Voice of Truth International, Volume 89

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T he Vo ice of Truth I nter national

Staff:

Byron Nichols Jerry Bates Louis Rushmore Layout: Betty Burton Choate 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

Nepali Edition:

Nepal Center for Biblical Studyl

Paite Edition:

Managing Editor, Thang Lien

Marathi Edition:

Managing Edior, Amul Bansod

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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 Frank Chesser Betty B. Choate Glenn Colley Lance Cordle Sunny David 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

Gary C. Hampton Jack Harriman Parker Henderson Gordon Hogan Mike Ireland Wayne Jackson Ancil Jenkins Jeff Jenkins John Kachelman, Jr. Dayton Keesee Dalton Key Michael L. King J. Randal Matheny Cecil May, Jr. Wes McAdams Colin McKee Stan Mitchell Kevin L. Moore Owen D. Olbricht David Pharr Neal Pollard Mark Posey Rebecca Rushmore David A. Sargent David Tarbet J.J. Turner Ken Tyler Allen Webster R.H. Tex Williams

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T he c hu r ches of Christ sal ute yo u (Romans 16:16).


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WR VHUYH LQ WKLV FDSDFLW\ LQ WKH FKXUFK DV “they watch out for our soulsâ€? E\ “holding fast the faithful word as they have been taught, that they may be able, by sound doctrine, both to exhort and convict those who contradictâ€? +HEUHZV 7LWXV -HVXV VSRNH RI ZKLWHZDVKLQJ DV +H GHDOW ZLWK WKH GLVKRQHVW VFULEHV DQG 3KDULVHHV LQ 0DWWKHZ 7KH\ FRXOG DSSHDU WR EH VR SLRXV DQG ULJK WHRXV ZKLOH WKH\ ZHUH DFWXDOO\ MXVW LPSHUVRQDWRUV RI ULJKWHRXVQHVV 1RWLFH +LV UHSULPDQGV LQ YHUVHV DQG “Woe to you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! For you cleanse the outside of the cup and dish, but inside they are full of extortion and self-indulgence. Blind Pharisee, first cleanse the inside of the cup and dish, that the outside of them may be clean also.â€? 1RZ QRWLFH +LV HYHQ PRUH VHYHUH ZRUGV LQ YHUVH “Woe to you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! For you are like whitewashed tombs which indeed appear beautiful outwardly, but inside are full of dead men’s bones and all uncleanness.â€? ,Q $FWV ZH ILQG 3DXO HPSOR\LQJ WKLV WHUP DV KH UHVSRQGHG WR WKH XQODZIXO DFWLRQ WDNHQ DJDLQVW KLP E\ WKH KLJK SULHVW $QDQLDV ,Q YHUVH 3DXO WHVWLILHG EHIRUH WKH KLJK SULHVW â€œâ€ŚMen and brethren, I have lived in all good conscience before God until this day.â€? %HFDXVH RI WKLV WKH KLJK SULHVW RUGHUHG WKDW 3DXO EH VWUXFN RQ WKH PRXWK YHUVH %XW 3DXO ZDVQÂśW WKURXJK \HW ,Q YHUVH KH WROG WKH KLJK SULHVW “God will strike you, you whitewashed wall! For you sit to judge me according to the law, and do you command me to be struck contrary to the law?â€? 3DXOÂśV PHVVDJH WR WKHP ZDV “You are not genuine – you are a fake!â€? :H KDYH VHHQ YHU\ FOHDUO\ IURP WKH OLYHV RI VRPH IDOVH SURSKHWV VRPH VFULEHV DQG 3KDULVHHV DQG IURP D KLJK SULHVW WKDW LW LV TXLWH SRVVLEOH WR DS SO\ VSLULWXDO ZKLWHZDVK WR RQHVHOI LQ DQ DWWHPSW WR DSSHDU WR EH PXFK PRUH WKDQ ZKDW RQH DFWXDOO\ LV ,V WKHUH D OHVVRQ DQ\ZKHUH LQ WKLV IRU XV WRGD\" 6XUHO\ WKHUH LV :H OHDUQ IURP 3URYHUEV WKDW “as a man thinks in his heart, so is he.â€? 7KLV WHOOV XV WKDW LI RXU WKRXJKWV DUH XQULJKWHRXV ZH DUH XQULJKWHRXV ZH DUH MXVW OLNH WKRVH VFULEHV DQG 3KDULVHHV OLNH GHDG PHQÂśV ERQHV Âą URWWHQ DQG VPHOO\ UHJDUGOHVV RI KRZ ZHOO ZH IRRO RWKHUV RQ WKH RXWVLGH = =


