Volume 6 December, 1965 Number 12

MASS-MAIL EVANGELISMHerschel E. Patton, Lawrenceburg, Tenn.

"I know you believe in the autonomy of the localcongregation. Now, please maintain that autonomwithout any unsolicited and unwanted help fromthe----------------congregation.. . Please respect ourwishes in this matter by removing the -------------addresses from your mailing list." Thus wrote an elder unto me with reference to my sending copies of the church bulletin I edited to members where he was an elder.

The above words are representative of the attitude manifested in many places and in many congregations. When a cherished faith or practice is under attack, and the thing cannot be made to scripturally stand, all opposition is resented and efforts are made to silence or stigmatize the opponent in numerous ways rather than openly and honestly studying aninvestigating the matter. Some elders apparently feelthat they have the right (like the Catholics) to decide the faith and practices of their flock and censure or control what is read or heard by them. I have often wondered about the reasons many of our liberal brethren have for resenting and so bitterly opposing their more conservative brethren mailintheir bulletins to many individuals, including those of a liberal persuasion. Some have protested usingthe mail to send out unsolicited material. However,this is perfectly legal, and ii one does not want thematerial, he can deposit it in the waste basket, owhat is more honorable, kindly inform the sender that it is no longer desired. Some, as the elder quotedin the beginning, say it is a violation of church autonomy for one church to mail its bulletin to a member of another church. Yet, it should be obvious to students of the New Testament that there are no dioceses, or diocesan bishops, in the Lord's church. Each congregation is obligated to "sound out theword" to any and all who will hear. When teachingdone by one congregation flows into the ears andheart of one who happens to be a part of another congregation, whether by person, radio, or press, noviolation of local church autonomy is present.

I have suspected that these objections did notreveal the REAL reasons for the protests, but were cover-ups for the REAL— a fear that members would become informed, and see the error being practiced, and the inability to meet the oppositionwith scriptural answers. These suspicions were confirmed to me by a recent news item (10/22/65) in the Christian Chronicle, published in Abilene, Texas and edited by James W. Nichols.

We are informed that the elders of the Brown Trail church of Christ in Hurst, Texas have announced a "new and bold venture in carrying thegospel to the entire nation and perhaps to nations abroad, by means of direct mail." It is declared that "so far as is known, extensive use of mass-mailed periodicals has never been undertaken by anchurch." (From the cries I have been hearing, yowould think the "antis" had been doing it a lontime.) Soon, we are told, "a quarterly 'Reporter' will be mailed out to most of the 18,000 churches of Christ telling of THE SERVICE THE BROWN TRAIL GROUP IS OFFERING TO OTHER CONGREGATIONS OF THE BROTHERHOOD." (Emphasis mine — H.P.

This "unique ma -mailing project" came aboutthrough suggestions made at a "Campaigns Work-ship in Dallas May 14 when Alvin Jennings presented a film depicting pioneering efforts in directmail in Vermont." After the Brown Trail elders gotthe suggestion, we are told that after many planning sessions they came up with this decision or program. The program involves employing Alvin Jennings as"Minister in direct mail evangelism" (it seems that this is the program of Jennings which he was able to sell to the Brown Trail elders just as James W. Nichols and James Williford were able to sell their "Herald of Truth" program to the elders of the Highland church in Abilene, Texas a number of years ago), the appointment of a group to work with Jennings, secretarial help, an artist, approximately 20area ministers to aid in an editorial capacity, anthe use of office and work areas in a new $200,00church edifice. "Target date for the first ma -saturation has been set for January, 1966, when it is hoped that every household of rural and town USA will receive its first free 16-page gospel quarterly."

What has happened to all the objections we have been hearing from our liberal brethren about bulletins and papers being sent — unsolicited ? — a violation of autonomy for one congregation to send its bulletin to a member of another congregation? I suppose the great evil (?) of one congregation mailing out a few hundred periodicals to individuals —unsolicited, and all of whom happen not to be members of that congregation, becomes right when ONE CHURCH, with financial aid from all churches, doesit for all the churches!!

Where do the Scriptures authorize any church to set itself up, and equip itself for "rendering a service to other congregations of the brotherhood?" Righthere we have the malignancy that has wrought such havoc among God's people today. If each church would be concerned about ITS OWN obligations and responsibilities, discharging these to the extent of its ability, instead of trying to plan and supervise some brotherhood program for all the churches, wwould have New Testament Christianity manifested instead of "Centralization" and "Institutionalism."

Here is where autonomy breaks down and Scriptural precept is forsaken — when one eldership begins to plan and function for numerous churches —when numerous churches turn over portions of their funds and responsibility to another, or to some human institution, for a brotherhood work. This philosophy has brought into existence a brotherhood TV and radio program (Herald of Truth), brotherhood advertising agency (Gospel Press), brotherhood meeting agency (Campaigns for Christ), and now a brotherhood publishing agency (Mass-Mail Evangelism). Besides ambitious churches (or elders)planning and setting up "services" for other congregations, there are the institutional minded brethren who are also quite busy setting up "Homes for Orphans and the Aged," "Hospitals," "Camps,"Schools," etc. under a board of directors to be supported by funds from the churches.

How long do you think it will be until some church or institution will announce "a new and bold venture" as a "Co-ordinating Agency" for the churches. What,with all the programs being "sponsored" and institutions calling for contributions from the churches,how will the churches determine which and where for their funds? Might not the ones with the most talented "fund-raiser" get the bulk of the contributions? Why not a "Co-ordinating Agency" to receive ALL funds from the churches that would then distribute them to the various programs and institutions according to the information gathered by theagents and workers for "The church of Christ Coordinating Agency?" Brethren, how much further is it to Rome?

W. W. OTEY, CONTENDER FOR THE FAITH

A history of controversies in the church of Christ from 1860-1960

by Cecil Willis

A biography of one of the greatest gospel preachers of this century — William Wesley Otey. A well documented book with some of the most pertinent and important information bearing on the present issue in the church today and its development through the years.

425 pages .......................... $4.00

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PHILLIPS PUBLICATIONS

P. O. Box 17244 Tampa, Florida 33612

A TRIBUTE TO A GREAT MAN

H. E. Phillips

Late in the afternoon of November 16, 1965, while at work, Thomas W. Schneider suddenly passed from this life as the result of a heart attack. I was shocked when I received the phone call just before 6 o'clock that my close friend and brother in the Lord had just passed away. He lived in Tarpon Springs, Florida and he with his good wife were instrumental instarting the faithful church there, located on Di ton Avenue. The church there will suffer a great loss because his faithfulness and zeal served as an example to every member of that church.

Brother and sister Thomas Schneider moved to Florida in 1947 when he was transferred by the company for which he worked in Mt. Pleasant, Tennessee. They moved to Crystal Beach near TarponSprings, Florida (between Tarpon Springs and Clearwater) and began worshipping with the church inClearwater where I was then preaching. I loved himand his wife the first time I met them and that love grew through the years to one of the closest uponthis earth.

Tom and Bertha Schneider drove back and forth to worship in Clearwater to every service in all kinds of weather. They were two of the most faithful servants of God I have ever known. After about three years he talked to the elders and some brethren inClearwater about beginning worship in TarponSprings where they had moved. They searched until they found a few members in Tarpon Springs whowere not worshipping anywhere, and, if I recall correctly, began meeting in their home. With the helpof brethren in Clearwater and some brethren in lower Pinellas County a building was started on a lot purchased by brother Schneider and another brother at that time. The church steadily grew until liberalism invaded and the church was divided, bubrother and sister Schneider stood firm in the truth and now a good, sound and faithful church still meets on Di ton Avenue in Tarpon Springs, Florida. I preached in a meeting there just one month before his death and he directed the singing during thatmeeting

I have never known a man who lived more closelyto God every day than did Tom. His life was known to all, both in the church and out of the church, as an example of the believer "in word, in conversation,in charity, in spirit, in faith, in purity" (I Tim. 4:12). He was an encouragement to every person he met and he was not ashamed of the Lord and his word. He was only 57 years of age at his death but he lived a r ich and full life in the service of God during those years.

Brother O. T. Romine and I spoke at his funeral in Tarpon Springs at 10 o'clock, November 181965. His body was carried to Nashville, Tennessee for burial. At a service in Nashville on November 20, 1965, brother Tom Akin, former preacher iTarpon Springs, read from the word of God, brother

O. T. Romine, presently preaching in TarponSprings, ex-pressed prayer unto God, and I spokebriefly again on that occasion.

I, with the staff of writers for Searching The Scriptures, and the many, many readers, friends and brethren in the Lord, express our profound sympathy to sister Bertha Schneider in the loss of her husband and a great man. I have lost a great friend and brother in Christ. My hope in Christ is that we both may spend eternity together in the presence of the Master, our Lord Jesus Christ.

