Men have long been prone to go beyond the limitations of
God's word in their zeal to serve Jehovah. Zeal for God is
commendable when it is coupled with a knowledge of God's will; but
when one allows his zeal to drive him beyond the confines of Bible
teaching, it is catastrophic. As He delivered His law to the
Israelites, God said, "Ye shall not add unto the word which I
command you, neither shall ye diminish ought from it, that ye may
keep the commandments of Jehovah your God which I command you"
(Deut. 4:2; 12:32). For the Israelites to keep the
commandments of Jehovah was for them to observe His word without
addition or substraction. Any other course was to invite the
Father's displeasure. That the some principle holds true today is
shown in the following instances:
1. Paul's instruction to "learn not to go beyond the
things written" (1 Cor. 4:6).
2. Peter's admonition to speak as the oracles of God (1
Peter 4:11).
3. John's warning that those who go onward and abide not
in the teachings of Christ "hath not God" (2 John 9).
4. The closing words of the Revelation letter is cited
against those who would "add to" or "take away from" the words
contained in "the book of this prophecy" (Rev. 22:18).
In view of such perspicuous statements, it would seem that
men would see the folly of going beyond God's written word. That
they do not is evident in prevalent religious practices. A case in
point is the use of instruments of music in worship. Here is a
common practice, yet one for which there is not a vestige of
scriptural basis. Its existence depends upon going beyond God's
commands.
Many advocates of instrumental music, both seeing and
readily admitting there is no Bible authority for their practice,
seek to justify instrumental music from other viewpoints. Let us
notice some of the arguments I used to justify this unscriptural
practice.
Argument: It is true that musical instruments in Christian
worship are not mentioned in the Bible, but neither are church
buildings, pews, lights, and many other things -- things which we
all readily accept.
Answer: Here is a failure to distinguish between worship
and the place of worship. God has specified acts of worship, but
not the place; yet a place of worship is essential in keeping God's
command to assemble. Whether it is under an oak tree or in a
building equipped with pews, lights, baptistery, etc., the place of
worship is authorized in the command to assemble (Matt. 18:20; Acts
20:7; Heb. 10:25). Authority for a church house can also be found
in other scriptures, but there is no such scriptures covering
instrumental music in worship.
Argument: But you have Sunday School. The Bible does not
mention this. How can you accept this, but condemn instrumental
music?
Answer: Christ said teach, but He did not specify how
(Matt. 28:19; John 4:45). Methods of teaching are left to human
judgment. Sunday School or Bible Class (as we prefer to call it) is
only a means of teaching. Instrumental music is not a method of
doing anything God has commanded. Surely, no one will say it is a
means of singing.
Argument: You do not object to the piano in the home. How
can you use it at home, but not in the church?
Answer: If one is worshiping, it is just as wrong for him
to use the instrument at home in private as it is in the assembly.
Anything that is morally right is permissible for the home, but
only that which is commanded by God can be used in worship.
Argument: But all Christian life is worship. When you use
the instrument at home, you are actually worshiping. When you
refuse to use it in the assembly, you are being inconsistent.
Answer: All Christian life is service, but not all
Christian life is worship. Everything that one does is to be in
harmony with God's will, but not every act is an act of worship.
God's word is comprehensive, governing both our every day
activities and our activities in worship. The use of "worship" in
the Bible indicates that it has reference to special acts of
homage. The Apostle John fell down before the angel of God in a
definite act "to worship." The angel reproved him and instructed
him to "worship God" (Rev. 22:8,9). This act should have been
directed to God, not the angel. One is hard pressed indeed when he
bases his case on such an obvious assumption.
Argument: We use the instrument as an aid to singing.
Answer: Instrumental music is more than an aid. It is an
addition to God's plan. Illustration: God specified gopher wood as
the material out of which the ark was to be made. Suppose Noah had
used cedar or pine. Such would have been a violation of God's plan.
