Volume 3 November, 1962 Number 11

THOSE "DO NOTHING" ANTIS

H. E. Phillips

In recent months some bulletins and papers have carried the common charge that those they call"antis" are a "do nothing" group of people. Either this charge is true and can be proved, or it is false and those who make the charge are guilty as "false accusers". I am interested just here in an examination of the facts to see what these "antis" are not doing that they should do. I, for one, want to be a "doer of the word, and not a hearer only." I know that God will not bless one who does not bear fruit to the glory of God. But I am not convinced that thepeople who ar e called "anti" ar e a "do nothing"group of people. I cannot answer for every man or every church who may be called "anti" but I cananswer for myself. Let us observe some facts as I know them.

The Forest Hills church in Tampa with which I am associated in the work of the Lord would be called an "anti" church by most "liberal" and "institutional" brethren. I wish to compare this chur ch with some I know who ar e opposed towhat they call "anti".

  1. The Forest Hills church is scripturally organized with bishops, deacons and saints. (Phil. 1:1).We can not be accused of being a "do nothing" groupin this respect. We are as the New Testament teaches.
  2. The Forest Hills church meets "steadfastly"on the first day of the week to break bread andotherwise worship God as the New Testament directs a church to do. (Acts 20:7; 2:42). We worship God in spirit and truth. (John 4:24). We sing,pray, break bread, contribute of our prosperity andstudy the wor d of God. We cannot be accused of "doing nothing" in the r ealm of worship. We are doing only what the New Testament directs in thisconnection.
  3. The Forest Hills church supports a preacherwho labors in the immediate community and with thechurch (I Cor. 9:11, 14; Phil. 1:5), and it sendssupport directly to three preachers in other areas asthey preach the gospel (Phil. 4:15,16, 2 Cor. 11:8).Is this "doing nothing"? What mor e would the accusers do?
  4. The Forest Hills church has and will supplythe needs of its own members as the need arises. It has and will help those widows of its number whoare in need of "daily ministration". T his has been done and will continue to be done as the New T estament directs. (Acts 6:1-6; 4:34). This is doing something — doing what the New T estament authorizes.
  1. The Forest Hills church edifies itself in regular periods of Bible study and singing. (Eph. 4:12, 16; Eph. 5:19; Acts 9:31).
  2. The individual members of the Forest Hills church have supplied food, medical aid and clothingto various needy families who are not members ofthe church. They are at present doing so. Orphan children have been and are being cared for byvarious members. The sick, poor, hungry, naked and aged have been and ar e being helped by individual members of the church at Forest Hills. (Gal.6:10; James 1:27).

Now what is this "anti" church not doing that itshould be doing? What does the New T estament direct of a church that we have not listed here ? The Forest Hills church does not contribute to anyhuman missionary or benevolent society for anypurpose whatever because no verse in the New T estament can be found to authorize such action. The Forest Hills church does not engage in "fun and frolic" to cater to young people or old people. The Forest Hills church does not assume the obligation to furnish an education for young menand women. We find no authority in the NewTestament for the church doing such.

Now when the charge of "do nothing" is madeagainst those congregations opposed to the church doing anything for which there is not divine authority in the New T estament, the only thingmeant is that these churches do not contribute to missionary societies like the Gospel Press and Herald of Truth, to benevolent societies like orphanages, old folks homes, to summer camps for recreation for young people, to hobby shops for entertaining young men and women, to "Christian" colleges for the purpose of giving children a "Christian" education. These things are meant whenone charges "anti" churches with "doing nothing". Well, we call upon these "do something" chur ches "on the march" to furnish divine authority for these "wonderful works" which they are doing. We are "anti" because we oppose these various innovations the promoters want to bring into thechurch. We are "do nothing" churches because we do not contribute to these operations of men which are not authorized by the word of God.

We are not interested in just "doing something"; we are interested in being "doers of the word". Itcould be said no better than Jesus said it in chapter 1, verses 22 to 25: "But be ye doers of the WORD,and not hear ers only, deceiving your own selves. For if any be a hearer of the WORD, and not a doer, he is like unto a man beholding his natural face in a glass: for he beholdeth himself, and goeth his way, and straightway forgetteth what manner of man he was. But whoso looketh into the perfect law of liberty, and contimieth therein, he being not a forgetful hearer, but a DOER of the WORK, this man shall be blessed in his deed." Of cour se, theWORK which he must do must be found in the "perfect law of liberty". We challenge the accusers to produce one single thing we are not doing for which there is divine authority.

A CHRISTIAN WRITES TO HIS BRETHREN

August 2, 1962

TO MY FELLOW BRETHREN IN THE SIXT H AVENUE CHURCH OF CHRIST JASPER, ALABAMA

Dear Brethren:

For sometime now brother Nichols has been presenting what he believes to be the truth on the question of this congregation supporting from her treasury both the Herald of Truth and Childhaven,Inc.

As a member of this congr egation I do not believe that brother Nichols is in harmony with the Word of God. I have reason to believe that some of youmay agree with me that what brother Nichols is teaching from the pulpit, in our bulletin, and over the radio programs is not taught in the Bible.

Since our preacher, who is one of our elders, haspresented only what he believes, do you not thinkthat it would be nothing but fair and honest for us to hear the other side of this question? If what brother Nichols is teaching with the support of theelders is taught in God's Book, don't you think theyshould let us hear these matters discussed openly,with both sides being presented from the same page, or fr om the same r adio micr ophone, or fr om thesame platform, to the same audience, where we canhear an open, fair, and honest investigation of these questions?

