TAKING IT BACK

Some time back I purchased a product from a localdepartment store only to find out later that they had inadvertently given me their "top of the line" modelrather than the cheaper one I had actually paid for. Now this thing was heavy, bulky and half put together beforeI recognized the mistake. There was no way I coulddisassemble the thing and get all of those pieces back inthat little box that it came in (not and keep a respectableamount of sanity anyway). So there I sat. What would you do?

I refused to call them. I don't like calling departmentstores. They seem to delight in playing the "holding" and "passing" games as they pass the buck and transfer youto eighteen different departments before accidentally (?)cutting you off and handing you back your dial tone

(you've been there, right?)

I wrote them instead — a nice letter, mind you, toexplain the complexities of the problem. In a few days Ireceived a most congenial call from the store managerwho thanked me for my honesty while implying thatmost people are not truthful (that's a bit discouraging!) Anyway, I was to bring $27.50 to thestore on my next trip in and he would consider us square.That meant keeping the more expensive model at halfthe cost had I bought it in the first place. Fair enough.

Have you ever tried going to a department store andhanding them $27.50? It's not an easy thing to do. They didn't want it. In fact, in the confusion, the cashier gave"me" $27.50! (This honesty thing can really get to you sometimes). I persevered and squared the account andleft the store with a dozen people thinking I was morethan a little loony. Oh well. ...

Sometimes people can be like that department store.For example, you sin against someone and seek to rectify the relationship by asking for forgiveness and all you getis the old "I’ll forgive but not forget" disposition of bitterness. The Bible says plainly to "to forgive eachother as God in Christ has forgiven you" (Eph.4:32). We need to understand that forgiveness is not an elective in Christian living but is, in fact, a required course!

"But I just can't forgive..." — then you had better not sin! Read and reread Matthew 18:21 -35 (the parableof the unmerciful servant). Note verse 34 — "and his lord, moved with anger, handed him over to thetorturers..." We usually read that and make referenceto the coming day of Judgment but I would like to suggest for your consideration that the individual whorefuses to forgive while harboring grudges and bitterfeelings towards another will, indeed, be handed over tothe torturers not only then but NOW! To see a life thatshould be devoted to God and good eaten away with thecancer of resentment and bitterness in the gall of hatred and envy is the most pitiable sight of all. An unforgivingspirit will do a number on you NOW! And do you knowwhat is the truth? It's not worth the misery! You showme a contented person and I'll show you someone whoknows the merits of mercy and the joy of forgiveness.

Can the mind ever forget? Technically the answer isno. But the mind can OVERLOOK "Love does not take into account a wrong suffered" (1 Cor. 13:5). "I forget what lies behind ..." (Phil. 3:13). Think of allthe people Paul could have included on his "hate list."But he had no list. He refused to dwell on that. He intentionally disregarded all wrongs against him and refused to be embittered.

Do you know that some try to excuse their bitternesswith — "It's too late for me to change ... I've been injured and wronged more than you will everknow... It's too great to forget... Maybe Paul could but not me ..." Do you know what that is? That isARROGANCE GONE TO SEED! That person sees

himself/herself as the exception to the rule of forgivenessand is defiantly determined not to change because lifehas dealt them a bad deal. Let me ask you something—Do you perceive that you are the only one who has everbeen hurt or short-changed or ripped off or wronged?You are no different and I'm not either. How badly do you want to go to heaven? Badly enough to forgive yourbrother? I hope so.

What you and I forgive is small compared to what God erases. How can we begin to compare the debt? The nexttime you are tempted to give one his "just due" justremember what God would give you if He gave you whatyou deserved. "But ___ does not deserve my mercy..." If he deserved it, it wouldn't be mercy! "Blessed are the merciful for they shall obtain mercy ..."

While people may disappoint you in their application of Christianity regarding forgiveness, God doesn't work that way. In the first place, He doesn't make mistakes— BUT WE DO. We mess up. We give in to wrong. We sin.And, yet, through Jesus we can have forgiveness conditioned upon our confession and repentance: "If we confess our sins, He is faithful and righteous to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from allunrighteousness" (1 John 1:9). Now isn't that easy? Ofcourse confession of sins implies repentance of sins. Obviously God will not forgive the sins of one intendingto keep on sinning (Acts 8:22). There must be a change of heart and course of conduct.

If we would only take our troubles to God. He doesn'tgive you the run-around. He doesn't pass the buck. Hesimply forgives. And when God has forgiven we mustlearn to forgive ourselves. I heard of a man who said — "I don't know what's wrong. I've prayed 100 timesthat God would forgive me and I still feel guilty."Do you know what his problem was? He prayed forforgiveness 99 times too many. He should have prayed once for forgiveness and 99 times to thank the Lord thathe had been forgiven.

We need to WAKE THE WORLD AND TELL THE PEOPLE that Christianity is the only way to live. It isthe only lifestyle that merits recommendation. And why? Because only the Christian can have the forgiveness of sins. What greater blessing can there possibly be?

"Bless the Lord, O my soul,

And forget none of His blessings;

Who pardons all your iniquities ..."

Psalm 103:2-3

CONVERTED, BUT NOT TO THE LORD

There is a noticeable difference in some who claim to be Christians. Some will say and do things that otherswill not. The conviction of some is quite different fromothers. The problem may be that they have not truly been converted. Oh, they have been converted, but not tothe Lord. They are like Israel of old who returned, "butnot to the most High" (Hosea 7:16). They have beenconverted to a preacher, a doctrine, religion or a localchurch rather than the Lord. If they were converted atsome time, they have now changed their allegiance.

Don't misunderstand. One cannot be converted to Christ without doctrine and the church. The problem iswhen we are converted to anything other than JesusChrist himself. Let us each examine ourselves to see if we are converted to the Lord or to someone or somethingelse (2 Cor. 13:5).

To The Preacher

It is very easy for someone to be overly impressed withthe preacher, his knowledge and abilities. Thus theybecome attached to the man rather than the Lord. The preacher becomes more important than the message.Nobody can preach like their man. A great dangerdevelops in that they will accept anything that preachersays because of their respect for him. Though he mayteach something that is clearly contradictory to a plainstatement of the Lord, the tendency is to accept what thepreacher says. Evidence of this problem is seen when the preacher moves. Those that are "converted" to him willleave or just plain quit.

There were some at Corinth that were attached to a

particular man rather than Jesus Christ. They were

saying, "I am of Paul; and I of Apollos; and I of Cephas;

and I of Christ" (1 Cor. 1:12). Paul rebuked them for that

and urged that no one follow him. Since Paul was not

crucified for you nor were you baptized in the name of

Paul there is no reason to be followers of Paul. He was

also glad that he had baptized none but Crispus and

Gaius lest anyone say he baptized in his own name (1

Cor. 1:14-15). He stated in the next chapter that the

gospel that he and other faithful men of God preached

was the wisdom of God and not the wisdom of men. He

did not preach to them with "enticing words of man's

wisdom" or with "excellency of speech," but merely

preached "Christ and him crucified" that their faith

"should not stand in the wisdom of men, but in the power

of God" (1 Cor. 2:1-5). In chapter three he emphasizes that preachers are mere "ministers by whom ye believed" (1 Cor. 3:5). Then in the fourth chapter he warnsabout thinking "of men above that which is written" (1Cor. 4:6).In the Old Testament there were many who turned from their idolatry out of respect for the reforms of theking, rather than a true conversion to Jehovah (Jer.3:10). When men today go through the form of obedienceand worship, out of respect and devotion to the preacher,they are not converted to the Lord.

To A Doctrine

Some are converted to a system of doctrine or a way ofthinking, rather than to the Lord Jesus Christ. Don't misunderstand. I didn't say doctrine is not important. Itis! You can't separate the Lord from his doctrine ("theman from the plan"). My concern is that, rather thanbeing converted to the Lord and then accepting anythingthe Lord teaches, some are devoted to a way of thinkingwithout real service to the Lord.

This has happened to some second and third generation Christians. They merely follow the family traditionand thinking. Real service and devotion to the Lord istaken for granted. About all they know about the truthis what one must do to be saved and that there are some teachings different from denominationalism and that's it! They may think that since Mom and Dad believe thissystem of teachings and were faithful Christians theywill be too if they merely hold to the same basic belief.Again, there is not real conviction. Their faith is not theirown, but has been inherited. When they leave home theymay not even attend anymore.The same is true of some who claim to be gospelpreachers. They may be merely devoted to teaching a certain doctrine rather than serving Jesus Christ. Theyare set to defend "baptism" vs "faith only" or denyCatholicism and Calvinsim and instruct people in thelaws of God. Preaching becomes a profession or just a job rather than presenting a message with a heart of conviction. It is easy to forget to make application of the truthsto yourself. Or maybe it's that some think they are abovethe law. I suppose that is one reason why we have had somany preachers in recent years to destroy their lives andinfluence with sin (to say nothing of their souls). Theyknow what the Bible teaches and can capably tell othersthe message while they themselves are committingadultery, lying or living contrary to the message theypreach. If they were truly converted to Christ they wouldnot continue to practice sin (1 Jno. 3:6, 9; 5:18). Theyhave failed to take heed to themselves as well as the doctrine as Paul instructed young Timothy (1 Tim. 4:16).Those sincerely serving the Lord are interested in savingthemselves as well as those that hear. A man who is merely converted to a doctrine or a particular idea,rather than Christ, has no place in the pulpit. His "preaching" is doing more harm than good.

