REPENTANCE BEFORE FAITH

Billy Duncan, Trenton, Florida

In Matthew 21:32 and Mark 1:15 it is evident that repentance was to precede faith. It is equally evidentin Acts 2:36-38 that believers were told to repent.What is the proper order of faith and repentance? An understanding of what faith is and what repentance is will help one to see the proper order.

Faith is conviction based upon the evidence of God's word (Heb. 11:1; Rom. 10:17). Repentance is a change of will, a change from following one's own way or will to following the way or will of another (Matt. 21:28-32), and in the case of the repentance that saves, it is the giving up of one's own will to follow the will of God (Acts 20:21)

But there are two aspects with regard to both faith and repentance. There is faith in Christ as the Son of God (Matt. 16:16; Acts 8:37), and there is faith in a particular doctrine taught by the authority oChrist (Acts 8:12; Heb. 11:6). Of course, one whbelieves Christ to be the Son of God will also believe whatever he understands to be taught by the authority of Christ so soon as he learns it. With regard to repentance, there is the general disposition and determination to follow God's will, and then there is the repentance with regard to a particular doctrine. And when one with a general disposition to followGod's will learns God's will on a particular subject, particular repentance will follow immediately (Acts 8:5-24).

Now it is clearly evident that faith in God must precede a determination to follow His will, and faithin a particular doctrine must precede repentancewith regard to that particular doctrine. Therefore,Joe S. Warlick and others called the idea of repentingbefore believing a "psychological impo ibility." It is impo ible to repent toward God without first believing in God.

How then could repentance precede faith in Matt.

21:32 and Mark 1:15? Let us notice further connections between faith and repentance, and it will become clear that these instances of repentance preceding faith do not conflict with the proposition that faith in a particular matter must precede repentance in the particular matter.

Both faith and repentance are continual processes in the life of the child of God. He is to have faith in God, and as he learns God's will on a particular subject, he is to believe that will. Likewise, he is to have the determination to follow God's will exactly, andas he learns God's will his life will conform to that pattern set forth in God's will as reported in theBible. Thus the child of God grows and matures (IPet. 2:2; II Pet. 3:18; Heb. 5:12-14). Where one isignorant of God's will there is the" danger of substituting one's own will (Rom. 10:1-3). It is imperative that we study God's word!

But not all who believe in God repent toward God. Nor do all who believe in Christ repent toward Christ. There were Jews who were forced by the evidence to believe that Christ is the Son of God, buthey were unwilling to submit to His will (John 12: 42,43). Such a stubborn will sometimes stands in the way of believing the doctrines taught by themessengers of the one in whom there is faith. Thus Christ said, "If any man will do his will, he shall know of the doctr ine, whether it be of God . .." (John 17:17). One who does not have this willingness to do His will may be hindered in believinGod's message

Thus Joe Warlick explained the order of repentance before faith in the passages cited by pointinout that the Jews under consideration were already"believers in God, toward whom they were asked torepent, and then to accept the new message . . ." Faith toward God must precede repentance toward God, but repentance toward God must sometimes precede faith in God's message.

Lack of deep, genuine repentance has caused some not to see the truth on the instrumental music question, po ibly, and may also be the cause that some do not see the error of liberalism. Let us examine ourselves and our attitude toward God's will. Have we fully repented?

o

HAVE YOU RENEWED

Please check your expiration date indicated onyour address place and if your subscription has expired, send your renewal today. This willassure continuation of Searching The Scriptures for another year.

DO IT TODAY!

Page 2 _________________________________________________________________________________________________

"I truly enjoy Searching The Scriptures and think it one of the best papers available." — Hughland D.Richards, Chipley, Fla.

"My wife and I enjoy Searching The Scriptures. It is a fine paper. May God bless you in this worthy effort." — Newell McDaniel, Hollis, Okla

"I continue to enjoy your excellent search of the Scriptures in Searching The Scriptures." — LarryRay Hafley, Plaino, Ill.

"I continue to enjoy Searching The Scriptures more than words can say. Keep up the good work."

— William B. Murrell, Hammond, Ind.

"We enjoy the paper. May the Lord bless your efforts greatly for many years." — A. B. Newsom,Jennings, Fla.

"My wife and I received Searching The Scriptures as a gift and think it is one of the finest papers wereceive. It has helped me ever so much in my work for the Lord. May God's richest ble ings rest uponeach one of you." — Jerry Hale, Shelbyville, Tenn.

"We continue to appreciate the good work beindone through these pages and pr ay God that Hwill continue to grant us the opportunity of benefiting from it." — Colly Caldwell, Columbia, Tenn.

"Keep the paper coming, as I enjoy it very mucand still contend that you are doing a very goodwork in the service of the Lord in publishing thepaper." — C. R. Crocker, Tarrant, Ala

"I enjoy the paper very much." — Mrs. Loyd L. Sloan, Sweet Home, Oregon

"What few paper publications that I have read ofyours I consider it at the top along with the 'Guardian' and commend you and others to stand up andto be counted for the cause of Christ." — Warren G. Allen, West Helena, Ark.

"I continue to enjoy every i ue of Searching The Scriptures as among the best publications I receive."

— Robert A. Bolton, Ontario, Calif.

"Please renew our subscription; we certainly denjoy this fine paper." — Mr. and Mrs. William T. Vickers, Jr., Owensboro, Ky

"Have enjoyed Searching The Scriptures from the beginning. I still say it is the best that I've seen." —Maggie Orton, Lawrenceburg, Tenn.

"Your good paper is always a welcomed visitor in

our home. Still enjoy each i ue immensely — keep

up the good work." — Louis J. Sharp, Little Rock,

Ark.

"Please renew my subscription to Searching The Scriptures. We continue to enjoy the good articles contained in it." — W. H. Smith, Conway, Ark.

"Enjoy reading the paper and am sure it is doinggood." — R. C. Swindell, Nashville, Tenn.

"I enjoy studying your wonderful paper and feel that good will always come from such seed as isbeing sown through such teaching as is needed todayof the gospel." — W. B. Phillips, Dickson, Tenn.

"We enjoy the paper very much. Hope you havgood health for many years to come." — Mrs. CloyceWalden, Cocoa, Fla.

"I enjoy your paper and appreciate your stand for

the truth." — B. D. Stanton, Saratoga, Ark.

WORLDLY TENDENCIES OF THE DAY No. 2

The moral decay of this generation is clearly evident in every walk of life. The alarming fact is that the influence of worldliness has permeated the church of the Lord. The immoral tendencies of many in thbody of Christ is affecting the power of the gospelupon the hearts of people. For this cause we shouldstudy again and again the word of the Lord to learn how we should live in this life so that we may go toheaven when we die.

Last month we read some verses from the word of God to show 'that there is no compromise between the kingdom of Christ and this present evil world. The people of God are separated from the world,delivered, from the powers of darkness, to be a peculiar people unto the Lord. The Lord placed such acontrast between the world and his kingdom that itis impo ible to be in both at once. There are some negative views we should take toward the things of

Page 3

the world. These are so plainly stated in God's word

that we are without excuse.

The apostle John wrote: "Love not the world,neither the things that are in the world. If any manlove the world, the love of the Father is not in him. For all that is in the world, the lust of the flesh, andthe lust of the eyes, and the pride of life, is not of the Father, but is of the world" (I John 2:15,16). The direct command not to love the world is accompanied with the statement that the love of the world is not of the Father. It simply means that if we love the world, we cannot love the Father. We cannot love both at once!

Again, "Ye adulterers and adulteresses, know ynot that the friendship of the world is enmity witGod? whosoever therefore will be a friend of the world is the enemy of God" (James 4:4). Moffatt's translation says, "Wanton creatures! do you noknow that the world's friendship means enmity tGod ? Whoever, then, chooses to be the world's friend, turns enemy to God." It is not enough just to claim not to love the world (the reign of Satan throughlust), we cannot even allow ourselves to become friends to the world. Since Jesus said that "if the world hate you, ye know that it hated me before it hated you. If ye were of the world, the world would love his own: but because ye are not of the world,but I have chosen you out of the world," we could hardly expect any grounds for friendship with theworld. When one who has been delivered from the powers of darkness and turns again to become friend of this world — he loves again the things of the world — he forsakes God and the people of God."For Demas hath forsaken me, having loved this present world . . ." (II Tim. 4:10). The "world" we are talking about is all evil. "And we know that we are of God, and the whole world lieth in wickedness" (I John 5:19)

Paul wrote, "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). W. E. Vine says of the word "conformed": "to fashion or shapeone thing like another." We are not to be fashioned or shaped like the world. Instead we must be transformed, "to change into another form," by the renewing of our minds. We see that the mind is the place to begin in being transformed from the world.

