Good News 1954 (Vol IV No 01) Jan_w

7/28/2019 Good News 1954 (Vol IV No 01) Jan_w

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VOL. IV, NUMBER 1

T h eTH E

National MagazIne ofCHURCH OF GOD

JANUARY, 1954Help the Underdog!It is natural to sympathize with the underdog-the fellow who ispersecuted or "picked-on;" How does this apply in God's Church?

by Roderick C. MeredithHAVE you ever had what is knownas a "suffering hero" complex?Chances are, you probably have.Most of us have i t once in a great while,but quickly solve our problem and getover it.But with some people, this complexbecomes a fixed mental habit, Whenthese people are denied what they wane-even though they don't deserve i ~they begin to feel sorry for themselvesand to place the blame on others. Theyusually set out immediately to win sym-pathy for their "cause." They often leada great many others into an attitude ofbitterness toward those who are sup-posed to be persecuting them-the "un-derdogs:'Psychologists are quite familiar withthis complex. Every organization or busi-ness of any size has its share of "suffer-ing heroes:' Every political party andreligious group has its share. And, innearly every case, one factor seems tobe constant with these "underdogs."They place the blame for their troublesand lack of success upon their leaders,whose position and success they secretlyenvy. But they are unwill ing or unableto pay the price to produce the resultswhich would entitle them to similar positron and success.

Christian "Martyrs"Even after conversion, you have thesame human nature to contend with that

you always did. Only you then have thehelp of God's Spirit in overcoming it.But the fact remains that even breth-ren in God's church are subject to allthe temptations and deceits of humannature--Qne of which is the tendencyof some to regard themselves as perse-cuted "martyrs" or "suffering heroes," ifthey an: unable to have their own wayin church matters or problems with theirbrethren. These people get their "feel-ings" hurt and feel persecuted if theyare not allowed to do as they please.Jesus Christ was never inclined toget his feelings hurt when He wasn't al-lowed to have His own way. Just beforeHe had to give His life in an agonizingdeath on the cross,Jesus prayed, "Father,if thou be willing, remove this cupfrom me: nevertheless not my will, butthine be done" (Luke 22:42). Jesuswas still flesh and blood, and He dread-ed what was coming. But He surrenderedHis own will, that God's will might bedone. Jesus wasn't too concerned aboutHis "feelings" or having His own waythat night before the crucifixion. I f Hehad been, we would be without a Savior!In spite of Jesus' example, some whocall themselves Christians are contin-ually getting their feelings hurt, eitherby imagining that they are being perse-cuted, or by sympathizing with some-one else whom they mistakenly believeis an "underdog."A good example of this might be a

case in which a couple who have comeinto associationwith God's church in thepast, are later found to be living inadultery. One of them may have a liv-ing husband or wife. Upon realizingthis situation, God's ministers shouldimmediately take it up with the couple-f ind Out i f the previous marriage wasbinding according to God's laws-andif so, try eo give the couple any adviceor help possible to aid them in breakingup their adulterous union. This is onlyto help them keep God's laws, and tok.eepGod's church clean and pure fromsm.But it is only hum.arJ nature for sucha couple to start feeling sorry for them-selves. They will feel that they are be-ing singled out for "persecution," andwill often accuse God's ministers oftrying to hurt them. They will resort toevery device of human reason to try toshow others why their living in ADUL-TERY is all right. By making others feelthat it is a personal disagreement, andthat they are the "underdog," they winsympathy.Why?Because nearly everyone tends tosympathize with an "underdog," andbecause too few people realize that inGOD'S CHURCH such disagreements arenot between the people and a human"preacher," but actually against GodHimself and the way of God! In plainlanguage, anyone who sympathizes with


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Page 2such people is sympathizing with Satanthe Devil!

How it StartsNaturally, when we speak of "sympathizing" with evil, we mean the attitude of condoning and agreeing withthe wrong principle involved. Weshould have compassion on sinners, JUStas Christ did.But herein lies the trouble.Most people confuse the love weshould have for those who err with anactive sympathy for their WRONG way oflife.God loves those of us who are Hischildren. Yet, we read in Hebrews 12:6that, "whom the Lord louetb, he CHAS