To The Church

Others are converted to a particular local congregation rather than to the Lord. Evidence of that could be seen when they move into another area. Rather than searching out and identifying with a faithful congregation, they may not attend anywhere. Others will attend liberal churches. Evidence could also be seen when theyare on vacation. Time is not taken to find places toworship while they travel.

For many their concept of the church is not that it isthe body of Christ. They think of the church in socialterms. To them it is nothing more than a civic club. It isan enjoyable and beneficial experience, but stops at that.They have not come to realize that the church is thepeople of God (Acts 2:47; 1 Tim. 3:15). Any local congregation is a group of God's people who have a purpose andfunction.

Some in Jeremiah's day trusted in the pretense ofservice unto Jehovah. They cried out "Temple of the Lord... temple of the Lord... temple of the Lord..." (Jer. 7:4).They trusted in that and thought it was enough. Studythat in context with the chapter and the rest of the bookand you will see that they were not devoted at all. Todaymany cry out saying "I'm a member of the church of Christ... the church of Christ" thinking that is sufficientwithout true devotion to God. These may be converted,but not to the Lord.

To Jesus Christ

True conversion is to the Lord Jesus Christ. When one becomes fully persuaded that indeed Jesus is the Son ofGod, he submits his life in service and devotion. Hebecomes subject unto Christ in everything (Eph. 5:24).The apostle Paul is a classic example of conversion. Thevery one who was determined to destroy Christianitywas convinced of the Deity of Christ and later said, "I amcrucified with Christ: nevertheless I live; yet not I, butChrist liveth in me: and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by the faith of the Son of God, who loved me,and gave himself for me" (Gal. 2:20). Now that's truedevotion!

The same apostle in writing to the Colossians spoke ofthis as a life "hid with Christ" (3:3). That is, a life sodedicated to the service of Christ and being Christ-likethat it is as if we were wrapping Christ around us so that when looked upon only Christ could be seen.

When we are truly converted to the Lord we will takeheed to the message spoken by faithful servants of God,not because of our devotion to the man, but because it isthe message of Christ (1 Thess. 2:13). We will be set for the defense in truth, not because it happens to beopposed to some prominent belief, but because it is thegospel of Christ (Phil. 1:17). We will want to be an activepart of a local congregation, not because of the socialbenefit, but because it pleases Jesus Christ. We willcontinue to serve the Lord, whether we be on vacation ormove. This and more we will do if we first give ourselvesto the Lord. (2 Cor. 8:5).

CHRIST, THE SAVIOR OF THE BODY

"For the husband is the head of the wife, even asChrist is the head of the church: and he is the savior of the body" (Eph. 5:23).

In this verse, and those which follow, the apostle usesthe marriage relationship to emphasize the relationshipbetween Christ and his spiritual body, the church (v. 32).When the inspired writer states that Christ "is the savior of the body," this declaration harmonizes withevery other truth concerning Christ and his church.

To advocate salvation outside the church not onlycontradicts a plain declaration of the Holy Spirit, butsuch a position immediately comes into conflict withevery other inspired statement concerning Christ, thechurch, and salvation.The entire mystery of salvation hinges on, and isrevealed through, Christ and his church (Eph. 3:6-11; 1Tim. 3:15,16). To promise salvation outside the church is to frustrate the grace of God concerning our ownsalvation, and that of others as well.

Metaphors

First, in order to offset the confusing doctrines of premillennialists and others (including any brethren in these categories), let it be emphasized again that thespiritual body of Christ, the church, and the kingdom areone and the same thing.

Different metaphors are used to portray God's "calledout" people. The church is compared to a kingdom (Heb.12:23,28), a sheepfold (Jno. 10:16), a bride (Jno. 3:29,30; Rom. 7:4), a house (1 Tim. 3:15), and a body (Col. 1:18).There are other metaphors and parables pertaining tothe church, but these are sufficient to show that what isessentially true of one is true of the other. An attempt toseparate the church from the kingdom is an attempt to"put asunder" what God has "joined together."

"In The Place"

God reserves the right to determine where salvation or deliverance shall be (Ex. 3:5; 20:24). The Israeliteswere told that they could not offer "in every place thatthou seest: but in the place which the Lord shall choose..."(Deut. 12:13,14).

Let us notice some examples of God's prerogative tochoose the place of salvation, or safety.

1. In The Ark—The place of deliverance for Noah andhis family was in the ark (Gen. 7:7; 1 Pet. 30:20,21).
2. In the Houses — At the institution of the passoverfeast when God destroyed the firstborn of every creature, salvation was in the houses of the Israelites,

identified by the blood of the passover lamb (Ex. 12:22).Not one Israelite questioned God's arrangement. AfterGod passed over Egypt, the Egyptians also knew where deliverance was to be found.

1. In The Cities Of Refuge — Under certain conditions, the six cities of refuge served as the place ofsalvation for those seeking safety within their gates(Num. 35:26-28).
2. In The House — When, by God's help Joshua and the Israelites conquered Jericho, there was only oneplace of safety for the inhabitants of that city — in thehouse of Rahab (Josh. 2:19).
3. In The Vine—In order to survive and bear fruit, thebranch must abide in the vine (Jno. 15:1-6).
4. In The Ship — "Except these abide in the ship, yecannot be saved" (Acts 27:31). Not one soul contested Paul's plan for salvation on this occasion, and all weresaved. This same Paul tells us that salvation is in the church.
5. In The Church—As the author of eternal salvation (Heb. 5:9), Christ has determined that salvation is in thechurch. Further, it should be no surprise that Christ haspromised to be the savior of his body, the church. Fromthe beginning of the church, "... the Lord added to thechurch daily such as should be saved" (Acts 2:47).
6. In Heaven — The place of eternal salvation, afterthis life is over, will be in heaven (Jno. 14:1-6; Rev.22:14).At the end, Christ shall deliver up the church, thekingdom, to God (1 Cor. 15:24). The bride of Christ, thechurch, "that great city, the holy Jerusalem" (Rev. 21:9,10), shall be delivered to dwell eternally in heaven.

Not "In The Place"

After John gives us a picture of those who dwell in theeternal city of God, he also gives a picture of thosewithout (Rev. 22:14,15).

When God designated the acceptable place of serviceand worship in ancient times, he likewise stressed thefutility (and danger), of attempting to serve him elsewhere (Deut. 12: 2, 3,13). Once God has revealed to usthat salvation is in Christ's church, we need to reach theinescapable conclusion that there is no salvation outside that church.

That conclusion cannot be successfully avoided,contradicted, or assailed. To attempt such is to "fightagainst God." Let us notice where salvation is not to be found.

1. Salvation is not "in the world" — We are either in the world or in the church. There is no other spirituallocation. "In the world" we are without God, withoutChrist, and without hope (Eph. 2:12), just as Gentileswere at one time "aliens from the commonwealth of Israel." To claim that salvation is outside the church is to claim salvation "in the world."
2. Not In The Home — While a godly family may beconducive to serving God, the home was not designed asthe place of salvation. The home existed for centuriesand dispensations before Christ built his church.

This is a truth which some brethren attempt to setbefore the world, while at the same time corrupting thespiritual purpose of the church by trying to involve it in activities which belong in the realm of the home, e.g.,recreation and entertainment.

The denominations of men have, for the most part,ceased to emphasize spiritual matters. To the extentthat the Lord's church gets involved in purely socialmatters, to that extent we neutralize our claim thatsalvation is to be found only in the body of Christ.

3. Not In The Churches Of Men — Most denominations readily admit that salvation is not to be foundwithin their borders.

Ironically, at the same time, some brethren are determined to promise salvation to those identified withhuman religious organizations. Many Baptists concedethat "in the apostolic age ... the baptism of a convert bythat very act constituted him a member of the church."But, they go on to say, "Now it is different..." (StandardManual for Baptist Churches, Hiscox, p. 22).

The religious "plants" of men can lay no valid claim tosalvation within their borders, and can only anticipatetheir own overthrow at the coming of the Lord (Ps. 127:1; Mt. 15:9-14).

