February 2012 – Seek The Old Paths 9

Vol. 23, No. 2 February 2012

A GROWING OMISSIONIN MODERN DAY PREACHING

(NOT PRESENTING THE GOSPEL PLAN OF SALVATION)Robert R. Taylor, Jr.

Why are more and more of ourpreachers omitting theplainly stated stipulations of

the Gospel plan of salvation inEVERY sermon they preach? I wouldnot dare do this. I am now in my 63rdyear as a preacher and each time Ihave given the invitation, I have toldpeople what to do to be saved. Iemphasize hearing, faith, repentance,confession and baptism (Rom. 10:17;John 8:21,24; Acts 17:30; Rom.10:9-10; Acts 2:38 or Mark 16:16). Ialso make a point to tell any erringmember of the church who needs tobe restored what God’s plan of salva-tion states (Acts 8:22; James 5:16; 1John 1:9). I have done this consis-tently from 1949 to 2012 and plan nochange in this. I feel strongly that weare not ready to sing the invitationsong until the above has been done.Should this not be the sentiment ofEVERY Gospel preacher?

I preached in a West Tennesseemeeting some years back. I gave theGospel plan of salvation at the initialservice. Present for that service wasa visitor from the state of Washing-ton. He had come back to his WestTennessee home area to visit rela-tives and dear friends. As he shookmy hand at the door he said, “I havenot heard my local preacher in Wash-ington give the plan of salvation in adozen years. I commend you for doing

it today in your first sermon of thismeeting.” I asked him, “Do you nothave elders there?” He assured methey did. I asked, “Why have they notcorrected it?” He knew they had nojustification for their lack of correc-tive action. In this case, both preach-er and elders were at serious fault.

Our elders here at Ripley, Ten-nessee, insist the plan of salvation begiven at EVERY service. I did this for36 years and our new preacher,Justin Paschall, continues this wellestablished practice. No one leaves aSunday morning, Sunday night orWednesday night service withouthearing spelled out the Gospel planof salvation. This is the way it shouldbe everywhere, but alas it is not!

Some years back we were havinga Gospel meeting here at Ripley. Con-sistently, we have always had excel-lent attendance with many from thecommunity in attendance. On a par-ticular night of that meeting we hada well-known religious leader visitthe meeting. This was the first time Ihad ever seen him at one of our serv-ices and he has not been back since.The visiting preacher did not give theGospel plan of salvation anywhere inhis sermon. After the meeting wasover one of our alert elders said in myhearing, “A man like ____ shouldnever leave one of our services with-out hearing the Gospel plan of salva-

tion. The visiting preacher had to becorrected on this for the rest of themeeting.

I remember hearing the late andlamented Guy N. Woods say, “If Iwere preaching to a group of eldersand preachers, I would still give theGospel plan of salvation at the end ofthe service. I do not want to get out ofthe habit of doing it. That is my sen-timent 100%. Why is not such thesentiment of ALL our preachers?

Some years back when Ipreached at Ripley, Mississippi, Ipreached Sunday morning, conduct-ed the funeral for our oldest memberearly that afternoon and drove toMiddle Tennessee to begin a Gospelmeeting that Sunday evening at 7:30near Columbia, Tennessee. On theway, late in the afternoon, I picked upon radio the evening service from anearby congregation. The programcame on at 6:00 and lasted one hour.Hence, I heard its entirety. At no timein all that sermon did he tell his con-gregational audience or his radioaudience what to do to be saved.Surely, there were many people trav-eling or confined at home listening tothat radio sermon. In all probabilitythere were people listening to thatwonderful medium of radio who did

(Continued on page 11)A Growing Omission…

Igrew up hearing brethren say (atthe Lord’s table from time to time)that the Lord’s supper was a

remembrance of the death, burialand resurrection of the Lord. I neverquestioned it. Never thought any-thing about it. Even repeated it. Andthen, many years ago, I heard a ser-mon where the points discussedshowed that the Lord’s supper was amemorial of the Lord’s suffering anddeath, not His resurrection. Havingnever heard that before, it was newto me. But, after considering the sub-ject, I understood it more perfectly(cf. Acts 18:26). When we learn better,we do better.

These are the verses which speakabout the Lord’s supper.

Matthew 26:26-29, “And as theywere eating, Jesus took bread, andblessed [it], and brake [it], and gave[it] to the disciples, and said, Take,eat; this is my body. And he took thecup, and gave thanks, and gave [it] tothem, saying, Drink ye all of it; Forthis is my blood of the new testa-ment, which is shed for many for theremission of sins. But I say unto you,I will not drink henceforth of thisfruit of the vine, until that day whenI drink it new with you in myFather’s kingdom.”

Mark 14:22-25, “And as they dideat, Jesus took bread, and blessed,and brake [it], and gave to them, andsaid, Take, eat: this is my body. Andhe took the cup, and when he hadgiven thanks, he gave [it] to them:and they all drank of it. And he saidunto them, This is my blood of thenew testament, which is shed formany. Verily I say unto you, I willdrink no more of the fruit of the vine,until that day that I drink it new inthe kingdom of God.”

