This Issue...
QUESTIONS ABOUT “THE CHRISTIAN CHURCH” DENOMINATION (2)
Roger D. Campbell
To their shame, some congregations of the church of
Christ practice these very same things! Such
practices are without Biblical authority.
“An interview with a former preacher of the Christian
Church” would be an accurate description of last month’s
article. We printed sixteen questions asked of brother Kent Bailey
about the teachings and practices of the Christian Church. Brother
Bailey’s answers were both interesting and eye opening.
Let’s now consider his answers to ten additional questions.
Following the last question and answer we will make some needful
observations.
17. What do they teach that one must do in order to be
saved (receive the remission of sins)? A: The ICC mainstream
states that they teach Faith, Repentance, Confession, and Baptism
for the remission of sins. However, they do not consistently
practice such. They say one thing, but when pressed on the matter,
most also teach that one can be saved without baptism for the
remission of sins. The few conservative splinter groups oppose the
ICC on this and insist on rebaptizing most that come over to them
from the mainstream of the ICC. Again, these splinter groups are
the exception and not the rule. Most of these splinter groups have
either converted to the truth, died out, or reconnected to the ICC
mainstream.
18. Do they believe in premillennialism? A: The
majority of the ICC are Premillennialists. What few splinter groups
remain usually oppose such, but a few are Premillennial as well.
19. Do they have “special music” with choirs
and soloists performing in worship? A: Both the ICC
mainstream as well as the few splinter groups use choirs, quartets,
solos and various forms of “special music.”
20. Do they believe in once saved, always saved?
A: No, the ICC rejects the doctrine of the Impossibility of
Apostasy.
21. Do they use/distribute denominational literature
such as “The Upper Room?” A: The ICC mainstream uses
all sorts of denominational literature; the few splinter groups
oppose such.
22. Do they raise funds through auctions, cake sales,
and similar means? A: Some of the ICC engage in bake sales,
etc. to raise money, while others oppose such. The splinter groups
would be part of the opposition.
23. Is it common for them to build gymnasiums/family
life centers on church property with church funds? A: The ICC
mainstream has no problem with church sponsored entertainment, so
they are heavily involved in Family Life Centers, etc. The splinter
groups generally oppose such with a few exceptional cases approving
them.
24. Do they believe in the direct operation of the Holy
Spirit? A: The ICC mainstream for the most part believes and
teaches a direct operation of the Holy Spirit, with a few in the
mainstream opposing such. For the most part, the few splinter
groups oppose the direct operation position on the alien, however
they teach a direct operation on the child of God. Many in these
splinter groups also anoint the sick with oil.
25. Do they practice tithing? A: For the most
part, just about all of the ICC (both mainstream and splinter
groups) teach and practice the doctrine of tithing.
26. Can you name any other areas in which the Christian
Church violates the Scriptures? A: The ICC (both mainstream
and splinter groups) do not understand the concept of New Testament
authority. While the few splinter groups are much closer to the
truth than the mainstream, even they do not fully understand the
authority principle. Such is demonstrated by their inclusion of
mechanical instruments of music, special singing groups, etc. On
the other hand, the mainstream of the ICC is nothing more than a
denomination among denominations and has no clearer concept of the
New Testament pattern or the New Testament church than do the
Baptists.
SOME OBSERVATIONS ABOUT THE CHRISTIAN CHURCH DENOMINATION
Based on the answers that brother Bailey supplied to my
questions, plus other available information, we note the following:
1. There is a great diversity among the beliefs and
practices of the Christian Church. Thus, in the interest of
fairness and honesty, rather than stating, “Every group of the
Christian Church teaches such and such,” it would be necessary
to first ask specific questions of those in a particular
congregation of the Christian Church to find out just what that
congregation teaches and practices.
2. While there are indeed a number of areas in which the
beliefs and practices of the Christian Church are unscriptural, it
would be incorrect to say that they are “off” on “about
everything” they teach or do. For example, they do have the
scriptural practice of breaking bread each first day of the week
(Acts 20:7). They also have elders and deacons in their
congregations, and such is in harmony with what the New Testament
teaches (Phil. 1:1). Furthermore, they do reject the doctrine of
the eternal security of believers (”once saved, always
saved”).
