This Issue...
CORRECTION AND APOLOGY
It is with sincere, genuine desire and apology that we wish
to correct misinformation that was printed in the March 2010
issue of Seek The Old Paths. On page 29 and 30 of last
month’s issue, we ran an article by Lloyd Gale entitled
“Old Way Isn’t The Only Way.” It was an examination
of an article that appeared in the Tennessean newspaper on
January 31, 2010 (Nashville, TN). The Tennessean article quoted
Doug Sanders and identified him as the “associate
minister at Otter Creek Church in Brentwood.” Brother
Gale’s article misidentified Doug Sanders as “the son of
the late Joe and Evelyn Sanders. The husband of the late Lady
Frank Ezell Sanders.” This was an error. The Doug Sanders
(Jr.) quoted in the Tennessean article is the son of the
Doug Sanders (Sr.) identified by brother Gale. When I learned of
this error; I called brother Sanders (Sr.) and apologized to him
on the phone. I now wish to publically and sincerely apologize to
him and ask his forgiveness in writing. This issue of STOP is
being sent to the same mailing list as the March issue.
Brother Lloyd Gale has written an explanation and
apology in his letter that follows.
—Editor, Garland M. Robinson
Dear brethren and readers of Seek The Old Paths.
I wish to acknowledge that an honest mistake was made
in identifying the author of the statements that were published
on the front page of the Nashville Tennessean newspaper on
January 31, 2010. The Tennessean article identified the
source of the statements as being Doug Sanders, the associate
minister of the Otter Creek church of Christ.
I was not certain that it was the same Doug Sanders
whose father I knew quite well and knew that he had not taught
what the quoted Doug Sanders had claimed he had been taught from
a child. In an attempt to verify the identity of the author of
the remarks, I telephoned the Otter Creek congregation and asked
the secretary if the person whose remarks appeared on the front
page of the Tennessean was Doug Sanders, the son of the
late Joe Sanders and was told such was the case.
My purpose in writing the article was to defend the
good name of a faithful preacher of the gospel, Joe Sanders, and
to expose the false statements that were spread by the
Tennessean article. I sent a copy of the article to the
Otter Creek congregation marked to the attention of Doug Sanders
several weeks before the article I wrote appeared in Seek The
Old Paths. I have as of this date (3/22/10) received no
response to my letter to Doug Sanders who I now know of as Doug
Sanders, Jr.
When I learned that the author of the statements was in
fact Doug Sanders, Jr., I called his father (Doug Sanders, Sr.)
and apologized for the mistaken identification. This does not,
however, change the truth that my article contains in exposing
the false statements made in the Tennessean article by
Doug Sanders, Jr. and evidently approved by the Otter Creek
congregation. At any rate, I have received no response to my
article from them.
Sincerely, Lloyd Gale
1186 Martha Leeville Rd.
Lebanon, TN 37090
Table of Contents
TO WHOM SHALL WE GO?
Do you recall who said those words to the Master? It was one
of Jesus’ apostles. Our Lord had just finished His brilliant
discourse about the bread of life in a synagogue in Capernaum
(John 6:59). The Bible says, “From that time many of His
disciples went back, and walked no more with him. Then said Jesus
unto the twelve, Will ye also go away? Then Simon Peter answered
him, Lord, to whom shall we go? Thou hast the words of
eternal life” (John 6:66-68).
Jesus is the only One through Whom salvation is
available (Acts 4:12). God wants all people everywhere to
“hear” His beloved Son (Matt. 17:5). The Christ alone has
all authority (Matt. 28:18). It is through the Son that the
Father calls and instructs us today (Heb. 1:1,2).
When Simon Peter asked, “Lord, to whom shall we
go?”, he was not seeking information or advice. Peter knew
that only our Lord has the words that provide eternal life. Thus,
Peter’s question was really a declaration of the truth that
there is no one else to whom we might turn for spiritual guidance
that is helpful and reliable 100% of the time. Despite this plain
truth, many today, as in yesteryear, instead of turning to the
saving Gospel of the Christ and accepting it as their standard of
authority in religion (Rom. 1:16), turn elsewhere.
Some turn or go to their preacher. Of all
people, surely a preacher would know what he is talking about.
Surely a preacher would not lead anyone astray. Such thinking is
gullible to the nth degree. The New Testament speaks about
“false prophets” (Matt. 7:15), “false teachers”
(2 Peter 2:1), and “deceivers” (2 John 7). Despite the
Bible’s plain warnings, many close their eyes and happily
follow anything that preachers propagate. Folks, what preachers
say, even well-known, well-liked, well-educated and well-versed-
in-the-Scriptures preachers, are not our guide. Jesus alone has
all authorityþ
Some turn or go to their parents. God tells
children to obey their parents (Eph. 6:1,2). It is certainly
refreshing to see grown children who still show respect for their
father and mother. There is too little of that in our society in
modern times. That being said, when it comes to making decisions
in the spiritual realm, dad and mom are not the voices of
authorityþ Athaliah, the daughter of Ahab and Jezebel, was her
son’s counselor “to do wickedly” (2 Chron. 22:3).
