IT COULD HAPPEN
P. J. Casebolt, Paden City, W.Va.
There was a certain preacher, and he was conducting a meeting for a certain congregation. The elder s asked him to pr each one night on the use of mechanical instruments of music in worship.Members of the digressive Christian Church were especially invited to attend.
The preacher did a masterful job of showing that it was sinful to employ mechanical instruments of music in worship to God. He clearly placed the guiltof causing division among God's people upon thshoulders of those who had introduced such practices, and made a stirring plea for all present to come out of digression, acknowledge their error,and return to the ancient order of things.
At the singing of the invitation song, the preacher and the members of the Christian Church came forward. The preacher from the church of Christ said something about how good it was to see peoplerenounce error and take their stand with the truth,being careful to emphasize the fact that those coming forward now recognized the mechanicainstrument of music in worship to be sinful
Whereupon, the preacher from the Christian Church asked to say a few words on behalf ofhimself, and those who had come with him. Being given permission, he spoke as follows: "We not only see that our worship has been corrupted with man-made instruments, but we are also fed up with suppers, luncheons, specialcollections, clubs, organizations, youth activities, camps, big promotions, emphasis on the socialgospel, and a general blending with denominationalism. I am personally tired of tryingto be a pastor, organizer, coach, manager, and everything else but a gospel preacher. We wouldlike to identify ourselves with the church of Christ,leave all this foolishness behind, and get down to the business of worshipping and serving the Lord 'with all lowliness and meekness, with longsuffering,forbearing one another in love endeavoring to keepthe unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace.' "
The church of Christ preacher, after a considerable amount of throat-clearing, coughingand sputtering, answered: "Well, we do have a few youth activities, camps, hobby shops, fellowshiphalls, special choruses, kitchens, some preachers who wear 'Doctor' titles, hobnob with denominations, preach a social gospel. . ."
"Hold on a minute," interrupted the Christian Church preacher, "you're doing the same things we're trying to get away from."
"Oh, I know," said the church of Christ preacher,"but we are the true church, and we are going tobe careful that these things don't get out of hand."
"That's what we said, too," replied the other. "But the same attitude that allows one thing, allows all the rest. There's no stopping place. Why should we leave the Christian Church to be identified with you when you are doing the same things we are doing?"
"Not quite," said the other preacher. "You still have that old piano in your worship, and you're sinning as long as you keep it. Yes, sir!"
"Well," replied the Christian Church preacher as he and all his walked out, "it won't be long untilyou have that too. You've taken everything else from us."
After the others had gone, the preacher faced the congregation and said, "They probably weren't sincere in the first place— just wanted to quibbleYes, sir, that old instrument of music is going tsend a lot of people to hell. Now, after we aredismissed, let's all assemble in the fellowship hall,where we have a fine program of entertainment,food, fun, and fellowship planned for everyone."
As I said in the heading of this article, "It Could Happen." Maybe the r eason it doesn't happen ithat the Christian Church already knows what we are doing, and they just save themselves a trip tfind out. They should know, because their ball team just played ours last week, didn't they? If theydidn't find out then, maybe "our" preacher told them when he appeared on their program, sponsored by the Ministerial A
ociation. Anyway, everyoneknows that there aren't as many differences between churches of Christ and Christian Churches as there were twenty years ago, and be a
ured of this one thing, it isn't because the Christian Church has given up anything!
CHREMATIZO, "were called," Acts 11:26 No. 7 CHREMATIZO IN THE NEW TESTAMENT Acts 11:26 The investigation of chrematizo in Acts 11:26 has
purposely been reserved for last place in these text studies. To a host of Bible students this occurrence greatly transcends in importance the other occurrences of the verb in the New Testament. Be it justifiable or not, more theological ink has been used on Acts 11:26 than on all the other passages com
bined.
I n the AV Acts 11:26 r eads as follows: "And when he had found him, he brought him unto Antioch. And it came to pa
, that a whole year they assembled themselves with the church, and taughtmuch people. And the disciples were called Christians first in Antioch."
First, it should be noted that the forms of chrematizo differ in the Greek texts of Acts 11:26. Codex D and other less important texts have echrematisen, the first aorist active indicative formwhereas the major uncials have chrematisai, the first aorist active infinitive form. The writers who follow the text of Codex D assert that the active form has the idiomatic pa
ive sense. Others assert that even the active infinitive has the pa
ive sense. These writers therefore translate either form "were called."
On the use of chrematizo in Acts 11:26 two questions are paramount. Who called the disciplesChristians ? Is the oracular element involved at all in the verb in this place
Regarding who called the disciples "Christians"there seem to be these alternatives: they were called Chr istians either by themselves, or by the Jews,or by the Gentiles of Antioch, or by Paul anBarnabas.
Few writers if any would affirm that the namewas bestowed by the disciples or by the Jews.
Very few writers will affirm that the name wasbestowed by Paul and Barnabas. However, Foakes-Jackson and Lake comment that the active form of chrematizo often has the pa
ive sense, but that the transitive use is found a few times in late examples (as the transitive use occurs in Acts 11:26). Themaintain that Paul and Barnabas styled the disciples Christians in Antioch (The Beginnings of Christianity, vol. 4, p. 130).
DIGRESSION MARCHES ON
"Now the Spirit speaketh expressly, that in thlatter times some shall depart from the faith, givingheed to seducing spirits, and doctrines of devils . . ." (I T im. 4:1). "For the time will come when thewill not endure sound doctrine; but after their owlusts shall they heap to themselves teachers, havingitching ears; and they shall turn away their ears from the truth . . ." (II Tim. 4:3,4).
The last 120 years have proved the truthfulness of these statements from the inspired apostle. Departure never stops once it has started. One error leads to another. T he attitude that permits one innovation demands others, and the digression never stops short of complete departure from God. The vain glory and carnal mind of men demanded thecreation of the missionary society and the instrument of music in worship about one hundred years ago. Those who opposed these departures were charged with causing division in thechurch, but the fact remains that these innovations were the real cause of the division. This same evil has been working in the church of the Lord since the second world war. Another denomination has now been formed just as it was in the case of the Christian Church. It is only a matter of time until the instrument of music, special religious holidays, a full fledged clergy, fullcooperation with other denominations, and all thcharacteristics of false religions occur. Get readyfor it! There is no stopping the birth of this newsister denomination to the Christian Church. It is alr eady upon us!