Now if God had commanded the ark to be made of wood, there would
have been no violation. But He specified gopher wood. This excluded
all other kinds. God has specified the kind of music to be used in
worship. Instrumental music is another kind. To use it is to
despise the plan of God.
Argument: I see no harm in it and I am going to use
instruments of music regardless of what the Bible says or does not
say.
Answer: You may not see any harm in it. But, this does not
mean God does not see harm in it. Remember, our worship is to
please God, not ourselves (Col. 3:17).
Let us sing, making melody with our hearts to the Lord,
as God commands (Eph. 5:19; Col. 3:16). Let us refuse to go beyond
that which is written.
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Garden City, MI 48135
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It amazes me how some act as though certain statements and
verses of the Bible do not exist. You would think we were
searching for the passage that says "an apple a day keeps the
doctor away" or that oft quoted verse that says "cleanliness is
next to godliness." These sayings are not found in the Bible even
though some think they are.
On the other hand, there are many verses and statements
in the Bible that are ignored and passed over by many. Even when
they are pointed out to those who ignore them, they always have
some "supposedly" clever excuse as to why they don't really mean
what they say. I want to examine some of the many passages that are
ignored and/or brushed away by the liberal and digressive minded.
I don't know how to get around plain and forthright
passages in the Bible. I simply have to take them at face value.
When we rightly divide the Word, we must obey God's commands.
However, many try to "get around" plain and straightforward
Scriptures.
I don't know how to get around Acts 2:38. When
those who were convicted of their sins on the day of Pentecost
cried out and said, "Men and brethren, what shall we do?"
Heaven's answer was "Repent, and be baptized every one
of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins, and
ye shall receive the gift of the Holy Ghost" (Acts 2:38).
The answer is clear and precise. In order for one to have
forgiveness of sins he must REPENT and be BAPTIZED. However, a
growing number of those who are removing themselves from the "old
paths" are now saying that water baptism is not necessarily
essential for salvation. They want to include many others who are
sincere and zealous in their supposed work for the Lord. These
"would be" somewhats want to make the way of salvation wider than
the Lord made it. Jesus said to Nicodemus, "Except a man be
born again...born of water and of the Spirit, he cannot enter into
the kingdom of God" (John 3:3,5). Unless one is born of
water, the water of baptism, he CANNOT enter the kingdom (church)
of God.
Water baptism is clearly FOR the forgiveness of sins and
without the forgiveness of sins, no one can be saved. Saul of
Tarsus was told to "arise, and be baptized, and wash away thy
sins, calling on the name of the Lord" (Acts 22:16). Water
baptism puts one INTO Christ (Rom. 6:3-6; Gal. 3:27). Water
baptism saves (1 Peter 3:21). It is the defining moment that one
leaves the world of sin and is translated INTO the body of the
saved, the Lord's church (1 Cor. 12:13; Col. 1:13). There is no
salvation outside the Lord's church (body) (Eph. 5:23).
I don't know how to get around Ephesians 5:11.
This verse reads, "And have no fellowship with the unfruitful
works of darkness, but rather reprove them." There are two
basic elements to this verse: 1) we must not fellowship those who
are involved in works of darkness and 2) we must also reprove those
who are involved in works of darkness. A work of darkness is
anything that is not a work of light or truth. It is speaking of
one that is not walking in the light of the Gospel and is contrary
to the Gospel.
So many today ignore this verse and fellowship any and
everybody. Such is seen in the Nashville Jubilee, Tulsa Workshop,
Winterfest, Youth in Action and on and on.
This verse also enjoins upon the faithful to not only have
no fellowship with those who are involved in works of darkness, but
also to actively oppose them. The word "reprove" means to:
"convict, confute, expose, find fault with, chide, admonish." What
would the Lord have to say to make men believe he means what he
says? It can't be any clearer than what is said in this verse.
But, who among the liberal minded even knows this verse exists?
Have they never read it? Do they not believe it applies to them?