James says, "Pure religion and undefiled before God and the Father is this, To visit the fatherless and widows in their affliction, and to keep himselfunspotted from the world" (James 1:27). Vine saysof the word "unspotted": "of the believer in regard to the world, Jas. 1:27, and free from all defilement in the sight of God, II Pet. 3:14." The only way tkeep oneself unspotted from the world is to stay away from all influences that would lead from God.

Very positive action must be taken by every Christian to be free from the world and its influences. "Wherefore come out from among them, and be yeseparate, saith Lord, and touch not the uncleanthing; and I will receive you" (II Cor. 6:17). You willnotice that the condition upon which the Lord will receive us is that we (1) come out from among them,

(2) be separate, and (3) touch not the unclean thing.This does not allow any communion with that which is of the world.

Again, "For the grace of God that bringeth salvation hath appeared to all men, teaching us that,denying ungodliness and worldly lusts, we shoullive soberly, righteously, and godly, in this present world" (Titus 2:11,12). It is not enough just to tryto liver soberly, righteously, and godly in this time,but we must also deny ungodliness and worldly lusts. This means that we can not practice whatever is classified as "worldly lusts." The contrast is given toTimothy: "Flee also youthful lusts" but "follow righteousness, faith, charity, peace . . ." (II Tim.

2:22. I do not know how it could be said plainer that every child of God is to stay free from all lusts of this world as he strives to do the will of God. There is just no room for an in-between-state. We are either of God or of the world.

The very fact that one has become a child of God and has been raised to walk in newness of life makes it completely incompatible with the nature of things to turn again to live in sin. The question was raised by the apostle Paul: "Shall we continue in sin, thatgrace may abound?" (Rom. 6:1). The answer is, No;we should not continue to live in sin. "Let not sin therefore reign in your mortal body, that ye should obey it in the lusts thereof" (Rom. 6:12). Paul considered himself dead to the world when he had been made alive in Christ. "I am crucified with Christ: nevertheless I live; yet not I, but Christ liveth inme: and the life which I now live in the flesh I live bythe faith of the Son of God, who loved me, and gavehimself for me" (Gal. 2:20). "But God forbid that I should glory, save in the cross of our Lord Jesus Christ, by whom the world is crucified unto me, andI unto the world" (Gal. 6:14). He was crucified tothe world and the world to him — he did not live anylonger of the world from which he had died.

Immorality cannot exist in the heart of one whofollows the direction of the Holy Spirit. In Colo ians

3: "If ye be risen with Christ" — if you have beenburied with him and raised to walk in newness of life (Col. 2:12; II Cor. 5:17) — "seek those things which are above, where Christ sitteth on the righthand of God. Set your affections on things above, not on things on the earth" (Col. 3:1,2).

Let us not be deceived that we can walk in the broad way and the narrow way at the same time.Let us not think that we can sow to the flesh and reapof the Spirit. "Be not deceived; God is not mocked: for whatsoever a man soweth, that shall he also reap. For he that soweth to his flesh shall of the flesh reap corruption; but he that soweth to the Spirit shall of the Spirit reap life everlasting" (Gal. 6:6,7).

BOOKS BY ROY E. COGDILL

Walking By Faith (cloth) ..............................$ 1.25The New Testament Church (cloth) ................$ 1.75Cogdill-Jackson Debate ...................................$ 2.50

Order from:PHILLIPS PUBLICATIONSP. O. Box 17244Tampa, Florida 33612

Page 4

FOLLOWING THE BIBLE WILL MAKE ONE A PHARISEE

As I read articles from brethren with a liberal attitude towar d the Bible I never cease to be amazed at what they have to say. Read carefully the following article which appeared in the evening edition of the Abilene Reporter News, July 25, 1967. We quotein full.

Dr. Harvie M. Pruitt of Lubbock said T uesday morning at the thirteenth annual Bible Teachers Workshop at Abilene Christian College that "the real hope of the church today — the hope of presenting the changeless Word in a changing world

— lies in the Bible school teachers.

Pruitt, who was chairman of the steering committee for last year's workshop, is associate minister for the Smithlawn Church of Christ in Lubbock and superintendent of the Smith-lawn Maternity Home.

At 8:30 a.m. and again at 9:45 Dr. Pruitt told the Bible school teachers in attendance that they had to prepare for teaching the changeless Word to people they pr obably have not yet met.

ILLUSTRATION

For illustration, Dr. Pruitt built his lesson around a boy named Joe.

In order to prepare for teaching people likeJoe, the Lubbock Christian College Bible professor said that people must first be sure of their message.

"T he Bible must be at the base of your message in teaching the Gospel," he said, "although the method and materials of teaching are alsoimportant."

Second, he continued, teachers must understand "the changing world." Today's world has"the same old list of sins," Pruitt commented. "But now we watch them on the television and movie screens."

PROSPEROUS

He admitted, "I don't know if our world, in afew years, will be prosperous and affluent or a place of war or pestilence — "I don't know what the future holds, but I do know who holds the future!"

In order to prepare for giving real, concrete answer s about the changeless Wor d to peoplelike Joe, Pruitt prescribed what he called "God'sBalanced Diet." It includes:

1. A study of the Wor d of God. "T his alone," he said, "will make you a religious fanatic, not a Christian. There must be something added to a study of the Bible."
2. Worship. "These first two things, takenalone, are perfect for making you a full-blown Pharisee." To them he added three areas of service —
3. Evangelism, which involves personal work, facing those who question the changeless Wor d.

EDIFICATION

1. Edification, which calls for the spirit ofencouraging and building up others.
2. Benevolence, which requires the spirit ofcompassion, which neither condemns nor condones, and which also provides for the physicalneeds of others.

Then Joe, Pruitt concluded, the one for whom all these preparations must be made, may prove to be any or all of six people. "He may be onewho is a stranger to you today, or a close neighbor or friend. He may be your opportunity to grow.

"Or he may be Jesus, in the sense that Jesussaid, 'In that you have done it unto the least ofthese, you have done it unto me.' Or Joe may beyou. You yourself may have problems that willrequire all the preparations that you have madefor teaching others."

There are several things that could be pointed outfrom this article which both time and space will not permit, but note these. (1) Pruitt said, "A study ofthe Wor d of God. 'T his alone,' he said, 'will makeyou a r eligious fanatic, not a Chr istian. T her e mustbe something added to a study of the Bible." So dear reader, if you have studied only your Bible on the subject of religion, Pruitt says you are "A RELI GIOUS FANATIC." But I hasten to assure you thatPruitt is wrong about this matter. Brother Petersaid, "According as his divine power hath given unto us all things that pertain unto life and godliness ..." (II Pet. 1:3). It was brother Paul who said, "All scripture -is given by inspiration of God, and is profit able for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness: That the man of God may be perfect, throughly furnished unto all good works" (II Tim. 3:16-17). Since God's power has given unto us all things that pertain unto life and godliness and it is profitable for doctrine, correction, instruction, the result being that we will be perfect, completely furnished unto all good wor ks, may I ask what mor e do we need ? In order to serve God, please Christ, and obey the teaching of the Holy Spirit, what must then be added to a study of the Bible ? If you can, imagine a preacher in the Lord's church saying that if youstudy only your Bible you will become a religious fanatic, not a child of God, and then say that apostasy is not upon us. If such an attitude toward theScriptur es does not smack at the r oots of apostasy what would ? Did I hear someone think out loud that the only difference in the church was feeding anorphan? Better look again brother. There are manygood brethren who have been deceived over this mat-ter of institutions being church supported that have not yet seen the complete picture of the liberal breth

Page 5

ren denying the inspiration of the Scriptures.

(2) Notice what else Pruitt said, "2. Worship.'These first two things, taken alone, are perfect formaking you a full-blown Pharisee.' " Thus, if Pruittis correct, if you read only the Bible and obey it and worship God as you are directed in the Bible, you are not a Christian but a full-blown Pharisee. Now try to digest that one. Talk about apostasy; such statements are beyond apostasy, they are infidelityYou good people who have just followed your Bible and worshipped God as revealed therein have beentold by one of the liberal preachers of the church what you are — you are not a Christian, you are a full-blown Pharisee. Brethren, wake up to what is happening in the Lord's church and oppose this infidelity that is upon us, around us, under us, beside us, and on top of us, which will bury us if it is not opposed by the word of God.