We have not been ignorant of the real designs of the promoters of the i
ues now before the church. Any student of history should know that the so called "Christian Colleges" are the real promoters.
Orphan Homes and Sponsoring Churches were onlystepping stones to the church support of the colleges. T he departure has gone far enough nowfor' these promoters to demand "Church Colleges." If you oppose the "college-in-the-budget," get readyto change or be branded an "anti"! You will have to fight a losing battle with these promoters or come all the way back to the foundation of the faith oncedelivered to the saints. This is the only ground uponwhich a successful fight can be made.
This present digre
ion has already reached the point of refusing to publicly defend their program of iniquity. Hardly a man can be found among themwho will even talk about debating his cause. T his is exactly the position of the Chr istian Chur ch today. Nothing but human wisdom serves as the authority for their works.
I said the "college-in-the-budget" was the realgoal behind the emotional appeals for the orphan homes and other benevolent arrangements.
Foy E. Wallace, Jr. said: "In the present controversy over the sphere of the school, thcollege and the church, the colleges are again the aggressors. Every few years the i
ue is revived bycolleges or representatives of the colleges. The controversy can be as easily stopped as it started—let the schools cease to infringe on the divineprinciple of the independence of the church from all human institutions, quit imposing the college on thechurch, and all will be well. In short, let the college stay in its place, and let the church alone" (The BibleBanner, May, 1947, page 12). W. W. Otey said: "If the putting of the schools in the budgets of thechurches, to be supported out of the Lord's treasuryis not stopped, and I doubt if there is power enoughto stop them, then there will be another division in this generation" (The Bible Banner, May, 1947,page 1).
N. B. Hardeman said: "Regarding the recent 'College Question,' I have always said that I would oppose the placing of our schools in the church budgets, and thus binding the church to their support; but that any congregation has a right tmake a donation to a school, I verily believe. I did not think in 1938 that any principle or law would be violated, and I do not believe such in 1947. I would like to see someone who opposes this right state the principle and give the law permitting a church to donate to the building of a meetinghouse with all of its modern equipment, a preacher's home, to orphans' homes, and homes for the agedand forbidding the giving to a school wherein theBible is taught. . . If it is a serious issue to donate to a school— a human institution— why is it not a serious issue to donate to an orphans' home— a human institution?" (Gospel Advocate, July 31,1947, page 560).
Again N. B. Hardeman said: "... I have always believed that a church had the right to contribute to a school or an orphanage if it so desir ed. I n allthat I have written, there is no conflict on this matter. T he r ight to contribute to one is the r ightto contribute to the other. Note the parallel: 1. The school is a human institution; it has a board ofdirectors, it teaches secular branches in connection with the Bible. 2. An orphan home is a human institution; it has a board of directors; it teaches secular branches in connection with the Bible. The same principle that permits one, must also permit the other. They must stand or fall together" (FirmFoundation, October, 1947, page 1)
Foy E. Wallace, Jr. said: "There has always been a question about the operation of an institutional orphan home. If the church can do its benevolentwork through a 'board of directors'— a benevolent board; why not its preaching work, or 'mi
ionary work,' through a missionary board? And certainlyif the church can do education work through a board of education, there can be no logical reason why the same church could not do its missionary work through a board of missions" (The Bible Banner,July, 1947, page 14)
It does not take a Solomon to detect the real design behind the forcing of institutional homes into the church treasuries: It was to establish a practicethat would allow colleges to be supported from thechurch treasuries. The time has now arrived in the ranks of liberalism to boldly announce the intentionof binding the churches to support colleges. Aboutall of the "Chr istian Colleges" among us today,with the exception of Florida College in Tampa,Florida, have announced their willingness to solicit and accept money from churches.
Batsell Barrett Baxter recently preached three sermons at the Hillsboro church of Christ in Nashville, T ennessee which have been publishein a tract entitled: "Questions and I
ues of theDay." On page 29 he says: "Actually, the church has depended upon these schools for many year s to play a major role in the training of preachers,elders, teachers, and others. Is it not right that the church should provide the funds for the training oits own leaders?"
"Some who are agreed that the church can contribute to an orphans' home are not convincedthat the church can contribute to a Christian school. It is not right that the church should provide the funds for the training of its own leader s?"
"Some who are agreed that the church can contribute to an orphans' home are not convinced that the church can contribute to a Christian school. It is difficult to see a significant difference so far as principle is concerned. The orphans' home and the Christian school must stand or fall together."
On page 30: "If it is a good work and God wants it done, then the church can support it out of its treasury. It is in this line of thinking that I urge the elders of the church to contribute to the ongoingof the Christian schools in order that the God-givenobligation to train our young people may bedischarged."
We wonder how long it will be before we will hear some "confe
ions" from those who have recently stated in print that they oppose the church support of colleges? I can assure you of one thing:the "powers that be" are too strong to buck andremain in the institutional camp. If you refuse to go along with this doctrine, you will be br anded an "anti." If you have swallowed the benevolent and mi
ionary society doctrine, you must also swallow the church support of colleges or face the full fury of the forces of digression.
It would, indeed, be interesting to hear some debates between the benevolent society and sponsoring church brethren who differ about thechurch support of colleges. But, of course, this is very unlikely since they no longer believe indebates. I can
assure you of one thing: the "anti-college-in-thebudget" brother will learn what is wrong with th"orphan-home-in-the-budget" doctrine when he tries to oppose church support of colleges. They stand or fall together!
The geological time scale is a highly speculativesystem of dating the history of the existence of our earth and the existence of the organisms that have and do inhabit it. It is generally divided into fivmajor divisions with numerous subdivisions of periods and epochs. This scale can be found in numerous books today. It begins about five billionyears ago, plus or minus a few years. The datingof these periods, their occurrence and duration, presents somewhat of a problem. One of several problems is the dating of rocks of these periods. Some dating is done by means of the uranium time clock, by a measure of the radioactive materials in these rocks. Rock with both radioactive material and fo
ils are not often found so that the dating of the rocks often depend on the discovery of index fo
ils. It has been decided that certain forms were abundant in the different periods and thus theycharacterize the period. Because of this conclusion the rocks are often dated by the fo
ils. Now the question arises, how are the fo
ils dated? You guessed it! In most cases the only method odating the fossils is by the rocks in which they are found. The rocks are dated by the fossils and the fossils are dated by the same rocks. This kind ofreasoning( ?) is neither reasonable, logical or scientifically sound, but it is a way to allow one toreach a favorable conclusion for a position that cannot stand on revealed truth.
