WHAT WILL YOU DO WITH A LITTLE LEAVEN?

'Ye did run well, who did hinder you that ye shouldnot obey the truth? This persuasion cometh not of himthat calleth you. A little leaven leaveneth the whole lump" (Gal 5. 7-9)

There are several statements in this epistle to the Galatians that indicate a departure from the gospelthat was preached by the apostle Paul "I marvel thatye are so soon removed from him that called you intothe grace of Christ unto another gospel.." (Gal. 1. 6)"O foolish Galatians, who hath bewitched you, that yeshould not obey the truth, before whose eyes JesusChrist hath been evidently set forth, crucified amongyou?" (Gal 3 1) "But now, after that ye have known God, or rather are known of God, how turn ye again to the weak and beggarly elements, whereunto ye desireagain to be in bondage? Ye observe days, and months, and times, and years. I am afraid of you, lestI have bestowed upon you labour in vain" (Gal. 4: 911) 'Am I therefore become your enemy, because Itell you the truth?" (Gal. 4: 16) "Ye did run well, whodid hinder you that ye should not obey the truth?' (Gal 5: 7)

Those in Galatia had been removed to another gospel, they were not obeying the truth, they wereturning to the "beggarly elements" of the former bondage from which they were delivered, and were not running well What caused this problem? Why did they turn from the way of truth7 Throughout thisepistle is the evidence that "false" brethren had infected them with the old Jewish Traditions that had carried them back to the bondage from which they hadbeen delivered by the gospel.

The apostle said, "A little leaven leaveneth the whole lump" (Gal. 5 9). This is a warning to all that alittle false teaching will eventually affect the wholebody All too often brethren console themselves withthe statement that "we do not have many who hold tofalse teaching in this church" But these brethrenmake little effort to teach them the truth or deal with them scripturally. It takes only a little leaven to affectthe whole body.

The Holy Spirit used the word "leaven" because ithas a certain quality about it that parallels the working of real leaven in dough. It is used metaphoricallyof the false doctrine of the Pharisees and Sadducees (Matt 16: 12), and of the hypocrisy of the Pharisees(Luke 12: 1) A false teacher injects his teaching alittle at a time. In time a little yeast will penetrate anentire mass of dough. Because of that quality ofleaven the apostle employed that figure here. Justleave a little false doctrine alone in a congregation ofpeople, and soon the whole body is led away fromthe truth.

To express the serious danger of tolerating fornication among disciples of the Lord, Paul said, "Yourglorying is not good. Know ye not that a little leavenleaveneth the whole lump?" (1 Cor. 5: 6). The leavenof malice and wickedness is to be put away and the un-leaven bread of sincerity and truth put in itsplace False teaching and evil practice is describedby the "leaven" of the Pharisees and Sadducees andtheir hypocrisy.

It is well known that one rotten apple will infect a barrel full if left together. In that same sense a littlefalse teaching will destroy the whole body where it istolerated. The only way to save the barrel of goodapples is to get rid of the bad apple. The whole barrelof good apples will never make one bad apple good.Neither will a whole body of believers made one falseteacher sound and good by holding him in their fellowship. Many brethren believe a little false teaching willdo the church no harm

The fellowship of a local church is not really disturbed by confronting one who is teaching something without divine authority. But some will say, "we do not want to divide the church over such a little thing." Brother, let it go and in time the whole church will bepolluted by that "little harmless thing. "

A respected brother begins to pervert passages fromGod's word to support a false view of some Bible subject.Far too many brethren will insist that this goodbrother's view will not do any harm. Leave him alone,some will say, and there will be no problem. In fact,many will take issue with the one who does challenge the error with this brother. He becomes the "trouble maker" who does not manifest "the spirit of Christ." Heis treated as the enemy of the church. That is the sense of Paul's question: "Am I therefore become your enemy,because I tell you the truth?" (Gal. 4: 16).

The Judaizers were affecting the churches of Galatiawith their efforts to go back to their traditions of the lawof Moses, which could not provide salvation through Christ. Paul said, "A little leaven leaveneth the wholelump" (Gal. 5: 9). In 3: 1: "O foolish Galatians, whohath bewitched you, that ye should not obey the truth,before whose eyes Jesus Christ hath been evidently setforth, crucified among you?" To permit a little leaven is to be bewitched not to obey the truth. And by hisquestion in 4: 16, Paul affirms that he is not theirenemy when he tells them the truth. We cannot betray the truth of the gospel by tolerating even "a little leaven" to remain with those trying to do the will of God.

LIVING PEACEABLYWITH ALL MEN

Rom. 12: 18 is a short verse that says a lot abouthuman relationships. It reads, "If it is possible, as muchas depends on you, live peaceably with all men." Thispassage sits in a context that deals with relationships.

Human relationships are basic and the basis of everything in life. How we relate to people affects ourhomes, jobs, the church, friendships and neighborhoods.Paul Parker said, "The act of dealing with people is theforemost secret of successful men. A man's success in handling people is the very yardstick by which theoutcome of his whole life's work is measured. "

This text divides itself into four sections from which we learn four lessons.

"If it is possible... "

1. From this phrase I learn that there are times and circumstances when peace is not possible. There are some people with whom it is impossible to get along.There are times when strife creates a rift and someone will ask, "What else can I do to solve the problem?" Partof the time the answer is that there is nothing you can do.

. Somewhere a few have developed the idea that if you are a good and kind individual that you can be at peacewith anyone. That is just not so. Even Christ, who wascalled the "prince of peace" (Isa. 9: 6), wasn't able to have peace with all (John 1: 11-12; 5: 19-ff). Dennis Wholeysaid, "Expecting the world to treat you fairly becauseyou are a good person is a little like expecting a bull notto attack you because you're a vegetarian. "

1. I also learn that if peace is not possible, it must not be our fault. Pursue peace to see if it is possible. If otherswill allow it, have peace with them. However, makesure, if you can't get along with someone, it is their fault and not yours.
2. Those with whom it is impossible to get along: (a)One who cares little about what the Bible says. Whenthis is the case, we have no standard to which to appealto settle any dispute or as a guide for conduct, (b) One who is domineering and overbearing like Diotrephes (3John). This kind of person "interacts with their environment like a tornado in a trailer park" (Quote Magazine).

(c) The person who is strong and self-willed, (d) Thosewho have no feelings for others (Matt. 7: 12; Phil. 2: 4). (e) The proud and arrogant one who looks down hisnose at others. We will give evidence of this list later from the context.

"... as much as depends on you... "

1. We must do all we can to have peace with others.We have no control over others to make them do their part. But, we can do our part. Notice that the text tellsus to make every effort. It says, "... as much as depends on you..." (Emphasis mine DVR).
2. We are to be peacemakers for they are called the sonsof God (Matt. 5: 9). Paul instructed the Romans to "...pursue the things which make for peace..." (Rom. 14:19).
1. How do we try to get along with others: Theanswer is found in the context of Romans 12. (a) Be dedicated to the Lord (vs. 1, 2, 11). One who is not diligently serving the Lord will not care anything aboutthe Lord's instructions about how to get along with people, (b) Be humble (vs. 3, 16). (c) Have sincere love for others (vs. 9, 10). (d) Care about other people (vs. 13, 15). Be kind and considerate. Mark Twain said,"Kindness is the language which the deaf man canhear and the blind man can read." Dale Carnegiesaid that you can make more friends in two monthsby becoming interested in other people than you can intwo years in trying to get other people to become interested in you. (e) Be honest and fair to all (v. 17). (f) Be good to your enemies (vs. 20-21). (g) Be honorable citizens (Rom. 13).
2. The efforts we make must not violate our responsibility to God or our conscience (Rom. 14: 23).Thus, our text is not talking about peace at any price,but peace that can be attained following God's law.

"... live peaceably... "

1. Living peaceably with others is not merely a suggestion that makes life more enjoyable, but we are commanded to do our part in getting along withothers (Mark 9: 20; 2 Cor. 13: 11; 1 Thess. 5: 13; 1 Pet.

3: 11).

1. What does it mean to live peaceably? W. E. Vine suggests that it involves harmonious relationships, friendliness, rest, contentment and beingvoid of bitter-ness, strife, friction and enmity.
2. To live in peace with others is both good and pleasant (Psa. 133: 1). It is good in that it is rightand good for us to live in peace. But, it is also pleasant.To help you get the picture of how pleasant it is, think for a moment about a close friend or family member.Think of how pleasant the relationship is. Think ofthe fun times and the great memories. Now imagine for a moment that something suddenly changed and now you just don't get along. Can youenvision the pain, the hurt, the agony and frustration? Ifso, we can understand, at least in part, how pleasant a harmonious relationship is.

