I hesitate to write this, but conscience, and more
importantly scripture, necessitate it.
       
As many of you are aware, the University Church of
Christ in Tuscaloosa, Alabama has invited Baptist
preacher Tony Campolo to speak at this year's Youth in
Action (YIA) in Birmingham, Alabama. The date is the weekend
of December 27. Many false teachers and other apostates have been
invited in years' past, including this year's lineup with Jeff
Walling, Buddy Bell and Acappella, just to name a
few.
       
I called the University church on three occasions in an
attempt to speak with someone about the lineup, and about Mr.
Campolo in particular. What follows are some of the responses I
received during my inquiry.
       
I talked with two different ministers of the University
church (one on Friday and one today) and each was asked this
question: Are you aware that Tony Campolo is not a Christian?
       
Reply from the first: *He's not affiliated with the
churches of Christ. I think he's a Baptist, but more
non-denominational than Baptist. I don't know what he teaches in
regard to the plan of salvation.*
       
This was a far as I got with the first minister. He
requested that I call the youth minister on Monday (today 8-25-98)
and speak with him. So I did exactly that.
       
The second minister was the organizer of YIA. When I
asked him if he was aware that Tony Campolo was not a Christian, I
received the following reply: *You mean he's not a member of the
church of Christ.* To which I replied, *What's the difference?*
His response, *I believe God is a lot bigger than the Church of
Christ. A person doesn't have to be a member of the Church of
Christ to be a Christian.* (I realize God is much bigger than the
church, but this is not what he meant. He meant the church was a
lot bigger than the church of Christ.)
       
I asked him if Mr. Campolo was going to extend the
invitation, and if so, what would he say? Reply: *He is only going
to tell people that if they want someone to pray with them, they
can go to designated prayer rooms outside the auditorium.* (The
event is being held at the civic center in Birmingham)
       
After a lengthy discussion regarding the essentiality of
baptism, I asked him if he would defend this statement, *All
accountable individuals must be baptized in order to be saved.* He
refused, and tried to use the thief on the cross as an example to
prove his point! He then told me that a young girl (about 14 he
said) came to him earlier this week and desired to become a
Christian, but since her parents could not come that night, would
it be OK to wait until Sunday. He then asked me, *Are you telling
me that if that girl dies before Sunday, that she will be lost?*
My reply: *I don't have to tell you that. Mark 16:16 already tells
you that. Just because I want something to be true does not change
the word of God.* To which he replied, *I am not willing to go
that far. Anyway, I have heard someone explain from the Greek that
Mark 16:16 can be translated *because you're already saved.* I
pulled every modern translation I could get my hands on and told
him I could not find a single one that so translated the text. He
was not satisfied. (I suspect, in his confusion, he was referring
to Acts 2:38 and the Baptist explanation of the phrase þfor
remission of sinsþ). He then said, *I just have a lot more faith
in Jesus than in baptism.* I replied, *How can you separate Jesus
from what He taught. Jesus commanded baptism.* At that point he
said he was very busy and thanked me for calling. He offered to
meet me in Hamilton to discuss this further. I told him there was
no need, since I was going to stand by Mark 16:16, Acts 2:38 and
22:16, and Galatians 3:27 no matter if he is in Hamilton or
Tuscaloosa, and that he could not disprove what they teach no
matter how hard he tried.
       
We then concluded our conversation. I was satisfied I
fully understood what he believes and he had no doubts about what
I believe. I don't intend to pursue this any further, since I
don't think anyone at University, at least in the leadership, cares
about what God's Word has to say.
       
The only reason I presented this information to you is to
warn you about the University church in Tuscaloosa and any
congregation that supports YIA.
       
You may contact me further at the address and locations
below should you desire more information.
               