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SMALL CHURCHES BEWARE
I have before me a copy of the Gospel Advocateof December 12, 1963 in which Ira North proclaims that "Consolidation is Coming." This article is found on page 792. It is not my purpose here to challengethe scriptural side of the question but rather to warn the small chur ches that unless they want to bcalled "anti" many of them had better prepare to die. Much of what brother North says is true, andmore of us might be constrained to agree if we did not have the history of the last digression as aguide. Then and now the move it to the big church. In the article the writer gives as an example twocongregations in Texas with two hundred members each that consolidated and says this is what hemeans. In listing the advantages of such a movehe places as the number one consideration, "more money for the homele
." If you translate this he means the big church can give more to the institutions so they can get bigger and the big church can support the big institution. His example is a far cry from the argument that several small struggling congregations that can hardly keep the doors openshould consolidate.
WHY NOT TRYIT IN LAWRENCE COUNTY?
I was not born and raised in Lawrence County,Tenn., but through the years I have preached insever al meetings ther e. I know the condition inthe county and since this is given as anexample with the schools, why not try it with thchurches? Searching The Scripture has a large andvaried circulation in that section and I want to ask the brethren there if they are ready to merge all ofthe county churches with the ones in town ? Are youbrethren in and around Lawrenceburg ready to giveup the meeting houses that you have worked to build and the band of disciples that you love so dearly andall meet in town? Wake up brethren, this is not an idle dream. This very thing happened one hundred years ago with the digressives all over the nation. The institutional leaders among us are ready for itto happen now.
IS THERE A DIFFERENCE?
Some will ask if there is not a difference. There is no difference in what is being done but there is adifference in the reasons being given for doing it.In the first departure when the Missionary Societywas brought into being, the cry was raised to consolidate so more gospel could be preached. This time the preaching of the gospel is in second placeand as brother North plainly states in his article the first advantage would be to have "more moneyfor the homele
.' At least in the first digression they knew the purpose of the church, but in this one brethren have lost sight of the reason for theestablishment of the church of the Lord as well as its mission. In the sixth chapter of the book of Acts theapostles put the preaching of the gospel first and serving tables second. They stated in verse 2, "It is not reason that we should leave the word of Godand serve tables." W. T. Moore in the October issue of the Christian Quarterly in an essay on "Forward or Backward— Which?" at least knew that the preaching of the gospel was the great mi
ion of the Chur ch. I marvel that the brethren want to bringto an end the most successful method of reachingthe lost in all history, the establishment of newcongregations in every community on the face othe earth. As I have said time and time again, thseed of the failure of institutionalism is in its self. Instead of reaching more people the "Christian Church" reached fewer and fewer. Instead of establishing more congregations the liberal thinkers are calling for fewer churches so they can reach more people. I Marvel.
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THE LETTER TO THE CHURCH OF THE LAODICEANS
Curtis E . Flatt, Florence, Alabama
(READ REVELATION 3:14-22)
"Salute the brethren which are in Laodicea, anNymphas, and the church which is in his house. And when this epistle is read among you, cause that it be read also in the church of the Laodiceans; and thatye likewise read the epistle from Laodicea" (Col. 4:15,16). Other than what we lear n in this letter,the above reference is all we know of the church of the Laodiceans.
INTRODUCTION
In each of the other six letters, we saw Jesudescribing himself in such a way as to show himself especially fitted to say the things needed by eacchurch. Again we find the same is true here. Jesusbegan by saying, "T hese things saith the Amen, thefaithful and true witness, the beginning of thecreation of God." Think of this author! Here was one who was the faithful and true witne
— that is,dependable and right. Here was one who had allknowledge — the beginning and the end, the Alphaand the Omega, the first and the last. This church surely needed to think of Jesus in these terms. This author is God's spokesman to us also. Do we stop to remember the authority which is connected with our instructions? We would do well to ponder long ththings which are written here.
NEITHER HOT NOR COLD
As in all the other epistles, Jesus began with "I know" and "I know thy works." At the risk of seeming unduly r epetitious, I want to say agaithat Jesus knew the Laodiceans through andthrough. Let us remember that he knows us just as well. The first thing he mentioned as a matter ofknowledge was this: "T hou art neither cold nor hot: I would thou wert cold or hot. So then because thou art
lukewarm, and neither cold nor hot, I will spue theeout of my mouth." This church actually occupied therole which so many churches covet today— THE MIDDLE OF THE ROAD. This church would never have pressed the doctrine to the point that either saint or sinner would have called her fanatic. Neither would those on the inside nor the outside have said she was dead or apostate. As so many would viewit, the church of the Laodiceans would have beenextremely popular and desirable— FREE FROM EXTREMES. But we must remember that, as menthink of religion, our Lord was a real extremist. The religion of Christ is just as extreme. Thus Jesus said he would that she would be one way or the other. Of course, he wanted this church to be hot. T hen she would have been pleasing in his sight. But if she would not be hot, then he would have preferred the opposite. The reason for this was that the middle of the road looks good to MAN but brings condemnation to him and at the same time fills the Lord with nausea. HOW NAUSEATED MUST HE BE TODAY!
THOU SAYEST
Jesus knew what this church said: "Because thou sayest, I am rich, and increased with goods, anhave need of nothing..." Jesus knew the real condition of this church: "Thou art wretched, anmiserable, and poor, and blind, and naked." How far they had missed their self-appraisal.! People speakwith great boldness about what is right and wrongbut most of it is appraisal with about the same accuracy as found here. It is only when we appraise ourselves in view of God's revelation that we have proper evaluation. The point for all of us to remember here is to note how far this middle-of-theroad, self-sufficient church, which lived almost in the shadow of the Cro
, missed her spiritual appraisal.
