THE ESTABLISHMENT OF THE CHURCH

The prophecies in Isaiah 2: 2, 3, Daniel 2: 44 and Joel 2:28-32 pinpoint the time when and place where the churchChrist promised was to be established. There are four identifying marks that everyone looks for in establishing thetrue identity of a person or thing. These are:

1. The PLACE where one is born or a thing begins.
2. The TIME when one is born or a thing begins.
3. The NAME given to the person or thing.
4. The PARENTS of the person or CREATOR of a thing.

I propose to look at the PLACE and TIME in this articleto show that the church of the Lord can be identified by thesemarks, and all other churches must be excluded because they are not genuine.

The PLACE could be no other than Jerusalem. The prophets said the kingdom or church would be establishedin Jerusalem and the word of the Lord would go forth fromZion. Jesus told his apostles to wait in Jerusalem for thepromise of the Father, and when they received POWER theywere to bear witnessof him. (Luke24:47-49;Acts1: 48). On the day of Pentecost the Holy Spirit came upon theapostles and they began to reveal the message of salvation(Acts 2). Luke 24: 47 says: "And that repentance and remission of sins should be preached in his name among all nations, beginning at Jerusalem."

We must conclude that any church that did not have itsorigin in Jerusalem on Pentecost cannot be the churchthat Christ established. Is that not a scriptural

and logical conclusion?

The TIME when the church began had to depend upon several events. It is certain that the church could not have begun before these important events because they are related to the establishment of thekingdom.

1. The church could not begin before the "fullness of time" spoken of in Galatians 4: 4, 5. The fullness of time had to do with the birth of Christ, and that was essential to everythingrelated to remission of sins and eternal salvation in heaven. Acts 1: 6, 7 reveals that the times and seasons are in the power of the Father. Jesus said, "The time is fulfilled, andthe kingdom of God is at hand: repent ye, and believe the gospel" (Mark 1: 15).
2. The church could not have been established until after the death of Christ. His blood had to be shed because the church was purchased with his blood. Until the blood wasshed no price was available to purchase the church. Acts 20:28 says: "Take heed therefore unto yourselves, and to all theflock over the which the Holy Ghost hath made you overseers, to feed the church of God, which he hath purchased with his own blood. "

"Forasmuch as ye know that ye are not redeemed withcorruptible things, as silver and gold, from your vain conversation received by tradition from your fathers; butwith the precious blood of Christ, as of a lamb without blemish and withoutspot" (1Peter 1: 18, 19).

3. The kingdom or church could not have been established until Christ ascended to the right hand of God to receive "all power" which he now has (Matthew 28: 18). Peter declaredhim to be by the right hand of God exalted, and that hehad been madeboth Lordand Christ (Acts2:33,36).

Daniel saw the future in a vision which is a prophecy ofChrist ascending to God to receive a kingdom. Daniel 7: 13,14 says: "I saw in thenight visions,and, behold, one liketheSon of man came with the clouds of heaven, and came to theAncient of days,and theybrought him nearbefore him.And there was given him dominion, and glory, and a kingdom,that all people, nations, and languages, should serve him:his dominion is an ever-lasting dominion, which shall not pass away, and his kingdom that which shall not be destroyed. "

4. The church or kingdom could not come until the power came. The power is the HolySpirit on the day of

Pentecost. Jesus said the kingdom of God would comeduring the life time of some of those to whom he wastalking at the time (Mark 9: 1). He told the apostles that theywould be "endued with power from on high" when the promise of the Father came upon them (Luke 24: 49). Thecontext shows this to be the baptism of the Holy Spirit onthe day of Pentecost. Again, Jesus said they would "receivepower, after that the Holy Ghost is come upon you... " (Acts

1: 8). They were endued with the power on Pentecost and began to speak as the Spirit gave them utterance (Acts 2:4).

5. The church could not come into existence until the foundation was laid. Jesus said he would build his church,and he said he would build it upon the rock: the fact that he isthe Son of God. He said "the gates of hell shall not prevail against it"—the building of his church. This expression simply means death would not hold him; he would arisefrom the dead, thereby being declared to be the Son of God(Romans 1: 4).

The foundation was laid by the apostles and prophets(Ephesians 2: 19-22). This was done by their prophecy and preaching of Christ as the Son of God. When this fact ispreached and believed, the foundation is laid in the heart ofthe believer for his obedience and salvation. All those who are being saved are added to the Lord's church (Acts 2: 47).Christ could not be preached in fullness until he arose fromthe dead and ascended to the right hand of God. The apostles were not permitted to preach Christ until they wereendued with power (Acts 1: 8). He was declared to be theSon of God with power by the resurrection of the dead (Romans 1: 4).

Isaiah foretold of the foundation in these words: "Therefore thus saith the Lord God, Behold, I lay in Zionfor a foundation a stone, a tried stone, a precious cornerstone, a sure foundation: he that believeth shall not makehaste. "

Peter refers to this passage from Isaiah and applies it toChrist as the foundation upon which Christians as "livelystones" are built up a spiritual house. This is the church (1Peter 2: 4-8).

The apostle Paul says he laid the foundation and anotherbuilds upon it. As an apostle this was his work to revealChrist, thus laying the foundation for the church. Christsaid he would build his church upon the rock—the fact thathe was the Christ the Son of the living God (Matthew 16:16-18). Paul revealed this fact and thus laid the foundationupon which the "living stones" would be built. He says ofthis foundation: "For other foundation can no man lay thanthat is laid, which is Jesus Christ" (1 Corinthians 3: 11).

From all this evidence it is impossible for one to claim adate for the beginning of the church prior to the day of Pentecost following the resurrection and ascension of Christ. Not one of these facts can be dismissed as not beingessential to the establishment of the church. This date beingestablished, no other date in all of history will be acceptedas the time of the beginning of the church of the Lord. Allthat began at another time cannot be the one Christ promised to build, and did subsequently build on Pentecostfollowing his ascension to the righthand of the Father.

6. The church is spoken of as being in existence fromPentecost, and saved people were being added to it as theywere being saved. The Lord added to the church daily suchas should be saved (Acts 2: 47). Paul said to the church atColossee: "Giving thanks unto the Father, which hath madeus meet to be partakers of the inheritance of the saints oflight: who hath delivered us from the power of darkness,and hath translated us into the kingdom of his dear Son"(Colossians 1: 12, 13).

The kingdom, which is the church, is spoken of as being in existence, and those at Colossee had already beentranslated into it. The birthday of the church Christ builtwas A. D. 33 in the city of Jerusalem. A church that began at any other time and place is a counterfeit.

PENTECOSTALISM AND FINAL REVELATION

In my lifetime the Pentecostal movement has forged intothe mainstream of popular religion in America and aroundthe world. David Edwin Harrell, Jr's new book: ORAL ROBERTS, AN AMERICAN LIFE is, to this date, thedefinitive history not just of Oral Roberts and his unquestioned leadership of the modern charismatic world,but of the maturity of that movement into a major forcein the religious world. Harrell writes as an historian withrestraint and objectivity. The well-documented work stands apart in this field of study. While it is not written as an expose, or an attempt at doctrinal refutation, thefacts, objectively told, speak for themselves. Every preacher or teacher who has to deal with people of charismatic persuasion would do well to read this book. Itwill give you a comprehensive insight into this whole movement and help you understand the presuppositionswhich underlie the various arguments made in defense ofmodern-day belief in the continued operation of miraculous spiritual gifts.

I first heard Oral Roberts under his huge tent in early1949 when he came to Tampa, Florida for one of his earlyhealing crusades. Earl Kimbrough, a few others and myselflearned quickly the danger ofquestioningwhatwastaking place, at least on their turf. In the early days of thatmovement there was a thin line between an "usher" and a "bouncer. " Roberts was not the suave, polished figure hebecame later as the head of a vast religious empire. Buteven then, he was a compelling speaker and was able tocarry most of his audience wherever he wanted them to go.Over the years since, I have attended and observed a number of others who made essentially the same claims asOral Roberts but I have not heard, among Pentecostals, hisequal in ability to move an audience.

Had someone told me in those days that Roberts wouldeventually have the effect on the entire religious communityin this country and around the world which he has attained,I would not have believed it. But I believed then and now that Pentecostalism rests upon several false premises. It is asubjective form of religion. The gospel of Christ is an objective message. The "faith once delivered to the saints"is a definitive standard by which all religious claims may be measured. The so-called pentecostal experience asks you to simply take their word for it that they had an experience with God outside of that which can be measured and substanti

ated by the word of God. In 1956, in Decatur, Georgia, I heldmy first of several public debates with Pentecostalpreachers.I still believe what I charged then that these people arelacking in respect for the word of God. At whatever pointtheir human testimony conflicts with the word of God, theywill holdto their story and rejectthe word of the Lord.

