12 Rules of Happiness

1. UM a slmpk lits Don't plan too m y things each day. Be

moderate and temperate In your lifestyle.
2. Spend leos than you mrn. Thls may be diiicutt to do, but %
pays big dividends h contentment and peace of rnlnd.
5. Thtnk eomtmcthrsly. Store useful thoughts In your mind. As
one thinks In his heart, so is he.
4, CuMvsts a flexlbk dhpwltion, Resist the tendency to want
your own way. Try to see another pem's viewpotnt.
5. Be grateful. Begin each day with a prayer of thanlagruing for all
your blessings. Let God know you am grateful.
8. Rule your m d . Your mental attitude Is all-important In living
at peace with others.
7. Gfvs gmmmurly. Intelligfl giving of your Ume, talents, person-
ality, and m o w will bring great joy.
8. Work wlth ths rlgM m o m Seek to grow In favor with God
and man, seeking His will first In your life.
8. Bs intomuted In othem. In our setvice to others, we reap hap-
piness as a by-product of a life of self-glvlng.
t 0. Make tha moet of today. Use it wisely so you may look back on
it without regret.
11. Take tlms for a hobby. Time spent on leisure interests should
bring you diversion and retaxation.
12. Shy c h to God. Enduring happiness depends on continuing
spiritual nourishment. As God's children, we have His promise of
canstant I w e and care.
 Second Printing

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 IN THE FAITH

In the first century, in order for

one to be saved it was necessary to
hear the gospel [that is, the death,
burial, and resurrection of Christ, as
described in 1 Corinthians 15:l-41
(Mark 16:15; Romans 10:17) so that
faith might be produced in the heart
(Romans 10:lO; Hebrews 11:6).
This led him to repent of his sins
(Acts 2~38;Acts 17:30), to confess that Christ was the s i n of God (Acts
8:37; Matthew 10:32), and to be baptized to have the forgiveness of sins or
to be saved. (Acts 2:38; Mark 16:16).
There are eleven cases of conversion in the Book of Acts, confirming
that these are the things God asks people to do to be saved. Read through
that book and see for yourself. You will see that in the beginning of the
church there was only one way to be saved, and there is only one way to be
saved now.
We must study and understand what God says in His word. Salvation is
not based on ignorance and error, but on knowledge and obedience to the
truth. One does not accidentally become a Christian and a member of the
Lord's church. He does not wake up one day to discover that somehow,
mysteriously, he is a child of God and in the Lord's family. Rather, he has
learned the truth and he knows exactly what he did in his obedience to God.
This might sound over-simplified and too basic, but the Lord deals with
all kinds of people at all levels of learning ability. He made the gospel and
the plan of salvation so simple that any person in his right mind could
understand and respond to it. The prophet put it like this, "And an highway
shall be there, and a way, and it shall be called The way of holiness; the
unclean shall not pass over it; but it shall be for those: the wayfaring men,
thoughfools, shall not err therein" (Isaiah 35:8).
2
 In hearing, understanding, and grounded in the faith? It means,
complying with God's will, one first, that one has built upon Jesus
becomes solidly planted and Christ, the chief cornerstone. And it
grounded in the truth. He becomes means that he has become a mem-
a member of Christ's church which ber of the church which is, itself, the
is built upon the firm foundation, pillar and ground [support] of the
the rock, Jesus Christ. (Matthew truth. (1 Timothy 3:15).
16:18; 1Corinthians 3:ll). Now that he is a Christian, it
In the parable of the sower in means that he is to continue to read
Matthew 13, Jesus stressed the fact and study God's word that he might
that it was not enough for the seed grow thereby. It means that his soul
to be planted, though that was very is anchored in God's will, that he
necessary. In order for it to produce has every intention of being faithful
a worthwhile harvest it had to fall to the Lord. He knows who he is,
into good hearts and it had to grow what he is, what to teach, how he is
to maturity. to live, and where he is going.
Spiritual seed that is planted There are no doubts, no compromis-
must be nurtured so that it will sur- es. He is not perfect, but he is fol-
vive and thrive. Only then is the lowing the One who is perfect. In
harvest possible. In the life of the Christ, he is on the narrow way that
Christian, he must not only be saved leads to heaven.
initially, but he must remain saved. Unless one is grounded in the
Therefore, after one obeys those faith he will be tossed to and fro by
basic commands which bring salva- every wind of doctrine (Ephesians
tion, he must continue to follow 4:14), and will become unfaithful in
Christ and to obey His teaching, time of trial. Such a person cannot
being faithful to Him unto death. be depended on, and the Lord's
(Revelation 2:lO). church will be weakened by him.
This means that Christians must On the other hand, one who is
be grounded in the faith. Paul grounded in the truth is dependable,
wrote these words to the brethren at faithful, ready unto every good
Colosse: "lfye continue in the faith work. He wants not only to be
grounded and settled, and be not saved but to remain saved, to stand
moved away from the hope of the for the truth, to set a good example,
gospel, which ye have heard, and to bear good fruit, and finally to go
which was preached to every crea- to heaven.
ture which is under heaven; whereof Those who are grounded in the
I Paul am made a minister" faith will make the difference. They
(Colossians 1:23). will change the world. Are you
But what does it mean to be grounded in the faith? P
3
 ASSOCIATE EDITORIAL

Byron Nichols
Managing Editor
Jesus invites all mankind to come to Him, to be His followers,
(Matthew 11:28-30). But He does more than invite, He calls us. He doesn't
just extend a casual invitation; rather, He asks, entreats, implores. He truly
wants everyone to accept His invitation.
Unlike so many others, though, Jesus is totally honest and forthright.
He tells us right at the beginning that there is a price to pay if we accept His
invitation.
Since there is a cost, we need to count that cost before making our com-
mitment to Jesus. However, we may have already become a follower of His
before realizing just what would be invoived in such a relationship.
Whatever our situation is, we need to periodically "count the cost," remind-
ing ourselves of our part of the agreement that we made with Him. We may
find ourselves asking, "Am 1 willing to pay the price?'If we are not, we
need to consider what our alternatives, if any, are.
The cost of being Jesus' disciples is spelled out for us by Jesus Himself
in such passages as Matthew 16:24-26; Mark 8:34-38; Luke 9:23-2637-62;
14:25-33. After carefully reading these Scriptures, we must ask: "Am I
willing to deny myself, take up my cross (even daily), and follow Him?"
Among other things, one who follows Jesus is subject to ridicule, rejec-
tion, misrepresentation, disappointment, and discouragement. (1)Ridicule
is likely one of the more difficult things that a Christian is called upon to
endure. No one likes to be the subject of sarcasm, disdain, contempt, scorn,
or mockery - but this sometimes comes with identifying oneself with Jesus
Christ, who Himself was subjected to much more reproach than any of us
will ever witness. (2) Rejection. Trying to live like and for Jesus can
sometimes cause us to be cast out by former friends and associates, rela-
tives, co-workers, etc. Our task then is to decide who is most important to
us. In deciding, it is well for us to remember that Jesus said His followers
must put Him first, ahead of friends, material goods, even our dearest family
members. (3) Misrepresentation. Isn't it hard when folks depict us in
ways that are unfair and unjust! Yet, Jesus became very familiar with this
kind of treatment, and He said that "a disciple is not above his teacher, nor
a servant above his master" (Matthew 10:24). (4) Disappointment is part
of following Jesus. People and events occasionally (or even frequently)
disappoint us in that we don't always see the traits of Jesus in others, and we
don't understand when it seems that God is no longer really in charge. He
seems to be allowing bad people to be in control and bad things to happen.
(5) Discouragement. It most certainly can be disheartening and discourag-
ing when we see that good does not always prevail over evil, when we see
even our brethren in Christ at times not living as they should, yet they often-
times are more accepted and highly regarded than others who are trying hard
to live as Jesus teaches in His Word. Yes, if we are truly His followers, we
will even suffer persecution. "Yes, and all who desire to live godly in Christ
Jesus will suffer persecution" ( 2 Timothy 3:12).
Following Jesus involves a cross - our cross. It involves surrender,
and this is never easy. It is always difficult to forsake our own will in favor
of the will of another, but Jesus says that this is part of the price. We cannot
have the Christ of the cross without the cross of self-denial.
The devil is not going to allow it to be easy to serve the Lord (1 Peter
5:8; 1 Corinthians 10:12). This is part of the price to be paid. Let us
remember, though, that we are not in this situation all by ourselves. The
words of Paul in 2 Corinthians 1:3-7 ought to be a real source of encourage-
ment and rejuvenation for the disciples of Christ. Paul says that God is the
source of all comfort, giving comfort in the midst of tribulation. He even
states that sufferings can bring about consolation and salvation. Remember,
too, that every temptation by Satan is accompanied by a way of escape,
courtesy of God (1 Corinthians 10:13). In addition, Jesus has promised to
be with His followers "always, even to the end of the age" (Matthew 28:20).
Yes, it does cost to be a Christian, and we need to consider that cost, but
we need to also consider the cost of not being a Christian.
Christian friends, we made a commitment - let's keep it. Non-
Christian friends, you need desperately to make the commitment. You can
keep it. The Father, Son, and Holy Spirit will do their part in helping you to
keep it. You can do it. Do it.
5
 GOD Christians Are Different ................ 67
Jesus Illuminates Life.....................8 I Love Me. I Love Me Not .............69
The Great Provider ...................... 11 God Helps His Children...............72
Behold. the Lamb of God .............I 4 HOME
THECHRISTIAN
Who Do Men Say That I Am? ......16 Parenting Is Not Just for ..............76 .
MisunderstandingJesus .............. 18
CHRISTIANITY
IN ACTION
EVIDENCES
Understandingthe Source...........20 The 5 C's of Personal..................79
The 2 Choices ..............................23 Winning Souls Is Wise ................. 81
None So Blind ..............................27 SALVATION
THEWORDOF GOD When the Fullness of Time..........84
Message from the Cross..............87
By What Standard of Authority?...28 What Does Your Name Mean? ....88
Reasons for Studying...................29
How We Got the Bible..................31 TEXTUAL STUDIES
TO LIVE BY
DOCTRINE A Death Blow............................... 90
We Don't Need Critics!.................35 So Right But So Wrong ................91
Baptism. What Is It For? ..............36 A Plea for Unity ............................93
Observations Concerning............38 PROVERBS 17:22
Being Clothed with Christ.............40 Humor ..........................................95
How Do We Wear Him?...............41
BIBLE CHARACTERS
THECHURCH
Dorcas, Friend of All ....................97
Democracy Is Not the Best! .........43 Gideon. Man of Faith ...................99
The Church As Jesus Built It........45
Overseeing the Flock ...................48
BIBLEQUESTIONS
Two Questions Regarding.........101
CHURCH
GROWTH
What About Philip's Daughters ..102
God's Eternal Purpose ................. 51
Characteristics of "A Growing..." .56 CHARTS
AND OUTLINES
WORSHIP Worship ...................................... 103
"The Beginning* on.................... 105
No Place for a Wagon .................. 58
POEMS AND WRITINGS
The Worth of Worship ..................60
0 Worship the Lord...................... 61 What Is Peace?............................10
Is Christ's Blood Necessary?.......10
DAILY CHRISTIAN
LIVING Great and Marvelous ...................13
If You Believe. Say So .................62 Once an Atheist ........................... 22
This World Is Not My Home .........63 As Humans ..................................22
The Other Beatitudes...................65 Now I Trust You ...........................26
A Balanced Life ............................ 66 One Book. and Only One .............26
The Christian Farmer ...................26
Are You an Active Member? ........30
Acts 8 ...........................................
37
An Atheist Said ............................57
I'm Yours. Lord............................. 59
Fear God for His Power ...............71
My Brother's Keeper! ...................73
Fear..............................................
74
Lifetime Memories........................77
First Century Christians...............80
A Guide to Build the Church ........82
Yesterday. Today. Tomorrow.......89
The Gift That I've Got ...................92
How Long Has It Been...? ............98
Life Is a Book in Volumes..........100
How to Express Christianity .......104
The Word of God .......................106
FEATURES
Bible Word Power ........................33
Verse Search ............................... 42
Quick Commentary ......................50
Puzzle from 2 Thessalonians .......78
Who Am I? ...................................83
Puzzle Answers ..............Back Page
FROMTHE HEART OF ...
Zambia ......................................107
Medical Outreaches ...................110
Zambians to Angolans ...............111
Zambia School ...........................112

Please help us to spread the

word about THE VOICE OF TRUTH
INTERNATIONAL. to others in the
church as well as to share it
among friends and loved ones
who are not yet a part of the
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 Jesus Illuminates Life
Randall Caselman
Jesus came to Jerusalem to cel- ness. "
ebrate the Feast of Tabernacles, also How does His being light
known as the Festival of Lights. It impact our lives?
was a Jewish celebration in remem- Things cannot be hidden in
brance of God's guidance and care the Light. When Jesus illuminates
of their forefathers during the our lives we see ourselves as we
wilderness wanderings. The cele- really are, not as we think we are.
bration culminated with a giant can- Jesus is the Word, Jesus is truth.
delabra being lit in the Temple Jesus is our model of right and
courtyard. It was against this back- wrong. When we hold our life up to
ground that Jesus said, "I am the the light of Jesus, only then do we
light of the world. " Then, during see ourselves as we really are, sin-
the triumphant entry, He says, " I ners in need of forgiveness. We see
have come into the world as a light, our wrong attitudes, our sinful
so that no one who believes in me thoughts, words, and actions. Paul
should ever have to live in dark- tells us that when we contemplate
the Lord's glory, we become ance. David knew this when he
changed people. We become like wrote, "The Lord is my shepherd, "
Him. And we, who with unveiled and "Thy word is a light to my feet
faces all reflect (contemplate) the and a lamp to my path. " Jesus illu-
Lord's glory, are being transformed minates our difficult times in two
into His likeness with ever-increas- ways; one by experience, having
ing glory, which comes from the been there before us, and two, by
Lord. It was James who said that accompanying us in that walk. "I
looking into the Light, the Word, will be with you alway . . . I will
the perfect law of liberty, is like never leave or forsake you."
looking into a mirror. We see our- Light and growth are corol-
selves as we are. Scripture teaches laries. Where there is light, growth
us that we must not compare our- is possible. If you doubt this, plant
selves with ourselves, but compare your garden on the north side of the
ourselves with the Light. house. A strong faith, deep com-
Jesus lights the way to God. mitment, genuine spirituality
"I am the way, the truth, and the belongs to those who allow Jesus to
life, no man comes to the Father illumine their life. John says, "In
except by me . . . If you know me Christ there is life, because He is
you know the Father" (John 14:6,7). the light of men. " The Hebrews
We must know that there is no rela- writer pictures some as being weak,
tionship with God outside of Jesus. immature, and babes because they
God has chosen His Son as the are not growing in their knowledge
means to reconcile the world to of His Word.
Himself. "There is no other name Light can be reflected. When
given among men, under heaven, Jesus illuminates our life others will
whereby we can be saved" (Acts see our good works and glorify our
4:12). Paul told Agrippa that God Father which is in heaven (Matthew
had commissioned him to open the 5: 16). No, we are not the light, we
eyes of the Gentiles, so that we are a reflection. Paul admonished
might turn from darkness to the the Philippian church to shine like
light and receive the forgiveness of stars in the universe. We must let
our sins. Jesus be seen in us by having His
Jesus illuminates the difficult heart. "Let the mind that was in
paths. God never promised life Christ be in you" (Philippians 25).
without troubles, trials, and prob- Light has its limits. There
lems. What He did promise us is exists two ways in which light is
His presence and Light for guid- limited. One is when we place our-
selves and personal wants before the
wishes of Jesus. We limit the
reflection. Who limits good works,
Bible study, prayers, faith, cornrnit-
ment, generous giving, and evange-
lism in my life and yours? Only
self. Think about it! Secondly, one
day God will limit light. The night
comes when man cannot work.
Death limits light. Work while it is
yet day. Today is the day of salva-
tion, now is the right time.
Light forgives sin. Good
news! "For if we walk in the light
as He is in the light we have fellow-
ship with one.another, and the
blood of Christ cleanses us from all
our sins" ( 1 John 1:7). This is what
I need. How about you?
Let Jesus illumine your life. Q

-
Randall Caselman is the preacher for
the church of Christ in Bella Vista,
Arkansas, U.S.A.

What Is Peace?
It is a calmness
when the trials press;
It is a confidence
that God knows best;
It is a gentleness
that's undisturbed;
It is a holy hush
that's unperturbed;
It is a quiet trust as on we plod;
It is a sweet reliance on our God!
- George B. Adams
The Great Pravider
Jeril (Polly) Cline
It is now three days since the And the Lord sweetens the bitter
Egyptian army drowned. The Song waters of Marah (Exodus 15).
of Moses and the songs of Israel One month to the day since
may still be on the lips of a few their departure from the land of
Israelites, but the people are in the Egypt, the congregation of the sons
wilderness of Shur and can find no of Israel come to the wilderness of
water. Grumbling has displaced Sin. "And the whole congregation
exaltation and praise. Their greatest of the sons of Israel grumbled
concern is "What shall we drink?" against Moses and Aaron in the
wilderness " (Exodus 16:2). give us this day our daily bread"
"Would that we had died by the (Matthew 6:11).
Lord's hand in the land of Egypt, Who is this Great Provider, and
when we sat by the pots of meat, can we trust that He is able to take
when we ate bread to the full; for care of our needs, this many years
you have brought us out into this away from those struggling
wilderness to kill this whole assem- Israelites?
bly with hunger" (Exodus 16:3). To meet the needs of Moses
The Lord hears their grumbling and three to four million ex-slaves
and tells Moses, "Behold, I will rain on a daily basis would require a lot
bread from heaven for you; and the of food!
people shall go out and gather a
day's portion every day, that I may X According to the Quarter-
test them, whether or not they will Master General in the U. S .
walk in My instruction" (Exodus Army, it is reported that Moses
16:4). would have had to have 1,500
So Moses and Aaron gather all tons of food each day! T o
the sons of Israel and say, "At transport that much food would
evening you will know that the Lord take two freight trains each a
has brought you out of the land of mile long.
Egypt; and in the morning you will X Being out in the desert, they
see the glory of the Lord, for He would have had to have fire-
hears your grumblings against the wood to cook the food. This
Lord" (Exodus 16:6,7). would take 4,000 tons of wood
"So it came about at evening and a few more trains each a
that the quails came up and covered mile long, for one day. Just
the camp, and in the morning there think what this becomes if mul-
was a layer of dew around the tiplied by 365 days and 40
camp. When the layer of dew evap- years!
orated, behold, on the sulface of the X Oh, yes, they would have had
wilderness there was a fine ji'ake- to have water. If they had only
like thing . . . and when the sons of enough to drink and wash a few
Israel saw it, they said to one anoth- dishes, it would take 11,000,000
er, 'What is it?"' (Exodus 16:13- gallons each day, and a freight
15). train with tank cars, 1,800 miles
Daily provisions from God, this long just to bring water. There
was also on the heart of our Lord were no lakes and few wells in the
while He lived on the earth. ". . . wilderness where they walked.
 X And another thing, when the Do I daily take Him as my own?
Israelites had fled Egypt, they Do I thank Him for His great provi-
had to cross the Red Sea in one sions?
night. Now, if they went on a It was not easy to lead the peo-
narrow path, double file, the line ple of Israel out of bondage, physi-
would have been 800 miles long cally or psychologically. They
and would have required 35 would need teaching and testing
days and nights for the crossing. once they were free. The wilder-
So there had to be a space in the ness became their great training
Red Sea three miles wide for ground to see if they would allow
them to walk 5,000 abreast to God to be their God and if they
get over in one night! would become His people. He
longed for them to make the right
Do you believe Moses figured choice.
out all of this before he left Egypt?
No, he believed in God and trusted
... and me? What is
my land of bondage? Where is
Him to take care of their daily my testing and training ground?
needs. God commanded, and
Am I making the right choice,
Moses obeyed.
daily? V
Now, what about me? Do I
-
grumble - .and
and comulain, or urav
Jeril (Polly) Cline i s a writer and
praise? H~~ is i; in my home? preacher's wife living in Blue Ridge,
God my God? Am I His person? Georgia, U.S.A.
 Christ's coming in the announced through inspiration of
flesh is God's highest pur- the Holy Spirit, "But he
pose in His plan of sal- was wounded for our
vation. Fallen man is transgressions, he was
not able to save him- bruised for our iniq-
self. God made it possi- uities: the chastise-
ble for the human race to ment of our peace was
have a Savior, namely His upon him; and with his
Son Jesus Christ. stripes we are healed"
(Isaiah 535). The
God" is God's own
offering for sin to
satisfy His right-
eousness, to save a who would come
sinful mankind. at the proper time
The Passover lamb - --w-.-%-. as "the lamb of

