Watchman Magazine began in January of 1998, and continued a regular publication schedule, for the most part, through 2004.  Toward the end of this initial iteration of the magazine, publication became more sporadic, as I personally dealt with a bad case of editor/publisher burnout.  After a hiatus of several years, publication resumed in January of 2010, with several changes.  Primarily, the magazine took on a blog format, rather than maintaining a monthly schedule.  With the advent of social networking, and powerful blogging software platforms, I believe this change to be a positive one.  It has made it possible for the Watchman writers to post articles on their schedule, and my editorial responsibilities have lightened.  It is nice to no longer be responsible for coding HTML, and fighting the compatibility problems of earlier years.

This new format has allowed the magazine to continue, despite the fact that my personal circumstances in the past two years have been rather challenging.  In addition to my local responsibilities as an evangelist for the West Side church in Fort Worth, TX, I spent much time helping my mother care for my ailing father.  Dad fought a long and hard battle with chronic leukemia, which evolved into a more aggressive cancer in the middle of 2011, taking his life in October.  Throughout his illness, trips were made to Dallas so that specialists could treat him.  Most often these were weekly trips, sometimes bi-weekly. On occasion a complication or infection would necessitate daily trips for a week or more.  My dad was a special man, and I greatly appreciated the opportunity to serve him by driving him to these appointments.  I will always treasure the time, conversations and companionship those trips afforded us.  Even in the midst of trial, God’s blessings flow.  If you haven’t read my tribute to my father (A Quiet Man of God), I would consider it a special favor if you would take the time.  He was a quiet man, but his goodness and kindness as a child of God is worthy of praise, and the grace he exhibited throughout his illness is worthy of emulation.

Though the magazine continued through this period, I was certainly not satisfied with it.  Watchman is not everything I want it to be, and it is my desire for it to improve in the future.  Articles have been relatively scarce for two main reasons:  1) I have not written as much as I have intended to write; and, 2) I have not done enough to solicit articles from other writers.  It is my intent to improve on both fronts in the coming year.

My thanks to the men who have written in the past couple of years.  There are some “self-starters” among them who have been diligent in making contributions to the magazine.  Men such as Jeff Smith, Heath Rogers, Marc Smith and John Robertson have written even when I was unable to do so.  Others have contributed as well.  For these efforts I am thankful, and I intend to search out others who are willing to contribute their pen to this worthy cause.  We have several young men who have expressed a desire to write.  Though their efforts may not be as polished as their more experienced brethren, I am anxious to give them a voice.  Writing is a wonderful discipline for the preacher, and the written word serves as a permanent and enduring witness for Christ.  Few works are more rewarding.  They will surely grow in scholarship and ability, and their efforts will greatly benefit you, the reader.

I recently read an article poking fun at the call for distinctive preaching.  Though the criticism raised in the piece was subtle, and though there were some valid points made, the general attitude expressed was disturbing to me.  I find that it is mirrored by many of my brethren today.  I have been preaching the gospel now for 34 years.  I have been in full-time local work for the past 27 years.  I have worked with the West Side congregation here in Fort Worth for over 22 years, and have edited Watchman since 1998.  I am less than four months shy of my 50th birthday.  I may not be the most perceptive among us, but I can say that I have seen a change in attitude toward God and His word in the brotherhood in that time.  Especially in the last several decades.

I have personal knowledge of brethren who do not respect the parameters God has established regarding spiritual fellowship.  I know of gospel preachers who defend the concept of stellar evolution, in advocating the Big Bang Theory as reconcilable with the Biblical account of creation.  I have heard and read teaching on the subject of grace that exhibits very little difference from classic Calvinism.  There has been an obvious drift toward the social gospel among some.  I fear that too often young Christians are pandered to, rather than challenged in their faith.  Emotionalism is being confused with spirituality.  Some are equating reverence with raised hands and lowered lights, and decry the respectful worship practiced in many congregations as dry and boring.  The list could go on and on, but it is obvious to experienced observers that there is a deleterious trend that can be seen in this generation.  Yes, I went there… a trend.  The term is most appropriate.  It means, “the general course or prevailing tendency; drift” (dictionary.reference.com).  Other shades of meaning include:  “to emerge as a popular trend; be currently popular”, and “to veer or turn off in a specified direction.”

The very fact that I mentioned a trend makes me objectionable to some brethren.  The phrase, “trend toward apostasy” has become a joke among some, and a sure sign to others that you are paranoid, a “watchdog”, and one of those judgmental types who are always spoiling for a fight.  Does it not matter that the Hebrew writer exhorted, “give the more earnest heed to the things we have heard, lest we drift away” (2:1)?

The most destructive tactic used against those who are concerned about this present trend is rather passive in nature.  It is simply the view that these complainers are irrelevant.  The warnings are shrugged off, and the complainers are ignored.  If complaints are made about such treatment, it serves to establish that such are merely wanting attention, and are throwing a tantrum precisely because they are not relevant.  It is possible that this article and my voice will be considered a prime example of such petulance.  So be it.

I ask, however, that you consider Noah, whose preaching was ignored by all mankind.  Or perhaps Elijah, who in delivering the message of God to a largely uninterested nation, despaired to the point where he cried out to God, “I have been very zealous for the LORD God of hosts; because the children of Israel have forsaken Your covenant, torn down Your altars, and killed Your prophets with the sword. I alone am left; and they seek to take my life” (1 Kings 19:14).  In fact, all of the prophets of God, though their message was His, were rejected by rebellious Israel (cf. Acts 7:51-53).

Consider our own history in this nation.  The majority in the 19th century clamored for the instrument, and determined those who stood for truth to be irrelevant, and unworthy of serious consideration.  Those who opposed the innovation were marginalized.  The same thing happened in the 20th century.  In December of 1954, Gospel Advocate editor B.C. Goodpasture called for a “yellow tag of quarantine” to be placed upon all congregations and preachers who objected to the institutional practices that were gaining a foothold among brethren.  As time progressed, the calls for authority for such practices were ignored as irrelevant by the majority.

Was Noah irrelevant?  While he most certainly was ignored, his warnings were true.  What about Elijah?  The man who was charged by Ahab as being the “troubler of Israel” is acknowledged as one of the greatest of the prophets.  During the two great divisions in the restoration movement, were the faithful relevant or not?  It is a mistake to equate relevancy with popularity.  Relevancy has nothing to do with how many are listening.  It has to do with who is proclaiming the truth!

Consider the words of Paul, “As we have said before, so now I say again, if anyone preaches any other gospel to you than what you have received, let him be accursed.  For do I now persuade men, or God? Or do I seek to please men? For if I still pleased men, I would not be a bondservant of Christ” (Galatians 1:9-10).  Our purpose is to serve Christ.  Any who does so successfully is relevant, whether he is heeded or not.

Perhaps the problem among some is that they confuse relevance with acceptance.  The popular way is seldom the way of God.  “…wide is the gate and broad is the way that leads to destruction, and there are many who go in by it” (Matthew 7:13).  I fully understand that popular is a relative term.  Even the most ear tickling preacher among us does not approach the popularity of a Joel Osteen, for example.  Please remember, though, that the standard for relevance and true acceptance is God and His word; not men.

So, we will continue to write, and invite others to do so.  We will write on myriad topics, seeking to declare the whole counsel of God.  We will not be hobbyists, but we will address the issues that trouble brethren, and we will deal with the error that endangers the souls of men.  We will not concern ourselves with how many deem us relevant.  We will try to get as many people as possible to read and listen.  We will soldier on in the spirit of Noah and Elijah.

I have heard that some believe my magazine to be the center of an effort to control the brotherhood.  If so, it is a miserable failure!  But no, it is not, and never has been.  Watchman Magazine is one person’s effort to edify and teach.  I sit in my office, and write about things that I believe to be important.  I invite others to write as well.  That is all that it is – but that is enough for me, and I hope for the Lord.  I pledge to you that I will try to do it better in the months and years to come.

At that point, Moses died and Joshua took charge, leading the people into battle to take control of their land. Because Jehovah’s religion was to have one Lord and be free of idolatry and superstition, the faith of the heathen was a great danger. God commanded that they should be eliminated, but they weren’t.

Today, our strategy in dealing with the world around us involves conversion rather than extermination, but immersion in this life affords us the same opportunities to influence for good or to be influenced for evil. What are the dangers when we mingle with the Gentiles?

In Psalm 106, the writer recounts the long history of his nation and the leadership of Moses through the wilderness. We know that the journey from Horeb to Kadesh-Barnea should only have taken about eleven days, but was extended to forty years for two reasons. At first, God foresaw that the people’s hearts would melt if they came near the fearsome Philistines, and so he detoured them away from certain war. Later, the people become so ungrateful that their faith in God failed and he punished them by extending their tour until almost every adult should die for his disbelief.

Psalm 106, however, looks backward at all these events and focuses upon some of the reasons for Israel’s ultimate downfall at the hands of the Assyrians and Chaldeans (verses 34-40). Key among these reasons was the fact that they disobeyed God and permitted the idolaters to squat in the land of promise and exert influence over the kingdom and its citizens, who should have known no other God but the one of heaven. Gradually, Israel learned their superstitious ways and were defiled by imitating evil.

God’s will seems harsh today; most would probably think it incompatible with the law of Christ and surely it bears all the marks of an earlier time (see Deuteronomy 7:1-8, 16). The revelation of the scheme of salvation required that this nation tend a bloodline that could lead to Jesus Christ, but the presence of idolatry all around made that task more challenging and so God commanded them to rid the Promised Land of false deities and their servants.

It was a crooked and perverse generation, though, that had not the heart to execute God’s will and permitted the idolaters to remain and even persist in their false worship (Deuteronomy 32:15-18). The lingering presence of idols and idolaters added bitterness to the farewell speech of Joshua (24:14-24). Ever since Rachel stole her father’s household idols (see Genesis 31), Israel had struggled to break free from their seduction, bowing before molten calves and passing their own children into the fiery arms of Molech. Now as the psalmist thinks back, he realizes that Israel had played the harlot with those false gods, compelling God to divorce the nation and seek to be espoused to a purer bride yet to come.

The lesson we must learn today involves both the power of false gods and the influence that takes place between us and those around us, either for good or evil. We are commissioned for conversion rather than extermination, but the same dangers exist in that we may mingle with the lost in such a way that we receive more negative influence than we ever give positively.

Our Relationship to the World Around Us

Jesus described the apostles as being men chosen out of the world so that they would be of an entirely different character (see John 15:19). During his ministry and especially after his resurrection, that distinction became very evident, so that his prediction came true–the world began to hate the apostles who exposed its evil deeds and called on reluctant sinners to change or be condemned. Even the religious establishment in Jerusalem persecuted the apostles, whose survivors were imprisoned and beaten also by the Gentile authorities in the empire.

Because people call America a “Christian nation,” we tend to expect that persecution has been eliminated and the costs of being a Christian have all been paid by our forefathers. That false paradise only belongs to those willing to compromise their convictions and walk in the path of the majority, the same kind of corrupt religious establishment that ruled Jerusalem.

In dealing with the world around us, including the prevailing religious sector of it, we have to remain aware of our distinctiveness or else we will gradually lose it just like the Hebrews did. That is the challenge of being in the world, but not of the world, set apart by truth (see John 17:16). The form of this world is passing away and it is misused by those who stake all their happiness and hopes in its soil (see First Corinthians 7:31). Our boast, our hope, our anchor must be planted beyond this dying world (Galatians 6:12-15).

It comes down to learning to be content and even excited about that distinctiveness that makes the morality and personality of the Christian stand out without shame. It is eschewing conformity to majority opinion and the religious establishment (Romans 12:1-2). It is being driven by higher ambitions than the selfish and fleshly (First John 2:15-17). It is undeterred by the objections of those who prefer ecumenical conformity (First Peter 4:1-4).

Conquest

Israel was commanded to tear down the false religion in the land of Canaan as they conquered its soil, but Joshua recognized the Hebrews did not have the heart to do it. All the kings of Israel and Judah either supported idolatry or fell short of eradicating it, beginning with King Saul who could not bring himself to execute wicked King Agag.

Honestly, when the soldiers of Christ look at this wicked, lost world, conquest is also on our mind, but not in terms of a military conflict ending in bloodshed. Rather we are commissioned to arm ourselves with the mind of Christ and the sword of the Spirit in the hopes of bringing souls willingly and gratefully into submission to Jesus Christ (Second Corinthians 10:3-6). The Crusaders of the Middle Ages sought and the Muslims of today seek to conquer the world religiously at the end of a literal sword, but the army of the Lord uses reason and persuasion instead. The result is a conquest for Christ that is willing and industrious, rather than under compulsion, but if we make no such effort, we find ourselves little different from the Hebrews who weakly walked through Canaan without the heart to conquer.

Influence for Good

One of the most powerful weapons in our arsenal is example–exemplifying the blessed life that every unbeliever should covet (Matthew 5:13-16). We cannot afford to mar that example by behaving hypocritically, by matching the low moral standards of the world around us or by acting miserable when we have to pay the inevitable costs of faith (Philippians 2:12-18).

Hypocrites give unbelievers room to criticize the church and make headway against it. Complaining tells the seeker that the life of faith is unrewarding and burdensome, rather than hopeful and worthwhile. If we are going to influence others for good, we have to be on guard and at the ready all the time, so that we are studied and prepared to shine (see First Peter 3:15, Second Timothy 2:15).

Influence for Evil

The world will always contain the modern version of Gentiles–the lost and unbelieving–among whom we will be forced or tempted to mingle; example and evangelism will conquer by conversion only a relative few. As the psalmist recalled, so we are warned not to learn their works or serve their idols. Demas forsook Paul, having loved this present world  and it can seem an easy thing for us to do the same when the lost world and religious establishment around us seem so much easier and more physically rewarding (see Second Timothy 4:10).

If you have any vestiges of a worldly lifestyle left lying around your house, mingle with them no longer, but destroy them as surely as the Ephesian magicians burned their magic books in a penitent fire–alcohol, tobacco, pornography, whatever (see Acts 19:18-20).

The world goes on with an attitude about Judgment that it will never occur, and that even if it does, most will be saved any way on the basis of dead faith or works of charity and merit, so they “eat and drink” as if tomorrow does not matter. Paul warns, “Do not be deceived: ‘Bad company corrupts good morals’” (First Corinthians 15:33, NASV).

At some point, Israel stopped influencing the Gentiles and the whole process reversed, just as the church at Corinth stopped influencing the city and the city infected the congregation. That is the battle of which we must remain conscious and vigilant.

The Consequences

Think back to the consequences enumerated in Psalm 106:34-40. The Hebrews learned the idolatrous ways of the Gentiles and eventually adopted them, so that they were defiled by their own works, became as harlots before God and sacrificed their own children in the process. Aren’t the same dangers before us as we navigate a world we must hold at arm’s length?

