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Volume Eighty-two
The
oice of Truth Philemon Rajah
Joshua Gootam
International
Sunny David
Earnest Gill
P.R. Swamy
Francis David Rajanayagam
B. Arjunan
Long-term workers in Radio, TV and Literature among the 1.3 billion P.K. Varghese souls of India
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The Voice of Truth International
Staff:
Byron Nichols Jerry Bates Louis Rushmore Layout Editors: Betty Burton Choate Bonnie Rushmore Typesetting: Gay Nichols Computer Consultant: Bradley S. Choate Editor: Associate Editors:
Spanish Edition:
Managing Editor: Rafael Barrantes
Telugu Edition:
Managing Editor, Translator:
Joshua Gootam
Tamil Edition: Managing Editor, Translators:
Benny Martin, S. Rajanayagam
English Edition in India and Braille Edition:
Managing Editors, Philemon Rajah
and Kingsly Rajah
Hindi Edition
Managing Editor, Earnest Gill
Paite Edition
Managing Editor, Thang Lien
Nepali Edition &RVW IRU VLQJOH LVVXHV IRU IRXU LVVXHV IRU HLJKW LVVXHV 3OHDVH PDNH FKHFNV SD\DEOH WR :RUOG (YDQJHOLVP DQG PDLO WR %\URQ 1LFKROV (GLWRU 3 2 %R[ 6SULQJ¿ HOG 02 7HOHSKRQH (PDLO E\URQ QLFKROV#DWW QHW
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Staff Writers: George Akpabli Felix O. Aniamalu Rex Banks Wayne Barrier Paula Bates Roy Beasley Mike Benson Maxie B. Boren Ron Bryant Charles Burch Kyle Butt Ron Carter Frank Chesser Betty Burton Choate Glenn Colley Lance Cordle Sunny David Jerry L. Davidson Hans Dederscheck David Deffenbaugh Clarence DeLoach, Jr. Bill Dillon Bobby G. Dockery Hershel Dyer Earl Edwards Demar Elam Raymond Elliott Reuben Emperado David Everson Royce Frederick E. Claude Gardner Alex Gibson Joe D. Gray
Gary C. Hampton Jack Harriman Parker Henderson Gordon Hogan Mike Ireland Wayne Jackson Ancil Jenkins Jeff Jenkins Jimmy Jividen John Kachelman, Jr. Dayton Keesee Dalton Key Michael L. King Mack Lyon Joe Magee J. Randal Matheny Cecil May, Jr. Colin McKee Hollis Miller Loy Mitchell Stan Mitchell Kevin L. Moore Owen D. Olbricht David Pharr Neal Pollard Bonnie Rushmore Rebecca Rushmore David A. Sargent David Tarbet J.J. Turner Ken Tyler Allen Webster R.H. Tex Williams
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The churches of Christ salute you (Romans 16:16).
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Associate Editorial ,¶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
How Can the Church Grow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³TXLFN IL[´ LQ FKXUFK JURZWK 6RPH IDFWRUV WKDW DUH DEVROXWHO\
HVVHQWLDO WR DGYDQFHPHQW DUH DOO PHPEHUV OLYLQJ D WUXO\ &KULVWLDQ OLIHVW\OH &RORVVLDQV SUD\HU DQG ORYLQJ SHUVRQDO UHODWLRQVKLSV DPRQJ &KULVWLDQV DV ZHOO DV QRQ &KULVWLDQV 7KH &KULVWLDQ OLIH LV IXQGDPHQWDOO\ D SDUWQHUVKLS D SDUWQHUVKLS ZLWK *RG DQG RWKHU &KULVWLDQV &RORVVLDQV 3KLOHPRQ ,Q WKHVH SDVVDJHV ZH ILQG WKH LGHD WKDW &KULVWLDQV DUH IHOORZ ODERUHUV LQ *RG¶V NLQJGRP 3DXO DOVR XVHG WKH ZRUG ³WRJHWKHU´ VHYHUDO WLPHV WR KLJKOLJKW D VKDULQJ WKDW VKRXOG H[LVW DPRQJ &KULVWLDQV )RU H[DPSOH LQ &RORVVLDQV 3DXO ZURWH WKDW DIWHU EHLQJ EXULHG ZLWK &KULVW LQ EDSWLVP ZH ZHUH DOVR UDLVHG ZLWK +LP and “He has made >XV@ alive together with Him, having forgiven you all trespasses.” 2WKHU 1HZ 7HVWDPHQW UHIHUHQFHV HPSKDVL]H WKH ³RQH DQRWKHU´ DVSHFW RI &KULVWLDQLW\ 3DXO SHQQHG LQ &RULQWKLDQV “For we are God’s fellow workers;
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you are God’s field, you are God’s building.” 7KLV WKRXJKW LV DOVR IRXQG LQ &RULQWKLDQV “We then, as workers together with Him also plead with you not to receive the grace of God in vain.” 2QH VKRXOG EH DEOH WR VHH WKH FORVHQHVV DQG WRJHWKHUQHVV WKDW H[LVWV EHWZHHQ &KULVWLDQV DV ZHOO DV UHFRJQL]H WKDW ZH DUH FRZRUNHUV ZLWK *RG +RZHYHU ZH PXVW QRW FRPSURPLVH SXULW\ RI GRFWULQH LQ RUGHU