"Biblical" Words of Luke and Acts

Various attempts have been made to list the so-called "Biblical" words of the Bible. These were supposed to be words found only in the Bible and iecclesiastical writers. Kennedy found some 550 such words(Sources of New Testament Greek, p. 62). T his list was probably based upon that of T hayer, which runs up into the 700's (Lexicon, pp. 693-698).Cremer does not list the "Biblical" words in one collection, but words described as such are interspersed throughout his lexicon.

Recent archaeological research has reduced thenumber of "Biblical" words of the older lexicons. Many of these words are now seen in inscriptions and/or papyri; that is, words that the older lexicographers thought occurred only in the Bible and ecclesiastical literature have been found in non-Biblical and non-ecclesiastical sources. This further serves to show that the Greek of the New Testament is not a special "Holy Ghost Greek."

I n sever al articles, the wr iter proposes to illustrate the occurrence of some "Biblical" words in non-Biblical sources.

Allogenes

The word allogenes, "of another race, a stranger,foreigner," is found frequently in the LXX (some 40 passages contain the word), but it occurs onlyonce in the New Testament, Luke 17:18.

Of allogenes, Cremer says, "... belonging only tbiblical and patristic Greek, synonymous with allophulos, which is used in the cla ics and LXX, butmore general and less strong than this." (Lexicon,

p. 150

Thayer says, "sprung from another race, a foreigner, alien." Then he adds, "In Sept....but nowhere in prof, writ..." (Lexicon, p. 28)

It is now known that the Roman authorities placedinscriptions on the marble barriers of the inner court of the Temple at Jerusalem, as a notice to Gentiles not to enter. One such inscription was discovered in 1871 by Clermont-Ganneau. The stone on which it was cut is now in the Imperial New Museum at Constantinople. The inscription is as follows: "Let no foreigner (allogene) enter within the screen and enclosure surrounding the sanctuary. Whosoever is taken so doing will be the cause that death overtaketh him." T he stone itself on which the inscription occurs is a limestone block, 22 1/2 inches high, 33 1/2 inches long, and 14 1/2 inches thick. The lettersare more than l 1/2 inches high.

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THERE IS A PATTERN

James P. Miller

God does not leave his church to wander with aimless feet. The New Testament contains the pattern for its work just as it has for its worship

In Matthew 26:26, 27 we are told to partake of the Lord's Supper. The only way man can know when it is to be observed is to follow the apostles' example inActs 20:7 when the church at Troas met on the first day of the week to break bread. This constitutes the divine pattern. The Lord commands us to eat andthe apostles show us when.

In exactly the same way in the sixth chapter ofActs the apostles show us who is to relieve the needy saints. When the widows were to be provided for, the apostles, in verse three, instructed the church toappoint seven men "over this business." This is God's pattern. When there are needy widows or other saints who are the charge of the church, the church is to relieve them. In I Tim. 5:16 the church is to "relieve them that are widows indeed."

All of this was done without any human institution. The church did the relieving. For the church of our Lord to build and maintain organizations unknown to the word of God is sinful. It is a departure of the most serious consequence from the doctrine of Christ. II John 9.

The Bible tells us WHO is to do the work. The Mi ionary Society a century ago violated the very same principle. Preaching the gospel was the work of the church (I Tim. 3:15). This work could not beturned over to an organization unknown to the word of God.

You owe it to your soul to investigate these and other dangers that threaten the very existence of the church of Jesus Christ.

AN OPEN LETTER TO THE MEMBERS OF THE ROLLA, MISSOURI CHURCH OF CHRIST

October 18, 1965

Inasmuch as only nine selected members of theRolla congregation were present for the two hour"acro -the-table-discu ion" between your preacher,Jerry Jones, and me, I believe that it is in order for you to be "filled in" on some of the liberal positions and ultimate consequences that your preacher takes in a vain effort to foster his modern hobby

You need not be surprised when Jerry Jones beginsto call upon sectarians to word prayers in your assemblies, because he took the position that non-saints and sinners are on praying terms with God.This was done by Jerry, in an effort to be consistent with his announced position on II Corinthians 9:13,which is a passage of scripture which deals with the benevolent help which Corinth and other congregations sent to the saints in Jerusalem, and to saints in other places. Verses one and twelve of that chapter indicate that the collections were for saints. But in an effort to justify the church in using its funds for any and all peoples, Jerry espoused the positiothat the expression "unto all (men)" was for sinners, non-saints, etc., but he failed to reckon with the next verse, the 14th, which reads ... "And btheir prayer for you,..." Thus, Jerry put himself in the unscriptural position of advocating that non-Christians are upon praying terms with God ... no matter what John 9:31 states: "Now we know that God heareth not sinners: but if any man be a worshipper of God, and doeth his will, him he heareth." Already, there is a "church of Christ" in Wichita,Kansas, that is so modern and liberal that they thinknothing of calling upon denominational people ttake part in their services to God.

Earlier this year, in another private discu ion,Jerry Jones took the position that Phil. 4:16 cannot be used as scriptural evidence authorizing a congregation to support (pay) a gospel preacher. This pa age reads: "For even in Thessalonica ye sent once and again unto my nece ity." Paul was commendingthe Philippians for their having supported him inthe preaching of the gospel. But Jerry Jones saythat this cannot be used as authority for paying apreacher today . .. that it is merely an example of paying an apostle. When Jones was referred to II Corinthians 11:8, he also took the dodge that such a passage is not an example of paying a preacher,but only an example of paying an apostle. It reads: "I robbed other churches, taking wages of them to do you service." Paul was here reminding the church at Corinth that he had been supported by other congregations while he preached at Corinth.

I do not charge that Jones has become so liberal that he rejects all New Testament passages thateach by example ... But some alleged "gospel preachers" have become so shallow and liberal as to reject the practice of setting forth New Testament authority by means of examples. For example, this has been done by a number of modernist churches of Christ, where they want to ape the sectarians bobserving communion on Thursday evening before Easter. The only New Testament teaching relative to the specific day on which we must observe theLord's Supper, is found by example in Acts 20:7. But, by rejecting New Testament examples, these modernists leave themselves free to select whatever day they choose for the observance of the Lord's Supper. Jerry is not in this class, but his handlingof New Testament examples will take him there if he isn't careful.

That examples are to be followed, I demonstrate from the following passages:

"... leaving us an example, that ye should follow his steps" (I Peter 2:21)

"I have given you an example, that ye should do as I have done to you" (John 13:15).

"Now these things were our examples, to the intent we should not lust after evil things, as theyalso lusted" (I Cor. 10:6).

Jerry Jones refuses to engage in either a public

or written discussion involving these and other mat

ters. Yet, Paul "was set for the defense of the gos

pel." If Jerry preaches what Paul preached, whwon't he defend it as Paul did?

A servant of Christ,

/S/ Luther W. Martin

Page 5

MIRACULOUS DIVINE HEALING (No. 5)

Connie W. Adams, Akron, Ohio

We continue in this article an examination of the major arguments made by the so-called faith healers in defense of their practice. Their main line of defense is the relating of endless testimonies,which we covered in the last article, but some ofthem do attempt to sustain their practice from the scriptures.

3. Isaiah 53:4-5 and Matt. 8:16-17. The first of these passages says "Surely he hath borne our griefs, and carried our sorrows; yet we did esteem him stricken, smitten of God, and afflicted. But hewas wounded for our transgressions, he was bruised for our iniquities: the chastisement of our peacwas upon him; and with his stripes we are healed."T hey assume that the healing of this passage is physical and not spir itual. T hey then argue that healing of the body is a part of the atonement ofChrist and cite Matt. 8:16-17 to show proof of this contention. That passage says "When the even wascome, they brought unto him many that were possessed with devils; and he cast out the spirits with his word, and healed all that were sick: that it mightbe fulfilled which was spoken by Esaias the prophet,saying, Himself took our infirmities, and bare our sickne ."

The word "atonement" means reconciliation. "For if when we were enemies, we were reconciled to God by the death of his son, much more, being reconciled,we shall be saved by his life. And not only so, butwe joy in God through our Lord Jesus Christ, bwhom we have received the atonement" (Rom. 5:10-11). This atonement was made by blood. But it is significant that Matthew did not quote Isaiah

53:5 which says "by his stripes we are healed."Rather, he quoted Isaiah 53:4 which says "Surelyhe hath borne our griefs and carried our sorrows." What took place in Matt. 8:16-17 was fulfilled before Christ died and therefore before the atonement was perfected. It was not a part of the atonement. We do not read that Jesus died for our sicknesses, butwe do read that he died for our sins. "Thou shalt make his soul an offering for sin" (Isaiah 53:10).When Paul preached the gospel in Corinth he proclaimed that "Chr ist died for our sins according tthe scriptures" (I Cor. 15:3)

The healing of physical infirmities was no part of soul healing. Paul said "We were reconciled untoGod" (Rom. 5:10). This was soul healing. Yet hhad infirmities of the flesh (II Cor. 12:7-9). The soul of T imothy had been saved by the gospel but his body had "oft infirmities" (I Tim. 5:23). The soul of Trophimus had been healed by the gospel but Paulleft him at Miletum sick (II Tim. 4:20). In view of these facts, if the argument of the present day healers is worth anything, then the atonement of Christ failed with Paul, Timothy and Trophimus.