It is a natural thing for people to wonder what their
parents might think about a certain matter, but in the end, Jesus
must have the final say. We respect our parents and appreciate
any effort they have made which has benefitted us in our
spiritual training, but right and wrong is determined by what
God’s Son says, not by our flesh and blood. That can be a
difficult truth to accept, but accept it we must if we want to
please the King of kings.
Some turn or go to the internet. The internet is
a mind-boggling phenomenon. It has incredible potential to bless
our lives by the information that is available on it. In the
past, we have taken many excellent articles from the internet and
printed them for other’s benefit. On the other hand, though,
is the reality that the internet also openly makes available
immoral and false messages of every sort. It is a disastrous
approach for one to assume that anything found on the internet is
of spiritual benefitþ Just as one would want to do with written
materials, messages on TV or radio or recorded lessons, he must
be careful in what he reads and consumes from the internet. All
messages and messengers, including those on the internet, must be
tried and tested. We must ask, do they harmonize with what
God’s Book says (1 John 4:1)?
Some turn or go to their favorite preaching school
or college. The church has been blessed in this generation by
the efforts of some preaching schools and some institutions of
higher learning that brethren have founded. Sadly, many of them
have not stuck with the Bible. Yet, to hear some tell it, when
any question arises, you have to line up with and fall in line
with what your favorite school says about it. That is garbageþ
Our allegiance is to no mere mortal or anything identified as a
“school.” Jesus has the words of life, and our greatest
concern must be to learn and apply what He says about any topicþ
You and I sincerely appreciate everything that any
person has done that has helped us learn and obey God’s
truth. Perhaps we have been aided personally by preachers,
parents, the internet or schools. Our devotion, however, must not
be to humans or human devices, but to the risen Lord.
“To whom shall we go?” To the Giver of the
words of eternal life is the answer. May God help us to engrain
such thinking into the hearts of our offspring.
Roger D. Campbell
4889 Bates Pike SE
Cleveland, TN 37323
Table of Contents
Editorial...
THE PROM, DANCING, AND SIN
Garland M. Robinson
The dictionary defines the word prom as “a formal ball
held for a school class toward the end of the academic year.”
A synonym is the word “dance.” Dancing is defined as
“to perform a rhythmic and patterned succession of bodily
movements usually to music, to move quickly up and down or
about.”
Does the Bible condone or condemn dancing? Is it an
activity that is wholesome? Should we recommend it?
Everything about dancing is against purity and
righteousness. It is against God and the strait and narrow way.
It is an instigator of all kinds of evil. One survey reported
that 70-80% of unwed mothers said their permissiveness started on
the dance floor.
In the temple of pagan gods it was common to see
beautiful, seductive women dancing to music that excited lustful
desires in those present. One such Biblical example is found in
Herod being so pleased by the dancing of Salome that he promised
to give her whatever she asked. This foolish oath cost John the
Baptist his head (Matt. 14:1-12; Mark 6:21-29).
Sensual desire and lust is the purpose of dancing. If
this is not so, why not have one prom night for the boys and
another for the girls. But, on the other hand, the Bible plainly
speaks about such perversion as “men with men” and
“women with women” and condemns it as sodomy,
homosexuality (Rom. 1:25-28). Let me make it plain, this is not
preacher talkþ Dancing excites lust and is condemned of God. All
who participate in it have sinned, whether saint or sinner. Do
not think you can come to offer worship unto God and it be
acceptable (John 4:24)þ Your choice is to “repent or
perish” (Luke 13:3). Think of the “judgment to come”
and how you will stand before God (Acts 24:25).
The Bible word which describes and condemns dancing as
sensual and sinful is lasciviousness. It is defined as
“unbridled lust, excess, licentiousness,
wantonness, outrageousness, shamelessness, insolence, indecent
bodily movements, unchaste handling of males and
females” (Thayer, p.79). Dancing certainly involves
“indecent bodily movements” and the “unchaste
handling of males and females.” That is its design. That is
its appeal.
Dancing involves activities that excite lust, passion
and eroticism. Regarding such the Lord said “That
whosoever looketh on a woman to lust after her hath committed
adultery with her already in his heart” (Matt. 5:28).
James writes, “Every man is tempted, when he is drawn away
of his own lust, and enticed. Then when lust hath conceived, it
bringeth forth sin: and sin, when it is finished, bringeth forth
death” (James 1:14-15).