3. Brother Bailey noted that the group known as the
“Disciples of Christ” is more liberal in its theology than
other groups that identify themselves as the Christian Church. A
number of years ago I was speaking with my uncle, who at that time
was an elder in a local Christian Church. I asked him if that group
where he was a member was identified with the Disciples of Christ.
He immediately and forcefully said, “No, they’re the
liberals.” I then asked him if his group was associated with
Don DeWelt and others of the Conservative Christian Church that
worked out of Joplin, MO. He said that he had never heard of them.
His answers made it clear that he recognized a vast difference in
the teachings and/or practices of various groups that identify
themselves as the Christian Church denomination, and at the same
time he was unfamiliar with at least one group that might be more
well known to some of us.
4. Perhaps in the past, you have heard or even stated
yourself that the only difference between the Christian Church
denomination and the church of Christ is that the Christian Church
uses mechanical instruments of music in worship to God, but the
Lord’s church does not. That the Christian Church uses such and
the Lord’s church does not is an obvious difference. But, from
what you have read in brother Bailey’s answers to these 26
questions, you’ve seen there is more — yea, a whole bunch
more — that separates the Christian Church denomination from
the church about which we read on the pages of the Bible?
The Christian Church’s (CC) missionary societies are
unauthorized by the Scriptures, and thus wrong (2 John 9). The
CC’s use of women preachers in mixed assemblies is a violation
of 1 Timothy 2:11,12. Having women elders, as some in the CC do, is
out of harmony with the teaching of 1 Timothy 3:2 (”husband of
one wife”). Having fellowship with denominations, as some in
the CC do, is bidding Godspeed to sin, and thus is wrong (2 John
9-11; Eph. 5:11). This list could be expanded to include other
items, but if you will take time to go back over the answers which
brother Bailey presented, you will see for yourself that it is
totally inaccurate to say that the mechanical instrument of music
is “really the only thing that separates us.”
5. In considering the beliefs and practices of some liberal
congregations of the church of Christ, it is disheartening to see
and admit that in a number of aspects, they more closely resemble
the modern-day Christian Church than they do the Lord’s church!
How sad. The similarities between some liberals in the church and
the Christian Church are as plain as the proverbial “nose on
your face” to those who will consider them with an open mind.
Please remember that in some cases, the Christian Church practices
the following: observing religious holidays, observing the
Lord’s supper at times other than the first day of the week,
having special music in worship, having open fellowship with
denominations, and openly accepting those into their fellowship
that were baptized into a denomination. To their shame, some
congregations of the church of Christ practice these very same
things! Such practices are without Biblical authority. We can give
no support to such (2 John 10,11).
It is not our intent to be unkind in our dealings with
anyone. It is due to our love for the brotherhood (1 Peter 2:17)
that we make this plea to our brethren who are in a number of ways
basically “look-a-likes” with the Christian Church in their
beliefs, speech, and action. If you have no intention of returning
to and once again following the New Testament pattern, then would
you please just go ahead and take down the “CHURCH OF
CHRIST” sign in front of your meeting place and hang up a
“CHRISTIAN CHURCH” sign in its place?
[Editor’s Note: At least two other preaching brothers
who left the “Christian Church” have written about why they
left that denomination. You can read Robin Haley’s writing on
this in “...Why I Left...” (2nd Annual Central Oklahoma
Lectureship, pp.52-62). Also, brother Dan Goddard’s briefer
message on the same topic can be found at www.garden-city-coc.org.
4865 Bates Pike SE
Cleveland, TN 37323
Table of Contents
Guest Editorial...
SAVING FAITH
“UNDERSTANDING EPHESIANS 2:8-10”
Jack Simons
I am sick and tired of those among us who lollygag
around saying “works play no part in our
salvation,” yet every time they preach they
exhort their listeners to do something.
The above title was the heading of an article written by
Yale Canfield, minister for the Skyway Hills Church of
Christ in Pearl, Mississippi as it appeared in HEART
MATTERS, their bulletin, dated April 28, 2002. By his own
admission as stated in his article, he made it abundantly clear
that he does not understand Ephesians 2:8-10 or how grace, faith
and works work together to save us!