-- pp

in Exodus 12:1-30 reminded Israel God." " . . . he is brought as a

of a great salvation. This Old lamb to the slaughter, and as a
Testament practice was a shadow sheep before her shearers is dumb,
whose reality now is Christ, "the so he openeth not his mouth"
Lamb of God" (John 1:29,36). (Isaiah 53:7). Even more, John
When Paul spoke about Christ in 1 wrote in his Revelation, "And all
Corinthians 5:7, he said, "Purge out that dwell upon the earth shall wor-
therefore the old leaven, that ye may ship him, whose names are not writ-
be a new lump, as ye are unleavened. ten in the book of life of the Lamb
For even Christ our passover is sac- slain from the foundation of the
rificed for us." worM" (Revelation 13 :8).
Approximately 800 years Jesus Christ, as the Lamb of
before the coming of Christ on earth God, was innocent. His life was not
a great prophet of God named Isaiah touched with sin (Hebrews 4: 15; 1
Peter 2:22). So, the life of the Son fest anger (Matthew 21 :12,13).
of God is our example (1 Peter Like a lamb in Old Testament
2:21). Paul insisted that he imitated times, Christ was a sin offering
Christ's life, and so Christians can (Hebrews 10:4-8). "But now once
follow Paul's example in life and i n the end of the world hath he
deeds (1 Corinthians 11:1). appeared t o put away sin by the
Though undisciplined souls sacrifice of himself" (Hebrews
accused Him of being a sinner, the 9:26). "By the which will we are
Lamb's life was white as snow and sanctified through the offering of
pure in every aspect (John 8:46). the body of Jesus Christ once for
As we read through the Gospel all" (Hebrews 10:lO). And so
accounts, the testimony of humans Christ, through His own offering as
who knew Him show that no rea- a lamb for people's sins, shed His
sonable man ever found a fault with blood for many for the remission of
our Lord's life: sins (Matthew 26:28).
" T h e n Judas, which had Our Lord, like a lamb, was
betrayed him . . . [said], I have meek. He said, "Come unto me, all
sinned in that I have betrayed the ye that labor and are heavy laden,
innocent blood" (Matthew 27:4). and I will give you rest. Take my
"Then said Pilare to the chief yoke upon you, and learn of me; for
priests and to the people, I find no I am meek and lowly in heart: and
fault in this man" (Luke 23:4). ye shall find rest unto your souls.
"When he (Pilate) was set down For my yoke is easy, and my burden
on the judgment seat, his wife sent is light" (Matthew 11:28-30). The
unto him, saying, Have thou nothing Word of God tells us that Jesus was
to do with that just man: for I have "led as a sheep to the slaughter;
suffered many things this day in a and like a lamb dumb before his
dream because of him" (Matthew shearer, so opened he n o t his
27:19). mouth" (Acts 8:32).
Like a lamb, Jesus was gentle. And finally, we see the Lord
A prophet of the Lord said, "He submissive to God and His will:
shall nor cry, nor lift up, nor cause "Father, if thou be willing, remove
his voice to be heard in the street" this cup from me: nevertheless not
(Isaiah 42:2). The Lord Jesus, the my will, but thine, be done" (Luke
Lamb of God, never refused a peni- 22:42). 8
tent human being (John 8:3-11).
Only when gentleness would not Hans J. Dederscheck is an evangelist
reclaim the wayward did He mani- in Austria.
 (MARK&:27>

The world was

as to who Jesus was. -!,,'.,

Some said He was ""

said Jesus was Elias or one of the

prophets (Mark 8:28). Then Jesus asked the disciples, "Who do you say that
I am?" (verse 29). Peter replied, "You are the Christ, the Son of the living
God" (Matthew 16:15). The disciples spoke out of faith, a faith that was
transforming them. Jesus' question was not asked out of ignorance of' what
the people thought, but to get the disciples to declare their faith and to con-
firm and strengthen their belief.
Who do we say that Jesus is? A man from history, a good man, a
prophet? Is He a part of our life? Is He our Lord and Master? What we
think in answer to this question is important, because our actions will be
governed by our belief of who Jesus is. If we think He was only a good
man, or maybe a prophet, our belief about sin, righteousness, and judgment
will not be convicting.
If we think, like Peter, that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of the living
God, then our lives will be governed by the Word of God. After all, where
do we go to hear the words of eternal life? "Then Simon Peter answered
him, 'Lord, to whom shall we go? You have the words of eternal life"'
(John 6:68). Where shall we find a more gracious master, a more powerful
redeemer, a more suitable savior? Only the Bible has all the answers for
every part of our lives, what we see, say, think, where we go, and what we
do. We must remember that the Bible has set out the commands that we
must believe and obey in order to receive the eternal life which has been
promised by God.
Many disciples left Jesus when His teaching was hard to comprehend.
We need to be careful not to give up when we hear things that seem difficult
to understand. Our eternal life depends on our persistent faithfulness to the
Son of God: only He has the words of life. Many philosophers try to give us
new ideas and opinions concerning our origin, life, and fate, but when they
differ from the message of the Scriptures they bring disaster - death, hell,
and eternal misery!
The apostles' knowledge, developed during years of living with Jesus,
seeing His works, and hearing the truths He taught, provided stability for
their faith. We have the Scriptures to give us this knowledge, and we can
have faith in them and so have faith in Christ. "But these are written that
you may believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God, and that believing
you may have life in his name" (John 20:31 ) .
When Jesus asked the disciples the question, "Who do you say that I
am?" He was questioning them concerning their belief. He was turning
their thoughts from others to themselves;just because they followed Him did
not necessarily mean that they knew Him. He examined them through ask-
ing themselves to make a confession of their faith.
Do we know Jesus as the disciples did, as the Messiah, as the head of
the church (Matthew 16:18)? We, too, need to have a personal knowledge
of Him to be able to accept the salvation He offered, or it is meaningless.
We need to understand the fullness that Jesus Christ is. Knowing about
Jesus is not the same as knowing Him as brother, friend, and Savior. He is
our mediator between our sinful souls and God, and our hearts need to be
touched with this truth. Jesus is the Savior, there is no other name under
heaven by which we can be saved (Acts 4:12). Jesus, the one and only per-
fect sacrifice, deserves our love because He alone died on the cross for us.
Let us take this into our hearts today and say with Peter, "You are the
Christ, the Son of the living God. " 0
Philip J. Shewood, before his death, worked with the North Shore Church of
Christ in Auckland, New Zealand.
 P. K. Varghese
Many great individuals have often been misunderstood. Some deny the
wisdom and the ability of a gallant leader. Others, unable to deny his wis-
dom and ability, question his integrity. The lives of all great men, it seems,
include many chapters of opposition from their contemporaries. There were
misgivings toward them because of misconceptions about them. Mahatma
Gandhi, the great emancipator, was misunderstood. Columbus, who spoke
of a westerly route to the East Indies, was looked on as a fool for venturing
out near the "edge" of the world, where he would "fall off." Need we be
surprised, then, if Jesus, the Great Emancipator of souls and the one who
spoke of a heavenly country, was misunderstood and falsely charged by His
contemporaries?
Indeed, Jesus had many misjudgments about Him when He was here on
earth. He who taught the way of God in truth was thought to be leading the
people astray (John 7:12). He who taught the strictest obedience to the law
of God was Himself charged with breaking the sabbath (Luke 6:1,2). He
who cast out demons by the power of the Holy Spirit was accused of doing
so by Beelzebub, the prince of the demons (Mark 3:22). He who claimed to
be the Son of God, which He was, was considered a blasphemer (Matthew
26:65).
As is to be expected, there are still many, many misjudgments concern-
ing Jesus in the minds of people. In this message we wish to consider a par-
ticular class of such today.
Few people today doubt the love and tenderness of Jesus. From the sto-
ries told them in Bible school when children, from religious pictures (such
as Jesus receiving the little children), and from a one-sided emphasis of
Jesus' spirit of goodness, kindness, and meekness, people today have almost
come to think of Jesus as a weak, stand-for-nothing, compromising peace-
maker, instead of the strong, godly Christ He is, the Jesus who was anointed
"Christ" because He both loved righteousness and hated iniquity (Hebrews
1:8,9). In this attitude Jesus has not changed one bit. He is the "same yes-
terday, today, and forever" (Hebrews 13:8), and He still loves righteous-
18
ness, and He still hates iniquity, and He hates the latter just as strongly as He
loves the former. Some people have made all kinds of room in their minds
for Jesus' love of righteousness, but they have left no room at all for His
hatred of iniquity.
People of all stations, ideas, and affiliations are trusting their eternal
destinies to the following thought: "Jesus' love will not allow anybody to
go to Hell." Oh, the power that a false idea has over men! Oh, the everlast-
ingness of its effect! It is hard to fathom the complete damage that one off-
color idea will sometimes have in us and others.
Nobody is questioning the love of Jesus, but when people blame Jesus
if souls go to Hell for the sins they have committed, they are accusing the
wrong person and laying the blame at the wrong person's doorstep. The
love of Jesus has made salvation possible for all: "He died for all" ( 1
Timothy 2:6), and He sent the Gospel to all (Mark 16:15), inviting "whoso-
ever will" to take of the water of life freely (Revelation 22:17). But Jesus
has left the decision concerning salvation up to each individual. Man has
been created with a freedom of choice. God will tell him the way to go, but
He does not make him go that way. Man can do as he pleases in this world,
if that is his choice, but he must face the consequences of his choice in the end.
So, Jesus has not forced Himself upon men. He has said, "Come unto
me . . . and I will give you rest" (Matthew 11:28), but as in His own day,
many will not come to Him that they might have life (John 5:40). Instead of
confessing Christ before man "unto salvation" (Romans 10:10), they deny
Him, and Jesus Himself said, "Whosoever shall deny me before men, him
will I also deny before my Father which is in heaven" (Matthew 10:33).
Jesus taught that unless people repented of their sins they would perish, in
spite of the fact that His blood could wash away their sins (Luke 13:3). God
and Christ will forgive and save if men will but turn from sin to Christ.
Jesus said to His disciples that "repentance and remission of sins should be
preached in His name among all nations" (Luke 24:47). "Repentance" is
man's part. Throughout the Scriptures repentance by man must precede for-
giveness by God. Otherwise, God would become a party to sin.
No, God is not wanting to send you or anybody else to Hell, but if you
don't turn from sin to God, that is exactly what will happen. If you end up
in Hell ("the lake offire"), don't charge God, for God is "not willing that
any should perish, but that all should come to repentance" (2 Peter 3:9). Q
P.K. Varghese is a preacher at Trivandrum and a radio speaker for the Malayam
program in India.
19
 Recently in Russia, a well-educated Armenian English teacher made the
open statement, "I do not believe in the idea of creation." I asked for an
explanation of the source for air, gravity, and the earth. Who or what did it?
She admitted that she did not know the source for these elements.
The source of these elements needs to be sought. Why? Because we
depend on them every day so that we can exist. Obligation and responsibili-
ty are involved. If parents provide food, housing, and education, they
deserve a "Thank you" from us. The air we breathe, the earth on which we
walk, the gravity that keeps us glued to this globe are no minor gifts. For
them we should gratefully say, "Thank you!" However, if one is unaware of
the source for those sustainers, he or she knows not to whom or to what to
be thankful. Caring, honest hearts need answers so that thanksgivings for
the chance to live today can be offered.
I hope you, like the Armenian English teacher, will respect and appreci-
ate our need to know and our obligation to be thankful. Do you know the
source? Can we know the source?
Consider the following seven reasonable observations about the power
that made the universe. It is reasonable to conclude that: (1) An unseen
power did it. Did anyone or group or thing you know, or that you have read
about in history (that can be seen), do it? (2) An intelligent power did it. If
it required intelligence to make the desk on which I write, then it is reason-
able to conclude that the power making the universe would need intelli-
gence. (3) That power is eternal. By our reasoning we know something is
because something was. Therefore, something always had to be. (4) That
power must have feelings for us. Air is too good to breathe, water is too
good to drink, etc., to conclude otherwise. (5) That power must have pur-
pose. That is reasonable. If even a watch has purpose, then the whole uni-
verse and peoples of earth must have purpose. (6) That power must be a
uniting power. The harmony in the universe (day follows night; seasons,
etc.) makes it reasonable to conclude that this is a uniting power. (7) That
power must seek to communicate to us. The intelligence, feelings, and pur-
pose factors we have been considering make it reasonable to conclude that
that power must seek to communicate to us.
Having agreed that these seven observations are rational, the Armenian
teacher was then asked to observe some statements from Scripture. I chal-
lenge you to do the same. You see, passages in the Bible parallel with all
seven statements and identify to us the Power that is the Source of the uni-
verse. Take time to read the following passages that correlate with each of
the seven rational observations: (1) John 1:18; 14:8-11; (2) Psalm 19:1,2;
147:4,5; (3) Psalm 90:1,2; 1 John 1:3; (4) Acts 17:24,25; Matthew 5:45; 1
John 4:8; (5) Ecclesiastes 12:13,14; Psalm 139:14-16; Matthew 4: 10; (6)
Ephesians 4:6; John 17:17-21; Galatians 3:26,27; (7) Romans 1: 16-25; 2
Timothy 3:16,17; Acts 17: 15-17; John 7:17.
21
 The foregoing verses not only declares that the attempt to hurnan-
prove that the Bible is reasonable, ize God (make Him into our image)
but they also identify that Book as is not only "vain reasoning, " hut it
the communicating tool of the has caused mankind to fail to give
unseen, intelligent, eternal, feeling, Him thanks (Romans 1:21). Have
purposeful, harmonizing, and com- you been thankful to God for His
municating God. What does that wonderful, life-sustaining gifts?
mean to you and me? The Hebrews Any time we deny God or. His
writer answers, "By faith we under- creating power, we jump the track
stand (we don't guess, speculate, or from the reasonable, and we have
wish - we understand) that the immediately lost the Source to
worlds have been framed by the whom we need to be daily grateful
word of God, so that what is seen (Acts 17:26-28). Since He has com-
has not been made out of things municated to us, "Hear ye Him"
which appear" (Hebrews 11:3; (Matthew 17:s). 8
Psalm 33:6,9).
Voltaire once said: "If God
created us in his own image, we Dayton Keesee preaches for the
Eastside Church of Christ in Midwest
have more than reciprocated." Paul City, Oklahoma, U.S.A.

Once an atheist asked a Christian lady if she believed the Bible

is true. "Yes," said the lady.
"Then," said the atheist, "tell me how a whale swallowed Jonah,
as a whale's stomach is no bigger than a man's head?"
"I don't know," said the lady, "but when I get to heaven I will ask
him."
"What if Jonah is not there?" asked the atheist.
"Then you will have to ask him," replied the lady.

As humans, we are formed by our genetic inheritance and by

our environment.
Spiritually, too, we inherit genetically from our Father, in
whose image we are formed.
And the environment for Christians . . . ? Is it not "in Him" that
we live and move and have our being?
-
Betty Burton Choate
The

Choices
Betty Burton Choate
The universe exists. Only two choices have ever been offered to
explain its existence: the creative hand of God or Evolution's mutations.
If I accept the Evolutionary process as the maker and controller of all
things, what impact does that have in my life?
The Evolutionary Choice
Believing that all things - including humans - had their beginning in
the "primordial soup", I must admit that I am of the same essence as a one-
celled bacteria. The primary difference is that I am simply further in my
development along the Evolutionary chain.
Because we are all creatures in the Evolutionary process, a germ, a
roach, or a tree has as much right to live as I do. Human life is not "sacred",
and to insist on special protection or deference to my particular form of life
is unwarranted. So is insistence on the punishment of one human who takes
the life of another human. Either there should be punishment for anyone or
anything who takes any life, or if the deuth of a hog could go unnoted, so
should the deaths of humans.
Because I believe that humans are the greatest evolved thing in exis-
tence, I conclude that there is nothing and no one to whom humans must
answer. No "god" has authority over me with laws to regulate my behavior.
In fact, because humans are the pinnacle, and because I am "No. 1" to me, I
have the right to decide what is good for me, and nobody has the right to
23
force me to go by an imposed set of ple who believe in God are happier
"rules". If "lawlessness" and "anar- and healthier than unbelievers, with
chy" are the result, still I have the the result that they live longer.
right to make that choice. I can know many things that
It is ridiculous to think of val- would be a mystery and a puzzle,
ues, morals, or right and wrong con- otherwise. Multitudes of questions
cepts in relation to amoebas or birds are answered by God in His book,
or elephants. Since humans are the Bible:
only a different life-form in the How did the Universe come
Evolutionary process, it is artificial into existence? "In the begin-
to develop a value system, and it is ning God created the heavens
presumptuous to impose a man-cre- and the earth " (Genesis 1 :1f f )
ated value system on the universe. "Where were you when I [God]
Who is man, that he should have the laid the foundations of ,the
authority to say what is right, what earth? Tell M e , if you have
is wrong, and what behavior can understanding. Who determined
and should be punished? its measurements? Surely you
Just as animals die and cease to know! Or who stretched the line
exist, so also do humans die and upon it? To what were its foun-
cease to exist. Values, morals, con- dations fastened?" (Job 38:4-6).
sciences, belief in good and evil or How did man begin? "And
right and wrong, belief in the soul the Lord God formed man of the
and after-life - all of these are dust of the ground and breat,hed
interrelated and all are based on reli- into his nostrils the breath of
gious beliefs which are foreign to life; and man became a living
the Evolutionary concept. The total being" (Genesis 2:7).
at the end of a human life is of no What is man's position in
more significance than the "original relation to other life-forms?
cell" in the "primordial soup" - a "Then God blessed them, and
bit of nothing. God said to them, 'Be fruitful
and multiply; fill the earth ,and
The Choice of Belief in God subdue it; have dominion over
On the other hand, if I accept thefish of the sea, over the birds
God as the Original Cause of all of the air, and over every living
things, what impact does that have thing that moves on the earth"
in my life? (Genesis 1 :28)
Doctors now declare that peo- Who is in authority over
 man? "...submit yourselves to everlasting punishment, but the
every ordinance of man for the righteous into eternal life"
Lord's sake, whether to the king (Matthew 25:3 1,32,46).
as supreme, or to governors, as In the New Testament God has
to those who are sent by him for forbidden everything that is harmful
the punishment of evildoers and to me as a human. He has outlined
for the praise of those who do everything that is good for me in my
good, For this is the will of God physical and spiritual development
that by doing good you may put as a human. If I follow His book to
to silence the ignorance of fool- the very best of my ability, I will
ish men - Honor all people. have the happiest, fullest, most
Love the brotherhood. Fear rewarding existence possible in this
God. Honor the king" ( 1 Peter world. I will be a person of honesty
2:13-17). and integrity, caring and considerate
Must man answer to God? toward other peoples in God's
"And I saw the dead, small and world. I will be a person of peace (1
great, standing before God...And Thessalonians 5: 13), joy (1 Peter
the dead were judged according 1:8), and hope ( I Peter 1:3).
to their works, by the things I will be governed daily by
which were written in the God's spiritual laws, convinced that
books...and they were judged,
I am an immortal soul who must
each one according to his
give account to my Creator for the
works " (Revelation 20: 12,13). way I have lived in this world. I
Does man have an immortal believe that obedience to God will
soul? "And do not fear those be rewarded with eternal life in His
who kill the body but cannot kill presence, while disobedience will
the soul. But rather fear Him be punished eternally in hell. This
who is able to destroy both soul conviction will ensure that I live
and body in hell" (Matthew under God's authority, not by my
10:28). own rules, and that I will die in
Is there an after-life? hope and expectation of the resur-
"When the Son of Man comes in rection and eternal life.
His glory ...then He will sit on
I the throne af His glory. And all Results of These Opposing Beliefs
the nations will be gathered Our study has shown that these
before Him, and He will sepa- two opposing beliefs concerning the
rate them one from anoth- origins also dictate resulting beliefs
er...And these will go away into concerning life itself:
25
 1. The sanctity of life. Now I Trust You
2. Authority over life. A young lady was vacationing
3. Behavior toward fellow- in Florida when a small boy
humans and other life forms. approached and asked, "Do you
4. Recognition or denial of believe in God?"
morals and values. The girl nodded, surprised.
5. Immortality, hope, and belief "And do you always go t o
in the resurrection. church on Sunday and do you read
the Bible?'he asked.
I Which beliefs result in greater
When she replied, "At every
happiness and health for the individ-
opportunity," he seemed very
ual? relieved.
I Which beliefs would create bet- "Well, then," he said, "WiKl you
ter societal relationships? hold my quarter while I go swim-
I Which beliefs - followed ming?"
without reservation - would bring - Selected
about anarchy and the eventual
destruction of humanity?
I Which beliefs - followed fully One Book, and only one
- would bring love and peace and The Book my Father gave;
harmony to the world? One Book, and only one,
The Book with power to save.
Is it better, therefore, for us to
One Book, and only one,
believe in God or Evolution? That points the pilgrim way;
One Book, and only one,
Betty Burton Choate is the wife of J.C. To keep me, lest I stray.
Choate, editor of The Voice of Truth
International. - Selected

A Christian farmer was in a big city. He went into a nice

restaurant for lunch and sat down at a table beside some
young men. When his food came he bowed his head in silent
prayer, thanking God for the food. One of the young men
yelled over, "Hey, Farmer, does everyone do that where you
come from?"
The farmer finished his prayer and calmly replied, "Nope,
son, the pigs never do!" Selected -
 Bruce Buckley

The beautiful Psalm 119 begins with a declaration: "The heavens

declare the glory of God, and the firmament sheweth his handiwork. " To
declare is to make known. This declaration is true at all times, but especial-
ly true at certain times when nature is particularly noteworthy.
Unfortunately, not all see the glory of God in nature. As the poet
declared, "There is none so blind as those who will not see." They are not
lacking in physical eyesight, but just refuse to see what is so evident.
Nature does declare the existence of God. Unfortunately, there are
many all around us who refuse to see what is so plain. "Thefool hath said
in his heart, there is no God" (Psalm 53:l). The Bible does not call every
man a fool, but it does label the one denying the reality of God a fool, deny-
ing Him as the creator of all that is.
Nature does declare the existence of God, but it does not reveal how to
obey Him and live a Christian life. That comes from the revelation of the
written Word. The revelation of nature and the revelation of the Scriptures
are in complete agreement.
Something did not come from nothing. Only nothing is produced by
nothing. But God created the universe and all in it. Nothing existed before
creation but Divine beings. Let the doubters just look to Genesis 1 and see
how all began. "In the beginning G o d . . . . " Let us never doubt either the
declaration of nature or that of the inspired Word.
May we never be so blind as to refuse to see what is so clearly declared,
both in nature and in the Scriptures. B
Bruce Buckley is an elder in the Chapel Avenue congregation in Nashville,
Tennessee, U.S.A.

