PROCLAIMING THE GOSPEL OF CHRIST TO A LOST AND DYING WORLD
Edited and Published by Jack Critchfield
|
Volume 8 Issue 4 |
July/August, 2004 |
From the very beginning, man has been plagued with his desire
to change that which God has said. Adam and Eve were not satisfied with taking
care of the garden and having a relationship with God (Gen. 3). Rather, they
decided that the serpent knew more than God and it would be acceptable to change
God’s commands. Later, King Saul did the same (1 Samuel 13). We could continue
with this for several pages, but this should serve to illustrate that changing
God’s word is nothing new to man, even those who claim to be His children.
I have seen some movements among brethren in recent years that, on the surface,
are very alarming. I know that this is going to be unsettling to some, but we
are beginning to look more and more like the denominational world and our
institutional brethren. I would like for you to carefully and prayerfully
consider the following thoughts.
On October 23 1849, in a back room several met to establish what became know as
the “American Christian Missionary Society.” It was formed for “furtherance of
the work by the church collectively.” W. K. Pendleton who was the son-in-law of
Alexander Campbell, while agreeing that there was no express precept in
scripture that commands the society, sought to support the society by arguing
that there is no direct objection to such. Mr. Pendleton argued that God gave
the church the responsibility to preach the gospel to the whole world, yet did
not give the method by which this was to be done. Therefore, whatever method the
church chooses to use is expedient ("The Convention of Christian Churches,"
Millennial Harbinger, Third Series, Vol. 6, No. 12, pg. 689, 690). Thus,
according to his reasoning, the missionary society becomes expedient. This line
of reasoning opens the door for everything that is not expressly forbidden in
the scriptures.
Even though many (Ben Franklin, David Lipscomb, Jacob Creath and others) opposed
this idea; it was the stepping stone for those who wished to change God’s word.
In the 1950s, we saw the centralization of power in the churches. They began
supporting orphans homes and colleges under the same expressed idea that Mr.
Pendleton had used almost 100 years before. Batsell Barrett Baxter said, “The
orphan home and the Christian school must stand or fall together (Questions and
Issues of the Day, pg. 29, ca. 1964). In other words, if it was acceptable to
support one out of the local congregation’s treasury, it was acceptable to
support the other. Thus the “sponsoring church” was born where in many sought to
escape the criticism directed at the missionary society, by placing the outside
organization under the control of the elders of one specific congregation and
all those who wished to help financially could send their monies to those
elders.
Yet, even those who scripturally opposed such arrangements seem to forget the
lessons of the past. I have gotten to this point rather quickly. I could spend
ream upon ream of paper and gallons of ink going through all that has been said
and done over these divisive practices. However, I am using them to get to the
point that really needs to be made to those who think such is not authorized in
the bible.
Guy N. Woods said, "The ship of Zion has floundered more than once on the
sandbar of institutionalism. The tendency to organize is a characteristic of the
age. On the theory that the end justifies the means, brethren have now scrupled
to form organizations in the church to do the work the church itself was
designed to do. All such organizations usurp the work of the church, and are
unnecessary and sinful" (Abilene Christian College Lectures, 1939).
Unfortunately, that is just the kind of forum that has continued to do the work
of the church.
God assigned the preaching and teaching of the gospel to the local church (1
Tim. 3: 15, Eph. 3:9, 4: 16, 2 Tim. 4: 1-5), yet it is clear that many are not
satisfied with this arrangement as witnessed by the following statement, “As you
know I am to assume my responsibilities in connection with Florida Christian
College, Florida, July 1. ...Occasionally you will be asked your opinion
concerning the school; hence, this letter is for your own information and
brethren who may be asking. ... (6) Preacher training. While we expect to have
academic work accepted as readily by other educational institutions as that of
any of our sister institutions, we make no apology to anybody for placing
emphasis on the teaching of young men desiring to teach the gospel and others
desirous of doing religious work. We believe that the safety, security and
soundness of the church depend upon the kind and amount of preaching and
teaching done. Those who take the lead in this matter are elders and preachers,
and unless they are thoroughly grounded in the faith innovations, errors, and
inertia will abound; hence, we expect to have a Bible department second to none.
Our students will be taught the issues and how to meet them…” (James Cope, in a
letter to Yater Tant, April 20, 1949). The only examples we find of preachers
being trained in the bible deal with Paul and Timothy and Paul plainly states,
“…I write so that you may know how to conduct yourself in the house of God,
which is the church, the pillar and ground of truth” (1 Tim. 3:14) and “Hold
fast the pattern of sound words which you have heard from me…commit these to
faithful men who will be able to teach others” (2 Tim. 1:13; 2:2). Paul was
instructing Timothy in how to do the work of an evangelist. He also wrote to the
preacher Titus, but in neither case do we find Paul urging them to attend the
“brotherhood school.” I wonder how preachers were trained before training
schools appeared on the scene!
