Vol. 74 “Go ye into all the world and preach the gospel to every creature.” No. 3

God's Blessings on the Church of God in the Philippines For a report, turn to page 19.

March 2016 unto them, Behold, we go up to Jerusalem; and the Son Editorial of man shall be betrayed unto the chief priests and unto the scribes, and they shall condemn him to death, And THE MEANING OF shall deliver him to the Gentiles to mock, and to scourge, and to crucify him: and the third day he shall rise again” THE RESURRECTION (Matthew 20:17-19). “He began to teach them, that the Son of man must suffer many things, and be rejected of “Now upon the first day of the week, very early in the elders, and of the chief priests, and scribes, and be the morning, they [certain women] came unto the sep- killed, and after three days rise again” (Mark 8:31). ulchre, bringing the spices which they had prepared, Did He die? Did He rise on the third day? To say no and certain others with them. And they found the stone is to call Him a liar! “Jesus, when he had cried again rolled away from the sepulchre. And they entered in, with a loud voice, yielded up [His spirit]” (Matthew and found not the body of the Lord Jesus. And it came 27:50). When Jesus joined the two disciples on their to pass, as they were much perplexed thereabout, behold, way to Emmaus, He heard one of them say, “Today is two men stood by them in shining garments: And as the third day since these things were done” (Luke 24:21). they were afraid, and bowed down their faces to the Later, Jesus opened their eyes and they saw the earth, they said unto them, Why seek ye the living among “stranger” was Jesus. the dead? He is not here, but is risen: remember how After Peter and John healed the lame man at the he spake unto you when he was yet in Galilee, Saying, gate Beautiful, they were questioned about the matter. The Son of man must be delivered into the hands of Peter said, “If we this day be examined of the good deed sinful men, and be crucified, and the third day rise done to the impotent man, by what means he is made again” (Luke 24:1-7). whole; Be it known unto you all, and to all the people HERE ARE a number of very important Bible of Israel, that by the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth, doctrines, or teachings, connected with the resur- whom you crucified, whom God raised from the dead, T rection of Christ. Let us consider a few: even by him doth this man stand here before you whole. First, God’s oath to David: “The Lord hath sworn in This is the stone which was set at nought of you build- truth unto David; he will not turn from it; Of the fruit ers, which is become the head of the corner. Neither is of thy body will I set upon thy throne” (Psalm 132:11). there salvation in any other: for there is no other name “When thy days be fulfilled, and thou shalt sleep with under heaven given among men, whereby we must be thy fathers, I will set up thy seed after thee, which shall saved” (Acts 4:9-12). proceed out of thy bowels, and I will establish his king- If Christ did not rise as He said, He would not only dom” (II Samuel 7:12). be a liar, but neither would He be the Messiah, the Did God keep His promise? “This Jesus hath God Savior of the world. If Christ did not rise from the dead, raised up, whereof we all are witnesses” (Acts 2:32). Is there are no true Christians. They are just a group of the kingdom of God a present reality? “The law and the people with a name! prophets were until John: since that time the kingdom This is what Paul said about this subject: “Now if of God is preached, and every man presseth into it” Christ be preached that he rose from the dead, how say (Luke 16:16). “The time is fulfilled, and the kingdom some among you that there is no resurrection of the of God is at hand: repent ye, and believe the gospel” dead? But if there be no resurrection of the dead, then (Mark 1:15). What time is fulfilled? “In the days of these is Christ not risen: And if Christ be not risen, then is kings shall the God of heaven set up a kingdom, which our preaching vain, and your faith is also vain. Yea, shall never be destroyed: and the kingdom shall not be and we are found false witnesses of God; because we left to other people [From this time it will have no other have testified of God that he raised up Christ: whom king, but Jesus Christ.], but it shall break in pieces and he raised not up, if so be that the dead rise not. For if consume all these kingdoms, and it shall stand for ever” the dead rise not, then is not Christ raised: And if Christ (Daniel 2:44). That time is here, so Jesus said. be not raised, your faith is vain; you are yet in your Is Christ NOW King of the Kingdom? “Now is my sins. Then they also which are fallen asleep in Christ kingdom not from hence” (John 18:36). He is now seated are perished. If in this life only we have hope in Christ, on David’s throne. He is not a King without a kingdom! we are of all men most miserable. But now is Christ “Therefore being a prophet, and knowing that God had risen from the dead, and ABOUT THE COVER sworn with an oath to him, that of the fruit of his loins, become the firstfruits of according to the flesh, he would raise up Christ to sit on them that slept” (I Corin- The annual Church of God his throne; He seeing this before spake of the resurrec- thians 15:12-20). convention in the Philippines tion of Christ, that his soul was not left in hades, neither You cannot be a Chris- was held in Paniqui, Tarlac, his flesh see corruption. This Jesus hath God raised up, tian if you do not believe in December 26-30, 2015. Once whereof we all are witnesses” (Acts 2:30-32). the resurrection of Jesus again the Lord was present in Christ said He would rise from the dead on the third Christ! “If thou shalt con- a real way with anointed mes- day. “From that time forth began Jesus to shew unto fess with thy mouth the sages and souls being saved. his disciples, how that he must go unto Jerusalem, and Lord Jesus, and shalt For a report, turn to page 19. suffer many things of the elders and chief priests and believe in thine heart that There are some pictures from scribes, and be killed, and be raised again the third God has raised him from the meeting on page 21. day” (Matthew 16:21). “And Jesus going up to Jerusa- the dead, thou shalt be Photo by Doug Koerner lem took the twelve disciples apart in the way, and said saved” (Romans 10:9).  would love his own: but because ye are not of the world, THE WAY OF TRUTH but I have chosen you out of the world, therefore the (Registered Trademark) world hateth you.”—John 15:19. Vol. 74 March 2016 No. 3 The church in the wilderness praised Abraham and Devoted to the gospel of our loving Savior, the Lord persecuted Moses. The church of the kings praised Jesus Christ, who gave freely His life-blood, to save us Moses and persecuted the prophets. The church of from our many sins, to sanctify our fallen nature and to Caiaphas praised the prophets and persecuted Jesus. bring into one body all true believers, by whose stripes we The church of the popes praised the Savior and perse- are healed. cuted the saints. And multitudes now, both in the church Published the fifteenth of the month prior to the date of and the world, applaud the courage and fortitude of the issue by the Church of God which assembles at 12819 Point Salem Road in Hagerstown, Maryland. Publishing office: patriarchs and the prophets, the apostles and martyrs, 12811 Point Salem Road, Hagerstown, Maryland, U.S.A. but condemn as stubbornness or foolishness like faith- The Way of Truth is published without any given sub- fulness to truth today. scription price, and is supported by freewill offerings from WANTED—TODAY our readers and funds supplied by the local congregation. It is sent out free to anyone who is interested enough to ask Men and women, young and old, who will for it. We shall continue this policy as long as God sees fit obey the Word of God in their own convictions to make it possible. FOREIGN READERS are requested to write us at least once a year if they wish to continue receiv- of truth and duty at the cost of fortune and ing the paper the following year. Address all correspondence friends and life itself. to: The Way of Truth, P. O. Box 88, Hagerstown, Maryland —from a tract 21741, U.S.A. Always when writing, give your name and address clearly, please. —Alvin A. Craig, Editor IN THIS ISSUE: Our telephone number is 301-739-2980 Our fax number is 301-739-7173 The Poetry Page Page 2 Our e-mail address is [email protected] About the death & resurrection of Jesus Visit our website at www.wayoftruth.org God’s Love to Mankind Page 3 Radio message by Hope Glidden-Borden ALONE The Question Box Page 4 Our monthly feature It is human to stand with the crowd: it is divine to stand alone. It is manlike to follow the people, to drift Bible Lesson of the Month Page 5 with the tide: it is Godlike to follow a principle, to stem “Having a Good Conscience” the tide. The Children’s Corner Page 7 It is natural to compromise conscience and follow “Doing What We Ought” the social and religious fashion for the sake of gain or pleasure: it is against nature to sacrifice both on the Premillennialism Page 8 altar of His will. Part II of article by the late A. F. Gray “No man stood with me, but all men forsook me,” wrote the battle-scarred apostle in describing his first God Is Page 9 appearance before Nero to answer with his life for Full-length sermon by Alvin A. Craig believing and teaching contrary to the Roman world. Truth has been out of fashion since man changed Don’ts for Doubters Page 12 his robe of fadeless light for a garment of fading By the late D. O. Teasley leaves. “To Whom Shall We Turn?” Page 13 Noah built and voyaged alone. His neighbors laughed Article by Hoyt Matthews at his strangeness and perished in style. Abraham wandered and worshiped alone. Sodomites Young People’s Page Page 14 smiled at the simple shepherd, followed the fashion, “What the Redbird Told Me” and fed the flames. Daniel watched and prayed alone. Elijah sacrificed Jesus and the Individual Page 16 and witnessed alone. Jeremiah prophesied and wept Radio message by James Arch alone. JESUS loved and died ALONE. And of the lonely way His disciples should walk, He said: “Enter ye in at The Holiness of the Church Page 17 the strait gate: for wide is the gate, and broad is the By the late H. M. Riggle way, that leadeth to destruction, and many there be 2015 Philippine Report Page 19 which go in thereat: Because strait is the gate, and By Harley McClung narrow is the way, which leadeth unto life, and few there be that find it.”—Matthew 7:13, 14. Philippine Memories 2015 Page 21 Of their treatment by the many who walk in the Pictorial reminders of December meeting broad way, He said: “If ye were of the world, the world

March 2016 Page 1 PROPHECY FULFILLED Poetry Page Rega Kramer McCarty

“For the Son of man is come to seek An angel came unto the tomb and to save that which was lost.” And rolled the stone away; —Luke 19:10. The women seeking Jesus there Drew back in stark dismay. FROM THE GARDEN But when they found that Christ, their Lord, TO THE CROSS Had risen from the grave, E. R. Latta They knew that He had come, in truth, The souls of men to save. In the Garden, sore oppressed, Jesus uttered this request: They went to tell the story “Father, if it so may be, Of the miracle God had wrought; Let this cup depart from Me!” The disciples saw fulfillment Of the prophecies Christ had taught. Judas now with traitor kiss, Gives Him to His enemies! They saw the meaning of the Cross, See that wild and noisy crowd, His victory over strife; They will kill the Son of God! H They knew that He had come indeed To bring eternal life. Now the Jewish council try, And resolve that He shall die! E He, of witness false, the prey, HE LIVES Is to Pilate led away. Gracie B. Allen Robe and crown in mockery, L Some people say that God is dead, And the taunting soldiers, see! He has no power to save. See Him now on Calvary’s road, I They say no heaven awaits ahead, Sinking ’neath His heavy load! No hope beyond the grave. View Him now upon the cross, V But, praise the Lord, I know He lives, Us to save from endless loss! I talked to Him last night. Dying there upon the tree— E Sweet peace of mind to me He gives Dying there for you and me. And makes my pathway bright. S The skeptics say it’s just a fad, THE EMPTY TOMB No one can make us whole. F. W. Davis The greatest joy I ever had Was when He saved my soul. He is risen; He is not here; Behold the empty tomb, I know He lives, I know He’s real, Where Christ our blessed Master lay, Regardless of what they say; Enshrouded by death’s gloom. His presence sweet I surely feel No grave could hold such power divine Each time I humbly pray. Nor could hell’s force enslave How can they say there is no God, The loving, risen Son of God The Bible is untrue, Who left this empty grave. When they have never tried His plan How glad I am that Jesus came Nor sought His plan to do? To conquer death for me; But as for me, no doubt have I, And brought new hope to everyone, He’s real as real can be; Plus glorious victory. I know my God can never die, More grateful still am I today But live eternally.  