We can have such a period of Bible study provided brother Nichols and the elders are willing to submit what they teach to open investigation. There is aman in our county that is r eady to discuss thesequestions and has signed r epr esentative pr opositions and br other Nichols has them. So all that is necessary for such a discussion is for brother Nichols to sign the propositions and return them.Brother Thomas G. O'Neal states in the bulletin of the McArthur Heights Congregation, "Brother Nichols has r epr esentative pr opositions with mysignature on them. Should he desire, I will be glad to put my name on the line where Charles Holt's is onthe propositions used in the Wallace-Holt debate or wher e Roy Cogdill's is on the pr opositions used in the Birmingham and Newbern Debates." Walking In Truth, Febr uar y, 1962, Page 2.

Brother Nichols has had about one hundred debates in the past. He has not been afraid to defend what he believes to be the truth in the past. Don'tyou think brother Nichols should defend in publicinvestigation what he believes on these matters?

Br ethr en, will you not speak to the elder s andencourage them to work toward a fair, open, study of these matters, between brethren Gus Nichols andThomas G. O'Neal? TRUTH has no fear of openinvestigation of God's Wor d.

YOUR BROT HE R IN CHRIST

JAMES FRED DILL

The past two or three weeks have intensified the concern about atom bombs and the terrible consequences that would follow in the area where one should be dropped. The recent scare about the Cuban situation clearly indicates the anxiety of all people when their physical lives and property are in danger. Some few began to frantically "lay by in store" food supplies and other preparations for whatthey thought was imminent danger. Others began to leave f or "saf er gr ounds". We have no cr iticism to offer those citizens who make the proper preparations the civil authorities direct them to make. To the contrary, we encourage obedience tothe proper authorities as long as it is in harmony with the will of God. Every Christian ought to dothat. But we raise this question, Why do the massesof people get so concerned and excited about thepossibility of atomic war, which may not come, and are so unconcerned and indifferent about that dreadful day of judgment which is certain to come? I can find but one answer: most people believewar nings about atomic war, but somehow they donot believe the war nings of God about the coming of Christ and the judgment. People are more interested in saving the body than in saving the soul.

It is altogether possible that there will never be an atomic war — there might be one; the danger is present — but the coming of Christ is absolutelycertain. There are no shelters that can protect anyliving creature on earth. Christ promised to comeagain (John 14: -3; Heb. 9:27,28; Acts 1:10,11; 2 Pet. 3:3-9). As to the time of his coming, manyhave speculated and set dates, all of which havefailed. T he second coming of Chr ist has not beenr evealed. Jesus said things would be going on athis coming just as normally as they wer e in the days of Noah when the flood came and destr oyed all who

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were not in the ark. (Matt. 24:36-44). He willcome instantly, unannounced, and visible to all (IThess. 5:2; Matt. 25:13; Rev. 1:7). His coming iscertain and we know not the day nor the hour, butsomehow people are not inclined to make anypreparation for this event.

When Christ comes the second time it will be the end of the world. After speaking of those whoscoffed at the promise of his coming, Peter said: "The Lord is not slack concerning his promise, as some men count slackness; but is long-suffering to us-ward, not willing that any should perish, butthat all should come to repentance. But the day of the Lord will come as a thief in the night;" (nowarning system to enable anyone to make preparation) "in the which the heavens shall pass away with a great noise, and the elements shall melt with fervent heat, the earth also and the works that are therein shall be burned up." (Pet. 4:9,10). This is the time when all that belongs to this earth will be burned up, yet r elatively f ew ar e makingpreparations for this event. The resurrection of all the dead will occur and the judgment of God willthen take place. (Acts 17:31; 2 Cor. 5:10; Rev. 20:11-13; 2 Thess. 1:7-9).

It is time to awake out of our sleep and makepreparations for the second coming of Christ, atwhich time not the physical body and our earthly possessions will be of concern, but when the souls of men will be the only thing of value. We must beready when he comes or we will never enter that place which he has prepared for the righteous. Even if the Lord does not come during our lifetime, deathwill take each one of us within the next few years. That is as certain as the second coming of Christ. We do not have time to waste; we must obey the gospel of Christ and be faithful at all times in anticipation of his coming. Atom bombs are unimportant whencompared to the return of the Lord.

One of the two institutional preachers in Tampa wrote the following letter to a sister who found upon investigation that she preferred to attend one of the score of loyal churches in the city. The name of the sister and the preacher are omitted because they are not germane to the arguments. All of the letter is not used, but all of it that has any bearing on thequestion is quoted. It reads as follows:

. . . read James 1:27. Our anti brethren . . . say that this applies ONLY to the individual and not the church. If this scripture meansthat only individuals are to care for orphans, it also means that only individuals are to care for widows, but let us look at the scriptures. 1T imothy 5 :16 plainly says that THE CHURCH is to relieve certain widows and Acts 6:1-3 shows that it was THE CHURCH which was charged with the responsibility of lookingafter widows. Since James 1:27 does NOT confine the care of widows to individuals, what

right has anyone to say that it confines the

care of orphans to individuals? These

brethren are presuming to "MAKE A

L AW WHE RE GOD HAS MADE NONE."

And they are not only doing this but are also

dividing the church over their NEW theory

and it is a NEW theory. T hey ought to be

ashamed of themselves for they are going to

have to answer at the judgment for the trouble

THEY have caused in the brotherhood.

Our anti brethren have made themselves

ridiculous in claiming that it is a sin-to take

money out of the church treasury to help

anyone who is not a member of the church.

Read Galatians 6:10. The anti brethren say

that this applies only to the individual, but

read Gal. 6:2 and see for yourself that this

was written to THE CHURCHES OF

GAL ATIA.