Any activity that promotes lustful and/or sensual
thoughts and actions is sinful (Matt. 5:28; 2 Peter 2:14; Gal.
5:19-21). Dancing is an activity that promotes lustful and/or
sensual thoughts. Therefore, dancing is sinful. John the Baptist
was beheaded because of a rash vow made by Herod whose passion
was aroused by watching a young maiden dancing (Mark 6:16-29).
Arthur Murray, a noted dancing teacher of years gone by
was once quoted in Readers Digest as saying: “The
difference between wrestling and dancing is that, in wrestling,
some holds are barredþ” A former owner of a large dance hall
said, “You can picture the effect on a boy or girl...at one
of these dances which calls for close abdominal contact and
frequently brings the cheeks together and entwines the limbs.
There is...but one reason for its popularity. That reason is sex
appeal.”
Lasciviousness and wantonness (which describe dancing)
are condemned in the following verses:
Mark 7:20-22 — “...From within, out of the
heart of men, proceed evil thoughts, adulteries, fornications,
murders, Thefts, covetousness, wickedness, deceit,
lasciviousness, an evil eye, blasphemy, pride,
foolishness.”
Romans 13:13-14 — “Let us walk honestly, as
in the day; not in rioting and drunkenness, not in chambering and
wantonness, not in strife and envying. But put ye on the
Lord Jesus Christ, and make not provision for the flesh, to
[fulfil] the lusts [thereof].”
2 Corinthians 12:20-21 — Paul said, “For I
fear, lest, when I come,...I shall bewail many which have sinned
already, and have not repented of the uncleanness and fornication
and lasciviousness which they have committed.”
Galatians 5:19-21 — “Now the works of the
flesh are manifest, which are [these]; Adultery, fornication,
uncleanness, lasciviousness, Idolatry, witchcraft, hatred,
variance, emulations, wrath, strife, seditions, heresies,
Envyings, murders, drunkenness, revellings, and such like: of the
which I tell you before, as I have also told [you] in time past,
that they which do such things shall not inherit the kingdom
of God.”
Ephesians 4:17-20 — “This I say therefore,
and testify in the Lord, that ye henceforth walk not as other
Gentiles walk, in the vanity of their mind, Having the
understanding darkened, being alienated from the life of God
through the ignorance that is in them, because of the blindness
of their heart: Who being past feeling have given themselves over
unto lasciviousness, to work all uncleanness with
greediness. But ye have not so learned Christ;”
1 Peter 4:1-5 — “Forasmuch then as Christ
hath suffered for us in the flesh, arm yourselves likewise with
the same mind:...That he no longer should live the rest of [his]
time in the flesh to the lusts of men, but to the will of God.
For the time past of [our] life may suffice us to have wrought
the will of the Gentiles, when we walked in
lasciviousness, lusts, excess of wine, revellings,
banquetings, and abominable idolatries....”
2 Peter 2:4-8 — “For if God spared not the
angels that sinned, but cast [them] down to hell, and delivered
[them] into chains of darkness, to be reserved unto judgment; And
spared not the old world, but saved Noah the eighth [person], a
preacher of righteousness, bringing in the flood upon the world
of the ungodly; And turning the cities of Sodom and Gomorrha into
ashes condemned [them] with an overthrow, making [them] an
ensample unto those that after should live ungodly; And delivered
just Lot, vexed with the filthy [lasciviousness]
conversation of the wicked: (For that righteous man dwelling
among them, in seeing and hearing, vexed [his] righteous soul
from day to day with [their] unlawful deeds.)”
2 Peter 2:17-19 — “These are wells without
water, clouds that are carried with a tempest; to whom the mist
of darkness is reserved for ever. For when they speak great
swelling [words] of vanity, they allure through the lusts of the
flesh, [through much] wantonness, those that were clean
escaped from them who live in error. While they promise them
liberty, they themselves are the servants of corruption: for of
whom a man is overcome, of the same is he brought in
bondage.”
Jude 1:4 — “For there are certain men crept
in unawares, who were before of old ordained to this
condemnation, ungodly men, turning the grace of our God into
lasciviousness, and denying the only Lord God, and our
Lord Jesus Christ.”
God’s holy book says, “Abstain from all
appearance of evil” (1 Thess. 5:22). “Flee
youthful lusts” (2 Tim. 2:22). Those involving themselves
in lasciviousness (dancing) have no hope of heaven unless they
repent and stop it. Scripture says, “...that they which do
such things shall not inherit the kingdom of God” (Gal.
5:21).
Table of Contents
WHAT IS THE WORK OF
CHURCH MEMBERS?
Sidney White
Whatever the work of the church is,
that is the work of every member of the church
The answer to this question should be of utmost importance
to each child of God who has the desire to be with God eternally.
