from those foreigners who had been defeated in war (designated here as “strangers”). Knowing the situation, Peter replied that taxes are usually paid by strangers, not their own children. 

Jesus affirmed his exemption from such taxes based on who he was. The tax was a Temple tax collected for God. As the Son of God, as Peter confessed Jesus to be at Caesarea Philippi just a few days earlier as recorded in Matthew 16:16 (“Thou art the Christ, the Son of the living God”), Jesus was exempt from such taxation. His claiming exemption from taxation is an affirmation of his deity, his sonship. He was “son of God” not by adoption, as we are, but by the essence of his nature. Privately to Peter he affirms his deity. The verse affirms Jesus’ self-consciousness of his supernatural sonship. Indeed, a greater than the Temple is present (Matt. 12:6) and justly owes no Temple tax. He did not learn of his deity through Mary’s coaching him; the Lord was fully aware of his relationship to the Father and the events that transpired while he was in heaven (John 16:30; 17:5).

3. Jesus confirms his divine sonship by several miracles. Notice the several miracles recorded in this account:

a. Miracles demonstrating his omniscience. Matthew specifically indicates Jesus’ knowledge of the conversation that transpired between Peter and those who came to collect the Temple tax. Jesus “spake of it first” (Matt. 17:25, NIV and NRSV). H.A.W. Meyer comments, “. . . the evangelist must have ascribed what Jesus says to Peter to His immediate knowledge of the thoughts of others” (Matt. 3:17). This is one of several instances in which Jesus demonstrates his omniscience while on earth; he knows things that he could not have known by human knowledge alone (cf. John 1:50). John said, “But Jesus did not commit himself unto them, because he knew all men, and needed not that any should testify of man: for he knew what was in man (John 2:24-25). Jesus’ knowledge of Peter’s conversation was one proof of Jesus’ omniscience.

Another proof of his omniscience is seen in his telling Peter how to collect the money to pay the tax. He said, “Notwithstanding, lest we should offend them, go thou to the sea, and cast an hook, and take up the fish that first cometh up; and when thou hast opened his mouth, thou shalt find a piece of money: that take, and give unto them for me and thee” (Matt. 17:27). How did Jesus know about a fish in the Sea of Galilee with a coin in its mouth? He knew that by his divine omniscience. This miracle was not designed to show that the Father or the Holy Spirit possess omniscience, which no one doubts, but to prove that Jesus is the Son of God, with all the powers of deity, who is exempt from Temple taxes because he is the Son of God.

b. Miracles demonstrating his omnipotence. When Jesus instructed Peter to go catch the fish in whose mouth a coin would be found, he did more than display omniscience. He demonstrated his divine control over nature. Peter was responsible to get his fishing pole and go fishing. Jesus was the one who commanded the fish to swallow a coin, to go to the place where Peter would be fishing, and to bite his bait. This is the same control over nature that is demonstrated when Jesus walked on water (John 6:19), commanded the winds and the waves to obey him (Matt. 8:26-27), and controlled the fish on the occasion of the two miraculous draughts of fish (Luke 5:4-7; John 21:8-11). These miracles were not designed to demonstrate that the Father or the Holy Spirit are omnipotent, but to demonstrate that the Son of God is omnipotent.

Alexander Maclaren wrote, “The miracle was for a trivial end in appearance, but it was a demonstration, though to one man only at first, yet through him to all the world, that this Christ, in His lowliness, is the Everlasting Son of the Father” (The Biblical Illustrator: Matthew 387).

Conclusion

From this miracle, let us be reminded of who Jesus is. He was, is, and ever will be God the Son. “Jesus Christ the same yesterday, and to day, and for ever” (Heb. 13:8).

6567 Kings Ct., Avon, Indiana 46123 mwillis1@compuserve.com