Volume XXXIII March 1992 Number 3
"The Appearance Of Evil" 1 Thessalonians 5: 22
"Abstain from every form of evil. " "Hold yourselfaloof from every form of evil. " "Shun every form ofevil. " "Continue to abstain from every sort of evil. ""Steer clear of evil in any form. "
These five translations of 1 Thessalonians 5: 22 are from the American Standard Version, The Epistles ofPaul by W. J. Coneybeare, The Twentieth Century NewTestament, Williams Translation, and J. B. Phillips Translation. This passage is made clearer by observing and comparing other renderings. They all bear thesame message. This, of course, it not to say that theKing James Version is inaccurate in rendering thepassage, "Abstain from all appearance of evil. " However, some erroneous conclusions have been drawn from the word "appearance" not intended by the HolySpirit. Some interpret appearance to mean "the outward aspect of anything. " But a thing is not evil justbecause someone thought it looked that way. The passage means whenever evil (the real thing) appears,abstain from it.
Add to these five translations of 1 Thess. 5: 22 Thayer's definition of eidos ("appearance"): "from every kind of evil and wrong" (p. 172), and Nestle's Interlinear: "from every form of evil, abstain. " Thisshows the verse is not talking about what may "look like" evil or what someone may associated with evil.
That becomes subjective, for what some may associate with evil may not "look like" evil to others.It is in the eye of the beholder. For example, somesuspicious minds accused Jesus of being a glutton and a winebib-ber because he ate with publicans and sinners (Mt. 9). "Guilt by association. " He also spentsome time with a woman who had had five husbands (Jn. 4). It aston-ished his disciples and to some itmay have had the outlook of evil. Was Jesus wrong or were the suspi-cious minds in error? If we are notcareful we may put ourselves in the position of reading other people's minds and of falsely accusingthem.
To some Pentecostal groups it appears ("looks like") evil when you wear jewelry, makeup, etc. In years pastabout the only place where billiards was played was inbeer joints. Unable to see that it was the drinking thatwas wrong, not the billiards, some erroneously concluded that it was wrong to play pool even when drinking was not present because it had the "appearance" ofevil and was therefore questionable. The same happened with dice, cards, and moving pictures on ascreen. Though no drinking or gambling was involved,those who used dice and cards or watched a picturemove across a screen, were pronounced "guilty by association. " If I came to your home and saw you playing a board game with dice or a game of Rook (cards), Iwould have no right to accuse you of violating 1 Thes.
5: 22.
Certainly, a Christian should not try to see howclose to evil he can get, or seek to make it look like heis doing wrong. Nothing in this article should bemisconstrued as a defense of any sin named herein.But this passage is not saying every time one is foundin circumstances another might question that he hasactually sinned.
In some states the grocery stores sell beer and lewdmagazines. If a Christian is seen in one of these stores,has he sinned by "the appearance of evil?" No, but hemay have violated someone's misconception of 1 Thes.
5: 22.
While aboard a plane, the man sitting next to meordered a cocktail and so did the people behind me.Rather than come under the scrutiny of a suspiciousperson who thought I violated 1 Thes. 5: 22, I reluctantly decided not to jump out.
Another example: a Christian may be present wherecursing, lasciviousness, cheating and gambling are taking place, without sinning. There are two places Ihave in mind where these often occur — at school and at work! Because one is present where these occur, is heguilty of "the appearance of evil?" If 1 Thes. 5: 22 isteaching that we sin every time we are found in association with that which could be sinful, then the onlypossible solution would be as Paul states, "for then must ye needs go out of the world" (1 Cor. 5: 10).
It is possible that one may sin through impurethoughts when he sees others involved in sin. He may also sin when he sees murder, stealing, materialism, orlasciviousness on TV in his own home. Does one sin when he sees sin re-enacted on television? He may or hemay not. He may have placed himself in a dangeroussituation — dangerous to his spiritual well-being. It may cost him dearly. He needs to beware of self-deception. He needs to ask: "What is my motive for watchingthis program?" He may have sinned terribly. All I amsaying is that I cannot read his mind (1 Cor. 2: 11). I must avoid the temptation to become a mote hunter or toalways put the worst interpretation on another's action or circumstances. We must "do good to all men,especially those of the household of faith" (Gal. 6: 10).Being charitable and using the Golden Rule applieshere too (1 Cor. 13; Lk. 6: 31).
I have often heard this verse misquoted to the effect that we should "Abstain from the very appearance ofevil. " The word "very" is added to make it sound like itis wrong because it "looks like" evil to someone. "Very" isnot in the text nor in any of over 30 translations I havechecked. It is an addition which contributes to misunderstanding the verse.
The misinterpretation of 1 Thes. 5: 22 has caused no small amount of problems for brethren and congregations. This misinterpretation encourages mote hunting. Accusations are often made on suspicion and one may become guilty of speaking evil against a brother(Js. 4; 11) when, in fact, he may have done no evil.Dissension and division are often the result.
Let us "judge not according to appearance, but judgerighteous judgment" (Jn. 7: 24). Vine's Expository Dictionary points out that this is the only time the wordappearance is used to mean "the outward aspect. " It isfrom opsis, not eidos. Jesus plainly commanded us not to judge this way. He did not contradict Paul. He contradicted the misconception some have of 1 Thes. 5:
22. Christians should be cautious of dangerous situations. Likewise, we should be concerned about one another. But let us not misinterpret 1 Thes. 5: 22 orJohn 7: 24. The consequences are disastrous. Adapted from 1972.
Justified
"Therefore being justified by faith, we have peacewith God through our Lord Jesus Christ" by whom alsowe have access by faith into this grace wherein we stand,and rejoice in hope of the glory of God" (Rom. 5: 1-2).
The Meaning of Justification
Justification means that the sinner is vindicated before God. He is acquitted of his sin. He is declaredrighteous. This does not mean that he has not sinned,"for all have sinned and come short of the glory of God" (Rom. 3: 23). The guilty sinner stands before God without excuse. He is unable of himself to provide acquittal.He cannot make himself righteous nor justify himself.That is the right of God. It is sin which has separated man from God (Isa. 59: 1-2). Man is the offender and God the offended party. In order to have "peace with God" the offender must be acquitted, justified, declared righteous.
The Source of Justification
But how can this be? Is the sinner powerful or wiseenough to devise a means of justification? "Oh Lord I know that the way of man is not in himself (Jer. 10: 23).Only God can justify. The Jew could not be justified bythe works of the Lord for Paul said "But that no man is justified by the law in the sight of God, it is evident; for,The Just shall live by faith" (Gal. 3: 11). Neither Jew norGentile could be justified by works of human merit. It is"not of works lest any man should boast" (Eph. 2: 9); and "not by works of righteousness which we have done"(Titus 3: 5). So, then justification does not originate inman. It must come from God. According to Paul, it is God who purposed to offer acquittal to those helpless andhopeless without his grace. He called and justified thosecalled that they might be glorified with him. Indeed, "It is God that justifieth" (Rom. 8: 30-33). It is offered as a favor which the sinner did not deserve and could not provide. It is therefore of grace. "For by grace are yesaved through faith" (Eph. 2: 8). Man's dilemma was God's opportunity.
"Amazing grace, how sweet the sound
That saved a wretch like me
I once was lost, but now am found
Was blind but now I see. "
Having described the frightful condition of those who were "dead in trespasses and sins, " and having set forththe ultimate fate of those suited only to receive divine
wrath, Paul opens the window of hope to the hopeless when he said "But God, who is rich in mercy, forhis great love wherewith he loved us, Even when wewere dead in sins, hath quickened us together withChrist, (by grace ye are saved; ) And hath raised us uptogether, and made us sit together in heavenly places inChrist Jesus: That in the ages to come he might showthe exceeding riches of his grace in his kindness toward us through Christ Jesus (Eph. 2: 4-7).Astounding! There we are guilty, having offended ourown Creator. What have we to offer? What can we think of to do? What wise plan of our own will prompt God toforgive us and restore the fellowship now shatteredbecause of our sin? There is nothing we can do to place God in our debt. We owe him everything but he owes usnothing. Ah, but our God is "rich in mercy, " his loveis "great" and him "kindness" is ex-tended out of grace. What a God! He is able and willing to justify us,count us righteous and treat us as if we had never sinned. It boggles the mind to try and take it all in.