  1. Exodus 15:26. "And said, If thou wilt diligently hearken to the voice of the Lord thy God, andwilt do that which is right in his sight, and wilt giveear to his commandments, and keep all his statutes,I will put none of these diseases upon thee, whichI have brought upon the Egyptians: for I am the Lord that healeth thee." The afflictions brought uponthe Egyptians were a chastisement for the hardne of Pharaoh's heart. They were not ordinary illnesses but were divinely visited upon those idolatrous people. The Lord here promised that he would not divinely impose such illnesses as a chastisement for sin if they would keep his commandments. This is not a promise that all sickness will be removed from Christians, for the passage concerned Israel and not New Testament Christians.
  2. 5. Exodus 23:25. "And ye shall serve the Lord your God, and he shall bless thy br ead, and thy water; and I will take sickness away from the midst of thee." This is quoted often in books and pamphlets by pr esent day "healer s" to prove that the gift ohealing continues to the present. In the first place,they don't know the difference between the old and new testaments, and the children of Israel and Christians. This passage concerned the sojourn of Israel in the wilderness. God also prevented their shoes from wearing out and their clothes from becomingold. I wonder if these pretenders expect that to continue to the present. There were several occasions when the traveling Israelites did so vex the Lord in their murmuring and unbelief that he visited affliction upon them. Remember the serpents which came among the people, bit many of them who died? (Numbers 21) 6. Eph. 5:23. "He is the saviour of the body.

T. L. Osborn actually made an argument on this passage in his book, Healing the Sick. He impliedthat this concerned the healing of the physical body.Any casual reading of the passage shows that Paul is speaking of the church as the body of Christ. Yet men who know so little about the Bible expect us to believe that they are chosen of God to bring deliverance to body and soul.

7. Heb. 13:8. "Jesus Christ, the same yesterday,today and forever." This is quoted over and overby those who believe the gift of healing continues until now. This refers to the nature of Christ. He has always been divine. He has always existed. He is a part of the Godhead. We could say, "God the Father, the same yesterday, today and forever." Yet the acts of God are not the same in every age. Adam was fashioned from the dust of the ground and Eve was made from a rib taken from his side, but thereafter God set in motion a law of birth by which wehave all entered the world. The passage cannot betaken to mean that God continues to do everythinghe once did. He sent the flood once. He punished sin by sending serpents once, another time by sendingfire out from the altar to devour Nadab and Abihu. On another occasion the ground opened to swallow those who followed in the rebellion of Korah, Dathanand Abiram. Jesus not only healed the sick while on earth, he also fed a multitude with a few loaves and fishes. If the statement, "Jesus Christ, the same yesterday, today and forever," means that men canstill do now what Christ did then, why can't these "healers" perform a miraculous feeding?

  1. Jas. 5:14-15. "Is any sick among you? Let him call for the elders of the church; and let them pray over him, anointing him with oil in the name of theLord: and the prayer of faith shall save the sick,and the Lord shall raise him up; and if he has committed sins, they shall be forgiven him." T hese instructions pertained to the miraculous age of thchurch. There were elders in the early church uponwhom the apostles had laid their hands. T he book of James was the earliest book of the New T estament in point of time, being completed about 50 A.D.The fact that there were elders in the early church with the power to heal the sick does not argue thatthe gift of healing was a permanent fixture in the church.
  2. Mark 16:17-18. "And these signs shall followthem that believe; in my name shall they cast out devils; they shall speak with new tongues; T heyshall take up serpents; and if they drink any deadlything, it shall not hurt them; they shall lay hands on the sick and they shall recover." These verses do not argue that these signs would follow all believers in all time to come. They did follow the apostles (Acts 2:43). They followed those upon whom they laitheir hands (Acts 8:12-18; 19:1-7; Rom. 1:11, verse 8). These signs were to follow believers for a limited time; i.e., until the gospel had been preached in all the world. That was done within forty years of the establishment of the church. "Their sound went out into all the earth, and their words unto the ends of the world" (Rom. 10:18). Paul said the gospel was"preached to every creature under heaven" (Col. 1:6,23). These signs did follow during this time. Modern claimants do not like to be challenged to dothe other things listed in this passage besides layinghands on the sick. They are long on that but mightyshort on taking up serpents and drinking deadlypoison. I presented one such claimant with a bottle of Roman Cleanser Bleach in a debate one time. Need I tell you that he did not drink it? He didn't. These people make great claims based on this passage, yet cannot do anything the passage says, including healing the sick.

There are perhaps other arguments made at times to support the claims of "healers," but these are the major arguments. There is no scriptural defense of their position. T he next article will deal with thelying wonders and deceptive antics of some of thepresent day "healers."

MILLER-WALLACE DEBATE Tampa, Florida August 16-20,1965

An exceptionally good debate between James P. Miller

and G. K. Wallace. The first two nights on the Orphan

Home question and the last two nights on the Herald of

Truth question. Over one thousand present each night

E xcellent quality — r ecor ded in ster eo.

SET OF FOUR TAPES — $12.00

A PLAY ON WORDS

A great deal of the controversy in the religious world is due to semantics. I firmly believe that manyof our differences are due to a play on words. Somany of our words have two or more meanings. For example, the words "hear", "work", "faith", "Home" etc. have many different meanings. I shall discuss in succeeding articles these, as well as other words,which cause trouble among professed Christians.

I n this article I plan to take up a study of theword "hear". Most people will agree that the word "hear" is used in at least two different senses in the Bible. Paul said in Acts nine, that the people withim HE ARD the voice of the Lord. In Acts 22, hesaid they did not HE AR the voice of the Lord. This is not a contradiction in the Bible but rather ONE word used TWO different ways. Paul evidently meantthe people heard a noise but did not UNDERSTAND what the Lord said. If someone would have asked Paul whether his colleagues actually HE ARD the Lord, he probably would have answered, "It depends on what you mean by HE AR."

Many times people will ask, "DO you believe Godwill hear an Alien sinner pray?" I believe that theanswer to this question depends on what one means by "hear." I do not believe that God hears and answers prayer for the alien in the way he does for the child of God. Many passages could be given tshow he hears his people. However, I believe there is a sense in which; God hears the alien. Webster says in one of his definitions of "hear" that it means "To perceive or take cognizance of..." I believe that God KNOWS or perceives when any person prays. This does NOT mean he answers the prayer. The word HEAR is sometime used in the sense of knowing or being cognizant of a situation.

I firmly believe that the ALIEN who seeks the Lord will find him. To back up this belief I call your attention to a number of scriptures. First, Jesus said, "If any man will to do his will, he shall know of the doctrine, whether it be of God, or whether Ispeak of myself" (Jno. 7:17). Then, Paul said, "Buwithout faith it is impo ible to please him; for he that cometh to God must believe that he is, and thathe is a rewarder to them that DILIGENTLY SEEK him" (Heb. 11:6). These passages teach that thealien will find the Lord if he seeks diligently to know his doctrine. The Bible teaches that the alien who seeks the truth will find it; not because of his prayers but because of his seeking! Prayer is just one of the ways the alien expresses his desire to find the Lord. The Bible DOES not teach that the Lord saves the sinner by prayer. It does teach that the man whoSEEKS will find. He will find the Lord whether or not he ever prays. Since the Lord knows all things, he is cognizant of his seeking and praying, and ithat sense he HEARS the alien. What the alien needs to do is STUDY the word. It is true that prayer is a trait of all humble men who seek the truth. Cornelius was a sinner but at the same time he prayed.T he Lord did not save him through prayer but bythe gospel. Cornelius saved his soul, not by prayer but by diligently SEEKING the Lord. His prayers were simply an attribute of a good, moral, humblman who needed the Lord.

Yes, there is a great play on words, so make sure you know the sense in which your querist uses his words.

ANENT TRUTHJohn Iverson, Deer Park, Texas

Nearly two thousand years ago a confused andbewildered Pilate asked, "What is truth?" Manyin our day are as hopelessly confused as he, for they contend that truth is only relative, that such a thing as absolute truth is non-existent! Yet, ouLord has plainly and emphatically declared, "I am the truth" (John 14:6), and "thy (God's) word is truth" (John 17:17). What a powerful force istruth, for it (and it alone) is capable of completelyliberating the sin-shackled soul (John 8:31-32).