How easy is it to learn the ways of the world when it comes to language, attire, habits, entertainment, etc.? What results is divided loyalty, pleasing to the devil, but unbearable for God who says that we cannot serve him and mammon (James 4:1-4). And this is all our children will see, so that we will lay their bodies in the burning arms of a modern Molech who consumes their minds and bodies with destructive ways.

Conclusion

Will God abhor his own inheritance? Don’t say it can’t happen, because it already did in ancient Israel. It happened because they hated him, choosing the passing pleasures of sin over the eternal blessing or holiness. Which will you choose?

Unfortunately, this is happening all of the time as people who were once a part of the Lord’s church, the church of Christ, leave for other pastures when they grew into adulthood.  Somewhere along the path of their life they either are lured away from Christ by the doctrines of man or they simply fall away, lured by the world and its lusts.

While we wonder why this happens, it is nothing new.  If we look back at the history of the Israelites we see this very thing happening time and again.  In 1 Samuel 2:22-25 we read of Eli’s sons who transgressed against God and Israel.  In 2 Kings 8:16-18 Jehoram, the son of Jehoshaphat, became king of Judah, but he did not walk in the way of his father, but instead walked in the way of the kings of Israel.  Why did this happen?  Did Eli fail in his training of Hophni and Phinehas?  Was it because Jehoshaphat did not teach Jehoram correctly, properly, and thoroughly?  In both cases was it because of external influences?  The latter had a definite impact on Jehoram has he married the daughter of Ahab.

Ahab is well known to us as one of the most evil kings that ever reigned over Israel.  He was aided on his path because of his chosen wife, Jezebel.  In 1 Kings 16:29-33 we are introduced to Ahab.  He is described in this passage as one who “did evil in the sight of the LORD, more than all who were before him”, “as though it had been a trivial thing for him to walk in the sins of Jeroboam the son of Nebat, that he took as wife Jezebel the daughter of Ethbaal, king of the Sidonians; and he went and served Baal and worshiped him”, and “Ahab made a wooden image. Ahab did more to provoke the LORD God of Israel to anger than all the kings of Israel who were before him.” His son followed this same path and the result of the influence was the same.

While both of the examples “grew up” as Israelites, the chosen people of God, both left God for other pastures.  Both had all the opportunities that we have, that all have, to be obedient to God’s commands, but made decisions to move away from God.  When someone says that they grew up church of Christ but now they do not attend the church at all or belong to a denominational group they are revealing the result of several different factors that we have already seen in Hophni, Phinehas, and Jehoram.

The first reason that some leave the church is due to improper training.  In Proverbs 22:6 we read, Train up a child in the way he should go, And when he is old he will not depart from it. Too often when this verse is read it is misunderstood.  Too many think that this is an absolute when it is not.  A proverb is a good saying, a thoughtful consideration of basic truths that when applied properly give the adherent a strong base on which to stand; but they are not a guarantee simply because of the free will of man.  The proverb gives us a hope and an assurance based on truth.

In Genesis 18:19 God says of Abraham, “For I have known him, in order that he may command his children and his household after him, that they keep the way of the LORD, to do righteousness and justice, that the LORD may bring to Abraham what He has spoken to him.” God says that He knew Abraham that he might teach his children to know God.  God has known us, we know God, today through His word.  If we know God and then take on the responsibility of raising children should we not also take on the responsibility of teaching them of God?

In Deuteronomy 4:9 Moses commands the Israelites, Only take heed to yourself, and diligently keep yourself, lest you forget the things your eyes have seen, and lest they depart from your heart all the days of your life. And teach them to your children and your grandchildren. Moses also commanded the Israelites, You shall teach them diligently to your children, and shall talk of them when you sit in your house, when you walk by the way, when you lie down, and when you rise up (Deuteronomy 6:7).

Parents must give their all in teaching their children to love God and acquire their very own love for God.  We read of this in Paul’s second letter to Timothy; I thank God, whom I serve with a pure conscience, as my forefathers did, as without ceasing I remember you in my prayers night and day, greatly desiring to see you, being mindful of your tears, that I may be filled with joy, when I call to remembrance the genuine faith that is in you, which dwelt first in your grandmother Lois and your mother Eunice, and I am persuaded is in you also (2 Timothy 1:3-5).  For me, this passage indicates that Timothy’s mother and grandmother had a love for God and the truth of the gospel of Christ and that they were able to teach Timothy to have this love also.  Timothy had his own love for God because he was taught the truth by his mother and grandmother.  We cannot give our children our faith they must develop their own faith and we help them by the things we teach them through our words and actions.

The second reason some leave the church in their adult years is because of the influences of the world.  Hophni, Phinehas, and Jehoram were all influenced by earthly pleasures and the wickedness of companions.

The devil seeks to entice us with the pleasures that can be found in the world.  In 2 Timothy 4:10 Paul wrote concerning Demas who was once a faithful worker, for Demas has forsaken me, having loved this present world, and has departed for Thessalonica. We are not told what exactly Demas loved but we know the results.  When it comes to the love of this world John sums it up for us writing, Do not love the world or the things in the world. If anyone loves the world, the love of the Father is not in him. For all that is in the world—the lust of the flesh, the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life—is not of the Father but is of the world (1 John 2:15-16).  Demas loved the world more than he loved God.  When we read of Hophni and Phinehas they practiced things of this world demonstrating their true love.

Generally speaking, when it comes to being enticed by the world, someone else will be involved.

Paul gave a warning to the church at Corinth when we wrote; Do not be deceived: “Evil company corrupts good habits (1 Corinthians 15:33).  And in the second letter he continued; “Do not be unequally yoked together with unbelievers. For what fellowship has righteousness with lawlessness? And what communion has light with darkness? And what accord has Christ with Belial? Or what part has a believer with an unbeliever? And what agreement has the temple of God with idols?… (2 Corinthians 6:14-16).  Unfortunately we deceive ourselves all too often by thinking that we will be able to have this association without it harming us.  We do not regard God’s word on this subject because we think we know better.

When it comes to relationships with the world, one of the easiest ways to look at it is to examine the marriage relationship.  The following chart shows studies that were made in the 1970’s and 80’s.  I realize that this information is a bit dated but it still gives us an indication of the results of companionship with the world.

Before looking at the chart I want to say that a Christian can marry a non-Christian if they so choose and both have a right to marry.  There is no prohibition under Christ banning this type of marriage.  Some take 2 Corinthians 6:14 as proof text for this prohibition but marriage is not in the context of the passage.  Now, even though marriage is not the context of the passage I readily admit that the passage has an application to marriage.  Can a Christian marry a non-Christian? Yes.  Is it a good idea? No!  It is a dangerous situation that one willingly puts themselves into and one that can be completely avoided.

B. Street Church, Miami OK
1957-77

Christian to Non-Christian                                   Christian to Christian
76 marriages                                                       64 marriages
57 left faith – 75%                                               5 left faith – 7.8%
25 divorced – 32.9%                                          2 divorced – 3.1%
22 faithful – 28.9%                                            59 faithful – 92.2%

Bridges Street Church, Wynne, AR
1962-1981

76 marriages                                                       28 marriages
61 left faith – 80.2%                                            4 left faith – 14.3%
23 divorced – 30.2%                                          4 divorced – 14.3%
15 faithful – 19.7%                                             24 faithful – 85.7%

(Statistics compiled by Earl Edwards, Freed-Hardeman University, percentages added by author)

I cannot speak to the mindset or reasons affecting any of the individuals.  I cannot even speak to the faithfulness of any of the people involved to this day, but without question anyone can see the results at the time of the survey.  The vast majority of Christians who married non-Christians left the church.  While they may have “grown up” in the church they left the church under the influence of their non-Christian spouse.  It should also be noted that just because you marry a Christian it doesn’t a guarantee anything.  Also, the loss of any soul to the world is to be mourned.  It doesn’t matter if one is married to a Christian or not, if they turn from God and turn to the world a great tragedy has occurred.

Now if we can see the affect of this relationship on the Christian should we not be just as careful when dating?  Should we not be just as careful in business relationships?  How careful should we be with any relationship with those who walk as the world?  I know that we must live in the world and cannot ostracize ourselves from the world, 1 Corinthians 5:9-10, but we must walk soberly knowing the danger of too close association with those who care not for true obedience to God.

In the end how you grew up is important but nothing can be done about that now.  What is important is what are you doing about faithfulness and obedience to God today?  If you “grew up church of Christ” but are not faithful now what is keeping you from serving God?  What can you do about that?

Maybe that can be another article.
?

The second truth concerns the altar. The altar has historically been a place of worship to God. In many hundreds of scriptures, the altar is used to exalt God. Even before the Old Law, man would build an altar in an attempt to present pleasing worship to God. However, upon these altars, man has always developed the ability to present worship that does not agree with the laws of God, but instead was developed in the mind of man.

I would like for us to consider a well-known story in the Old Testament which will demonstrate the above two truths. The story is found in 1 Kings 16-18 and is concerns the actions of Ahab, Jezebel, Elijah and the prophets of Baal. After examining this incident, I want to take you on a journey into the present where these two great truths are still trustworthy.

The Past — Ahab And The Prophets Of Baal

All the prophets of God and the apostles have been condemned for telling religious people the truth. God taught the people to have only one God, yet Ahab and his people had turned from God. He and his wife Jezebel had turned Baal worship into the state religion (1 Kings 16:31-32). On account of Ahab’s great sin, Elijah declared to him that there would be no dew nor rain until he declared an end to the drought (1 Kings 17:1; James 5:17). The earth became dry, and Ahab went looking for water. During the years of drought there was an abundance of “religion” and “religious preachers,” for Ahab’s wife was supporting from her own table 450 prophets of Baal and 400 prophets of the Asherah (1 Kings 18:19). At the end of 3 1/2 years of drought brought on by the wickedness of Ahab and these false prophets, Ahab came face to face with Elijah, and instead of confessing his sins and coming to God he said to Elijah, “Art thou he that troubleth Israel?” ( 1 Kings 18:17).

This accusation is generally repeated by all religious people against Christians. The same charge was made against Paul and Silas when the religious people said, “These that have turned the world upside down are come hither also” (Acts 17:6). Elijah, knowing that no man who stands on the Lord’s side is afraid of discussion, suggested that all the prophets of Baal build an altar, place a sacrifice on it, and he would repair the altar of the Lord and also offer a sacrifice. If Baal came down and accepted their sacrifice he would be their god. If the God of Israel accepted the sacrifice then He was their God. The offer was so fair the people did not reject it. The debate was held with 450 preachers on one side and one preacher and God on the other side. The people saw that God accepted Elijah’s offering, and that all the false prophets were put to death; yet such a miraculous demonstration did not cause them to repent. Elijah’s life was threatened by Jezebel, and he had to flee and hide to protect himself. We notice that in all ages there have been two altars of worship — one erected by man, the other by God. Man has the privilege of choosing between the two. Elijah asked the people, “How long halt ye between two opinions?” (1 Kings 18:21). Was Elijah the true “troubler of Israel”?

The Present — Religious Liberalism

In Galatians 6:16, Paul referred to the church as a spiritual Israel. In the church today, are there any troublers of Israel? There are a lot of typical “altars” upon which man would offer worship to God.

Saved by “faith only” vs. the gospel plan of salvation

So many in the world today want us to believe that we can accept Jesus and be saved. It is not uncommon for people to relate to you their experience of when they were saved. Tracts handed out by denominational churches frequently tell the believer to utter a carefully worded prayer and open their eyes to salvation in Christ. The denominational churches have departed from God’s altar where He taught, “He that believeth and is baptized shall be saved; but he that believeth not shall be damned” (Mark 16:16), and have erected a human altar claiming that we are saved by faith only. James says, “Ye see then how that by works a man is justified, and not by faith only” (James 2:24). Sectarians tell you they do not believe that for that teaching will cause trouble in Israel.

“Once saved, always saved” vs. a just God

It surely would be comforting to the hearts of many people today to know that they will never lose their salvation as long as they obey the most basic of commands. Many hold that the believer, as long as he is truly united with Christ, will be eternally secure in God. They say that nothing will ever separate them from the eternal and unchangeable love of God. This is certainly true on God’s end of the bargain (Romans 8:35-39). But the Bible clearly states in multiple places that we can be in danger of losing our soul if we fall from God (Galatians 5:4; Hebrews 12:15; James 5:19-20; 2 Peter 2:14-15, 20-21; 2 John 9-11). Man is a free moral agent who can choose to believe or to reject, and so long as he lives in the flesh man can change his spiritual condition and eternal destiny (Ezekiel 18:20-24).

“Many faiths and many churches” vs. one faith and one body

There is an ever-widening feeling among the religious community of acceptance regarding every different religious faith and group. The common argument is that we are all just serving the Lord in whatever form we choose (one of my neighbors is very much in favor of this). We will not hassle about specifics — just get on with glorifying God. I am all for glorifying and obeying God, but I am equally for following the pattern which God has commanded (Hebrews 8:5). That divine principle is echoed all through the Bible (Deuteronomy 4:2; 12:32; Matthew 7:21-23; John 4:24; Colossians 3:17; Revelation 22:18-19). Jude 3 instructs Christians to “contend earnestly for the faith which was once delivered unto the saints.” We must also uphold God’s teaching about the body of Christ. Jesus said, “I will build My church” (Matthew 16:18) and that church is His body (Ephesians 1:22-23). You cannot disrespect the headship of Christ by believing that we can stick any body onto the supreme head of the church. Paul states that there is but “one body” (Ephesians 4:4).

The “social gospel” vs. the saving gospel

Prominent ideas concerning the work of the gospel today revolve around man’s material needs. Concerns for the social aspect of man are eclipsing the true biblical pattern of the work of the church. It is not uncommon to find churches with family life centers, gymnasiums, kitchens, and to see churches performing works which range from counseling to wrapping Christmas presents. All of these functions and places are necessary in everyday life, but what is the church’s function among all these secular influences? John 18:36 declares that the Lord’s kingdom is spiritual in nature rather than worldly. This divine creation also has a divine mission, which is substantiated by the statement of Christ in John 6:26-27: “Jesus answered them and said, Verily, verily, I say unto you, Ye seek me, not because ye saw the miracles, but because ye did eat of the loaves, and were filled. Labour not for the meat which perisheth, but for that meat which endureth unto everlasting life, which the Son of man shall give unto you: for him hath God the Father sealed.” The work of the Lord’s church is to evangelize (Acts 13:1-3; Ephesians 3:10; 1 Thessalonians 1:2-8), edify (Hebrews 10:24-25; 2 Timothy 2:2), and care for its own saints (Acts 11:29; 2 Corinthians 8:12-14; 9:12). If we go beyond these goals which are laid out in the New Testament, we have failed to be true to God.

