Truth & Reason

[Heath]

Crime, Misconduct & Morality

by Tom Wacaster

More than a half century ago J. Edgar Hoover wrote, "We have on the loose in our country predatory monster called crime. It is growing in size and violence. Its far reaching forages threaten every city and hamlet in the nation, and it strikes fear in the heart of the law abiding public. It is ripping the very fiber of our society and our system of government." If Mr. Hoover were living today he might agree that the "monster" has become an evil of gigantic proportion. In some places it seems that lawlessness has become a way of life. Chances of becoming a victim increase with every passing day. In fact the chance of becoming the victim of a violent crime has more than doubled in the past two decades. "Oh well, we just accept it as a sign of the times." That is exactly why we have such a problem my friends. Our society has just "accepted" it, determined to make the best of it. The apostle Paul wrote the following to his fellow preacher Timothy:

“But we know that the law is good, if a man use it lawfully, as knowing this, that law is not made for a righteous man, but for the lawless and unruly, for the ungodly and sinners, for the unholy and profane, for murderers of fathers and murderers of mothers, for manslayers, for fornicators, for abusers of themselves with men, for menstealers, for liars, for false swearers, and if there be any other thing contrary to the sound doctrine”(1 Tim. 1:8-10).

Among other things this passage implies that law is to be USED against the law-beaker. But it seems of late that the criminal is pampered while the victims of crime and lawlessness have to just "suffer through." We build bigger and better jails for the criminals while the tax payer (the law abiding tax payer we might add) foots the bill for the creature comforts of the lawless. Where will it stop? Until every man, woman, and child comes to recognize that our individual morals contribute to our national misconduct, there will be no stop. If it is wrong to embezzle $10 million, it is wrong to embezzle $10. If it is wrong for political candidates to commit fornication, it is wrong for every citizen to commit fornication. Until America repents of her immorality, the misconduct will continue, and the crime will increase.

[Heath]

A NAMELESS CHURCH

Hugo McCord

Many churches have special names, but the New Testament church has no name. Denominations have proper names. The word "denominate" means to "name" something. The New Testament church is called the house of the Lord, the family of God, the body of Christ, and the kingdom of Christ (Galatians 6:10; Ephesians 1:22-23; Colossians 1:13; Hebrews 3:5-6; 1 Timothy 3:15), with no proper name.

The individual members of the New Testament church have a proper name. Their name is not "disciple," though they are disciples (Acts 9:1). Their name is not "brethren," though they are brothers and sisters (Acts 9:30). Their name is not "saints," though they are saints (Acts 9:32). Their proper and divinely given name is "Christian" (Acts 11:26; 1 Peter 4:16), but to call the church the "Christian Church" is to denominationalize that great institution.

To speak of the New Testament church as "the church of Christ" is right as it is to speak of it as "the church of God" (Romans 16:16; 1 Corinthians 1:2), but neither is a proper name. To speak of "Church of Christ" congregations, "Church of Christ" preachers, is to denominationalize that church. The New Testament church has no proper name

www.roysecitycoc.org

[Liberty]

2 And the Gentiles shall see thy righteousness, and all kings thy glory: and thou shalt be called by a new name, which the mouth of the LORD shall name.(Isa.62:2)

The Lord named baptized believers in new testament times. But not only did the Lord give them the name, but He foretold when this would happen. After the Gentiles see thy righteousness.

In (Acts 2) the church of our Lord was established and those who were baptized (immersed in water) were added to the church by the Lord (Acts 2:38,47).

In (Acts 10) The Gentiles entered the church in the same manner as the Jews in Acts 2 (by water immersion). Soon after baptized believers were called Christians just as (Isa.62:2) prophesied.

...the disciples were called Christians first in Antioch.(Act 11:26).

The Lord named His people according to the bible (Christians). Let us wear that name proudly.

Gospel Broadcasting Network

gbntv.org

[Jack]

I think Heath has the swine flu!!!

[Allison]

Ditto. Don't anyone respond to his email and maybe he will go away.

[Faith]

27 King Agrippa, believest thou the prophets? I know that thou believest.(Acts 26:27)

Did belief alone make King Agrippa a Christian? We need not wonder or guess about the answer. All we need to do is read the very next verse.

28 Then Agrippa said unto Paul, Almost thou persuadest me to be a Christian.(Acts 26:28)

King Agrippa was almost a Christian. Even though he believed.

[Wonderful Grace]

9 He that turneth away his ear from hearing the law, even his prayer shall be abomination.(Prov.28:9)

gbntv.org

[Believer 88]

12 For the eyes of the Lord are over the righteous, and his ears are open unto their prayers: but the face of the Lord is against them that do evil.(1Peter 3:12)

Many people think the word evil refers to murderers and rapist. But notice what the word of God says in (1John 3:12).