WR DFKLHYH WKLV WRJHWKHUQHVV ,Q IDFW RQH DXWKRU EROGO\ VWDWHG WKDW WKH ZHDNHU WKH FKXUFK¶V SRVLWLRQ UHJDUGLQJ WKH DXWKRULW\ RI 6FULSWXUH WKH OHVV OLNHO\ LW ZLOO JURZ *DU\ 0F,QWRVK Biblical Church Growth; How You Can Work with God to Build a Faithful Church). 3DUW RI WKH SDUWQHULQJ WKDW ZH KDYH EHHQ GLVFXVVLQJ LQYROYHV DVVLVWLQJ QHZ &KULVWLDQV WR PDWXUH VR WKDW ZH FDQ SDUWQHU ZLWK WKHP DV ZHOO 1HZ FRQYHUWV PXVW “desire the pure milk of the word, that they may grow thereby” ( 3HWHU 7KH\ PXVW DOVR “grow in the grace and knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ” 3HWHU :KHQ QHZ FRQYHUWV IDLO WR JURZ WKH\ EHFRPH WKH ZHDN OLQN LQ HYDQJHOLVP /LNHO\ WKH PRVW LPSRUWDQW FKDUDFWHULVWLF RI JURZLQJ FKXUFKHV LV WKDW WKH PDMRULW\ RI WKH PHPEHUV DUH LQYROYHG LQ VRPH PLQLVWU\ 2QO\ SHRSOH UHDFK SHRSOH QRW SURJUDPV *DU\ 0F,QWRVK IRXQG WKDW JHQHUDOO\ FKXUFKHV ZLWK OHVV WKDQ RI LWV PHPEHUV LQYROYHG LQ VRPH IRUP RI PLQLVWU\ DUH GHFOLQLQJ FKXUFKHV ZLWK WR LQYROYHG DUH RQ D SODWHDX DQG WKRVH ZLWK PRUH WKDQ LQYROYHG LQ PLQLVWU\ DUH JURZLQJ 6LPLODUO\ *HRUJH 3HWHUV ZURWH ³7KH H[SDQVLRQ RI DQ\ PRYHPHQW LV LQ GLUHFW SURSRUWLRQ WR LWV VXFFHVV LQ PRELOL]LQJ LWV WRWDO PHPEHUVKLS LQ FRQWLQXRXV FRQVWDQW SURSDJDWLRQ RI LWV EHOLHIV ´ ,Q RWKHU ZRUGV LI ZH ZDQW WKH FKXUFK WR JURZ WKHQ WKH PDMRULW\ RI WKH PHPEHUVKLS PXVW EH LQYROYHG LQ WKH ZRUN RI WKH FKXUFK 7KH FKXUFK ZLOO QRW JURZ LI HYDQJHOLVP LV GRQH E\ RQO\ WKH SUHDFKHU WKH HOGHUV RU GHDFRQV RU D IHZ RI WKH PHPEHUV 7KLV LGHD ZDV DOVR SUHVHQW LQ WKH HDUO\ FKXUFK ZKHQ ZH UHDG LQ $FWV WKDW WKH GLVFLSOHV “continued steadfastly in the apostles’ doctrine and fellowship, in the breaking of bread, and in prayers.”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esolve today to participate in church growth! (QFRXUDJH IHOORZ &KULVWLDQV DOVR WR VKRXOGHU WKHLU UHVSRQVLELOLWLHV WR KHOS WKH /RUG¶V FKXUFK JURZ $SSO\ VRPH RI WKH IDQDWLFLVP W\SLFDO RI VSRUWV HQWKXVLDVWV IRU WKH FDXVH RI &KULVW 'R LW UHOLJLRXVO\
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6DOYDWLRQ 6XPPDUL]HG /RXLV 5XVKPRUH (VVHQWLDOO\ WKH ELEOLFDO SODQ RI VDOYDWLRQ IRU WRGD\ FDQ EH VXPPDUL]HG HQFDSVXODWHG DQG EULHIO\ VWDWHG LQ MXVW QLQH ZRUGV ± RQH VKRUW VHQWHQFH 1XPHURXV DGGLWLRQDO 1HZ 7HVWDPHQW 6FULSWXUHV FRXOG EH PDUVKDOOHG UHVSHFWLQJ WKH SODQ RI VDOYDWLRQ IRU QRQ &KULVWLDQV EXW MXVW QLQH ZRUGV LQ RQH OLWWOH VHQWHQFH UHYHDO HQRXJK LQIRUPDWLRQ WR LGHQWLI\ WKH SRLQW DW ZKLFK RQH¶V VLQV DUH UHPRYHG )XUWKHUPRUH WKH VFRSH RI WKH DXWKRULW\ RI WKH 6SHDNHU ± -HVXV &KULVW ± ZKR PDGH WKH QLQH ZRUG VWDWHPHQW HQFRPSDVVHV KHDYHQ DQG HDUWK 0DWWKHZ 1.-9 2XU /RUG DQG 6DYLRU VDLG DQG LW LV UHFRUGHG LQ 0DUN 1.-9 “He who believes and is baptized will be saved…” 2QH KDV WR PDUYHO DW WKH VLPSOLFLW\ RI RXU /RUG¶V GHFODUDWLRQ ZKLFK LV HTXLYDOHQW LQ VLPSOLFLW\ WR Belief + baptism = salvation! 7KH SODQ RI VDOYDWLRQ FRXOG QRW EH DQ\ VLPSOHU WKDQ WKDW DQG DQ\ WKLQNLQJ PLQG FDQ HDVLO\ XQGHUVWDQG LW WRR )UDQNO\ VRPHRQH ZRXOG KDYH WR KDYH WKH ZURQJ NLQG RI help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“He who believes and is baptized will be saved…” %\ HYHU\RQH¶V HVWLPDWH DPRQJ WKRVH ZKR KDYH DQ\ UHJDUG ZKDWVRHYHU IRU WKH %LEOH WKHUH LV QR KLJKHU DXWKRULW\ WKDQ WKH ZRUGV RI -HVXV &KULVW +LPVHOI ± LQ UHG OHWWHUV RU LQ EODFN DQG ZKLWH 'HVSLWH WKH LQGLVSXWDEOH IDFW WKDW -HVXV VDLG “He who believes and is baptized will be saved… ´ PRVW SHRSOH WRGD\ UHDG LW GLIIHUHQWO\ WKDQ ZKDW RXU /RUG XWWHUHG 7KH\ UHDG LW DV WKRXJK RXU /RUG VDLG ³+H ZKR EHOLHYHV LV VDYHG DQG LI KH ZDQWV WR KH FDQ EH EDSWL]HG ´ 7KDW LV QRW ZKDW WKH 6RQ RI *RG VDLG 7KLQN DERXW WKDW FRQWUDVW ± UHDOO\ contradiction ± IRU D PRPHQW
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Salvation