Brother Canfield began his article as follows, “I
am not a theologian — but I have spent more than thirty years
trying to understand grace, faith and works so I could rightly
divide the word of God.” I accept his confession that he
certainly is not a theologian, but I am made to wonder at his open
admission that he has spent more than thirty years “trying
to understand” the relationship between grace, faith and
works in saving man. What is so difficult about it? Is God the
author of confusion (1 Cor. 14:33)? I have preached the Gospel of
Christ for almost 45 years and I would have quit long ago if I
couldn’t understand the relationship of grace, faith and works
in saving us, because that is the essence of how we are saved! If
a preacher can’t understand that, he can’t tell people what
to do to be saved, therefore he can’t preach the soul saving
Gospel of Christ, and therefore he ought to quit preaching! What in
the world has he been preaching for 30+ years? And, was he unsure
of it as he did?!
After this 30+ year struggle, does brother Canfield now
understand how grace, faith and works interact to save us?
Evidently not! Consider what he says about it in his article. First
he says, “I am saved by God’s grace. I no longer have
to feel like I must place some sort of works disclaimer to
that!” How does associating works with God’s saving
grace disclaim it? The answer to this depends, of course, on what
kind of works we are speaking of! The Bible refers to several kinds
of works. Consider just a few of them:
- The wonderful works of God (Acts 2:11).
- Works of the law of Moses which will save no man (Rom.
3:27; Gal. 2:16; 5:4).
- Unfruitful works of darkness that endanger our souls
(Rom. 13:12; Eph. 5:11).
- Works of the flesh that will keep us out of the kingdom
of God (Gal. 5:19).
- Wicked or evil works (Col. 1:21; 2 Tim. 4:18; 1 John
3:12).
- Godliness professed with good works (1 Tim. 2:10;
5:10).
- Works of human righteousness (Titus 3:5).
- Dead works (Heb. 6:1).
- The work of the Lord (1 Cor. 16:10).
- Works of faith (1 Thess. 1:3; 2 Thess. 1:11; James
2:17-26).
We most certainly agree that we are not saved by works of
merit or human righteousness, for this would negate God’s
grace! Nor are we saved by evil, wicked, dead works or works of
Moses’ law. However, there are works we must do or we will be
lost (Matt. 7:21; James 1:21-27, esp. vs.22-25)! In the very
context of Eph. 2:8-10, two types of works are mentioned: works of
merit that have nothing to do with our salvation (vs.8-9), and the
good works unto which God has created us in Christ Jesus and
ordained that we should walk in them (v.10). The word
“ordained” (proetoimasen) means, “To prepare
before, or make ready beforehand,” implying something mandated
by plan and purpose. Seeing that God has prepared beforehand for
all who are created in Christ Jesus to do and walk in good works,
what if we do not do or walk in them? We will be lost! Do they not
therefore play a part in our salvation? Multitude are the passages
that admonish us to maintain (Titus 3:8), abound in (1 Cor. 15:58),
be an example of (Titus 2:7), and be ready unto good works (Titus
3:1)! Why have these admonitions if works play no part whatsoever
in our salvation?!
The Bible makes it very clear that we will be judged by our
works (1 Peter 1:17; Rev. 12:3; 20:12-13; 22:12)! Doesn’t this
clearly show they do play a part in our salvation? We are exhorted
in Phil. 2:12, “Work out your own salvation with fear and
trembling.” James 2:17-26 makes it abundantly clear that
“faith without works is dead” (v.20). “Ye see then how
that by works a man is justified, and not by faith only”
(v.24). “For as the body without the spirit is dead, so faith
without works is dead also” (v.26). How can anyone read these
passages and deny that the proper kind of works have anything to do
with our being saved?
When the people on Pentecost were cut to the heart with
Peter’s message that convicted them of the death of Christ,
they asked Peter what to do to be saved (Acts 2:37). He didn’t
answer them by saying, “NOTHING!” Rather, he told them to
repent and be baptized and with many other words exhorted them to,
“Save yourselves from this untoward generation.”
Those that believed, gladly received his words, obeyed, and were
saved (Acts 2:37-40)! Does this not clearly establish that we have
a part in our salvation and that there is something we must do to
be saved?