Friends and brethren, let me repeat what I said earlier, God assigned the
preaching and teaching of the gospel to the local church (1 Tim. 3: 15, Eph.
3:9, 4:16, 2 Tim. 4: 1-5). But now we are seeing non-profit organizations (Akin
Foundation) supporting preachers; colleges (Florida College, Abilene Christian
University, etc) and book stores (Guardian of Truth Foundation) holding
“Lectureships” for the teaching of God’s word. My question is where will it end?
Have some of these organizations put safeguards in place to keep them from
infringing on the work God designed for the local congregation? Do not
misunderstand, a lectureship is not wrong just because it is a lectureship, but
rather it becomes wrong when sponsored by the wrong organization, no matter how
good their intentions. Whenever a group of men get together and decide, as was
done with the American Christian Missionary Society, that some other
organization besides the local congregation is needed to preach and teach the
gospel, we have digressed. Whatever we call it, if it walks like a duck and
quacks like a duck, it is a duck. And whatever we call it if it is a human
organization teaching the gospel, it is a missionary society.
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Balak and
Balaam: Two Misguided Persons!
William C. Sexton
The story of Balak and Balaam is an interesting one (Num.22-24), revealing, I
believe, forces often observable in modern day religious people.
Balak, a man who saw God's power displayed in overcoming his neighbors who
opposed Israel. He misunderstood how it could be counteracts effectively,
however. He knew a prophet, a man of God, whose services he wanted to purchase
to this end. He thought if he could get the prophet to come and "cure" Israel,
then they could not conquer, him and his land as they had his neighbors.
The prophet, Balaam, a man of God was wrongly motivated, desiring the reward of
unrighteousness (II Pet. 2:15). Knowing that he didn't have power to go beyond
what God allowed (Num. 22:18), yet being driven by greed ( Jude 11) he didn't
take God at His word, even though the instructions were clear and to the point.
Wanting to be permitted to participate so he could receive the reward, he was
allowed to go, being deceived, as many are today (II Thess. 2:10-12). He
participated to his own ruin and the disillusionment of those who placed their
trust in him. All who so act today, too, participate in their own destruction
and that of many others.
There is a powerful lesson here for modern man. We challenge us to ponder some
points observable in this account -- to the end that we may not act so
foolishly!
1. Some may think that they can get a "man of God" to do more than he is able to
do. It was wise for this man, Balak, to recognize the power of God -- in
delivering His people, Israel. All of us need to understand that when a people
are following God's direction, His power is with them, and they can and will
achieve.
However, we need to realize that the only thing a man of God can do effectively,
is to act according to God's directions, His instructions. Balaam could not "go
beyond the word of the Lord," to do "less or more" than God allowed him,
regardless of how much gold or silver he is offered (Num. 22:18).
That does not mean that every person who claims to be a "man of God" may not for
awhile be permitted to act, and thus make a few people think that he is great
and able to wield the power of God.
2. Balaam, a prophet of God, was greedy, not being satisfied with the limits God
places on His power. In fact we do not have any real live prophets today, that
office fulfilled it's purpose when the completed revelation of God was finished,
in giving us the completed New Testament.
One may claim to be a man of God and yet not want to stop at the limit God draws
in His completed revelation, being greedy like Balaam. When he/she finds what
God says about a matter, they still look for ways of having Him change His mind.
Balaam was told plainly not to go, he would not be allowed to "curse" God's
people. So, he told the men from Balak, and they returned. But the king failed
to take "no" for an answer. He offered to increase the reward. Balaam returned
to the lord and asked again. This time the Lord allowed him to do, but he was
angry with him ( Num. 22:21). In this passage, we may not see the real reason
for God dealing with him as he did, in speaking to him through the donkey, after
telling him he could go (Num. 22:20). Other passages, however, especially in the
New Testament, tell us that he loved the wages of unrighteousness. So, he kept
wanting to go. He was allowed to go. But his actions did not please God nor the
people whose reward he was seeking.
In fact this shall always be the case, when people want to do something other
than what God sanctions. He/she'll receive displeasure in the responses from God
and the people he is trying to do a service for, neither will be profited. In
fact all involved in such an behavior will suffer.