The crux of the whole controversy is whether or not thescriptures constitute God's final revelation to man. Harrell quotes Oral Roberts as saying "I think in a sense the Word is still being revealed. " Again he is quoted as saying "I reject anything, any denominational viewpointthat says it's all been revealed. " Folks, that is the essence ofour whole dispute with these folks whether you call them"pentecostals", "charismatics" or whatever. They do not believe the Bible as we have it is the full, final and completerevelation of the mind of God. That is true whether we are speaking of Oral Roberts, Jimmy Swaggart, those on thePTL Club or the 700 Club, of some charismatic Episcopalian or Roman Catholic caught up in this movement.When push comes to shove they just do not believe theBible is the final revelationof Godto man. Never mind the fact that Jude said the faith was "once" (one time for alltime) delivered to the saints (Jude 3). Forget the fact thatPeter said "According as his divine power hath given us allthings that pertain to life and godliness through the knowledge of him who called you unto glory and virtue" (2Pet. 1: 3). Just ignore Paul's warning that we must not thinkof men "above that which is written" (1 Cor. 4: 6), or John's warning about "abiding not in the doctrine of Christ" (2Jno. 9). these folks have had an experience with the HolySpirit. That's what they tell us.

It makes no difference to them that Jesus promised thatthe Spirit would guide the apostles "into all truth" (Jno. 16:13-14) and that Jesus said "thy word is truth" (Jno. 17: 17).Never mind that Paul said that what he received byrevelation from God he had "written in few words wherebywhen ye read ye may understand my knowledge in the mystery of Christ" (Eph. 3: 1-3). The Holy Spirit revealedtruth as Jesus promised in understandable propositionswhich are found on the pages of the word ofGod.

Catholicism does not accept this truth. It wants the scriptures plus the voice of tradition, plus the "living voiceof the living church. " It does not believe that final divinerevelation is in the scriptures. Mormonism has the sameproblem. They ask for the Bible plus the writings of JosephSmith. Adventism claims the Bible plus the "testimonies" of Ellen G. White. Christian Science relies of the visions of Mary Baker Eddy. The Jehovah's Witnesses must have the inspired utterances of Russell and Rutherford. And the Pentecostalsmusthave the Bibleplus their"experience."

Oral Roberts and other charismatics claim over and over again that "Gold told me" to do whatever it is they decide toask other people to help them do. Roberts even claimed thathe saw a 900 foot Jesus hovering over the City of Faith andthat Jesus told him to build that hospital and research center. A few years ago in Ontario, Canada, a young man was invited by the local

preacher and myself to attend the meeting in which I waspreaching. He first said he would come to hear me speakon the work of the Holy Spirit. Then later he called andsaid he could not attend because he had asked the Lord about it and the Lord told him not to go. I asked him if hewould inquire of the Lord as to what we would be doing orteaching that would be displeasing to the Lord and to pleaselet me know. He said he would but we heard no more from him. I would believe that fellow as quickly as I would OralRoberts. The truth is, I don't believe either one of them.Don't tell me I don't have faith in God. That is not the case. What I lack is faith in these men who are makingclaims inconsistent with the word of God.

Many have been swept up in the1 television preaching ofsuch men as Swaggart and others like him who have somestrong things to say about moral issues. While I would not be disposed to deny any truth they might utter, I mustprotest vigorously their false teaching on the Holy Spiritwhich contradicts exactly what the word of God teachesand offers no higher proof that their own testimony aboutan "experience. " They do not tell sinners what to do to besaved in language the apostles preached. They have theirmodes of "accepting Christ", their "point of contact", theirinstruction on how to "claim your miracle" but they wouldnot dare tell an audience what Peter preached on the day ofPentecost in Acts 2: 38 or what Jesus commanded the apostles to preach in all the world to the end of time asrecorded in Mark 16: 15-16. They do not believe that andthey do not preach it except to pervert it. They are dangerous purveyors of error leading multitudes astray.Jesus we know and Paul we know, "but who are you"? Theissue is simple. These men say divine revelation is not complete in the scriptures. The scriptures state that thesedivine writings are full, final and complete. Now then, "towhom shall we go"?

HOW TO FACE TEMPTATION

Temptation is common to man (1 Cor. 10: 13). Even theLord himself faced great temptation (Matt. 4; Heb. 4: 15).Temptation itself is not a sin, but is an occasion to sin. It isthat which leads us to evil or entices to wrong doing. (Jas.

1: 14). It is when weyield to the temptation that we sin (Jas. 1: 15).

Like it or not, temptations will come. The Devil will seethat that is done. He is constantly seeking to destroy thechildren of God. Our question then is "How can we betterface these temptations?

Remember The Word

In the moment of temptation the word of God is mostlikely the farthest thing from our minds. One who is proceeding into sin isn't thinking "What does the Bibleteach on this subject?" or "What would God want me todo?" If it is a point of real weakness, we are without doubtpushing those thoughts back.

The apostle Paul warns that we need to put on the armour of God so that we may do battle with Satan and hisforces. The Devil must be resisted (Jas. 4: 17). Thus, inpreparing to fight we must be "girt about with truth....taking theshield offaith, _ and take___ the sword of the spirit which is the word of God" (Eph. 6: 1017,emphasis mine DVR). When Joseph was tempted to lay withPotiphar's wife, he remembered the Lord's will and said, "...how then can I do this great wickedness, and sin againstGod" (Gen. 39: 9)? Jesus responded to each temptation bysaying "it is written" (Matt. 4: 1-11). David kept a straightpath by thinking upon the words of the Lord (Psa. 119: 153,157, 176).

Pray

1 Tim. 2 lists four elements of prayer, one of which is"supplication". That refers to the request for the averting ofevil. We can and should pray that we would not be led intotemptation (Matt. 6: 9-13). We should pray for strength toovercome our trials. Jesus told his disciples, who were attimes weak, to pray "that ye enter not into temptation" (Matt. 26: 41). It is interesting that in the context wherePaul discusses putting on the armour of God to fightagainst the wiles of the Devil, he says, "Praying alwayswith all prayer and supplication "that ye enter not into temptation" (Matt. 26: 41). It is interesting that in the context where Paul discusses putting on the armour of Godto fight against the wiles of the Devil, he says, "Prayingalways with all prayer and

supplication in the Spirit, and watching thereunto with all perseverance and supplication forall saints" (Eph.6: 18).

We must remember that "the effectual fervent prayer of arighteous man availeth much" (Jas. 5: 16, emphasis mine DVR). God will help us with the strength and faith to overcome.

Shun Evil Companions

Obviously friends have a great deal of influence on us.Godly and moral companions will have good influence, forthey encourage us to do right. On the other hand, evil orungodly friends have a bad influence, for they encourage usto do wrong. Those who have little or no respect for theBible will advise and motivate us to sin.

We may think we are so strong that we will not beaffected. Paul warns that we can easily be deceived, "Be notdeceived: evil communications corrupt good manners" (1Cor. 15: 33). It can happen to any one of us! No one is sostrong that association with sin and ungodliness will nothave any affect upon them.

David describes how people progress into sin. It startsby "walking in the counsel of the ungodly", listening tothem and investigating their way of life. Then, the next thingyou know you are "standing in the way of sinners'. You are looking and liking what you see while all the time becomingmore and more familiar with sin. All of this is breaking downyourresistance so thatnext you're "sitting in the seat of thescornful" which is simply being a part of them, doing thethings they do (Psa. 1: 1-3). By avoiding such relationshipswe remove a lot of temptations that we would otherwiseface.

Learn From Experience

The examples that others have set should serve as a lesson to us. We can learn much from their mistakes. When we see that their yielding to temptation onlybrought on more problems and temptations, we ought tolearn that resistance is the bestcourse (cf.2Pet. 3:17).

We can also learn from our own experiences with previous temptations. When we have yielded, we remember the consequences. When we overcame, we remember that weweremadestronger (Jas. 1: 2-3;1 Pet. 1: 67; Rom. 5: 3-4).

Look For the Way of Escape

We must not think that the temptation has us trappedwith no alternative but to give in. God has provided a wayto escape (1 Cor. 10: 13). That is true with every temptation.Our problem most of the time is that in the midst of thetemptation we're not really looking for the way out. There isthat door of escape and that's what makes yielding a sin(Jas. 1: 13-15). The reason we don't see it is we don't try.

Substitute Righteous Living

It is not enough to empty our lives of evil, but we mustfill it with things that are good. We are free moral agentswhich means that we can choose to do wrong or choose todo righteously (Rom. 6: 13). If we will fill our lives withrighteous and moral activities, we won't have time to yield to temptation.