Who made this speech? Dr. Harvie M. Pruitt, superintendent of one of the institutional homes and a professor of Bible in Lubbock Christian College, Lubbock, Texas. Where was this speech made? On thecampusof Abilene Christian College.

PAPAL HALLUCINATIONS!

Down through the centur ies, many people havmade unfounded and unsupported claims of havingseen various heavenly personages. A great percentage of those who have established new and different man-made religious institutions have resorted toalleged scenes, appearances and visions, in an effort to draw followers and supporters for their religious innovations.

In order that we will clearly understand eachother, I give the unabridged dictionary's definition of the word "hallucination": "To wander in mind, torave." "In psychology, a morbid condition of thebrain or nerves, in which perception of objects or sensations takes place when no impression has been made on the organs of the special sense; the object or sensation thus erroneously perceived. A mistaken impression or idea; delusion; error." Now that's exactly what we mean in regard to the following A ociated Press item :

"VATICAN REPORTS AILING POPE SAW VISION OF CHRIST"

"VATICAN CITY, Nov. 21 (AP) — The Vatican announced today that Pope Pius XII saw a vision of Jesus Christ during the most critical moments of his grave illness last Dec. 2.

"The recovery of the desperately ill Pontiff began soon afterward.

"The announcement was made by Luciano Casimiri, chief of the Vatican Press Office, oauthorization of the Papal Secretariate of State. The Secretariate normally would make such astatement only with the personal authorization of the Pope.

"Casimiri told reporters they could state that 'responsible Vatican circles' confirm the report of the vision published last week in Oggi, Italian weekly magazine." (St. Louis Post-Dispatch,Nov. 21, 1955.)

Such an assertion reminds us of the words of Christ: "And then if any man shall say to you, Lo,here is Christ; or, lo, he is there; believe him notFor false Christs and false prophets shall rise, anshall show signs and wonders, to seduce, if it were po ible, even the elect" (Mark 13:21-22). We are also reminded of the words of the Apostle Paul: "And that he (Christ) was buried, and that he rose againthe third day according to the scriptures; and thathe was seen of Cephas, then of the twelve: after that,he was seen of above five hundred at once;... after that he was seen of James; then of all the apostles. And last of all he was seen of me also, as of one born out of due time" (I Cor. 15:418)

Thus, Paul, an inspired Apostle, states that LAST OF ALL, Christ was seen by him, after the death,burial and resurrection. Now, nearly twenty centuries later, an elderly man who was in the "most critical moments of his grave illness" claims to have seen Christ. (Not very plausible, is it?

A second item concerning the subject rated theheading in fairly large type:

"Pope Heard True, Distinct' Voice of Christ,Milan Paper Says"VATICAN CITY, Nov. 22 (UP) — Pope Pius XII heard the 'true and distinct' voice of Christ during a vision as he lay near death last December, the newspaper Corriere della Sera of Milan said today. It declared the Pope had told this to a group of 20 'qualified ecclesiasts.' The dispatchwas signed by its Vatican correspondent, SilvioNegro . . ." (more followed, ad nauseam). (St.Louis Post-Dispatch, 11-22-55.)

Being from Mi ouri, the "Show-Me" State ... whose inhabitants have to be "shown" ... and who are supposedly a little less gullible than other mortals, naturally we simply consider the source of these hallucinations and dismiss them without further serious thought.

However, it is so sad but true, that many, manysincere and basically good and decent Catholic people, the world over, will no doubt soon be forced toaccept as "if from God" these claims of Papal visions ... or, if they refrain from believing them, they willbe placed in an extremely embarrassing position with respect to their professed Roman Catholic religion

Factors concerning the alleged visions:

(1) The Pope was alone in his room ... his attendants had removed to an adjoining room . . . therefore, NO WITNESSES. (2) The Pope had been reported to have been in a gravely ill and critical condition ... therefore, HIS

Page 6 ________

OWN TESTIMONY UNRELIABLE . . . THOUGH PREJUDICED!

(3) The Pope related this to a group of twenty"QUALIFIED ECCLESIASTS." Now just what those two words exactly mean ... NO ONE CAN DEFINE ! The second word means "executive officer of a chur ch." But how any twenty member s of the Roman Catholic Hierarchy, or any other so-called hierarchy can be QUALIFIED to pass upon the authenticity of such an absurd claim, is beyond our power to comprehend. (4) During the days of miracles, i.e., immediatelybefore the New Testament was completed, each heavenly manifestation was made for a very special purpose.

Peter received a vision which instructed him to preach to Gentiles, as well as to Jews. Philip thevangelist received instruction to join himself to the chariot of the eunuch from Ethiopia. Saul was stricken blind, and told certain things to do, and iconjunction therewith, Ananias was told to go tSaul. .. but the result was not only the conversion of Saul to Christianity, but his becoming qualified to serve as a witne , as an Apostle of Christ, and topreach Christ before kings, Gentiles, and Jews. Buteven in the case of Saul, those to whom he related this occurrence, did not have to depend exclusivelyupon Saul's testimony, but could also depend uponthe facts as submitted by the preacher Ananias.

(5) What worth-while purpose was served in this alleged vision of the Pope? May we suggest at least one answer? The Pope cannot afford to be "outdone !" Many other persons before him have claimed to have experienced visions . . . and these numerous false claims invariably attract attention, publicity,and a few followers. Any number of the founders of the many religious sects have claimed divine dreams and visions, and they have deceived many. There is a statement written by the Apostle Paul that mightbe appropriate at this point: "Let no man deceive you by any means: for that day shall not come, except there come a falling away first, and that man of sin be revealed, the son of perdition; Who opposeth and exalteth himself above all that is called God, orthat is worshipped; so that he as God sitteth in the temple of God, shewing himself that he is God. Remember ye not, that, when I was yet with you, I told you these things ? And now ye know what withholdeth that he might be revealed in his time. For the mystery of iniquity doth already work: only he whonow letteth will let, until he be taken out of the way.And then shall that Wicked be revealed, whom theLord shall consume with the spirit of his mouth, andshall destroy with the br ightness of his coming:Even him whose coming is after the working of Satan with all power and signs and lying wonders, Andwith all deceivableness of unr ighteousness in them that perish; because they received not the love of the truth, that they might be saved. And for this cause God shall send them strong delusion, that theyshould believe a lie: T hat they all might be damnedwho believed not the truth, but had pleasure in unrighteousness" (II Thess. 2:3-12).

POINTS OF SIMILARITY

(1) Roman Catholicism is certainly a "fallin

away."

(2) The Roman Pope, with his claims of infallibility, and of being Christ's representative upon earth (Vicar of Christ), surely fulfills the expressions, "man of sin," "son of perdition," "who opposeth and exalted himself above all that is called God," that he "as God sitteth in the (fallen) temple of God, shewing himself that he is God." (3) His coming was and is after the working ofSatan, i.e., elevated into power authority by such tyrants as Emperor Phocas and in several instances maintained in power by such rulers as the Borgias. (4) Power (or authority, a umed and usurped), signs (alleged), and lying wonders, claimed ... Papalinfallibility, Bodily a umption of Mary, Sinle ness of Mary, etc., all without Scriptural authority (5) Strong delusion to be sent upon THEM (plural) . . . that they should believe a LIE . .. that they might be damned. If this last point of similarity,in your estimation, does NOT fit or apply to Roman Catholicism and her children, then to whom should it be applied ?

THE APPOINTMENT FOR STUDY:

PREPARATION AND FULFILLMENT

Jimmy Tuten, Jr.

This article is a continuation of the theme "Teaching To Teach." The author's goal is to furnish concise principles and hints relative to personal work. With this goal in mind, the material has been written collaterally with each installment covering some fundamental aspect of teaching others. These principles are such that God's children can well afford to put them into practice. Since the material appearing in these articles is intended for guidance andpractice, no subject has been covered exhaustively.