At the same time, it is unfortunate that many “mature”
Christians (those who have been in the church for many years)
seemingly have no clue what they are supposed to be doing. I have
even heard members of the church speak out against elders who,
according to the members, are not challenging them to do
anything. My answer is that God has given us more to do than we
will ever get done, whether the elders ever challenge us to do
anything or not. That does not excuse elders for not doing their
work, but neither does it excuse us if we are not doing our work.
I am reminded of those to whom the Hebrews writer addressed his
message. “For when for the time ye ought to be teachers,
ye have need that one teach you again...” (Heb. 5:12-14).
To answer the question of this article, we might begin
by simply saying that whatever the work of the church is, that is
the work of every member of the church. The work of the church is
usually divided into three categories: 1) evangelism, 2)
edification of the members; and, 3) benevolence.
The work of church members is evangelism. Far
too often, too many members seem to think that the work of
evangelism is the work exclusively of preachers, or maybe to some
degree, the elders and Bible class teachers as well. The Great
Commission was given to the disciples and is recorded in Matthew
28:19-20, Mark 16:15, Luke 24:47 and John 20:21. At the same
time, we have examples of the early Christians, following severe
persecution, going everywhere preaching the word (Acts 8:4). As a
result of their activity, the number of disciples grew rapidly.
Perhaps one of the best passages relative to us is recorded in
Paul’s second letter to Timothy. “And the things that
thou hast heard of me among many witnesses, the same commit thou
to faithful men, who shall be able to teach others also”
(2 Tim. 2:2).
If I consider myself a faithful person, then I will be
doing what faithful people do — continuing to teach others
the word of God. That is what evangelism is. We have the example
of a husband and wife (Priscilla and Aquila) taking Apollos aside
and expounding “unto him the way of God more perfectly”
(Acts 18:26). Because of the involvement of many members, Paul
could say in Colossians 1:23 that “the gospel...was preached
to every creature under heaven.”
There is no way that one could read the will of God and
determine that the work of evangelism involves only a select few
members of the church. It involves all of us. This very well
could be one of those areas that will cause some souls to be
disappointed and lost at the judgment. As a member of the church,
I ought to ask myself how long has it been since I even tried to
teach someone the Gospel of Christ. An honest answer could be
very revealing.
Another area of work for members of the church is that
of edification. As members of the Lord’s church, we
all struggle from time to time. We get weak, frustrated and
discouraged. As a result, we become ineffective for the cause of
Christ. Who is going to pick us up? Who is going to get us going
again? Those of the world have no interest in this matter. Satan
is certainly not going to give any assistance in this area. God
has arranged for His children to edify one another. Paul stresses
this in First Corinthians 14. He was discussing matters of
confusion over the use of spiritual gifts in the church at
Corinth. And in that context, he used the word “edify”,
or some form of it, seven times. Such repetition would make the
idea of edification of extreme importance.
It is too often the case that many brethren are found
gossiping and running each other down rather than doing what we
can to build each other up. None of us have even come close to
reaching our maximum strength in the Lord. It is an ongoing
process. We need continual encouragement, exhortation and
strength that can be supplied by fellow Christians. Yes, it is
the work of elders to watch after the flock of God, protect the
sheep from any form of harm, search for the wandering sheep and
to see that all are properly fed. But, have we forgotten the
words of the great Apostle Paul when he wrote to the churches of
Galatia? “Brethren, if a man be overtaken in a fault, ye
which are spiritual, restore such an one in the spirit of
meekness; considering thyself, lest thou also be tempted. Bear ye
one another’s burdens, and so fulfil the law of
Christ” (Gal. 6:1-2).
If I consider myself “spiritual”, I will be
doing the things a spiritual man is supposed to do. If we were to
ask the average member of the church, “Are you
spiritual?”, we would probably insult most. If we ask the
average member how much time they spend trying to restore wayward
members, we might get a sharp response. However, these questions,
if not properly answered, will cause us to be lost eternally. Why
can we not be honest in such matters?
The matter of benevolence is the third area of
work in which every member of the church should be involved. Are
we fulfilling our responsibility when “the church” helps
some needy person? Are we to get personally involved in this
matter? Consider the words of the inspired James. “If a
brother or sister be naked, and destitute of daily food, and one
of you say unto them, Depart in peace, be ye warmed and filled;
notwithstanding ye give them not those things which are needful
to the body; what doth it profit” (James 2:15-16)?
In our society today there are so many people who are
unwilling to work and are content to allow churches to take care
of them. Helping people like this is not “doing good.” We
must be very careful to not allow these people to keep us from
seeking out those who really do need help. Concerning those who
will not work, Paul said, “neither should he eat”
(2 Thess. 3:10). Therefore, we should not be guilty of feeding
those who “should not eat.”