Todd Clippard
               
10655 US HWY 278
               
Hamilton, AL 35570
               
toddrow@sonet.net
.
Return to Table of Contents
       
The Greek word for "grace" is charis. It is
defined as: "good will, loving kindness, favor, benefit,
bounty, recompense, reward" (Thayer), "on the part of
the bestower, the friendly disposition from which the kindly act
proceeds, loving-kindness, good will generally" (Vines),
"benefit, favor, gift, liberality, pleasure, joy, thank"
(Strongs). It is translated by many English words in the New
Testament: benefit (2 Cor. 1:15), favor (Luke
1:30), gift (2 Cor. 8:4), grace (Eph. 2:8),
gracious (Luke 4:22), joy (Philemon 1:7),
liberality (1 Cor. 16:3), pleasure (Acts
24:27), thank (Luke 6:32-34), thanked (Rom.
6:17), thanks (2 Cor. 9:15), thankworthy (1
Peter 2:19).
       
The word charis simply has to do with favor,
benefit or loving kindness that is shown by one toward another:
whether it be God to man or man to man. There is nothing in the
word itself that has to do with whether the grace, benefit or favor
extended is deserved or not deserved, earned or unearned. This is
borne out by the many uses of the word.
       
The church at Corinth took up collections and bestowed
grace (favor, bounty, good will) upon the needy (2 Cor.
8:6,7,19). This action is called their liberality --
their grace (1 Cor. 16:3). When we speak wholesome words, it
graces (benefits, favors) the hearers (Eph. 4:29). We are to
sing with grace (loving-kindness, pleasure, joy, good
will) in our hearts (Col. 3:16). Our speech is to be always with
grace (benefit, favor, bounty) (Col. 4:6). It is a good
thing that our hearts be established with grace (loving
kindness, favor) and not be carried about with many strange false
doctrines that would prohibit such bounty (Heb. 13:9).
       
There are examples of God bestowing grace upon individuals
that is not connected with salvation. When the angel Gabriel
announced the birth of Jesus to Mary, he said, "Fear not,
Mary: for thou hast found favour with God" (Luke
1:30). As Jesus grew as a child we learn that he "...increased
in wisdom and stature, and in favour with God and man"
(Luke 2:52). The word favor in these two verses is
the Greek word charis.
       
The word "grace" does not always indicate that which is
good. It is used sometimes in a bad or evil sense such as when one
does a favor for another hoping to gain a reward. In Acts 24:27 we
learn that "Felix, willing to shew the Jews a pleasure
(grace, benefit), left Paul bound." We also
read this regarding Festus (Acts 25:9). WHAT THE
BIBLE SAYS ABOUT GRACE
       
The New Testament is filled with references to the "grace
of God." It is connected with many different things. For example:
       
We read about: the word of God's grace (Acts 14:3; 20:32),
the gospel of the grace of God (Acts 20:24), the riches of his
grace (Eph. 1:7; 2:7), the throne of grace (Heb. 4:16), Jesus dying
for every man by grace (Heb. 2:9), grace coming by Jesus Christ
(John 1:17).
       
One can: find it (Heb. 4:16), see it (Acts 11:23), receive
it (Rom. 1:5), stand in it (Rom. 5:2; 1 Peter 5:12), continue in it
(Acts 13:43), grow in it (2 Peter 3:18), believe through it (Acts
18:27), have consolation and good hope through it (2 Thess. 2:16),
know it in truth (Col. 1:6).
       
Grace can: abound (Rom. 5:20; 6:1; 2 Cor. 9:8), reign
(Rom. 5:21), be given (Rom. 12:3,6; 15:5; 1 Cor 1:4; 3:10; Eph.
4:7; James 4:6; 1 Peter 5:5), be perceived (Gal. 2:9), be with us
(Rom. 16:20,24; 2 Cor. 13:14), be bestowed (1 Cor. 15:10; 2 Cor.
8:1), be multiplied through the knowledge of God (2 Peter 1:2).
       
One can be: called into it (Gal. 1:6), called by it (Gal.
1:15), recommended to it (Acts 14:26), saved by it (Eph. 2:5,8),
saved through it (Acts 15:11), justified by it (Rom. 3:24; Titus
3:7), strong in it (2 Tim. 2:1).
       
One can also: frustrate it (Gal. 2:21), show insult to it
(Heb. 10:29), receive it in vain (2 Cor. 6:1), fail in it (Heb.
12:15), and fall from it (Gal. 5:4).
       