On the other hand, think for a moment about a personwith whom you cannot get along. Think about howunpleasant, tense, nerve-racking and how it hurts.What if something could be done to resolve that? Can you image how good and pleasant that would be? If so,we can see the nature and the blessing of living peaceably with others.

"... with all men. "

There are times that we apply these principles oftrying to get along to some, but not in our relationshipwith others. We can be so cordial to strangers or friends

and yet be so rude, cutting and unkind for our own family members.

Whoever said "Sticks and stones may break ourbones, but words will never hurt me" was wrong. RobertFulgham said it correctly, "Sticks and stones may break our bones, but words will break our hearts. "

Sometimes we work hard at making and maintainingour friendships and yet make no effort to get along withour enemies.

The text says, "all men". That includes friends, fellow-workers, neighbors, fellow-Christians, family members (parents, children, in-laws, brothers and sisters) and even our enemies.

I find myself thinking about this verse quite oftenbecause I see so many situations where it is applicable.

I am very grateful to Donnie V. Rader for editing thepaper during the summer months of June, July andAugust and for continuing in this work until the first ofthe year. First of all, his writing and layout work hasbeen excellent. The July special, "Whatever HappenedTo Common Decency?" was well done and well received.We had to reorder to meet extra demand.

It has been an eventful summer. We were struck twice by lightening within one month. Our loss of computer billing data has been largely recovered by now,thanks to a mountain of effort by Karen Arbuckle, mywife, Bobby, and the cooperation of so many of you whoresponded quickly and compassionately to our appealfor information. I have been surprised to find out how many computer "experts" there are out there among thebrethren. Yes, we know you have to "back up" your workdaily. We have always done this. But "back up" can get fouled up too, and that is what happened to us. We havenow installed a better system and added hard copybackup in case of future problems. We are thankful tothose of you who took this occasion to write words ofappreciation and encouragement about the paper and tothose also who sent in new subscriptions. They could not have come at a better time.

I had to have additional back surgery on August 6. Ifall goes as planned, I should be back into my meetingwork in September, though I will have to live with somerestrictions for a few months. I cannot sit very longwithout exercising and that poses some problems about working very long at a desk. Once again, my good friendand brother, Donnie V. Rader, has agreed to help. I haveasked him to work as guest editor until January 1st andhope to be able to be back at my post by that time. He isa busy man and extra effort is required to maintain hisown work and take care of this task as well. I have utmost confidence in his knowledge, ability and character. He is true to the book in his preaching, writing andlife. Please give him your support and encouragement.We continually owe a debt of gratitude to those men whoconsistently provide excellent material for the paper,just because they want to do it. God bless all of you. Prayfor us.

"NOT DONE IN A CORNER"

Concerning the fulfillment of those things "which theprophets and Moses did say should come," including therevelation of Christ and his will, Paul said, "this thingwas not done in a corner" (Acts 26: 22-26).

Even in the presence of hostile witnesses, Jesus said,"I spake openly to the world; I ever taught in thesynagogue, and in the temple, whither the Jews alwaysresort; and in secret have I said nothing" (Jno. 18: 20).

Even the Old Covenant, given at Mt. Sinai, was givenopenly so that "all the people" were witnesses to thatrevelation (Ex. 20: 18). And when that covenant wasabrogated, it was done so "openly" (Col. 2: 14-17).

The New Will and Testament of Christ was revealed openly by the Spirit, working through apostles andprophets (Eph. 3: 5). The resurrection of Christ wasconfirmed "by many infallible proofs" (Acts 1: 3), and bywitnesses whose testimony is unimpeachable to this day(1 Cor. 15: 5-8). And the word preached was confirmed,not by alleged "proofs" emanating from some dark corner, but by "signs and wonders, and with divers miracles, and gifts of the Holy Ghost..." (Heb. 2: 3, 4).

Now, let us compare all these things "not done in acorner" with the confusing and contradictory claims ofso-called "latter day revelations." And not only do these"foolish prophets" (Ezek. 13: 3), contradict each other,they even contradict themselves.

Around the year 610 (A. D. ), a man by the name ofMohammed claimed that the archangel Gabriel appeared to him in a corner of the world somewhere around Mecca, Arabia. Out of this corner came a new "revelation" known as the Koran, and the subsequentreligion of Islam.

And Muslims base their faith and their eternal destiny on something done in a corner.

Around 1830, in a corner of upstate New York, JoeSmith made the claim that he had found and translated some golden plates, and with the abracadabra of another religious magician, the Book of Mormon was born.

And, peculiar to these corner revelations and religions, Joe Smith conjured up not only his golden plates,but peep stones of quartz through which he allegedlytranslated the plates. And not only was all this done "in a corner," it was done behind a bed sheet in secret, andthe translation passed through to scribes on the otherside.

Joe Smith and the Mormons claimed witnesses to these clandestine operations, but three of his original"witnesses" (Cowdery, Whitmer, and Harris), were discredited and "cut off" by Smith himself in less than ten years.

Not only did Mormonism begin "in a corner," its leaders and authorities have continually attempted tosuppress certain writings and evidence which is detrimental to the claims of Mormonism. Even to this veryday, Mormons are urged to avoid any kind of confrontation where their claims and the Book of Mormon can be subjected to the light of God's word, the Bible.

And if you doubt that, just try to arrange an open, fair,public examination of the Bible vs. the book of Mormon.

Not to be out-cornered, William Miller and Ellen G.White came on the scene about 1844-45 with their version of "vanity and lying divination" (Ezek. 13: 6, 7),claiming like the false prophets of old that the Lord had sent them. Mrs. White even claimed that she was "caught up to the third heaven" to receive her revelation,which surely should give it more credence than what JoeSmith claimed to have gotten through peep stonesbehind a bed sheet.

In the latter part of the 19th century, Charles Russellcame up with prophecies from the southwest corner ofPennsylvania, predicting the return of Christ in 1874.When Christ did not show up, Russell claimed that the Lord and his apostles did come, but that they wereinvisible. Or, to use Paul's phrase, they were hiding "in a corner" somewhere.

Not sufficiently embarrassed by previous failures,Russell's followers predicted that Christ would returnand set up his kingdom in 1914, and that "millions (then)living would never die." Again, they claimed the eventhappened, but only a few could see it. "In a corner" again.

Dear readers, we are not trying to make fun of you, oryour religious beliefs. Many sincere people have followed, and continue to follow, these false prophets whogot their "visions" in the darkened corners of human revelation. Their claims are so shallow, inconsistent,contradictory, and even ridiculous that it is a marvelthat intelligent people could be deceived by them.

Jesus came the first time and set up his kingdom inkeeping with Old Testament prophecies (Lk. 24: 44; Heb.

12: 28). When he returns the second time, it will be todeliver up that kingdom to God (1 Cor. 15: 24). And youneed to get into that kingdom (Jno. 3: 5), stay in it (Rev.

14: 13), and stay out of every religious system that "shallbe rooted up" (Mt. 15: 13).

The once-revealed scriptures are a complete andsufficient revelation to guide us until the Lord returns(2 Tim. 3: 16, 17; Jude 3).

And we can "say unto you by the word of the Lord"that the second coming of Christ will not be "done in acorner" either.

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On May 4, 1991, at ten minutes till two in theafternoon, I watched as my father-in-law exhaled hislast breath. Suddenly, the body that had been alive laystill and quiet. Though it has been over two monthssince that day (this article is being written in mid-July),vividly, the moment of death can be called to memory'seye and relived.

At the funeral, Donnie Rader asked if I would writea memorial for brother Lee. The text of the funeral sermon has already appeared in the Guardian of Truth. I did not wish to repeat the thoughts of that sermon; therefore, it has taken a little time for me to comply withbrother Rader's request. The time has been good because it has already begun to give perspective to thepast. As I tried to do in the funeral sermon, I want tohonor brother Lee's memory while not violating whathis wishes would be. My article will therefore attemptto say what I know he would want me to say.

Brother Lee came to be widely known and veryinfluential, but his power and influence accumulated slowly through a life of diligent toil and service in thequietness of the Lord's fields and vineyards where he worked.

Those who know trees realize that generally thefaster the tree grows, the softer and weaker is the wood.Those men who devote their lives to the service of God,and work quietly, studying and preaching, those menwho remember the importance of godliness, grow intothe solid oaks and cherries from which beautiful furniture is made. On the other hand, often, influence andprominence are handed to a young preacher in a giftwrapped package, and he is ruined by it. He remains a quick growth tree that is really good for nothing: itburns too readily even to use for firewood.