Paul writes to Timothy telling him to "flee" evil things.But, that isn't sufficient within itself. He was then to "follow after righteousness, godliness, faith, love, patience, meekness" (1 Tim. 6:11).

Be Reminded Of Your Commitment

Remember who you are. You are a Christian, a followerof the Lord Jesus Christ (Acts 11: 26). A Christian is onewho glorifies God (1 Pet. 4: 16). You are a child of God(Rom. 8: 16), so act like one.

Joseph remembered who he was when Potiphar's wife tempted him and thus he "fled, and got him out" (Gen. 39:12). Paul urged the Hebrews to remember who theyprofessed to be (Heb. 3: 1; 4: 14; 10: 23). They had confessed Christ, become his disciples in obedience and claimed to be his servants. Therefore they ought to act according to their claim.

Ready or not, the temptations will come. However, if wejust follow these simple guidelines, we can overcome.

THE ONE BAPTISM

QUESTION: Some preachers say that when Paul wrote,"one baptism" (Eph. 4: 5), he showed that Holy Spiritbaptism was a thing of the past. They contend that in Acts,chapter 2 (33 A. D. ) there were Holy Spirit baptism and water baptism; that in Acts, chapter 10 (41 A. D. ) there weretwo baptisms (Spirit and water), but in 64A. D., when Paul wrote the Ephesian letter, there was just one baptism, namely, water baptism. Is this a valid argument?

ANSWER: The "one baptism" of Eph. 4: 5 was institutedby Jesus in the Great Commission (Mt. 28: 19; Mk. 16:16), and it was preached by Peter on the day of Pentecost (Acts 2: 38). The "one baptism" of Eph. 4: 5 is the samebaptism of Eph. 5: 26, and that is water baptism. Paul saidin Eph. 5: 26, "That he might sanctify and cleanse it (church) with the washing of water (baptism) by the word. "There is only ONE baptism thatwill do this, and, of course, that is water baptism.

The Bible teaches that baptism saves (Mk. 16: 16; 1 Pet.

3: 21), remits sins (Acts 2: 38), washes away sins (Acts 22: 16) and puts one into Christ (Gal. 3: 27). This is why Paulsaid there is "one baptism. " Holy Spirit baptism never did these things, but rather it was a manifestation of God's approval and sanction. On Pentecost the outpouring of theSpirit demonstrated that the apostles were God's spokesmen (Acts 2: 16-18, 33), and at the household ofCornelius He witnessed to the Jews the acceptance of theGentiles by God (Acts 10: 47; 11: 17; 15: 8). Holy Spiritbaptism did not pardon or save from sin, but water baptismsurely does (1 Pet. 3: 21). In other words, God saves us whenwe obey Him in water baptism.

As one of the planks of unity listed in Eph. 4: 4-6 wemust accept water baptism as the only means to get into Christ. Hence, the "one baptism" was as much a necessityin 33 A. D. as it was in 64 A. D. The argument that there were two baptisms in 33 A. D., and one in 64 A. D.,proving that Holy Spirit baptism had ceased, is a fallaciousargument. Holy Spirit baptism had ceased alright, butEph. 4: 5 does not prove it.

THE GREEN AND DRY TREE

QUESTION: Would you explain Luke 23: 31? What did Jesus mean by the green tree and the dry?

ANSWER: The verse states, "For if they do these thingsin a green tree, what shall be done in the dry?" This wassaid by Jesus on the way to Calvary. It is

seemingly a proverbial expression. The "green tree" wouldrepresent Jesus and the "dry tree" would depict the Jewishnation. Jesus, in the context, speaks of the destruction ofthe Jewish state (vv. 28-30) which happened about 40 years later. The meaning apparently would be: If the Romans put Jesus to death, the Innocent and Holy One,they certainly would not spare the corrupt and rebelliousJewish nation.

Jesus was as a succulent tree with beautiful foliage, andabundant and excellent fruit. Such a tree should be preserved. But if it (Jesus) was not spared, certainly the dryand withered tree (Jewish nation) would be cut down.

Alfred Plummer said the statement may be applied inmore than one sense. "(1) If the Romans treat Me, whom theyadmit to be innocent, in this manner, how will they treat those who are rebellious and guilty? (2) If the Jews deal thuswith One who has come to save them, what treatment shallthey receive themselves for destroying Him? (3) If theybehave thus before their cup of wickedness is full, what willthey commit when it overflows" (St. Luke, pp. 529-30)? ButPlummer, in my estimation, is too broad in his application,and, the weight of the context favors number one of thethree senses he gave.

OUR COMPULSION

Simply stated, the #1 need of God's people is to reach outand bring the lost to Jesus. Truly there are other needs tobe met—Christian edification, rebuke against sin, exposing of false doctrine, etc. —BUT OUR GREATEST NEED AND NECESSITY INVOLVES TRUMPETING FORTH THE GOOD NEWS MESSAGE OF JESUS TO A LOST AND DYING WORLD. Sadly, in many places, the clarion call of theherald is scarcely heard.

We must understand that in our desire to restore the New Testament church and first century Christianity wemust also reestablish the evangelism and enthusiasm of those early disciples. So often we argue with those whoseek to pervert the church's mission (by turning it into asocial organization to meet the needs of the "whole" man)that the church's God-given assignment is spiritual—to preach the saving gospel and not the social gospel—and then we turn around and the evangelism and enthusiasmthat we need to do the thing just affirmed is virtually nonexistent.

We must restore the level of spiritual enthusiasm held bythose first century saints. We must capture their

zeal, their faith and their fire. We must WAKE THE WORLD AND TELL THE PEOPLE about Jesus like theydid. And if we don't—what have we really restored?

We Must Have Tender Hearts That Care

One of the saddest of all scriptures is in Psalms 142:4—“No one cares for my soul. " We must care. We must learn to be anxious over the souls of others just like we areanxious over our own. Look at Paul. He cared so much that he affirmed a willingness to die and go to hell if that act could somehow save his kinsmen (Rom. 9: 1-3). Look atJeremiah—the weeping prophet. And do you know why hewept? Souls were being lost AND HE CARED! (By-theway, when was the last time you wept over a lost soul?) Look at David, whose eyes "shed streams of water" over the spiritual plight of his people (Psa. 119: 136). And, while you're at it, take a good long look at Jesus.

"And seeing the multitudes, He felt compassion for them... " (Matt. 9: 36). "O Jerusalem,Jerusalem... How often I wanted to gather yourchildren together the way a hen gathers her chicks under her wings, and you were unwilling" (Matt. 23: 37).

We must learn to love people like Jesus did. We must bemotivated like He was, feel what He felt and see what Hesaw. Yes, Jesus cared! When we care, certain things willcharacterize us:

1. We will seek opportunities. Remember when you were dating? Surely you didn't wait for an opportunity to knock you over before you were willing to spend time with yoursweetheart. Chances are you CREATED OPPORTUNITIES,sought after and pursued every occasion to be together.And why? Because you cared! Could it be that in ourfailure to seek spiritual opportunities there resides a greaterfailure to care?
2. We will see the lost and not the cost. When our child becomes ill, is it the cost of recovery that immediately concerns us? Absolutely not. We would spend everydollar we had (and, if need be, borrow more) to ensure thewelfare of that child and do it all without complaint. And why? Because we care!

I've known of churches who would think nothing ofspending $10, 000 to repave a parking lot but would neverremotely consider spending an equivalent amount in some effort to reach out for the lost. This is NOT to suggest that we should be frivolous with the Lord's money. This IS to suggest that the mission of the churchis to save souls, and every dime spent to accomplish thatpurpose is money well spent and divinely authorized.

3. We will be willing to be inconvenienced. Why does amother sit and lovingly wipe the fevered brow of a child in the predawn darkness? Simple: She cares! Do you like tobe inconvenienced? Not I. Sometimes I think that if I have to miss my supper or favorite television program in order toput my long legs under someone's kitchen table in an effort to lead one to Jesus—that such

is being inconvenienced for the Lord. We don't know what inconvenience is. Inconvenience is when the authorities threaten: "If you preach—we'll beat you... " "If you preach we'll put you in jail... " "If you preach we'll kill you!" Friend, that's inconvenience. And do you know how theearly disciples faced inconvenience? "They kept right onteaching and preaching Jesus as the Christ" (Acts 5: 42).

4. We will pray. In Matthew 9: 37-38 when Jesus announced the willingness of the harvest in contrast to theunwillingness of the workers, He said: "Therefore beseech the Lord of the harvest to send out workers... " The Master said—PRAY! In 1 Cor. 3 Paul affirmed that men plant and water the gospel seed but it is God who gives the increase.We needto bepraying thatGod will give the increase!