I COUNSEL THEE
Jesus first called upon this church to take advantage of the things he had provided for them. "I counsel thee to buy of me gold tried in the fire, thatthou mayest be rich; and white raiment, that thoumayest be clothed, and that the shame of thenakedness do not appear; and anoint thine eyes with eye-salve, that thou mayest see." T hen he called for zeal. This was the lacking quality witthem. They were lukewarm. We too, must remember the importance of being zealous. We must have the truth but we must also be zealous. T he third thing which he called for was repentance.This church was in sin. When people are in sin, they must repent. This church was to repent. Of course,this had to be done on the individual basis— one by one. I STAND AT THE DOOR AND KNOCK
Jesus did not want people to be lost. He hadalready done so much for man to be saved. He knew this church was gone even though man might notconsider it apostate. He called for them to return — one by one. As in repenting of sin, this is the waypeople come back to the Lord after they go astray—one by one. "Behold, I stand at the door and knock: if any man hear my voice, and open the door, I will come in to him, and will sup with him, and he with me. To him that overcometh will I grant to sit with me in my throne, even as I also overcame, and am set down with my Father in his throne."
THE "OATH" ADULT PROTESTANTS MUST TAKE UPON BECOMING CATHOLICS!!
Have you ever speculated as to what you woulbe required to "swear to," if you decided to becomea Roman Catholic? Priest B. L. Conway, in The Question Box, page 87, states:
"A member of one of the other churches is always asked to take the following oath upothe Gospels, before he is baptized: "With asincere heart, therefore, and with unfeignedfaith, I detest and abjure every error, heresyand sect, opposed to the said Holy, Catholic andApostolic Roman Church. So help me God, anthese His holy Gospels which I touch with mhand."
The above excerpt from the "Profession of Faith" is only a br ief portion of the "oath" r equir ed of adults who become Roman Catholics. Actually, thRoman Catholic Church is neither (1) Holy (2Catholic nor (3) Apostolic. If she were truly"catholic" (universal), then she would not be "Roman." Something provincial cannot simultaneously claim universality. If she were truly"apostolic" then she would have been named inapostolic writings. If Roman Catholicism dates from the apostles (which it does not) its peculiar and identifying characteristics would be set forthin the New Testament. Finally, if the Roman Church were indeed "holy," she would not haveinstituted such things as the Inquisition, persecution of those she deems to be "heretics," and she would help rather than hinder the freedom of religious worship in many nations today, such as Spain,Portugal, and the Latin American countries.
At the beginning of this treatise, we mentioned that Priest Conway's excerpt from the "Profession of Faith" was quite brief. We shall now give some additional portions of the same "Profession of Faith" required of adult converts to the Roman Church:
"I.........(name) ....... , having before my eyesthe holy Gospels, which I touch with my hands,and knowing that no one can be saved without that faith which the Holy, Catholic, Apostolic Roman Church holds, believes, and teaches,against which I grieve that I have greatlyerred, inasmuch as I have held and believeddoctrines opposed to her teachings ..." (Pages411-412, Redemptorist Mission Book).
Did you note that Catholicism claims that "NO ONE CAN BE SAVED WITHOUT THAT FAITH WHICH THE . . . ROMAN CHURCH HOLDS." This is exactly the reason that she does not favor thefreedom of worship for non-catholics and protestants.
Continuing with the next paragraph of the "Profession:"
"I now, with grief and contrition for my past errors, profess that I believe the Holy, Catholic,
Apostolic Roman Church to be the only an
true Church established on earth by Jesus
Chr ist, to which I submit myself with m
whole heart. I believe all the articles that she
proposes to my belief, and I reject and condemn
all that she rejects and condemns, and I am
ready to observe all that she commands me.
..." (Page 412, Ibid.)
Now, you have an example of the BLIND OBEDIENCE exacted by the Roman Church from her devotees. It is therefore, not surprising thatsuch brain-washing lays a fertile foundation for the inroads of Communism in those nations that are basically and predominantly Roman Catholic. Once the human mind has been trained to unquestionably accept the decrees, beliefs and disbeliefs of a dictatorial authority, it becomes relatively easy to transfer that BLIND FAITH AND OBEDIENCE from one dictatorial authority to another. Thus,Catholic nations are easy prey for Communist aggr ession. Italy, Cuba, Poland, and other nations can be cited as examples of this evolution.
T he devout Roman Catholic must be willingaccept the following as sources of religious authorityto be observed, believed and obeyed
(1) Authority of the "Apostolic and Ecclesiastical Traditions." However, there is much lack of agreement as to exactly what constitutes these "traditions." (2) Authority of the Holy Bible . . . "which we must interpret, and understand only in the sense which our holy mother the Catholic Church has held and does old;.. ." Here again, the "church fathers" disagree as to the meaning or application of various biblical passages . .. and the Roman Church has iThe reason for listing these five different sources of religious authority in the Roman Catholic Church is to demonstrate the almost innumerable collection of laws, decrees, utterances, interpretations, etc.that the Roman Catholic member must accept,believe and obey . . . WITHOUT QUESTION!
Is it any wonder, then, that many otherwise goodpeople are hood-winked into accepting Catholicism,and then easily slide over into Communism?
"A BATTLE FOR MINDS"
Someone has said that in this twentieth century, we are seeing a battle for the minds of people. This battle is between capitalism and communism. Isuspect this is true. Capturing the physical body has proved futile to all world rulers. They seek to subdue the mind knowing the body is guaranteed.
People by nature, are inclined to be guided more by EMOTIONS than either REVELATION or REASON. This is true in the political and spiritual realms. Many times we have battled aopponent on the polemic platform, with scripture after scripture, while he sought to capture the minds of the audience with EMOTIONAL APPEALS.
I would like to notice three arguments based onEMOTIONAL APPEAL which has sent and will send many to hell. First, the old Baptist argumentabout the tree. They say, "What if a tree falls on a man and kills him before he reaches the water." T his is supposed to prove baptism is not essential! It is based on emotionalism and is calculated to steal the minds of the audience. I suspect more peopl(out of the church) have been influenced by this so called argument than we are willing to admit. It appeals to the E MOTI ONS but not to the BI BLE . Many have never been baptized because of such sophistry! Of course, we answer by saying thacircumstances do not invalidate law! The man had waited too long, etc. We tell them the Bible continues to read the same. However, it cannot be denied that it has its weight through this tremendous emotional appeal.
The Methodist very often try to steal the minds of people by bringing up the father and mother argument. They tell how good they were. They remind us that they were never baptized and charge us with sending them to hell. Let us not be deceived; this has kept many people out of thchurch of our Lord. This type of argument is able to clutter the mind so that it loses all reasoning power. If this is accomplished, the word of God will never penetrate. The devil has known this for years and continues to use his cohorts in this work.