Our misled brother makes the argument that ifwe limit James 1:27 to individuals then the care of widows would be limited to individuals, but 1Timothy 5:16 plainly says "the church is to relieve certain widows." Just think of what he has said and we can all marvel. He says the Bible "PLAINLY SAYS THE CHURCH IS TO RELIEVE CERTAIN WIDOWS." He makes the argument that in the same way the church is to relieve theorphans. Now that is exactly what the brethren hebitterly condemns as "anti" contend for and he must have switched sides. If the Bible plainly tells the church to do the work where does this leave his human institutions? If in Acts 6:1-3 the church saw to the widows, why is this not an apostolic exampleof who is to do the relieving and plainly shows it is to be done by the church and not through and by some institution unknown to the word of God? Where is the human institution in any of the passages he has mentioned? Certainly he cannotfind it in James 1:27, and he says himself it is the church that is to do the work in 1 T imothy 5 :16 and in Acts 6 :l-3. I ask again, where is the man madeagency? If our brother wants to speak where the Bible speaks and be silent where the Bible is silent, why does he not just preach what he has in the first part of the paragraph. Let him teach that the individual and the chur ch ar e to do the wor k and there will be no division.

To make bad matters worse our institutional preacher says this "IS A NEW THEORY." Whatis new about it? Does he mean that it is new to teach that James 1:27 teaches that individuals should visit the widows and orphans ? T hat is what James said and it has been accepted for 1900 years. This is not new. Is it possible that the NEW THEORY is to take a passage that plainly is directed to the individual Christian and try to make it achurch action? This is the only thing that is new. Be this as it may, however, does he mean that it is new to teach that the church should see to its widows and orphans? He said this is in the Bible and quotedthe three passages to prove it. Is this a new doctrine? When I teach from these passages that the church is the God given institution to see to this work, is that a new doctrine? The truth ofthe matter is this, the new doctrine is what our brother teaches; namely, that the church cannot seeto its benevolent work as they did in Acts 6 and in 1Timothy 5, but that we have to build man-made insitu

tions under boards of directors to do the work and all the church can do is to furnish the money. THIS IS THE NEW DOCTRINE and I marvel that everychild of God on earth cannot see it.

In the next paragraph he asserts, "Our anti brethren have made themselves ridiculous in

claiming that it is a sin to take money out of thchurch treasury to help anyone who is not a member of the church." He needs to try this by his ownscripture. He declares that I Timothy 5:16 teaches that the church can help "CERTAIN" widows. Would he write the same thing to Paul if he were alive? Would he say, Paul, you have made yourself ridiculous by teaching that the church cannot heljust any widow? Where do the "certain" widows come in? If sound brethren are ridiculous byteaching the one to be relieved has to be a Christian before the church treasury could be used, where does this put the Holy Spirit? He taught that thehad to be far more than just a Christian before they could meet the qualifications of 1 T imothy 5If our brother's argument means anything it woulhave to be this: Since 1 T imothy 5 teaches that "certain" widows are to be seen to by the church,then it would also teach that "certain" orphans would be the obligation of the church. The question still stands however: WHERE IS THE HUMAN

INSTITUTION? The truth of the matter is that our preacher has missed the teaching of every passage he used

James 1:27 is to individuals and to individuals only.

1 Timothy 5 embraces far more than just

benevolence on behalf of these "certain" widows.

Acts 6:1-3 is a pattern for benevolent work an

shows that the church is the only institution on

earth that is authorized by God thus to function. It is

little wonder that the sister to whom the letter was

written decided to continue with the sound

brethren. I marvel.

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KINGS AND CHRONICLES

In this installment we shall consider the book of Kings and Chronicles together, as they are veryclosely a ociated. There are many things that pointto Christ in both books and there are many le ons of beauty, but we shall consider only a few.

First, after the death of David, Solomon, David's son, begins to rule over Israel. He is confronted with a very serious decision to make as he is given thchoice between riches and wisdom. He wisely chooses wisdom and is given both riches and wisdom such as men had never before had nor will have like him afterward. Is there not some similarity in this decision with the temptation of Christ? Do we notsee that Solomon was allowed to build the templand Christ builds the church according to divineregulations? Solomon was on his throne about 4years before the temple was completed and thChrist was about 4 years in his personal ministryand had ascended to heaven before the church was in perfection. Solomon gathered much of thematerials out of another kingdom to build thtemple and the "lively stones" in the temple of God are from another kingdom. Materials were cut and made to order before being placed in the templewhich Solomon erected and the material in the Lord's church is put in the building according tospecifications. The temple built by Solomon was the greatest building and the most costly the world hadever seen, and the church of the living God the most costly, the greatest and most sublime institution ever known to the world or to Heaven.

It is not long until we also see the division of the kingdom after the death of Solomon. Rehoboam is not willing to listen to the advice of the sages of Israel and because of his stubbornness the kingdomis divided. When we fail to follow the word of God the church is divided. It is a sad commentary on manthat he will not listen to the wisdom of God. Anytime we think we can change the divine pattern in anyway it indicates a lack of faith, on our part,in the ability of Jehovah to build a kingdom as He wanted it, to do what He wanted it to do. In thedivision we find a continuing degradation of theJews until 10 tribes go into Assyrian captivity anthe remaining two tribes stay in southern Palestine for a while then they rebelled and went as captives into the land of Babylon. It is heart rendering tknow men will not approve in their lives and

actions the ways of God. We see designing men, men

not content with heaven's revelation, bent on their

ways causing havoc to the church as did the men of Israel in the

olden days.

The apostasy of Jeroboam finally ended with th

pollution of the alters by burning the bones of men

on the alters. The apostasies of our day will end i

destruction and all the tears we may shed, and the

prayers we may pray, and the fervent pleading o

those great men who love the soul of lost men will

not slack the speed of men who are determined to

plunge headlong into that which is away from divine

revelation. Let us look back, study the question in

the day of Israel's darkest hour, and see the fittin

example for ustoday.

