Watchman Archives

How far have we gotten from old-fashioned Bible study? How far have we gotten from a “thus saith the Lord?” Do we yet speak “as the oracles of God” (1 Peter 4:11)? Do we “speak where the Bible speaks and remain silent where the Bible is silent?” We have always said that “truth has nothing to fear from investigation.” Is this really true or have we been mouthing platitudes all these years while we chide denominationalism for their closed minds? Is your mind open? Will you study these vital issues? Ask your preacher. See what he has to say.

The Old Testament tells us about a preacher (prophet) who lied to a younger man (1 Kings 13). The lie was told in all good conscience. It was told with the intent of helping the young man (1 Kings 13:11-19). The young man believed the lie, benefited in an earthly way, but ended up losing his life (1 Kings 13:20-28). Thus, we know that religious leaders will sometimes tell a lie with the best intentions. We also know that religious followers will sometimes believe a lie.

No, brethren, we cannot have fellowship with anyone who is associated with either teaching or practicing iniquity – no matter who they are, no matter where they live, and no matter where they worship or where they preach! We cannot receive him when he doesn’t bring the teaching of Christ (2 John 9-11), and we cannot fellowship him when he disregards scriptural warnings and continues to be involved in the unfruitful works of darkness (Ephesians 5:1-14)!

Some have seemingly abandoned the biblical basis for unity – truth believed, taught and practiced (Ephesians 4:1-16). Whether accepted or not, God’s pattern still instructs us about how to handle those who depart in teaching or practice from the doctrine given by Christ, (cf. 2 John 9-11).

We are all unprofitable servants, so long as we are only capable of doing what is our duty to do. Some of us are arrogant about that arrangement, when we should be grateful it provides enough grace for the times we fall short. Understand that conceit is a stumbling block and souls are at stake.

Baptist baptism makes one a member of a Baptist Church. The “one baptism” of the New Testament never made anyone a member of a Baptist Church. One is baptized “into one body,” the body of Christ, the body of the saved, the kingdom of Christ (1 Corinthians 12:13; John 3:3, 5; Ephesians 2:16; 4:4; 5:25, 26).

We must have the authorization of our Lord before doing anything as his servants. Jesus said, “If you love Me, keep My commandments” (John 14:15).

The gospel has in itself innate power much like a seed. Let it be sown in the hearts of men and God will give the increase (1 Cor. 3:6). Let it be followed and changes will result in the lives of men. Let it be kept in a good and honest heart and much fruit will be born to the glory of God. Let it be followed through the uneven journeys of life and eternal glory will be the result. May all who preach, whether at home or in foreign lands, preach the gospel to those who hear them!

The Lord’s Supper is a wonderful and serious commemoration of our Lord’s sacrificial death. We must examine ourselves, to ensure we are seriously and sincerely observing it. The Corinthians failed in this, and were admonished by Paul, “Therefore whoever eats this bread or drinks this cup of the Lord in an unworthy manner will be guilty of the body and blood of the Lord.” We should heed his warning to them, “But let a man examine himself, and so let him eat of the bread and drink of the cup” (1 Corinthians 11:27-28).

As in all acts of worship to God, our service in this must be rendered in “spirit and in truth” (cf. John 4:24). We must examine our hearts, and give ourselves first, that our liberality will commend us to God. In so doing, as it was with the Philippians, God “shall supply all your need according to His riches in glory by Christ Jesus” (Philippians 4:19).

For the edification of the brethren, the preaching of the gospel is needed in our worship assemblies. “Preach the word! Be ready in season and out of season. Convince, rebuke, exhort, with all longsuffering and teaching” (2 Timothy 4:2). May we all be blessed by the faithful proclamation of truth.

Prayer, offered confidently by a saint, can accomplish wonders. “Confess your trespasses to one another, and pray for one another, that you may be healed. The effective, fervent prayer of a righteous man avails much” (James 5:16). As we engage in worship to the Almighty God in heaven, may we all “pray without ceasing” (1 Thessalonians 5:16), petitioning God in faith.

Men have long subordinated the directives of God to their own will and desires. Simply put, mechanical instruments exist in modern worship because men want them there, not because God authorized them.

Quantifying the collective worship of the local church is a rather simple thing to do. One need only read the New Testament and find out exactly what acts of worship the Christians of that time engaged in. If we are able to establish what God commanded the disciples to do, or to establish examples of them engaging in worship that was endorsed by God, we can then know what is constituted in God’s divine directives for congregational worship.

We are living in a time where the value or worth of an act of worship is determined experientially. That is, if the worshipper has a positive experience in the worship, it is determined to be valid. Such a standard is by nature subjective, and leads to widely divergent types of worship.

God does not want men to establish new and innovative types of worship that are more entertainment than true devotion. He is not seeking “dramatizations”, “Interpretive dances”, “Concerts”, “Choirs”, or “Passion Plays.” Rather, he desires the singing of Songs, Prayer, Sacrificial Giving, the Memorial of His Son’s death in the Communion, and the Edification of His people through the Preaching of the word.

As we begin our seventh year, we ask that you continue to read and profit from the materials available to you in Watchman. May God Bless you in your studies.

Most people do not like bottom line preaching. When you get to the bottom line, there are only two choices given to all people: the narrow way that leads to life and the broad way that leads to destruction. That is the bottom line. There is no tolerance on the bottom line for “what if’s?” or maybes. We either teach the truth or we are promoting adultery. There are only two choices. Which one will you make?

Many colleges operated by brethren have gone the way of digression and have ceased to be effective in their original purpose. Nevertheless, the church continues on in its divine mission as the body of Christ, seeking the lost and edifying the saved. If Florida College insists on academic freedom to the extent that it overshadows biblical soundness, it will be a tragic change.

The problem is that some people live by one rule, but judge others by a more stringent rule than that imposed upon themselves. The Bible speaks of such a practice and clearly condemns it.