The Means of Justification
Having seen that justification can only come fromGod it is necessary to determine whether or not thisacquittal is offered unconditionally or conditionally. Itsprings from the grace of God flowing out of the wellspring of his rich mercy and great love. Will the grace ofGod save every sinner, or will it save some sinners? Ifevery sinner is to be saved unconditionally, then we are at a loss to explain many plain passages in the word ofGod. Jesus said that at the judgment (and why wouldthere need to be a judgment is justification is unconditional?) some would "go away into everlasting fire" (Mt.
25: 46). Paul said the Lord would come "in flaming fire"and "take vengeance on them that know not God andthat obey not the gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ" andsaid they would be "punished with everlasting destruction from the presence of the Lord" (2 Thes. 1: 6-9). Sothen, not everyone will be justified.
Paul explained it for us in Romans 1: 16-17. "For I amnot ashamed of the gospel of Christ: for it is the power ofGod unto salvation to every one that believeth; to theJew first, and also to the Greek. For therein is therighteousness of God revealed from faith to faith: as it iswritten, The just shall live by faith. " It is by means of the gospel that God offers his favor to the sinner. "Whereunto he called you by our gospel" (2Thes. 2: 14).Remember, he justified those whom he called (Rom. 8:30) but here it is clear that he calls by the gospel. Thisgood news is the power he exerts to apprize the sinner that his grace is offered. It is by means of thegospel that God reveals his righteousness (justification,ASV) or acquittal (as Moses E. Lard has it). The gospeltells us how God offers his favor to us.
But upon what ground does God offer to forgive thetransgressor? In every dispensation blood atonementhas been required. The patriarchs and the Jews under the law of Moses were required to offer blood sacrifice for"without the shedding of blood is no remission" (Heb.
9: 22). But the law was only a "shadow of good things tocome" and it "was not possible that the blood of bulls and goats should take away sins" (Heb. 10: 1-4). Those sacrifices only typified the ultimate sacrifice for sin when the Son of God shed his blood. "So Christ was once offered to bear the sins of many" (Heb. 9: 28). "How muchmore shall the blood of Christ, who through the eternalSpirit offered himself without spot to God, purge yourconscience from dead works to serve the living God?"(Heb. 9: 14). When Jesus took the cup, the night of hisbetrayal, he said "For this is my blood of the newtestament, which is shed for many for thee remission ofsins" (Mt. 26: 28). "And that he might reconcile both untoGod in one body by the cross" (Eph. 2: 16). Here both Jewsand Gentiles have "access by one Spirit unto the Father"(Eph. 3: 18). Paul sums it up for us when he said "Beingjustified freely by his grace through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus: Whom God hath set forth to be the propitiation through faith in his blood, to declare hisrighteousness for the remission of sins that are past,through the forbearance of God; To declare, I say, at thistime his righteousness: that he might be just, and the justifier of him which believeth in Jesus" (Rom. 3: 24-26).The cross was the price which had to be paid in order tomake the grace of God accessible to us.
Man's Part
The sinner must act out of faith to obey the will of Godif he is to be justified. "Therefore being justified byfaith... " (Rom. 5: 1). God justifies, that is his part. Butit is by faith and that is the sinner's part. He must believe God. The gospel is the power of God unto salvation unto "every one that believeth. " "By grace are ye saved through faith" (Eph. 2: 8). God extendsthe favor and man responds in faith. The questionwhich must be resolved is whether saving faith is aliving or dead faith. "Faith without works is dead" (Jas. 2:26). It was because Abraham believe God that he obeyed the instruction of the Lord. The worthies of oldwho were all said to be justified by faith in God, actedin demonstration of that faith (Heb. 11). "For in JesusChrist neither circumcision availeth anything nor uncircumcision; but faith which worketh by love" (Gal. 5: 6). Christ is the "author of eternal salvation untoall them that obey him" (Heb. 5: 9).
God requires the sinner in faith to repent of his sins."God commands all men everywhere to repent" (Acts
17: 30). Jesus said "He that believeth and is baptizedshall be saved and he that believeth not shall be damned" (Mk. 16: 16). Neither faith, repentance norbaptism nullify salvation by the grace of God. All ofthese are demanded of everyone. God offers his grace and man responds in faith because Christ shed his bloodas a perfect sacrifice for sin. Justice has been met. Thealienated sinner now has peace with God. He is justified.To quote a good friend and eloquent preacher, "I scarcecan take it in!"
Page 5
1 Cor. 7: 15 — Is the Believer Free
To Remarry?
Much of the discussion on the alien's amenability tothe law of Christ on marriage, divorce and remarriagehas centered around 1 Cor. 7: 10-16.
Brother Bassett gives considerable attention to thistext in his book. He makes three points about thiscontext: (1) Paul gives different instructions to the Christian married to the unbeliever from the ones given to two Christians who are married. (2) The term "bondage" (v. 15) refers to the marriage bond. (3) The Christian (believer) whose unbelieving mate leaves is free to remarry.
We will examine these three points in this article.
Differing Instructions For ThoseMarried To Unbelievers?
Jerry Bassett claims that the instructions of 1 Cor.
7: 10-11 were addressed to two believers who are married and that the instructions of verses 12-16 are addressed to a believer married to an unbeliever. He tells us that what the Lord said to the believer married to an unbeliever differed from the instructions given to the believer married to a believer. He writes, "Clearly, then, Paul claimed that what he wrote to believers married to unbelievers was something other than what the Lordhad spoken. It was therefore also something other thanwhat he wrote to believers married to believers at 1 Corinthians 7: 10-11" (p. 81).
We are told that when Paul addresses the Christian married to the unbeliever he is speaking to "an entirelydifferent group" (p. 81) Thus, the Christian in a mixed marriage and unbelievers are not included in the instructions of verses 10-11.
To illustrate his point, Jerry uses a coach's instructions to his football team. His team consists of veteran players and a few rookies. The coach says, "All youreturning veterans go down to the other end of the fieldand warm up. " Then he says, "The rest of you stay herewith me. " Bassett concludes, "Who could fail to see thatthe coach was speaking to two different groups of players, and that he had something different in mind for each group?" (pp. 81-82).
In 1 Cor. 7: 10-11 Paul addresses the married. He had addressed the unmarried in verses 8-9. Bassett assumes that these verses are limited to Christians who are
married. There is no reason to think that it only applies to Christians. There is no justification for making "married" mean some of the married.
It is true that in 1 Cor. 7: 10-11 Paul refers to the teaching that the Lord did during his personal ministry(probably Matt. 19: 9 and parallel texts).
In verses 12-16 Paul addresses some specific questions that the Lord did not directly address while he wason earth. For example, he did not directly deal with thequestion of a believer being married to an unbeliever. Should they sever that relationship? Is it a legitimatemarriage? These and other questions Paul says "I, notthe Lord" will address (v. 12). This does not mean theinstructions of the Lord (vs. 10-11) do not apply to theChristian married to an unbeliever or to two unbelievers who are married. This text does not say that those inmixed marriages and unbelievers are not under Christ'slaw on marriage!
If "I, not the Lord" (v. 12) means that Jesus saidnothing which applied to mixed marriages, then, "not I,but the Lord" (v. 10) must mean that Paul said nothingwhich applied to two married Christians.
No one denies that Paul addresses some specificsabout mixed marriages that Jesus did not address in hisministry. What I do deny is that the statements in verses12-16 imply that the instructions of verses 10-11 do not apply to those in mixed marriages and aliens.
Bassett tells us that the instructions to the Christian married to the unbeliever are different from the instructions given to two Christians. However, as I read verses10-16, the instructions look the same to me. In verse 1011 those addressed (which Bassett assumes are onlyChristians) are told "not to depart" and "not to divorce. " Those addressed in verses 12-16 are told, "Let him notdivorce her" (v. 12) and "let her not divorce him" (v. 13).
His football illustration does not fit with the text. We have just shown that verses 12-13 give the same instructions as verses 10-11. The coach gave one command tothe veteran players and another to the rookies. To betterfit his doctrine, he needs an illustration that has the coach giving one set of rules for his veteran players (that does not apply to the rookies) and another set for therookies. I'm not much of a sportsman, yet I would pay tosee a game played by a team like that.
More in harmony with the text would be this illustration. The team captain comes to the practice field andsays, "To the players, not I, but the coach says to warmup. To the rookie players, I and not the coach say youwarm up by doing set ups, push ups and running inplace. " Does that mean that the instructions to warmup only apply to veteran players? Not at all. All thecaptain did was address some specifics to the rookiesthat the coach did not address in his instructions. Yet all players would know that they needed to warm up.
Does "bondage" (v. 15) Refer To TheMarriage Bond?