But alas, IT has made its way into the church of our Lord. When liberal brethren can't find scripture for the church supporting the orphan asylums, theybegin to say, "Poor little orphans" or "Orphan homes," and some say that we are allowing orphans to starve. Gentle reader, don't be deceived; this carries tremendous weight with uniformed brethren! It clouds the mind, so that many lose all reasoning power. Scripture will not penetrate because their emotions have been aroused by the very sound of the word, "Orphan." I said years ago, that we woulhave won a majority of brethren and churches if theORPHAN HOME ISSUE had not been thrown into the r ing. We could have whipped the life out of HERALD OF TRUTH, sponsoring churches and the college in the budget, if it hadn't been for the EMOTIONAL APPEAL of the orphan i
ue. The liberals had better be glad they had the orphahomes to lean on. Dozens of people have told mthey could see the fallacy of all these innovations except the orphan home. Why? There is but one answer— EMOTIONAL APPEAL. Let us not be deceived. T his emotional business is hard to whip.Have you heard the latest? Well, it's about these two fellows who are sitting on the top of a house during a flood. One is a saint and the other is a sinner. Here comes a church of Christ boat which picks up thesaint but leaves the sinner there to drown! Now that is almost as sad as the "Baptist" tr ee accidentwhich makes one almost want to cry. What is this supposed to prove? It is supposed to show that thechurch can support sinners as well as saints! You say that such is r idiculous. Yes, to you that mayseem true, but liberals, like the Baptist, are usingit freely. It has its weight with many in the church. T hey seem to think that such a cir cumstance changes the way the Bible reads.
Yes, indeed, there is a battle for the minds of the people. Two schools of thought challenge our attention. One is based on the Bible and it emphasizes book, chapter and verse. It believes in speaking as the oracles of God and walkingcircumspectly. The other emphasizes emotional appeal when scripture cannot be found. When a Baptist runs out of scripture he resorts to EMOTIONAL APPEAL. When liberals run out of scripture they do LIKEWISE.
Gentle reader, remember we didn't have a singlorphan home asylum until 1909. The first was the Tennessee Orphan Home, chartered in 1909. What did the church do for 1900 years without a singleorphan home ? It did without! Would you divide thechurch of our Lord over an organization which is just a little over fifty years old? The church did its benevolent work before 1909 and it can do its work now without these human organizations.
Don't take too much for granted. Their need for scripture is more than made up in emotional appeal.Friends, remember the stories about trees falling on men, fathers and mothers being good moral people and men sitting on the top of houses during a flood may appeal to your emotions but the Bible says, "To obey is better than sacrifice" (I Samuel 15:22).
How often have you heard that those people atthe church of Christ believe that only their littlegroup is going to heaven? No doubt you have heard this many times just as I have. Did you ever hear someone say, "Well, I am satisfied with my religionand let's just not talk any more about it." After having set forth what the Bible teaches on some point, did you ever have someone to say, "Now, ifI were you, I wouldn't be so narrow minded?"
Anyone that has ever tried to teach people ithe denominational world the truth has experienced these reactions. Often we say that person wouldlearn the truth if he were not blinded by prejudice.Their attitude seems to be don't confuse me with the facts because my mind is already made up. Yethe New Testament teaches us to "Prove all things;hold fast that which is good" (I Thes. 5:21). Homany times have our religious neighbors refused very boldly to attend the services of the church with us because they were afraid of what themight hear? Yes, religious prejudice is a terrible thing.
In the book of Acts we have an outstanding example of prejudice in chapter twenty-two. In Jerusalem Paul was arrested by the officials in chapter twenty-one and we can read the sermon hepreached to that multitude on the castle stairs in chapter twenty two. Paul beckoned unto the peoplwith his hand and ther e was a gr eat silence. When they heard him speak in the Hebrew tongue,"they kept the more silence:" Then Paul related his conversion unto them, telling them how that wheStephen was stoned that he was present consentingto it. In his sermon he told that the Lord told him to leave Jerusalem because they would not receive the testimony concerning the Lord and he wouldbe sent unto the GENTILES. T hat did it. T heyhad heard a word that they didn't like— GENTILES. Now listen to how religious prejudice caused them to react. "And they gave him audience unto this word, and then lifted up their voices, and said, Awaywith such a fellow from the earth: for it is not fit that he should live. And as they cried out, and cast off their clothes, and threw dust into the air." Paul mentioned the word, Gentiles; then they expressed their prejudice. How many times have denominational people attended the services of theLord's people and when the word, BAPTISM, was mentioned, they would get up and walk out? Or if the preacher should refer to the particular denomination of which they wer e member s, homany of them would stomp out of the meetinghouse and slam the door never to return?
But did you know that there are members of theLord's church that are just as prejudiced as anydenominational person ever thought about beingLet a certain subject come up for discussion andthese people will set forth what they think abouthe matter when they have never given as much asten minutes of serious Bible study to the question. T heir minds too have been made up befor e they ever consider the facts in the Bible on the subject
In a community, it matters not where it is, let itbe known that a certain preacher believes that oneshould give book, chapter, and verse for everythingthat is done in religion and it will be told that he is an "anti" or he doesn't believe in helping the needy,or that he is a trouble maker. It will also be told that the church where he preaches is one that is afaction and that is enough said for many peoplenot even to attend one time and find out for themselves if the charges are true. If the preacher should visit one of these persons and invite them to come just one time and see what is taught andpracticed, the person many times is so full ofprejudice that he will not even take the time tofind out for himself. If the church publishes ateaching bulletin and mails it out, this same per son will send it backmarked "REFUSED." This one will not even read and study to see what is being taught. Withoutinvestigation they make up their mind aboutmatters. Some members of the Lord's church should never say another word about the prejudice in thedenominational world when they express the same kind of prejudice and in many instances more of it.We should have the attitude that Phillip had when he said, "Come and see" (John 1:46).
