Watchman Archives

While division is ugly and undesirable it is a reality. We dare not try to circumvent it by promoting a unity-in-diversity doctrine. We must continue to sound forth the pure word of God with love and patience but without apology, and those whom God calls will unite with His word and His people.

It is a relatively simple thing to demonstrate that the scriptural work of the church is spiritual and not recreational, and that the word fellowship in the New Testament is a spiritual relationship and not banqueting or basketball.

Does the Bible really teach that there is no difference between the church and the individual? Where does such reasoning lead? Our study of this matter seeks to both answer these questions and introduce helpful facts relevant to this discussion.

If the benevolent societies among us are mere expedients, will someone prove it by measuring them by the scriptural qualifications set forth by Paul? If they can be harmonized with such qualifications some one should do it, if not they should be renounced in the interest of unity among God’s people.

The ship of Zion has floundered more than once on the sand-bar of institutionalism. The tendency to organize is characteristic of the age.

Have you been following God’s pattern (Matthew 7:13-14)?? By refusing to follow the pattern we can read about in the New Testament, we are refusing God and turning our backs on Heaven (John 14:1-3). Let us remember that we glorify God and Christ when we lovingly follow the pattern that has been laid out for us in the Bible. Think about it!!!

May we resolve to learn how to discern God’s will from the apostles and, having learned it, be content to practice it.

God has specified the organization of the church as definitely as he has specified the kind of music that we are to use in his praise and the elements of the Lord’s table. And for the church to build any other organization is to go beyond divine arrangements and divine authority.

The institutional digression is still with us. Too many are ignorant of it. Too few can defend the truth against its evils. We pray that you may be reminded or enlightened as to the issues and the evils of this apostasy. Lest we forget, “…let him who thinks he stands take heed lest he fall.” (1 Corinthians 10:12).

A Christian who is truly sorry for sin will prove himself to be clear in the matter. Using Paul’s language, he will be diligent in his actions, seeking every opportunity to atone for his sin. He will express indignation toward himself, rather than blaming others for his transgression. He will be motivated by fear, recognizing the seriousness of his failures. His desire to make amends will be abundantly obvious to all, and no one will have cause to doubt his true sincerity. His zeal will not flag, and with time, his vindication will be complete!

When we do something and do it right, God is glorified, we are edified and the lost are justified. It is of very little importance if some digressive brethren invent an unscriptural project and then label us as “do-nothing” because we don’t participate. We have enough to do with what the Lord gave us and have no time to come down to the “plains of Ono” to complicate matters.

It is our hope that men will judge between right and wrong doctrines and practices, in “today’s issues” and all others. Likewise, we wish for all to believe truth matters. It is not simply “important” to salvation, but absolutely essential, and those who oppose it are enemies of the cross of Christ.

The nature of truth is such that all views, ideas, and positions can never be included in it. Truth encompasses only those ideas, principles, views, and positions which are consistent with other parts of it. Truth is very narrow in this respect: it excludes any conflicting point of view or position.

As we seek to convert the lost today, both at home and abroad, let us learn the lesson Jesus taught so long ago. He is the source of “meat for all this people.” In preaching his word, we preach the message he ordained. In so doing, we use the one method he ordained for calling men to him (Jno. 6:44-45; 18″37). The spiritual needs of man are as great today as ever (Rom. 3:23). Let us go forth seeking to meet those needs with the bread of life the Father has given us (Jno. 6:48-51).

You might gently remind your granddaughter that if we must simply keep quiet and pray for those who are in error, why didn’t she do the same with you? According to her reasoning, she should never have confronted you about your actions. Instead of making you feel “uncomfortable,” ask her if she should not have kept quiet and simply prayed for you and your husband? It is a poor rule that won’t work both ways. If her rule is true, she broke it by rebuking you.

At the risk of being called “technophobic,” I hope that preachers will “display” moderation in the use of this new technology. Skill at creating a professional visual presentation is good, but it’s a poor substitute for being — like eloquent Apollos — “mighty in the scriptures” (Acts 18:24).

Why must the will of God be made subject to the popular approval of the church? Should not her opinions on worship be subject to the object? Or does she intend to offer God strange fire, in the doomed fashion of Nadab and Abihu, which he did not command?

Self-justification is a dangerous approach to dealing with our sins. Instead of trying to rationalize away our guilt, we ought to admit it and seek God’s forgiveness. Instead of trying to excuse ourselves before others and maintain our pride, we ought to humble ourselves and admit our wrong. Confession is good for the soul both now and eternally.

A tribute given in memory of Lela McCarter, a faithful Christian woman, and member of the church in Sturgis, Mississippi.

In recent years, many discount the teaching of Matthew 19:9 on marriage, divorce and remarriage by saying, “Jesus’ words do not apply to alien sinners, but only to citizens of the heavenly kingdom.” Cultural accomodationists tell us that lost mankind is not accountable to the gospel, but rather answers to some vague and undefined “universal moral law.” How does one answer such heresy? First, it must be acknowledged that the Bible affirms the concept of a universal moral law (Rom. 2:12-16). However, the question is this: Where did such a code originate? Is it innate, inborn, instinctive and intuitive? Or, is this so-called universal moral law based upon man’s memory – however dim – of divine revelation?