12 Not as Cain, who was of that wicked one, and slew his brother. And wherefore slew he him? Because his own works were evil, and his brother's righteous.

The evil works of Cain are also spoken of in (Heb.11:4) and (Gen.4:5).

4 By faith Abel offered unto God a more excellent sacrifice than Cain, by which he obtained witness that he was righteous, God testifying of his gifts: and by it he being dead yet speaketh.

But unto Cain and to his offering he had not respect. And Cain was very wroth, and his countenance fell.

So "evil" in the verses above referred to Cain's worship. This may shed a new light on the word "evil" for many people. Cain's worship ended up being vain worship (Mt.15:9).

So what is the remedy? Let us go to the word of God for our answer.

6 And the LORD said unto Cain, Why art thou wroth? and why is thy countenance fallen?

7 If thou doest well, shalt thou not be accepted? and if thou doest not well, sin lieth at the door.(Gen.4:6,7)

One can only "doest well" by listening and obeying the word of God (Rom.10:17)(Heb.5:9)(Acts 10:34,35)(Heb.12:28).

Let us "serve God acceptably."

35 But in every nation he that feareth him, and worketh righteousness, is accepted with him.(Acts 10:35)

[Heath]

Question: Can you comment on "few there be"?

Answer: We have had a similar question in the past, but I shall be glad to address our present question. After having taught the necessity of entering the strait gate, Jesus said: "…and few there be that find it" (Matt. 7: 14, see vs. 13).

There has always only been a few saved, comparatively speaking. Too many believe that just as long as one does not commit such acts as murder, rape, etc. one will be saved. There were only a few saved in the Antediluvian world (I Pet. 3: 20). Out of the probable thousands in Sodom and Gomorrah, only a few were saved (2 Pet. 2: 6-9). God freed his people from Egypt (Ex. 13), but out of the apparent millions making up the original generation, only Joshua and Caleb were saved (Num. 14), etc.

Who are the few saved? Beloved, the few saved are not those who have been unconditionally and arbitrarily predestined to be saved. The Bible does not teach such predestination (cf. Jn 3: 16). Those saved are those who keep on believing (Jn. 3: 16). The word translated (believeth" (pisteuon) is in participle form and present tense (The Analytical Greek Lexicon, pg. 326). Hence, a life style is described and meant. Those who thus believe are those who obey (Jn. 3: 16-21, Jas. 2: 14-26, Lk 6: 46). Hence, the language: "…he became the author of eternal salvation unto all them that obey him" (see Heb. 5: 8,9).

Beloved, are you one of the "few there be"? Believe (initial act), repent, confess Christ's deity, and be baptized for remission of sins (Acts 16: 31, Lk. 13:5, Rom. 10: 9, 10, Acts 2: 38). Be a member of the Lord's church (Matt. 16: 18), and perfect holiness in the fear of God (2 Cor. 7: 1). You see, there are only a few saved because only a few will surrender their stubborn will and implicitly obey the Lord. Be one of them!

www.roysecitycoc.org

[William]

Captain Evasive quoted--- "To speak of "Church of Christ" congregations, "Church of Christ" preachers, is to denominationalize that church. The New Testament church has no proper name."

This is so hilarious I can't help but comment on it!
Until very recently, ALL Church of Christ locations PROUDLY proclaimed themselves as the "Church of Christ". All their yard signs said "Church of Christ meets here".
But NOW...they must have received a special revelation! Someone finally realised that by calling themselves the "Church of Christ", they had been guilty of "denominating" themselves for all these years!
He He...

So for most of OUR lives, and during the lives of our parents and grandparents, the "One True Church" as they call it was a DENOMINATION all that time!!!

Oh...my sides hurt from laughing so much. I asked Mr Heath about why his group changed their name recently from "Church of Christ" to the "church of Christ", and he pretended to not know a thing about it....
Well Surprise, surprise!
Turns out his church had been a DENOMINATION for many, many years...and somebody finally figured it out...

Even funnier is the fact that the way they are currently using the term "church of Christ" is still denominationalising the thing, but they've just had to resort to poor and improper English to make their point....

Please carry on with your craziness, Denominationalizers...I'll just butt in when it's too funny like this one...

[Heath]

Question: Aren’t the many faiths today the one faith?

Answer: Paul wrote, "One Lord, on faith, one baptism" (Eph. 4: 5). The one faith is the gospel system (Acts 6: 7; Jude 3). Many believe that denominationalism (many different faiths) constitutes the "one faith" of Ephesians 4: 5. They reason that Jesus taught this in John 15. Each branch, they explain, is a different religion. However, Jesus explained that He is the true vine and each individual disciple is a branch (Jn. 15: 1-10).