Those who truly need help will most often not ask for
help. We, as members of the church, need to be keenly aware of
those around us who may be in need. And, “as we therefore
have opportunity, let us do good unto all men, especially unto
them who are of the household of faith” (Gal. 6:10). In
Matthew 25:31ff, Jesus gives a picture of some aspects of the
judgment. Those on the right hand were welcomed because they had
done good things to those around them. Those on the left were
excluded because they had neglected to do good as they had
opportunity. So to that extent, judgment will be determined by
how benevolent we are to those in need.
It is my conviction that if we would seek every
opportunity to teach those with whom we have contact who are
lost, if we would seek every opportunity to edify our brethren
who need our encouragement, and if we would seek opportunities to
help those in need, we would not have time to bicker, fight and
split over trivial matters. That has too often been our history.
As a member of the Lord’s church, are you willing
to work in the kingdom? Won’t you seek to realize
opportunities that come your way and to be busy in doing the
Lord’s work? Don’t be a “passive” member of the
church, but an “active” member, being faithful every
single day.
654 Alabama Ave. S
Bremen, GA 30110
Table of Contents
THE ALL POWERFUL GOSPEL
Thomas F. Eaves, Sr., deceased
God’s word was given to man by the inspiration of the
Holy Spirit (2 Tim. 3:16). First Corinthians 2:10-13 tells us
how. Paul says that the inspired word furnishes man completely
unto every good work (2 Tim. 3:17), while Peter informs us that
God’s divine power hath granted unto us all things which
pertain unto life and godliness (2 Peter 1:3). This inspired word
is all powerful (Heb. 4:12) and when obeyed, will save man from
his sins (Rom. 1:16; James 1:21; 1 Peter 1:22-23). To obtain
salvation, man must be obedient to the word (Heb. 5:8-9). When
sinful man rejects the Gospel, the power of God unto salvation
(Rom. 1:16), there is nothing else to offer.
On one occasion a rich (Mark 10:22), young (Matt.
19:20), ruler (Luke 18:18) came to Jesus asking him the greatest
question man can ask, “Good teacher, what shall I do that I
may inherit eternal life” (Mark 10:17)? Because the young man
lived under the law of Moses the Master referred him to the
teaching of Moses (Mark 10:19). The ruler replied, “Teacher,
all these things have I observed from my youth” (Mark 10:20).
Jesus did not challenge or deny the statement, but loving him
(Mark 10:21) told him, “One thing thou lackest: go sell
whatsoever thou hast, and give to the poor, and thou shalt have
treasure in heaven: and come, follow me” (Mark 10:21). Upon
receiving the answer to his question (Mark 10:17) the rich young
ruler’s “countenance fell...and he went away sorrowful:
for he was one that had great possessions” (Mark 10:22).
The great lesson from this incident (in the life of our
Lord) is that when the question had been asked, the answer given
and rejected, Jesus stood and watched the young man walk away
lostþ Jesus did not call him back and change his instructions so
the terms would be acceptable. After the terms of divine
inspiration had been given, the choice was the ruler’s: obey
and be saved, reject and be lost.
The word given by inspiration cannot be changed by man
or for man (1 Cor. 4:6; 2 John 9; Rev. 22:18-19). Whether it
concerns the way of salvation, discipline, marriage, divorce and
remarriage, instrumental music in worship, purity of life, etc.
God’s word will be THE standard of judgment (John 12:48-49).
When men reject the word of God there is nothing else
to offer. To change God’s word or make man’s word
authority in religion is to lead man into perdition (Jer. 10:23;
Prov. 14:12; Matt. 15:7-9).
It is the word of God only, and only the word of God
that can lead man unto salvation.
Table of Contents
THE WAY HOME
Marvin L. Weir
The way home is still the same as it has always been. The
passing of centuries has not changed a single one of man’s
spiritual obligations to God. The validity of God’s message
has not changed since Paul said, “For our conversation is
in heaven; from whence also we look for the Saviour, the Lord
Jesus Christ” (Phil. 3:20). The faithful child of God
knows that he is a stranger or sojourner in this world. The Bible
makes this very clear.
This earth is not our homeþ The writer of Hebrews said,
“These all died in faith, not having received the
promises, but having seen them afar off, and were persuaded of
[them], and embraced [them], and confessed that they were
strangers and pilgrims on the earth” (11:13). Spiritually
speaking, these faithful of old were “strangers and
pilgrims” in the same sense as we are. God’s loyal
servants will not become attached to the glitter and glamour this
world offers to those who will conform to its ways (cf. Rom.
12:2).