He comes to live within, And gives us peace and hope and love And freedom from all sin. "He is risen; he is not here." Page 2 The Way of Truth God gave so much because He loved so much. In GOD’S LOVE TO His love of humanity, He was so unloved by the crowds, He was so unloved by the masses. Since we know love MANKIND begets love, it makes it more difficult for us to compre- hend it, but it is still the truth. Radio Message I like the verse in Romans 5:8—“But God commen- by the late deth his love toward us, in that, while we were yet Hope Glidden-Borden sinners, Christ died for us.” He didn’t wait for us to get good; He didn’t wait for us to get cleaned up. He died HAT a wonderful thought for us while we were still steeped in sin. Isn’t it any it is to think that no one wonder we still have that wonderful old hymn, “Just as W in this whole-wide world I am, without one plea, But that thy blood was shed for has a reason to be unloved! John me [a personal application], And that Thou bidd’st me 3:16, “For God so loved the world, come to Thee—O Lamb of God, I come, I come”? No that he gave his only begotten preparation at all—just come to Him as you are. “But Son, that whosoever believeth God commendeth his love toward us, in that, while we in him should not perish, but have everlasting life.” were yet sinners, Christ died for us.” Don’t you let any- Fulfillment in life comes not by the love of power, one convince you that His love was not for you. It is for but by the power of love. We are so fortunate today to everyone. Don’t let anyone convince you that you’re too have such love extended to us, but what grieves us is far gone in sin to be loved by God. This is contrary to the fact that so many people abuse the offer of God’s the Word of God. While we were yet sinners, He died undying love to mankind. It has ever been so. for us. In Deuteronomy 7:8 we read, “But because the Lord After we allow His love in our lives, we are no lon- loved you, and because he would keep the oath which ger sinners. We become His. We become His children. he had sworn unto your fathers, hath the Lord brought He washes us and cleans us and puts us on the right you out with a mighty hand, and redeemed you out of path, and then we willingly follow. We willingly obey the house of bondmen, from the hand of Pharaoh king the injunctions of His Word. We willingly serve Him, of Egypt.” God has ever been displaying His love to and this makes all the difference. God commendeth His mankind, and mankind has continually turned around love toward us, toward you and me. He doesn’t reckon and abused it. We’re so glad today that His love even with the past at all. When He has forgiven us, He for- reaches us in this era. It is such a blessing to know that gets the bad record. He puts us on the strait and narrow we are loved by God, but I wonder how often do we way that leads to life everlasting. attempt to return the love that He offers. In keeping with the scripture, “For God so loved the In Jeremiah 33:3 we read, “The Lord hath appeared world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whoso- of old unto me, saying, Yea, I have loved thee with an ever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting love: therefore with lovingkindness have I everlasting life,” I would love to see such a desire for drawn thee.” I always find it difficult to comprehend everlasting life among people in Cayman as there is for why the love of God is spurned. It makes no difference the natural life. It’s very natural for everyone to want what state the person is in, how deep in sin the person to live. Life is so wonderful. It is so good to be alive. has gone, how filthy with sin the person has become, The sickest person still wants to live; but Oh, if we God is there with His love to wash and make him a could see that hungering and thirsting after everlasting new creature. We don’t have to have any credentials, life that is obtained only in accepting this love which no references, no high status in life at all. We can come was offered to us! to Him as we are, and He is there with all of the love Ephesians 2:4, 5, “But God, who is rich in mercy, we need. for his great love wherewith he loved us, Even when We hear people saying today, “What the world needs we were dead in sins, hath quickened us together with is love.” I agree, but they spurn the greatest love that Christ.” If you’re not in the love of Christ today, My ever was given. They prefer the love of something else Dear Friend, you are dead in trespasses and sins. What to the love of God, and this does not please Him. “For you need is the quickening power of His love to give God so loved the world [He loved it so much that He you that new life, to give you a forgiven and a forgotten did something very special.], that he gave His only past where do not have a reason to dread the past or begotten Son [You know, if He had a dozen sons, or even the future, because the past is forgiven and the future two, the sacrifice would not have been so great, but He is in His hands. God’s love to mankind—we could never had one son, His only begotten Son. It had to be love exhaust even talking about it—the power of His love. to prompt such an action.], that whosoever believeth It is not the love of power, but the power of His love in him should not perish, but have everlasting life.” I’m that has made all the difference in the lives of indi- glad that no one is predestined for hell. No one is pre- viduals who have listened to His plea, “Come unto me, destined for perdition. Jesus died, and whoever will and I will give you rest.” believe in Him, whoever will accept Him, He will forgive After we have come to Him, it is a daily walk, a and save. What a beautiful verse! We learned it when constant walk. We take time to live for Him. We take we were children. We talked it like a parrot. We just time to be holy. We take time to talk to Him often, so said it to know we knew it, but as we grew older we that the stream of His love can continually be refreshed realized the depth of this beautiful scripture. in our hearts. Someone has said, “Absence makes the March 2016 Page 3 heart grow fonder,” but someone else added to it “fonder of someone else.” If we are satisfied to be absent from the presence of the Lord in prayer, in devotion, in THE meditation, it is a warning that someone else is robbing Him of the love that is due Him. No, absence doesn’t QUESTION make the heart grow fonder of the Lord. We go daily to Him. There is a continual communion with Him in order BOX that we might live up to His expectations, and that we can live reflecting His beauty in our lives. When we reflect on the love of God, we are amazed. “Amazing Grace! how sweet the sound, That saved a Answered by the Editor wretch like me! I once was lost, but now am found, Was blind, but now I see.” We are concerned about our UESTION: Is it possible for a Christian to still physical vision, and it’s very normal for us to be that be possessed with a devil?—E. E., e-mail, Africa way, but I’m so concerned today for the people who Q are blind, spiritually speaking. They do not see the ANSWER: No, one cannot be a Christian and be love of God as we know it, and as it is supposed to be devil-possessed at the same time. seen. They cannot understand why God should love them, and they go on their way blind and lost. “I once QUESTION: Does a Christian need deliverance of was lost, but now am found, Was blind, but now I any kind or sort?—E. E., e-mail, Africa see.” ANSWER: For a person to become a Christian, he In I John 3:1, we are reminded, “Behold [look and will be forgiven of all his sins, but he may have some see; take notice of], what manner of love the Father habits that he will have to be freed from. Paul said, hath bestowed upon us [It wasn’t just a love for a few “Having therefore these promises [given in the previous moments. It wasn’t even ‘if you love me, I’ll love you.’ chapter], dearly beloved, let us cleanse ourselves from He loved us while we were in sin.], that we should be all filthiness of the flesh and spirit, perfecting holiness called the sons of God [What a privilege to be a part of in the fear of God” (II Corinthians 7:1). God’s family, to be counted worthy to be partakers of such love, of such an association with the Godhead! QUESTION: Will repentance and salvation auto- This is marvelous and wonderful.]: therefore the world matically free anyone from satanic possession without knoweth us not, because it knew him not.” This is why deliverance?—E. E., e-mail, Africa it is so important that we live our lives that the world can see Christ in us. We need to take time to be with ANSWER: If you mean a devil-possessed person, he Him. The more we be with Him, the more we will would need to be delivered before he could repent for resemble Him, the more we will reflect His love and the salvation of his soul. beauty. QUESTION: Genesis 10:25 has a phrase “in his When we have received this love, we are anxious to days was the earth divided.” I want to know what divi- pass it on to others. The more we love, the more we are sion is it talking about?—E. E., Nigeria loved, and the more we give away love, the more it multiplies. We just don’t keep it. We pass it on. ANSWER: Some people think this refers to the We are so glad to remind you that this love can be physical division and not the political division. yours. “Behold, what manner of love the Father hath As far as I know, the physical division took place bestowed upon us, that we should be called the sons of when God said, “Let the waters under the heaven be God.” With such a status, it is a joy to be in His pres- gathered together unto one place, and let the dry land ence. It is a joy to take time to be with Him while the appear: and it was so” (Genesis 1:9). Up to that time world is rushing after the pleasures of sin, rushing the entire earth was covered with water. after the things that will pass away and be no longer, We read in verse 5 of Genesis 10: “By these were rushing after the things that do not tend to their the isles of the Gentiles divided in their lands; every spiritual well-being, but rather that would bring them one after his tongue, after their families, in their to sin and degradation. nations.” The languages of the people were changed at May God help us to take time to be holy, to receive the building of the tower of Babel. this love, to accept this undying love, this unlimited and unconditional love, and strive to be holy in His QUESTION: My question is, How should musical presence. May He help us to live in this sinful world instruments be played [in church services]? pure and undefiled, because of His grace that has been —B., Jamaica extended to us. Take time to be holy. ANSWER: This person expressed his beliefs and Many people don’t have time to serve Him, but time asked if his thoughts were correct. I think they are, so will eventually run out on them. It is important that I will print what he said: we give Him the best of ourselves. It is time for us to “According to my knowledge, musical instruments give Him our love in return for the love He gave us. are accepted in God’s worship service, but it is to be May God help you today to catch a glimpse of this love, pleasing and acceptable to the Lord, and those who play to receive and accept it, and be a part of God’s family. the music should be saints of God. They should also May God bless you.  meet the standard of the church. The musical instru- Page 4 The Way of Truth ments are to assist with the singing, and should be in that those who are not measuring to the standard are the background of the singing, and if someone or a not to take an active part, such as singing in the choir group is singing, you should be able to hear clearly or in specials, or leading a service. The choir leader every word that is said. Instruments should not be too should not invite a person who is not measuring to the loud that they drown out the voices or be disturbing or standard to become a member. He should support his confusing.” pastor. QUESTION: The Bible teaches that the Church of QUESTION: If a person refuses to measure to the God has government, so there are governments among standard and the pastor told him or her not to take the congregation. My question is, What responsibilities part in the service, is he being a lord over God’s heritage, do the ministers among the congregation have, and or doing something wrong?—B., Jamaica what is his/her responsibility in the absence of the pastor?—B., Jamaica ANSWER: No. He is being a faithful watchman on the walls of Zion! He would be doing wrong by not hold- ANSWER: If the pastor is going to be absent from ing up the standard.  the congregation for a short period of time, he should appoint someone to be in charge during his absence. If there is a minister in the congregation, you would think BIBLE LESSON OF THE MONTH he is the one to leave in charge. QUESTION: If a congregation doesn’t have a pastor A STUDY OF PETER’S FIRST EPISTLE and does have an ordained deacon and minister, is it God’s will that the minister and deacon be in charge of HAVING A GOOD CONSCIENCE the affairs of the congregation?—B., Jamaica ANSWER: A deacon is to assist the pastor. If things Scriptures: I Peter 3:15, 16; Acts 24:16; I Timothy are as you say, I would think the minister should be in 1:19; 4:1, 2; Hebrews 9:14; 10:22; II Timothy 1:3; charge and the deacon fill his office as assistant. Hebrews 13:18; I Timothy 1:5. QUESTION: Should the practice of the wearing of I Peter 3:15 But sanctify the Lord God in your hearts: and be ready spiked high heels be among the congregation? I believe always to give an answer to every man that asketh you a reason of it stems from a place of pride.—B., Jamaica the hope that is in you with meekness and fear: 16 Having a good conscience; that, whereas they speak evil of ANSWER: Some doctors have said spiked high heels you, as of evildoers, they may be ashamed that falsely accuse your are injurious to a woman’s health. If that be true, I good conversation in Christ. think that should be enough for a saintly woman to Acts 24:16 And herein do I exercise myself, to have always a refrain from wearing them; besides, they are patterning conscience void of offence toward God, and toward men. after the world. I Timothy 1:19 Holding faith, and a good conscience; which some QUESTION: Is it right for members of the congre- having put away concerning faith have made shipwreck. gation to attend gospel concerts, etc., given by other I Timothy 4:1 Now the Spirit speaketh expressly, that in the latter sects or other religions?—B., Jamaica times some shall depart from the faith, giving heed to seducing spirits, and doctrines of devils; ANSWER: This question was considered in the 2 Speaking lies in hypocrisy; having their conscience seared with ministers’ meeting in the recent Cayman Convention, a hot iron. and their thinking was that saints should not attend Hebrews 9:14 How much more shall the blood of Christ, who them. One reason: the influence or testimony they through the eternal Spirit offered himself without spot to God, purge would give. Another reason I would give is, they are your conscience from dead works to serve the living God? exposing themselves to the spirit that is there. Hebrews 10:22 Let us draw near with a true heart in full assurance of faith, having our hearts sprinkled from an evil conscience, and our QUESTION: Is it right or proper for us, the congre- bodies washed with pure water. gation of the Church of God, to be having a convention and borrow musical instruments or benches from sec- II Timothy 1:3 I thank God, whom I serve from my forefathers with tarian religions?—B., Jamaica pure conscience, that without ceasing I have remembrance of thee in my prayers night and day. ANSWER: Let me ask you a question: If those sect Hebrews 13:18 Pray for us: for we trust we have a good con- churches know your stand against false religion, would science, in all things willing to live honestly. they be willing to loan you such items? If they would, I Timothy 1:5 Now the end of the commandment is charity out of would they not expect you to do them the same favor? a pure heart, and of a good conscience, and of faith unfeigned. Would you? Memory Verse: And herein do I exercise myself, to QUESTION: If members of the Church of God con- have always a conscience void of offence toward God, gregation are taking part in the service and are immod- and toward men.