Grace brings salvation (Titus 2:11), has appeared to all
men (Titus 2:11) and teaches us how to live (Titus 2:12). We have
access to grace by faith (Rom. 5:2). We learn that grace is
sufficient (2 Cor. 12:9), and that grace will be brought when
Christ comes again (1 Peter 1:13).
       
Old Testament characters found grace in the eyes of the
Lord: Noah (Gen. 6:8), Israel (Acts 7:46). All faithful Christians
(Eph. 2:8; Rom. 3:24) enjoy God's bountiful grace.
       
You also can enjoy God's grace if you will believe and
obey God. Without obedience, no one will receive God's grace (Matt.
7:21-23; Heb. 5:8-9). Will you believe, repent, confess Christ and
be baptized to receive God's grace? Why not today?
       
The grace of God is His good will, loving
kindness, favor, benefit, bounty, gift, reward extended
toward man. It is unearned, unmerited, undeserved by man. It is by
God's grace that salvation is extended. In Ephesians 2:8-9 we read,
"For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that
not of yourselves: it is the gift of God: Not of works, lest any
man should boast."
       
God freely, generously extends the offer of grace, mercy,
forgiveness, redemption, salvation, to all, even the vilest of
sinners. None are unconditionally singled out to receive His grace
while others are refused His grace as the devilish doctrine of
Calvinism teaches. Titus 2:11 makes this clear, "For the grace
of God that bringeth salvation hath appeared to all men."
       
It is because of God's grace (favor) toward us that He
makes a way of escape from the penalty of our sins and
transgressions against Him. However, simply because God makes His
grace available to all does not mean that all will enjoy its
benefits. He does not force it upon anyone.
       
Some who claim membership in the church of Christ are
now teaching we are saved by "grace alone." They are falling "in
line" with Calvinistic doctrine. Some are saying it is an extreme
position and false to teach that God has a part in salvation and
that man has a part in salvation. Brethren, this is not a false
statement. This is not an extreme position. God has a part to
play in salvation and man has a part to play in salvation. Without
both parts, no man can be saved.
       
God has done, completed, finished His part. He offers
salvation by making it available to all mankind. He sent His only
begotten Son, Jesus the Christ, to die for the sins of the whole
world (Heb. 2:9). He makes salvation available to everyone.
However, he does not and will not force it upon anyone. He
promised He will not save those who do not obey His Will (Matt.
7:21). To suggest He will, or may, save those who do not obey,
makes God a liar! But, God cannot lie (Titus 1:2; Heb. 6:18).
There's nothing more God can do in respect to one's salvation. It
is now left up to each individual.
       
God is powerless to save those who do not obey Him.
Therefore, man has a part in his own salvation. It is the part God
has commanded man to do: faith (John 8:24) and obedience (Heb.
5:9). Faith without obedience is dead faith (James 2:26). It is
certain man cannot save himself and certainly does not supply what
is lacking on God's part, for God lacks nothing. Without God, man
will not and can not be saved. On the other hand, however, God
cannot save one who does not believe and obey. Man must comply
with God's requirements (conditions) in order to receive the
benefits of God's saving grace. Since man must submit himself to
God's will and obey it, man has a part in his own salvation,
without which, he cannot be saved.
       
In order to receive God's grace, one must comply with
certain requirements of God. But even when one meets those
conditions, he cannot say he has earned grace -- that he deserves
it. The offer of forgiveness and eternal life is too great. It
cannot be earned. At no time can anyone perform a task or duty and
thereby obligate God to recompense him a reward. Nothing I do can
place God in my debt where I deserve His favor. For example, a
wealthy man, by his grace, may offer you a check for a million
dollars, absolutely free. In order for you to benefit from it you
would have to accept it. The condition may be as simple as stepping
forward to take the check, signing your name on the back and taking
it to the bank to deposit in your account. If you did so, have you
earned the million dollars? Could you say you deserved it and that
it was owed to you because you took it, signed it and deposited it?
Absolutely not! But, you still had to meet certain requirements to
receive the money.
       