The sectarian movements of our time have no more to offer than did the Pharisees and Sadducees of Jesus' time.

4. Not in Civil Government, Society, The Community—While civil government, like the home, is designed fora specific purpose, it was never intended to be a haven forthe souls of men.

Sometimes at funerals the deceased is eulogizedbecause he or she was a member of some civic or fraternal organization, a "good citizen," or a "staunch residentof the community." Such eulogies may well describe the social life of an individual, while having nothing whatever to do with salvation.

Indirect Evidence

Such passages as Acts 2:47 and Eph. 5:23 plainly declare that salvation is in the church. There are manyother passages which imply the same thing. Given certain facts, certain conclusions are elementary andinescapable. Jesus often used this method of teaching(Mt. 12:26-29; Lk. 10:25-32).

1. The devil and the "gates of hades" exerted all theirefforts to keep Jesus from building the church ((Mt.16:18; Rev. 1:18; 12:1-17). If the "god of this world" (2Cor. 4:4), and "spiritual wickedness in high places (Eph.6:12), oppose the church with such zeal, it must beessential to salvation.
2. The blood of Christ purchased the church (Acts20:28). Since the blood of Christ is essential to salvation (Rev. 1:5), so is the purchased possession.
3. "All spiritual blessings" are in Christ. Since Christand the church are inseparable (Eph. 3:10,11), then onemust be in the church in order to partake of those blessings.
4. Reconciliation — Both Jew and Gentile are recon- ciled unto God in the one body, the church (Eph. 2:15,16). There is no reconciliation outside the church.
5. "The Habitation of God" — The church in this dispensation of time is the temple, the habitation of God,the acceptable place of service and worship (Eph. 2:2022). We must be where God is.

This list could be lengthened considerably, but as wehave already observed, the fact that salvation is in thechurch harmonizes with every other statement pertaining to Christ, the church, and salvation.

Conclusion Every prophecy concerning the church, the kingdom,fortifies the conclusion that salvation would accompanythe establishment of "the mountain of the Lord's house" (Dan. 2:44; Isa. 2:2,3). Salvation was "in Zion" for fleshly Israel (Isa. 46:13), and the same is true of spiritual Israel(Heb. 12:22-28).

God is able, through the "blood of the new testament"(Heb. 9:15-17), to include all in the church who need to be in it (Lk. 13:28; Heb. 12:22,23). In this dispensationof time, baptism is the door into the church (Jno. 3:5; 1Cor. 12:13).

The fact that the devil and his ministers persistentlyclaim that baptism and the church are not necessary tosalvation should make the seeker of truth suspicious. Whatever the devil tries to discourage us from doing, weshould do.

God planned and designed the church for our salvation; Christ built the church according to God's design;and, the Holy Spirit revealed the church as designed and built.

The least that you and I can do in view of theserevealed truths is to believe, receive, and teach them.The most that we can do is to work out our salvation in the church and be saved eternally as part of the glorified body of Christ.

No, salvation is not outside the church, not somewhere "in the vicinity of the church, and not on some Mt.Nebo of desire or prospect on the part of some just close enough to look over into the church.

If we know and accept the difference in definitionbetween the terms "in" and "out," we can find salvation.If we refuse to acknowledge that Christ placed salvationin his spiritual body, the church, then all of the rhetoricin all of the languages known to man would not convinceus. It's that simple.

Jesus "gave himself for the church (Eph. 5:25). Whatwill you give?

DIVINE COMMUNIQUES

THE INSPIRATION OF THE SCRIPTURES

GOD'S MESSAGE: "These things we also speak, not in words which man's wisdom teaches but which the Holy Spirit teaches, comparing spiritual things withspiritual" (1 Cor. 2:13).

GOD GAVE THE BIBLE TO US! The Bible is not the result of human reasoning. It is Divine in origin. Jehovah had several reasons for causing this Book to bewritten: a) to reveal Himself to man; b) to explain Hisplan for our salvation in His Son; and c) to make knownHis will for our lives.

God gave the Scriptures (the Bible) by "inspiration."Our purpose is to consider some basic truths about theinspiration of the Scriptures.

A. IT IS INSPIRED

"All Scripture is given by inspiration of God, and isprofitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, forinstruction in righteousness, that the man of God may becomplete thoroughly equipped for every good work" (2Tim. 3:16-17).

Several words used by Paul is this passage are veryimportant to our study:

"All" (every) scripture is given by inspiration of God. The Scriptures are fully inspired ... that is, allBiblical statements are inspired including those dealingwith scientific, historical, geographical, and chronologicaldata. The inspiration of the Bible is "plenary" in scope orextent. "Plenary inspiration" is a technical phrase usedto express the idea that God revealed every section,passage, and statement in the Bible (see Mark 7:8-13; 2 Peter 1:20-21; Rom. 15:4).

"Scripture." This word comes from the Greek word graphe which means, a "writing." Our word "graphics"comes from this Greek word. In the New Testament, theword is used 51 times to refer to the authoritative,written statements of God in the Bible (see 1 Tim 5:18 forexample).

"Inspiration." Literally the original word meant"breathed by God." Inspiration is the extraordinary,supernatural influence of the Holy Spirit which He usedwhen He guided the human authors to write the Bible.The Holy Spirit used their personalities and styles ofwriting in choosing the words for writing without error the exact revelation of God to man.

"Profitable." The Scriptures provide all things spiritually necessary to our salvation and all of it is good for us. God's word is stated clearly enough that with properstudy we can understand it sufficiently to do what God wants us to do to be saved (Psa. 119:105,130; Eph. 3:15).

"Complete." The Scriptures make possible our beingspiritually complete and whole. If something makes onecomplete or perfect, it must also be complete and perfect.If the Bible makes us "perfect," the Bible must be perfectitself

B. THE WRITERS OF SCRIPTURE SPOKE AS THEY WERE MOVED BY THE HOLY SPIRIT.

"Knowing this first, that no prophecy of Scripture is ofany private interpretation, for prophecy never came by the will of man, but holy men of God spoke as they weremoved by the Holy Spirit (2 Peter 1:20-21). Peter's phrases are also important:

"Private interpretation." The writers of Scripturedid not interpret their religious thoughts and then writethem according to their own reasoning. They receivedprophecy from God.

Not by the will of man." The men who pennedScripture did not write according to "devised fables" (vs.16) or in keeping with their own wishes. The origin ofScripture is the divine Holy Spirit, not man.

"Spake from God"—What they said was divine, not human. The Divine source (the Holy Spirit) used human beings to write the words on paper, but the words areGod's words.

"Moved by the Holy Spirit" The word "moved" issometimes translated "borne" or "driven." BenjaminWarfield has said, "What is "borne' is taken up by the 'bearer,' and conveyed by the 'bearer's' power, not its own, to the 'bearer's' goal, not its own. The men whospoke from God are here declared, therefore, to havebeen taken up by the Holy Spirit and brought by Hispower to the goal of His choosing. The things which theyspoke under this operation of the Spirit were thereforeHis things, not theirs. And that is the reason which isassigned why 'the prophetic word' is so sure" (Warfield, "Inspiration," International Standard Bible Encyclopedia, III, p. 1475).

C. THE VERY WORDS WERE GIVEN BY GOD (1 Cor. 2:10-13)"But God has revealed them to us through His Spirit. Forthe Spirit searches all things, yes, the deep things ofGod. For what man knows the things of a man except the spirit of the man which is in him? Even so no one knowsthe things of God except the Spirit of God. Now we havereceived, not the spirit of the world, but the Spirit whois from God, that we might know the things that havebeen freely given to us by God. These things we alsospeak, not in words which man's wisdom teaches but which the Holy Spirit teaches, comparing spiritualthings with spiritual" (1 Cor. 2:10-13).

The word "revealed" means "brought to light," or"uncovered" God exposed His thinking to man by sending the Holy Spirit to communicate with the apostles and prophets.

Here is the important part to our study. Paul said that this communication was "not in words which man's wisdom teacheth, but which the Spirit teacheth."

The Spirit provided not only the ideas but the expressionof those ideas ... controlling both thoughts and words.Paul wrote down God's revelation in words taught by the power of the Spirit (vs. 1-4).

We sometimes use the phrase "verbal inspiration." That means that, "God so guided in the writing of thebooks of the Bible that the words are His words in the style of the writers. Verbal Inspiration is the opposite ofInspired Concepts" (H. S. Miller, GENERAL BIBLICALINTRODUCTION, p. 24).

Never forget this one truth: THE BIBLE IS GOD'S WORD IN GOD'S WORDS (Matt. 4:4; 2 Sam. 23:2; 1Thes. 2:13; John 3:34; 17:8). To the extent one allows forman's choosing the words of Scripture, he allows forerror in the Biblical text because man is fallible in his choices.