Every man must live with the man he makes of hlmself, and
the better Job he does In moldlng his character and Improving hls
mlnd, the better company he will have. - Selected
 I recently listened to a religious family (Galatians 1:16). Don't let
debate on video where one speaker your family cause you to lose your soul!
loudly and plainly announced, "God Are "the creeds of men" the
has not authorized how He wants correct standard of authority? Why
His people to worship Him." are there so many churches today?
Our Lord teaches differently: Because there are so many creeds.
"But in vain they do worship me, Jesus prayed, " ...that they also may
be one in us; that the world
may believe...." (John 17:21).
Paul pleads, "...speak the
same thing ... (have)
mat no divisions among
you ...." (1

standard of Authority? *
Corinthi-
ans I:1o).
"Practice
Daniel S. Hamm your own creed" and "join the
teaching for doctrine the command- church of your choice" can cause
ments of men" (Matthew 15:9). you to lose your soul (Revelation
Doctrines (teachings) of men are con- 22: 18,19; Ephesians 4:4; 1:22,23).
demned; (Galatians 1:8). Doctrines Is "I think" the correct standard
of Christ are upheld (2 John 9-1 1). of authority? Jeremiah 10:23 says,
By what authority do you prac- " . . . it is not in man . . . to direct

tice the things you do in religion? his steps. " "Good thinking" can be
Is "the majority" the correct wrong thinking (Proverbs 14:12).
standard of authority? Where was "I think" or "you think" can cause
the majority when the flood came? you to lose your soul.
See 1 Peter 3:20,21. Matthew What God says in His word is
7:13,14 shows that the majority are the correct standard of authority!
going to hell. Don't let the majority See Matthew 28:18; Jude 3; and 1
cause you to lose your soul! Peter 4: 11. Precious soul, can you
Are "kinsmen" the correct stan- give book, chapter, and verse from
dard of authority? I love my family, the New Testament for what you
but not more than I love God! See practice in religion? B
Matthew 10:37 and Luke 14:26.
When Paul was converted to Daniel S. Hamm preaches for the
Bishop Street congregation in Union
Christianity, he did not confer with City, Tennessee, U.S.A.
 THEW O R D O F GOD

Occasionally someone asks the first place in all the literature of the
question, "If we are living today world as a source book of ancient
under the teachings of Jesus Christ history. It alone gives the most
in the New Testament, why should accurate and full account we have of
we study the Old Testament?" the origins of the nations. More is
Although it is true that Christ said about the world ruler
nailed the law of Moses to the cross Nebuchadnezzar in the book of
and we don't live under it, this does Daniel than in any other ancient
not mean that God doesn't want us record.
to learn from the great lessons and As a source book of the study
teachings in the books of the Old of the ancient worship of the true
Testament. Paul said that they were and living God, Jehovah, the Old
written for our learning today that Testament stands out alone. No
we might gain patience, comfort, other book can compare or is as
and hope from those old Scriptures authentic as it is for the period
(Romans 15:4). before Christ came into the world.
Historical Reasons Its truths regarding historical places,
The Old Testament deserves events, and people are constantly
 THEWORDOF GOD
being confirmed by archaeology -
and historical research. Are You an
Reveals Mystery Of Origins
Active Member?
The Old Testament is the only
book that answers the great myster- Are you an active member7
ies of the origin of man and the T h e kind who would be missed,
nature of man's Creator. It tells of O r are you just contented
the creation of the universe and all T h a t your name is on the list?
life forms, the beginning of man, his Do you meetings,
sin against God, the penalty of
And with tLe crowd,
death, and the preparations to send a
O r do you stay at home
Savior into the world to rescue man
A n d complain both long and loud?
from sin and death.
Prophecies Of Christ D o you take an active part
The Old Testament was the T o help the church along,
book from which Jesus Christ and 0, are you satisfied to be
the apostles taught, before the New The kind that just belongs?
Testament was given. Its writings
D o you ever go to visit
proved that Jesus was the Son of
God by comparing the prophecies in A member who is sick,
O r leave the work for just a few
them with the facts about Jesus' life
A n d talk about the "clique?"
and deeds. Today, the o l d
Testament is a powerful source There's quite a program schedu1,cd
book to Prove that Jesus is the T h a t means success, if done
Christ, because He fulfilled all its ~ , itd can be accompl;shed
prophecies relative to the Messiah withthe lIelp of everyone.
who was to come. Several New
Testament passages cannot easily be the meetings
understood without some knowl- And with hand and heart,
edge of the Old Testament D o n ' t be just a member,

Scriptures which foretold the Lord's B u t take an active part.

coming. These are just some of ~ h it over,

~ member,
~ k
many reasons why we A r e we riSht or are we wrong?
include those ancient writings in our
reading of the Bible. ' Are you an
O r do YOU
member
just belong?

John Thiesen, a former missionary to

Malawi, now lives in Buffalo, Missouri,
- Anonymous
U.3.A.
30
 IU We got
the
Bible
Maxie B. Boren
In recent weeks I've done con- spending about three to six years in
siderable re-study and new research translating the New Testament, then
on "how we got our Bible." I have journeyed to Bethlehem where he
been deeply impressed afresh with spent fourteen more years translat-
the tremendous dedication exempli- ing the Old Testament from Hebrew
fied in certain notable ones who into Latin. His famed work is
sacrificed so much that others might known as the Latin Vulgate, the
read the Scriptures in their own lan- product of approximately twenty
guage. There are many who could years of his life! What a great
be mentioned, but for brevity's sake example of much sacrifice and work
I have chosen just four who stand . . . for the Word of God.
out in my mind. Mesrob, from about 375 to 450
Origen, who lived from 185 to A.D.,invented a written language
254 A.D.,spent 28 years of his life for the Armenian people, consisting
in the monumental undertaking of of 36 originally devised letters, just
his famous Hexapla. With what we so they might have the Bible in a
would consider very crude writing language they could read, and he
instruments and materials, he pro- made that a reality for them by
duced six parallel columns of the doing the work of translating. This
Old Testament. One column was same man, reaching out to others,
the Hebrew text itself, one the also invented a written language for
Greek equivalent, and then four ver- the neighboring country of Iberia
sions or renderings of the text. This (ancient Georgia), that they too
is truly a classic example of dedica- might have the sacred Scriptures.
tion to what was so important to Such devotion to God's Word!
him - God's Word. William Tyndale, 1484-1536
Jerome, 340-420 A.D.,after A.D.,must surely be one of the real-
 THEWORD O F GOD
ly great men in all history. This read, purchase, or possess any pro-
noble man willingly exiled himself scribed book or any New Testament
from his homeland of England, prohibited by the theologians . . . ."
never to return, that he might pursue Tyndale undoubtedly knew this
his avowed purpose of getting the decree.
Bible into the language of his peo- Some four to five years prior to
ple. Before leaving England, he Tyndale's demise, he had written
said, "I defy the Pope and all his the King of England, Henry VIII,
laws; if God spares my life, ere "offering my body to suffer what
many years I will cause a boy that pain or torture, yea, what death his
driveth the plough shall know more Grace will, so that this be obtained."
of the Scriptures than thou dost," So that what be obtained? That the
these words being spoken to a people of England might have the
prominent man of that day. Bible in their own language. What
Tyndale risked his very life in tremendous willingness to sacrifice
his zeal to translate the Bible into . . . for the Word of God!
the English language, and somehow Yet today, in the midst of liber-
he managed to master seven lan- ty and freedom, when the Bible is
guages in the process. Finally, the available in unlimited supply with
far-reaching effects of the infamous all sorts of helps and aids, very few,
inquisition, initiated and augmented relatively speaking, even take: time
by the papacy, took the life of this to read it. What a contrast! How
great man. On the charge of heresy, sad - how tragic - how pathetic!
he was tied to the stake on October What will God render at the day of
6, 1536, strangled, and burned. He judgment?
didn't go to his death unwittingly. How great is your devotion to
H. S. Miller wrote that the German God's Word? Would you die for it? P
Emperor Charles V, a staunch
Roman Catholic, had made it a
crime, "punishable by torture, burn- Maxie B. Boren preaches for the
Brown Trail Church of Christ in
ing, or burial alive, for anyone to Bedford, Texas, U.S.A.

Atquath ( ~ 4 - 4 3 0 A.@.)on- sru'b: "gab timea, harb

tines... tbia ia what people keep suying; but let 4s Live well,
anb ti- ahall be goob. 13e are the times: such as we are, ao
are the times.''
Goob w o r h for our ti-!
 It Helps to Enrich Your

A re you sure you are understanding the

richest meaning of the Bible? Test
your comprehension of the following words
used in the context found in Hebrews
chapter 2, (KJV) After making your
choices, turn the page for the correct answers.

1. slip v.- A: glide by the anchor point. B: A small piece of paper C : an un-
steady step D: to speak an idle word
2. angels n.- A: seraphim B: teraphim C : messengers of God D: benevolent
people
3. steadfast adj-A: Character in Pilgrim's Progress B: make sure C : dependable
D: to chain or tie together
4. transgression n.-A: to step across a line B: to do evil B: carelessness
D: dysfunctional
5. disobedience n.-A: Not carrying out orders B: not taking advice C : disorderly
conduct D: not paying attention
6 . recompense v.-A: to repay B: destined to suffer C : vengeance D: to strike
back
7. escape v.-A: run for your life B: to break open a lock C : to scale a fence
D: to elude the police
8. neglect v.-A: to forget B: to avoid responsibility C : make light of D: to
make a mistake.
9. great a4.-A: a dignitary B: massive size C : royal D: wonderful or enjoyable
LO. salvation n.-A: the soul's safety from destruction B: to join a church C : to
be baptized D: take communion
11. lord n.-A: a common byword B: the owner of a house C : one who owns
slaves D: one who has control over another
12. visiteth v.-A: to look upon for the purpose of caring for B: drop by for a
chat C : to sit by the bed of a sick person D: to speak with on the phone
13. witness v.-A: to answer a lawyer's questions B : to see an accident C : to
take an oath D: to share or join together in
14. signs n.-A: something transcending the common course of nature B: dreams
C : visions D: anything unusual
15. wonders n.-A: great things B: to question C : strange to
behold, thus demanding attention D: to ponder in mind
16. miracles- A : psychic readings B: deeds by the power of God C: to
recover from a serious illness D: A good job offer
s l i e G k . pararrhueo) A: to glide 13:3); Confession (Matt. 10:32-33);
by the anchor point, like a ship that and water baptism (Acts 2:38; I Pet.
passed its mooring point because the 3:21)
captain was not paying attention 11. lord--(Gk. kurios) D: one who has
angels--(Gk. angelos) C: messen- control over another. A title of great
gers of God. A heavenly or earthly significance, occurring in nearly ev-
being who is divinely appointed of ery book in the New Testament. It
God to speak (Note the messengers can mean owner (Lu. 19:33
to the seven churches of Asia in Rev. 12. visiteth-4Gk. episkeptomai) A: to
2 & 3). look upon for the purpose of caring
steadfast-Gk. bebaios) B: make for. Signifies to visit with help, of the
sure or certain. act of God (Lu. 1:68, 78; 7:16; Acts
transgression--(Gk. parabasis) A: 15:14) It can also mean to visit the
to step across a line, i.e. to violate the sick and the afflicted (matt. 25:36, 43;
line drawn in the conscience by a Jms. 1:27).
knowledge of God's word. 13. witness-4Gk. sunepimartureo) ID: to
disobedience--(Gk. parakoe) D: share or join together in. In this con
not paying attention; to fail to act text, God is sharing with the apostles
responsively because your mind was their testimony by confirming their
not seriously fastened on what you word with signs and miracles. These
were being told signs were to cease when the total
recompense-4Gk. pathetos) B: des word of the New Testament was
tined to suffer; disobedience breeds a completely revealed. (I Cor. 13:9-13)
destiny of pain for those who fail to 14. signs--(Gk. semeion) A: something
hear. transcending the common course of
escapc-(Gk. ekpheugo) A: run for nature. A sign never is given far the
your life; there is no place to run for sake of itself. It always points to
safety for those who fail to hear Jesus something else. Jesus' signswe~renot
neglect--(Gk. ameleo) C: make light given to cause people to marvel or lust
of; to forsake the assembly or treat for miracles, but were given to point
with disrespect the mercy of God to, andconfirm the word as being from
(Heb. 10:25ff). God.
great--(Gk. telikoutos) B: massive 15. wonders--(Gk. teras) C: strange to
size. Our salvation in matters of behold, thus demanding attention
worth to us and the cost to God are But always calling attention to the
immeasurable. (Matt. 1345-46; Acts power of Christ and His word. His
20:28; Jno. 3:16) name was wonderful (Isa. 7), the Is
Salvation --(Gk. soteria) A. The raelites were asked by Isaiah to stop
soul's safety from destruction. It and wonder at God's word (Isa. 29),
denotes deliverance, whether na- and the Pentecostians said that they
tional (Lu. 1: 69-71) or personal heard the apostles preach the "won
salvation in Jesus, Acts 4:ll-12). derful" words of God.
This salvation is achieved through 16. miracles--(Gk. dunamis) B: deeds
faith (Heb. 1 1:6); Repentance (Lu. by the power of God (See 14 (Sc 15)
 Hollis Miller
The philosophy of optimism them (Matthew 16:6-12). John
affirms that we are living in the best urged Christians to evaluate (prac-
possible world. But is the philoso- tice criticism) prophets who came to
phy correct? Not according to the them (1 John 4:l). Paul was eager
Bible. The best possible world to inform Timothy that the metal-
existed only when God said of His smith, Alexander, was worthy of
creation, "It is good. " The moment censure (2 Timothy 4: 140. One of
sin entered the world, the best possi- the principle responsibilities of
ble world ceased to exist. From that elders in churches is criticism (Acts
moment forward the world knew 20:28-31; Titus 1:9).
separation from God, and the conse- Positive, biblically-oriented
quences thereof. criticism will always be needed
There are those who say we do because sin and degradation will
not need critics. But are they right? accompany men until the Lord
The Old Testament prophets were returns. What is not needed is slan-
critics. Jesus was a critic. The der, gossip, and proud, arrogant
apostles were critics. What greater attitudes. All of these are sinful, in
evidence does one need that critics part because they practice criticism
have a place among us? A critic is from impure motives. We must,
one who deals in the worth of therefore, be careful when we
things. If no one ever evaluated any- become critics, that we criticize in
thing, the world would indeed be a harmony with the teaching of the
place of chaos and bewilderment. Scriptures. Q
Jesus thought so little of the
ideas Iews His that Hollis Miller is a gospel preacher in
He warned His disciples against Elkton, Kentucky, U.S.A.
 "Every Christian should be and is baptized shall be saved; but
baptized, not in order to save him, he that believeth not shall be
but because he is saved." " . . . we damned." Jesus did not say, "He
are saved before and without bap- that believeth is saved and then
tism . . ." "Baptism for the rernis- baptized." Yet, one of our quotes
sion of sins is essentially Romish" says, " . . . We are saved before and
(meaning that it came from Roman without baptism . . ." Jesus made it
Catholic Church). plain, "He that believeth and is bap-
Are these statements correct? tized shall be saved. . . " I believe I
The minds behind these statements will listen to Jesus. How about
believe that baptism does not have you?
anything to do with the taking away Second, Peter said we are to be
of sins. What does the Bible teach? baptized 'ffor the remission of sins"
In this article we will look at the and that baptism "saves us." Listen
statements of Jesus, Peter, and to Acts 2:38 and 1 Peter 3:21, " . . .
Ananias about baptism, and then Repent and be baptized every one of
you can decide what is the purpose you in the name of Jesus Christ for
of baptism. the remission of sins, and ye shall
First, Jesus said a man is not receive the gifr of the Holy Ghost"
saved before he is baptized. Listen and "The likefigure whereunto even
to Mark 16:16, "He that believeth baptism doth also now save us . . ."
36
In view of these two statements,
how can anyone say that baptism is Acts 8
not for the remission of sins and that (A Proper Conversion)
baptism does not save us? Yet, one
Brother, have you read Acts chapter eight?
of our quotes says, "Every Christian
How the Eunuch was led to the pathway
should be baptized, not in order to straight?
save him, but because he is saved
already." Again, I will listen to Coming from Jerusalemthat wonderful day
Peter. How about you? And reading Isaiah as he went on his way.
Third, Ananias said we are to
Now Philip understood the Eunuch's need
be baptized to "wash away our And asked him, 'Understand thou what
sins. " He told Saul of Tarsus, "And thou doeth read?"
now why tarriest thou? arise, and
be baptized and wash away thy sins, "How can I,"he said, "except someone
calling on the name of the Lord" guide?"
(Acts 22:16). How could it be any So Philip climbed up and with him did ride.
plainer? We are to be baptized to
"wash away our sins. " Again, I
will listen to Ananias. How about A wonderful sermon from
you?
In Romans 6:3-7, Paul makes it They came to a certain water, the Eunuch
plain that we are baptized into said, 'Whoan,
Imust obey Jesus ere onward Igo.
Christ's death, that we are buried
with Him, and that we arise to walk Philip asked, "Do you believe Christ is
in newness of life. In His death, God's Holy Son?"
Christ shed His blood. Baptism is If you make this confession Z can be done.
the only thing that brings us in con-
They went down into the water, for the
tact with His death. Our sins are
Eunuch's immersion,
removed and we arise as new crea- Not for sprinkling or pouring, but proper
tures in Christ. It is so simple! immersion.
Why not just accept what the Bible
says baptism is for? This is the only But, brother, do you believe that in the very
way that you, I, or anyone else will same way,
go to heaven. Q We can be saved by repentance, confes-
sion, and baptismtoday?
Ken Tyler preaches for the church of -Raymond G. Hayes
Christ in Arab, Alabama, U.S.A. and
has preached in several campaigns in
Trinidad, West Indies.
 Observations

G. F. Raines
One of the most frequently and were thankful, but became futile in
heatedly discussed issues of the pre- their thoughts, and their foolish
sent day is that of homosexuality. hearts were darkened. Professing
Is homosexuality a socially, moral- to be wise, they became fools
ly, and spiritually acceptable alter- ...Therefore God also gave them up
native life style in the sight of the to uncleanness, in the lust of their
Almighty God? hearts, to dishonor their bodies
For a very clear and decisive among themselves, who exchanged
answer to this exceedingly impor- the truth of God for the lie, and
tant question from a scriptural per- worshiped and served the creature
spective, please read Genesis 19; rather than the Creator, who is
Leviticus 18:22; Romans 1:20-28; 1 blessed forever. Amen
Corinthians 6:9- 11. "For this reason God gave
"...Do not be deceived. Neither them up to vile passions. For even
fornicators, nor idolaters, nor adul- their women exchanged. the natural
terers, nor homosexuals, nor use for what is against nature.
sodomites, nor thieves, nor cov- Likewise also the men, leaving the
etous, nor drunkards, nor revilers, natural use of the woman, burned in
nor extortioners will inherit the their lust for one another, men with
kingdom of God. And such were men, committing what is shameful,
some of you. But you were washed, and receiving the penalty of their
but you were sanctified, but you error which was due.
were justified in the name of the "And even as they did not like
Lord Jesus and by the Spirit of our to retain God in their knowledge,
God" (1 Corinthians 6:9-11). God gave them over to a debased
"...although they knew God, mind to do those things which are
they did not glorify Him as God, nor not fitting; being filled with all
38
 DOCTRINE TO LIVE
BY
unrighteousness, sexual immorality, urge, inclination, or propensity to
wickedness, covetousness, mali- do, and they do not have a sufficient
ciousness, full of envy, murder, amount of knowledge of and rever-
strife, deceit, evil-mindedness... ence for what the Bible teaches.
"Who, knowing the righteous The Bible very plainly and
judgment of God, that those who unequivocally says, "And the times
practice such things are worthy of of this ignorance God winked at;
death, not only do the same but also but now commandeth all men every
approve of those who practice where to repent: Because he hath
them" (Romans 1:21-32). appointed a day, in the which he
"You shall not lie with a male will judge the world in righteous-
as with a woman. It is an abomina- ness by that man whom he hath
tion" (Leviticus 18:22). ordained; whereof he hath given
Each person will settle the assurance unto all men, in that he
homosexuality issue in his own hath raised him from the dead"
mind on the basis of whether or not (Acts 17:30,31).
he believes that the Bible was "For we must all appear before
"given by inspiration of God" (2 the judgment seat of Christ; that
Timothy 3: 16,17) and whether he every one may receive the things
wholeheartedly respects the will of done in his body, according to that
God revealed in the Bible. he hath done, whether it be good or
Through many centuries of bad. Knowing therefore the terror
time, the precious Holy Bible has of the Lord, we persuade men; but
proved itself to be (as it claims to we are made manifest unto God;
be) the true, inspired Word of God. and I trust also are made manifest
We must, therefore, diligently in your consciences" (2 Corinthians
observe its prohibitions and careful- 5:10,1I).
ly and conscientiously follow its "And as it is appointed unto
instructions. Please read Deuter- men once to die, but after this the
onomy 4:2; 12:32; Revelation judgment" (Hebrews 9:27).
22: 17-19. "Whosoever transgresseth, and
In my judgment, the world's abideth not in the doctrine of Christ,
greatest social and spiritual problem hath not God. He that abideth in
is the fact that it is a manifest cer- the doctrine of Christ, he hath both
tainty that too many people are the Father and the Son" (2 John 9 ) O
adamantly determined and resolved
to "do their own thing," that is, to G. F. Raines writes and preaches in
do whatever they have a strong Newton,Mississippi, U.S.A.
 DOCTRINETO LIVE BY