Bassett argues that "not under bondage" (v. 15) refersto the marriage bond. He gives three reasons for sayingthat. 1. When the unbeliever departs (divorces thebeliever) they are not married. He thinks the marriageand the bond are the same. Thus, the believer could not be bound (p. 86). 2. If the unbeliever stayed (instead ofdeparting) the believer would be bound (p. 87). 3. The word translated "bondage" (douloo) applies to marriage just as deo (word for "bound" in Rom. 7: 2 and 1 Cor. 7:39) in a figurative sense.
Let's examine these three reasons. (1) Bassett assumes they are not bound for he assumes that the bondand the marriage are the same. We have already shown (article no. 2) that Rom. 7: 2-3 shows that a woman isbound to her first husband while she is married to another man. Thus, the bond and marriage are distinct.
(2) Again, it is an assumption that the believermarried to an unbeliever would be bound if the unbeliever decided to stay. The perfect tense suggests that he has never been under bondage. Nestle's Interlinear translates it "has not been enslaved. " (3) Bassett says that if deo can be used of marriage, so can douloo. For if either refers to marriage, it will befigurative. It may be true that douloo could be used that way. However, the fact is that the Bible didn't use it that way. Deo refers to a binding by law and douloo refers to being a slave or bondage. To say the least, that is howthey are used in the texts where they are found.Various lexicons tell us that douloo denotes enslavement (Thayer, p. 158; Bauer, p. 206; Kubo, p. 153; Liddell and Scott, p. 179). The point is that the believeris not enslaved to the unbeliever to save the marriageat the expense of his/her faith.
Is The Believer Free To Remarry?
Bassett's answer to this question is "Apparently, heis" (p. 93). However, there is nothing said about remarriage in the text. We have shown that the text does notsay that the believer is no longer bound to his mate(Rom. 7: 2-3).
There is as much about the believer's right to remarry in 1 Cor. 7: 15 as there is about instrumentalmusic in Eph. 5: 19.
It is interesting that brethren look at 1 Cor. 7 andconclude that Matt. 19: 9 is binding on Christians to whom the Lord did not speak, and not binding on Jews to whom the Lord did speak.
The next installment in this review will be "Must Those Who Have Committed Adultery Separate?"
What Power Did The ApostlesReceive?
QUESTION: In Matt. 10 Jesus called his disciples and gave them power over unclean spirits and thepower to heal sickness and disease. In John 20: 22Jesus commissioned the apostles. He gave them theHoly Spirit, and authorized them to forgive sin.
According to Acts 2, "they" were baptized by theHoly Spirit and "they" spoke with other tongues.Frankly, I am puzzled. What power did the apostlesreceive on the day of Pentecost?
ANSWER: Jesus said to His apostles in Acts 1: 8, "Butye shall receive power, after that the Holy Ghost is come upon you: and ye shall be witnesses unto me both inJerusalem, and in all Judea, and in Samaria, and untothe uttermost part of the earth. " The promise of the power was fulfilled in Acts 2: 1-4 when the apostles wereendowed with power from the Holy Spirit. (They receivedthat which was poured out of or from the Holy Spirit, Acts
2: 17).
The power the apostles received on Pentecost is explained by J. W. McGarvey in his comments on Acts 1: 8as: "The power promised, and their work as witnesses,are so connected together as to indicate that the power tobe effective witnesses is meant. This, as we learn fromthe testimony which they afterward gave, was not merely to tell what they had seen and heard, which theycould have done by their unaided powers; but it included ability to recall all that he had said to them in his yearsof ministry; and to testify as to his exaltation in heaven,his will concerning all spiritual affairs on earth, and hisfuture dealings with both men and angels" (New Commentary on Acts, Vol. 1, p. 6). Actually, everything theapostles needed to enable them to function as apostles isincluded in the word "power. " Jesus describes it as being"endued (clothed) with power" (Lk. 24: 49).
When Jesus called His disciples in Matt. 10, verse 1states He gave them power (authority, ASV) over unclean spirits, to cast them out and to heal all manner ofsickness and diseases. Luke 9: 1 says Jesus gave thempower and authority over all demons and to cure diseases. The miraculous functions were temporary, concurrent with their mission to the Jews only (Matt. 10: 56). These miracles served to confirm their message.Jesus also empowered the seventy to heal the sick andto cast out demons (Lk. 10: 1-20).
John 20: 22 is in anticipation of Pentecost. It reads,"And when he had said this, he breathed on them, andsaith unto them, Receive ye the Holy Ghost. " The breathing transferred nothing from Jesus to the apostles but only symbolically foreshadowed the outpouring of the Holy Spirit upon them at Pentecost.
Receiving the Spirit in John 20: 22 was to be inconjunction with the remitting and retaining of sins inverse 23. The Spirit would teach them all things (Jn.
14: 26), guide them into all truth (Jn. 16: 13) and convictthe world of sin (Jn. 16: 8). The apostles would bind and loose (Matt. 16: 19) heaven's will through the revelationof the Holy Spirit. The conditions of forgiveness areproclaimed after the Holy Spirit, i. e., His power, isreceived by the apostles in Acts 2. Here, and subsequentthereto, sins were remitted and retained by whether thegospel was obeyed or not. John 20: 22 seems to be,therefore, another promise of the reception of the HolySpirit at Pentecost.
"Miss Nollie"
"When I call to remembrance the unfeigned faith thatis in thee, which dwelt first in thy grandmother Lois, and they mother Eunice; and I am persuaded that inthee also" (1 Tim. 1: 5).
There is a song called, Give Me The Roses While I Live. While it is always good to have many nice thingsto say when a loved one has passed on, it is also good toexpress some appreciation while they are still alive.That is my purpose in this brief article of a tribute to mymother, Nollie Matilda (Stoteshberry) Adams. At thiswriting she lives at the old home place near Hopewell,Virginia in Chesterfield County and she is 87 years old.She and my father's sister, Beulah D. Adams, live a goodlife helping each other to keep things going. They attendthe Rivermont church of Christ which my family andothers were instrumental in starting in the late fifties.Let me nutshell my mother's life and traits for you:
Eastern North Carolina roots... born in poverty...knew hardship, deprivation and cold, bleak sorrow...orphaned as a small girl... family held together by "Grand-mammy" (Mama's mother)... worked in thefields chopping and picking cotton... learned to survive and to be resourceful... deeply religious with verystrong convictions... a capacity to endure almost impossible circumstances... moved to Virginia... marriedJoyner Wilson Adams in December, 1923 (a marriage that lasted 63 years)... Together they instilled in theirdaughter and two sons the principles of Truth thatwould serve them well for a lifetime... faith, courage, integrity, honesty, a feeling for the underdog... an uncompromising spirit... These they possessed to anunusually high degree... blessed with a keen wit and asense of humor that won't stop... an unswerving loyaltyfor God and family... a determination in matters offaith and practice that will not countenance surrenderto that which is wrong.
Her neighbors call her "Mrs. Adams. " The olderbrethren call her "Nollie. " With deep respect and affection all the younger people call her either "sister Adams"or "Miss Nollie. " The little children come to her at church services to hug and kiss her. She and "Buby" (Aunt Beulah) still prepare meals for the visitingpreachers and still have folks in at regular intervals. Myfather died in December, 1986 but they have continued on in faith.
Blessed with an enormous amount of good commonsense, many still seek "Miss Nollie's counsel and advice. To her children she is "Mama. " To her grandchildren she is "Memaw. " To all of us she is a grand lady.Her children rise up and call her blessed.
Please don't fuss at me, Mama. I just had to saythese things now rather than later. But I have not eventouched the hem of the garment.
We all love you Mama!
Paperback Preaching
Under ordinary circumstances it should not be necessary for us to define our term. Neither should it be necessary to go into detail as to what we are not discussing. But when you are dealing with a subject thatis apt to be controversial, it is wise to follow the advise ofPaul and "cut off occasion from them which desire occasion" (2 Cor. 11: 12).
For example, in controversies of the past, the issue wasnot orphans, needy children, cooperation, edification,preaching the gospel, or entertainment. The issue was(and still is): can the church establish and work through human institutions, sponsoring-church arrangements,or support and provide recreation and entertainment?
The Reader's Digest Illustrated Encyclopedic Dictionary defines paperback as "A book or edition having aflexible paper binding and selling relatively cheaply. "And while this dictionary is of the hardback variety, thedefinition would be no less authentic were it contained in a paperback issue.
A wide variety of subjects are discussed in paperbackbooks and there is nothing inherently wrong with paperbacks. A few years back I published a book of poetry and opted for the paperback model because the hardback copywould have cost two or three times more than the paperback.