The requirements God makes in order to receive His grace
are: faith in Jesus as the Son of God and savior of the
world (Heb. 11:6; John 8:24; Mark 16:16), repentance of
sins (Luke 13:3; Acts 2:38; 17:30), confession of Jesus as
the Son of God (Acts 8:37; Rom. 10:10), and baptism in
water for the forgiveness of sins (Mark 16:16; Acts 2:38; 22:16;
Rom. 6:3-6,17-18). There are also requirements to remain in grace;
such as: deny ungodliness, worldly lusts and living soberly,
righteously, and godly, in this present world (Titus 2:12). One
must grow in the grace and knowledge of Christ (2 Peter 3:18),
continue stedfast and unmoveable in the work of the Lord (1 Cor.
15:58), and be faithful unto death (Rev. 2:10). Have you met these
conditions? If not, will you meet them? You can't be saved without
meeting them!
.
Return to Table of Contents
       
The above question is gaining in popularity. The
popularity being because sincere individuals are striving to find
a way in which we can join with the religious world in a host of
varied activities. I would like to suggest in this article that we
ascertain what is the real question here.
       
The question is not, who do I like or love? The question
is not, who do I respect for what they are doing with their life in
terms of service to humanity? The question is, who is my brother?
Lest anyone get it confused, I am not talking about my brother in
the sense of some social organization or effort with a club of one
kind or another. The question is, who is my brother in Christ?
       
My entrance into the kingdom of God is based on my
obedience to the will of God by being born again (1 Peter 1:22-23).
When I completed that obedience, I became a new creature in Christ
Jesus (2 Cor. 5:17). When I arose from the waters of baptism, I
was added to the church, which is the kingdom of the Lord (Acts
2:47). It was in obeying the truth that I was set free to be able
to serve God with all my heart (John 8:32). Since there is only
one way, and that through Jesus, we must all comply with His will
(John 14:6).
       
We find the expression of being baptized into Jesus Christ
(Rom. 6:3). We are baptized into one body (1 Cor. 12:13). Every
soul then must comply with God's will (Matt. 7:21). All souls who
obey in this manner have the honor of being the sons and daughters
of God (1 John 3:1). By remaining faithful to the Lord, through
His teaching, we know that one day, heaven will be our home (Rev.
2:10). By complying with the will of God, we are all a part of the
household of God -- not strangers or foreigners (Eph. 2:19).
       
Why not allow the Lord to answer for Himself in this all
important issue. The Lord said that whosoever shall do the will of
the Father, the same is the brother of the Lord (Matt. 12:50). If
a person is the brother of the Lord by obedience, and I have
obeyed, then that person is my brother by extension. If that
person has not obeyed the Lord, he is not a son or a daughter of
God. My fellowship is with those who have complied with the
will of the Lord and continue to walk in the light of God's Word
(1 John 1:7).
       
I would not question for a moment the moral stance or
standard of the rich young ruler of Matthew 19. He had kept all
the commandments from his youth (Matt. 19:20). I would not argue
with the quality of life Cornelius manifested before the public
(Acts 10:1). Moral standards or quality of life is not the
measuring rod of who is my brother. Certain Jews were described by
Paul as individuals with great zeal (Rom. 10:2-30). Such zeal does
not describe or over-rule the righteousness of God.
       
Here are some questions to help us along the way in this
matter. Could Paul work together with the Pharisees to stand
against the liberalism of the Sadducees? Could Paul overlook the
idols in Athens simply because it was just one area where they were
wrong? Why did he not quit fighting the teachers from Jerusalem
which came into Galatia? I mean, after all, they were wrong in
just one area, right?
       
Brethren, let us allow the Lord to define who is my
brother -- not, "big F, little f;" five levels of fellowship, but
one body based on one's obedience to the will of God. That person
is my brother and no other.
               
2842 Shelby St.
               
Indianapolis, IN 46203
.
Return to Table of Contents
[NOTE: The following letter was mailed by brother Clayton
to area congregations around Chattanooga, Tennessee, August 27,
1997, and then a second letter on August 28, 1998.]
       
