Vol. 68 “Go ye into all the world and preach the gospel to every creature.” No.

What is Happening
to Our Country?
See Page 3.

July, 2010

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Editorial
WHY BRING JESUS BACK TO EARTH?
W HAT WOULD Jesus do that He has not done, if
He should return to dwell on earth again?
His mission of redemption is complete: “In whom
we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness
of sins, according to the riches of his grace; Wherein he
hath abounded toward us in all wisdom and prudence;
Having made known unto us the mystery of his will,
according to his good pleasure which he hath purposed
in himself: That in the dispensation of the fulness of
times he might gather together in one all things in
Christ, both which are in heaven, and which are on
earth; even in him” (Ephesians 1:7-10).
Forgiveness of sins; redemption is now available in
Christ: “Who hath delivered us from the power of dark-
ness, and hath translated us into the kingdom of his
dear Son: In whom we have redemption through his
blood, even the forgiveness of sins” (Colossians 1:13,
14).
Would Jesus need to suffer death on the cross again?
“For Christ is not entered into the holy places made
with hands, which are the figures of the true; but into
heaven itself, now to appear in the presence of God for
us: Nor yet that he should offer himself often, as the
high priest entereth into the holy place every year with
blood of others; For then must he often have suffered
since the foundation of the world: but now once in the
end of the world hath he appeared to put away sin by
the sacrifice of himself ” (Hebrews 9:24-26).
All things pertaining to our salvation have been
“summed up” in Christ: “Ye are complete in him, which
is the head of all principality and power” (Colossians
2:10). “But we see Jesus, who was made a little lower
than the angels for the suffering of death, crowned with
glory and honor; that he by the grace of God should
taste death for every man” (Hebrews 2:9).
His revelation is complete: “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 saints” (Jude 3). Do not
look to some supposed holy book for further revelations.
God’s plan of redemption reached its completion in
Christ: “All scripture is given by inspiration of God,
and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction,
for instruction in righteousness: That the man of God
may be perfect, thoroughly furnished unto all good
works” (II Timothy 3:16, 17). We are not to add to, nor
to take away from, the writings of God’s holy book—see
Revelation 22:18, 19.
His authority is complete: “Jesus came and spake
unto them, saying, All power is given unto me in
heaven and in earth” (Matthew 28:18). Christ has the
preeminence now! “He is the head of the body, the
church: who is the beginning, the firstborn from the
dead; that in all things he might have the preeminence”
(Colossians 1:18).
His church is a reality: “[God] hath put all things
under his feet, and gave him to be the head over all
things to the church, Which is his body, the fulness of
him that filleth all in all” (Ephesians 1:22, 23). I would
also add, His glory is complete: “And now, O Father,
glorify thou me with thine own self with the glory which
I had with thee before the world was. ... And all mine
are thine, and thine are mine; and I am glorified in
them” (John 17:5 and 10).
He is now King and His kingdom is now a present
reality: The wise men came to Jerusalem asking, “Where
is he that is born King of the Jews?” (Matthew 2:2).
Jesus said, “The time is fulfilled, and the kingdom of
God is at hand: repent ye, and believe the gospel” (Mark
1:15). What time is fulfilled? “And in the days of these
kings shall the God of heaven set up a kingdom, which
shall never be destroyed: and the kingdom shall not be
left to other people, but it shall break in pieces and
consume all these kingdoms, and it shall stand for ever”
(Daniel 2:44). You do not find a literal kingdom of a
thousand years in that passage of scripture.
“The law and the prophets were until John: since
that time the kingdom of God is preached, and every
man presseth into it” (Luke 16:16). “My kingdom is not
of this world: if my kingdom were of this world, then
would my servants fight, that I should not be delivered
to the Jews: but now is my kingdom not from hence”
(John 18:36). “For the kingdom of God is not meat and
drink [not literal]; but righteousness, and peace, and
joy in the Holy Ghost” (Romans 14:17). Have you been
born again? What were you born into? “Verily, verily, I
say unto thee, Except a man be born of water and of
the Spirit, he cannot enter into the kingdom of God”
(John 3:5).
Christ’s conquest over Satan and sin is complete;
He is not coming in the future, riding on a white horse
to fight some battle! “Forasmuch then as the children
are partakers of flesh and blood, he also himself like-
wise took part of the same; that through death he might
destroy him that had the power of death, that is, the
devil; And deliver them who through fear of death were
all their lifetime subject to bondage” (Hebrews 2:14,
15). To teach that Jesus failed to fully accomplish His
mission in His first advent, and must come a second
time to finish the work, is to say that Satan prevailed
over the Son of God. Such is false and not supported
by the Scriptures.
Let us notice what the Scriptures do say: “For as in
Adam all die, even so in Christ shall all be made alive.
But every man in his own order: Christ the first fruits;
afterward they that are Christ’s at his coming. Then
cometh the end, when he shall
have delivered up the kingdom ABOUT OUR COVER
to God [not set up, but deliv- Four of our presidents
ered up]” (I Corinthians 15:22- are commemorated on
24). “Marvel not at this: for the face of Mount Rush-
the hour is coming, in the more in South Dakota.
which all that are in the graves Our forefathers were not
shall hear his voice, And shall shy in expressing their
opinion that Almighty
come forth; they that have God has a part in the
done good, unto the resurrec- governing affairs of our
tion of life; and they that have nation. We trust that
done evil, unto the resurrec- America shall never leave
tion of damnation” (John 5:28, God and His principles
29). How do you get two literal out of her future.
 THE WAY OF TRUTH
(Registered Trademark)
Vol. 68 July, 2010 No. 7
Devoted to the gospel of our loving Savior, the Lord
Jesus Christ, who gave freely His life-blood, to save us
from our many sins, to sanctify our fallen nature and to
bring into one body all true believers, by whose stripes we
are healed.
Published the fifteenth of the month prior to the date of
issue by the Church of God which assembles at 12819 Point
Salem Road in Hagerstown, Maryland. Publishing office:
12811 Point Salem Road, Hagerstown, Maryland, U.S.A.
The Way of Truth is published without any given sub-
scription price, and is supported by freewill offerings from
our readers and funds supplied by the local congregation.
It is sent out free to anyone who is interested enough to ask
for it. We shall continue this policy as long as God sees fit
to make it possible. FOREIGN READERS are requested to
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ing the paper the following year. Address all correspondence
to: The Way of Truth, P. O. Box 88, Hagerstown, Maryland
21741, U.S.A. Always when writing, give your name and
address clearly, please.
—Alvin A. Craig, Editor
Our telephone number is 301-739-2980
Our fax number is 301-739-7173
Our e-mail address is truth@fred.net
Visit our website at www.wayoftruth.org
resurrections separated by 1,007 years out of those
verses?
There will be no time, no place, and no need for a
literal kingdom to be set up. “And I saw a great white
throne, and him that sat on it, from whose face the
earth and the heaven fled away; and there was found
no place for them. And I saw the dead, small and great,
stand before God; and the books were opened: and
another book was opened, which is the book of life: and
the dead were judged out of those things which were
written in the books, according to their works. ... And
whosoever was not found written in the book of life was
cast into the lake of fire” (Revelation 20:11, 12 and 15).
Make sure you are saved and in the kingdom of God
now with your name written in the book of life, for you
will not have a second chance. 
A Soldier of the Cross Called Home
Bro. J. T. Deville
October 4, 1923-May 28, 2010
We are saddened to report to our
readers that a beloved soldier of Christ,
Bro. J. T. Deville of Deville, Louisiana,
has gone on to receive his reward. Our
deepest sympathy is expressed to his loved
ones from his church family worldwide. Bro. J. was
part of the beloved Way of Truth Singers who minis-
tered in song for many years. We plan to share a
tribute to this wonderful Christian in our next issue.
Any of our readers who knew Bro. J. are invited to
send us a short note of appreciation. We need to receive
it as soon as possible.
July, 2010 Page 1
BLESSED IS THE MAN
Psalm 1
Gregory E. Tyler
Blessed is the man who does these things—
He does not walk where the ungodly flings,
Nor will he stand where sinners shout,
In the seat of the scornful he will not pout.
But in the Lord’s law is his delight,
In it he meditates both day and night;
From it he discerns the way he must trod,
Light comes to him from the Word of God.
He’s a tree planted where rivers do flow,
Come what may all his fruit will grow;
His leaf will not wither nor go away,
In whatever he does shall prosperity stay.
The ungodly man is different than him,
He is like the chaff which the wind does trim.
He has no direction—just this way and that,
No telling the place where he will end at.
In the judgment the ungodly shall not find ground,
Nor sinners the place where the righteous are found;
For the LORD knows the way of he who does right,
But the ungodly shall inherit a terrible plight. 
IN THIS ISSUE:
Our Wonderful Nation Page 2
Patriotic poetry
Young People’s Page Page 3
What is Happening to Our Country?
E-C-H-O Page 4
“Simon Zelotes”
The Question Box Page 5
Our monthly feature
“I Will Come Again” Page 6
Article by Hoyt Matthews
How God Leads His People Page 8
Radio message by James Arch
We, the Church Page 10
Full-length sermon by Garry Jeffries
The Children’s Corner Page 15
“Paul, Heed My Warning,” Part II
Missionary Page Page 17
Nigeria Convention Report
So Close, Yet Far Page 18
Article by the late Evelyn Colberg
Spiritual Tests Page 19
By the late E. E. Byrum
 OUR WONDERFUL NATION
AMERICA
MY COUNTRY
Joy Belle Burgess
America ... oh, blessed land
Of flowing hills and peaceful skies,
Oh, where in all your spacious realm
Might your inner beauty lie?
Could it be the rhythmic waves
That sweep across the western shore;
The wonder of the distant sea,
The thunder of the breaker’s roar?
Could it be the forest wild
Where mountains press against the sky,
The melody of waterfalls,
A wind’s soft whisper passing by?
Could it be the painted hills
Of grayish white and reddish flame;
The beauty of a canyon wall,
The yellow gold of fruited plain?
Could it be the city spires,
The symbol of a nation’s might;
The monuments that brim the skies,
A torch that glows with freedom’s light?
America ... oh, blessed land,
The grandeur fills the earth and sky.
Oh, where in all your shining realm
Might your deeper beauty lie?
Could it be the love that sings
Of brotherhood across the land?
Indeed, it is the hopes and dreams
That glow within the heart of man.
AMERICA BEGINS AT HOME
Craig E. Sathoff
America begins at home
With every child’s need
For guidance and direction
In establishing creed.
The roots that shape America
Are formed most surely where
A child spends the vital years
Within his parents’ care.
Perhaps the close-knit family
Where each one has a task
Does more to aid America
Than anyone could ask.
Responsibilities at home
Build roots both firm and strong,
Page 2 The Way of Truth
To guide our future leaders
In whatever comes along.
To work and strive is no disgrace,
Instead it is a joy
To build a great America
That cannot be destroyed.
This beautiful America,
So blessed with liberty,
Begins at home ... its true success
Depends on you and me.
MY HERITAGE
Agnes Davenport Bond
America, America,
A land of sterling worth;
A land that I am proud to claim
The salt of all the earth.
A land where unity means strength,
Where hope and faith abound;
Where peace is dear to every heart,
And loyalty is found.
No heritage of greater worth
I ask nor seek to find.
The sacred ties of native land
Shall ever firmly bind.
America, America,
The country of the free ...
May freedom’s bells forever ring
Proclaiming liberty.
THIS LAND
Becky Jennings
I love this land, my country,
Proud of the heritage we share.
The north, south, east and west ...
There is beauty everywhere.
I love its rushing rivers
That journey to the sea;
Its fields in shades of green and gold
In perfect symmetry.
I love its rugged mountains
That wear a snowy crown;
Its lush and fertile valleys,
Each city, hamlet, town.
I love its mighty forests
Whose quiet splendor stand
Reflected in the crystal lakes
That dot this lovely land.
I love this land, my country,
Where impossible dreams come true ...
And the symbol of our liberty
Is a flag, red, white and blue. 
 Dear Young People,
I greet you once again
in the blessed name of
Jesus, thanking Him for
the privilege of sharing
another letter to young
people around the world.
To do anything for God is
an honor! I could never
praise Him enough for
what He has done for me.
This month, my heart is
heavy as I consider America’s 234th birthday on the
Fourth of July. I wonder—
WHAT IS HAPPENING TO OUR COUNTRY?
I believe the United States of America to be the most
wonderful country on the face of the earth. With all her
faults and shortcomings, it is still a beacon light for
democracy and freedom like no other. I believe the God
of heaven has blessed the U.S.A. abundantly through
the years. One reason for those blessings is that she
was founded on biblical principles and stood for those
principles of integrity and liberty. A study of the found-
ing fathers of the Constitution will reveal an acknowl-
edgment of the Creator, and an honoring of the Word
of God; yet, today there is a powerful element pressur-
ing government to ignore God in any legislative discus-
sion. “Separation of church and state,” they cry. But, it
is obvious that the founders felt strongly that God was
to be a part of our national fiber. There is no question
that there was never to be a state church, or that any
religious denomination be deemed as a power forced
upon people as it was in the old country. But there was
never any hint at separating God from His influence
upon governmental decisions. Somewhere along the
way, America has lost her moral compass. She has left
God out of the picture, and by so doing, has opened the
door to destruction.