"Brethren, my heart's desire and my prayer to

God for them is for their salvation" (Rom. 10: 1). Have you been praying for another's salvation? A friend,a neighbor, a coworker, an unbelieving spouse of a Christianbrother or sister, a young person at a critical age—?Brethren, God does not answer a prayer that has not beenprayed!

5. We will share. There are too many selfish, stingy Christians (I don't know how else to say it). I cite, asproof of that accusation, the lack of personal evangelismcarried on by most Christians. Let's quit being selfish with God's gospel. Jesus said, "It's more blessed to give than to receive, "—and the thing we need to be giving andsharing is the GOSPEL. If we care we will share. It's assimple as that.

We Must Have Eager Ears That Hear

"We have heard the Macedonian call today... " is a popular stanza of a popular hymn. However, in reality, fartoo many are failing to respond to, not only, the Macedonian Call but to ANY call. We must again tune ourears to hear the call and cry of the lost.

We Must Have Alert Eyes To See

That was the point of John 4: 35. Pointing to the fields ofgrain, Jesus said, "Do you not say, "There are yet four months and then comes the harvest'?" Then pointing toward the people he added— "Lift up your eyes, and lookon the fields, that they are white for harvest" Yes, the soul harvest was athand!

We Must Have Willing Feet To Go

ALL must go. Some can go across the state, whileothers can cross the country and still others can span theseas... But that isn't the case with most of us. In fact, for most, the ONLY "crossing" there ever needs to be is the street, the hall, the cafeteria at work. Indeed it is said,"How beautiful are the feet of those who bring the gladtidings of good things."

Please….open your heart to care, your ears to hear and your eyes to see. And then, most of all, pick up thosebeautiful feet, "crossover, " and tell a friend about Jesus.

The Number One Problem In The Church

I don't know if my experience has differed much fromothers, but from 20 years experience I have observed thatthe greatest problem in the church is people "wearing theirfeelings on their sleeve. " This has also been described as"a chip on the shoulder, " "thin skinned, " and "touchy. "Whatever expression is used, it refers to people who are tooeasy to get their feelings hurt. Many instances are not realoffenses but are the result of misunderstanding. Some are only imagined by the extra-sensitive. The real damagecomes when one who thinks he (or she) has been wronged,yields to the temptation to tell others about it before andwithout going to the accused. The church becomes the owner of a full-blown problem with all of its emotions.

When one allows a personal offense (whether real orimagined) to divide the body of Christ, stifle the church's work, and nullify its influence, he is viewinghimself through the wrong end of the telescope. He suffersnothing compared to what Christ chose to undergo for us.The pride and arrogance of this generation hinders one fromdoing the humble thing—being willing to take wrong onbehalf of the greater causeof our mission (1Cor. 6: 7).

These kinds of problems seem to increase when the church is not working. Feeling the need for some activity,brethren may begin looking for faults and soon wage afull scale battle within the congregation. They hinder thegospel "in the name of the Lord. " God forbid! No personaloffense is that important.

Elder/Preacher Relationships

Only 6 of my 20 years have been spent working with aneldership. (Three of those I also served as an elder, havingthe privilege of seeing things from both views). I suspect there are more congregations without elders than thereare with them. This is a tragedy and a hindrance. Weshould be overwhelmed with the wisdom of God's plan! Wemust never become complacent about this. One of the dangers is that preachers will end up functioning as elderswithout wearing the name or being qualified. God wantschurches to have elders! Many problems can be avoided (oreasily handled) that often get out of hand otherwise. Thistopic should not be neglected.

A preacher should be an example to other Christians inhis support and submission to the elders. This does

not mean that he should be a "yes" man. He may need tomake suggestions, urge elders on (encouraging them to go forward), but it should always be with respect.

Elders should not make unreasonable demands on the preacher or lord it over him. Many years ago I consideredmoving to a church in which one of the elders thought thepreacher should keep a daily log book of all his activities(because his boss required this of him). It seemed unreasonable and a waste of time. I was afraid he was more interested in being my boss than my elder. Of course, Icould have been mistaken or misread thesituation.Ideally,the elders and preacher are a team whose works shouldcomplement each other's. They should always be mindfulof the highest purpose in the world. Nothing should interfere with that purpose.

Pulpit Abuse

Preachers should avoid taking personal, private differences to the pulpit. A preacher may seek to identify hisopponent(s) through insinuations, innuendoes, and inferences without calling names. He is asking for troubleand is a big part of the problem. If a brother inquires if thepreacher is talking about him, the preacher should answerforthrightly. When Nathan told the parable to David, hedidn't say "if the shoe fits, wear it. " He said, "Thou art theman." When Judas asked, "Lord, is itI?" Jesus did notbeataround the bush. He answered forth-rightly. It is no sign ofbravery to play guessing games. Such action manifests allthe courage of a "hit n' run" driver and should not be confused with standing for the truth. The preacher does not own the pulpit, and a church should not feel helpless whenhe abuses it. He is not immune to correction.

A preacher may also cause or enlarge a problem on thebasis of hearsay. Such phrases as "I overheard, " "it has come to me, " "one brother said, " and "They say, " can often magnify or manufacture a problem. The audience hasno way of knowing who "they" are or whether"they"said it.Unless he is willing to identify who said it, he will only create suspicion. Paul wrote Corinth about things that "had been reported" to him, but he wasn't afraid to identify the source as "the house of Chloe" (1 Cor. 1: 11).Preachers do notliveabove the gospel which they preach.

Preachers and Counseling

I have mellowed a little on this. Counseling falls moreunder the work of elders. However, because he is a concerned Christian a preacher may find himself giving personal help to someone with problems. There are situations he should avoid and others which deserve greatcaution. Private counseling with younger women is veryunwise and is a work for older women (Tit. 2: 3-5). He may also fall into the snare of listening to gossip and/orspreading it. He may neglect weightier matters. There ismuch to consider. (We need to remember that people lookat preachers out of the pulpit to know whattheymean whenin it). I do not advocate advertising formal or regularcounselinghours, as do some sectarians.

Preachers and Insurance

In the civilized world medical insurance is no longer a luxury. It is a necessity and should be a priority for apreacher's family. This is involved in "providing for one's household" (1 Tim. 5: 8). Somehavediscovered too latehoweasy it is to get financially wiped out. I don't sell insurance.You will need to do your own shopping.

Outside Support

Much of my preaching life I have worked with churches which were not self-supporting. Raising support isno fun and is more difficult than it was a few years ago.While we must trust God's providence for our needs,uncertainty (or undependability from supporting churches)can make for difficult times. The $500 monthly I was receiving when I began would be hardly enough today for aman with a family, even if it were $500 weekly. A churchsending $100 per month used to be a goodly sum. It is atoken amount today. If a preacher had several churchessending $100 monthly much of his time would be spentwriting reports and much of his money on postage and stationery. My suggestion to churches is (with the adventof the copy machine), that they not expect a personallytyped report from each man they support. Allow him thesame breaks that others use. I also suggest that churchesanswer all requests for support, even if they have to senda form letter saying they are unable to support at this time.Due to the number of requests we receive, we have had todo that in order to keep the local preacher from becoming a full-time secretary. But we always try to respond. Onemore thing, preachers who receive out-side support rarely get a raise, unless they ask. It would be great if a congregation would voluntarily increase support to him,as a raise. Of course, when another congregation findsout about it they may decrease theirs! However, preachersshould give a full report.

Conclusion: I have had a few raw deals in my preaching life. Otherwise, I have been treated so much better than I deserve that those raw deals are not worth writing about.However, this article has a more pessimistic tone than theone 10 years ago. The pessimism is over the past, not thefuture. I have always believed conservative brethren havethe potential to evangelize the world. We need to live up toit.

I wish to thank the reader for considering these randomthoughts and would like to read what others have to sayalong these lines. You may hear from me again in 10 years.In the meantime, "preach the word. "

THE POPE VISITS THE JEWS

John Paul II, the charismatic pope who has done morethan any of his predecessors to keep Catholicism in the news, made a recent visit to a Jewish synagogue in Rome.We quote from an article by the Associated Press:

"Pope John Paul II and Rome's leading rabbi embraced, read from the Psalms and prayed together in silence Sunday during the first recorded visit by a pope to a synagogue.

"The pope deplored the 'hatred and persecution' of the Jews throughout the centuries.

" 'You are our dearly beloved brothers and, in a certain way, it could be said that you are our elder brothers, ' he said to resounding applause from the crowd of about 1, 000 people.

"Speaking in Rome's monumental main synagoguefacing the Tiber River, spiritual center of what is believedto be the oldest Jewish community in the West, the popepledged the Roman Catholic Church would further its efforts to remove all forms of prejudice.

"He did not address the thorny issue of Vatican refusalto establish diplomatic relations with Israel...