Denominationalism represents a diversity of divergent teachings. Some say babies are born sinners, hell-bound without "baptism" (see Matt. 18: 3; Mk. 16: 16). Some advocate salvation by merit (cf. Tit. 3: 5). Some teach you must have been arbitrarily predestined to be saved (cf. Jn. 3: 16). Most denominations have embraced the selfish social gospel of entertainment and physical placation (cf. I Tim. 3: 15). Some boldly say there is not just one way (cf. Jn. 14: 6; Eph. 4: 5). Some are now advocating with great pride lesbians and homosexuals in the pulpits (cf. Rom. 1: 21-28). There is a religion today to satisfy any and all sinful proclivities and desires and to pronounce sinners without guilt!

The scriptures condemn religious division. Beloved, denominationalism, as we know it today, was nonexistent during New Testament times. The older denominations came into existence mostly in the time period of 1601 to 1789 A.D. Hundreds are the product of the past 40 years. Whenever religious division existed among God’s people, it was condemned and not tolerated (I Cor. 1: 10-13; Jn. 17: 20, 21; Rom. 16: 17; 2 Jn. 9-11).

Beloved, there was only "one faith" in the first century. You can read about it in the New Testament. We can be scripturally united if we will believe and teach the same creed, the New Testament (Eph. 4: 3-6). We can be just "Christians."

www.roysecitycoc.org

[Heath]

Question: Which is the right creed for the church?

Answer: Our question this week is very practical. There are scores of different creeds that are used to determine beliefs and what is to be taught. Some site the fact of all the different religions to prove the Bible can not be understood and understood alike. The thing, however, that divides and keeps religious people from being one is all the different creeds.

Human creeds are condemned. Jesus taught, "But in vain they do worship me, teaching for doctrines the commandments of men" (Matt. 15: 9). In this vein, Jesus taught purity of heart is evidenced by doctrinal loyalty (vs. 8 cp. Vs. 9). Beloved, the simple truth is if a creed says the same thing the Bible says, it is superfluous; if it says less or more, it is expressly condemned (Rev. 22: 18, 19). Human creeds are not inspired, do not meet all the needs of men, not perfect, must be revised, not the standard of judgment, and they hopelessly divide.

One lawful creed. The Spirit was dispatched to guide the apostles into all truth (Jn. 14: 26, 16: 13). Succinctly stated, the word of God is to be man's only creed. God's word is inspired, meets all the needs of man, it is perfect, no revision needed, it shall be the standard of judgment in the last day, and the word can unite (2 Tim. 3: 16; Matt. 28: 18; 2 Tim. 3: 16, 17; Jude 3; Jn. 12: 48; I Cor. 1: 10).

God's word is for the young and old, male and female, educated and uneducated, rich and poor (Eccl. 12: 1 ff, Eph. 5: 22 ff, Rom. 1: 16). The word addresses relationships, seeks to eradicate evil, and bring about true happiness and peace (Col. 3, 4; 3: 8; Phili. 4: 6, 7; I Pet. 3: 10, 11). The only way religious people can be one is to lay aside their human creeds and dogmas and accept the "one faith" of the scriptures (I Cor. 1: 10; Eph. 4: 5).

www.roysecitycoc.org

[William]

So direct them to the "Church of Christ", Heath!
Or is that the "church of Christ", in the New, Improved, NON-denominational use of the phrase????...anyway, take them to your un-church.

[Abideth]

18 We know that whosoever is born of God sinneth not; but he that is begotten of God KEEPETH HIMSELF, and that wicked one toucheth him not.(1John 5:18)

27 Pure religion and undefiled before God and the Father is this, To visit the fatherless and widows in their affliction, and to KEEP HIMSELF UNSPOTTED from the world.(James 1:27)

6 If we say that we have fellowship with him, and WALK IN DARKNESS, we lie, and DO NOT THE TRUTH:
7 But IF WE WALK IN THE LIGHT, as he is in the light, we have fellowship one with another, and the blood of Jesus Christ his Son cleanseth us from all sin.(1John 1:6,7)


20 For every one that DOETH EVIL hateth the light, neither COMETH TO THE LIGHT, lest his DEEDS SHOULD BE REPROVED.

21 But he that DOETH TRUTH COMETH TO THE LIGHT, that HIS DEEDS MAY BE MADE MANIFEST, that they are wrought in God.(John 3:20,21)



Gospel Broadcasting Network

gbntv.org

[Bobby]

William wrote:

So direct them to the "Church of Christ", Heath!
Or is that the "church of Christ", in the New, Improved, NON-denominational use of the phrase????...anyway, take them to your un-church.