Luke 22:14-20, “And when thehour was come, he sat down, and thetwelve apostles with him. And hesaid unto them, With desire I havedesired to eat this passover with youbefore I suffer: For I say unto you, Iwill not any more eat thereof, until it

be fulfilled in the kingdom of God.And he took the cup, and gavethanks, and said, Take this, anddivide [it] among yourselves: For Isay unto you, I will not drink of thefruit of the vine, until the kingdom ofGod shall come. And he took bread,and gave thanks, and brake [it], andgave unto them, saying, This is mybodywhich is given for you: this do inremembrance of me. Likewise alsothe cup after supper, saying, Thiscup [is] the new testament in myblood, which is shed for you.”

I Corinthians 11:23-30, “For Ihave received of the Lord that whichalso I delivered unto you, That theLord Jesus the [same] night in whichhe was betrayed took bread: Andwhen he had given thanks, he brake[it], and said, Take, eat: this is mybody, which is broken for you: this doin remembrance of me. After thesame manner also [he took] the cup,when he had supped, saying, Thiscup is the new testament in myblood: this do ye, as oft as yedrink [it], in remembrance of me.For as often as ye eat this bread, anddrink this cup, ye do shew the Lord’sdeath till he come.Wherefore whoso-ever shall eat this bread, and drink[this] cup of the Lord, unworthily,shall be guilty of the body and bloodof the Lord. But let a man examinehimself, and so let him eat of [that]bread, and drink of [that] cup. For hethat eateth and drinketh unworthily,eateth and drinketh damnation tohimself, not discerning the Lord’sbody. For this cause many [are] weakand sickly among you, and manysleep.”

Both Matthew and Mark saynothing more than the bread was theLord’s body and the cup (fruit of thevine) was his blood (that was shed formany for the remission of sins) andthat the Lord would not partake ofthese things with them any moreuntil the kingdom had come (e.g. thechurch was established).

Luke adds a little more by saying

the bread was His body “which isgiven for you” and they were to eat itin “remembrance of me” (a memorial).

First Corinthians 11 gives moredetail. The bread is His body which isto be eaten “in remembrance of me.”Also, the cup is “the new testament inmy blood” and they would drink it “inremembrance of me.” In partaking ofthe Lord’s supper (both bread andcup), they would be showing “theLord’s death till he come.” Verse 29also says that in the observance ofthe Lord’s supper, it would be “dis-cerning the Lord’s body.” That is, wemake a distinction between thebread and cup of the Lord’s supperand a common meal. We must bethinking of and mindful of the Lord’sbody. That includes his suffering anddeath. It is not a time to be thinkingof worldly things. We must focus ourmind on things at hand. The textsays, “the Lord’s body.”

Adding together all that is saidabout the observance of the Lord’ssupper, we find:

1) The bread (unleavened) repre-sents and reminds us of the Lord’sbody.

2) The cup (fruit of the vine) rep-resents and reminds us of the Lord’sblood that was shed for the forgive-ness of sins.

3) Both are to be eaten in remem-brance of the Lord.

4) Both are to be eaten in remem-brance of the Lord’s death.

5) We must make a distinctionbetween a common meal and theLord’s supper. That involves focusingour minds on his suffering and death— the very things He gave usinstruction about.

In observing the Lord’s supper,we are “mindful of” and “concentrateupon” the Lord’s body, His blood, Hisdeath. These are the things specifi-cally mentioned in connection withthe observance of the Lord’s supper.No mention is made in any of thesepassages of the Lord’s resurrectionhaving a connection or link to theLord’s supper. That does not, by anystretch of the imagination, minimizethe importance and essentiality ofthe resurrection. We know very well,that had He not been raised from thedead, we are of all men most miser-able (cf. 1 Cor. 15:19). In the total pic-ture of the Lord’s scheme of redemp-tion, the resurrection is paramount.However, all we’re able to observe in

10 Seek The Old Paths – February 2012

THE LORD’S SUPPERGarland M. Robinson

what the Scriptures reveal is thatinspiration did not directly connectthe resurrection with the observanceof the Lord’s supper. Had God want-ed it to be a part, he would haveincluded it.

The fact that the church meetson the first day of the week is, in asense, a remembrance of the Lord’sresurrection. The Lord arose fromthe gave on the first day of the week(Mark 16:1-6). The apostles werebaptized in the Holy Spirit on thefirst day of the week (Acts 2:1-4). Thechurch was established on the firstday of the week (Acts 2:1-4). We areto give of our means on the first dayof the week (1 Cor. 16:2). The churchin the New Testament ate the Lord’ssupper on the first day of the week(Acts 20:7).

Obviously, saints are alwaysmindful of the Lord’s resurrection.We are so thankful for the love of Godthat sent Jesus to die for our sins,that he was buried and that he arosefrom the dead for our justification(Rom. 1:4). He ascended back intoheaven and sat down on the righthand of God. We therefore follow Hisinstructions in all things, “till Hecomes again.” He gave instructionconcerning the Lord’s supper. It is tobe observed (eaten) upon the first dayof every week (Acts 20:7). In so doing,we are mindful of the Lord’s body,blood and death. We therefore thinkof the suffering He endured in Hisbody and His subsequent death. Wethink of the sacrifice He made for us.

