Mat
16:6 Then Jesus said unto them, Take heed and beware of the leaven of the
Pharisees and of the Sadducees.
Mat
16:12 Then understood they how that he bade them not beware of the leaven
of bread, but of the doctrine of the Pharisees and of the Sadducees.
Luk
12:1 In the mean time, when there were gathered together an innumerable
multitude of people, insomuch that they trode one upon another, he began to say
unto his disciples first of all, Beware ye of the leaven of the Pharisees,
which is hypocrisy.
Leaven
something which infects something else causing it to take on the same
properties. Such as yeast in bread. If
you put a tiny bit of yeast into dough the active - living properties of yeast-
will soon cause the whole dough to rise. Once you put that yeast into the
dough, there is no taking it out. The yeast overruns the entire ball of dough.
The only way to keep dough free of yeast and it's properties which cause it to
infect the entire thing, is to not have any yeast whatsoever near the dough.
The leaven
of the Pharisees and Sadducees is something to be wary off because it you
accept even a tiny bit of their deceptions into the truth you hold, all of the
truth is tainted. The hypocrisy of the Pharisees- speaking one thing believing
another, deadly. To beware of something is to watch out for it, and keep away
from it. If someone tells me to beware of something, I best be on my guard
because if I'm not then that something could bring me harm. A common saying is
Beware of the Dog- we have all seen signs declaring this and we see them
because people want us to know that there is a dog present and it may hurt us.
If we ignore the sign and are hurt by the dog, it is our own fault and the
consequence could even be deadly to us.
We must beware of the hypocrisy that exists in the world around us and
hold fast to the truth, and only the truth found in our Savior. When we allow
just a little bit of lies to infect our lives - we are thoroughly tainted
whether we want to believe it or not.
Truly we must be wary of deception which is so close to the truth we can
scarcely tell it is not truth. To ignore that deception will exist, it so
imperil our own salvation by blindly follow a false shepherd who leads us over
a cliff to our deaths and not to safety in a fold at all!
God help
us all!
In Jesus
Christ our Lord and Savior we believe, we have faith, we trust, we seek only
truth! Now and forever!
(Excerpt)
LEAVENED
BREAD -- Part 1
We
Christians have had a Passover Lamb sacrificed for us -none other than Christ
himself! So let us "keep the feast" with no trace of the yeast of the
old life ... but with the unleavened bread of unadulterated truth! I Cor. 5:7-8
(Phillips)
1Co
5:7 Purge out therefore the old leaven, that ye may be a new lump, as ye
are unleavened. For even Christ our passover is sacrificed for us:
1Co
5:8 Therefore let us keep the feast, not with old leaven, neither with
the leaven of malice and wickedness; but with the unleavened bread of sincerity
and truth. (KJV)
For
several months now I have been made aware of a theological controversy which
has been developing in Australia. It involves the subject of righteousness by
faith, and the nature of the humanity which Christ assumed in the Incarnation.
Naturally with this came the subject of 1888 itself. Now in the latest Review to come to my desk,
(1) there is a report of a conference held in Palmdale, California, involving
administrators and theologians from Australia with their counterparts in the
General Conference and professors from Andrews University. (2) While the report
carefully stated that it was not "a formal presentation of doctrine, nor
... an official pronouncement by church leaders", nevertheless because it
is presented as "a statement of consensus" by these administrators
and theologians, it will mark the course of the doctrinal stance the church
will take in the days ahead.
The
controversy in Australia involves a paper prepared by Mrs. Desmond Ford, wife
of the head of the Bible Department at Avondale College.(3) According to the
information available, this paper was challenged by Pastor F. A. Basham at a
hearing among Church leaders at Avondale, February 3 -4, this year. One of the
points raised by Elder Basham caused Robert Brinsmead to issue what he called a
"Thought Paper" which he asked not to be circulated among church
members.(4) Brinsmead noted a key position held by Mrs. Ford, and stated
-"It is true that I do agree wholeheartedly with Dr. Ford."(5) The
statement in question reads - "Righteousness by faith is justification
alone."(6) This is the basic emphasis of Brinsmead's Decade II teaching.