—Acts 24:16. est, who is to blame?—B., Jamaica ANSWER: First of all, the pastor is to preach the Aim: To show that Christians are to maintain a good standard of modesty, and let the congregation know conscience toward God and men. March 2016 Page 5 INTRODUCTION the Lord, he must come sincerely with the assurance HE word conscience, according to Webster’s Diction- that God will receive him. He has to have faith to that ary, means, “a knowledge or sense of right and end to be saved. In obtaining the experience, he is freed t wrong, with compulsion to do right; moral judg- from an evil conscience. And just as the high priest had ment that opposes the violation of a previously recog- to wash his body before entering the second room, the nized ethical principle and that leads to feelings of guilt new convert needs to be baptized to show that he has if one violates such a principle.” died to sin and been made alive in Christ. Even in light of this explanation of conscience, it is I THANK GOD—II Timothy 1:3—Whom I still necessary to point out that the Bible does not teach serve—The only way one can serve God is to have a that living by conscience alone is all it takes to be a pure conscience, and the only way we can expect to get Christian. The Bible speaks of people having a con- our prayers answered is to live with a clear con- science seared with a hot iron. A person in such a state science. could do a lot of things that are wrong and not be both- ered. Therefore, I would point out that God has given PRAY FOR US—Hebrews 13:18—We all need us His Word to live by. It is always a safe guide. prayer—To get our prayers answered, we need to live honestly and have a good conscience. We are to pray MEDITATIONS for one another and help bear one another’s burdens. IN YOUR HEARTS—I Peter 3:15—Sanctify— The Lord’s face is against those that do evil. We usually think of the Lord sanctifying us, but this THE END—I Timothy 1:5—Love—Genealogies verse says we are to sanctify the Lord God in our hearts. minister questions (verse 4). The dispensation of God That is, we have Him in our hearts, separated from all leads to love, first to God and then to man, out of a pure other things; we have been saved from all our sins and heart, and a good conscience, and faith unfeigned, have given ourselves wholly over to Him to accomplish genuine, real, sincere. This is the kind of life and faith His will in our lives. Verse 16—Having a good we must have if we are going to see the hand of God conscience—Since the Lord has forgiven us of all our move and work as we desire. sins, even though men may speak evil of us, accusing us of evil deeds, we go on serving the Lord, that they CONCLUSION may be ashamed. As stated in the Introduction, we are to live by the A CLEAR CONSCIENCE—Acts 24:16—Void of Word of God. Of course, if we do live by the Word of offence—Paul had been arrested in Jerusalem. To save God we will have a good, clear conscience. That does his life, he had been brought to Caesarea, and the high not mean we are above making mistakes, and that does priest and others, including a certain orator, came down not mean that Satan will not attack and accuse, but to accuse him. Felix was hearing the case. After the God knows our heart, purpose and intent, and He will charges had been made, Paul was allowed to speak. He not cut us off because we make a mistake. The Lord declared he had not done anything wrong, but had been may find it necessary to chastise us once in awhile, but true to his nation and to the people; therefore, he had if we will take the chastisement in the right spirit, it “a conscience void of offence toward God, and toward will help us bring forth the fruits of righteousness, thus men.” proving a help to us in the end. HOLDING FORTH—I Timothy 1:19—Being FOR YOUR CONSIDERATION faithful—Paul was giving Timothy a charge to war a 1. Can a person who is breaking the law of God have good warfare, holding to the faith, having a good con- a clear conscience? science, for some had departed from the truth and had 2. What should a person who has a guilty conscience made spiritual shipwreck. do? THE SPIRIT—I Timothy 4:1, 2—Speaking lies 3. How does a person get a conscience that is burned —The Spirit said some would depart from the faith, with a hot iron? giving heed to seducing spirits. These seducing spirits 4. Does everyone have a conscience? would cause some to accept doctrines of devils; they 5. Can one get his prayers answered if he is break- would speak lies knowing they were lies, and the reason ing the law of God and has a guilty conscience?  they would do this was because their conscience had been seared with a hot iron. We have religious people in the world today who are in that same condition. SUNDAY SCHOOL LITERATURE Ministers who will preach whatever the people want We have a six-year series of lessons. Each quarter we to hear, not what they need to hear, and their con- print quarterlies for Adults and Young People, Intermedi- sciences do not bother them in doing so! The blind ates and Juniors. We also print leaflets for Primary and leading the blind. Nursery-Beginner children. THROUGH THE ETERNAL SPIRIT—Hebrews The second quarter of 2016 begins April 3 and is 9:14—Purge—Christ, through the eternal Spirit, came entitled, “Justification.” to offer Himself without spot to God, so He could purify Order your sample today: our consciences from dead works and from a life of sin The Way of Truth so we could serve the living God. P. O. Box 88 LET US DRAW NEAR—Hebrews 10:22—With Hagerstown, MD 21741 U.S.A. full assurance—When an unsaved person comes to Page 6 The Way of Truth Dad walked slowly into the garage and looked around THE CHILDREN’S CORNER at the reorganized space. “Nice job,” he said at last. DOING WHAT WE OUGHT That was all. In silence, he closed the garage door and started back the walkway toward the house. I followed, A Bible Lesson by Sis. Rebecca Bland crestfallen and disappointed at his lack of enthusiasm for my accomplishment. “What a mess!” I said to myself as I looked around the inside of the little red garage. There had never been “Daddy!” I said. “Aren’t you surprised? Aren’t you room to park a car in the old wooden building. Instead, excited that I cleaned up the garage all by myself?” we used it to store things we wouldn’t be needing for “Sure,” he said. “I’m glad you did it. Thank you.” awhile. The hard-packed earth floor of the garage was “But I wanted you to be really, really excited about cold and uninviting, and the bare electric bulbs that it!” I insisted. hung from the rafters gave only a little light. When we My father stopped in the middle of the walkway. He children were sent to the garage with things to put knelt in front of me and looked at me with serious eyes. away, we often threw them into a corner and then ran “I am happy you cleaned the garage,” he said. “But I’m back outside. not sure why I should be excited about it. Helping to “I ought to clean up this place,” I thought. “Wouldn’t clean up around here is your job. Dad be surprised!” “There is a verse in the Bible,” Dad continued, “that Just the day before, Dad had shaken his head in tells us that even when we have done all the things we disapproval when he went to get the water hose from have been commanded, we are still ‘unprofitable ser- the garage. Tangled in its coils were an oil can, a mop vants,’ having done only what it was our duty to do.” handle, and two tricycle tires. “It would be nice if some- I had never heard that Bible verse before, but I one would straighten up this mess,” he had said. understood in a flash what it meant. It meant that I The longer I thought about cleaning up the garage, shouldn’t be so proud of myself for doing only what I the more inspired I became. Although I was only eight was supposed to do. years old, I knew I could make a big difference just by I thought of my mother’s words earlier in the day— sorting through piles and putting things where I knew about how often she had to remind me to do the chores they belonged. that were assigned to me. Smiling to myself, I began to organize the mess in My father was trying to teach me that with God the garage. I kept picturing the look of pleased surprise diligence is an expectation, not an option. The word on Dad’s face when he came home that evening and diligence means hard work or effort. It is our duty to saw what I had done. put our best effort into all of our work. At lunch time, my mother asked me why I had spent Proverbs 22:29 says, “Seest thou a man diligent in so much of my morning in the garage. “I’m cleaning it his business? he shall stand before kings; he shall not up to surprise Daddy!” I announced. stand before mean men.” According to this proverb, “Well!” my mother said. “Too bad somebody doesn’t diligence is an honorable attribute. It helps us earn the clean up the house to surprise me once in awhile! It respect of others, and it pleases God. seems like I have to ask over and over before it gets done.” Activity I didn’t know how to answer that, and so I looked Here are some other words that mean about the down at my plate in silence. It was true that I didn’t same as the word diligent. See if you can unscramble enjoy cleaning the house. The only reason I was having the letters to find out what those words are. so much fun cleaning the garage was because it was STUNIROSIDU SYBU all my idea. If I had been asked to do it, I probably VETCAI UCIVETDROP would have grumbled and complained. KINDHARGROW ACRUFLE After lunch, I returned to the garage and finished putting things away. Then I swept the hard earthen ABLEERLI floor with the big push broom. Tired but satisfied, I Answers to Last Month’s Activity went to the house to wait for Dad to come home. When I heard his truck pull up in the driveway, I ran outside TRUTH: to meet him. • God hears and sees all that we say and do. “Daddy! Daddy!” I exclaimed, dancing up and down • Jesus died and rose again so that we may have eter- with excitement. “I have a surprise for you!” nal life. “A surprise?” he asked. “Where is it?” • Jesus loves every man, woman, and child on earth. “It’s in the garage!” I said. “Come see it!” • A child can be a witness for righteousness. “Let me get to the house first,” my dad said, “and ERROR: put this armload of things away.” • God doesn’t care if we tell little “white” lies. I followed my dad into the house and waited impa- • Christians commit sin every day. tiently while he put away his things and asked my mother about her day. At last, he followed me back • God performed miracles in Bible times, but He no outside to see the surprise. longer performs them. “You will really like it!” I said as I pulled him by the • A child must be twelve years old before she/he can hand down the little walkway that led to the garage. become a Christian.  When we reached the garage, I flung open the door • Baptism makes a person a Christian. and stepped back so my father could see the full effect • We should pray to Mary sometimes, and not just to of the work I had done. God and Jesus.  March 2016 Page 7 II. Its Retrogression—To the ancient Israelite the PREMILLENNIALISM millennial hope must have seemed a boon, but to the (Part II - Conclusion) Christian it is definitely a step backward. A thoughtful reading of the Book of Hebrews should impress on any By A. F. Gray, Christian Theology, Volume II mind the better things of the Christian religion. The OBJECTIONS TO THE MILLENNIAL THEORY millennium would have us return to former things that have been rejected for Christ. I. Its Conflicts with Clear Teachings—It is a prin- (1) It is a return to the Jewish religion. The Temple ciple of interpretation that obscured passages must be worship pictured for the millennium, based largely on interpreted in harmony with plain teachings. Any par- Ezekiel’s prophecy, is not an addition to Christianity, ticular passage of Scripture is to be interpreted in the but definitely a substitute for it. The necessary infer- light of the general tenor of the Bible on that subject. ence is that we are to substitute for the only way of (1) No political kingdom is allowable. As clearly salvation a system that never could save. This is a shown in the previous chapter, the kingdom of God is decided step backward. It is Christ the crucified Savior, spiritual in its nature and was set up at Christ’s first and not Christ the Jewish King, that must save the coming. In attempting to show that the kingdom is yet world. future and will be a political kingdom, this principle of (2) It appeals to carnal motives. A glorious era of interpretation is violated. The plain teachings of Scrip- political peace and prosperity is promised. Each has ture must not be made to give to a fanciful view not his own home with his vine and fig tree. The soil will well-established. be fertile and animals will be tame. Good as such things (2) The Jews are no longer God’s [chosen] people. are of themselves, they might mean nothing more than Promises of a future kingdom in which the Jews occupy a glorified paganism. They have no essential relation a prominent place is based on the supposition that the to true spiritual liberty as experienced under the gospel, Jews are still God’s special people, whereas the New including humility, purity, mercy, self-sacrifice, and Testament clearly teaches that there is no longer any other graces of the Spirit. Carnal pleasures are not difference between Jew and Gentile in the sight of God. synonymous with spiritual graces, but often are ene- There is no difference in sin, for all are sinful. There is mies of them. no difference among the saved, and conditions for sal- (3) Christ is degraded. The meek and lowly Lamb vation are the same for both. All special rights of the of God is changed into a war lord wading through the Jews came to an end in Christ, who died for all that all blood of his enemies. He who uses now only truth and might enjoy the fullness of God’s blessings. love as weapons of conquest, with which he has con- (3) Prophecy is robbed of its evident meaning. Many quered many millions, will then use the method of force, prophecies are warped out of their setting and given a with armies and bloodshed, to conquer his enemies. modern meaning which cannot by any fair means be Peaceful, spiritual means must give way to force. Not found in the prophecy or its context. Most all prophecy that no persuasion will be used, but where it fails force will succeed. Jesus said, “He that hath seen me hath is applied to the present time in a way that makes it  meaningless and valueless to all past ages. This is done seen the Father.” Which picture really reveals God? without any evidence that the prophecies refer to this age, on the assumption that they have not been fulfilled OUR SERVICES ON CD’S and therefore must be fulfilled now. The improbability CD’s of our services are available for purchase. These of future armies fighting with bucklers, shields, and are $3.00 each; however, orders of 10 or more are only $2.50 swords, clothed in full armor, does not deter millennial- each, postage paid. Please write in the blank how many you ists from using such prophecy in describing future would like to receive. Send check or money order to: The Way warfare. This reckless use of prophecy is a violation of of Truth CD Ministry, P. O. Box 88, Hagerstown, MD 21741- the evident meaning of Scripture. 