Four questions have been askedin respect to these things. Let’sexamine them.

1) Betrayal was also mentionedin 1 Cor. 11:23 as well as our Lord’sreturn in v.26 “till He come.” Are thesepart of our “remembrance” also? — tobe added to death and suffering.

It appears that the Lord’s betray-al is not directly connected to theobservance of the supper since it isnot represented in the bread or cup.It appears to be an “incidental”, inthat it is simply identifying the“time” at which the Lord institutedthe supper. It was on the same nightin which He was betrayed. It’s obvi-ous He was betrayed, the text saysso. We are certainly aware of that factand don’t deny it. But, is it necessar-ily an essential part of the supper? Idon’t see the connection. The factthat the supper is to be observed till

he comes again simply informs usthat the Lord’s supper is to beobserved as long as the world stands.It is a continuous memorial. Man hasno right to dismiss it or change it inany way.

2) Our remembrance would be:betrayal, suffering, death ( ) comeagain. How could we leave out resur-rection?

Of course we’re always mindfulof the resurrection; and, so thankfulfor it. No faithful Christian deniesthat. But, the Scriptures do notdirectly link it to the Lord’s supper.All the text says is that in the Lord’ssupper we remember: 1) the Lord’sbody that was given for us, 2) Hisblood that was shed for us and 3) byobserving the supper, we show Hisdeath till He comes. In 1 Corinthians11:27, the text says that if we eat thebread and drink the cup unworthily,we are guilty of the body and blood —we are eating and drinking damna-tion to ourselves (v.29). Nothing issaid of being guilty of the body, bloodand resurrection. Nothing is saidabout showing His resurrection tillHe comes. We do that by meeting onthe first day of the week. Notice thewords, body, blood and death. Theresurrection is not mentioned.

3) Would it be a sin to mentionJesus’ resurrection in one’s prayer atthe table?

To claim that in observing theLord’s supper we are partaking of amemorial in which we remember theLord’s body, blood, death and resur-rection, is saying more than the Biblesays. The scriptures specifically men-tion (link) the Lord’s body, blood anddeath, but it does not mention (link)the resurrection to the observance ofthe Lord’s supper. It is misleading toinclude the resurrection when theScriptures do not include it. Again,this in no way diminishes the resur-rection, it is essential to salvation.When we pray at the table, we simplyseek to do Bible things in Bible ways.It may well be an opportune time toteach on the subject of the Lord’s sup-per and what the Bible says about itand also of the resurrection and whatthe Bible says about it. But, while we,on the one hand, are so grateful forthe Lord’s resurrection, on the otherhand, in observing the Lord’s supper,we are particularly mindful of theLord’s body, blood and death. AsAquila and Priscilla expounded unto

Apollos the way of God more perfect-ly (Acts 18:26), it would be appropri-ate that we do the same in informingbrethren about the Lord’s supper andthe resurrection.

4) Is it sin if one thinks aboutJesus’ burial and resurrection duringthe Lord’s supper?

It seems appropriate that what hasbeen discussed in question 3 abovewould fit here. We deem it more fittingto have in our minds what the Scrip-tures tell us to have in our minds andnot add anything to it. In all acts of wor-ship, our minds are filled with the to-tality of everything involved in our re-demption (i.e. everything the Scripturessay on every subject that is connectedwith redemption, salvation, worship,etc.). But, more specifically, duringthat part of worship which is the eat-ing of the Lord’s supper (1 Cor. 11:20),communion (1 Cor. 10:16), the Lord’stable (1 Cor. 10:21), we focus ourminds upon that about which theLord gave us instruction; namely, thebody, the blood and the death of ourLord.

Let us all study to show our-selves approved unto God, being aworkman that is not ashamed, right-ly dividing, handling correctly, theword of truth (cf. 2 Tim. 2:15).

February 2012 – Seek The Old Paths 11

A Growing Omission…(Continued from page 9)

not know what to do to be saved. Ifthere were, they did not learn it fromthis incomplete radio sermon.

From 1974 to 2010, I preachedabout 4,500 radio sermons on WTRB,our local radio station. I was on threemornings each week. I never grewtired of quoting the Gospel plan ofsalvation at the end of each radiomessage. We have many non-mem-bers who listen to this on a regularbasis.

More and more we hear it said atthe end of a lesson, “If you haveneeds, come as we stand and sing.”Why not tell how they are to come —obeying the Gospel plan of salvationwith both God’s first law of pardonand His second law of pardon? Backup each demanded command with a“thus saith the Lord.”

This growing omission needs tobe corrected, YESTERDAY!!

P0 Box 464Ripley, TN 38063

12 Seek The Old Paths – February 2012

One would have to be willinglyignorant today, not to recog-nize that religious leaders

may be found teaching anything andeverything that might gain a follow-ing. But worse than that is the factthat so many are willing to be led bysuch blind leaders. However, such isnothing new. When it was brought tothe attention of Jesus that He hadoffended the Pharisees by exposingtheir false doctrine, here was Hisanswer. “Every plant which my heav-enly Father hath not planted, shall berooted up. Let them alone; they beblind leaders of the blind. And if theblind lead the blind, both shall fallinto the ditch” (Matt. 15:13-14).