However, he claims that this teaching by the Ford's preceded his own acceptance
of the position.(7)
This
position on righteousness by faith -moved by the Fords and seconded by
Brins-mead -was the first point discussed in the "statement of
consensus" released in the Review.
It stated -"We agree that when the words righteousness and faith are
connected (by- "of," "by," et cetera) in Scripture,
reference is made to the experience of justification by faith."(8) And the
unstated inference is that the phrase - "righteousness by/of faith"
applies only to justification when used in the Bible. We do not need to take
much time with this point, except to quote two texts, and let you, the reader,
decided if this conclusion is true.
The first
one reads: Christ is become of no effect
unto you, whosoever of you are justified by the law; ye are fallen from grace.
For we through the Spirit wait for the
p 2
hope of righteousness by faith. For in
Jesus Christ neither circumcision availeth anything, nor uncircumcision; but faith which worketh by love. Ye
did run well; who did
hinder you that ye should not obey
the truth? (9)
Observe
the phrase - "the hope of righteousness by faith" -and compare this
relationship with Romans 8: 19-25, noting carefully the expressions: "the
manifestation of the sons of God;" those having "the first fruits of
the Spirit;' and "the redemption of our body," as Paul relates all
these ideas to being "saved by hope." In regard to the phrase -
"obey the truth" -check the definition of "righteousness by
faith"!' which means -"the righteousness of Christ, which is pure
unadulterated truth."(10) Are these expressions involving righteousness by
faith, and the text so states, involved only with justification? Or do they
cover the whole gambit of man's growth in grace?
Now for
the second text - and it speaks for
itself: By faith Noah, being warned of God
of things not seen as yet, moved with fear, prepared an ark to the saving of his house; by the which he condemned the
world, and became heir of the
righteousness which is by faith! (11)
The other
main aspect of the "statement of consensus" -the humanity the Son of
man assumed in the Incarnation - will be discussed in the next thought paper -
"Leavened Bread - Part 2".
It should
be increasingly clear to the laity who desire to know truth for themselves of
the need to have assembled a library of source materials that can be made
readily available for such study; and equipment for their reproduction for
those who wish to avail themselves of this material, but who are unable to come
to the library. This is the goal which the Adventist Laymen's Foundation has in
their plans by setting up a study and resource materials center in the Ozarks
of Arkansas. It does require means to house this material, and purchase the
necessary equipment so that it can be made available to those who wish to
pursue truth. In the light of the need of the present hour, and the lateness of
time, we invite those who have such means to make them available to complete
the project which has now been started.
(1)
"Christ Our Righteousness", Review
& Herald, May 27, 1976, pp. 4-7
(2)
See footnote (p.4) to the above noted report for names of those who were
involved in "the study group." The names of some who have written
authoritatively in recent years on the topics discussed are missing. This
should tell the laity something.
(3)
Gillian Ford, The Soteriological
Implications of the Human Nature of Christ, a 53 pp. manuscript in which
the author claims indebtedness "to each member of the Avondale College's
theological faculty" for their contributions of helpful criticisms. (p. 3)
(4) R.
D. Brinsmead, "The Current Righteousness by Faith Dialogue". A nine
page "thought paper" published "for responsible brethren already
involved in the righteousness by faith controversy." It was requested by the
author -"Please do not circulate among church members."
(5) Ibid., p. 1
(6)
Ford, op. cit., p. 9
(7) Brinsmead, op. cit., p. 1 - "It is true that
I do agree wholeheartedly with Dr. Ford. It is not true to say, however, that
Dr. Ford is following my teachings. He was unopposed in teaching these things
before I saw the light in his positions."
·p 3--
(8) Review & Herald, op.cit. p.4
(9)
Galatians 5:4-7
Gal
5:4 Christ is become of no effect unto you, whosoever of you are
justified by the law; ye are fallen from grace.