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The W ord Of Go d He walkedâ€? -RKQ -HVXV VDLG “Ye are the salt of the earth: but iff salt have lost his savour, wherewith shall it be salted? it is henceforth good for nothing, but to be cast out, and to be trodden under foot of men. Ye are the light of the world‌ Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works, and glorify your father which is in heavenâ€? 0DWWKHZ 6LQFH RXU /RUG QRW RQO\ WDXJKW EXW OLYHG ZKDW +H WDXJKW LI ZH DUH WR DELGH LQ +LP WKHQ ZH PXVW DOVR OLYH ZKDW ZH WHDFK Preaching DQG teaching DUH HVVHQWLDO WR WKH HGLILFDWLRQ RI WKH VDLQWV EXW doing LV HTXDO O\ HVVHQWLDO *RRG WHDFKLQJ LV H[FHOOHQW EXW good teaching and living are supreme = = 6KDQ -DFNVRQ SUHDFKHV IRU WKH FKXUFK RI &KULVW LQ 3RUW /DYDFD 7H[DV 86$

To live the Christian life, we need the teaching of Christ and to constantly examine ourselves to see if we are walking in the steps of our Lord Jesus.


The W ord Of Go d

Speak Where the Bible Speaks; Be Silent Where the Bible is Silent :HV 0F$GDPV 0\ HQWLUH OLIH , KDYH KHDUG WKLV VD\LQJ ³6SHDN ZKHUH WKH %LEOH VSHDNV EH VLOHQW ZKHUH WKH %LEOH LV VLOHQW ´ RU SKUDVHV YHU\ VLPLODU , KDYH KHDUG WKLV SKUDVH ODXGHG , KDYH KHDUG LW ULGLFXOHG DQG , KDYH KHDUG LW PLVXVHG 5HFHQWO\ D UHDGHU DVNHG PH WR DGGUHVV WKLV SKUDVH DQG ZKDW LW UHDOO\ PHDQV , ZRXOG ORYH WR GR MXVW WKDW

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The Best Is Yet to Be

&KDUOHV &DVK “If God is for us, who can be against us? He who did not spare His own Son, but gave Him up for us all – how will He not also along with Him, graciously give us all things?� 5RPDQV

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What Is the True New Testament Church of Christ? &KDUOHV 5 5RVH :H UHDG LQ 0DWWKHZ WKH &KULVW¶V SURPLVH “…I will build My church”. +H IXOILOOHG WKDW SURPLVH WKURXJK WKH LQVWUXPHQWDOLW\ RI WKH DSRVWOHV ZKRP +H FKRVH DQG WUDLQHG IRU WKDW ZRUN 2Q WKH ILUVW -HZLVK 3HQWHFRVW IROORZLQJ WKH /RUG¶V DVFHQ VLRQ +LV FKXUFK ZDV HVWDE OLVKHG $FWV &RQ JUHJDWLRQV RI WKH FKXUFK WKDW &KULVW EXLOW ZHUH WKHQ HVWDE OLVKHG WKURXJKRXW WKH NQRZQ ZRUOG ZLWKLQ D WKLUW\ \HDU VSDQ &RORVVLDQV 7KH DSRVWOH 3DXO ZULWLQJ WR WKH FRQJUHJDWLRQ LQ 5RPH JDYH WKLV VDOXWDWLRQ “The churches of Christ salute you” 5R PDQV 7KXV WKH 1HZ 7HVWDPHQW FKXUFK LQ D JLYHQ ORFDWLRQ ZDV WKH ³FKXUFK RI &KULVW´ &RQFHUQLQJ WKH IXQFWLRQ RI &KULVW¶V FKXUFK WKHUH DUH RWKHU GHVLJQD WLRQV JLYHQ IRU LW LQ 6FULSWXUH 7+( &+85&+ ,6 &+5,67¶6 .,1*'20 -HVXV DOVR SURPLVHG +LV OLVWHQHUV WKDW WKH\ ZRXOG OLYH WR VHH +LV NLQJGRP LQ H[LVWHQFH 0DUN +H