On the side of man’s altar is not only the majority of the outside world, but the religious world also stands there claiming that all who oppose their unscriptural teaching are troubling Israel. But you will remember Elijah, Micaiah, Jeremiah, Ezekiel, Paul, Peter and all of God’s teachers who condemned sectarianism and denominationalism were accused of troubling Israel. The man or woman who is trying to please the religious world is not pleasing God. It is safer to stand alone as Elijah did at Carmel with the Lord on your side than the 450 prophets of Baal and their bloody grave on the other side. Which side will you be found with at the last day? Never fear the majority. If you have God and His authority on your side, you have nothing to fear.

I have a question, Is there any condition, when somebody has been saved, and they are a Christian, can that person get unsaved?  Thank  you, William

Reply:

Thanks for your question, William.  I shall seek to answer it with Scripture.  I will also send you some articles which apply to your question.  

First, there are those who believe there is not "any condition" which will cause a saved person to become lost or unsaved.

"We take the position that a Christian’s sins do not damn his soul. The way a Christian lives, what he says, his character, his conduct, or his attitude toward other people have nothing whatever to do with the salvation of its soul….All the prayers a man may pray, all the Bibles he may read, all the churches he may belong-to, all the services he may attend, all the sermons he may practice, all the debts he may pay, all the ordinances he may observe, all the laws he may keep, all the benevolent acts he may perform will not make his soul one whit safer; and all the sins he may commit from idolatry to murder will not make his soul in any more danger….Salvation is settled once and for all when we believe….The way I live has nothing whatsoever to do with the salvation of my soul" (Sam Morris, "Do A Christian’s Sins Damn His Soul"?). 

William, do you agree with that statement?  Do you agree that "The way a Christian lives, what he says, his character, his conduct, or his attitude toward other people have nothing whatever to do with the salvation of its soul"?  I do not.  Do you?

Second, note that some who were "saved" in the Old Testament were later "destroyed."  I will therefore put you in remembrance, though ye once knew this, how that the Lord, having saved the people out of the land of Egypt, afterward destroyed them that believed not" (Jude 5; Cf. 1 Cor. 9:24-10:13).

Third, Simon, who had been lost, was saved when he believed and was baptized (Mk. 16:16; Acts 8:9-13).  Later, however, (a) his heart was not right in the sight of God; (b) he was guilty of "wickedness," and (c) he was said to be "in the gall of bitterness, and in the bond of iniquity" (Acts 8:21- 23).  That does not sound like a description of one who is saved, does it?  So, Simon, who had been saved, was then lost, or unsaved.

Fourth, consider the following passages which show that those who have been saved may become lost, or unsaved.

(A) "But there were false prophets also among the people, even as there shall be false teachers among you, who privily shall bring in damnable heresies, even denying the Lord that bought them, and bring upon themselves swift destruction" (2 Pet. 2:1).  Note that the Lord had "bought them," which means they were saved, for one is "purchased" with the blood of Christ (Acts 20:28; 1 Pet. 1:18, 19).  Next, they denied the Lord who bought them.  "If we deny him, he also will deny us" (2 Tim. 2:12; Cf. Matt. 10:33).  "Then, when they denied him, they brought upon themselves "swift destruction."  Those who had been bought by the Lord now deny him and "bring upon themselves swift destruction."  Thus, those who had been bought and saved became lost and unsaved.

(B) "For if after they have escaped the pollutions of the world through the knowledge of the Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ, they are again entangled therein, and overcome, the latter end is worse with them than the beginning.  For it had been better for them not to have known the way of righteousness, than, after they have known it, to turn from the holy commandment delivered unto them" (2 Pet. 2:20, 21).  Observe that they had escaped the pollutions of the world.  They knew the Lord.  Then, they were "again entangled therein and overcome."  One could not be "again entangled," if he had never been disentangled to begin with, so they were saved.  When they were "again entangled," they were also "overcome."  That does not sound like they are still saved, does it?  No, "For it had been better for them not to have known the way of righteousness, than, after they have known it, to turn from the holy commandment delivered unto them."

(C) "Take heed, brethren, lest there be in any of you an evil heart of unbelief, in departing from the living God" (Heb. 3:12).  These Hebrews had been saved, for Jesus was "the Apostle and High Priest of (their) profession" (Heb. 3:1).  Too, they could not "depart" or leave "the living God" if they had not been in him.  The apostle says there could develop in them "an evil heart of unbelief," and that this would result in their departure from the living God.  That does not sound like they were still saved, does it?  So, those who are saved may depart from the living God and be lost.

William, below is some material which you may study.  Please write again if you have further questions.

Baptist Doctrine And Galatians 6:7, 8
Larry Ray Hafley

Do you believe Galatians 6:7, 8? "Be not deceived; God is not mocked: for whatsoever a man soweth, that shall he also reap.  For he that soweth to his flesh shall of the flesh reap corruption; but he that soweth to the Spirit shall of the Spirit reap life everlasting" (Gal. 6:7, 8).  The text does not say that the principles of sowing and reaping only apply to alien sinners, to unbelievers.  No, the laws of sowing and reaping are universal and eternal.  Thus, whatsoever any man sows, whether he be a Christian or not, "that shall he also reap."

Do you believe that "whatsoever a man soweth, that shall he also reap?" Do you believe that "he that soweth to his flesh shall of the flesh reap corruption?"  Do you believe that only those who sow "to the Spirit shall of the Spirit reap life everlasting?" If your answer to the questions above is, "Yes, I believe Galatians 6:7, 8," then you are not a Baptist, or if you are, you do not believe the Baptist doctrine of "once saved, always saved."  See what Sam Morris, a Baptist preacher, said in his tract entitled, "Do A Christian’s Sins Damn His Soul?"

"We take the position that a Christian’s sins do not damn his soul. The way a Christian lives, what he says, his character, his conduct, or his attitude toward other people have nothing whatever to do with the salvation of its soul….All the prayers a man may pray, all the Bibles he may read, all the churches he may belong-to, all the services he may attend, all the sermons he may practice, all the debts he may pay, all the ordinances he may observe, all the laws he may keep, all the benevolent acts he may perform will not make his soul one whit safer; and all the sins he may commit from idolatry to murder will not make his soul in any more danger….Salvation is settled once and for all when we believe….The way I live has nothing whatsoever to do with the salvation of my soul."

Sam Morris’s statement denies what God said in Ezekiel 3:20, "When a righteous man doth turn from his righteousness, and commit iniquity…he shall die in his sin, and his righteousness which he hath done shall not be remembered."  It also contradicts Ezekiel 33:18, "When the righteous turneth from his righteousness, and committeth iniquity, he shall even die thereby."

One must decide whether he shall believe the word of God or the word of men.  Condemning me for pointing out the contrast between Baptist doctrine and Bible doctrine will not do away with the irreconcilable differences between the statements cited above.  Does ridiculing this article make Baptist doctrine any less contradictory of the word of God?  Does it make Sam Morris’s statement true?  Is it right for Baptists to teach that one may commit every sin "from idolatry to murder" and still go to heaven, but wrong for me to point out how their belief makes void the very word of God itself?

We appeal for honest hearts to reject the errors of men and to receive the truth of God.  One’s refusal to do so will not do away with God’s immutable, irrefutable law that "whatsoever a man soweth, that shall he also reap."

Hebrews 7:25 & "Once Saved, Always Saved"
Larry Ray Hafley

"Rev. Mack Jones," of Baytown, Texas, writes a weekly column in his church bulletin entitled, "From Your Pastor’s Heart."  From it, we extract the following:

"We are often questioned about the eternity of our belief.  People want to know if God will disown them.  The emphatic answer is, no!  By no means will God ever disown one of his children.  Heb. 7:25 states this very clearly; ‘Hence, also, he is able to save forever those who draw near to God through Him, since He always lives to make intercession for them’ (NAS).  We are saved forever.  We draw near to God through Christ, and He makes intercession for us.  This gives us great assurance of our faith in Christ" (Wooster Baptist Church Messenger, Vol. 29, Number 8, 2/20/01).

Review Of Mack Jones’ Remarks

It is to be doubted that folks question "the eternity of (their) belief."  Faith, like hope, is not eternal.  Both shall be swallowed up in the possession of "life and immortality" brought to fruition and completion.  However, we shall let that pass and deal with the main thrust of Mack’s message.

(1) Observe this stark contrast between the word of the spirit of Jones and the word of the Spirit of Jesus:

Mr. Jones said, "People want to know if God will disown them.  The emphatic answer is, no!  By no means will God ever disown one of his children."

The Bible says, "I will smite them…and disinherit them" (Num. 14:12). "If a man abide not in me, he is cast forth as a branch, and is withered: and men gather them, can cast them into the fire, and they are burned" (Jn. 15:6).  "If we deny him, he will also deny us" (2 Tim. 2:12). "Behold therefore the goodness and severity of God: on them which fell, severity; but toward thee, goodness, if thou continue in his goodness: otherwise thou also shalt be cut off" (Rom. 11:22).

God will "Disinherit, cast forth, deny, and cut off" some of his children.  This cannot be speaking of the unsaved, for they have no inheritance and are already denied and cut off (Jn. 3:18).  Thus, God will, contrary to Mr. Jones’ claim, "disown" his disobedient children.  Jones says, "He won’t." God says he will.  Whom do you believe?

(2) As proof of his contention that God will never "disown one of his children," Mr. Jones refers to Hebrews 7:25, "Hence, also, he is able to save forever those who draw near to God through Him, since He always lives to make intercession for them."

The passage is not disputed, nor is its teaching denied.  It is certain that God will "save forever those who draw near to God through Him" (Christ).  With that we are in complete agreement.  There is no difference between us on that point.

However, that is not the question at issue.  Mr. Jones believes, and Baptist doctrine teaches, that God will "save forever" those who cease to "draw near to God."  He says that God "By no means will ever disown one of his children," even if they quit drawing near to God.  Hebrews 7:25 makes no such promise to such people.

It is indeed possible for one who once drew near to God to depart–"many of his disciples went back, and walked no more with him" (Jn. 6:66).  "Take heed, brethren, lest there be in any of you an evil heart of unbelief, in departing from the living God" (Heb. 3:12).  Remember, there is absolutely no way that a child of God who draws near to God will ever be disowned.  Jones is right about that, but what of those who, instead of drawing near, turn and "draw back, or fall away?  What of them?  "Now the just shall live by faith: but if any man draw back, my soul shall have no pleasure in him.  But we are not of them who draw back unto perdition; but of them that believe to the saving of  the soul" (Heb. 10:38, 39).

Conclusion: Those who "draw near," God will "save forever," but those who "draw back" do so "unto perdition," or destruction.

(3) Other passages in the book of Hebrews show that Jones is wrong when he says that a child of God will not be disowned, no matter how he lives.  Even if we did not know how to explain Hebrews 7:25, we would know that the Baptist doctrine of "once saved, always saved," is false.  As proof thereof, note the following passages in Hebrews.

"Therefore we ought to give the more earnest heed to the things which we have heard, lest at any time we should let them slip.  For if the word spoken by angels was steadfast, and every transgression and disobedience received a just recompense of reward; How shall we escape, if we neglect so great salvation; which at the first began to be spoken by the Lord, and was confirmed unto us by them that heard him" (Heb. 2:1-3).

"Take heed, brethren, lest there be in any of you an evil heart of unbelief, in departing from the living God" (Heb. 3:12).

"Let us therefore fear, lest, a promise being left us of entering into his rest, any of you should seem to come short of it" (Heb. 4:1).

"Let us labor therefore to enter into that rest, lest any man fall after the same example of unbelief" (Heb. 4:11).

"For if we sin wilfully after that we have received the knowledge of the truth, there remaineth no more sacrifice for sins.  But a certain fearful looking for of judgment and fiery indignation, which shall devour the adversaries.  He that despised Moses’ law died without mercy under two or three witnesses: Of how much sorer punishment, suppose ye, shall he be thought worthy, who hath trodden under foot the Son of God, and hath counted the blood of the covenant, wherewith he was sanctified, an unholy thing, and hath done despite unto the Spirit of grace" (Heb. 10:26-29)?

"Looking diligently lest any man fail of the grace of God; lest any root of bitterness springing up trouble you, and thereby many be defiled" (Heb. 12:15).

These passages show us that Hebrews 7:25 does not teach that a child of God cannot, under any circumstances, be disowned.  There is perfect harmony between these texts and that of 7:25.  As long as one draws near to God, he is "saved forever," but if one ceases to believe, departs from God and is "defiled," a punishment worse than death awaits him!

"I have surely seen the oppression of my people," said God to Moses while the bush burned. Thus begins the greatest rescue operation ever conducted on Earth as thousands upon thousands of slaves are removed from one nation to begin a journey to the land of promise.

The Bible contains a number of type and antitype situations. Isaac is a type of the antitype Jesus, as his father was willing to let his only son die. The salvation of Noah and his family through water is a type of the water baptism involved in the salvation of modern men (1 Peter 3:20-21).

In the exodus of fleshly Israel, the Lord provides us a type of the sinner’s departure from his own slavery to iniquity and the most wicked Pharaoh of all, Satan. God’s desire on either side of the Red Sea is answered in Exodus 6:6-7: "I will bring you out from under the burdens of the Egyptians, I will rescue you from their bondage, and I will redeem you with an outstretched arm and with great judgments. I will take you as my people, and I will be your God."

"[I] have heard their cry because of their taskmasters, for I know their sorrows. So I have come down to deliver them out of the hand of the Egyptians, and to bring them up from that land to a good and large land, to a land flowing with milk and honey" (Exodus 3:7-8).

This deliverance was no simple operation. Moses reasoned with Pharaoh and then plagued him with all manner of inconvenience and infestation, before the death angel slew all Egypt’s firstborn and Pharaoh relented. Even then, his mind shifted again and he sent his armies to pursue Israel and bring them back to slavery.

God led the people along a more circuitous route that they might avoid the way of the Philistines and the rigors of battle. They arrived at a great obstacle, therefore, in the Red Sea, but Moses was able to part it so that they could walk through and escape. As the last little one reached the far bank, the waters crashed back upon themselves and the pursuing Egyptians were swallowed up.

The journey from Egyptian slavery to Canaan’s cusp ordinarily would have taken eleven days (Deuteronomy 1:2). Instead, Israel wandered about the wilderness between them for 40 years. Forty years of grumbling, complaining, rebellion and apostasy. Thus many that would have spent most of their lives in Canaan died before they ever saw it. Only a few, that is, two, made the entire journey successfully.

Sinners Are Slaves

The devil is the most villainous slave owner the world has ever known. Through the enticements of uncleanness and lawlessness, he is able to enslave the expanse of mankind to wickedness. God’s creatures actually sell themselves into his chains. "Do you not know that to whom you present yourselves slaves to obey, you are that one’s slaves whom you obey, whether of sin leading to death, or of obedience leading to righteousness? But God be thanked that though you were slaves of sin, yet you obeyed from the heart that form of doctrine to which you were delivered" (Romans 6:16-17).

So insatiable is the appetite of our Pharaoh that he is not satisfied that a single soul should see its liberty, but through cunning devices, deceives the hearts of the simple (2 Corinthians 2:11).