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Salvation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â&#x20AC;&#x153;but one thing I doâ&#x20AC;Śâ&#x20AC;? 2QH WUDQVODWLRQ VD\V â&#x20AC;&#x153;but this one thing I do.â&#x20AC;? 1RWLFH 3DXO GLGQÂśW VD\ Âł7KLV RQH WKLQJ , GDEEOH DW ´ %\ ÂłGDEEOH´ , PHDQ WR GR VRPHWKLQJ VXSHUILFLDOO\ QRW VHULRXVO\ 3DXO KDG WKDW RQH VXSUHPH JRDO RU SXUSRVH LQ PLQG DQG WKDW ZDV WR JR WR KHDYHQ WR SOHDVH *RG $QG VR ZLWK WKDW VDPH JRDO LQ RXU PLQGV ZH RXJKW WR EH PRYHG WR VD\ Âł,ÂśP SUHVVLQJ RQ WKH XSZDUG ZD\ , ZDQW WR EH PRUH OLNH &KULVW WR IROORZ +LP DV D SDWWHUQ RU DV DQ H[DPSOH´ 3HWHU Âł/RUG SODQW P\ IHHW RQ KLJKHU JURXQG ´ = Finally, my brethren, be strong in the Lord and in the power of His might. Put on the whole armor of God, that you may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil... having girded your waist with truth, having put on the breastplate of righteousness, and having shod your feet with the preparation of the gospel of peace; above all, taking the shield of faith with which you will be able to quench all the fiery darts of the wicked one. And take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God (Ephesians 6:10-17).
Salvation
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Salvation
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â&#x20AC;&#x153;Go therefore and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spiritâ&#x20AC;? 0DWWKHZ â&#x20AC;&#x153;For if I preach the gospel, I have nothing to boast of, for necessity is laid upon me; yes, woe is me if I do not preach the gospel!â&#x20AC;? &RULQWKLDQV â&#x20AC;&#x153;â&#x20AC;Śand the things that you have heard from me among many witnesses, commit these to faithful men who will be able to teach others alsoâ&#x20AC;? 7LPRWK\ â&#x20AC;&#x153;Preach the word! Be ready in season and out of season. Convince, rebuke, exhort, with all longsuffering and teachingâ&#x20AC;? 7LPRWK\ â&#x20AC;&#x153;As for Saul, he made havoc of the church, entering every house, and dragging off men and women, committing them to prisonâ&#x20AC;? $FWV â&#x20AC;&#x153;So then faith comes by hearing and hearing by the word of God. But I say, have they not heard? Yes indeed: Their sound has gone out to all the earth. And their words to the ends of the worldâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;â&#x20AC;? 5RPDQV â&#x20AC;&#x153;For Christ did not send me to baptize, but to preach the gospel, not with wisdom of words, lest the cross of Christ should be made of no effect. For the message of the cross is foolishness to those who are perishing, but to us who are being saved it is the power of Godâ&#x20AC;Śbut we preach Christ crucified, to the Jews a stumbling block and to the Greeks foolishnessâ&#x20AC;? &RULQWKLDQV â&#x20AC;&#x153;He will be great and will be called the Son of the Highest; and the Lord God will give Him the throne of His father Davidâ&#x20AC;? /XNH â&#x20AC;&#x153;For since, in the wisdom of God, the world through wisdom did not know God, it pleased God through the foolishness of the message preached to save those who believeâ&#x20AC;? &RULQWKLDQV = ( &ODXGH *DUGQHU LV 3UHVLGHQW (PHULWXV RI )UHHG +DUGHPDQ 8QLYHUVLW\ LQ +HQGHUVRQ 7HQQHVVHH 86$
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As a nation, America has fallen from the lofty biblical ideals of her founding fathers. Could Israelâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s warning also be ours? Could this promise also be ours, if we turn and seek God with all our hearts? Does He have thoughts of peace toward us and not of evil, of a future and a hope?
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...till we all come to the unity of the faith and of the knowledge of the Son of God, to a perfect man, to the measure of the stature of the fullness of Christ (Ephesians 4:13).
