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Jesus, in John 8:32, said,
"And ye shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free."
In this passage, truth refers to the word of God, because in John 17:7, Christ said,
"Sanctify them through Thy truth; Thy word is truth."
It is important that we not only believe that God's word, the Bible, is truth, but also believe that it contains all that we need in order to be saved from our sins and live in such a way that we will someday enter heaven. Paul reminds us that
all scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness: That the man of God may be perfect, throughly furnished unto all good works, (2 Timothy 3:15-16).
Unfortunately, man has changed the word of God in various ways. Revelation 22:18-19 says that,
If any man shall add unto these things, God shall add unto him the plagues that are written in this book: And if any man shall take away from the words of the book of this prophecy, God shall take away his part out of the book of life, and out of the holy city, and from the things which are written in this book.
There are several translations that contain false teaching. For example, in the New International Version, Psalms 51 has been modified to reflect the doctrine of inherited sin through Adam.
Those who misinterpret this passage teach that David was born a sinner. What they fail to realize, however, is the fact that the child was born as a result of the sin of adultery committed by David and Bathsheba (2 Samuel 11-12:1-24).
Such translations ought to be rejected for others that are free from error (i.e. the King James Version, the New King James Version, the American Standard Version, and the New American Standard Bible).
The other area in which man has changed the word of God is by adding uninspired texts such as the Apocrypha, denominational creeds, and books (i.e. The Book Of Mormon and, Science And Health With Key To The Scriptures). Denominational creeds and these uninspired books began centuries after "all truth" (John 16:13) had been revealed by A.D. 70, when Revelation, the last book of the New Testament (1 Corinthians 13:10), was written. The Apocrypha was written between the end of the Old Testament and the beginning of the New Testament, when God ceased to reveal any new thing.
The word of God contains absolute truth on every issue. Examples include marriage, divorce, and remarriage; morality vs. immorality; and, fellowship. However, there are some things that God has allowed some differences in opinion, something that will be discussed in a later issue. Furthermore, there are other things that we will never know about until we reach heaven. Moses said that,
"the secret things belong unto the LORD our God: but those things which are revealed belong unto us and to our children for ever, that we may do all the words of this law," (Deuteronomy 29:29).
Ira Mikell
ira@thechristianexaminer.com
This is the final edition of responses to questions asked by Mr. A. A. Davis in his article of "101 Questions for Campbellites," which may be accessed by clicking here. Let us now examine questions 77 through 101.
Question: If Elder Luce did not Baptize Campbell INTO Christ when and where and HOW did Campbell ever get into Christ- since he died with Baptist Baptism, and never did repudiate it?
Response: See above. Where do we hear of "Baptist Baptism," and I am not the judge of Campbell.
Question: If Campbell wee baptized into the Church of Christ by Luce's act, then was not the Church of Christ in fact already here?
Response: The Church of Christ has existed since Pentecost, according to the faithful word of Christ (Matthew 18:20). This is irrespective of Campbell or Luce.
Question: Then, How could Campbell's movement, "RESTITUTIONS", "THE REFORMATION", "THE CHRISTIAN ASSOCIATION", "DISCIPLES OF CHRIST', "CHURCH OF CHRIST", "CHRISTIAN CHURCH", ETC., EVER become the ORIGINAL CHURCH OF CHRIST?
Response: Campbell's movement was not the "church of Christ," but the Restoration Movement seen in the Disciples of Christ (Christian Church), spoken of above. Many in the twentieth century came out of this movement and saw the truth of the Scriptures, and designated themselves with the same name used for thousands of years to denote a group of Christians attempting to follow the Scriptures alone.
Question: Are you a member of the ORIGINAL GENUINE CHURCH OF CHRIST or the one that grew out of Campbell's Reform movement? The Church of which Campbell was a member, he got in by BAPTIST BAPTISM. DO YOU HAVE THAT SAME BAPTISM? Then, if not, you do NOT BELONG to the original New Testament Church, but to the one that grew out of Campbell's movement . . . SELAH.
Response: I am a member of the "called out of Christ," a group of Christians that have existed since Pentecost and proclaim the Gospel of our Lord. I have no part in Campbell, and actually disagree with him on some tenets of faith. Campbell's actions have no bearing on the Scriptures and my obedience to Christ. The "called out of Christ" existed long before Campbell and exist well after him.
Question: Can you show in History anywhere on earth, a Church organized and operating as your self-styled Church of Christ operates today prior to 1826? Where was it located? What your authority? The scholarship of the world awaits your answer.