False teachers do, on occasion,accurately teach a portion of thescriptures. I chanced upon a religiousprogram not long ago that was doinga pretty good job of exposing some ofthe fallacies of organic evolutionwhile upholding the Biblical accountof creation. But then at the end of theprogram came their man-made doc-trine. The preacher said that thosewho desired to be saved should say ahumanly concocted prayer for salva-tion. This directly contradicts whatJesus and His Apostles taught. Wehave in the New Testament, clearteaching as well as a number ofexamples of what one must do inorder to have their sins forgiven tobecome a Christian, and not one timedoes it involve prayer. Prayer cannotreach the saving blood of JesusChrist. Prayer is, however, involvedin restoring a fallen Christian.

We have the example of Saul ofTarsus who was sent to Damascus byJesus. He spent three days in prayerand fasting but was still a lost sinner.It was not until Ananias came andinstructed the believing and repen-tant Paul to “arise, and be baptized,and wash away thy sins, calling onthe name of the Lord.” It was onlythen that Saul’s sins were forgiven(Acts 22:16). Therefore faith, repen-tance, confession and baptismwere required for the remission ofPaul’s sins.

The second chapter of Acts gives

an account of the first Gospel sermonever preached and supplies theanswer to the question of what abeliever in Jesus Christ as Savormust do in order to be saved. Thequestion of the believing Jews was:“What shall we do” (Acts 2:38)? Ifsaying a prayer would save them,then that is what the Apostles shouldhave answered. However, that wasnot what they told the believing Jewsto do. They were told to, “repent andbe baptized every one of you in thename of Jesus Christ for the remis-sion of sins....” The answer is thesame for all who desire to be saved.

We plead for people to under-stand that we are not going to bejudged by any or all of the humancreeds and doctrines of men, but bythe words of Jesus Christ. Jesus said,“He that rejecteth me, and receivethnot my words, hath one that judgethhim: the word that I have spoken, thesame shall judge him in the last day”(John 12:48).

This is why every Gospel preach-er should say and teach that oneshould not take any man’s word con-cerning salvation; but should onlyseek to know and follow the words ofJesus Christ. The Apostle Paulinstructed Timothy to study andrightly divide God’s word. Now thatwe have the final and completeteaching of Jesus Christ, we knowthe exact standard by which we willbe judged. There is no excuse for us tobe unprepared for the day of judg-ment (Heb. 9:27). This is why much ofthe teaching where I preach is donein expository from — a word by word,verse by verse, chapter by chapter,and book by book teaching of thewords of Jesus Christ and his ambas-sadors the apostles. Today, manymembers of the church of Christ areled astray due to the fact that theyare willingly ignorant of the teachingof Jesus Christ. Bible study for manyhas been replaced by social activitiesand entertainment.

God’s people are specificallyinstructed not to be conformed to thisworld but rather to be “transformedby the renewing of your mind, that ye

may prove what is that good, andacceptable, and perfect will of God”(Rom. 12:1-2).

The teaching of Jesus Christ isknown by three means: 1) Directstatements, 2) The approved examplesof the Lord’s Ambassadors the Apos-tles, 3) That which is clearly implied.All things that we do as the Lord’schurch must have His authority(Matt. 28:18; John 14:6; Col. 3:17). Todo that which Jesus has authorizedwill require all of our means. Again,you need not take my word for it. Youmust take God’s word for it. Jesussaid to His apostles, “But the Com-forter, which is the Holy Ghost, whomthe Father shall send in my name, heshall teach you all things, and bringall things to your remembrance,whatsoever I have said unto you”(John 14:26; cf. John 16:13). Thesewords contain a two-fold promise.The apostles were to be given super-natural guidance of the Holy Spiritthat would enable them to have aperfect memory of everything thatJesus personally taught. And second,they would be guided into “all truth.”Therefore when the New Testamentwas completed, everything Goddesires that we know, believe, teachand practice is contained in God’sperfect revelation, the New Testa-ment. We are instructed not to addto, take away or modify anything con-tained therein. Just who would wantto do so? Satan and his agents!

Paul, guided by the Holy Spiritwrote, “All scripture [is] given byinspiration of God, and [is] profitablefor doctrine, for reproof, for correction,for instruction in righteousness: Thatthe man of God may be perfect,throughly furnished unto all goodworks” (2 Tim. 3:16-17). It takes a lotof arrogance on the part of man toattempt to change the terms of salva-tion, the God approved acts of wor-ship and/or the nature and characterof the Lord’s church.

Men have established humanlyoriginated churches, written theirown creeds and doctrines, calledtheir churches by unauthorizednames and have corrupted the work

DON’T TAKE MY WORD FOR ITLloyd Gale

False teachers do, on occasion, accurately teach a portion of the scriptures.

February 2012 – Seek The Old Paths 13

and worship of the Lord’s church.They appeal to the fleshly desires oftheir followers rather than theinstructions of Jesus Christ. Theirfollowers falsely believe they areaccepted of God.