"UNTO ALL THE WORLD" HOW ABOUT NORWAY

Bob Tuten, Warner Robins, Georgia

The last words of Jesus to his little band of disciples were to have a momentous effect upon alwho name the name of Christ. Jesus had said, "go yeinto all the world and preach the gospel to the whole creation" (Mark 16:15). As Christ was taken intoheaven the perplexed Apostles with His comforting promise, "and lo, I am with you always, even untothe end of the world" still ringing in their ears, madetheir way down the slopes of Mount Olive to await the "promise of the father." Mark tells us "and theywent forth and preached everywhere ... " (Mark 16:20). So conscientiously did they carry out thcommand of their Lord and Master that by Acts 8:1,4, the Bible says, "and there arose on that day agreat persecution against the church which was in Jerusalem and they were all scattered abroad throughout the regions of Judea and Samaria . . .they therefore that were scattered abroad went about (everywhere KJV) preaching the word. And by Acts 11:19 we are informed, "They thereforthat wer e Scattered abroad upon the tribulation that arose about Stephen traveled as far as Phoenicia, and Cyprus, and Antioch, speaking theword ... " To the T hessalonians the Apostle said,"and ye became imitators of us, and of the Lord,having received the word in much affliction, witjoy of the Holy Spirit; so that ye became an exampleto all that believe in Macedonia and Achaia. For from you hath sounded forth the word of the Lord, noonly in Macedonia and Achaia, but in every place your faith to God-ward is gone forth" ( I Thess. 1:6-8). Not only did the apostles "go ye into all theworld and preach to the whole creation" but those whom the apostles taught and baptized as well. The church, says Paul, "is the pillar and ground of the Truth" (I Tim. 3:15). Therefore as Timothy labored in Ephesus, Paul exhorted him to "commit untofaithful men, who shall be able to teach others also" the things he had heard from Paul.

Jesus had said, "every branch in me that beareth not fruit, he taketh away" (John 15:2), "and theygather them and cast them into the fire, and they are burned" (v.6), and "herein is my Fatheglorified, that ye bear much fruit; and so shall ye bemy disciples" (v.8). When Christ gave the great commission to the Apostles He placed upon everyChristian the great responsibility of trying to save others.

For "God would have all men to be saved and to

come to the knowledge of the Truth" (I Tim. 2:3-5)

Our responsibility does not end with a discu ion over the back fence or with the next door neighborbut as Jesus said, "unto all the world." God's word has gone forth and "was preached in all creation under heaven" (Col. 1:23) in that the Bible is available to all humanity. For in Romans 10:18 weread, "but I say, did they not hear ? Yea, verily,their sound went out into all the earth, and their words unto the end of the world." Yet in mancommunities in our land and more so in foreigncountries, a New Testament church cannot be found! There are many souls who, in effect, cry "how can I except someone shall guide me" (Acts 8:31).NORWAY IS SUCH A PLACE!

Norway, the land of the fjords, is a country ofover three and one-half million people. There are fewer New Testament Christians there than in the small town of Warner Robins, Georgia. The Evangelical Lutheran Church is the national church of Norway. There is, however, complete freedom ofreligion enabling all members of dissenting churches to worship after their fashion. About 96% of the population belong to the state church. "The harvest truly is great, but the labourers are few; pray ytherefore the Lord of the harvest, that he wouldsend forth labourers unto his harvest" (Luke 10:2).

Do we sustain an obligation to this country? Yea, verily! If there is a need here at home, that needis ten times greater in Norway. If we sustain anobligation to alienated humanity here, how muchmore in Norway! In our effort to fortify the home-front against a tidal wave of digression, let us not forget the need for sowing the seed abroad! Obviously, we can't go literally into all the world. Yet, those who love the Lord and the souls of menthose who are interested in building up the cause of Christ will want to make the necessary sacrifices to help sound forth the word into all the world. There is a vacant place for every Christian in the Lord's vineyard. Find your place and fill it! While youare looking, look also in foreign lands. Let everyloyal preacher choose a country that interests him and determine to spend a few years there teachingNew Testament Christianity. Some day the church in that foreign land will thus be strong spirituallyand numerically as it is here at home.

My wife and I are now making plans to move toBergen, Norway in the spring of 1963. We planto join the Joe Pruett family and work with themin Bergen, then carry on when they return to thestates in 1964. We do not ask for thousands of dollars to build them a fabulous meeting house, etc. but we do need and ask for enough supportand travel expenses to help build up the cause of Christ in Norway. Some day the Norwegianbrethren will be able to carry on without help fromabroad. "And I heard the voice of the Lord, saying,whom shall I send, and who will go for us? Then I said, Here am I; send me" (Isaiah 6:8). Where is the church or Christian individual who will sacrifice with us and help support us to this end? I assure you, any small amount will help

Brother Pruett has told me I will need $500.00 per month support and about $3,000.00 travel expenses round trip for a family of four. And if pos

sible, raise $200.00 per month as a working fund for the church. My family and I are now studying Norsk and hope to be able to speak it fluently by next spring. We are now being supported by Riverside Drive andFranklin Road churches in Nashville Tennessee and by the church here in Warner Robins. The church inHaynesville, Louisiana is helping in my support for one year. Any of these may be contacted for recommendations. How much will you help?

QUESTION: Did Jesus enter into hell when hedied? I have been told that he did, and I have beengiven as pr oof Psalms 16:10 and Acts 2:27,31. I thought he entered into paradise (Lk. 23:43).

— B. B.

ANSWER: The verses referred to in the above question with the word "hell" in them reads as follows: "For thou wilt not leave my soul in hell;neither wilt thou suffer thine Holy One to see corruption." (Psalms 16:10) "Because thou wiltnot leave my soul in hell, neither wilt thou suffer thine Holy One to see corruption . . . He seeing this before spake of the resurrection of Christ, that his soul was not left in hell, neither his flesh did seecorruption." (Acts 2:27,31).