Psalms 9:17 warns us, “The wicked shall be turned
into hell, and all the nations that forget God.” And
Proverbs 14:34 says, “Righteousness exalteth a nation:
but sin is a reproach to any people.”
Let’s look at our forefathers’ frame of mind and
compare it to what is happening today.
John Adams—“Liberty can no more exist without
virtue and independence than the body can live and
move without a soul.”
Samuel Adams—“Neither the wisest constitution
nor the wisest laws will secure the liberty and happi-
ness of a people whose manners are universally corrupt.
He therefore is the truest friend of the liberty of his
country who tries most to promote its virtue, and who,
so far as his power and influence extend, will not suffer
a man to be chosen into any office of power and trust
who is not a wise and virtuous man.”
“The diminution of public virtue is usually attended
with that of public happiness, and the public liberty
will not long survive the total extinction of morals.”
Horace Greely—“Liberty cannot be established
without morality, nor morality without faith.”
Patrick Henry—“Bad men cannot make good citi-
zens. It is when a people forget God that tyrants forge
their chains. A vitiated state of morals, a corrupted
July, 2010 Page 3
public conscience, is incompatible with freedom. No free
government, or the blessings of liberty, can be preserved
to any people but by a firm adherence to justice, mod-
eration, temperance, frugality, and virtue; and by a
frequent recurrence to fundamental principles.”
Thomas Jefferson—“The GOD who gave us life, gave
us liberty at the same time.”
“No power over the freedom of religion ... is delegated
to the United States by the Constitution.”
Peter Marshall—“May freedom be seen not as the
right to do as we please but as the opportunity to please
to do what is right. May it ever be understood that our
liberty is under GOD and can be found nowhere else
... to the extent that America honors Thee, wilt Thou
bless America ...”
Alexis de Tocqueville—“[Liberty] considers religion
as the safeguard of morality, and morality as the best
security of law and the surest pledge of the duration of
freedom.”
George Washington—“It is the duty of all nations
to acknowledge the providence of ALMIGHTY GOD
and to obey His will.”
Can anyone deny that Almighty God and morality
were essential to the establishment of our great nation?
But the Bible and prayer has been outlawed in the
public school system, replaced with evolution and his-
tory revisions. The killing of unborn children is toler-
ated, even encouraged. Homosexuality is crammed at
our children as an acceptable lifestyle. Same sex mar-
riages are being made legal. Pornography is rampant.
The morals of America are descending at an alarming
rate. Politicians are corrupt. It seems at times all the
news is bad. If anyone lifts his voice in opposition to
the present decline, he is poo-pooed as a fanatic.
Thank God there are still a few voices who will
proclaim the truth. There are still those holding to
morality as the fabric of our national soul. There are
still those who remember our national roots and press
for a return to them.
God has promised in II Chronicles 7:14, “If my
people, which are called by my name, shall humble
themselves, and pray, and seek my face, and turn from
their wicked ways; then will I hear from heaven, and
will forgive their sin, and will heal their land.” Our
nation needs healing. Only a revival of biblical prin-
ciples, and a renewal of our moral awareness, will help
us overcome the present downward plunge. We need
God! May I encourage one and all to hold fast to honor-
able conduct, and exercise your right to vote for those
who stand for and exemplify righteous principles. God
is able to send revival! The Lord is able to turn this
thing around! Don’t lose hope. This is, after all, the
United States of America!
On page 4, there is another inspiring E-C-H-O by
Sis. Ann Davis. Please write me and send your testi-
mony. The Way of Truth, Young People’s Editor, P. O.
Box 88, Hagerstown, MD 21741 U.S.A. I would love to
hear from you this month.
Keep praying for America and brighten the corner
where you are!
In His service,
Bro. Greg Tyler
 SIMON ZELOTES
By Sis. Ann Davis
S IMON ZELOTES, or
Simon the Zealot, is men-
tioned by name only four
times in the Bible. But he was
called, sent and commis-
sioned by Christ to do all the
duties of a disciple, and he
was faithful to his calling.
As we are trying to com-
pare the disciples that Jesus
chose to people of today,
many would judge them-
selves to be most like this
disciple, and may try to min-
imize their own importance in the work of the kingdom
of God. We may think that Simon Zelotes is of less
importance than Simon Peter or John just because we
do not find as much individual information about him
recorded in the Scriptures.
Jesus chose Simon (Matthew 10:1-4), and gave him
the same power to cast out unclean spirits and to heal
all manner of diseases as He did the other disciples.
He told him to go out and preach the gospel and to
teach (Mark 3). Simon traveled with Jesus in His min-
istry (Luke 6: 15), so Jesus valued him just as much as
the more vocal ones that He chose. He had his place
and it was of great importance to Christ.
Simon was there in the upper room with the other
disciples (Acts 1:13), and this is the last time we find
him mentioned by name. This does not mean that he
dropped off the scene of action. He was part of the body.
We find many accounts of what the other disciples were
doing. It is possible that Simon and some of the other
disciples may have traveled with Peter and John as
they ministered to the man at the gate called Beautiful.
He no doubt helped to pray Peter and John out of prison.
Could he have suffered under the hand of Paul or helped
to pray for his salvation? We know that Simon was busy
somewhere because Christ gave each of them a job to
do, and they were doing what they could. We only know
that he was a faithful disciple of Christ; and that is
something that we all can be, no matter how little tal-
ent or ability we have or think we have.
I Corinthians 12:12-19 (I seldom use the NIV but
thought it was very good here.), “The body is a unit,
though it is made up of many parts; and though all its
parts are many, they form one body. So it is with Christ.
For we were all baptized by one Spirit into one body—
whether Jews or Greeks, slave or free—and we were
all given the one Spirit to drink. Now the body is not
made up of one part but of many. If the foot should say,
Because I am not a hand, I do not belong to the body,
it would not for that reason cease to be part of the body.
And if the ear should say, Because I am not an eye, I
do not belong to the body, it would not for that reason
cease to be part of the body. If the whole body were an
eye, where would the sense of hearing be? If the whole
body were an ear, where would the sense of smell be?
But in fact God has arranged the parts in the body,
every one of them, just as he wanted them to be.” We
Page 4 The Way of Truth
know the names of famous doctors who have discovered
vaccines to cure dreaded diseases. Often those vaccines
carry the names of the doctors who discovered them.
Hours of labor are spent in the laboratories, and much
data is gathered and compared; countless chapters of
materials are meticulously read and studied by devoted
researchers whose names will never go on a printed
page. Does this make their work of any less value?
Could the job have been done without them? No, it
takes these Simon Zelotes’ that we will not know by
name to make these research projects come to fruition,
but the world will be a better place because of them.
It is the same in the Church of God. Some are min-
isters, evangelists, teachers; but others are the workers
behind the scenes. Someone may meet a minister at
the door after a powerful sermon and say, “God surely
blessed in this service.” Another, who could never think
of walking into a pulpit, may just smile and know that
they prayed earnestly for the service and felt that God
really answered prayer. Can you place yourself in this
number? If so, you are more valuable to the church and
to the world than you will ever know.
Every project has a leader, and when the job is
finished there are many hands that have made it all
happen. These less known workers are the Simon’s of
today. So don’t underestimate your importance to the
work of God. Keep praying, keep holding up the hands
of the ministry, singing with the congregation, working
on whatever needs to be done.
My pastor once told me, “Learn to be a good helper
and you’ll never be out of a job!”
Good helpers don’t usually make the headlines or
even get their names in print, but in God’s book they
are priceless—and that’s what really matters. 
IMMIGRATION LINE
Ann Davis
I stood in that long line
Without a doubt or fear.
My passage would be sure
And that was very clear.
The I.O. smiled, and I did, too;
My homeland is so dear.
My passport proved and stamped—
I WAS BORN HERE!
Some day I’ll stand in awe
Before the great White Throne.
The deeds that I have done
On earth will be made known.
I have a homeland there
And through salvation’s plan,
My passport’s stamped and ready—
BORN AGAIN!

The
Question
Box
Answered by the Editor
Note: All questions are from M. D., Uganda
Q UESTION: Explain Daniel 7:13, 14.
ANSWER: These two verses speak of the Lord
Jesus Christ and the kingdom of God. Verse 14
speaks of His kingdom, and it says, “His dominion is
an everlasting dominion, which shall not pass away,
and his kingdom that which shall not be destroyed.”
Where do you get a literal kingdom of a thousand years
out of that? This same truth is brought out in Daniel
2:44, where we are told, Christ’s kingdom “shall stand
for ever.”
QUESTION: What does the phrase “at hand”
mean?
ANSWER: Normally it means, “it is here, or now”;
but it must not always be limited to that meaning. In
Matthew 3:2 we read, “Repent ye: for the kingdom of
heaven is at hand.” It was at hand then; but the king-
dom of God is still “at hand,” and people still need to
repent to enter the kingdom of God.
QUESTION: What did Jesus mean when He said,
“The time is fulfilled”?
ANSWER: Jesus was referring to the prophecy of
Daniel 2:44—“In the days of these kings shall the God
of heaven set up a kingdom, which shall never be
destroyed.”
QUESTION: In Matthew 16:18, 19, did Christ say
Peter was the “rock” on which He would build His
church, and was Peter the only one He gave the keys
of the kingdom to?
ANSWER: Peter had declared that Jesus was, “the
Christ, the Son of the living God”—Verse 16. Jesus told
Peter that God had revealed that to him; and then the
Lord went on to say, in effect, “Peter, you are right; and
upon whom you say I am, I will build my church.” In
no way was Christ saying that Peter was the “rock.”
The Apostle Paul tells us in I Corinthians 10:4 that
Christ was/is the “Rock.” As to the “keys of the kingdom,”
Jesus was not speaking of Peter alone but of all the
ones He had called to preach the gospel. God’s true
ministers today have those keys.
QUESTION: What is the difference between the
church and the kingdom?
ANSWER: There are different phases of the king-
dom of God; for instance, Paul speaks of the experience
phase in Romans 14:17, “For the kingdom of God is not
July, 2010 Page 5
meat and drink; but righteousness, and peace, and joy
in the Holy Ghost.” When it comes to the saved—the
members—there is no difference. The members of the
church and the subjects in the kingdom are one and
the same. When you are born into the kingdom you are
born into the church. (See Psalm 87:5, 6, and Galatians
4:26, along with John 3:3 and 5.
QUESTION: Who are the elders of the church?
ANSWER: In ancient times, at least as far back as
Moses’ time (Exodus 4:29), the older men of a commu-
nity were known as elders. They were the ones that sat
in the gate and governed the people. This type of soci-
ety continued into New Testament times. The elders
joined the priests and scribes against Jesus.
As to the church, elders were appointed for the
various congregations. By that time the word was
applied mostly to the ministers, including pastors.
Elders in Acts 20:17 are called “overseers” in verse 28.
The word elder and bishop (pastors) are used inter-
changeably. Of course, the word elder is also used for
an older person.
QUESTION: What are the responsibilities of the
elders?
ANSWER: According to Acts 20:28, they are to
oversee the work of the church. They are to govern the
flock; they are to preach the gospel; they are to pray
for the sick, etc. Since there are various offices in the
church, the duty of one elder could differ from
another.
QUESTION: What is the work of an evangelist?
ANSWER: The work of an evangelist is different
than the work of a pastor; and, of course, the gifts are
different. The work of an evangelist—at least in our
day—is to hold meetings for congregations in preaching
messages primarily to the unsaved. Many times it seems
we do not distinguish between a “revival” meeting and
an evangelistic meeting. A revival can be for the church
as well as for the unsaved.
Whether it be an evangelistic meeting, or a revival,
the gospel is to be preached; and thus, either one can
be a blessing to the saved and the unsaved.
QUESTION: Why does the Church not have a spe-
cific name?
ANSWER: I thought it did! “Take heed therefore
unto yourselves, and to all the flock, over the which the
Holy Ghost hath made you overseers, to feed the church
of God, which he hath purchased with his own blood”
(Acts 20:28). Do you know of any other church that has
been purchased by the blood of Christ? “Unto the church
of God which is at Corinth, to them that are sanctified
in Christ Jesus, called to be saints, with all that in
every place call upon the name of Jesus Christ our Lord,
both theirs and ours” (I Corinthians 1:2). “For ye have
heard of my conversation in time past in the Jews’
religion, how that beyond measure I persecuted the
church of God, and wasted it” (Galatians 1:13). “Give
none offence, neither to the Jews, nor to the Gentiles,
nor to the church of God” (I Corinthians 10:32).
 There are different terms used in speaking of the
Church of God; for instance, the body of Christ; the
family of God; the bride of Christ, etc. Those are descrip-
tive terms of the Church but not the name of the
Church.
QUESTION: What is the meaning of the word
ekklesia?