TENETH, and SCOURGETH every sonwhom he receiveth." God's chasteningisn't something that we enjoy. But Hedoes it, nevertheless, for our ultimategood.In like manner, the true ministers ofJesus Christ have the responsibility ofcorrecting and rebuking the church (Titus 2:15). As we have fully explainedin previous articles, Jesus gave his ministers the authority, under God, to makebinding decisions in their function ofteaching and directing the church (Mat.16:19; 18:18). In matters involvingthe governing and directing of thechurch, Christians are commanded toobey those whom Christ has used infaithfully preaching the Word to themand in bringing them to the truth (Heb.13: 7, 17). Such true ministers are responsible to Christ for ruling His church,and He will guide them through theHoly Spirit.So, like Jesus, a true minister should-and with God's help always wil l -use his authority in love and for the upbuilding of the church.But God's ministers have to make agreat many decisions in directing thework of the gospel which may be misconstrued if all the facts are not known,or if human reason is used to pervertthe facts.That is WHY some misunderstandingsmay develop even in God's church fromtime to time, and why some person whothinks he is "wronged" will often seekthe sympathy of others who are proneto help an "underdog." These thingscan happen in God's own church because He has decreed that we still haveour human nature, vanity, and selfishdesires to overcome. God wants us tobuild character by overcoming this nature, and solving rhe problems it causes.Problems arise because brethren oftenmisunderstand the difficulties that God'sservants face in carrying on a worldwide ministry. They often do nor realizethe authority vested in ministers byChrist to preserve order and government

The GOOD NEWSin carrying out this mission, and in directing His church.

A Common ErrorSome brethren who lack understanding want to take it upon themselves toenter the ministry, or to force them-selves into an active place in God'swork. The number of such requests, andsometimes DEMANDS, of this nature thathave come to Mr. Armstrong over theyears is rather amusing. And yet itreally isn't amusing, because these people usually mean business and their"feelings" are hurt if they are not placedin whatever position they think theyshould have. They overlook the factthat God chooses whom He will.Here again, if God's ministers do notsatisfy their human desires, then theyoften turn sour, feel "persecuted," andgo around to other brethren seekingsympathy as an "underdog" who is being "picked on."You might be surprised at the number of "self-called" individuals who thinkthey should take over Mr. Armstrong'sbroadcast, or take over one of God'schurches and make it their own church,or take over some other position in thechurch of God.All such individuals-and all of youbrethren-should realize that God RULESHis chunh! He always has, and He always will. The Father has appointedJesus Christ as the living Head of Hischurch (Eph. 5:23; Col. 1:18). Thetrue church is the body of Jesus Christ(I Cor. 12:27). I t is the organismthrough which He carries on His.work.No one should try to "appoint" him-self as a minister, an elder, a teacher,or to any other position in God's church.The apostle Paul tells us, "And God hathset some in the church, first apostles,secondarily prophets, thirdly teachers,after that miracles, then gifts of healing,helps, governments, diversities oftongues (I Cor. 12:28).Here we find that it is GOD who"sets" those in positions of authority inHis church.How do we know when God hasdone the appointing? Do we find scriptural examples of how God directs His

work? God's DirectionIn Luke 6: 12-16, we find the account of how Jesus prayed all night toGod for guidance before "he chosetwelve, whom he also named apostles."Not one of these men appointed himself. Jesus chose each one. Later, Hetold them, "Ye have not chosen me,but I have chosen you" (John 15:16).After Jesus ascended to heaven andthe church began to grow, the apostlesfound that too much of their time was

January, 1954being taken up with physical servicewhich could be performed ,by others.So they asked the brethren, "Look yeout among you seven men of honest re-port, full of the Holy Ghost and wisdom,whom WE may appoint over this business" (Acts 6: 3) .Notice that these men were appoint-ed by the apostles, who had alreadybeen specially called and chosen byJesus. They did NOT appoint themselves.Later, a man named Saulwas feverishly engaged in persecuting and destroying the church when he was struckdown and blinded by Christ, andbrought to repentance. One of thedisciples, Annanias, was told in a vision:"He (Paul) is a chosen vessel unto me,to bear my name before the Gentiles,and kings, and the children of Israel"(Acts 9:15).The apostle Paul was specially chosenby God, but this was revealed to onewho was already in God's church.Later, God revealed to the prophetsand teachers at Antioch that He wantedPaul and Barnabas separated for a special work. Notice that in every caseGodrevealed any "calling" to those whowere already in authority in His church--either the apostles themselves, or theprophets, or the elders and teacherswhom they had appointed through God'sdirection.God's church was governed and supervised from the top down. When call-ing or choosing someone for an officein the church, God always workedthrough those He had already set inauthority. That way there would be nodivision or confusion in His church.Tha t is God's way-the revealed :aibleway. Let us follow it!