Response: Keith Sisman in England has found plenty of evidence of groups of Christians meeting in various places in Europe under the designation of "church of Christ," and by all accounts, attempted to be faithful to the Scriptures. His evidence may be found by clicking here.
Question: Where was YOUR CHURCH OF CHRIST from Pentecost until Campbell's day? Almost 1800 years are unaccounted for. Where were YOU and your BRETHREN?
Response: See above. By the way, where was the "Baptist church" between 100-1600?
Question: Is it not a fact the ANTI-ORGAN wing of Campbell's movement split off a few years ago and got their younger set registered in Washington as THE CHURCH OF CHRIST?
Response: Very possibly. They may also be faithful to the Word of God; I do not know. Regardless, I will trust that God knows His flock better than the state of Washington.
Question: All Historians trace the origin of your young set back through the organ-wing of the Campbellite Church, back to the days of Campbell, Walter Scott and Barton W. Stone. Can you trace your origin beyond this date? Are Historians all liars or just plain ignorant?
Response: The evidence above has been recently uncovered and is available for all to see.
Question: Your Doctrine of Church and Baptismal Salvation are both Fundamental doctrines. Did you know that the Catholics, the Mormons, the Jehovah Witnesses, and one Branch of the Holiness sect, are EXACTLY in harmony with you on these points? They tell the world the same story about Baptism and Church membership that you do -- identical doctrines. Why don't you fellowship these people?
Response: We are not in fellowship with them because they teach many doctrines we disagree with (details may be found through clicking here).
I will throw the question back at you: the Mormons, Jehovah's Witnesses, Seventh-Day Adventists, and Christian Science teach along with you that Jesus Christ will return to rule over the Earth for a thousand years. Why don't you fellowship these people?
Question: Why don't you tell your people the truth about the Music Question? What means the Greek Word PSALMOS or the Hebrew word MIZMOR? Read I Cor. 14:15, and define the words as you go. BOTH THESE WORDS MEAN "TO PLAY ON THE HARP OR OTHER STRINGED INSTRUMENT." (Liddell and Scott, 28th. Ed. Clarendon Press, 1903) (Standard Lexicon of New Testament Greek, Souter, 1916) Would David be able to worship at your Church should he return to earth? If Musical Instruments are so sinful, why will a Trumpet be blown at the Resurrection Day? Will you rise and rebuke the BLOWER of the TRUMPET and refuse to fellowship HIM because he uses AN EVIL INSTRUMENT ON THAT SACRED OCCASION? Read Psalm 150 for a good tonic.
Response: What does David or the Old Testament have to do with our salvation? They were under the Law; Paul tells us the following in Ephesians 2:14-16:
For he is our peace, who made both one, and brake down the middle wall of partition, having abolished in the flesh the enmity, even the law of commandments contained in ordinances; that he might create in himself of the two one new man, so making peace; and might reconcile them both in one body unto God through the cross, having slain the enmity thereby.
Further, by desiring to make us amenable to the doctrines of the Old Law, you become guilty of Galatians 3:10:
For as many as are of the works of the law are under a curse: for it is written, Cursed is every one who continueth not in all things that are written in the book of the law, to do them.
I want no part of your curse: I desire to be amenable to the words of Christ. In the New Testament, we are told to sing. We are not told to use instrumental music. Psalms can most assuredly be sung without instruments, and there is in fact no historical evidence of any "church" using an instrument before the seventh century.
If David were to return to Earth today and desired to obey God, he would believe in Christ, confess Him, repent of his sins and be immersed in water for the remission of his sins. He would then be faithful to God and worship with the saints, and would sing praises to His name. This is what all are to do who are amenable to Christ.
Concerning the Revelation and trumpets, the book is completely symbolic and trumpets represent the announcement of the return of Christ. Instruments are not portrayed negatively in the New Testament; they are simply not commanded to be used. You attach the negativity to them if anyone does. Regardless, where does John command us, today, in the "church militant," to use instruments? Or are we authorized simply because it is used as an example? If this is so, are we commanded to steal by Christ in Matthew 12:29?
"Or how can one enter into the house of the strong man, and spoil his goods, except he first bind the strong man? and then he will spoil his house."
You have not yet shown that instruments may be used by Christians according to the Scriptures. You have further not demonstrated that the lack of use of instruments is in any way or form sinful.