In far too many cases, once faith-ful churches of Christ eagerly followtheir example. Some congregationsno longer desire to be identified asthe church of Christ. Some haveadded human inventions of worshipand work for the church. Some con-gregations, in the process of stealingthe facilities of past faithful Chris-tians, introduce two separate wor-ship services: one they call “tradition-al” and the other they call “contem-porary.” This will last until one or theother prevails and the other is drivenout of the facilities. It is usually the“traditional” members that are driv-en out.

IT ONLY TAKES A SLIGHT CHANGETO CHANGE TRUTH INTO A LIE

The Devil only wants a slightchange or variation from the truth.He knows that once men start downthe self-will road, it is only a matterof time before they are his.

In Genesis 2:17, God told Adamand Eve that the day they ate of thetree of the knowledge of good andevil, “thou shalt surely die” (Gen. 3:4).Satan quotes God’s word with perfectaccuracy except he adds one threeletter word — “not” — “Thou shaltnot surely die.” That slight changemade all the difference in their beingexpelled from paradise.

Sometimes Satan removes theword “not” from God’s word to cap-ture careless souls. James 2:24 says,“Ye see then how that by works a manis justified, and ‘not’ by faith only.”Yet many have been tricked anddeceived by Satan’s servants inaccepting the notion that one issaved by “faith only.” The Devil hasgotten a lot on mileage out of theword “not” (Gen. 4:1-5). In theaccount of the worship of Cain andAbel, Abel offered his sacrifice byfaith and it was accepted by God.Cain offered his sacrifice by humansight and it was rejected by God.What Cain did was to set aside God’sinstructions and substituted his ownwill-worship. Here we have the prin-cipal of why all humanly concoctedreligion is rejected by God. It is

self-willed and not God-directed. It isnot by faith and therefore sin (Rom.14:23).

1. God did not respect Cain’soffering because he had “not” done asGod instructed.

2. When God questioned Cainabout his brother Abel, his answerwas “Am I my brother’s keeper?” Hisimplication was that he was not hisbrothers keeper, but of course he wasand we are.

Noah preached that in his daythe world was going to be destroyedby a universal flood. But Satan con-vinced everyone except the eight thatwere saved that it was “not” going tohappen.

When one looks to the ten com-mandments given to the children ofIsrael (Deut. 5:1-3), the principals ofwhich are included in the teaching ofJesus, every last one has been cor-rupted by the Devil’s “Not.”

Beginning with the first of theten. “Thou shalt have no other gods

before me.” The word “not” is implied,yet it has been ignored throughoutthe ages. Men do have their othergods. Thou shalt “not” make gravenimages. But men have done so. Thoushalt “not” steal. Thou shalt “not”bear false witness. Thou shalt “not”take the name of the Lord thy God invain. Thou shalt “not” commit mur-der. Thou shalt “not” commit adul-tery. “Ye shall not add unto the wordwhich I command you, neither shallye diminish aught from it.” Yet allinformed people know that “not” hasbeen ignored, or for all practical pur-poses removed, while men wallow intheir sinful conduct. That ye may“keep the commandments of the Lordyour God which I command you”(Duet. 4:2).

Don’t take my word for it or anyman’s word, but do take God’s wordfor it and love it and abide by it.

1186 Martha Leeville Rd.Lebanon, TN 37090

THE LORD’S SUPPERJesus our Savior suffered and died on the cross of Calvary for the sins

of the whole world (2 Cor. 5:14,15; Rom. 5:6-8; Luke 23:33; 19:10; 1Tim. 2:15). To remember this great event, Jesus gave us the Lord’s

Supper (Matt. 26:26-29). Christians would begin to take the Lord’s Sup-per when the kingdom came (Matt. 26:29; Luke 22:18). This great eventoccurred on the day of Pentecost in Jerusalem (Acts 2:1-47). They beganto take the Lord’s Supper and continued to do so (Acts 2:42; 20:7). Butwhat does the “unleavened bread” and “fruit of the vine” mean to theChristian (Luke 22:18,19)? The unleavened bread was to bring to theirmemory the body of Christ (Luke 22:19; 1 Cor. 11:24). The fruit of the vinewas to memorialize his blood (Luke 2:20; 1 Cor. 11:25). This great memo-rial is to be taken on the first day of the week (Acts 2:42; 20:7).

We are told in Colossians 3:17, “And whatsoever ye do in word ordeed, do all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God and theFather by him.” Since Jesus has directed us through his word to eat theunleavened bread and the fruit of the vine to remember him on the firstday of the week, it would be a sin to eat anything else or to do it on anyother day. We sin when we do something that is not authorized by Jesus(2 John 9; Rev. 22:18; Col. 3:17). When we teach something more or dif-ferent than we find in the New Testament, we stand condemned. “Butthough we, or an angel from heaven, preach any other gospel unto youthan that which we have preached unto you, let him be accursed” (Gal.1:8,9). We should ask by whose authority some churches take the Lord’sSupper on a day not authorized by God or take it only monthly, quarter-ly or annually. It is a sin to worship according to the doctrines of men(Matt. 15:9; Mark 7:7-9).

Earl B. Claud106 Bradley Hill Dr.