PREPARATION

After the prospect has been approached and anappointment has been secured (see Searching The Scriptures, Vol. 8, No. 6, P. 283), the next step inthis phase of personal work is obvious: It is thorough preparation. Preparing for the class is the keyto success. This preparation should include the following :

1. Familiarity — While conducting the home studythe one thing to be avoided is conventionality andprofessionalism. The entire relationship of thteacher and the student should be free from affectation and ceremonialism. Sincerity, ease, and poise

Page 7

are the keys to teaching in the home. While one must "hold fast the form of sound words" (II Tim. 1:13),and speak as the "oracles of God" (I Pet. 4:11), there is by far less formality in the private study thanthere is in the public classes. This factor should betaken advantage of by the teacher. It is imperative, therefore, that the one doing the instructing be wellprepared to present the subject matter, and be thoroughly familiar with whatever aids are to be usedin teaching the class. One may have a well plannedlesson as far as the subject matter is concerned, but at the same time blunder through the use of the projector, film strip, etc. Unfamiliarity with the lesson material to be used can mean the difference between saving a soul and losing it.

1. Environmental Conditions — It is vital that one give close attention to the envir onment in which the class is to be conducted. Essentials, such as suitable lighting, sufficient seating and class arrangement should all be taken care of before the class begins. Eliminate commotion by setting up visual aids inplenty of time for the class to begin. See that eachper son has a Bible, and wor k out agr eements withthe parties involved concerning refreshments. If they are to be served, the preparation and serving of them should be detained until after the lesson is concluded. Childr en can be a pr oblem, so whenever possible, try to have someone take care of the childr en while the class is in session.
2. Avoid Distractions — If one will follow the essentials listed above, many distractions can be avoided. However, there are some things that cannot be avoided and must be handled tactfully. Untold damage has been done by friends an neighbors coming into the pr ospect's house during class. Nothing is more frustrating than having to stop the class because of unexpected guests. Most prospects never think of informing their friends who might drop over, about the class being conducted in their homes. Sometimes a simple suggestion along this line eliminates this pr oblem.

T hen ther e is the pr oblem of questions. You willhave to answer questions, and you will be wise toprepare for some of the usual questions ahead of time. Experience teaches that the best period forquestions and answers is at the conclusion of the class period. There are exceptions. In answering the question, always give a "thus saith the L or d." T her e are usually eight categories into which questionsfall. They are: The "premature" question, the "sincere" question, the "prejudicial," the "baffling" question, the "loaded" question, the "irrelevant" question, and questions that are "evasive" and "selfanswer ed." T ime and space will not permit a detailed discussion of each of these. However, a little thought and meditation on each of the categories will enable one to determine how to go about answering questions.

PRESENTING THE LESSON

When once you arrive at the location where the class is to be conducted, strive to begin your study as soon as possible. You should not leave the impression that you ar e plunging into it, but at the sametime, do not waste too much time discussing theweather, etc. Remember, you have made an appointment f or study and not to socialize! As you beginyour lesson, strive to stimulate interest and enthusiasm. Stick to your subject and avoid being sidetracked. In beginning the lesson, there are several factors to be observed:

1. Be conscious of the presence of God. Bible study is impossible without Him (Isa. 55:11; Matt. 28:20). Therefore no class is complete if it is conducted without prayer. The Gospel is God's power to save (Rom. 1:16-17). But one should pray for wisdom inrightly dividing the word (II T im. 2:15; Jas. 1:5).
2. Never lose contact with your prospect. With his soul's interest in mind, begin where he is. As Philip (Acts 8) "began at the same Scripture" that theeunuch was r eading, so the cottage meeting teacher can begin at points of agreement and work toward his conversion throughout the series. When the proper foundation has been laid and clues to thespiritual condition of the prospect have been obtained, the pr esentation of truth will be mor e effective. Do not expect to much out of your prospect. If you do, you will become discouraged if he does not respond as quickly as you would like for him to.While stressing the Truth of God and showing theprospect his need for obeying the truth (I Pet. 1:22), always show your confidence in the prospect's sincer ity.
3. Be mindful of your duty and responsibility as ateacher. You are teaching every man in all wisdom,that you might present him perfect in Christ Jesus (Col. 1:27-28). Paul's admonition to the Romans is most appropriate: "thou therefore which teachest another, teachest thou not thyself?" (Rom. 2:21). Let the teacher therefore "be swift to hear, slow to speak, slow to wrath" (Jas. 1:19). Speak the truth in love. Avoid per sonality clashes and side issues.
4. Know something about the fundamentals of closing the lesson. This is most important since you are trying to persuade the prospect to obey the gospel. In selling this is called "closing the sale." Regardless of how one goes about closing the lesson, one must, during the lesson, build to a climax bydeveloping with enthusiasm inter est in things which pertain to the soul. If not over -done, the use of per suasion is right and natural (Acts 2:40, 18:8 ; II Cor. 5:11). You may do this by appealing to the intellect and emotions, and by applying the principles of decision. Any good publication on personal evangelism will spell out the details of closing the lesson. If your prospect does not respond favorably, be sure to leave him with a friendly state of mind. You will want to make an appeal to him later .

CONCLUSION

There is no greater field for personal activity of the Christian than that offered by personal evangelism. It is a comparatively easy thing to make preparation, to present the lesson, and to work toward the grand result. What a thrill it is to lead people toobey the gospel. Let there be a heart interested born of Christ's love, and there will be blessed results. "So shall my word be that goeth forth out of mymouth: it shall not return unto me void, but it shall accomplish that which I please, and it shall prosper in the thing whereto I sent it" (Isa. 55:11).

Page 8 ______________________________________________________________________________________________ _ _

EFFECTS OF ALCOHOLProverbs 23:29-35

Who hath woe ? Who hath sorrow ? Who hath contentions? Who hath complaining? Who hath wounds without cause ? Who hath redness of eyes ?

They that tarry long at the wine; they that go toseek out mixed wine.

Look not thou upon the wine when it is red, whenit sparkleth in the cup, when it goeth downsmoothly: at the last it biteth like a serpent,-and strength like an adder.

Thine eyes shall behold strange things, and thheart shall utter perverse things. Yea, thou shalt be as he that lieth down in the midst of the sea, or as he that lieth upon the top of the mast. They havestricken me, shalt thou say, and I was not hurt; theyhave beaten me, and I felt it not: When shall I awake? I will seek it yet again

The wise man gives here a picture of the person who is using too much alcohol to which modern science could add nothing of significance. He is a person with all kinds of problems and who is argumentative.He does not feel well and is not aware of the originof his wounds. The blood shot eyes have become well recognized characteristic of the drunk. He iscalled here a person who has tarried long at the wineand has sought out mixed wine. Mixed wine isusually described as the more tasty, but also thestrongest.

We are told not to make our judgment about wine solely on the basis of its being red and sparklingwith a smooth, good taste. This does not mean that we should deny that it has these properties. To discourage the use of wine or other alcoholic beverageson the basis of their being totally without desirable and pleasant properties is a mistake. Wine is pleasant to the appearance with its pretty red sparklingcolor in the glass and a quality wine does go dowsmoothly with a very pleasant taste. Wine has the advantage of the lack of pollution so commonlfound in the water in many countries that do nothave the high sanitary standards of the UnitedStates. It can also serve as a very useful circulatoryand appetite stimulant in certain situations. So againto oppose its use on the basis of its being completelywithout desirable properties is a mistake.

But Solomon is warning us against reaching a decision without a due consideration of the harmful effects. One should not decide that his intake of wine will be unlimited or exce ive because it looks and tastes good. There must be consideration given for what will prevail at what Solomon calls "the last." Here we have an individual who has lost his abilityto see and to speak intelligently. While I have not seen a drunk, who was seeing pink elephants, I have seen many who were seeing bugs crawling over everything, when in reality there were no bugs. He has also lost his capacity to reason and he is without judgment as pictured by a person foolish enoughto lie on the sea or the top of the mast. His power of sensation is so impaired that he cannot feel thestriking or the beating he suffers. And most pitifullyhe is so addicted that he returns to the bottle whenever the effects of his previous drinking begin towear off.

This is the total picture — the good and the bad —that one must consider in his decision about wine.