Being Clothed
With Christ
Bill B. Gibson

Hugo McCord, in his New Testament of the Everlasting Gospel,

translates Galatians 3:27 like this: "For as many of you as were immersed
into Christ clothed yourselves with Christ." There can be no doubt this is
the correct translation, but what does it mean to be clothed with Christ?
+ To be clothed with Christ is to take on the "mind of Christ." One
takes on His characteristics.
+ To be clothed with Christ is to do our very best to "walk in the
steps of Jesus " (1 Peter 2:21).
+ To be clothed with Christ is to live so that people can tell "we
have been with Jesus" (Acts 4: 13).
+ To be clothed with Christ is to trust Him with all our hearts,
acknowledge Him in all our ways, and let Him direct our lives (Proverbs
3:5,6). It is to accept Him as our Lord and King, saying, "Not my will,
but Thine be done" (Luke 22:42).
+ Just as a child in a fleshly birth takes on the likeness of his par-
ents, the Christian, being clothed with Jesus, takes on the appearance of
Christ (2 Corinthians 3:18).
+ Being clothed with Christ in baptism we take His name -
"Christian" - and it is required that we always honor that name (1 Peter
4:15,16).
+ We often sing what it means to be clothed with Christ in such
songs as "Jesus Is All the World To Me," "I Surrender All," "Take the
World But Give Me Jesus," "None Of Self and All Of Thee," and "Let
the Beauty of Jesus Be Seen In Me."
+ To be clothed with Christ is to be clothed with the most beautiful
of all garments. It is to be pure like Jesus, to love like Jesus, to forgive
like Jesus, to empathize like Jesus, and to speak like Jesus. In short,
40
 Christ lives in us and we live for
Him (Galatians 2:20; Philippians
1:211.
4 To be clothed with On the one hand, the Scriptures
speak of the Christian being clothed
Christ in baptism is to wear the
with Christ, being washed in His
most expensive garments in the blood in baptism, and as wearing
world. He purchased them with His righteousness. As we go about
His own blood (1 Peter 1:18,19). our daily lives, people are to see
4 When one is clothed Christ in our behavior, not ourselves.
with Christ in baptism, he is On the other hand, the
from then on protected by Scriptures speak of Christ dwelling
in the Christian: "...that Christ may
Christ, as long as he wears
dwell in your hearts through faith"
Christ in honor (Matthew (Ephesians 3:16,17). This means
28:20). that whatever we do, wherever we
4 Being clothed with go, we take Christ with us -that He
Jesus, we are new creatures (2 is in us (Romans 8:9,10).
Corinthians 5 : 17; Romans Do we subject Christ to fits of
12:1,2). anger, pouting, grudges, and
- - -

It should be obvious that when bad language, in worldly

response to problems which
we are clothed with Christ in bap-
occur in life?
tism, we are not automatically
Do we mistreat our bodies
changed into His exact likeness (and Christ, who dwells in us)
(Philippians 2:5; Romans 13:14). through our worldly habits as we
But, each day the Christian lives he ~artakeof alcohol, nicotine, and
does his best to be more like Jesus. other harmful substances?
He grows in Christ. 9 Do we take Christ to places
where He would not choose to go?
Bill B. Gibson preaches the Gospel of Do we make ourselves a house
Christ in Vinita, Oklahoma, U.S.A.
where our Lord can be pleased to
dwell, loving God and bur fellow
man, worshipping, doing good,
teaching the lost to be saved?
Or do we live in such worldli-
ness that He is continually hurt and
stifled by our behavior? Will He stay
with us, or might we force Him to
leave?
- Betty Burton Choate
 1. Six days before
, Jesus came
to where was. (V. 1)
2. Who sewed at the supper? (V. 2)
3. What did Mary do? (V. 3)
4. What objection was made by Judas Iscariot?

5. Jesus said, " :

- - . " (V. 7)
6. What did the chief priests plot to do? (V. 10)

7. As Jesus was entering Jerusalem, what did the people do?

8. Jesus rode on a young donkey. This was the fulfillment of a

prophecy in Zechariah 9:9 which said, " ,
-; Behold, - -is coming, sitting on a don-
key's colt." (V. 15)
9. The Pharisees said among themselves, "You see that you are accomplish-
ing nothing. Look, !" (V. 19)
10. Jesus, knowing that He was soon to die, said, "Now My soul is
, and what shall I say? 'Father, save Me from this
hour'? But
. Father, name." (V. 27)
11. What did the voice from heaven say? (V. 28)
12. Jesus said, "And I, ,
--- - . (V. 32)
"

13. Though many, even among the rulers, believed in Jesus, why did
they not confess Him as the Messiah? (V. 42,43)
14. "He who r e j e c t s , and does not receive .
---------
--------." (V. 48)
15. Whose message did Jesus speak? (V. 50)
[See inside of back cover for answers.]
 - -
-

Allan E. Flaxman

It comes as a shock to some "old style" monarchy used by

people to hear that the Lord's England and some other countries
church is not a democracy! This up until a few centuries ago.
information is even something of a The conclusion then, even if
surprise to some church members. not expressed in words, would be
You see, many of us have been that Christ's church would have the
raised in countries that are governed best - therefore, it would have a
as democracies. We've been taught democratic form of government.
all of our lives that the democratic Wrong! It definitely has the
form of government, with its faults best form of government, but that is
admitted, is the best kind of govern- not a democratic government.
ment, that it is superior to dictator- Rather, it is an absolute monarchy!
ships, and is even better than the You see, where an absolute monar-
chy is as bad as a dictatorship for mous power and declared to be
human governments, it works beau- infallible.
tifully with the church, because we Efforts to correct this blindness
have the Perfect Monarch (Hebrews to the complete authority of Christ
4:15; John 8:46). He is not only only yielded other errors with "syn-
sinless, but it is impossible for Him ods," "presbyteries," "councils,"
to make a mistake in any way. "general assemblies," and other
Further, He loves us to the point decision-making conferences, with
that He gave His life so that we powers vestcd in them never autho-
could become citizens in His king- rized by the New Testament. Many
dom (John 3:16). of these problems arose during the
Now Jesus Christ reigns "Reformation," and in turn led to
supreme in His kingdom, the denominationalism as we have it
church. Jesus made this clear to His today, all because people over-
apostles shortly after His resurrec- looked the fact that Christ has
tion, saying, "All power (authority) absolute authority as our KING.
has been given unto me in heaven "Elders," "bishops," "pastors,"
and on earth " (Matthew 28: 18). "overseers" (all referring to the
The inspired apostle Paul tells us same office in the New Testament)
that Christ is "head" and that we are have their place in the church, with
all "subject" to Him, and that He is there always being more than one
to be given absolute pre-eminence elder in any one congregation, and
by us. That does not leave room for there never being one elder over
anyone to occupy a position of more than one congregation. Their
authority above or equal to Him work is to see to the spiritual wel-
(Ephesians 1:22,23; Colossians fare of the local congregation, and
1:18). they themselves are completely sub-
It was a failure to keep this ject to the authority of Christ, as
important fact in mind that led to expressed in the New Testament.
the creation of such unscriptural This is how the Lord's church
offices as "Arch Bishops," operates today. Are you a member
"Patriarchs," and later to of His church where He is recog-
"Cardinals," all of this by the 3rd nized as, and seen to be in practice,
and 4th centuries. These offices, in the Absolute Monarch? 8
turn, led to a complicated hierarchy,
and ultimately to the appointment of
a supreme "arch-bishop" called the Allan E. Flaxman is a pioneer gospel
preacher in New South Wales,
"Pope." He was vested with enor- Australia.
 W. Douglass Harris

When Christ, through His apostles, estab-

lished His church, it was what He wanted it to
be in every respect. If He had desired it to be
different: since He was the builder (Matthew
16:18), that was the time for Him to set it up
differently. All who accept the New
Testament as divinely inspired believe there is
a pattern for the church revealed therein.
divine aspects, it was as Jesus built it, a
have no authority to change it or re-struc
But looking at the religious world toda
can we identify that church?
Planned Eternally
According to Paul, it was in the mind of
God from eternity past (Ephesians 3: 10,ll;
Colossians 1:26). This means that the church
as built by Christ was not an afterthought or
contingency action of Christ. It was not a sub-
stitute for the kingdom, but it is that kingdom
foretold by the Old Testament prophets
(Daniel 2:44; Matthew 16:18,19). Did John
45
the Baptist, the twelve apostles, the seventy sent out by Christ under the lim-
ited commission, and Christ Himself, who proclaimed the kingdom was "at
hand," prove to be false prophets (Matthew 3: 1,2; 10:7; Luke 10:1-9)? This
is what the "postponement theory" does to eighty-four God-sent preachers
- it makes them false prophets.
Time And Place Of Origin
Inspired prophetic statements specified the time and place of its origin
as the last days in Jerusalem (Isaiah 2:l-3; Luke 24:46,47). "Last days"
refers to the last age of time covered by the Bible (Hebrews 1:1,2). This
was fulfilled on the Pentecost of Acts 2. All prophecy about the church
before that day points to Acts 2; all references to the church after that day
point back to its origin on the Pentecost of Acts 2 (see Acts 11:15). Any
church started at another place and time could not be the one Jesus built.
Divine Designations
Although the church Jesus built has no proper name, there are certain
designations that are used by inspiration to distinguish it. A variety of des-
ignations are applied to its members collectively and individually.
Collectively, they are called "churches of Christ" (Romans 16:16),
"churches of God" (2 Thessalonians 1 :4), and "churches of the saints" (1
Corinthians 14:33). Individually, they are called "Christians" (Acts 11:26),
"saints" (Philippians 1:I), or "brethren" (Romans 12:1). All of these des-
ignations are of divine origin and have special significance. The church, as
Jesus built it, accepts these divine designations only. Designations unknown
to the New Testament would be a departure from the divine pattern and not
as Jesus intended.
Government
As described in the New Testament, each congregation was an
autonomous unit with Christ as the only head (Colossians 1:18; Ephesians
1:22,23). "Autonomous" means "self-governing; independent." There was
no organizational structure which tied together a diocese, district, parish.
conference, or association. There was no such distinction as "clergy," who
wore high-sounding titles, as distinguished from the "laity." The highest
organization was that of the local congregation with its elders and deacons,
when fully organized. Divine wisdom is indicated in this arrangement to
prevent all congregations from going into apostasy if one does. Any church
under any other head with any form of man-made government could not be
the church as Jesus built it.
 Plan Of Salvation
Jesus built His church to be His exclusive body of the saved, and His
inspired ambassadors were authorized to stipulate the conditions by which
sinners could be saved and added thereto (Mark 16:15,16; Matthew
28:19,20; Luke 24:46-49). With the authority to bind these conditions
(Matthew 16:19; 18:18), the book of Acts records the acts of His apostles in
obedience to His commands (chapters 2,8,9,10,16, etc.). When properly
analyzed and collated, we learn that they all obeyed the same commands
(believed, repented, confessed, and were baptized for remission of sins), and
were added by the Lord to His church (Acts 2:47). Any church that does not
teach and bind this divine plan surely is not the one that Jesus built.
System Of Worship
Christ authorized the worship of the church He built (John 4:24;
Colossians 3:17). It must be directed to the right object (Matthew 4:lO;
John 4:24; Revelation 19:10), and through the divinely-authorized avenues
(Acts 2:42; Galatians 5: 18,19; Colossians 3: 16), for such does the Lord seek
to be His worshippers (John 4:23). Curses are pronounced against those
who would add, subtract, or substitute human-authorized acts for these
divine acts (Galatians 1:6-8; 1 Corinthians 4:6; 1 Peter 4:ll). Any church
which does more or less than teach the Gospel, observe the Lord's Supper
weekly, pray, give of its means, and sing (a cappella) is not the church as
Jesus built it.
Conclusion
We dare not lay unholy hands on any of these divine aspects of the
divine elements of the church as Jesus built it, to change them by perversion,
adulteration, substitution, or deletion. To do so is to defy the authority of
heaven and rob Christ of the glory He is to receive through His church
throughout all ages as He built it (Ephesians 3:21). 0

W. Douglass Harris is the editor of the Caribbean Messenger and lives in

Decatur, Alabama, U.S.A.

The cross 1s easier t o the Ghr/i~t/bn

who takes
it ~p thug t o the one who drup it u/ong
 THE CHURCH

who felt they were

severely mistreated,
but all of the elders
under which I have
served have been fair
and supportive. I have
seen them anguish
over some dilemma
they were presented,
when whatever deci-
sion they made would

oversight of a congre-

The Flock :?:;E:z:;

must be remembered.
(1) The oversight is
not to be dictatorial.
Elders are not a board
of directors of a corpo-
ration called the
church, but they are
exemplary leaders of a
family of servants.
One way elders can
When Paul met with the tell if they are becoming executives
Ephesian elders at Miletus he rather than humble workers is the
instructed: "Take heed therefore unto amount of time spent in business
yourselves, and to all the flock, over meetings. Elders should be alarmed
the which the Holy Ghost hath made when they spend more time in man-
you overseers, to feed the church of agerial type meetings than dealing
God, which he hath purchased with directly with hurting or wayward
his own blood" (Acts 20:28). members.
Elders have always had my (2) The oversight is to be
admiration. Usually they serve from elders, plural not singular.
without pay and are often unappre- The authority that elders exercise is
ciated. I have heard of preachers never to be singular unless one elder
is delegated to look after a particu- tion to the Shepherds of Israel
lar work. Members of the Lord's which would serve well the shep-
church have clearly understood that herds of God's spiritual flock today.
one elder is not to exercise authori- "And the word of the Lord
ty, singularly. If a congregation has came unto me, saying, Son of Man,
two elders and one dies, the remain- prophesy against the shepherds of
ing elder must resign, because God Israel, prophesy, and say unto them,
never organized His flock to b e Thus saith the Lord God unto the
overseen by one man. shepherds; Woe be to the shepherds
Members can help a godly elder of Israel that do feed themselves!
not to overstep his bounds by never should not the shepherds feed the
"cornering" him with some question pocks? Ye eat the fat, and ye clothe
and insisting that he give them an you with the wool, ye kill them that
answer. We have all seen members are fed: but ye feed not the flock.
who tried to befriend an elder to get The diseased have ye not strength-
some favorable influence. Such un- ened, neither have ye healed that
Christ-like action will desist if each which was sick, neither have ye
godly eider will wait until decisions bound up that which was broken,
are reached by the eldership before neither have ye brought again that
he responds to any question. which was driven away, neither
(3) The oversight that elders have ye sought that which was lost;
exercise is to be of the flock and but with force and with cruelty have
not of themselves. By this I mean ye ruled them.
that elders must always have the "And they were scattered,
interest of the flock on their heart. because there is no shepherd: and
The easy way to function when they became meat to all the beasts
there are problems might be by of the field, when they were scat-
mass disfellowship, but godly elders tered. My sheep wandered through
know that Jesus died for each mem- all the mountains, and upon every
ber in the congregation and that one high hill: yea, my flock was scat-
soul is worth whatever effort neces- tered upon all the face of the earth,
sary to assist in going to heaven. and none did search or seek after
The easy way to discipline would be them " (Ezekiel 34:1-8). B
for elders to mail a letter of correc-
tion, but godly elders understand
that there is no communication like Jerry Jenkins is the preacher for the
personal, face to face, teaching. Roebuck Parkway congregation of the
church of Christ in Birmingham,
Long ago Ezekiel gave instruc- Alabama, U.S.A.
JusCberng present IS
nsdfclent for
 When I think of heaven, I'm which from the beginning of the
moved with the beauty and wonder ages has been hidden in God who
of a place where there is no more created all things through Jesus
pain, no more sorrow, no more Christ; to the intent that now the
death. manifold wis-
When I d o m of God
think of hell, might be made
I am stunned known by the
by the terri- church t o the
bleness of a principalities
place of tor- and powers in
ment, a place the heavenly
of eternal places, accord-
darkness ing to the eter-
where there is nal purpose
no hope. which He ac-
The line complished in
between these Christ Jesus our
two places is Lord" (Ephe-
drawn by the sians 3:9-11).
Gospel and I am awed when I real- God's plan for man's salvation
ize that the Gospel is now in earthen began to unfold even as early as
vessels. The eternal destiny of men Genesis 3:15. Ultimately Jesus was
is in our hands. born of the tribe of Judah and every-
The Bible contains much infor- one who becomes a Christian enjoys
mation on many subjects and we the blessing that Almighty God
could preach and teach from now on promised through the Seed of
and probably say little about reach- Abraham.
ing the lost, if we choose to do so. Isaiah wrote, "...the earth shall
We could teach Bible classes from be filled with the knowledge of the
now on and say very little about our Lord as the waters cover the earth"
personal responsibility for winning (Isaiah 11:9). Now that was God's
the lost, if we choose to do so. The hope and God's intention and
eternal purpose of God according God's plan. God had high expecta-
to the scripture is the redemption tions of His church!
of man. "And to make all see what I doubt that there has ever been
is the fellowship of the mystery, a time when this prophecy could
 CHURCH
GROWTH

more likely be accomplished than with the flame of divine love for a
today, because of modern means of world of lost souls. "For God so
communications. We can do things loved the world that He gave His
now that were unforeseen even a only begotten Son that whoever
few years ago. In Isaiah 2:2, God's should believe in Him should not
expectations of the church are perish but have everlasting life."
described, "It shall come to pass in That's a precious and important
the latter days that the mountain of passage of Scripture.
the Lord's house shall be estab- Jesus healed the sick, restored
lished in the top of the mountain the sight of the blind, raised the
and all nations shallflow into it. " dead, and taught many great
There are many people today lessons. But in Luke 19: 10 He tells
who do not know the name of Jesus. why He really came: "For the Son
There are others who of man hath
have never heard the come to seek and
gospel in its purity save that which
and its simplicity. is lost." If we
Therefore, we have want to know
the awesome and what the busi-
fearful responsibility ness of the
and privilege to try church is today,
to get this message then we need to
of salvation to as re-discover what
many people as we the business of
possibly can. Jesus was: to
It was said of Jesus before He save the lost!
was even born, "He will save the In the first four books of the
people from their sins" (Matthew New Testament Jesus began to set
1 :11). I like the song "Jesus Saves." in motion the most effective plan
I wish we could get on our minds for carrying the gospel to the world
the thought that people urgently that has ever been known. He
need to be saved. How much of our called twelve men to be His apos-
thought-time is spent on the fact tles. In the process of training them
that people all around us are lost for their work, He was associated
and need salvation? with them closely. He insisted they
Someone has described John be consecrated, committed, and
3:16 not only as the golden text of dedicated. He taught them what
the Bible, but as one that glows they needed to know, to become
 CHURCH
GROWTH

what He wanted them to be and to events. He died in man's stead, tak-

do the work He wanted them to do. ing the punishment men deserve for
their sins. Then He arose from the
dead. So, then, the Gospel - the
glorious good news - is that
Christ died, He was buried, and
He arose on the third day (1
Corinthians 15:1-4).
Forty days later, with His apos-
tles gathered around Him, He gave
what we often refer to as the Great
Commission. Mark's account says,
"Go into all the world and preach
the gospel. He that believeth and is
baptized shall be saved, and he that
believeth not shall be condemned"
(Mark 16:15,16). Matthew puts it a
little differently, "Go ye, therefore,
and teach all nations, baptizing
them in the name of the Father, the
Son, and the Holy Spirit, teaching
them to observe all things whatsoev-
er I have commanded you"
(Matthew 28: 18-20).
He did demonstration teaching, Three things:
showing them how the work was to J go and teach,
be done, and He set the example for J baptize,
them. Then He began their practical
J and teach them to
training by sending them on the lim-
observe all things.
ited commission (Matthew 10).
Jesus supervised the work His Jesus did not say his disciples
disciples did, and they reported to have a choice in the matter. He
Him the great things that had hap- said, "Go and teach, " but a better
pened. He devoted three and a half version says, "Go and make disci-
years to training these chosen men. ples. " This difference in thought
Jesus' death on the cross to may explain why many Christians
save the people from their sins was feel the Great Commission has been
the ultimate act in this sequence of fulfilled as long as we are teaching,
 CHURCH
GROWTH

even if our methods are not effec- The parable says he gave one
tive and if there are very few, if any, man five talents, another was given
converts. This is why many are not two, a third was given one, and then
greatly concerned even if no one is the master went on his journey.
saved through our efforts. After a time he returned and there
The Phillips' paraphrase ver- was an accounting as to what the
sion quotes the Great Commission servants had done, how much profit
as, "You must go out into all the they had made with what he had
world and proclaim the gospel to entrusted to them. All but the one-
every creature. He who believes it talent man had doubled their talents.
and is baptized will be saved, and He had buried his.
he who disbelieves it will be con- In the final day, the master gave
demned. " He said, "You must." a commendation to those who had
Somebody once said that the done well with what they had been
Ten Commandments were treated given, and then there was condem-
as Ten Suggestions. How many nation of the one-talent man who
Christians treat the Great Comrnis- had been afraid. How many times
sion more as a suggestion that we have you refused to do something
can choose to obey or ignore, for God because you were afraid?
rather than as a command? As the To be controlled by fear is a danger-
Lord's people, we need to get seri- ous thing. Revelation 21:8 says that
ous about our responsibility to obey the fearjiul will be lost.
the Great Commission: to go and The one-talent man said, "I was
preach the gospel. afraid...", and the Lord said, "...you
I believe the parable of the tal- wicked and lazy servant ..."
ents is parallel to the Great (Matthew 25:29). Then He said
Commission, because it describes "...castthe unprofitable servant into
the Kingdom of heaven as a man the outer darkness. There will be
traveling into a far country, who weeping and gnashing of teeth"
gathered together his servants and (Matthew 25:30). I believe this
delivered unto them his goods and forewarns how God will deal with
straightway took his journey those people who do not take His
(Matthew 25:14-30). I believe that gospel that was put in their hands
man represents Jesus. The servants and dispense it to all the world.
to whom He delivered his goods So often we think that not com-
represents us. We are the earthen mitting the sins of the flesh is the
vessels, charged with the spread of primary measure of a Christian.
the gospel. There is more to faithfulness than
 CHURCH
GROWTH

abstinence. Is there no condemna- forth, not only in Macedonia and

tion if we ignore what God has Achaia, but also in everyplace your
commanded us to do? Will God faith toward God is spread abroad;
reward silent disobedience? so that we need not speak any-
In 2 Timothy 2:2, Paul clearly thing."