BE NOT CONFORMED TO THIS WORLD
It is a tragic and sorrowful fact that many ofGod's children are traveling the worldly road to everlasting punishment. They have forfeited their right to the tree of life and a home in heaven bybecoming entangled again in the pollutions of theworld. "The latter end is worse with them than the beginning. For it had been better for them not tohave known the way of r ighteousness, than, after they have known it, to turn from the holycommandment delivered unto them. But it is happened unto them according to the true prover b, T he dog is turned to his own vomit again and the sow that was washed to her wallowing inthe mire" (II Peter 2:20-22).
Dear reader, are you entangled in the pollutions of the world ? Has your love for Christ grown cold ? Has your faith been shipwrecked through worldliness? Have you stained your soul, hardened your heart and seared your conscience with r epeated sins ? Have you gone beyond the point of repentance or is there yet a spark of desire for heaven in your heart? You cannot afford to die conformed to this world and lost in sin. Why not be transformed and saved by repentance and reformation of life?
GOD'S PEOPLE MUST BE DIFFERENT "After the doings of the land of Egypt, wherein ye dwelt, shall ye not do; and after the doings of the land of Canaan, whether I br ing you, shall ye notdo: neither shall ye walk in their ordinances" (Lev. 18:3). God gave these instructions to the children of Israel during their march from Egypt to Canaan. They were commanded to be different.When a sinner hears the gospel today, believes God and Christ (Heb. 10:10), and is buried withChrist in baptism (Col. 2:12), he becomes a newcreature (II Cor. 5:17), and is raised to walk a new life (Rom. 6:4). Having thus escaped the pollutions of the world, he is instructed by God's word to avoid being entangled again therein, to deny ungodliness and worldly lusts, to live soberly, righteously andgodly in this present world (Tit. 2:11-14). There must be a difference in attitude, affection and action between the Christian and the world, as shown by the following scriptures.
CONCERNING ATTITUDES AND AFFECTIONS
"Love not the world, neither the things that are
in the world. If any man love the world, the love of the Father is not in him. For all that is in the world, the lust of the flesh, and the lust of the eyes, andthe pride of life, is not of the Father, but is of theworld. And the world passeth away, and the lust thereof: but he that doeth the will of God abideth for ever" (I John 2:15-17). "Set your affection on things above, not on things on the earth" (Col. 3:2). Worldly attitudes and affections result in apostasy and spiritual death. Demas left Paul, "having lovedthis present world" (II Tim. 4:10). "For to be carnally minded is death; but to be spiritually minded is life and peace. Because the carnal mind is enmity against God: for it is not subject to the law of God, neither indeed can be" (Rom. 8:6-7). "Ye adulterers and adulteresses, know ye not that thefriendship of the world is enmity with God ?Whosoever therefore will be a friend of the world is the enemy of God" (James 4:4). Do you love theworld and the things therein ? Are you a friend of the world ? Do you want to die as an enemy of God?
CONCERNING ACTIONS
"And be not conformed to this world: but be yetransformed by the renewing of your mind, that yemay prove what is that good, and acceptable, andperfect will of God" (Rom. 12:2). To be conformed (be like) the world is to be lost with the world. We make the choice whether we will be conformed or transformed by renewing our minds through God's word.
"Be ye not unequally yoked together withunbelievers : for what fellowship hath righteousness with unr ighteousness? and what communion hathlight with darkness? and what concord hath Christ with Belial? or what part hath he that believeth with an infidel? And what agreement hath the templeof God with idols? For ye are the temple of theliving God; as God hath said, I will dwell in them,and walk in them; and I will be their God, and they shall be my people. Wherefore come out from among them, and be ye separate, saith the Lord, and touch not the unclean thing; and I will receive you, and will be a Father unto you, and ye shall bemy sons and daughter s, saith the Lord Almighty" (II Cor. 6:14-18).
It is not popular to be different from the world. Such an one is regarded as a narrow-minded,fanatical old-fogy. The world thinks "it strange that ye run not with them to the same excess of riot, speaking evil of you" (I Pet. 4:4). Jesus said, "If ye were of the world, the world would love his own: but because ye ar e not of the wor ld, but I have chosen you out of the world, therefore the world hateth you" (John 15:19). Many are notwilling to endure the scornful mockery of a sinful world; they yield to worldly pressures and fall in line with the crowd, then seek to justify themselves by saying, "E ver ybody is doing it." But this proves nothing to be right! Most people are following thebroad way to destruction (Matt. 7:13-14).
The world does not believe, preach or practice the way of God. Its standard of conduct is contrary toGod's word, and is constantly being changed topermit more lusts of the flesh to be fulfilled with the approval of society. Therefore, the Christian who desires to live in heaven must not be governed bywhat the world thinks, says or does, but by God's word.
". . . THEY REHEARSED ALL THAT GOD HAD DONE WITH THEM . . ."— Acts 14:27
HOGLAND-GARNER DEBATE
Brother Ward Hogland will meet Mr. Albert Garner, Mi
ionary Baptist, in a religious discussion April 6.7,8,9,10,13,14,16,17 in thMay-hall Auditorium, Lakeland, Florida. This auditorium will seat 1700 people
Mr. Garner is the president of Lakeland Baptist Institute. He has had several debates with our brethren and is the author of several books. Brother Hogland is an exper ienced debater and one of our very best evangelists.
Thomas G. Butler, preacher for the Lake Wire church, Lakeland, is makingarrangements for this debate. Any information concerning this discussion may be obtaineby wr iting him at P. O. Box 1713, L akeland,Florida. This will be one of the most important debates ever conducted in Florida. The Lake Wire church extends an invitation to all and desires your presence each night.
T homas G. Butler
NOTE: This debate will be recorded byprofessional equipment and copies of the entire eight nights may be obtained from Phillips Publications. The debate will be recorded on new 1 1/2 mil. Mylar tape, eigh7" reels— one tape for each night. It will berecorded at 3 1/2 speed and can be played onany type tape recorder.
By having one or iginal copy made at thetime of the debate eliminates the problem ofover load on electrical circuits and crowdingthe area near the speakers' stand. If you are interested in this debate on tape, order fromPhillips Publications, P.O. Box 17244, Tampa,Florida 33612.
The entire debate can be obtained for about the average cost of the tapes of the quality tobe used. E ight tapes— $20.00.
Ross O. Spears, Tompkinsville, Ky.— The Grandview church of Christ in Tompkinsville, Kentucky is growing in numbers and in spiritual strength. Two have been restored recently. A spring meeting is scheduled to begin April 27 with different speakers each evening. Glen Shaver, Ronald Mosby, andDonald Townsley of Louisville, Ky.; David Claypool, Robert Jackson, and Harris Dark ofNashville, Tenn. will be the speakers. When in this section worship with us.