When the Philippian jailor asked Paul and Silas,
“Sirs, what must I do to be saved” (Acts 16:30), they
did not answer him by saying, “You don’t have to do
anything!” Rather, they told him to believe on Jesus and;
therefore, taught him the word of the Lord. He and his household
believed and responded by being baptized (Acts 16:31-33).
Hebrews 5:9 declares that Christ is, “The author of
eternal salvation unto all them that obey Him.” What
if we refuse to obey Him? Is it not clear that we must obey
Him to be saved? And if so, does this not mandate that we
must DO something to be saved? And if so, does not “doing”
require action or works? And if so, do not the proper kind of works
play a part in our salvation? If not, why not?
Ah! But no! In his 30+ year struggle to understand the
inter-reaction of grace, faith and works in our salvation, brother
Canfield writes, “God’s choice for cleansing for
Christians is the blood of Christ only -- nothing added. Shall we
add any work of our hands to be saved? Shall we offer anything at
all we do with our hands as atonement for sin? Not me. By grace are
we saved.” He dearly wants to say it, he clearly implies
it, but he hedges on flat out saying, “We are saved by grace
alone!”
Certainly we need add nothing to the blood of Christ to be
saved, for only He could shed His blood to wash away our sins (John
1:36), and only His blood will take away our sins (Rev. 1:5)!
However, how do we appropriate that precious blood to the cleansing
of our soul? Romans 6:1-18 explains this as it tells us how our
regeneration in Christ is effected by being baptized into His death
(thereby we come into contact with His blood), that we might rise
with Him to walk in newness of life having put off our old man of
sin, and having put on a new man recreated in Him to do the
righteousness of God. Remember what Ananias told Paul to do to wash
away his sins? Consider Acts 22:16, “And now why tarriest thou?
Arise, and be baptized, and wash away thy sins, calling
on the name of the Lord.” How did Paul wash away his sins? Not
by taking a physical bath in water, rather it was by the answer of
a good conscience toward God (obedience to the Gospel) and by the
resurrection of Jesus Christ consummated in baptism (1 Peter 3:21).
Our brother sinks deeper into his dilemma as he further
writes, “What is the value of faith? Faith accepts
God’s grace. We raise empty hands to God and accept the
Lamb’s blood who was slain from the foundation of the world
(Rev. 13:8) in baptism. Faith is even a gift from God -- created by
the word of God through the convicting power of the Spirit of God
(John 16:5-11).” His concluding statement is,
“Receive Jesus through faith. Be changed. Be at peace. Be
clothed (Gal. 3:26-29). yc” Again, he dearly wants to say
it, he clearly implies it, but he shies away from flat out saying,
“We are saved by faith alone!”
Brother Canfield dearly wants to say we are saved by grace
alone and faith alone, but he hedges on it! He throws baptism in
there to try to distract us from the impetus (force) of his article
-- you don’t have to do one thing to be saved, but it won’t
work! He knows better than that and so does any faithful student of
God’s word. Brother Canfield says, “We lift up empty
hands to God,” in accepting the blood of Christ unto
salvation. That is not what I read in God’s word. First Timothy
2:8 admonishes us to lift “Up holy hands, without
wrath and doubting.” What is the difference between “empty
hands” and “holy hands?” In this case, it is the
difference of truth and error and the false teaching of “no
works” verses “godly works” in securing our salvation.
Holy hands implies the necessity of doing that which is holy and
godly. Empty hands implies that we need not do anything! The two
are diametrically opposed! I’ll stick with the word of God
thank you.
Brother Canfield would also have us believe faith is a gift
from God. IT IS NOT! Grace is God’s step toward man. Faith is
man’s step toward God. God has freely taken His step in
offering us His saving grace and we freely take our step in
accepting that grace by offering Him our faith. Faith is a matter
of personal choice not selective and partial Divine imposition! The
word “whosoever,” often employed by the Holy Spirit in
inviting or encouraging men to be saved, proves this (See John
3:16; Acts 2:21; Rom. 10:13; Rev. 22:14). Faith comes by hearing
God’s word (Rom. 10:17), not by an arbitrary impartation in a
selective manner by God. God is no respecter of persons (Acts
10:34; Rom. 2:11; 1 Peter 1:17)! Faith is not God’s gift to
man, it is man’s gift back to God in response to His grace
(Eph. 2:8). “For by grace are ye saved through faith!”