What evidence can they provide to show they are obeying this verse?
Some believe the only ones this might possibly apply to
are those who oppose and expose the liberals. They will fellowship
and hold hands with everyone but those who believe and practice
this verse!
I don't know how to get around 2 John 9-11.
"Whosoever transgresseth, and abideth not in the doctrine of
Christ, hath not God. He that abideth in the doctrine of Christ, he
hath both the Father and the Son. If there come any unto you, and
bring not this doctrine, receive him not into your house, neither
bid him God speed: For he that biddeth him God speed is partaker of
his evil deeds" (2 John 9-11). These verses are also very
clear and precise.
Anyone who transgresses, violates and disobeys the
doctrine of Christ (all that he teaches in his word) does not have
God. That is, they do not enjoy the approval and fellowship of
God. If, however, one continues to live by and obey the doctrine
of the Lord, he stands in God's approval and has fellowship with
him.
Those who are not obeying the doctrine of the Lord must
not be fellowshipped. We must not bid them godspeed. We must not
wish them well and pray they prosper because they are enemies of
the Lord (Phil. 3:18). Those who would wish them well are counted
as a partaker of their evil deeds. Even though I am not guilty of
teaching false doctrine and disobeying the commands of the Lord, if
I fellowship those who do, I'm counted as guilty as the one who
teaches error. This is very serious!
I don't know how to get around Romans 16:17-18.
"Now I beseech you, brethren, mark them which cause divisions
and offences contrary to the doctrine which ye have learned; and
avoid them. For they that are such serve not our Lord Jesus
Christ, but their own belly; and by good words and fair speeches
deceive the hearts of the simple."
The word "mark" means to "look at, observe, fix one's eyes
upon, direct one's attention to." The word is used in both a good
and bad sense. That is, we may direct our attention to one that is
doing good so that we may imitate their good and noble example (cf.
Phil. 3:17); or, we may direct our attention to one that is doing
evil so that we may not imitate their bad and despicable example
(Rom. 16:17-18).
In the situation described in Romans 16:17, it is used in
the case of fixing our attention upon those who are causing
division and offences contrary to the doctrine of the Lord. The
reason for doing so is that we may avoid them. The word avoid
means "to turn aside, to turn away from, to shun" -- have no
fellowship or participation with.
There are many today who are to be marked and avoided
because they are teaching and living contrary to the faith once
delivered (Jude 3). But, instead of "marking and avoiding," the
"woods" are full of those who appreciate and uphold those who are
causing division and offences contrary to the doctrine. These
folks fellowship everyone except the faithful who are holding to
the "old paths." It ought to also be noted here that even though
one may not intend to cause division in the church, his false
doctrine splits and divides just the same. He may have the best of
intentions, but because his doctrine is not in accordance with the
truth of the Gospel, he is a divider and troubler.
I don't know how to get around Jude 3.
"Beloved, when I gave all diligence to write unto you of the common
salvation, it was needful for me to write unto you, and exhort you
that ye should earnestly contend for the faith which was once
delivered unto the saints." Again, like the other passages
mentioned above, this one also is ignored by those who are
progressive in leaving the "strait and narrow." Never will you see
liberals "contending for the faith." Such is unbecoming to them.
They much prefer to join hands with the enemies of the Lord than to
meet them head-on with a "thus saith the Lord."
The word contend means to "struggle in behalf of."
Faithful saints struggle in behalf of the faith, the Gospel, the
doctrine of the Lord. The faith is the truth by which men are made
free from their sins (John 8:32). It is that which is obeyed in
order to have forgiveness of sins (Acts 6:7; Rom. 1:5). The
"faith" can be turned away from (Acts 13:8). We are to continue in
the "faith" (Acts 14:22) and can be established in the "faith"
(Acts 16:5). The "faith" is what we preach (Acts 24:24).
To "earnestly contend for the faith" involves an intense
effort to hold to the Gospel by which men are saved (1 Cor.