Beloved let us listen carefully to the inspired instructions about loving the
truth: II Thess. 2:11-12 "And for this cause God shall send them strong
delusion, that they should believe a lie: That they all might be damned who
believed not the truth, but had pleasure in unrighteousness." Luke 8:15 "But
that on the good ground are they, which in an honest and good heart, having
heard the word, keep it, and bring forth fruit with patience." Rev. 22:17 "And
the Spirit and the bride say, Come. And let him that heareth say, Come. And let
him that is athirst come. And whosoever will, let him take the water of life
freely."
Beloved, let us look at this recorded incident left by Our Maker and Governor.
Let us not be foolish as these men demonstrated they were.
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And if it seems evil to you to serve the LORD, choose for yourselves this day
whom you will serve, whether the gods which your fathers served that were on the
other side of the River, or the gods of the Amorites, in whose land you dwell.
But as for me and my house, we will serve the LORD.”
Joshua 24:15
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Watchdogs Or Hushpuppies?
David Baker
Often those who find themselves in indefensible positions
resort to "invective" for justification. One of the more popular invectives is
for those who speak out against error and criticize false teaching is
"watchdog."
Now, it is funny that the usual criticism of "watchdogs" is that they are not
kind in the way they deal with problems. It is resented that they should be
critical or that they should communicate their concerns to others. It rarely
matters whether the language used is kind or unkind, or what kind of spirit is
manifest when a "watchdog" does his thing. The fact is that they have done it,
and they have actually used such terms as "false teacher" with reference to
those who teach that which is false. The funny part is that "false teacher,"
while it may not be pleasing to hear it used about oneself, is an entirely
useful term. It describes one in terms of what he does, and it rarely is applied
unless one persists in his teaching of error. That is fair. But "watchdog" is
intended as invective, not a kind or descriptive way of putting things at all.
Those who use it must make an effort not to sound bitter or superior. And it
wreaks positively of what it is intended to criticize.
What does God say? “Son of man, I have made thee a watchman unto the house of
Israel: therefore hear the word at my mouth, and give them warning from me. When
I say unto the wicked, Thou shalt surely die; and thou givest him not warning,
nor speakest to warn the wicked from his wicked way, to save his life; the same
wicked man shall die in his iniquity; but his blood will I require at thy hand.
Yet if thou warn the wicked, and he turn not from his wickedness, nor from his
wicked way, he shall die in his iniquity; but thou hast delivered thy soul”
(Ezekiel 3:17-19). God commends the function that some have decried as being
"watchdogs," but uses a more functional and less abusive term – “watchman.”
Those who take it upon themselves to speak for God are privileged to do so. With
the privilege comes grave responsibility. “Be not many of you teachers, my
brethren, knowing that we shall receive heavier judgment” (James 3:1). As
servants of God we are entrusted with the spiritual welfare of the world, the
souls of men. As each must answer to God, we must answer for how we have
effected their answer. We have a responsibility to teach and to warn of those
who teach error. If we cannot do that, then we dare not claim the privilege.
Paul said, “And have no fellowship with the unfruitful works of darkness, but
rather even reprove them” (Ephesians 5:11). Was Paul being a "watchdog" when he
told the brethren to reprove those who work darkness? By the way, “reprove”
makes an interesting word study. “But when Cephas came to Antioch, I resisted
him to the face, because he stood condemned. For before that certain came from
James, he ate with the Gentiles; but when they came, he drew back and separated
himself, fearing them that were of the circumcision.
And the rest of the Jews dissembled likewise with him; insomuch that even
Barnabas was carried away with their dissimulation. But when I saw that they
walked not uprightly according to the truth of the gospel, I said unto Cephas
before them all, If thou, being a Jew, livest as do the Gentiles, and not as do
the Jews, how compellest thou the Gentiles to live as do the Jews?” (Galatians
2:11-14). When error is publicly proclaimed or endorsed, it needs to be publicly
exposed. That is Paul's teaching and his example. To do less is to neglect God's
will in the matter.
The best watchdogs are the ones who make the most noise. I had a friend once who
had a vicious Doberman. He bragged that no one would dare rob his house because
of the fear that dog would provoke. He came home one day to find his house empty
and the dog chewing on a strange "soup-bone" while his mind was apparently "lost
in space.” What good was that mutt? The dog the thief fears the most is the
poodle or Chihuahua. Have you ever seen one of those that didn't bark his head
off. The noise of exposure and contradiction the false teacher cannot abide. He
must do his work unopposed by the light of truth. He searches out the dark
corners of vulnerable ears to plant his seed. Those who would warn are called
"watchdogs" as though that classifies them as vile. But it is the dog that
doesn't bark – the "hush-puppy" – that is condemned in Scripture. “His watchmen
are blind, they are all without knowledge; they are all dumb dogs, they cannot
bark; dreaming, lying down, loving to slumber. Yea, the dogs are greedy, they
can never have enough; and these are shepherds that cannot understand: they have
all turned to their own way, each one to his gain, from every quarter” (Isaiah
56:10-11). Faithful servants are watchful. The best watchdogs are the ones who
make the most noise.
