Seek The Old Paths

Vol. 9   No. 5                                                             May   1998


In This Issue...

.



.
SUNSET SCHOOL OF PREACHING
AND TERRY RUSH

Tommy J. Hicks

When Cline Paden, Richard Rogers, and Ted Stewart endorsed Terry Rush's book, The Holy Spirit Makes No Earthly Sense, they endorsed Rush's false doctrines of: "Christ was only a man" (Adoptionism), "Direction Operation of the Holy Spirit," "Divine Illumination of the Scriptures," and "Law verses Spirit." Doctrinally sound men do not endorse false doctrines!


        Not only do I urge you to read the book Divorce & Remarriage by Truman Scott and Wayne Jackson, there is another book that reveals a great deal about how Sunset personnel stand regarding false doctrine. Before I give the title of the book, I want to pose some questions.
        Question One: "Do doctrinally sound elders, preachers, and teachers in schools of preaching endorse and help in the spread of false doctrines?" NO! (1 Tim. 4:1-6,16; Titus 1:9-13; Rom. 16:17; Eph. 5:11). It is wrong, sinful for anyone, even if he disagrees with a false teacher and the false teacher's doctrines to give encouragement to the false teacher and, in any way, aid him in spreading his false doctrine. "For he that biddeth him God speed is partaker of his evil deeds" (2 John 11).
        Question Two (this question is specifically for brethren Cline Paden, Richard Rogers, Ted Stewart, Sunset's elders, and all of the faculty members at SIBI): "Do you deny that Terry Rush, in his book The Holy Spirit Makes No Earthly Sense, taught (teaches) very serious doctrinal error?"
        If brother Rush did teach false doctrines in that book (and he most certainly did), then why did Cline Paden write the "Introduction" for the book? Why would Richard Rogers endorse the book, saying that it is, "An unusual, practical, challenging book. I found it highly provocative and useful" (back cover of the first edition of the book).
        Another endorsement on the back of the book reads, "Terry Rush's book on the Holy Spirit is thought provoking, exciting, encouraging, edifying and challenging. Every Christian can derive great spiritual benefit by reflecting on the ideas presented in this Bible study." -- Ted Stewart, Chairman, School of Missions/Graduate, Sunset School of Preaching.
        On the "Acknowledgments" page of his book, Rush thankfully noted, "Cline Paden, Richard Baggett, and especially Ted Stewart of the Sunset School of Preaching gave suggestions to improve the phrasing of the manuscript." According to this, the afore mentioned Sunset brethren not only endorsed Rush's book, they helped him write it. There are no warnings, no disclaimers, no statements of disagreement, no expressed reservations to be found in Paden's "Introduction" to, or in brethren Rogers and Stewart's endorsements of Rush's book. None of these brethren can rightfully claim that they "endorsed the man, not the book." In their remarks, they endorsed the book; therefore, they endorsed (without expressing a single word of disagreement) the false doctrines contained within the book. They became and are partakers of the false doctrines in the book. Doctrinally sound men do not endorse and help to spread false doctrines. I respectfully challenge brethren Paden, Rogers, and Stewart to deny that this book, a book they endorsed, contains numerous, serious false doctrines. It contains too many false doctrines for us to consider them all in this publication; however, we will note four of them.

CHRIST WAS ONLY A MAN


        Brother R. L. Popejoy wrote, "If there is a false doctrine in the religious world, our brethren will begin to clamor to it. Terry Rush in his book, The Holy Spirit Makes No Earthly Sense, advocates Adoptionist Christology" (Firm Foundation, October 1995, p.16).
        Speaking of this same book, brother Terry Hightower penned, "As incredible as it sounds, from his perverted view of the Spirit's operation, Terry Rush sets forth a form of the 'Adoptionism' heresy which holds that Jesus was merely a human during the early years of his life" (Studies in Ephesians, 1997 Denton Lectures, page 191).
        Though he at times attempts to buffer the full impact of this hideous doctrine, no one can successfully deny that Rush teaches a form of "Adoptionism" (between his birth and his baptism, Christ was nothing more than and was only a human being). Concerning Jesus, on page 28, Rush said, "He was emptied of being on the level...of the nature of the invisible God" (emphasis mine, TJH). On page 48, he wrote, "Jesus was totally human." When Jesus was baptized, Rush stressed, "The Spirit moved toward the 'Word-became-flesh' and immediately it was declared that Jesus is God's Son" (page 18). Having taught a variation on the false doctrine of "Adoptionism" throughout his book, Rush seems to have reached a climax on page 124 with, "Jesus set the pace. He never misstepped. He was as common as a Missouri farmer. He was as good as a New England fisherman. And until he linked with the Spirit of the Father, he was only a man." That is blatant, soul-damning doctrinal error.
        When Cline Paden, Richard Rogers, and Ted Stewart endorsed the book, The Holy Spirit Makes No Earthly Sense, they endorsed Rush's false doctrine of "Adoptionism." Doctrinally sound men do not endorse false doctrines.