T he world translated "hell" in Psalms 16:10 is from the Hebrew term "sheol", and is defined inYoung's Analytical Concordance: "T he unseen state." It identifies that place into which peopleenter at death — it is the realm of the departed. The word translated "hell" in Acts 2 :27,31 is from theGreek term "hades", and means the same as theHebrew term "sheol". Robert Young defines it: "T he unseen world." With this definition T hayer and other eminent Greek scholars agree. Further proof is seen in the fact that Peter quoted Psalms

16:10 in Acts 2:27 and r ender ed it "hades". These terms, however, must not be confused with the hell of eternal punishment. The word "hell' that involves eternal punishment is from the Greek term "gehenna" and is found in the following passages: Matt. 5:22, 29, 30; 10:28; 18:9; 23:15, 33; Mk. 9:43, 45, 47; Lk. 12:5; Jas. 3:6. Among the Jewsthe word "gehenna" immediately suggested the very ultimate in horror and suffering. They were well acquainted with a literal place called "gehenna" or "Valley of Hinnom", which was "a deep narrow glen to the south of Jerusalem, where, after the introduction of the worship of the fire-gods by Ahaz, the idolatrous Jews offered their children to Moloch (2 Chron. xxviii,3; xxxiii, 6, Jer. vii,31; xix 2-6). Inconsequence of these abominations the valley was polluted by Josiah (2 Kings xxiii,10) ; subsequently to which it became the common lay-stall of the city, where the dead bodies of criminals, and the

carcasses of animals, and every other kind of filth was cast, and, according to late and somewhat questionable authorities, the combustible portionconsumed with fire. From the depth and narrowness of the gorge, and, perhaps, its ever-burning fires, as well as from its being thereceptacle of all sorts of pure-tying matter, and allthat defiled the holy city, it became in later times the image of the place of everlasting punishment, "Where their worm dieth not, and the fire is not quenched;" (McClintock and Strong Cyclopaedia,Vol. Ill, p. 264).

This information helps us to understand whyJesus called that place of "everlasting punishment" (Matt. 25:46) into which the wicked enter after judgment "Gehenna". Into this hell (gehenna) Jesus never entered. He did enter into hades or sheol — the unseen world. "Paradise" is in hades and is the abode of the departed righteous. "Tartarus" (2 Pet. 2:4) is also in hades — the unseen world — and is the abode of the departed wicked. This, however, is not the eternal hell of punishment, although the wicked are said to be intorment there (Lk. 16:23). T he Bible teaches thatChrist has power over hades now (Rev. 1:18) andthat he will cast it and death into the lake of fire at the judgment (Rev. 20:14). This will mark the endof both death and hades. After the judgment hadeswill not be needed. The righteous will be in heavenand the wicked will be in hell (gehenna).

Confusion exist because all four terms, "sheol", "hades", "tartarus", and "gehenna" are translated by the one word "hell" in some versions. Perhaps, if all versions uniformly translated these terms by the use of appropriate words, much of the confusion would be eliminated. The word "hades" appears in the following passages: Matt. 11:23; 16:18; Lk. 10:15; 16:23; Acts 2:27, 31; I Cor. 15:55; Rev. 1:18; 6:8; 20:13,14. I have already listed thepassages in which "gehenna" occurs.

Jesus did not enter into hell (gehenna) when hedied. He did enter hades — the unseen world. In the unseen world he was in paradise — not tartarus. It was from this hadean world he arose a victor over the dark domain.

INSTRUMENTAL MUSIC

One of the oldest forms of argument is the syllogism. The word comes from a Greek word which means "a reckoning all together." Or to put it another way, "a reckoning with all the parts present." Webster in his New Collegiate Dictionary defines it thus: "A logical scheme or analysis of a formal argument, consisting of a major premise, the minor premise and the conclusion. T he conclusionnecessarily follows from the premise, so that if these are true, the conclusion must be true."

T he following 14 syllogisms show that the use of instrumental music is a violation of God's law in the NEW TESTAMENT. They are clear and completeand should prove to any with an open mind thatGod intends for his children to sing and not to play an instrument in worship today.

SYLLOGISMS

  1. God by his divine power, has given us all things that pertain unto life and godliness (2 Pet. 1:3).
  2. That word does not furnish us with instruments of music in worship.
  3. Therefore, the use of the instrument of music in worship is not Godlike.

1. T hat which is not Godlike, or godly is ungodly.

  1. The use of the instrument in the worship is not godly.
  2. Therefore, the use of the instrument in worship is ungodly.
  1. "Whatsoever ye do in word or deed, do all in the name of the Lord." (Col. 3:17).
  2. Anything done in the name of the Lord is simply by his authority. God authorizes only in his word, .his word does not authorize the use of instruments in the worship.
  3. Therefore, those who do use instruments in the worship do it without divine sanction.
  1. Christ said to his apostles: "T each all nations . . . whatsoever I have commanded you." (Mat.28:19,20).
  2. T hese apostles did not teach people to use instruments in the public worship.
  3. Therefore, instrumental music in worship is no part of the "all things" commanded by Christ.
  1. Christ told the apostles that the Holy Ghost would guide them into all truth. (John 16:13).
  2. T he Holy Ghost did not guide them into the practice of using instrumental music in the worship.
  3. Therefore, the use of the instrument in worship is no part of the truth.
  1. The entire system of divine worship is found in the New T estament.
  2. Instrumental music in worship is not found in the New T estament.
  3. Therefore, it is no part of the divine system to use instruments of music in the worship.
  1. The law of worship given by God is perfect. (James). To add to a perfect law makes it imperfect.
  2. Instrumental music is not in God's law of worship. It is added.
  3. Therefore, instrumental music in worship makes the law of God imperfect.
  1. Congregational worship was appointed by inspired men, and was ordained of God.
  2. All things left out of congr egational worship were left out by the authority of God. Instrumental music was left out of the worship.
  3. Therefore, instrumental music was left out of the worship by the authority of God

1. Christians should speak the same things (I Cor. 1:10) ; walk by the same rule (Phil. 3:16). This can be done only by speaking as the oracles of God.