Dear brethren,
       
Almost daily I am shocked and angered by the materials
that come in the mail, such as the postcard that I have copied and
enclosed in this letter. That brethren are unaware of the error
espoused by Jeff Walling is the only excuse for not
opposing and exposing his participation in anything, and especially
turning the youth workers among us over to his heresy as David
Lipscomb University is asking us to do in October. Who is
willing to use their influence to stem the tide of rank ecumenical
liberalism per the likes of Jeff Walling as demonstrated in the
enclosed sermon segment? [This is printed following these letters.]
If you read what he said (and he has only gotten worse since) and
see no problem with it, disregard this letter, send your youth
minister to the affair, send your kids to Lipscomb, have Steve
Flatt to hold you a meeting, and in the future when you merge with
the Baptists, remember that you got this letter but refused to heed
the warning,
       
To His glory,
       
Freddie Clayton
       
August 28, 1998
       
It was just over a year ago when I penned the above letter
which many of you received. I only had one acknowledgment of
receiving it which was a thank you for the information. I don't
expect you to acknowledge receiving this. I just want brethren to
know what has been going on for a long time and keeps getting
worse, going further away from what is right and true. We have the
responsibility of staying informed about what is going on and take
appropriate steps to stem the tide of rank liberalism and apostasy.
Some timid and faithless souls regard such as undesirable,
divisive, and wrong. By such an attitude they demonstrate ignorance
of what the Bible teaches, indifference to what the Bible teaches,
opposition to what the Bible teaches, or a combination of these
things. If individuals and whole congregations are going to jump on
this bandwagon of apostasy to hell, I am determined at least to
have them do it with their eyes open, knowing what they are
supporting and defending in their fellowship of it.
       
Last year I was concerned that a "President's Reception"
was held at Boyd-Buchanan for Steve Flatt [in
Chattanooga, Tenn]. This was a meet the new president day with
information about Lipscomb, financial aid assistance, etc. I called
around asking why this recruiting stop was allowed and was asked
these two questions: "Was it really for recruiting purposes?" and
"Have you spoken to bro. Flatt personally?" Obviously, recruiting
students was one of the purposes and I determined to speak to the
new president personally. I scheduled a meeting with him and
visited with him in his office for an hour last October. He had no
idea as to the purpose of the appointment. I began by telling him
that he had recently been in Chattanooga recruiting students, two
of our children at Dunlap attend Boyd-Buchanan, and I wanted some
explanations for some things. I presented him with documentation of
the soul destroying error taught by many of the Jubilee speakers he
was on the program with (Max Lucado, Rubel Shelly, Mike Cope,
etc). I showed him how that Lipscomb and Jubilee
were on the same page, same speakers, same errors, mutual
agenda. After about 30 minutes of showing him the factual evidence
he responded, "With the information you have there I would not
expect you to recommend Lipscomb to prospective students." He said
that he would not even attempt to defend speaking on the Jubilee,
could not tell me why he did, and that all he could say was that he
did. He said to give him a year or two to turn things around. When
I told him that the very weekend before, he had Jeff Walling there
to teach youth ministers and that he taught the same error Lucado
did from John 17 and provided the documentation (all who just
believe are brethren), he said he was not aware that Jeff taught
that, and that he was selected because of his enthusiasm. He again
asked for some time to turn around what he clearly implied to be a
philosophy that had gone too far to the left. As I left, I told him
that he had the opportunity to be a force for good for years to
come if he just would and that I was expecting him to be just that.
       
Brethren, I firmly believe in giving people the benefit
of the doubt, but when the evidence repeatedly piles up and slaps
you square in the face, there is no doubt. This summer's
lectureship at Lipscomb featured the largest lineup of false
teachers ever assembled for it. Some brethren who want to be
considered faithful were used, either knowingly or ignorantly, to
promote this great "Lipscomb turnaround." What a sad joke.
       