It is unfortunate that in many instances we havenot taught our young people the complete le on. In our eagerness to keep them from the wrong anharmful use of alcohol we have stressed the harm and denied any pleasure as a result of its use. The devil has of course stressed the pleasure. When ayoung person is enticed to indulge through the attractions of its pleasant aspects and maybe the pressure of his associates he finds that indeed there is some pleasure. When he finds there is pleasure that his parents denied he may think that since they were wrong about that, they may also be wrong about theharmful effects they stressed. And so he is in danger of neglecting any consideration of its harmful effects as he decides what shall be his personal use of alcohol. I believe it is so important for us to present a truthful and complete picture to our younpeople, so they will be in a position to stand against the wiles of the devil. To do otherwise is to send them into conflict with the devil, inadequately prepared,and this can have disastrous results.

BOUND

SCRIPTURES

TWO YEARS 1966 -1967

Bound in beautiful Fabricord covering, navy blue, printed in gold. A companion volume to previously bound volumes of Searching The Scriptures.

$7.50

order from

PHILLIPS PUBLICATIONS

P O BOX 17244 — TAMPA FLORIDA 33612

CLUB RATE SUBSCRIPTIONSFOUR SUBSCRIPTIONS FOR ONLY $10.00SEND THEM TODAY!

___________________________________________________________________________________________________ Page 9

A PLAN FOR UNITY

Many papers come across my desk and like most folks I try to "scan" over most of them. The other day,I came across a bulletin from Lubbock Christian College and it contained a summary of brother JimmyAllen's speech on their lecture program back inMarch. He closed the lecture series by talking aboutUNITY. For the most part, his points were very goodbut some were discouraging. He said, "Unity is possible if all men would try for it and use the Bible as the main authority." His plea is excellent but hshould have said, "We must use the Bible as our ONLY authority"; rather than MAIN authority. Thtrouble with people today is that they use the Bibleonly when it pleases them. His second point was,"Bind nothing on people that was written after theNew Testament." This is an excellent idea! If we would bind nothing on people written after the newTestament this would leave out church support ofOrphan Asylums, because the first was founded in1909. It would also liquidate church support of Colleges, Herald of Truth, etc. These things have beenthe brain children of men far this side of the New Testament. Does Jimmy Allen really believe whahe preaches? His third point was, "We must give up serving the flesh and worldly wisdom before we can have unity." This is indeed so. The flesh andworldly wisdom have always been incompatible withunity and Chr istianity. His next point was, "Wemust not bind our opinions and traditions on others." This is a wonderful idea. Opinions and traditions are things not found in the Bible. This includes such things as using instruments of music in worship; observing the Lord's supper at a time other than Sunday (Acts 20:7) ; Church support of human institutions, etc. All of these things are OPINION spelled with a capital "O". Does my friend Jimmy really believe that opinions should not be bound onothers? His next point for unity was, "We must forego expressing opinions that offend others." I would agree to this. As long as they are OPINIONS we have no business preaching them in the first place. His next point is rather amusing. He says,"Let us speak the language of the scriptures — that won't offend anyone." Well, now I am learning something. Who, in this world, would have ever thoughtthat speaking the language of the scriptures will not offend anyone. If one can do this he is greater than the Lord himself! The Lord was very offensive when he revealed the word of God. How could Jimmycome up with something like this? Does he really think that speaking the language of the scriptures will not offend? If so where has he been all these years? A woman almost slapped my face one time for reading Mark 16:15, 16. She told me that she didn't care what the Bible said she would not be baptized. I wonder how Jimmy would teach her the essentiality of Baptism without offending? If he has a new formula I would like to have it.

He continued his speech on unity by saying, "Wshould pray more and debate less." I notice he didnot say that we were not to debate at all but weshould do less of it. I agree that we need more prayer. However, we can never convert the world until we let them know that they are in error. This is what Paul did when he went into the synagogueand disputed with the Jews (Acts 19:8). We mustcontinue to debate the cause with our neighbor iorder to teach him the truth. He tells us next that"We must love one another and be tolerant." I will buy this. I feel that many have not loved as theyshould. I too, believe in tolerance but not compromise. He also says, "We must quit witch hunting!" would agree to this if all the witches were dead. However, there are many still running loose with broom and all. I do not believe that a man should operate in the negative ONLY. I would agree that this would lead to his downfall. However, when a witch comes up and barks in our face we can't help but see her. I don't have to go witch hunting to see instrumental music in worship; the operation of Herald of Truth and the Mi ionary societies; the social gospel anthe entertainment craze within the church. Does one have to go witch hunting to see these things? His last point was, "We must cross party lines and talk over our differences with those with whom we differ." T his is fine. I believe the Bible teaches that we need to discuss our differences with our brethren and the denominations. However, this does not mean, meeting on the plains of one with secretarian Sanballats to sell out the truth.

Remember, Gentle reader, that the plan for unity is still in the Bible (Eph. 4:1-6). Nothing new has been discovered by brother Allen or anyone else about unity. The plan was signed, sealed and delivered over1900 years ago. Our problem is not the plan but with men who are not willing to submit to it!

SORRY!

PRICE INCREASE NECESSARY

The publishers of Bibles, religious books and supplies have announced a price increase, effective June 1st. We are sorry to have to announce this price increase, but circumstances demand it. Pre-recorded tapes of debates and lectures will be increased from $3.00 per reel to $4.00 per reel. This is necessary topr ovide the highest quality tape and r ecor ding. Wthank you for your orders of Bibles, literature, tapes and r eligious books.

THE SUBSCRIPTION PRICE FOR THIS PAPER WILL REMAIN AT $3.00 PER YEAR.

Please renew your subscription today!

Page 10 __________________________________________________________________________________________________

THE NEWS LETTER REPORTS

"... They rehearsed all that God had done with them... " — Acts 14:27

PROGRESS REPORT ON OUR PLANS TO GO TO AUSTRALIA

Sam Binkley, Jr., 206 Park Ridge Ave.Temple Terrace, Florida 33617

Since our last report a number of significantthings have happened. Our son, Dan, who is finishing his second year at Florida College this week, andwill be preaching at East Side in Athens, Alabamthis summer, has decided to go with us and preach in Australia. Most of his travel fund has alreadybeen received and about one-half of his regular support has been promised. Of course we are very happythat he has decided to go, and believe the arrangement to be a very fine one. He will be living with us,and we will be spending much time together studying, and house to house teaching of the word of God,and each will be preaching where we are needed andopportunities are presented.

Last Saturday my wife and I received our visas,and Dan received his re-cla ification from the draft board, and a check for $500.00 toward his travel fund which brings the total to almost the amount needed. We are deeply grateful for the response, andwill provide a report to those making contributions upon our arrival in Australia, or as soon thereafter as po ible. Our present plans are to remain in Sydney for about two or three months working with brethren Harkrider and Everett, and then decideexactly where we will live and concentrate our work. Plans are to leave here about the middle of August,the exact date to be decided upon later. We ask that you pray for us to the end that we may speak with boldness the truth of God which He has revealed in His Word.

THE CHALLENGE OF 1968 IN NORTH-WEST MISSOURI

William C. Sexton, St. Joseph, Mo.

T he congr egation at 10th and L incoln in St.Joseph, Mo. is standing for the truth of God's word. We have had fairly good attendance through thwinter and are looking for some growth in 1968. We have had one family to be restored and identified with us since my last report. We have endeavored to reach the people of this area with the message ofthe Bible concerning the i ues in the church today,our determination to continue to be faithful regardless of the number who is willing to stand. At the same time we have tried to make it plain that wwelcomed an opportunity to discuss any Bible subject. We continue with a 15 minute program onradio KUSN-AM/FM, 1270 kc and 105.1 mc Sunday morning at 7:45.

We plan to intensify our efforts to enter homes with our Bibles and study with families. We hope inthe near future to publish and mail out regularly a bulletin; we have been printing one, but not mailingit. We hope to increase our effort to assist those who are willing to take a stand for the truth.

I have had the opportunity recently to preach for some small congregations in the three adjoining states: NEBRASKA — Beatrice, 1802 Jackson. These brethren have just rented a public meetingplace. For some time they had been meeting in thehome of brother Richardson, but the first Sunday iApril I'll be with them in their first service in their new building. We would urge all faithful Christians in this area to worship with these brethren. KANSAS — Topeka, I have recently preached for these brethren now meeting at 5313 S. Topeka Avenue.They have just been able to move into a public meeting place. There must be some brethren coming tthe capitol of Kansas who would desire to worshipwith these brethren, holding up God's word. Theyhave some capable brethren. I believe that they willprosper! IOWA — Grinnel, 1031 3rd Avenue. These brethren are meeting in pressed conditions. Theyneed and would, I am sure, appreciate your helpTraveling route 80 through Iowa? Worship witthese brethren. There is, I understand, a congregation now meeting in Sioux City, Iowa. This is a recent work. I have none of the particulars now, buhope to work some with them in the near future.