Regarding a Christian not becoming attached to this
world, listen to the words of Adam Clarke. “How many use
these expressions, professing to be strangers and pilgrims here
below, and yet the whole of their conduct, spirit, and
attachments, show that they are perfectly at homeþ How little
consideration and weight are in many of our professions, whether
they relate to earth or heavenþ”
One must desire to go to heavenþ Abraham willingly left
his family and friends to do God’s bidding (Heb. 10:11).
David knew that his dead son could not come back to earth, but
that he could one day go to be with his son (2 Sam. 12:23). As
Stephen was being stoned to death he knew his soul was about to
begin its journey to a far better place of abode (Acts 7:59).
These Bible characters desired to go to heaven and
their lives and actions while on this earth complimented their
desire. A godly life is not without a high price tagþ Do you
really desire to go to heaven? Are you willing to pay the
necessary price?
One must decide to go to heavenþ Will our place of
eternal abode be heaven or hell? We decide NOW what we will
receive THEN. A person will not accidentally find himself in
heaven in the hereafter. It will require commitment,
steadfastness, loyalty and allegiance to Christ and His church.
Jesus said, “But seek ye first the kingdom of God, and his
righteousness; and all these things shall be added unto
you” (Matt. 6:33). The Master again taught, “If ye
love me, ye will keep my commandments” (John 14:15). To
go to Heaven, a Christian must be “stedfast, unmoveable,
always abounding in the work of the Lord” (1 Cor. 15:58).
Many are convinced that if they make no decision, they
remain neutral. Jesus shows the error of such thinking by saying,
“He that is not with me is against me, and he that
gathereth not with me scattereth” (Matt. 12:30).
There is only one way that leads home to Godþ The
apostle Paul makes it clear that there is only one church or body
(Eph. 4:4). There is only one book (Bible) that is God’s
guide and standard of authority (2 Tim. 3:16-17). There is only
one Mediator to intercede for and plead man’s case. Paul
reminded Timothy, “For [there is] one God, and one
mediator between God and men, the man Christ Jesus” (1
Tim. 2:5).
The one way home to Heaven is the narrow way that only
a few care to travel (Matt. 7:13-14). It is true that man-made
creeds declare that people can please God by attending the
“church of their choice,” but the Bible still says Christ
will save only His body (Eph. 5:23). And, it is clear that the
Lord’s body is His church (Eph. 1:22-23).
The way home is simple to understandþ
1) Man must be willing to “deny himself” (Matt.
16:24). The majority of people have no desire to pay such a
price.
2) A person must obey the Gospel and put on Christ.
This means one must BELIEVE in Jesus (John 8:24), REPENT of sins
(Acts 2:38), CONFESS faith in Christ (Rom. 10:9-10) and be
BAPTIZED in water (Acts 22:16). Most believe people can be saved
without baptism. But salvation is IN Christ (1 Tim. 2:10), and
one only “puts on Christ” (Gal. 3:27) in the act of water
baptism (immersion, burial, Rom. 6:4).
3) One must make the decision to continue to abide in
Christ. One desiring to go to heaven will continue to “walk
in the light as he is in the light” (1 John 1:7). Some, never
having died to the old man and the love of this world, choose to
“walk disorderly” (2 Thess. 3:11). Those desiring to go
to heaven will walk according to the “rule” [the law of
Christ, all of it] (Gal. 6:16).
Do you know where the road leads that you are
traveling? Only the Bible tells us the way homeþ Make a decision
to travel the way home while there is still time and consult the
Bible for correct directions while it is yet today (2 Cor. 6:2)þ
815 42nd St. SW
Paris, TX 75460
Table of Contents
REJECTING THE COUNSEL OF GOD
G. F. Raines
Concerning the baptism that John administered, Jesus said:
“And all the people that heard him, and the publicans,
justified God, being baptized with the baptism of John. But the
Pharisees and lawyers rejected the counsel of God against
themselves, being not baptized of him” (Luke 7:29,30).
E. G. Sewell wrote: “Do you suppose it will be a
less matter to reject the baptism commanded by the Savior than
that preached by John? If the Pharisees and lawyers rejected the
counsel of God in refusing to be baptized by John, do you not
think you would also reject the counsel of God against yourself
if you were to reject the baptism commanded by Jesus and
practiced by the apostles everywhere they went and preached? And
do you think you could have the promise of pardon and at the same
time reject the counsel of God against yourself by refusing a
positive command of God?”
When Jesus says, “Except one be born of water
and the Spirit, he cannot enter into the kingdom of God”
(John 3:5), who has the right to stand between the Savior and the
sinner and say he can? And when the Lord says, “He that
believeth and is baptized shall be saved” (Mark 16:16),
who has the right to say, “He that believeth and is not
baptized shall be saved?”
Peter says: “...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).
Ananias says: “And now why tarriest thou? arise,
and be baptized, and wash away thy sins, calling on the name of
the Lord” (Acts 22:16).
