Voice of Truth International, Volume 82

Page 1

V

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).


Editorial

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How Can the Church Grow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³TXLFN IL[´ LQ FKXUFK JURZWK 6RPH IDFWRUV WKDW DUH DEVROXWHO\


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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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6RPHGD\ HYHU\ VRXO ZLOO DSSHDU EHIRUH WKH -XGJPHQW 6HDW RI -HVXV &KULVW WR DQVZHU IRU KLV RU KHU GHHGV DQG KHDU HLWKHU D VHQWHQFH WR D GHYLOÂśV KHOO RU DQ LQYLWDWLRQ LQWR KHDYHQ &RULQWKLDQV -HVXV &KULVW SLFWXUHG WKH -XGJPHQW VFHQH LQ 0DWWKHZ ZKLFK UHDGV Not everyone who says to Me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ shall enter the kingdom of heaven, but he who does the will of My Father in heaven. Many will say to Me in that day, ‘Lord, Lord, have we not prophesied in Your name, cast out demons in Your name, and done many wonders in Your name?’ And then I will declare to them, ‘I never knew >DSSURYHG RI@ you; depart from Me, you who practice lawlessness!’ 5HPDUNDEO\ DQG ODPHQWDEO\ VRPH DUH SLFWXUHG LQ WKDW WH[W RI WU\LQJ WR QHJRWLDWH ZLWK RXU /RUG EXW LW GLG QRW ZRUN , FDQQRW LPDJLQH D VDGGHU SDVVDJH DQ\SODFH LQ WKH %LEOH WKDQ WKDW RI VLQFHUH VRXOV DUULYLQJ EHIRUH WKH -XGJPHQW 6HDW RI -HVXV H[SHFWLQJ WR EH XVKHUHG LQWR KHDYHQ EXW LQVWHDG EHLQJ FRQVLJQHG WR KHOO +RZ WHUULEO\ VDG )XUWKHU , FDQ LPDJLQH RXU UHOLJLRXV QHLJKERUV ILQGLQJ WKHPVHOYHV LQ WKDW VLWXDWLRQ UHVSHFWLQJ WKHLU WUHDWPHQW RI RXU /RUGÂśV ZRUGV LQ 0DUN , FDQ KHDU IULHQGV QHLJKERUV IDPLO\ PHPEHUV DQG FRZRUNHUV REMHFWLQJ DQG DWWHPSWLQJ WR QHJRWLDWH ZLWK -HVXV DW WKH ODWH GDWH RI EHLQJ EHIRUH WKH YHU\ -XGJPHQW 6HDW RI &KULVW Âł/RUG /RUG <RX IDLO WR XQGHUVWDQG We voted on that. ,W LV QR ORQJHU ‘He who believes and is baptized will be saved‌ Âś EXW QRZ LW LV Âľ+H ZKR EHOLHYHV LV VDYHG DQG LI KH ZDQWV WR KH FDQ EH EDSWL]HG Âś ´ 5HDOO\ KRZ GR \RX WKLQN WKDW LV JRLQJ WR ZRUN RXW IRU WKHP" 2XU /RUG DQG 6DYLRU -HVXV &KULVW VDLG “He who believes and is baptized will be saved‌â€? 7KDW PHVVDJH LV IRU QRQ &KULVWLDQV DQG KRZ WKH\ FDQ EHFRPH WKH FKLOGUHQ RI *RG Âą KRZ WKHLU VLQV FDQ EH UHPRYHG +RZHYHU RWKHU SDVVDJHV DGGUHVV KRZ VLQV WKDW FUHHS LQWR WKH OLYHV RI &KULVWLDQV FDQ EH UHPRYHG 7KH DSRVWOH 3HWHU WROG D QHZ &KULVWLDQ QDPHG 6LPRQ ZKR KDG FRPPLWWHG VLQ “Repent therefore of this your wickedness, and pray God if perhaps the thought of your heart may be forgiven youâ€? $FWV /LNHZLVH WKH DSRVWOH -RKQ DOVR ZURWH DERXW KRZ VLQ LQ WKH OLYHV RI &KULVWLDQV FDQ EH UHPRYHG “If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousnessâ€? -RKQ 7KHUH DUH WZR ODZV RI SDUGRQ LQ WKH &KULVWLDQ $JH LQ ZKLFK ZH OLYH RQH IRU WKH QRQ &KULVWLDQ DQG RQH IRU WKH &KULVWLDQ $ SHUVRQ FDQQRW HIIHFW WKH UHPRYDO RI VLQ DQG EHFRPLQJ D FKLOG RI *RG E\ WU\LQJ WR PLVDSSO\ WKH VHFRQG ODZ RI SDUGRQ WR WKH QRQ &KULVWLDQ %\ WKH VDPH WRNHQ &KULVWLDQV GR QRW QHHG WR EH EDSWL]HG Âą SDUW RI WKH ILUVW ODZ RI SDUGRQ Âą DJDLQ WR FRPEDW VLQV LQ WKHLU OLYHV 6DOYDWLRQ FDQ EH VXPPDUL]HG IRU QRQ &KULVWLDQV DQG &KULVWLDQV E\ FRUUHFWO\ DSSO\LQJ WKH DSSURSULDWH 6FULSWXUHV WR HDFK JURXS “Be diligent to present yourself approved to God, a worker who does not need to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truthâ€? 7LPRWK\ =