Remember us in your prayers, come our way. and worship with us. Traveling through listen to our broadcast. Notify us of any friends or relatives in the area that we might contact

Recently I was in a short meeting with the church meeting at 506 South Front Street in Poteau, OklaAny one in the southeastern Oklahoma area is asked to worship with these br ethren. T hey know thtruth and are determined to uphold it with regard to the i ues facing God's people today. They are looking for a man to work full-time with them.

I have committed myself to continue in St. Joseph.I had considered moving, but after due deliberation,I believe that the challenge in this area is as great as can be found, thus I have announced to accept the challenge. I hope that all who have contributed to my support will continue. We promise to be as successful as we can be by following the instructions given us by the God of heaven in His book, the Bible.

Johnny Hebert, West Monroe, La. 71291 — We desire to contact some preacher of the gospel who willmove here to work with us. We are known as the Bavronville church of Christ, West Monroe, La. Anyone interested may contact: Johnny Hebert, 323 Elmwood Dr., West Monroe, La. 71291.

David Arellano, P.O. Box 454, San Luis, Arizona 85349 — The work here at San Luis R.C. SonoraMexico, thanks to God, is doing fine. We can see the enthusiasm the brethren have here, and the desire

___________________________________________________________________________________________________ Page 11

to go forward. Each member does what he can, usingthe talent God has given him, to extend the kingdomof God. I had planned to start the new work at Morelos, but since I am the only member here with a car,it is important for me to be here to bring people tothe services who live some distance. Brethren Gilberto and Fermina Franco, of the interior state of Zacatecas are now with us and live in my home. The Phoenix church invited my son Ididro to come there for six months to help the preacher and to studyWith the intent of preparing himself to preach.

Charles House, Douglas, Arizona — The work along the U.S.-Mexico border is moving along at a good pace. I have just recently moved from San Luis, Arizona, 400 miles further on down the border toward Texas, to begin the work in the Spanish language at Douglas, Arizona. There is no sound church here in English in this town of 15,000 population,but liberal churches all around. The closest church standing for the truth is at Tucson, 120 miles to the north. It would be a great opportunity for some gospel preacher, who would like to sacrifice for the cause of the Master, to also begin here in English.

Juan Alvarado has manifested an interest in starting the work here in Naco, Sonora, Mexico (30 miles west of Douglas). He is an experienced preacher who got "fed up" with the liberals. He is in need of $200 per month support. He has preached in the interior for many years. He has had no regular support since his arrival "on the border" one and a half years ago.He preaches regularly at Tecate and two places in Tijuana. Write to me for more details.

Paul Branch, Palmetto, Fla. — I recently movedto Palmetto, Florida to work with the church. After spending eleven years in the Houston, Texas area we decided it was time to return to Florida.

The Palmetto church is a strong church in their stand for the truth. It has a fine teaching program. In addition to it's local program, which include a radio broadcast, it assists in the support of five gospel preachers elsewhere. We are looking forward to apleasant and fruitful work with the brethren under their good eldership

I can spare time for a meeting or two. If a needychurch needs a meeting during the summer or fall let me hear from you.

James L. Denison, Box 481, High Springs, Florida 32643 — On June 9, 1968 I will begin working withthe Henderson Boulevard congregation in Tampa,Florida. Any correspondence after that date may besent to me at the address of the church building3402 Henderson Boulevard, Tampa, Florida 33609.

R. J. LaCoste, 6801 N. 60th Ave., Glendale, Ariz. 85301 — The church in Glendale, Arizona whichmeets at 6801 No. 60th Avenue is in need of a preacher and would like to hear from anyone interested in the work. Contact the elders at the above address for further information.

"TO FULFILL ALL RIGHTEOUSNESS." MATT. 3:15

Matthew 3:13 records that while John was baptizing in the Jordan, "Then cometh Jesus from Galilee to Jordan unto John, to be baptized of him." John pr eached a "baptism of repentance" (Acts19:4) — that is, a baptism that grew out of or wasproduced by repentance. It was a sign or evidencthat they had repented toward God. Moreover it was "unto repentance" or into a state of penitent preparation for the coming of the Kingdom of God. The Jews had been unfaithful in their r elationship tGod and having impaired that relationship and thhope they had through it, they needed to repent and thus repair their relationship with Jehovah thatthey might be ready for the reception of the "Messiah" and His Kingdom. Hence John the Baptist came to the Jews preaching, "Repent ye: for thekingdom of heaven is at hand" (Matt. 3:1-3).

John not only preached repentance but he also demanded baptism of them as a sign or evidence that they had repented. This baptism that John preached to the Jew had two purposes. It broughthe Jew into a state of penitent preparation for thecoming of the kingdom and it renewed in his heart the hope of the remi ion of his sins through theatoning sacrifice of the "lamb of God" when he wasoffered to take away the "sin of the world." In the first purpose the baptism of John was "unto repentance" ( Matt. 4:11) in the sense that it initiatedthose who obeyed it into a state of penitent preparation. In the second purpose — "the baptism ofrepentance for the remission of sins" (Mark 1:4) — it renewed the promise of their participation in thbenefits of the blood of Christ when it was shed on the cro .

Jesus had no sins to repent of, did not need toenter into a state of penitent preparation for thekingdom, and had no sins to remit. Therefore Hewas not in any sense a proper subject of the baptism that John preached to the Jews and could not be baptized for the reason that the Jews were commanded to be baptized (I Peter 2:22, Heb. 4:15)Hence the baptism of Christ had to be an exception. Thus the record of His coming to John is told in this fashion, "But John forbad him saying, I have need to be baptized of thee, and comest thou to me? AndJesus answer ing said unto him, Suffer it to be so now: for thus it becometh us to fulfill all righteousness. Then he suffered him."

When John demurred at baptizing the Christ, he

Page 12 _________________________________________________________________________________________________

was, of course, guided by the Holy Spirit, for he did not know that Jesus of Nazareth was the Christ until he baptized Him (John 1:31,33). He was caused by the Holy Spirit to acknowledge the sinle ness of Jesus and he confessed his own sinfulne . He submitted to the Lord's request and baptized Him eventhough it was an exception to the baptism that hepreached to the Jew.

But what is the significance of the expression "for thus it becometh us to fulfill all r ighteousness?" Why was Jesus baptized at all if He was not a proper subject of John's baptism? What does "fulfill allrighteousness" mean? T he word "fulfill" simply means to carry out and "righteousness" means the will of the plan of God. "Fulfill all righteousness" then simply meant "it becometh us to carry ouGod's plan." But what was God's plan with reference to the baptism of Jesus?

The best evidence on this is the testimony of John the Baptist. It is found in John 1:29-34. "The next day John seeth Jesus coming unto him, and saith,Behold the Lamb of God, which taketh away thesin of the world. This is he of whom I said, After me cometh a man which is preferred before me: for he was before me. And I knew him not: but that he should be made manifest to Israel, therefore am I come baptizing with water. And John bare record,saying, I saw the Spirit descending from heaven likea dove, and it abode upon him. And I knew him not: but he that sent me to baptize with water, the same said unto me, Upon whom thou shalt see the Spirit descending, and remaining on him, the same is hewhich baptizeth with the Holy Ghost. And I saw,and bare record that this is the Son of God." Thus we learn that it was God's plan to make Jesus manifest as the Christ by His baptism. The identifying sign was the descent of the Holy Ghost upon Him atthe time of His baptism. This is what God had toldJohn would identify Him and John bore witness that it had occurred.

The baptism of Jesus was therefore the only oneof its kind. We cannot be baptized for the samereason that Christ was baptized. The baptism commanded in the Gospel by the authority of Christ is preceded by repentance and is "unto the remission of sins" (Acts 2:38). There are no exceptions to the necessity of repentance or the need for "remission of sins." All of us have sinned and therefore are subject to both (Rom. 3:23). Only in a very general way could we say that we might be baptized "to fulfill all righteousness." It is God's plan and will that alshould be baptized into Christ (Mark 16:15-16, Acts 22:16, Rom. 6:3-4, Acts 2:38). We must submit toGod's will if we are to be saved.