"The pope, speaking in Italian, said: 'Certainly, we cannot and should not forget that the historical circumstances of the past were very different from those that havelaboriously matured over the centuries.

"He quoted from Second Vatican Council's revolutionary 1965 document on non-Christian religions, 'Nostra Aetate' (In Our Times), which officially rescinded the accusation the Jews killed Christ.

"That from the document, John Paul said the church 'deplores the hatred, persecutions and displays of anti-Semitism directed against the Jews at any time and byanyone'. "

That visit marks a new low in compromise, and shouldbe an affront to Catholics and all believers in theLord Jesus Christ. It is amazing what politics and power will causemen to do! That's not the first time that religious leadershave denied the Lord.

The primary issue between Catholics and Jews is whether Jesus was conceived in the womb of Mary by theHoly Spirit and was the divine Son of God, or the deceived, unfortunate, illegitimate son of a harlot mother!He was one or the other, and the pope is supposed to holdone position and the rabbi the other.

No wonder they prayed in silence. To have prayed aloud would have been an embarrassment to both and

demonstrated the inconsistency of their meeting. If the

pope knows how to pray, he had to pray through or in the

name of Christ in order to reach God. Jesus said, "And

whatever you ask in Myname, that willI do, thatthe Father

may be glorified in the Son" (John 14: 13). The apostle

Paul wrote, "For there is one God and one mediator

between God and men, the man Christ Jesus" (1 Tim. 2: 5).

Does the pope believe that? Does the rabbi believe it?

Let it be understood that we are not anti-Semitic, nor do

we believe in hatred or persecution of Jews or any other

people because of their race or religion. No Christian should

hate anyone, but we can and should reject some things

which others believe.

The pope spoke of the old and troublesome question of

the role of the Jews in the rejection and crucifixion of Jesus

Christ. The Vatican Council mayabsolve themof any guilt,

but that does not change the facts of history and the

scriptures.

According to Catholic tradition (and that's all the authority there is), the apostle Peter was the first pope.There certainly has been a change in the popes from firstto last. The report said that John Paul and the rabbi readfrom the Psalms. We can name parts of the Psalms whichthey did not read, nor did they make the same application of the Psalms which concern Christ that Peter made in the sermon on Pentecost. Peter proved his point from the Psalms, and it was that the Jews had rejected the Christ!Consider what he said, as recorded in Acts 2, and rememberthat he was speaking to Jews (verse 5):

"Men of Israel, hear these words: Jesus of Nazareth, a Manattested by God to you by miracles, wonders, and signswhich God did through Him in your midst, as you yourselves also know—Him, being delivered by the determined counsel and foreknowledge of God, you havetaken by lawless hands, have crucified, and put to death;whom God raised up, having loosed the pains of death,because it was not possible that He should be held by it.For David says concerning Him: 'I foresaw the Lord always before my face, For He is at my right hand, that Imay not be shaken; Therefore my heart rejoiced, and mytongue was glad; Moreover my flesh will also rest in hope,Because You will not leave my soul in Hades, Nor will Youallow Your Holy One to see corruption. You have madeknown to me the ways of life;You will make me full of joy inYourpresence" (Acts 2: 22-28 NKJ).

Peter quoted from Psalm 16, and made application of it tothe Jews' rejection of the Messiah, Jesus of Nazareth. Thatrabbi doesn't believe a word of that! Does the pope? Itseems to us that there was a meeting of two hypocrites.

But that's not all that Peter said. Verse 36 records that he said: "Therefore let all the house of Israel know assuredly that God has made this Jesus, whom you havecrucified, both Lord and Christ. " Notice that phrase,"whom you have crucified. " To whom was he speaking?The Jews; the "house of Israel. " For all who believe theBible, that settles that, regardless of what

any Vatican Council may decree.

Anyone who is thinking straight knows that sin and guilt cannot be inherited. Thinking that to be true hasbeen the root of much religious error and confusion. We are not charging that Jews living today are guilty of the crucifixion of Christ. But their ancestors who were living atthe time of Christ on earth were guilty. On another occasion, Peter told the Jews. "The God of our fathers raised up Jesus whom you killed by hanging on a tree"(Acts 5: 30).

Had the pope been a true disciple of Christ, he would have tried, as did Peter, to persuade the rabbi and otherJews that Jesus was both Lord and Christ and then admonished those who did believe to, "Repent, and let every one of you be baptized in the name of Jesus Christ forthe remission ofsins" (Acts 2: 38).

Jesus said, "I am the way, the truth, and the life. No onecomes to the Father except through Me. " (John 14:6).

Introduction

Individualism is a doctrine which exalts the role of the individual's service to God to the point that it denies the collective a role. Individualists teach that "the only 'functional unit' that the Lord has is the individual"; 1 therefore, the local church has no duties or responsibilities.As a result of this position, they deny that men are appointed as elders to oversee the local church, and theymaintain it is unscriptural for a local church to have a treasury.

In this series of articles I will examine each of these positions in the light of God's word. But before I do that, itwillbe helpfulto the reader to learn a little aboutthe historyof the movement, and to come to understand why it isgrowing among God's people.

Basic History of the Movement

The movement's founder and primary propagator is Charles Holt. Brother Holt stood for the truth againstinstitutionalism in the 1950s, but drifted into his current position during the 1960s. He published a magazine,Sentinel of Truth, which had as its primary purpose thepropagation of the Individualistposition.

During the 1960s he was challenged by brother J. T. Smith to defend his views in public debate. Brother Holtsigned propositions, but backed out at the last moment.He ceased publication of his magazine, and virtually dropped outof sight during the 1970s.

In this decade, brother Holt published a very fine book on baptism, and began to be received again by manychurches. Brother Smith again challenged him to debate hisposition. They met on five successive evenings betweenSeptember 30 and October 4, 1985, in Lake Jackson,Texas. At this writing, they are scheduled to meet again inMarch of 1986, in Chattanooga, Tennessee.

In January of 1986 brother Holt began distributing another magazine, the Examiner. With this publication, itbecame clear that he was not only meeting with success inconverting Christians to his view, but that he intended toembark upon a nation-wide tour to spread the doctrine. 2

Possible Reasons the Movement is Having Some Success

Four things occurred in the 1970s which have contributed to the rise of Individualism in this decade.

First, several brethren began running around the brotherhood promoting the idea that "we should preachChrist, and notthechurch. " Their aim in doingthis was

to correct what they saw as an overemphasis placed on thelocal church by Christians. Brother Holt doesn't believethere is any such thing as the local church, so when hepromotes this idea he is not trying to correct an overemphasis; heis using it to destroy thelocal church.

The fact of the matter is, one cannot preach Christwithout preaching His church. Whether one is using thatword in its universal sense, or in its local sense, Christpurchased the church with His blood (Acts 20: 28). This istrue of the universal church insomuch as each member of it is washed with the blood of Christ (Revelation 1: 5), and itapplies to the organized, functional, local church insomuchas it is a part of the New Covenant which He ratified withHis blood (see Hebrews chapter 9, and 13: 20). To "preachChrist, and not His church, " is to preach a gospel whichbrings the curse of Galatians 1: 8, 9.

The second reason Individualists are meeting with success is related to the perception of many Christians thatthe "brotherhood" is in deep trouble. Seizing upon this apprehension, brother Holt and those with him have pointed to the organized, functioning, local church as the source of all problems. He paints a picture which characterizes preachers as a domineering clergy class,elders as totally inept or overbearing, and saints in general as being largely of the "Sunday morning" type who attendonce a week, make a contribution, and consider these dutiesthe extent of their obligation.

I am convinced of better things concerning brethren. Weneed to learn the lesson which God taught Elijah when helamented that he alone remained faithful in Israel (1 Kings

19: 9-18). The divine response was, "I will leave 7000 in Israel, all the knees that have not bowed to Baal and everymouth that has not kissed him"3. We must take heart. When we give into feelings of hopelessness and despair because ofthe unfaithfulness of a few, we open ourselves up to falseteachers.

The third reason thisposition is makingprogress has to dowith the rise of the "unity in diversity" concept. Some brethren have grown weary of the battle, and are telling usthat we must be more "tolerant"of others.Asa resultofthis attitude, some brethren welcome brother Holt back with open arms in the early 1980s. He was invited to hold meetings, and given other opportunities to spread his doctrine. When brother Smith suggested in the May, 1985,issue of Searching the Scriptures that brother Holt needed torepent or tell brethren he continued to hold the same position he did in the 1960s, he came under a sea ofcriticism. 2 John 8-11 warns us of the danger of allowingfalse teachers an opportunity. If brethren had applied thepassage to brother Holt, matters might not be as they are.