The Church LV ³the blessed and only Potentate, the King of kings and Lord of lordsâ€? 7LPRWK\ $V VXFK &KULVW KDV EHHQ JLYHQ “all authority >SRZHU@ both in heaven and on earthâ€? 0DWWKHZ $QG “He must reign till He has put all enemies under His feetâ€? &RULQWKLDQV :KHQ RQH REH\V WKH *RVSHO RI &KULVW WKH .LQJ KH OHDYHV WKH ZRUOG RI VLQ DQG EHFRPHV D FLWL]HQ RI +LV NLQJGRP $W WKH PRPHQW RQH LV “baptized into Christâ€? 5RPDQV *DODWLDQV KH LV Âłdelivered from the power of darkness, and translated into the kingdom of His dear Sonâ€? &RORVVLDQV 7+( &+85&+ ,6 7+( %2'< 2) &+5,67 *RG WKH )DWKHU “raised Him from the dead‌ And gave Him to be head over all things to the church, which is his body, the fullness of Him who fills all in allâ€? (SKHVLDQV &KULVW KDV RQO\ “one bodyâ€? (SKHVLDQV 6SLULWXDOO\ DV PHPEHUV RI +LV FKXUFK ZH DUH PHPEHUV RI +LV ERG\ -XVW DV D SK\VLFDO ERG\ KDV PDQ\ SDUWV &KULVWÂśV VSLULWXDO ERG\ WKH FKXUFK LV FRPSULVHG RI PDQ\ PHPEHUV ZLWK HDFK PHPEHU KDYLQJ KLV RZQ IXQFWLRQ LQ WKH ERG\ 5RPDQV &RULQWKLDQV ,W LV WKLV ERG\ RI IDLWKIXO EHOLHYHUV ZKRP -HVXV VDYHV (SKHVLDQV 7+( &+85&+ ,6 7+( +286( 2) *2' ,VDLDK SURSKHVLHG RI WKH HVWDEOLVKPHQW RI WKH /RUGÂśV KRXVH LQ WKH ODVW GD\V ,VDLDK 3DXOÂśV ILUVW OHWWHU WR 7LPRWK\ ZDV ZULWWHQ DV LQVWUXFWLRQV DV WR KRZ RQH VKRXOG FRQGXFW KLPVHOI “in the house of God, which is the churchâ€? 7LPRWK\ 7+( &+85&+ ,6 7+( 7(03/( 2) *2' QRW MXVW D KRXVH EXLOW RI VWRQH EXW D VSLULWXDO KRXVH EXLOW RI OLYLQJ VWRQHV “You also, as living stones, are being built up a spiritual house, a holy priesthood, to offer up spiritual sacrifices acceptable to God through Jesus Christâ€? 3HWHU 7KLV VSLULWXDO KRXVH RI VDFULILFH LV WKH WUXH FKXUFK D WHPSOH RI ZRUVKLS LQ ZKLFK *RG GZHOOV (SKHVLDQV $V WKLV VSLULWXDO KRXVH “you are the temple of God, and the Spirit of God dwells in youâ€? &RULQWKLDQV $QG WKH GLUH ZDUQLQJ LV JLYHQ “if anyone defiles the temple of God >ZKLFK LV WKH FKXUFK@ him God will destroyâ€? &RULQWKLDQV = = &KDUOHV 5 5RVH LV WKH SUHDFKHU IRU WKH FKXUFK RI &KULVW LQ /LQFROQ 0LVVRXUL 86$


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Denominationalism Is the Fleshly Plan 5LFKDUG 0DQVHO *RGÂśV SODQ IRU PDQNLQG LV ULGLFXORXV WR D VLQIXO ZRUOG ,VDLDK 5RPDQV VR ZH PXVW KDYH DQ XQGHQLDEOH IDLWK LQ +LV 7UXWK $FWV (SKHVLDQV +HEUHZV x Godliness is our new world as Christians and God’s Word teach us what we need to know 7LPRWK\ Doing what is natural to the flesh is guaranteed to violate God’s will 0DWWKHZ x Men rejected Christ because they interpreted His spiritual messages through fleshly filters -RKQ Nothing has changed since. In the religious world, we see this fleshly-versus-spiritual conflict very clearly. x When we reject God’s message, Satan fills the void 3HWHU -RE -RKQ Fleshly thinking morphs into humanism when Satan offers an alternative to God’s truth *HQHVLV x Jesus’ one church (Matthew 16:18), one way -RKQ and one truth -RKQ is narrow-minded and arrogant to those who are following the flesh. The reasoning is, “Why require one path when people are so different? Why not allow everyone to find his own way?â€?