Christ so loved the world that He came to seek and save the lost....
THEIR PURPOSE:
To save the lost. . . To save the lost. . . To save the lost. . .
Unless the saving of the lost is the focus of the church - and my focus as an
individual Christian - the work God left in our hands is not actually being done.

related God's plan to Timothy, Everything we do in the

"The things that thou hast heard of church must reflect God's eternal
me, the same commit to faithful men purpose - the saving of souls.
who shall be able to teach others Sadly, in the church today, the use
also. " That was God's plan to take of our many resources does not
the gospel to the world: It must reflect this intent. Our preaching,
become the work of the converted our educational programs, and our
to teach and convert others. The various other programs are designed
message cannot remain bottled up in to maintain the status quo in the
the heart of the receiver; it must be church, rather than train and moti-
shared; fruit must be borne. vate us to be soul winners. We need
Lost souls are won in the arena to re-focus, centering on God's pur-
of sacrifice and there are few won in pose for us in this world.
the arena of convenience. Yet the Unfortunately, today the Great
winning of souls is the reason God Commission too often is the great
has left Christians in the world. We omission. The result is millions of
need realize this and commit our- lost souls dying untold. How long
selves to this Great Commission of will we allow this tragedy to contin-
carrying the gospel to the lost.
ue? Q
Paul told the Thessalonians in 1 Clavton P e ~ ~ is e ra Qreacher of the
Thessalonians :8, ''For from you g o i p e ~who works with mass media
evangelism through Restoration
the word of the Lord has sounded Radio Network in Nashville, TN, U.S.A.
 Several volumes have been ing must be entered into with enthu-
written on church growth. Most siasm and zeal.
have within them helpful thoughts, Second, a strong commit-
though not all ideas advanced
adhere to Scripture. Dr. Win Arn ment to outreach.
has one chapter in which some pen- They were not smitten with
etrating thoughts are gleaned from a passivity. They did not wait for the
look at the growing church at world to come to them. They were
Antioch in the book of Acts. Let us active, daring to confront their
consider some of those characteris- world. So must we! They made
tics. personal contact. We must establish
relationships with people if we want
First, a strong commitment to successfully channel the bless-
to worship. ings of Christ into the lives of peo-
The public assemblies of the ple. There is no substitute for per-
church are vital to growth. Worship sonal contact.
periods need to be quality times of Third, a strong commitment
praise, celebration, and joy. If wor-
ship periods are cold and formal, to the edification of the
they don't win people. Worship saints.
requires plan and preparation. The In the body of Christ everyone
focus is on God! The by-products found love and acceptance. From
are fellowship, sharing, reinforcing all walks of life they came, but in
of our love. Prayer, the Lord's Christ they were one. In that atmos-
Supper, singing, giving, and teach- phere they were edified. A major
thrust of their assemblies was edifi-
cation (1 Corinthians 14:26). Look
at the "edify" passages (Romans
14:19; 1 Corinthians 8 : l ; 1
Corinthians 14: 12; Ephesians
4:12,16).
Fourth, a strong commit-
ment to people.
Every reference Jesus made to
the word "church" always had peo-
ple in mind. The church is people
serving people. At Antioch they
were "members one of anotherw-
devoted to, honoring, minding,
admonishing, forbearing, submis-
sive, and caring for each other
(Romans 12:5,10; 15:5,14;
Ephesians 5:20,21). Jesus reached
out to people-touching, healing,
and saving. So must we!
Fifth, a strong commitment
to sacrifice and
faithfulness.
They offered themselves as
"living sacrifices." They learned
the meaning of "denying self and
taking their cross" (Romans 12:l;
Matthew 16:26). There was a loyal-
ty and steadfastness that enabled
them to triumph in Christ (Romans
8:37).
May our pattern of growth
always be Biblical in content and
thrust. 3
Clarence Deloach, Jr. preaches for the
Walnut Street church in Dickson,
Tennessee, U.S.A.
 No
Place
For A
Wagon
Frank Chesser

Though yet fresh, slavery in charged with the framework, and

Egypt was now a memory. In just Kohath with the furniture, of which
three weeks, a year of sojourn at Mt. the ark of the covenant was the
Sinai would expire and Israel would pivot (Numbers 4).
continue its journey toward Canaan. Six wagons were set aside for
Surely the heart of the nation must use in transporting the tabernacle.
have quickened in anticipation of The Gershonites received two and
the proximity of the fulfillment of the Merarites four. "But unto the
God's promise to Abraham (Gene- sons of Kohath he gave none;
sis 12:7). because the service of the sanctuary
The three sons of Levi had belonging unto them was that they
charge of the tabernacle, its furnish- should bear upon their shoulders"
ings, and the utensils to be utilized (Numbers 7:9). There was no place
in connection with its services. The for a wagon in the service of the
sons of Gershon were responsible Kohathites. Their's was a "shoul-
for the curtains and their acces- der" affair.
sories. The family of Merari was Now the period of the priests
and judges had passed. Israel had
been a kingdom under Saul, and "I'm Yours Lord"
was now ruled by David. In the
process of these changes, the Ark of "For you were bought at a
the Covenant had been separated price; therefore glorify God in
from the tabernacle for seventy your body and in your spirit,
years. David was eager to reinstate which are God's" ( 1 Corinthians
this symbol of God's presence in its 6:20).
proper place. Tragically, he resort-
ed to a wagon. His error paved the Lct us give thc Lord
way for Uzzah's death (2 Samuel I Our hcur: "You shall love the
6: 1-7). David later acknowledged, Lord your God with all your heart"
" . . . we sought him not after the
(Matthew 22:37).
due order" (1 Chronicles 15: 13).
God is the sole object of true I Our cycs: "The lamp of the
worship. Homage paid to His name body is the eye. Therefore, when
must conform t o His way. God your eye is good, your whole body
wants singing, not playing (Colos- also isfull of light" (Luke 11:34).
sians 3:16); the heart, not a
machine; a divinely-tuned voice, not I Our cars: "He who has an ear,
a humanly-designed instrument. let him hear what the Spirit says to
The human touch short-circuits the the churches" (Revelation 2:7).
acceptability of worship and renders
the experience an exercise in futility I Our hands: "Cleanse your
(Matthew 15:9). hands, you sinners; and purify your
There is no place for machinery hearts, you doublerninded" (James
in God's pattern of worship. God's
423).
musical choice is singing. Our's is
a "heart" affair (Ephesians 5:19). Our fccr: "Having shod your
The blending of voices in song is feet with the preparation of the
the "due order." God will not
gospel of peace" (Ephesians 4:25).
accept music by mechanical equip-
ment, conveyed on the wagon of Our tongue: "Let each one of
man's rebel will. B you speak truth with his neighbor,
for we are members of one anoth-
Frank Chesser preaches for the er" (Ephesians 4:25).
Panama Street congregation in
Montgomery, Alabama, U.S.A. -Charles Box
 Bill Dillon
Worship is the Christian's spiri- ble challenge of sudden tragedy.
tual vitality. Worship is to the soul The following Sunday, the family
what bread is to the body. In peri- was first to arrive at the church
ods of praise to God we are renewed building. Their faces bore the shad-
and rededicated to high aims and ows and strains of the deep grief
holy purposes. Worship tempers us through which they were passing,
against evils in the time yet to come. but the father explained, "We're
In the difficult business of daily here today because we couldn't
living worship enables us to seek a think of a better place to be!"
source of strength outside ourselves. The father was right. Worship
It causes us to be humbled by gives comfort as we lay the weight
thoughts of the majesty and irnrnen- of sorrow and of every problem at
sity of God. Worship helps us to the feet of God!
keep life in proper focus and saves The very observance of the first
us from drowning in puddles of pet- day of the week is a shining memor-
tiness. ial of the Lord's resurrection and
One of the finest statements His triumph over death. Guilt,
ever made on the value of attending grief, and the grave are vanquished
worship services came from a grief- in the brightness and glory of the
stricken father whose oldest son had Lord's victory. This fact alone is
been killed in a traffic accident. enough to dry every tear on the
Funeral services were conducted, earth! Q
and the two remaining small broth-
ers, with their heart-broken parents, Bill Dillon is editor of Gospel Gleaner
and d reaches for the Lord's church in
proved themselves equal to the terri- ~ountainHome, Arkansas, U.S.A.

Worship is more than belng at the right place at the right time. It is
more than just the right form and emotion. It is entering whole-
heartedly into an experience God wants us to have.
 WORSHIP

Worship
Lord in the
eauty of
HdiBriilsaam
Ron Bryant
same moment, worship of God is
the noblest form of human utter-
ance, for it combines the soul's
Love is a multifaceted re- deepest and holiest thought in the
sponse, involving and stirring to life perfect garment of praise. Worship
the deepest and most intense feel- is magnificent in its source, in its
ings in the human heart. Love for course, and in its benefit. It is given
God, once brought to life, once birth by the grace of God and arises
active in the heart, is the source of from the joyful heart of the
the deepest and most intense spiritu- redeemed. It springs from gratitude,
al feelings a human can experience. flows with exultation, and continues
It moves to produce the fullest utter- with delightful adoration and honor.
ance of which the soul is capable - The admonition to "worship
worship. God in the beauty of holiness"
Worship is the adoration and (Psalm 96:9) speaks of a course that
praise of God. It is homage paid, is taken,with but one desire - to be
tribute given. Genuine wholeheart- set apart unto God. In this holiness
ed adoration and praise of God are a beauty is bestowed, and out of it
among the most beautiful aspects of worship is to flow. It is reasonable
the Christian life. These are the to affirm, "worship is the norm, not
heart and soul of Christian worship. the exception, in a life made beauti-
Worship of God is at once glad, ful by holiness."
bright, uplifting, and winsome. It is
Ron Bryant preaches for the
sunshine and joy in a world filled Camelback congregation in Phoenix,
with darkness and sadness. At the Arizona, U.S.A.
 f You
to confess faith before an approving
audience and then keep silent when
others would be disapproving.
One of the most cowardly
groups recorded in Scriptures were
faint-hearted Jewish rulers. John
says about them, "Nevertheless
many even of the rulers believed in
Him, but because of the Pharisees
they were not confessing Him, lest
they should be put out of the syna-
gogue; for they loved the approval
of men rather than the approval of
God" (John 12:42,43).
Jimmy Jividen These rulers had faith, but they
wanted to keep it a secret. A secret
One of the greatest tools of the faith cannot last. The secrecy will
devil is intimidation. If he can destroy the faith, or faith will over-
cause people to be afraid of social come the secrecy.
rejection or physical persecution, he Peter was bold to confess his
is satisfied. A man who will not faith when summoned before the
stand up for what he believes will Council. Forbidden by the rulers to
soon stop believing at all. A man's speak anymore in the name of Jesus,
faith does not fail all at once, it is he said, "Whether it is right in the
lost one compromise at a time. One sight of God to give heed to you
little compromise will lead to anoth- rather than to God, you be the
er, until there is nothing left to com- judge; for we cannot stop speaking
promise. what we have seen and heard"
In many social circles it is dis- (Acts 4:19,20).
comforting to speak of one's faith in Those who believe in someone
God, of love for Jesus, or of faith in or something strongly enough will
the Scriptures. It does not seem like welcome the opportunity to speak
the time or the place to discuss spir- up. If you are a Christian, stand up
itual things. Social intimidation for Jesus and His teachings. Q
causes one to remain quiet when
others profane God's name or sneer Jimmy Jividen is a writer, and he
preaches for the Oldham Lane Church
at His teachings. It is hypocritical of Christ in Abilene, Texas, U.S.A.
 Where is "home" for you? Most of us have quickly answered, giving
either the city of our birth or the place we now live as "home." But, is it
really? Jesus came to call us out of this world and its habits to a different
way of life. He said that His disciples were "in the world but not of the
world" (John 15:19). Jesus said of Himself that He was not of the world,
and neither should we be. He calls us into a different kingdom. We are

Zhis World Is .Not

.My Home
Leon Barnes
63
Our citizenship is in heaven and not 5% It should cause me to think
in this world (Philippians 3:20). more of where I will spend my eter-
Peter says of us that we are nity than of what I will do in retire-
"strangers and pilgrims in this ment. If I retire wealthy in this life,
earth " (1 Peter 2: 11). It is very I can't take a dollar of it with me.
easy to become too much at home Wouldn't it be the greatest misjudg-
down here. This world can become ment of all to stake my life and
our goal, our dream, and there is no health on what is only temporary,
anticipation of the better world while ignoring the eternal?
which awaits. This leads to selfish-
ness, taking care of our own needs Well, What Should I Do?
and wants, and forgetting the We should live each day of our
greater cause of the kingdom of lives on this earth as though it might
God. It is vital for us to remember be our last, because that is exactly
- this world is not our home. what might happen. Solomon said,
"Do not boast yourself of tomor-
So What? row, for you do not know what a
Why does it matter? So what if day will bring forth" (Proverbs
the world is not my home and I'm 27:l). If your life is not right with
just passing through? What differ- God at this very moment, don't
ence does it make in me today, waste another day unprepared to
now? meet Him. Today declare your faith
F& It should lead me to think in Him, repent of all your sins, and
every day about whether my life is be baptized now, because tomorrow
right with God just as it is this may be too late. Then live for Him
minute. If this world is passing all the time as His holy child in this
away with everything in it, as the world. 3
Bible promises, wouldn't it be Leon Barnes preaches the Gospel of
Christ in Little Rock, Arkansas, U.S.A.
rather foolish for me to stake my
eternity on this world and its
events?
5% It should lead me to think
He who has no
of my influence on others. Even fire in himself
though we are not at home in this
world, we are the light of the world cannot warn
which leads people from here to
God (Matthew 5: 13-16).
others.
 Robert Brooks
The "blesseds" in Matthew 5:l-11 are called the "beatitudes." Some
have spelled it like - "Be-Attitudes," because blessedness or happiness is
basically a matter of one's attitude.
Jesus never promised His followers a "rose garden." Over and over He
warned them of persecution, trial, sorrows, and death, but He also said that
true happiness can come when one endures such things for the kingdom's
sake. The kingdom is the church.
1 want to list some other beatitudes which are given in the book of
Revelation. To do so will help us to know how God looks at things.
There are seven "blesseds" or "beatitudes" in Revelation. They are:
(1) "Blessed is he that readeth, and they that hear the words of this
prophecy, and keep those things which are written therein" (1:3).
(2) "Blessed are the dead that die in the Lord from henceforth, yea
saith the Spirit, that they may rest from their labors, and their
works do follow them" (14: 13).
(3) "Blessed is he that watcheth and keepeth his garments, lest he
walk naked, and they see his shame" (16: 15).
(4) "Blessed are they which are called unto the marriage supper of
the Lamb" (19:9).
(5) "Blessed and holy is he that hath part in thefirst resurrection, on
such the second death hath no power" (20:6). The first resurrec-
tion is of those souls mentioned in verse 4. The second death is
for those cast into the lake of fire, 20: 14. There is no way to live
wrong and die right. We live right when we live by the Book.
(6) "Blessed is he that keepeth the sayings of the prophecy of this
book" (22:7).
(7) "Blessed are they that do his commandments" (22:14). 0
Robert Brooks preaches for the Springhead congregation in Plant City, Florida,
U.S.A.
 Jane McWhorter
Jesus was very active during His
personal ministry. He and His fol-
lowers were constantly moving about
from one place to another as they
taught, healed the sick, fed the multitudes, and ministered to people's needs.
The press of the people prompted Christ's statement: "Come ye your-
selves apart into a desert place, and rest awhile: for there were many com-
ing and going, and they had no leisure so much as to eat. And they departed
into a desert place by ship privately" (Mark 6:31,32).
Christ lived in a human body, and thus grew tired at times. As much as
He must have felt a sense of fulfillment in His active ministry, there were
times when He longed to get away from the people, who were coming and
going all the time. The sick needed to be healed. Various problems had to
be solved. People cried to be taught the truth. The responsibilities were so
great, however, that there was not even enough time to eat a meal.
God's work has a balance to it. There is a time to be born, and a time to
die . . . a time to weep, and a time to laugh . . . a time to get, and a time to
throw away. . . a time to keep silence, and a time to speak (Ecclesiastes 3).
There is a time to actively perform tasks in God's service, and also a
time to retreat from the world to a place of quietness.
We have so many demands made upon our time. Much of it is worldly;
a great deal is composed of daily trivia. There are also so many good activi-
ties and so many good endeavors that we sometimes feel guilty if we are not
showing filmstrips, teaching classes, visiting the sick and lonely, encourag-
ing the weak and the newcomers, and actively DOING something in the
work of the church. We often forget that quietness and time to think are
also part of His plan. Q
Jane McWhorter is the wife of a gospel preacher, and they live in Fayette,
Alabama, U.S.A.
 DAILYCHRISTIAN
LIVING