There have always been those preachers who, fromyouth, have been in the limelight. There was less of thisin brother Lee's day, and in preceding generations,because preaching was anything but a lucrative field.Often there was no "full-time" support available. Menlike brother Lee preached because they had to; it was intheir bones. "If I say, 'I will not make mention of him norspeak any more in his name, ' then there is in my heartas it were a burning fire shut up in my bones, and I amweary with forbearing, and I cannot contain" (Jer. 20: 9).

Brother Lee always found it impossible to understandhow a young man could say, "I wish somebody would helpme get a church," or, "I wish I had a place to preach." He felt we have God's permission and help to preach. Whatelse does anyone need?

I have delighted in hearing and reading of his firstmeeting held in 1931. There was an abandoned schoolhouse, and this painfully shy boy of almost seventeenwent and got permission to conduct a meeting in the littlebuilding. He went up and down the country roads andlanes inviting people to come. He then preached to thosewho accepted his invitation. Brother Lee commented onthis in Preaching in a Changing World: "Do you see howI got started preaching? It was simple, was it not? Ipreached and preached before any established churchthought of asking me to work with it. I grew up into thework. There is no better way to begin. "

Though circumstances have changed greatly, the principle is still good — let a man work to serve God inGod's own ways. Let no man seek preaching as a meansto gaining fame and prominence, or merely to have a job.Opportunities to preach still abound to the one who iswilling to serve in any capacity God desires.

Often today young men enter a preacher-trainingprogram at a church with equipment galore, with enormous resources, and many such will then preach noway but first class. Many will get the idea that they havea right to expect first class accommodations always.Such men will be limited in the work they can do for theLord. I am afraid that many preachers today have verydistorted ideas about preaching. In brother Lee's life, Isaw what preaching really is.

Preaching Is A Close Relationship With GodFirst, preaching is a very close relationship with God.When I was a teenager first thinking of preaching, and inthe early years of my preaching, Elijah was one of myfavorite characters because of the relationship he hadwith God. Actually, this kind of relationship with Godcharacterized all the great characters in the Bible: Abraham, Moses, Samuel, David, Elijah, Jesus, Paul, andothers. I saw this relationship with God in brother Lee's life as well. The cultivating of such a relationship shouldbe the first order of business with any would-be preacherof the gospel.

Preaching Is Commitment

A man such as I have described is going to preachwhether "supported" or not. Once he puts his hand to theplow, there will be no turning back. To him, preachingwill never be a way of paying for his degree. Whethermaking tents or receiving wages from the churches, hepreaches the gospel. These words are not meant to castaspersions upon any man who, because of health, is prevented from preaching. I do think that, often a manmay preach until he comes to an opportunity for morelucrative work. In other words, the man who, because ofhealth or financial catastrophe, has to abandon theprimary goal of preaching, has nought but my understanding, and he can still serve the Lord effectively. Butthat man who turns his back on preaching the gospel toseek wealth and an easier life raises questions abouthow deep-seated his love for God and for the gospel was.Sometimes men will preach until they discover just howable they really are; then they decide their talents arebeing squandered just preaching, so they go into someother field of endeavor. Perhaps that man should realize that God has nurtured him during the developing of hisabilities expecting that when they are mature, he willdevote his full powers and energy to the proclamation ofthe gospel.

Preaching Is Unfeigned Faith

In brother Lee I saw unfeigned faith, a faith solid andpure all the way to the bottom. There was love for God also. Once I asked him what had helped him to maintainsuch a good life. What had enabled him to resist temptations? Among other things, he said, "I realized whatChrist did for me, and I felt that I should do all that wasin my power to show Him how I appreciated it. "

Maybe I could sum up the point I am trying to makelike this: Perhaps we need to revive the expression,"man of God." These words were found often in the Old Testament. They suggested a man wholly given to God'sservice, no matter what he might do for his living. Weneed preachers who are first of all men of God. "He wasa man of God" is the finest thing that could be said of any man.

Preaching Involves A Lot Of Studying AndThinking

Brother Lee did a lot of sermon preparation as hedrove. In the earlier years, Sandra, his younger daughter, remembers that on Sunday afternoons, or on anyafternoon when there was a service that night, brotherLee would go for a walk, and she was perfectly welcometo go along, but she knew that she was supposed toremain quiet because her daddy was thinking about his sermon. This thinking I am talking about was called meditation in olden time. Let me tell you what meditation doesfor a sermon. Has your wife ever put into a pot chunksof meat, with potatoes, carrots, onion, and other vegetables, to make a stew? When she gets all the ingredients together in the pot, the meal is not yet ready toserve, is it? The stew must be cooked and simmered untilthe ingredients have grown tender, until their individual flavors have blended into one delicious taste. Meditation is the cooking of verses and thoughts and ideas ofpersuasion into a sermon powerful to move, to convince,and to convict. We need more simmering in our sermons.

Preach With A Purpose

Preaching should be aimed, it should meet a need.Often brother Lee was called into a situation where there was trouble and strife. He would preach to theneed. It never occurred to him to evade the issue. He believed in applying the gospel alcohol to the skin. It would burn when it touched where it was needed.

Let Us Run Our Race

Brother Lee has run his race; he has fought his fight.The course each one runs is different. There are manyfields to be worked, many different challenges to befaced. Let us be determined that whether our challengeis faith in the face of trial, or steadfastness against thehowling winds of false doctrine, or resisting the temptations of the flesh, or joyfully dealing with the hum-drumaffairs of the ordinary, that we will be resolved tocomplete our race and receive our prize. I would like tothink that brother Lee has become a part of that greatcloud of witnesses who cheer us on by their example.

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The practice of conducting gospel meetings is widespread. While that expression is not found in theScriptures, most would concede that the concept isBiblical. Just as one may use such terminology as "theNew Testament church," "scriptural authority" and "Bible classes," so one may talk about a "gospel meeting." Most would have no problem with the languageitself. The problem comes when words are applied tosomething they do not describe. Obviously it would bea misnomer to call something a "Bible class" if the Bibleis not being studied. Likewise one should not call something a "gospel meeting" if the gospel is not thefocus of the meeting.

The word "gospel" appears several times in the NewTestament with phrases that modify, or qualify, its meaning. These phrases can help in determining whether a real gospel meeting takes place. The purpose of this study is to examine some of them, for surely thepresence of these elements will be visible when the gospel is preached.

Terms Modifying The Gospel

It is "the gospel of Christ" (Rom. 1: 16; 15: 19; Ph. 1: 27). It is "of Christ" because it is His; it came from Him; it concerns Him — His Deity, authority and saving power. When the meeting focuses attention on the Son of God, as in the first century, it istruly a gospel meeting. Gospel meetings should dealwith the doc-trine of Christ rather than the philosophies of men. Souls are in jeopardy when Histeaching is perverted, both of the preacher and ofthose taught (Gal. 1: 6-9; 1 Tim. 6: 3-5). First centurypreachers preached Christ (Acts 8: 4, 12, 35).

It is "the gospel of your salvation" (Eph. 1: 13).What theme could be more vital in a gospel meeting?Implicit in the expression "gospel of salvation" is a truth that is explicitly declared in other passages;namely, that man without the gospel is without hope,he is lost, he needs deliverance from the guilt of sin.Paul, in Antioch of Pisidia, preached "the word of thissalvation" (Acts 13: 26). In Philippi Paul and Silas werefound "showing the way of salvation" to the people(Acts 16: 17).

An essential fact to remember, too, is that the gospelis called "the gospel of the grace of God" (Acts

20: 24). What a great opportunity the gospel meetingaffords to teach the "true grace of God" (1 Pet. 5: 16) incontrast with the religious world's false notions on salvation by grace.

A study of the book of Acts, looking at the sermons of the early preachers, will help us to appreciate what can properly be incorporated into proclaiming the gospel of our salvation. Question: Is a gospel meeting truly that when sinners are not even told what to do to be saved?

It is "the gospel of the kingdom" (Matt. 9: 35; 4: 23). There surely is a place somewhere in the preaching of the gospel for preaching about the kingdom Jesus came to set up (Matt. 16: 18, 19). Informed Christians know that the "kingdom" generally refers to the church. Those in the church at Colosse were said to be in "the kingdom of God's dear Son" (Col. 1: 13). The fact that both words areused in Matthew 16: 18, 19 to refer to what Jesus had come to build further demonstrates this. Let us preach "the gospel of the kingdom." Paul did (Acts 19: 8; 20: 25; 28: 23, 31). People still need to understand the unique nature of the Lord's church. One has cause to wonder just how many of our younger generation in the church think that "our denomination" is just one among the many. Do they understand Bible teaching about the Lord's organization and work of the local church so that they will not become associated with liberal, institutional churches when they move from place to place? Would not a gospel meeting be a proper time tospeak a few words about that body of which Christ isthe Savior (Eph. 5: 23)?