D octrin e T o Liv e By x Denominationalism or universalism is inevitable when feelings and self-esteem transcend everything else. Again, the reasoning is, “Diversity must triumph since we’re all unique. Turning someone away damages his self-esteem.� x Some try to mix the spiritual with the fleshly by mixing the appearance of Christianity with a large dose of humanism. Brethren should know better than to fall into Satan’s trap. x God’s wisdom is superior to human hearts and feelings and He exemplifies righteousness 'HXWHURQRP\ Be humble and trust Him to carry out His plan since He knows more than we do *HQHVLV 3VDOP x The singularity of the church makes perfect sense spiritually because it focuses on God rather than on humans. Christ is the supreme Lord -RKQ and we must obey Him to be saved -RKQ The Messiah came to save men’s souls, not to salve their wounded egos. x Jesus will never chase after men by compromising His truth -RKQ Even if everyone rejected God, He would persevere in truth without us 0DWWKHZ $FWV x Providing false hope to the lost isn’t loving; it is hatred in its purest form. Political correctness loves smugness more than souls. Satan hates while God loves -RKQ 'R ZH IHDU WKH DFULPRQ\ RI PHQ PRUH WKDQ WKH :RUG RI *RG -HUHPLDK " ,I VR ZH ZLOO ILQG KHOO PRUH FRPIRUWDEOH WKDQ WKH FRXUDJH DQG IDLWK UHTXLUHG WR PDNH LW WR KHDYHQ = = 5LFKDUG 0DQVHO OLYHV LQ )ORUHQFH $ODEDPD +H LV WKH DXWKRU RI The Most Important Question, DQG KH LV ZRUNLQJ RQ PRUH ERRNV


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A New Creation - /HH 5REHUWV “But grow in the grace and knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ” 3HWHU

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What Do You See and Hear? $OEHUW *DUGQHU And he turned him unto his disciples, and said privately, Blessed are the eyes which see the things that ye see: for I tell you, that many prophets and kings have desired to see those things which ye see, and have not seen them; and to hear those things which ye hear, and have not heard them /XNH 2QH GRHV QRW KDYH WR NQRZ everything EHIRUH EHFRPLQJ D &KULVWLDQ EXW KH PXVW NQRZ some WKLQJV $IWHU RQH REH\V WKH *RVSHO WKH UHVW RI RQHÂśV VSLULWXDO OLIH LV D PDWWHU RI JURZWK LQFOXGLQJ LQFUHDVLQJ LQ NQRZOHGJH RI WKH %LEOH 3KLOLS DVNHG WKH (WKLRSLDQ “Do you understand what you read?â€? $FWV 7KH HXQXFK GHVLUHG DQG UHFHLYHG LQVWUXFWLRQV DV 3KLOLS EHJDQ DW WKH VDPH 6FULSWXUH DQG SUHDFKHG -HVXV WR KLP 7KH JUHDW QHHG RI RXU GD\ LV IRU WKH ZRUOG WR KHDU WKH SUHDFKLQJ RI -HVXV :LWKRXW LW WKH\ FDQQRW FRPH WR &KULVW “No man can come to me, except the Father which hath sent me draw him. ‌ And they shall be all taught of God. Every man therefore that hath heard, and hath learned of the Father, cometh unto meâ€? -RKQ :KDW ZH NQRZ RWKHUV KDYH WDXJKW XV :H DUH DOO DW GLIIHUHQW VWDJHV LQ RXU NQRZOHGJH RI WKH %LEOH EXW LI ZH NQRZ HQRXJK WR EHFRPH FKLOGUHQ RI *RG ZH NQRZ VRPH JUHDW DQG ZRQGHUIXO WUXWKV :H NQRZ VRPH WKLQJV DERXW *RG &KULVW WKH +RO\ 6SLULW WKH FKXUFK DQG ZKDW ZH DUH WR GR WR H[SHULHQFH WKH QHZ ELUWK DOO RI ZKLFK DUH UHYHDOHG LQ WKH %LEOH :KDW \RX VHH DQG KHDU RWKHUV QHHG WR NQRZ 7KH\ FDQQRW NQRZ LW LI \RX RU VRPHRQH OLNH \RX GRHV QRW WDNH WKH WLPH DQG JR WR WKH HIIRUW WR WHDFK WKHP -HVXV UHEXNHG WKH ODZ\HUV LQ /XNH VD\LQJ “Woe unto you, lawyers! For ye have taken away the key of knowledge: ye entered not in yourselves, and them that were entering in ye hindered.â€? $ VLPLODU YHUVH LV 0DWWKHZ ZKLFK UHDGV “But woe unto you, scribes and Pharisees,