Question: You loudly quote Mark 16:16 (First clause only), I don't believe that you or your brethren really believe Mark 16:16, any of it. He that believeth and is Baptized shall be saved? Only 2 things are mentioned. ARE YOU GOING TO HEAVEN? Your answer is I DON'T KNOW. HOW MANY IF'S AND PROVISOS will you have to insert into Mark 16:16, before you will take it, At least five.
Response: Mark 16:16 teaches us two tenets of faith: we must believe and we must be baptized to be saved. We are taught in Matthew 10:22 that the one who endures will be saved. We are told in Romans 10:9-10 that we are to confess Him and repent of sin to be saved. Has God lied to us? Has He contradicted Himself? God forbid! Salvation is dependent on many factors, and there is no verse in the Bible that is a "catch-all" that gives every possible factor. How can you factorize the relationship between man and God? Why do you desire to do so?
Question: If you lose your present salvation, can you ever be saved a second time. Give a Chapter and verse for your answer.
Response: 1 John 1:9:
If we confess our sins, he is faithful and righteous to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.
Question: If you are saved NOW but might become UNSAVED tomorrow, would it not be wise for God to let you DIE today?
Response: Hear the words of Paul in Philippians 1:23:
But I am in a strait betwixt the two, having the desire to depart and be with Christ; for it is very far better.
It is always better if Christ were to allow us to be with Him today, for our hope is better than our present. We have work to do, however, and we must perform that work until we are called home. 1 Corinthians 9:24-27 explains our position well:
Know ye not that they that run in a race run all, but one receiveth the prize? Even so run; that ye may attain. And every man that striveth in the games exerciseth self-control in all things. Now they do it to receive a corruptible crown; but we an incorruptible. I therefore so run, as not uncertainly; so fight I, as not beating the air: but I buffet my body, and bring it into bondage: lest by any means, after that I have preached to others, I myself should be rejected.
Question: In that case, would you not be outliving your salvation?
Response: How have you received the idea that salvation is a right, not a privilege? Salvation explains our current relationship with God and the hope in the future, no more, no less. How can one "outlive" a condition that exists conditionally in the present and as a hope for the future?
Question: Will God let you live TOO LONG?
Response: I will live as long as God wills. No longer, no shorter. Am I even capable of living longer than God allows me to?
Question: If He does, and you die and go to HELL, it is not God's Fault?
Response: If I am consigned to Hell, it is because I have sinned and fallen short in the eyes of God. God is not responsible for my sin.
Question: How good will you have to be before God saves you?
Response: John speaks well of this in 1 John 2:3-5:
And hereby we know that we know him, if we keep his commandments. He that saith, I know him, and keepeth not his commandments, is a liar, and the truth is not in him; but whoso keepeth his word, in him verily hath the love of God been perfected.
Salvation will be granted on the basis of knowing God, which is evidenced by keeping His commandments.
Question: Did Jesus Die to save SINNERS or GOOD PEOPLE?
Response: Are there good people? Romans 3:23:
for all have sinned, and fall short of the glory of God.
Did Jesus die only for a few? Hebrews 9:11-12:
But Christ having come a high priest of the good things to come, through the greater and more perfect tabernacle, not made with hands, that is to say, not of this creation, nor yet through the blood of goats and calves, but through his own blood, entered in once for all into the holy place, having obtained eternal redemption.
All are sinners, and Christ died for us all.
Question: If Baptism was essential to your FIRST Salvation is it not also essential to being saved a second time?
Response: By no means, since we have been told in 1 John 1:9 that once we are baptized we confess our sins to God, and we see from the example in 1 Corinthians 5 and 2 Corinthians 2:4-8 that a man may be re-admitted into the fold.
Question: Name one person in the Bible who was saved a second time?
Response: There is the man who "had his father's wife" in 1 Corinthians 5. He was "delivered over to Satan," but we read the following in 2 Corinthians 2:4-8 concerning him:
For out of much affliction and anguish of heart I wrote unto you with many tears; not that ye should be made sorry, but that ye might know the love that I have more abundantly unto you. But if any hath caused sorrow, he hath caused sorrow, not to me, but in part (that I press not too heavily) to you all. Sufficient to such a one is this punishment which was inflicted by the many; so that contrariwise ye should rather forgive him and comfort him, lest by any means such a one should be swallowed up with his overmuch sorrow. Wherefore I beseech you to confirm your love toward him.
Question: Is not your entire program a matter of salvation by works?
