Contending for the Faith: Speaking in an "Unknown Tongue"

Posted on June 1st, 2002 in Tongue Speaking, Charismatic, Subject Index by Hafley, Larry Ray

(The anonymous note below arrived via e-mail. It is published as it came to me. -LRH.)

    To someone who has never experienced speaking in what we as Pentecostal some time call an unknown tong.It doesn’t surprise me that you don’t believe. I could give you vers,but I am sure you would counter them with other vers.
    I speak from experience. I was not raised Pentecostal. But I can tell you it real and when I speak in that heavenly language it not jibes it the indwelling of the Holy Spirit in me and through me to edify the Church. In my life time of be used in this gift of God it has never brought harm are confusion to the Body of Christ
    I have never see Jesus face to face. But I know he real and he has saved me from death and given me hope of an eternal future with him.
    Seek and you to will fine that some things are not debatable but excepted that we may better serve God.

Reply: First, since the author did not say, I do not know what I have said that has brought his reaction. It would help this reply if I knew the material to which he is objecting.

Second, it should be noted that, whether right or wrong, I have set forth my views openly and plainly, not anonymously. If the author truly has the spiritual gifts he claims to have, why should he be afraid? Why should he hide behind the cloak of anonymity? Of what does he have to be ashamed? Those who had certain miraculous gifts in the New Testament spoke "with all boldness" (Acts 4:29, 33; 14:3; Eph. 6:18-20). If he has what they had, why does he not do the same?

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Walking Worthy: Conscience as a Guide?

Posted on June 1st, 2002 in Conscience, Subject Index by Smith, J.S.

We have heard the mantra all our lives: "Let your conscience be your guide."

Some well-meaning person tries to help us make a choice by appealing to the power of emotion and feelings. Make no mistake about it, though, a conscience is a powerful and good thing. A conscience properly trained is an effective guide, but one improperly trained will occasionally or often lead to the wrong decision.

Consider the case of the apostle Paul, whose conscience misled him, though he obeyed it without question. After persecuting the Way of faith for many years, his conscience was confronted with its error and was cleansed and made practical again.

How can we build a conscience into a positive force in times of decision? The answer is simple. Your conscience can only be an effective guide when God is its teacher.

Webster’s Ninth New Collegiate Dictionary defines conscience as "the sense or consciousness of the moral goodness or blameworthiness of one’s own conduct, intentions, or character together with a feeling of obligation to do right or be good …. conformity to the dictates of conscience."

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Associate Editorial: Bible Authority (Sermon Charts)

Posted on June 1st, 2002 in Authority, Associate Editorials, Subject Index by Fain, Larry

Bible Authority
How Do We Get It And Use It?

“By what authority are You doing these things? And who gave You this authority?” But Jesus answered and said to them, “The baptism of John–where was it from? From heaven or from men?” (Matthew 21:23-25; NKJV)

Bible Authority
How Do We Get It And Use It?

  • The Nature Of Bible Authority Is Positive
  • Bible Authority Is Permissive
  • We Cannot Act So As To Please God Without His Approval

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The Simple Gospel: The Need for Bible Authority

Posted on June 1st, 2002 in Authority Study, Themes, Authority, Subject Index by Cox, Stan
This entry is part 1 of 7 in the series, Authority Study.

(Editor’s Note: With this article, we begin a series of short articles dealing with the subject of Bible authority. The articles are short, as they first were printed in the local bulletin I edit. Feel free to reprint them if you find them helpful. However, credit must be given to Billy W. Moore’s class book A Study of Authority, as the articles follow closely the material found in that good book.)

It is almost universally recognized that men can co-exist peaceably only with a recognition of authority. True anarchists (those who rebel against any established authority or power) are few and far between, because anarchy leads to confusion and chaos. Even one who occasionally breaks the rules understands that the rules are necessary.

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Associate Editorial: False Teacher

Posted on June 1st, 2002 in False Teachers, Associate Editorials, Subject Index by Roberts, Tom

    (Editor’s Note: Brother Roberts wrote this article in November of 1979. So, 23 years have passed. The article is still timely. It is interesting that some of the same arguments made by those who were advocating "Neo-Calvinism" in the late 1970’s are being used today by some brethren. As the actual individuals he addresses are not germaine to our present study, their names have been ommitted).

Some strange teaching is making the rounds these days about "false teachers." This teaching is based upon an incomplete and limited definition of "false" as it applies to those who teach error. Supposedly, one cannot label a teacher "false" unless the teacher "wilfully, knowingly, consciously and intentionally" teaches error. With this limited definition, a teacher that taught error without knowing it to be error could not be so labeled. This is not an accurate use of the term as we shall show. However, it is not strange nor unexpected to find some who are entering the "New Unity Movement" to be using this definition, particularly since they are eager to broaden the ties of fellowship with many who are embracing liberalism, institutionalism, denominationalism and other "ism’s."