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O Father, help us to have the vision to see, not necessarily the end of the way, but the beginning.... %%&


prov erb s 17: 22

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D a ily Christian Living

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What Is the Cost of Discipleship? /DQFH 0RVKHU 7KRVH FRQVLGHULQJ GLVFLSOHVKLS WRGD\ FDQ OHDUQ IURP ZDUQLQJV LQ WKH 6FULSWXUH /XNH Whoever does not carry his own cross and come after Me cannot be My disciple. For which one of you, when he wants to build a tower, does not first sit down and calculate the cost to see if he has enough to complete it? Otherwise, when he has laid a foundation and is not able to finish, all who observe it begin to ridicule him, saying, “This man began to build and was not able to finish.â€? -HVXV VD\V WKDW WKRVH ZKR ZDQW WR FRPH DIWHU +LP VKRXOG FRQVLGHU KRZ PXFK LW ZLOO FRVW ILUVW :KDW ZLOO GLVFLSOHVKLS FRVW \RX" 7KRXJK SHRSOH ZLOO SD\ GLIIHUHQW FRVWV WKHUH DUH VRPH XQLYHUVDO FRVWV WR GLVFLSOHVKLS -DPHV Consider it all joy, my brethren, when you encounter various trials, knowing that the testing of your faith produces endurance. And let endurance have its perfect result, so that you may be perfect and complete, lacking in nothing. 1RWLFH -DPHV GRHV QRW XVH WKH ZRUG if. +H VD\V ZH VKRXOG FRQVLGHU LW MR\ when ZH DUH WULHG 'LVFLSOHVKLS RI -HVXV &KULVW ZLOO FRVW \RX WULDOV 7KHUH ZLOO EH WLPHV LQ HDFK GLVFLSOHÂśV OLIH WKDW UHTXLUH SDWLHQFH DQG HQGXUDQFH <RX ZLOO TXHVWLRQ *RG +LV WLPLQJ DQG +LV SODQQLQJ 8QEHOLHYHUV GR QRW KDYH WKLV LQ WKHLU OLYHV VLQFH WKH\ KDYH QRW LQYHVWHG WKHLU WUXVW LQ WKHLU &UHDWRU 7KH SURPLVH LV WKDW LI ZH HQGXUH WKHVH WULDOV *RG ZLOO KDYH +LV ZRUN LQ XV DQG ZH ZLOO ODFN QRWKLQJ LQFOXGLQJ WKH FURZQ RI OLIH -DPHV Blessed is a man who perseveres under trial; for once he has been approved, he will receive the crown of life which the Lord has promised to those who love Him. Let no one say when he is tempted, “I am being tempted by Godâ€?; for God cannot be tempted by evil, and He Himself does not tempt anyone. But each one is tempted when he is carried away and enticed by his own lust. Then when lust has conceived, it gives birth to sin; and when sin is accomplished, it brings forth death. = /DQFH 0RVKHU LV D PLVVLRQDU\ LQ WKH /RUGÂśV FKXUFK LQ 3RULUXD 1HZ =HDODQG