It is the gospel of peace" (Rom. 10: 15; Eph. 6: 15). Many people are in a frenzied search for personalpeace and inner contentment in this age of turmoil and uncer-tainty, not knowing that the "Peace that passethunder-standing" is found in the gospel of the Prince ofpeace. It is tragic that so many turn to the gurus of pagan religious philosophy, to the "New Age" voices of peoplelike Shirley MacLaine. The voices of the "channelers" and "mediums" do not speak "the gospel of peace." A gospelmeeting provides an opportunity to point desperate,groping souls to the source of genuine peace, a peace thatis the posses-sion of all who are in the "one body" of the reconciled ones (Eph. 2: 16).It is a gospel that demands a lifestyle that is "worthy of the gospel of Christ" (Ph. 1: 27). There must be preaching that clearly shows that a verbal commitment toChrist is no substitute for practicing holy living that will"adorn the doctrine of God our Savior in all things" (Titus

2: 10). The carnally-minded brother or sister must under-stand that thinking, talking and acting like thelascivious age in which we live are unacceptable to God (see Titus 2: 11, 12). The gospel of Jesus Christ dealswith the daily conduct of the child of God, and thatshould be preached. The Sufficiency of the Gospel

The material found in the gospel revelation is sufficient for the right kind of gospel meeting anywhere at any time. The many truths exalting Christ as Lord, the extensive teaching about the Lord's church in its various facets, the abundance of instruction concerning the plan of salvation for lost men, the emphatic declarations about where true peace is found, the breadth of teaching on how Christians are to live — surely these gospel elements are enough.

A gospel meeting does not need the hype of sectarian charlatans. Congregations can have gospel meetingswithout resorting to the titillation of a pleasure-seeking audience. Efforts to be sensational may serve the purposes of denominational revivalists, but a gospel meeting is no place for such. Attempts to project a Thespian stage presence with dramatic flair seems out of orderwhen the aim is to have a gospel meeting. Gospelpreachers need not be actors, comedians, magicians orentertainers. The precious truth of the gospel needs tobe handled aright (2 Tim. 2: 15). That truth can bepreached in plain and simple language that the commonman can understand. It will accomplish what Christintended. It is enough.

Let us have more and more GOSPEL MEETINGS!

They weren't really of much value... rotten in theheart, badly leaning, punctuated by many dead limbswhich littered the ground after the slightest wind storm.But I hated to lose them.

They were pretty in a strange sort of way even if theywere only willows, just plain old willows, not the weeping kind. Like other old gnarled and twisted trees that have withstood the storm and then basked in the sun while they had stubbornly stood for many years, theymight have become the subject of poem or have been framed in the camera lens of some creative photographer. I'll have to admit I've had dreams of finding someold twisted tree and of being able to catch the light justright as I clicked the shutter. I have the same dreamabout the crusty, wrinkled face of an old man or an oldwomen when each deep furrow under a crown of gray — maybe even disheveled—hair tells a story of endurance through many a storm of life and many a hardshipsuffered.

And they — my old willow trees — were a sort oflandmark, too. Standing in my yard or on the back deckof the house, it was easy to explain to any querist myproperty line. "Under the arched limb of the secondwillow, barely to the left of the third and onto the fence,"I could say. And he'd know. Never had anybody failed tounderstand it? We all need that kind of landmark from time to time, something highly visible, dependable,immovable, that can help us keep our directions in lifeon the right track.

Though diseased and always dropping their deadlimbs, I'd pruned them a bit, thinking they might survive a few more years. Oh, I'd thought about just cutting them down, especially when I'd be picking up the debris they shed. Then I'd stand back and look at them. Sentimentality would win out.

But in a couple of recent spring storms, two of themcame crashing down. And no marvel, for other, farstronger things that didn't catch nearly the wind as doesa tree succumbed to the force. In the storm's path only a mile or two before it reached these aged towers offormer strength, several power poles had yielded. Thetrunk of one of the trees broke some four feet up and thelimbs fell in opposite directions forming a 180 degreesemicircle like someone dropping a handful of pick-up sticks. The other holding its own in the first storm,finally yielded in the second a few days later. Its old,diseased, hollow trunk finally broke. But only afterengaging in a tug of war with its roots. Alas, they wereovercome, and there they lay crying out to be cut up,

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piled into a heap, eventually to yield to the flame of the torch and melt into a pile of dusty, powdery ashes.

No longer a landmark. No longer an adornmentwhere the land ceases its slope and flattens out. No longer a place of rest for the birds, weary from flight, whostop for a brief rest, or perhaps just to perch and singtheir full-throated song to a companion nearby. No longer a shade in a parched pasture to which cattle hadin years past sought refuge from the hot summer sun.Their usefulness and service to man and others of God's creatures were now a thing of the past. When they'vedried out sufficiently, the flame will eradicate even the memory of them except for perhaps a few folk to whomthey have had some real significance. Like me, or the farmer who formerly owned the land and saw his cattlelie under them contentedly chewing the cud in the heatof the day or perhaps a horse having turned his back sideto the tree for refuge from a blowing rain or winter wind.

As I tackled the task of clean up, the chain saw, withits voracious appetite, chewed its way through trunkand branch, mixing the sawdust with the smoke of itstwo-cycle engine, and my thoughts turned to Christiansand churches. I could even think of specific ones to whomapplication of my analogies seemed appropriate.

Christians, genuine Christians, are things (I hate tocall them "things") of beauty. And they too are much likea landmark. The Psalmist spoke of "the beauty of holiness" as the character of the worship desired by the Lord(Psa. 29: 2; 96: 9). And it is precisely that quality oflife that is to characterize the Christian (Heb. 3: 1; 12:14; 1 Pet. 1: 14-15). They are light and salt in a world of darkness and perversity (Mat. 5: 13-14; Eph. 5: 8;Phil. 2: 15-16). They are instruments of service andpraise to God (Rom. 6: 1-19; Heb. 13: 15; Rev. 5: 8). Andthey stand like bright beacons to those lost in sin, for theyhold forth the word of life (Phil. 2: 16) which points men to heavenly realms (Col. 3: 1-4).

But what if one's faith becomes hollow, and the heartis gone from his devotion; and he has become but anempty shell, his spirit diseased with the cares of thisworld and of this life (Mk. 4: 19; Lk. 21: 34)? Faithwhich can overcome the world (1 Jn. 5: 4) with all itstorrents and fiery darts of the devil (Eph. 6: 16) no longersustains in the evil day. Patient continuance in well-doing (Rom. 2: 7 is but a memory of the past; and thebeauty of life fostered by holiness of heart becomes sin-scarred as the light that had shone in darkness becomes dimmed or smothered. One whose life had been "an example of the believers" (1 Tim. 4: 12) andthus like a landmark for others groping their way through the fog and indecisive-ness of life, himself succumbs to the storms. Fruit-bearing gives way to rottenness. The shadow of faith under which others sought comfort in difficult times no longer beckons aweary pilgrim. Is it his end now to be burned, since thethings that accompany salvation no longer keep company with him? (Heb. 6: 8-9).

And there are churches that have stood as landmarks and from whom has been sounded forth the word of the Lord (1 Thes. 1: 8). Lost souls have been drawn tohear and learn the truth by the lives of godly memberslike a magnet emitting its powerful force. As storms ofimmor

ality set off a flood in society, these churches counterwith the sword unsheathed and drawn to do battle. And saints are encouraged to "put on the whole armor of God and stand against the wiles of the devil" (Eph. 6: 10-18).Incursions of error that threaten doctrinal soundness are met with unflinching loyalty to the Captain ofsalvation.

But what if a church grows indifferent and is victimized by apathy (Rev. 3: 15-17), or what if it leaves its firstlove (Rev. 2: 4), or what if it begins to rest on its laurels (Rev. 3: 1), or what if worldliness creeps in and goesunchallenged (Rev. 2: 20), or what if false doctrinemakes an inroad (Rev. 2: 15)? Unless these maladies arecorrected, when storms eventually sweep across thespiritual terrain, such churches will be unable to withstand. Like the old, diseased willows, they will fall, theirbeauty gone, their usefulness a thing of the past.

Surely the Lord hates to lose any of His churches. Butwhen disease and decay set in with a persistence likethat of leavening which will not be satisfied until it haspermeated the whole lump, and His chastening fails to"yield the peaceable fruit of righteousness" (Heb. 12: 611), will they not cease as landmarks or lighthouses?And will He not remove their candlestick?