But this is what has spurred me to write. The
"Youthworker's University" of last fall with Walling and Flatt
twin-billed, is followed this year with the next step in the
Lipscomb turnaround. Planned to happen October 23,24, 1998, the
speakers are as follows: Tim Adair, kinesiologist in
Nashville; Daniel Cline, youth minister at the Peachtree
Corners church of Christ in Norcross, GA; Shana Curtis,
she is part of the youth ministry team at Madison church of Christ;
Randy Gill, worship leader at Woodmont Hills; Steve
Joiner, Bible department chair at Lubbock Christian
University; Israel Lewis, marriage and family therapist
and Lee Milam, youth minister, both of Mayfair church of
Christ, Huntsville, AL; Brewster McLeod, student minister
at Southland church in Lexington, KY; Doug Varnado, Bible
professor at Lipscomb and a minister at the Hendersonville
Community Church; Craig Wilson, former high school teacher
with expertise in graphic design, theatrical design, etc.; and
Rick Bundschuh: "Rick is a pastor, veteran youthworker, writer,
speaker and cartoonist based in Kauai, Hawaii. Currently, Rick
serves as the teaching pastor at Kauai Christian Fellowship as well
as youth director." (emphasis mine, FC)
       
In calling the number provided on the announcement flyer
I found out some interesting things. When asking about Mr.
Bundschuh, I was told that this would be his fourth time to be with
them. On the announcement from last year, he must have been one of
the "others." When I asked if Mr. Bundschuh was a member of the
church, the lady to whom I was forwarded could only stutter and say
that she really didn't know how to answer that question. I told her
that the information beside his name seemed to indicate (in bold
type above) that he wasn't. Then I asked as to why a man that
wasn't a Christian was going to be teaching youth ministers how to
be better youth ministers. She said, "Oh, he is a Christian. He
just doesn't go to the church of Christ." She told me that
Steve Davidson was responsible for those invited. Brethren,
Steve Flatt is responsible for Steve Davidson, and the board of
directors is responsible somewhere in here, don't you think? Where
are the responsible brethren? Only a lack of love for truth and
souls would allow the toleration of such garbage. If not, why not?
       
Brethren, if this does not have an impact on you and
bother you at least a tad, let me encourage you to sell your
building, send the money to Flatt at Lipscomb or Bundschuh in
Hawaii, and throw your hat in the ring with the Baptists,
Methodists, etc. Also, let me know as I will quit casting pearls
your way.
               
374 Hill Circle
               
Dunlap, TN 37327
[Note: Following, is an excerpt from Jeff Walling's speech at the Tulsa Soul Winning Workshop, 1991. Immediately after reading John 17:20,21 and getting his audience to repeat a couple of times in unison, "that we may be one," he said...]
[Editor's Note: Walling's comments above are very clear. There is no question about what he believes and teaches. Are you willing to accept the denominations into fellowship? Not me! I refuse to tear down or ignore the lines of fellowship God has drawn. All faithful children of God will recognize and respect God's circle of fellowship. The Bible still teaches we must test to see who is faithful because so many are false (1 John 4:1). Jesus said, "Wherefore by their fruits ye shall know them" (Matt. 7:20). Those who do not walk in the light of God's Word are not in fellowship with God (1 John 1:7). Such are to be "marked and avoided" (Rom. 16:17). We must have no fellowship with them (Eph. 5:11). Will you stand with the Lord and oppose error or will you support those who cause division and uphold error?].
       
The idea that "there are Christians in all churches
[denominations]" has gained ground among our brethren.
Unfortunately, it is finding favor among even more of us. But is it
true?
       
I hear statements such as, "Those people are such good
people, and they live such good, clean lives, I just can't imagine
that God will send them to hell."
       
That there are people who are not members of the church
of our Lord living clean, moral lives, and doing "good works" is
readily acknowledged. My own grandparents and most of their
children were such people. But were they saved? Were they
Christians?
       
First, such an opinion places salvation on our own
merits, which, in turn, denies the necessity of the death of Jesus.
If I, because of my own good life, can be saved, Jesus was a fool
to come to earth, suffer, and die for the sins of the world --
including my own sins.
       
Second, it assumes that God will forgive my past sins
without me having to obey His commands -- or even to know or to
love Him. After all, Jesus said, "Thou shalt love the Lord thy God
with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy mind.
This is the first and great commandment" (Matt. 22:37-38).
       