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A Family that Honors God &KDUOHV %R[ $ JRRG IDPLO\ LV RQH RI *RGÂśV JUHDWHVW EOHVVLQJV ,Q RUGHU WR ILQG WUXH KDSSLQHVV LQ RXU IDPLO\ ZH PXVW VXEPLW RXUVHOYHV FRPSOHWHO\ WR +LP DQG WR +LV SXUSRVHV IRU RXU OLIH 7KHVH ZRUGV LQVSLUHG E\ *RG FHUWDLQO\ ILQG DSSOLFDWLRQ LQ RXU IDPLO\ OLIH “Finally, be ye all of one mind, having compassion one of another, love as brethren, be pitiful, be courteousâ€? 3HWHU 2XU JUHDWHVW FRQFHUQ VKRXOG EH IRFXVHG RQ SOHDVLQJ *RG LQ RXU IDPLO\ DQG KHOSLQJ RXU PHPEHUV SUHSDUH IRU HWHUQLW\ /LIW XS \RXU IDPLO\ LQ HYHU\ SRVVLEOH ZD\ EXW HVSHFLDOO\ VSLULWXDOO\ :H PXVW FKRRVH WR OLYH DFFRUGLQJ WR *RGÂśV GHVLJQ 7KH 3VDOPLVW GHVFULEHG D IDPLO\ WKDW ZRXOG EH DQ KRQRU WR *RG +H ZURWH “Blessed is every one that feareth the LORD; that walketh in his ways. For thou shalt eat the labour of thine hands: happy shalt thou be, and it shall be well with thee. Thy wife shall be as a fruitful vine by the sides of thine house: thy children like olive plants round about thy table. Behold, that thus shall the man be blessed that feareth the LORD. The LORD shall bless thee out of Zion: and thou shalt see the good of Jerusalem all the days of thy life. Yea, thou shalt see thy children’s children, and peace upon Israelâ€? 3VDOP $ IDPLO\ WKDW KRQRUV *RG PXVW EH D IDPLO\ ZKHUH SHRSOH OHDUQ WR ORYH RQH DQRWKHU *RGÂśV ORYH JLYHV ZKLOH PDQÂśV ORYH FRQVWDQWO\ WDNHV ZLWKRXW UHJDUG IRU RWKHUV +XVEDQGV DQG ZLYHV PXVW KDYH D GHHS ORYH IRU HDFK RWKHU WKH\ PXVW ORYH WKHLU FKLOGUHQ DQG WKH\ PXVW ORYH *RG ILUVW DQG IRUHPRVW $ SHUVRQ ZKR GRHV QRW KDYH *RG LQ KLV OLIH LV PLVVLQJ WKH PRVW LPSRUWDQW WKLQJ )DPLO\ ORYH ZLOO OHDG WR SURSHU DFWLRQV RQH WRZDUG DQRWKHU 7KLV LV WKH VDPH NLQG RI ORYH WKDW PXVW H[LVW LQ WKH FKXUFK 3DXO GHVFULEHG WKLV ORYH LQ &RULQWKLDQV +H ZURWH “Love never fails. But whether there are prophecies, they will fail; whether there are tongues, they will cease; whether there is knowledge, it will vanish away. When I was a child, I spoke as a child, I understood as a child, I thought as a child; but when I became a man, I put away childish things. For now we see in a mirror,


T he Christian Ho Home me dimly, but then face to face. Now I know in part, but then I shall know just as I also am known. And now abide faith, hope, love, these three; but the greatest of these is love� &RULQWKLDQV /RYH ZLOO FDXVH \RX WR JXDUG SURWHFW DQG NHHS \RXU IDPLO\ PHPEHUV IURP DOO NLQGV RI HYLO $ IDPLO\ WKDW KRQRUV *RG PXVW EH RQH LQ ZKLFK HDFK PHPEHU GRHV OLWWOH WKLQJV GDLO\ WR VWUHQJWKHQ WKH IDPLO\ *RGO\ IDPLOLHV PXVW UHVSHFWIXOO\ FRPPXQLFDWH ZLWK RQH DQRWKHU &RORVVLDQV 0HPEHUV RI D IDPLO\ WKDW KRQRUV *RG ZLOO PDNH HDFK PHPEHU IHHO ORYHG LPSRUWDQW DQG DSSUHFLDWHG /HW \RXU IDPLO\ NQRZ KRZ LPSRUWDQW WKH\ DUH WR \RX “Whoso findeth a wife findeth a good thing, and obtaineth favour of the LORD� 3URYHUEV 7U\ WR XQGHUVWDQG WKH IHHOLQJV RI \RXU IDPLO\ PHPEHUV HYHQ ZKHQ \RX PLJKW GLVDJUHH DERXW VRPHWKLQJ +DYH D JHQXLQH LQWHUHVW LQ WKHP GR \RXU EHVW WR WDNH DQ LQWHUHVW LQ WKLQJV WKDW DUH LPSRUWDQW WR WKHP EH D IULHQG WR \RXU IDPLO\ “A man that hath friends must shew himself friendly: and there is a friend that sticketh closer than a brother�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“And above all things have fervent charity among yourselves: for charity shall cover the multitude of sins� 3HWHU 7KH JRGO\ ZD\ RI OLIH EHJLQV LQ RXU DWWLWXGH WRZDUG RWKHUV ,Q HYHU\ DUHD RI OLIH ZH VKRXOG WUHDW RWKHUV ZLWK NLQGQHVV ORYH DQG UHVSHFW “Likewise, ye wives, be in subjection to your own husbands; that, if any obey not the word, they also may without the word be won by the conversation of the wives; While they behold your chaste conversation coupled with fear. Whose adorning let it not be that of outward adorning of plaiting the hair,