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Salvation

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Salvation

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:H DUH WR LQGHHG H[DPLQH RXUVHOYHV GD\ E\ GD\ WR VHH ZKHWKHU RU QRW ZH DUH ZKDW ZH RXJKW WR EH DV FKLOGUHQ RI *RG :KHQ ZH WXUQ WR 3KLOLSSLDQV ZH VHH WKDW 3DXO VD\V “Brethren, I count not myself yet to have laid hold…” 1R PDWWHU ZKDW RWKHUV PLJKW WKLQN VD\ RU GR 3DXO LV VD\LQJ KH KDG QRW DV \HW DUULYHG 7KHUH ZDV ZLWKLQ KLP WKDW GHWHUPLQDWLRQ WR FRQWLQXH WR JURZ VSLULWXDOO\ +H GHVLUHG WR JURZ DQG WR EH PRUH OLNH &KULVW GD\ E\ GD\ 'R \RX UHPHPEHU WKH VRQJ IURP \HDUV DJR WKDW HFKRHG WKH VHQWLPHQW WKDW *RG PDGH WKH ZRUOG DQG DOO WKLQJV WKHUHLQ LQ VL[ GD\V EXW WKH VRQJ FRQWLQXHG WR VD\ ³%XW +H LV VWLOO ZRUNLQJ RQ PH´" 7KH ELJJHVW URRP LQ P\ KRXVH RI OLIH LV WKH URRP IRU VHOI LPSURYHPHQW 3HWHU ZURWH LQ 3HWHU “But grow in the grace and knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.” 7KH IRUFH RI WKH *UHHN YHUE LV \RX NHHS RQ JURZLQJ :H DUH WR LQGHHG H[DPLQH RXUVHOYHV GD\ E\ GD\ WR VHH ZKHWKHU RU QRW ZH DUH ZKDW ZH RXJKW WR EH DV FKLOGUHQ RI *RG &RULQWKLDQV 3HWHU :H QHHG WR UHFRJQL]H WKH GDQJHU LQYROYHG LI D SHUVRQ IHHOV WKDW KH VKH KDV PDGH LW 3DXO ZDUQHG DJDLQVW WKH GDQJHU RI EHLQJ RYHUFRQILGHQW. “Wherefore let him that thinketh he standeth take heed lest he fall” &RULQWKLDQV 2QH QHYHU EHFRPHV VR VWURQJ DV D FKLOG RI *RG WKDW KH FDQ OD\ DVLGH DOO FDXWLRQ DQG WKXV