Hunger and Thirst

God’s attention was garnered by Israel because he heard them groaning in bondage and decided to show them mercy by deliverance and redemption. Jesus taught likewise that sinners could only be rescued from the devil’s chains if they hungered and thirsted after righteousness (Matthew 5:6).

A passing, momentary interest in freedom will not effect a conversion for Jesus came to save the heavy-laden laborer in search of rest for the soul (Matthew 11:28-30). "Ask, and it will be given to you; seek, and you will find; knock, and it will be opened to you" (Matthew 7:7).

Few there are these days whose consciences afflict them so deeply while in sin that they diligently yearn for God’s grace and mercy. But without that gasp for pity, man cannot be saved. "But without faith it is impossible to please him, for he who comes to God must believe that he is, and that he is a rewarder of those who diligently seek him" (Hebrews 11:6).

God’s Plan of Redemption

Just as easily, Jehovah could have instantly transported all Israel to Canaan, without afflicting the Egyptians or bothering with Moses. Instead, he mapped out a detailed plan of redemption.

It is a source of constant humility and gratitude that his plan to redeem me from slavery to sin required the precious blood of his own son, the one man since Adam that had no need of mercy.

In the original exodus, God delivered those in Egypt who had been instructed to smear sacrifice blood on their doorposts and lintels. That blood was a sign to the death angel to pass over to the next house — that of an Egyptian.

In our exodus, God passes over our sins only when the blood of Christ is sprinkled upon the doorposts of our hearts and souls (Hebrews 10:22). "For indeed Christ, our Passover, was sacrificed for us" (1 Corinthians 5:7).

By faith, Moses and all Israel kept that first Passover, obeying God’s instructions and finding his grace (Hebrews 11:28). By faith, sinners today must obey the gospel of Jesus Christ to find God’s grace (1 Peter 4:17).

The Pursuit of the Adversary

But Israel’s vengeful adversary was not patient to let God’s people go, but pursued them with great force, intending to make them slaves again and forever. Likewise, our adversary, the devil continues prowling about the souls of the redeemed, seeking to devour them anew (1 Peter 5:8). "Put on the whole armor of God, that you may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil… above all, taking the shield of faith with which you will be able to quench all the fiery darts of the wicked one" (Ephesians 6:11, 16).

The devil attempts to prevent or mitigate the liberating effects of salvation by misunderstanding, tribulation, persecution, worries and covetousness (Matthew 13:18-22). No stratagem is too dishonorable for the former Pharaoh of spiritual Israel, marching to Canaan. The devil wants you back.

He will constantly remind you of the fleshly pleasures of your sinful life before Christ. As the Israelites longed for the leeks and onions of Egyptian bondage, so Satan will try to introduce in the liberated sinner nostalgia for the passing pleasures of iniquity (Hebrews 11:15-16).

Baptism

As they passed through the Red Sea and journeyed beneath God’s cloud, Israel was baptized into Moses and his delegated authority from God (1 Corinthians 10:1-2). This baptism evidenced the deliverance from slavery to freedom.

In a like figure, the sinner is baptized today into Jesus Christ for the remission of his sins. Christian baptism is a washing of water by the word (Ephesians 5:26) whereby the sinner comes into contact with the redemptive power of the Lord’s shed blood (Romans 6:1-4).

A Covenant Relationship

The exodus of Israel was predicated upon a covenant God made with Israel, to be their God so long as they were his people. His blessings and guidance were conditional upon the terms of that covenant. Moses brought down the 10 commandments from Sinai and then the additional tenets of that law that are recorded in the book of Exodus. Old Israel was a covenant people.

Spiritual Israel is also a covenant kingdom. It is a better covenant than Moses to which we belong (Hebrews 7:22), having taken the place of the former covenant (Hebrews 8:6-13), and owning Christ as its mediator (Hebrews 12:24). We are added as parties to that covenant when we begin our exodus out of sin, by obeying from the heart that form of doctrine to which we are delivered (Romans 6:17).

This covenant requires faithfulness on the part of each side. God is faithful in all things and we are challenged to craft our hearts after the example of His son. "Therefore gird up the loins of your mind, be sober, and rest your hope fully upon the grace that is to be brought to you at the revelation of Jesus Christ; as obedient children, not conforming yourselves to the former lusts, as in your ignorance; but as he who called you is holy, you also be holy in all your conduct, because it is written, ‘Be holy, for I am holy’" (1 Peter 1:13-16).

Strangers and Pilgrims

Israel’s conquest of Canaan made them strangers in a foreign land, whatever soil they marched upon. They were feared and loathed by the residents of the Promised Land. Their God was different and they lived by a different law.

The saints of today’s world are no less strangers and pilgrims along life’s journey. Despite the fact that so many call themselves Christians, it is always evident that the number of the faithful is truly small. "Beloved, I beg you as sojourners and pilgrims, abstain from fleshly lusts which war against the soul, having your conduct honorable among the Gentiles, that when they speak against you as evildoers, they may, by your good works which they observe, glorify God in the day of visitation" (1 Peter 2:11-12). "They think it strange that you do not run with them in the same flood of dissipation" (1 Peter 4:4).

God’s people continue to be peculiar (1 Peter 2:9), salt in an unsavory dish and light in a darkened room. We avoid conformity to the world, instead desiring transformation by the word (Romans 12:1-2).

Possibility of Apostasy

Paul writes of the original exodus that "with most of them God was not well pleased, for their bodies were scattered in the wilderness" (1 Corinthians 10:5). Indeed only Joshua and Caleb survived the entire 40-year journey. Even Moses was permitted only to gaze upon Canaan from afar due to his one act of rebellion. Paul says the wanderers fell because of lust for evil things, idolatry, sexual immorality, tempting Christ and complaining.

Perhaps it is not difficult to see these same temptations to apostasy present among us today. Teaching among God’s people is constantly softening in some places in order to accommodate yearning for evil things like lewd dancing, immodest clothing and social drink. The idol of covetousness grows more beloved year by year as God’s house goes neglected by carnal Christians. The explosion of errant doctrine regarding divorce and remarriage is a compromise in favor of sexual immorality. God’s people tempt him day by day as they continue in such hypocrisy. And all the while, we are heard to complain that the church is just not what it was fifty years ago. Perhaps that has more to do with us than with God?

We are warned along our journey to look "carefully lest anyone fall short of the grace of God; lest any root of bitterness springing up cause trouble, and by this many become defiled" (Hebrews 12:15). We are reminded of Esau who sold his birthright and then wanted it back when the day of accounting came. It was too late. The journey is long and the saints must possess the ability to see beyond instant gratification to the promise of our heavenly country (2 Corinthians 4:16-18).

Reaching the Land of Promise

The Hebrew writer tells us that there remains a rest for the people of God (Hebrews 4:9). It is "an inheritance incorruptible and undefiled and that does not fade away, reserved in heaven for you, who are kept by the power of God through faith for salvation ready to be revealed in the last time" (1 Peter 1:4-5).

It was the minority that reached Canaan and it will be the minority that reaches heaven. "Enter by the narrow gate, for wide is the gate and broad is the way that leads to destruction, and there are many who go in by it. Because narrow is the gate and difficult is the way which leads to life, and there are few who find it" (Matthew 7:13-14).

Our Canaan is a land of eternal milk and honey and no price should be too great to make our reservations there.

Conclusion

Christ’s Jewish audience was composed of slaves of another sort. They were oppressed by the Roman government that had conquered Palestine years before. He told them on one occasion, "If you abide in my word, you are my disciples indeed. And you shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free" (John 8:31-32).

The freedom he had in mind had nothing to do with the Romans, but everything to do with the devil and sin. It is freedom from slavery to sin and its consequences. The journey to our Canaan begins with blood and water and ends in milk and honey. Along the way, Pharaoh Satan will attempt to lure the pilgrim back, but abiding in Christ’s word will lead to the Promised Land.

Jesus in his personal ministry dealt with men who were intellectually arrogant. This was a characteristic of both the Pharisees and the Sadducees. When Jesus had taught that eating with unwashed hands does not defile a person, defilement rather coming from within, his disciples informed him that the teaching offended the Pharisees. No doubt it did, as it set aside the traditions they held dear. Concerning them, Jesus said, "Let them alone. They are blind leaders of the blind. And if the blind leads the blind, both will fall into a ditch" (Matthew 15:14).

Likewise, our Lord had little patience with the sophisticated Sadducees, and admonished their "logical" dismissal of the resurrection by saying, "You are mistaken, not knowing the Scriptures nor the power of God" (Matthew 22:29). Anytime the doctrines of man (human wisdom) were imposed upon men, Jesus condemned them. "And in vain they worship Me, Teaching as doctrines the commandments of men" (Matthew 15:9).

Paul likewise had to deal with the intellectually arrogant, as he addressed the Athenians in Acts 17. Of that group, Luke records, "For all the Athenians and the foreigners who were there spent their time in nothing else but either to tell or to hear some new thing" (17:21).

This characteristic of the Gentile was characterized by Paul as, "seek [-ing] after wisdom", and stated that he had none for them. Rather, "But we preach Christ crucified, to the Jews a stumbling block and to the Greeks foolishness, but to those who are called, both Jews and Greeks, Christ the power of God and the wisdom of God. Because the foolishness of God is wiser than men, and the weakness of God is stronger than men" (1 Corinthians 1:23-25).

The incursion of Gnosticism into the early church is another example of intellectual arrogance. The International Standard Bible Encyclopedia states, regarding gnosticism, "It involves, as the name denotes, a claim to ‘knowledge,’ knowledge of a kind of which the ordinary believer was incapable, and in the possession of which ‘salvation’ in the full sense consisted." (Vol. II, pg. 40).

The apostle Paul warned Timothy, "O Timothy! Guard what was committed to your trust, avoiding the profane and idle babblings and contradictions of what is falsely called knowledge" (1 Timothy 6:20). This conceivably was a direct allusion to the heresy at work in the first century church. Rather than being tolerant of such a philosophy, Paul told Timothy to avoid it.

Peter and John also warned against the Gnostic influence, Peter described the gnostic advocate, "…Like natural brute beasts made to be caught and destroyed, speak evil of the things they do not understand, and will utterly perish in their own corruption… having eyes full of adultery and that cannot cease from sin… For when they speak great swelling words of emptiness, they allure through the lusts of the flesh, through lewdness, the ones who have actually escaped from those who live in error" (2 Peter 2:12-18).

The Gnostics, because of their peculiar beliefs, often had both libertine tendencies, and a disinterest in their brethren. Of them John wrote, "In this the children of God and the children of the devil are manifest: Whoever does not practice righteousness is not of God, nor is he who does not love his brother" (1 John 3:10).

While God indeed would have us to be wise, the origin of our wisdom must be from above, that it might be "first pure, then peaceable, gentle, willing to yield, full of mercy and good fruits, without partiality and without hypocrisy" (James 3:17). This in contrast to the aforementioned earthly wisdom which is "sensual, demonic" and causes "envy and self-seeking…, confusion and every evil thing" (3:15-16).

Concerning the intellectual arrogance that can beset Christians, Paul warned, "For we dare not class ourselves or compare ourselves with those who commend themselves. But they, measuring themselves by themselves, and comparing themselves among themselves, are not wise. We, however, will not boast beyond measure, but within the limits of the sphere which God appointed us; a sphere which especially includes you" (2 Corinthians 10:12-13).

Paul also wrote, "…Knowledge puffs up, but love edifies. And if anyone thinks that he knows anything, he knows nothing yet as he ought to know" (1 Corinthians 8:1-2).

The preceding constitute only a small portion of the admonitions and condemnation of intellectual arrogance. It existed in the first century and remains in our time.

Modern Examples of Intellectual Arrogance

When the modernist takes the position that the New Testament writings are full of inaccuracies and superstitions, he is indicating his intellectual arrogance. Consider John’s record of the Lord’s crucifixion, as the Roman centurions examined our Lord as he hung on the tree. "Therefore, because it was the Preparation Day, that the bodies should not remain on the cross on the Sabbath (for that Sabbath was a high day), the Jews asked Pilate that their legs might be broken, and that they might be taken away. Then the soldiers came and broke the legs of the first and of the other who was crucified with Him. But when they came to Jesus and saw that He was already dead, they did not break His legs. But one of the soldiers pierced His side with a spear, and immediately blood and water came out" (John 19:31-34). Though John records this as an eyewitness, and proclaims, "And he who has seen has testified, and his testimony is true; and he knows that he is telling the truth, so that you may believe" (vs. 35), some modernists, 2000 years after the fact, postulate that he was not dead, but in a swoon. This to deny the fact of our Lord’s resurrection. "Now if Christ is preached that He has been raised from the dead, how do some among you say that there is no resurrection of the dead? But if there is no resurrection of the dead, then Christ is not risen. And if Christ is not risen, then our preaching is empty and your faith is also empty" (1 Corinthians 15:12-14).

The modernist does the same with the New Testament claims of inspiration, the virgin birth of Jesus, the miracles performed by Jesus and his followers, and even much of the teaching Jesus did during his personal ministry. Everything stated plainly by our Lord and his disciples is weighed through the filter of our modern day "sophistication", and appropriate changes are made. This is egregious arrogance on the part of man.

Modernists, however, do not have an exclusive claim on intellectual arrogance in our time. Many Christians are guilty of the same. Perhaps their guilt is a bit more subtle than the modernists blatant rejection of the conventions of scripture, but it is no less excusable. Consider the following three examples:

First, brethren continue to practice the arrogance which characterized the carnal Corinthians, recorded in 1 Corinthians 5. Paul had knowledge of their acceptance into fellowship one who was unworthy. The man’s sin was sexual immorality, "such sexual immorality as is not even named among the Gentiles; that a man has his father’s wife!" Rather than dealing with this man’s sin, the Corinthians had allowed him to continue in their fellowship, despite his ungodly behavior. Paul defined such behavior as arrogance. "And you are puffed up, and have not rather mourned, that he who has done this deed might be taken away from among you" (1 Corinthians 5:2).

Consider, what many today describe as actions of mercy, humility and love, Paul described as being "puffed up." More and more Christians, when faced with a teacher of error, or an immoral member of the church, react by saying, "Who am I to judge," or "As long as his actions do not harm me, I can accept him as my brother." It is fashionable to consider such an attitude as a show of humility. "Far be it from me to presume to judge another." In reality, it is intellectual arrogance. In so doing, brethren are indicated to God that His instructions on how to deal with sin are not sufficiently tolerant and merciful. When we refuse to deal with sin, we disobey God!

Second, brethren continue the unwise practice of comparing themselves to others, as did the Corinthians (see again 2 Corinthians 10:12-13), and as did the Pharisee in Luke 18:11, "The Pharisee stood and prayed thus with himself, ‘God, I thank You that I am not like other men; extortioners, unjust, adulterers, or even as this tax collector.’" The Pharisee’s arrogance permeated the entirety of his address to God. His pride caused him to go away unjustified before the Almighty.