Finally, there is a cultural explanation for the movement's resurgence. We are living in a time when the individual is being exalted at the expense of "the group." We see this in government, in families, and in the religious world. In the civil realm, many are arguing that weneed to "get the government off the back of the working man. " In the family, ERA forces are arguing that thewoman (the individual) needs to be free of the family (thegroup). And in the religious world, the de

cline of "organized religion" is everywhere being heralded.

The Individualists have used this cultural phenomenon to push their cause. They are urging the "man in the pew" tothrow off "the elder and preacher 'clergy' system. They areoffering leadership roles to women in their movement, and are suggesting that New Testament women had such. Andthey are urging democracy among believers as an alternative to theorganized, functional, local church.

Democratic principles are deeply imbedded in Americans,and some are convinced this system should rule in churches.But God never intended for churches to be democracies. They are theocracies, ruled through the medium of Jesus' word, and overseen by duly appointed elders (Acts 20: 28; Hebrews 13: 17).

1 The Examiner, Truth and Freedom Ministries, Inc., P. O. Box 21584, Chattanooga, TN, 37421; Vol. 1, No. 1,page 30. 1 The Examiner, page 15.

3

All quotations in this booklet from the Bible are from the New American Standard Version, unless otherwise noted.

AN EX-CRITIC SPEAKS

"... the more movies I saw, the more I changed. It tookprogressively longer to rid my mind of disturbing images,language and emotions. I was often depressed and reactedangrily to the slightest provocation from my wife andchildren. Finally, I had to quit... in the areas of language, violence and the graphic portrayal of sex (includinghomosexuality) on the screen, I believe there is worth inold-fashioned values. "

No, those are not the rantings of a wild-eyed, fanatical,Bible-thumping preacher (as all who teach Biblical moralvalues are often caricatured). Neither are those words atestimonial at a backwoods prayer-meeting' service.

They are the words of John Culea whose movie reviewsaired twice a week on the evening news of KFMB-TV in San Diego for 3 1/2 years. Film studios flew him across thecountry, first-class, to interview movie stars and directors.He stayed in the finest hotels and got all the popcorn andother goodies he wanted, free.

The November 1985 issue of Reader's Digest includes acondensed version of his story as originally published in theSan Diego Magazine. Mr. Culea states that most

of his readers "welcomed my honesty and criticism of theever-present violence, sex and profanity on the screen.Occasionally, viewers objected, and I was pressured bysome co-workers to tone down my comments. One viewerwas upset with my objections to a scene implied in themovie 'National Lampoon's Vacation. ' He reasoned that incest 'happens all the time, and it isn't that big a deal. ' To my chagrin, "Vacation" was one of the top moneymakers for Warner Brothers in the summer of 1983."

"Still, I continued to speak my mind. I believed that Icould be of service by not accepting the barrage of filth andjunk from Hollywood. For a while, it worked. I was able towatch a movie, write my critique and seemingly wipe thememory from my mind. I believed I wasn't affected by what I was watching. "

Culea learned that he couldn't feed on filth without

becoming ill. So he decided to change his diet. He states:

"My last appearance as a film critic was in August 1984.

I have not been to a movie since. " He does not claim that

all movies are rotten. Just the vast majority of them. He

names a few, such as "E. T., " "The Fox and the Hound, "

"Never Cry Wolf, " "Greystoke: The Legend of Tarzan, "

and "Chariots of Fire" as favorites of his.

If is not the object of this writer to encourage people tonever take in a movie. It is my purpose to motivate someserious thought on the kind of entertainment that is generally available at the movie house. As I write this article, of 25 movies advertised in the theaters of Huntsville, 19 of them are rated "R. "

We often watch an old movie on TV and wonder why thatkind of creativity and humor is not being produced today.The main reason is the kind of people who are making themovies today.

From 1934-1966, the production code maintained by thefilm industry stressed three general principles: (1) no picture was to be produced that would tend to lower themoral standards of those watching it; (2) only correct standards of life, subject to the needs of drama and entertainment, were to be presented; and (3) the forces oflaw and order were never to be ridiculed and evil was never to be made attractive.

Note these excerpts from this Motion Picture Production code: "No film or episode may throw ridicule on anyreligious faith.,. pictures shall not imply that low forms ofsex relations are the accepted or common thing ... Brutal killings are not to be presented in detail... complete nudity is never permitted. "

Jack Valenti became President of the Motion Picture Association of America in 1966 and established the present rating system. The situation has steadily deteriorated since then.

Our God demands that we think soberly. As one TV commercial expressed it: "A mind is too precious a thingto waste. " Let us be selective in the area of our entertainment. Jesus said: "The children of this world are in their generation wiser than the children of light" (Lk. 16:8). It may be that some of us can learn a valuable lesson froman ex-movie criticwho'sstillcriticizing.

MAY CHURCHES OF CHRIST SUPPORT HUMAN INSTITUTIONS7—VI Whom ShallWe Please?

More than a hundred years ago churches of Christ began dividing because there were those who argued that missionary societies supported from church treasuries weremerely "methods" whereby churches carried out the chargeto "go... teach. " Others said they were "aids" to the churches and as such should be supported by the churches.The promoters of this great program of human inventionwrought havoc among churches everywhere they pushedthem upon the churches. Today the story is being repeatedamong the very churches which have refused to supportmissionary societies dedicated to the mission of evangelism. The modern societies are dedicated to othermissions. The benevolence societies are dedicated to the mission of orphan and old folk's care and the educational societies are dedicated to the mission of training elders,teachers and other church leaders. One wonders whom or what local churches are supposed to train! Are they merelyto become money-raisers for human institutions?

As we said early in these articles, there is nothing wrong per se with men forming themselves into service organizations to sell food, clothing and shelter, reading, writing, arithmetic and Bibles or Bible courses. Few people have ever found fault with this. The stir starts, however, and the stir will continue as long as self-appointed institutional promoters continue to call upon theLord's churches to underwrite benevolence and educational enterprises that none of the Lord's churches started or have one word of say regarding their operations. They are not"church schools" or "church homes. " To call them such is to mis-call them.

In hundreds of congregations over the land there are menand women who attend worship and make regularcontributions into the church treasury. They are not the typethat have a lot to say in public. They know, however, that aschool is notthe church and abenevolencesociety isnot thechurch. They conscientiously believe that a church has noright to support these human institutions. Elders, withoutregard to the consciences of these quiet souls, have beenknown to go before the congregation and urge the church togive freely to these institutions. Sometimes, without consulting or informing the church, they order the treasurerto write checks

to these institutions. The result is that in many locationsthere is unrest, suspicion and, not infrequently, downright distrust of an eldership which acts with such "high andmighty" tactics. When somebody daresquestion this practiceelders and preachers proceed to brand the questioner as an"anti" which, in many instances, means the loss of favor, ifnot friendship, of those who think more of the human institutions than they do of the peace among and fellowship oftheir ownbrethren for whomChristdied.

To call a man an "anti" is to label him as a bad, badperson in the eyes of many people. The word "anti" simplymeans "against" or "opposed. " The impression that someof these name-callers apparently want to leave is that those who oppose church donations to human institutionsare against orphans and widows. This, of course, is not trueand to leave such impression is basically dishonest. To speak such as true without knowledge is to deal in destructive gossip. To speak such knowing it is untrue is todeal in malicious falsehoods. A Christian will do neither. The very persons who brand others as "anti" are opposed tosome things, aren't they? Don't they oppose "instrumental music"? They are against lying, stealing, adultery, and drunkenness, are they not? You see, dear brother, it alldepends on what you oppose as to whether you are called anugly name. Calling names is no rightful substitute for scripture or legitimate argument. Honest brethren want scripture instead of name calling.Thosewho are concerned onlyaboutpleasing God will notbe unduly upset at the nasty things said about them. Theyknow that they are pleasing God even though theydisplease men. They also know that they are looking totheir heavenly Father for their eternal reward, not to thosewho call them names and seek to destroy their influence.Theyknow that Jesus said:

"Blessed are ye when men shall reproach you,

and persecute you, and say all manner of evil against

you falsely, for my sake. Rejoice, and be exceeding

glad: for great is your reward in heaven: for so

persecuted they the prophets that were before you.

" (Matt. 5: 11, 12).Faithful Christians know that when men begin calling theirbrethren ugly names and slurring them, this does not answer the truth of God's word regarding the all-sufficiency of the Lord's local church to do everything Godwanted it to do without underwriting human institutions todo the very work God commands His church to do in the first place. If there were scriptural authority for church support of these institutions, it would not take sixty yearsto produce the scripture authorizing it. Brethren need to listen to the Lord's word instead of the word of institutional promoters. When these promoters cease calling upon churches to do something for which there is noauthority in God's word, trouble will cease, division willend, and brethren will again be at peace. As long as theycontinue to call upon the divine institution to underwritethe expenses of human institutions spiritual war will continue. Hostilities will not cease as long as men who ought to know better continue todisobey God! Let us fervently pray that those who areusing churches and urging churches to raise money for theirhuman schemes may return to the simple work which Christ commissioned His churches to perform when Hefully equipped them to do all things He commanded themto do.