DIRECT OPERATION OF THE HOLY SPIRIT


        Rush teaches the false doctrine of the "Direct Operation of the Holy Spirit" in his book, The Holy Spirit Makes No Earthly Sense. As mentioned, Hightower called it a "perverted view of the Spirit's operation." Speaking of the Holy Spirit, Rush expressly stated, "With him, we gain strength -- invisible, direct strength (emphasis mine, TJH) -- to do kingdom work" (page 74). Besides direct strength, Rush implied that the Spirit provides the Christian with direct divine revelation. He declared on page 70, "Christians are led by the Spirit conclusively in that we are able to see secret signals" (emphasis mine, TJH).
        Throughout his book, Rush falsely teaches that Christians can do only what the Holy Spirit directly "empowers" them to do. If that were true, Christians would have no "free will." The concluding sentence of his book serves as a "parting shot" against those who do not agree with his "Direct Operation of the Holy Spirit" doctrine. His last words were, "May we be as committed to telling neighbors about Jesus, as we have been to telling ourselves that the Spirit does not work within us" (page 126).
        When brethren Paden, Rogers, and Stewart endorsed The Holy Spirit Makes No Earthly Sense, they endorsed the false doctrine of the "Direct Operation of the Holy Spirit." (I am not speaking of the Holy Spirit's work in "providence." I am speaking of the Holy Spirit working directly, without a medium, upon the Christian.) Doctrinally sound men do not endorse false doctrines such as the "Direct Operation of the Holy Spirit."

DIVINE ILLUMINATION


        Another false doctrine Rush teaches, in The Holy Spirit Makes No Earthly Sense, is the doctrine of "Divine Illumination." This false doctrine claims that a man cannot understand the Bible unless the Holy Spirit "empowers" him to do so by "opening" his mind and heart to receive it. Rush expressed, "It is my observation that without the Holy Spirit the Bible only makes earthly sense" (page 14). To this he added, "I am thoroughly persuaded that the Scriptures become nothing more than a book of 'blah' if we are not Spirit led" (page 14).
        If the Bible "only makes earthly sense," without the leading of the Spirit, what of the unconverted? What of "free will." Clearly, Rush's false doctrine is more in line with Calvinism than it is with the Bible. Whatever "spirit" it is that is leading Rush to understand the Bible as he does certainly is not the Holy Spirit.
        Contrary to Rush's false doctrine, the Bible does not need illuminating. It is the Bible that does the "illuminating." It is the light that shows men God's will. "Thy word is a lamp unto my feet, and a light unto my path" (Psalm 119:105; cf. Isa. 8:20). Paul taught, "But if our gospel be hid, it is hid to them that are lost: In whom the god of this world hath blinded the minds of them which believe not, lest the light of the glorious gospel of Christ, who is the image of God, should shine unto them" (2 Cor. 4:3-4; cf. 2 Tim. 1:10).
        When brethren Paden, Rogers, and Stewart endorsed The Holy Spirit Makes No Earthly Sense, they endorsed the false doctrine "that without the Holy Spirit the Bible only makes earthly sense...that the Scriptures become nothing more than a book of 'blah' if we are not Spirit led." Now, if brethren Paden, Rogers, and Stewart do not believe this false doctrine, why did they endorse it? Why are they encouraging its spread?

LAW AND SPIRIT


        Interestingly, Rush taught the false doctrine of the mutual exclusivity of "law" and "Spirit" in his book, The Holy Spirit Makes No Earthly Sense. Knowing what is taught at Sunset relative to "law" and "grace," it does not surprise me that brethren Paden, Rogers, and Stewart would endorse a false doctrine on the mutual exclusivity of the "law" and the "Spirit."
        Without mincing words, Rush asserts, "Spirit and law don't mix" (page 38). Rush sees it as "Law versus Spirit" (page 60). On page 63, Rush wrote, "God and sin do not co-exist; nor do Spirit and law." Brethren, do not be misled into thinking that Rush is just considering the "Law of Moses" when he says "Spirit and law don't mix" or they do not co-exist (as might be considered from 2 Cor. 3). Rush includes "any and all law" in his statements disdaining "law."
        Heretic liberals hate "law." They deny it. They reject it. They condemn "law" and anyone who teaches that New Testament Christians live under "law." Be that as it may, Paul taught that "Spirit" and "law" do mix, that it is "law" and "Spirit" (rather than "Law versus Spirit" a la Rush), and that "law" and "Spirit" do co-exist. More than that, Paul taught that the Spirit has a law. He said, "For the law of the Spirit of life in Christ Jesus hath made me free from the law of sin and death" (Rom. 8:2). If Rush's false doctrine were true -- that it is "Law versus Spirit" -- then it would also be true that it is "Christ versus Spirit" because Christ has a "law."
        Galatians 6:2 commands, "Bear ye one another's burdens, and so fulfil the law of Christ." Not only is the "law" Christians live under called the "law of the Spirit" and the "law of Christ," it is also called "law of faith" (Rom. 3:27), the "law of love" (Rom. 13:10), the "law of liberty" (James 1:25), and the "royal law" (James 2:8).
        Why do brethren Paden, Rogers, and Stewart endorse this heretical book that teaches this false doctrine (the mutual exclusivity of "law" and "Spirit") when the Scriptures teach so clearly that "law" and "Spirit" are not mutually exclusive?