But to be a recipient of this priceless ble ing one must come to a knowledge of the truth (I Tim. 2:4).A saving knowledge of the truth of the Lord, however, is not without its price, for it does not come to us miraculously nor through haphazard, shortcut methods, but only as a result of diligent study(II Tim. 2:15) and tireless search (Prov. 2:1-5).

In this connection, John Ruskin appropriately remarked, "Without seeking, truth cannot be known at all. It cannot be declared from pulpits, nor set down in articles, nor in any wise prepared and sold in packages ready for use. Truth must be ground for every man by himself out of its husk, with suchhelp as he can get, indeed, but not without stern labor of his own."

In addition to a knowledge of the truth, to be eternally saved every accountable being must believe the truth (I Tim. 2:4), obey the truth (I Pet. 1:22),love the truth (II The . 2:10-11), worship God according to the truth (John 4:24),serve the Lord inharmony with the truth (Josh. 24:13), and die ineed be to defend the truth (Acts 21:13; Phil. 1:17;Jude 3)

The wicked, by turning away from and offering resistance to it, thus clearly manifest their diabolical attitude toward the truth (II Tim. 4:4 and II Tim. 3:8). It is to such individuals that the Lord willsend a "strong delusion," because "they love not the truth" but have "pleasure in unrighteousness" (IIThess. 2:10-11). God grant each of us the grace to accept and follow the truth.

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A STATEMENT OF FACT IN THE MILLER-WALLACE DEBATE James P. Miller

There are many statements in the report of my recent debate with G. K. Wallace by W. L. Totty that are misleading, incorrect and untrue. There is one, however, that is such a misrepresentation of fact that it needs an answer. This is the charge that Wallace proved by the 196budget of the "Seminole church where Miller preaches which showed that the Seminolechurch was contributing to Florida College bbuying literature, office supplies, etc. for thcollege." I am sure that all those who will take time to hear the tapes or read the book willlose all confidence in the liberal cause when theyfind that this consisted of nothing more than putting the dates of the lectureship in the bulletin for the benefit of the members of the Seminole congregation. Nothing more than this was involved. And certainly nothing more than this was "proved." The rest of the report is about as inaccurate. Many have wanted to know what the results of the debate were. A sample will befound in a letter published in this i ue of the paper.

Seminole congregation has had over 40 additions since the discu ion. Let me urge you tget the tapes from brother Phillips and hear the whole debate for yourself, then you wilknow whose report is true.

THE MILLER-WALLACE DEBATEIsaac Newman, Tampa, Florida

The prospects for the work at Seminole havenever been brighter. We are as nearly free from internal friction and strife as it is po ible to be. The greatest ailment with us and the church in general is a lack of zeal for the spreading of God's word. We need to catch on fire for the Lord with enoughenthusiasm to cause us to go out and work as did the early disciples in New Testament times.

As Paul and Barnabas reported to the brethren,"what God had done with them," in Acts 14:26,27, we are glad to report that we have two preachers,three elders, nine deacons, and almost 300 members. Last year we sent preachers to help with six different series of gospel meetings where the groups were not financially able to have these meetings. We support or help support five different preachers regularly. In the last seven years, we have retired approximately $75,000 of indebtedness on' our property, and have never asked for outside help. Wborrowed a major part of our building fund frothe First Federal Savings and Loan. When the necessity arose, our own brethren came to our aid andhelped us. As long as the elders of this portion ofthe Lord's vineyard do the will of God and have thesupport and backing of a group such as Seminole,there should never be an end to what can be accomplished.

Seminole, like other churches, I am afraid, takes much for granted. Of a certainty, each one of us is expendable. It is up to us as individuals to do thevery best po ible to properly fill our small space a"just a Christian." One may get the idea that theyjust can't get along out there without me, but nothing is farther from the truth. Instead, I should realize that I am one of many, all depending on eachother for aid and strength as taught in Eph. 2:21.We are told that these stones are fitly framed together and groweth into a Holy Temple in the Lord for a habitation of God in the Holy Spirit, and againin I Peter 2:5 that we are to be as living stones built into a Spir itual House, to be a Holy Pr iesthood, to offer up spiritual sacrifices (our own bodies,daily) acceptable unto God through Jesus Chr ist.

To the extent that each L iving Stone fulfills hisduty and obligation to the Lord and His Bride, His Church (Eph. 5:15), he a ists or hinders the growthof this Spiritual House. T he way of the Lord is so plain that we need help to misunderstand what theLord expects of His children. Each Christian must learn to study and think for himself. Until we learn to do that, there will be discord and discontentment among brethren.

Some brethren are more concerned about what someone else thinks or says and does than aboutwhat Jesus Christ says, and the examples left us bythe Apostles. We hear much these days about Good Works. We do this or that today because some man says it is a Good Work. However, the Good Works which we are to do as Christians were not left to man to decide. Neither is a Chr istian allowed to decide which he will or will not do. Consider the statement made by the Apostle Paul in Eph. 2:10"we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for GOOD WORKS which God afore prepared that we should walk in them."

We have brethren in the Lord's Church today who would have us believe that we are allowed the choice of what are or are not Good Works. We must goutside the Word of God to find substantiating evidence for arguments to back this kind of doctrine. I am reminded of the statement made by Paul to Titusin Titus 1:15-16, "Both their mind and their conscience are defiled. They profess that they knoGod but by their very works they deny him."

The debate has now become history between brother James P-Miller and brother G. K. Wallace on whether or not it is scriptural to support humainstitutions with money from the treasur y of thChurch. For a Bible scholar, and also one who atone time taught the scriptures just as we are able to read and understand them, Brother Wallace certainly made many blunders and failed so very sadlyin presenting facts which he can back up by the Bible. To many of this area, this was a first experience in attending a discu ion such as this one. The Word of God will reign supreme. This has alwaysbeen so, it is true now, and will be true throughout eternity. Brother Wallace and others who have affiliated themselves with unscriptural support of human institutions such as orphan homes, Herald of Truth,schools, etc., can never hope to obtain the crown ofRighteousness given to the faithful in the last day(II Tim. 4:8). In denying the Supreme Authority oour Lord and Savior in the examples left by his Apostles, they go beyond what is written (I Cor. 4:6,II John 9). When one digression is let in, there is no place to stop. We thank our God regularly for such

men as brethren James P. Miller, Roy Cogdill, Robert

Jackson, Ward Hogland, and many more, who are

capable and do ably present God's Word in its purity

over a large portion of the country

In the debate, brother Miller scripturally and ably

answered every point presented by the opposition to

the satisfaction of everyone except po ibly those

liberal brethren who did not want to see and under

stand. E ven they could not help but know the way

of the Lord more perfectly. I am certain this is one

of the best such efforts ever conducted in this area.

There are no scriptures to substantiate any of these

modern-day digressions or departures. If we cannot

find Scripture as foundation for our teaching, then

for the love of God and the salvation of our souls we

must leave it alone. Say as the preachers of bygone

years said, "Speak where the Bible speaks and be

silent where it does not speak.

The Lord alone knows just how much good may be accomplished in an effort of this kind, and the results will continue to be seen for months to come. I am sure that the truth brought out by brother Millerwill live in the hearts of the people, and that the lackof scriptural backing for brother Wallace's statements will also live on and on. Brother Wallace repeatedly made the statement that we at Seminolehad done a lot of changing, but that he had not. Itis indeed strange that about 15 years ago brother ! Wallace stood for the ver y things that Seminole ; now stands, yet he has never changed! Yes, we aSeminole have made some changes. When we find that we are standing for a thing that is wrong, wtry to make it right. The Apostle Paul was an honest man. At one time he was honestly mistaken. We allknow that he changed, and brethren, can we do anless?

DEBATES DO GOOD

5677 Ventura Lane

Pensacola, Florida

25 October 1965

Mr. James P. Miller

c/o Searching the Scriptures

Tampa, Florida

Dear Brother Miller:

This letter is written with a great deal of mixed

emotions. I am happy to report my own personal

reaction to the debate and sorry to have to make a

report about their reaction. After hearing both sides

of the. debate and considering other factors I am

forced to admit my previous supporting of the insti

tutions and the Herald of Truth was in error. I have

therefore left my previous place of worship and am

now worshiping with the East Hill brethren. This,

Brother Miller, proves beyond a shadow of doubt

that truth will emerge victorious and anyone who

will recognize it. The renouncing of my own error

and the acceptance of truth on my part is always

refreshing and stimulating. I am happy to be wit

the East Hill brethren.

The sad part of the matter concerns the people

I left. When you have such close people who love you

and whom you love it compounds the seriousness of

these i ues. It also makes such decisions and actions such as mine extremely painful. I no doubt realize many other people have been in the same predicament I have.