He also said, "If ye love me, keep my commandments" (John
14:15). His apostle said, "And hereby do we 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. But
whoso keepeth his word, in him verily is the love of God perfected;
hereby know we that we are in him" (1 John 2:3-5).
       
THERE! If we love God, we will keep His commandments and
we know God. If we say we know God, but do not keep His
commandments, we are liars and the truth is not in us. But the love
of God is perfected by keeping His commandments. If we would have
the love of God perfected, we must keep His commandments! There IS
no other way!
       
Peter told the Jews who had assembled in Jerusalem for
Pentecost, "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 told Saul of Tarsus, "And now why tarriest thou?
arise, and be baptized, and wash away thy sins, calling on the name
of the Lord" (Acts 22:16).
       
Saul, and about 3,000 people in Jerusalem at Pentecost,
perfected the love of God by obeying His commandments, and by so
doing, washed away their sins (had them forgiven).
       
Third, it assumes that THIS generation is different from
the people of the First Century. But many of those people had
baths that were vastly superior to ours today. There were even
toilets that flushed. About the only things they DIDN'T have were
the automobile, which has given us SMOG, and the use of
electricity, which has given us the electric chair.
       
No, their needs were as our needs. "For all have sinned,
and come short of the glory of God" (Rom. 3:23). THEY needed to
have THEIR sins forgiven; WE need to have OUR sins forgiven. Our
mutual God has given both THEM and US the same method of salvation,
which makes us a member of HIS church, and no other!
       
Those in denominations today use the unauthorized
instruments and other unauthorized kinds of music. They partake of
what they may call "communion" not as often or more often than the
Lord's church is to partake of it, or on unauthorized days. They
may use something other than unleavened bread and the fruit of the
vine. They may deny to some people the right to partake of all the
"elements." They have unauthorized forms of "authority," not the
elders authorized by the New Testament. They have unauthorized
doctrines, or teachings. If there are true Christians in those
bodies, they had better get out of those dens of rattlesnakes
IMMEDIATELY!
       
Fourth, this ungodly notion assumes that we can go to
heaven by some means other than by Jesus Christ. I know a young
lady who says, "I want to go to heaven MY way." But Jesus says, "I
am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father
but by me" (John 14:6). Neither that lady, nor any other person,
can come to God by any way except by Christ. My way is useless;
your way is nothing. Only Christ's way amounts to anything!
       
Fifth, this idea so prevalent today says that one can go
to God without putting on Christ. Paul, in Gal. 3:27, tells us,
"For as many of you as have been baptized into Christ have put on
Christ."
       
That does not allow for our being "baptized" in order to
"join" some church or for any reason except that which was given by
God -- to have our sins remitted or washed away.
       
Once I was discussing this matter with a man who stated
that he believed that if one was honest and lived a clean, moral
life, God would save him. I asked him if he believed that one
should put on Christ in order to be saved. "Oh yes," he said. I
had him turn to this passage and read it. Then I told him this is
the ONLY place in all the Bible that tells us specifically how to
put on Christ. "I want to be baptized," was his response. He was
an honest man.
       
Acts 2:47 lets us know that "...the Lord added to the
church daily such as should be saved." They heard the word, they
believed it, they repented of their sins, they confessed their
faith in Christ, they were baptized, and, they had their sins
forgiven and at the same time they were added to the church that
Christ established, the church of Christ (Matt. 16:18).
       
No, there are NOT any Christians in all the denominational
churches, regardless of what modern men may say.
               
2954 Greenwood Dr.
               
San Pablo, CA 94806
.
Return to Table of Contents
       
The applause and approbation of men is a tremendously
powerful opiate that both intoxicates and addicts those who receive
it. No doubt this is one of the reasons why Jesus forbade the use
of titles which elevate one above the other (Matt. 23:1-12). God
demonstrated his displeasure of one who seeks, loves, and relishes
such adoration from men by his actions against King Herod in Acts
12:21-23: "And upon a set day Herod, arrayed in royal apparel,
sat upon his throne, and made an oration unto them. And the people
gave a shout, saying, It is the voice of a god, and not of a man.
And immediately the angel of the Lord smote him, because he gave
not God the glory: and he was eaten of worms, and gave up the
ghost."
       