CONCLUSION


        Brethren, these are not the words of a vengeance seeking, unloving, disgruntled person. I take no delight in writing these things about my alma mater. No matter what anyone thinks or says, I love Cline Paden. I love Sunset. Because of all the good the school and Paden have done for me, I will be forever in their debt. I pray for them every day. My desire is that everyone reading these words will pray for them. Though some may choose to deny it, it is because of my love for the school and for Paden that I write these things. It is because of my love for the souls of men and for the truth that will save those souls that, until Sunset "cleans house," getting rid of the false doctrines and provides a faculty that genuinely possesses "intellectual integrity," I will continue to sincerely urge brethren -- DO NOT SEND FINANCIAL SUPPORT OR STUDENTS TO SUNSET.
        My final plea is, please do not take "my word" for any of the things I have written in this three part series (Dec/97, Mar/98, May/98). By that same token, please do not take the word of the brethren at Sunset either. There is evidence (letters, books, testimony of Sunset alumni) verifying everything I have said. That evidence is available to you. Get the evidence. Sift through it for yourself. Check what I have written against that evidence. Then, draw your own conclusions.
        The books mentioned in this series can be purchased at a bookstore operated by brethren, through Wayne Jackson, or through Ted Stewart. You may contact me for copies of the letters I quoted (send a 52 cent stamped, self-addressed envelope).
                P.O. Box 64430
                Lubbock, Texas 79464 .

Return to Table of Contents




. Editorial...
THE DOCTRINE OF IRRESISTIBLE GRACE

Garland M. Robinson


        To speak of the "Doctrine of Irresistible Grace" does not imply at all that it is a Bible doctrine; on the contrary, it is a doctrine of man, not God. It is one of five doctrines that have come to be identified by the word T-U-L-I-P. The five are:
        T -- Total Hereditary Depravity
        U -- Unconditional Predestination (election)
        L -- Limited Atonement
        I -- Irresistible Grace
        P -- Perseverance of the Saints
        John Calvin (1509-1564), a reformer in Switzerland in the sixteenth century, is the man who is credited as the father of the TULIP doctrine. His works are abundant and wide-spread. His influence has swept the world of Christendom (denominationalism) today in that most churches teach at least one or more of his doctrines. Hardly is there a place where his influence has not gone.
        Sad, but true, some of these doctrines have found fertile soil among some in the churches of Christ. A growing idea now among an ever increasing number fits in well with the doctrine of Irresistible Grace. Proof of this claim will be established in a future article. Our point in this short review is to identify what the doctrine is and destroy it with the power of God's Word.

DEFINITION


        The Westminster Confession states the doctrine as:
All those whom God has predestinated unto life, and those only, He is pleased, in His appointed and accepted time, effectually to call, by His Word and Spirit, out of that state of death, in which they are by nature, to grace and salvation by Jesus Christ; enlightening their minds spiritually and savingly, to understand the things of God; taking away their heart of stone, and giving them a heart of flesh; renewing their wills, and by His almighty power determining them to Jesus Christ, yet so as they come most freely, being made willing by His grace. "This effectual call is of God's free and special grace alone, not from any thing at all foreseen in man, who is altogether passive therein, until, being quickened and renewed by the Holy Spirit, he is thereby enabled to answer this call, and to embrace the grace offered and conveyed by it. (The Reformed Doctrine of Predestination, Loraine Boettner, p.162)

        In the book, The Five Points of Calvinism, Defined, Defended, Documented, published by the Presbyterian and Reformed Publishing Company, we read:
Although the general outward call of the gospel can be, and often is, rejected, the special inward call of the Spirit never fails to result in the conversion of those to whom it is made. This special call is not made to all sinners but is issued to the elect only! The Spirit is in no way dependent upon their help or cooperation for success in His work of bringing them to Christ. It is for this reason that Calvinists speak of the Spirit's call and of God's grace in saving sinners as being "efficacious," "invincible," or "irresistible," for the grace which the Holy Spirit extends to the elect cannot be thwarted or refused, it never fails to bring them to true faith in Christ. (p.49)

        The basic point of this false doctrine is that a person must wait for a special working of grace to come upon him from God. Proponents of this doctrine say this comes as the result of the direct operation of the Holy Spirit upon the heart of an individual which illuminates his soul to be able to understand the spiritual things of God which no man can know without the Spirit's special presence.
        The doctrine of Irresistible Grace is demanded by the very nature of the doctrine of Total Hereditary Depravity. Since this system teaches that all men are totally depraved (sinners from birth), they cannot do anything to be saved nor can they even decide, on their own, to be saved. This idea, then, must be circumvented or by-passed. Such is accomplished, as Calvinism believes, by God's Irresistible Grace. Once God works on an individual's heart, they believe, he no longer has any choice in the matter but to be saved. Therefore, those who have been selected by God to be saved, cannot overcome this influence and will yield to it regardless of their own desire. That is why it is irresistible!