Consequently Proverbs 23:23 has a very speciameaning for me now. The higher the price we payfor the truth the more precious truth is. It will also demand greater service and devotion to it.

It was not in the weakness of Brother G. K. Wallace that caused me to change, but in the position he took. This position was weak. He said the last nightof the debate when we heard you we had heard just about as good a defense on your part as could beheard. Well I do not know whether this to be true or not, but I do believe no liberal could have done so well and ably as did Brother Wallace. He conductedhimself on the highest level. The sad part was he did not have truth on his side.

E ven though we have the truth on our side we can defeat our own position by failure to be doingwhat we know to be the truth. We can prove the liberals wrong by practicing what we preach. Let none of us be guilty of closing our doors to homeless and neglected children. Also, let's get busy preachingthe Gospel.

An interesting survey you could make would beto add up the number of children being kept in institutions and see how this contrasts to those beingkept in private homes. These figures could be interesting. Of course, they really have no real proof either way insofar as the orphan home i ue goes. Also who supports more mi ionaries overseas, the liberals or the conservatives?

To conclude, I will appreciate anything of encouragement and prayers anyone has to offer. The prayers of a righteous man availeth much. If I maybe of service or help in anyway or anywhere, please let me know.

You may, if you like, place this letter in Searchingthe Scriptures.May God bless us all. With kind regards/s/ James M. Vander Molen

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

BELUE-FRENCH DEBATE

Aubrey C. Belue, Jr. and Sidney French will discuss the following proposition at 3634 W. 11th Ave.,Gary, Indiana, December 13, 14, 1965: "It is scriptural for churches of Christ to build, maintain andsupport Orphan Homes among us such as Tennessee Orphan Home." Sidney French will affirm and Aubrey Belue will deny. On December 16, 17, 1965 aMidwest church building, 556 N. Lecliaire, Chicago,Illinois the following proposition will be discussed: "It is unscriptural for churches of Christ to buildmaintain and support Orphan Homes among us such as Tennessee Orphan Home." Aubrey Belue will affirm and Sidney French will deny.

HENDERSON-SMITH DEBATE

Dempsey Henderson of the Mi ionary Baptist church of Gracey, Kentucky, and J. T. Smith of thechurch of Christ in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma willengage in a four-night discussion in December. On December 6, 7, 1965 they will discuss the question: "Is Baptism Essential To Salvation?" On December 8, 9, 1965 the question under discu ion will be: "Can a Child of God So Sin As to Finally Be Lost in Hell?" T he debate will be in the building ofthe Tenth and Francis Streets church of Christ,Oklahoma City.

Guthrie Dean, Fort Smith, Ark. — After nearlynine years of work with the Bald Knob church, mfamily and I moved to work with the Park Hillchurch in Fort Smith. At Bald Knob membershipand attendance more than doubled during our stay.Brother C. R. M ansfield is doing a fine work there now with the church. During the first four months of this year at Bald Knob and during my four summer meetings, there were 50 responses. My last meetingwas at Marion, Indiana, in which" there were 10 baptisms and several restorations. Since moving to FortSmith there have been 22 additions here. The church is at peace and vigorously working for the Lord. At present we are supporting two full time preachers, a radio program, an active local work, and hopeto add a television program soon.

J. Edd Lindsey, Trenton, Fla. — We are interested in locating a full time preacher for thchurch in Trenton, Florida. We would like to getsomeone 35 years of age or above, with no liberal tendencies.

Brother Mitchell of Tampa has been driving up topreach on Sundays, but we need someone full time. If interested write to me or phone 463-2431, Trenton,Florida.

meeting at North Street where Paul Andrews

preaches The following week Rufus Clifford of Nash

ville, Tennessee did the preaching in one of the best

meetings in many years at Seminole church where

James P. Miller preaches.

Doyle Banta, Athens, Ala. — Our work at Sardis Springs has been most encouraging this year. Joe W. Pruett and W. L. Whorton, Jr., both conducted good meetings. So far seven have been baptized and several restored this year. I preached in a meeting withthe Sulphur Springs church at Tampa, Fla. in February. I am to be there again the last of January.We hope to begin construction of a new buildinnext spring. Along with my church work I continue to serve as Assistant Vice President of Southern Hermitage Life Insurance Company.

M. Fred Stacey, West Point, Mi . — The Highway 45 W congregation here in West Point has recently closed a meeting (October 11-15) in whichwe had a different speaker each night. Those whospoke were: Charles Bland, Houston, Mi ., J. R. Snell, Grenada, Mi ., W. M. Tally, Columbus, Miss.,Horace Huggins, Meredian, Mi ., and Lynn Head-rick, Tuscaloosa, Ala. These men gave their time to help us have this meeting. The church in East Missi ippi is not strong, however, we believe that now we are beginning to make some progress. I will be on the radio two Sundays per month starting this month over station WROB at 8:15 a.m. The congregation in West Point is the closest sound church standing for the truth near Mississippi State University at Starkville. Any students attending this university are invited to worship with us. If yoknow anyone attending the university, please send me their name and address.

V. C. McCormick, Portsmouth, Ohio — The elders of the Harding Avenue church planned a spiritual feast to strengthen, stimulate and inspire the saintshere in a greater effort while "working for God." This meeting was conducted with different speakers on November 14-21. The following subjects were discussed: W eldon Warnock, Akron, Ohio: "Be aServant of God" and "Study To Be Approved." Earl Robertson, Moundsville, W. Va.: "Personal Dedication." Cecil W illis, Akron, Ohio: "Edify The Church. "Harold Comer, Brownsburg, Ind.; "Evangelize The World." William W allace, Indianapolis,Ind.: "Effective Leadership." Ronald Mosby, Louisville, Ky.: "Danger of Drifting." Kenneth FrazierPortsmouth, Ohio: "Using Our Talents." I spoke othe subject: "Facing The Future" the last service.

H. E. Phillips, Tampa, Fla. — During the month Frank Ingram, Blue Ash, Ohio — I closed a very

enjoyable meeting at MacDill Avenue in Tampa,of November three good meetings were conducted Florida October 24. One was baptized and one rein Tampa. Robert Jackson of Nashville, Tennessee stored. Tom Thornhill is a fine worker and the help

did some excellent preaching at Forest Hills church of Harry Pickup, Sr. there is most appreciated. Ourwhere I labor, and during the same week Granville work in Cincinnati (Blue Ash) continues well.Tyler of Decatur, Alabama preached in a very good

Cecil B. Douthitt, Fort Smith, Ark. — My bookletCentralized Control Of Church Resources is now in its second pr inting. T his 52 page booklet on vitai ues facing the churches today is ready for distribution, and may be obtained at 30 cents per single copy, or at 25 cents per copy when four or more copies are ordered. You may order from me at P.O. Box 752, Fort Smith, Ark. 72902.

C. O. Tucker, Jacksonville, Fla. — Henry Gilbertof Miami, Florida concluded one of the finest gospel meetings we have had on October 31, 1965. Brother Gilbert was faithful to the word of God in his preaching, preaching it in its simplicity, with courage andconviction, without fear or favor. The Lord's church at Marietta is better for his coming our way. Our next meeting, the Lord willing, will be the second week of January, 1966 with A. C. Grider doing the preaching.

Charles R. House, P. O. Box 641, San Luis, Arizona— Monthly Report, October 31, 1965

Baptisms: Santos Gomez of Tecate, Calif, reports one baptism in Mexico this month. The church there will soon be meeting in their new building

Sonoyta, Sonora, M exico: It was my privilege topreach to the largest audience I have ever preached to in Sonoyta on Wednesday, October 13th. A total of 35 people, mostly adults, attended. Fidel Cisneros is the faithful preacher there and is doing an outstanding job.

Tijuana, B. C. M exico: Jim Middleton of San Diego, California has been preaching in Spanish each Sunday during my absence from Tijuana. He reports the church met for the first time in the new, amplesized, rented store building, October 13th. The field is hard and discouraging, as are most places in Mexico, but the opportunities for preaching the wholetruth are great in this frontier city of 260,000people.

San Luis R. C. Sonora, M exico: Marvel and I returned to San Luis on October 8th, after 13 weeks work in Baja, California, including T ijuana. T he Lord willing, I will be teaching the Wednesday nightclasses and preaching Sundays through this month.We plan to return to the Tijuana area for the entire month of November to continue a isting in this new work. During my absence from San Luis in November various Mexican preachers from along the border will preach in my stead. We all need your prayers.