15:1-4). It means we labor to maintain its purity and clarity. It
means we oppose anything and everything that would pervert it,
including those, who by their word and action, adulterate it. Paul
said that those who leave the faith (the gospel) have cut
themselves off from God (Gal. 1:6-9). Any who do not oppose and
expose (earnestly contend for the faith) error and those teaching
it, are not obeying Jude 3. You won't find any Jubilee supporters
following this verse!
Many more passages could be listed here. But even one is
too many to ignore. Such brings the wrath of God. I don't want
that to happen to me and I don't want that to happen to you. Don't
ignore or seek to get around these verses.
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To the church in Corinth the apostle Paul wrote, "Let no
man deceive himself" (1 Cor. 3:18). That is a direct command
of the living God. For one to deceive himself means that he causes
himself to think that something is true, when in reality, it is not
that way at all. Are we deceiving ourselves? The Lord's
exhortation to each of us is, "Examine yourselves, whether ye
be in the faith; prove your own selves" (2 Cor. 13:5). It is
necessary for each of us to daily evaluate ourselves, and be honest
with what we see in our lives. Let us consider some New Testament
warnings about deceiving ourselves, and see what lessons we can
learn from them. We will look at them in the order they appear in
the Russian Bible.
1) James 1:22 -- "But be ye doers of the
word, and not hearers only, deceiving your own selves."
Remember, this was written to Christians. A child of God deceives
himself when he hears the word of the Lord but does not obey it.
Is hearing necessary? Of course, for "faith cometh by
hearing, and hearing by the word of God" (Rom. 10:17). But,
just hearing alone is of no value. We have known of people who
regularly attended the services of the church for twenty years or
more, but never became Christians. They constantly heard the word,
but never obeyed it. Do you remember Jesus' illustration about a
wise man who built a house? The Master said, "Therefore
whosoever heareth these sayings of mine, and doeth them, I will
liken him unto a wise man which built his house upon a rock. And
the rain descended, and the floods came, and the winds blew, and
beat upon that house; and it fell not; for it was founded upon a
rock" (Matt. 7:24,25). The wise man is not one who hears
only, but who first hears, and then goes and does what the Lord
says. Brothers and sisters, knowing the will of God is important
(John 8:32), but knowledge will not help save our soul if we do not
apply what we know by obeying the Lord! Jesus is the author of
salvation only "unto all them that obey him" (Heb. 5:9).
2) James 1:26 -- "If any man among you seem
to be religious, and bridleth not his tongue, but deceiveth his own
heart, this man's religion is vain." A Christian's service
to the Lord is in vain if he does not control his tongue! That is
a serious warning, and in this we must not deceive ourselves. One
might have excellent conduct, attend every service of the church,
and be zealous in doing good works, yet his religion is in vain if
he does not control his speech. A Christian who denies this only
deceives himself. Yes, one's tongue might cause him to lose his
soul! The Lord Jesus said, "For by thy words thou shalt be
justified, and by thy words thou shalt be condemned" (Matt.
12:37). Therefore, we must strive with all diligence to control
our tongue, and that begins by first controlling our heart,
"for out of the abundance of the heart the mouth speaketh"
(Matt. 12:34).
3) 1 John 1:8 -- "If we say that we have no
sin, we deceive ourselves, and the truth is not in us."
Again, this is written to Christians. All men have sinned (Rom.
3:23), and one who is in Christ, though he is no longer a servant
of sin (Rom. 6:16), does commit sin. One who denies this fact is
deceiving himself, and that is the very thing the Holy Spirit told
us not to do. One deceives himself if he thinks he can walk in
darkness and have fellowship with God, for such is not possible (1
John 1:5,6). He who denies that he sins can never receive
forgiveness from God. Yes, there are many Christians who have
wonderful conduct, but even the most godly person sometimes sins,
and when this happens, he must confess his sins in order to have
God cleanse him from all unrighteousness (1 John 1:9).