It is extremely important that brethren everywhere contend for the truth and refute error. When such is done, because of the first example above (a toleration of error), some will say "Who set you up as brotherhood watchdogs, or arbiters of truth, or modern day prophets." We have heard such, and the whining we hear when the false teacher is exposed is indicative of the whiner’s arrogance, as we have already noted. Is it possible, however, that on occasion there is a kernel of truth in their complaints? Is it possible that some take delight in the exposing of the false teacher, because they are guilty of "comparing themselves among themselves"? I would assert that it is possible, and have even seen indications of such arrogance among some who are quick to defend God’s word.

The truth must be defended. But, it must be defended humbly and with uprightness. My being right on a particular doctrinal position does not guarantee I am acceptable to God. My being in a particular "group" or writing for a particular "paper" or having particular "friends" in no way proves me to be righteous. If I have a superior attitude because of who I associate with, or because "I have the truth", then I am guilty of arrogance.

When truth is defended, the enemies of truth will be quick to launch attacks against the defender. May it always be that those who preach the gospel do so with sincere motives, and with the integrity that the task demands. "Likewise exhort the young men to be sober-minded, in all things showing yourself to be a pattern of good works; in doctrine showing integrity, reverence, incorruptibility, sound speech that cannot be condemned, that one who is an opponent may be ashamed, having nothing evil to say of you" (Titus 2:6-8).

Third, brethren are today guilty of desiring innovation, as were the Athenians, recorded in Acts 17:21, "For all the Athenians and the foreigners who were there spent their time in nothing else but either to tell or to hear some new thing." As brethren have become more tolerant of hearing some "new thing" there have been teachers coming out of the woodwork, willing to tickle their ears. Internet discussion lists, for example, are hotbeds of such innovation. Men are quick to "throw out" something to the list, to see if it will gain acceptance. Arguments are made rapidly, without sufficient study and reflection, as brethren clamor to be known as "open-minded" or as "free-thinkers." Young preachers, subtly influenced by the liberal thinking in the colleges and the more sophisticated culture of the day, begin to ridicule and dismiss the scholarship of pioneer preachers and teachers of an earlier generation. Such men do not heed the warning of Paul, "that we should no longer be children, tossed to and fro and carried about with every wind of doctrine, by the trickery of men, in the cunning craftiness of deceitful plotting," (cf. Ephesians 4:14).

In the end, all that matters is the truth of God. Just because a generation of Christians believed a particular doctrine does not in itself make it compatible with the will of God. However, when preceding generations, studious in their preparations and respectful in their attitudes, have taught their convictions, we must not dismiss them lightly. As I study God’s word, I tremble at the thought that I may come to a conclusion which differs from such combined scholarship. In the end I must act upon my conviction, but I must not be cavalier in my attitude toward those who have gone before. I must not be quick to "preach" my conclusions. I must carefully consider the arguments of those more wise than myself, and be cautious in propounding anything "new." I must not be arrogant to think that I have come across a truth that generations before have not grasped.

Concluding Thoughts

Intellectual arrogance can touch us all. But, by its nature, it is seldom recognized by the guilty. The Corinthians fancied themselves tolerant, and yet Paul called them "puffed up." Such pride is subtle, and can affect us all. "Therefore let him who thinks he stands take heed lest he fall" (1 Corinthians 10:12). May we all emulate the mind of Christ…

"Let nothing be done through selfish ambition or conceit, but in lowliness of mind let each esteem others better than himself. Let each of you look out not only for his own interests, but also for the interests of others. Let this mind be in you which was also in Christ Jesus, who, being in the form of God, did not consider it robbery to be equal with God, but made Himself of no reputation, taking the form of a bondservant, and coming in the likeness of men. And being found in appearance as a man, He humbled Himself and became obedient to the point of death, even the death of the cross" (Philippians 2:3-8).

I. Error

• 1. “Some sins don’t separate us from God. Christ’s blood automatically covers sins of ignorance or inadvertence.
  1. 1 John 1:7-9; 5:16-17
  2. Romans 4:8
  3. 2 Corinthians 5:19
  1. Using a hypothetical situation to make you play God.
  2. “A man is a faithful saint for 50 years, gets splashed by mud on the street one day, curses, and then is hit by a bus. Will he be lost or saved?”
  3. Don’t play God! Clemency is up to the Judge. All we can do is quote the law!

A. Neo-Calvinists say:B. Passages Misused:

C. Favorite Tactic:

II. Truth

• • a) we walk “as He is in the light” (1 John 1:7)
    b) did Jesus sin when He walked? Neither can we!
    a) such is impossible – 1 John 1:5
    a) just compare your life to the record left by the Holy Spirit and see if you measure up – Romans 8:16
    a) all questions such as, “Do you know everything?” are just a smoke screen to cast doubt in one’s mind.
    b) we may not know everything about everything, but does that mean we know nothing about anything? Hardly!
    c) we know what we must do to be saved and to continue in the light — be assured in the practice of that knowledge!
    a) Luke 18:13-14
    b) if Jesus says the man “went down to his house justified” after confessing general sin then who can disagree?

  1. Walking in the light does not allow for sin2. Every sin separates man from God, or else God would be in fellowship with sin.

  3. Assurance is possible:

  4. We can know the truth, and thus be free – John 8:32

  5. Specific confessing of every single sin is not a part of this position

  1. If one man can be saved with unrepented sin in his life, then why can’t we all be saved that way?
  2. Could a man be an ignorant adulterer? An inadvertent liar?
  3. Which sins can man commit and not be lost? List please!

A. Walking in the light gives assurance, when properly understoodB. Questions for the Neo-Calvinists:

On the sign in front of the Baker Rd. Baptist Church, Baytown, TX, the following maxim recently appeared: “Give Satan An Inch, And He’ll Be A Ruler.”

The expressed sentiment is true, for “Whosoever committeth sin is the servant of sin” (John 8:34). “Know ye not, that to whom ye yield yourselves servants to obey, his servants ye are to whom ye obey; whether of sin unto death, or of obedience unto righteousness” (Romans 6:16)? However, the message on the sign is contrary to Baptist doctrine. Here is how.

First, Satan cannot become a “ruler” to the lost, to alien sinners, for he is already their ruler, their “father” (John 8:38, 41, 44). Hence, since he is already their ruler, it cannot be said to sinners that if they give Satan an inch he will be their ruler.

Second, since Baptists do not believe that a child of God can fall from grace, it cannot be said that Satan will be “a ruler” of the saved. If he were, the saved would be of Satan. As such, they would be lost, for “He that committeth sin is of the devil” (1 John 3:8).

So, to whom does the Baptist sign apply? To whom will Satan “be a ruler”? Since he is the ruler of the sinner, his being a ruler cannot be contingent upon their giving him an inch. Since, according to Baptist doctrine, the saved cannot fall away and be lost, Satan will not be a ruler over them even if they give him “an inch.” To whom, then, based on the condition of giving Satan an inch, will he be a ruler? Will a Baptist explain?

Did You Ever Wonder About…

We know a good bit about some folks in the Bible, but did you ever wonder about what happened to them? Men like Nicodemus, the woman of Samaria, the blind man of John 9, Zacchaeus, the rich lawyer, Joseph (Jesus’ disciple, who buried him in his own new tomb), Lazarus, the brother of Mary and Martha whom he raised from the dead. Ever wonder about what happened to them? Me, too.

It is useless to speculate. It may be dangerous to get carried away thinking of what may have happened, but putting the brakes on rambling curiosity is hard to do.

First, why are we not told more about them? That our curiosity is not satisfied is why, in part, I think the Bible cannot be a purely human production. Would men have written a book and have left that wonderment unrequited? No, men would have gone to great lengths to fill in the gaps. Human historians would have told us what happened to the eunuch when he returned to the palace of Candace. I cannot conceive that the lives of Lydia and the jailer would have been amputated from our view. Could men have closed a book without telling us what happened to (excepting the Lord himself) its most illustrious personage, Paul? I think not, but Luke did.

Second, the design of God must be considered. The cases mentioned served their purpose. For all we know, Nicodemus may have been a great man in the early church, but there were many such men and women whose names can only be read “in the Lamb’s book of life.” The account of his interview with the Lord was drawn of God for our benefit. Nicodemus was not listed because of his standing but for what God planned for us to know. When that aim was accomplished, he was taken from the stage of sacred drama. We have no doubt the same is true of others we have cited — Joseph of Arimathaea, the eunuch, Lydia, Zacchaeus — they entered the scene, made their point, and were withdrawn, never to be heard from again. Why? Because they themselves were not the focus.

Third, we must remember that many cases of conversion, many men, and marvelous miracles were not selected for demonstration and declaration. John cited seven or eight miracles in his gospel, but said he left out “many other” ones (John 20:30, 31). The Spirit chose the ones he wanted for our use.

Likewise, of all the acts of the apostles, only a few were selected for us to savor. Yes, we have the arresting narrative of the eunuch and Cornelius’ conversion, but how large would the book of Acts be if it delved into all the details of particular, personal stories which lay hidden in such words as, “many of them which heard the word believed; and the number of the men was about five thousand….And the word of God increased; and the number of the disciples multiplied in Jerusalem greatly; and a great company of the priests were obedient to the faith….And the hand of the Lord was with them: and a great number believed and turned to the Lord….But the word of God grew and multiplied” (Acts 4:4; 6:7; 11:21; 12:24)? How many thousands of stories like that of the eunuch and the jailer were excluded by the Divine penman?

Thus, when we see those given to us, we must treasure them, not as idols of wonderment, but as the reality, the finality, knowing that they were twice chosen of the Spirit before they were revealed to us.

Fourth, and finally, what of the failures of faith? In Acts 4:16, we are not left to wonder about those who stubbornly resisted the truth. Many of those who said of the word and work of the apostles, “we cannot deny it,” but we are going to do so anyway, are seen obeying the truth at last (Cf. Acts 4:14-18; 6:7). That much of our curious thirst is slaked, but what of King Agrippa and Felix — did they ever again agonize over their souls? And what of the murderous men who accompanied Saul of Tarsus to Damascus to kill Christians? They heard a voice; they saw the heavenly light which was more brilliant than the noon day sun, and they led their blind and startled leader into town “by the hand,” not to destroy but to pray.

This is all we know of those men. Tell me now, have you ever wondered about…

“God Spoke To My Heart”

Many proclaim their personal salvation because “God spoke to my heart and saved me.” Why not accept such a claimant? Why do we not believe their testimony and receive them into the temple of God?

First, if we accept their claim, how do we deny similar visions and visits when given by Jews, Muslims, and pagan witch doctors? They, too, have had “experiences” with Deity. Upon what basis do we denounce their cases as fraudulent and deniable while pronouncing ours as faithful and reliable?

Second, Scripture shows that one’s devout faith in his “divine” encounters is not determinant; that is, they do not establish the truthfulness of one’s appeals. (a) Beyond doubt, the prophets of Baal believed their Lord was the true God (1 Kings 18:21-40). Also, beyond doubt, they were wrong! (b) The people of Samaria sincerely felt that Simon was “the great power of God,” but they were in error (Acts 8:9-11). (c) Remember Saul of Tarsus? He believed that he was right in opposing the cause of Christ (Acts 23:1; 26:9-11). His experiences and personal testimony did not justify him. Despite his earnest enthusiasm, he was acting “ignorantly in unbelief” (1 Timothy 1:13). Later, the Lord spoke to him, but not to save him. Ananias was sent to tell him what he must do to be saved (Acts 9:6; 22:16). (d) One can deceive “his own heart” (James 1:26). He may, therefore, deceive himself regarding whether or not God has “touched” his heart. The Holy Spirit verifies this conclusion. “There is a way which seemeth right unto a man, but the end thereof are the ways of death” (Proverbs 14:12). “O Lord, I know that the way of man is not in himself: it is not in man that walketh to direct his steps” (Jeremiah 10:23).

Third, in no New Testament case of conversion did God speak to a man to save him. Neither by direct communication nor by angelic agency did the Lord ever speak to and save anyone. “Faith cometh by hearing,” by hearing “the word of faith” as preached by the apostles; we are brought to belief “through their word” (Cf. Jn. 17:20; Rom. 10:8, 14, 17). Though it does not please some men, it has “pleased God by the foolishness of preaching to save them that believe” (1 Cor. 1:21; 4:15; Jas. 1:18; 1 Pet. 1:23).

Objections

1. “Didn’t the Holy Spirit fall upon people in Acts 2?” The Spirit came upon the preachers, the apostles, not upon the audience (Acts 1:26-2:4, 37). Through the words of the apostles as given by the Spirit, men were led to faith and obedience (Acts 2:37, 40, 41; Cf. Jn. 17:20; 2 Cor. 4:7; 5:18-20). It is so with us today. We have the apostolic word in the New Testament. We “hear” the apostles as those in Jesus’ day “heard” Moses and the prophets; that is, through their writings (Cf. Luke 16:31; Acts 13:27; 15:21; 2 Thessalonians 2:15).
2. “But what about the Ethiopian eunuch?” In this case, “the angel of the Lord” and “the Spirit” spoke unto the preacher (Acts 8:26, 29). So far as the treasurer knew, no heavenly intercession was involved. The Lord spoke to the eunuch, but he did so through human agency-”Philip preached unto him Jesus” (Acts 8:35).
3. “An angel of God spoke to Cornelius!” Yes, he did, but what did he tell him (Acts 10:3-6; 11:13, 14)? The angel told Cornelius, “Send…for Simon, whose surname is Peter; Who shall tell thee words whereby thou and all thy house shall be saved.” Peter, not the angel, nor the Lord, spoke the words by which Cornelius was saved. Peter said it was “by my mouth” that Cornelius “should hear the…gospel and believe” (Acts 15:7). Cornelius knew he must hear Peter’s words in order to know the commandments of God-”We are all here present before God to hear all things that are commanded thee of God” (Acts 10:33; Cf. 10:48).

Conclusion

The consistent pattern of the accounts of conversion in the name of Christ included the preaching of the gospel to the sinner. There is no exception to this rule. “When they heard this, they were pricked in their heart….And with many other words did he testify and exhort, saying, Save yourselves from this untoward generation. Then they that gladly received his word were baptized” (Acts 2:4, 22, 29, 37, 40, 41). “They…so spake, that a great multitude…believed” (Acts 14:1). “And many of the Corinthians hearing, believed and were baptized” (Acts 18:8).

Note a negative argument to this point. Paul spoke of Jews who had forbidden him “to speak to the Gentiles that they might be saved” (1 Thessalonians 2:16). If he had spoken to them, they could be saved, but since they forbad his preaching, they could not be. “Then cometh the devil, and taketh away the word out of their hearts — (Why does he do this? Why does he take the word out of their hearts?) — lest they should believe and be saved” (Luke 8:12).

Before one can trust in Christ and be saved, he must hear the gospel (Ephesians 1:13). That faith comes by hearing the word of God as found in the New Testament. It can be received in no other way (1 Corinthians 4:6, 15; 15:1-4, 11).