ACCOMPLISHING DEATH

"And, behold, there talked with him two men, which were Moses and Elias; who appeared in glory, and spake ofhis decease whichhe should accomplishatJerusalem"(Lk.

9: 30, 31).

Few of us regard death as an accomplishment; something to be spoken of in a matter-of-fact way. Death is oneof the most inevitable experiences we will ever encounter,yet we stedfastly refuse to think about it, or prepare for it.We wait until it happens, and then we are forced to dealwith events which are not easily handled under the best ofconditions. I think we can learn to discuss death, including our own, calmly and forthrightly.

The young man lay in the coronary care unit of a large,metropolitan hospital. He had already faced and made decisions which would overwhelm most people. His heart had stopped beating several times, and he was surrounded by a literal forest of IV's, tubes and monitors.Death was not only possible, but probable. He had justdecided to undergo a hearttransplant,buthad to waituntila suitable organ could be located, if at all. He had received little rest due to the constant medical attention which he required, and had to remain in a sitting position in order tobreathe.

One night, around two or three o'clock in the morning, Idecided to try something. The CCU ward was quiet, and competent nurses were watching his monitors at their station.I stood at thefoot of his bed where I could observe the monitors above his head, and discussed the Bible with him. He was also a gospel preacher, and could holdhis own on any Bible subject. We talked of life, death, hisfamily, the church, and preaching. His blood pressure hadbeen low, and his pulse high, accompanied by irregularheart rhythm patterns.

Within fifteen minutes, his blood pressure had risen about six points, his pulse dropped ten points, and hismonitor indicated a more regular heartbeat pattern. Thenurse noticed the change in his condition, and

asked what had happened. I told her we had tried a new medication, but I wanted more evidence. The following night, we followed the same procedure, with almost identical results. This young man wanted to live, be withhis family, and take his place once again in the church andin the community as much as anyone. Yet, his courage andfaith caused those around him to marvel.

Brethren, it is high time we began to discuss the realityof death. Some of us know that "it is appointed unto manonce to die", but it just isn't something you talk about. Idon't mean that we should just joke about it, or pass it offlightly, but we need to regard it as an accomplishment—apassage to better things in a better world.

Maybe we need to preach more about death outside thefuneral parlors and cemeteries. Maybe we should singmore "funeral" songs in the public assemblies. Maybe wecould begin to give more flowers and "bouquets" to the living. Maybe then we could accomplish death with moredignity and purpose;accomplish a victory throughChrist.

In Psalm 128: 3 the woman is called "the fruitful vine. " In the Psalm this refers primarily to childbearing, but it can also be true in other areas where the woman acts as a "producer" for her husband.

The most important thing a home-maker produces is exactly what her title says—a home. Unfortunately, homemaking has gotten a bad name lately. The woman at home isportrayed as a leech on her husband's arm— always a consumer, and never a producer. In this portrait she sits in her easy chair, a television in front of her, a telephone onone side, romance novels and sales catalogues on the other.On the one day a week she is not reading, gossiping orstaring,she is outspending his hard-earned incomeon moreclothes, a shampoo and set, and a basketful of overpriced convenience food. The beds are never made. The clothes may be washed, but one always has to pick through thelaundry basket for clean underwear. Dinner varies from Chef-Boy-Ar-Dee to Stouffer's, depending upon the occasion. The children care for themselves, coming andgoing as they please. She does not know if they have donetheir home-work or their Bible lessons; she has no idea ifthey are being taught evolution, situation ethics, or anyother atheisticism. If her children were kidnapped, she would not know what they were wearing (she sleeps in, you see) or the schedules they kept.

That is our image, ladies, and some of it is our fault. Wehave started believing our detractors when they tell us howunfulfilling our lives are. They ask us if we work, and insteadof proudly saying, "Of course I work. I'm a home-maker, "we hang our heads and mutter an apology about "being justa housewife. " Titus 2: 4 calls the woman a "worker at home. " We have been so busy emphasizing the "at home"that we have forgotten to emphasize the "worker. " No, wedo not punch a time-clock, but that makes it more difficult,not less. We have to MAKE ourselves take the time and do the work. We are on call 24 hours a day, seven days a week,NO holidays! It takes as many hours to stretch a dollar(gardening, canning, sewing, coupon-clipping, comparisonshopping, baking from scratch) as it does to earn one. Ittakes more hours to read and discuss a Bible story than itdoes to plop a child in front of a television. It takes extrahours to read up on humanism and monitor a child's schoolwork for its insidious signs; then it takes good old-fashion nerve to speak up about it. No one gives us a neat,typewritten job description. We, ourselves, must organizedozens of chores involving almost as many different skills.It takes more self-discipline and creativity to be a good home-maker than any other career in the world!

But it is the most rewarding calling if it is handled as God intended. When one truly produces a home, people notice,not just because the housework is done, but

because the atmosphere of the home is carried with thefamily members. A haven, peaceful, secure—the place you run to not from—thatis a home.

The fruitful vine lives to produce. She is never resentful orregretful.When wedo as Titus2: 4 says and learn to loveourhusbands and children, the homes we produce for them willshow it, because all the work we do is for them. The fruitfulvine asks nothing in return from those who pick her grapes,but because her fruit is so plenteous and sweet, they shower her with extra care and attention. What kind of fruit are you producing, ladies? Is it scarce? Tough?Undersized? Seedy? Sour? Does it come like a fortunecookie with a little message tucked inside that says, "...and after allI've doneforyou?"

It takes effort to be a fruitful vine. If you feel unfulfilledat home, maybe it isbecause you do not putforth enoughofit.Let us get to work andchange our imageto what it used tobe. "Give her of the fruit of her hands, and let her workspraise her in the gates" (Prov. 31: 31).

WHEN YOU MOVE—Please allow two months for change of address notices. We have a cut-off date for changes each month. Thanks for your help.

Send all News Itemsto: Connie W. Adams,P. O. Box69,Brooks,KY40109

WILLIE OPAL CHAFFIN AT REST

MARSHALL E. PATTON—After a brief vacation in Florida with relatives

and friends, Vestal and his beloved, Willie were brought back to their home in

Charleston, West Virginia on April 1. On Friday night of that week, just past

midnight, Willie quietly and apparently with ease departed this life—April 5,

1986. She is survived by her husband, Otha Vestal Chaffin, a faithful gospel

preacher of some fifty years; by two daughters, Mrs. Carolyn Linville of

Charleston, WV and Mrs. Kathleen Paschall of Miami, FL; by three sons,

Guilfordof Hermitage, TN, Ronald of Charleston,WVand Larry of Mineral City,

OH; bythree sisters, fifteen grandchildren and nine great grandchildren.

Lowell Kibler and this writer conducted the memorial service at the Barlett-

Burdett-Cox Funeral Home in Charleston on April 7, 1986 after which her

body was laid to rest in the beautiful Tyler Mountain Memorial Gardens near

Charleston.

Sister Chaffin possessed those virtues that make one an ideal preacher's wife. She was devoted first to God and then to her family. Some of us knowpersonally something of Vestal's strength of character, his wisdom in resolving problems in harmony with the will of God, and his patient persistence in contending earnestly for the faith (Jude 3). Through both mountain tops of joy and deep valleys of sorrow sister Chaffin has walked faithfully by his sideand contributed greatly to his success. Her godliness is reflected not only inher husband and his accomplishments but also in the lives of her children and inthe lives of many others. Truly, her ornament was that of a meek and quiet spirit,which is in the sight of God of great price" (1 Pet. 3: 4). She adorned herself "inmodest apparel, with shamefacedness and sobriety" and "with good works (which becometh women professing godliness' (1 Tim. 2: 9, 10). It was bothtimely and fitting that Prov. 31: 1031 was read at the beginning of the memorialservice.

While the loss is great and the sorrow heavy, we "sorrow not as others which have no hope" (1 Thess. 4: 13). We praise God for this hope which saints have "as an anchor of the soul" (Heb. 6: 19) which enables us through such trying experiences to ever "press toward the mark for the prize of the highcalling of God in ChristJesus" (Phil.3:14).

We pray for Vestal, the children and their families, all the relatives, and thosewho mourn the passing of this godly woman. May God's grace sustain themnowand through all time that may remain thisside ofthe Jordan ofdeath.