BOOKS BY ROY E. COGDILL Walking By Faith (cloth).................................$ 1.25 The New Testament Church (cloth) ................$ 1.75 Cogdill-Jackson Debate............................____ $ 2.50 Order from: PHILLIPS PUBLICATIONS

P. O. Box 17244 Tampa, Florida 33612

THE ARMY OF THE LORD

Where? When? How? In this world now! It is a spiritual warfare; and if the three questions above are yours, it is a good sign that you are failing inyour part of this fight. This fight is a conflict of allChristians and of the church, the army of the Lord,with the forces of evil. Let us now study some important points on this fight

1. It is the "good fight." "Fight the good fight offaith, lay hold on eternal life, whereunto thou art also called..." (I Tim. 6:12)
1. It is to be fought with only the Lord's weapons,which we studied in detail in a previous le on. They are described in Ephesians 6:10-18.
3. It is riot a battle against flesh and blood (Eph.6:12; I Peter 2:9-12). 4. It must be fought with the proper rations:

(a) Food. It has been said that "the army travelson its belly." E ven so, Jesus said, "Man shall notlive by bread alone, but by every word that proceedeth out of the mouth of God." "Blessed are theywhich do hunger and thirst after righteousness; forthey shall be filled" (Matt. 4:4; 5:6). In describingthe Christian's armor Paul said, "having your loins girt about with truth." This is the source of theChristian's strength, and the strong and mature Chr istian will eat of the meat of the word. (b) Drink. "But whosoever drinketh of the water that I shall give him shall never thirst. . ." (John 4:14).

1. Fresh and pure air or atmosphere is necessary.The Christian should strive to be free from disease or sin. "Abstain from all appearance of evil. And the very God of peace sanctify you wholly; and I prayGod your whole spirit and soul and body be preserved blameless unto the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ" (I Thess. 5:22,23).
2. Proper rest is essential. This rest, which theLord invites us to enjoy, is called peace. "Be careful for nothing; but in ever ything by pr ayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known unto God. And the peace of God, which passeth all understanding, shall keep your hearts and minds through Jesus Christ" (Phil. 4:6,7)
3. Unlimited resources of power or spiritual strength are available and necessary. "I can do all things through Christ which strengtheneth me" (Phil. 4:13). "Let your conversation (manner oflife) be without covetousness; and be content withsuch things as ye have: for he hath said, I will never leave thee, nor forsake thee. So that we may boldly

__________________________________________________________________________________________________ Page 13

say, The Lord is my helper, and I will not fear what man shall do unto me" (Heb. 13:5,6).

8. Proper exercise or drill is necessary for strength and dexterity. "For strong meat belongeth to them that are of full age, even those who by reason of use have their senses exercised to discern both good and evil" (Heb. 5:14).

SCRIPTURAL STRATEGY

In addition to the strength which comes from those things which we have noted, there are certain things which the faithful and successful soldier of Christ must know.

1. He must have a good knowledge of the enemy. "Be sober, be vigilant, because your adversary thedevil, as a roaring lion, walketh about, seeking whom he may devour" (I Peter 5:8). He must resist the enemy (James 4:7) and be informed concerning his tactics or devices (II Cor. 2:11).
2. He must understand his weakness and limitations. Battles have been lost because people overestimated their strength. Peter is an example. Paul had to keep his body under subjection (I Cor. 9:27) and warn his brethren to take heed lest they fall (10:12).
3. We must take proper care of the wounded andweak in battle. "Brethren, if a man be overtaken in a fault, ye which are spiritual, restore such a one in the spirit of meekness; considering thyself, lest thou also be tempted" (Gal. 6:1).
4. We must have the proper interest in one another. To lose a member of the body is to lose a soldier in the spiritual army. This will weaken our forces and increase our burdens. "That there should be no schism in the body; but that the members should have the same care one for another" (I Cor. 12:25).
5. There must be proper morale for the conflict. T his is produced by:

(a) A proper interest in, and awareness of, the battle and our relationship to it. (b) A proper understanding of the right or justice of the Lord's cause. (c) A proper appreciation of the power and wisdom of Him who directs our battle.

6. The soldier of Christ must truly understand and appreciate the benefits to be derived from a victorious fight. These include:

(a) The satisfaction of growth and strength inthe Lord. "Watch ye, stand fast in the faith, quityou like men, be strong" (-1 Cor. 16:13). "But grow in grace, and in the knowledge of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ" (II Peter 3:18). (b) The salvation of our souls and those who will hear us (I Tim. 4:16). (c) A blessing to the world which needs the influence of faithful Christians. "That ye may be blameless and harmless, the sons of God, withoutrebuke, in the midst of a crooked and perverse nation, among whom ye shine as lights in the world" (Phil. 2:15).

FAILURES IN THIS GREAT CONFLICT

Too many professed soldiers of Christ are, likePeter, always following "afar off." They want tostay in the Lord's army, and be buried with military honors, but they are seldom found in the front lines of battle. When it comes to visiting the widows and orphans, helping the needy, praying, attendingclasses and the assemblies of the church, and doingpersonal work, they are "afar off."

When it comes to saving souls, THE mission of the Christian and the church, they are "afar off." Some will say, "Oh, we hire the preacher to dothat!" T here is much in soul saving that a preacher can be supported to do, but he cannot, either scripturally or from the standpoint of ability, do our part for us. The Lord hires workers into his vineyard, not shirkers (Matt. 20:1-16). "We" cannot hire the preacher to do "our" going to heaven for us.

Some forsake the cause for the love of the world (II Tim. 4:10; I John 2:15-17). There are too many"fifth columnists" in the Lord's army, or at leastthey are supposed to be in it. They are always AWOL in the work, worship, and battles of the Lord! (AWOL — absent without leave or authority from Christ, the Captain of our salvation.)

Some, like Judas, sell the Lord and their souls for a little of the fame, pleasure, fortune or prestige of this world. They fail to understand that "the sufferings of this present time are not worthy to becompared with the glory which shall be revealed inus" (Rom. 8:18).

Yes, the church is the army of the L ord here uponthe earth. Let us fight in every good fight with theLord's weapons. This battle is for life. Some of us would resent being called "cowards" or "slackers" in worldly things, but we don't seem to mind beingsuch in spiritual matters.

Where do you stand? There are battles to be fought over self and sin and for Christ. There are victories to be won. But there are crowns of victory only to the faithful and victorious— those who overcome (II Tim. 4:6-8). If you are in the Lord's army, fight the good fight of faith; if you are not in it, enlist for life today! You cannot win against the Lord. "If God be for us, who can be against us?" (Rom. 8:31).

THEISTIC EVOLUTION (No. 2)

The dogma of the evolution of man, through thebeasts and lower forms all the way down to the one-cell creature, is believed and accepted by millions of people. Quite a number of teachers and professors in our high schools, colleges and universities think theycan retain their belief in the existence and activityof God even though they must believe in evolution because they are firmly convinced that it has been

Page 14 ____________________________________________________________________________________________________________

established as a scientific fact. This is especiallytrue of the preachers of the land. I believe I am quite safe in maintaining that by far the majority of "theologians" accept evolution, with common descent and ancestry. Wilford, ninety years ago, said thousands of "clergymen" in Europe and America were "Theistic" evolutionists (see last article) ; this would bemultiplied many times over today. T his is true of "Roman Catholic" theologians as well as the "Protestants" (so-called). Through books, newspaper and magazine articles, religious periodicals (even those regarded as "conservative" such as "ChristianityToday"), these statements can be verified. I have heard numbers of these preachers on TV and radioprograms (such as panel discu ion shows), and I have talked with a number of them. All of this has shown how permeated with "T heistic" evolution is the religious world and its leaders.