The minor prophet was excoriating the false religions which Israel dallied with in their temptation of God so many centuries ago now. Such false religions plant something without substance and produce something destructive. Their adherents are without moral compass, for false religion offers either none or one inferior to God’s and thus the challenges of the world and the worldly overcome them in time.

The prophecy bears some resemblance to Christ’s parable of the sower in Matthew 13. There also, three of four souls touched by the gospel did not endure in the faith because of persecution, trial or apathy. Today, so many churches of Christ are sowing the wind in their instruction of the young that we are nearly reduced to standing back and waiting for the whirlwind when the next, untaught generation assumes pulpits, pens and presbyteries.

Last year, a survey summary was produced by Robert Oglesby, Jr. and Carley Dodd of Abilene Christian University, a school operated by our institutional brethren. The project queried 530 teens (ages 11-19) who attend churches of Christ from the South, West/Midwest and East to find out what young people think. The evidence of sown wind and budless stalk follows:

• 16% think there is little difference between the church of Christ and denominations.
• 90% think instrumental music is acceptable in worship.
• 69% believe Christians can dress like, talk like, etc. the world.
• 65% believe church membership doesn’t matter as long as you love God.

Anecdotal evidence has long shown a decline in the distinctiveness of our people, but this study astounds.

It is ironic, for instance, that only 16 percent think there is little difference between the church of Christ and denominations. Having talked with institutional members and preachers, I would probably see little difference myself if that were my only impression of the church.

We see churches of Christ building up banquet and recreation halls while tearing down the New Testament demands of fellowship. Some do not require water baptism of mature believers before membership. Others accept into their number those living in open immorality or unscriptural remarriages.

These modern, mainstream churches of Christ indeed exhibit little distinction from the denominations of this world, but they should. Fellowship is limited by such passages as 1 Corinthians 5, where sinful members are recommended for withdrawal and Romans 16:17-18 where the factious and false teacher are marked as errant, not embraced as progressively enlightened.

Nine in ten of their young people believe that instrumental music in worship is acceptable. Could it be that their Christmas cantatas have led to this conclusion? Could it be that there has not been enough teaching or insistence on submitting to approved New Testament examples like Ephesians 5:19 and Colossians 3:16? Could it be that they have listened too long to influential digressives like Max Lucado? The elders where he preaches have announced that, while they will not introduce instruments of music to their worship, they see nothing wrong with them anymore and may consider it in the future. Do you hear the whirlwind revving up?

Almost three in four of their young people surveyed believe that Christians can behave just like the world. A decade of “positive” sermons and feel-good Bible classes have dumbed down their children so far that they now actually believe that worldliness is a virtue, or at least, no vice. When the preacher refuses to sermonize against immodest attire and foul speech, it signals to impressionable minds that such things are not so serious after all. Enough of that indifference will eventually lead more and more to embrace the immorality. When the elders look the other way so often that their heads are practically put on hinges, the flock learns that certain sins will always be winked at.

God, however, demands a peculiar people (Titus 2:4), transformed from the world and not conformed to it (Rom. 12:-12). The way of the world is sin and doom (1 John 2:15-17). Worldly attire tends to incite lust (Prov. 7:10). Worldly speech tends to be crude and irreverent. Did Jesus die so that our young people could sin with immunity from guilt or correction? Or have their leaders simply sold them a bill of goods, tending to their self-esteem and neglecting their souls’ salvation?

Perhaps the plan was to appease the masses to keep them in the church. It failed, for 65 percent think church membership is optional, too. A generation reared on spiritual junk food is growing up, facing decisions of morality without moral foundation and preparing to take the lead in churches which they will surely continue to transform into just another worthless, destructive denomination. Once you have sown the wind, it is hard to stop the whirlwind. The time has come to get back to the Bible, or better, catch up to it. Before it is too late.

We could start a local chapter from past membership directories by compiling a list of members who no longer attend any congregation. While initial membership might be small, the association could eventually become enormous as the idea spreads nationwide and past members of the church of Christ apply for their own bumper sticker. We might even get some liberal, promoting, sponsoring church to computerize the list and do mail-outs to enroll members. (Don’t laugh — there are computerized lists among sponsoring churches right now of various things: overseas evangelists, college Bible Chairs and Bible Chair Directors, cities in which no "congregation of the church of Christ" exists, etc.). We might even get someone to put together a catalog with a choice of bumper stickers, promotional items, iron-on emblems and such like, similar to the cataloged published featuring items for the bus ministry (suckers by the case, balloons by the gross, idea pamphlets for membership drives, etc.). All sorts of ideas abound.

Of course, there should be a charter membership. This would consist of the first congregational drop-outs to form a club. Honorary president could be Demas (cf. 2 Timothy 4:9).

Anyone can apply for membership who has been a member of some congregation in the past but who no longer attends. There are no dues and no meetings (this would defeat the nature of the association.). The only qualification for becoming an "Ex-Christian" will be a concise statement explaining why one no longer wants to be a Christian. To simplify matters, a list of excuses is given and one may merely list a number which corresponds with your excuse when you apply for membership. The list includes:

1. Loved the present world.
2. No longer believe the Bible.
3. Someone hurt my feelings.
4. No one came to see me.
5. Preacher preaches too long.
6. They always want money.
7. Too strict.
8. Not friendly.
9. Too small.
10. Too large.
11. Too narrow-minded.
12. No sports program.
13. Won’t support institutions.
14. Won’t fellowship sectarians.
15. Other ___________________________________

One thing must be made clear, however. All benefits and enjoyments derived from this association are limited to this world only. Nothing should be expected once this life is over. There are no promises, no future rewards, no expectation beyond what you can get here and now. Therefore the goal of this association is "eat, drink and be merry: for tomorrow you die." Each who applies for membership should enter it with this thought in mind and only after a great deal of deliberation. It is true that most people join the association by default (that is, they just drift into it without really planning it) and this makes your membership valid. But true devotees of this club will get the most from it if you understand the alternatives and live worldly with a vengeance. Some few members still have a guilty conscience about quitting the Lord’s church and this greatly inhibits their earthly pleasure. To get the most from this association, one must really kill his conscience and learn to enjoy. Remember, we only pass this way once and we must live it with gusto! A sensitive conscience can really keep you from enjoying this association.

In fact, those who have an overly active conscience and who will not be satisfied with this world only should not join this "Ex-Christian Association." It is recommended that you go back and associate with other Christians where you will be happy and where you feel at home. After all, if you can’t see the advantage of happiness here-and-now instead of happiness for eternity, you, along with Moses, Abraham and all those others who look for some "future city," don’t belong with us. You’ll probably be in that minority group called the "church of Christ" and expect to go to heaven when you die. As for the rest, send in for your application if you want a bumper sticker. You don’t have to have one to be a member, you understand. Just fluff up your pillow on Sunday morning and go back to sleep. We’ll see you at the Judgment Day.

"We are often questioned about the eternity of our belief. People want to know if God will disown them. The emphatic answer is, no! By no means will God ever disown one of his children. Heb. 7:25 states this very clearly; ‘Hence, also, he is able to save forever those who draw near to God through Him, since He always lives to make intercession for them’ (NAS). We are saved forever. We draw near to God through Christ, and He makes intercession for us. This gives us great assurance of our faith in Christ" (Wooster Baptist Church Messenger, Vol. 29, Number 8, 2/20/01).

Review Of Mack Jones’ Remarks

It is to be doubted that folks question "the eternity of (their) belief." Faith, like hope, is not eternal. Both shall be swallowed up in the possession of "life and immortality" brought to fruition and completion. However, we shall let that pass and deal with the main thrust of Mack’s message.

(1) Observe this stark contrast between the word of the spirit of Jones and the word of the Spirit of Jesus:

Mr. Jones said, "People want to know if God will disown them. The emphatic answer is, no! By no means will God ever disown one of his children."

The Bible says, "I will smite them…and disinherit them" (Numbers 14:12). "If a man abide not in me, he is cast forth as a branch, and is withered: and men gather them, can cast them into the fire, and they are burned" (John 15:6). "If we deny him, he will also deny us" (2 Timothy 2:12). "Behold therefore the goodness and severity of God: on them which fell, severity; but toward thee, goodness, if thou continue in his goodness: otherwise thou also shalt be cut off" (Romans 11:22).

God will "Disinherit, cast forth, deny, and cut off" some of his children. This cannot be speaking of the unsaved, for they have no inheritance and are already denied and cut off (John 3:18). Thus, God will, contrary to Mr. Jones’ claim, "disown" his disobedient children. Jones says, "He won’t." God says he will. Whom do you believe?

(2) As proof of his contention that God will never "disown one of his children," Mr. Jones refers to Hebrews 7:25, "Hence, also, he is able to save forever those who draw near to God through Him, since He always lives to make intercession for them."

The passage is not disputed, nor is its teaching denied. It is certain that God will "save forever those who draw near to God through Him" (Christ). With that we are in complete agreement. There is no difference between us on that point.

However, that is not the question at issue. Mr. Jones believes, and Baptist doctrine teaches, that God will "save forever" those who cease to "draw near to God." He says that God "By no means will ever disown one of his children," even if they quit drawing near to God. Hebrews 7:25 makes no such promise to such people.

It is indeed possible for one who once drew near to God to depart – "many of his disciples went back, and walked no more with him" (John 6:66). "Take heed, brethren, lest there be in any of you an evil heart of unbelief, in departing from the living God" (Hebrews 3:12). Remember, there is absolutely no way that a child of God who draws near to God will ever be disowned. Jones is right about that, but what of those who, instead of drawing near, turn and "draw back, or fall away? What of them? "Now the just shall live by faith: but if any man draw back, my soul shall have no pleasure in him. But we are not of them who draw back unto perdition; but of them that believe to the saving of the soul" (Hebrews 10:38, 39).

Conclusion: Those who "draw near," God will "save forever," but those who "draw back" do so "unto perdition," or destruction.

(3) Other passages in the book of Hebrews show that Jones is wrong when he says that a child of God will not be disowned, no matter how he lives. Even if we did not know how to explain Hebrews 7:25, we would know that the Baptist doctrine of "once saved, always saved," is false. As proof thereof, note the following passages in Hebrews.

"Therefore we ought to give the more earnest heed to the things which we have heard, lest at any time we should let them slip. For if the word spoken by angels was steadfast, and every transgression and disobedience received a just recompense of reward; How shall we escape, if we neglect so great salvation; which at the first began to be spoken by the Lord, and was confirmed unto us by them that heard him" (Hebrews 2:1-3).

"Take heed, brethren, lest there be in any of you an evil heart of unbelief, in departing from the living God" (Hebrews 3:12).

"Let us therefore fear, lest, a promise being left us of entering into his rest, any of you should seem to come short of it" (Hebrews 4:1).

"Let us labor therefore to enter into that rest, lest any man fall after the same example of unbelief" (Hebrews 4:11).

"For if we sin wilfully after that we have received the knowledge of the truth, there remaineth no more sacrifice for sins. But a certain fearful looking for of judgment and fiery indignation, which shall devour the adversaries. He that despised Moses’ law died without mercy under two or three witnesses: Of how much sorer punishment, suppose ye, shall he be thought worthy, who hath trodden under foot the Son of God, and hath counted the blood of the covenant, wherewith he was sanctified, an unholy thing, and hath done despite unto the Spirit of grace?" (Hebrews 10:26-29).

"Looking diligently lest any man fail of the grace of God; lest any root of bitterness springing up trouble you, and thereby many be defiled (Hebrews 12:15).

These passages show us that Hebrews 7:25 does not teach that a child of God cannot, under any circumstances, be disowned. There is perfect harmony between these texts and that of 7:25. As long as one draws near to God, he is "saved forever," but if one ceases to believe, departs from God and is "defiled," a punishment worse than death awaits him!

(4) It is at this point that someone will say, "But, the Lord said the child of God is ‘saved forever.’ When he says that, he cannot turn and disown that person."

Well, let us see that God means when he says a man is saved and will not be lost. Let us ask him, "Lord, when you say a man is saved, are you saying that he cannot be lost, no matter what else occurs? Is that what you are saying?" Hear the Lord’s answer to our question:

"When I shall say to the righteous, that he shall surely live; if he trust to his own righteousness, and commit iniquity, all his righteousnesses shall not be remembered; but for his iniquity that he hath committed, he shall die for it (Ezekiel 33:13). From this text, we learn what the Lord means when he says the righteous man "shall surely live." He does not mean that he will live, no matter what he does, or how he lives. Rather, the Lord said that when I say he will surely live, "if he trust to his own righteousness, and commit iniquity, all his righteousnesses shall not be remembered; but for his iniquity that he hath committed, he shall die for it."

Consider the reverse. God says the wicked shall surely perish. He says the wicked will be lost forever (John 3:36). Do Baptists believe that because God says the wicked are condemned that they cannot be saved? Certainly, not! So, as we all believe that though the wicked are said to be doomed, we know that if they turn they can be saved. Likewise, though the righteous are said to be saved, they will be lost if they turn back into sin (Romans 11:22).

"At what instant I shall speak concerning a nation, and concerning a kingdom, to pluck up, and to pull down, and to destroy it; If that nation, against whom I have pronounced, turn from their evil, I will repent of the evil that I thought to do unto them. And at what instant I shall speak concerning a nation, and concerning a kingdom, to build and to plant it; If it do evil in my sight, that it obey not my voice, then I will repent of the good, wherewith I said I would benefit them (Jeremiah 18:7-10).

Language could not be plainer to one who believes what the Lord said. To those who are wedded to a doctrine rather than love for the truth, nothing will suffice to convince their hardened hearts (2 Thessalonians. 2:10-12).

Concluding Remarks

First, let it be noted by those who say we are "answering questions no one is asking," that this Baptist preacher says he is "often questioned" about this topic. We know the answer he gives, and the danger it represents. If our brethren who think we ought not to deal directly with such issues had taught the truth on the subject, perhaps there would be fewer souls turning to men like "Pastor Mack" for answers.

Second, some find fault with reviews of this nature. They speak of how they sincerely appreciate the truth, but they "just wish" it had not been done in such a "dogmatic," or "bigoted," or "legalistic," or "pharisaical," or "narrowminded" (take your pick) manner.

Will those folks reprimand Mr. Jones for his plain, unequivocal avowals of his position? Note his "dogmatic and judgmental" reply to the question, "Will God ever disown one of his children?" Without testing the winds, without any sympathy for the "heartfelt feelings" of those who may disagree with him, the "Rev. Jones" says, "The emphatic answer is, no! By no means will God ever disown one of his children." Now, that is bold and direct! When he states his position in clear and certain terms, allowing no space for a contrary view, he receives no rebuke. Why, then, are we criticized and condemned when we take an equally steadfast stance? Why is it right for a false teacher to state his error boldly and directly but wrong for us to oppose it in the same way?