4) 1 Cor. 3:18,19 -- "Let no man deceive
himself. If any man among you seemeth to be wise in this world,
let him become a fool, that he may be wise. For the wisdom of this
world is foolishness with God. For it is written, He taketh the
wise in their own craftiness." One deceives himself if he
thinks he can be wise without God, or if he thinks that if he has
the wisdom of this world, then that means something to God. The
wisdom of this world is in conflict with the wisdom of God,
"For that which is highly esteemed among men is abomination in the
sight of God" (Luke 16:15). Jehovah is the source of true
wisdom, so any philosophy of life that is not based upon Him and
His will can only be foolishness, though in the eyes of many such
worldly philosophies may appear to be wisdom. It is the Scriptures
that can make us wise unto salvation (2 Tim. 3:15). The following
is still great advice: "Trust in the Lord with all thine
heart; and lean not unto thine own understanding" (Prov.
3:5).
5) 1 Cor. 6:9,10 -- "Know ye not that the
unrighteous shall not inherit the kingdom of God? Be not deceived;
neither fornicators, nor idolaters, nor adulterers, nor effeminate,
nor abusers of themselves with mankind, Nor thieves, nor covetous,
nor drunkards, nor revilers, nor extortioners, shall inherit the
kingdom of God." Unrighteous people are those who do
unrighteousness, and "all unrighteousness is sin" (1 John 5:17).
Thus, all the things that Paul lists are sinful, and like it or
not, those who participate in the affairs listed (and who do not
repent of such) cannot inherit the kingdom of God. Who says so?
The Lord! Since this passage was written to Christians who were
already in the kingdom or church, we understand the Holy Spirit's
message to them to mean that those Christians who continue to
commit such sins cannot go to heaven. Yes, we understand that many
in society participate in or approve of the activities that Paul
listed (at least they are not vocally against them), but the Lord
shows us that participation in such activities will cause a person
to lose his soul! That is serious, and one who denies this fact is
only deceiving himself.
6) 1 Cor. 15:33 -- "Be not deceived; evil
communications corrupt good manners." Oh, if the Lord could
get all of us to open our eyes to this truth! Some seem to think
there is no such thing as evil companionship, or that every
association is safe. It is not so! God exhorts us, "Be ye
not unequally yoked together with unbelievers; for what fellowship
hath righteousness with unrighteousness? and what communion hath
light with darkness" (2 Cor. 6:14). In every age men have
learned that evil associations corrupt good manners, but
unfortunately many learned this important truth only after they had
been influenced to do evil. Eve was corrupted by Satan (Gen. 3).
Samson was influenced to sin by evil associations with Gentile
women (Judges 16). Solomon was corrupted by his association with
foreign wives (1 Kings 11). The list could go on and on. The
choice is ours: either be the friends of God or the friends of the
world, but we cannot be both at the same time, for "the
friendship of the world is enmity with God" (James 4:4).
Instead of participating in or approving of sinful activities, we
are commanded, "And have no fellowship with the unfruitful
works of darkness, but rather reprove them" (Eph. 5:11).
Young people especially are often strongly tempted to be involved
in close associations with those who do evil. Those Christians who
are in such close associations with the doers of evil deceive
themselves if they think they can play with fire and not get
burned. Read again 1 Corinthians 15:33, then discuss its message
with those who have been in Christ a long time, and listen
carefully when they tell you how they have seen members of the
church become unfaithful or lukewarm due to their evil
associations.
7) Gal. 6:3 -- "For if a man think himself
to be something, when he is nothing, he deceiveth himself."
This statement was made in a context in which the Holy Spirit was
showing that we must bear one another's burdens (6:2), and at the
same time prove our own work (6:4). How should a child of God look
at himself? He must love himself (Rom. 13:9), yet he must not
"think of himself more highly than he ought to think" (Rom.