Glenn R. Sheumaker, Lakeland, Fla.— Paul Brock of Chattanooga, Tennessee was with us in a gospel meeting at the Northside church of Christ inLakeland, Florida March 2-8. Services were at 7:30each evening. Brother Brock has recently movefrom Lakeshore in Jacksonville to Chattanooga
Glenn L. Shaver, Louisville, Ky.— One was baptized recently, two placed membership, and one was
restored at Shively congregation. Since I beganwork with Shively in July, 1963, nine have beebaptized, two have been restored, and two placemember ship in addition to those just reported
Ralph R. Givens, Oceanside, Calif.— Leon Goff of Canoga Park, California will preach in a gospel meeting for the church meeting at 1234 Division St., Oceanside, California, March 29-April 5. Services each night at 7:30. One was restored here February 23.
RIVERMONT CHURCH OF CHRIST
Route 2 Chester, Virginia March 9, 1964 SEARCHING THE SCRIPTURES
P. O. Box 19244 Tampa, Florida 33612
Dear Br ethr en:
This letter is to inform the brotherhood concerning bro. Thetus Pritchard.
Bro. Thetus Pritchard labored with the Rivermont Church of Christ from July 1962 througJuly 1963. He was discharged of his duties July o1963 because of the reproach he brought upon thchurch and in the community. At the time of his apprehension, he was asked to meet with thebrethren to discuss his condition, but he left town;we brethren not knowing where he went. He leftthis congregation in bad standing and he needs torepent of his wrong doing
Anyone desiring further information, please contact the Rivermont Church of Christ, Route 2,Chester, Virginia.
Brotherly love, /s/ J.
W. Adams Fred Young Edward Sula
WHAT IS HAPPENING TO MY BRETHREN?
W. B. Waddell, Pensacola, Fla.
The East Hill congregation in Pensacola, Florida was established in the year 1886 and is the oldest congregation in Pensacola. During the followingyears many gospel preachers have preached to this congregation. Preached, I am sure, as God fearingbrethren with just one thought in their hearts: to proclaim Jesus Christ in purity and simplicity.Following are some of the preachers who havelabored here, not necessarily in order of their work:
J. A. Harding, J. L. Jackson, Walter Harding, S. I
S. Cawthorn, Rice Sewell, W. T. Tracey, C. W.Landers, Willard Butler, J. M. Powell, J. W. Shepherd, C. M. Pullias, E. G. Sewell, C. R. Nichol,
F. W. Smith, Flavel Hall, S. P. Pittman, J. P.Lowery, Homer P. Reeves, H. Leo Boles, J. Burton,
T. D. Rose, R. L. Colman, W. A. Black, Gus Nichols, Harry Pickup, Sr., Pat Hardeman, BasiDoran, E. J. Craddock, B. C. Goodpasture, Jim RCope, Paul Simon, Billy Craig, John W. Graham, M.
L. Sexton, Bill Hatcher, Sam Binkley, Billy Nicks,Harry Pickup, Jr., Gran-ville Tyler, A. B. McKee,Ralph Gentry, James P. Miller, and presentlyClaude M. Willsford.
At one time these brethren spent full time inpreaching and teaching God's word. This can nolonger be said, even of this list. Many have sincinjected their ideas and thoughts concerning what they think God should have recorded.
In Luke 2:46 in Christ's youth we find himconversing with learned men, doctors, teachers, great men of wisdom, such as Simeon, Hillel anGamaliel. History tells us that the teachers andprincipal men of the city were coming to Jesus for more accurate information relative to the law. Christ did not recognize their ability to foresee God's mind, and such was not transmitted tothem. Their aid was not solicited nor used. Certainly Jesus today would not seek out nor accept the opinions of every Tom, Dick and Harry who couldquote a passage of scr ipture. T his was not the case even of those learned who walked with out the Lord. Jesus demonstrated to the wise men that "the wisdom of this world is foolishness with God (ICor. 3:19).
Some brethren have twisted and distorted James
1:27 until they should hang their heads in shame. "If any man . .." Does this mean that God is really confused and actually meant congregation instead of man? Does it mean that through the wisdom ofman we should now remove the man and insert congregation? Does any other scripture show thatGod did not fully understand and should be corrected? How do we know which men should make these changes?
Since the Lord completed all things necessary tobe accomplished in the flesh while on earth for man's salvation, and the will of God was translated through the Holy Spirit and was recorded upon thepages of the Book, I shall be happy to abide by thFather's instruction.
Since all preachers will also stand before the judgment bar of God and give a full account of their every act and deed, what is going to be the result concerning
- All the precious souls that have passed on into eternity without hope of salvation, who could haveheard and obeyed the gospel if it had been available to them, dur ing the time that opinions and hatred for other another were preached instead
- What will be the results of preachers who have utter ed some of the filthiest names ever spokenagainst a brother ?
3. How can any preacher who has denied thecommandment of God in Mark 12:31 to love thneighbor as thyself expect to be justified inpreaching the other commandments of God ? He can preach until doom's day and still be lost, and thesad part is that many more will be forced to gwith him because he failed.
The time has come for those who profess to know the teaching of God's word to cool off and set aside self-willedne
, name calling, self-centered thinking,and realize the havoc being wrought among thbrethren. That we again purpose in our hearts to once again put into practice and abide strictly by the word of God. Where the Bible speaks, we willspeak; where the Bible is silent, we will let it alone.
RESPECT OF PERSONS
L. N. Clifford, Nashville, Tennessee
This study is taken fr om the Book of James, secondchapter, verses 1 through 10, where James is teaching that there should be no respect of persons in the family of GodPlease r ead the entir e chapter.