0088 U.S.A. (4) Evident teachings are explained away. Evidence ___ CD #577 God With Us G. E. Tyler that the kingdom of God was to be set up at Christ’s first coming is so unanswerable that certain millen- ___ CD #578 Glad to Go to the House of God P. Wilson nialists have offered the ingenious “postponement” ___ CD #579 How Salvation Is Obtained A. A. Craig theory. This idea is that Christ fully intended to set up ___ CD #580 Key to a Joyful Productive Life A. A. Craig his kingdom at his first coming, but the Jews rejected ___ CD #581 Jesus’ Birth in Scriptures and Songs him, making it impossible for him to do so; therefore ___ CD #582 Take the Name of Jesus with You G. E. Tyler he postponed the setting up of the Kingdom till his ___ CD #583 He Has Given Us Understanding B. Richards return. This explanation is offered in spite of the fact ___ CD #584 The Church of God A. A. Craig that Jews sought by force to make him king and he ___ CD #585 Don’t Look Back Paul Wilson refused to accept the throne. ___ CD #601 Justification and Regeneration A. A. Craig But suppose the plan had worked and he had estab- ___ CD #602 The True Gift of Tongues Mick Akers lished a political kingdom at his first advent. There ___ CD #603 Dig Deep in 2016 G. E. Tyler should have been no crucifixion, no atonement, no ___ CD #604 Live Heartily Doug Shenberger salvation, no church—nothing but a glorified Judaism ___ CD #605 What God Requires A. A. Craig still left in its sins, with the rest of the nations likewise ___ CD #606 Shine in Me (Part I) Ladies’ Day left in sin. No; the plan of God was carried out. There ___ CD #607 Shine in Me (Part II) Ladies’ Day was no postponement. Page 8 The Way of Truth GOD IS 2015 Cayman Convention Message by Bro. Alvin A. Craig Theme of 2015 Cayman Convention: “The Assurance of God’s THANK the Lord for life spared and the privilege that are searching the Faithfulness in These of being with you in another convention. I would heavens. They are finding I also like to thank you, Saints, for your prayers in some heavenly bodies that Troubled Times” my behalf. I would ask that you continue to pray for are more or less compara- me. ble to our size of the earth, The theme for this convention is, “The Assurance and they are looking for other beings. I don’t know why of God’s Faithfulness in These Troubled Times.” they want to call them human beings. I tell you, Beloved, Our text of scripture is a familiar one. Hebrews, they are not going to find another place in the universe chapter 11, verse 6: “He that cometh to God must believe where there are people like there are on the earth. that he is, and that he is a rewarder of them that dili- Jesus Christ came into this world, died on the cross, gently seek him.” rose again the third day to save mankind from their We read in Psalm 14:1, “The fool hath said in his sins. He is not going to any other place to die for some heart, There is no God.” If you believe in God, you’re other people. God made the heavens and the earth. not a fool. “The fear of the Lord is the beginning of Some have said, “Oh, I know a little bit about evo- wisdom” (Psalm 111:10). “God is a Spirit [He is not flesh lution.” I do not believe in it. I believe “In the beginning and bone.]: and they that worship him must worship God created the heaven and the earth.” He made the him in spirit and in truth” (John 4:24). So I want to earth for man, and He made the heavens for Himself. speak on, “God Is.” Whenever those astronauts went to the moon, they did not find it populated. In fact, the founder of the Mormon GOD IS IMMUTABLE religion said that there were tall people living on the God is immutable, and that means His nature, His moon. He said that they lived to be about 800 and 900 attributes cannot be changed. “I am the Lord, I change years old. Just because people say things doesn’t make not.” God’s perfection is infinite; therefore, He is perfect it the truth. in every degree. It excludes the idea of any such thing GOD IS OMNIPOTENT as growth or evaluation. God cannot grow because He is already immutable. “I change not.” I don’t know God is Omnipotent. By omnipotence we mean “the whether you know it or not, but the Mormons teach almightiness or the unlimited power of God.” God has that God was once a man and became God. They also power to do all things that as are objected to power. teach that it’s possible for men to become God. “Every There is nothing too hard for God. There is nothing good gift and every perfect gift is from above, and cometh impossible with God. God “is able to do exceeding abun- down from the Father of lights, with whom is no vari- dantly above all that we ask or think.” I just spoke ableness, neither shadow of turning” (James 1:17). So about God creating the heavens and the earth. You nothing can be added to God and nothing can be taken know, whenever God made this earth, it was dark all away from God. He is an immutable God. the way around. The entire globe was covered with water. We read in Genesis 1:3 that this God of whom GOD IS ETERNAL I’m speaking about said, “Let there be light: and there God is eternal. By the eternity of God it is meant was light.” It couldn’t have been otherwise. Although that His existence is without beginning and without the earth was fully covered with water all around, God end. If God had a beginning, there had to be something said, “Let the dry land appear: and it was so.” Whenever or someone to begin Him. Therefore, there would have God said for something to be done, it was done. God told been a god before Him. But God had no beginning, and Abraham, “I am the Almighty God; walk before me, and He shall have no ending. “I am God, and beside me, be thou perfect.” In Revelation 19:6, we read, “The Lord there is no other.” Deuteronomy 32:39, “See now that God omnipotent reigneth.” So God is all-powerful. I, even I, am he, and there is no god with me.” “I am We read in the first chapter of the book of Romans the Lord, and there is none else, there is no God beside where Paul said, “When they knew God, they did not me,” Isaiah, chapter 45, verse 5. “Before the mountains honor Him as God.” Do you know what happened when were brought forth, or ever thou hadst formed the earth they knew God and did not honor Him as God? The and the world, even from everlasting to everlasting, time came when they began to worship the four-footed thou art God.”—Psalm 90:2. The Bible tells us that all beasts, the creeping things, and the fowls of the air. the gods of the nations are just idols. According to Why? Because when they knew God, they did not honor Psalm 96:5, “The Lord made the heavens.” Him as God. Whenever you know God and you do not We have powerful telescopes now. I was at Green honor Him, it’s hard to tell what you will believe or Bank, West Virginia, where they have some big discs what you will do. March 2016 Page 9 GOD IS OMNIPRESENT told Nebuchadnezzar that he was the head of gold. Do God is Omnipresent. This simply means that “God’s you know how many years that covered? About 400, or presence is everywhere.” He didn’t have to go with those may be 500 years. astronauts to the moon. He was already there. Some- Daniel also told Nebuchadnezzar about the four times we receive prayer requests from Africa and other kingdoms and about the stone. He said, “The stone places. God doesn’t have to go there to help those that’s cut out of the mountain is going to smite this people. He’s already there. Didn’t the Psalmist say, “If image on his feet and break up all those kingdoms, and I ascend up into heaven, thou art there: if I make my it’s not going to be left to other people. There’s not going bed in hell, behold, thou art there”? You can’t go any- to be a successor. There’s going to be one King, and He’ll where where God is not. Again, He is Omnipresent. be the King of it forever.” He’s everywhere. When John the Baptizer was put in prison, Jesus came into Galilee and began to preach. He said, “The GOD IS OMNISCIENT time is fulfilled, and the kingdom of God is at hand: God is Omniscient. This simply means that “God is repent ye, and believe the gospel.” Now, what time was prefect in knowledge of all existence; whether it be Jesus talking about? He was talking about the time the events of the past, or whether it be things of the pres- stone would strike the image on his feet. He said, “The ent, or whether it be things of the future.” Why did God time is now.” Jesus also said, contrary to these literal say to the serpent, “The seed of the woman shall bruise kingdom teachers, “My kingdom is not of this world.” the head of the serpent”? Why did He say that? Why He didn’t say my kingdom’s going to be this or that. He didn’t He say “the seed of the man”? In the Old Testa- said, “My kingdom,” and He had a kingdom. “The law ment especially, the man is the dominant one. Do you and the prophets were until John: since that time the know why God didn’t say “the seed of the man”? Because kingdom of God is preached, and every man presseth He knew that a virgin was going to be the one to give into it.” How in the world could people press into some- birth to the Son of God. That was thousands of years thing that didn’t exist? before it actually happened. God knew then that the We have a song which says— power of God would come on a virgin in the little village ’Tis a kingdom of peace, it is reigning within, of Nazareth, and she would conceive in her womb and It shall ever increase in my soul; bare, not a daughter, but a Son. We possess it right here when he saves from all sin, If you’ll go to the book of Daniel, the second chapter, And ’twill last while the ages shall roll. you’ll read about King Nebuchadnezzar. He was a great I am not looking for a thousand-year reign. I am king, and he ruled over a great kingdom. He had a going to be with the Lord forever. The Adventist believe dream one night, and supposedly the dream went from that the thousand-year reign is going to take place in him, but he knew he had a dream. So he called in his heaven, and you’re going to be up there searching wise men, astrologers, and sorcerers. King Nebuchad- people’s records. You’re going to see that God is a just nezzar said to them, “I’ve had a dream. It has gone from God when you check those records, and then after the me. I want you to tell me the dream I had, then I want thousand years are over, you’re coming back to this you to tell me the meaning of it.” They said, “Well, King, earth to live. I read in the book of II Peter where it says no one has ever made such a request as that. We can’t “the heavens shall pass away with a great noise, and do that.” He said, “You either do it, or I’ll take your the elements shall melt with fervent heat.” Revelation heads off.” Well, by that time Daniel and his friends 20 tells us that there will be found no place for them. had been taken as war prisoners from Jerusalem to Let me tell you something else, too: We’re not going Babylon, and they had been put in college to learn the to go to heaven and walk on streets of gold. I know a ways of the Babylonians to fit into the king’s govern- song says that, but the Bible doesn’t. I’m walking on ment. The news came to Daniel. Daniel said, “What’s streets of gold right now. Did you know that? Gold the big hurry? Just give me a little time,” and he and represents truth, and the Church of God is the pillar his friends had a prayer meeting. God revealed to him and ground of the truth. When you get saved, you start the dream and the meaning of it. walking on streets of gold. There’s not going to be any Daniel went in before Nebuchadnezzar and took literal things in heaven. Billy Graham assured some advantage of the opportunity to make an impression young fellow that he would have his dog there. I tell on him. “Do you mean that your astrologers, your wise you, people are so materialistic-minded. So God knows men and sorcerers can’t tell you?” The king said, “No.” everything: past, present, future. Daniel said, “But there is a God in heaven that revealeth Let me also take you to Daniel, chapter nine. There’s secrets. What you saw in your dream was a big statue a prophecy of 70 weeks spoken of in that chapter. The with four parts: head of fine gold, breast of silver, thighs Millennialist would have you to believe that the seven- of brass, legs of iron and feet part of iron and part of tieth week is still out in the future. They would have clay. That is what you saw in your dream. Now, the you to believe that there’s a big gap between the sixty- meaning of it is: you and your kingdom are the head of ninth and the seventieth week. There is no big gap gold. Then after you and your kingdom, there will come between them. The seventieth followed the sixty-ninth, another kingdom—the Medo-Persian. After them will just like the sixty-ninth followed the sixty-eighth. Do come another kingdom—the Grecian. Then after them you want to know when the seventieth week started? will come another kingdom—the Pagan Roman King- It was started when Jesus Christ was baptized by the dom.” Daniel continued to say, “You also saw a stone Spirit in the Jordan River. No great anti-Christ broke that was cut out of a mountain without hands.” Daniel his covenant with the Jews after 3½ years. They would Page 10 The Way of Truth make Christ, the anti-Christ. It was Jesus Christ who brought Abraham’s seed out as a large nation. That’s was cut off in the middle of the week. He was cut off to what the Scriptures teach, just like God promised. bring in everlasting righteousness. So Christ’s ministry Although they doubted, murmured, and complained, was for 3½ years. they had a good leader. If they had not had the good Divine omniscience is of vital importance to Chris- leader they had, they would have been in trouble, wan- tianity. It is the only ground of God’s omniscience in dering around in the wilderness for 40 years when they the fullest