Faith must then be coupled with obedient works of God’s
righteousness (Rom. 6:17-18; James 2).
Tossing baptism into his article does not justify his denial
that no kind of works play any part in our salvation, nor does it
justify his inference that we are saved by grace alone or faith
alone. Make no mistake about it, he clearly makes such
implications! Baptism is not even compatible with these erroneous
teachings. In fact, his incidental closing reference to Gal.
3:26-27 undermines the premise of his entire article. This passage
declares, “For ye are all the children of God by faith in
Christ Jesus. For as many of you has have been baptized into Christ
have put on Christ.” We become the children of God when
faith motivates us to do something -- be baptized into Jesus and
thereby put Him on! We must do something to enter into Jesus -- be
baptized (See also Rom. 6:3-4). WE do that! God doesn’t do it
for us! That is our action, not God’s! God’s action is to
keep His promise to wash away our sins in the blood of His Son
Jesus when we obey from the heart His command to be baptized (Rom.
1:17-18; Acts 22:16; Rev. 1:5). After this, God adds us to the
church, numbering us among the saved (Acts 2:47). Baptism is an
obedient act on our part from a convicted believing heart prompted
by faith in God which is acquired by hearing the Gospel (Rom.
10:17). That is how every conversion mentioned in the New Testament
is explained. And, that is how every saved person this side of the
cross of Jesus was, is, or will be saved.
The struggle to understand the role of grace, faith and
works in saving man need not take 30+ years for anyone, especially
one who claims to be a preacher. All it takes is to: 1) Hear
the Gospel, the power of God to save all men (Rom. 1:16), 2)
Believe on the Christ it proclaims (John 8:24; Heb. 11:6),
3) Repent of our sins (Luke 13:3,5; Acts 2:38; 17:30), 4)
Confess the precious soul saving name of Christ before men
(Rom. 10:10; Acts 8:37; cf. Matt. 10:32-32; Acts 4:10-12), and be
5) Baptized in water — into Jesus — for the
remission of sins (Mark 16:16; Acts 2:38; Gal. 3:26-27; Rom. 6:3-6,
17-18). Thereby, we are “born again” to become the servants
of God’s righteousness (1 Peter 1:22; Rom. 6:1-18).
Though we can never merit salvation by anything we do, we
cannot be saved unless we do the will of God (Matt. 7:21; Heb.
10:36; 1 John 2:17), obey the Gospel of Christ (2 Thess. 1:8; 1
Peter 4:17), and continue to abound in the work of the Lord,
knowing our faith in Him is not in vain (1 Cor. 15:58).
The very text brother Canfield chose for his article would
clarify the issue for him (and everyone else) if he would,
“rightly divide” it, as he claimed he aspired to do. It
teaches us that we are saved by grace through faith unto good
works! It disclaims our meriting salvation through works of human
righteousness, but it ordains us with divine purpose and plan in
Christ to do good works! Read it and see!
Consider these last words of admonition from our Lord
written in Revelation 22:14, “Blessed are they that DO
His commandments, that they may have right to the tree of
life, and may enter in though the gates into the city.”
Does that sound like works have no part in our salvation? I dare
Brother Canfield to stand up and preach and encourage his members
not to do anything to be saved or remain saved. He won’t do it!
In fact, I suspect every time he preaches, he encourages his
listeners to do something! If works have nothing to do with our
salvation, why do anything? He doesn’t believe what he preaches
on the necessity of works concerning salvation and he doesn’t
practice it either, or he would quickly lose his job -- that is, if
he actually did nothing physically or spiritually he would soon be
fired!
I am sick and tired of those among us who lollygag around
saying “works play no part in our salvation,” yet every
time they preach they exhort their listeners to do something. That
is what preaching is all about -- exhorting people to quit doing
what is wrong and to do and keep doing what is right (cf. 2 Tim.
4:2).