Paul says: “Know ye not, that so many of us as
were baptized into Jesus Christ were baptized into his death?
Therefore we are buried with him by baptism into death: that like
as Christ was raised up from the dead by the glory of the Father,
even so we also should walk in newness of life” (Rom.
6:3,4).
The word of Christ is the word of God (John 3:34),
“And hereby we do know that we know him, if we keep his
commandments. He that saith, I know him, and keepeth not his
commandments, is a liar, and the truth is not in him” (1
John 2:3,4). “For this is the love of God, that we keep
his commandments: and his commandments are not grievous”
(1 John 5:3).
Table of Contents
THE HOLY BIBLE IS NOT TO BE CHANGED
The Bible contains commandments and warnings against
changing its contents from the beginning to the end. Nothing
should cause the man of God more serious concern than those who
would seek to change the Bible, the word of God; for, God is
plain and powerful in His denunciation of such actions.
“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 the LORD your God which I command you”
(Deut. 4:2). “What thing soever I command you, observe to do
it: thou shalt not add thereto, nor diminish from it” (Deut.
12:32). “Add thou not unto his words, lest he reprove thee,
and thou be found a liar” (Prov. 30:6). “Be ye followers
of me, even as I also am of Christ. Now I praise you, brethren,
that ye remember me in all things, and keep the ordinances, as I
delivered them to you” (1 Cor. 11:1,2). “I marvel that ye
are so soon removed from him that called you into the grace of
Christ unto another gospel: which is not another; but there be
some that trouble you, and would pervert the gospel of Christ.
But though we, or an angel from heaven, preach any other gospel
unto you than that which we have preached unto you, let him be
accursed. As we said before, so say I now again, if any man
preach any other gospel unto you than that ye have received, let
him be accursed” (Gal. 1:6-9). “Therefore, brethren,
stand fast, and hold the traditions which ye have been taught,
whether by word or our epistle” (2 Thess. 2:15). “Hold
fast the form of sound words, which thou hast heard of me, in
faith and love which is in Christ Jesus” (2 Tim. 1:13).
“And the things that thou hast heard of me among many
witnesses, the same commit thou to faithful men, who shall be
able to teach others also” (2 Tim. 2:2). “But continue
thou in the things which thou hast learned and hast been assured
of, knowing of whom thou hast learned them” (2 Tim. 3:14).
“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). “For I testify
unto every man that heareth the words of the prophecy of this
book, if any man shall add unto these things, God shall add unto
him the plagues that are written in this book: and if any man
shall take away from the words of the book of this prophecy, God
shall take away his part out of the book of life, and out of the
holy city, and from the things which are written in this
book” (Rev. 22:18,19).
Roderick L. Ross
4345 Lawrence Rd.
Baltimore, OH 43105
Table of Contents
“I have enjoyed STOP for many years. Thank you. I am now 87
years old and losing my eyesight. I do not drive anymore. I must
ask you to take me off your mailing list. I have been a member of
our Lord’s church for 64 years” ...Archie Ristine,
Ellensburg, WA. “Please put me on your mailing list for
STOP” ...Lydia Beach, West Plains, MO. “I have
been receiving STOP for about one year and like the good and
Bible based lessons all the writers are publishing. I would like
to have my fellow brethren and sisters to be sent STOP. Thanks
and keep up the good work” ...Bruce Jones, Wilsonville,
AL. “Return to sender. Refused” ...Dick Atchley,
Lewistown, IL. “Your thoughtfulness is really
appreciated, but we would prefer not getting Seek The Old
Paths. Thank you and have a good year aheadþ”
...Donald & Doris Mackey, Riverview, MI. “I receive
your monthly publication STOP. I don’t have words to express
what a great means of correspondence this is for Christians.
Please keep up the good workþ Please find enclosed a check. I am
so ashamed I can’t give more toward your efforts in this
Christian literature. Hard economic times have taken their toll
on me. If you chose to list my contribution, please do not give
my name. If the time comes when this publication is in danger of
not being published, please let me know. I will find a way to
increase my support! If you chose to use this letter in the
MailBag section of this journal, feel free to do so. However, I
had rather you not use my name. The article in the January 2010
publication entitled ‘The False Doctrine of Personal
Preference’ was most excellent. It could not have been better
written! Please keep up your good work” ...Monroe,
LA. “I have only recently been receiving your paper and I
appreciate it so much. It is so good to know that there are other
sound people out there. I am enclosing a small check to help with
the paper” ...Name withheld by request, TN.