CONSEQUENCES


        Surely, even the casual reader will recognize the consequences of such a far-fetched doctrine. This makes man a mere robot! He is a machine that can only do what it has been programmed to do. If one has been predetermined (predestinated) to be lost, he can do absolutely nothing to be saved -- even if he desires to. But, on the other hand, if one has been predetermined to be saved, there is absolutely nothing he can do to be lost -- even if he desires to. This latter point necessitates the doctrine of "once saved always saved" or as they call it, Perseverance of the Saints. This doctrine is absurd!

REFUTED


        Such a system removes from an individual the power of choice. Joshua made it plain in the long ago, "And if it seem evil unto you to serve the LORD, choose you this day whom ye will serve; whether the gods which your fathers served that were on the other side of the flood, or the gods of the Amorites, in whose land ye dwell: but as for me and my house, we will serve the LORD" (Josh. 24:15). The people could choose to follow God or not. The choice was theirs.
        Jesus presented the apostles with a choice in John 6:67 when he said, "...Will ye also go away?" They could have left the Lord then and there! It was their choice.
        Many at Antioch in Pisidia exercised their freedom of choice when they judged themselves unworthy of everlasting life (Acts 13:46). Again, it was their choice. This principle is stated in Romans 6:16, "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?" It is understood that each one (even Christians, vs.3-6) has the ability to serve evil or serve good. The choice is mine. The choice is yours.
        The great commission demands the gospel be preached to every human. "And he said unto them, Go ye into all the world, and preach the gospel to every creature. He that believeth and is baptized shall be saved; but he that believeth not shall be damned" (Mark 16:15-16). If the doctrine of Irresistible Grace be true, the preaching of the gospel would be void! If God has eternally elected certain ones to be saved and certain ones to be lost, then why should we preach with such urgency? If an individual must wait on the direct operation of the Holy Spirit to bestow grace on his heart, then the preaching of the gospel wouldn't do any good anyway.
        Their system says, "this effectual call is of God's free and special grace alone, not from any thing at all foreseen in man, who is altogether passive therein, until, being quickened and renewed by the Holy Spirit." If man is altogether passive regarding salvation, then the gospel is unproductive and worthless! But, that is not what God says concerning the Word. We read that "...it is the power of God unto salvation to every one that believeth; to the Jew first, and also to the Greek" (Rom. 1:16). Paul said, "For the preaching of the cross is to them that perish foolishness; but unto us which are saved it is the power of God. For it is written, I will destroy the wisdom of the wise, and will bring to nothing the understanding of the prudent. Where is the wise? where is the scribe? where is the disputer of this world? hath not God made foolish the wisdom of this world? For after that in the wisdom of God the world by wisdom knew not God, it pleased God by the foolishness of preaching to save them that believe" (1 Cor. 1:18-21).
        The Word of God is powerful! "For the word of God is quick, and powerful, and sharper than any twoedged sword, piercing even to the dividing asunder of soul and spirit, and of the joints and marrow, and is a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart" (Heb. 4:12). Peter said that a purified soul comes as a result of "obeying the truth" -- the Word of God. "Seeing ye have purified your souls in obeying the truth..." (1 Peter 1:22). The Truth is the Word of God. Therefore, to obey the truth is to obey the teaching of the truth -- the Word. But, this doctrine says one cannot know nor obey the truth even if he wanted to without first receiving the working of the Holy Spirit and His irresistible grace. Jesus said in contrast to this doctrine, "...If ye continue in my word, then are ye my disciples indeed; And ye shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free" (John 8:31-32).
        Jesus lays the burden upon every hearer of his word to obey. "He that rejecteth me, and receiveth not my words, hath one that judgeth him: the word that I have spoken, the same shall judge him in the last day" (John 12:48). Everyone is to hear the word and obey. But Calvinism says that only those who are "zapped" by God can obey. The rest have no chance or choice in the matter.
        On Pentecost in Acts 2, Peter taught that all men must "...repent and be baptized...for the remission of sins...And with many other words did he testify and exhort, saying, Save yourselves from this untoward generation" (Acts 2:38,40). Those to whom Peter preached could save "themselves" by obeying the gospel. Calvinism teaches that men cannot save themselves, that salvation is totally dependent upon God and that men are passive regarding their own salvation. If this is so, Peter lied!
        Paul said, "Wherefore, my beloved, as ye have always obeyed, not as in my presence only, but now much more in my absence, work out your own salvation with fear and trembling" (Phil. 2:12). If salvation is all God's part, how could the Philippian brethren work it out?
        John wrote, "Blessed are they that do his commandments,that they may have right to the tree of life, and may enter in through the gates into the city" (Rev. 22:14). Upon what conditions may one have a right to the tree of life and enter that eternal city? Those who obey God by doing his commandments have that right. Jesus, likewise, spoke of the necessity of each person's responsibility in Matthew 7:21-23, "Not every one that saith unto me, Lord, Lord, shall enter into the kingdom of heaven; but he that doeth the will of my Father which is in heaven. Many will say to me in that day, Lord, Lord, have we not prophesied in thy name? and in thy name have cast out devils? and in thy name done many wonderful works? And then will I profess unto them, I never knew you: depart from me, ye that work iniquity." Those who do the will of the Father, and no other, enter the kingdom of heaven.