When I speak of paperback preaching, I refer to sectarian influence and characteristics which have their originin human wisdom and philosophy, and disseminated by means of paperbacks.
Sometimes a position is so nebulous that it is difficultto define it or pin it down. And this very fact makes adoctrine or position suspect because it is directly contraryto the characteristics of truth and plain Bible teaching (2Cor. 3: 12).
A few years back the Crossroads movement bandied about the "total commitment" phrase, and the later Bostonian movement spoke of "discipling. " While there isnothing wrong with making a total commitment to the Lord or making disciples, the Crossroads and Bostonapplication had its origin in sectarianism, and those sectarian authors and sources were clearly identified.
Today, we are hearing a lot about "motivation" andsome of the methods and tactics being employed are closeenough to sectarian paperback sources that you can hear"the bleating of the sheep... and the lowing of the oxen"
(1 Sam. 15: 14).
Preachers have different personalities, abilities (natural or acquired), and methods of presentation. Weare not opposed to preachers who endeavor to improve their knowledge of the Bible or the presentation of those truths. But we are opposed to the idea or practice ofallowing human wisdom, philosophy, and sectarian gimmicks to be the motivating power instead of thegospel of Christ (1 Cor. 1: 21-26; Col. 2: 4, 8, 18).
What was it that caused those on Pentecost to be "pricked in their heart" (Acts 2: 37)? What "motivated"Stephen's murderers when "they were cut to the heart,and they gnashed on him with their teeth: (Acts 7: 54)? What was it that "motivated" Felix to tremble (Acts
24: 25), Festus to accuse Paul of being "mad" (Acts
26: 24), and Festus to accuse Paul of being "mad" (Acts 26: 24), and Agrippa to be "almost persuaded" (v. 28)?We can tell you without any doubt whatever that themotivating power was the gospel of Christ, and not thepaperback philosophies of the Epicureans and the Stoics.
And if a preacher has an inferiority complex becauseof this personal appearance, personality, lack of abilityor formal education and training, he needs to depend even more on the power of the gospel and less on the paperback philosophies of men.
When a congregation of God's people experience theloss of a great leader many emotions beset them. Confusion, sadness, and distress are all natural reactions to the death of one with whom you have shared both goodand bad times.
In thinking about great leaders that I have known personally who have passed on to their reward and inview of great men in the Bible who worked everyday oftheir lives in service to Jehovah God I am reminded of the story of Elijah and Elisha.
There are four lessons to learn from II Kings 2: 1-15.First, Elijah accepted what was ahead of him. As chapter two opens Elijah was aware of his approaching death. Yet, he did not display any unwillingness todepart this life, nor did he fear the unseen world thatwas ahead of him. Elijah willingly accepted what was about to happen for he knew that God's divine purposeswould be continued by someone else. Elijah knew thathe was ready to go. And so, he was content to let God's will be done. Not a single word of objection is heard fromthe great prophet Elijah as he approaches his death.
The second lesson to be learned is, Elijah was absorbed with spiritual things. During the Elijah's life he was not afraid to confront error. When the religious people began teaching error one could count on Elijahstanding up and being counted on the Lord's side (e. g.when Elijah confronted the worshippers of Baal on Mt.Carmel to prove that Jehovah was God; 1 Kings 18).Elijah confronted kings when they began losing God astheir focal point (2 Chron. 21). Elijah performed manymiracles and helped many people during his life of devotion to God. Yet, as death approached, Elijah didnot stop doing good. His final journey to his homelandwas full of service to others as well as meditation upon God. Elijah's future reward was ahead of him. The things of this world no longer concerned him. The unseen world, the coming change, the things of heaven,occupied his efforts and his thoughts. Elijah was on hisfinal journey home and as the end drew closer his mindwas still fixed on the things of God.
The third lesson to be learned is, Elijah had regard forand was devoted to his follower, Elisha. When a personis facing the prospect of death it is not uncommon for himto be occupied with himself and consequently to losesight of others around him. However, this was not the case with Elijah. He did not want to be a burden to
Elisha. So, Elijah tried to encourage him to go backhome. Elisha refused. As the two men traveled down the road to Elijah's homeland Elisha must have learned many things by observing how Elijah stood fast in theface of death without fear. Elijah probably wonderedhow God's will would be accomplished after he was gone.So, the time Elijah spent with Elisha was very crucial.
The fourth lesson to be learned is that Elisha took upthe mantle. Elisha was more than a servant to Elijah.They were friends. After Elijah had passed on Elishabecame the full-fledged successor of his master. Elishaproceeded with the same type of work that Elijah haddone. A work that was focused upon honoring God (helping the needy, performing miracles, giving adviceto the needy, giving advice to the king, acting as a spokesman for God). Elisha knew what had to be done.The responsibility of a prophet was tremendous, but Elisha assumed that responsibility and met the challenges that were before him and took up the mantle.
What are we to do? When a congregation loses someone of quiet dignity, thoughtful wisdom, a man whoseloyalty was to God, a dedicated servant of family andchurch, he will be missed.
The time is upon each member to step forward andtake up the mantle that has fallen. Be the kind of personhe was, strive to give all that you can, do the things thathe did, be the quality leader he was, do as much for theLord's work as he did.
When a great leader passes from this world we are reminded that we must "take up the mantle" that hasfallen and continue God's work as Elisha did.
An aging movie actress spoke philosophically of herdeclining years, "I look forward to oblivion. I'm what is known as gradually disintegrating. I don't fear the next world, or anything. I don't fear hell, and I don't look forward to haven... I find all life thrilling. I like to write, Ilike to paint, I like to play tennis, I like to swim. I don't like depressing stories about the inevitability of someone going down the drain. Getting old? I think it's unhealthy. Why should anyone want to see that. They'reall going to get old, they're all going to fade away. "
Upon hearing these comments, one is left to wonderif there is nothing more to look forward to than "oblivion. " As each of us gets older or "gradually disintegrates, " will there be nothing more than writing, painting, swimming, playing tennis or being totally consumed in whatever it is we enjoy doing? You would thinkthat most who face the proximity of death would be moreconcerned about what lies beyond.
While a youth, feelings of seeming immortality gripus. Life is ahead of us. We have the world by the tail.We're invincible. But like it or not, the "evil days come"and often more rapidly than we had expected (cf. Ecclesiastes 12: 1-8). Wrinkles appear. Muscles and jointsweaken. Bones creak. Vision falters. Gray hair conquers. Youthful vigor fades. "... then the dust will return to the earth as it was. " "Surely every man at his bestis a mere breath. Surely every man walks about as aphantom" (Psalm 39: 4-5). "You are just a vapor thatappears for a little while and then vanishes away"(James 4: 14).
And then... oblivion? Secularism provides no answers. The evolutionist can look forward to nothing more, nor the atheist. At least, "new age" thinkingprovides some hope for a future of some sort, howbeit anunappealing and false hope. Are there any answers to beuncovered for the conclusion of our existence upon earth? Only in the word of God do we find the answersto life's most important questions. Questions dealing with man's origin, purpose in life, his suffering and state after death are resolved here and here alone.
While the "next world" may seem to be unimportantto the person full of youth, it should be of great concernto all since all will ultimately encounter it. For theChristian, getting old is not a curse, because only theyhave a reason to be confident about what lies beyond.With each passing day, Christians can say with assurance, "for now salvation is nearer to us than when webelieved" (Romans 13: 11). By God's grace, they havebeen promised "an inheritance which is imperishableand undefiled and will not fade away, reserved inheaven for you" (1 Peter 1: 4). Christians know,regard-less of how enjoyable life has been, the best isyet to come. "In Thy (God's) presence is fullness of joy;In Thy right hand there are pleasures forevermore"(Psalm 16: 11).
Without hope... what a sad, miserable way to growold! When death comes knocking at your door (and itwill, maybe even before you grow old), will you beprepared for what comes next? Listen to the words of theSon of God, "Do not lay up for yourselves treasures uponearth, where moth and rust destroy, and where thievesbreak in and steal. But lay up for yourselves treasuresin heaven, where thieves do not break in and steal; forwhere your treasure is, there will your heart be also"(Matthew 6: 19-21). Hope in this world, its luxuries andits pleasures, is sure to disappoint.
Looking forward to oblivion? Not me? Looking forward to reincarnation? Not me! Looking forward to a paradise on earth (as some religious groups erroneouslyteach)? Not me! Looking forward to heaven? Absolutely!Only in the presence of God and in His service can thethirst of man be quenched (Psalm 42: 1-2; 63: 1;Ecclesiastes 3: 11; Matthew 5: 6; John 10: 10). "... andHis bond-servants shall serve Him" (Revelation 21: 3).That beats oblivion any day!