HAROLD SHARP, 7408 W. Markham St., Little Rock, AR 72205— James

L. Davis has been an outstanding man in the church of the Lord in southeastGeorgia for a long time. He served as an elder at Gordon, Georgia and haspreached for the church in Oglethorpe, Georgia. Every preacher who has beenin that section of the country knows brother Davis and likely has eaten as hisguest. He has always been a hospitable man. He is now in need of financialhelp. He recently had heart bypass surgery in Atlanta, Georgia. Since returning tohis home he has been in the hospital in Albany for a time, then in the hospital inAmericus and recently returned for a week's stay in the hospital in Atlanta. As all know, the constantly mounting cost of Doctors and hospital care is extreme. Brother Davis, at this time, owes a bill of $34, 000. It will take a long time to be able to pay this. Maybe some of you who have been in his home,or eaten inhis restaurant andreceived his warm hospitality, would liketo send hima gift at this time. I know it would be greatly appreciated. His address is: James L.Davis,Rt.3, Box 29A, Americus, GA 31709.

FRANK INGRAM, 996037th St., N. PinellasPark, FL 33565—As of July 29I will be at the above address and will be available for either full or part time work and for meetings. I can be reached through the 14th Ave. congregation inSt. Pete.

ARRIGO CORAZZA, Via Alessandro III, 47, 15100 Alessandria Italy—I'dlike to inform the American brethren about the work being done in Alessandria.This city is located in north Italy, between Genova, Milan and Turin. It is aquiet cityof100,000 people.Patrizia, Deborah, Simona and myselfmovedherefrom Rome after seven years of work with the Via Sannio church there. We moved to help brethren heavily vexed in the past with doctrinal and practicalerrors. At presentthe church iscomposed of 15 members. Due tothe influence ofSENTIERI DIRITTI, a monthly magazine edited by my father, Ales-sandro Corazza, the brethren in Alessandria came to ask my brother Stefano (who preaches in Udine), Gianni Berdini (who preaches in Trieste), Rodolfo Berdini(preacher in Aprilia), Roberto Tondelli (preacher inPomezia)andValerio Marchi(a preacher from Udine) to visit them to discuss doctrinal issues. These faithfulmen did excellent work. Thus, the church here repented of their liberal standingsof the past and sent out a circular letter to brethren in this country (mailed July21, 1985) explaining their action. Last September I was invited, along withValerio Marchi, to preach for them and moved here in December. We thank the brethren who faithfully supported the truth. We ask brethren everywhere to pray for us and for the results of our efforts. The work is slow and difficult, but God will give the increase. We meet on Sundays at 9: 30 A. M. and on Thursdays at9 P. M. All interested in walking by faith are invited to meet with us.

EFRAIN PEREZ, Casilla 1317, Valparaiso, Chile, South America—I am teaching three preacher training programs invited by local churches in ElProgreso,Quilpue and Puente Alto (metro Santiago).I am teaching Harmony ofthe Gospels, New Testament Epistles, 1 and 2 Corinthians, Evidences of Christianity, the book of Acts, Minor Prophets and Church Music. Am alsoteaching a course in Homiletics and Hermeneutics. More than 30 persons aretaking these classes. There are 15 congregations now in Chile and we need thiskindof study to develop men in thecongregations forleadership.

PAUL K. WILLIAMS, 18 Fairlie Rd., Eshowe, 3815 South Africa— As a result of a correspondence course study with a 22-year-old man of the college ofagriculture near Empangeni, I baptized him in a nearby river the same day.Through the 28-year-old son of the preacher of a congregation about ten miles from Ingwavuma, I was able to visit and preach. About 100 assembled in a rondavel for service Saturday night and about that many Sunday morning. Thepreacher, brother Mafuleka, is 51 and was converted in 1979 by a black brotherin another town where he was working. He and the church are associated withliberal brethrenthough I amsure they know almost nothing aboutthe divisionoverinstitutionalism. They gave me a wonderful welcome and invited me back. I ampraying for wisdom in dealing with this situation. GENE AND BETTY TOPEwill be spending a month in South Africa and will be with us for a series in theEshowe Town Hall July2-4.

RAY VOTAW, P.O. Box 801, Springs, Transval, South Africa—About two yearsago while in a meeting with the Ndebele native black brethren I met somePentecostal people who called themselves "Church of Christ. " Theyasked meto preach for them in the Natalspruit township near here. I did, but about thistime the riots started and I was not able to go into Nataspruit. But they found arelatively safe meeting place at the recreation hall of the old and historicSimmer and Jack Gold Mine in Germiston—about 35 kms. west of Springs.There were 14 in this little group. Since last report we have baptized the last sixof these 14. The other baptisms were scattered through the last two years. Wehad a successful meeting in Lebowa with8 white preachers

and 9 black and coloured speakers. The church in Driekop, Lebowe wasgreatly edified and 8 were baptized. Although we have been able to establishchurches in the national states of Transkei, Ciskei, Venda, Gazankulu, Swaziland, Kwandebele, Lebowe and Kangwane, there has been no churchestablishedinthe countrynearthe "Mountain Kingdom" of Lesotho. Weekbefore last it was my thrill to baptize two men from that national state. Already they are making plans for me to accompany them to Basotho Qwa-Qwa to preach the gospel to their people. Pray for us. On the political scene,the government is passing measures to reform but not nearly fast enoughfor the revolutionary factions. Thus the unrest is in no sense abating. Butthe work of preaching the gospel goes on. I continually have to move verycarefully but must at times take selected and calculated risks, and I am not allthat brave! •

WILBERT GARINGO ENOSTACION, Estrada Apt., Gov. Ortega St. SanFernando, La Union, Republic of the Philippines 0501—Since last report wehave baptized two here and had six restored from institutionalism. In January of this year we were able to rent a new building for services andclasses. In the past, we met in our two bedroom apartment and that became too crowded. On April 6 we baptized a former Mormon bishop.Also, we have a class in Sevilla attended by some 20 Mormons. Our class atWallace Air Station, a US military base here in La Union, has been cancelled due to the present problems with Muslims and with relations between Libya and the USA. Now, U. S. bases in the Philippines are off limits toFilipino visitors. But we have transferred classes to a house located adjacent to the main gate of the base. Attendance is 20-30, mostly US servicemen.

Another newly established congregation of 27 members is located in Luna,La Union. Esmin Villanueva is laboring to help the work to maturity. LaUnion province is a vast place with 29 towns. Work has been started in several of these towns but I need help with other workers.

RUBEN C. AMADOR, P. O. Box 7274, Houston, Texas 77248—The workgoes well at Judiway. Attendance runs in the 40's at both services and we have a good many visitors. Jose Soto was with us in a good meeting in May InApril I preached in a meeting in Reynosa (Mexico) with good interest andattendance. Brethren came from several congregations in the Rio GrandeValley and Mexico. One young man was baptized. Also in April I was in ameeting in San Antonio in which four were baptized. Wayne Partain is working hard withthis goodchurch

and also in other places such as Central America. Some brethren came fromas far away as Monterrey,Mexico and CorpusChristi, Texas.Plans are setfor me to spend about a month in Argentina working with Carlos Capelliand others.

PREACHERS NEEDED GORDON, GEORGIA—The Hardie's Chapel church is looking for apreacher for full-time work beginning the first of July. The church is fullyself-supporting and furnishes a three bedroom house. Gordon is located about 20 miles east of Macon. Those interested may write the church at: P.

O. Box 409, Gordon, GA 31031. Or you may call Fred LaPlante at 912628-2854, or Ray Watson at 912-628-2824.

* * * * * * * * * EDITORIAL LEFT-OVERS

I see where the Letoli Christian Family Center of St. Jo, Texas has advertised a "Sounds of Joy Concert" "featuring the finest in AcapellaGospel Singing, Bluegrass, Country and Western and Classical Guitar. " Among those performing will be choruses from seven Texas churches ofChrist. Question: What are churches of Christ doing with such things? Where did they get the authority from the word of God? There will also besinging groups from some of the schools and Blue-grass and Country andWestern bands. What is even more interesting about this event is that theirprinted advertising says "Supported by members and congregations of theChurch of Christ. " So, this is a church affair. Is it too much to ask for Bible authority? Note also the unscriptural concept of "congregations of the Church of Christ. " While the New Testament uses the term "church" in the universal sense to include all the saved, each local church is autonomous and not interrelated to other congregations in some sort ofhierarchy. If it is not truly "of Christ, " I wonder why someone does notwrite an article about this to publish in the GOSPEL ADVOCATE or FIRMFOUNDATION. Maybe even THE SPIRITUAL SWORD? Our liberal brethren need to understand that the floodgates are wide open and the fewfeeble voices being heard now and then from a few men with occasionalattacks of conscience will not stop this on-rushing torrent.

IN THE NEWS THIS MONTH

BAPTISMS 385

RESTORATIONS 108

(Taken from bulletins and papers received by the editor)