James Orr has said, "Thought, of necessity, takesshape and is expressed in words. If there is inspirationat all, it must penetrate words as well as thought, mustmold the expression and make the language employedthe living medium of the idea to be conveyed" (Orr,REVELATION AND INSPIRATION, p. 209).

D. EVERY DETAIL IS PERFECT

Jesus said, "Till heaven and earth pass away, one jot or one tittle will by no means pass from the law till all isfulfilled"(Matthew 5:18). A "jot" was the smallest letter in the Hebrew alphabet (pronounced "yod" by theJews). A "tittle" was a distinguishing extension of aletter, as the crossing of a "t". Every detail of what Heoriginally said to the inspired writers, down to the smallest letter, is perfect and held sacred by God.

We, therefore, speak of the "infallibility of scripture." The Bible is without error. There is no deception or mistake in the facts it affirms. It is reliablein every way and certain in all details (Isa. 45:19; Prov.30:5-6).

E. GOD HAS MADE IT BINDING AND AUTHORITATIVE

Scripture cannot be "broken" (John 10:35; see alsoIsa. 6:9-10; Hos. 4:1-11). To try to "break" Scripturewould be to attempt to rob it of binding authority bysaying that it is not necessary to do what it says. (Themen to which the word of God came were called "gods;"that is, they spoke with authority as God speaks withauthority. That being true they could not say that Christwas blaspheming to call Himself the Son of God.)

The Word spoken by Christ will judge in the last day(John 12:48). We are, therefore, not free to decide forourselves what we will believe and do. Neither are we free to interpret the Bible just any way we choose. Wemust seek to know what God wants us to do and then do that. Jesus said, "If you abide in My word, you are Mydisciples indeed. And you shall know the truth, and thetruth shall make you free" (John 8:31-32).

SOME PEOPLE ARE TRULY DIFFERENT

Plutarch, the ancient Greek historian and philosopher, relates a telling incident: "Alexander the Great,seeing Diogenes looking attentively at a parcel of human bones, asked the philosopher what he was looking for.Diogenes' reply: That which I cannot find — the difference between your father's bones and those of hisslaves.'" No man would deny that Philip II of Macedonia,Alexander the Great's father, was different than hisslaves. But neither could any man discover the trulysignificant differences by examining their physicalremains. The only important thing that distinguishesone life from another is spiritual. Whatever other differences there may be, death levels out every last oneof them.

Solomon came to the point where he understood this,after making a prodigious search for what it is in life thathas any "profit" to it. He was in the unique position ofhaving available to him every possible avenue of pleasure and accomplishment in this world. And havingliterally tried it all — sensual pleasure, wealth, science,the arts, philosophy and wisdom — this was his disappointing verdict: "I looked on all the works that myhands had wrought, and on the labour that I hadlaboured to do: and, behold, all was vanity and vexationof spirit, and there was no profit under the sun" (Eccl. 2:11).

Why so? Simply because — no matter what thecircumstances of a person's birth, no matter what hisnatural endowments, no matter what he enjoys in life,and no matter what he accomplishes — earth-boundadvantages come to an end that is exactly the same forevery man. Solomon led a worldly life that was far, farbeyond that the common run of mankind will ever know.But even so, he was honest enough to say, "As it happeneth to the fool, so it happeneth even to me" (2:15). A man may think he has found something "under the sun" thatgives him a significant advantage, one that is his to keep —but he will learn the truth that death equalizes every difference except one.

We can even go one step further. If a man never paysattention to the difference that spiritual concerns make,then he may as well have been a beast. At death, thelowliest creature in the animal kingdom will have asmuch to show for his effort as the human being who hasonly distinguished himself in worldly ways. "That whichbefalleth the sons of men befalleth beasts; even one thing befalleth them: as the one dieth, so dieth the other; yea,they have all one breath; so that a man hath no preeminence above a beast: for all is vanity" (3:19).

At the end of Ecclesiastes, Solomon pointed to the thing that truly makes one human life different fromanother. His words are, of course, familiar to many whohave not even read the Book of Ecclesiastes: "Fear God,and keep his commandments: for this is the whole dutyof man. For God shall bring every work into judgment,with every secret thing, whether it be good, or whetherit be evil" (12:13,14). One's spiritual relationship to hisCreator determines whether life contains any "profit" atall. This is the factor that counts. Everything else issecondary.

Now, it might be taken for granted that the Christian understands this and builds his life accordingly. Wemight assume that the disciple grasps the significance ofhaving been "buried with him by baptism into death"that he might "walk in newness of life" (Rom. 6:4). But Paul, writing to saints, had to put it in the form of aquestion: "Know ye not ...?" We might be confidentthat members of the Lord's body, because they aredifferent from other human beings, are consistentlyspiritual-minded. But Paul had to put this point in theform of a command: "Be not conformed to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind"(Rom. 12:2).

The truth is, we sometimes do slip back into the old,worldly way of thinking about "profit" in life. We strenuously spend the bulk of our time pursuing objects that,relatively speaking, ought not to be any more than"dung" (Phil. 3:8) to us now. Our values and priorities, asour children and our friends know them, are littledifferent than those of the poor soul who is still caughtup in the race for "under the sun" advantages. The thingsthat interest us and excite us most are often the thingsthat are purely temporal. We live and work and play asif there were no radical difference that elevates us above the fool, or even the beast. Many of us are in desperate need of the Lord's forgiveness for failing to be muchdifferent inwardly from those who think worldly distinctions are what it is all about.

But I am thankful for having known some individualsin life—brothers and sisters in Christ — who are trulydifferent from other human beings. They see with clear-sighted wisdom and love for the Lord what it is in lifethat matters. They are men and women whose outwardlives are in most cases not extraordinary. They know that "not many wise men after the flesh, not manymighty, not many noble, are called" (1 Cor. 1:26). Nevertheless, they are truly in a category apart from all otherhuman beings. They are different because they haveactually been "born" a second time. They have genuinely put on the "new man." And they rejoice in knowing that,whatever else life may hold, "if any man be in Christ, heis a new creature: old things are passed away; behold, allthings are become new" (2 Cor. 5:17). They have foundthe single advantage in life that is a man's to keep. Theonly one.

AUTHOR'S PREFACE: This article is a response toWeldon Warnock's article in the Feb., 1988 issue of thispaper. Please read his article again. I greatly appreciatethe opportunity for this exchange and Weldon's willingness to reply.

My motive in responding to Weldon is in the interestof truth with malice toward none. To my knowledge Weldon is a well-meaning man. I do not suspicion him tobe wrong in his motives or intentions. I believe he lovesthe truth as I do. The extreme importance of this studyis seen in the fact that the differences to be discussed concern some of the most basic concepts of Bible teachingwith very important Bible doctrines at issue. Weldonteaches a limited application as to whom or to what work the uniqueness and all sufficiency of the localchurch applies. The result being, that he affirms the right of individually - supported organizations (missionary societies) which faithful brethren have rightly opposed for so long. Please read closely and carefully thisentire exchange.

(1) Weldon misunderstands how FULLY (as TOWHOM or TO WHAT WORK) the uniqueness andall-sufficiency of the local church APPLIES. He said, The local church, designed by God and completelyand sufficiently equipped to execute its mission in the world, is the only authorized organizational arrangement to carry out the work of the church" (Emp. mine

- W. R.). Weldon correctly states the uniqueness and all-sufficiency of the local church of Christ when he says itis "sufficiently equipped" for "its" religious "mission" and is therefore the only authorized organizational arrangement ..." "designed by God." But notice that he limits the application of the local church being the onlyauthorized organizational arrangement designed byGod to the carrying out of "the work of the [local - See his verses. W. R.] church." He does not make the same application in regard to the WORK OF (assigned to) INDIVIDUALS. He therefore incorrectly reasons that individual saints may join themselves together inreligious human organizations like Charles Holt's Truth and Freedom Ministry, Inc. when doing the religious work God assigned to individuals. Holt's organization is a missionary society though, even though Weldon incorrectly calls it a "service organization" (meaning a business organization-See point #3.).Weldon, the unique and all-sufficient nature of the localchurch applies to everyone's religious work- both to local churches and individual saints. Therefore neither local churches nor individual saints may form or supportreligious organizations other than the local church of Christ. Anyway, work assigned to us as individuals cannot be fulfilled by an organization. Thus we come to another mistake made by Weldon.