ANSWER: The word is a Greek word, meaning, “an
assembly of people, or church.” Let me comment a little
more on your question about the name of the church.
Church means, “an assembly of people”; of means,
“belonging to”; and when you put the word God to it,
you have an assembly of people who belong to God.
QUESTION: What are the key things the early
Christians did in the assembly?
ANSWER: They worshiped God in Spirit and in
truth! They sang hymns; they read the Scriptures; they
prayed; they exhorted one another, and they even cor-
rected one another.
Not only in the assembly, but otherwise “the aged
men [were] to be sober, grave, temperate, sound in faith,
in charity [love], in patience. The aged women likewise,
that they be in behaviour as becometh holiness, not
false accusers, not given to much wine, teachers of good
things; That they may teach the young women to be
sober, to love their husbands, to love their children, To
be discreet, chaste, keepers at home, good, obedient to
their own husbands, that the word of God be not blas-
phemed. Young men likewise exhort to be sober minded.
In all things showing thyself a pattern of good works:
in doctrine showing uncorruptness, gravity, sincerity,
Sound speech, that cannot be condemned” (Titus 2:2-
8).
QUESTION: Explain Hebrews 10:24, 25.
ANSWER: The work provoke means, in part, “to
excite to some action or feeling.” So we are to provoke
one another to love each other, and to encourage one
another to good works. One of those “good works” is to
be faithful in our attendance at the services where the
truth of the gospel is preached. 
E-MAIL
I was happy when I found your
website on the internet. I was on
your mailing list for The Way of
Truth in the 80’s. I lost contact
with you due to numerous rea-
sons.
I can now read your monthly
magazine on your website. The
reunion is as if Jacob met Joseph
after several years of separation.
May the good Lord continue to
bless those who contribute and
sustain the production of the mag-
azine. He that heareth my word, and believeth on him that
—D. A., Nigeria
Page 6 The Way of Truth
“I WILL COME AGAIN”
By Bro. Hoyt Matthews
“In my Father’s house are many mansions: if it were
not so, I would have told you. I go to prepare a place for
you. And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come
again, and receive you unto myself; that where I am,
there ye may be also” (John 14:2, 3).
“And when he had spoken these things, while they
beheld, he was taken up; and a cloud received him out
of their sight. And while they looked stedfastly toward
heaven as he went up, behold, two men stood by them
in white apparel; Which also said, Ye men of Galilee,
why stand ye gazing up into heaven? this same Jesus,
which is taken up from you into heaven, shall so come
in like manner as ye have seen him go into heaven” (Acts
1:9-11).
T
HIS SIMPLE declaration, “I Will Come Again,”
has been deluged with supposed biblical teachings
which introduce nothing less than confusing, com-
plex questions which deserve nothing other than to be
disposed of into the nearest trash bin.
The truth of God’s Word will strip away all the trash
that is being woven into what will actually take place
at the last day. This trash shall be made up of man’s
concoctions, such as the rapture, the tribulation period,
the one thousand year reign with Christ on earth, the
rebuilding of the destroyed earthly temple where the
offering of animal sacrifices will again take place, the
anti-Christ, two literal resurrections, and on and on.
Let us do a little research into the Scriptures and
be informed as to what will take place on that day in
which Jesus said, “I will come again.”
That day in which Jesus said He would come again
was delineated by Jesus Himself as the “Last Day.” Is
not the last day, the last day? How can there be addi-
tional days beyond the last day? Martha, Lazarus’
sister, who was taught by Jesus was acquainted with
the truth that there would be a last day. This last day
will be the day in which Jesus shall come again.
WHAT WILL BE THE SEQUENCE OF EVENTS
THAT WILL TAKE PLACE ON THE LAST DAY?
1. “For the Lord himself shall descend from heaven
with a shout, with the voice of the archangel, and with
the trump of God: and the dead in Christ shall rise
first” (I Thessalonians 4:16).
In this verse, we can see that there was a resurrec-
tion that took place. The Scriptures teach us that there
are two resurrections. Which resurrection is this verse
discussing? Let us first locate the first resurrection.
Please turn in your Bible to the gospel of John, chapter
five, verses 24 and 25. “Verily, verily, I say unto you,
sent me, hath everlasting life, and shall not come into
condemnation; but is passed from death unto life. Ver-
ily, verily, I say unto you, The hour is coming, and now
is, when the dead shall hear the voice of the Son of God:
and they that hear shall live.”
It is not difficult to understand that these verses
are teaching us that this is a spiritual resurrection, or
a being raised from the dead state of sin to a new life
in Christ Jesus. The Apostle Paul confirms this in the
Ephesian epistle, chapter two, verse one, “And you hath
he quickened, who were dead in trespasses and sins.”
We are told in Revelation 20:5, “This is the first resur-
rection.”
After speaking of this first resurrection in John 5:24,
25, Jesus goes on to say in verses 28 and 29, “Marvel
not at this: for the hour is coming, in the which all that
are in the graves shall hear his voice, And shall come
forth; they that have done good, unto the resurrection
of life; and they that have done evil, unto the resurrec-
tion of damnation.”
These two verses are informing us that this second
resurrection will be a literal resurrection of all the dead,
both good and evil, which shall take place on the last
day.
Thus far on the last day, Jesus has descended with
a shout, with the sound of the trumpet, and all that are
in the graves have come forth, taking part in the literal
or second resurrection. What is the next event that will
take place on the last day?
“In a moment, in the twinkling of an eye, at the
last trump: for the trump shall sound, and the dead
shall be raised incorruptible, and we shall be changed”
(I Corinthians 15:52). Instantly, after these bodies have
left the graves, they shall be changed. In what way
will our bodies be changed? “For this corruptible must
put on incorruption, and this mortal must put on
immortality” (I Corinthians 15:53).
The next event will be our being caught up. “Then
we which are alive and remain shall be caught up
together with them in the clouds, to meet the Lord in
the air: and so shall we ever be with the Lord.”
O but what about our reigning on earth with Christ
for one thousand years? Were we not just instructed
that we would be caught up to be with the Lord in the
air, and so shall we (not for a thousand years) ever be
with the Lord? Why does this not all take place on the
earth? “But the day of the Lord [the last day] will come
as a thief in the night; in the which the heavens shall
pass away with a great noise, and the elements shall
melt with fervent heat, the earth also and the works
that are therein shall be [not scorched up but] burned
up” (II Peter 3:10).
The next event and pronouncement will bring joy
to the righteous, but horror to the unrighteous. “And
before him shall be gathered all nations: and he shall
separate them one from another, as a shepherd divideth
his sheep from the goats. And he shall set the sheep on
his right hand, but the goats on the left. Then shall he
say unto them on his right hand, Come, ye blessed of
my Father, inherit the kingdom prepared for you from
the foundation of the world” (Matthew 25:32-34). “Then
shall he say also unto them on the left hand, Depart
from me, ye cursed, into everlasting fire, prepared for
the devil and His angels: ... And these shall go away
July, 2010 Page 7
into everlasting punishment: but the righteous into life
eternal” (Matthew 25:41, 46).
The Apostle John describes the vision which was
given him, as we read from Revelation 20:12-15, “And
I saw the dead, small and great, stand before God; and
the books were opened: and another book was opened,
which is the book of life: and the dead were judged out
of those things which were written in the books, accord-
ing to their works. And the sea gave up the dead which
were in it; and death and hell delivered up the dead
which were in them: and they were judged every man
according to their works. And death and hell were cast
into the lake of fire. This is the second death. And
whosoever was not found written in the book of life was
cast into the lake of fire.”
The judgment and the sentence will be followed by
an eternity where there will be no pardon, parole, nor
commutation. The righteous shall shine as the bright-
ness of the stars forever and forever.
We have examined the last day carefully, and we
have found no hint that the thousand year reign with
Christ on this earth is ever suggested, but because of
false teaching you may be confused by the phrase in
Revelation 20:4 which says, “... and they lived and
reigned with Christ a thousand years.” Please notice
that this reign did not take place on earth, and further,
this reign came to an end somewhere around the year
1530. This reign began somewhere around the year
270. So symbolically, this one thousand years symbol-
ized a long period of time. This period of time is known
as the Dark Ages.
Who were those whom John saw reigning with Christ
for that period of time? John said he saw the souls of
them that were beheaded for the witness of Jesus, and
for the Word of God, and had not worshiped the beast
(Roman Catholicism). These were not living human
beings; they had been martyred, and it was their souls
that were reigning with Christ where He is. Is He not
at the right hand of the Father, and had Jesus not
prayed, “Our Father which art in heaven”?
Are not we as saints of God reigning with Christ
now? Revelation 1:6 tells us that Christ has made us
kings and priests unto God and His Father. Kings reign!
We are kings. Over what are we reigning? “Let not sin
therefore reign in your mortal body, ...” (Romans 6:12).
So we are reigning over sin. What is to be the length
of this reign? “And in the days of these kings shall the
God of heaven set up a kingdom, which shall never be
destroyed: and the kingdom shall not be left to other
people, but it shall break in pieces and consume all
these kingdoms, and it shall stand for ever” (Daniel
2:44).
As long as we stay true to God and remain in His
kingdom, we shall reign with Him. Why would anyone
wish to live on this earth being subject to the flesh for
a thousand years when we could reign with Christ in
heaven forever and forever?
Jesus said, “I will come again.” The last day shall
take place at His coming; and beyond that, eternity!
Where shall be your dwelling place in eternity? 
ARE YOU READY FOR THE JUDGMENT DAY?

HOW
GOD LEADS HIS
PEOPLE
Radio Message by Bro. James Arch
I GREET YOU you in the name of the Lord. I’m so
thankful for these few moments with you on this
radio ministry.
The subject of the message for today’s program is,
“How God Leads His People.” I’ll be reading one text
as a pilot thought. In Psalm 143, verse 10 we read,
“Teach me to do thy will; for thou art my God: thy spirit
is good; lead me into the land of uprightness.”
We live in a world of much confusion, and many
apparently don’t seem to know where they stand,
spiritually speaking. No Christian can walk this road
alone. We must keep an open mind and learn.
The text I’ve chosen expresses two thoughts—teach
and lead. In another Psalm, David also asked the Lord
to lead Him in a plain path. The word plain means,
“clear to the senses or mind; simple; ordinary, or with-
out decoration.”
Grace to keep when it is rough is what we need from
the Lord. We need renewed grace every day to walk
this path. David was saying, “Help me to keep the joy
flowing in my soul that I may help others along the
way; help me to have more gentleness and forbearance,
and help me to make the right way attractive to the
people around me.” Who knows the way any better than
God does? He knows the way and can lead us.
In these very turbulent times, we can be comforted
by the promises of God. The assurance that He is with
us certainly does bring comfort and sustenance to our
souls. To know that the Lord is with us is one of His
great promises in the Word of God. He said He would
never leave nor forsake us. Even in the great commis-
sion He left, He said, “Lo, I am with you alway, even
unto the end of the world.”
One of Jesus’ followers asked Him, “How can we
know the way?” You’ll find this in the 14th chapter of
St. John. “Thomas saith unto him, Lord, we know not
whither thou goest; and how can we know the way?
Jesus saith unto him, I am the way, the truth, and the
life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by me.” So
Jesus gave him a straightforward answer. He said, “I
am the way, the truth, and the life.” Without Him, we
can do nothing. We must stand on the Lord Jesus Christ
and build our life.
There are many ways that are being offered today
in the world, but there is still only one way to heaven;
that is, God’s way, which is very, very clearly outlined
in the Scriptures as well. Jesus said in John 10:9, 10,
“I am the door: by me if any man enter in, he shall be
saved, and shall go in and out, and find pasture. The
thief cometh not, but for to steal, and to kill, and to
destroy: I am come that they might have life, and that
they might have it more abundantly.” So it is very clear,
Page 8 The Way of Truth
My Beloved Friends, that Jesus is the bridge between
God and man. He is the way in which we make it through
to glory. Jesus made it very clear when He said, “I am
the way.”
God’s people are on a path. He has not left us alone,
but we have to strive to stay on that path. Of course
that is done by faith, strong faith in God. The Apostle
Paul, in writing to the Ephesian church in the 6th
chapter, said, “Finally, my brethren, be strong in the
Lord, and in the power of his might. Put on the whole
armour of God, that ye may be able to stand against
the wiles of the devil. ... Above all, taking the shield of
faith, wherewith ye shall be able to quench all the fiery
darts of the wicked.”
Now I read one pilot text from Psalm 143, verse 10,
which says, “Teach me to do thy will; for thou art my
God: thy spirit is good; lead me into the land of upright-
ness.” Those are the words of David. Apparently, he
was passing through some hard times at that particu-
lar time. Verse three tells us, “For the enemy hath
persecuted my soul; he hath smitten my life down to
the ground; he hath made me to dwell in darkness, as
those that have been long dead.” Those were very
troublesome times he was going through. He became
down and despondent. “Therefore is my spirit over-
whelmed within me; my heart within me is desolate.”
Those are the words of David taken from Psalm 143.