(I Pet. 4:11).

  1. The oracles of God authorize no man to put instruments of music in the worship to God.
  2. Therefore, those who put the instruments of music in the worship disregard the apostolic rule.
  1. Those only are sons of God who are led by the Spirit of God. (Rom. 8:14).
  2. God's Spirit teaches no man to put the instrument in the worship.
  3. Therefore, those who put the instrument in the worship of God forfeit their claim to sonship.
  1. Doing as an act of worship anything not authorized in God's word is going beyond what is written.
  2. To go beyond what is written in condemned in God's word. (I Cor. 4:6).
  3. Therefore, to do anything as an act of worship not authorized is condemned in the Scriptures.
  1. The use of instrumental music in connection with singing is going beyond what is written.
  2. To go beyond what is written in condemned. (I Cor. 4:6).
  3. Therefore, the use of instrumental music in connection with singing is condemned.
  1. God seeks such to worship him as will worship in spirit and truth. (John 4:23).
  2. The truth does not direct us to use instru mental music in worship.
  3. Therefore, to use instrumental music in worship cannot be worship in spirit and truth.
  1. Any worship render ed not in God's name is sinful.
  2. The use of instrumental music in worship is not in God's name.
  3. Therefore, the use of instrumental music in worship is sinful, and the wages of sin is death.

WALKER REPORTS FOR WALKER

Paul Brock, Jacksonville, Fla.

In the September 27, 1962 issue of the GospelAdvocate, David Walker, son of D. Ellis Walker, has an article which was supposed to be a report ofthe Lake Shore Debate, conducted in our buildingAugust 20-27th.

Bro. Walker had NO backing of his liberal brethren in Jacksonville. Only two of them announced the debate in their bulletins. His own moderator did not. Only four or five liberal preachers attended and that not regularly. Not aliberal preacher in Jacksonville (nor anyplace elsewe know of) made mention of the debate after it was over. His own moderator repudiated him publicly inhis closing r emarks.

Since Walker had no backing it became necessary for his son, David, to report on it. "He that tooteth not his own horn the same shall not be tooted." T he sad part about David's report is that he reported things as being said which were never said. He reported positions of Paul Brock which the tapes show were just the opposite. One example:

David said: "One of the most harmful points to Brock under the first issue was his criticism of orphan homes on the grounds they are incorporated and have boards of directors." (Par. 2, page 613).

T he tapes show that this is what I said: "T he church cannot contribute to a board of directors of any kind to do the work of the church, whether that board is incorporated or not incorporated, brother Walker." (First speech, 5th night).

In reporting things not in the debate as actuallybeing in it, David must have "reported" on his ownspeeches, or notes, which he supplied his father, which were never introduced. In fact, no few thinkthat David is the author of "Every Good Work" — and with good reason. Bro. Darling was Walker's moderator, but it was David who sat behind himand handed him all the notes that kept him introuble. Who wrote what, I know not, but one thing I do know, the author of the Advocate "Report" is dishonest.

One would think from David's report that a major portion of the debate was concerning Florida Christian College, when in reality a very few minutes were given to this and that only when Walker had accused FCC of soliciting funds from churches. The irony of this is that Walker denied (half-heartedly) that churches could support schools and then turned around and said he was present when the boar d changed the constitution of theschool so as to EXCLUDE contributions from the church and then declar ed he "objected to the change".

If Walker thinks he did such a great job of defending the truth, why will NO ONE, POSITIVELY NO ONE, endorse him ANYWHERE for debate? Whenever he can get anybody to callon him for debate anywhere, I am confident thebrethren will accommodate. E ven University Ave.,whe r e he preaches, will not allow him to defend his teaching there. No wonder his son has to resort to misrepresentation in efforts to bolster his father's cause.

THE WRONG ATTITUDE WILL COST YOU YOUR SOUL

Ronald Mosby, Valley Station, Ky.

(Brother B. G. Hope of the 12th Street Church, Bowling Green, Ky. sends us this article which heread in the Valley Station, Ky. bulletin. Heobtained permission from brother Ronald Mosby topublish it and sent it along to us to appear inSearching The Scriptures — Editor).

After several verses of exhortation to wives and

to husbands concerning their responsibilities and

behaviour toward one another, the apostle Peter

wrote: "Finally, be ye all of one mind, having

compassion one of another, love as brethren, be

pitiful, be courteous: not rendering evil for evil,

or railing for railing; but contrariwise blessing;

knowing that ye are thereunto called, that ye

should inherit a blessing." I Peter 3:8, 9.

T he word attitude, is defined: "A manner of

acting, feeling, or thinking that shows one's

disposition, opinion, etc." T he word, disposition, is

defined: "An inclination, or tendency."