L H R ~ S T ~AA
R EN S
Tex Williams
Jesus constantly amazed those Christians learn to distrust the
who listened to His teachings. world's values, lifestyles, and moral
What He taught and what He standards, even when they seem the
expected of His followers was very more preferable way.
different from anything they had When one becomes a Christian,
ever heard before. For instance, he doesn't just add something else
James and John asked for the privi- to his life. This new way demands a
lege of sitting at Jesus' right and left complete revolution. Jesus called it
hand when He came to power. being "born again. " Paul wrote,
They did not understand the spiritu- "lf anyone is in Christ, he is a new
al nature of the kingdom of God. creature; the old things passed
Jesus' answer was, " . . . but whoev- away; behold, new things have
er wishes to become great among come" ( 2 Corinthians 5: 17).
you will be your servant" (Mark The Bible teaches that there are
10:43). When one becomes a two kingdoms in the world. In one
Christian, he accepts and develops a the devil and his ways are followed.
completely different spirit, attitude, In the other, Jesus Christ is the Lord
and lifestyle. of life, and His followers conform
Actually, the Christian way of to His ways. This idea is outstand-
thinking and living does not match ing in Christ's teaching. He said
usual ways that most people think there are two roads: "Enter by the
and live. It is super-natural, revolu- narrow gate; for wide is the gate
tionary, and radical. However, and broad is the way that leads to
Christians accept these new ways of destruction, and there are many
life because they are confident they who go in by it. Because narrow is
are true. Many times the new ways the gate and difficult is the way
of living are very different from the which leads to life, and there are
Christian's desires and inclinations, few who find it" (Matthew
but he adds them to his life anyhow. 7:13,14).
 He contrasted the wheat and the been changed, who "beholding as
tares, growing together in a field, in a mirror the glory of the Lord,
and He told of their ultimate end: are being transformed into the same
"Let both grow together until the image from glory to glory" (2
harvest, and at the time of harvest I Corinthians 3: 18). .It is made up of
will say to the reapers, 'First gather those who have been given
together the tares and bind them in "exceedingly great and precious
bundles to burn them, but gather the promises, that through these you
wheat into my barn'" (Matthew may be partakers of the divine
13:24-30). nature, having escaped the corrup-
He described the separation of tion that is in the world through
fish: "Again, the kingdom of heaven lust" (2 Peter 1:3,4).
is like a dragnet that was cast into These changed people, though
the sea and gathered some of every they belong to heaven, still live
kind, which, when it was full, they briefly here upon the earth so that
drew to shore, and they sat down they can be used by God to reach
and gathered the good into vessels, out to others. As "ambassadors for
but threw the bad away. Christ, as though God were plead-
"So it will be at the end of the ing through us; we implore you on
age. The angels will come forth, Christ's behalf, be reconciled t o
separate the wicked from among the God" (2 Corinthians 5:20)
just, and cast them into the furnace But the influence is for good
of fire. There will be wailing and only if Christians are continually
gnashing of teeth" (Matthew 13:47- aware that the world and Christian-
50). ity represent two entirely different
systems. One cannot mix with the
Jesus also talked of the two
other. We must choose whom we
masters: "No one can serve two
masters; for either he will hate the will serve: God or Satan. P
one and love the other, or else he Tex Williams is the Director of World
Bible School, which i s based in
will be loyal to the one and despise Austin, Texas, U.S.A.
the other. You cannot serve God
and mammon" (Matthew 6:24). The Son of God became the
Christians must keep in mind Son of Man that H e might
that they are a part of the church of change the sons of men into
our Lord, the kingdom of God, sons of God.
which is heavenly. It is made up of - Selected
a group of people whose lives have -
 Not . . .
Michael L. King
There seems to be a greater worth?'or "What is my reason for
search in the world today for a gen- living?'Too much stress cannot be
uine meaning of life than in recent placed upon the importance of find-
decades. The hunt is complicated ing a correct answer for these and
by society's warped values and the other questions about self-worth.
tangents upon which man is sent by The strength of the church is
materialism, humanism, and theism. contingent upon an affirmative con-
The greatest quest of all is to be clusion to these questions. The ful-
found in the very heart of man, that fillment of the role of mother,
of learning who he is and how he father, employee, elder, preacher,
relates to the "big picture" of life, student, etc., depends upon the con-
death, and beyond. In general, each fidence that comes from the strength
person is asking, "What is my of a healthy self-esteem.
 "Asa man thinketh in his heart, creation. It is not just a devaluation
so is he, " so states Proverbs 23:7. of yourself, but it also appears as if
Inspiration's counsel is that we are "your God is too small"!
limited or driven by our self-view. David, in all his sin and rebel-
The ability to be forgiven or to lion, still had the clarity of mind to
undertake the Lord's work in any declare, "I will praise thee; for I am
capacity rests solidly upon the fact fearfully and wonderfully made;
that I must in some way feel that I marvelous are thy works; and that
am "worthy." Too often we see my soul knoweth right well" (Psalm
ourselves as impure, unfit, guilty, 139:14). The apostle Paul reminded
and abhorred in the presence of the the Romans to "love thy neighbor
Almighty! "How can one who is so as thyself" (Romans 13:9). This is
finite serve a God who is so infi- the same healthy love for self that
nite?'we ask. We see ourselves our Lord spoke of in Matthew
somewhat "chasing the wind" striv- 19:18.
ing to answer the colloquial ques- A failure to find the love for
tion, "What on earth are you doing, the person that we are can lead to
for heaven's sake?" Dear reader, egotism, haughtiness, superior atti-
how do you view yourself in God's tude, and braggadocio spirit.
sight? Do you love yourself? What Ironically, all of these seemingly
is your relationship with others? Do "proud" traits are born of insecurity
you feel loved by God? and display a tragic deficiency of
This discussion is not entertain- self-respect.
ing self-infatuation, exaggerated Lack of a proper measure of
affection for self, or arrogance. It is self-love can lead to depression, sui-
so critical that we see ourselves as cide, substance abuse, unfaithful-
the workmanship of a loving and ness in the home and church, and
caring God. Do you remember the can cause problems in our associa-
bumper sticker that said, "God don't tions with others. If we cannot love
make no junk"? If you can over- and respect self, chances are it will
look the grammar, the thought is be difficult to have much fondness
profound! There is within each of or kindness toward anyone. The
us the "breath of God" which makes greater appreciation one has for self,
us eternal beings (Genesis 2:7), the better he cares for his physical
formed in the very likeness of God. well-being and the greater concern
When we demean self, it is an he will show for the salvation of his
indictment to God's ability to make, eternal part, his soul which lives
salvage, restore, and maintain His forever.
70
 An equation is made between a You belong to God who paid a mag-
person's attitude toward his body nificent price for you! How can we
and the Lord's attitude toward the "neglect so great salvation?"
church. "For no man ever hated his (Hebrews 2:3). Good is not innately
own flesh; but nourisheth and cher- within you, but it has been planted
isheth it, even as the Lord the there and preserved by our loving
church" (Ephesians 5:29). This God. If God sees beauty and worth
must have been the reason the Lord in you, why can't you?
declared that the person who com- "But they that wait upon the
mits fornication "sinneth against Lord shall renew their strength;
his own body" (1 Corinthians 6:18). they shall mount up with wings as
The following verse explains why: eagles; they shall run, and not be
"Know ye not that your body is the weary; and they shall walk, and not
temple of the Holy Ghost which is in faint" (Isaiah 40:3 1). Q
you, which ye have of God, and ye
are not your own?" Peter charges Michael L. King is the preacher for the
Grant Street Church of Christ in
us to "Sanctify (set aside room or Decatur, Alabama, U.S.A.
purify for spiritual purposes) the
Lord God in your hearts" (1 Peter
3: 15). This "heart treatment" is
done by an application of the Word
of God (John 17:17).
"Worthy" on my own merits?
Not on your life! "While we were
yet sinners, Christ died for us"
(Romans 5:8,9), paying the price
(Acts 20:28) to make me justified
("just-as-if-i-'d" never sinned). The
measure of one's worth is deter-
mined by the value of the life of a
babe in a manger in Bethlehem
almost 2,000 years ago. When we
"look to Jesus, the author and fin-
isher of our faith" (Hebrews 5:8,9;
12:2) rather than the world, we con-
form to "the image of his Son"
(Romans £228).
Dear friend, you are special!
 Wayne Barrier

Every Christian should be strongly motivated by the promise of eternal

life and happiness after the triumphant return of Christ to claim his church
and return with it to heaven. If we are honest about ourselves, we readily
realize that such a reward is far greater than anything we could ever deserve
or hope to achieve, based on our merit. By God's grace we have the hope of
heaven and this hope can keep us going if we only take time to think about
what it means to us.
It is even more remarkable that God not only promises heaven and its
rewards, but will bless us every day in many other ways. These blessings
are also especially important and should be understood if we are to remain
faithful till the end of our earthly existence. A few of these promised daily
blessings are as follows:
God's Constant Presence - In Matthew 28:20,as Jesus con-
cludes his commandment for us to evangelize the world, he also makes a
special promise: "I am with you always, even to the end of the age. "
This means every day, everywhere, in every situation.
Pure Conscience, Freedom from Sin - Paul declares in
Romans 8:l that "there is therefore now no condemnation to those who
are in Christ Jesus, who do not walk according to the flesh, but accord-
ing to the Spirit. " Freedom from condemnation and guilt is essential for
Christians to work and live productively for the Lord. Through Christ
72
 we can have this freedom, every day of our lives.
Strength - In Ephesians 3:16, Paul states that we can be
strengthened, "according to the riches of His glory, to be strengthened
with might through His Spirit in the inner man." Strong Christians
obtain strength from God, and can resist and overcome the power and
influence of Satan.
Wisdom Granted - James 1:5 states, "Ifany of you lacks wis-
dom, let him ask of God, who gives to all liberally and without reproach,
and it will be given to him." Many have knowledge, mistaking it for
wisdom. We need both in order to live in spiritual safety in this world.
Prayers Answered - Jesus states in Luke 11:9, "Ask and it will
be given to you, seek and you will find, knock and it will be opened to
you ... " Our most powerful weapon in daily life is prayer.
Providence, Purpose - In Romans 8:28 the promise is made,
"And we know that all things work together for good to those who love
God, to those who are called according to His purpose."
Freedom from Anxiety, Worry - Philippians 4:6,7 reads, "Be
anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication, with
thanksgiving, let your requests be made known to God; and the peace of
God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and
minds through Christ Jesus. " Anxiety and worry destroy more people
than any disease.
These are a few of the things God promises to his faithful children.
These promises affect our lives on a personal basis every day. How can
anyone reject God and the wonderful things He wants to do for us? All God
asks is that we submit to His will in obedience and live our life for Him
instead of living for Satan. 0

Wayne Barrier lives in Florence, AL and is part of the World Evangelism team in
the United States.

M y Brother's Keeper!
M y brother died last night. I should have often sought his door, I
might have reached a hand to help him bear the load he bore. l might
have said some word that would have made a dark day bright. H e does
not need me any more.,.. M y brother died last night!
 Gary C.
Hampton
Thank God for
mothers who love the
Lord and teach their
children to love and \%,F
respect His Word!
There is no doubt that
some adults are faithful
Christians today because they
had a godly example in the lives of couraged" (Colossians 3:20,21). It
their mothers. The apostle Paul saw is clear that Paul thought both par-
such results in the life of Timothy. ents would be involved in teaching
"When I call to remembrance the and correcting their children. It is
genuine faith that is in you, which also clear that we fathers need to
dweltjrst in your grandmother Lois watch to be sure we do not provoke
and your mother Eunice, and I am and thereby discourage the children
persuaded is in you also" (2 God has entrusted to our care.
Timothy 1:5). Before the Lord destroyed
However, God never intended Sodom and Gomorrah, He decided
for Christian mothers to handle to tell Abraham His plans. "For I
child rearing alone. Paul said, have known him, in order that he
"Children, obey your parents in all may command his children and his
things, for this is well pleasing to household after him, that they keep
the Lord. Fathers, do not provoke the way of the Lord, to do right-
your children, lest they become dis- eousness and justice, that the Lord
 may bring to Abraham what He has
spoken to him" (Genesis 18:19).
God had promised to bless all
nations of the earth through the seed
of Abraham, but that promise was
contingent upon his guiding his
children and household into the path
of obedience.
The wise man wrote, "My son,
hear the instruction of your father,
and do not forsake the law of your
mother; For they will be graceful
ornaments on your head, and chains
about your neck" (Proverbs 1:8,9).
Fathers must be actively involved in
instructing their children so that their
adult lives can be filled with joy.
Of course, our ultimate aim
should be the salvation of the pre-
cious souls God has placed under
our care. "My son, if you receive
my words, and treasure my com-
mands within you . . . Then you will
understand the fear of the Lord, and
find the knowledge of God"
(Proverbs 2: 13). Obviously, those
fathers who would long for a great
family reunion in heaven will con-
stantly want to point to the love of
God. "My son, do not despise the
chastening of the Lord, nor detest
His correction; For whom the Lord
loves He corrects, just as a father
the son in whom he delights"
(Proverbs 3:11,12). 8
Gary C. Hampton is the preacher for
the Central Avenue congregation in
Valdosta, Georgia, U.S.A.
THE BOOK OF 2 Thessalonians for adults
Paul encouraged all followers of Christ to press on. Use the
words below to fill in the puzzle.

u U
4 7
HOPE BELOVED
LOVE EXAMPLE~ l N 9c R P PERSECUTED
s l N G
PRAY GLORIFY BELIEVERS SANCTIFIED
REST GUARDED COMFORTED TRADITIONS
GROWING CONFIDENT TRIUMPHANT
5 KINGDOM DELIVERED
GRACE ENDURANCE
GLORY IMITATORS 11
PEACE 8
'"lETNESS ESTABLISHED
FAITHFUL RIGHTEOUS
6 JUXNENT STEADFAST
CALLED OBEDIENT SUFFERING
EXHORT PEACEFUL 12
WORTHY THANKFUL STRENGTHENED
Five
Christ-centered
Consecrated
Conscious
Compassionate
Consistent

of Personal
Evangelism
John R. Vaughan
Jesus emphasized personal or by using any number of other
evangelism in His ministry. We methods.
have His example in teaching Someone once mentioned five
Nicodemus, Zaccheus, Matthew, principles of personal work, all of
and a woman at the well of Samaria, which begin with the letter "C." It
to name a few cases. Another beau- will be worthwhile to note these
tiful illustration of personal work is "c's" so they can be of help to us as
seen in the life of Andrew who we reach out to others with the
brought his brother Simon to Jesus. gospel story.
There are a number of advan- First, personal work must be
tages to personal work: it can be Christ-centered. "For as many of
done anytime, any place, and with you as were baptized into Christ did
anybody. It can be done face-to- put on Christ" (Galatians 3:27). It
face, so the one being taught can has been said, "If your religion does
ask questions. Or it can be done by much for you, then you can do
phone or through the postal system, much for others." The only way we
79
can be a light in the world is to for the plight of others; it is a moti-
reflect the light of Christ. vating force that causes us to leave
Secondly, we must be conse- home and family and comfort in
crated, set apart, made holy unto order to bring the bread of life for
the work of saving the souls of men. which the lost are starving.
A beautiful hymn, says, "Con- Lastly, the personal worker
secrate me now to thy service, Lord, must have the quality of consisten-
by the power of grace divine. Let cy, or patience. The only way we
my soul look up with a steadfast can reach people is to persuade
hope and my will be lost in thine." them concerning the truth. Co-
A part of consecration would ercion is not conversion. It takes
include prayer. We would do well time and a great deal of patient
to remember, "We must go to God work for the seed that has been
for a lost world before we can go to sown to sprout and grow.
a lost world for God." But while the personal worker
Thirdly, personal workers is waiting in prayer, he is also real-
should be conscious of a divine izing that there is no joy like that of
mission. The Great Commission being a lifesaver. There is no thrill
was not given only to missionaries like plucking the souls of men from
and preachers but to every disciple. the hands of the devil. We have
Wherever one travels in this world been saved to save others. We have
he will find men and families who been won to win. We have been
are living and working as foreigners found to find. We have been sought
in various countries, men whose to seek. Let us be up and about the
sole purpose in being there is to Master's business. 8
make money. The Christian's atti-
John R. Vaughan preaches for the
tude should be, "If others can live Graymere congregation in Columbia,
here for material gain, I can live Tennessee, U.S.A.
here for the sake of God and the
gospel."
Fourthly, the personal worker
must be compassion. Jesus said, "I
have compassion on the multitude . .
. . " (Mark 8:2). We must have
compassion for the souls of men
before we will do much to save
them. Compassion is not simply an
internal emotional grief or sorrow
Winning S o
Dale Grissom
The Lord's church is not growing
because we are not taking the Gospel
to the lost. We are not confronting
people face to face with the Gospel.
There are many prospects. There are
those all around us who are lost and
have not heard the Gospel of Christ
- each one of these is a prospect.
We tend to think that no one wi
listen. We feel that if people were really
honest and sincere, they would come to our services. When they do come,
about all we do is invite them back. Then we usually say, "Well, they are
just not listening. " Friends, the problem is not that no one is listening -the
problem is that we are not talking the Gospel. Some of the things we do are
not confronting, even though they are things we must do as Christians.
Doing such things as inviting folks to worship and living in such a way that
hopefully will cause someone to ask about the church is not confronting. It
is not confronting until we get a person concerned and talking about his soul
and where he will spend eternity. You have heard it said, "No one cares
how much you know until they know how much you care." This is a very
true statement. We must care enough to confront the lost with the Gospel of
Christ.
In Matthew 28:19,20 Jesus said, "Go ye therefore, and teach all
nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the
Holy Ghost: Teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I have com-
manded you: and, lo, I am with you alway, even unto the end of the world. "
When Jesus said, "Go ye and teach all nations, " He was speaking to eleven
81
men. What did these eleven men Commission. It is the commission
think? Did they think - impossi- for New Testament Christians to go
ble, incredible, unattainable? teach. Many Christians will admit
Imagine that Jesus said these that "go ye" means "go me" as
words to eleven men today and that much today as when Jesus spoke
you were one of the eleven. What those words from the mount of as-
would be your reaction? Would cension a short distance from Jer-
you think Jesus really means me? If usalem -but they do little about it.
so, then say with Paul, "I can do all It is clear that Christians are to
things through Christ which accomplish two major things if we
strengtheneth me" (Philippians are to obey the Great Commission
4:13). Paul told of the reactions of of the New Testament. First, we
the early Christians in facing this are to teach and baptize the alien
task. "We are troubled on every sinner. Second, we are to try to
side, yet not distressed; We are per- restore delinquent or unfaithful
plexed, but not in despair; persecut- Christians, "teaching them to
ed, but not forsaken; cast down but observe all things whatsoever I have
not destroyed" ( 2 Corinthians commanded you. " Friends, we
4:8,9). What are your reactions must begin now to reach the lost. P
when you realize that "go ye" really
Dale Grissom works with the North
means "go me"? One Mile Road church in Dexter,
"Go ye" is a part of the Great Missouri, U.S.A.

A Guide to Build the Church

In the book of Nehemiah we read of the work of the people of Israel in
rebuilding the walls of Jerusalem. The key points which were their guide-
lines would help us to be successful in building the Lord's church today if
we would only employ them. Please note the things they did:
J They prayed.
J They planned their work.
J They encouraged each other.
J They ignored criticism.
J They involved every person in the work.
J They focused attention on the right thing and refused to be distracted.
J They remembered that God was fightingfor them and with them.
- Selected
 Who Am I?

1. 100 1 was called a Tishbite, from the trans-Jordan area of Gilead

(1 Kings 17:l).
2. 90 After making a dire prophecy, I was told by God to go and hide
by the Brook Cherith (17:l-3).
3. 80 A widow of Zarephath gave me some food (17:9).
4. 70 Another woman hated me so much she swore she would kill me
(19:2).
5. 60 It was during my lifetime as a prophet that numerous miracles
were performed (1Kings 17-2 Kings 2).
6 . 50 Ahab was king of Israel, and Jezebel was his wife
(1 Kings 16:29,30).
7. 40 Jezebel had brought in many prophets of
Baal, and they had led the Israelites into idolatry

8. 30 After my victory over the false

prophets on Mount Carmel, I became afraid and I
ran for my life (19:l-3).
9. 20 The angel of the Lord brought me to
Mount Horeb (Sinai, the mountain of God, where
God first revealed His name -Jehovah -to
Moses, and the site of the giving of the Law to
Moses after the Exodus). After a strong wind had
passed and an earthquake had shaken the mountain,
followed by a fire, the Lord Himself spoke to me in a still
small voice. He asked me what I was doing there, and
then He gave me instructions concerning Israel

10. 10 1 did not die but was taken up into heaven

in a chariot of fire (2 Kings 2 : l l )

Sll aawor w la& bad m r .