We go through some rough times in life at times,
and there was no exception for David. Thank God, the
same God in the valley is the same God on the moun-
tain; the same God on the mountain is the same God
in the valley. It is easy to serve the Lord and walk with
Him when all is going smooth and well, but it’s when
we get into the rough places in life that we need to
exercise much more faith and confidence in God to see
us through. We then will prove who God really is. Thank
God for His wonderful love to us. He has promised that
He would always be with us.
David reached out to God with all he had in his soul.
Psalm 143:6, “I stretch forth my hands unto thee: my
soul thirsteth after thee, as a thirsty land.” Yes, David
went to the right source. He reminded God that he
needed Him to hear him. Verse 8, “Cause me to hear
thy lovingkindness in the morning; for in thee do I trust:
cause me to know the way wherein I should walk; for
I lift up my soul unto thee.” No wonder David could
write in another passage of scripture, “When my heart
is overwhelmed: lead me to the rock that is higher than
I.” I’m trying to bring you to a point on how God leads
His people.
David admitted he needed God to guide him. The
Bible tells us, “It is not in man that walketh to direct
his steps.” We need the guiding hand of this Pilot,
especially in these turbulent times we are living in
today. We can’t walk this road alone. We need the con-
stant guidance of our heavenly Father to be with us.
Of course, God leads His children in many different
ways. There’s a beautiful song we sing sometimes which
says—
In shady, green pastures, so rich and so sweet,
God leads His dear children along;
Where the water’s cool flow bathes the weary one’s feet,
God leads His dear children along.
 Sometimes on the mount where the sun shines so bright,
God leads His dear children along;
Sometimes in the valley, in darkest of night,
God leads His dear children along.
Though sorrows befall us and Satan oppose,
God leads His dear children along;
Through grace we can conquer, defeat all our foes,
God leads His dear children along.
Away from the mire, and away from the clay,
God leads His dear children along;
Away up in glory, eternity’s day,
God leads His dear children along.
Some through the waters, some through the flood,
Some through the fire, but all through the blood;
Some through great sorrow, but God gives a song,
In the night season and all the day long.
Thank God today for the wonderful pathway that
He leads us on. He leads with a gentle, still small voice,
if we would only take a few minutes to listen.
Do you know what the Bible tells us in the book of
Isaiah, chapter 30, verse 21? “And thine ears shall hear
a word behind thee, saying, This is the way, walk ye in
it, when ye turn to the right hand, and when ye turn
to the left.” We must keep our eyes on the goal, and the
Pilot will lead us on. He leads out of darkness, My
Beloved Friends, and into this marvelous light.
When Jesus came into this world, He brought a new
era. He brought new hope. He brought what the world
didn’t have before. Jesus Christ Himself came into the
world as a Savior, a Redeemer. He introduced and
brought into being the new dispensation—the dispensa-
tion of grace. We are told that we are no longer under
the law but under grace. “For the law was given by
Moses, but grace and truth came by Jesus Christ.”
We find in Isaiah 42:16, “And I will bring the blind
[spiritually blind] by a way that they knew not; I will
lead them in paths that they have not known: I will
make darkness light before them, and crooked things
straight. These things will I do unto them, and not
forsake them.” He leads us out of darkness and into
His great light. Jesus is the light, Friends. He said, “I
am the light of the world: he that followeth me shall
not walk in darkness, but shall have the light of life.”
Jesus leads into paths of peace and contentment.
David said in Psalm 23, which is one of the favorite
Psalms, “He maketh me to lie down in green pastures:
he leadeth me beside the still waters.” That’s what God
does for us, Friends. We must follow His leading and
guidance. He will guide to the very end. He doesn’t
leave us alone, as I said in the beginning of this mes-
sage.
If you’ll look into the 48th Psalm, verse 14, it says,
“For this God is our God for ever and ever: he will be
our guide even unto death.” Yes, “God Leads His Dear
Children Along.” If you’re struggling today, and need
the help of the Lord, you can turn to Him. He’s the One
that never fails. “He’s so great He holds this world in
the palm of His hand; yet so small, He can live in the
heart of a man.” I’ve never heard one Christian in all
of my years say that they ever regretted serving the
Lord or following Him. When all else fails, and looks
July, 2010 Page 9
dark, and it seems that you can go no farther, you can
depend on His leadership. “God Leads His Dear Children
Along,” but we must apply ourselves. We must stay
focused. We must stand on the promises, and on the
power of God. We must have faith in God, and hold on
to the promises He has given us. Jesus said, “Without
me ye can do nothing.” We must stay connected to the
Vine. We must have that source of life and that source
of sustenance.
Someone by the name of J. Morse wrote—
Once I was lost upon the sea,
It seemed all hope was gone;
My ship was drifting helplessly,
Battered by the storms.
But then I saw a brilliant light
Shining brighter than the day;
It seemed to beckon, “Come to me,
I will light the way.”
Now my ship is in the harbor,
Anchored firmly near the shore;
In the shadow of the lighthouse,
Safe forevermore.
Oftentimes I wonder
Just where that I would be,
If my lighthouse—Jesus Christ the Lord,
Had not rescued me.
If you know the Lord today, I would advise you to
stay close to Him, hold fast to that which you know and
to that which you’ve stood on all of these years. Stand
fast on the Word of God. We’re living in very deceptive
times. It is an age where the devil is working faster
and harder than he has ever worked before. That means
Christians must be stronger and bolder, and be deter-
mined to follow the Lord all the way.
This life is temporary. We will only be here for a
little while, and then we will move on. This is a prepa-
ration place for somewhere better called heaven, where
we will go to be with the Lord forever. There will be
never be any more problems, trials, afflictions, sorrows,
sickness, pain nor death, for those former things will
have passed away. It will be bliss forevermore.
Those of you who are listening to my voice may not
know the Lord, and may have never tried the Lord. What
a good time, in these very trying days that we’re living
in, to try Jesus. He said, “Come unto me, all ye that
labour and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest.
Take my yoke upon you, and learn of me; for I am meek
and lowly in heart: and ye shall find rest unto your souls.
For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light.”
David asked God, “Teach me to do thy will; for thou
art my God: thy spirit is good; lead me into the land of
uprightness.” In these times when people are losing
their faith, trust and confidence in God, where they are
turning away from religion, and anything to do with
God and righteousness, you can build a relationship
with God that will stand. You can build on this Rock
and He will lead you.
Jesus closed off the Sermon on the Mount with these
words, “Therefore whosoever heareth these sayings of
mine, and doeth them, I will liken him unto a wise man,
which built his house upon a rock: And the rain
descended, and the floods came, and the winds blew,
and beat upon that house; and it fell not: for it was
founded upon a rock.” Jesus is that Rock. You can believe,
trust and hope in that great Rock. God does lead His
dear children along. He leads His people along. You can
depend and trust in Him.
What a good time it would be today to surrender
your life to the Lord, and ask Him to forgive you. He
will give you a new beginning, a new life, new aspira-
tions. You’ll never regret the day you started with the
Lord. God is still on His throne, Friends. He never
forsakes His own. He is still in the saving business; He
is still in the keeping business, and He will keep those
who will put their trust and confidence in Him. You can
depend on this great God.
May the Lord bless and keep you until we meet on
another broadcast. I am sure the Lord is with you. 
OUT OF BOX 88
Alvin A. Craig, Editor,
Enclosed is a small gift to be used in the publishing work.
We look forward to the magazine each month.
We pray that the Lord will bless each one of you there
working so hard to get the truth out. It is needed so badly in
these evil days. People just do not understand the truth.
—B. E., Arkansas
Dear Brothers and Sisters in the Lord,
Greetings in the name of the Lord. I am sending $— to
be used to help get out The Way of Truth magazine.
I found that the April issue was such a good help to me,
especially the message by Bro. Terry Deville.
I don’t know who sent my name in for the magazine, but
whoever did, God bless them. They did me a very good favor.
Keep up the good work. God is so good.
—G. J., California
Thank you very much for The Way of Truth magazine. I
enjoy receiving it each month.
— E. A., Alabama
Dear Sirs,
I received a sample magazine and absolutely loved it.
Please send more. Thank you so much!
—T. K., Nebraska
We are sending a donation for your magazine. We enjoy
it very much. ... Thank you.
—Mr. & Mrs. C. W., Oklahoma
Thank you so much for sending your magazine. It is filled
with nougats of gold and gems of rubies; the riches of Jesus
Christ, our precious Redeemer.
May the Lord reward you with souls for all of your labor
and work you do to keep it coming into our homes and hearts.
Thank you!
—B. A., Indiana
Dear Brothers and Sisters in Hagerstown,
Greetings! Thank you so much for sharing the Word of
God with me, for your website and the fine singing from the
choir. I enjoy every minute and I’m trying my best to please
the Lord in my daily life. personal ownership, so He has the right to do with her
—W. S., Ohio 
Page 10 The Way of Truth
WE, THE
Full-length Message
Delivered on 8/9/09 in Sand
F
OR SOMETIME God has laid on my heart this
message to the church. She must be presented as
the mightiest and most beautiful, powerful, unde-
feated thing this world could ever be blessed with.
The scripture text for today is taken from Matthew,
chapter 16, verses 13-18. “When Jesus came into the
coasts of Caesarea Philippi, he asked his disciples, say-
ing, Whom do men say that I the Son of man am? And
they said, Some say that thou art John the Baptist:
some, Elias; and others, Jeremias, or one of the proph-
ets. He saith unto them, But whom say ye that I am?
And Simon Peter answered and said, Thou art the
Christ, the Son of the living God. And Jesus answered
and said unto him, Blessed art thou, Simon Barjona:
for flesh and blood hath not revealed it unto thee, but
my Father which is in heaven. And I say also unto thee,
That thou art Peter, and upon this rock I will build my
church; and the gates of hell shall not prevail against
it.” I have entitled the message, “We, the Church.” I
will quote the last line of verse 18. “... and the gates of
hell shall not prevail against it.”
First of all, we must be open to the truth so that it
will be constantly revealed to us. Bro. D. S. Warner has
written in his song, “Brighter days are sweetly dawn-
ing, O the glory looms in sight! For the cloudy day is
waning, And the evening shall be light.” I John 1:7, “If
we walk in the light, as he is in the light, we have fel-
lowship one with another, and the blood of Jesus Christ
his Son cleanseth us from all sin.” If we walk in the
light, as Christ is in the light, then we will have a bet-
ter understanding on things. God will then reveal more
truth to us as we walk in the light.
Again my message is, “We, the Church.” By obeying
the commands of God, and standing on His promises,
we stand out as a victorious church. Psalm 48:2, “Beau-
tiful for situation, the joy of the whole earth, is mount
Zion, ...” Compare this with the words of Jesus, “the
gates of hell shall not prevail against it.” What a defense!
Romans 8:31, “If God be for us, who can be against us?”
Jesus recognizes the church in the most highest way.
She is the apple of His eye (Deuteronomy 32:10). We
all know about the importance of the eye and how
delicate it is. Think of how the wind blowing can some-
time hurt the eye. Think of how Christ cherishes His
people, the Church; so we must be all He wants us to
be. He wants us to be His representatives. The only
way we can be like Him is to be holy. “Be ye holy; for I
am holy” (I Peter 1:16).
Jesus continues to recognize His church as it is in
His sight. He said, “I will build my church.” It is His
as He pleases. Jesus continued to prepare her for the

CHURCH
by Bro. Garry Jeffries
dy Bay, Roatan, Honduras
work ahead, so He empowered her
with His power. Notice in Mat-
thew 28:18-20 where He sent His
disciples out with His authority.
This is the church the world
needed and still needs. We must
never be discouraged or feel
deserted, for the Bible is true. Acts
1:8 tells us, “But ye shall receive
power, after that the Holy Ghost is
come upon you.” Praise His holy name!
Acts 4:33, “And with great power gave the apostles
witness of the resurrection of the Lord Jesus: and great
grace was upon them all.” The Church was in action
and ready for its mission.
The Apostle Paul said that God sets the members
in the Church as it pleases Him (I Corinthians 12:18).
This is spoken of in Ephesians 4:1-16. Verse 16 says,
“From whom the whole body fitly joined together and
compacted by that which every joint supplieth, accord-
ing to the effectual working in the measure of every
part, maketh increase of the body unto the edifying of
itself in love.” It is only when we get to this stage that
the Church will really be able to accomplish this great
mission that is set before us, and it is only with love
and patience that we will defeat the plans of the enemy.
The Church is now armed and ready for her task.