Gal
5:5 For we through the Spirit wait for the hope of righteousness by
faith.
Gal
5:6 For in Jesus Christ neither circumcision availeth any thing, nor
uncircumcision; but faith which worketh by love.
Gal
5:7 Ye did run well; who did hinder you that ye should not obey the
truth?
(10)
Ellen G. White, Testimonies to
Ministers, p. 65
(11) Hebrews
11:7
Heb
11:7 By faith Noah, being warned of God of things not seen as yet, moved
with fear, prepared an ark to the saving of his house; by the which he
condemned the world, and became heir of the righteousness which is by
faith.
BATTLE
LINES BEING DRAWN - ARE YOU READY?
"The
Sabbath is God's Day. But Jesus said that man was not made for the Sabbath; the
Sabbath was made for man. This suggests the two prongs of the attack I wish to
recommend: the first has to do with man in a right relationship to God and the
second with man in a right relationship to nature. Christians must learn of
this twofold meaning of the Sabbath and come to a place where they practice
Sabbath observance and also use their energies as members of Caesar's kingdom
to get secular nations to do the same, albeit for different reasons. Primarily
Christians celebrate the Lord's Day because it belongs to God and in it they
can worship him suitably and with reverential trust and fear. But the Sabbath
has in It more than the religious, or man's relationship to God in worship and
commitment. It was and is part of God's natural revelation for man in nature
itself. Men, converted or unconverted, are a part of nature and need the
Sabbath as earthy people who in their bodies are inextricably dependent on water,
air, and soil.
"It
is important* for Christians to know that they are tied to the Sabbath
because it was made for man's physical well-being. And it is this aspect of the
Sabbath that can be used to bring unredeemed men to the place where they will
keep it also - but for different reasons that may be devoid of the primary
function of the Sabbath, which is the worship of God. The reason Christians
should advance to convince unregenerate men to keep the Sabbath is that they
need it, that it will work for their good, and that their failure to keep it is
devastating for men and assures them of disaster. In this sense one could argue
that outward Sabbath observance for unbelievers may be a form of pre-evangelism
and could open the door to the propagation of the Gospel. ...
"The
proper use of the Lord's Day, wholly apart from any religious implications, can
come about by free choice or it can be legislated. It is highly unlikely that
it will be accomplished by voluntary action by the citizenry generally.
Therefore the only way to accomplish the objective is by force of legislative
fiat through the duly elected officials of the people. ...
"Our
faith commits us to the proposition that we are to love our neighbors as we
love ourselves. There could be no better way for us to fulfill the second table
of the law than to press for social legislation that would benefit our
neighbors, and by our efforts show that we love them as we love ourselves. This
would be one of the highest forms of social action to spring from our
confession of Jesus Christ as Lord. It would mark our concern for our fellow
man and identify us with common and lost humanity in an area of great
need."
--Harold
Lindsell, Editor, "The Lord's Day and Natural Resources", Christianity Today, May 7, 1976,
pp. 9, 12.
* --
Supply word, "even"
p 4
The
Supreme Court of the United States -whose decrees were declared to be "the
law of the land" by a president of the United States - upheld the
constitutionality of the Sunday "blue laws" of Maryland,
Pennsylvania, and Massachusetts on May 29, 1961, against attacks that they
abridge the First Amendment's guarantee of freedom of religion. The rationale
of the Court's ruling is that these laws are regulations aimed at protecting
the health of the citizens of the State. Liberty News, June, 1961, Vol. 7, No. 6, p. 1
THE
CAPITAL'S CARDINAL
"The
newest Roman Catholic Cardinal in the United States and the only American in a
class of nineteen announced April 27 will be remembered by evangelicals
primarily for his early interest In the Key 73 evangelistic drive. William
Baum, now archbishop of Washington D. C., headed a small diocese In Missouri at
the time, and the Key 73 headquarters offices were located in St. Louis. He
made the diocese an official participant, one of five representing Roman
Catholicism in the endeavor." Christianity
Today, May 21, 1976, p. 37.