Christians, keep a tight grip on your faith and helpthe churches of which you are members not become likeold diseased willows which cannot withstand the storm and whose usefulness is lost.

■

I could hear myself saying the same thing to the oneteaching me the gospel more than 36 years ago. I lovedmy grandmother deeply. She was as near perfection asanyone I had known. After a long bout with cancer, shehad passed away when I was 15. I understood that if the Bible was correct, she died out of the Lord. My heartrebelled. I was hung up on baptism.

My teacher's answer might help others. "You say yourgrandmother loved God, but never heard of baptism forremission of sins. As one who loved God so much, whatwould she do if she were here now, listening? Whatwould she advise you to do, with your increased knowledge?"

That was enough. I obeyed God (Mk. 16: 16; Acts 2: 38; Acts 22: 16; Rom. 6: 3-5; 1 Pet. 3; 21). Will this moveyou to love Christ also (John 14: 15)?

Or, do you still think I'm condemning your grandmother?

The Scriptures teach that two people joined by God inmarriage are bound for life, the only exception beingthat an innocent partner may put away a mate guilty offornication and remarry.

It hath been said, Whosoever shall put away his wife,let him give her a writing of divorcement:

But I say unto you. That whosoever shall put away hiswife, saving for the cause of fornication, causeth her tocommit adultery: and whosoever shall marry her that isdivorced committeth adultery (Matt. 5: 31-32). Jesus referred here to the Old Testament law of Deuter- onomy 24: 1-4 which allowed a man to put away his wifefor indecent conduct short of adultery, but Jesus saidsuch a practice will no longer be tolerated. IF A MANPUTS AWAY HIS WIFE FOR ANY REASON OTHER THAN FORNICATION, HE CAUSES HER TO COMMIT ADULTERY WHEN SHE MARRIES ANOTHER. The difference between the Law of Moses and the Law of Christ can be summarized as follows:

Moses Christ

1. Fornicator put away by 1. Fornicator put away by death penalty — not marry divorce — not marry an another. other.
2. Man permitted to put 2. Man not permitted to away wife for conduct put away wife for conduct short of fornication. short of fornication.
3. Woman put away for 3. Women put away for cause other than cause other than fornicafornication not said to be in tion said to be in adultery adultery if marries another, if marries another.
4. Man she marries not 4. Man she marries said to said to be in adultery. be in adultery.
5. First husband barred 5. First husband not from ever getting her back barred from ever getting if she remarries. her back if she remarries. Notice both the rule and the exception included in thelaw. The rule says that anyone who puts away his wifeis guilty of causing her to commit adultery when sheenters an unscriptural marriage. The exception saysthat if a man puts away his mate because she engaged in sex with someone else, he is not responsible for hersubsequent adultery when she marries another man unscripturally. This shows that an innocent partnermay put away a mate guilty of fornication and remarry.

The Pharisees asked Jesus, "Is it lawful for a man toput away his wife for every cause?" His answer emphasized the principle taught by God from the beginning:

For this cause shall man leave father and mother, and shall cleave to his wife: and they twain shall be one

flesh.

Wherefore they are no more twain, but one flesh.

What therefore God hath joined together, let not man

put asunder.

And I say unto you, Whosoever shall put away his

wife, except it be for fornication, and shall marry an

other, committeth adultery: and whoso marrieth her

which is put away doth commit adultery (Matt. 19:

3-9).Notice again the rule and the exception. The rule saysthat when anyone divorces his wife and marries another, he commits adultery. God rejects this secondmarriage as immoral. The exception says that if a man puts away his wife because she engaged in sex withsomeone else, he does not commit adultery when hemarries again.

The word "EXCEPT" conveys the idea "IF ANDONLY IF." "Except ye be converted" means "if and only if you are converted" and become as little children, youcan enter God's kingdom (Matt. 18: 3). No man could dothe miracles Jesus did "except God be with him" — "ifand only if God be with him" (Jn. 3: 2). "Except a man beborn of water and of the Spirit, he cannot enter into thekingdom of God" — "if and only if a man is baptized inwater and does so because he truly accepts the gospelrevealed by the Spirit, he can enter God's kingdom" (Jn.

3: 5). "EXCEPT IT BE FOR FORNICATION" means "IFAND ONLY IF a man puts away his mate for fornication, he can marry again without committing adultery."The Scriptures do not teach that a person who is divorced by his mate for committing fornication is free to marry another. Compare these statements of Jesus:Whosoever shall put away Whosoever shall put his wife, saving for the away his wife, except it cause of fornication, shall marry another, causeth her to commit committeth adultery adultery: AND AND WHOSO WHOSOEVER SHALL MARRIETH HER MARRY HER THAT WHICH IS PUT AWAY IS DIVORCED DOTH COMMIT COMMITTETH ADULTERY (Matt. ADULTERY (Matt. 5: 32). 19: 9).

Jesus emphasized that the divorced person is not tomarry another.Two cases of divorce are contemplated in the abovepassages. 1. A man divorces his wife wrongfully andunscripturally when she has committed no fornication.She should keep the door open for reconciliation ratherthan marry another man. God gives her no right to seekanother spouse. If she does marry someone else, the new marriage will be nothing but adultery in God's sight.The man who causes such a case of adultery by wrongfully divorcing his wife has no right to form a secondmarriage. 2. A man might divorce his wife because sheengaged in sex with someone else. After she has brought her marriage to wreck and ruin by immoral conduct,God does not release her to form a new marriage. If shemarries another man, it will be adultery in God's sight."Jesus here limits the right of divorce to cases ofunchastity... the innocent party to such a divorce can many again. Of course the guilty party could not, for noone is allowed by law to reap the benefits of his own wrong" (J. W. McGarvey, Fourfold Gospel, p. 242). All cases of divorce and remarriage result in adultery, withone exception. 1. Whoever divorces his mate and marries another commits adultery. 2. Anyone who marriesa person who is unscripturally divorced becomes guiltyof the sin of adultery. 3. The divorced fornicator whoremarries enters into an adulterous relationship withthe new mate. All cases of divorce and remarriage result in adultery, with one and only one exception.Whosoever divorces a mate for fornication and marries another does not commit adultery.

God rules over all cases of marriage. Romans 7: 2-3plainly says that if a woman's husband dies, she can bescripturally "married to another man." Matthew 19: 9 just as plainly teaches that a man who puts away hiswife for fornication can "marry another" without committing adultery. Where does the Bible plainly say thatan unscripturally divorced person may marry someone else? There is no such passage! Where does the Bibleteach that the divorced fornicator can marry another?No such teaching can be found in God's Word!

What should a person do whose marriage is unscriptural and adulterous? John came as the forerunner of Christ, preaching a baptism in water which required true repentance and which brought the remission ofsins. "Bring forth therefore fruits meet for repentance,"he insisted (Matt. 3: 1-8; Mk. 1: 4). When John preached to Herod, who was living in an adulterousmarriage, he declared, "It is not lawful for thee to haveher" (Matt. 14: 4; Mk. 6: 17-18). True repentance required Herod to get out of an unscriptural marriage.

True repentance today requires the same thing.Those who obey the gospel of Christ can no longer livein such sins as fornication and adultery (Col. 3: 5-7; 1 Cor. 6: 9-11). If a Christian persists in such sin, thechurch must withdraw fellowship from them (1 Cor. 5).An unscripturally divorced Christian, like a divorcedfornicator, is limited to these options: "let her remainunmarried, or be reconciled to her husband" (1 Cor.

7: 11).

(For further study: The weeks of 15 Jan. and 26 Feb.1990 Ron Halbrook affirmed and Jack Freeman of N. Las Vegas, NV denied "that two people joined by God in marriage are bound for life, the only exception beingthat an innocent partner may put away a mate guilty offornication and remarry." Freeman affirmed and Hal-brook denied "that a person who is divorced by his matefor committing fornication is free to marry another."Video tapes of the Jan. debate are $22. 00 from Truth onTape, 19409-26th Ave. NW, Stanwood, WA 98292; Feb.debate, $20. 00 from Chuck Ainsworth, Rt. 5, Box 712,Lindale, TX 75771. )

"Therefore the Lord himself shall give you a sign:Behold, a virgin shall conceive, and bear a son, and shallcall his name Immanuel." (Isa. 7: 14). This scriptureis quoted in Mt. 1: 23 (KJV).