Before I go too far into the message, I do not want
you to forget that this church was from creation. When
God decided to make man, no one had a better relation-
ship with God than Adam. They walked together; they
had conversations, and God made known His plan for
the human race. It was a person-to-person talk, so to
speak. God told Adam and Eve to be fruitful and mul-
tiply. As it was in Adam’s day, God still walks and talks
with His people, the Church. We cannot overlook the
way God dealt with Adam and Eve after they sinned
in the Garden of Eden. God continued to have love for
the human race. Time will not allow me to go into all
that happened from Adam to Abraham, but I can con-
tinue to speak on how God called Abraham and reminded
him that He, God, was the God of Israel. God called
Abraham to go to a strange land and He would make
of him a great and mighty nation. Many times on this
journey we feel as if we are useless, and tend to give
up on God; but God told Abraham, “I will bless thee,
and in multiplying I will multiply thy seed as the stars
of the heaven, and as the sand which is upon the sea
shore.” Paul said of Abraham in Romans 4:20, “He
staggered not at the promise of God through unbelief;
but was strong in faith, giving glory to God.” He held
on not having a child, but he trusted God’s Word, and
July, 2010 Page 11
looked forward to seeing this accomplished. This is the
faith that will keep the Church moving and seeing
things happen for the glory of God.
The Church in the patriarchic time had an obedient
attitude. Abraham questioned not God, but left his home
and went into a far country, not knowing where he went.
So many times when we don’t see things our way, we
question God. We refuse to go where the Spirit leads,
or do what He says. When we leave all, we won’t have
any trouble; when we won’t leave all, then we bring
trouble on ourselves. Abraham took Lot with him to
Canaan, but during that time there was trouble. He
fought for Lot and his company after being taken by
the kings. This is found in Genesis, chapter 14. At the
announcement by the angels that Sodom and Gomorrah
would be destroyed, Abraham asked for mercy. He said
to the Lord, “Peradventure there be fifty righteous
within the city: wilt thou also destroy and not spare
the place for the fifty righteous that are therein?” Abra-
ham continued to ask the Lord for mercy on Sodom and
Gomorrah. “If there be 45, 40, 30, 20 or 10 righteous,
wilt thou destroy the city?” There were not even 10
righteous, so Sodom and Gomorrah was destroyed. Be
careful of the choice we make in choosing a place to
live. It could have an effect on our souls and also on
our children.
Obedience causes us to gain favor with God. I Sam-
uel 15:22 says, “Behold, to obey is better than sacrifice,
and to hearken than the fat of rams.” Abel offered an
excellent sacrifice to God. God accepted it. This is the
Church continuing on in their days. Enoch walked with
God. He was translated. He never saw death. We, the
Church, will never fail nor falter if we trust in God. We
are promised an everlasting Keeper, and we will have
sufficient power to overcome whatever the devil sends
our way. Praise His holy name! “Noah found grace in
the eyes of the LORD.” Why? Because he was willing
to obey what God told him to do. Souls were saved, and
the Church survived, for God remembered Noah and
brought him to dry land. Never give up. Storms may
come, and winds may blow, but our God is there to
deliver us.
After years of silence, Moses was called out of the
bulrush to lead God’s people. I often think of Moses as
one who mostly suffered for the cause. First, he escaped
the killing by Pharaoh. He was rejected by his own
when he stood up for them. It will happen to you. Those
you love and fight for will turn and say mean things
about you. Moses had the privilege to be great, but he
refused to be the son of Pharaoh’s daughter. He chose
to suffer affliction with the people of God, and help
them to make heaven. At the crossing of the Red Sea,
Moses took the forefront. He pleaded many times for
God to forgive their murmurings. Moses was deprived
from entering the promise land, but God provided a
successor. The Church kept marching on. Moses was
an example in leadership. He kept on the course God
set for him.
God told Moses’ successor, Joshua, “As I was with
Moses, so I will be with thee: I will not fail thee, nor
forsake thee. ... Only be thou strong and very coura-
geous, that thou mayest observe to do according to all
the law, which Moses my servant commanded thee:
turn not from it to the right hand or to the left, that
thou mayest prosper whithersoever thou goest.” Many
times people want us preachers to change our course
and stop preaching certain things, but the message is,
“Turn not to the right or to the left.” There is a reward
for the faithful. Our destiny is heaven. Be obedient.
Church, keep marching on. After Joshua took over, he
told the people, “Choose you this day whom ye will
serve; whether the gods which your fathers served that
were on the other side of the flood, or the gods of the
Amorites, in whose land ye dwell: but as for me and
my house, we will serve the LORD.”
I think of Job. O what a member of the Church of
God! The Lord said unto Satan, “Hast thou considered
my servant Job, that there is none like him in the earth,
a perfect and an upright man, one that feareth God,
and escheweth evil?” What great things were said of
him out of the mouth of God! Think on this. No matter
what people may have said about Job, God said, “He is
my servant; I’ll protect him.” No one man suffered like
Job. He was covered with sores. His loss was great. His
wife told him to curse God and die, but his words were
of comfort, “Though he slay me, yet will I trust in him.”
Job left a testimony for the Church. Job 1:22, “In all
this Job sinned not, nor charged God foolishly.” What-
ever we have to go through in this world, stay true to
God and He will bring us out. “The joy of the whole
earth, is mount Zion, [the Church].” Jesus said, “I’ll be
with you to the end.” The gates of hell shall not prevail
against the Church of God. Praise His holy name!
There was a Church in Daniel’s time. He was a man
of integrity. He was a praying Christian. He opened his
window and knelt before his God three times a day. He
was an outstanding example of the Church of God that
the gates of hell cannot prevail against. He not only
was cast into a den of lions, but he was also tested for
his faith in God, just like we are. Brothers and Sisters,
whenever it is our turn, remember there were others
who were tested before us. Daniel refused to stop pray-
ing. He was cast into the den of lions, but God delivered
him. Daniel said, “O king, live for ever. My God hath
sent his angel, and hath shut the lions’ mouths, that
they have not hurt me.” Sis. Gordon sings the verse of
a song that says, “But all night long, the lions never
took a bite; God took away their appetite.” The Church
continued standing firm and expected victory through
the Lord. Yes, the Church is a mighty army. She will
never lose a battle. We serve a mighty God. Thank God
for the church triumphant!
King Nebuchadnezzar had set up a golden image.
He commanded everyone to fall down and worship this
image. Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego disregarded
the king’s command. The king said to them, “Who is
that God that shall deliver you out of my hands?” They
answered, “If it be so, our God whom we serve is able
to deliver us from the burning fiery furnace, and he
will deliver us out of thine hand, O king.” Shadrach,
Meshach, and Abednego were thrown into the fiery
furnace. The king became astonished and said, “Did
not we cast three men bound into the midst of the fire?
... Lo, I see four men loose, walking in the midst of the
fire, and they have no hurt; and the form of the fourth
is like the Son of God.” God had delivered them. Glory
Page 12 The Way of Truth
to His name! The king had a plan to destroy them, the
Church, but he exalted the God of Daniel. He then called
for the scribes to rewrite the laws saying that the
people shall not serve nor worship any god, except the
one true God. If we hold our ground, and cling to the
truth, the Church will be acknowledged as the victori-
ous church.
The reason I am so moved to preach this message
is, I want everyone to behold the beauty of God’s church
and to witness God’s wonderful power through the
reading of His Word. His promises are given to the
Church. Christ has commissioned the Church to go into
all the world and preach the gospel. From Adam until
the end of the prophet’s age, the Church has never lost
a battle. They had their prayers answered and conquered
obstacles in their way. The church was left to encourage
us. Like them, we can be victorious; for the gates of hell
cannot prevail against God’s church. The Apostle Paul
encourages us of past victories of the Church. In the
eleventh chapter of Hebrews, we read of the victorious
Church. You can read about her in verses 32-40. From
Adam until now, the Church is marching on. Yes, no
matter what your trouble may be, if you are on the right
side, God will be on your side. The Church will continue
to prove herself as the mighty army. She triumphs over
the various attacks of the devil.
Heaven has now accepted the fact that our forefa-
thers elevated the Church. They left for us a living
example. We must continue to represent the Church as
we look at the encouragement that is left behind. We
think of the morning church where Jesus said, “I will
build my church.” So we do know that she is a holy
institution. Paul has mentioned the various gifts and
they have worked. Jesus went back to heaven, but He
reminded the Church of the work that is to be done.
We shall be able to do greater works. I wonder some-
times, what could be greater than seeing the dead raised
and sight given to the blind? Deuteronomy 14:2, “For
thou art an holy people unto the LORD thy God, and
the LORD hath chosen thee to be a peculiar people unto
himself, above all the nations that are upon the earth.”
With this statement, we need to remember how special
the Church is to Him. This institution is empowered
by God. He sets the members in place as it pleases Him.
Luke 9:1 says, “Then he called his twelve disciples
together, and gave them power and authority over all
devils, and to cure diseases.”
We are the Church. Luke 24:49, “And, behold, I send
the promise of my Father upon you: but tarry ye in the
city of Jerusalem, until ye be endued with power from
on high.” The Church was to pick up from the years of
silence and arm for the battle. The morning church
presented the glorious church to the world that knew
nothing about it. They tarried but the Spirit of God came
on time. “And when the day of Pentecost was fully come,
they were all with one accord in one place. And suddenly
there came a sound from heaven as of a rushing mighty
wind, and it filled all the house where they were sitting.
And there appeared unto them cloven tongues like as
of fire, and it sat upon each of them. And they were all
filled with the Holy Ghost, and began to speak with
other tongues, as the Spirit gave them utterance” (Acts
2:1-4). The Church kept marching on.
 The power in action—First of all, the Church had
prayer warriors. Peter and John prayed every day at
the ninth hour just as Daniel prayed three times. This
was their time for prayer to God. So often we miss or
be late for a prayer meeting, but they weren’t. There
was a certain man who was lame from his birth. He
asked alms of people who entered into the temple. He
reached out his hand for help, not knowing this was
his day to receive the greatest gift in his life. Peter,
motivated by the power of God, said to the lame man,
“Silver and gold have I none; but such as I have give I
thee: In the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth rise up
and walk.” Not only did he walk, but he leaped and
praised God. When these things begin to happen, the
Church will continue on the course to conquer. We are
the Church, mighty in power. Let us continue to wait
on the Lord.
Holding on to the promise—John 14:12-14 says,
“Verily, verily, I say unto you, He that believeth on me
[Christ], the works that I do shall he do also; and greater
works than these shall he do; because I go unto my
Father. And whatsoever ye shall ask in my name, that
will I do, that the Father may be glorified in the Son.
If ye shall ask any thing in my name, I will do it.” This
is a promise to the Church today. “For Zion’s sake will
I not hold my peace, and for Jerusalem’s sake I will not
rest, until the righteousness thereof go forth as bright-
ness, and the salvation thereof as a lamp that burneth.”
Yes, the Church is God’s crown of glory. Jesus did many
things that was accepted. He is the Son of God. He is
at our side. He brightens our pathway with courage,
faith and hope. Jesus said, “You are My church.” Jesus
is constantly with us. “Therefore thus saith the Lord
GOD, Behold, I lay in Zion for a foundation a stone, a
tried stone, a precious corner stone, a sure foundation:
he that believeth shall not make haste.” In one of his
messages Peter said, “Ye also, as lively stones, are built
up a spiritual house, an holy priesthood, to offer up
spiritual sacrifices, acceptable to God by Jesus Christ.”
Peter and John used what they had in the healing of
the lame man. They were there as the Church, and they
glorified God as the Church when the lame man was
healed.
Many signs and wonders—This is a profile of the
Church as found in Acts 5:12-16. “And by the hands of
the apostles were many signs and wonders wrought
among the people; (and they were all with one accord
in Solomon’s porch. And of the rest durst no man join
himself to them: but the people magnified them. And
believers were the more added to the Lord, multitudes
both of men and women.) Insomuch that they brought
forth the sick into the streets, and laid them on beds
and couches, that at the least the shadow of Peter pass-
ing by might overshadow some of them. There came
also a multitude out of the cities round about unto
Jerusalem, bringing sick folks, and them which were
vexed with unclean spirits: and they were healed every
one.” This was a time of revival. People were healed of
all infirmities and added to the Church. The Church
was shining. The multitude was gathering and expect-
ing great things to happen. Shouldn’t this be for us
today as we go along? God can still show us signs and
wonders. Don’t be surprised at what He can do. Peter
July, 2010 Page 13
stayed in the will of God. The people felt they would be
healed even if Peter’s shadow would pass by them. The
Church was on the move.
Stephen was a man full of the Holy Ghost. He
preached the gospel of truth. He was cast out of the
city and stoned, but his Protector was standing by. As
Stephen knelt down, he cried out, “Lord Jesus, receive
my spirit. ... Lord, lay not this sin to their charge.” O
Satan thought he had the victory, but Stephen proved
true even in death.
Saul converted—On the road to Damascus, he
accepted the call of God. God told Saul that he would
suffer and become one that would preach this gospel
till He calls him home. Let me continue with the morn-
ing church on the move. Acts 5:17 says, “Then the high
priest rose up, and all they that were with him, (which
is the sect of the Sadducees,) and were filled with
indignation.” They wanted to stop the Church, but how
could they when Jesus said that the gates of hell shall
not prevail against it? Verses 18-20, “And laid their
hands on the apostles, and put them in the common
prison. But the angel of the Lord by night opened the
prison doors, and brought them forth, and said, “Go,
stand and speak in the temple to the people all the
words of this life.” Any time God is at work, Satan will
attack. The apostles were put in prison, but glory to
God, there was a praying church. This is the church we
are a part of today. We must see great things done to
the glory of God. The Church must be on fire. There is
work to be done. She has prayer warriors. She has a
construction team. Nehemiah and the people had a
mind to work. The Church today needs faithful workers
who are willing to do the work of the Lord. When we
are together, we must endeavor “to keep the unity of
the Spirit in the bond of peace.” This institution is ready
for whatever the enemy brings her way.