Third, will those who know how to answer such men as Mr. Jones please do so? They say they agree with us. They say we are teaching the truth, but they think we are not doing it as it ought to be done. That is fine. Let our critics, then, do the work. Let them give the answers as they should be given. I shall be happy to step aside and let them say what should be said in the way it should be said. Any takers?

These final points may be seen as unnecessary and cited as proof of a well meaning, but misguided, malevolent spirit. Again, if that be so, let well meaning, but correctly guided, benevolent spirits take over and handle aright the word of truth.

The truth is that there is an attitude which looks down in disgust at contending for the faith. They believe that answering denominational doctrines is a disservice to the work of the Lord and that doing it demeans and diminishes us before the world. This spirit is at home declaring their despising of "our traditions," but God forbid that they should dirty themselves by uprooting the traditions of men. They regale shallow, superficial spirituality with their mocking disdain of "brotherhood watchdogs," making fun of those who endure hardness as good soldiers of Jesus Christ.

Beware of this popular, people pleasing spirit. It will not teach your children the difference between human religion and divinely revealed faith. It will not teach your grandchildren the exclusive, distinct nature of the church Jesus bled and died for. As it was before the days of Moses in Egypt when a king arose that "knew not Joseph," so it will be among us that a generation will arise that knows neither Joseph, Jehovah, nor Jesus.

A similar form of authority has been espoused by Christians. Since we "speak where the Bible speaks and are silent where the Bible is silent," we need not question our practices. After all, the preacher is allied and identified with "our Christian Colleges," and the elders endorse and encourage all that we do, so what fear have we? Oh, of course, we raise an eyebrow at some things that seem out of harmony with the past, but the young people are interested, so it must be right — we are just not used to it. The sole, whole authority for minds that are thus steeped in church traditionalism is the fact that "we have always been a Bible-based people." That being true, as it is assumed to be, then we are justified.

This is the way human traditions and unscriptural deeds and doctrines are brought forth, and they, when they are finished, bring forth a denomination. But the denomination does not seek to return and restore itself, for its members say, "We were born and raised on the Bible, in the Restoration movement, and in the true church, so we must be right," and on and on it flows from generation to generation, from denomination to denomination.

There is a present perilous development of just such a philosophy and its result, a denomination. It is occurring almost imperceptibly, especially to those ensnared therein. The departures are slight and gradual; at least, that is how they begin. Major errors are rebuffed at first because they just do not "ring true," but they are not repelled and expelled by the question, "Where is the authority — book, chapter, and verse, please?" When that approach to error and innovation is not used, the encroachment eventually will find its way into the body, and the opposers will adopt it with hesitancy in the beginning but will embrace it with fervor in the end. (This witness is true. Certain who see themselves uncovered by the above words will shudder and close their eyes at their nakedness before the truth. But, alas, they will maintain their present course. They have gone too far for too long. They have seared their hearts and sealed their fate, and their reaction is living testimony to the truthfulness of what we have written.)

The Jews preached Moses as the law and the prophets were "read in the synagogue every Sabbath day" (Luke 4:16; Acts 13:14, 15, 27; 15:21). But hearing, they heard not, and seeing they saw not, for they rejected him who was the sum and substance of all they read and heard. Both in an out of the church, it is likewise true today. The Bible is read and preached every Lord’s day, but error remains in the churches of men and departures reign in some churches of Christ. It is an anguishing sight that wrings the spirit of its tears, but it must be fought and stopped. It may not be stopped, but it shall be fought (Titus 1:10-13; Jude 3). The sword of the Spirit is the word of God. It is yet alive and powerful (Ephesians 6:17; Hebrews 4:12). We are yet alive and, with it, powerful. Our aim and object is to reclaim and redeem some who have been discussed and described. Our love for them and the truth of God, and our hatred of every false way, will not permit us to leave them alone. We know who they are. They know who they are. God knows who they are.

(Editor’s Note: The following correspondence between Larry and a teenage girl’s grandmother may be helpful to other parents and grandparents as they try to teach their children.)

Larry,

We had a discussion with our 16 year old granddaughter yesterday, and she is very upset with us and wants an answer to the discussion other than what we gave her.

The discussion was over the news report about 2 gay men who had adopted a little boy, and they forced his school to do away with making anything for Mother’s Day because it made him feel uncomfortable. (My husband) said it was wrong to force their ideal on everyone since they were living in sin. (Our granddaughter) said she thought we were gossiping and that we should not judge them and just pray for them and everything would be OK. (My husband) tried to tell her we were not judging them that God’s word was judging them.

She left us this note. Can you help us give the very best answer possible. She is a prime example of the thinking of our "church kids" today. Her Question:

"Could you show me the verse where it says we are supposed to point out the wrong? I am just wanting to read it."

Larry, we would really appreciate your help. We feel our answer can not be too lengthy or it will turn her off. She is 1st in her class in high school so she should be able to reason. It is very disturbing that our young people think, "Your OK I’m OK."

We will be waiting for your answer.

Response To This Request

Here are some passages which deal with her request:

"And have no fellowship with the unfruitful works of darkness, but rather reprove (expose) them" (Ephesians 5:11).

"Cry aloud, spare not, lift up thy voice like a trumpet, and shew my people their transgression, and the house of Jacob their sins" (Isaiah 58:1).

"Preach the word; be instant in season, out of season; reprove, rebuke, exhort with all longsuffering and doctrine" (2 Timothy 4:2).

"Holding fast the faithful word as he has been taught, that he may be able, by sound doctrine, both to exhort and convict those who contradict. For there are many insubordinate, both idle talkers and deceivers, especially those of the circumcision, whose mouths must be stopped, who subvert whole households, teaching things which they ought not, for the sake of dishonest gain. One of them, a prophet of their own, said, "Cretans are always liars, evil beasts, lazy gluttons. This testimony is true. Therefore rebuke them sharply, that they may be sound in the faith" (Titus 1:9-13).

"But when Peter had come to Antioch, I withstood him to his face, because he was to be blamed; for before certain men came from James, he would eat with the Gentiles; but when they came, he withdrew and separated himself, fearing those who were of the circumcision. And the rest of the Jews also played the hypocrite with him, so that even Barnabas was carried away with their hypocrisy. But when I saw that they were not straightforward about the truth of the gospel, I said to Peter before all, ‘If you, being a Jew, live in the manner of Gentiles and not as the Jews, why do you compel Gentiles to live as Jews’" (Galatians 2:11, 14)?

"As I urged you when I went into Macedonia – remain in Ephesus that you may charge some that they teach no other doctrine" (1 Timothy 1:3).

There are many more such passages, but perhaps these will suffice to show that we must "expose the unfruitful works of darkness" (Cf. Romans 1:26-31; 13, 13, 14; Galatians 5:19-21).

You might gently remind your granddaughter that if we must simply keep quiet and pray for those who are in error, why didn’t she do the same with you? According to her reasoning, she should never have confronted you about your actions. Instead of making you feel "uncomfortable," ask her if she should not have kept quiet and simply prayed for you and your husband? It is a poor rule that won’t work both ways. If her rule is true, she broke it by rebuking you. Ask her to answer her own question. Ask her to "show (you) the verse where it says (she is) supposed to point out the wrong?" Tell her that you are "just wanting to read it."

Also, you might ask her to explain Ezekiel 3:17-21 to you:

"Son of man, I have made you a watchman for the house of Israel; therefore hear a word from My mouth, and give them warning from Me: When I say to the wicked, `You shall surely die,’ and you give him no warning, nor speak to warn the wicked from his wicked way, to save his life, that same wicked man shall die in his iniquity; but his blood I will require at your hand. Yet, if you warn the wicked, and he does not turn from his wickedness, nor from his wicked way, he shall die in his iniquity; but you have delivered your soul. Again, when a righteous man turns from his righteousness and commits iniquity, and I lay a stumbling block before him, he shall die; because you did not give him warning, he shall die in his sin, and his righteousness which he has done shall not be remembered; but his blood I will require at your hand. Nevertheless if you warn the righteous man that the righteous should not sin, and he does not sin, he shall surely live because he took warning; also you will have delivered your soul."

Ask her if those verses teach that we should be silent when others sin. (If she says they are in the Old Testament, show her Acts 20:26, 27 — "I am pure from the blood of all men. For I have not shunned to declare unto you the whole counsel of God." Remind her, too, that such principles are written for our learning and warning — Romans 15:4; 1 Corinthians 10:6, 11) .

If a little girl raised by two lesbians was made to feel badly because she does not have a Father, should we also cancel Father’s Day? Should we cancel Memorial Day (May 30th) since many of our Asian-American citizens may be offended at memorializing those who died defending our country against their ancestors? Shall we do away with Labor Day in September since it might offend welfare deadbeats who refuse to work and would rather live off the government dole? Obviously, I suppose we cannot mention such things lest we make them feel "uncomfortable." Frankly, this feeling of being "uncomfortable" works both ways, too.

Sadly, your dear granddaughter is simply showing the effect of soft, compromising teaching and preaching. If she has an honest heart, the passages will help her. Continue to teach her.

Brotherly,

Larry

Syncretism is popular because the two leading competitors for the hearts of men are less so. The first is the word of God contained in the Bible. Its popularity among men has waned because it is perceived to be antiquated and its texts unsatisfactory in meeting today’s concerns. The second is the religion taught in your public schools, secular humanism, in which each individual is instructed to be his own god and make his own standard of morality.

Humanism has been such a tragic failure in terms of increased drug abuse, laziness and uninhibited sexual experimentation that many baby boomers — the first generation spoon fed the stuff — are in search of something higher. Naturally, many turn first to the Bible, but its instruction is, for them, further in the opposite direction than they intended to travel. The magic solution is to mix the desirable liberties of humanism with the basic guiding force of the Bible. The product is a potluck night stew: prepared with a little of this and a little of that.

The Bible teaches that lying is a sin: “Lying lips are an abomination to the Lord” (Proverbs 12:22) and “Therefore, putting away lying, let each one speak truth with his neighbor” (Ephesians 4:25). That is all well and good and acceptable as long as the truth is immediately beneficial, but when a “little” lie would seem to make things easier, syncretism kicks in a “little” liberty to tell a fib.

Fornication is sinful, according to the Bible, “For this is the will of God, your sanctification: that you should abstain from sexual immorality” (1 Thessalonians 4:3). But the vocabulary of failure overwhelms us: “Kids are going to do it anyway,” “It is an uncontrollable impulse,” “It’s all right as long as you are truly in love.” Modern man has syncretized the Bible message of love with the humanistic freedom to do as you please and arrived at divinely sanctioned fornication.

The church of Christ is coming down with a bad case of syncretism as well. Whereas we were once known for a knowledge of the scriptures, we are losing the ability to cite book, chapter and verse for what we practice and believe. Our children are not learning the reasons we do things a certain way because we do not know enough to teach them. When the world hits them with the convenient religion of syncretism, they are lost in alarming numbers to the devil, the leader of its church.

It is time to be reminded that the Bible contains a pattern for our lives and our religion. Paul told Titus to show himself “a pattern of good works; in doctrine showing integrity, reverence, incorruptibility” (Titus 2:7). When my wife makes a dress, she places a pattern on the fabric and cuts it out with careful precision. The saint of God traces his life against the Bible pattern which demands purity and humility before Him.

Ivory brand soap likes to advertise itself as “99 and 44/100th % pure.” What does that mean? It means it is not pure, but impure, if only a little. Syncretized spirituality — taking a doctrine from the Bible and another from a catechism and another from the Westminster Confession and yet another from The Book of Discipline and still one more from Tim LaHaye or James Redfield — is a perversion of the pure gospel that Jesus died to establish (Galatians 1:6-8).

By definition, syncretism is illogical. Mixing belief systems into the gospel is the same perversion for which Jesus convicted the Pharisees. In Matthew 15, he condemned their habit of setting aside divine law when human precept was more convenient. Are there people nowadays who claim piety and praise Jesus but guiltlessly lie or engage in immorality or steal when it suits them better? Are there people who adhere to the Bible except when situation ethics promises to free them from an embarrassing circumstance? “Hypocrites, Well did Isaiah prophesy about you, saying: ‘These people draw near to Me with their mouth, And honor Me with their lips, but their heart is far from Me. And in vain they worship Me, Teaching as doctrines the commandments of men’” (Matthew 15:7-9).

Yes, there are Pharisees in the church today. They syncretize the Bible with their own preferences and tolerate sins which they find less then reprehensible by their own standard. Like the Pharisees of Jesus’ day, they set aside God’s law for their own liberties (James 2:12).

Many now regard the use of instruments of music in worship as a tolerable matter of opinion. They think similarly about regular observance of the the Lord’s supper, the distinction of the church, its necessity of eldership, immodest attire, mixed swimming, dancing, social drinking and gambling. The Bible has been whittled down to its “bare essentials” — death, burial and resurrection of Christ — and summarily stripped of its application to moral and doctrinal questions. We now hear older gospel preachers uttering the word “ambiguity” in relation to Matthew 19 about divorce and remarriage. Another man picks that up and applies it to 1 Timothy 4:3 where Paul condemns those who forbid to marry and suddenly no marriage is unscriptural. Context and harmony with other passages is forgotten and the hermeneutic is new and vulgar.

Romans 14 is the vehicle of syncretism in our day. Based on a poor study of this chapter, many preachers are teaching that anything done in good conscience is not to be rejected. I have read sermons and quotes from men advocating the tolerance of every one of the unfruitful works of darkness listed in the previous paragraph, and instead of mourning, they are puffed up over their tolerance and their “big tent” approach to evangelism. “Your glorying is not good. Do you not know that a little leaven leavens the whole lump” (1 Corinthians 5:6)?

Just think of the examples we can take from famous battles of true selfless devotion and sacrifice for the sake of others. Too numerous to count have been the lives that were freely given with the full knowledge that they themselves would die so that others might enjoy some benefit of their ultimate gift. We know this is the most noble sacrifice of all because our Lord offered Himself for us so that we might have eternal life. He respects this selflessness when shown in man, as well. John 15:13, “Greater love has no one than this, than to lay down one’s life for his friends.” We too, are to display this greatest form of love and honor it highly.

Being a Texan, I always think of the Alamo and its place not just in Texas history but in the greater story of democracy for the entire American Nation. There are examples of battles from wars in ancient history that had even greater importance than those that usually come so easily to our minds.

One such battle was fought at a place called the Pass of Thermopylae in Greece in 480 BC. The Persians under their King Xerxes intended to conquer Greece, which was a collection of small city states that were each independently ruled. The two greatest of these were Athens, the center of high minded philosophies, culture, trade, and the city state of Sparta, a strict military society of elite warriors, somewhat reminiscent of the feudal Japanese. The Spartans, in their early history stressed high standards like honor above all and extreme hardy physical fitness in each individual. Each of these city states was ruled by its own king but individual rights seem to have always been respected among these Greeks. The conception of democracy is credited to these same ancient Greeks.

King Xerxes of Persia controlled an expanse of territory that stretched from the Indus River to the Black Sea. He hungered to conquer the small but fiercely independent city states of Greece.