“Brother Robinson, thank you so much for the DVDs and the
article on ‘What do we know about Hades’ ...Tony
Grant, Wells, MA. “I am moving from AR to TX and I
don’t want to miss a copy. Keep up your good work for the
Lord” ...Vivian Dorman, Silsbee, TX. “Dear brother
Robinson, may God bless you in your good work. We enjoy your
publication Seek The Old Paths” ...Everett &
Colleen Anderson, Flint, MI. “Dear brother Garland, just
a note to let you know I haven’t forgotten you and yours in
the good work. I look forward to every mailing of the STOP paper.
Hope your health is better than mine. At the present though,
I’m on the mend, I think. I’m asking for a bundle to be
sent to the church where I attend. I have passed mine on there
for some time. We have gained a few lately. I’m hoping they
can enjoy one. Keep your health and works going for the younger
ones. But as long as I’m around, you can count on my enjoying
reading STOP. It keeps me on my toes and gives me a lift to read
them over at one sitting. I’ll turn 86 pretty soon”
...Addie Bell Long, Harrisburg, AR. “How have you
been? Hope you have been well. May I please have these names
added to your Seek The Old Paths list? I thank you for
this, because I pray that the congregation where I attend will
learn more of God’s word and issues that go on around us (in
the church), so that we can protect our souls and the souls of
those willing to hear truth. Also, can you and the congregation
where you attend put me on your prayer list? I just ask for your
prayer, that us in the congregation where I attend (Residence
Park) will grow spiritually the way that God would have us to.
Thank you” ...Anthony Grigsby. “Return to sender.
Take my name off the list” ...Tommy Todd, Shamrock,
TX. “Would you please put me on your mailing list for
STOP” ...Mary Nell Hodum, Walnut, MS. “Greetings
from the brethren in Mt. Pleasant, Michigan. We have moved into
our new house, so please send us a copy of STOP. We really
enjoyed your Gospel meeting in Midland, MI, last fall. Keep up
the good work” ...Gary & Onita Lutes, Mt. Pleasant,
MI. “Enjoy STOP so much. Keep up the good work. Thank
you” ...Shirley Waggener, Ball, LA. “Please add my
son and daughter to your mailing list. Thank you” ...Tommy
Muirhead, Flora, MS. “Please send us 10 copies of STOP
each month. Thanks” ...Claxton church of Christ, Claxton,
GA. “I really appreciate Seek The Old Paths. You
preach and write the truth. May God bless this work you’re
doing and He will continue to bless you. Thank you for loving God
and His Word” ...Bobbie Wheeler, Baxter, TN. “I
really appreciated your recent article on ‘praying to Jesus
and the Holy Spirit’ and stressing the fact that we need to
pray to the Father (Matt. 6:6,9). I am of the older generation
and have noticed in recent years a lot are praying to the Lord
instead of the Father. Is this right and proper? I know in the
Old Testament the term Lord seemed to refer to the Father God,
but when Christ came into the world, Lord seemed to apply to Him.
I believe it is still better to pray to the Father as the example
in Matthew tells us. Also, many today are ending the prayer by
saying, ‘I pray in Jesus name’ instead of ‘this
prayer is in Jesus name’ or ‘we pray in Jesus name.’
To me, the prayer is made a personal prayer and not including the
rest of the congregation. Am I being too dogmatic?”
...George Teel, Paducah, KY. [EDITOR’S NOTE: Thank you
for your kind words of encouragement. The word ‘Lord’
means ‘supreme in authority, master, controller, ruler.’
It is used in the Bible in reference to God the Father (Gen.
3:14; Luke 10:21), Jesus the Christ (Acts 10:36; Rom. 1:7) and
even man (Gen. 32:3-5; Matt. 18:23-27; Gal. 4:1). Today, we
commonly think of Jesus as the Lord and Christ (Acts 2:36) and
almost exclusively use it in that way. However, God the Father is
also called ‘Lord’ throughout the Scriptures. The context
must determine which ‘lord’ is intended. Your point is
well taken in regards to our prayers. We should be careful to not
leave the wrong impression when we use the word Lord. We ought to
be clear as to our use of the word. Jesus gave instructions that
our prayers be directed to God the Father in the name of Jesus
the Son. Also, in public prayers, we should use plural pronouns
such as ‘we’ and ‘our’ and refrain from using
personal pronouns such as ‘I’ or ‘my’. Those
leading public prayer directs the thoughts of all present and
therefore it is ‘our’ prayer, not ‘my’ prayer
— ‘we’ pray, not ‘I’ pray. Some study,
forethought and consideration ought to precede all our prayers.
--Editor].
Table of Contents
Bound Volumes can be ordered from:
Old Paths Publishing
2007 Francis Ferry Rd.
McMinnville, TN
37110
$5 postage paid
Home |
Bible Page |
Seek The Old Paths |
East End Church of Christ |
WSOJ Gospel Radio 24/7 from East End C/C
Old Paths Publishing Book Store / Lectureship
Books
|