The Church has a missionary team. It has a singing
team. Every time I see The Way of Truth Singers, and
hear the blessing they bring to people, I know they are
doing their part for the Lord. I think about the crossing
of the Red Sea. Moses led in singing and Miriam sang.
The people were blessed and joined in rejoicing for God
had given them the victory. Psalm 87:7, “As well the
singers as the players on instruments shall be there:
all my springs are in thee.” As I open my hymnal to the
many songs written on the Church by Bro. D. S. Warner
and others, it causes me to realize that even in their
leadership, they were called to take part in the singing
ministry.
A soul-winning team—Beautiful verses of scripture
on the victorious mission of the Church are found in
Acts 2:38-47. Nothing was too much to give God. They
sold their possessions and goods, and gave to every man
as needed. “And the Lord added to the church daily
such as should be saved.” He will do the same for us.
Let us remember, we are the Church.
A praying Church—I’d like to say more concerning
Peter. We recall him being thrown into jail pending
execution by Herod. Acts 12:1-5, “Now about that time
Herod the king stretched forth his hands to vex certain
of the church. And he killed James the brother of John
with the sword. And because he saw it pleased the Jews,
he proceeded further to take Peter also. (Then were the
days of unleavened bread.) And when he had appre-
hended him, he put him in prison, and delivered him
to four quaternions of soldiers to keep him; intending
after [Passover] to bring him forth to the people. Peter
therefore was kept in prison: but prayer was made
without ceasing of the church unto God for him.” The
news came to the church that Peter was in jail. The
church was together, but Peter was absent. They began
to pray without ceasing for his deliverance. Verses 7
and 8, “And, behold, the angel of the Lord came upon
him, and a light shined in the prison: and he smote
Peter on the side, and raised him up, saying, Arise up
quickly. And his chains fell off from his hands. And the
angel said unto him, Gird thyself, and bind on thy
sandals. And so he did. And he saith unto him, Cast
thy garment about thee, and follow me.” The prayer
bells were ringing. They were praying for Peter’s deliv-
erance. “And he came to the house of Mary the mother
of John, whose surname was Mark; where many were
gathered together praying. And as Peter knocked at
the door of the gate, a damsel came to hearken, named
Rhoda. And when she knew Peter’s voice, she opened
not the gate for gladness, but ran in, and told how Peter
stood before the gate. And they said unto her, Thou art
mad. But she constantly affirmed that it was even so.
Then said they, It is his angel. But Peter continued
knocking: and when they had opened the door, and saw
him, they were astonished.” This is the Church that
Jesus said He would build. Those that were praying
couldn’t believe what took place. Even so, it is with us
at times. We make a big uproar when our prayers are
answered, as if we prayed without faith.
The Church is fully prepared for whatever she faces—
The Church is an army. She is called His mighty army.
Isaiah 54:17 says, “No weapon that is formed against
thee shall prosper; and every tongue that shall rise
against thee in judgment thou shalt condemn. This is
the heritage of the servants of the LORD, and their
righteousness is of me, saith the LORD.” She is a vic-
torious church. What a defense force we have! This is
the Church of God. O if we could continue to hold that
confidence and claim our place in this evening time! No
defeat; just victory. Paul said that they would have been
mindful to turn back, but they were looking for a better
place. Hebrews 12:22-25, “But ye are come unto mount
Sion, and unto the city of the living God, the heavenly
Jerusalem, and to an innumerable company of angels,
To the general assembly and church of the firstborn,
which are written in heaven, and to God the Judge of
all, and to the spirits of just men made perfect, And to
Jesus the mediator of the new covenant, and to the
blood of sprinkling, that speaketh better things than
that of Abel. See that ye refuse not him that speaketh.
For if they escaped not who refused him that spake on
earth, much more shall not we escape, if we turn away
from him that speaketh from heaven.” What a church
to be a member of ! Her builder and maker is God.
Bro. Warner saw the Church and wrote of her splen-
dor and mighty power. We all have looked back and
have seen God’s doing, and it has made us strong and
courageous. We have a hope even in our time of minis-
tering. We have seen God work in saving the souls of
men, in the healing of bodies, and the Word being
Page 14 The Way of Truth
preached to the people. Daniel said that Christ’s king-
dom will not be left to another. The beautiful part of
this is, it will last forever. Daniel 2:44, “And in the days
of these kings shall the God of heaven set up a kingdom,
which shall never be destroyed: and the kingdom shall
not be left to other people, but it shall break in pieces
and consume all these kingdoms, and it shall stand for
ever.” Jesus has said that the gates of hell shall not
prevail against the Church. He also said in Matthew
26:52-54, “Put up again thy sword into his place: for all
they that take the sword shall perish with the sword.
Thinkest thou that I cannot now pray to my Father,
and he shall presently give me more than twelve legions
of angels? But how then shall the scriptures be fulfilled,
that thus it must be?” Twelve legions of angels—what
a force to protect us! Why should we be discouraged or
give up? Jesus has gone home, but has left us in charge.
Glory to His name! I can only say that God promised
us victory; and as His church, we are not defeated. We
are not abandoned, forsaken, helpless or homeless. We
rejoice in the hope of our salvation.
The Church is visible—The Church isn’t a dream or
something we heard about. She is visible, in the pres-
ent, and will be forever. She is referred to as the bride
of Christ, the old gospel ship, and is on her mission
rescuing the lost. Even in these last days, we can report
of the number of souls that have sought the Lord. All
over the world, bodies have been healed. Wherever the
Church is, she is doing her work. As the gospel of grace,
she is floating through the waves of time. We have no
time to waste. One day we will hear the Captain say,
“I will give you rest.” The songwriter says, “The good
Captain commanded a boat to be low’red, And with
tender compassion, He took me on board.” That is the
Church’s mission. We do not expect nothing less as she
passes by. As I have already mentioned, Jesus said, “I
will build my church.” She is acknowledged in
heaven.
The Church has proven herself victorious when
under the attacks of Satan. She is to prove to the world
the example of a victorious church. She proves herself
as the Church in times of hardship. Paul said at the
end of his hardship and suffering, “None of these things
move me, neither count I my life dear unto myself, so
that I might finish my course with joy, and the ministry,
which I have received of the Lord Jesus, to testify the
gospel of the grace of God.” “Henceforth there is laid
up for me a crown of righteousness, which the Lord,
the righteous judge, shall give me at that day: and not
to me only, but unto all them also that love his appear-
ing.”
The mission of the Church is—seeing souls saved,
bodies healed, and people delivered from evil spirits.
She is a moving, growing church. She is victorious, and
made up of the redeemed like you and me. Yes, we are
the Church.
May the Lord bless you. I feel relieved now of this
message that was laid upon my heart. 
The Church of God (Universal) in Honduras
will be celebrating 50 years of organization in
2010. We wish them success in all their labors.

THE CHILDREN’S CORNER
“PAUL, HEED MY WARNING”
(Acts 21-28) Part II-conclusion
A Bible Story by the late Wanda Craig
P AUL and the others boarded the vessel Adramyt-
tium to sail by the coasts of Asia. Aristarchus, a
fellow prisoner, was going with them. The next
day they stopped at Sidon, and Julius trusted Paul
enough to let him leave the vessel and visit the Chris-
tians for some much needed fellowship. And his guards
went along, too.
They came into port at Myra, and while there trans-
ferred to an Alexandrian corn ship. Because of the
lateness of the season, the great day of atonement had
passed, which was celebrated the last part of Septem-
ber, and the winds would be contrary to their passage.
Paul said to them, “Sirs, I perceive this voyage will be
hurt with much damage to the ship’s cargo, and danger
to our lives.” This harbor was not suited to winter in,
so the owner and master of the ship decided to sail on
towards Crete.
The good weather they had now did not last long.
The change came without a moment’s warning. A violent
wind came down from the mountains from the Isle of
Crete and struck the ship, whirling her around, making
it impossible for the helmsmen to keep her on course.
It came with all the appearance of a hurricane. The
sailors called the tempestuous wind, “Euroclydon.” They
were driven helpless! This east wind raised mighty
waves. It would be extremely dangerous to a ship with
large sails, threatening either to capsize her, or to drive
her onto the quick sands.
They ran under an island called Clauda and had
much work to do on the ship. They were going to under-
gird the ship. This meant using a stout cable. It is
slipped under the vessel at the prow with as many
rounds as they felt were needed to keep her planks from
starting to come apart. They can conduct it to any part
of the ship’s keel, and then fasten the two ends on the
deck.
The violence of the storm continued without any let
up. On the day after they left Clauda, they began to
lighten the ship by throwing overboard whatever could
be spared. On the third day, they threw out all the spare
gear into the sea. Several days of hardship and anxiety
then followed—the strain of the mind and body, the
constant demand for the labor of all the crew; no rest,
not one moment—the terror of the passengers, the
hopeless working at the pumps, the stress on the ship’s
frame and the ropes of the ship’s rigging, the driving
of the storm, the numbing effect of the cold and wet
that make up a scene of extreme confusion, anxiety and
fatigue.
They could not see because of having no light by
neither sun or moon, as it was cloudy for many days
and nights. This was so bad that at length they gave
up all hope of being saved. Nothing would prevent their
suffering. They had eaten no food while doing all they
July, 2010 Page 15
could to keep body, soul, and the ship under control.
Paul was praying and God granted to him the lives of
all who sailed with him. He was given a vision in the
night.
When the cheerless day came, Paul gathered the
sailors around him on the deck of the laboring vessel.
Raising his voice above the storm, he said, “Sirs, you
should have listened to me and not sailed from Crete.
We would not have had this danger and loss. Now I
exhort you to be of good cheer, for we shall not lose one
man’s life among you, only the ship. There stood last
night the angel of God, whose I am, and whom I serve,
saying, ‘Fear not, Paul, you must be brought before
Caesar; and lo, God has given you all that sail with
you.’ So Good Sirs, be of good cheer, for I believe God,
that it shall be even as it was told me. Howbeit we must
be cast upon a certain island.”
It was like a great sigh could be heard coming from
all the men as they listened to Paul’s words of encour-
agement. They were prepared to listen to the Jewish
prisoner as a teacher now. This was strong proof of God’s
approval of Paul, and it showed Julius the centurion
that his prisoner was an injured and innocent man.
The gale continued day and night without stopping.
The danger only seemed to increase till fourteen days
had gone by. At the close of the fourteenth day, about
the middle of the night, the sailors began to shout,
“Listen, hear the breakers roar! that means land is
near.” They took the measurements, twenty fathoms
(120 feet); and then again after a short time, fifteen
fathoms (90 feet). The thought of land nearing gave the
sailors new hope of being saved. “Be careful! shoals
certainly lay ahead,” someone shouted, “and we could
certainly be struck and go to pieces.”
Time was valuable. Immediate orders to clear the
anchors were given. They waited anxiously for break of
day. The vessel was laboring with her four anchors. They
could not yet see the coast, but the roar of the breakers
could be heard with each pause of the storm, and the
shouts went up with each pause. This gave the men
renewed hope and strength. The rain was falling in
torrents. All hands were weakened for want of food.
At the moment, with darkness still everywhere, the
thought was that the vessel would flounder before
daybreak. The sailors gave each other a sign which
said, “We are going to save ourselves, and let the rest
of you perish,” and they lowered a boat over the side.
Paul saw what they were going to do and said to the
sailors and centurion, “Good Sirs, except these men
stay in the ship, we cannot be saved!” The centurion
and some of the men immediately took action. Drawing
their short swords, they cut the ropes. The boat fell and
was dashed to pieces on the rocks.
Light finally began to break the dark sky. The objects
on the shipboard began to be visible with 276 persons
clustered on deck. They were holding on to the bulwark,
the sides above the decks of the slowly sinking ship.
Paul stepped forward to give them courage, and re-
minded them that they had not eaten for fourteen days.
“I pray thee,” Paul said, “take some meat for your
health’s sake, for there shall not a hair fall from the
head of any of you.” To give them encouragement, he
took bread and gave thanks to God before all, and began
to eat. Paul’s calmness spread like wild fire among the
men. They laughed, ate and laughed, thus releasing
some of the terrible tension they had been under these
fourteen days.
Daylight was upon them and they attacked the work
with new vigor. Over the side of the vessel went the
waterlogged cargo of wheat. It was a full day when they
were finished and then they saw land. “Ho, what a
relief!” they all shouted.
Julius said to himself, “Paul was right all along. If
only we had listened to him from the start we sure could
have saved ourselves a great loss to the vessel and
cargo, not to say all the stress, strain and fourteen days
of constant danger. We are not completely out of danger
yet, but we can see land!”