Today we are seeing more and more of this addiction to
popularity and the intoxication that results from receiving such
adoring approval of men. Many preachers will not preach the "hard"
sermons on truth that needs to be heard because such preaching does
not please the majority. Some have even gone so far as to accept
applause from their audience. And, because opposing false teachers
is not what will generate the most "approval" of brethren, they
will remain as silent as the "white sepulchres" which they, too,
have become.
       
This thirst for approval from men is not limited to those
who occupy the pulpit, but is seen in the eldership and among so
many in the pews. This is why there are so many congregations
where anything can transpire without rebuke from the preacher, the
elders, or any of the members. It is not the popular thing to do!
So and so will get offended and their relatives will also! So, God
and His Truth must take a back seat to the deity of popularity and
the powerful opiate which he supplies and with which he continues
to addict so many.
       
Brethren, God has given us the Truth, the New Testament,
by which we are to live and teach to others. We are expected to
defend the Truth against all who would attack or corrupt it (Jude
3; 2 Tim. 4:1-5; Rom. 16:17-18; Mark 16:15-16). Such living and
preaching of the truth has never been popular with sinful men and
never will be so! Therefore, we who are determined to live and
preach the truth must not expect the approval of the great
majority. Instead, we should expect disdain and persecution from
them (2 Tim. 3:12).
       
We must ever have the attitude Paul maintained toward
worldly approval of men (Gal. 1:10): "For do I now persuade
men, or God? or do I seek to please men? for if I yet pleased men,
I should not be the servant of Christ." John wrote to
Christians who were experiencing such disfavor and persecution and
said, "Marvel not, my brethren, if the world hate you"
(1 John 3:13). Therefore, rather than seeking the drug of
popularity which induces the delusion of being pleasing to God
because so many approve and applaud us, let us always love, live
and defend the Truth regardless of whether those around us approve
or not. God's approval will be enough!
       
Consider this, entitled "Live For Truth," from the pen of
William M. Taylor: "It comes, then, just to this: that if one means
to serve his generation, he must not care for applause. His
heart's devotion must be one and undivided to the truth, and to Him
who is the Lord of truth. Let him ever hold aloft that which he
knows and believes to be right; and though such a course may
diminish the number of his followers at first; though it may
provoke the blind rage of his adversaries, and lead them to nail
him to a cross; yet, from the grave of such reproach he will rise
at length to a throne of power on which no living man could ever
sit, and from which the very mention of his name will move men's
spirits as with some potent spell. The temporary withdrawal of
popular favor is nothing; but this permanent enthronement of
personal influence is real greatness. Let us live, therefore, not
for the applause of the hour -- the merest clap-trap can get that
-- but for the advancement of the truth; and, sooner or later, we
shall share in the glory of its final triumph."
               
4865 Bates Pike SE
               
Cleveland, TN 37323
.
November 1-5, 1998 "Sing Unto The Lord" Lessons From The Songs We Sing Speakers include: Alan Adams, Kent Bailey, Jim Blankenship, James Boyd, Dean Buchanan, Ken Burleson, Danny Butler, Gary Colley, Phil Davis, Gilbert Gough, Raymond Hagood, Virgil Hale, Ferrell Hester, Guy Hester, Glenn Hitchcock, Charles Leonard, Holger Neubauer, Jack Phillips, Walter Pigg, Garland Robinson, Paul Sain, Robert Taylor, Ben Vick, Sidney White Garfield Heights Church of Christ 2842 Shelby St. Indianapolis, IN 46203 (317) 784-9480 332 page book, tapes available also |
October 23-25, 1998 "Hold Fast The Form Of Sound Words" Speakers include: Chuck Northrop, Jack Williams, Roelf Ruffner, Jesse Whitlock, Marion Fox, Wayne Price, Willard Cox, Terry Hill, Gary Henson North Broadway Church of Christ 301 N Broadway, Marlow, OK 73055 Ph: (580) 658-3186 -- rwh07@marlownet.net |
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