A question for brother Canfield, does our “laying by in
store” and giving on the first day of the week purchase our
salvation? Can we buy salvation with it or in some way bribe God to
save us with it? Of course not! However, does this mean we do not
have to give anything to God? Again, of course not! We will never
merit or purchase salvation with our giving, but it is mandated
that we cheerfully give as prospered or we will be lost (cf. 1 Cor.
16:1-2; 2 Cor. 9:6-7). Giving plays a part in our salvation, but it
does not negate God’s grace! He can easily understand this,
because he couldn’t pay his bills if his members quit giving!
There would be no money to pay his salary with. I dare him to stand
up and preach that giving plays no part in our salvation and that
saying it does would negate the grace of God. In fact, it is one
way we can abound in God’s grace (cf. 2 Cor. 8:7). If he can
understand this, why can’t he understand the importance of
godly works coupled with God’s grace in the process of our
salvation?
Thank God for His amazing grace. By it we are saved (Eph.
2:8). Thank God for His powerful Gospel. By it we are saved (Rom.
1:16; 1 Peter 1:22). Thank God for the faith that comes from
hearing the Gospel. By it we are saved (Mark 16:16). Thank God we
can become His children through faith that motivates us to baptized
and have our sins washed away in the blood of Christ. By it we are
saved (1 Peter 3:21). And, thank God for the wonderful works of His
righteousness that His grace and word produce in us by faith. By
them we are justified (James 2:26). Amen and amen.
Grace, faith and works all working together to play a part
in our salvation. Not any one thing alone, but several things
accompany salvation (Heb. 6:9)! Now what is so hard about
understanding that? I am 61 years old and began preaching when I
was 17 (1957), and from the first sermon I ever preached, I
preached the same truth on how grace, faith and works work together
to save us that I still preach today. It didn’t take me 30+
years to understand it and it shouldn’t anyone else either!
Read Ephesians 2:5-10 and rightly divide it!
804 Tower Dr.
Laurel, MS 39440
Table of Contents
CALLING NAMES
Fred E. Dennis
Christ called names... By doing this, all knew of
whom he spoke. He did not speak in uncertain terms.
We have some “softies” among us today who seem to think
it is an almost unpardonable sin for a preacher or writer to call
the names of false teachers and hypocrites; but it seems to me we
have some mighty good precedents for this in the New Testament.
However, the motive back of the name calling might enter into it.
Our motives should be absolutely pure in every act and word. If we
call names simply to ridicule or get “smart” or something
of that kind, of course that would be sin; but if we are trying to
save souls, why not point out the erroneous teaching and who it is
that teaches that? But some will say that just preaching the truth
would be sufficient, and that we should leave others alone. The
preachers and writers of the New Testament days did not thus act.
They preached the truth and then contrasted error with the truth.
John the Baptist was very personal in his preaching. King
Herod was living with another man’s wife. He was living in
adultery. John knew this. He knew that it was not lawful for the
king to live this way. I suppose John could have preached on a
hundred other things without offending Herod and the woman with
whom he was living. But why preach on other things and refuse to
preach on the very thing the king needed? So John just
“approached” a bad situation and told the king in plain
words. Of course for this plain preaching he lost his head. Some
today would lose their heads if they were to tell some in “high
places” of their sins, and not just hint at them. Sin is sin,
and should be condemned in the severest terms. If we know of
members of the church who are living in open adultery in defiance
of the laws of God and the laws of man, we ought to tell them. We
ought to let them know that such characters cannot enter the
kingdom of God. These dirty situations will not right themselves.
It takes the Gospel of Christ to do it.
Christ called names. Two of the most bigoted sects of his
day were the Pharisees and Sadducees. They were hypocrites. Time
after time Jesus told them this, calling their names. Read his
scathing denunciation of them in Matt. 23. Would Jesus have been
true to his trust if he had refused to have so spoken? Did he do
wrong in thus calling their names? By doing this, all knew of whom
he spoke. He did not speak in uncertain terms.