sense that we can implicitly trust His could have gone in before that. But God said, “Those providence and feel assured that He will direct us right. who doubted, those above 20 years old who questioned That’s why we have the assurance of God’s faithfulness are going to die here in this wilderness, and those in these troubled times. women who you said will be ravaged, and the children will be killed, I’m going to take them in.” The time came GOD IS ALWAYS TRUE when God took them into the land of promise. God cannot lie. “God is not a man, that he should Psalm 119:90, “Thy faithfulness is unto all genera- lie; neither the son of man, that he should repent: hath tions [That includes us.]: thou hast established the he said, and shall he not do it? or hath he spoken, and earth, and it abideth.” “They are new every morning: shall he not make it good?” (Numbers 23:19). “In hope great is thy faithfulness” (Lamentations 3:23). That’s of eternal life, which God, that cannot lie, promised a part of the theme also. before the world began” (Titus 1:2). “That by two immu- table things, in which it was impossible for God to lie, CONCLUSION we might have a strong consolation, who have fled for Before I close these thoughts, there’s one more refuge to lay hold upon the hope set before us” (Hebrews promise. The word faithful and faithfulness is found 6:19). many times in the Bible, but I’d like to call your atten- God changes not. “For I am the Lord, I change not” tion to one more. I would especially ask that any (Malachi 3:6). “Thus saith the Lord the King of Israel, unsaved person here to pay attention to this promise: and his redeemer the Lord of hosts; I am the first, and “If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive I am the last; and beside me there is no God” (Isaiah us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness” 44:6). “Is there a God beside me? yea, there is no God” (I John 1:9). God is faithful. What He requires is that (Isaiah 44:8). “I am the Lord, and there is none else, you repent of and forsake your sins. “If we confess our there is no God beside me” (Isaiah 45:5). sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.” GOD IS FAITHFUL I thank God tonight that the Lord forgave me in my God is faithful. Yes, that’s a part of the theme for youth. Where would I be if it had not been God’s faith- this convention. “Know therefore that the Lord thy God, fulness in forgiving me? I have no way of knowing. Bro. he is God, the faithful God, which keepeth covenant and mercy with them that love him and keep his com- 2015 CAYMAN CONVENTION CD’S mandments to a thousand generations” (Deuteronomy

7:9). “Thy testimonies that thou hast commanded are We are making available CD’s of these services. These righteous and very faithful” (Psalm 119:138). “There may be purchased for $2.50 each. The complete set of hath no temptation taken you but such as is common all fifteen services are only US$30.00. (Good for U.S. to man: but God is faithful, who will not suffer you to and C.I. only.) be tempted above that ye are able; but will with the Please fill in the blanks for those you wish to order. temptation also make a way to escape, that ye may be Send check or money order to: The Way of Truth CD able to bear it” (I Corinthians 10:13). Ministry, P.O. Box 88, Hagerstown, MD 21741- 0088. When Abraham was 75 years old, God told him that he would have a son by Sarah. Do you know how long that promise was before it was fulfilled? 25 years. ___ CD #586 With Us on the Journey, God James Arch Abraham was 100 years old, and Sarah was 90 years ___ CD #587 God’s Faithfulness in these Troubled Times D. Darby old when God said, “You’re going to have a son by Sarah.” ___ CD #588 God Is A. A. Craig Whenever the three angels passed and stopped at ___ CD #589 God Is Our Refuge Rupert Shippy Abraham’s tent and had a meal with him, one of the angels that Abraham called “Lord,” reconfirmed that ___ CD #590 The One We Know as Jesus Christ is God A. Craig promise, and Sarah laughed. The Lord said to Abra- ___ CD #591 God Will Remember His People Hezekiah Lamey ham, “Why did Sarah laugh?” Sarah denied saying, “I ___ CD #592 We Need the Lord Leston Mann laughed not.” But the Lord said, “Thou didst laugh.” ___ CD #593 Destroying One’s Own Soul G. E. Tyler God kept His promise. He didn’t tell Abraham that he was going to have a daughter. He said, “You’re going to ___ CD #594 What Is God’s Faithfulness? Doug Shenberger have a son.” Sarah did have a son. God promised Abra- ___ CD #595 Four Questions G. E. Tyler ham that his seed would become a great nation and ___ CD #596 The Sympathizing Healer David Shaw inherit the land of Canaan. It was about 430 years ___ CD #597 Are You Ready for the Judgment? A. A. Craig before that promise was fulfilled. It is not correct to say that the Israelites were slaves ___ CD #598 What Shall I Render Unto the Lord? James Arch in Egypt for 400 years. They were not. They only became ___ CD #599 Is God Still on His Throne? Young People’s Service slaves after Joseph died, and the Pharaoh did not know ___ CD #600 The Incredible Journey G. E. Tyler Joseph. But God did bring Israel out of Egypt, and He March 2016 Page 11 James has said more that one time, “Sin never elevates Don’t testify for the devil; tell what God has done. anyone.” Proverbs 14:34, “Righteousness exalteth a “Thanks be unto God for his unspeakable gift” (II Cor- nation: but sin is a reproach to any people.” The won- inthians 9:15); “Giving thanks always for all things derful thing about it is: God loved you so much “that unto God and the Father in the name of our Lord Jesus he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth Christ” (Ephesians 5:20). in him should not perish, but have everlasting life. For Don’t follow every impression; use your common sense God sent not his Son into the world to condemn the and follow the Bible. “Trust in the Lord with all thine world; but that the world through him might be saved” heart; and lean not unto thine own understanding. In (John 3:16, 17).  all thy ways acknowledge him, and he shall direct thy paths” (Proverbs 3:5, 6). Don’t let Satan make you believe that you have harder DON’TS FOR trials than any one else on earth. Jesus said to the Pharisees, “Ye are of your father the devil, and the lusts DOUBTERS of your father ye will do. He was a murderer from the beginning, and abode not in the truth, because there By the late D. O. Teasley is no truth in him. When he speaketh a lie, he speaketh of his own: for he is a liar, and the father of it” (John Don’t waste precious time arguing with Satan. “Sub- 8:44). “Beloved, think it not strange concerning the fiery mit yourselves therefore to God. Resist the devil, and trial which is to try you, as though some strange thing he will flee from you” (James 4:7). happened unto you” (I Peter 4:12). Don’t make your emotions the standard by which to Don’t look for trials and discouragements; let your measure your experience. “Thus saith the Lord God, expectation be from the Lord. “I will lift up mine eyes Behold, I will lift up mine hand to the Gentiles, and set unto the hills, from whence cometh my help. My help up my standard to the people” (Isaiah 49:22a). cometh from the Lord, which made heaven and earth” Don’t say, “I can’t”; that belongs to those who have (Psalm 121:1, 2). no Christ. “I can do all things through Christ which Don’t help the devil to make you miserable by bring- strengtheneth me” (Philippians 4:13). ing up the past. “For as the heaven is high above the Don’t measure your salvation by some wonderful earth, so great is his mercy toward them that fear him. experience someone else has had: measure by the New As far as the east is from the west, so hath he removed Testament. “For we dare not make ourselves of the our transgressions from us” (Psalm 103:11, 12). number, or compare ourselves with some that commend Don’t pray for blessings and then refuse to endure themselves: but they measuring themselves by them- temptations. “Thou hast fully known my doctrine, man- selves, and comparing themselves among themselves, ner of life, purpose, faith, longsuffering, charity, are not wise” (II Corinthians 10:12). patience, persecutions, afflictions, which came unto me Don’t depend on your conscience; live the Bible. “But at Antioch, at Iconium, at Lystra; what persecutions I be ye doers of the word, and not hearers only, deceiving endured: but out of them all the Lord delivered me. your own selves” (James 1:22). Yea, and all that will live godly in Christ Jesus shall Don’t get discouraged; it will be of no help to you. suffer persecution” (II Timothy 3:10-12). “Be strong in the Lord, and in the power of his might. Don’t accuse yourself; be as good to yourself as you Put on the whole armour of God, that ye may be able are to others. “Behold, what manner of love the Father to stand against the wiles of the devil” (Ephesians 6:10, hath bestowed upon [me], that [I] should be called the 11). son of God” (I John 3:1). Don’t be a baby all your life; learn to be strong. —From the book, Rays of Hope, 1909. “Watch ye, stand fast in the faith, quit you like men, Note: The scriptures have been added to these be strong” (I Corinthians 16:13).  Don’t make rash vows, “Trust in the Lord, and he “Don’ts” by the Editor. shall bring it to pass.” “Be not rash with thy mouth, and let not thine heart be hasty to utter any thing VISIT OUR WEBSITE! before God: for God is in heaven, and thou upon earth: Log in and browse our website and let us know therefore let thy words be few” (Ecclesiastes 5:2). what you think. The magazine is available there with Don’t shed tears to please the devil. “Neither give back issues. Also available is a cache of radio pro- place to the devil” (Ephesians 4:27). Don’t believe that God does not hear you; if you are grams and our past general services. seeking him earnestly, his ears are open to your cry. “The effectual fervent prayer of a righteous man availeth www.wayoftruth.org much” (James 5:16b). Don’t let Satan make a speaking trumpet to your ears. “Let the words of my mouth, and the meditation Our general services are broadcast live on this site. of my heart, be acceptable in thy sight, O Lord, my Sundays 10:40 A.M. & 6:00 P.M.; Wednesdays 7:00 P.M. strength, and my redeemer” (Psalm 19:14). “And thine ears shall hear a word behind thee, saying, This is the If you are ever passing through, you are invited to visit us way, walk ye in it, when ye turn to the right hand, and at 12819 Point Salem Rd., Hagerstown, Maryland. when ye turn to the left” (Isaiah 30:21). Page 12 The Way of Truth we are complete—soul, mind, and body. We learn from “TO WHOM SHALL WE TURN?” the Old Testament atonement chapter, Isaiah 53, “But he was wounded for our transgressions, he was bruised By Bro. Hoyt Matthews for our iniquities.” Some may expect to be forgiven of their sins through the ritual of an earthly being, but “O Lord, I know that the way of man is not in him- there is only “one mediator between God and men, the self: it is not in man that walketh to direct his own steps” (Jeremiah 10:23). man Christ Jesus.” Acts 4:12, “Neither is there salva- tion in any other: for there is none other name under HEN we view the heaven given among men, whereby we must be saved.” international scene, Those who claim to have had their sins forgiven by W it becomes quite clear another man will soon discover that they are carrying that man left to himself, the same burden of sin as before. “The chastisement of without a guiding hand, our peace was upon him.” Peace of mind is a very pre- chaos is the result. But since cious gift from God. it is not possible for man to To whom do we turn when the body is besieged with direct his own steps, what sickness? James completes the atonement picture with are we to do? When the the following question and declaration: “Is any sick perplexities of life are among you? let him call for the elders of the church; beyond what our abilities and let them pray over him, anointing him with oil in are capable of coping with, the name of the Lord: And the prayer of faith shall save to whom shall we turn? Let the sick, and the Lord shall raise him up” (James 5:14, us look for our answers from the Word of God. 15b). The Psalmist of Psalm 121 declared, “I will lift up How is such a thing possible? Let us look again to mine eyes unto the hills from, whence cometh my help. the atonement chapter and verse: “With his stripes we My help cometh from the Lord, which made heaven are healed” (Isaiah 53:5). We can look only to Jesus for and earth.” Doubtless, the Psalmist was referring to that touch or by speaking the word. This is not possible the city of Jerusalem and the temple where God met with man, for he cannot make one hair white or black, with His people from between the cherubims above the but just a touch from Jesus and Peter’s mother-in-law mercy seat. The Psalmist may have been from the was healed of a fever and arose and prepared a meal countryside or from another city, for he lifted up his for them. He spoke the word and the centurion’s servant eyes unto the hills, or in other words, he prayed facing was healed in that very hour. Jerusalem. To whom do we turn when the cares of life become Since the New Covenant superceded the Old Cov- greater than we can carry? The apostle Peter assures enant, we no longer look to the temple made with us that our heavenly Father cares much for us, there- hands located in Jerusalem, but now our body is the fore we can safely cast all our care upon Him (I Peter dwelling place of the Holy Spirit. “What? know ye not 5:7). When we endeavor to carry our own cares it results that your body is the temple of the Holy Ghost which in much fretting and worrying and only intensifies and is in you, which ye have of God, and ye are not your increases the load of care. own?” (I Corinthians 6:19). But whether in the days of Doubts and fears are sure to come, but be sure they the Psalmist who prayed facing Jerusalem, or in our do not emanate from our heavenly Father. There is an day of the temple not made with hands (our body), the enemy who plants them in the heart of the Christian fact remains, it is not in man to direct his own steps. in an effort to destroy faith in God. Though they howl David the valiant warrior went into battle against and toss as the fierce storm rages, standing on the Goliath, the Philistine giant in the name of the Lord of unfailing promises of God will dispel the doubts and hosts, for it was not in him to direct his own steps. Had the fears, and the comforting voice of the One to whom David gone to battle with Goliath in merely his own we must turn will still the voice of the enemy with the strength, he would have been vanquished by the