In 1952 the Revised Standard Version of the Bible made its appearance and set forth this passage with "a young woman" instead of "a virgin." Obviously, there isa difference between these renderings of Isaiah's prophecy. A young woman may or may not be a virgin, and thattranslation was evidently intended to give aid and comfort to the Modernists who deny that Jesus was born ofa virgin. However, if we look back a bit we shall find out.that the Modernists of the present day did not think upthis little morsel of blasphemy. They are "Johnnies comelately. "

Irenaeus, a Christian who lived 120-202 A. D. took onsome people in his day who first came up with thisdoctrine. Among them were an Ephesian named Theodotion and a citizen of Pontus named Aquila, who wereJewish proselytes to the Christian religion. Note herethat it didn't take long for Paul's prophecy to the Ephesian elders at Miletus (Acts 20: 30) to come to pass. Theodotion was teaching a "perverse thing" on thismatter. The Ebionites also taught this error, claimingthat Jesus was begotten by Joseph, "thus destroying, asfar as in them lies such a marvelous dispensation of God,and setting aside the testimony of the prophets which proceeded from God. For truly this prediction was uttered before the removal of the people to Babylon; that is,anterior to the supremacy acquired by the Medes andPersians. But it was interpreted into Greek by the Jewsthemselves, much before the period of our Lord's advent,that there might remain no suspicion that perchance theJews, complying with our humour, did put this interpretation upon these words.... For before the Romans possessed their kingdom, while as yet the Macedoniansheld Asia, Ptolemy the son of Lagus, being anxious to adorn the library which he had founded in Alexandria,with a collection of the writings of all men, which were[works] of merit, made request to the people of Jerusalem, that they should have their Scriptures translatedinto the Greek language." (Irenaeus Against Heresies,ANTE-NICENE FATHERS, p. 451).

Here Irenaeus refers to the Septuagint Version of theOld Testament which was a translation of the Hebrew Scriptures in to the Greek language about 250 B. C. The Ptolemy referred to was Ptolemy Philadelphus (286-247

B. C), the son of the Ptolemy Lagus, a General in Alexander's army who took over Egypt after the death of Alexander the Great in 331 B. C. This translation is available today and Isa. 7: 14 in it says "a virgin," not "a young woman. "

Irenaeus continues, "Since, therefore, the Scriptures have been interpreted with such fidelity, and bythe grace of God, and since from these God has prepared and has preserved to us the unadulterated Scrip-tures in Egypt, where the house of Jacob flourished, fleeing from the famine in Canaan;where also our Lord was preserved when he fled fromthe persecution set on foot by Herod; and [since] thisinterpretation of these Scriptures was made prior toout Lord's descent [to earth], and came into beingbefore the Christians appeared—for our Lord wasborn about the forty-first year of the reign of Augustus; but Ptolemy was much earlier, under whom the Scriptures were interpreted; — [since these things are so, I say, ] truly these men are provedto be impudent and presumptuous, who would nowshow a desire to make different translations, whenwe refute them out of these Scriptures, and shut themup to a belief in the advent of the Son of God." (Ibid,

p. 452)

We agree that any who deny that Jesus was born ofa virgin are "impudent and presumptuous." This includes those who make modern translations of the Scriptures, so-called, which do not faithfully translate the original language into our tongue. The KingJames Version is not a perfect translation, since ittranslates the Greek word for passover "Easter" inActs 12, but it and the American Standard Revised Version were translated by one hundred and forty-eight of the best scholars who ever lived. Those of uswho cannot read the Hebrew and Greek texts can depend upon their work as being as near perfect asmen can produce. It was our old Bible teacher incollege, H. Leo Boles, who said that anything whichcannot be proven by the King James and RevisedVersions of the English Bible cannot be proven any way!

We have here given only a small part of the arguments of Iranaeus on the subject of the Virgin Birth ofJesus. He wrote several pages on the subject of theVirgin Birth of Jesus. He wrote several pages on thesubject and ably defended the truth. It is refreshing and faith-building to be able to read the words of a man who was taught by Polycarp, a disciple of the Apostle John. Isaiah wrote about 700 years before the Christwas born. Thus, in spanning 2700 years of time and finding the same truth taught, we, with Irenaeus call it "a marvelous dispensation of God" that Jesus was born of a virgin. This was the natural way for Divinity to become humanity because this is the way it has always happened!

For You have formed my inward parts;

You have covered me in my mother's womb.

I will praise You, for I am fearfully and wonderfully

made;

Marvelous are your works,

And that my soul knows very well.

(Psa. 139: 13-14)

The inspired psalmist most likely did not have a degree in biology or human anatomy. But he did understand someof the marvels of the human body. Also, he recognized thatit must have been created. Therefore, he gave the glory ofthat wonderful creation to the proper One — to the God who created it.

The circulatory system is a wonder all its own. As thescripture says, the life is in the blood (Gen. 9: 4). Eachhuman body is plumbed with hundreds of miles of living pipes which transport blood to and from each cell of the body. Pressure is maintained by the pump, the volume ofblood, and the constricting of the pipes (controlled by thenervous system).

If something goes wrong, all the vessels in the extremities constrict, providing circulation for the vital organs. Ifa limb is accidentally amputated, the vessels constrict in that limb, slowing the blood loss and allowing for clotting.

The heart is the pump, a muscle which works fromshortly after conception until death. It rests in betweenbeats. Actually, it is two pumps with four chambers, checkvalves, and its own nervous stimulation systems; morethan one, in case the primary system fails.

A person's well-being is so closely attuned to the circulatory system that when a heart attack or shock is experienced, the person is overwhelmed with a sense of impending doom.

The respiratory system is likewise incredible. The lungs allow blood to exchange carbon monoxide and oxygen with the atmosphere as we breathe. This is accomplished in tiny air sacks called alveoli. The average person's alveoli surface area is equal to approximately onefourth a basketball court. Here blood and the atmospherecome together for their exchange activities.

The lungs are such specialized organs that no substitute for their work has been developed. If a person's lungs are damaged by disease or injury, he cannot live.

The stimulus to breathe is the level of carbon monoxide in the blood. This level is constantly monitored. If toomuch carbon monoxide is in the blood, a message to breathe harder is sent. If not enough is found, a message

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to breathe more slowly is sent.

But people with chronic obstructive lung disease losethis stimulus. There is a backup system. They arestimulated to breathe harder or easier by the level ofoxygen in their blood.

Have you ever considered how you would survivewithout bones? Bones provide protection, a frame, and the ability to move. Our frames are alive, too. There are 206 living bones in the adult.

They make up joints just like the ones man used in hisdesigns. There are hinged joints that turn only on oneplace, such as finer joints. And there are ball jointswhich turn in any direction, such as the shoulder joint.

But bones do other things as well. Inside bones ismarrow which produces blood cells. Bones are stronglyattached to muscles for great strength in movement.Blood vessels and nerves are plumbed into bones forprotection and to provide bones with blood and feeling.

But then there are several vital organs and glandswhich control life. Without a properly controlled pancreas, for instance, life will cease.

Without the skin, life will cease. As a matter of fact,with only a small portion of skin seriously damaged bodyfluids will leave the body, heat will leave the body, andinfection will invade the body.

How does all this marvelous design get started fromjust two little cells at conception? Each cell of the bodycontains the blue print in the DNA (deoxyribonucleicacid) molecules for another whole body just like the one you have. These molecules are so complex that it wouldtake many, many pages of text just to tell their chemicalcontents. Birth defects are often caused by small errorsin these complex molecules in the chromosomes inreproductive cells.

Simple things like eye brows and eye lashes shouldcue us as to the wonder of how the body is designed.Windshield wipers on an automobile are one thing. Butautomatic dust catchers which grow on their own, require no maintenance, and automatically sense, close and flip are indeed a wonder.

A hundred years ago, when the evolutionists werehaving their hay-day, they claimed that the human bodyhad over a hundred vestigial organs (organs thatthrough evolution serve no useful purpose). But todayuseful purposes for all but a few (3 or 4) have been found.They are not useless tissue left over from when we weresomething else, but they serve vital functions. (A man can live without his right arm, but he will function muchbetter with it. ) Today authorities are not eager to castthem off as vestigial organs (although the vestigial argument is still made by some).

The knowledge acquired by modern technology and science is not contrary to the teaching of scripture.Truthfully, the knowledge that we now enjoy in thesecular world was brought about by people who followedthe instruction of the wise man (Prov. 23: 23). Nothinghas been learned which would embarrass or violate the Bible believer. But the things learned have served onlyto confirm the things said by God's word. For You have formed my inward parts; You have covered me in mymother's womb.