The apostle here sets forth the attitude that will

characterize every true child of God. Christians

ever ywher e should have the proper attitude at all

times towards all men, especially towards those

who are brethren in Christ. Anytime an action,

feeling, or thinking reflects a disposition or

inclination on our part toward being

discourteous or bitter to our fellowmen, then we have the wrong attitude. I know that in the heat of contr over sy it is not always easy to maintain the proper attitude even toward your own brethren. As someone has said, "It's spit and be spit at until the end." However, some of my brethren speak of others with whom they differ with such acrimony that it is very obvious even to the most candid that there are roots of bitterness present that should not spring up even towards our worst enemy much less toward our brethren whoare in error. This is bad. I realize that it is very upsetting to the child of God, who sincerely loves the truth, to see others who give only lip service to the Lord, but who, by their practices, have no real love for God or regard for His word. I also realize that all division finds its roots in those who have not the proper love for the law of God.However, the Psalmist says: "Great peace have they which love thy law: and nothing shalloffend them." Ps. 119:165

I am aware even as I write these words that I am running the risk of being called soft, liberal or compromising. In fact the faithfulness of some brethren has been questioned because they do notdisplay a grimaced face whenever the names of certain false teachers are called. Let me say here and now that I am not averse to calling names. In fact I feel the only way people will know whator whom you are talking about most of the time is to call names. Christ and the apostles called names. T he r eason many people ar e in the dar k today on some of the problems in the church is that too many preachers have been preaching principles and have not made plain the applications. Weshould use great plainness of speech as did theapostle Paul (2 Cor. 3:12). Too, it should not takea gospel preacher but a very few minutes to tellanybody how he stands on any issue or any other Bible teaching.

However, brethren, let us be quick to learn thatmeekness does not mean weakness; courtesy is not softness; kindness is not compromise; nor does a soft answer mean necessarily a watered downanswer. The Lord said a man didn't have to rave and rant if he really had the truth, but said, "Let your communication be, "Yet, yea; Nay, nay;whatsoever is more than these cometh of evil." Matt. 5:37.

In almost every passage in God's book where instruction is given to stand for the truth, a phrase is included which shows the proper attitude that must accompany such a stand. Note the following for just a few examples: Gal. 6:1: " .. . in the spirit of meekness;" 2 T im. 2:24, 25: ". . . but be gentle unto all men, apt to teach, patient, in meekness instructing those that oppo se themselves;" 4:2: " .. . with all long suffering and doctrine;" 1 Pet. 3:15: ". . . be ready always togive an answer to every man that asketh you areason of the hope that is in you with meekness and fear."

Wherefore, brethren, let us love the truth of

God above all else. Let us preach it, obey it, and

be r eady at all times to defend it, but by ail means,

let us watch our own attitudes and be careful lest

a root of bitterness spring up in our hearts

towards the ones with whom we differ and

finally be lost on that great day as well as they.

". . . THEY REHEARSED ALL THAT GOD HAD DONE WITH THEM . . ."— Acts 14:27

James P. Miller was in meetings at Twelfth St., BowlingGreen, Ky.; Lexington, Ky.; and in Richmond, Va. duringOctober and the first week in November. He is to be in a meeting with the Par Avenue church in Orlando, Fla.,beginning Nov. 25 and continuing through Dec. 2. Marshall Patton preaches for the Par Avenue chur ch . . . William H.Lewis of St. Petersburg, Fla. was with the Temple Terrace church in Tampa, Oct. 7-13. Robert LaCoste preaches atTemple Terrace . . . Herschel Patton of the Downtown church in Lawrenceburg, Tenn. was in a meeting with the Arch St.church in Little Rock, Ark., Oct. 22-28. Eugene Britnell is the preacher at Arch St. . . . Charles Maples of Huntsville,Ala. was in a meeting with the church in Griffith, Ind., Oct.21-30. . . . Vestal Chaffin was in a meeting with the Englewood church in Chicago, Oct. 14-23.

B. G. Hope of the Twelfth St. church in Bowling Green, Ky.was in a gospel meeting with Oaks Gowen at the WestBradenton church in Bradenton, Fla., Nov. 4-11. . . . DaveBradford of the Westvue chur ch in Murfreesbor o, Tenn. was in a meeting at the El Bethel church, Oct. 22-28 . . . Bob F.Owen of Tampa, Fla. was in a meeting with the LafayetteHeights church in Indianapolis, Ind., Oct. 14-21, He was also in a meeting with the church in Tarpon Springs, Fla.beginning Oct. 1. T. E. Akin, Jr. preaches at Tarpon Springs . . . John Iverson of Port Arthur, Texas was in a meeting with the Belmont church in Indianapolis, Ind., Oct. 7-14. Earl Robertson is the preacher at Belmont . . . Hugh Davis of Lake Wales, Fla. recently closed a gospel meeting with the Florence Villa chur ch in Tampa where Robert Owenspreaches. Hugh Davis is to be in a meeting with the PineHills church in Orlando, Fla. Nov. 11-18. Connie Adamspreaches for this good church. Connie Adams was in a goodmeeting at Lake Wales beginning Oct. 28. . . . B. G. Hopewas in a meeting with the Haldeman Ave. church inLouisville, Ky., Oct. 7-14.

Roy E. Cogdill was in a meeting with the East Florence church in Florence, Ala. in early October . . . Charles Holt of Wichita Falls, Texas was with the church in Denton Oct.22-27. The meeting was in the Woman's Club Building . . . James W. Adams of Oklahoma City, Okla. was in a goodmeeting with the University church in Tampa, Fla., Oct. 28 -Nov. 4. Clinton Hamilton is the preacher with this congregation . . . Howard See of the Fairview church inBirmingham, Ala. was in a meeting at Summittville, Tenn. in October. . . . George Stevens of Louisville, Ky. was in a gospel meeting with the Fairview church in Birmingham, Ala.Nov. 4-11. . . . William H. Lewis was in a meeting withthe Berney Points church in Birmingham, Ala., Nov. 4-11.Dennis Reed is the faithful preacher with this church . . .Yater T ant is the speaker in a meeting with the NorthBirmingham church, Nov. 13-18 . . . Claude Wilsford of East Hill in Pensacola, Fla. will be in a meeting in Jacksonville, North Carolina Nov. 11-21.