W. Eural Bingham, Corinth, Mi . — A nucleus for a sound church has just been forced to come out of the church in Clearfield, Utah. This is in the Ogdenand Hill Air Force Base vicinity. This new group consists presently of four or five families and containsgood, sincere, informed, and zealous people who are willing to work for the cause of Christ in its purity.So far as I know or they know, they are the onlgroup in the state of Utah standing for the truth against institutionalism and social-gospel trends of the day.

Their immediate problem is a place to meet. Ameeting place is hard to come by, and financing ofany kind is just about impossible due to Mormon control there. They have located a desirable pieceof property (a building vacated by a denominationalgroup, on a good, large lot) which could be purchased if financing could be arranged, involving $20,000 or le . If any reader is able and willing to a ist them in this or can direct them to where such help can behad, it would be a great service in a strategic anneedy area for the Lord's kingdom

I was in Clearfield for a meeting in August, 1964and know the situation and commend this new grouphighly as being worthy of any a istance that can be given. Those having friends or relatives stationed at Hill Air Force Base or in the vicinity of Ogden andto the south, tell them of this new church. Contact: Sam H. Bynum, 910 N. Hill Blvd., Layton, Utah,48041.

WEAVER-DAVIS DEBATE

Ward Hogland, Greenville, Texas — Walton Weaver, of the Northside church of Christ, Conway, Arkansas will meet Pat Davis, Baptist, in a four nighdebate at Conway, Arkansas. The dates will be January 10, 11, 13, 14. There will be no session on Wednesday night. Proposition the first two nights will be on the plan of salvation and the last two nights on Apostasy. It will be conducted either in the HigSchool auditorium or Court House. Sessions each evening at 7:30. Vernon L. Barr will moderate for Mr. Davis and I will assist brother Weaver. This should be a very interesting discu ion. Contact Walton Weaver, 1800 Hairston Ave., Conway, Arkansas for further information.

Verl Fielding, Palmetto, Fla. — The church in Palmetto is in need of a preacher this month. Any faithful preacher of the gospel interested please contactme, P.O. Box 157, Palmetto, Florida.

Harold V. Trimble, San Antonio, Texas — The Valley-Hi church of Christ will open its new brick-veneer building with a gospel meeting January through 9 with the following speakers: Stanley Lovett, W. L. Wharton, Bill Reeves, Leon Odom, DanHalstead, Dan Shipley, and H. B. Gist.

The beautiful auditorium is paneled in mahoganwith vinyl tile floors and comfortable opera chairs. It is situated on Loop 410 just west of Lackland Air Force Base. There will be singing from 2:30 until

4:00 p.m. January 2nd and services will begin at 7:30nightly from Monday through Saturday. Sunday services are 10:00 and 11:00 a.m. and 6:00 p.m. The evangelist for this work has been supported by Highland Boulevard from its beginning. We stand in the old paths wherein is the good way.

Norman W. Fisk, Merced, Calif. — I just moved to Merced to work as full time minister for the congregation which meets at 2711 Childs Avenue, Merced, Calif. Brother Olen Holderby was preachingfor them, but due to his busy schedule and a needfor a full time man, I agreed to come and work with them. We have a small group, but with the help ofthe Lord we will grow. All in attendance at this time stand for the truth and work is going very wellFaithful brethren are encouraged to meet with this church.

DOES I TIMOTHY 5:16 TEACH THAT THE CHURCH MAY CARE FOR ANY WIDOW WHOSE RELATIVES REFUSE TO CARE FOR HER?

Jimmy Tuten, Jr., St. Louis, Mo.

Riding the "bandwagon of sympathy" to drum upsupport for unauthorized church support of benevolent organizations is yet in full swing. Liberal brethren are still crying about the "poor three-yearold" children going hungry, and that "antis are letting them starve rather than help the non-saint." Where is the evidence to sustain such allegations? There is none! Besides, who needs it ? Repeat a thinglong enough and some will believe it. When Potter Orphan Home dejected the "small built, pr ettybaby" gir l abandoned on its door steps, turning itover to the Child Welfare authorities, they turned the tables on the liberals. This should have caused them to cease their "saints only" bid, but the incident has been swept under the rug and the memorythereof conveniently forgotten. The appeal for sympathy via the "saints only" route is still very mucalive!

Just a few days ago I had a visit with the "Liberal" about which an article was written in "Searching The Scriptures" (February, 1965). He wassmarting over having had his hand called with reference to some remarks reflecting upon one or twopreachers in the St. Louis-Rolla area. He made the usual approach in the discu ion, asking loadedquestions and crying about the poor little neglected non-saint. Within minutes he was riding his "saints only" horse.

I learned that he not only denies that apostolic approved examples are binding (as an authoritative pattern), but repudiates express statements andcommands as well. During the course of the discu ion, I applied the law of "inclusion and exclusion" to limited benevolence (Acts 2:33-45; 4:34-35; etc.), just as one would apply it to "Singing in Worship" and the "Lord's Supper." My friend demonstrated that he had no respect for the silence of the Scriptures. It was then that I referred him tothe distinction between widows in general and "widows indeed" (I Tim. 5:16). He mumbled somethingabout his belief that Paul was talking about "permanent a istance," then quickly reversed himself and took the position that if a widow was neglected byrelatives, the church could look after her anytime! Though I tried to inject II Thessalonians 3:10 intothe discu ion in order to show that such reasoningwould cause a lazy saint neglected by relatives to become the ward of the church, this fizzled when the pressure applied for some form of discu ion on the "i ues" took-effect, and my visitor make a quickexit.

This "lesser light" demonstrated to me whatyielding to the liberal persuasion will do for a fellow,viz., inject one's own opinion into the place of positive statements and commands. Look at it friends: this preacher says a "widow indeed" is one whoserelatives refuse to care for her and that this within itself makes her the object of the church. Such perversion demonstrates how badly these people needscriptural support, even if it means twisting scriptures out of context and pitting Scripture against Scripture. The New Testament not only teaches that a "widow indeed" is a Needy Saint who has beenwidowed, but it lays down in unmistakable terms other qualifications that are equally important (I Tim. 5:5,9-10). We are taught, therefore, thathe church is not charged with helping everybody,and under certain conditions is expressly forbidden to do so (I Tim. 5:16; II Thess. 3:10). Observe:

  1. A "Liberal" says a "widow indeed" is a widowwho is neglected by relatives.
  2. The New Testament says a "widow indeed" isone who is "desolate, trusted in God, and continueth in supplications and prayers night andday." It says that she must be "threescore years old, having been the wife of one man," etc. (I Tim. 5:5,9-10).

Now if the second is true, which it is for the New Testament says so, then the first has to be false. Our brother is guilty of wresting the Scriptures to suit his own mind.

Another thing is that two wrongs do not make aright. Instead of insisting that churches engage iunauthorized practices because brethren fail to fulfill personal responsibilities, this preacher should dosome preaching on James 1:27 and Galatians 6:10. But then, he is in trouble for he says that these passages constitute church action! No wonder his brethren are mixed up and neglect their personal obligations by shelving them at the expense of thechurch treasury. His position on I Timothy 5:dooms brethren for shifting their obligations to the church and his preaching on James 1:27 dooms them if they do not. He must be talking about his own brethren when he talks about neglecting orphans,for this is the very thing his preaching encourages. Besides, I do not know of a single "anti" who has a widow who isbeing neglected. Do You ? ?

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Minds, A Battle For" 51

INDEX FOR

Answers For Our Hope — Marshall E. Patton

Acts 21:21-24

"Area-Wide Meetings"

Benevolence in the E arly Church

Centralized Control, It Continues

Church Socials, A Baptist Preacher on

Contribution Away From Home

Everlasting Life Now? Does a Child of God Have

Explain I Corinthians 3:15

Fellowship

Fellowship, Can a Church Withdraw From a Church?

Labor Union? Can a Christian Belong to a

Liberal Brethren And Interdenominationalism

Lord's Supper, The

Lord's Supper at Night, Taking T he

L ord's Supper on Sunday Night

Predestination, The Doctrine of

Orphans — A Frank Admission 262Page Or phan Home — When did it Start? 215 61 Sending Bibles To Another Church 1 2 141 Solo? What About A 199 76 Special Collections 100 174 Vocal Music 157 216 Will, Making Your 342 109 Woman's Function In The Church 308

230 Dangers Facing The Church — Thomas G. O'Neal

338 Colleges, Church Supported 278 Elders, Unqualified 291 Gain, In the Church for Personal 322 Hospital, Evidence of Church of Christ

93 Lost, Lack of Concern For The

7 Love, Lack of27 Positive Preaching40 Preachers Who Are Hirelings

198 Prejudice

86 285 185 172 112 249 97 145 52 348 67 28

Schneider 352 154 74 46

Romans 7:14-19156 Transfiguration? Why Did Jesus Tell His Disciples Questions Of Doctrine

Not To Tell of TheWomen Speaking in Classes

Bible Word Studies— E. V. Srygley, Jr.