CONCLUSION


        The doctrine of Irresistible Grace is from man, not God. It, along with those who propagate and follow it will crumble in eternal destruction. It is a great enemy of truth and righteousness. It is now lifting its ugly head among our brethren. Will you fight it or let it run its deadly course? Observe what Solomon wrote in the long ago, "Buy the truth, and sell it not; also wisdom, and instruction, and understanding" (Prov. 23:23).
        Next month we will show evidence of this doctrine among us. .

Return to Table of Contents




.
WHY IS THE GOSPEL SO SPECIAL?

Roger D. Campbell

        After Jesus rose from the dead, he commanded his apostles, "Go ye into all the world and preach the gospel to every creature" (Mark 16:15). Jesus wants his disciples to continue to preach the gospel until he comes again (Matt. 28:19-20). That is plain. But why is the gospel so special? It is special because...
        1. The Gospel Came From God. When Paul wrote a letter to the church in Thessalonica, he reminded them, "Because we would not be chargeable unto any of you, we preached unto you the gospel of God" (1 Thess. 2:9). How does he further describe the message that he preached to them? "For this cause also thank we God without ceasing, because, when ye received the word of God which ye heard of us, ye received it not as the word of men, but as it is in truth, the word of God" (1 Thess. 2:13). Thus, the gospel which he preached to them was the word of God. How did Paul get that message from the Lord? He wrote, "But I certify you, brethren, that the gospel which was preached of me is not after man. For I neither received it of men, neither was I taught it, but by the revelation of Jesus Christ" (Gal. 1:11-12). Why is the gospel so special? Because Jesus Christ is the source of it! Peter also wrote, "But the word of the Lord endureth forever. And this is the word which by the gospel is preached unto you" (1 Peter 1:25). The gospel is from the Lord, not men.
        2. The Gospel Is True/Truth. We would expect this to be true, because it came from God, and it is impossible that God should lie (Heb. 6:18). Jesus prayed to the Father, "Sanctify them through thy truth, thy word is truth" (John 17:17). Thus, God's word is our truth. Jesus promised the apostles that after his ascension the Holy Spirit would come to them and guide them into all truth (John 16:13-14). Again, the apostles' message that they preached and wrote was not their own, but it came from heaven through the Son and Spirit. Unlike books written by men, in the gospel there are no contradictions. Not one! For that truth, many apostles and disciples suffered and died. We must be ready to do the same. "Buy the truth and sell it not" (Prov. 23:23).
        3. The Gospel Is All-sufficient For Man's Spiritual Needs. "All Scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness. That the man of God may be perfect, throughly furnished unto all good works" (2 Tim. 3:16-17). The Scriptures can cause a person to be complete before the God of heaven. Is that not our desire, to be complete before our God and please our Creator? God's word is sufficient to make us such a person! To the elders from Ephesus Paul said, "I commend you to God, and to the word of his grace, which is able to build you up, and to give you an inheritance among all them which are sanctified" (Acts 20:32). God's word which Paul preached, the gospel, has the power to save our souls. "For I am not ashamed of the gospel of Christ; for it is the power of God unto salvation to every one that believeth; to the Jew first, and also to the Greek" (Rom. 1:16). In the gospel God gives us "all things that pertain unto life and godliness" (2 Peter 1:3).
        4. The Gospel Is Unchanging. The gospel message is the same now as it was in the first century. It will continue to be the same, and it will continue to be the message that man must obey even until the Lord Jesus comes again. Peter described the gospel, saying, "...the word of God, which liveth and abideth forever ...but the word of the Lord endureth forever. And this is the word which by the gospel is preached unto you" (1 Peter 1:23, 25). God's word, the gospel, lives. It will abide forever, that is, until Jesus comes again. Jesus promised his disciples that he would be with them as they went and taught his word, even until the end of the world (Matt. 28:20). The faith or gospel was completely given in the first century. Remember, the Holy Spirit guided the apostles into ALL truth (John 16:13). If all spiritual truth was not given to mankind through the apostles in the first century, then Jesus is a liar! Jude exhorted the early Christians to "contend for the faith which was once delivered unto the saints" (Jude 3). It was completely delivered to them in the first century, and after that, God gave no new revelations to mankind. All who claim to receive new revelations from the Lord today do not really believe that the New Testament of Jesus is sufficient for their every spiritual need. Jesus said that it is sufficient (2 Tim. 3:16-17; Rom. 1:16). Whom shall we believe? Should we not rejoice to know that Jehovah has given all men in every generation the same message?
        5. God Calls Men Through The Gospel. God calls men. That is a fact. He calls men out of darkness into the light of his dear Son (1 Peter 2:19). He calls men into his kingdom and glory (1 Thess. 2:12). But how does he do that? "Whereunto he called you by our gospel, to the obtaining of the glory of our Lord Jesus Christ" (2 Thess. 2:14). That is the Holy Spirit's answer: God calls men through the gospel. Thus, his calling is not direct, but indirect, through the message of the gospel. Paul shows that one can call on the name of the Lord and be saved only after he has heard and believed the gospel message. His conclusion? "So then faith cometh by hearing, and hearing by the word of God" (Rom. 10:17). Notice this fact: in every conversion recorded in the book of Acts, there was preaching, hearing, believing, and obeying the gospel. Thus, no preaching means no calling of men, which means no salvation! God calls men only through the precious gospel of Jesus Christ. Thus, we must peach it so that men can be saved from their sins!
        6. God Begets Men Through The Gospel. God does not want any person to perish, but rather desires that all come to repentance (2 Peter 3:9). He wants every person to be saved (1 Tim. 2:4). Jesus explained to Nicodemus that a person must be born again, that is, be born of the water and of the Spirit, in order to enter the kingdom of God (John 3:3,5,7). How does God beget a person, or how does he cause one to be born again? James 1:18 says, "Of his own will beget he us with the word of truth." To the church at Corinth Paul said, "For though ye have ten thousand instructors in Christ, yet have ye not many fathers: for in Christ Jesus I have begotten you through the gospel" (1 Cor. 4:15). Peter clearly states, "Being born again, not of corruptible seed, but of incorruptible, by the word of God, which liveth and abideth forever" (1 Peter 1:23). These passages plainly show that God begets men or causes them to be born again through his word, the gospel. When one hears the gospel and receives its message by being baptized in water for the remission of sins, then he becomes a child of God. God did this through the gospel, which is the seed that brings forth fruit (Luke 8:11 -- "The seed is the word of God.")
        The power of the Lord's spoken words is seen from many Bible examples. He created the world by his word (Heb. 11:3), raised Lazarus from the dead by his word (John 11), calmed a storm by his word (Mark 4), and did many other great miracles through the power of his spoken word. His written word also possesses great power, as it is written in Hebrews 4:12, "For the word of God is quick and powerful, and sharper than any twoedged sword."
        Why is the message so special? We have noted six basic reasons why it is a unique and essential message: it is special because it came from God, it is true, it is all-sufficient for man's spiritual needs, it is unchanging, through it God calls men, and through it God begets and saves men. Let us never be ashamed of the gospel of Jesus Christ, but rather thank God for it, live according to it, and tell others of the salvation and great joy that they also can have by receiving it!
                P.O. Box 828
                67 Kiev 252067 UKRAINE