If possible the sailors wanted to steer the vessel into
the sandy beach, hoping to run her aground. Very care-
fully they cut the anchors adrift, loosed the rudder from
its fasteners so they could steer the vessel, and hoisted
the foresail. All had to be done simultaneously. They
stranded the ship, and the bow stuck fast on the shore,
but the stern immediately began to go to pieces under
the action of the sea.
The soldiers decided to kill the prisoners. Should
any of them swim out and escape, they would answer
with their lives for the safety of their prisoners. Through
all this, the centurion saw that Paul was not only inno-
cent, but a divine man, and therefore for his sake he
would not let them be killed. He loosed every man’s
bonds and told those who could swim that they must
head for shore, and the rest should take boards, and
some on broken pieces of the ship. All made it safely
through the breakers to shore. Just as Paul had prom-
ised, God had brought them all safely to shore.
They thought they were on the island of Melita. The
language was not understood by anyone among them,
and it was customary to call them barbarian people.
They treated Paul and the others kindly, lighting a fire,
so they could dry out and warm themselves. You do not
realize just how cold you are through and through till
you start to finally get warm.
Paul gathered a bunch of sticks. As he laid them on
the fire, a snake came out of the heap and fastened
itself on his hand. The barbarians thought that the
stinging of the snake meant that he was a murderer.
Paul just shook it off into the fire, and suffered no harm.
When he did not die, they drastically changed their
minds, and then they thought surely he must be a
god.
Publius was the chief man of the island. He had
received the shipwrecked people, lodging and feeding
them for three days. His father lay sick of a fever and
dysentery. Paul prayed and laid his hands on him. He
was healed. Even the heathens saw that it was the
hand of God. This was told over the island. Then many
who were sick were brought to Paul for healing. Julius
was ever at Paul’s side taking this all in, and he could
tell it had a definite effect on him for good.
Three months later, they were given everything that
was needed for their journey to Italy in a ship that had
wintered in the isle. It was a ship of Alexandria named
Castor and Pollux. This ship was called this because of
the image on the prow and stern.
Page 16 The Way of Truth
Landing in Syracuse, one of the famous cities of
antiquity, they tarried there three days. They found
brethren at Puteoli, a well-known seaport of Italy,
located in the Bay of Naples. It was the nearest harbor
to Rome. They landed there with the other prisoners
and found Christian brethren there. They stayed and
enjoyed their hospitality for seven days.
When the brethren in the outlying districts heard
that they were there, they came to visit with them; some
as far away as fifty-two miles from Appii Forum, and
from The Three Taverns, which was thirty-three miles
from Rome. Paul had written an epistle to them some
years before. It was very encouraging to know that they
were still a part of the Church, and that God had pre-
served them, thus giving Paul new courage and hope.
Finally, they came to Rome. The centurion delivered
the other prisoners to the captain of the guard, but Paul
was allowed to dwell by himself with a soldier to keep
him. Three days after Paul had gotten to Rome, he
called the chief of the Jews together and said unto them,
“I have not committed any offense against the people,
or customs of our fathers, yet they have delivered me,
a prisoner from Jerusalem, into the hands of the
Romans. So unfounded were the accusations that the
Roman governor had been ready to release me, but the
Jews spake against it, and I was constrained to appeal
unto Caesar. I appealed to Caesar and was told that
they had neither received a letter from Judea, nor had
any of the brethren that came, spoke against me. Did
the Jews know that their case against me to be hope-
less, and therefore did not send it forward to Rome?
They wanted to know of this new sect; as with all such
people, some believed and some did not. I spoke to the
Gentiles as God had told me to do. I remained in my
own house where the favor of Barrus permitted me to
reside instead of being in the Praetorian barracks. I
was allowed to receive all who came to me. I had perfect
freedom from the Roman government to preach as I
pleased, to say what I pleased, to teach boldly the
kingdom of God, to teach the things of the Lord Jesus
Christ, and the unbelieving Jews had no power to pre-
vent me from doing so. Thus was fulfilled my long
cherished desire to preach the gospel to them that were
in Rome. Many were saved while I was there for two
years in my chains.”
We are not told of Paul’s release in the Scriptures,
but we know he was, because later he was again in
prison in Rome. He was beheaded outside of the city
walls upon the road to Ostia, the port of Rome. He could
not be crucified as Peter was, because he was a free
born Roman citizen. 
A beautiful little girl wandered out one cold day into the
countryside of Canada. The family finally realized she was
lost and started a search. Then they called the people of the
community together. Each went his own way. It became dark
and the cold of the Canadian winter settled down. After some
time someone suggested the searchers join hands and cover
the grass fields. But it was too late. They found the girl curled
up, frozen in the cold. Then the shout went up, “If only we
had joined hands before!” The spiritual meaning of this story
is clear. Christ’s love demands unity among His believers.
—Selected

MISSIONARY PAGE
NIGERIAN CONVENTION REPORT
By Bro. Okereke Ogbonnaya
W E ARE thankful to the almighty God we serve
for turning our dreams into reality this year. For
the past two years, there was no convention in
Nigeria due to a parcel of land in purchase in Edo State
as our campground. Ten plots of land cost the church
two million, two hundred and twenty-two thousand,
one hundred and seventy naira (N2,222,170). The last
payment was done January 17, 2010.
The scripture in Psalm 33:12 was made real in answer
to our prayers. “Blessed is the nation whose God is the
LORD; and the people whom he hath chosen for his own
inheritance.” The problem in Ebonyi State threatened
the actualization of the convention. There was much
uncertainty and fear, but the saints took it as a chal-
lenge. They prayed and fasted. In less than a week prior
to the convention, God answered prayer and there was
calm on the road. What a mighty God we serve!
The theme of the convention was, “Restoration of
God’s Glory in His Temple.” The pilot text was II Chron-
icles 7:1, 2. The convention was April 8-11, 2010, but
as our manner is, the National Convention Committee
arrived April 6th to put things in place. Most people
traveled long distance because of fear of passing through
the troubled area. It was well-attended. The people had
been yearning for convention. Three ministers and one
sister came from Republic of Benin. The ministry
laboured much in attending to the needs and in the
preaching of the Word. Every day started with five
o’clock morning devotions led by various ministers.
THURSDAY, APRIL 8
10:00 A.M. Service—Bro. Okereke Ogbonnaya from
Okposi introduced the theme. For his message, he used
the theme and the text—“Restoration of God’s Glory in
His Temple”—II Chronicles 7:1, 2. God never does a
thing without first revealing it. The tabernacle that
Moses erected in the wilderness, and the temple Solomon
built in Jerusalem, were types of the Church of God that
Jesus built and is building. The Church went into apos-
tasy and thereby lost the glory and splendor and the
power of God. The reformers restored the glory. Today,
the Church is faced with division and compromise.
2:30 P.M.—Bro. Bernard from Republic of Benin
brought the message. He used Jude 3 as his text. The
topic was, “The Good Fight of Faith.” There is something
we received that we need to continue to fight for. To
bring back the glory of God, we must fight the good
fight of faith. Obedience will bring back the glory of
God.
7:00 P.M.—Bro. John Mosimabale from Abuja
brought the message. Text: Psalm 27:4-6; Matthew
18:20. Topic: “Dwelling in a Spirit-filled Place.” God
created man and gave him a spirit. He desired to occupy
the spirit and rule over it. Man sinned and lost God’s
glory. Right from creation, God has been desiring to
have a people He can dwell in, people He can call His
own and express His glory.
July, 2010 Page 17
FRIDAY, APRIL 9
10:00 A.M. Service—Bro. John Hessou from Repub-
lic of Benin stood behind the pulpit. Text: Jeremiah
7:1-7; Revelation 11:1. Topic: “How Do We Bring Back
the Glory of God?” Man came to the world and he
changed the plan of God. God gave us His Word in order
to follow His plan, but man rejected; thus, there are
many religions in the world today.
2:30 P.M.—Bro. Patrick Fanama from Alakija,
Lagos, filled the pulpit. His text was from Revelation
14:6, 7; 22:12. Topic: “Your Reward Will Be According
to Your Work.” The fear of God is pure, holy, etc. No
man can effectively teach you the fear of God. For the
glory of God to return, there must be preparation. The
house has a law. “Holiness becometh thine house, O
LORD, for ever.” When you come into the Church,
remember there is a “Governor.”
7:00 P.M.—Bro. Okereke Ogbonnaya taught. Text:
Genesis 2:18; 20-25. Topic: “Christian Marriage.” This
was a teaching service and covered many areas in mar-
riage. One important thing to note is that marriage is
God’s will through time. God instituted the first mar-
riage.
SATURDAY, APRIL 10
10:00 A.M. Service—Bro. Theophilus Yewenu from
Ketu, Lagos, brought the message. Topic: “Jesus Is
Coming Soon; Keep His Temple Holy.” Jesus says, “I
will build my church; and the gates of hell shall not
prevail against it.” He built only one church. The Bible
is a wonderful book where the mind of God is revealed.
The temple was a place of prayer. The Church of God
is not meat and drink. Beware of the things that will
defile the temple.
2:30 P.M.—Bro. Simon Okhimhe from Osomhegbe
in Edo State brought the message. Text: I Kings 13:1-
26. Topic: “Retaining the Glory of God in His Temple.”
Restoring the glory of God is one thing, but to retain
the same is a different thing all together. If the glory
restored is not retained then no work has been done.
The young prophet started with the glory of God and
lost it out of disobedience. To keep the glory of God in
His church, we need to fight a fight.
7:00 P.M.—Bro. Bernard again filled the pulpit.
Text: Psalm 33; John 17:9-11. Topic: “Oneness.” I want
you to understand that there is power in oneness. The
devil understands this and that is why he is working
against oneness. The greatest tool in the hand of the
devil against God’s work is division. Unity of the Spirit
and of the faith brings unity and oneness among believ-
ers.
SUNDAY, APRIL 11
10:00 A.M. Service—This started with Sunday
school. We had various classes as usual because of dif-
ferences in languages. The topic was, “Jesus Came for
Our Justification.”
Bro. John Mosimabale preached the closing message.
Text: Isaiah 2:1-5. Topic: “Let Us Walk in the Light of
God that Has Been Revealed Unto Us.” God revealed
that He is building His house (the church). On the day
of Pentecost, Zion marched out with power. Zechariah
revealed Christ as one that God ordained to build His
church. The Church is a glorious church.
 5:00 P.M.—This was a special service of the Ordi-
nances. Bro. Okereke, Bro. Simon and Bro. Bernard
officiated. The ordinance of water baptism was observed
in the morning after the prayer service which was led
by Bro. Patrick and Bro. Bernard.
We are thankful to God that after two years we were
able to meet with one another again in a convention.
The convention recorded a great success as a result of
answered prayers. We really saw the glory of God in
the services. All the messages were greatly inspired.
Many souls were always at the altar seeking for various
needs. The ministry labored hard. They barely got a
break. Eighteen candidates followed the Lord in water
baptism. The National Convention Committee labored
hard too, to serve us three meals daily. Some who
separated from the work came to witness. We pray that
the message on oneness has proven a blessing to them.
The crowing service is always a joyful one. The glory
of God came down and each soul was blessed.
Many thanks to each one who contributed in what-
ever way that made this year’s convention what it was.
We trust that next year, Lord willing, will be another
great moment. Remain blessed until then. 
SO  these needs would be abundantly supplied by true Bible
NEAR FA R
Y ET  By the late
Evelyn Colberg
M Y HEART is burdened. I am surrounded by reli-
gions, yet I see so very little spiritual depth. Just
about any sort of religion is available, ranging
from the most formal type to the most informal, from
the cold and lifeless to the overemotional, from the
Church of Satan to one which is a self-righteous haven
for homosexuals. As the saying is, “You name it, we
have it.” This is why my heart is burdened. The Scrip-
tures tell us, “He that entereth not by the door into the
sheepfold, but climbeth up some other way, the same
is a thief and a robber” (John 10:1). Think of the vast
numbers of spiritual thieves and robbers abroad! The
amount is staggering.
My heart is burdened, not only because of the mul-
tiplicity of religions but also for the millions of people
whom Satan has succeeded in deceiving, having them
to believe they are on their way to heaven when they
are not even aware of the biblical requirements to get
there.
Many things could be said on this subject, but I
want to focus our attention to one particular segment
of religion which I find particularly disturbing. May I
explain?
To begin with, we must establish the fact that Satan’s
primary objective is to damn souls. By what means?
That is immaterial to him. Any technique will do so
long as he meets his goal. When Satanic fury caused
hundreds and hundreds of Christians to be martyred,
the devil openly showed his opposition to God. In his
ferocious attempts to wipe Christianity from the earth,
Page 18 The Way of Truth
the devil, like a chameleon, changed his cloak from that
of a religious persecutor to that of religion. His donning
a cloak of religion brought about an era of sectism. Since
people wanted God and religion, he would oblige. Yet
in his guise he succeeded in dividing God’s people into
so many different segments that utter confusion
resulted. Religion was in a sorry state—to the point of
great spiritual corruption. This of course was Satan’s
aim. Today after many years the devil’s plan of religion
yet prevails on the earth. God never intended that
people should be so divided. (Read John 17:21.) Satan
has succeeded in deceiving great numbers in our reli-
gious-oriented society.