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Salvation

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Salvation

Getting Serious About Heaven -LPP\ <RXQJ $V \RX UHDG WKLV DUWLFOH , KRSH WR LQIOXHQFH \RX WR VHUYH *RG DQG KDYH WKH KRSH RI HWHUQDO OLIH , ZLVK WR EHJLQ E\ DVNLQJ LI \RX DJUHH ZLWK WKHVH IDFWV 'R \RX DJUHH WKDW OLIH RQ HDUWK LV EULHI ± OLNH D YDSRU -DPHV " 'R \RX DJUHH WKDW OLIH RQ HDUWK LV XQFHUWDLQ -DPHV " 'R \RX DJUHH WKDW OLIH RQ HDUWK ZLOO HQG HLWKHU LQ GHDWK RU WKH 6HFRQG &RPLQJ RI &KULVW +HEUHZV " ,I \RX DJUHH ZLWK WKH DERYH WKUHH IDFWV GR \RX DOVR EHOLHYH WKH %LEOH WHDFKLQJ FRQFHUQLQJ OLIH DIWHU GHDWK &RULQWKLDQV " 7KHVH DUH WKH UHDVRQV ZK\ WKLV VXEMHFW LV RI WKH XWPRVW LPSRUWDQFH , WUXO\ KRSH DQG SUD\ WKDW HDFK RQH RI XV ZLOO EH VHULRXV DERXW KHDYHQ :KDW LV PHDQW E\ ³JHWWLQJ VHULRXV DERXW KHDYHQ"´ , EHOLHYH WKH IROORZLQJ H[SODQDWLRQ ZLOO KHOS :RXOG \RX VWXG\ WKHVH WKUHH SRLQWV" )LUVW 3DXO VSHDNV RI D FRQGLWLRQ “If” &RORVVLDQV 1RWH ZKDW KH VDLG “If ye then be risen with Christ, seek those things which are above, where Christ sitteth on the right hand of God.” ,I ZH DUH WR EH VHULRXV DERXW KHDYHQ ZH PXVW HVWDEOLVK WKH ULJKW UHODWLRQVKLS ZLWK -HVXV WKH &KULVW 3DXO VSHDNV RI EHLQJ ULVHQ ZLWK &KULVW 2QH FDQQRW EH ULVHQ ZLWK &KULVW XQOHVV KH VKH KDV ILUVW EHHQ “buried” ZLWK &KULVW &RORVVLDQV 5RPDQV %DSWLVP LV *RG¶V DSSRLQWHG ZD\ RI JHWWLQJ LQWR +LV 6RQ 2QFH RQH JHWV LQWR &KULVW KH VKH PXVW PDLQWDLQ WKH ULJKW UHODWLRQVKLS ZLWK +LP -RKQ <RX ZLOO QRWH WKDW -HVXV XVHG WKH ZRUG “abide” HLJKW WLPHV WR VKRZ RU SURYH MXVW KRZ FRQGLWLRQDO LW LV 7R abide PHDQV WR remain RU dwell. 6HFRQGO\ WKHUH LV D FKDOOHQJH WR “seek” &RORVVLDQV $OO RI XV DUH VHHNHUV 6RPH VHHN PDWHULDO ZHDOWK 0DWWKHZ 6RPH VHHN DIWHU WKH ZLVGRP RI WKH ZRUOG &RULQWKLDQV ,Q 3DXO¶V HSLVWOH ZH ILQG WKH UHDVRQ IRU VHHNLQJ WKLQJV DERYH “you died” ± \RX ZHUH VHSDUDWHG IURP WKH ROG VLQIXO OLIH &RORVVLDQV 2QH¶V “life” KLV KHU YHU\ H[LVWHQFH RU EHLQJ LV “hid with Christ in God.” &KULVWLDQV DUH QHZ SHRSOH ² KHDYHQO\ PLQGHG JRDO RULHQWHG SHRSOH 7KLUGO\ ZH DUH WR PDLQWDLQ FRQILGHQFH 3DXO VDLG “When Christ, who is our life, shall appear, then shall ye also appear with him in glory” &RORVVLDQV &KULVW VKDOO EH PDQLIHVW RU DSSHDU DV RQH RI HYHU\ WZHQW\ ILYH YHUVHV LQ WKH 1HZ 7HVWDPHQW GHFODUHV :H VKDOO DOVR DSSHDU ZLWK +LP &RORVVLDQV 7KH GHDG VKDOO EH UDLVHG 7KHVVDORQLDQV :H VKDOO EH JLYHQ D JORULRXV ERG\