Return to Table of Contents




. MailBag

"Keep up the good work. So many today compromise so much we have lost sight of the command to contend for the faith. I still believe we are commanded to contend for the faith as to be baptized. The truth is just not being taught as it once was" ...Bob Wagner, Tallahassee, FL. "With so many churches falling by the Liberal wayside, we thank you for your stand for Truth" ...Dwight & Lois Duncan, Holden, MO. "Seek The Old Paths is much needed in the brotherhood" ...Frank & Grace Carriger, Skidmore, TX. "Remove our name from your mailing list" ...John Sledge, Lexington, AL. "We, my wife and I, really appreciate the work you're doing, especially since the Liberals are trying to take over the church. We really enjoy "Seek The Old Paths." Keep up the "Good Work!" ...Malcolm & Margaret Halford, Norfolk, VA. "I appreciate so much the fact that your publication is 'truth according to the scriptures.' The church very much needs this kind of reminder that we must obey God as He commands. Thank you so much!" ...Nashville, TN. "Take me off your mailing list! Thank you!" ...Gary Atkins, Shamrock, TX. "I would like to receive the paper Seek The Old Paths" ...Rex Cisco, Varney, WV. "Please add my name to your mailing list for your publication, Seek The Old Paths" ...Junius Bailey, Abilene, TX. "Thank you so much for adding my husband and I to your mailing list. Enclosed is a small check to help cover the cost for our news letter. Thanks again. I look forward to many issues to come" ...Lesha Lott, Richton, MS. "I would like a subscription to Seek The Old Paths. I got the address off the internet. Thanks for any help you may offer" ...Danny Fyffe, Richardson, TX. "Thank you so much for your stand in Christ and His Kingdom. You are in our prayers each day. Keep on keeping on. Love in Christ" ...Mack Bennett, Bluff City, TN. "We appreciate and rejoice that you are putting out such a fine paper. It will do the good work if people will only READ, PONDER AND EXECUTE" ...Ector Watson, Cleveland, OK. "I enjoy Seek The Old Paths. I am receiving this publication currently. Enclosed is a check to help out with expenses. Keep up the good work!" ...James L. Shaver, Flint, MI. "I would very much like to receive Seek The Old Paths" ...V. Glenn McCoy, Yorba Linda, CA. "I would appreciate your paper, Seek The Old Paths" ...Gene Pegg, McMinnville, TN. "Even here in northern Ohio the change agents are making their presence known. It has been brought to my attention that your paper, Seek The Old Paths, has much valuable information about those pernicious doctrines that are making inroads into the Lord's Body. I would like to be put on your mailing list. Thank you and God bless your work" ...James Hiser, Lorain, OH. "I really appreciate getting your fine paper! Your work is truly touching many hearts and lives for good. May God bless you as you teach the Truth in Love!" ...Bob Dodson, Hemet, CA. "Could you please add my name to your mailing list to your paper Seek The Old Paths. I appreciate good material that is sound and true to the Bible. Thank you for your work to defend the truth" ...Samuel L. Troute, Washington Court House, OH. "Our name was placed on your mailing list without our knowledge. We appreciate what has been sent, but also ask that you please remove us" ...M. Scott Farley, Marion, OH. "Would you please add our name to your mailing list. Enjoy Seek The Old Paths so very much. Keep up the good work printing the Truth. God Bless your efforts" ...Ralph and Martha Seckel, Bucyrus, OH. "I enjoy your fine paper Seek The Old Paths. Your articles are timely and much needed" ...Marlin Kilpatrick, Lawrenceburg, TN. "I'm enclosing a contribution for distributing the paper. It's such a wonderful, scriptural publication it's hard to imagine people not wanting to receive it. Of course we know there are many who don't choose to hear and obey the truth" ...Nampa, ID. "I would like to be put on your mailing list to receive Seek The Old Paths. A friend gave me some copies and I really enjoyed reading them. Thank you very much" ...Virginia Sisco, Bolivar, TN. "I enjoy reading Seek The Old Paths and a good friend of mine wants to be put on the list. Keep up the good work with your ministry. Please keep sending the magazine to