Doctrine To Live By
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9 4=0 @? :? @=90/ @? 7 3LHUFH %URZQ )RU RYHU \HDUV , KDYH EHHQ UHDGLQJ WKH VWRU\ RI 0RVHV DQG WKH EXUQLQJ EXVK DV UHFRUGHG LQ ([RGXV EXW ZKHQ , UHDG LW D IHZ PRPHQWV DJR , JRW D OHVVRQ IURP LW WKDW KDG QHYHU RFFXUUHG WR PH EHIRUH 2I FRXUVH WKLV LV WKH ZD\ *RG¶V :RUG LV :H FRXOG UHDG LW GDLO\ IRU D KXQGUHG \HDUV DQG WKRXJK ZH PLJKW DVVXPH WKDW ZH KDYH H[KDXVWHG LWV PHDQLQJ LW LV HYHU IUHVK DQG QHZ :H KDYH VHHQ SUHDFKHUV RU RWKHUV ZKR VHHPHG WR EH ³RQ ILUH IRU WKH /RUG´ VHHPHG WR EH ³RQ ILUH IRU WKH /RUG´ DW VRPH WLPH LQ WKHLU OLYHV EXW DIWHU D ZKLOH WKH\ VHHPHG WR EXUQ RXW :H PD\ UHPHPEHU -HUHPLDK ZKR VDLG “And if I say, I will not make mention of him, not speak any more in his name, then there is in my heart as it were a burning fire shut up in my bones, and I am weary with forbearing, and I cannot contain” -HUHPLDK :KDW ZDV RQFH D EXUQLQJ ILUH LQ VRPH SUHDFKHUV KDV EHFRPH OLWWOH PRUH WKDQ ZDUP DVKHV QRZ :H KHDU IUHTXHQWO\ LQ PDQ\ DUHDV RI OLIH WDON RI ³EXUQRXW´ EXW LW LV HVSHFLDOO\ WURXEOHVRPH WR KHDU RI SUHDFKHUV ZKR JHW ³EXUQHG XS´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
Christianity In Action
â&#x20AC;&#x153;His Word Was in My Heartâ&#x20AC;Śâ&#x20AC;? 'DOH *ULVVRP ,I ZH UHDOO\ H[SHFW WR ZLQ WKH ORVW WR &KULVW ZH ZLOO VWULYH WR EH OLNH +LP E\ DGGLQJ WKH IUXLW RI WKH 6SLULW WR RXU OLYHV â&#x20AC;&#x153;But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, gentleness, goodness, faith, meekness, temperance: against such there is no lawâ&#x20AC;? *DODWLDQV 7KHQ ZH PXVW PDWXUH DV &KULVWLDQV DQG EH OLNH WKH SURSKHW -HUHPLDK ZKR VDLG â&#x20AC;&#x153;But His word was in my heart like a burning fire shut up in my bones; I was weary of holding it back, and I could not.â&#x20AC;? 3HUVRQDO HYDQJHOLVP LV UHDOO\ DERXW REH\LQJ WKH FRPPDQGPHQWV RI WKH /RUG â&#x20AC;&#x153;Go ye therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost; teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I have commanded you: and, lo, I am with you always, even unto the end of the worldâ&#x20AC;? 0DWWKHZ ,I ZH ZLOO HPSW\ RXUVHOYHV RI DOO VHOILVKQHVV IDOVH SULGH DQG UHEHOOLRQ UHDOO\ VWULYH WR SXW *RG ILUVW LQ RXU OLYHV DQG GHYHORS D ORYH IRU DOO VRXOV ZH FDQ GR PXFK IRU WKH /RUG WKURXJK SHUVRQDO HYDQJHOLVP :H PXVW ORRN IRU RSSRUWXQLWLHV WR WHDFK RWKHUV WKH *RVSHO RI &KULVW â&#x20AC;&#x153;For I am not ashamed of the gospel of Christ: for it is the power of God unto salvation to every one that believeth; to the Jew first, and also to the Greekâ&#x20AC;? 5RPDQV :H ZLOO VHW JRDOV IRU RXUVHOYHV LI ZH H[SHFW WR EH VXFFHVVIXO LQ HYDQJHOL]LQJ :H PXVW ILUVW GHWHUPLQH WR ZLQ ORVW VRXOV WKHQ ZRUN GLOLJHQWO\ WR PDNH LW KDSSHQ :H VWDUW E\ ZLQQLQJ RQH VRXO WR &KULVW DQG WKHQ DQRWKHU DQG DQRWKHU :H PXVW QRW EH RYHUFRPH ZLWK IHDU EXW ZRUN KDUG WR DFFRPSOLVK RXU JRDOV XVLQJ WKH HDUO\ &KULVWLDQV DV RXU H[DPSOH â&#x20AC;&#x153;As for Saul, he made havoc of the church, entering into every house, and dragging off men and women, committed them to prison. Therefore, they that were scattered abroad went everywhere preaching the wordâ&#x20AC;? $FWV -XVW WKLQN ZKDW FRXOG EH DFFRPSOLVKHG IRU WKH /RUG LI HYHU\ &KULVWLDQ ZHUH WR WDNH DGYDQWDJH RI HYHU\ RSSRUWXQLW\ WR WHDFK = 'DOH *ULVVRP ZDV GHGLFDWHG WR SHUVRQDO HYDQJHOLVP DQG ZRUNHG ZLWK WKH FKXUFK RI &KULVW LQ 'H[WHU 0LVVRXUL 86$