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“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€? 0DWWKHZ “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€? &RULQWKLDQV â€œâ€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€? 7LPRWK\ “Preach the word! Be ready in season and out of season. Convince, rebuke, exhort, with all longsuffering and teachingâ€? 7LPRWK\ “As for Saul, he made havoc of the church, entering every house, and dragging off men and women, committing them to prisonâ€? $FWV “So then faith comes by hearing and hearing by the word of God. But I say, have they not heard? Yes indeed: Their sound has gone out to all the earth. And their words to the ends of the world’â€? 5RPDQV “For Christ did not send me to baptize, but to preach the gospel, not with wisdom of words, lest the cross of Christ should be made of no effect. For the message of the cross is foolishness to those who are perishing, but to us who are being saved it is the power of God‌but we preach Christ crucified, to the Jews a stumbling block and to the Greeks foolishnessâ€? &RULQWKLDQV “He will be great and will be called the Son of the Highest; and the Lord God will give Him the throne of His father Davidâ€? /XNH “For since, in the wisdom of God, the world through wisdom did not know God, it pleased God through the foolishness of the message preached to save those who believeâ€? &RULQWKLDQV = ( &ODXGH *DUGQHU LV 3UHVLGHQW (PHULWXV RI )UHHG +DUGHPDQ 8QLYHUVLW\ LQ +HQGHUVRQ 7HQQHVVHH 86$

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As a nation, America has fallen from the lofty biblical ideals of her founding fathers. Could Israel’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).


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“His Word Was in My Heart‌â€? '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 “But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, gentleness, goodness, faith, meekness, temperance: against such there is no lawâ€? *DODWLDQV 7KHQ ZH PXVW PDWXUH DV &KULVWLDQV DQG EH OLNH WKH SURSKHW -HUHPLDK ZKR VDLG “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€? 3HUVRQDO HYDQJHOLVP LV UHDOO\ DERXW REH\LQJ WKH FRPPDQGPHQWV RI WKH /RUG “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€? 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 “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€? 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 “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€? $FWV -XVW WKLQN ZKDW FRXOG EH DFFRPSOLVKHG IRU WKH /RUG LI HYHU\ &KULVWLDQ ZHUH WR WDNH DGYDQWDJH RI HYHU\ RSSRUWXQLW\ WR WHDFK = 'DOH *ULVVRP ZDV GHGLFDWHG WR SHUVRQDO HYDQJHOLVP DQG ZRUNHG ZLWK WKH FKXUFK RI &KULVW LQ 'H[WHU 0LVVRXUL 86$

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The Christian Home

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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

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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 “court� 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

-RKQ WKH %DSWLVW *UDG\ 0LOOHU -HVXV SUDLVHG +LV FRXVLQ VD\LQJ “Truly I tell you, among those born of women there has not risen anyone greater than John the Baptist” 0DW WKHZ 7KH PHUH PHQWLRQ RI -RKQ¶V QDPH UHPLQGV XV RI XQFRPSUR PLVLQJ FRXUDJH DQG VWHDG IDVW GHYRWLRQ (PHUVRQ RQFH ZURWH ³7R EH JUHDW LV WR EH PLV XQGHUVWRRG ´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¶V FKXUFK ,Q IDFW -RKQ ZDV GHDG DQG EXULHG EHIRUH WKH FKXUFK ZDV HYHQ HVWDEOLVKHG 1RWLFH WKH FKURQRORJ\ RU WKH WLPHWDEOH RI WKH 6FULSWXUHV


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


Bible Characters

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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


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