words from heaven, “I will never leave thee, nor forsake giant. thee (Hebrews 13:5). Although being the brave warrior that he was, David To whom do we turn when the dizzying problems realized there would be times when his heart would be arise that require greater wisdom than is resident with overwhelmed and at such times he cried out “lead me us? Let us look again to the apostle James for the answer to the rock that is higher than I” (Psalm 61:2). God to this question: “If any of you lack wisdom, let him ask comforted David with the words: “I will instruct thee of God, that giveth to all men liberally, and upbraideth and teach thee in the way which thou shalt go: I will not; and it shall be given him” (James 1:5). The apostle guide thee with mine eye” (Psalm 32:8). Paul confirms the thought of James on wisdom: “In What greater blessing could be ours than to have [God] are hid all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge” the God of heaven to direct our paths, for He will never (Colossians 2:3). Many times the wisdom of this world lead us down a wrong path! To have this blessing, we will not suffice for the problems that may be confront- must trust in the Lord with all our hearts. If we lean ing us. “For the wisdom of this world is foolishness with unto our own understanding, we are certain to follow God” (I Corinthians 3:19). Who better could we turn to paths that will lead us away from God. then, than Jesus Christ, the Wonderful, the Counselor, To whom do we turn when the burden of sin becomes the mighty God, the everlasting Father, the Prince of heavier than we can bear? We turn to the One in whom Peace? The man of wisdom then, will not lean unto his March 2016 Page 13 own understanding, but will in all his ways acknowledge responds with silence as we lament with the wail of God, and God will direct his paths. Even the kings of Job, “Behold, I go forward, but he is not there; and Old Testament Israel looked to the prophets and seers backward, but I cannot perceive him: On the left hand, to get the mind of God on perplexing situations that where he doth work, but I cannot behold him: he hideth were beyond the their ability to comprehend. Spiritual himself on the right hand, that I cannot see him”? (Job leaders of today are sought frequently for perplexing 23:8, 9). Even our blessed Redeemer, as He suffered the situations involving the spirit world. Probably most of agony of the cross, cried out: “My God, my God, why our problems are basically of a spiritual nature and hast thou forsaken me?” (Matthew 27:46). require counsel from those through whom the Spirit of Children of God will at times during their Christian God reveals answers. We are warned, through the sojourn experience a Guiding Light blackout, and it Scriptures, not to walk after the counsel of the ungodly seems to occur just as we are passing through the fiery (non-Christian). trial that the apostle Peter spoke of in his first epistle. Because of it being their livelihood, many of the At these times we may cry out, “Lord, why have you professional counselors will encourage their patients forsaken me right at the time when I need you most?” to return for session after session. This is not meant to God has good reasons for all that He does or permits cast reflection on those counselors who have compassion Satan to do. It may be that God is endeavoring to wean and deep concern for their patients. But again, this falls us away from our feelings to perfect trust in Him. Satan far short of the Source of all wisdom and understand- will take advantage at that moment to come in like a ing, the Wonderful, the Counselor, the mighty God, the roaring lion with his powers of accusation, shouting, everlasting Father, the Prince of Peace. “You’re lost, you’re lost! Your profession is a sham. You Because of the age of sect-making, many denomi- are not able to live it; just give it up!” This is the most national churches arose causing much confusion in the crucial moment of your entire lifetime. What will you religious world, with multitudes crying out, “What do? To whom shall you turn? To yield to the father of church do I join, to whom shall I turn?” Jesus said, “I lies who is pressing you sore would bring sure defeat. will build my church.” Joining church does not place So what shall we do? Cast all our cares on Him who one in the church Jesus is building. Jesus told Nicode- loves us, the Father of all truth, who has solemnly mus, “Verily, verily, I say unto thee, Except a man be promised never to leave us nor to forsake us. “The born again, he cannot see the kingdom of God” (John eternal God is thy refuge, and underneath are the 3:3). The church Jesus is building took the Father’s everlasting arms” (Deuteronomy 33:27). He it is that name. “For this cause I bow my knees unto the Father bears us up on eagles’ wings. of our Lord Jesus Christ, Of whom the whole family in Because it is He to whom we have turned to direct heaven and earth is named” (Ephesians 3:14, 15). The life’s steps, He it is whose angels shall bear us safely apostle Paul addressed the congregation at Corinth as into the realms of glory when our final step here on Earth is taken. When the roll is called up yonder, will “the church of God which is at Corinth.” This was a  local congregation of the universal family of God. The you be there? church Jesus is building is the only church that was purchased with His own blood. “Take heed therefore unto yourselves, and to all the flock, over the which the Dear Young People, Holy Ghost hath made you overseers, to feed the church Before I share another of God, which he hath purchased with his own blood” chapter from the booklet (Acts 20:28). Only the church Jesus is building is the “Heart Talks,” by C. W. pillar and ground of the truth (I Timothy 3:15). The Naylor, I want to make a church Jesus is building is the only church that the few comments on my sub- Holy Spirit guides into all truth: “Howbeit when he, ject this month, which is the Spirit of truth, is come, he will guide you into all cheerfulness. It is an easy truth” (John 16:13). Although God’s church may not be thing to be cheerful when bound together geographically, we are bound together everything is going your by the Spirit of truth which dwells within us. way. But one mark of To whom shall we turn? After some of His disciples spiritual depth is show- left off following Him, Jesus asked His twelve disciples ing a spirit of cheer when one is faced with adversity. if they would go away also. Peter’s response: “Lord, to I am not talking about something put on. I am referring whom shall we go? thou hast the words of eternal life” to that spirit of thankfulness and appreciation that (John 6:68). causes an individual to exude cheer and happiness in Some may ask, “But what are we to do, to whom spite of discouraging circumstances. shall we turn, if we are not blessed with a local congre- Jesus knew that life would not always be easy. He gation of the church that Jesus is building?” God has knew struggles would come; He knew tribulations would made a way for isolated saints to be blessed by provid- come; He knew affliction would come. But how does the ing Church of God literature, recorded services, and Lord want us to face these adversities? With a scowl? best of all, having the church services right in your own With a frown? With complaint and gloom? Of course home, via the internet. God never leaves His children not! He said in John 16:33, “These things I have spoken unprovided for. unto you, that in me ye might have peace. In the world To whom shall we turn when our Guiding Light ye shall have tribulation: but be of good cheer; I have seems to have flickered out, and the Holy One of Israel overcome the world.” Page 14 The Way of Truth No matter what happens, He will care for me. He things the Lord had bestowed upon me in the past—his will never leave me nor forsake me. God is good all the mercy, his kindness, and his blessings. My heart took time and all the time God is good. He will not allow courage, hope began to lift herself up from the dust I more to come upon me than I can bear. I speak from reflected over the way I had yielded to discouragement. personal experience having struggled with a physical I saw that if I was ever to rise above it I must set myself burden for more than six years. I can’t control what resolutely to the task of looking upon the bright side seizes my body, but I can control my attitude and remain and of overcoming the gloom and heaviness. The mes- cheerful in spite of it all. So can you. May God help us sage of the bird made me ashamed to submit longer to never to complain about our lot in life, but ever be bright my feelings. I resolved then and there that I would be and optimistic. Pray for me that I remain faithful to different. And from that day I began to act and think the end. Write me at The Way of Truth and add your and speak more cheerfully. Many times I had to act bit to this page. contrary to the way I felt, but I found that this was Yours in His service, having an influence upon my feelings, and the more I practised being cheerful the more cheerful I became. Bro. Greg Tyler Many times I have been sorely pressed down in spirit, but I have found that I can act cheerfully and talk WHAT THE REDBIRD TOLD ME cheerfully even in the midst of depression, and that this is not hypocrisy, but the true way in which to meet By the late C. W. Naylor such things and conquer them. Cheerfulness is largely a matter of habit. We must From the book, “Heart Talks” do one of two things—either yield to our feelings and T WAS a cold winter morning. Snow covered the let them be our master or compel our feelings to yield ground. The frost on the trees sparkled in the bright to us that we may be their master. It is a case of con- I sunlight like ten thousand diamonds. But the bright- quering or being conquered. So many persons are at ness outside seemed to find no reflection in me. I had the mercy of their emotions. If they do not feel well in been confined to my bed for more than six months. I body, or their mind is troubled, or their spiritual sky is was gloomy and despondent. It seemed as though all clouded, they yield themselves to gloomy thoughts and the light and joy had gone out of my life and that only look upon the dark side of the picture. Their thoughts pain and suffering and sorrow were left to me. I had and feelings are reflected in their faces, and actions no desire to live. Again and again I prayed that I might and words. This, in turn, reacts upon them, and they die. I should have welcomed any form of death, even then feel worse in body and mind. Every one around the most horrible. I had grown morbid, and almost them knows how they feel. This is putting a premium despaired. I had been prayed for again and again, but on your bad feelings. It is encouraging them. And it is the healing touch came not. Life seemed to hold for me a very bad habit. You can be cheerful if you will. Do not no ray of hope, no gleam of sunshine. wear your troubles on your face. Do not let them put a As I lay brooding in my melancholy state, a red note of sadness in your voice. Cease your sighing: you grosbeak, with his bright red plumage, alighted on a are only adding to your burdens. Take the bird’s advice tree a few feet from my window. His eyes sparkled as and cheer up. You can if you will. You can hide your he gazed at me with interest. He turned his head now burdens instead of advertising them. To hide them will this way and now that, apparently studying me help you to forget them. You have a place to put your intently, and then he gave a cheery call and hopped as burdens—“Casting all your care upon Him.” near to me as he could get and repeated his cries over I still suffer; I still have periods of mental depres- and over. Somehow his cries took the form of words in sion; but I have learned to be cheerful and not let these my mind. This is what he said to me: “You, you, you, cheer up, cheer up, cheer up.” He hopped about from things be on exhibition. I find it now the easier, and by limb to limb, wiping his beak, picking at pieces of bark, far the better, way. Cheerfulness is a habit; get the but ever and anon hopping back to look at me and cry habit. It depends upon you, not upon your circumstances. again. “Cheer up, cheer up, cheer up.” This he did for You can rule your circumstances instead of letting them a long time, then he flew away, only to return soon and rule you. Take hold of your bad feelings with a will and to peer at me again, crying his merry “You, you, you, conquer them with cheerfulness. The task may not be cheer up, cheer up, cheer up.” For more than two hours easy at first, but keep at it and you will win. Do not he continued to repeat this and then went away, and despair if you lose a few battles. You may have cultivated far in the distance I heard the last echoes of his notes gloom for so long a time that it has become the fixed still saying, “Cheer up, cheer up.” state of your mind. Overcome the habit. God will help It seemed as though God had sent the bird to bring you. When your feelings become gloomy, say, “I will not a message to my soul; and as I thought of the cold and be so,” and force your mind into other channels. It will the snow and the winter winds, of the bird’s uncertain want to go back to its former habit, but as often as you supply of food, of his many enemies, and considered catch yourself thinking along gloomy lines turn your that, in spite of all this, he could be so cheerful and gay, thoughts back to the sunshine. Put good cheer into your it made me feel ashamed that I should be so melancholy voice and a smile on your face, no matter how you feel. and despondent. His message, enforced by his example, It will prove a tonic for soul, mind, and body. Listen to sank into my heart. I began to think over the favorable the redbird. Hear his merry “Cheer up, cheer up,” and side of my situation. I began to consider how many act upon his advice. You will find it worth while.  