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Be diligent to present yourself approved to God, a worker who does not need to
be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth.
2 Timothy 2:15
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Being Of Service To The
Lord
Edwin Whittlesey
Each of us has hobbies or activities that we enjoy, and
because we enjoy them they lend to take precedence over other activities of
lesser significance. Likewise, we all possess a drive or determination to do
those things that are most important and enjoyable to us. You might recall one
such activity or hobby in your own life such as hunting, sewing, fishing,
gardening, singing, reading, cooking, or spending precious time with family and
friends. Other activities we enjoy, from a spiritual perspective, may include
Bible reading, praying, praising God in song, teaching, giving, and serving. Do
we spend more time or focus on any one of these activities than another? As with
our hobbies and other activities, serving the Lord requires motivation and
determination. It requires initiative and effort. It is a never ending
commitment. Let us consider the idea of JOYful service to Jesus, Others, and You
least of all.
Notice in Jos. 22:5 the instruction to serve the Lord wholeheartedly: "But take
careful heed to do the commandment and the law which Moses the servent of the
LORD commanded you, to love the LORD your God, to walk in all His ways, to keep
His commandments, to hold fast to Him, and to serve Him with all your heart and
with all your soul." An option or alternative to serving Jesus is not given,
however we are aware of the consequences of not doing so, (1 Chron. 28:9; Psa.
9:17). Our service to the Lord should take precedence over all other activities
in our lives. We should desire to joyfully serve the Lord and that desire should
supersede our interest or involvement in extra-curricular activities and
hobbies. The Lord desires His children to serve Him. In Exodus chapters 8-10 He
speaks to Pharaoh through Moses saying "...Let My people go, that they may serve
Me." Serving the Lord whenever we feel like it or on our own time is
unacceptable, wouldn't you agree? If we are serving the Lord with all our heart
and all our soul as Jos. 22:5 suggests, then we are constantly serving Him and
doing so joyfully. The psalmist says in Psa. 37:5 to "Commit your way to the
Lord..." so when we commit to something we carry it into action or follow
through with it. Never with our hobbies or activities of interest do we settle
for mediocrity. The same should be true of our attitude toward serving God
Almighty.
On the premise that serving the Lord in our lives is foremost, we will become
inclined to the idea of serving others. Once we are committed to serving the
Lord, serving and helping others becomes more natural and innate. While our
society views serving fellow mankind as a burden, true Christians realize it's
just another way of serving and glorifying Christ. Just as there is sacrifice
and commitment involved with serving Jesus, there is sacrifice and commitment
involved with serving others. In Rom. 12:3-8, Paul alludes to the fact that each
of us is given different "measures of faith," different "talents," or different
"gifts." The point Paul makes is we are to use whatever gift(s) God has
graciously given us to serve Him. Yes, perhaps we are serving others with our
gifts or talents, but in serving others we are ultimately serving Jesus. Paul
adds another dimension to our duty of service in Gal. 5:13, that we "...through
love serve one another." Are we joyfully practicing what Paul has commanded?
Have we prioritized our lives is such a way that our service to God supersedes
all else? To fail in this regard is to miss out on the privilege and blessing of
serving Jesus and others, but more so to jeopardize our spiritual relationship
with Him.
We serve ourselves best when our service to the Lord and to others precedes our
own hobbies and activities. It is not wrong to have hobbies and activities of
interest, as long as those things do not interfere with our service to Jesus and
to others. This becomes more challenging especially when those of the world
would have us to think otherwise - where the focus is more on self and me as
opposed to Jesus. We must keep our priorities and activities in check and not be
overtaken with more than we can handle, whether it be a hobby, extra-curricular
activity or work. I recall a cliché which my father stressed through my
adolescent years, "Jesus first, Others second, and Yourself last." My hope and
prayer is for each of us to serve in that manner. Only then will we know the
true meaning of JOY.
via Abundant Life, Vol. 38, Nos. 11,12
Nov. and Dec. 2003
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Blessed is the man
Who walks not in the counsel of the ungodly,
Nor stands in the path of sinners,
Nor sits in the seat of the scornful;
But his delight is in the law of the LORD,
And in His law he meditates day and night.
Psalm 1:1-2
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Jack Critchfield, Editor & Publisher
403 Coit Way, Salinas, Ca. 93907
(831) 772-9557
jcritch@jlef.com
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