I will praise You, for I am fearfully and wonderfully

made;Marvelous are your works,And that my soul knows very well.(Psm. 139: 13-14)

Will those who take the real "leap of faith" pleasestand up? For years now, believers in the creation modelpresented in the book of Genesis have been classified asillogical persons who are taking a "leap of faith." This so-called "leap" expresses what the more scholarly(?) would consider to be the lack of evidence to support our faith.Creation has been dismissed from the curriculum of public schools, and evolution has taken its place. In ournation, evolution is becoming the most commonly believed position on the origin of life on planet Earth.Scientists and educators far and wide affirm their belief in evolution. Thankfully, there are some exceptions.

But which does the evidence favor—creation or evolution? Which is the more logical of the two? And there areonly two alternatives to the origin of life. I know of noother that is espoused. All explanations of life's beginnings are variations of these two main philosophies. Inelementary, junior high and high schools, young peopleare being taught extensively to accept evolution as fact.In college, students who believe in creation are ridiculed as being blind, uninformed and treated as if they are infantasy land, wearing "rose-colored glasses. "

But consider this recent article in the Houston Chronicle. The headline grabbed my attention, "Comets may have brought life." The article began, "Are wethe sons and daughters of comets? Scientists have longspeculated the ingredients for life arrived on Earthaboard comets or asteroids that pelted the planet some4 billion years ago." From that point, the short articlerelayed the "new calculations" of Christopher Chyba ofCornell University and his colleagues. In short, theyconcluded,, "... at least 2 million pounds of organicmaterial could have reached the Earth each year duringthe period of heavy extraterrestrial bombardment 4billion years ago." A stunning statement wrapped up thearticle, "That just might have been enough to get liferolling. "

Don't let the big words and big numbers of scientistsand educators throw you. Look at what is really being said by those who so confidently affirm their belief inevolution. Notice these words which appeared in the brief article, "Are we... ?; speculated; appears to havebeen; if; could have; just might have been enough." THISIS THE LANGUAGE OF EVERY EVOLUTIONIST IF HE OR SHE IS HONEST!

The FACTS about evolution are as follows: 1) Thetheory is replete with "what if's," "might have been's"and "I'm not sure's"—question marks and speculation!2) Evolution provides no concrete answers for life's origin. 3) Even if evolutionists can somehow assembleon earth the materials necessary to generate life, theystill cannot explain with any certainty where thosematerials came from originally nor how life got started.4) No "proof of evolution from one species to another isoffered. If all living things came from one source, whyare there no transitional forms? Why do changes onlyoccur within a certain species and not form one speciesto another? 5) No "proof" exists that our planet is 4 to 5billion years old. All the evidence, if rationally weighed,suggests a relatively young earth in comparison. 6)Even if the evolution model somehow provides an answer to the beginnings of life (and it can't), it still cannot adequately explain man's mind—his conscience, hispersonality and his ability to reason. The Bible providesthe answer. "Let us make man in our image" (Genesis

1: 26).

Why then do scholarly men and women believe evolution and teach it with such conviction and confidence? Some are influenced and deceived by others. Some justsimply will not allow themselves to consider creation asa viable alternative. Generally, we don't believe anything in life which carries so much speculation as evolution does. We demand facts, reliable evidence for ourbeliefs. The Bible explains why foolish, fanciful theorieslike evolution are accepted by certain people. Psalm 10: 4says, "The wicked, in the haughtiness of his countenance, does not seek Him. All his thoughts are, There isno God. '"

I have solid facts behind my faith. It is the evolutionist who takes the "leap of faith," not me. I see the design of the universe and know that it demands a designer.Common sense tells me "time and chance" is not the answer. Factually, I know the laws of science conflictwith the idea that matter existed eternally. So where didit come from? Creation is the ONLY logical explanation!Two passages of Scripture are sufficient for me to declare my faith, rationally and logically, in the God ofheaven: Psalm 19: 1, "The heavens are telling of the gloryof God; and their expanse is declaring the work of Hishands." Genesis 1: 1, "in the beginning God created theheavens and the earth. "

If someone questions my belief in the Bible, I offerproof. I challenge anyone to refute the resurrection ofJesus from the dead. It could not be done in the first century nor can it be done today. As further proof, I offerthe historical trustworthiness of the documents which comprise the Bible. The testimony of the Bible is credible. Archaeology only supports the Bible record. Inaddition, I appeal to fulfilled prophecy as an evidence ofthe Bible's inspiration, being the revealed will of the living God.

Which will you believe? Did comets crashing to the earth precipitate life on this planet or is the Bible'sexplanation of the origin of life more plausible? Will youbelieve. "That just MIGHT have been enough to get liferolling" or will your response be, "By faith we understand that the worlds were prepared by the word of God,so that what is seen was not made out of the thingswhich are visible" (Hebrews 11: 3)?

Send all News Items to: Connie W. Adams, P. O. Box 69, Brooks, KY 40109

WAYNE S. WALKER, 310 Haynes St., Dayton, Oh 45410—Pourhave been baptized so far this year, with three placing membership atHaynes St. In Dayton. We had a spring meeting with Grover Stevens and a Summer Bible study with Dan Clarkson of Brookville, Oh. Our fall meeting will be Sept. 22-27 with Wayne Chappel of New Castle,IN. We will have a weekend meeting Dec. 6-8 with Gary Eubanksdiscussing the errors of Charles Holt and The Examiner.

My own meetings have taken me to N. Ft. Myers, Fl with JimmyTuten, Brookville, OH with Dan Clarkson, Bowling Green, KY withMaurice Jackson, Bound Lake Beach, IL with Dave Pratte and Etowah, GA with Gary Eubanks. I will be at Loveland, OH Sept. 29Oct. 4 and Richmond, IN Nov. 3-8.

JEFF ASHER, 5416 Dumas Drive, Amarillo, TX 79108—July 1,1991 marks the beginning of our fourth year with the good churchwhich meets on Dumas Drive. Our work has been very pleasantand profitable, and I expect it to be even better in the future.

In the three years we have been laboring in Amarillo we have seentwenty-seven additions to the church; seven restored from liberalism,one from one cup/no-class, ten baptisms and nine identifications.Sadly, we have had nearly as many loses: nineteen have been transferred out and four returned to the world. At present, counting everyone, our number stands at 98.

In this time we have been blessed in having fellowship with HayesReneau in Cash, TX, Tim Coffey at Belton, TX, Elmer Moore inLivingston, TX and Keith Sharp while at East Bradenton, FL. The church is active in local evangelism having three gospel meetings ayear, a weekly hour-long call-in radio program, and a monthly 4 page8 1/2 by 11 first principle paper which we send to 1, 000 residencesaround our meeting house.

Our radio program is making more and more opportunities forstudy. As a result of our broadcast, I have debated on the air RobertWilliams, a homosexual priest, Glen Stocker, a hyper-dispensationalist, and J. David Davis, a Baptist preacher turned B'nai No'ach. Many

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of those who came out of liberalism came as a result of the radio program.If you have friends or family in Amarillo send us their name andaddress and we will add them to our mailing list and visit them.

B. G. Echols, 7 Ridgewood Ave., Glen Ridge, NJ 07028—Eight werebaptized during the first six months of the year in East Orange, NJ. Irecently completed my 19th year here.

NEW WORK

A new congregation is meeting in the Jamestown, Russell Springs,KY area. Services are at 9: 30 AM and 6: 00 PM on the Lord's dayand at 7: 30 PM on Wednesday evening. Pat Scherba is the evangelist.For directions to the building call (502) 343-2206 or write the Lakeway Church of Christ, P. O. Box 1461, Russell Springs, KY 42642.

FROM AROUND THE WORLD PHILIPPINES—CARL MCMURRAY, 1175 Hornaday Rd., Brownsburg, IN 46112—I was one of five American brethren who arrived there over a period of about nine to ten weeks. I will onlymention the areas I visited, but for more information you mightcontact Keith Burnett, John Humphries, Jerry Parks and Norman Fultz. In the areas I visited I witnessed 46 baptisms, while over the9-10 week period the total went over 200 in addition to the informationof one or two new congregations.

Keith Burnett and I spent two weeks in the northern provinces ofIlocos Norte and Ilocos Sur. We spent each day traveling, preaching,visiting with brethren and staying in their homes. The work going onin those areas is tremendous. It began with the efforts of MaternoSibayan, Sr., 19 years ago in Laoag City. Since that time, in just two provinces, there have been about 40 preachers converted, trained andset to work among 70 established congregations. Literally thousandshave been baptized into Christ over that time period. What has happened in your area over the past 19 years? I might add thatMaterno is a ex-Pentecostal preacher and has helped lead a multitudeof his Pentecostal brethren to the Lord. Many of those taught by himhave done likewise.