Leonard Tyler of Pine Bluff, Ark. was in a gospel meetingwith the North Street church in Tampa, Fla., Nov. 4 -11. Paul Andrews is the preacher at North Street . . . DaleSmelser of Mount Olive, Ala. was in a meeting with theWesley Chapel church in Decatur, Ga., Nov. 4-11. David Tant is the preacher for this church in Decatur . . . Rufus R. Clifford of the Eastland church in Nashville, Tenn. was in ameeting with the 7th Street church in Miami, Fla. Nov. 4-11. . . . The Mooresville Pike church in Columbia, Tenn. had ameeting Nov. 4-11 with a different speaker each evening.Jimmy Thomas preaches for the Mooresville Pike church.

Ferrell Jenkins who recently moved to labor with the WestEnd church in Bowling Green, Ky. will begin a meeting with that congregation Nov. 11 . . . L. L. Stout was in a meetingwith the church in Sunnyvale, Calif., Oct. 22-28. . . . EarlRobertson was in a meeting in Simpsonville, Ky. in midOctober . . . Dennis Reed of Birmingham, Ala. will begin agospel meeting with the North Miami church in Miami, Fla.where Bobby K. Thompson preaches, Nov. 25 .. . Roy E. Cogdill was in a meeting with the Washington Ave. chur ch in Russellville, Ala. in late October . . . Earl Fly of theHolden Heights church in Orlando, Fla. was in a meeting with the chur ch in Trenton, Fla., Oct. 22-30.

David Claypool is to begin work with the Franklin Road church in Nashville, Tenn. He is moving from Louisville, Ky.Robert Jackson of Nashville, Tenn. was in a meeting withthe Pruett & Lobbit church in Baytown, Texas . . . Harmon Caldwell was in a meeting with the Haynes St. chur ch inBayton, Ohio . . . Eugene Britnell of Little Rock, Ark. was with the Southland church in Louisville, Ky., Oct. 8-14 . . .Gene Frost has moved to Park Hill church in Fort Smith,Ark. . . . Irven Lee of Russellville, Ala. was in a meetingwith the Lake Shore church in Jacksonville, Fla. Paul Brock is the preacher at Lake Shore . . . Paul Andrews will be thespeaker in a meeting with the Belmont Heights church inTampa, Fla., Nov. 25 - Dec. 1. J. T. Smith is the preacher at Belmont Heights.

A REQUEST FROM FLORIDA CHRISTIAN COLLEGE

James R. Cope

Several years ago the Board of Directors of Florida Christian College began consideration of thedesirability to change the name of the College. After numerous discussions the decision was made to announce that the name would definitely be changed. This announcement was made at the close of the Annual Lecture Series last February.

The Board desires the suggestions of interested friends in determining the new name of the school.Numerous suggestions have been by-passed becausethere are already Florida schools with those names.Out of the many names suggested by many people,the following have emerged as the three most desirable :

Florida Suncoast College

Florida Coastal College

Florida Westcoast College

The Board of Directors desires the comments, criticisms and suggestions of F.C.C.'s friends andsupporters regarding the three names listed here. A Board Committee has recommended that one of these three names be selected. Will those who read these lines be kind enough to weigh this matter and write me your thinking about it? Feel free to offer any other name that you feel better than the three now being consider ed by the Boar d. I shall then pass your observations to the Board Committee charged with the responsibility of pursuing theproject to completion. Address me c/o Florida Christian College, Temple Terrace, Florida.

SEARCHING THE SCRIPTURES

1960-1961Bound in beautiful blue cloth bindingOnly a few copies left$5.00 per copy

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Phillips Publications

P O Box 17244 TAMPA 12, FLORIDA

SCRIPTURAL ELDERS AND DEACONS'A Study of Church Organization" by

H. E. Phillips

A book every elder, deacon, preacher and Christian should

read in the light of God's word. I ues revolving around "Church Organization" are ever present with us.

Over 300 pages of easily

"Instrumental Music In Worship"

read type, cloth bound.

Morris Butler Book of the Christian

A complete scriptural index

Chur ch and James Par ker Miller of the

in the back of the book plus

church of Christ discussed the question of

references to standard works in

instrumental music in the worship in the

the text.

Howar d High School auditorium in

Chapters discu : "The Na

Orlando, Florida, March 15, 16, 17, 1955.

ture of Church Organization";

Large crowds heard every session of this

Perverted Organizations in

debate It is one of the finest in print

the Church"; "The Scripturally

This book is the debate exactly as it was

Organized Church"; "No Elder

presented by Book and Miller.

Theory"; "The Relationship— Apostles, Elders, Preachers"; "The Eldership and Apostasy"; "The Authority of the Eldership";

Cloth bound — $2.50

"Scriptural Appellations of the Oversight of the Church"; "Attitudes Toward Qualifications of Elders and the Consequences"; "The Qualifications of An Elder"; "The Duties of the Eldership"; "Duties of the Church Toward the Elders"; "Ordaining of Elders"; "The Office of Deacon"; "The Qualifications of Deacons", "Duties of Deacons and the Church"; "Concerning Wives of Officers of the Church"; "Questions and Answers".

Cloth bound -$3.75

WHAT IS WRONG WITH THE SO-CALLED CHURCH OF GOD?

This is a book of debate notes used by Brother Miller in his debates with Thomas O. Dennis and Billy Sunday Myers of the "Chur ch of God" in the springand fall of 1956 These debates were held in Charleston, South Carolina and Lancaster, South Carolina

The book is well worth the price of $1.50 Those who are interested in knowing the false positions of the "Church of God" will gr eatly benefit by

r eading this wor k Or der your copy today

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WHAT IS THE CHURCH OF CHRIST?

by H. E. Phillips

This 24 page booklet is designed thelp "strangers to the covenant of promise" have a better understanding of what the church of Christ really is, and how it differs from present denominationalism. It is divided into three parts: "The Church in the Days of the Apostles"; "Denominationalism of Today"; "The Church of Christ Today".An excellent book to hand to your denominational friends.

Paper bound — $ .25