 "When the Fullness of
Time Was Come9
G. Devadanam
By the time Christ came to the obeyed (Ecclesiastes 12:13,14), if
earth, the spiritual world view was not for any other reason but that He
in such a despicable condition that it created us in His own image, after
was desperately in need of a Savior. His own likeness (Genesis 1:26).
Several things brought about such a That is why He gave this law.
wretched condition. We need to Introducing it in the Garden of
envisage some of those things in Eden, the Almighty God cornmand-
order to rightly evaluate the true ed Adam, ". . . but of the tree of the
picture of Christ's mission to the knowledge of good and evil, thou
earth. shalt not eat of it; for in the day
The first one is: the damage thou eatest thereof thou shalt surely
caused by the misuse of the Law of die" (Genesis 2:17).
Sin and Death (Romans 8:2). Truly The law of sin and death simply
God must be acknowledged is this: God's commandment is
(Romans 1:17-20), feared and the law or rule, the transgression
of which is sin (1 John 3:4), the threat to sin's slaves (Hebrews
inevitable consequence of which is 2: 15), death followed sin. " . . . By
death (Romans 6:23). In other one man sin entered into the world,
words, sin disconnects man from and death by sin; and so death
the life which is in God (Ephesians passed upon all men, for all have
4: 18). Therefore, when Adam sinned" (Romans 5: 12). Con-
transgressed God's commandment, sequently, death began to reign over

the law of sin and death automati- all men. Without proper atonement
cally became operational (Genesis for sin, sinful man was doomed for
3:17,22,23). eternal damnation. Nothing less
In this, man loses the sonship than a voluntary and vicarious sacri-
of God. Sin stands in between the fice of the just for the unjust was
holy God and the disobedient unbe- required, if man was to have any
liever (sinner) as a barrier hindering hope at all.
all contacts (Isaiah 59: 1,2). Man The third one is: the law of
desperately needs a mediator, with- Moses. Because of the faith of
out whom he is eternally lost! Abraham, Israel was chosen to
The second one is: the devas- carry out God's purposes on earth
tating work of both sin and death. (Isaiah 41:8,9). They were given
From a very humble beginning in the law of do's and don'ts, which if
the Garden of Eden (Genesis 3:17), they heeded carefully would guard
and from its surroundings (Genesis them against the eternal conse-
4:7), sin grew in strength and took quences of the law of sin and death.
control of human thinking (Genesis Therefore, the law of Moses is also
6:5). Finally, it rose up to the known as the law of righteousness.
heights of making man as its own "But Israel which followed after the
slave (John 8:34; Romans 6:16). law of righteousness, hath not
On the other hand, posing a attained to the law of righteousness.
Wherefore? Because they sought it from the foundation of the world"
not by faith but as it were by the (Revelation 13:8; Ephesians 1:4-6).
works of the law, for they stumbled God was only waiting for the
at that stumbling stone" (Romans proper time that He might reveal
9:31,32). His abundant love which He has for
Therefore, the law, because of mankind, through the giving of His
transgression, instead of being a Son (John 3:16). "But when the
blessing to the Jews, rather turned fullness of time was come, God sent
out to be a curse (Galatians forth his Son, made of a woman,
3 : l O l l ) . It truly became an made under the law, to redeem them
unbearable yoke for all their genera- that were under the law, that we
tions (Acts 15:lO). Jews under the might receive the adoption of sons"
law could find no other alternative, (Galatians 4:4,5).
unless God graciously provided one. "There is therefore now n o
The villain of the plot and the condemnation to them which are in
power behind all this evil and chaos Christ Jesus, who walk not after the
is none other than the Devil himself. flesh, but after the Spirit. For the
Through lying words of deception, law of the Spirit of life in Christ
he has been successful in causing Jesus hath made me free from the
men to disbelieve and disobey the law of sin and death. For what the
God of heaven ever since the (Mosaical) law could not do, in that
Garden of Eden (Genesis 3:17; 2 it was weak through the flesh, God
Corinthians 11:2). sending his own Son in the likeness
However, God was not uncon- of sinful flesh, and for sin, con-
cerned about man's pathetic condi- demned sin in the flesh: That the
tion. By His determinate counsel righteousness of the law might be
and foreknowledge (Acts 2:23), fulfilled in us, who walk not after
God was prepared to meet any the flesh, but after the Spirit"
eventuality and He planned a per- (Romans 8:1-4). P
fect solution to man's problem, in
Christ, even before the foundation G. Devadanam is a gospel preacher
of the world. "...the Lamb slain and writer in Madras, India.

He does not love what is good

who does not hate what is evil.
- Selected
 What Does
your Name Mean?
Mark N. Posey
I have a book that -gives the first five books of the New
meaning of many names. ~t is for Testament; but this word is not used
expecting parents when choosing a even once in the last 22 books of the
name for their child. It probably New Testament. The significance
has the meaning of your name. MY of this is further emphasized by the
name ''Mark'' means ''defender." fact that the apostle John, after
Other names mean "noble spirited" using it 77 times in his account of
and "handsome, quick." the Gospel, never used it even once
~ u what
t about your spiritual in his short epistles and in
name, "Christianm? What does it Revelation. After the book of Acts,
mean? We cannot go to a name "0 follower of the Lord was ever

book for this answer, however. We called a disciple. The conclusion is

must go to THE BOOK. rather obvious, that "disciple" as a
Galatians 3:26,27 says, "For ye name for members of the body of
are all the children of God by faith Christ was countermanded and
in Christ Jesus. For as many of you replaced by the Holy Spirit with the
as have been baptized into Christ name "Christian" and with the des-
have put on Christ. " ignation "brethren", signifying the
2 Corinthians 5 : 17 states, family relationship in Christ.
"Therefore if any man be in Christ, "Then Agrippa said to Paul,
he is a new creature: old things are 'You almost persuade me to become
passed away; behold, all things are a Christian"' (Acts 26:28).
become new." "Yet if anyone suffers as a
"The disciples were called Christian, let him not be ashamed,
Christians first in Antioch" (Acts but let him glorify God in this mat-
11:26). ter" (1 Peter 4:16).
"Disciples" occurs 72 times in "For both He who sanctifies
Matthew, 44 times in Mark, 38 and those who are being sancti9ed
times in Luke, 77 times in John, and are all of one, for which reason He
30 times in Acts - 261 times in the is not ashamed t o call them
88
brethren..." (Hebrews 2: 11).
Unfortunately, the word
Christian has lost a great deal of
significance over the centuries, and
in many people's lives it no longer
means "one who has turned from
sin, trusted Jesus Christ, and
received salvation through baptism
and grace." Many people who have
never been born again consider
themselves "Christians" simply
because they say they are not
"pagans." After all, they may
belong to a church, attend services
somewhat regularly, and even occa-
sionally give to the work of that
church! But it takes more than this
for a sinner to become a child of
God. It takes faith in Jesus Christ,
repentance from past and present
sins, confession of the good name of
Jesus Christ, and baptism by irnmer-
sion into the death and burial of
Jesus Christ, foliowed by the resur-
rection and new life through His
blood.
Christians in the early church
suffered because they wore the
name and were Christians (1 Peter
4:16). The question I must ask is,
"If you were arrested for being a
Christian, would there be enough
evidence to convict you?" The
answer is a matter of life or death! O

Mark N. Posey preaches for the

Austinville Church of Christ in
Decatur, Alabama, U.S.A.
 A Death Blow in A
Velvet Glove
Betty Tucker

Israel suffered for twenty years under the rule of King Jabin. He and
the Canaanites made their lives miserable, so the people cried for release.
Deborah, a prophetess of Israel, gave counsel and advice from her home
under a palm tree (Judges 45). She told Barak, captain of Israel's army,
that God would deliver the Canaanites to his hand at the river Kishon.
Barak, in a moment of panic, decided that he needed her presence to
face the mighty Canaanite army. He is remembered for his cowardly state-
ment, " . . . ifthou wilt go with me, then I will g o . . . ." (Judges 49).
Deborah agreed to accompany the fearful warrior. However, she
announced that "the Lord shall sell Sisera into the hand of a woman."
Barak would receive no honor for the defeat of the Canaanites (Judges 4:9).
Barak, with his 10,000 men, met Sisera's 900 chariots of iron in a
mighty test of strength. An unseen ally intervened on the side of the
Israelites in the form of a fearful hailstorm.
Later, Deborah and Barak sang of the victory (Judges 5) - "the earth
trembled, the heavens dropped, the clouds dropped water. . . the mountains
melted. . . . "
Sisera's soldiers were discomfited, and that cruel general fled on foot in
the confusion of battle. He entered the tent of a woman named Jael, and
begged for water. Jael gave Sisera warm milk and covered him with a blan-
ket, urging him to rest. When he fell asleep, she drove a sharp tent spike
through his head and into the ground.
When Barak came looking for Sisera, he found him dead in Jael's tent.
The cruel warrior had died at the hand of a woman, just as Deborah had
foretold. Death came in an unusual fashion, delivered in a velvet glove. 6
Betty Tucker is the wife of a gospel preacher, and they live in Linden,
Tennessee, U.S.A.
90
So Right B u t So Wrong
Owen Cosgrove

He was so right. Everything he said was true. "Lo these many years do
I serve thee . . ." He had been a diligent and dependable worker.
"I never transgressed your commandment . . ." He had kept the rules
faithfully. He stood by his father and helped to keep things going while the
younger son was breaking his father's heart.
He was clean morally, as far as we know. Immorality was totally out of
character to him. He was a good son, a good man. But in the parable the
Lord told in Luke 15, he wound up being his father's problem child. He was
so right, but he was so wrong.
He was wrong in his attitude toward his brother. Could it be that he
was part of the reason the younger brother wanted to leave home? His reli-
gion and his attitude were so hard and inflexible that he could not show any
grace or mercy. He could not forgive. And when everyone else was rejoic-
ing and celebrating at the prodigal's repentance, he was seething in anger
and bitterness. He was so intent on playing God that he could not even
show common courtesy.
He was wrong in his attitude toward his father. That dear old man,
after suffering years of heartache, now was being robbed of what comfort
might have come from seeing his younger son again. How many nights had
he cried himself to sleep? How many times had his heart broken with grief?
How many times had he wondered, "Is my son dead? Is he in prison? Is he
cold and hungry? Is he in any serious trouble? Will I ever see him again?"
Now, in this precious reprieve from disaster, the "good boy" gives his
father a tongue-lashing he will never forget. So right, but so wrong. He had
so many things to learn.
He had the wrong attitude toward himself. The person who sings his
own praises usually pitches the tune a little too high. He did not know that
the Lord despises self-righteousness as much or more than any other sin. He
did not perceive that judgment will be without mercy to those that show no
mercy. He did not realize that he, too, was a problem child - one who
needed to repent and apologize. And it was easier for the father to deal with
the penitent sinner than with the arrogant fanatic and bigot.
We are all sinners, and all of us need mercy. We may be right in a
thousand things, but we still are not perfect, and we still are not God. And
whenever we try to play God, however right we are, we will still be wrong,
painfully and dead wrong. And in such a state, we cannot be happy, and
neither can those who are around us, and neither can God be pleased. Q
Owen Cosgrove preaches Christ in Waxahachie, Texas, U.S.A.

The Gift That I've Got

In the church today, this is my task
For the members like me to take time to ask,
In the work of the Lord, what can I do?
And be Christian enough to carry it through
Never complaining that others don't teach
Or try with me, some soul to reach
But use for the Master the gift I've got
Even though I may not be given a lot.
Like a picture puzzle, I'm but one small part
If I'll find my place and then just start
To fill that place the best that I can
And show Christianity to my fellowman
The church today will continue to grow
The limits of which we'll never know.
So let us unite our vision and dreams.
Christianity is not as hard as it seems.
In the church today, we each have our call.
There's none of us that can do it all.
So let's each develop the gift we're given
And all work together on our way to heaven.
- Anonymous
 A Plea K@rUnity
Kenneth Tipton

"Endeavoring to keep the unity of the Spirit in the bond

of peace. There is one body and one spirit, just as you
= were called in one hope of your calling; one Lord, one =
faith, one baptism; one God and Father of all, who is above
all, and through all, and in you all" (Ephesians 43-4)

As we examine the text of this point? This is further rein-

Ephesians 4:3, the objective is to forced by the conclusion that we are
make every effort "to keep the unity the "temple of the living God" ( 2
of the spirit in the bond ofpeace. " I Corinthians 6: 16).
do not believe that Paul was writing ONE Spirit
instructions for ecumenical efforts The only Spirit mentioned in
among denominations. Neither do I this context is the "Holy Spirit."
believe that he was giving an out- There should not be any problem
line for "unity talks" between fac- with this point. Some get confused
tions of the restoration movement. in their terms and semantics and try
It is my impression that this text is a to argue about whether the Holy
guide for unity between brethren Spirit works only through the Word
who are sitting and worshipping in or primarily through the Word.
the same church building week after Congregations can have individual
week and who are unable to resolve members who hold differing views
their differences. What is the real on this point and still work together
basis of unity? Consider the
following thoughts on
unity from Ephesians I have never known of
4:4-6. any brethren who hoped for
HOPE
ONE Body anything except an eternal
Since Paul defines the home in heaven. Only
body as the church in Col- FAITH rarely have I heard of one
ossians 1:18, how could any -m brother purportedly feeling
two brethren brought with enough hatred for
together in the same another brother to
building be divided on say, "If he makes it to
heaven, I sure hope that I'm not water.
there." ONE God
ONE Lord Christians broadly defined are
"Jesus Is Lord" is the title of a united in the belief of "one God."
beautiful song. This statement is Even Jews and Moslems refer to the
repeated in numerous other songs, same God as Jehovah, or Allah.
hymns, and verses. How could we In John 17:20,21 Jesus prayed
sing these words from the heart and "or them also which shall believe
not believe it to be the truth? How in me . . . that they all may be one."
can we sing it and not feel the anger What would happen if we were
toward our brother just melting away? united? Read the rest of John chap-
ONE Faith ters 17-21, where Jesus concluded,
In the wonderful conversion "that the world may believe that
example in Acts 8:26-38, Philip thou hast sent me. " None of us
asked the Ethiopian to confess his could even begin to imagine the
faith as a prerequisite before bap- amount of church growth that would
tism. The answer was, "I believe occur if we had scriptural unity.
that Jesus Christ is the Son of God" According to what Jesus is saying,
(Acts 8:37). The unwavering faith unbelievers all over the world
in that statement and the scheme of would come to believe in Him if
redemption that it represents fit per- they saw a united church.
fectly with the concept of "things Regardless of how much you
not seen" as we consider the grand may think your congregation is
definition of faith that is given in plagued with problems concerning
Hebrews 1 1 :1. unity, I cannot imagine it being
ONE Baptism worse than the situation at Corinth.
For those who might want to Paul wrote two letters to those
debate over baptism, Mark 16:16 brethren to help them to solve their
states that the one baptism is for problems. In the last few verses of
"believers." Romans 6:4 shows that his final greetings, his plea was for
the one baptism involves being unity so that "the God of love and
buried and raised, thus the form of peace shall be with you" (2
baptism must be immersion. Acts Corinthians 13:11).
8:38,39 describes the element that This is also my plea, that we all
the candidate "went into" and strive for unity. P
"came out of' as water. Therefore,
we could conclude that the standard Dr. Kenneth Tipton is a school super-
intendent and is active in the congre-
for baptism is believers immersed in gation in Cameron, Missouri, U.S.A.
 I read about a preacher who
submitted an article to a magazine
for consideration for publication.
He didn't receive any reply, so he
wrote again and said, "As I have
other irons in the fire, I would
appreciate an answer soon." He
soon received his manuscript with
this note attached, "Put with other
irons."

If crime doesn't pay, and if we

don't get paid for overtime, isn't
Two very elderly ladies who working overtime a crime?
had been friends for many years
walked together regularly. One day,
one turned to the other and said, Did you hear about the preacher
"Well, I just have to ask: What is who met a big bear way out in the
your name?' woods? Luckily, he started one of
The friend replied, "How soon his sermons, and the bear fell
do you need to know?" asleep.

Trying to stir the congregation Manager: "I'm sorry I can't hire

to more sober thought concerning you, but there isn't enough work to
life, a preacher had gotten into the keep you busy."
habit of asking in each sermon, Applicant: "You'd be surprised
"Why are we here?' how little it takes."
One day he was asked to speak
to the inmates of a mental institu-
tion. Through force of habit, he
began with "Why are we here?' Question: If a man smashed a clock
One of the patients spoke up on the floor, could he be charged
from the audience, "Well, I don't with killing time?
know about you, preacher, but we're Answer: Not if he could prove that
all here because we're not all here!" the clock struck first.
 Church Songs for Driving A preacher was trying to talk
Speeds: 35 MPH - "Drifting religion with a fellow, and he asked
Along"; 45 MPH - "God Will him, "Sir, are you ready for the
Take Care of You"; 55 MPH - Judgment Day?"
"Guide Me, 0 Thou Great The fellow said, "I don't know.
Jehovah"; 65 MPH - "Nearer, My When is it?"
God, To Thee"; 75 MPH - "Nearer, The preacher said, "Well, I
Still Nearer"; 85 MPH - "This don't know. It could be today,
World Is Not My Home"; 95 MPH could be tomorrow."
- "Lord, I'm Coming Home"; 100 The fellow answered, "Well,
MPH - "Precious Memories." whatever you do, don't tell my wife.
She'll want to go both days!"

A little boy asked his father,

"Dad, did you go to Sunday School Sunday School teacher: "What
when you were young?'The father are you drawing, Willie?"
replied proudly, "Never missed a Willie: "A picture of God."
Sunday." The son's quick reply Teacher: "But, Willie, don't you
was, "Bet it won't do me any good realize that nobody knows how God
either!" looks?"
Willie: "Well, they will when I get
this done."
"It's a strange world of lan-
guage in which skating on thin ice
can get you into hot water." When Lou Holtz was head foot-
--Franklin P. Jones ball coach of the Arkansas
Razorbacks, he said something we
can all relate to about the troubles
we face in the living of these days:
A salesman drove into a small "I know God doesn't send us more
town that had only two hotels, both trouble than we can handle, but
of which were run-down. He saw a sometimes I think He overestimates
local resident and asked him, my ability!"
"Which of these hotels do you rec-
ommend?" The man replied,
"Makes no difference. Whichever We pass this way just once.
one you stay in, you'll wish you Unless your spouse is reading the
were in the other." road map, that is.
 Like many in the Bible, she was widows and their children and used
called by a nick-name. Her given her time and money to furnish
name was "Tabitha," which means clothing for them. She made the
"gazelle." The dictionary describes garments herself. In a time when
the gazelle as a swift-running ani- women were generally unable to
mal. Most people appreciate the earn for themselves, Dorcas appar-
beauty of any deer-like animal - ently had sustenance to spare.
their soft eyes, slender limbs, and There is no mention of a husband
their ability to move gracefully and who supported her. It might seem
swiftly. Did Tabitha of the Bible that she wasn't an old woman
show any of these characteristics? because of the words "fell sick and
"Dorcas" is the Greek translation of died, " rather than dying of natural
causes. She was taken to an upper
Acts 9 room, and her body was washed and
tells us laid out.
The town of Lydda was only a
cas, a disci- few kilometers from Joppa. Peter,
ple who liv- the apostle, had been travelling in
ed in Joppa, the area, preaching and healing, and
was full of good was in Lydda when Dorcas died.
works and Two men from the church in Joppa
charity. She went to find Peter and asked him to

97
come with them without delay. Do There is a spot for everyone in
you think they thought he would the Lord's church. No task is so
raise Dorcas from the dead? Per- small or unimportant - even one
haps they wanted Peter to comfort which seems to go unnoticed - but
the sad people. that it makes a difference to some-
Peter went to Dorcas in the one. Each of God's children is
upper room. Many widows were unique, and there is a job that each
there weeping. They showed Peter one can do. This is God's plan.
the tunics and clothing Dorcas had Think about what you can do, right
made for them. How bewildered now! Q
they must have felt when Peter
asked them all to leave the room. Frances Parr is a Christian writer liv-
ing in Eldon, Missouri, U.S.A.
Imagine
- how shocked and over-
joyed they were when Peter opened
the door, and there stood their
beloved Dorcas, very much alive!
The Bible tells us no more
about Dorcas, but because of her
death and the fact that Peter, with
the help of God, bought her back to
life, we know that many believed on
the Lord.
There are several lessons we
can learn from the few verses in the
Bible about this godly woman.
# With a small needle, she
accomplished much good.
# She was beloved by the
people who knew her.
X. God used circumstances in
her life to further His cause on
earth.
One never knows what effect
his or her efforts will have on oth-
ers. Do you think Dorcas thought
about notoriety when she was
sewing. small tunics for orphans?
She saw a need and did what she
could to fill that need.
 Gideon,
Man Of Faith
Don L. Norwood
Gideon, also called Jerubbaal, lived in the time of the judges of Israel
(about 1256 B.C.). The son of Joash, of the tribe of Manasseh, he was the
fifth of the named judges during this time.
Israel had turned from obeying God, so He allowed the Midianites to
overrun them and oppress them for seyen years (Judges 6:l). When they
cried out unto the Lord for help (6:7), God sent a prophet to remind them of
their disobedience. Then He sent an angel to Gideon to tell him that he had
been selected to help deliver the people from the Midianites (6: 11-14).
Gideon was skeptical at first and had to be reassured that the Lord was
with him in this great task. He tested God twice, putting a fleece of wool on
the threshing floor, and first requir- trumpet in every man's hands, along
ing that the fleece have dew and the with empty pitchers and lamps with-
ground be dry, then that the fleece in the pitchers (7:16). The Israelites
be dry and the ground be wet (6:36- surrounded the Midianite camp
38). "And it was so. . ." (Judges 6:38). while the enemy was asleep.
Gideon gathered about 32,000 When Gideon gave the signal,
men together to fight the Midianites all three hundred men blew on the
but God told him that was too many trumpets, broke the pitchers so that
(7:2-8). He instructed Gideon to let the lamps would suddenly show
all who were afraid go home, and light, and they shouted, "The sword
22,000 of them turned back. With of the Lord and of Gideon. " This
only 10,000 men left, again God terrified the Midianites, and they
said there were too many. So He began to kill each other and to flee
told Gideon to watch these men in all directions. Gideon chased
drink water from a stream. He was them throughout the valley and
to keep those who would lap water beyond. It was a total defeat and
from their hands, and those who rout for Israel's enemies.
bowed down upon their knees to The great lesson for us today is
drink were to be sent home. Now that when a person completely trusts
Gideon had only 300 men left, but God and obeys Him explicitly, God
his enemies were numberless (filled will always do what His Word has
the whole valley). promised. Christ said to His follow-
Gideon heard a man telling a ers: " . . . Go make disciples of all
dream to a friend, and it revealed the nations . . . and lo, 1 am with
that God would deliver the you always, even unto the end of the
Midianites into his hand. Gideon age" (Matthew 28: 19,20). B
took courage
- from this and proceed-
ed to carry out God's instructions. Don L. Norwood is involved in mis-
He divided the three hundred men sion work in India, as well as serving
as the preacher for the church of
into three companies and put a Christ in Mason, Texas, U.S.A.