In bro. Connie Adams's excellent editorial, "The Open Sewer, " (STS, Jan. 1991) he compared today's TV entertainment to an open sewer in our living rooms. Itis an apt comparison and not at all exaggerated. He observed that TV is saturated with (1) profanity, (2) coarse speech, (3) gore, (4) hedonism, and (5)humanism. He mentioned that even Sesame Street and children's cartoons are filled with humanism and evolution.
But the solution to the problem which Bro. Adams didnot dare to suggest is really the only solution. We mustget the sewer out of our living rooms! In my judgment,TV is beyond control. It is impossible to keep those fivethings from being present if we have a TV set in our home. American-saturated TV in South Africa is bad enough; US television is even worse. The "best" of programs are apt to have sexually suggestive scenes,humanistic solutions of problems, and the clear toleration of fornication. It is impossible to be selective enoughto keep those things out while the TV set is in your home!
"Finally, brethren, whatever is true, whatever ishonorable, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is to good repute, if there is any excellence and if anything worthy of praise, let yourmind dwell on these things. The things you have learnedand received and heard and seen in me, practice thesethings; and the God of peace shall be with you" (Phil. 4: 89). Can you say that today your mind is on those thingsbecause of the three hours of television you watched lastnight? Bro. Adams talked about our children. I am talking about us parents. Our minds are affected bywhat we watch just as our children are. If we are goingto be kept pure, if we are going to keep our minds on those things which are honorable, right, lovely and ofgood repute, we must not let our minds be led by the opensewer of television. Trying to get good things out of TVis like trying to find good food in a garbage can; it ispossible, but you get awfully smelly doing it!
Our five sons were reared in a mostly TV-less environment and I don't think they missed anything worthwhile. Our two oldest sons have banished TV from their homes, and their children seem not to be suffering.Helen and I manage to get along quite well without TV. It really can be done. It might be harder than giving upsmoking, but after you have broken the TV habit you will be glad you did.
Is giving up TV too difficult for you to contemplate?Jesus said, "If your right hand makes you stumble, cutit off, and throw it from you; for it is better for you that
one of the parts of your body perish, than for your whole body to go into hell" (Matt. 5: 30). God needs tosee a bunch of Christians walking around with bloody
The above states a simple fact, but did you everwonder why Nehemiah threw in that bit of informationwhen telling of the occasion when he went into the presence of Artaxerxes with a sad countenance becauseof the news he had received of the condition of things inhis beloved Jerusalem? When the king noticed his sadness, Nehemiah was "sore afraid" and prayed to God(Neh. 1: 1-4); yet he noted (v. 6) that the queen wassitting by the king!
Who was this queen? It must have been Esther! Whatother queen would a Jewish prophet have noticed under the circumstances? No doubt he knew of the choosing ofEsther as queen thirteen years before and of the tense circumstances under which she had approached theking on behalf of her Jewish countrymen (Est. 5) afterMordecai had urged her to act on behalf of the Jews,saying "... who knoweth whether thou art come to thekingdom for such a time as this?"
Hence, because of Esther's intercession for her owncountrymen, the Jews (including Nehemiah) had beensaved from death in the plot of Haman against them.This fact, alone would have been sufficient reason forhim to take note of her presence at his tense momentbefore the king.
Don't let the fact that the king of Esther's day is called"Ahasuerus" and the king in Nehemiah's day is called"Artaxerxes, " confuse your mind. Before this other kingshad been called by these names. Cyrus established theMedo-Persian Empire with the capture of Babylon in538 BC. That year he fulfilled a prophecy of Isaiah
(44: 28), that he should order the rebuilding of Jerusalem. He sent Sheshbazzar (Jewish name was Zerubabbel) to lead the return of the Jews to Jerusalem. Cyruswas succeeded as king by his son Cambyses II, who wascalled Ahasuerus (Ez. 4: 6). To him the enemies of the Jews brought accusations against the Jews in Jerusalem with no success. Cambyses was followed by theusurper, Gomates (also called Pseudo-Smerdis) because he replaced Cambyses' brother, Smerdis. During his 6 mo. reign, the Jews' enemies wrote a letter to him as Artaxerxes (Ez. 4: 7-16), and succeeded in getting him to stop the work of the Jews in building their Temple
(v. 24). That work was not resumed until the reign ofDarius (521-486 BC). Darius was succeeded by his son,Xerxes (486-465). Some think he was the husband ofEsther,
and date the Book of Esther at 480 B. C. This could not be for several reasons.
The Proof:
"Then the people of the land tried to discourage the people of Judah... and hired counselors against themto frustrate their purpose (in building the Temple—JEN) all the days of Cyrus, king of Persia, even until the reign of Darius, king of Persia: (Ez. 4: 4, 5) The only kings of Persia between Cyrus and Dariuswere Cambyses II (529-522) and the usurper, Gomates, or Pseudo-Smerdis (7 months in 522). The first one is called Ahasuerus in verse 6, and the second is called Artaxerxes in verse 7 of Ez. 4. Cambyses ignored them, but Gomates acted for themand ordered construction of the Temple stopped (Ez. 4:24) After Gomates was assassinated by Darius andsix other princes who used various means of finding out who he was and after Darius became king, theprophets Haggai and Zechariah spoke out and Zerubbabel began work on the Temple. Tattenai, theGovernor, and the people beyond the river (Euphrates)accosted them and wrote a letter to Darius reportingtheir activity (Ez. 5). Then Darius ordered that a search be made in the archives of the state, and atAchmetha (Ecbatana, ancient capital of Media) there was found the decree which had been issued by Cyrusin 538 BC. (2 Chr. 36: 22, 23; Ez. 1: 1-4). Then Dariusissued orders that legalized the work on the Temple(Ez. 6: 1-12). The work had been stopped in 522 and Darius came to power in 521, so the delay in the buildinghad lasted only about a year. The Temple was finishedin the 6th year of Darius, 516 BC. (Ez. 6: 15). He reigned 521-486 BC.
The decrees which made possible the rebuilding ofthe Temple, city and walls are summarized in Ez. 6: 14, and include the decree made by Artaxerxes authorizingEzra to go to Jerusalem (Ez. 7: 11-26) in the 7th year ofhis reign and the permission given to Nehemiah in the20th year of his reign (Neh. 2: 1-8). Hence, it is clear thatthe Ahasuerus to whom the Samaritans wrote was the Ahasuerus who reigned before the Temple wasfinished; namely, Cambyses II, son of Cyrus, whoreigned 529-522 Be (Ez. 4: 6). The Temple was finishedin 516 BC.
Charles Pfeiffer in Between The Testaments,Baker Book House 1963, p. 42, ignored the fact that thepeople of the land wrote to Ahasuerus before the Temple was finished and concluded that the Ahasuerus of Esther was Xerxes, the son and successor ofDarius I because he was called Ahasuerus. Also Davis Dictionary of the Bible, Baker Bk. House, 1980, p. 20makes the same mistake. In fairness, however, both ofthem admit that the older interpreters thought the Ahasuerus in Ez. 4: 6 was Cambyses, the son of Byrus.
Just What Did The Old Interpreters Say?
According to most ancient authorities Esther's husband, Ahasuerus, was Artaxerxes, the son of Xerxes,who reigned 40 years (465-425 BC). Note the following:
The Septuagint Version of the Old Testament,made about 250 B. C. in Alexandria by translatingthe Hebrew O. T. into the Greek language, calls him Artaxerxes in Est. 1: 1.
The Apocryphal book, "Additions To The Book of
Esther" calls him Artaxerxes.
Flavius Josephus, Jewish historian, who lived in thefirst century A. D., says he was Artaxerxes (Ant. XI, 6:1).
Prideaux's O. T. and N. T. Connected, written in 1717-1718, says he was Artaxerxes (Vol. 1, Bk. 4, p. 221).
Clarke's Commentary, finished in 1817 says he wasArtaxerxes (Notes on Esther 1: 1). 'The Ahasuerus of the Romans, the Artaxerxes of the Greeks and the Ardsheerof the Persians are the same. "
Identifying Esther's Husband
Following is a chronological count-down from the first year of the reigns of Xerxes and Artaxerxes to theseventh year of the same at which time Esther married Ahaseurus, as Artaxerxes is called in the Book of Esther: Xerxes Artaxerxes
(486-465 BC) (465-425 BC)
Xerxes' wife was Amerstris Penquin Classics:
Herodotus, The Histories,Book VII, p. 479ff). Not Vashti.
