Pursuing the Pattern
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JANUARY 2018 | NO. 1 | VOLUME 62 PURSUING THE PATTERN “Brethren, join in following my example, and observe those who walk according to the pattern you have in us” (Phil. 3:17). JANUARY 2018 | NO. 1 | VOLUME 62 Features IGHTLY IVIDING THE Ord (ISSN 1538-0793) is published once a month by R D W Truth Publications, Inc., 220 S. Marion, Athens, by Mark Mayberry pg 4 AL 35611. Postage paid at Bowling Green, KY and additional mailing offices. Walking according to the revealed pattern requires proper understanding and application of God’s inspired word. Manuscripts should be sent to the editor: Mark Mayberry ([email protected]) Subscriptions, renewals & other correspondence should be sent to: MANUScrIPTS OF THE HEBREW OLD TESTamENT Truth Magazine by Kyle Pope pg 8 220 S. Marion Athens, AL 35611 What is the manuscript evidence for the Old Testament? How reliable is it, and Book orders should be sent to: how have modern discoveries affected what we know about the Hebrew Bible? CEI Bookstore 220 S. Marion Athens, AL 35611 AND CAN IT BE? Phone: (855) 492-6657 by Sherelyn Mayberry pg 10 truthbooks.com Online Website: “Amazing love! How can it be that You, my God, should die for me? Amazing TruthMagazine.com love! How can it be that You, my God, should die for me?” Send change of address to Postmaster at: 220 S. Marion REward VS. PUNISHMENT: PRESENT ATTITUDES Athens, AL 35611 by Chris Reeves pg 12 Graphic Designer: Kelly McCombs The present attitude of some religious people, including brethren, is that the [email protected] reward of the righteous is a restored earth and the punishment of the wicked is annihilation in hell. DISCLAIMER: Books in ads are screened but an ad does not mean unqualified endorsement. All books should be tested by Scripture. We appreciate readers WHEN CONFLICTS ARISE notifying us if they find some glaring fault in ads. by Robert Harkrider pg 16 Implementation of Jesus’ teaching in the Sermon on the Mount will help any pg 35 relationship, but especially in marriages when conflicts arise. QUESTION & ANSWERS by Bobby L. Graham pg 18 I have heard preachers in the Church of Christ say that we decide for ourselves whether we will believe the gospel and obey Christ, but doesn’t the Bible teach that the Lord opened the heart of Lydia in Acts 16:14? WHERE DO YOU BAPTIZE 3,000 PEOPLE IN JERUSALEM? by Luke Chandler pg 20 Where did the apostles baptize 3,000 people in Acts 2? Archaeology illuminates this answer, and illuminates our salvation today. 2 January 2018 | TruthMagazine.com January 2018 | TruthMagazine.com Pursuing the Pattern ■■BacKGROUND, EXPLANATION, AND IMPRESSIONS ■■REFLECTIONS ■■MY THOUGHTS by Jim Deason pg 22 by Gregory Alan Tidwell, pg 24 by Daniel H. King, Sr. pg 26 editor of the Gospel Advocate ■■10 THINGS TO KNOW ABOUT ■■WHAT ECIC WAS AND WAS NOT ■■EXPLORING CUrrENT ISSUES “ORPHAN-HATING ANTIS” by Kyle Pope pg 28 by Steve Wolfgang pg 30 by Steve Wolfgang pg 32 The theme section of the January issue of Truth Magazine offers several reviews and personal reflections on the 2017 Exploring Current Issues Conference (ECIC). This is a private Bible study hosted by Jim Deason that has been conducted in Cullman, AL since 2011. This year’s study focused upon the similarities and differences between institutional and non-institutional churches of Christ. Such discussions can be very beneficial, and brother’s Deason and Tidwell are to be commended for the spirit that prevailed during this three-day conference. January 2018 | TruthMagazine.com January 2018 | TruthMagazine.com 3 Editorial Rightly Dividing the Word by Mark Mayberry Walking according to the revealed pattern requires proper understanding and application of God’s inspired word. Let us consider the importance twice in the LXX version of the Old Characteristic of Our Lord of rightly dividing the word of truth, Testament (Prov. 3:6; 11:5), where it Jesus Christ cut a straight path. making general observations that are “plainly means ‘cut a path in a straight Communicating the nature of broadly applicable, and then focusing direction’ or ‘cut a road across country discipleship (listener), He said, “Take on the recent meeting that occurred (that is forested or otherwise difficult heed how you hear!” After sharing the in Cullman, AL between brethren on to pass through) in a straight direction,’ parable of the sower and the soils, the both sides of the institutional division. so that the traveler may go directly disciples began asking Jesus about to his destination” (BDAG, 722). The people of God should be the parables. Explaining the purpose committed to the principle set forth Based on the context of 2 Timothy of parables, which are designed to in Jeremiah 6:16, which says, “Stand 2:15, it “would probably mean ‘guide illuminate spiritual truths to those who by the ways and see and ask for the word of truth along a straight are disciples and conceal the same the ancient paths, where the good path’ (like a road that goes straight to from those who are not, He said, “Do way is, and walk in it; and you will its goal), without being turned aside you not understand this parable? How find rest for your souls” (NASB). by wordy debates or impious talk” will you understand all the parables?” Achieving this end requires a proper (BDAG). Souter suggests the following Jesus then explained the parable, approach to Sacred Scripture. possibility: “I cut (or carve) according identifying the sower and the seed, and to rule (and thus, I define according to the various soils that were depicted. In Acknowledging its authority and the norm of the Gospel)” (Souter, 178). conclusion, our Lord said, “If anyone inspiration, every Christian (elders, Louw and Nida simply say it means “to has ears to hear, let him hear.” In other preachers, teachers, and members) give accurate instruction—’to teach words, how one hears is important. must teach the word of God correctly. correctly, to expound rightly’” (33.234). We must make the proper application Warning Timothy about the dangers (Mark 4:10-25, esp. vv. 23-25). of useless wrangling and doctrinal Characteristic of the Herald distortions, Paul said, “Be diligent to Characteristic of His Followers present yourself approved to God as John the Baptist cut a straight We must do the same: Paul a workman who does not need to be path. Calling Israel to “Repent for the admonished Timothy (and by ashamed, accurately handling the word kingdom of heaven is at hand!”, John’s extension, us), “Preach the word; be of truth” (2 Tim. 2:14-19, esp. v. 15). message was relevant and applicable, direct and demanding. John ready in season and out of season; Fulfilling the Duty personified Isaiah’s prophecy: “The reprove, rebuke, exhort, with great voice of one crying in the wilderness, patience and instruction” (2 Tim. How does one fulfill this duty? ‘Make ready the way of the Lord, Make 4:1-5, esp. v. 2). Faithful evangelists What is involved in “rightly dividing” His paths straight!” (Matt. 3:1-12; cf. must communicate with clarity and (KJV, NKJV), or “accurately handling” Isa. 40:3-8). He challenged the crowds, conviction (Eph. 6:18-20; Col. 4:2-4). (NASB) or “rightly handling” (ESV) the religious leaders, tax collectors and Disciples are promised, “When you the word of truth? The Greek word soldiers to make specific application read you can understand my insight orthotomeō, a compound of orthos (Luke 3:7-14). He courageously into the mystery of Christ” (Eph. (straight, upright) and temnō (to cut), confronted sin wherever it was found, 3:1-5, esp. v. 4). Although diligence is means “to cut straight” (Thomas even in the palace of the king (Matt. required, it is entirely possible for us to 3718). Outside its one occurrence here 14:3-4; Mark 6:17-18; Luke 3:18-20). in 2 Timothy 2:15, this word is used understand God’s word. Accordingly, 4 January 2018 | TruthMagazine.com January 2018 | TruthMagazine.com we are enjoined, “So then do not be against the danger of distorting the Relevance foolish, but understand what the Scriptures (2 Pet. 3:14-18, esp. v. 16). Churches of Christ suffered a will of the Lord is” (Eph. 5:17). The Greek verb strebloō, derived division in the 1950s and 60s over the While a proper understanding of from the noun streblos (twisted), means related issues of institutionalism, the God’s word is potentially within our “to twist” (Thomas 4761). It occurs sponsoring-church organizational grasp, it is also possible for one to once in the NASB, where it is translated structure, and the social gospel—the misunderstand and misapply Scripture. “distort” (2 Pet. 3:16). Consider the use of kitchens, fellowship halls, Blinded by their preconceptions following discussion and definition: and family life centers, etc. I was a (i.e., a false expectation that the “Originally, ‘twist, make taut’ of cables, child when my family experienced Messiah would establish a physical, then in various senses of wrenching the institutional division. Like earthly kingdom), the disciples did dislocated limbs for the purpose of many others, I have family on not understand Jesus’ prediction setting them, and of the use of tortuous both sides of “the issues.” of His death and resurrection (Luke devices in the course of inquiries; in our In the spring of 2016, I was honored 9:43-45; 18:31-34; John 12:12-16). literature only figuratively.” In biblical to meet with brother Greg Tidwell and usage, it means “(1) to cause inward other brethren at the offices of the Avoiding the Danger pain, torture, torment; (2) to distort Gospel Advocate.