Well you are hooked by Heathy boys hook aren't you? Could not stay away and if you would look you would see that the thread was dying. Now it is alive and well with you, Heath and Nova. Go get'em boys.

[William]

Bobby wrote:

<quoted text>
Well you are hooked by Heathy boys hook aren't you? Could not stay away and if you would look you would see that the thread was dying. Now it is alive and well with you, Heath and Nova. Go get'em boys.

This is a brand new thread, Bobby.
The OTHER thread was dying. Still is. That's why the Cultists started a couple of new threads.

[Dave]

"That's why the Cultists started a couple of new threads."

22 But we desire to hear of thee what thou thinkest: for as concerning this sect, we know that every where it is spoken against.(Acts 28:20,21)

Sometimes a knock is a compliment.

gbntv.org

[William]

Dave wrote:

"That's why the Cultists started a couple of new threads."
22 But we desire to hear of thee what thou thinkest: for as concerning this sect, we know that every where it is spoken against.(Acts 28:20,21)
Sometimes a knock is a compliment.
gbntv.org

You've already heard what we thinkest.
You avoided it and changed subjects often to keep from having to face Truth. You can't even carry on an honest conversation about these things.
So this time, the knock is not a compliment.

[Heath]

Question: What kind of faith justifies?

Answer: The fact faith justifies is clearly established. Paul wrote, "Therefore being justified by faith…(Rom. 5:1). Of course, our question asks about the kind of faith which justifies.

There are different kinds of faith in the scriptures. There is "great faith" (Matt. 8:10), "no faith" (Mk. 2:5), "weak faith" (Rom. 4:19), "faith only" (Jas. 2:24), and "faith which worketh by love" (Gal. 5:6). Beloved, just because a person believes or has "faith" does not necessarily mean that person is saved or justified. There were many chief rulers who believed, we are told, but they were not saved (Jn. 12:42, Matt. 10:33). James said, "…the demons also believe and tremble" (Jas. 2:19). Are demons saved?

Faith which justifies is an obedient faith. In the context of discussing "that which avails" or justifies Paul wrote, "…but faith which worketh by love" (Gal. 5:6). Paul said he had received grace and apostleship for or unto "obedience to the faith among all nations…" (Rom. 1:5). James wrote: "Ye see then how that by works a man is justified, and not by faith only" (Jas. 2:24). "Faith only" is a dead faith. Saving faith, then, is an active, obedient faith (cf. Heb. 5:8, 9, chapter 11).

An obedient faith is not tantamount to meritorious justification. Man is to save himself (Acts 2:40), but not in the sense of earning his salvation (Tit. 3:5). In fact, this is Paul’s subject in Romans 4 – man’s justification does not come as a result of "working," perfect law keeping. After we have done all commanded of us, we are pronounced right (justified) "by grace" (God’s part, his mercy without which there would be no hope); and "through faith" (man’s part, his obedience to God’s word), Eph. 2:8.

www.roysecitycoc.org

[Heath]

Question: What is the age of accountability?

Answer: Accountability, as used in our question, pertains to an individual being responsible to God.

Knowledge between good and evil. Involved in spiritual accountability is a knowledge of good and evil. Relative to some of the children of the Israelites we read, "Moreover your little ones…which in that day had no knowledge between good and evil…" (Deut. 1: 39). There is a time in the absence of a certain level of development in a child’s life that they do not know to choose good and refuse evil (cf. Isa. 7: 16). It is obvious that Jesus had such children in mind when he said, "Except ye be converted and become as little children, ye shall not enter into the kingdom of heaven" (Matt. 18: 3).

The age of accountability is when one understands, is capable of believing, repenting, confessing Jesus’ deity, and being baptized. Sin is lawlessness (I Jn. 3: 4). Belief requires certain intellectual and volitional abilities (Jn. 8: 24). Repentance, confession, and baptism entail abilities which small children do not possess. Belief, repentance, confession, and baptism are all equally essential to initial salvation or, put another way, exercising accountability.

Men and women responded during the First Century. "And believers were the more added to the Lord, multitudes both of men and women," Luke wrote (Acts 5: 14). Again, "…they were baptized, both men and woman" (Acts 8: 12).

Some say when a child reaches twelve years of age, they are accountable. This is an arbitrary age – some could be, some may not be. In view of the foregoing, I think it is apparent that individuals reach the age of accountability at different ages, as each mature differently. Remember, though, accountability always involves responsibility.

www.roysecitycoc.org