me" ...Toni Arnold, Union City, TN. "Hello to whom this letter may concern, and how are you? I'm a member of the Lord's church and a subscriber of Seek The Old Paths. I am writing this letter of appreciation for the stand that you are taking for the Lord and His church. We, the members of the church of Christ, here on the Price Daniel prison unit are very grateful for your publications. Of course there are some members here as well as probably in the free-world who will raise their noses to such truth. But there are still some bulwarks of the faith who love the truth rather than the praises of men. I have two guys here who asked me to send in their names to be on your mailing list. I would appreciate it if you could please add them to your mailing list. This would be a great gift to them. I encourage you to continue in your thirst for truth and to never be moved away from the hope that lies within you. Your labor is not in vain. We do have a new chaplain here who is a member of the church of Christ who is pretty liberal. He is trying to start a mixed fellowship here with the church of Christ and the Protestants. He says that the church of Christ here is too narrow and too far to the right. When asked the question of how broad does he want us to be. He isn't dogmatic in saying that he just wants us to embrace those in the denominational world who are not walking according to truth and accept them as our brothers in Christ. This is a good reason for your publication being spread throughout the Lord's church here. To warn against such change agents as him. Thanks again for your stand in the gospel Truth. May God bless you. Love in Christ" ...Snyder, TX. "I have just read one of your papers Seek The Old Paths. Enjoyed it very much. If you are still sending it out please place my name on your mailing list" ...Doyle Castleberry, Brasstown, NC. "I have been reading Seek The Old Paths. I would like to be put on the mailing list" ...Virginia Wright, Elyria, OH. "I would like to receive your Seek The Old Paths publication. Thank you" ...David Carriger, Osage City, KS. "Please put us on your mailing list for Seek The Old Paths" ...Tom and Rhonda Taylor, Elizabethtown, KY. "I received your mailout Seek The Old Paths for some time and I really enjoyed reading it. I want to take this opportunity to thank you for standing firm on the word of God. In this day and time we must always be ready to fight with Satan within some of our own congregations. Continue the good work" ...Neel Bennett, Decaur, AL. "Please put my name on your mailing list. Thank you" ...W. A. Herring, Lake Park, GA. "I appreciate very much the work that you do with the publication and the lectureship" ...Mark Lance, Cordova, TN. ..

Return to Table of Contents




...
13th Annual
Seek The Old Paths Lectureship

July 26-30, 1998
Always the 4th Sunday in July

Theme:
THE HOME

Please note the "NEW" icon below where changes have been made to the schedule.


.
SUNDAY, JULY 26 . . . .
9:30 The Origin of Marriage and the Home -- A Divine Institution . . . . . . . . . . Windell Fikes
10:30 God's Purpose of Marriage and the Home. . . . . . . . . . Garland Robinson
7:00 Preparing For Marriage and the Home (What to look for in a mate). . . . . . . . . . David Paden
8:00 God's Word on Divorce and Remarriage. . . . . . . . Terry Joe Kee


MONDAY, JULY 27 ...... .
9:00 After the Honeymoon (Dealing with Troubled Marriages). . . . . . . . . . Jim Blankenship
10:00 The Home Under Attack, #1: TV, abortion, immodesty, homosexuality, drugs . . . . . . . . . . Mark Lindley
11:00 Definitions: fornication, adultery, separation, divorce, put away, effeminate, natural affection, abusers of themselves with mankind, love, forgiveness. . . . . . Virgil Hale
1:30 Why marriages fail, Things which cause Problems in a marriage, Why one becomes unfaithful . . . . . . . . Wayne Cox
2:30 Questions: Does Paul contradict Jesus, Can the guilty party remarry, Can one forgive their spouse of fornication and still put them away, etc. What does it mean to marry "only in the Lord," What does it mean to be "bound to a wife" and "loosed from a wife?" . . . . . . . Chuck Northrop
7:00 The Responsibility of Children to Parents . . . . . . . Nat Evans
8:00 The Responsibility of Parents to Children . . . . . . Ed Casteel