12:3). If one has a talent to do something, let him not deny it,
but at the same time, let him not boast about it. Remember, even
if one does his master's will, he is still an unprofitable servant
(Luke 17:10). By our own power, without Jesus Christ, we are
nothing. NOTHING! He who denies this deceives himself. Let us
remember Paul's admission: "But by the grace of God I am what
I am" (1 Cor. 15:10).
8) Gal. 6:7 -- "Be not deceived; God is not
mocked; for whatsoever a man soweth, that shall he also reap."
Yes, on the one hand every person has the right to choose
what he wants to do. But, on the other hand each of us must face
the consequences of our action. God gives us the freedom to make
choices, but He certainly does not approve of every decision we
make. One who thinks he can live however he wants to live, and God
is somehow obligated to accept him, is truly deceiving himself,
"for whatsoever a man soweth, that shall he also reap."
In the natural world, we reap what we sow (Gen. 1:11). So it is in
the spiritual realm: "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. 6:8). That is not
our opinion, that is what the God of heaven, the judge of all, says
about it. He who lives by the lust of the flesh cannot inherit the
kingdom of God (Gal. 5:19-21), but he who lives by the Spirit's
teaching, the gospel of Christ, shall inherit life eternal (John
5:29). The choice is ours. We can either live with Christ, which
means living by His will, or we can live against His will and
without Him (Matt. 12:30). However, let us not deceive ourselves.
Where we will spend eternity will be determined by our decision to
either sow to the Spirit or to the flesh. May God help all of us
to heed His warning, "Be not deceived."
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Where the Bible is silent, are we free to act? There are
many who say yes, but let us examine a few scriptures that teach
otherwise.
Peter declares that, "According as his divine power
hath given unto us all things that pertain unto life and godliness,
through the knowledge of him that hath called us to glory and
virtue" (2 Peter 1:3). Paul teaches that these "all things"
will be found written in the "holy scriptures" by which "the
man of God may be perfect, throughly furnished unto all good works"
(2 Tim. 3-16-17). These two verses makes it simple, if it's
not found in the holy Scriptures, then it does not apply "unto life
and godliness," in which case, "who needs it? -- it's not
authorized." This alone should answer the question, but for those
who need more proof, turn to 2 John 9, "Whosoever
transgresseth and abideth not in the doctrine of Christ, hath not
God, he that abideth in the doctrine of Christ, he hath both the
Father and the Son" (2 John 9). We can see there is quite a
contrast between those who abide in the doctrine and those who
don't. I believe all will agree that it is a most serious thing to
transgress "the doctrine of Christ." Just where do we find "the
doctrine of Christ?" Certainly not in the Old Testament. "For
the law was given by Moses, but grace and truth came by Jesus
Christ" (John 1:17). The doctrine of Christ is found in the
New Testament, not the Old (2 Cor. 3:6).
Some suppose that if the New Testament does not
specifically say that we cannot do a thing, then why not do it? If
there is no command saying otherwise, why not? Oh, but there is
such a command. If an act is not authorized in the "doctrine of
Christ," then 2 John 9 says you cannot do it. And, if you do, then
you are not abiding in "the doctrine of Christ" and therefore you
transgress the law which is a sin (1 John 3:4). Remember, those who
transgress "the doctrine of Christ" are without God.
These are some hard sayings and more serious words are not
to be found. To be without God is to be lost. Yet there are many
professing Christians who are more attentive and concerned with the
fine print on their bank accounts and insurance policies than they
are with their eternal life insurance with God. While the New
Testament does not specifically say that I cannot use instruments
of music in worship, call the preacher Reverend, beat my wife or
pray directly to Jesus, it certainly teaches these things are not
permissible by the process of elimination. Did God have to say to
Noah, do not use oak or pine in building the ark? No, He only had
to say "gofer wood" and all other types were eliminated. There is
a lesson here for all of us. That which is not found in the
"doctrine of Christ" is not the doctrine of Christ, but has been
added by men. "But in vain they do worship me, teaching for
doctrine the commandments of men" (Matt. 15:9).