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Let Faith in God Guide Your Actions 3KLOLS - 6KHUZRRG â&#x20AC;&#x153;But you, be strong and do not let your hands be weak, for your work shall be rewarded!â&#x20AC;? &KURQLFOHV â&#x20AC;&#x153;The Lord is with you while you are with Him. If you seek Him, He will be found by you, but if you forsake Him, He will forsake youâ&#x20AC;? &KURQLFOHV 7KHVH ZRUGV DUH MXVW DV UHOHYDQW WRGD\ DV WKH\ ZHUH LQ $VDÂśV WLPH :H QHHG WR SXW EHKLQG XV DOO WKH ZRUOGO\ SDVWLPHV DQG HYHU\WKLQJ WKDW NHHSV XV VHSDUDWHG IURP *RG $V WKH ODVW GD\V DUH ZLWK XV DQG ZH GR QRW NQRZ WKH KRXU ZKHQ -HVXV ZLOO UHWXUQ ZH QHHG WR EH UHDG\ DQG JRLQJ DERXW WKH /RUGÂśV EXVLQHVV 7RR RIWHQ ZH SXW RXU ZRUN IDPLO\ IULHQGV DQG RXU OHLVXUH WLPH EHIRUH *RG 7KHUH LV QRWKLQJ ZURQJ
Daily Christian Living LQ ZRUNLQJ IRU *RG FRPPDQGHG XV ZH IRUVDNH *RG +H ZLOO IRUVDNH XV WR ZRUN (YHQ $GDP KDG WR WHQG WKH 7KH FRQVHTXHQFHV DUH WRR WHUULEOH WR *DUGHQ RI (GHQ DQG ZKHQ KH ZDV FDVW FRQWHPSODWH RXW KH KDG WR â&#x20AC;&#x153;toil by the sweat of his 7KH GHHSHU RXU ORYH IRU *RG brow,â&#x20AC;? DQG WKLV KDV FRQWLQXHG XQWLO WKLV WKH PRUH ZLOOLQJ ZH DUH WR ZRUN IRU GD\ 3DXO ZURWH LQ 7KHVVDORQLDQV +LP QRW WR JDLQ D SODFH LQ KHDYHQ E\ â&#x20AC;&#x153;For even when we were with ZRUNLQJ EXW WR VKRZ WKH GHSWK RI RXU you, we commanded you this: If anyone ORYH IRU EHLQJ PDGH ULJKW ZLWK *RG will not work, neither shall he eat.â&#x20AC;? 7KH GHHSHU RXU ORYH WKH PRUH ZH ZDQW 6DGO\ PDQ\ DUH EUHDNLQJ WKLV ODZ RI WR VKDUH ZLWK WKH ORVW *RG VDYHG XV *RG HYHU\ GD\ WR UHDFK RXW WR RWKHUV DV RWKHUV KDYH )DPLO\ IULHQGV DQG RXU OHLVXUH UHDFKHG RXW WR XV WR VKRZ XV WKH ZD\ WLPH DUH LPSRUWDQW WRR :H VKRZ WR VDOYDWLRQ RXU ORYH IRU *RG LQ RXU KRPHV RU ZH :H ZLOO EH UHZDUGHG E\ VHHLQJ VKRXOG WR RXU IDPLO\ DQG QHLJKERUV RWKHUV VDYHG DQG JURZLQJ LQ IDLWK +RVSLWDOLW\ LV LPSRUWDQW DQG LQYLWLQJ 7KHQ *RGÂśV ILQDO UHZDUG LV WKH WKH ORVW VKRXOG EH RXU SULRULW\ 6DWDQ LV FRPPHQGDWLRQ RI â&#x20AC;&#x153;â&#x20AC;ŚWell done, good ZRUNLQJ KDUG DV KH NQRZV WKH WLPH LV and faithful servant; you were faithful VKRUW +H HYHQ GHFHLYHV *RGÂśV FKLOGUHQ over a few things, I will make you ruler ZKHUH KH FDQ 0DWWKHZ over many things. Enter into the joy .HHS FORVH WR *RG LQ VWXG\ of your Lordâ&#x20AC;? 0DWWKHZ :H ZRUVKLS PHGLWDWLRQ SUD\HU DQG PXVW XVH RXU WDOHQWV DQG JLIWV IRU WKH IHOORZVKLS 7KLV LV KRZ ZH VWD\ VWURQJ IXUWKHUDQFH RI *RGÂśV NLQJGRP QRW LQ IDLWK ,I ZH OHDYH RXW HYHQ RQH RI MXVW WR PDNH RXU SULYDWH OLYHV PRUH WKHVH ZH VRRQ IRUJHW WKH XUJHQF\ IRU FRPIRUWDEOH RXU IDLWK DQG *RGÂśV ZRUN :H QHHG WR â&#x20AC;&#x153;Therefore strengthen the hands EH â&#x20AC;&#x153;about the Lordâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s businessâ&#x20AC;? DV -HVXV which hang down, and the feeble LV /XNH knees, and make straight paths for your $OZD\V UHPHPEHU ZKDW -HVXV feet, so that what is lame may not be KDV GRQH IRU XV WKDW +H GLHG IRU RXU dislocated, but rather healed. Pursue VLQV &RQWLQXH JURZLQJ LQ IDLWK YLUWXH peace with all men, and holiness, NQRZOHGJH VHOI FRQWURO SHUVHYHUDQFH without which no one will see the Lordâ&#x20AC;? JRGOLQHVV EURWKHUO\ NLQGQHVV DQG +HEUHZV = ORYH IRU ZLWKRXW WKHVH ZH DUH VKRUW VLJKWHG HYHQ WR EOLQGQHVV 3HWHU ,W LV D OLIHWLPHÂśV ZRUN ZH FDQQRW 3KLOLS - 6KHUZRRG ZRUNV ZLWK WKH 1RUWK 6KRUHV &KXUFK RI &KULVW LQ $XFNODQG DIIRUG WR JLYH XS DW DQ\ WLPH IRU LI 1HZ =HDODQG
The Christian Home