Dover, TN 37058

14 Seek The Old Paths – February 2012

How vital is the assembly toNew Testament Christianity?Some have false expectations

concerning the assembly that comefrom erroneous ideas concerning itspurpose. Perhaps our assemblies willnever be as meaningful as theyshould be until we better understandthe purpose for having them in thefirst place.

1. The Assembly Is For Wor-ship. “In the midst of the church will

I sing praise unto Thee” (Heb. 2:12).The assembly is for worship. Not justritual or ceremony. Not just forobserving “the acts of worship;” butfor praise, adoration and devotion toGod. Perhaps enough of our assemblytime is not spent in praising God forHis majesty and mercy.

2. The Assembly Is For Teach-ing. It was a place where completeepistles were read and discussed byChristian teachers (Col. 4:16). Muchof this teaching is described as put-

ting “into remembrance” thingsknown before (1 Cor. 4:17; 2 Tim.2:14; 2 Peter 1:12; Jude 5). This is avital function of our assembliestoday.

3. The Assembly Is For Edifi-cation. This is the building up ofChristians. The assembly is “to pro-voke unto love and to good works”(Heb. 10:24). Christians need encour-agement. They need to know thatothers understand and care. Thisneed can be beautifully supplied inthe assembly, as well as in privatedeeds of kindness. Some, however,have mistakenly assumed that this isthe only purpose of the assembly;and this leads to disappointment ifthey are not “ministered unto” inevery service.

4. The Assembly Is For Cor-rection. Discipline is to be adminis-tered “when ye are gathered togeth-er” (1 Cor. 5:4). Reproving and rebuk-ing has a place in the assembly (2Tim. 4:2). Those who sin are to berebuked “before all” (1 Tim. 5:20). Sobeing taken to the “woodshed” is apurpose to be served by the assembly.

5. The Assembly Is For Evan-gelism. “To the intent that now...might be known by the church themanifold wisdom of God” (Eph. 3:10).The assembly, therefore, is a place fordeclaring the Gospel as “the power ofGod unto salvation” (Rom. 1:16). It isa place to “preach the word” (2 Tim.4:2). Regretfully, some through theyears have tried to play down thispurpose of the assembly by saying,“the assembly is for Christians” or“we are to meet to edify and to go outto evangelize.” This, however, is anerroneous concept for the followingreasons:

A. It is a denominational concept,by which they have excluded childrenfrom their assemblies by saying thatthe assembly is “not for them.” Thishas led to Junior Church and otherdepartures.

B. This would not even have per-mitted the Pentecost sermon of Acts

THE ASSEMBLYJack Gray

CONTRIBUTIONSAnonymous...........................................$25Geneva Shark.......................................$10Victor & Kathy Sicard.........................$25Anonymous...........................................$50Carl & Agnes Thomsen .......................$10Larry & Debbie Kirby

(memory of Rance Anderson) .....$100Anonymous...........................................$20Berea C/C, McMinnville, TN.............$100Therma Sisson .....................................$25Jackson Street C/C,

Alexandria, LA ............................$100Larry & Judy McDonald

(Memory of Ruby York).................$50Jim & Karla Lyndoe ............................$50Baker C/C, Baker, FL ..........................$25Church of Christ, Falfurrias, TX ......$100Bethlehem C/C, Baxter, TN...............$100Robert M. Price ..................................$200M/M Roy Boone..................................$500George & Martha Hill .........................$30Don Smith ..............................................$6Anonymous...........................................$75Joe C. Turbeville ..................................$12North Pickins C/C, Reform, AL...........$25Lord’s Way C/C, Springfield, VT .........$50Church of Christ, Allenhurst, GA.....$150

Liberty C/C, Belle, MO ......................$250Berea C/C, Rives, TN .........................$100Central C/C, Denison, TX....................$20Troy & Charlotte Nalls .......................$25Clear Creek C/C, Corinth, MS ............$50Addie Bell Long....................................$25J. B. Renner ........................................$100Chuck & Nancy Verkist.......................$25Robert & Dorothy Bolden....................$25Bobby & Mary Lawrence ..................$100Albert Boyd ..........................................$25Everett & Colleen Anderson...............$50Anonymous.........................................$500Anonymous...........................................$25Jerry & Patty Hill ................................$25Anonymous...........................................$50Arlington C/C, McMinnville, TN.........$50

Beginning Balance.....................$6,523.68Contributions.......................$3,283.00

DebitsPostage.................................$1,927.88Paper ....................................$2,014.50Supplies ...................................$78.43Repairs................................$1,400.00Web Site (1yr) ...........................$99.00

Ending Balance..........................$4,286.87

NOTE: We finally got our booklet maker (folder/stapler) back and mailed the Januaryissue on 1/31. We were “dead in the water” for about three weeks, but we’re up and run-ning again. The repairs were $1,400, but good brethren sent contributions at just theright time. We are so thankful for each one of you and pray for you daily. We’ve also hadproblems with our printer, but right now we have it going again. Don’t know exactlywhat the final bill for the parts will cost on it. This is a temporary fix, as it will needmore repairs before long. We now have over 5 million copies on it. The main ink drumis about worn out and needs to be rebuilt (or replaced). When we took the booklet makerto Nashville for repair, we looked at a machine that would replace all three of themachines we use now (printer, collator, booklet maker), but we can only dream about it.Maybe someday. Again, thank you so much.