Xerxes enthroned 486 BC Artaxerxes enthroned
Began reign building an army 465 BC
to put down a rebellion in
Egypt. Sent army to Egypt in
first year of reign. See ibid. 3rd yr. of reign, 462 VII, pp. 442, 443. conducted a 6-month
Spent 4 years after Egypt feast at Susa in the
(486-481) amassing troops for Shushan palace — Est. invasion of Greece, ibid. p. 452 1: 3, 4
Toward close of 5th year
(481 BC) began march toward
Sardis. ibid. 452 Wintered in
Sardis (481-480) ibid. 458 In
Spring of 6th year invaded
Greece, 480 BC and his Navy
defeated at the Battle of
Salamis. ibid. pp. 547-556, or
any Encyclopedia.
In his 7th year his army In Artaxerxes' 7th
defeated at Plataea (479 BC). year (458 BC) the 5th ibid. pp. 597-603, or any month Ezra was sent to
Encyclopedia. Jerusalem—Ez. 7: 8
XERXES WAS IN GREECE The same yr., 10th mo. THE 7TH YEAR OF HIS he married Esther—
REIGN! Est. 2: 16.
A Study In Character
A contrast of the men—Xerxes and Artaxerxes should shed some light on the subject.
Xerxes, the son of Darius Hystaspes by Atossa, thedaughter of Cyrus, was a man of war and a schemingtyrant who was unmerciful to his enemies. Ascending the Persian throne at age 25, he put down a rebellion inEgypt. Next he attempted to conquer Greece, a venture inwhich his father had failed. Xerxes reportedly attachedGreece with a two-million man army and over a thousandships. Pontoon bridges were built across the Hellespont and Xerxes is said to have taken his golden bedstead along! After the Greeks destroyed his fleet and army, hefled back to Sardis where he tried unsuccessfully to takehis brother, Masistes' wife. Amestris, Xerxes' wife learned of her husband's waywardness and took her spite out on Masistes' wife by having her nose, ears, lips,tongue and breasts cut off and fed to the dogs! Afterthe death of this poor mutilated woman and the murder of Masistes, who had refused to give up hiswife, Xerxes returned to Susa and was murdered inhis bedroom by his uncle by name of Artabanas. Thusthe evil deeds of this profligate king brought himdown to the grave. Herodotus, a Greek historian ofthat day tells all this and much more about thisblood-thirsty, immoral king. (See Penguin Classics,Herodotus The Histories, Bk. 9, pp. 619-621).
Over against this, Artaxerxes "Longimanus" (meaning "long handed" was a benevolent king."Longimanus" evidently had nothing to do with thesize of his hands, but with the size of his kingdom andextent of his power. He ruled over 120 provinces fromIndia to Ethiopia. Though he was misled by Hamanin a plot to destroy the Jews, he had a Jew, Mordecai, inhigh position in the palace. He called off the destruction of the Jews after Esther made her pleafor them and Haman was ingloriously hanged. Also,the king gave Ezra permission to lead a group of Jewsto Jerusalem in 458 BC and allowed his cup-bearer, Nehemiah, to go in 444 to rebuild the walls. After 12years (according to his agreement with the king),Nehemiah returned to Susa and "after certain days... obtained leave from the king" and went to Jerusalem again and served as Governor. Seven years later,Artaxerxes died. Thus passed a 40-year reign inwhich a great king seems to have been influenced forgood toward the people of God by a daughter of Israel,who after 13 years of marriage to a king was still"sitting by him. "
On January 22, 1992 funeral services were conducted in Perry, Florida for J. Ed Nowlin, who passedfrom this life January 19, 1992 after a noble battle against cancer. Kent Heaton, Danny Roberts, andCharles Murray assisted this writer in paying tributeto a grand soldier of the cross. The following is theaddress I made on that occasion.
Today we are reminded, soberly reminded, howfragile life is. Bro. Nowlin seemed ageless, invincible, but death has once again invaded our quiet existenceand taken captive a strong a vibrant soldier of Christ. His leaving will leave a void that will be hard to fill.
James Edward Nowlin, known by most as "Ed, " was
born on October 28, 1909 in Chattanooga, TN. He was reborn in 1929, at the age of twenty, when he responded to the gospel of Christ during a meeting heldby Clarence Cook at East Chattanooga. As a new Christian, he could be seen carrying his Bible to work atthe grocery store and would read it during break time. Hesought to share the truth with others with whom hecame in contact.
Some of his first preaching was done in Sale Creek, TNand in 1931 he rode his motorcycle to that village to fill the pulpit. It was there that he met Miss Ola Crawley, theyoungest of nine children. One of her brothers is thevenerable Bruce Crawley, now of Athens, AL. Ed wasimmediately and totally smitten by her loveliness andcharm and it appears that he never did quite regain hisequilibrium. All the way home, he talked to that motorcycle about his intention of one day marrying Miss Ola.
Ed finished high school early and then attended DavidLipscomb College when it was a two-year school. In 1934, he began preaching in Athens, TN, and on August 4, 1935,he fulfilled the promise he had made to the motorcycle andmarried the lovely Ola Crawley. "Till death do as part"was not said in haste or in jest, and they kept that solemnoath to each other for 56 1/2 years. We salute their commitment to each other and to the Lord before whom they had made that pledge. May the day come again thattheir example will be followed and marriage for life will bethe rule and not the exception.
In 1937, the Nowlins moved to Sparta, TN and workedin the vineyard for four years. From there they moved toa "mission field" in Johnson City, TN. For awhile, the newwork met in a school house. He labored in that city foreight years.
At the age of 40, he moved to Maryville, TN and workedwith that church until 1951.
In 1951, the Nowlins moved to Atlanta, GA and beganworking with the West End church. He was there for eight years, and it was during this time that the institutionalissues were being hotly contested. Bro. Nowlin lost apulpit because he founded his preaching upon the ancient principles of New Testament authority. But when onedoor slammed, another door opened across town and hefound open arms in the brethren at Glenwood Hills inDecatur, GA. He labored faithfully and effectively there for thirteen years until 1971. During that time he receiveda degree in History from Georgia State and taught schoolpart-time.
Ed and Ola moved to Perry, FL in 1971 and he preachedthere for a number of years before retiring from the pulpit.He was appointed an elder of the church and served in thatcapacity for 17 years until his death.
Bro. Nowlin did a considerable amount of writing.Searching the Scriptures recently published an article onthe Virgin Birth of Christ. He published several Biblework books, including O. T. Studies, Marriage and theHome, and 400 Silent Years (The Period Between theTestaments). He also published a 26 lesson Correspondence Course.
Throughout a half-century of preaching, Ed Nowlinconducted many funerals, including those for my wife's maternal and paternal grandparents. He has been a source of comfort to many and we feel a debt of gratitudeas we make this feeble attempt to comfort his family in their loss.
Precious memories, how they linger! I recall a firmhand shake that was indicative of his physical strength and of his delight to see you. For a man in his eighties,he had uncommon strength which he exerted, not forviolence, but for the gentle care of his beloved Ola.
I remember a wide grin and a boyish laugh. He was abrilliant man, but he had the heart of a child. It was anendearing virtue.
Living simply was a virtue and not a burden.
Ed Nowlin was one of the most studious, seriousstudents of the Bible that I have known. He was meticulous in his handling of the Word and he encouraged thatin others. I remember an occasion, in my early years ofpreaching when he gently corrected a statement I hadmade in a sermon. I had said that old Adam didn't have a thing to do in the garden, but he found time tointroduce sin into the world. After the service, bro.Nowlin quietly took me aside and pointed out that Godhas given Adam the responsibility "to dress and keep" the garden of Eden (Genesis 2: 15). I thanked him for thecorrection, said so in the following service and have not made that particular mistake again! Other preacherscan tell similar stories. If he got his pen and pad out andstarted writing during your sermon, you could expect agentle reminder of what the good Book says.
Ed Nowlin's preaching style was not flamboyant—just simple, straight-forward preaching. He loved theTruth, the Lord, the Lord's people, and the lost. He wasfaithful in service, a faithful steward of God. As was saidof Barnabas, "he was a good man. " Good men have their faults, but the God they serve is longsuffering andforgiving. Bro. Nowlin was not perfect, but he wasblameless. He is a worthy example.