(2) Weldon misunderstands the difference be- tween INDIVIDUAL and ORGANIZATIONAL action. He said, "Christians may join themselves to- gether (or function) individually) in SERVICE organizations ..." (Emp. mine - W. R.). His claim is thatindividual duty can be fulfilled in or by an organization.He therefore incorrectly reasons that when individualsfunction in religious work by forming, and functioningthrough, an organization such as Holt's missionary society, then they are still only functioning as individuals and concludes that, "This in no way intrudes upon or usurps the local church's mission." Of course his reasoning here is based on his erroneouslimitation of the local church, by applying it to be the only authorized organizational arrangement designed by God only in the case of carrying out the work of the local church (see point #1). But Weldon is wrong onthese matters also. The difference in individual and organizational action was clearly distinguished in pastinstitutionalism battles. Individual duties cannot be discharged in organizational (collective) action. And vice versa. For individual action is directed or overseen by one's own individual oversight. Organizational (collective) action has all individuals in the organization relinquishing individual oversight to (submitting to) the common oversight of the organization. We cannot therefore act as individuals when serving in an organizational capacity. Neither can we act asan organization when serving in an individual capacity.They are not the same. Franklin Puckett, in "The Arlington Meeting," pages 156-157: "Since all action in the kingdom is either distributive or collective, and since neither the individual Christian nor the church universal can function collectively,and since the only units of activity in the kingdom arethe individual and the local congregation, it followsthat all collective or group action belongs to the localcongregation." James Cope, in his booklet, "Where IsThe Scripture?", p. 59: "Everybody should know that the only 'organization' or 'arrangement' of Christians to which the Lord had addressed commands [gave authority - W. R.] for collective or joint activity is whatis generally referred to as a 'local church'." (3) Weldon misunderstands the difference be- tween a BUSINESS (service) organization and aMISSIONARY SOCIETY. He correctly identifies and states that service (business) organizations "chargefor SERVICES RENDERED to cover the costs, and evento make a profit." (Emp. mine - W. R.) The business (service) realm is authorized (II Thess. 3:10; Eph. 4:28).And "electric and gas companies, lumber yards, mercantile stores and printing companies" are examples ofbusiness organizations. But Weldon also listed Searching the Scriptures, Guardian of Truth Foundation,Christianity Magazine and Truth and Freedom Ministry, Inc. as all being lawful businesses (service organizations), which is not true. To my knowledge, out of thesefour, only Searching the Scriptures and Christianity

does function as a lawful business which publishesreligious materials by charging a purchase price "to cover the costs and make a profit." But it also functionsin a second role as a missionary society. In which role, it solicits, collects, and becomes the overseer of monies contributed by individuals to enable G.O.T. Foundation to then oversee and distribute at its own will "Bible teaching." Truth and Freedom Ministries, Inc. functions solely this way. It is this missionarysociety arrangement which Weldon endorses that violates the Scriptures. Weldon is simply affirming in 1988 what J. B. Briney, Christian church preacher, did backin 1908 in his debate which W. W. Otey. In that debate,Briney affirmed the individually-supported missionarysociety (pages 165-167), as Weldon does now, besides the church-supported ones (pages 167-169). Briney said thesocieties sent the Bible teacher in fulfilling a "mission" (p. 166), and called the organizations "missionary societies;" whereas Weldon says G.O.T. Foundation and Truth and Freedom Ministries, Inc. send the"Bible teaching" in fulfilling a "service" and calls theseorganizations "service organizations." I fail to see a difference. But isn't "service" what all the unlawful organizations of the past and present claim as justification for their existence? Of course, their "service" is not a business function. Instead, it is religious workaccomplished through donations to a human collectingand overseeing agency, whatever its name. "Good works" and "services" have never been proof for unlawful organizations. And nothing can substitute forBible authority (Mt. 7:22,23). This is Weldon's problem.He offered us not one verse in proof of his societyarrangement. There is none.

(4) Weldon misunderstands the difference between BUYING A SERVICE and GIVING A DONATION. He claims a "brother or sister may send a check [donate money -W.R.]" to a publishing company ofreligious materials without the nature of the organization being changed in that role. We have already shown that this is false. This arrangement constitutes a mis- sionary society. For in this role, the company becomesthe overseeing agency of the donations, and the religiousteaching accomplished thereby becomes its own. On theother hand, individuals may purchase religious materials for themselves or others and publishing companiesmay print these for sale. This is simply lawful business action with the individual being in control of the use ofhis money and in control of the teaching materialspurchased thereby. (5) Weldon misunderstands the difference between DONATING MONEY and DONATING ARTICLES. He said, "I do not see any difference between sending [donating - W. R.] my money and sending[donating - W.R.] my articles,... My time and energy areas much a contribution (probably more so) than mymoney." Is it true that donating a religious article(teaching) to a publishing company of religious materials is equal to donating money to the same company?Let's see. Does anyone deny my right to speak to a Baptist lectureship as long as I teach the truth theyneed? If it was a Baptist magazine, could I not in parallel

send my teaching just like I could send myself to theirlectureship? Now, could I in either case just send themthe money that was of equal value to my time andenergy spent in producing the teaching? The answer inthis case is "No!". Why? Because my teaching is mywords constituting work of my labor and oversight. I would not in this case be donating anything for theBaptists to oversee. I would just be fulfilling my role as a teacher using available opportunities to teach people.But money has to be overseen and converted by someonein order to be of use. In donating money in such cases, Iwould be relinquishing my oversight of it for another to oversee. We have no Bible authority for such actions.

(6) Weldon misunderstands the difference between a PREACHER RECEIVING SUPPORT and a preacher ACTING AS A COLLECTING andOVERSEEING BOARD of individuals' monies for religious work. He said a "preacher may be publishinga paper to teach the word of God among the multitudesand use ... individual support to help pay for printingand postage." I am amazed at Weldon's misunderstanding of basic Bible teaching. For even though preachersmay be financially supported, nowhere does the Bibleauthorize a preacher to act as a one-man missionarysociety, which in this case he would be. (See the Willis-Inman Debate, p. 95.)

Much more needs saying but our space is up for thisarticle. Brethren, Weldon et al. have drifted far from theTruth on these matters. We cannot with a wave of the hand dismiss them as unimportant. We know better. Letcorrections about these matters be made. And let all of us promise to be zealous and jealous for God, the Truth,and the local church of Christ!

THE CHURCH, THE INDIVIDUAL,AND RELIGIOUS JOURNALS

Brother Ramsey thinks I misunderstand a lot ofthings. He begins every subdivision with, "Weldon misunderstands." We will allow the readers to judge whomisunderstands.

Definitions

In the very outset certain words need to be defined.We will use Black's Law Dictionary, 5th edition.

1. Society. "An association or company of persons(generally unincorporated) united together by mutualconsent in order to deliberate, determine, and act jointlyfor some common purpose."
2. Corporation. "An artificial person or legal entitycreated by or under the authority of the laws of a stateor nation, composed, in some instances, of a SINGLEPERSON (emphasis mine, WEW) and his successor, being the incumbents of a particular office, but ordinarily consisting of an association of numerous individuals.... Private corporations are those founded by and composed of private individuals for private purposes."
3. Organization. "Organization includes a corporation, government or governmental subdivision or agency, business trust, estate, trust, partnership orassociation, two or more persons having a joint interest,or any other legal or commercial entity."

4. Incorporate. "To create a corporation."

From the above definitions we can readily see that thewords "society,' "corporation," or "organization" may beapplied to the religious journals that brother Ramseywould endorse. For example, brother Robert Craig wrotein Bible Banner, July 30,1974 about the nature of thejournal: "It is simply a medium through which Kent Ellisand/or I can make known what we personally believe the Bible teaches. WE HAVE ALSO INVITED OTHERS to submit articles...." (The Willis-Jenkins Debate, p. 293).Sounds like a society to me, Willie! Here was a human society or organization, by our definitions teaching theScriptures. Did brethren Ellis and Craig sin, Willie?Was their paper competing with the church or supplanting it?

The Missionary Society andReligious Publications

When I spoke of a missionary society in the Feb., 1988issue of Searching the Scriptures I was referring to onethat takes over a part of the local church's work, to whomthe church sends funds, and to whom it surrenders partof its autonomy; an organization that has as motive and purpose to control the churches and to act as a coordinating agency for local congregations. If Charles Holt's Truth and Freedom Ministry is doing this, then I haveno quarrel with brother Ramsey about Charles Holt's or-ganization. We will shake hands on that.

On the other hand, I see nothing wrong, in principle,for individuals to send money to a journal (whetherincorporated or not) to pay for the cost of sending thepaper to interested brethren that want it. What is thedifference between sending names and paying for thesubscriptions (as many of us do) and in sending themoney without the names to pay for those who request it? Seems to me there is about as much difference as there is between Tweedledum and Tweedledee.

Willie misrepresents Guardian of Truth Foundation.He charges that the Foundation solicits money fromindividuals for the printing of religious material in order to distribute it at will. WHERE DID YOU LEARN THIS,WILLIE? The Foundation did ask some interested people if they would like to give toward the printing ofThe Gospel Plan of Salvation by T. W. Brents, which GOT is now SELLING, and other bookstores, such asReligious Supply. This is the best Willie has on GOT. For this he opposes it and classifies it as a missionarysociety.