On the birthday of the church, Peter was preaching to the
betrayers and murderers of God’s Son. He told them so. He did
not preach a “soft” sermon on sin and tell them that there
were some murderers in the world, and that it was not becoming to
live that way. Listen: “Therefore let all the house of Israel
know assuredly, that God hath made that same Jesus, whom ye have
crucified, both Lord and Christ” (Acts 2:36). Earlier in the
sermon, when he was “approaching” them, he had said,
“Him, being delivered by the determinate counsel and
foreknowledge of God, ye have taken, and by wicked hands have
crucified and slain” (Acts 2:23). That kind of preaching
brought results. They could see that the innocent blood of
God’s Son was upon their souls; it was dripping from their
hands. What were the results? “Now when they heard this, they
were pricked in their heart, and said unto Peter and to the rest of
the apostles, Men and brethren, what shall we do” (Acts 2:37)?
What brought them to a sense of their lost condition? The truth had
been preached and the application made. Peter let them know that he
was preaching to them. So many today preach “pretty” little
sermons, and folks go to sleep and do not know of whom the preacher
is preaching. And, the preachers seem just a little timid for fear
some might find out!
Simon, the sorcerer, thought he could buy the gift of God
with money. Listen to the inspired preacher: “Thy money
perish with thee, because thou hast thought that the gift of God
may be purchased with money. Thou hast neither part nor lot in this
matter: for thy heart is not right in the sight of God. Repent
therefore of this thy wickedness, and pray God, if perhaps the
thought of thine heart may be forgiven thee. For I perceive that
thou art in the gall of bitterness, and in the bond of
iniquity” (Acts 8:20-23). I guess Simon would not have
much trouble understanding where he stood in the sight of God.
Peter boldly preached the truth and made a personal application.
From that kind of preaching, Simon would not get the idea that his
sin was not so bad after all. And, it brought results!
“Then answered Simon, and said, Pray ye to the Lord for me,
that none of these things which ye have spoken come upon me”
(Acts 8:24). After all, we are trying to get sinners to
repent when we preach to them. This they will never do until they
are brought to a realization of their sinful condition.
One time, Mark got discouraged a little too easily and
turned back when the going became difficult. Paul did not think
much of this. So on another trip he refused to take Mark with them
because he had not gone with them to the work. The contention
between Paul and Barnabas over this was sharp. Mark had done wrong
in turning back. Paul rebuked him sharply for this. God thought
enough of this to make it a part of the divine record. Read it in
the latter part of Acts 15.
Peter ate with the Gentiles; but when certain of his Jewish
brethren came on the scene, he separated himself, fearing them
which were of the circumcision. Even Barnabas was carried away with
their dissimulation. Did Peter do right in this? No, he was to
blame, and Paul told him so. And, that is a part of the divine
record recorded in Galatians 2. Paul withstood him to the face.
That is where it should be done, not behind the backs of the ones
who should be withstood to the face.
Paul wrote to the church at Corinth. He had some bad reports
concerning them. Paul told them where he got the report.
“For it hath been declared unto me of you, my brethren, by them
which are of the house of Chloe, that there are contentions among
you” (1 Cor. 1:11). Paul seemed to think it was the right
thing to do to tell where he got his information.
Paul talked about some who had made shipwreck. This is the
way he wrote about two of those fellows: “Of whom is
Hymenaeus and Alexander; whom I have delivered unto Satan, that
they may learn not to blaspheme” (1 Tim. 1:20). My, is
not that plain? These brethren had been delivered to Satan until
they would learn not to blaspheme. Paul did not think it would be
all right for them to go elsewhere preaching their pernicious
doctrine. They must be stopped.
“This thou knowest, that all they which are in Asia
be turned away from me; of whom are Phygellus and Hermogenes”
(2 Tim. 1:15). Pretty personal, do you not think?
“For Demas bath forsaken me, having loved this present
world” (2 Tim. 4:10). This brother had forsaken the old
apostle, and Paul said so, and gave the reason why Demas had
forsaken him. And, listen to the peerless apostle just before he
lies down to rest: “Alexander the coppersmith did me much
evil: the Lord reward him according to his works: of whom be thou
ware also; for he hath greatly withstood our words” (2
Tim. 4:14-15). Almost with his dying breath, the apostle was
warning Timothy against bad men and false teachers. Did he do wrong
in this? Of course not. He loved the church. He was jealous over it
with a godly jealousy. And so should we be. We should mark and name
them that cause division (Rom. 16:17).
from Gospel Advocate, 2/18/1943
Table of Contents
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