Author: Deaton, Steven

Anything that is wrong should be opposed. Whatever lacks scriptural authorization must never be given endorsement. It takes knowledge, wisdom, faith, courage, and love for the truth to stand in opposition to practices that are against the will of God.

Do not hesitate to tell those who know not the grace of Christ that in order to know it, they must be baptized for the remission of sins, then they will be added to the Lord’s church, to the redeemed, and if faithful unto death, they will be saved eternally (Acts 2:38, 47; Rev. 2:10).

Ignorance is destructive to the child of God (Hos. 4:6; Isa. 5:13). If we are not armed with God’s word, we cannot fight the battle against Satan and his agents (Eph. 6:10-17). Therefore, let us be diligent in our studies. Let those of us who are blessed to preach regularly, teach our brethren the false claims of denominational error (exposing it in the light, Eph. 5:11-13), so they may know the difference between it and God’s truth. Let us show them the distinction between what some of our own brethren advocate and what the Bible actually says. Don’t be deceived!

With the abundance of error on the person, work, and indwelling of the Holy Spirit, we thought it prudent to republish these outlines for your study, and encourage you to pass them along to others. We need to make sure we are well grounded in the faith concerning this issue, as Charismatic/Pentecostal groups are on the increase (Col. 1:23; Titus 1:9-14). Too, there are brethren who believe in a direct non-miraculous indwelling of the Spirit, something which brother Puckett and this writer deny.

Men such as these and Paul, John the Immerser, and Peter would not be allowed in many pulpits today. Though the word of God highly commends them, many, including some brethren, would reject them and their teaching from God. Yes, in times past and present, those who strive to uphold the right ways of the Lord are demonized and maligned so as to prejudice others against them.

Christians need to realize that the Bible is anti-worldly, as brother Franklin wrote. It is against doing things which seem right unto man (Prov. 14:12). It is against using the tools of men, science or otherwise, to attract the lost to the Lord (1 Cor. 1:18-2:5).

Christianity is a system of extreme devotion to God and His truth, to the Savior and His gospel, to the Holy Spirit and His revelation (Mark 8:36-38). Therefore, let us “Test [prove] all things; hold fast that which is good,” and challenge others to do the same (1 Thessalonians 5:21).

We all need to take stock of our attitude toward the word of God. Do we really look to it as the standard of living (Matthew 4:4)? Do we truly hold it as the final authority in all matters religious (Colossians 3:17)? Do we actually demand that our teachers and preachers give a “thus saith the Lord” (1 Peter 4:11)? Are we fully ready to change any and all things that are amiss in our life when we examine ourselves to see if we are in the faith (2 Corinthians 13:5; cf. Romans 8:29)? For too many, they see the word of God as a “nice” book full of “nice” sayings and “helpful” guidance, rather than the book with the sayings and the only guidance in how to live a moral, godly life.

We plead with those who have been caught up in the religious error of men to depart from it and begin to follow the New Testament pattern in all things. Rid yourself of unholy names (Baptist, Methodist, Presbyterian, Pentecostal, etc.); disassociate yourself from the related unauthorized bodies; obey the gospel of Christ in faith, repentance, confession, and baptism (Jn. 3:16; Acts 3:19; Romans 10:9-10; Mark 16:16; Acts 2:38); take the name Christian (Acts 11:26); and join in with a group of disciples (the church of Christ) who are working and worshipping according to the truth (Acts 9:26-28; Romans 16:16).

Finally, one thing is incontrovertibly settled: those who adopt this practice (instrumental music in worship) are, to that extent, guided by the wisdom of man, and not by the wisdom of God; and they thus openly violate the plain and positive requirement of the Lord that His followers shall walk by faith.

Proposition: The Scriptures teach that, as a result of Adam’s fall, all men are born sinners.

* Affirm: R.L. Vaughn
* Deny: Steven Deaton

Proposition: The Scriptures teach that, as a result of Adam’s fall, all men are born sinners.

* Affirm: R.L. Vaughn
* Deny: Steven Deaton

Satan is a master at charging his opponents with what he himself is doing. When he first introduces error, it is often on an optional basis but it soon becomes enforced as a human creed which must be accepted or at least tolerated. While Satan is stirring up strife, unjustly accusing men of evil intentions, and establishing a new human creed, he charges all who oppose him with doing those very things.

Fact is, everyone agrees that a man has the right to study for himself, reach his own conclusions, and teach them, But he must be prepared to face examination of his conclusions!!! If a man cannot stand to have his teaching scrutinized and rebuked, he ought not to preach.

More and more those who stand for truth are considered by fellow-Christians to be narrow! It has ever been so and we ought not to expect a change. Let us remember, “I will never leave thee, nor forsake thee…The Lord is my helper, and I will not fear what man shall do unto me” (Heb. 13:5-6).

While preacheritis cannot always be controlled by the preacher, that is, some brethren will just be that way, let us be determined not to lend a hand in our own exaltation, nor that of another. Let us all look to the one Head of the church, the one Author and Finisher of our faith, the one Apostle and High Priest of our profession, the one Lamb of God, the one Alpha and Omega–the Lord and Savior Jesus Christ (Eph. 1:22-23; Heb. 12:2; 3:1; Jn. 1:29; Rev. 1:8)!

Is an adulteress one who sees the Justice of the Peace to contract a second marriage? Or, is it not true that the Bible portrays the adulterer and adulteress as ones who have sex outside their God-ordained marriage or ones who have sex with a married person?

Though they won’t admit it, many are giving heed to earthly friendships and long time associations with others — esteeming the praise of men greater riches than the suffering of Christ (cf. Jn. 12:42; Gal. 1:10; Matt. 10:37-39). Time is proving, and will make crystal clear, that such error and practices are growing into a full-blown apostasy among us.

Let us never forget that we are soldiers of the cross who must adorn and use the armor of God (Eph. 6:10-17). Let us love the souls of men like the Messiah, and be determined, no matter the consequences, to press the true light into the world around us!

How is it that a faithful child of God can endorse one that boldly or cowardly supports those in error? It is high time that we cease to coddle those who teach error and others who approve of them. We are not saying it is required to break fellowship at the “drop-of-a-hat.” Rather, after patient study and prayer with the ones in error, be man enough to TAKE A STAND! (1 Cor. 16:13; Eph. 6:13).