March 2016 Page 15 be over him. Now, he says, “To walk with him through JESUS college years was to walk with him forever.” A lady once inquired of a gentleman, “What is the AND secret of your life? Tell me that I may make mine beau- tiful, too.” He replied, “I have a friend.” Do you have a friend today? Perhaps you may not have many earthly THE friends, but the Bible tells us, “There is a friend that sticketh closer than a brother.” There is little attention paid to the individual in the INDIVIDUAL world today, especially in big cities where the popula- tion is so vast. In many places around the world, that one person seems to be passed by so many times. Do you know within that individual there is a soul? Radio Message by Bro. James Arch Jesus Christ gave His life for every man, regardless of where he might be. Whether he is down in the gut- WILL BE speaking to you today on the thought of, ters, whether he is on the high pinnacles of society, or “Jesus and the Individual.” I will be reading from wherever he is, Jesus Christ gave His life for that one. I the 10th chapter of St. Mark, beginning with verse We are told in the Bible, “For God so loved the world, 46: “And they came to Jericho: and as he went out of that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever Jericho with his disciples and a great number of people, believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting blind Bartimaeus, the son of Timaeus, sat by the high- life.” Jesus specialized in the individual. He specialized way side begging. And when he heard that it was Jesus in that single person, that one. Many times when we of Nazareth, he began to cry out, and say, Jesus, thou would be prone to think of the crowd and overlook that son of David, have mercy on me. And many charged poor one among the crowd, Jesus sees that one. Within him that he should hold his peace: but he cried the that soul, there is value. Jesus Christ sees what is more a great deal, Thou son of David, have mercy on within that breast, and He is “not willing that any me. And Jesus stood still, and commanded him to be should perish, but that all should come to repentance” called. And they call the blind man, saying unto him, (II Peter 3:9). Be of good comfort, rise; he calleth thee. And he, casting The text that I read taken from St. Mark 10 is a away his garment, rose, and came to Jesus. And Jesus beautiful passage of scripture. It is a beautiful scene answered and said unto him, What wilt thou that I that we have here in this passage of scripture. We are should do unto thee? The blind man said unto him, told that Jesus and His disciples, along with a crowd, Lord, that I might receive my sight. And Jesus said were leaving Jericho. We don’t know how large the unto him, Go thy way; thy faith hath made thee whole. crowd was, but perhaps it was a big crowd, a multitude And immediately he received his sight, and followed of people. I want you to look at the picture. On the side Jesus in the way.” of the highway, as Jesus and His disciples traveled, The point that I would like to bring to you today is there sat a man by the side of the road. This man was not the healing aspect of this beautiful passage of blind. He had lost his physical sight. Perhaps those of scripture that I just read, but it is the fact that during us who have our sight may not understand fully what the ministry of Jesus, that one precious soul became so it means to be without sight. This man was passed by, important to Him. perhaps so many times unnoticed, like so many today; We are living in a world today where the brother- not around the world alone, but right here in our little hood of man is gradually deteriorating, and I do not society so many poor ones sitting by the side of the road believe that it should be that way. God has designed are passed by unnoticed. that man crave other people. They crave companion- This man was blind. His social and economic condi- ship. We crave to be with one another. tion forced him to beg. It was not that he wanted to If you will look into the book of Genesis, you will beg, I don’t suppose, but because of his condition there find that after God had created all the beautiful things was little else that he could do. Within human nature, and then man, He said, “It is not good that the man there is a quest for survival, and every man wants to should be alone; I will make him an help meet for him.” live. This man wanted to live. Although life was sweet God gave a companion to Adam. Now, a companion is he was blind, and because of his condition he was forced not necessarily confined to a spouse. We find compan- to reach out his hand to those who were passing by. ionship in a good friend; we find companionship in However, he received the news. He couldn’t see, but he neighbors; we find companionship in relatives and in heard that Jesus was to pass that way. I want you to our co-workers. listen to me today, Friends, Sinners, and Saints. There One time a boy in school was far gone with loneli- is a lesson in this story for us. He received the news ness. Walking with his coat collar turned up across a that Jesus was to pass that way. I wonder today how wet campus on a dreary and stormy day, he was lonely many of us are as interested in that message as this and discouraged. Then he heard a voice say, “Walk with man was? So many are hearing the message, so many me, Lad,” and a professor extended his umbrella. are exposed to the message of salvation, and so few are Instantly, clouds vanished and the boy was happy and giving heed. hopeful once more, glad to be in college. Through suc- This man heard that Jesus was to pass that way. ceeding years, the professor’s umbrella had seemed to Immediately, this revived hope in him. “I need some- Page 16 The Way of Truth thing, I need something!” His hands were not out- mark out the mountain’s track? They were shed for one reached for the few cents that he was begging for. He who had gone astray, Ere the Shepherd could bring him remembered his sight, and the concern for his temporal back.” ... needs temporarily left. He forgot the begging. He forgot Perhaps you have never tried Jesus. Try Him. Per- the reaching out when he heard that it was Jesus who haps you’ve tried before and failed. Come back to God. was to pass that way. It was his sight he wanted. He Perhaps you’ve wandered so far away like the prodigal cried out, “Thou son of David, have mercy on me.” Per- son, and you might think there is no hope, but there is haps he didn’t know how close Jesus was, and his cry- room at the cross for you. Jesus cares. He loves you. ing embarrassed many in the crowd. They endeavored He wants you to be His own. Would you respond to the to stop him, but this inspired more hope, and he cried Master’s voice?  the more. I want to say to you, Beloved Friends, that when we have that much hunger and desire and thirst for God, we’re going to find Him. Above the noise of that multitude, Jesus heard a voice. The Bible says, THE HOLINESS “He cried the more a great deal.” This voice was differ- ent from the crowd. It drew the attention of the Master. The Bible says that Jesus stopped. He stood still, and OF THE He sent for the man. Can you imagine this poor beggar by the side of the road drawing the attention of the CHURCH Master? I don’t know how many are listening to me today, By the late H. M. Riggle but if you’re listening to me and you’re down and out, and you feel so far from God, let me say to you, Friend, HIS IS the one all-important and absolutely essen- He’s not far. He is near. He is as near as that cry, “Have tial attribute of the divine church. Before God put mercy on me, Oh, Lord!” Jesus stood still and called for t forth the first creative act in the formation of this him. Those who called the man aroused more hope in world, He determined that its inhabitants should be him again, for they said to him, “Be of good comfort.” holy. “According as he hath chosen us in him before the In other words, they were almost sure that he was going foundation of the world, that we should be holy and to receive something. They said to him before Jesus without blame before him in love” (Ephesians 1:4). For even got to him, “You be of good comfort, Man, some- this reason He created man in His own image—in His thing is going to happen to you today.” own moral likeness. And this image of God in which The Bible says that this poor beggar by the side of man was created and to which he is restored by the the road unrobed himself. He felt too unworthy to all-transforming and sanctifying grace of God is “righ- stand before the Master in his old-tattered garments. teousness and true holiness” (Ephesians 4:24). “After He took off his old dirty robe to stand before the Master. God” must mean after the original pattern in which Jesus asked him a question, and that question was, man was created—after the moral likeness of his own “What can I do for you?” His answer to Jesus was, “Lord, Maker, which is defined as “righteousness and true that I might receive my sight.” He wanted to see. He holiness.” Colossians 3:9, 10, leaves us no shadow of a wanted to receive his sight. Jesus said unto him, “Go doubt that this original God-likeness, from which we thy way; thy faith hath made thee whole. Your faith have the word “godliness,” is restored to the soul of man has worked.” Immediately, he received his sight; not here in this life: “Seeing that ye have put off the old only his sight, but the Bible says, “He followed the man [evil nature] with his deeds, and have put on the Master.” new man, which is renewed in knowledge after the image Jesus gave the man a physical touch. Perhaps there of him that created him.” Here we see that [in full] are many listening to me who may not need that salvation in the second Adam brings back the holy physical touch, but what about that spiritual touch? A image of God that man lost by sin in the first Adam. part of a song says, “Once I was blind, but now I can This moral perfection in man is essential to the very see: The Light of the world is Jesus!” Jesus will open object of his being. “And the Lord spake unto Moses, your blind eyes and cause you to see. He will show you saying, Speak unto all the congregation of the children the way. “For the Son of man is come to save that which of Israel, and say unto them, Ye shall be holy: for I the was lost. How think ye? if a man have an hundred Lord your God am holy” (Leviticus 19:1, 2). “But as he sheep, and one of them be gone astray, doth he not leave which hath called you is holy, so be ye holy in all man- the ninety and nine, and goeth into the mountains, and ner of conversation; Because it is written, Be ye holy; seeketh that which is gone astray? And if so be that he for I am holy” (I Peter 1:15, 16). Can any thoughtful find it, verily I say unto you, he rejoiceth more of that mind read these words without receiving the impres- sheep, than of the ninety and nine which went not sion that God created man to enjoy the blessing of astray. Even so it is not the will of your Father which fellowship and companionship with Him? to enjoy the is in heaven, that one of these little ones should perish” society of God and to be a “worker together with Him” (Matthew 18:11-14). in carrying forward His beneficent plans? The impera- There’s a song which says: “There were ninety and tive command is, “Be ye holy”; and the one great and nine that safely lay, In the shelter of the fold, But one all-sufficient reason for the injunction is, “Because I was out on the hills away, Far off from the gates of gold; the Lord your God am holy.” The import of the reason ... Lord, whence are those blood-drops all the way, That is this: Man was created to walk with God. God, being March 2016 Page 17 holy, man also must be holy; otherwise there can be no world.” These and similar statements show a social affinity between God and man, no adaptation to each communion between God and His people in the new other’s society. Therefore when our first parents by sin Jerusalem, which is the church of the first-born; and lost their holiness of heart, the image of God, they were holiness is just as essential now to the enjoyment of spoiled for His heavenly society. They dreaded His the society of God as it was when its loss drove Adam approach, and hid with fear and trembling when they and Eve from His presence. heard His voice. They having now become unholy, His But still more strikingly does the holiness of God’s holiness drove them out from His presence. And let it church on earth appear when we consider it as the here be considered that as heaven is filled with the actual dwelling-place of God. “In whom ye also are holiness and presence of God, it is the utmost folly and builded together for an habitation of God through the delusion to cherish a hope of entering into its ineffable Spirit.” “As God hath said, I will dwell in them, and glory unless one is made perfect and spotless in holiness walk in them.” Can any person conceive of God dwell- before God. “Follow peace with all men, and holiness, ing in any other than a holy temple? Nay, “the temple without which no man shall see the Lord”; but “Blessed of God is holy, which temple ye are” (I Corinthians 3:17). are the pure in heart: for they shall see God.” Neither can a few unholy ones pass under cover of the For this great object was the church established general holiness of others. ... So no hypocrite can here on earth. She is the mountain of God’s own holi- smuggle himself into the awful temple of God’s pres- ness, and her plane of moral perfection is the plane of ence. To the unholy “God is a consuming fire.” “There- heaven. She is all one “family in heaven and earth,” so fore the ungodly shall not stand in the judgment, nor that all who are in fellowship with her are in fellowship sinners in the congregation of the righteous” (Psalm with the Father and His Son Jesus Christ (I John 1:3), 1:5). There never was nor ever can be a sinner or unholy and are consequently fitted for the enjoyment of all the person in the church, which is the body of Christ. Such holy society of heaven. The church of the living God is characters may and do assemble with the church, and paradise restored on earth, a “new creation.” No person may seek to pass for members of the body, and where can enter it except through salvation from all sin, and the church is deficient in discerning, such may actually no person can remain in the church after he ceases to pass undetected, but they are not in the church. be holy, any more than Adam and Eve could remain in The foregoing is apparent when we consider what Eden after they had become corrupted by sin. As their constitutes membership in any society. ... It is by these own sin made the presence of God unbearable and two tests that we define membership in God’s church. necessarily drove them out, so “every branch in Christ First, all must enter through Christ, the only door, and that bringeth not forth good fruit, the Father taketh by the process of salvation (John 10:9; Ephesians 2:18); away.” There are, then, no unholy branches in the for there is no other possible admittance. Second, he Christ-vine. “For if the firstfruit [Christ] be holy, ... so must have his name in the Lamb’s book of life; for there are the branches” (Romans 11:16). is no other enrollment of the names of all the household Persons belonging to different religious organiza- of God. Thus no one can enter except by obtaining sal- tions that men have founded, it is said, ought to be holy; vation, and all that are thus born of God do not commit but all the members of God’s church are holy. When sin, but are “holy brethren”; and, furthermore, no sin- members of a modern sect are judged unworthy of ner or hypocrite has deceived God and got his name membership, it is in the power of its rulers, by some written down in heaven, and whosoever commits sin course prescribed in their discipline, to expel such; but and does not continue to overcome, that man’s name is when men become unfit to dwell in the body of Christ, blotted out of the book of life. “And the Lord said unto they thereby forfeit their membership, and, so to Moses, Whosoever hath sinned against me, him will I speak, expel themselves. God’s church is self-adjusting. blot out of my book” (Exodus 32:33); but “he that over- cometh, the same shall be clothed in white raiment; “Whosoever abideth in him sinneth not” (I John 3:6). and I will not blot out his name out of the book of life” “He that committeth sin is of the devil” (I John 3:8). By (Revelation 3:5). There are, then, no sinners’ names the act of sinning he transfers himself from the family continued on the book of God’s church, nor names of of God to the family of Satan. “As the root is holy, so any who have been overcome by the devil or any evil are also the branches.” Therefore the unholy are not agent. There is not an unholy member in the Church branches at all. of God. “Ye also, as lively stones, are built up a spiritual The chief end of man’s existence is to worship the house, an holy priesthood, ... a chosen generation, a Lord. But how must a holy God be worshiped? Answer: royal priesthood, an holy nation, a peculiar people “Worship the Lord in the beauty of holiness” (Psalm [separate people]” (I Peter 2:5 and 9). Yea, saith her 29:2). “O worship the Lord in the beauty of holiness: Lord, “Thou art all fair, my love; there is no spot in fear before him, all the earth” (Psalm 96:9). The same thee” (Song of Solomon 4:7).  