:KDW 2XU <RXQJ 3HRSOH 1HHG &KDUOHV %R[ :H KDYH PDQ\ ZRQGHUIXO \RXQJ SHRSOH 7KHVH FKLOGUHQ QHHG JRRG H[DPSOHV IURP SDUHQWV DQG ROGHU &KULVWLDQV 3DXO ZURWH “None of us liveth to himself, and no man dieth to himself”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“nurture and admonition of the Lord” (SKHVLDQV $ ODUJH SDUW RI WKDW WUDLQLQJ LV VHWWLQJ WKH SURSHU H[DPSOH EHIRUH \RXU FKLOGUHQ ³, VDZ WRPRUURZ ORRN DW PH )URP OLWWOH FKLOGUHQ¶V H\HV $QG WKRXJKW KRZ FDUHIXOO\ ZH ZRXOG WHDFK ,I ZH ZHUH UHDOO\ ZLVH ´
$EUDKDP DQG -RVKXD DUH JRRG H[DPSOHV RI WKH NLQG RI IDWKHUV ZH QHHG *HQHVLV -RVKXD %RWK RI WKHVH JRRG PHQ OHG WKHLU IDPLOLHV LQ VHUYLQJ *RG 0RWKHUV OLNH +DQQDK DUH DOVR QHHGHG 6KH VDLG WR WKH /RUG FRQFHUQLQJ KHU VRQ “I will give him unto the Lord all the days of his life” 6DPXHO :KHQ ZH KDYH PRWKHUV OLNH +DQQDK ZH ZLOO KDYH VRQV OLNH 6DPXHO )DWKHUV OLNH $EUDKDP ZLOO SURGXFH VRQV OLNH ,VDDF &KLOGUHQ OHDUQ HDUO\ WR ORYH WKH WKLQJV PRP DQG GDG ORYH DQG WR KDWH WKH WKLQJV PRP DQG GDG KDWH 7KXV ZKHQ &KULVWLDQ SDUHQWV VKRZ WKDW WKHLU ILUVW ORYH LV *RG DQG +LV :RUG OLNHO\ WKH FKLOGUHQ ZLOO OHDUQ WR ORYH VSLULWXDO WKLQJV WRR %XW LI ZH VKRZ ZH DUH PRUH LQWHUHVWHG LQ WKH ZRUOG DQG HDUWKO\ WKLQJV WKDQ LQ WKH /RUG¶V FDXVH ZH VKRXOGQ¶W EH VXUSULVHG LI WKH FKLOGUHQ JURZ XS WKH VDPH ZD\ :KDW GR RXU FKLOGUHQ VHH LQ XV" “Train up a child in the way he should go, and when he is old, he will not depart from it” 3URYHUEV 7KH KRSH IRU RXU ZRUOG LV IRXQG LQ &KULVWLDQ IDPLOLHV :KHQ WKH :RUG RI *RG LV IROORZHG VRFLHW\ ZLOO EH PDGH EHWWHU E\ VWURQJ IDPLOLHV 2XU \RXQJ SHRSOH DUH RXU PRVW YLWDO UHVRXUFH 0D\ *RG JLYH XV WKH ZLVGRP WR WHDFK WKHP ZKDW WKH\ QHHG WR OHDUQ “Behold, children are a heritage from the Lord, the fruit of the womb is a reward. Like arrows in the hand of a warrior, so are the children of one’s youth” 3VDOP = &KDUOHV %R[ SUHDFKHV IRU WKH :DOQXW 6W &KXUFK RI &KULVW LQ *UHHQYLOOH $ODEDPD 86$
The Christian Home
What Shall I Give the Children? 5LFKDUG / -RQHV
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Children want to be hugged, kissed, and held. They want to feel that love which strong arms encircling them can give. Show them that you trust in the living God.
The Christian Home
!B@8 "F 0;8E8 &BG;8E "F -LP 3RODQG $ FKLOG ZDV DVNHG ³:KHUH LV \RXU KRPH"´ 7KH OLWWOH IHOORZ UHSOLHG ³:KHUH PRWKHU LV ´ ³But as for you, speak the things which are proper for sound doctrine: that the older men be sober, reverent, temperate, sound in faith, in love, in patience, not slanderers, not given to much wine, teachers of good thingsâ&#x20AC;¦ that they admonish the young women to love their husbands, to love their children, to be discreet, chaste, homemakers, good obedient to their own husbands, that the word of God may not be blasphemed´ 7LWXV 0RWKHU KDV EHHQ JLYHQ WKRVH VSHFLDO IHPLQLQH DQG ZLQQLQJ WUDLWV ZKLFK QREO\ TXDOLI\ KHU IRU WKH VWUHQXRXV DQG KRQRUDEOH WDVN RI EHLQJ D KRPHPDNHU %H PLQGIXO RI $OO WKH QLJKWV RI ZDWFKLQJ $OO WKH VHOI GHQLDO $OO WKH WHDUV $OO WKH FRQFHUQ $OO WKH MR\ $OO WKH KHOSIXOQHVV $OO RI WKHVH DQG PRUH DUH VHHQ LQ WKH KRPH ZKLFK PRWKHU PDNHV 6KH PROGV WLHV RI XQG\LQJ ORYH DQG ELQGV WKH ERQGV RI D IDPLO\ WUXVW DQG PDNHV WKHP DZDUH RI WKHLU ZRUWK LQ KHU VLJKW DQG *RG¶V 7KLV LV KRPH $QG WKLV LV DV QHDU SDUDGLVH DV WKLV ZRUOG KDV WR RIIHU , GRQ¶W NQRZ ZKR ZURWH WKH IROORZLQJ ³7KHUH DUH WKUHH ZRUGV WKDW VZHHWO\ EOHQG $QG RQ WKH KHDUW DUH JUDYHQ $ SUHFLRXV VRRWKLQJ EDOP WKH\ OHQG 7KH\¶UH µ0RWKHU ¶ µ+RPH ¶ DQG µ+HDYHQ ¶´
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The Christian Home
6GUV HQT *WUDCPFU 1.