T he Christian Ho Home me and of wearing of gold, or of putting on of apparel; But let it be the hidden man of the heart, in that which is not corruptible, even the ornament of a meek and quiet spirit, which is in the sight of God of great price. For after this manner in the old time the holy women also, who trusted in God, adorned themselves, being in subjection unto their own husbands: Even as Sara obeyed Abraham, calling him lord: whose daughters ye are, as long as ye do well, and are not afraid with any amazement. Likewise, ye husbands, dwell with them according to knowledge, giving honour unto the wife, as unto the weaker vessel, and as being heirs together of the grace of life; that your prayers be not hinderedâ€? 3HWHU $ IDPLO\ WKDW KRQRUV *RG PXVW GR HYHU\WKLQJ ZLWKLQ LWV SRZHU WR JR WR KHDYHQ *LYH HDFK RWKHU XQFRQGLWLRQDO ORYH 6KDUH WKH SDLQ RI \RXU IDPLO\ PHPEHUV “Rejoice with them that do rejoice, and weep with them that weepâ€? 5RPDQV 6KDUH WKH FRPPRQ VDOYDWLRQ ZLWK \RXU IDPLO\ “Beloved, when I gave all diligence to write unto you of the common salvation, it was needful for me to write unto you, and exhort you that ye should earnestly contend for the faith which was once delivered unto the saintsâ€? -XGH *XLGH \RXU IDPLO\ LQ REH\LQJ *RGÂśV :RUG “He taught me also, and said unto me, Let thine heart retain my words: keep my commandments, and liveâ€? 3URYHUEV 8VH \RXU IDLWKIXOQHVV WR KHOS \RXU IDPLO\ JURZ LQWR VSLULWXDO PDWXULW\ “But grow in grace, and in the knowledge of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ. To him be glory both now and for ever. Amenâ€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Why Be Baptized? 'ZLJKW )XTXD :K\ EH EDSWL]HG" :H FDQQRW DSSHDO WR RSLQLRQ RU SUHIHUHQFH LQ DQVZHULQJ WKLV TXHVWLRQ Âł, WKLQN´ LV QRW LQVSLUHG 3UHIHUHQFH WHQGV WR FORXG WKH LVVXH :H PXVW WXUQ WR LQVSLUHG PHQ IRU WKH DQVZHU WR WKLV LPSRUWDQW TXHVWLRQ :H PXVW DVN Âł:KDW GRHV WKH %LEOH VD\"´ x :K\ EH EDSWL]HG" -HVXV VDLG “He who believes and is baptized will be saved; but he who does not believe will be condemnedâ€? 0DUN x :K\ EH EDSWL]HG" 3HWHU VDLG “Repent, and let every one of you be baptized in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins; and you shall receive the gift of the Holy Spiritâ€? $FWV x :K\ EH EDSWL]HG" 3DXO VDLG “For as many of you as were baptized unto Christ have put on Christâ€? *DODWLDQV x :K\ EH EDSWL]HG" 3HWHU ZURWH “There is also an antitype which now saves us- baptism (not the removal of the Âżlth of the Ă€esh, but the answer of a good conscience toward God), through the resurrection of Jesus Christâ€? 3HWHU


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The Voice of Truth International

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Volume Eighty-Nine

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