in substance is required by the Savior in the absolute —Reprinted, The Christian Church, demand, “God is a Spirit: and they that worship him Copyright 1912. must worship him in spirit and in truth.” Since God’s church is on the plane of spiritual worship to God, it is 2015 Bound Volumes holy in His sight. The church is also seen to be holy unto God because Each year we bind together the twelve issues of He walks in the midst of her. “Where two or three meet The Way of Truth to form an annual bound volume. in my name, there am I in the midst of them.” “And I The 2015 copy is now ready. The price is US$4.00. will manifest myself unto you as I do not unto the Page 18 The Way of Truth 2015 PHILIPPINE and dedicate ourselves fully to God. We must bear the fruit of the Spirit. In bearing the fruit of the Spirit, it CHURCH OF GOD CONVENTION REPORT will make our lives a blessing to everyone. We must December 26-30, 2015 feed the flock properly so they can grow spiritually. Afternoon Service—Bro. Bernard Neri from Kal- By Bro. Harley McClung ilangan, Mindanao, was the speaker. Topic: “Living in One Spirit in Christ Jesus.” With his text, Galatians Theme: “One Church, One Spirit, One for All in Christ.” 5:25, he shared the importance of living in the one Spirit HANK God for giving me another privilege to in Christ. He illustrated our five fingers connected to attend the convention in the Philippines. It was our hand. He emphasized the importance of prayer in T truly an honor to be there with those precious the life of believers for our loved ones, the ministers of saints. As they always do, they extended to Bro. Doug God, our country leaders, the weak and sickly, and for Koerner and myself and to all who came a very warm ourselves. We must live as Christ our example, follow- welcome; and their hospitality, as usual, was wonder- ing His will. So let us walk in the Spirit as He is in the ful. Spirit. God blessed us with safety as we traveled from Evening Service—Bro. Douglas Koerner from Maryland and West Virginia to Atlanta, Georgia; to Essex, Maryland, USA was the speaker. Topic: “The Japan, to Manila, and on to Paniqui, Tarlac, and to Only Way.” With his text, John 14:1-7, he shared with return home. He also blessed us with a glorious Spirit- us the only way to the Father, which is by Christ Jesus. filled convention from the first 6:00 A.M. service to the So we must accept Christ in our lives to go to heaven. very last service on Wednesday night. December 27—10:00 A.M. Morning Worship— It was clear that much prayer and fasting was done Bro. Harley McClung from Craigsville, West Virginia, in preparation for these services, for God answered the USA was the speaker. Topic: “Hope versus Despair.” prayers of His people and gave us victory. Harmony With his text, Proverbs 10:28-32, he inspired everyone and unity prevailed throughout the convention and that only in God and in His great salvation can we have many souls (66) were saved from the power of sin and hope. This hope comes from accepting Jesus Christ into Satan’s darkness. Great liberty was given by God to our hearts as our personal Savior. Having anyone or His ministers to preach with power and authority. God anything as the lord of our lives rather than Jesus leads favored us with His Holy Spirit’s presence throughout, to despair. as prayers were offered to Him for help. The singing Afternoon Service—Bro. Rudy Delos Reyes from was indeed special, as it was done to the glory of God. Nipaco, Paniqui, Tarlac, was the speaker. Topic: In most every service, the people responded to the mes- “Endeavoring to Keep the Unity.” With his text, Ephe- sages God sent, coming to the altar for a closer walk sians 4:3, he shared the need for believers to endeavor with God, sanctification, salvation, healing, or whatever in the unity of the Spirit to have harmonious relation- their needs were. And I truly believe God was pleased ships. We must move as one! To do this, we must have to help each one. the experience of full salvation through the baptism of The testimonies offered for what God had done to the Holy Spirit. and for those saved were indeed rich, rich blessings. Evening Service—Bro. Douglas Koerner, from The convention was very well-attended from the Essex, Maryland, USA was the speaker. Topic: “The beginning to the end. It was reported that more than Value of a Soul.” With his text, Luke 16:19-31, he 700 were fed on Sunday; and, as always, this large encouraged everyone to place proper value on his soul. number was fed quickly and efficiently. What a wonder- We only have one soul, and it’s our most valuable pos- ful attitude of working together these precious people session. Therefore, we must give it our greatest con- displayed! cern. Again, I have a heart full of gratitude to God and December 28—6:00 A.M. Devotional Service— the Filipino saints for all that was accomplished. So Bro. Frank Palencia from Signal Village, Metro Manila, much planning, preparation, and devoted work went was the speaker. Topic: “There Is Only One Church of into this great effort and all for the glory of God. God.” With his text, Matthew 16:18, he gave his mes- The following is a service by service report offered sage about the church that is being built by our Lord by Sis. Virgie B. Lachica: Jesus Christ. He encouraged us to value our time, for our time is as gold, and we only have one life to live. December 26—6:00 A.M. Devotional Service— So we must be sure that we have our place in the fam- Host Pastor, Bro. Reynaldo Fabian of Paniqui congrega- ily of God. tion, was the speaker. Topic: “There Is One Body and 10:00 A.M.—Service—Sis. Meldy Santiago from One Spirit.” With his text, Ephesians 4:4-6, he empha- Santa Maria congregation was the speaker. Topic: “Lov- sized that when we accept Christ as our personal Sav- ing Christ is Loving the Body of Christ.” With her text, ior we are members of the body of Christ. We have one Ephesians 4:11-16, she endeavored to show everyone Spirit, and this is the reason we are united. the beauty of the Church of God. In God’s church, there 10:00 A.M.—Service—Bro. Jesus D. Batalla from is equality among her members, and there is no com- Baguio was the speaker. Topic: “The Qualities of a Good petition and no comparing one to the other. Everyone Minister.” With his text, Ephesians 4:1-7, he challenged has work to do, and we must fully submit ourselves to us to obtain the unity we need to live the qualities of the authority of God. We must love Christ and our a good minister; and to do that, we must consecrate brethren. March 2016 Page 19 Afternoon Service—Sis. Rose Marzan from preached that the Church of God is in the higher moun- Katarcagas congregation was the speaker. Topic: “The tain that everyone can see her beauty. So the believers Characteristic of the Church in the Second Coming have the higher experience, which is the holy life. This of Christ.” With her text, II Peter 3:14, she empha- is the true image of the Church of God. sized that the characteristic of every member of God’s 10:00 A.M.—Service—Bro. Ed Coraraton from church must be diligence that we found by Christ in Davao congregation was the speaker. Topic: “The Only peace. One Church of God Stands Forever.” With his text, Acts Evening Service—Bro. Harley McClung from 20:28, he shared about the Church of God which was West Virginia was the speaker. Topic: “Christians Live purchased by the blood of Jesus Christ. If you are Under God’s Grace.” With his text, Romans 6:13, 14, experiencing the holy life, you can stand forever. No he challenged everyone, as Christians, to live under one can separate us from the love of Christ. As the God’s grace and power. By grace we are saved, and by apostle Paul experienced the challenges of life, he grace we live the Christian life and having Christ as remained faithful to the Lord. an example. The law allowed an eye for an eye, but now Afternoon Service—Bro. Greg Escullar from we live under grace and have the power to love our Negros congregation was the speaker. Topic: “The enemies. God’s grace, in part, means “unmerited favor.” Power of a Transformed Life.” With his text, Ezekiel We’ve been given grace, and therefore must extend 36:22-30, he emphasized the importance of salvation grace to others. By grace, we are saved! that we must experience. A transformed life is the one December 29—6:00 A.M. Devotional Service— we need to testify and share to everyone. We must Bro. Manny Yangco from Paniqui was the speaker. Topic: experience salvation to have a transformed life; a new “The Church with Power.” With his text, Acts 1:8, he life free from sin, ready to serve God at its best. gave inspiration that through the Spirit-filled life we Evening Service—Bro. Harley McClung was the have power to live for Christ and not to sin. We have speaker. Topic: “The Church of God, an Exclusive power to live a victorious life with a ministry of power. People.” With his text, I Corinthians 1:2, he said that But to have this, we must surrender, we must conse- exclusive means “belonging only to one person, one crate our lives to God. Then God will give us power unit, or one named group”; thus to the One and only through the Holy Spirit. true God and His only church. He challenged all to 8:00 A.M. Singspiration—We were all inspired by live for God and to protect our treasure, the truth, the messages in song that were rendered. and earnestly contend for the faith that was once 10:00 A.M.—Service—Bro. Antonio Domrique was delivered to the saints. The Church of God is exclusive the speaker. Topic: “The Victorious Church.” With his because it is the only one bought by the blood of text, Acts 2:42-47, he expounded on the victory of the Christ. It is exclusive because it is the only one that church; but to have victory, we must give of our best to the gates of hell cannot prevail against. It is the only serve the Lord. We must be devoted, consecrated, and one that has God as her Father. The Church of God ready to be sent by our Lord into His vineyard. Love is the only one that is the bride of Christ. God has God above all else, and contribute what we have in His only one family. When one repents and accepts Christ work. We must be committed in carrying the gospel. as Savior and Lord, then that one becomes a part of Let brotherly love continue, and lift up the standard of this exclusive family of God, the “Church of God.” Christian living. This exclusive family is the only one that the Holy Afternoon Service—Bro. Arnold Ordonio from Spirit is dwelling in. In this church, you have power Balaoang congregation was the speaker. Topic: “The to follow and do His will. So give your heart and life Characteristic of the Victorious Church.” With his text, to God and be a part of this exclusive church, the Acts 2:42-47, he encouraged us to become victorious in Church of God. our everyday living. He shared about the truth in which See you all next convention, Lord willing. God bless the early morning church found. He mentioned the dark us all as we continue the ministry of our Lord Jesus ages: Martin Luther—justification; John Wesley— Christ! sanctification; Daniel Warner—unity of believers. The May the good Lord bless and keep us till we meet characteristic is power through the Holy Spirit. Divine again. healing was exercised in the church. Being steadfast, —Sis. Virgie B. Lachica having unity, and love for one another are the charac- teristics. Also: living holy, blameless, and without spot I would like to add to Sis. Virgie’s report that I am in this present world. very grateful to Host Pastor, Bro. Rey, and all the saints Evening Service—Bro. Douglas Koerner was the for extending to Bro. Doug Koerner and I an invitation speaker. Topic: “The Pearl of Great Price.” With his text, to be there in this great and glorious event, and to those Luke 14:25-27, he emphasized the importance of salva- who invited us to their congregations for revival ser- tion. vices after the convention. We thank God for saving December 30—6 :00 A.M. Devotional Service— souls in these revivals and are praying that He will Bro. Rogelio Eupenia from Dagupan congregation was keep each of them in His love and grace. It would be the speaker. Topic: “The True Image of the Church of one of the greatest of pleasures if, God willing, when God.” With his text, Ephesians 4:16, he preached about we return we find all of them still fighting the good the image of the Church of God: living holy, having a fight of faith. new life, being immoveable, having perfect love, and In His service, worshiping the Lord in the beauty of holiness. He Bro. Harley McClung  Page 20 The Way of Truth PHILIPPINE MEMORIES 2015

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