"My brethren, have not the faith of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Lord of glory, with respect of persons" . . . (James 2:1)."If ye fulfill the royal law according to the scripture, Thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself, ye do well; but if you have respect of persons, ye commit sin, being convicted by the law as transgressors" . . . (James 2:8-9)
The fundamental principle on which our study is based is the Fatherhood of God and the brotherhood of man. If these principles are thoroughly understood and put into practice, the danger of showing r espect to per sons will be gr eatlylessened. Another basic principle which is closely r elated to the one just mentioned is that of righteousness. God himself is always governed by this principle, and those who are like God must follow his example. If people will always make it a point to do that which is right on all occasions, it will be much easier to give to each man that to which he is entitled. There always has been, and there always will be, differences among people. Some are rich and some are poor; some are wise and some are foolish; some are industrious and some are lazy. Some have a pleasing disposition, while the disposition of others is distasteful; some are willing to cooperate in everygood work while others have a tendency to discourage every worthwhile effort. This alone is enough to show that one cannot feel the same toward every person, but it does not mean that we should stop ther e. In the language of another , "To work the way the artist works is everybody's duty; totake the common clay of life and mold it into beauty." This is the lesson set forth in Isaiah's portrayal of the Messianic Kingdom (Isa. 11:6-9).
We should help others to be better, without respect of person. We should remember when people come into theKingdom of Christ, they become brethren in the Lord; andwhile they are not always on an equal (Matt. 25:14-30),each one is entitled to that consideration which will have the tendency to make him a better person and more faithful in the Lord's service. It appears to have been true in the days of James, just as it is true in our day, that some had a disposition to be more considerate of those who are in high stations, than to those who are not so fortunate. This attitude is wrong anywher e but it is especially so in the assembly of the saints. "To have respect of persons in judgment is not good(Prov. 24:23). The primary application of this text is toKings, Judges and Magistrates in earthly governments, but the principle is the same anywhere. It is never right to pass unfair judgment on anyone, in any place, or at any time. Read Proverbs 28:21-23.
Moffatt renders these verses as follows: "To favor one side is not fair— to sin, bribed by a bit of bread. The selfish man is eager to get rich; he never dreams he may be in distress. In the long run, a man who will reprove gets more thanks than a flatterer." You will find in Jude 16, "These are murmurers, complainers, walking after their lusts (and their mouth speaketh great swelling words), showing respect of persons for the sake of advantage." Respect of persons, in the final analysis, is for the sake of advantage. Even those who try by that method to make a good impression on others, hope to gain for themselves in the long run. 1'he wholepractice is based to a large extent on selfishne
, andselfishness is1 foreign to the spirit of Christ. Character, and not person, is the thing which counts in the sight of God, bothin this life and in the judgment day. When Peter was called to the house of Cornelius to open the door of faith to the Gentiles, he for the first time saw the meaning of thesubject now before us. As he began he said, "Of a truth Iper ceive that God is no r especter of per sons: But in ever ynation he that feareth him. and worketh righteousness, isaccepted with him" (Acts 10:34-35). Years later he wrote, "And if ye call on him as Father, who without respect ofperson judgeth according to each man's work, pass the time of your sojourning in fear." (1 Peter 1:17)
This is God's method of dealing with all people, and itmust be ours also if we are to please him. Let us study verse 9 of James closely and it will put the cap on our study. Inthis verse the word "but" introduces a contrast. James said in the preceding verse that they were doing well if they fulfilledthe law which says, "Thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself: But, if they show respect of persons, it is sin." The expression "ye commit sin" is literally "ye work sin," as in Matt. 7:25 — "Depart from me, ye that work iniquity." It is a strong statement, and the position of sin is emphatic; "It is sin that you ar e wor king."
The Expositor's Greek Testament observes that the strengtof the expression is intended to remind the hearers (or readers) that it is willful, conscious sin of which they will beguilty, if they show respect for persons on account of their wealth. The world "convicted" carries with it the idea of establishing the fact of sin. The individual sinner might notbe personally convinced that he was a sinner, but the law declares that he is (John 16:7-11). Every responsible person will have to face the word of God at the Judgment at thelast day. Jesus said, "He that respecteth me, and receiveth not my sayings, hath one that judgeth him; the word that I spakethe same shall judge him in the last day. For I spake not from myself; but the Father that sent me, he hath given me commandment, what I should say, and what I should speak.And I know that his commandment is life eternal; the things therefore which I speak, even as the Father hath said unto me, so I speak" (John 12:48-50). If you will study the entire second chapter of James you will find verses 10-13 show the seriousness of setting aside even one commandment of thelaw of God.
We can see James is a very practical Book and he discusses many pr actical subjects. We today face this pr oblem ofpartiality in the Church and in our attitudes toward peoplein general. Let us close this study with five points which Tames makes.
(1) God shows no partiality; Jesus showed no partiality.Jesus always guarded against all of the distinctions that men made between each other. Jesus dar ed to go against many ofthe customs of his day and was like his Father, showing no partiality (2) These early Christians were making distinctions on the basis of dress. Today we can say that distinctions are made among God's people. We give preference in our attention and in our attitude toward certain people of worldly prestige. Those who hold certain jobs often have preferred attention and preferred places in the activities of the Church. This ought not to be so. (3) The poor are rich in faith and they are heirs of the Kingdom and so James points out that this man against whom you ar e making distinctions is an heir to the gr eatest Kingdom of all, the Kingdom of heaven, the Kingdom that willbr eak in pieces all other Kingdoms, a Kingdom that willlast forever. (4) James points out that to make distinctions violates the law of love. We are to love one another as Christ loved us. (5) James points out that it is a violation of the law of liberty. We do not realize just how great is this law of liberty.But there is a law which could be termed one of liberty andthat liberty is to treat our fellowman on the basis of love — love to God and love to man. T o make distinctions and to be partial in our thoughts toward one another results in jealouslyand envy. And where there is jealously and envy there is evil work. Discord and division will grow out of such a spiritin any Chur ch.In the light of all this, we are living in great social andeconomic changes in the world today. It is a gr eat thing to see people in all walks of life worshiping side by side, worshiping seemingly without recognition of any distinction. This was the ideal for which James was working. If the time ever comes when the churches of Christ can be designated by a certain economic level, we will have missed our opportunity to serve mankind. The time has come whenwe are going to have to make our attitude as broad as Jesus' attitude. Jesus simply saw human beings who needed to besaved. He never was, drawn away from them on account of their wealth or position or dress. He made no distinctions between man on the basis of superficial human judgment. Helooked upon men as God looked upon him when he sent Jesus into this world to save all men. Certainly on the basis of our fundamental faith in Christ, we cannot afford to be partial in our thoughts and in our actions. God help us that we might have the right attitude towar d all men. Amen.