When the aged, imprisoned apostle wrote the secondletter to Timothy, he was aware that the "time of mydeparture is come" (4: 6). He faced the prospect of death with courage and hope. Near the end, it was evident thatbro. Nowlin knew that all hope of recovery was gone andspoke freely of his impending departure. His courageousoutlook toward death buoyed the spirits of those whowere being left behind. He was able to accept the realityof death for the same reason that Paul could, he hadfought the good fight, finished the course, kept the faith (2 Timothy 4: 7, 8). Sixty-two years of faithful service toChrist helped Ed Nowlin look death squarely in the face with hope.
We will miss this grand gentleman and soldiergreatly, but we rejoice that he can rest from his laborsand the anguish of a diseased body. Today we view hisfuture and ours with hope as we look forward to our gathering home, beyond the sunset, with him and all thesaints.
Do you pray to God everyday? (Daniel 6: 10, 13)
How often have we felt tired and frustrated, asthough things just never work out right for us? What's that old song from Hew Haw, "If it weren't for back luck, I'd have no luck at all?" Perhaps all of us feel this waysometimes, and certainly Christians are no exception.Then comes the confusion over the 28th verse of Romans chapter 8 which reads, "And we know all things worktogether for good to them that love God, to them who are the called according to his purpose. " Does this versepromise us that things will always go well for us in thislife, and that there will be no pain or heartache ortrouble? It really doesn't say that, but many have misunderstood it to mean just that. When you study thatverse in its context it becomes clear that Paul was dealing with the blessings to be found in Christ, and howGod cares for His people, and that He was not promisingheaven here on earth.
The 8th chapter of Romans begins by saying, "Thereis therefore now no condemnation to them which are in Christ Jesus, who walk not after the flesh, but after the Spirit. " Here is the relationship, "in Christ. " And in thenext three verses Paul shows that what the law could not do God did in Christ, making us free from the law ofsin and death. In the next several verses Paul explainsthat we must meet the condition of walking after theSpirit and not after the flesh, and that this is done bysetting our mind on the things of the Spirit (the revealedword of God — 1 Cor. 2: 10-11; Eph. 3: 3-5) and not onthe things of the earth. In the 14th verse Paul affirmsthat those who are thus led by the Spirit are the sons ofGod; that the Spirit bears witness with our spirits to thisfact, and that as children we must expect to sufferwith Christ in order to inherit. But that suffering isnothing compared to the glory that is to be revealed (v. 18). In the next few verses Paul shows that all of thecreation suffers in this life, but that when we whoare the children of God don't even know what we should pray for the Spirit helps "with groanings which cannotbe uttered" (v. 26). It is then because of this relationshipthat we have with the Christ, and God's blessing of usthrough His Spirit that He can say to us, "and we knowthat all things works together for good to them that loveGod" (v. 28). And finally Paul ends the chapter byshowing "if God be for us, who can be against us?" (v. 31).
The fact that all things WORK TOGETHER FORGOOD does not mean that all things ARE good. Earlier in the Roman letter Paul wrote: "And not only so, but weglory in tribulations also: knowing that tribulationworketh patience; and patience, experience; and experience, hope: And hope maketh not ashamed; because the love of God is shed abroad in our hearts by the HolySpirit which is given unto us" (Romans 5: 3-5). EvenJames says, "My brethren, count it all joy when he fall into divers temptations; Knowing this, that the trying ofyour faith worketh patience. But let patience have herperfect work, that ye may be perfect and entire, wantingnothing" (James 1: 3-4). There is something to belearned, and something to be gained even by trouble andhard times and yes, even by temptation. This doesn't make these things any more enjoyable, but they worktogether for good to produce in us steadfastness and astronger faith. James wrote: "Blessed is the man thatendureth temptation: for when he is tired, he shallreceive the crown of life, which the Lord hath promisedto them that love him" (James 1: 12). The ones "that lovehim" here in verse 12 are the same ones described in Romans 8: 28 for whom "all things work together forgood. "
How do I know if I love God? Jesus said it well in John 14: "If a man love me, he will keep my words: andmy Father will love him, and we will come unto him, and make our abode with him. He that loveth me not keepeth not my sayings: and the word which ye hear isnot mine, but the Father's which sent me" (John 14: 2324). If you love God it will be shown in your obedienceto whatever God has asked of you in His word. So it isto those who obey God that this promise is made, thatall things work together for good.
As long as we live in this world we will have pain.There will still sometimes be periods of frustration anddisgust with ourselves as we struggle with properlyapplying God's word in our own lives. But once we begin to get this all in perspective, remembering that whatever we may suffer here is nothing compared to eternallife, then we begin to more quickly resolve the frustration and get on with living. Paul told the Corinthians,"for our light affliction, which is but for a moment,worketh for us a far more exceeding and eternal weightof glory; while we look not at the things which are seen,but at the things are not seen: for the things which are seen are temporal; but the things which are not seen areeternal" (2 Cor. 4: 17-18). Its only when we let our sightsdrop down so that we are focused on the problems of thislife and failing to look at the goal, the big picture, that weallow frustration and distress to over run our lives. Keep your eyes on the goal, and remember that whatever maycome in this life that for those who love God and obeyHim "all things work together for good. "
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B. G. ECHOLS, 7 Ridgewood Ave., Glen Ridge, New Jersey07028—Six were baptized at the church in East Orange, N. J. duringthe last half of 1991. Three others were identified with us. Several home studies continue which we pray will lead to additional converts. We completed three new classrooms for our study programs.
CLASS ON TEACHING JAMES L. SLOAN, P. O. Box 73024, Houston, TX 77090—The Kleinwood church in Houston, Texas has planned special classes ontraining teachers and improving Bible classes for the week of July 27
31. Some of the confirmed speakers are: Mark and Alicia Kercheville,Betty Haynes, Martin Broadwell, Crystal Hunter, Glenda Schales.There will be both morning and evening sessions. There will be separate classes for men and women, with women teaching onlywomen. We are hoping to improve our teaching program, and inviteas many visitors as we have room for. You can reserve a spot by writing us at: 11811 Misty Valley Dr., Houston, TX 77066. If you would liketo stay in the home of one of our families please contact Robert & Martha Banning, 3902 Marywood, Spring, TX 77388 (phone 713-3532309).
W. C. (BILLY) ASHWORTH, 2148 Nashville Hwy., Columbia,TN 38401 -941ft—1991 was the first year I have not done located worksince 1953. It required quite an adjustment but that has been made. But I have been active in preaching and teaching the gospel. We aremembers of the Collegevue church here where I teach an adult Bibleclass every Wednesday night and have preached on occasion whenJim Deason, the regular preacher, has been away. About 40% of the members are under the age of twenty. It is a joy to be a part of thespiritual and numerical growth here. I have preached many Sundaysby appointment. My health is excellent. I am available to preach inmeetings as well as on Lord's days when I can be of assistance.
I have the following subjects which would be suitable for week-longor week-end meetings: Why I Believe That God Is; The Man Called Jesus (Christ in prophecy, virgin birth, early life, baptism, temptations, earthly ministry, trials, crucifixion, resurrection, authority, thejudge of all, and his plan of salvation. Other subjects include: The HolySpirit, Proper Rules for Bible Study, Secular Humanism, Homosexuality/Lesbianism, The Family as God Ordained It, and Prayer (one ofmy favorites). You can reach me at the above address or call 615-3888355.