We spent some time traveling into areas that the U. S. Embassyhad declared off-limits because of the threat from NPA (Communist)rebels.

After two weeks in these provinces, Keith went to Palawan whileI traveled through and spoke in churches in the provinces of La Unionand Pagasinin, concluding with a three day lectureship in Urdaneta,where brother Eusebio Balliao labors.

While there we had an uncomfortable situation with a native preacher (U. S. supported) to arise. His living, due to alcohol, was notup to his profession. The information discovered was passed along tothose in fellowship who, being worthy of commendation, did not viewthis as a blot on the name of faithful preachers, but instead shifted their assistance to worthy workers.

I left for the southernmost island of Mindanao. Jerry Parks and Istayed with Joy and Amy Notarte and traveled out into the rural areasmeeting with various congregations. While we met several young,diligent preachers doing a good job in this area, a special word mightbe inserted here about the work of Joy Notarte and his brother Jul.Together, they are active in teaching and training preachers in about20 congregations. They had already baptized about 70 souls themselves in the first four months of 1991, including an entire congregation of Baptist (20 people),. They took down the sign on the building,turned it over, painted "church of Christ" on it and just hung it backup. Joy also funds a radio program from his personal support to reachinto outlying areas.

Though there are some unworthy Filipino preachers (just like U. S.preachers), I met and spent time with a great number of dedicatedfaithful brethren who are earnestly serving the Lord amidst greathardship. Many have never received any financial support. Greatsacrifices are being made to preach the gospel on that side of the Pacific. I commend those who are in fellowship with that work. Pleasedo not grow weary in well doing.

If any individual or congregation would be interested in the workthere, I would be glad to share any information I have gathered, inslides or by letter. If there are any young Christians who would liketo correspond with a pen-pal, I would be glad to pass that informationalong also.

ITALY—GIANNI BERDINI, Puglie di Domio 250, 34010 S. Antonio in Bosco (TS) Italy—Things are going very well with us. I just baptizeda young couple (Francesco and Fabrizia) who live near Ascoli, a townlocated in the middle part of Italy. Last Sunday a man named Sergioobeyed the gospel in Trieste after two years of studying with him. I amalso studying with a couple in Trieste who seem very near to obeying the gospel. This gives us a lot of courage and strength to go onnotwithstanding the problems we always have to face. We are nowlooking forward to having Stefano with us to hold a meeting (June 15)on Catholicism.

ROBERTO TONDELLI, V. Q. Roscioni, 69, 00128 Rome, Italy—Socially speaking, Italy is having increasingly hard social problems.Hundreds of people have been killed in recent months by the Mafia,not only in the South, but practically on the whole national territory.

Religiously speaking, the Catholic church is gaining more and more political—economical power. The Vatican hierarchy presentsitself as the only safe religious-political power (in Italy and the world).Last year they received 800 billion Liras from our government asincome from a portion of a tax which Italians pay to their government.Their propaganda says they are helping the poor with that money.Actually, among other things, they have recently purchased severalimportant local TV broadcasting stations and are covering practicallythe whole country with their (mis-) information on every aspect of lifeover here. They are now attacking every non-Catholic church, labeling them as "sects. "

You can easily imagine how all that reflects very negatively on ourpreaching work here, making it even harder than usual. I'm simplymentioning these things that you may be informed of our workingsituation here and that you might also be encouraged by our fighting.

GERMANY—STEVE WALLACE, P. O. Box 7257, APO NY 09012— First to the work in Ramstein. We have had one baptized. Three havebeen transferred back to the U. S. We will lose six more in the next three months. We have had one man transferred in and some visitors. Sewell Hall held us a good meeting (April 26-28). It was good to be withhim again and Martin Broadwell who was traveling with him.

I have been teaching a teacher/preacher training class on Tues.nights at the building. The results have been real encouraging.

There is a sound church in Bitburg, Germany. Five brethren leftthe liberal brethren. They call themselves the "Eifel church of Christ."Their address is Gary Sowell, P. O. Box 3025, APO NY 09132.

A trip to the USSR: I was contacted about a sister in Tennessee whowanted to spend $1000 on Bibles for the USSR. After talking it overwith the brethren in Prague, it was decided that Jeff Young, BillBynum and I would go to the east Ukrainian city of Lvov the third weekend in March. We spent two afternoons on the square there inLvov taking addresses from people who wanted Bibles. We were enthroned continually for hours. We ended up getting more names than we had Bibles.

Arrigo Corazza is doing a good work in a section of Europe wherethere is no other sound church for 150 miles. He has lost $900 supportas of April 1. He and his wife have already dipped into savings to makeup the difference. He has been preaching for almost 15 years in a country were Gospel preachers are scarce. He is a worthy man. If youknow of a church willing to help him, his address is Arrigo Coraxxa,Via Magellano 32, 15100 Alessandria, Phone: 0131-226649.

NEW LOCATION

The church that has been meeting on Chestia pike in Erwin, TNwill begin meeting at a new location September 22, 1991. The new building is located on Tennessee Hwy. 107. From the Unicoi exit (23),off the four-lane, it is approx. 1. 8 miles south. From the Erwin exit (19)it is approx. 2. 5 miles north. If you know of anyone in our area pleasecontact Leroy V. St. Cyr, 108 Horton Ridge Road, Erwin, TN 37650.Phone: (615) 743-8251

LECTURESHIP

The Mound and Starr church in Nacogdoches, TX is planning aweekend lectureship on the institutional and cooperative issues Sept.6-8 with James W. Adams. We will be happy to provide lodging in thehomes of our members for anyone desiring to come for the weekend.Call us at (409) 564-7286 — Mark White.

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DEBATES SHARP—DEAVER DEBATE—Keith Sharp will meet Mac Deaverin debate Sept. 23-26 in Camden, AR. Proposition #1: "The Scripturesteach that a local church may grant benevolent aid to alien sinners."Deaver affirms. Sharp denies.

Proposition #2: "The exclusive New Testament pattern for the benevolent work of the local church from its treasury is the relief ofneedy saints." Sharp affirms, Deaver denies.

For more information contact Washington St. Church of Christ,1107 Washington St., Camden, AR 71701 (501) 836-5369 or KeithCamp, 749 Sharp, Camden, AR 71701 (501) 836-0266.

SMITH—HICKS DEBATE—J. T. Smith will meet Olan Hicks in debate November 11, 12, 14, 15 in Tucson, Arizona. Proposition #1:"The Scriptures teach that only those persons who have divorced theirmates for fornication (and those whose mates have died) may, withGod's approval, enter and maintain a marriage with another person."Smith affirms. Hicks denies.

Proposition #2: "The Scriptures teach that all divorced people(including those whose mates are still living) may, with God's approval, enter and maintain a marriage with another person." Hicksaffirms, Smith denies.

PEWS FOR SALE

Twelve pews, bond oak with seat padding, has book racks and cardholders for sale. They are 16 feet in length in good to very goodcondition. Contact: Sam Carter (317) 892-3021 or John Crouch (901)642-8236.

DO YOU KNOW OF ANY STUDENTS ATBOWLING GREEN, OH?

If you know of any students attending Bowling Green StateUniversity in Bowling Green, OH, please contact the church of Christ in Bradner, OH. Call or write to George W. Lambroff, 629 OrdwayAve., Bowling Green, OH 43402, (419) 352-8842.

PREACHERS NEEDED MCMENNVILLE, TENNESSEE—The West End Ave. church needs a gospel preacher. We can provide $250 per week in support.We are located about 60 miles southeast of Nashville. Those interested should call Don Henry (615) 473-3425.

CLEARWATER, FLORIDA — The Northeast church meeting at2040 N. McMullen-Booth Road is currently seeking a preacher towork full-time. If you are interested please contact Ed McKinney bywriting to the above address or call (813) 799-0007.

MERRITT ISLAND, FLORIDA — The Merritt Island church is a small church with great potential looking for a full-time preacher. Wecan provide a nice house (3 bedroom, 2 bath) and some salary. Ifinterested contact Jim Winton (407) 452-4762 or Cloyce D. Walden

(407) 636-8255 or (407) 636-4361. Our Mailing address is: Merritt Island Church of Christ, P. O. Box 540591, Merritt, Island, FL 329540591.

NEWPORT, NORTH CAROLINA — The church in Newport islooking for a full-time evangelist to start working with them the firstpart of 1992. We can provide partial support. Those interested shouldcontact us at P. O. Box I, Newport, NC 28570-0994.

IN THE NEWS THIS MONTH

BAPTISMS 412 RESTORATIONS 73(Taken from bulletins and papersreceived by the editor)