— Editor, Garland M. Robinson

February 2012 – Seek The Old Paths 15

2 or Paul’s great sermon on Mars Hillin Acts 17 to be repeated in anassembly of the church.

C. The Bible specifically speaksof unbelievers in the assembly in 1Corinthians 14:23.

D. The mission of the church is tofulfill the mission Christ had whenHe was on the earth; and that isspecifically given as “to seek and savethe lost” (Luke 19:10).

E. The NUMBER ONE businessof the New Testament church isevangelism. Is it conceivable that thechurch cannot take care of its num-ber one business when it meets?

F. This idea also promotes self-ishness. It creates within us a desireto be served rather than to serve.This is not the spirit of Christ (Matt.

10:28).Thus every assembly does not

have the same purpose. We needassemblies for praise, for prayer andfor encouragement. We need thosedesigned for teaching and instructionand outreach. Some services mayinclude all of these purposes in oneassembly. But perhaps our greatestneed is to realize that God is the oneto be pleased, others are the ones tobe served and that what we derivefrom any assembly depends so muchon our having the right purpose forbeing there in the first place.

“Not forsaking the assembling ofourselves together, as the manner ofsome is; but exhorting one another:and so much the more, as ye see theday approaching” (Heb. 10:25).

People often know about some ofthe activities in which weengage as Christians. In many

cases others actually see or hearwhat it is that we are doing in theLord’s cause. For instance, when weassemble for public worship, otherssee that you and I partake of thecommunion. If we turn in a “visita-tion report,” at least some will learnof our work in this area. And, there isthe work of elders, preachers, thosewho lead in worship, and others —what they do is out there in the openfor all to observe.

When you and I visit a sick per-son in the hospital, is it with the hopethat somehow word will get aroundabout our interest in people’s welfareand we will be praised? When weteach a Bible class, are we doing sowith the desire that others will heappraises on us? If our heart is right,when we do what a member ofChrist’s church ought to be doing, weare not seeking the praise of men.Our simple desire should be to pleasethe Lord, period.

Jesus spoke of those who “sound-ed a trumpet” when they gave alms.The Lord called them “hypocrites,”saying they did it “that they mayhave glory of men” (Matt. 6:2). Hefurther labeled as “hypocrites” thosewho “love to pray...that they may be

seen of men” (6:5). The Christ alsoidentified as “hypocrites” those whodisfigured their faces when they fast-ed “that they may appear unto mento fast” (6:16). Again, He applied theterm “hypocrites” to those that “for apretence make long prayer” (Matt.23:14).

Giving alms, fasting, praying,loving to pray, and making longprayers (as noted above) was not theproblem. None of these things werewrong in and of themselves. Yea,scripturally speaking, what could onehave against such actions? The prob-lem with some in the first centurywas they did these things in order tobe seen and praised by men. Theirmain concern was looking good in theeyes of other people. That was sinful,and that is why Jesus called them“hypocrites.”

Later, there were those whorefused to confess Jesus. Why? “Forthey loved the praise of men morethan the praise of God” (John 12:43).We find such an attitude disgusting,do we not? And yet, if we are notcareful, we will find ourselves doingthings just to please others and to bepraised by them.

Beloved, we must strive to pleaseGod, not impress men (Gal. 1:10).

120 Will Lewis Dr. SECleveland, TN 37323

SEEKING THE PRAISE OF MENRoger D. Campbell

LIFE AFTER DEATH

Job asked, “If a man die, shall helive again” (Job 14:14)? Jesusanswered that question when he

said, “But as touching the resurrectionof the dead, have ye not read thatwhich was spoken unto you by God,saying, I am the God of Abraham, andthe God of Isaac, and the God ofJacob? God is not the God of the dead,but of the living” (Matt. 22:29-32).Abraham, Isaac and Jacob were alivewhen these words were spoken toMoses (Exodus 3:6) and when Jesusrepeated them. God did not say “Iwas” (past tense). He said “I am”(presence tense). The present tense “Iam” is used as an argument by theLord to confirm there is life afterdeath. If the Bible said nothing moreon the subject of life after death, theLord’s endorsement is enough.

Those who have died will beraised from the dead at the last day,confirming there is life beyond thegrave. Jesus said, “Marvel not at this:for the hour is coming, in the whichall that are in the graves shall hearhis voice, And shall come forth; theythat have done good, unto the resur-rection of life; and they that have doneevil, unto the resurrection of damna-tion” (John 5:28-29). How could any-one deny there is life after death? Wewill live again!

The account of the rich man andLazarus shows there is life afterdeath. “...The beggar died, and wascarried by the angels into Abraham’sbosom: the rich man also died, andwas buried; And in hell he lift up hiseyes, being in tor ments, and seethAbraham afar off, and Lazarus in hisbosom” (Luke 16:22-23). These twomen were alive and conscious afterthey died. The rich man was told toremember what he did during his“lifetime” (v.25). They were not onearth. They were in the place of thedead awaiting the final judgment(v.23). The rich man could feel pain.He was in torment (v.24). He desiredfor one to rise from the dead and warnhis brothers of their wickednessbecause they were heading for thesame place of torment as the rich man(vs.27-31). Such is not possible.