Life is a book in volumes three,

The past, the present, the yet-to-be;
The past is written and laid away;
The present we're writing day by day;
The last and best of volumes three
Is locked from sight; God keeps the key.
- Selected
100
 Max Patterson
&
2 #/: W+ Wa4 dud B*?
Jesus submitted Himself to the baptism of John (Matthew 3), and John's
baptism was for the remission of sins (Mark 1:4). However, Jesus had no
sins to be forgiven. John suggested that, instead, he needed to be baptized
by Jesus (Matthew 3: 14).
Jesus did not argue, as many do today, that baptism was not for the for-
giveness of sins. Instead He stated the reason to John why He was being
baptized - "to fuLjill all righteousness" (Matthew 3:15). He had come into
the world, not to do His own will, but to do the will of the Father who had
sent Him. If Jesus was to be successful in convincing the people that
nobody is exempt from obeying God, then He would need to obey, thus ful-
filling all righteousness.
In being baptized, Jesus, in effect, said, "Nothing that God has com-
manded is optional, and in being baptized, I am demonstrating to the world
that there is nothing to which we should not submit." Thus, Jesus, who had
no sins, provided the ultimate example of obedience.
&
2 #2: Wd 7L 7w &n 7L &kid
Many, attempting to get around being baptized, claim that the thief on
the cross was saved, even though he was not baptized. Such, of course, is an
assumption. The Scriptures say that Jerusalem and all Judea came out to be
baptized of John in Jordan (Matthew 3:5,6). How could one possibly know
the thief was not in that number? One cannot make an argument, and expect a
correct conclusion, when the thing one is trying to prove is based on assumption.
However, let us assume the thief was saved and had not been baptized.
That really matters little. Why? Because the thief lived and died under the
law of Moses. It was not until after the death of Christ that Christianity
became the law wherein the statement is made, "He that believeth and is
baptized shall be saved" (Mark 16:16).
Baptism for the remission (forgiveness) of sins was stated as a command
on the day of Pentecost, Acts 2:38, when the first gospel sermon was
preached. Since the cross, all men have been required to be baptized (Luke
24:47). Q
Max Patterson preaches for the Hillcrest brethren in Neosho, Missouri, U.S.A.
1 01
 Wayne Jackson
Question: The Bible states that Philip had four virgin daughters
"who prophesied" (Acts 21:9). Does this provide authority for
women preachers?
It is clear, from the passage just 1 Corinthians 14:3). Prophecy can
cited and from others, that some denote a message that is spoken (1
women in the early church did Samuel 10:10), or one that has been
prophesy. Acts 2:17 mentions both written (Revelation 22:18,19).
sons and daughters prophesying, The usage of the word in a
and Paul requires that women who given setting, therefore, must be
pray or prophesy do so with covered determined either by the immediate
heads (1 Corinthians 115). context of the passage in which it is
The word "prophesy" simply found, or else by the larger context
means "to speak forth" (from pro, of the New Testament as a whole.
"forth", and phemi, "to speak." The Now if it is the case that the New
term sometimes denotes a public Testament forbids a woman t o
proclamation of a divine message, assume the official position of a
as in the case of the prophets in the public teacher in sexually integrated
assembly of the early church (1 audiences (and it surely does - cf.
Corinthians 14:4). However, it is 1 Corinthians 14:34; 1 Timothy
possible to prophesy in a strictly 2:12), then it follows that Philip's
private setting. Hulda "communed" daughters, if obedient to God, did
with certain men of Israel in this not prophesy in any circumstance
fashion (2 Kings 22:14). Miriam that put them in violation of New
prophesied, but only to the women Testament restrictions.
of Israel (Exodus 15:20,21). There is no authority for
"Prophesying" can even be used as Women "preachers" in Acts 21:9, Or
acts of worship (1 Chronicles 25:3). in the Q
There is a sense in which we -proph--
esy when we sing, for singing is a
form of teaching, and teaching is a ~~~~~~~~~~~a~~ i ~ h ~ $ ! ~ ~ ~ ,
form of prophecy (Colossians 3:16; Stockton, California, U.S.A.
 CHARTS
A N D OUTLINES

Worshi
David Marube worship and bow down,
let us kneel befme
the Lwd, our maker!
I. What it is to worship. -18.nh 956

A. It is to give honor, glory,

and praise to God because
of what He is and what He
has done for us.
1. He is the creator of all, all-powerful and holy.
2. He has given us all we have, physical life and eternal life
through His Son Jesus Christ.
B. Thinking of these and many other things about God makes us want
to worship Him wholeheartedly.
C. God has always been worshipped in Old Testament and New
Testament times.
II. Prepare to worship.
A. Many people think that God is only to be worshipped on Sunday or
the first day in a week and then that they may live as they please
the rest of the week.
1. Matthew 5: 14-16; Ephesians 6:7,8; Colossians 3: 17,23.
B. We are to praise and honor God every day by what we say and do at
our home, school, market place, church building, etc.
1. Work Place: Practice humility -be a servant even when we
are the supervisor. Be honest, avoid dishonest gain in our
business, sell something only for what it is worth, keep time
even when our employer is not around to watch, etc.
2. At Home: 1 Timothy 5:8. Take care of our family well. Some
Christians claim to be worshippers of God while they are
terrible husbands, wives, or parents.
3. Husbands: Love your wife, cleave to her, don't be harsh to her,
don't beat her (this is very common in African men). Don't
103
 CHARTSAND OUTLINES
say anything to hurt her, be patient with her in everything.
4. Wives: Be submissive to your husband, respect him, obey him
in the Lord, love him, and as one sister in Christ said, "Be a
pillow to him and not a rock!"
5. To all: "And whatever you do, do it heartily, as to the Lord and
not to men. . ." (Colossians 3:23).
11. Corporate worship and attitudes of worship.
1. Christians should be conscious of God's presence with us,
maintaining a spiritual and worshipful attitude, able to "pray
without ceasing" (1 Thessalonians 5:16).
2. Designated worship assemblies take on an added dimension,
being the specific occasions for the gathering of the church as
a unified body, to worship God together. In these worship
periods we are to sing praises to God, to pray, to remember
the Lord's death in partaking of His Supper, to study from
God's word and to give of our resources in order to financial-
ly support the work of the church.
Conclusion:
We have seen what worship is and we have dealt with the prepartion for
worship which is often ignored. We have learned that we are to praise God
in the activities of our everyday lives. Whenever and wherever we do good,
we praise, glorify, and honor God, and we also become an example to others
to do the same. Read again Matthew 5: 16.
In everything you do and say, ask yourself, "Is this giving God honor, glory,
and praise?'kt's worship God on the Lord's day and live for Him throughout the
week! 0
David Marube is an evangelist with the church in Kisii, Kenya, East Africa.
ry(brscay;1

How to Express Christianity

In the home - by love and unselfishness.
In business - by honesty and diligence.
In society - by purity, courtesy, and humility.
Toward the unfortunate - by sympathy and mercy.
Toward the weak - by helpfulness and patience.
Toward the wicked - by overcoming the evil.
Toward God - by reverence, love, and obedience.
- Selected
 CHARTSAND OUTLINES

Pentecest Day
E. Claude Gardner
I. Introduction
A. Peter refers to events which transpired on Pentecost of Acts 2.
1. This was the first Pentecost festival day after Jesus was
raised.
2. Pentecost always came on the first day of the week
(Leviticus 23: 15,16).
B. An understanding of what began "at the beginning" is basic to a
proper understanding of the Bible.
11. Discussion
A. Beginning of Preaching the Full Gospel Plan of Salvation.
1. For the first time the apostles began to carry out Christ's
command of the Great Commission (Matthew 28: 18-20;
Acts 2:38).
a. Believers were commanded to repent and be baptized.
2. The divine and human sides of salvation were preached
(Acts 2:22-24,38,47; Ephesians 2:8,9).
B. Beginning of the Church.
1. Mark 9: 1; Acts 1:8; 2: 1-4.
2. Jesus promised it and it came to pass (Matthew 16:18; 26:29;
1 Corinthians 11:23).
a. The kingdom has come already so we should not pray that it
come at some future time (Colossians 1:13).
3. The Lord added 3,000 to the church (Acts 2:47). This is the
first mention of its being in existence in perfection.
C. Beginning of the New Covenant and Christian Dispensation.
1. Prophecy fulfilled - "this is that" (Joel 2:28,29; Acts 2:16).
2. We are under the New Testament and not the Old Testament
(Hebrews 9: 16,17; 10:9,10).
1 05
 CHARTS
AND OUTLINES

D. Beginning of Divinely Approved Worship.

1. The first church, Jerusalem, gives a model for approved worship
(Acts 2:42).
2. The apostolic church also sang (Ephesians 5:19).
3. We can discern between true worship and vain worship
(John 4:23,24; Matthew 15:7-9).
4. There was great fellowship (Acts 2:44-46).
E. Beginning of the Reign of Christ on David's Throne.
1. Peter declared that Jesus is on the throne of David (spiritually),
which gave Him authority (Acts 2:30-33).
2. Hence, Christ will not reign for a thousand years on David's
throne as premillennial people claim.
3. As head of the church, He has final authority
(Ephesians 1:20-23).
F. Beginning of the Special Work of the Holy Spirit.
I. Jesus promised the Holy Spirit, the Comforter, to empower the
apostles (John 14:26; 16:13).
a. These verses do not show these are direct promises to all
Christians today.
2. The Holy Spirit baptized the apostles on Pentecost to enable
them to speak the will of God (Acts 2:l-4,16,17).
3. "Pentecost revivals" announced today are unlike Acts 2.
111. Conclusion
A. If one has learned these "beginnings," he or she can "rightly divide"
the Word of God.
B. These truths answer much false teaching being propagated. 0
E. Claude Gardner is President-Emeritus of Freed-Hardeman University in
Henderson, Tennessee, U.S.A.

The Word of God

Feelings come and feelings go,
And feelings are deceiving;
My warrant is the Word of God
Naught else is worth believing.
I'll trust in God's unchanging Word
Till soul and body sever;
For, though all things shall pass away,
His Word shall stand forever.
 FROMTHE HEARTO F . . .

The student body of Namwianga Christian Secondary School.

Kelly and Eleanor Hamby

President Chiluba, the current very happy people and extremely
president of Zambia, has declared appreciative of what they do have.
Zambia a Christian nation. That Zambians are a warm and wel-
makes for an excellent atmosphere coming people. They show great
for sharing the gospel. The country respect to the elderly and persons of
has 73 ethnic groups and 7 major high status. The care of the elderly
languages. Over the past decade the is considered a privilege rather than
economy has declined, resulting in a a burden.
lower standard of living for most It is difficult to determine how
people. About 70 percent of the many people practice any one reli-
population lives in poverty. In spite gion in Zambia. Many people
of all of this, the Zambians are a adhere to a combination of two or
107
 THE HEART OF..
FROM .
more religions or belief systems. 6000 acres. Funds were raised and
Estimates concerning the number the school was built. From 1964 to
who practice Christianity vary 1982 Namwianga Christian
between 50 and 90 percent. Many Secondary School was staffed and
of these would combine Christian directed primarily by American
principles with indigenous religions. missionaries. At the beginning of
The mission work of the Lord's 1980, approximately 250 congrega-
church in what was then Northern tions of the church of Christ had
Rhodesia began in 1920 when John been established, mostly as a result
Sheriff began making preaching of the efforts of the missionaries
trips which carried him across the and graduates of the mission
Zambezi River. One of his African schools.
co-workers, Peter Masiya, was also From 1982 to the present a sig-
highly instrumental in bringing the nificant expansion program both in
gospel to Zambia. A few years later facilities and outreach has taken
missionaries arrived to help with the place. We now have 6 elementary
work. Some of the early missionar- schools, 4 junior high schools, 2
ies were the Shorts, Lawyers, high schools, 1 vocational center, 3
Merritts, Scotts, Reeses, Browns, medical clinics, and George Benson
Hobbys, Brittells, Shewmakers, and Christian College. Bible is taught in
sister Rowe. all these schools, and the students
Three mission sites were are trained to become church
opened, Sinde, Namwianga, and planters. The Zambian government
Kabanga. These early missionaries requires religious education to be
began schools for the African peo- taught in all schools up to grade 9,
ple, teaching them to read the Bible and it is an elective in grades 10-12.
and promote the cause of Christian- One of the more significant
ity. Throughout the ensuing years, developments since 1982 is the
a vast number of the leaders of the turning over and the running and
country and church have been staffing of the mission to Zambians.
taught at these schools. At the present time the mission is
When Zambia gained its inde- directed by Lister Mweemba, who
pendence in 1964 the mission oper- serves as Superintendent. All other
ated 26 primary schools. At that administrative roles are filled by the
time the government decided to Zambians, and the teaching staff is
nationalize all primary schools but now 99% Zambian. Missionaries
did ask Namwianga to build a sec- serving now are Roy and Kathi
ondary school on the mission's Merritt, Sheri Sears, John and
 FROMTHE HEART OF.. .
Wendy Lauterbach, and Ken and placed on the efforts of George
Iris Elder. Benson Christian College, which is
Before 1980 there were 215 affiliated with the University of
congregations in Zambia. In the Zambia and is one of only three col-
past 16 years there has been 166% leges in the country for training
congregational growth, with 205 teachers of secondary schools.
congregations begun in the 80's and Recently the grand opening and first
153 new churches started since graduation ceremony was held, with
1990. Most of these have been dignitaries from all over Zambia in
planted by Zambian brethren, par- attendance.
ticularly as congregations set up All of the graduates are given
new meeting places in neighboring teaching jobs by the government. In
areas where the church did not exist. interviewing new students, one of
Joseph Siamugande has played a the main criteria for admission is
vital role in the planting of a num- their willingness to be placed in
ber of these congregations. areas where the church is weak or
Significant emphasis is being does not exist, after their graduation.

A container of clothing and medical supplies being unpacked.

109
 FROM
THE HEART OF.. .

The 1996 medical missions team led by Kelly and Eleanor

Hamby, with Dr. John Estes.

Two highly successful medical minister to all the people who came,
mission outreaches, under the direc- as the number was overwhelming.
tion of Kelly and Eleanor Hamby of One of the highlights of the out-
Abilene, TX, have taken place in reach this year was the involvement
Zambia the past two summers. The of nine Christian Zambian nurses
team works with Elizabeth Halale, who work for the government. They
the Director of Clinics for worked overtime or took personal
Namwianga Mission. Dr. John leave in order to assist.
Estes and his wife, June, provided Another encouraging aspect
the backbone of these two trips, was the involvement of five
along with several doctors, nurses, Zambians who worked with the
and other support personnel. spiritual needs of the people seeking
The team worked at five sites medical care. Because of their
and saw over 2000 patients. efforts over 25 souls were baptized
Unfortunately, they were not able to into Christ.
110
 FROM
THE HEART OF.. .

A few years ago the Zambian but when the Area Chairman discov-
brethren decided it was time to ered that the church was meeting, he
reach out to their neighboring coun- immediately began telling Leonard
try, Angola, with the gospel of our to abolish the church. When
Lord. At that time Angola was Leonard would not stop, the Area
involved in a civil war, making it Chairman threatened to kill him.
unsafe to travel there. Over 20,000 At that time the mother of
Angolans had sought refuge in Cornelius went to the Area
Meheba Refugee Camp in Chairman and told him to kill her
Northwestern Zambia. instead of Leonard. She said that
The mission had a young whatLeonardhaddoneforherson
Zambian, Leonard Mujala, who was worth her life. When the
attended Namwianga Christian authorities heard what was happen-
Secondary School and also complet- ing they ordered the Area Chairman
ed work at the Bible college at to allow the church to meet without
Namwianga. While Leonard was interference. Remarkably enough,
not an outstanding scholar, he was the Area Chairman was later taught
dedicated to studying God's word and converted by Leonard and is
and striving to learn God's plan for now one of the leaders of the
his life. Leonard was a gifted lin- church.
guist, being fluent in 6 languages. At the present time 3 congrega-
One of these was Luvale, the lan- tions have been started and over 100
guage spoken by most of the souls are meeting together. Now
Angolan refugees. that the civil war has ended, the
Considering these things, the Christians who will be able to return
Zambian brethren chose Leonard to to their country are eager to spread
send to the refugee camp. He made the gospel there. They have worked
the arduous journey and began his diligently preparing themselves to
work for the Lord with great resolu- take the message of our Lord and
tion and prayer. Interestingly Savior back to Angola with them.
enough, the first convert Leonard It is indeed encouraging to see
made was named Cornelius! the Zambian and Angolan brethren
Leonard went through all the working together for the cause of
proper channels to start the church Christ in the country of Angola.
 FROMTHE HEART OF.. .

Baptism at the Meheba Refugee Camp among the Angolans.

Jerry Sullins has operated a books and other printed materials,

biblical studies school in Botswana as well as clothing, tools, medi-
for a number of years. The school cines, and office supplies have been
has now been relocated in Zambia. made by American and Canadian
Gordon and Beulah Wonsey have brethren, for distribution by the
recently joined the school. Gordon missionaries in Zambia. In a coun-
will assist with some of the teaching try where there is much physical
as well as be involved in evangelis- poverty and yet much zeal for the
tic outreach with the students. One spreading of the gospel, these things
of the great needs of any school is have been a multiplied blessing. As
to assist students in applying what one woman wrote, "Thank you for
they learn. Gordon's main thrust the Bible which you gave me. My
will be in this much-needed area of heart is always filled with joy when
training. I read the Bible and I feel loved by
Shipments of Bibles, song God Himself, too."
 * W - M (frwnpage42)
1. Passover, Bethany, h r u s .
2. Martha.
3. She anointed Jesus' feet with spikenard and
Aped them with her hdr.
4. That the oil should have been sold and the
money g M to the poor.
51. U t her alone; she has kept this for the day of
My budal."
6. To put b r u s to death, because many
believed on Jesus because of him.

-
7. They covered the stred with palm branches
and c r l d out pral#s to Jesus.
8. "Fear not, daughter of Z i ;
'.
9. . .h whole world hes gone a
10. "...troubled. ...for this put-
I c a m to this hour. ...
glorify Your...'
11. '1 have both glorlfled It and
wlll gloryl It again."
12. '...If I be lifted up from the
eatth, wlil draw all peop4es to
Myself."
13. T h y did not want to be
banned from worshipping In
the synagogue.
...
14. '...Me, My words, has that
which judges him -the word
that I have spoken Mil judge
hlm In the k t day."
15. The Father's.
 Republic of Zambia

mvmment: A Llultlwy D m m w
Rasident: Fred- T.J. CMluba
V i c e P r e s ~Lavy-

€iea&w Ftw& TAe Church:

~thtAhdkhdcarmryhowth ~domfhweareapprmcimateiy
mtdAhhmoalyaplatmrblng 550 congregations. Since 1 990 Zam-
$,a00feet on the eastan de. b , t h e r m e l v p l , h a v e ~ a b w t100
,LandU 280,586 Sq. Mi. new cmgregathu, as existing c h h
have reached out to neighboring areas
Pqmktbm 9,100,000. w k r e n o k d m weremeeting.
warcidaw Luraka,Kkw,Ndola,

-
Hinow: The Lwd's church wao begun in
Chingoln. Zambia when John Sheriff begim making
-
: Erqlii and locd dialects. plaaehhg trlpl aao~rtk Zambeai Rk.er in
umacy: 75.7%. 1020. An A f M d, Peter k i p ,
was greatly instrumental In bringing the
~:Chriwfan,5075%llrlamad &mm,&ewty&-
m.1% wkllr fShonr,
tho r-Lawym, Memitt#, Seotts,
Economy: h a b k Wir 7%. Reeses, Browns. Hobbys, Brittells,
lu9lpro&rtrindudecom,tobacro,rh Umnnakar,d?kwrRorvl.
andrugartme. 85%ofhpwpk ~Wlstwg:Throughttre&mof
depend an agrleuhun fw a Mg. Namwianga mission, 26 primary schooiP
M*mw*ireludeCW we@. WharZanbbgaWinde-
pert- chemieds* fertiilzers. p k w in 1964, the nwv government
hWdm:coppa,&,kad~obdt. d t h e m t o ~ a *
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Rhorkda a h its fader, Cedl Rhodes, dwls have done t m d m wcrk e v ~ e -
ZambiawaanjedbytheBritbhSouth tirhgthecamry.Atthp~~lenttime,6
~ComganyurtlltheBritichgovom- ekmrntaryschools,4/uria~~,2
memtookcvaxhhiktmt*mh1814. hfgh~,1vrocatiaralwnter,3~
Pecbred hhpdme in 1 M5. ~,adGeorgeBenoonCMstianCokge
Momta~Vnft:Kwadla are v e d by the chd.
FmthBaautifilbkmhWmtheEddRiw,Zambb'r~borderwIthZinbabwo.