Do you allow your wife an appropriate amount of the family income to spend as she chooses, without accounting?
2.
Do you still â&#x20AC;&#x153;courtâ&#x20AC;? her with an occasional gift of flowers, by remembrance of birthdays and anniversaries, by unexpected attentions?
3.
Are you cooperative in handling the children, taking your full share of responsibility and also backing her up?
4.
Do you make it a point never to criticize her before others?
5.
Do you share much of your recreation hours with her?
6.
Do you show interest in and encourage her to develop intellectually?
7.
Do you enter sympathetically into her plans for social activities, trying to do your full share as a host in your own home, and when you are a guest in the homes of others, trying to make her appear to the best possible advantage? 8. Do you make an effort to understand the peculiarities of feminine psychology and to help her through varying moods? 9. Do you tell her that you love her and act as if you mean it? 10. Do you give spiritual leadership to your family? 11. Do you encourage your wife to talk things out? =
Perspective Twenty years ago we dreamed a house. Years of talking, Planning, Months of sweat and toil Transformed the dream To full reality With walls and windows, floors and doors. OUR house... But we freely loaned our house to God. For all those years, the joy of ownership was sweet. Then the horror: Fire! Fire! Flames, leaping, licking, crackling Engulfed our house
Our things, Our lives — A monster of a size no one could stop: All — all we’d loved of things, all we’d known and owned — Were OURS no more; Stark fear and panic filled my heart And then, at last, acceptance: The raging fire had burned my world away And in that aweful hour of severance and defeat I let it go. Now, how strange the feeling in my heart As I paint and varnish, Make decisions, measure cuts And work, Raising up replacement walls on the funeral pyre Of the house that once was OURS, I am thinking always That this tool is being readied As equipment in God’s hands; THESE walls — THIS lamp — THESE chairs Are HIS; But, for some little frame of time He’s lending them to us As stewards, To tend and use for Him.
I own nothing any more And not a thing owns me.... — Betty Burton Choate
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Textual Studies
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Textual Studies
A Text That Meets Needs – 2 Peter 2:18-3:13 $UGURQ +LQWRQ &KULVWLDQV 1HHG 7R %H 5HPLQGHG “Beloved, I now write to…stir up your pure minds by way of reminder” 5HPLQGHG RI WKH PHVVDJH RI WKH DSRVWOHV DQG RI WKH ,VUDHOLWH SURSKHWV EHIRUH WKHP ZKR SUHGLFWHG WKH IDFWV RI WKHLU PHVVDJH 5HPLQGHG RI WKH SURPLVHG UHWXUQ RI &KULVW DQG WKH FHUWDLQW\ RI LW 5HPLQGHG RI WKH IDFW WKDW *RG PHDQV ZKDW +H VD\V 5HPLQGHG RI WKH SURVSHFW RI D IDU EHWWHU ZRUOG &KULVWLDQV 1HHG 7R %H :DUQHG “I did not cease to warn everyone night and day with tears” $FWV :DUQHG WKDW WKH ZRUOG SURPLVHV D ³IUHHGRP´ LW GRHV QRW HYHQ KDYH :DUQHG WKDW WKH ³ZDVKHG´ FDQ EHFRPH XQFOHDQ DJDLQ :DUQHG WKDW EDFNVOLGLQJ PDNHV \RX ZRUVH WKDQ WKH XQFRQYHUWHG :DUQHG WKDW WKHUH ZLOO EH VFRIIHUV WR IDFH DQG WR UHVLVW :DUQHG WKDW VDPHQHVV LQ KXPDQ DIIDLUV ZLOO EH XVHG WR PLVOHDG :DUQHG WKDW WKH SUHVHQW ZRUOG LV DOUHDG\ GHVWLQHG IRU GHPROLWLRQ :DUQHG WKDW &KULVW¶V UHWXUQ ZLOO EH XQH[SHFWHG DQG VXGGHQ :DUQHG WKDW MXGJPHQW LV FHUWDLQ DQG LWV VWDQGDUGV VHWWOHG :DUQHG WKDW SK\VLFDO WKLQJV DUH QRW HWHUQDO QRW WR EH WUXVWHG &KULVWLDQV 1HHG 7R %H ,QIRUPHG ³Are you not therefore mistaken, because you do not know the Scriptures nor the power of God?” 0DUN ,QIRUPHG FRQFHUQLQJ WKH SDWWHUQ DQG WDFWLFV RI HUURU ,QIRUPHG FRQFHUQLQJ WKH /RUG¶V YLHZ RI WLPH ,QIRUPHG FRQFHUQLQJ WKH UHDVRQ IRU GHOD\LQJ +LV UHWXUQ ,QIRUPHG FRQFHUQLQJ WKH QDWXUH RI WKH HQG WLPH ,QIRUPHG FRQFHUQLQJ WKH SURSHU UHDFWLRQ WR WKHVH IDFWV