We read in 1 Corinthians 4:6, "Now these things
brethren I have in a figure transferred to myself and Apollos for
your sakes; that in us you might learn not to go beyond the things
which are written..." (ASV). Jesus has a warning for those
who take liberty with His word. "The word that I have spoken,
the same shall judge him in the last day" (John 12:48). Over
in Revelation 20:12, "...The books were opened, which is the
book of life, and the dead were judged out of the things which were
written in the books." It is explicitly stated: 1) Do not go
beyond what is written, 2) It is the word that Christ spake that
will judge us in the last day. 3) The dead are going to be judged
by what is written. If this is the case, and inspiration says it
is, then we should never concern ourselves with that which is not
written.
We can all agree that Jesus wrote "on the ground" (John
8:6). However, we cannot agree on what he wrote on the ground for
the simple reason that the Bible is silent concerning it.
Therefore, let us stay with that which we can agree on, that which
is written. Jesus used, "It is written" three times to defeat Satan
(Matt. 4:4,7,10) and asks in Luke 10:26, "How readest thou?"
Paul tells us in 1 Timothy 4:10 to, "Take heed unto
thyself and unto the doctrine, continue in them, for in doing so
thou shalt both save thyself and them that hear thee."
Doctrine is a "big deal" if you want to go to heaven
someday. Only "the doctrine of Christ" is acceptable unto Christ
(Eph. 5:10). The above scriptures prove this to be true. If you
have been taught any other doctrine (2 John 10) then you have been
deceived (Rom. 16:17-18). Unless the Lord teaches it, they labor in
vain who practice it. "If any man teach otherwise and consent
not to wholesome words, even the words of our Lord Jesus Christ and
to the doctrine which is according to godliness, he is proud,
knowing nothing..." (1 Tim. 6:3,4). Let's take the guess work
out and let us take Peter's advice and speak where the Bible speaks
and keep our mouths shut where the Bible is silent (1 Peter 4:11).
Only by following this God given rule (Deut. 12:32) can one be
speaking "the truth in love" (Eph. 4:15).
Bible silence is not a green light for anyone to make his
own decisions as to what is or what is not pleasing to the Lord.
Paul writes that one is made "wise unto salvation" by "the holy
scriptures" (2 Tim. 3:15) and "not in the words which man's wisdom
teacheth..." (1 Cor. 2:13). The Bible is absolutely clear on this
one point, "There is a way which seemeth right unto a man but
the end thereof are the ways of death" (Prov. 14 12) because
God says "my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your
ways my ways saith the Lord" (Isa. 55:8).
One can know "the will of Lord" (Eph. 5:17). Jesus tells
us how this is accomplished, "search the scriptures for in
them ye think ye have eternal life and they are they which testify
of me" (John 5:39). The question still needs asking,
"Nevertheless, what saith the scriptures" (Gal. 4:30).
313 Hunting Rd.
Franklin, LA 70538
.
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Suppose the preacher where you worship were to stand in the
pulpit and ask, "Do faithful believers who were baptized only
as infants stand in eternal jeopardy? Are those who have committed
their lives in faithful service to Jesus Christ, but who have never
been taught the need for water baptism, spiritually lost? Can it
be that those who see baptism as a matter of obedience, but not of
salvation, are risking God's judgment?" Would you not wonder
where he was going with such statements?
Suppose he went on to say, "The thought of condemning
to hell the vast majority of believers throughout the Christian
centuries is one of the most compelling reasons for the recent
moratorium on any serious discussion of baptism. For if any clear
conclusions are drawn -- beyond a weak "each in his own heart, each
in his own way" -- then we are inexorably drawn into the judgmental
abyss." After hearing that, would you not at least question
his understanding of baptism, obedience and salvation?