But let's suppose that GOT decided to give away 100 books of The Gospel Plan of Salvation by Brents. Sowhat? It seems unreasonable to me that it is virtuous for a company to sell the word of God, but sinful to give itaway. Willie has no trouble SELLING the word —justdo not give it away. I suppose he would allow religiousmaterial that will not sell to be burned or buried in a garbage dump, but sinful to give it to some honest andsincere brethren. If GOT is doing the work of the church in printing abook for sale with the help of some private donations,may a local church do what the GOT is doing? If not, whynot? If a church began doing what GOT is doing, Williewould be one of the first ones to voice his objection.

Answering Ramsey's Assumptions

Now then, let's get down to the particulars of brotherRamsey's article. We will cover his response in thesequence he gave it.

1. Willie's first point ASSUMES I don't understand the all-sufficiency of the church. He thinks if individuals work through human organizations or collectivities in teaching the Bible, the all-sufficiency of the church is compromised. He says, "Therefore neitherlocal churches nor individual saints may form or supportreligious organizations other than the local church of Christ. Anyway, work assigned to us as individuals cannot be fulfilled by an organization." But I have already shown that religious journals are organizations,yet, Willie endorses many of them. Thou that teachestanother, teachest not thyself? Too, the home is an institution and it is to teach the Bible (Eph. 6:4; 2 Tim. 1:5;Deut. 6:7).

Yes, the church is totally sufficient to do what Godassigned to it, whether it be evangelism, edifying itsmembers, benevolent work or worship, but that does not mean that ALL teaching of the Bible is to be done

exclusively by a local church, or benevolent work, or evenworship. If so, then all religious papers must come to ahalt, as well as Bible departments of schools, hometraining of children, and worship conducted in groupsettings, such as singings outside the church assembly. Methinks that Willie also limits the scope of the local church. Too, how about a home (institution) for widows,some of whom are widows in deed? Does it limit the church?

Paul, Silas, Timothy and Luke traveled together(Acts 16, group action). What if they would have pooledtheir money with Silas for travel expenses, and some optional decisions were made by group consensus? Would they have sinned, Willie?

2. Willie ASSUMES that I misunderstand the difference between individual and organizational action. He affirms, "Individual duties cannot be discharged in organizational (collective) actions." He quotes brethren Frank Puckett and James Cope to try toprop up his case.

Frank Puckett said in the same speech to which Willierefers, "Distributive is defined grammatically as 'separation among or into individuals or individual groups'. ... Distributive action is performed by separate individuals or separate GROUPS (emphasis mine, WEW) of individuals" (p. 156). So, brother Puckett taught that individual action could be "group action." It would have beennice if Willie had put Puckett's statement he quotes incontext. By the way, brother Puckett taught Bible atFlorida College for a couple years or so.

You need to read brother Cope's tract to which Willie refers. He was answering Batsell Baxter who was tryingto justify putting the college in the church's budget.Brother Baxter was defining the church to mean justanything he wanted it to mean. Brother Cope replied inthat context. I also refer you to brother Cope's responseto Ralph Williams (Truth Magazine, Sept. 16, 1971).Brother Williams tried to parallel Florida College to asociety. Brother Cope clearly and explicitly showed thedissimilarity. Some brethren are rather loose with theiruse of the phrase, "missionary society."

The Willis-Jenkins Debate in Pasadena, Texas in Sept., 1974 was a collectivity, and organizational arrangement of individuals. No local church had anythingto do with it. Cecil Willis sent 200 dollars to Dr. Curtis Torno and that money was pooled with 200 more dollarsfor rental of the high school auditorium. Group decisionswere made and money was pooled. From our definitions,it sounds like a society or organization to me! Why hasnot Willie, and those of his persuasion, "jumped on thatwith both feet?" Why is he zeroing in on GOT forreceiving some money from individuals to help print abook to sell, but is as "silent as a tomb" about that individual collectivity in Texas?

In that debate brethren were arranging and forminga collectivity to argue that it is sinful for individuals tofunction religiously through a collectivity, other thanthe local church. That is about like a mini-debate I had with a woman in a lectureship assembly (I was on apanel) wherein she vehemently contended it is wrong fora woman to speak in the assembly. I recommend the Willis-Jenkins Debate for your perusal. I concur wholeheartedly with brother Willis.

3. Willie ASSUMES I don't know the difference between a business organization and a missionary society. I have already covered much of this sectionin preceding remarks. However, I wonder if Willie understands what a missionary society is? It would beinteresting for him to properly and accurately define amissionary society that included GOT, perhaps FloridaCollege, Holt's organization, but excluded the religiouspapers that he endorses.

Willie's endeavor to tie me to J.B. Briney is in vain.Wonder why he tried to connect me with Briney, unlessit was to discredit my position by association? I do notremember (and Willie does not either) making the arguments that Briney made. He had better take anotherpeek at what I wrote and what Briney said.

Briney spoke of a school, a religious journal andbrethren building and operating a railroad for profit inorder to have funds to advance the kingdom. He incorrectly reasoned that if individuals may operate a Bibleschool, publish a religious journal and own a railroad,then churches may have their missionary societies through which to work. What individuals may or may not do proves nothing as to what churches may do or notdo.

Is a school wrong that has a Bible department? Ofcourse not? A school can get out of line, but that is not theissue. May brethren collectively publish a paper, asBriney said, "upon business principles?" Such is being done with Willie's endorsement. Looks like Willie has some things in common with Briney. What about a railroad? Well, let's say the railroad prints religiousbooks and SELLS them for a profit? Is it doing the workof the church?

The proposition that Briney was affirming in thedebate with Otey was dealing with churches using suchorganizations as the Illinois Missionary Society and the Foreign Christian Missionary Society. Do not try to yokeme to Briney, Willie. Brother Otey had the truth in that debate.

4. Willie ASSUMES I don't know the difference between buying a service and giving a donation.He only surmises this. The problem with Willie is that hethinks sending a donation to GOT to print a book to sell,or I suppose to help blacktop the parking lot, makes it amissionary society, doing the work of the church. Actually, Willie needs to chastise some of the brethren thatare in the same camp he is in. One of them has receivedfunds from individuals to print his own religious mate- rial to sell (Reliable testimony is in my files). It is all rightfor them to do what they claim we sin in doing. Consis- tency, thou art a jewel!

5. Willie ASSUMES I don't know the difference between donating money and donating an article.He introduces a Baptist magazine, insisting there is a difference between sending articles and donating moneybecause he may send an article over which he hascontrol, but not money over which he has no control.Well, what about sending money if the Baptist paperconsented to publish all articles in an issue by gospel

preachers on "What Must I Do to Be Saved?" and themoney was going totally for the printing and mailing ofthe articles to 25,000 Baptists? This will never happen,but neither will an article by brother Ramsey appear ina Baptist paper if he writes the truth. Wonder if Williewould send an article to a Baptist paper praising theBaptists? Of course not, and neither would we send adonation to help them promote error.

Brother Ramsey thinks if he sends an article to a Baptist paper (and other papers) that he has completecontrol over it, hence, acceptable. But he overlooks the"big blue pen" of the editor. He also spoke of a Baptistlectureship on which he could speak if invited. Would hespeak at a Baptist church lectureship on "The ScientificAccuracy of the Bible?" What if it were a debate in Pasadena, Texas by members of the church, with thepooling of money? Were those brethren sinning when they donated their money?

6. Willie ASSUMES I don't know the difference between a preacher receiving support and a preacher acting as a collecting and overseeing board of individuals' monies for religious work.Again, it is a case of Willie seeing a missionary societynearly everywhere he looks. He has "society-itis." How inthe world a brother or two sending to a preacher a fewdollars to help defray the printing cost of a little paperconstitutes a missionary society, rivaling the church, isbeyond me. Brethren may help the preacher print hispaper, fold it, address it, mail it, and even write somearticles for it, but they cannot pay the postage at the postoffice. So, it is the money with Willie and not the collectivity of time, work and energy. Strange logic!

Willie asked us to see the Willis-Inman Debate, p. 95.There, brother Willis said, "if you were to send it (moneychurches send to Herald of Truth, WEW) to a preacherand make him the agency through whom 2000 churcheswere going to act, then you would have a one-man missionary society." What does this (CHURCHES sending money to a man) have to do with two or threebrethren helping a preacher publish a little paper? Such convoluted reasoning as reflected by brother Ramseydoes not even permit a brother buying a preacher a typewriter on which to type his articles. I suppose hecould put a sticker on the typewriter, labeled "salary."