According to history Xerxes wanted to get his gigantic army of two million men onto the main continent of Europe and pass down into Greece from the north. The best passage took him through the narrow pass of Thermopylae, which is only a couple of hundred yards across at its broadest. King Leonidas, king of Sparta, brought an army of under four thousand allied Greek troops, including his three hundred Spartans to this place to take their stand against the mighty army of Persia. The Spartans were the cream of the crop of Sparta; all being men proven in battle and each with a son back home to carry on his name should he not return. They knew the fixed battle ahead would most likely end in their annihilation but they were fearless. When told that the Persian archers were so numerous that when their arrows were let fly they darkened the whole sky, a great warrior among them commented, “Then we shall fight in the shade!” When finally confronted by the massive forces of Xerxes’ army, a Persian envoy before the battle commenced, commanded them to lay down their arms and surrender, another Spartan warrior said, “Come and take them!”

According to the story this small army led by the Spartans fought off all the massive attacks of the Persian cavalry, archers, chariots, pikemen and heavy infantry for the first several days. Infuriated, Xerxes, fearing a non-existent trap or the depletion of his supplies because his forward momentum had been stopped by the tiny Greek army began to seriously contemplate returning home and forget about taking Greece. However, at the last moment a Greek came forward, by the name of Ephialtes, who for money betrayed his brethren by telling the Persians about an obscure trail that extended around and behind the Greek lines. The name “Ephialtes” has been a “hiss and a byword” in Greece to the present day because of his treachery. King Xerxes dispatched a huge number of his best heavy infantry to go with the traitor Ephialtes and the trail, indeed, brought them to a position of great superiority behind the Greek lines. When this was discovered King Leonidas ordered the majority of the Greek forces to retreat before their path was cut off by the encircling Persians so that they might live to fight the Persians another day.

However, King Leonidas intended to continue to hold the pass for as long as he could so that the others could make good their escape and to hold onto the valuable position for as long as was possible and delay the Persians. There was an ethic of the Spartans that is hard to understand today. Their devotion to victory and to honorable battle fought by warriors who were always brave in the face of danger is the main concept that has remained of their culture. It is said that there was a ceremony enacted in every home when a boy was considered old enough to go into battle. His mother would give him his shield and would say the words to him, “Either return carrying this shield or be carried dead upon it!” This was indeed a powerful mind-set of the entire society if the mothers were so devoted to the Spartan way of life.

On this day, King Leonidas ordered his three hundred Spartans to hold their positions and not retreat. On that fateful day this mighty little band withstood the gigantic and accomplished Persian army for hour after hour. Finally, Leonidas was struck down and all his faithful soldiers with him to the last man. Their delaying action allowed the Greeks to completely regroup their total forces and at the Battle of Salamis, the Persians were annihilated.

Why is this battle the Spartans fought long ago so significant to us today? By the defeat of the Persians at Salamis, Greece was not conquered and invaded. At that time Greece was the only barrier to the total conquest of all of Europe. If Greece had been destroyed, Rome would never have become a power. Without the Roman Empire, which began not too many years after this, Persia would have forever changed Europe’s nationalities, all the languages we know, cultures; all of it would be completely different. No Roman/Latin culture. No Greek philosophies and sciences. Western Civilization as we know it would never have come to be. Truly one of the most pivotal battles ever fought. But no thanks to the traitor Ephialtes!

On occasion, when preaching the gospel, I have used the example of the Spartans at Thermopylae to illustrate and symbolize Christians in their highly important spiritual warfare. The importance of our warfare is totally spiritual and the realm defended is that belonging to the Lord. The example of such great warriors seems completely appropriate because soldierly comparisons are used many times in Scripture.

The apostle Paul in the Letter to the Ephesians talks about the spiritual warfare we are to fight 6:13-17, “Therefore take up the whole armor of God, that you may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand. Stand therefore, having girded your waist with truth, having put on the breastplate of righteousness, and having shod your feet with the preparation of the gospel of peace; above all, taking the shield of faith with which you will be able to quench all the fiery darts of the wicked one. And take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God;” This kind of language was easily understood by the hearers of his time. There is little doubt that the tradition of the Roman soldiers was built upon that of such great and admirable soldiers as the Spartans, who were said to be of the ultimate warrior type. Paul said, “Watch, stand fast in the faith, be brave, be strong” (1 Corinthians 16:13). This seems a very soldierly bit of encouragement. There are a number of times in Scripture that Paul refers to fellow Christians as soldiers (Epaphroditus in Philippians 2:25; Timothy in 2 Timothy 2:3,4; and Archippus in Philemon 2). Paul tells Timothy in 2 Timothy 2:3, “You therefore must endure hardship as a good soldier of Jesus Christ.” In fact, there are quite a few other references to aspects of war, soldiering, watchmen and the like that we are to imitate in a spiritual manner.

The Bible also teaches us about the dangers of traitors. Of course, there is Judas Iscariot who betrayed Christ. He is one figure we can all understand and first comes to mind. However, it seems that failure of the soldier to be vigilant is as despicable and traitorous as being a turncoat. Read Ezekiel 33:2-9. In this passage the failure of the soldier on watch to warn his brethren brought down total condemnation and death upon himself. The application which is also given in this passage which is directed to the spiritual watchman, the prophet who is on watch against evil, brings down spiritual condemnation upon himself. Ezekiel 33:8, “When I say to the wicked, ‘O wicked man, you shall surely die!’ and you do not speak to warn the wicked from his way, that wicked man shall die in his iniquity; but his blood I will require at your hand.”

Some will undoubtedly wonder how this can apply to Christians, and gospel preachers in particular, in our time. They might say that this instruction is only for the prophet of old. But these fail to take into account the fact that Paul refers to this very principle when he talked to the Ephesian elders at Miletus. Acts 20:26-27, “Therefore I testify to you this day that I am innocent of the blood of all men. For I have not shunned to declare to you the whole counsel of God.” This is a direct reference to the principle of Ezekiel 33. That makes this a principle that gospel preachers today MUST practice! He makes his point even more plainly by saying the following in verse 31, “Therefore watch, and remember that for three years I did not cease to warn everyone night and day with tears.” Here the apostle Paul shows his role as the one on watch, whose duty it was to warn. He commands the Ephesian elders to also “watch” and reminds them to follow his example during the three years he was with them, because he did “not cease to warn everyone night and day with tears.”

It is certainly probable that they took his commands and warning seriously because we read in the second chapter of the Book of Revelation that though many years had passed, they still heeded Paul’s warnings. Revelation 2:2-3, “I know your works, your labor, your patience, and that you cannot bear those who are evil. And you have tested those who say they are apostles and are not, and have found them liars; and you have persevered and have patience, and have labored for My name’s sake and have not become weary.” Though they were in trouble spiritually because they had left their “first love” and were commanded to repent and “do the first works,” the Lord also tells them in verse 6, “But this you have, that you hate the deeds of the Nicolaitans, which I also hate.” They were known by the Lord to hate the false doctrine and deeds of these followers of Nicolaus. They had clearly opposed this movement or doctrine of error and won the approval of the Lord in this matter by so doing.

Are there traitors to the Lord’s church and to the doctrine of Jesus Christ in our time? There is no doubt in my mind and in the minds of many faithful brethren today that there are, indeed, traitors; those who are on watch but will not stand up and warn those they have the responsibility to warn. The statement here is not meant to be inflammatory in nature but it only takes a cursory view of the direction churches are taking at this time to realize this is true.

One of the main ways some are traitors to the cause of Christ is that they will not take a position, thereby committing themselves to either truth or error. We can only guess at their reasons for this. They would appear unspiritual in nature and the conclusion must be that they fear a change in the status quo. If they “rock the boat,” their incomes may be endangered and their popularity might wane and so not be in demand to hold gospel meetings or for other like events. Also, it seems there is a great reluctance to appear “negative” in any way to the membership which also “rocks the boat.” They do not want to be the one to cause the “party to be over.”

It may be that another reason the Romans 14 error is being promoted to the extent that we can clearly see is that these, catering to the whims of an evil generation, hope to curry favor with the liberal minded intellectual elite of various congregations. Actually, these are quite numerous in our well educated age. Gaining favor with these is done primarily for reasons listed in the previous paragraph, but also so that they “might belong” to this savvy bunch of post-modernest thinkers who are so “high-minded and enlightened” they cannot appreciate the purity of the gospel as it is written in the New Testament and these only are capable of seeing the world in shades of gray. From their lofty view, no one can make judgments of others and no one can determine what is right or wrong. Among such, the word “no” is rarely heard except when it comes to upholding the hands of the sound preachers and elders in the congregations they attend. Rather, these find it easy to be hateful and “negative” to those who remind them of what the word of God truly reveals.

Thinking there are traitors among us is a serious matter. In the parable of the tares, Matthew 13:25 we read, “but while men slept, his enemy came and sowed tares among the wheat and went his way.” Those who slept in this passage, clearly, were not supposed to be sleeping no matter what the reason!

These outstanding Scriptural examples are quite sufficient to make a strong application that needs to be clear in our time:

1. We must identify those who are “traitors.”
2. We must appeal to them to repent.
3. If they will not repent, and join the faithful in upholding the truth, then their guilt and sin requires the faithful to do their duty.

Further, this duty is to “warn the wicked from his way.” Our duty is no less than what the elders at Ephesus did as they identified false apostles and those who promoted false doctrine.

Paul said in Galatians 1:6, “I marvel that you are turning away so soon from Him who called you in the grace of Christ, to a different gospel.” And finally he said in verse 9, “As we have said before, so now I say again, if anyone preaches any other gospel to you than what you have received, let him be accursed.” There is no room for equivocation on these matters and no room for traitors to the cause of Christ who are only motivated by the flesh. The danger to those faithful to the word of God is that it is possible that taking such a stand, a definite and unequivocal stand, may just “bring us home upon our shields.”

The one principle upon which we must stand is not difficult to know. It might be difficult to accomplish. Those not strong in the faith cannot achieve it. Those who love the Lord, must do it as honorable soldiers of Christ: 1 Corinthians 15:58, “Therefore, my beloved brethren, be steadfast, immovable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, knowing that your labor is not in vain in the Lord.” From this line of battle we must not be moved!

Activities include: 3 Beach Volleyball courts (bring your own team of 6 people), Tug-of-War, Frisbee Throw, Bocce Ball, and more! Come for fellowship, Devotional, Burgers and Roast Pig! Excellent opportunity to meet new friends for the summer!

The brochure went on to mention that the singing group “The Light” from ACU would be performing, asked for an R.S.V.P. to the Church office, and informed that the church would be charging $8 per person for the event.

Most of us are familiar with such examples of the “social gospel” being propagated by such liberal churches. Even the terms used in the brochure show this mindset. The Altamesa church has a “College Minister”, whose job is to plan such events as a part of the church’s “ministry” to both college age Christians and the lost. Often the rationale is made that we need to minister to the “whole man”, and that these events serve to “edify” these kids.

When we use the term “social gospel”, we refer to a movement that has had a tremendous influence on the thinking of 20th century America. The movement had its genesis near the beginning of the 20th century, as various protestant denominations sought to destroy poverty and injustice through the instrumentality of religious institutions. As often is the case, such movements eventually find themselves influencing the thinking of Christians if they are not on guard. This happened, beginning in the late 1940′s and 1950′s as more and more congregations began borrowing from the denominations and emphasizing a social agenda. Such an emphasis has reached a crescendo in our time. As seen by the example of the Altamesa chruch, one aspect of this movement is the desire to protect our children from the world by putting our churches in the business of entertaining them.

Our neighbors down the street, the Westworth Village church of Christ, scheduled a “Youth Meeting” for June 9-11. Interspersed in the intenerary with singing, devotionals and worship were the following:

• Supper
• Videos for young and old
• Lock in at church (a big slumber party, SC)
• ‘Pew Packer’ Bible Game
• Talent Show
• Various Games and activities
• Breakfast
• Congregational Lunch

Of the 23 hours of activities over three days (this includes the two worship services on Sunday), 16 hours were taken up in recreation or eating, and this does not include the slumber party!

Churches which participate in these activities do so without any scriptural authority. The Bible clearly reveals the work of the church to be limited to evangelism (cf. Acts 2); edification (Eph. 4:11-ff); and some limited cases of benevolence (cf. 1 Cor. 16:1-2). It is a specious argument to say that these activities fall under the auspices of church edification. (The word “specious” means ‘having a false look of truth or genuineness’). While such argumentation looks good on the surface, in reality the Bible clearly establishes edification as being accomplished through spiritual rather than social means. In Ephesians 4, the apostle Paul wrote, “And he gave some to be apostles, some prophets, some evangelists, and some pastors and teachers, for the equipping of the saints, for the work of ministry, for the edifying of the body of Christ.” (vss. 11-12). Notice that the offices given by God to edify Christians are: apostle; prophet; evangelist; pastor; teacher. Not a “Social Director” in the lot! Christians, young and old, are edified by the proclamation of truth, not through recreation. It is inappropriate for churches to be involved in such frivolity.

That is not to say that such recreation is not needed for young people. Rather, it is the work of the home, not the church. Remember the apostle Paul’s admonition in 1 Corinthians 11:22, “What! Do you not have houses to eat and drink in? Or do you despise the church of God and shame those who have nothing? What shall I say to you? Shall I praise you in this? I do not praise you.”

After being criticized, the elders of the congregation apologized for the misleading advertisement, and stated that the activities were not being sponsored by the church because they were being planned and paid for by individual parents and other volunteers.

This gives rise to another consideration. Just because the church is not “paying” for it, does not mean that it is not a “work of the church.” In this case, the brochures and Web Site which advertised the retreat were paid for by the church, the church name, phone number and address were provided for contact information regarding the event, and the medical release forms were to be mailed to the church office. You can be sure that even if the elders of the congregation intended a distinction to be made, the young people who attend the “Retreat” will see no difference at all.

These examples are hardly unique. More and more churches are using such “special events” with “social activities” to appeal to the young. Congregations are willing more and more often to separate the youth from the rest of the congregation. Even if the purpose of this separation is to “minister to their special needs”, it is not valid. Those who are advocating such say, “But the church has neglected its young for too long! Perhaps some congregations have! It is shameful for a church to be guilty of neglecting its teenagers, but these youth retreats are not the answer! Some may say, “But we are losing our young people.” Then fathers, you must take seriously your charge to “bring them up in the training and admonition of the Lord”, rather than involving the church in a work that is not hers. I am reminded of a young man several years ago, immature in the faith, who argued in the same way regarding the church’s involvement in human institutionas. He said that he knew it was the individual’s work to care for orphans, rather than the church’s work. But, since not enough Christians were doing their work, the church had to get involved. The obvious answer to such shallow argumentation is to point out that the solution is for Christians to do their duty, rather than involving the church in a work that is not hers. The same is true in this. God’s way is for the home to provide instruction and training, as well as social interaction; and for the church to teach and edify.