TUESDAY, JULY 28 ...... .
9:00 A Successful Marriage takes two, a Partnership, Ingredients of a Successful Marriage . . . . . Ferrell Hester
10:00 Facing Tragedies and Adversities in the Home . . . . . . Joe Nichols
11:00 Unique Situations: elderly parents and grandparents, in-laws, step-parents, step-children, foster children . . . . . . John Grubb
1:30 The Home and Congregation Help Each Other . . . . . . . Lenard Hogan
2:30 Questions: Can one live in adultery, Do Christ's words apply today and to all men, Does God call for the separation of those in adultery, Does baptism wash away adultery, What does it mean to abide in the same calling wherein you were called? . . . . . Ken Burleson
7:00 The Home Under Attack, #2: atheism, evolution, humanism, secular education, denominationalism, etc. . . . . . . Gilbert Gough
8:00 How to Keep your Children Faithful . . . . . . . James Boyd


WEDNESDAY, JULY 29 ...... .
9:00 Following Christ's Example in the Home . . . . . . G. W. Childs
10:00 Your Occupation Affects the Home . . . . . . Bryan Hodge
11:00 How to Strengthen the Home, What the Home needs now . . . . . . Richard Guill
1:30 The Home Likely Determines the Destiny of the Children . . . . . . . Robin Haley
2:30 Questions: What about same sex marriages, What if one is a eunuch, May wives and daughters lead prayer at home, What affect do government programs have on the home, What about "mental adultery?" . . . . . . Toney Smith
7:00 The Role of Wife and Mother in the Home . . . . . Ted Thrasher
8:00 The Role of Husband and Father in the Home . . . . . . Guy Hester


THURSDAY, JULY 30 ......
9:00 Authority in the Home . . . . . . Alan Adams
10:00 When the Children Leave Home (the empty nest) . . . . . Charles Leonard
11:00 The Joy of the Christian Home (no place like home) . . . . . . Jimmie Hill
1:30 Discipline in the Home (all family members) . . . . . . . . Walter Pigg
2:30 Questions: Who can get married, Is desertion a cause for divorce and remarriage, What is "due benevolence," Was Jesus narrow-minded? . . . . . . Jimmy Bates
7:00 The Home as God Would Have It . . . . . . Bill Crossno
8:00 Our Heavenly Home . . . . . . Charles Blair
.

East Corinth Church of Christ
1801 Cruise St., Corinth, MS 38834
Voice (601) 286-2040 or 286-6575 / Fax (601) 286-2040
Email: Contact Us

MOTELS:
Comfort Inn . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .(800) 228-5150
Executive Inn . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .(800) 354-3932


Limited housing is available in member's homes. Contact the church office for reservations. Water and electrical hook-ups (no sewer) are available for RVs. We would like to know in advance of your arrival to reserve you a space.


VIDEO TAPE INFORMATION
Complete set of video tapes, $45 postage paid
Order from:
Jim Green
2711 Spring Meade Blvd.
Columbia, TN 38401
Phone: 931-486-1365

CASSETTE TAPE INFORMATION:
Cassette audio tapes are being offered free by the church. Donations to help defray their cost are welcome.
Order cassette tapes from the church.

BOOK INFORMATION:
A book of the lesson outlines is also available (220 pages).
Pre-publication price: $5 if postmarked by July 31, 1998.
After July 31, 1998, $6.50
Please add postage and handling:
1 book $1.75 -- 2-3 books $2.75 -- 4 books $3.25 -- 5-6 books $4.75

Order books from:

Old Paths Publishing
P.O. Box 97
Nettleton, MS 38858

Free books will be distributed by the church to those who attend.
The church is not involved in the sale of any materials.

"We will not be furnishing lunch each day during the lectureship."
.. .

If you would like an index of Seek The Old Paths for 1995-1997, please send us a stamped (55 cents) self-addressed envelope and request it. It is free.


.



1997 Bound Volume of
Seek The Old Paths
$5 (includes postage)

Make check payable to
Old Paths Publishing
304 Ripley St.
Corinth, MS 38834

Only 200 printed!
The 1996 Volume is still available
The 1995 Volume has been sold out
BOOKS AVAILABLE


        1997 -- The Church At Colosse, $5
        1996 -- The Seven Churches of Asia, $5
        1995 -- The Church at Corinth, $4
        1994 -- Immorality, $3.50 (sold out)
        1990 -- New Testament Questions, $3.00
        1989 -- Old Testament Questions, $2.00
        Preparing For The Eldership, $2.00
        The Race That Is Set Before Us, $8.00 -- 1996 Garfield Heights Lectureship Book
        FAITH, $8.00 -- The 1997 Garfield Heights Lectureship Book
        "Messianic Prophecies & Their Fulfillment," 24 sermon outlines, 118 pages, $3.50

Shipping/Handling -- 1 book, $1.50
2-3 books, $2.25
For each additional book, add 50 cents.

All books are sold by Old Paths Publishing, not the church.

Send order to:
Old Paths Publishing
304 Ripley St.
Corinth, MS 38834







Home | Table of Contents | Bible Page
Seek The Old Paths | East End Church of Christ
Lectureship Books



This page has been turned to lots of times since 5/7/98.