Response: No more than yours is by requiring belief and repentance.
We are saved by grace through faith, as explained in Ephesians 2:8-9. Nothing we can do will ever merit our salvation: no work we perform atones for our sins. Christ is our atonement, for God's grace was made manifest in allowing Him to be sacrificed on the cross for our sins. This by no means negates the need, however, to respond to this offer and accept it through obedient faith.
Question: Do you know the difference in WORKS and GRACE? In Works, one does something for God: In Grace, God does something for us. Which would you rather go out to eternity with? Something you did or something God did. Which would afford the greatest JOY?
Response: Grace is actually "unmerited favor:" it is a passive term. God demonstrated grace through the sacrifice of His Son and the remission of sin that we may receive thanks to Him. As James has demonstrated amply in James 2:14-26, however, God is not pleased with simple intellectual assent to the work of Christ, but acceptance of His grace through the manifestation of His love through you. We are saved by grace through obedient faith.
Question: Was Paul Thankful that God sent Him to preach only one part of the Gospel? 1 Cor. 1:17.
Response: Let us again examine 1 Corinthians 1:17:
For Christ sent me not to baptize, but to preach the gospel: not in wisdom of words, lest the cross of Christ should be made void.
It should be first stated that Paul not baptizing anyone by no means prevents him from preaching concerning baptism. We have seen earlier that in 1 Corinthians 1, Paul is speaking about those who would believe that they were baptized in the name of Paul; therefore, he no longer baptizes. If God commanded him to not baptize, he was not faithful to the command, since in Corinth alone he baptized Crispus, Gaius, and the household of Stephanas. We have also seen that the Gospel of Paul is the same as the Gospel of Peter and of James and of John, and since we know that Peter preached on baptism, we may be sure that Paul did also. Paul preached the whole Gospel of God (Romans 1:16-17), and baptism is a part of that Gospel.
Question: If Faith always includes and involves Baptism - as you preach it - why did the Holy Spirit use two different words - if they mean and include each other? Mark l6:16.
Response: Why? I am not the judge of the Holy Spirit, nor am I aware of His ways beyond what is revealed. Baptism and faith, however, are different entities, since faith requires more than baptism but baptism is a part of obedient faith. We also see many times in the Scriptures where baptism is understood to be a part of the "obedient faith" which the Apostles speak of.
Question: In Gal. 3:26, 27: "For Ye are ALL" (V. 26) "For as many of you"- (V. 27). Do these two statements mean and include the same people? Had ALL the people in verse 26 become Children of God? Had ALL of them been baptized or AS MANY OF YOU aa had been baptized?
Response: Let us examine Galatians 3:26-27:
For ye are all sons of God, through faith, in Christ Jesus. For as many of you as were baptized into Christ did put on Christ.
Paul is explaining to the Galatians their existence in Christ. We see the following in Galatians 3:28-29:
There can be neither Jew nor Greek, there can be neither bond nor free, there can be no male and female; for ye all are one man in Christ Jesus. And if ye are Christ's, then are ye Abraham's seed, heirs according to promise.
Evidently there had been some question in Galatia over the existence of Gentiles in Christ and Jews in Christ. Paul is explaining to them first that "all" are sons of God in Christ Jesus, and he then explains the means by which one puts on Christ: "for as many of you as were baptized into Christ did put on Christ." Then Paul concludes by saying that there are no cultural or social distinctions in Christ or in the seed of Abraham.
Therefore, are the two groups different? Only in the way they are being addressed. Paul speaks of them collectively in verse 26: "you are ALL sons of God." Yet, lest they believe that they are the sons of God for any other reason than the truth, Paul then speaks about their individual action: "for as many of you as were baptized into Christ." The understanding is now made clear: all may be added to the Kingdom, and this salvation comes when one is baptized. If one is baptized properly, one has become a part of Christ, no matter his cultural, ethnic, social, or racial status. Let us praise God for the life that is in His Son!
It is my desire that the answers to these questions have been found to present the truth of the Word of God accurately and clearly, and that this represents a sufficient defense of the hope that is in us.
Author's addendum: I would like to take a moment to thank many of the readers of The Christian Examiner for their kind comments concerning the responses for both "Questions a 'Church of Christ' Preacher Cannot Clearly Answer" and "101 Questions for Campbellites." You may find both responses in their complete form on the Web:
Thank you!
Ethan R. Longhenry
ethan@thechristianexaminer.com
www.deusvitae.com
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