In conclusion, let us understand that the Lord hasgiven individuals responsibilities, and those may befulfilled by just one person, or sometimes in groupaction, providing the work of the local church is notencroached upon. Too, Christians may operate businesses.

(EDITOR'S NOTE: For those who wish to study thisquestion at greater length, we suggest the WILLIS-JENKINS DEBATE which is still in print and available fromthe book store. Also, there was an exchange of three articles on the subject between Darwin Chandler and Marshall E. Patton in SEARCHING THE SCRIPTURES in August, September and October, 1975, BoundVolume 15-16. CWA)

Sometimes it seems that we live in a throw-awaysociety; yet, things that endure still command our attention and appreciation. Most of us try to obtain the mostenduring items we can afford when it comes to majorpurchases like housing, automobiles and furniture. Wetake pride in enduring institutions. I once heard thepresident of a college say he wanted to build an institution that would "last a thousand years."

However, such material possessions and earthly institutions will one day come to an end. Jesus spoke on the"end of this world" (Matt. 13:40), and John said, "Theworld passeth away, and the lust thereof..." (1 Jno. 2:17). Peter writes of the day of the Lord, "in the which theheavens shall pass away with a great noise, and theelements shall melt with fervent heat, the earth also andthe works that are therein shall be burned up" (2 Pet.3:10). Those who think only of things material will neverlay hold on things that are really enduring. Consider thefollowing things that will last.

1. THE WORD OF GOD. Although men have mistakenly called it a "dead letter," the Word of God is "livingand active" (Heb. 4:12). Jesus said, "heaven and earthshall pass away, but My Word shall not pass away" (Matt. 24:35). Peter speaks of the "word of God which liveth and abideth for ever," and then quotes Isa. 40:6,8,which contrasts the passing nature of "all flesh" with the enduring nature of the Word of God (1 Pet. 1:23-25).

Jesus said, "He that rejecteth Me, and receiveth notMy words, hath one that judgeth him: the word that Ihave spoken, the same shall judge him in the last day"(Jno. 12:48). His Word will still endure when the worldis on fire. For this reason many scholars believe that "thebooks" to be opened on the last day are the books of theBible, the revealed Word of God: "...and the dead werejudged out of the things which were written in the books,according to their works" (Rev. 20:12).

2. THE CHURCH OF CHRIST. The church exists because it was purchased "before the worlds" (1 Cor. 2:7;Rom. 16:25-26; Eph. 1:10; Eph. 3:9-11). Daniel prophesied that the kingdom would "stand forever" (Dan. 2:4445). Jesus identified the kingdom of Daniel's prophecywith the kingdom of Christ, the church (cf. Mk. 1:15;Matt. 16:19; Eph. 5:5; Jno. 18:36). Further evidence ofthe identity of the church and the kingdom is seen in Col.1:18, where Paul observes that we Christians have been "delivered from the power of darkness, and translated into the kingdom of His dear Son" (v. 13). Yet that bodyover which Christ rules as head is called "the church" (v.18). No mistake about it; they are the same, and Jesus said, "the gates of Hades shall not prevail against it"(Matt. 16:18).

The writer of Hebrews says, "Wherefore we receivinga kingdom which cannot be moved, let us have grace,whereby we may serve God acceptably with reverence and godly fear" (12:28). The only institution that willsurvive this world is the church of Christ. ARE YOU A MEMBER OF IT?

3. THE OBEDIENT CHRISTIAN. While the world and all that is in it will "pass away," John says "he thatdoeth the will of God abideth forever" (1 Jno. 2:17). Jesussaid only "he that doeth the will of My Father in heavenshall enter into the kingdom of heaven" (Matt. 7:21).This includes being "born of the water and of the Spirit"(Jno. 3:5), as well as "always abounding in the work ofthe Lord" (1 Cor. 15:58).

Like Abraham, we look for "a city which hath foundation, whose builder and maker is God" (Heb. 11:10). Wesing:"Time is filled with swift transition, Naught of earth unmoved can stand. Build your hopes on things eternal Holdto God's unchanging hand!"

Send all News Items to: Connie W. Adams, P.O. Box 69, Brooks, KY 40109

DONNIE V. RADER, 4724 E. Manslick Rd., Louisville, KY 40219 — The work here at Manslick Road for 1988 looks real good. We justfinished a meeting (March 6-11) with Dee Bowman. The kind ofpreaching he did would make any church stronger. It was filled withscripture and forcefully presented. We had numbers close to 300 thelast two nights. Non-members were present nearly every night andheard the kind of message they needed to hear. We trust that otherefforts in the Lord's work will go well for this year.

WAYNE GOFORTH, 25th and Hawaii, Alamogordo, NM 88310 — I have lost $300 of support this month, coupled with the $1251 had beenunable to raise, brings it to $425 per month short. There are only threeself-supporting works in the whole state. Texas is hit by the oil crunch.This is a good work. This is the only sound work in a 70 mile radius.There are 75,000 people in a 30 mile area. We get over 100 calls pernewspaper ad for our Dial-A-Mesaage phone and the local TV stationhas given me free air time. I would be glad to furnish references.

KEITH WARD, Rt. 3, Box 1559, Lake Butler, FL 32054 — For thepast three and a half years I have supported myself while preaching by appointment and serving as a deacon at Northeast in Gainsville,FL. I am interested in returning to full time work. My articlesexposing the misuse of scripture by Science-Foreknew-the Bible typelectures are still available. They will be sent free upon request for aself addressed stamped envelope. I am available for occasional weekend meetings.

PAUL BROCK, Box 3555, DeLand, FL 32723 — After 6 1/2 yearswith the North Blvd. church in DeLand, it is our purpose to retire fromlocal work. Though small, DeLand is a fine congregation standingsolidly for the truth. The Lord willing, we will move back to RidgeManor, FL by May 1st. This is where our house is located. The addressthere will be 5416 Tall Pines Dr., Ridge Manor, FL 33525. It is ourprayer to continue to preach as brethren may see fit to use me. inmeetings, week-end series and as needed on the Lord's day.

KEITH E. CLAYTON, 7 Buttolph Drive, Middlebury, VT 05753 —

R. David Brewer and his family have agreed to move to Vermont tohelp evangelize the Ruthland, VT area. Dave left a good position withExxon 10 years ago to devote his life to preaching the gospel. TheTomlinson Run Road church, where he currently labors, will behaving some fellowship with him after he moves (I think $400 a month). Dave still needs more support so he can move to Vermont.There is no sound church there currently. Dave's address is Rt. 2, Box117, Georgetown, PA 15043. His phone: (412) 573-4862.

LARRY R. DEVORE, P.O. Box 313, Medina, OH 44258 — We arehaving good interest and attendance at Medina. Since my last report,one young lady has been baptized, and two have confessed sins. Theladies began having a Bible class on Monday evenings at the home ofone of the members. We have several who are taking our BibleCorrespondence Course.

DON POTTS, 417 East Groesbeck Ave., Lufkin, TX 75901 — I amnow in my seventh year with the good church at Fourth and Groesbeck. Such men as Roy Cogdill, Cled Wallace, Luther Blackmon,Robert Farish, Hoyt Houchen, Jim Everett, J. B. Jordan, Kent Ellis,Clyde Strickland and Don Martin have laboured here as local preachers. Out of this church has come at least three other churches in the city: Timberland Drive, Central and Union Road.

Those familiar with the work will be happy to know that it is nowto be a part of a merger to take place March 6,1988. In 1980 a numberof brethren started a work in the Hudson community, west of Lufkin. These brethren asked Dean Bullock to work with them and he has for the past few years. Because a number have moved and the work hasbeen slow in growth it was necessary to think of a merger with anothercongregation. These brethren will become a part of the Fourth andGroesbeck church on March 6,1988. Dean Bullock will be working with us and continue his meeting work. When he is at home the two of us will share the pulpit. If you visit the area, stop and worship with us.

CARL McMURRAY, 826 Arlene Ave., Papillion, NE 68046 — Wehave been in the Omaha area for about 10 months. The La Vista congregation has about 60-65 in attendance and the brethren seemsincerely interested in accomplishing the Lord's work. My work withanother preacher, Mike Divis, has proven to be encouraging and valuable.

Since April 1987 we have had 28 responses, 14 of which werebaptisms. In spite of about 10 members moving from the area and onebeing marked as unfaithful, we have seen an increase in both attendance and contribution. Both Mike and I are holding home Biblestudies almost daily. We are excited about a mass mail-out for acorrespondence course as well as non-members asking for studies andvisiting our services. I believe we broke a record last Lord's day when81 were present. Many of these were non-members. If you visit the Omaha area or know of someone here, or even stationed at Offut AirForce Base, that we could contact, please give us a call or drop us anote.