During the seven years I spent in Houston, durinwhich I gave special attention to a study of evolution, I was amazed at how many denominationalpreachers of the city were "Theistic" evolutionists

— by far the majority of them. During these years,from the Houston Post, I read the columns of theirReligious Editors (there were two while I wasthere), and to the extent they touched on Creation or Evolution they were strongly evolutionary. I quote from one of their columns, "The question ofevolution is an important one but it is accepted bjust about every scientist in the world. (Of course this is NOT true — P.F.) It is also accepted by manywho certainly consider themselves Christian. If it is found that a Christian cannot believe in evolutionthen a lot of scientists, as well as laymen and ministers, are going to be read out of the fellowship ofaith. . . I know a great many churchmen who saythe Genesis account of creation and the theory oevolution do not conflict at all." (Houston Post, Aug.1, 1964.) In numbers of articles these Religious Editors had to reshape and reconstruct the Bible (as all "Theistic" evolutionists do) for after all, "it (evolution) is accepted by just about every scientist in the world" and that makes it so. So they "spiritualize" parts of it, just as the Modernists do the resurrection of Jesus. That which involves strictly historical events is made "figurative," "allegory," "parable" (or "poem" as Fosdick does the story of Creation, iGen. 1 and 2). In fact, almost all of them do this with a great part of Gen. 1 through 11. What theReligious Editor said about accepting BOTH evolution and Genesis Norman Vincent Peale affirmed some years ago in Look Magazine's regular feature "Norman Vincent Peale Answers Your Question," in his reply to a fourteen-year-old girl. In his book,MAN, MORALS AND MATURITY, Mr. Peale takesfor granted the evolutionary idea of millions of years development from lower forms of life to man. What is said of Peale, Fosdick and L yman Abbott (twhom brother McGarvey gives so much attention inBIBLICAL CRITICISM) could be said of preachers throughout this country and the world.

While in Houston I also read a column by Mr. Blair Justice, who was the Science Editor of the Post (he was also syndicated in many other newspapers). ThePost, in replying to an article I had written, callingin question some ASSERTIONS Mr. Justice had made, came to his defense by stating what a religious man he was and that he had taught a "Sunday School" class for many years. Mr. Justice is adedicated evolutionist and only qualifies it by thfact that God stood behind it. Like the usual "Theistic" position it is still the same old atheistic, naturalistic, dogma of man coming into being by way ofthe animal route, NOT made in the image of God butfrom a lower beast. I have many of this man's articles, where he advances the evolutionary dogmaclaiming it is not only a fact but just as much so as gravity and electricity are facts or the Copernicus doctrine of the movement of the planets is a fact. I cite these few as examples of many more whichcould be given to show how widespread and popular is the dogma of "Theistic" evolution by those whowant to at least give "lip service" to faith in God and His Word. As previously stated, they are convinced that reconciliation between His existence and Evolution -— a scientific FACT (they think) — is possibleonly by acceptance of "Theistic" evolution. It is the only solution and the only way peace can be attained, we are-told.

We have said "T heistic" evolution (althougbasically no different) is more dangerous than "Atheistic" evolution. It leads many to believe thereligionist surrenders nothing in embracing it. It is sanctified and dignified by the scholarly "Christian" ( ?) teacher and professor and adorns itself inthe garb of "the clergy." A great many people havegreat confidence in these men; they accept whatthey say as "law" and "fact"; they think anythinthat can po ibly be known, these men know. Theydo not realize they have been sold a "bill of goods" and while surrendering and denying God's DivineRevelation they have embraced AN UNPROVEN AND UNPROVEABLE THEORY.

We do not believe the "Theistic" and his compromise with God's Being and Revelation and "Atheistic" evolution is possible or even necessary, for thdogma of Evolution, with common ancestry and descent from the one-cell creature to man, is NOT true and NOT a fact. Almost all evolutionists admit it is NOT going on today! It cannot be demonstrated in the laboratory! The record of the past (the rocks with their fo ils) do NOT establish it! (as we shall later show). It is a theory unsupported by facts, philosophical dogma dug up from Greek antiquityWe affirm the two cannot be successfully harmonized. "T heistic" evolution is NOT consistent with the FACTS of science. EVERY OBJECTION LAID TO THE CHARGE OF ATHEISTIC AND MATERIALISTIC EVOLUTION CAN BE REGISTERED WITH EVEN MORE TELLING EFFECT AGAINST "THEISTIC" EVOLUTION. For certainly God coulnot be responsible for the inconsistencies and fallacies of evolution which honest and objective scientists have pointed out. No wonder Einstein said about "T heistic" evolution, "God does not throwdice." See CRS Annual, June 1967, page 25 and Another Look at Evolution, page 38

McGarvey, in Biblical Criticism, page 178, says,"Evolution, properly defined as a theory of the origin and growth of things, means development from WITHIN (i.e., the 'resident' forces they talk about

— P.F.) and it excludes any and every force from

PLEASE CHECK YOUR EXPIRATION DATE AND SEND YOUR RENEWAL TODAY

WITHOUT. THIS BEING TRUE, TO TALK OF THEISTIC EVOLUTION IS TO USE CONTRADICTORY TERMS AND TO TALK NONSENSE. If God,in ANY way, exerts a power in the growth of matter, EXTERNAL TO MATTER AS SUCH, THEN THE THEORY OF EVOLUTION IS FALSE; ANALL THE THEORIZING ABOUT THEISTIC EVOLUTION IS BUT A DECEPTIVE USE OF WORDS. IT IS A DELUSION AND A SNARE." (Some goothoughts, which follow McGarvey's reasoning, cabe found in CRS Quarterly, July 1965, pages 15-16.)In the different positions taken by the "Theistic" relative to how much God did or to what extent He was involved in the evolution of man, from the onecell to his present state, two things are gained bhim, (1) He retains the idea of God and belief in His existence, and (2) it enables him to answer some unanswered questions he has been asked and cross some unbridgeable chasms. I cite the following as examples of the last statement and every "Theistic" evolutionist brings God into the process in ONE ORMORE of these ways: a. from matter to life (fromthe lifeless to the living — this is the most commonly use) ; b. invertebra to vertebra; c. from onmajor group to another, as from family to familyorder to order, class to class and phylum to phylum

d. the origin of speech, consciousness and reason and e. a creature without a SPIRIT to one who is endowed with one, enabling him to appreciate, worshipand commune with God.

(To be concluded)

"THE LIVING VOICE"

Pre-recorded

TAPES of DEBATES LECTURES SERMONS

Your permanent record of the actual voices of men from the past as they fought the battles for truth and delivered vital lectures on living themes. The rare moments of histor ywill come to life again as you listen to the actual voices ofsome now dead and some still living. Build your own taplibrary for use now and in the years to come.

Highest quality recording on l 1/2 mil polyester base

tape, weather resistant, recorded on both sides at 3 3/4

i.p.s. on 7" reel, and can be played on any recorder using

a 7" reel. 5" reels available at 1 7/8 i.p.s. Every tape fully

guaranteed and will be replaced free of charge if defec

tive. Stereo recording available upon request.

EACH REEL $4.00

order from:

PHILLIPS PUBLICATIONS

P. O BOX 17244 — TAMPA, FLORIDA 33612

GRIDER-McGAGHREN DEBATE

A. C. Grider & H. C. McCaghren

Longview, Texas October 17 -20, 1966

FOUR NIGHTS

FIRST TWO NIGHTS: One church sending money to another church to preach the gospel as in Herald of Truth. LAST TWO NIGHTS: Church support of orphan institutions.

FOUR REELS — $16.00

MOSBY-TOTTY DEBATE

Ronald Mosby & W. L. Totty Frankfort, Kentucky December 12 -16, 1966

FIRST TWO NIGHTS: Church responsibility in benevolence to those not saints. LAST TWO NIGHTS: Church support of orphan institutions.

FOUR REELS — $16.00

DODGE-WILSON DEBATE

Charles C. Dodge & John W. Wilson (Debate with Jehovah's Witnesses) Payette, Idaho Januar y 30

-Febr uar y 2, 1967

FIRST TWO NIGHTS: The Kingdom of God was established in 1914 A.D. LAST TWO NIGHTS: Man has a soul or spirit which is immortal.

FOUR REELS — $16.00

GARNER-WOODS DEBATE

Dr. Albert Garner & Guy N. Woods Montgomer y, Alabama November 13 -16, 1967

FOUR NIGHTS

FIRST NIGHT: Salvation by faith without water baptism. SECOND NIGHT: Baptism for remission of sins. THIRD NIGHT: A child of God can apostatize and be lost in hell. FOURTH NIGHT: Instrumental music in worship.

FOUR REELS — $16.00

BINGHAM-HIGHERS DEBATE

W. Eural Bingham & Alan E. HighersCorinth, Mi . November 20 -24, 1967

FOUR NIGHTS

FIRST TWO NIGHTS: Church support of orphan homes. LAST TWO NIGHTS: Church benevolence to saints only.

Each reel separately — $4.00 FOUR REELS — $16.00