"Biblical" words of Luke and Acts"Chr ematizo" No 4"Chrematizo" No 5"Chr ematizo" No 6"Chr ematizo" No. 7"Chrematizo" No 8"Epithumeo" — "to lust""Kanon" — "Rule""Kanon" — "Rule" No. 2"Kanon" — "Rule" No 3"Kanon" — "Rule" No 4"Kanon" — "Rule" concluded"Unto T hem And Unto All"WordsThat Divide UsWords T hat Divide Us — No 2Words T hat Divide Us — No. 3Words T hat Divide Us — No. 4Words T hat Divide Us — No 5Words T hat Divide Us — concluded

Catholicism, The Menace Of— Luther W. Martin

Advertising, Answering Roman Catholic Newspaper "Antipope" — It's Definition

Apostles' Creed, The "Athanasian Cr eed" —Authority In Religion Catholic Admissions Catholic Admissions Catholic Admissions Catholic Admissions Catholic Admissions Catholic Admissions

Who Was Its Author? T he

245 Social Gospel, The 184 Zeal and Enthusiasm, Lack of

Editorial— H. E. Phillips

353 A Tribute To A Great Man, Thomas W. 13 Challenge, A 20 "Christian" Colleges 34 Digre ion Marches On

46 Dividing Churches Over Opinions, L etters On 34 58 Elderships, Censoring 90 230 Freedom? Are We Losing Our 122 230 Love Go? How Far Will 258 246 Miller-Wallace Debate, The 304 264 Proving What Is Acceptable 274 275 Scripture? Where Is The 106 305 Stop? Wher e Will You 288 292 "The New Look" 2

91 Truth? What Is 320 111 Editorial — James P. Miller 132 Dennis In Bible Herald, Fr ed E . 18 140 Family Relationship — Irven Lee

168 Choose Wisely 346192 Fatherless? Where Are The 301 Home, Begin at 1 87 80 Isaac's Marriage 325 206 Man's Place In T he Home 233 6 Nurture And Admonition 247 41 Parents — You Are Responsible 306 64 Woman, The Strange 222

245 Woman, A Virtuous 200 263 I Marvel — James P. Miller279 Church of Christ, The 276300 College Question, T he 60307 Meetings, Announcements in 197342 Murray, Kentucky Is Calling 214128 Paul Was Not Moved 260

19

Intolerance? What Is Religious116 Judgment! Even Roman Catholics Must Depend Upon Private 186Marriage, T he Roman Catholic217 "Oath" Adult Protestant Must Take Upon

A Catholic, The 50 Remembrance, By Way Of 169

One Fold and One Shepherd 232 Restoration, T he 92Roman Catholicism, The Dis-unity of171 Roman Catholic Propaganda Published at Taxpayers'

Restoring The Lost 140

Expense in The Congressional Record 96 Saving Souls 79"Son of Perdition's" Pomp And Position, T he 142 Small Churches Beware 48 Comments To Editors 5 23, 40, 49, 62, 85, 95, 111, 123, 139, 156, 170, 183, 196,

Soldiers, Good 183 218, 229, 243, 261, 281, 293, 304, 321, 341, 353 Wallace, Foy E., Jr 36 Cradle To The Grave, From The "Holy Water " and "Eter nal Flame"

Controversy, Matters of — Ward Hogland

A Play On Words Baptist Blunders Boles Homes — "About T en T housand Dollars" Boles Home — "I f It Could Be Any Of My Business" Bulge In The Rug, The Changed, When Paul Eating In The Meeting House Evolution — "Shaking Our Faith" Hope, A Ray of How Long Should I Attend

Science And Truth — William D. Burgess

357 Age of the World 48 68 Age of the World 65 148 Age of the World 78 188 Age of the World 93 110 Age of the World 113 170 Evolution 11 280 Evolution 22 231 Evolution 39 38 Evolution 128 27 Evolution 143 Evolution 178 Evolution 192 Evolution 206 Evolution 216

Adams, Connie W.

Miraculous Divine HealingMiraculous Divine Healing — No. 1Miraculous Divine Healing — No. 2Miraculous Divine Healing — No. 3Miraculous Divine Healing — No. 4Miraculous Divine Healing — No. 5Norway, T he State of T he lord's Work inO'Neal-Ford Debate, ThePremillennialism — No 1Premillennialism — No 2Premillennialism — No. 3Premillennialism — No. 4Premillennialism — No. 5Premillennialism — No 6Premillennialism — No. 7Premillennialism — No. 8Premillennialism — No. 9

Ames, Donald P.

Beach, A Trip To The

Blackford, Richard

Examples, BindingRemembrance, Put T hen in

Blasingame, Lowell

T hat Won't Ever Happen

Bunnell, Walter D.

Chile in June, 1966, To Santiago

Bunting, Tom

Apostasies, History ofChurches Selling Services

Buffer, V. R.

Marriage, Divorce And Remarriage

Caldwell, Colly

Preacher, Beware of the

Casebolt, P. J.

It Could Happen

Clifford, L. N.

Respect Of Persons

Courtney, Lanning C.

Home? Why The

de Klerk, Andy

South Africa Work, T heSouth Africa, Port Elizabeth

Dicus, A. W.

Romans And Hebrews, Excerpts From Commentaries on

Dowdy, Harold

Walking Backward

Evans, J. W.

Sound Church in the Area of Our Nation's Capitol, A

Flannery, B. L.

Galilee? Art T hou Also of

Flatt, Curtis E.

Fear, Pass The Time of Your So|ourning Here in Laodiceans, The Letter To The Church of The

Fly, Earl

Debates? Is It Right To Have Murmuring, The Sin of Worldliness — Be Not Conformed to T his World Worldliness, T he Progre ion of

Foshee. W. L.

Rocky Springs Church

Givens, Donald R.

Confusion? Why So Much ReligiousResurrection An Hallucination? Was The

T . V. Working, How Is Your

Grider. A. C.

An Open L etter T o Barry AndersonCentralization

Henderson, Walter N.

"I ssue" Has Not Changed, T heReproduction, God's L aw of

Hendrix, C. M.

Humility

Hinton, W. C, Jr.

Gratitude, On

Hobby, Jack

The Tribune Article

Ingram, J. Frank
264 276 294 Anti? What Is An God's All-Seeing Eye Iverson, John 86 135
309 Anent Truth 357
339 355 268 253 J. B. Middle Of The Road, T he Jenkins -Hood Debate,The 248 131
14 24 37 63 77 99 126 143 159 LaCoste, Robert J. Knowledge, A Need For Lewis, William H. Preacher's Pay, The Sound And Liberal Churches Sound And Liberal Churches Sound And Liberal Churches Sound And Liberal Churches Sound And Liberal Churches 164 8 189 202 219 235 270
295 M cCullough, Carl Ireland, A Word And Plea From Belfast, Northern 297
179 Mansur, M . A.
310 Widow Indeed, A 316
M artin, Luther W .
119 An Open L etter T o T he Members Of The Rolla, Missouri Church of Christ 354
331 333 160 94 "Liberal" Makes Use of the Scriptures, How a Marriage — "Until Death Do Us Part" Wanted A Written Discussion in Missouri (or Elsewhere) Miller, James P. Apostasy Church T he True Church? When Is The Churches Should Be Alike, All 195 324 217 15 287 323
70 45 55 Day, T he Brighter Eldership, Bible T eaching On T he L anguage Of Ashdod And T he Wives Of Ammon, T he Miller-Wallace Debate, A Statement of Fact I n T he Murray, Kentucky Meeting, Report On T he Papers, T he Power Of Gospel Pattern, There Is A 73 121 17 358 308 153 354
Romans 16-17, The Other Half Of 338
134 Mott,. L. A., Jr.
Discussion In East Tennessee 208
115 Eis, Another On The 347
250 Rich Beggars Word, T he 248 149
15 Nagy, Paul
Johns, John. — Gospel Preacher 330
20 Newman, Isaac
Miller-Wallace Debate, The 358
237 Norman, Morris D, Church, T he E stablishment Of T he 87
71 Inspiration Of T he Scriptures O'Neal, Thomas G. 165
117 49 W. Curtis Porter Loan Fund Patton, Herschel E. 222
Mass-Mail Evangelism 351
43 28 Payne, A. H. Truth Produce Error? Does 29
53 Truth Produce Error' Does 36
81 Pennock, George
315 319 349 32 59 89 20 118 254 Sorrows, T he Beginning Of Phillips, H. E.Condemned By Association Baptism, Scriptural Baptized? Why Be "Christ Like Spirit", T he Christmas, T he Spirit Of Enemy? Am I T herefore Become Your Faith Only, Salvation By Gainesville, Florida Meeting Gospel Which Was Pr eached Of Me, The Reading Material, Importance Of Good Silence, T hat Long loud T allahassee, Florida, New Church I n Women Profe ing Godliness 79 89 57 137 167 1 181 227 132 23 335 105 131 211
312 Pierce, Bill Norway, T he Cause Of Christ In Stavanger 344
157 Porter. W. Curtis Unity Movement, Progress Of The 212

Page

Rader, Dorris V .