My heart is burdened as I feel for precious souls.
While viewing this panorama of religious confusion, I
see yet another Satanic attempt, one which I consider
even more spiritually dangerous. People have become
restless and fearful under the modernistic, violent and
sin-ladened society today; therefore, they have begun
searching, searching for something to satisfy, some-
thing for spiritual support to tide them over in these
hectic times. Sectism in its state of formality is unable
to supply that need. The stress is based on a need of
the type of religion which will appeal more to the emo-
tional and personal needs of the individual. Of course,
Christianity; however, Satan is too cunning to permit
such a thing. Subtly, he arises to the forefront with a
counterfeit, the modern-day, so-called born-again reli-
gionists.
Yes, I believe in being born again. It is the founda-
tion for true Christianity and a fundamental doctrine
of the Church of God. It is a real experience. Yet as
Satan would have it taught, in its sophistication, it is
a very shallow thing. People are proclaiming loud and
long that they are “born again,” yet I fail to see it in
their everyday lives. Jesus said, “... by their fruits ye
shall know them” (Matthew 7:20). Therefore I search
for “fruits.” What do I mean? Simply this: When one is
truly born again, it comes about because the blood of
Jesus Christ, spiritually speaking, has been applied to
the repentant heart. The Bible states that without the
shedding of blood there is no remission (Hebrews 9:22).
Further, the Word says that the life is in the blood, and
it is the blood that makes an atonement for the soul
(Leviticus 17:11).
Today we hear very little or nothing at all concern-
ing Jesus’ precious blood or the great price that was
paid by Him for the remission of our sins. Did you say
sins? Yes! John the Baptist, being true to men’s souls,
heralded the truth boldly, “Repent ye: for the kingdom
of heaven is at hand” (Matthew 3:2). He in no uncer-
tain terms commanded by the authority of Jesus Christ
that men repent of their sins. Repentance is prereq-
uisite to the born-again experience. When one repents
of his sins, he is saved, born again; however, he does
not continue to sin. Many are professing to be born
again without a heartfelt repentance, without a con-
trite heart or humility. I hear of so many who claim
this experience and yet say they still sin. This is not
consistent with the Bible and proves my statement
that the modern proponents of this doctrine are a
people of little spirituality. It is only when one drinks
deeply from the wells of salvation that he finds
spiritual life. Loud and long the cry goes over the
airways and from our pulpits, “Accept the Lord Jesus
Christ as your Savior!” I have no argument with this,
for it is biblical, but, the cry is of no substance, only
a shallow echo of the true meaning. Where are the
fruits of repentance? A mere head knowledge or a lip
acceptance is not sufficient to prepare one for heaven.
The need is for old-fashioned, Holy Ghost conviction,
the type that moves on a person’s heart. When this
takes place, the heart is made sorry, broken up and
melted. There is real sorrow for sin and a desire to
please and obey God.
How meaningless are the efforts of our popular
evangelists! Because of the lightness of their message,
precious souls are deluded into thinking they are in the
ark of safety. Please do not misunderstand. I do not
doubt that some souls may “strike the rock” and find
true peace with God; however, again because of a shal-
low gospel, these dear people will starve spiritually.
Their souls will not be fed. When a soul is truly born
again, it begins to hunger. The Word of God is the only
food to satisfy that hunger. God has a standard. It
includes a dress code of modesty, spiritual behavior and
the like. Also that new babe in Christ needs teaching
on the necessity of defeating the wiles of the devil and
many other truths. All this is food for his soul. Without
it, his soul will starve and perish.
We have many famous people claiming to be born-
again Christians, people in show business who go right
along continuing in their same lifestyle. There are those
who occupy the dance floor and take a social drink who
claim to be born again. Yes, even one man who is sup-
posedly of this persuasion is engaged in the business
of pornography! He says pornography is no sin! How
far can the devil go? Could Satan deceive people to this
point? It is his business, and he does it well. Homo-
sexuals claim to be born again as do people of every
type of religious persuasion. They seemingly do what
they want without regard to the Word of God, having
made no departure from worldliness (I John 2:15). What
a mass of confusion, authored by the father of lies (John
8:44)!
Satan in his mad endeavor to populate his kingdom
has come recklessly and boldly close to the truth. This
is why the modern teaching of “born again” is so peril-
ous to men’s souls. It is misconstrued and of a light,
shallow, frivolous nature. The devil is doing all in his
power to distort the true meaning of this God-given
experience.
I long to see men embrace the beautiful and God-
authored doctrine which Jesus presented to Nicodemus
in the third chapter of John! When men experience this
in its depth, there are great changes in their lives. Their
sins are gone, their lives are changed, and they begin
to bear fruit. They leave the world behind and walk in
the light of God’s Word. Worldly habits are forsaken
and the Bible is obeyed. In other words, their religion
takes on depth.
How I pray that each dear reader may see through
every Satanic attempt at deception and search diligently
for the truth!
—Reprinted from June 1978, issue
July, 2010 Page 19
SPIRITUAL TESTS
I T IS NOT always concerning temporal things and
business affairs and such like that we are tested.
But it is the business of the enemy of souls to contest
every step on the way to victory. He will contest our
salvation and, if possible, get a person to reason with
him; and when you reason with the devil, you find him
a good reasoner, if you allow him to follow his own line
of thought. He will quote Scripture, and give plausible
illustrations and logical reasonings. But when he is met
as Christ met him, with a “Thus saith the Lord,” “It is
written,” and then told what is written and where it is
written, and such like, he is not very long in taking his
departure. But just begin to reason, and he will entan-
gle you in argument until you find yourself badly per-
plexed, unless, like the Master, you give him a sharp
rebuke and command him to take his departure.
Perhaps it would be a benefit to someone for me to
give a little of my own personal experience in this
respect. At the age of fifteen I was converted, receiving
a real change of heart. The enemy of my soul was never
able to deny that fact, neither did he undertake it. For
about ten years I lived to what light I had, and after
that began to obtain more light in regard to entering
into a deeper experience of divine life, or entire sanc-
tification. I was away from home and had no one to
teach me the way of holiness, but the Lord began to
instruct me in His Word, and after a few months I was
enabled to see just what the Lord required of me in
order to obtain the experience desired.
I had felt a hungering and thirsting for something
more, for a deeper experience. I had been taught, how-
ever, that this satisfying experience could not be
obtained until just before the time of death; but as I
read in the Word that “without [holiness] no man shall
see the Lord” (Hebrews 12:14), that we were to live “In
holiness and righteousness before him, all the days of
our life” (Luke 1:75), and that Jesus in His last prayer
(John 17:17-20) prayed that we might have that expe-
rience, I began to see very clearly what my privilege
was. His Word told me, “As he is, so are we in this
world,” and, “[We] ought ... to walk, even as he walked”;
and this was a closer walk with God than I had been
accustomed to enjoy.
It was not long until I reached the point where I
made a full consecration, and died the death to the
world, and then, like the apostles for whom Jesus
prayed, I was in the world, but not of the world, having
had that worldly disposition taken out of my heart.
When I reached the point where I positively knew that
everything was laid upon the altar Christ Jesus, then
I realized of a truth that the altar sanctified the gift,
and my heart was cleansed from all unrighteousness.
The Bible began to open up to me as a new book, and
as I went about my Master’s business, doing His will
as far as He made it known, I had many rich experi-
ences. Although, being of a very quiet disposition natu-
rally, I could not leap and shout as some, yet it was my
privilege to “be filled with all the fulness of God.”
A few months later I was called by the Lord to accept
a responsible position in His work. For some months
everything went so smoothly that I had perfect victory
all the way along and nothing that I could call a severe
trial or battle, because my eyes were stayed upon the
Lord. But there came a time for advancing further
against the enemy, and the Lord saw it was necessary
for me to know more about a perfect faith and trust in
Him in order to deal with other souls. So He permitted
me to be tested, to fit me for the work He had for me
to do.
Although my soul had been abounding in the riches
of His glory for these months as I was busily engaged
in my work, one day a suggestion was made to me by
a silent voice that I had not had any overflowing bless-
ings for a few days. This did not disturb me, for I felt
at perfect peace with God. But soon the same sugges-
tion was presented again and again. Finally the silent
voice or impression came on this wise: “Now you have
been in this condition almost a week.” I felt that my
soul during that time had been at peace with God, and
I was trusting my case in His hands. I began, however,
to search my consecration, as the accuser suggested
that there must surely be something wrong.
I began to search my heart, and said, “If there is
anything wrong, Lord, I will make it all right,” and I
asked the Lord to search me. Feeling that all was fully
in the hands of the Lord, I was about to dismiss the
matter from my mind; but this suggestion came: “If you
were sanctified, you would not have a lack of that great
joy.” Then I said, “Lord, if I am not sanctified, I am
willing to get sanctified.” So I began to reconsecrate
myself to the Lord, and presently I realized that I was
fully consecrated to God. Again I was ready to dismiss
the matter, but the voice said, “When a person falls
from sanctification, he loses his justification also,
because he must commit sin in order to fall.” Yes, I
realized that was so, and then came the words, “You
are not saved.” I saw at once that it was the enemy,
instead of the Lord, talking to me, and like a flash from
heaven I rebuked him. I said, “I know I am saved
through the grace of God; yes, and sanctified, too.” And
I boldly declared it, whereupon the enemy took his
departure. He saw that he was the one defeated, instead
of me.
The enemy had thought that because I was young
in the Lord’s work I was unable to know his devices.
But the Lord was a match for him, and lifted up a
standard against him, instead of allowing me to be
defeated and overthrown. The Lord knew just how far
to permit me to be tried and tempted. This experience
has been a source of much help to me since that time;
not only for myself, but in dealing with others. The
devil is sure to overstep the mark, and we can have the
victory over him as long as we keep our eyes stayed
upon the Lord. And we can say like Paul, “I can do all
things through Christ which strengtheneth me.”
There are some who worry and fret and have an
abundance of trouble when it is their own fault; and if
they would put forth as great an effort to gain a victory
and keep it as they do to pet their troubles, there would
Page 20 The Way of Truth
be a wonderful change and the enemy of souls would
be defeated.
A few years ago I met a brother who was weighted
down with trouble and sorrows much more than with
the glory of God, and was much of the time mourning
over his trials and temptations, until his lot did really
seem to be a sad one. During my Christian experience
I had been having sweeping victory over the powers of
the enemy, even through the severe trials and tempta-
tions, because I had kept my eyes upon the Lord, and
had looked for victories instead of trials. In considering
the case of the brother, although I was young in the
gospel work, I concluded that if people were in such a
condition it was their own fault, and that I could feel
as bad as anyone if I desired. So I concluded to experi-
ment, but first asked the Lord not to permit me to fall
into the hands of the devil.
Accordingly, though I had nothing whatever to feel
bad about, I threw myself on a couch and began to sigh
and try to feel bad over something. It was but a few
minutes until I really did begin to feel miserable. Some-
one came and desired to know if I was in trouble, but
I turned away and would not answer. In a short time
I was feeling miserable enough to weep and moan, and
even bewail my condition. I then went to my room,
fastened the door, and began to call mightily upon God
for deliverance from such a condition. I had to put forth
no little effort and take God at His word and gain the
victory over the powers of Satan. I there learned the
lesson that anyone can feel bad and have a sorrowful
time whether or not he really has anything to feel bad
about; but I never desired to repeat the experiment. I
have also found that God has power not only to deliver
from such a condition, but to keep the soul filled with
glory even through the severest testings.
—E. E. Byrum, from his book, Riches of Grace
Reading the Bible is vital for every Christian. How can we
learn about God or grow spiritually if we do not spend time
studying the Book in which He has made Himself known to
us? Taking a few minutes each day to read a chapter is a good
way to start. But we should also block out extended periods
of time for exploring God’s Word and reflecting on what He
is saying to us.
The importance of spending much time with something of
great value and beauty is illustrated by a quote from the National
Geographic magazine about Carl Sharsmith, an 81 year old
guide in Yosemite National Park. “Carl was back at his tent
quarters after a long afternoon with tourists. His nose was
flaked white and red with sunburn; his eyes were watery, partly
from age but also from hearing again an old question after a
half century of summers in California’s Yosemite National
Park. A lady tourist had hit him with a question where it hurt:
“I’ve only got an hour to spend at Yosemite,” she declared.
“What should I do? Where should I go?” The old naturalist-
interpreter-ranger finally found voice to reply. “Ah, lady, only
an hour.” He repeated it slowly. “I suppose that if I had only
an hour to spend at Yosemite, I’d just walk over there by the
river and sit down and cry.” A whole lifetime is not long enough
to appreciate fully the beauty and learning and value of the
Bible. That’s why we must take time to study its truths and
make them real in our lives.
—Selected
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