Textual Studies “…that all should come to repentance.” “…what manner of persons ought you to be in holy conduct and godliness.” “…looking for and hastening the coming of the day of God…” +RZ ILUPO\ URRWHG LQ RXU PLQGV DUH WKHVH IDFWV" +RZ FDUHIXOO\ KHHGHG DUH WKH ZDUQLQJV" +RZ WKRURXJKO\ XQGHUVWRRG DUH WKH LQVWUXFWLRQV IRU OLYLQJ" = $UGURQ +LQWRQ LV D SUHDFKHU RI WKH *RVSHO DQG OLYHV LQ %ODLU 2NODKRPD 86$
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Bible Characters
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Bible Characters -RKQ SUHDFKHG WKDW “the kingdom of heaven is at hand” 0DWWKHZ 7KH NLQJGRP ZDV QHDU RU ZRXOG EH EHJXQ VRRQ EXW DV \HW LW GLG QRW H[LVW ,Q 0DWWKHZ -HVXV WDXJKW +LV GLVFLSOHV WR SUD\ “Thy kingdom come,” IRU LW ZDV VWLOO IXWXUH ,Q 0DWWKHZ -RKQ LV LQ SULVRQ KLV SXEOLF PLQLVWU\ QRZ ¿ QLVKHG ,Q 0DWWKHZ -RKQ ZDV EHKHDGHG DQG EXULHG E\ KLV IROORZHUV /DWHU LQ 0DWWKHZ -HVXV SURPLVHG “I will build my church” YHUVH “I will build” ² ¿ UVW SHUVRQ VLQJXODU IXWXUH LQGLFDWLYH DFWLYH -RKQ ZDV GHDG DQG LQ KLV JUDYH ZKHQ -HVXV SURPLVHG WR EXLOG +LV FKXUFK 7KH RQO\ SRVVLEOH FRQFOXVLRQ LV WKDW -RKQ ZDV QRW SDUW RI WKH /RUG¶V FKXUFK KDYLQJ GLHG EHIRUH LW ZDV HVWDEOLVKHG 7KLV ULQJV WUXH ZLWK RXU 6DYLRU¶V ZRUGV LQ 0DWWKHZ “He that is least in the kingdom of heaven is greater than [John].” 7RGD\ ZH KDYH WKH SULYLOHJH WR EH D SDUW RI &KULVW¶V FKXUFK DQ KRQRU WKDW -RKQ ZDV GHQLHG EHFDXVH OLNH 1RDK $EUDKDP 0RVHV DQG RWKHUV KH OLYHG DQG GLHG EHIRUH WKH FKXUFK ZDV HVWDEOLVKHG -RKQ QHYHU LQWHQGHG WR UHFHLYH WKH KRQRU WKDW ULJKWIXOO\ EHORQJV WR -HVXV +H VDLG “I am not the Christ, but that I am sent before him…He must increase, but I must decrease” -RKQ “He that cometh after me is mightier than I, whose shoes I am not worthy to bear” 0DWWKHZ ,W LV PLVJXLGHG LJQRUDQFH IRU RQH WR FDOO KLPVHOI DIWHU -RKQ WKH %DSWLVW RU WR QDPH D FKXUFK DIWHU KLP :K\ SD\ KRPDJH WR WKH VHUYDQW LQVWHDG RI WKH 0DVWHU" :K\ H[DOW WKH VODYH DERYH WKH 6DYLRU" 6XFK LV QRW LQ DFFRUGDQFH ZLWK WKH ZLOO RI WKH )DWKHU RU RI WKH 6RQ RU IRU WKDW PDWWHU RI -RKQ WKH %DSWLVW = *UDG\ 0LOOHU SUHDFKHV IRU WKH /RUG¶V FKXUFK LQ &RORUDGR 6SULQJV &RORUDGR 86$ \ S S J
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As a team of co-workers we call ourselves “World Evangelism”....
Ricky Gootam
Vernon Douglas
In Volume 81 of The Voice of Truth International, we featured pictures of American partners of “World Evangelism”, doing some of the physical work in the production and distribution of literature. We realize that we would be very limited in what we could do if we did not have co-workers overseas who are “boots on the ground” to do the preaching [radio, TV, and congregational], writing [The Voice of Truth International in local languages, monthly magazines, tracts, Bible courses, and study books], and follow-up work [home studies, Gospel meetings, and lectureships] to bring Thang Lien new souls into the Kingdom, and to continually strengthen the church as a whole. This issue is a partial coverage, particularly of our brethren in India with whom we have worked for decades. The front cover pictures the original generation with whom we have worked, in some cases, since 1968. The back cover shows the younger generation that is now shouldering some of these responsibilities. Vinay David Of course, through literature and other mass media tools, we also work with brethren in the Philippines, Viet Nam, China, Myanmar, Sri Lanka, Nepal, Pakistan, Ghana, Nigeria, Tanzania, Guyana, and John Dean many other countries.
Bennie Martin
Kingsly Rajah