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Editorial: A Magazine Update

Posted on June 1st, 2002 in Attitudes, Watchman Mag., Subject Index, Editorials by Cox, Stan

Most of you are aware of the fact that this is the first new issue in several months. There are a number of reasons for this, and I ask that you indulge me as I seek to explain the causes of the sporadic publishing schedule.

The major reason for the lack of activity on the site for the past several months is a very busy schedule on my part. A heavy meeting schedule, coupled with the responsibilities I have in my local work have made it difficult to maintain the monthly publishing schedule I have set for the magazine. Watchman is "extra" work, and when a choice has to be made between the magazine and my other obligations, the magazine must suffer. I beg your understanding in this.

If the magazine were a subscription paper, the obligation would be there to supply monthly material as per the agreement with subscribers. As the magazine is free to all on the internet, occasional lapses in the publishing schedule will hopefully be met with more understanding on the part of readers. Having said that, I realize that it is not good "business" practice, and such lapses have a deleterious effect upon readership. The magazine always shows a decrease in monthly "hits" after one of these lapses.

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Institutionalism

Posted on June 1st, 2002 in False Doctrine, Themes, Doctrinal Error, Institutionalism, Subject Index by Cox, Stan
This entry is part 7 of 7 in the series, False Doctrine.

In previous articles, we have been discussing religious error that exists without. That is, outside the fellowship of churches of Christ. Other departures from truth, of more recent vintage, have troubled the people of God.

In the United States, two serious digressions have taken place in the last 150 years. In the 19th century, division occurred when some began to advocate the church support of a human missionary society. Some were unwilling to trust the New Testament pattern for evangelism, and established a human institution to do the work instead. The church was displaced in its work, and became a fund raising organization for the human missionary society. This issue, coupled with the introduction of mechanical instruments of music in worship, led to a division and formation of the Christian Church denomination.

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Premillennialism

Posted on June 1st, 2002 in False Doctrine, Themes, Premillennialism, Doctrinal Error, Subject Index by Cox, Stan
This entry is part 6 of 7 in the series, False Doctrine.

Speculation on the "end times" is certainly a popular pastime these days. In 1970, author Hal Lindsey wrote his best-seller The Late Great Planet Earth, predicting that in that generation the present state of mankind would cease. He updated his predictions in his book The 1980s: Countdown to Armageddon. In the preface of that book, he wrote:

    "During the 25 years I have been studying prophecy, I have seen incredible events forecast 3,000 years ago happen right before my eyes. Especially in the past 10 years, I have watched current events push us toward the climax of history the prophets foretold. I believe many people will be shocked by what is happening right now and by what will happen in the very new future. The decade of the 1980’s could very well be the last decade of history as we know it." (emphasis his).

Lindsey took the escalating cold war, and attempted to insert into prophecy a battle between Israel and the now defunct Soviet Union. His efforts convinced many that the end of time was coming. Now, despite the failure of his predictions, he continues to write and predict, and his writings are still followed by millions. His speculations are characteristic of most who believe in the theory of premillennialism.

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Calvinism

Posted on June 1st, 2002 in False Doctrine, Themes, Doctrinal Error, Calvinism, Subject Index by Cox, Stan
This entry is part 5 of 7 in the series, False Doctrine.

In the previous article mention was made of Martin Luther, one of the most prominent theologians of the Reformation movement. Because of his influence, most Protestant groups today believe that salvation is obtained by faith alone. His influence on Protestant denominations is rivaled only by John Calvin.

Calvin was born in 1509, and came to adulthood under the influences of the Reformation begun by Martin Luther. In 1536 he published the first edition of his Institutes of the Christian Religion, which contain a systematic theology based on the premises of the total depravity of man, and the individual predestination of the saved. Though few Christian denominations can be said to be fully Calvinistic in their theology, Calvin’s writings have had a profound influence upon Protestant doctrine.

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Denominationalism

Posted on June 1st, 2002 in False Doctrine, Denominationalism, Themes, Doctrinal Error, Subject Index by Cox, Stan
This entry is part 4 of 7 in the series, False Doctrine.

A quick perusal of the yellow pages reveals a plethora of churches to choose from: Advent, African Methodist, Apostolic, Assemblies of God, Baptist (ABA, Bible Fellowship, Independent, Independent-Fundamental, Missionary, Primitive, Reformed, Southern, Sovereign Grace), Catholic, Christian, Christian Science, Church of God, Mormon, Nazarene, Greek Orthodox, Jehovah’s Witnesses, Lutheran, Methodist, Pentecostal, Presbyterian, Seventh Day Adventist, and Unitarian Universalist. And these are only a few. We live in a religiously pluralistic society. Today it is possible to find a church suited to every mindset and personal preference. Men seem to be pleased with this "buffet" approach to religion.

This writer once attended a baccalaureate service where a Protestant preacher prayed to God in this fashion: "God, I thank You that there are so many churches that exist today, where each of us can find opportunities and churches that we are comfortable and pleased with, as we offer worship to You." The sentiment is often heard that upon salvation one should "attend the church of his choice." Others say you should find a "Bible believing church", though all the churches listed above would make such a claim.

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