Suppose he then went on to say, "Is it not enough to
leave the judgment to God? After all, it is God "who will judge
the living and the dead" (2 Tim. 4:1). I, for one, want no part of
that responsibility, and even cringe at what Paul suggests when he
asks: "Do you not know that the saints will judge the world?" (1
Cor. 6:2). "None of us can presume to know about the eternal
destiny of anyone, on the basis of any question of doctrine -- be
it predestination, charismatic gifts, the washing of feet, or even
baptism. All we can do is give our best efforts to knowing God's
will, as revealed in His written Word." Such statements as
these would surely suggest that the speaker is an agnostic with no
logical understanding of what Jesus meant when He said, "And ye
shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free." (John
8:32).
Then suppose the preacher where you worship went on to
say, "Are unbaptized believers destined to hell? Are those
who have received only infant baptism in eternal jeopardy? Only
God knows. On one level, these are questions we have no right to
ask. As seen in this study, there is an abundance of scriptural
language that, on its face, regards baptism as an essential part of
our turning to God. Nevertheless, I would hope that God might
apply the "common law marriage" approach for those who have lived
a lifetime of service in His name without having participated in
the wedding ceremony of baptism."
How long would the preacher where you worship continue to
preach there? He would not even be allowed to finish his sermon in
a sound and faithful congregation.
The above quotations are not from a denominational
preacher. They are from a book entitled Baptism, The Believers
Wedding Ceremony by F. LaGard Smith. Brother Smith,
by implication, is teaching that God may save some under the New
Testament dispensation without their being baptized for the
remission of sins.
While many in the Lord's church would oppose such blatant
and false teaching (and rightly so), they would at the same time
use and support brother Smith (and others of his ilk) in Gospel
meetings, lectureships, youth programs, and other church programs
and this in spite of passages like 2 John 9-11, Ephesians 5:11-13,
et.al. Where is the consistency?
3987 Vandever Road
Crossville, TN 38555
.
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I received a brochure advertising the 1998 DLU Summer Series
and I could not help but be disheartened when I saw the names of
some of their speakers. For example, one of these was Joe
Beam, about whom much has been written concerning his
apostasy. Generally, these articles state that Beam is teaching
false doctrine concerning the Holy Spirit's work in today's world.
Also, I have recently listened to a series of lessons presented by
Beam at the 1996 Nashville Jubilee. He clearly is one of the
"change agents" who is seeking to move the church of Christ away
from its firm foundation. He strongly denies that he is
Pentecostal, but his position clearly overrides his denial.
Notice some of his positions concerning the Holy Spirit.
He said, "Some people will never be free of sinful addictions in
their lives without God's intervention." Beam stated that
the Holy Spirit works in three avenues: through the Word, through
spiritual wisdom, and in what he called awakenings or promptings.
It is in this latter category his Pentecostalism is exposed.
Notice these examples that were given:
1. In counseling a young couple, Beam stated he asked God
to let him know when either lied. After some time in the
counseling session, he stopped the young man and told him that God
had just told him that he had lied!
2. On another occasion, he claimed he was led by the
Spirit to a home where he surmised that the man was having an
affair, without any evidence to sustain his allegation.
3. He said a prisoner's soul was saved because God led him
to a trash can where someone had discarded some Bible material.
4. He alleged a Texas preacher was able to keep a man from
committing murder because God sent him to stop the would-be killer.
5. Once, he asked God to speak to him. He turned on the
radio and pushed buttons until a woman came on singing a song that
related directly to him.
6. He stated that sometimes he listens to his speeches and
hears himself saying things that he never knew before.
7. He saw a denominational program on television
concerning a man who had not been able to speak above a whisper for
ten years and God miraculously restored his voice. He then
affirmed that God cannot be put in a box and that His fellowship
extends beyond the church of Christ.
It is difficult to comprehend how a "Christian University"
could promote and endorse such. It is clear that the
administrators of this school no longer desire to make any real
distinction between truth and error. We are to "mark and
avoid" false teachers and those who promote such (Rom.
16:17).
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July 25-29, 1999 The Uniqueness of the Church |
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