Two
questions: 1) Ever hear of Key 73 before? and 2) Have you
been hearing over the all-news stations, the reports assessing the new
Cardinal's chances to become a future pope? (From a bishop of a small diocese
in 1973 to a Cardinal in 1976 is moving up the ladder fast!)
CURIA ON
THE SLIGO
Curia -
"the body of congregations, tribunals, and offices through which the pope
governs the Roman Catholic Church." Webster's
Seventh New Collegiate Dictionary.
"WHEN
you and I joined the General Conference family something special happened to
us. This is not just 'another office.' What goes on in these three buildings is
of unique significance to the God whom we serve. Listen: 'When the judgment of
the General Conference, which is the highest authority which God has upon
earth, is exercised, private independence and private judgment must not be
maintained, but be surrendered." Testimonies,
vol. 3, p. 492 (Italics supplied).
"Did
you notice those sobering words -'The General Conference, which is the
highest authority that God has upon the earth'? They should cause everyone
of us to ponder well their import. When we begin our work in the General
Conference office we become part of what inspiration describes as God's
highest authority on earth. This is a tremendous thought, freighted with great
responsibility."
Elder R.
H. Pierson, Talk given at General Conference worship, January 9, 1976,
published in the Ministry,
June, 1976, p. 7
Note the
misuse of the statement from Testimonies,
Vol. 3 as used by Elder Pierson.
p 5
This was
first written about 1875. In 1901, the servant of the Lord stood before the
General Conference session and declared: That
these men should stand in a sacred place to be as the voice of God to the
people, as we once believed the General Conference to be, -that is past. General Conference Bulletin, April
3,1901, p. 25
Is it
past? Or has a "new curia" sprung up on the Sligo? Even in the 1909
statement in regard to the authority of the General Conference, It does not
carry the implications given by the "first minister" of the Church,
but rather rests the authority in the General Conference Sessions -not the
officers, and committees operating from a three-building complex. See Testimonies, Vol. 9, pp. 260-261. And
the statement found in Vol. 9 would be valid only till the time when the Church
would be weighed in the balances of the sanctuary. See Testimonies, Vol. 8, p. 249. The
decision rendered by the heavenly court would determine its continued
application. If found wanting, no longer would such authority reside even in
the General Conference Sessions.
FULL
GOSPEL BUSINESS MEN'S FELLOWSHIP INTERNATIONAL
This
organization is to hold its world convention at Miami Beach, Florida, July
5-10, 1976. A brochure telling of the guest speakers has been circulated to the
mailing list of their official publication -The
Voice. The time during the afternoon session from Tuesday through
Saturday is allotted to "Teaching" in the Grand Ballroom of the
Americana Hotel, while in adjoining rooms a Ministry in the Holy Spirit is to
be conducted. On two of these days, a section of the afternoon teaching session
is to be presented by Walter R. Martin, and on Saturday he is the leader of the
Ministry in the Holy Spirit.
Now who is
Walter R. Martin? Remember the Barnhouse-Martin dialogue? Remember how Martin
was given free and unlimited access to the Ellen G. White files in Takoma Park?
Have you read recently the Letters
to the Churches, by the late Elder M. L. Andreasen? If not, it will
refresh your memory.
Do you
also remember the result of this dialogue between Barnhouse and Martin, and our
Church leaders? It was the book -Questions
on Doctrine - in which our basic doctrines were altered. Now here
is this man -Walter R. Martin, a teacher at Melodyland School of Theology - a
charismatic institution -now fully revealed for what he was -an agent of Satan
to bring about the compromise of God's Church with the truth committed to it.
And, we are still holding to some of these repudiations of that truth,
unashamed, except for the fact that our Book Centers no longer have the book
available. But there has been no explanation, or statement of repentance coming
from the curia on the Sligo.
July 1976
- "Watchman, What of the
Night? " Thought Paper. Adventist
Laymen's Foundation. (Excerpt)
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