Lord willing, I will be with the Jordan Park church in Huntsville, AL, April 3-8, in Alexandria, IN, April 10-15, and with the church inPittsfield, ME, June 19-24.

TOM MOODY, 4001 Taylor Blvd., Louisville, KY 40215 — In 5 1/2weeks in India, brother Gerry Sandusky and I preached or taughtpublicly about 45 times each. Our conservative estimate is that wepreached to 2000 different people and over 1000 different adults who are not Christians (most of them Hindu). Eighty-one were baptized.At least two congregations were established. About 20 in one congregation took a stand for the truth. 10,000 copies each of four differenttracts were printed in the Telegu Language and about 325 Bibles werepurchased to be distributed. Several dozen tapes of sermons and theBible classes and dozens of English tracts and outlines were left withthe brethren.

The tracts, Bibles and benevolence rendered to a number of peoplewas made possible by the generous gifts of 30 or more individuals. Our necessary expenses were paid in their entirety by the congregationswith which we work. We are so grateful to the Christians at South End(Louisville) and at Madison (Indiana) for their love of the Gospel andsacrificial spirit which made this work possible. —From the South End Expounder

MICHAEL GARRISON, P.O. Box 1261, Franklin, NC 28734 — Report of preaching trip to Australia: I arrived at the Birsband airporton Feb. 27 and was met by my pen-pal of over 12 years, David Bennettand his wife and their four children. It was so good to have Christiansawaiting me and to welcome me to Australia. This was our firstmeeting.

I was asked to preach with the church in Bundaberg on Wednesday night. Afterward, they agreed to have me preach in what they call a "mission" (we call them gospel-meetings) on Friday, Saturday andSunday. All went well in this meeting with a few visitors present onFriday and Sunday. I was well received and enjoyed my work with thiscongregation. I was also asked to preach the next Wednesday nightand Sunday morning.

On March 13th, after the AM worship, my host, David Bennett and I left to drive three and a half hours or so to meet with the church in Rockhampton. It was arranged that I speak with the church inGympie on Wednesday on my way back to Brisband. I was wellreceived here. I was taken to Ipswich by brother Bennett on Friday,March 18th. David and I said our farewells here as he needed to go back to Bundaberg to return to work. I preached at Ipswich on Sundaynight (March 20) and Tuesday night. They are but a few in numberhere and were glad to have a visiting preacher come by and encourage them in the faith. On Wednesday the 23rd, I preached with theRockedale church. There is much to do in the gospel in Australia. Iarrived at the San Francisco airport on March 28th. I thank the individuals who helped me in a financial way to ease the burden. Iborrowed money from my life insurance policy to finance my trip and the help received was much appreciated.

FROM FOREIGN FIELDS EDMUNDO M. CIPRIANO, 220 Int. 14 Dayao St., Bulut, Tondo,Manila, Philippines 1012 — Last July (1987), while brother Diosado

P. Menor had his eye surgery and recuperating he planted a newcongregation at 13th Ave. Cubao, Quezon City, Philippines. I movedto Manila last August and was requested to stay and edify the newchurch. This congregation has no less than 20 adult members. Whilethe church is still very infant, the members are zealous to search thescriptures. We lack Bible lessons materials and other Bible study aids.

RECENT DEATH FORREST HURST passed away on March 2. Brother Hurst wasa member of the Oak Grove church in Louisville and had been the preacher there as well as a number of other churches in Indiana, Ohio,and Kentucky. Perhaps the words "zeal" and "conviction" best sum upthe life of Forrest Hurst as many of us knew him. Brother Hurst neverleft doubt as to his stand on important issues. He practiced his faithwith manifest joy and enthusiasm. This was most evident by his andsister Hurst's frequent attendance at Gospel meetings. Our sympathyand prayers go with his widow, sister Laura Hurst and son, Boyd.—Adapted from the South End Expounder

CHURCH IN NEW BUILDING JAMES L. ZACHARY, 3474 Winchester Rd., Memphis, TN 38118—The Winchester Rd. Church of Christ has met at its present location,,3474 Winchester Rd. for the past thirty years. We will soon be movingto our new building located at 6590 Statline Road near the "Hunter'sRun" subdivision. From I-240 take the Poplar exit east to Ridgeway.Follow Ridgeway (which becomes Hickory Hill) to the intersection ofWinchester Rd. Take Winchester Road East to Germantown Extended. Take Germantown Ext. to Stateline Rd. turn right (west) andthe new building is located less than 1 mile down on the north side ofthe road. For further information contact James L. Zachary (901) 7945258.

A NEW SUBSCRIPTION QUARTERLY

W. Bruce Tooley and Eddie R. Littrell, publishers of "Know TheTruth," began publication of EDIFICATION QUARTERLY in April. This will be the concerted effort of a great variety of writers ofdiffering ages, experiences, and abilities. The topics of considerationwill be intended to foster strength and courage. This will be availablefor $3.00 per year (4 issues). To subscribe, write to EDIFICATIONQUARTERLY, P.O. Box 776, Red Bay, AL 35582-0776.

PREACHERS AVAILABLE

CARTHEL THOMAS, 5327 S. Tryon St., Charlotte, NC 28217 — Carthel Thomas has completed his work at Florida College and at theUniversity of South Florida in Tampa, FL. During the time he was here in college he attended Fletcher Ave. Church of Christ and did some preaching here. He has filled preaching appointments over the past three years at several places in the central Florida area. He is avery devout young man with a determination to proclaim the gospel ofChrist. He is a serious student of the Bible. I commend him to any church who is looking for a faithful young preacher. He may be reached at the above address. For further information you maycontact me: H. E. Phillips, P.O. Box 1631, Lutz, FL 33549, phone: (813)949-3257.

BEN RODRIGUEZ, 1420 West Main St., Lewisville, TX 75067 — I know of a mature, experienced preacher looking for a work in theTennessee — Kentucky area, or some where in the South East. Ifinterested, please contact me at the above address or call (214) 2217744.

PREACHERS NEEDED DUNDEE, FLORIDA — The Dundee Church of Christ is in need of a full time preacher. We have 25 regular members, and in the wintermonths we have around 40. We can supply about $1,000 of the supportneeded and will help to get the rest. We are located in central FL onhighway 27,8 miles from Winter Haven. We prefer a man 35 or olderwith children. Anyone interested can contact us at P.O. Box 1156, Dundee, FL 33838 or call (813) 439-3254.

FAIRBANKS, ALASKA — I have acquired what the doctors call"End-stage Kidney Failure" and have been advised to leave Fairbanks. So I am moving back to East Texas to begin work with my homecongregation. I will begin work in Groveton no later than September 1st.

The church in Fairbanks is in dire need of someone to come here. Most of the money needed to support a man is arranged, but would need to raise a little more. We want to secure someone as soon as possible. If you are interested in the work here, call me or writeimmediately. — Cecil Willis, 3010 David Road, Apt. B-37, Fairbanks,Alaska 99709.

LECTURES

VIVION ROAD LECTURES, KANSAS CITY, MISSOURI — The Vivion Rd. Church of Christ, 2026 N.E. Vivion Road, Kansas City, MO64118, will have its fourth annual lectureship on June 20-23,1988.The speakers will be Homer Hailey, Robert Harkrider and RandyHarshbarger. The theme will be "Premises For Godly Living." For more information write to the church at P. O. Box 28478, Kansas City,MO 64118 or call (816) 452-3684.

BROADVIEW HEIGHTS BIBLE STUDIES, OKLAHOMA CITY, OKLAHOMA— The Broadview Heights Church of Christ, N.W. 38th and St. Clair, Oklahoma City, OK 73157, will have an intensive seriesof Bible studies on July 10-15, 1988. The speakers will be Dee Bowman, Leon Goff and Homer Hailey. R. J. Stevens will lead congregational singing. The theme will be "The Gospel — The Revelation of Jesus Christ" (a study of Galatians). There will be paneldiscussion every night. For more information write to the church at

P.O. Box 12654, Oklahoma City, OK 73157.

DEBATE JACK HOLT of Standley, LA will debate F. I. STANLEY of Sunray,TX on the June 27, 28, 30 and July 1,1988 at the building owned bythe Bossier Church of Christ (2917 Foster Street, Bossier City, LA).Brother Stanley will affirm that a person divorced because he was guilty of fornication may marry another while his former wife is still living, while brother Holt will affirm that such an one may onlyremain unmarried or be reconciled to his former mate. The Bossier church has endorsed Holt's proposition. Olan Hicks will moderate forStanley. Elmer Moore will moderate for Holt. For more informationcall Jack Holt at (318) 697-2847 or write him at Rt. 1, Box 409, Logansport, LA 71049.

IN THE NEWS THIS MONTH

BAPTISMS 404

RESTORATIONS 147

(Taken from bulletins and papers received by the editor)