If there is no life after death, thenwhy does the Bible tell every one toprepare for it? Why prepare for some-thing if it does not exist? Are YOUprepared?

— Editor, Garland M. Robinson

16 Seek The Old Paths – February 2012

“The Northwest Florida Schoolof Biblical Studies will hosttheir 20th Annual Lectureship onFeb. 19-23, 2012. The theme is:‘Virtual Sermons and Object Les-sons.’ 28 speakers, nwfsbs.com.Phone (850) 474-9257. 4051 Ste-fani Rd., Cantonment, FL 32533.Book orders can be made at: old-pathspublishing.com” ...Editor,

gmr. “The Southwest church of Christ in Austin, Texas, is pleased toannounce its 31st Annual Lecureship, April 7-11, 2012. The themethis year is Meeting Christ: Called Unto Heaven. Twenty speakershave been invited to come and lecture to a large number of brethrenwho will gather in Austin from across the nation to attend thisyear’s lectureship series” ...Rick Brumback, Lectureship Direc-tor, Southwest church of Christ, 8900 Manchaca Rd., Austin,TX 78748, office@swcofc.org. “We have moved. Please change ouraddress. Thank you for sending this good paper over the years. Welook forward to receiving it every month. We are enclosing $$”...Memphis, TN. “Thank you for your bold and timely articles. Mayyou continue in defense of the faith once delivered” ...Steve Thay-er, Higginsville, MO. “Please use the amount enclosed for SeekThe Old Paths publication. I’m sorry it can’t be more at this timebut I’m on a very limited retirement income and I’m not currentlyworking anywhere. Thank you for sending me this publication. Igreatly appreciate it. I’m so concerned about the future of the churchand the lack of godly teaching. I share the concerns written in theSeptember 2011 mailbag. It is getting harder and harder to find asound church. I haven’t heard a sermon on why instruments aren’tused and why we are a chaste and pure people in years. I am so con-cerned about America who rises up and worships sex and money.God help us all!” ...Name withheld by request, TN. “Thank youfor sending STOP this year. We use it and pass it on to otherbrethren here in this area. God bless!” ...Maurice Brown, Broad-way Church of Christ, Rockford, IL. “Please take Keith & LynnStrandtman off your mailing list. We do not read your publicationbecause we are not interested in the information. We belong toanother faith and we are satisfied with the church we go to” ...KeithStrandtman, Raleigh, NC. “Please put my friend on your mailinglist for Seek The Old Paths” ...Honey Grove, TX. “I am sendingyou two names for you to put on your mailing list. I have enjoyedgetting STOP” ...Vernon Bracknell, Baldwin, IL. “I appreciateyour magazine, Seek The Old Paths. I enjoy the articles so verymuch and use them in the Bible Correspondence Courses. Keep upthe good work” ...Willine Sullivan, Manchester, TN. “Pleaseremove our name off your mailing list. Thank you” ...WashingtonStreet Church of Christ, Fairview, WV. “Please send 10 copies ofSeek The Old Paths to the Moodys Church of Christ. My donationseems so small for the great work that you are doing and may yoube blessed for it. Thanks” ...Delano Coppedge, Kansas, OK.“Please cancel our subscription to Seek The Old Paths as we canread it online” ...Tom Cope, Sierra Vista, AZ. “I have been receiv-ing Seek The Old Paths for quite some time. I want to thank youfor all the good messages you have in the paper. May God continueto bless you in proclaiming God’s word. I want to send a contributionto you to keep on keeping the good news coming to us. I also wouldlike to send some names of my friends to receive your paper. MayGod bless you with many more years of service to our Lord and Sav-ior. I hope this is not too many to request from you. Also, pleasecount the contribution and my name anonymous. Bless you always”...Big Sandy, TX. “Tom Bright of Dyersburg, Tennessee, haspassed away. He was a faithful Gospel preacher that worked exten-sively with the Online Academy of Biblical Studies(www.oabs.org). I knew Tom for many years. He helped us in ourannual Seek The Old Paths Lectureship numerous times. Theoabs.org website is a wealth of video lessons including the sermonsfrom numerous congregations, lectureships and debates. Many par-ticipate in their online school. You would do well to check it out”...Editor, STOP, gmr. “Please take note of our address change.Thank you” ...Willard Cox, Big Cabin, OK. “Please change mymailing address. Keep up the good work” ...Albert D. Jones, Hud-son, FL. “I commend you for the effort and time you spend prepar-

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Seek The Old Paths is a monthly publication of the East End

Church of Christ and is under the oversight of its elders. It is mailedFREE upon request. Its primary purpose and goal in publication canbe found in Jude 3; II Timothy 4:2; Titus 1:13; Titus 2:1; II Peter 1:12.All mail received may be published unless otherwise noted. Articlesare also welcomed.

Editor: Garland M. Robinson

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