Ashworth-Ballard Debate ................................................................... 130

Rogol, LeoSeventh-Day Adventist Denomination, Why I Left The .................. 201Seventh-Day Adventist Denomination, Why I Left The ................... 225Seventh-Day Adventist Denomination, Why I Left The .................. 238Seventh-Day Adventist Denomination, Why I Left The ................... 254Seventh-Day Adventist Denomination, Why I Left The ................... 269Seventh-Day Adventist Denomination, Why I Left The ................... 299

Sharp, H. F .

Blood Of Christ, The............................................................................. 257
T ogether, L et's Get ................................................................................ 33
Shaver, Glenn L.
Church, T he Model ............................................................................... 4
Shelton, D. W. H.
Longsuffering Of God, The .................................................................. 149
Shiflett, L. T.
Counsel, The Immutable ...................................................................... 323
Sloan, Leslie E.
Church, T he Purity Of T he — No. 1 .............................................. 241
Chur ch, The Purity Of The — No. 2 .............................................. 303
Perfection, On Unto .......................................................................... 112
Success, The Formula For .................................................................... 124
Smith. J. T .
Church, T he All-Sufficiency Of T he .................................................... 135
Garner -Grider Debate, A Review Of The ........................................ 205
Iron Curtain, T he .................................................................................. 259
Souls? Don't T hey Love Our ............................................................. 209
Spear s-Wade Debate, Review Of The ............................................... 327
Widow Indeed, A .................................................................................. 273
Snell, J. R.
Grider-T otty Debate, T he 1964 ........................................................ 193
Grider-T otty Debate, T he 1964 ........................................................ 207
Grider-T otty Debate, The 1964 ...................................................... 223
Srygley, F. B.
Chur ches Should Not Be Bound Together ....................................... 242
Stephens, Roy E.
Examination, A Post-Mortem ............................................................ 102
Sutton, Carrol R.
Gunter, lee — A Great Man Has Fallen ..................................... 328
Tuten, Jimmy, Jr .
Does I Timothy 5:16 T each T hat The Church May Car e For
Any Widow Whose Relatives Refuse T o Care For Her? ......... 362
Fellowship, False Notions Regarding................................................. 174
Fellowship, Grounds Upon Which We Can Refuse ....................... 183
Medley Of Matter s ............................................................................... 312
Placing Membership ............................................................................ 104
Placing Membership ........................................................................... 108
Tychicus
Observations (Of Liberal Movement) ........................................... 29
Vander Molen, James M.
Debates Do Good ................................................................................. 359
Waddell. W. B .
Brethr en? What Is Happening T o My ............................................. 54
Warnock, Weldon E.
Soul? What Price The .......................................................................... 316
Warren. Roland A.
Big News ................................................................................................ 161
West, Bob
Math Proves Bible Understandable ................................................... 311
West, Gaylon L.
Cr eed, Recipe For A Dead ................................................................ 314
Williamson, Colin
Mountain Family, A Visit With A ...................................................... 178

NOTICE

We must have your zip code as soon as possible.The post office department requires us to putthis on each address. Please check your nameand address and send us a card giving yourzip code number.

We will appreciate this very much.

GARNER-HOGLAND DEBATE

Lakeland, Florida

April 6-17, 1964

A good debate of eight nights between Dr. Albert Garner,

president of Florida Baptist Institute and Ward Hogland

of Greenville, Texas of the church of Christ. The first

two nights on Instrumental Music in Worship; the third

and fourth nights on Baptism as a condition to the Sal

vation of the Alien Sinner; the fifth and sixth nights on

Chur ch Member ship and Salvation; the seventh and

eighth nights on the Possibility of Apostasy. Excellent

quality — recorded in stereo.

SET OF EIGHT TAPES — $24.00

6RIDER-T0TTY DEBATE Tompkinsville, Kentucky September 27-30,1965

A good debate of four nights between A. C. Grider and

W. L. Totty. The first two nights on the Orphan Home

Question and the last two nights on the Herald of Truth

Question. Grider and Totty have met several times o

these questions. This is their most recent discussion on

these i ues. Recor ded in monophonic sound.

SET OF FOUR TAPES — $12.00

SPEARS-WADE DEBATEOklahoma City, OklahomaJuly 12-15, 1965

A very good debate of four nights between Dudley Ross

Spears and Ronnie F. Wade. The first two nights on the

question of the Number of Cups (containers) to be used

in the Lord's Supper; the last two nights on Classes and

Women Teachers. Excellent quality— recorded in mono

phonic sound.

SET OF FOUR TAPES — $12.00

BROCK-McWHORTER DEBATEChattanooga, TennesseeOctober 25-29, 1965

A very good debate between Paul Brock and Don Mc-

Whorter in Chattanooga, Tennessee. The first two nights

on Contributions from one church to another in Benevo

lence and Evangelism. The last two nights on the Orphan

Home Question. Excellent quality. Recorded in stereo.

SET OF FOUR TAPES — $12.00

MILLER-VAUGHN DEBATEOrlando, FloridaFebruary 27-March 2, 1961

A good debate between James P. Miller of the chur ch

of Christ and Ray Vaughn of the Pentecostal Church.

The first two nights on the number of Persons in th

Godhead. The last two nights on Divine Miracles for

the Present Day. Recorded in monophonic sound. Good

quality.

SET OF FOUR TAPES — $12.00 ALL

TAPES ARE $3.00 EACH-$4.00 IN STEREO

WE HAD TO DO IT

H. E. Phillips

W e are closing six years of publishingSearching The Scriptures with this issue. During the past four years we have delayed increasing the subscription price in spite of the factthat paper stock, printing, postage, etc., havecontinued to increase until now the cost of publishing Searching The Scriptures is about 25% higher than it was four years ago. Each yearbrother M iller and I have had to supplementthe deficit out of our own pockets, and it is now getting beyond our power to do it.

Let me explain why an increase in individualsubscription rates is essential. W e do not sellany advertising space at all. W e have no income from this source. All the advertising is that ofour own books and Bibles we sell in the hope of helping the cost of publishing the paper. In thesecond place, we are not listed as a "non-profit" organization in the second class mailing permit,and our rates of mailing are higher. Now we are"non-profit" all right — we have never realized any profit out of this effort — but there is no organization of any kind in the legal senseof the word. W e are just two preachers, withthe help of several others writing good articles,making an effort to distribute the "good news" to as many as will take and read this paper.

Beginning February 1, 1966 we must increasethe subscription rate to $3.00 per year. All subscriptions received through January 31, 1966will be $2.50, the old rate. Club subscriptionswill not be increased. We will continue to try to send four subscriptions for only $7.50. This increase in subscription rates applies only to individual subscriptions. We trust you will understand our position and take advantage of thepresent period to renew your subscription atthe old rate of $2.50 per year for a good religious journal.

BOUND VOLUME 1962-1963

SEARCHING THE SCRIPTURES

A companion volume to the 1960-1961 bound volume of SEARCHING THE SCRIPTURES. Bound in beautiful Fabricord covering, navy blue, durably bound, printed in gold. This volume is indexed. Order your copy now.

— $5.00 —

PHILLIPS PUBLICATIONS

Post Office Box 17244 — Tampa, Florida 33612

CHART SERMONS

By Steve Hudgins

Six volumes of excellent chart sermons by Steve Hudgins that will provide scriptural material for sermons. Each chart as the sermon outline on the opposite page.

EACH VOLUME $1.00

Order from:

PHILLIPS PUBLICATIONS

P.O. Box 17244 Tampa, Florida 33612

Of THE

MILLER-WALLACE DEBATE

AUGUST 16, 17, 1965: "It Is In harmony with thescriptures for churches of Christ to build and maintainbenevolent organizations for the care of the needy, such as Boles Home, Tipton Home, Tennessee Orphan Home,Childhaven, and other orphan homes and homes for theaged that are among us." G. K. WALLACE AFFIRMS — JAMES P. MILLER DENIES

AUGUST 19, 20, 7965: "Such an arrangement andcooperative effort on the part of churches of Christ for the preaching of the Gospel as the 'Herald of Truth" Iswithout scriptural authority." JAMES P. MILLER AFFIRMS — G. K. WALLACE DENIES

Made on new 1 1/2 mil. Mylar BaseTape and can be played on any taperecorder using a 7" reel.

FOUR TAPES-$12.00