PATRICK L. KELLY, P. O. Box 822, Portland, Maine 04104—In 1991 six were baptized here. Two of these fell away. We have seen growth in other members Support continues to be a struggle Thebrethren here are doing all they can The cost of living is high here butthe economy is poor
JIM ZACHARY, P. O. Box 1466, Mountain View, AR 72560—In1991 I preached gospel meetings at North Desoto church inShre-veport, LA where John Lasater preaches, Ben, AR where Clell Cook and Kenny Brackett preach, Briscoe, AR where Jackie PricePreaches, Batesville, AR where John Ledgerwood labors and Rogersville, TN where Marshall Stubblefield preaches There are good brethren in all these places and these men are strong andfaithful The work at Eastside continues to go well Our Sundaymorning radio broadcast can be heard throughout Arkansas and southern Missouri It is at 8 45 Sunday mornings on KWOZ 103 3 FM Visit us when in the Ozarks
MIKE MILES, 1200 Handel Dr., Virginia Beach, VA 23464—In the past 17 months we have baptized 30 here and have grown from 75to more than 100 The number is down some now We have moved to a new location and some who opposed this decided not to come with usWe have moved from the old location at 1415 Oceana Blvd to a rental property in Chesapeake, VA at 802-B Live Oak Dr We are averaging85 and, have excellent prospects for growth We are now known as theTidewater Church of Christ We are just two miles off I-64 off theBattlefield Blvd exit We can now draw from Chesapeake, VirginiaBeach, Portsmouth, Norfolk and Suffolk More than 1 5 million live inthis geographical area and we are right in the middle of it If you know of military people being transferred here or others please ask them tocontact us You may call me at 804-427-9677, or Dave Haga 804-4633379, or Robert Johnston 804-427-5669
FROM AROUND THE WORLD OPEN DOOR IN LITHUANIA—During the last week of November,1991, Steve Wallace and Derek Chambers visited two of the Baltic states, Lithuania and Latvia, to teach the gospel They found anextremely good response in Vilnius, Lithuania As a result, SteveWallace will be returning to Vilnius with Harry Osborne in late Aprilthis year intending to work through early June, the Lord willingTheir purpose will be to establish a local church there Since brotherWallace lives in Ramstein, Germany, he will be able to follow up in thework done They need to locate tracts in the two predominant languages spoken in Vilnius, Lithuanian and Russian, which will bereproduced and handed out for study If you know of such material,please contact Harry Osborne, 1606 Crown Dr, Alvin, TX 77511,phone 713-331-9305 or 331-4953 If you know of a local church orindividual that would agree to help reproduce such material, pleaselet them know Please keep this effort in your prayers that the wordof God will have free course and that souls might be saved (Reportsent by Harry Osborne)
SOUTH AFRICA—Paul Williams reports 26 baptized during 1991 by members at Eshowe His last two reports mention three more inEshowe in January, 1992 Gene Tope was in an 11 day meeting therein December in which three obeyed the gospel Brother Williams alsoreports a good brother being gunned down in Soweto while on duty inhis police work He also reported that some other brethren are indanger from the unrest in Esikhawim where a number of people havebeen killed and where houses were burned Pray for our brethrenthere and for all the people
GLENCOE, ONTARIO, CANADA—According to a bulletin fromBrian V Sullivan at Wellandport, ONT, three were baptized during a gospel meeting at Glencoe in which David Spiece preached
PHILIPPINES—JULIE D. A. NOTARTE reports several efforts with fellow-preachers Rosendo Lamodin, Godofredo Catamora, Romeo Areglo and Rosendo Lamodin in which a total of seven werebaptized
PREACHERS NEEDED MERIDIAN, MISSISSIPPI—The church meeting at 2914 Seventh Street needs a preacher We have had two men during the last twenty-six years They were Horace Huggins and Milton Harris We have 6570 in attendance, own the building where we have met for forty yearsand own a house for the preacher next door to the building We need
a man by June, 1992 or sooner if possible Brethren who know uswell include Bill Cavendar, Granville Tyler, Barney Keith, DavidThom-ley, James R. Cope, Ed Bragwell, Marshall Patton, LynnHuggins, Sewell Hall and many others Contact Michael Gay (601485-5229), Lewis Robbins (601-483-3003), or Ronnie Beech (601693 4860)
DEATH AMONG US
FORD CARPENTER (1917-1991)
With sadness we report the death of another faithful proclaimer ofthe gospel Ford Carpenter passed to his eternal reward on November14, 1991 He had been suffering from cancer until finally his heart alsogave out early on the morning of his death To know Ford was torespect him and he shall be sorely missed, especially in SouthernCalifornia
He was born in Ardmore, Oklahoma on May 21, 1917 and married Lessie Mae in December, 1937 In July, they moved toOntario, CA For several years Ford was song leader for the Ontariocongregation He taught singing for congregations through the yearsAfter moving to South Gate, CA he attended training classes conducted by L. L. Stout When they moved back to Ontario, Fordpreached his first sermon
He then moved to Amarillo, TX to work with Hoyt Houchen for overtwo years Moving back to southern CA he began work with the Springand Delta church in Long Beach where he labored on two occasionsHe also preached at Napa, Fontana, Culver City Canoga Park,Montclair and for the past six years in Apple Valley All in SouthernCA except for Napa in northern CA
The funeral was conducted by this writer with the help of DavidPosey. on Nov. 18, 1991 at the Ontario, CA church building Over300 were in attendance We became close friends over the years and spent many hours discussing the many problems facing the Lord's people and in him I found one that was greatly concerned aboutmuch liberalism that seemed to us to be gaming a foothold, evenamong conservative brethren
Ford leaves behind his wife, Lessie Mae, a daughter, Carol Elmoreand a son, Ken There are several grandchildren and great grandchildren They will all miss him as we all shall He never hesitated tospeak out, either in defense of truth or in condemnation of error Wecan ill afford to lose such men The cross of Christ has one less soldier to bear the message of salvation to lost men But there will be manywho, as a result of his preaching and teaching, will carry on the Lord's work
—Bill Mosely, Folsom, CA
ERVIN RICH Ervin Rich, deacon at Sun Valley church in Birmingham, AL diedDecember 27, 1991 at age 67 The funeral was conducted by LloydBarker and Richard Weaver Lynn Headrick conducted the gravesideservice, assisted by Kyle Pope A native of Tompkinsville, KY, heserved in World War II receiving the Purple Heart, after discharge hemoved to Birmingham and worked for the L and N Railroad as anengineer until retirement five years ago. On the side he also workedwith Sun Valley Home Builders, Inc. He built the buildings at Pinson(which he helped start), Gardendale and North Gardendale where hepreached the first sermon in the new building He also remodeled theTrussville building and built the preacher's homes for Huffman, Pinson and Sun Valley
He was known and loved among brethren in this area He helpedothers to begin the Sun Valley work They met at first in a temporaryplace behind his house and had 90 present at the first service Theymoved into a new building in 1971 where they now have 180-200 onSunday mornings Over the years he and his wife personally helpedsupport a number of preachers in addition to their liberal contributions to churches They were given to hospitality and entertained many in their home He preached at Wheeler's Grove in Cullman County for awhile and filled in at numerous places He made two preaching trips to Jamaica with Lloyd Barker and David Tant, goingat his own expense He was truly addicted to the ministry of the saintsWe will always remember "our beloved brother" Ervin Rich By hisgifts "he being dead yet speaketh" (Heb 11: 4) —Richard Weaver, Fultondale, AL
(EDITOR'S NOTE I knew both these brethren and esteemed them highly in the Lord Both of them were personal encouragementsto me when I preached in the areas where they lived Also, note the article
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elsewhere in this issue by Gary Ogden about the death of J. Ed Nowlinof Perry, Florida. He was also a friend. I had intended writing a pieceabout him until I received this one from brother Ogden who said it better than I could have. My brethren, the ranks are thinning. Wemust do all we can to encourage younger men to enter the work and to follow the worthy example of such men as these whose deaths we are saddened to report. Our sympathies are extended to the familiesof these three noble servants of God. You know, the prospect of heavengrows brighter every day. )
LAY-OUT WORK Donnie V. Rader will be handling the lay-out work for STS. He hasbeen doing this part of our work ever since June when he began whatwas meant to be a three months stint to give the editor some relief.That turned into a much longer time. My Doctor has released me now to go on about my work as before with the warning that I must usesome "common sense" about my back (When I told my wife that, she said, "We may be in trouble there"), but it will still be a great relief to me not to have to do this lay-out work. Donnie does it well, far betterthan I could hope to do it. Once again I thank him for his kindness and willingness to help in the operation of the paper. I will continue mywork as editor, all but the paste-ups.
***********TO NORWAY AGAIN
By the time you receive this issue of STS, the editor and wife shouldhave returned from a gospel meeting with the small congregation inBergen, Norway where Tom Bunting, Terrell Bunting and theirfamilies are laboring for the Lord. They asked us to come and the goodchurch at Manslick Road in Louisville has made it possible for us to squeeze that into the schedule for the year. This required cutting onemonth off the winter classes I teach annually here. They supported usin the effort. We will carry a brief notice about the work there and themeeting later.
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COLOR, COLOR, COLOR
For a long time, friends of the paper advised that we ought to add some color to the cover of the paper to make it more attractive to theeye. We have done that. Trouble is, so a number of art design peoplehave told us, we added TOO MUCH color. Some readers have complained that the dark blue print over the lighter blue background washard for them to read. So we have decided to back off on color and use it for the masthead and trim on front and back page and keep the copyblack on white as we had it for many years. I THINK we now have it the way we want it. Thanks for your patience and comments.
IN THE NEWS THIS MONTHBAPTISMS 155RESTORATIONS 62
(Taken from bulletins and papers received by the editor)