Training NecessaryAnother fundamental fact which fewrealize is that God always used menwho were trained and prepared for thework to which He called them.Moses was reared in the Pharoah'spalace where he would be trained andschooled in the knowledge of the Egypdans--one of the most cultured peoplesof that time (Exodus 2).Daniel was instructed in all the wis

dom and learning of the Chaldeansthe greatest nation of that era (Dan.1:4).The apostles were first called "disciples" or students. They were trained andschooled for more than three years byJesus Christ himself.Paut, the apostle to the Gentiles, wasprepared for his mission by studying atthe feet of Gamaliel-recognized asprobably the greatest Jewish reacher ofthat time.In our day, Herbert Armstrong was(Please continue on page 7)


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Which Old Testament LAWSare in force today?

For the first time we publish the basic principles explaining whichcommands are still in force. Read how you can prove from Scripturewhich laws in the Old Testament were changed or abolished, and

which we are commanded to observe today!by Herman L. Hoeh

I:TIERS continue to arrive from youbrethren asking us, "Which lawsam I to keep?" Others wish advicein order to explain to interested friendswhy some laws were abolished and othersremain in force.We have never had the opportunity topublish the full answers to t h ~ s e questions before. We had no magazine especially for you brethren. Most of the readers of The PLAIN TRUTH--our evangelistic magazine-are not yet able tograsp the deeper truths of God's law andHis way of life.But you brethren do need to KNOW!Let us notice, first of all, the NewTestament teaching.Jesus-the l iv ing Head of our church- told the disciples: "Whoso thereforeshall break one of these least commandments, and shall teach men so, shall becalled least in the kingdom of heaven;but whoso shall DO and TEACH them,the same shall be called great in thekingdom of heaven" (Matt. 5:19) .How important it is, then, that w ethe disciples of Jesus today-becomefamiliar with the least commandmentsthat we live by every word of God.

God Is LawgiverGod's church differs from all others inthat it takes the Bible as ABSOLUTE and

FINAL AUTHORITY. We are not toargue with God and use human reason toevade the plain commands of Scripture.God is Supreme Lawgiver. He knowswhat is best for us. He has perfect wisdom and understanding. We can placeOur confidence in Him and rely on Hisjudgment which He committed to writing for us-in the Bible.No one can gain entrance into God'schurch unless that individual first recognizes the authority and rule of God byrepenting and believing the things written in Scripture. But repentance is notsimply one act. It must be a CONSTANTPRACTICE as we grow in knowledge andcorrect our mistakes. We must continually yield ourselves to every word of

God. It is not enough to say,"I repentedonce and that is sufficient."The tendency is to use human reasonto side-step what seems of lesser importance to us. I t is so very easy for us tosay: "I don' t see why God would wantus to keep this. It seems so impracticalin this modern age. Now here is the wayI see it."And yet, my brethren, this attitude isexactly what makes other churches carnaland woridly-of the devil. They use theirhuman reason instead of accepting theBible as final AUTHORITY.It does us good, however, when somany of you ask us questions about theway that God reveals we should live.We know that when you write us youare in earnest to understand the laws ofGod. So let us all open our minds andcome to a new understanding of pure,true Christianity.

Ten Commandments Bindingat CreationGod's church recognizes the eternalbinding authority of the ten Commandments. David was inspired to say: "Allhis commandments are sure. They standfast for ever and ever, and are done intruth and uprightness" (Ps. 110:7-8).Jesus didn' t abolish the ten commandments. "Think not," He said, "that Icame to destroy the law or the prophets:I came not to destroy, but to fulfill."The ten commandments constitute thebasic spiritual law which regulates human life. It is holy, just and good, said

Paul in Romans 7: 12 and 14.We know, also, that we should observe the annual festivals, that we shouldtithe, that we should obey the rules ofheal th perta ining to meats. But whatmany do not understand is HOW TOPROVE that u/o should keep these lawswhich are not a direct part of the tencommandments. How are the lesser lawsto be distinguished from the ceremoniallaws and carnal ordinances so often connected with them?First, remember that God's basic spir-

itual laws existed from the beginning.When speaking of divorce, Jesus saidthat "from the beginning it was not so"(Matt. 19:8). It was a sin at the beginning of this present creation to commitadultery!The world strayed so far from thetruth that, by the days of Moses, Godhad to reveal His law anew to the Isrcelires, Israel had lost a knowledge of God'sways while in Egyptian bondage. Let usnotice, however, that God was merelyrevealing the laws which were already inforce. The old covenant did not establish the laws.In Exodus 16:28 we reart that theEternal, when speaking about Israelto Moses, said: "How long do you refuseto keep my commandments and mylaws?"Israel could not refuse what did notexist!

Now turn to Exodus 18: 16. Mosestold his father-in-law that when thepeople have a dispute, "I make themknow the .statutes of God and his judgments."Notice! Here are the statutes andjudgments of God existing BEFORE theold covenant. As they existed before theold covenant, they could not be abolishedwhen it ceased to exist. The old covenantcould not destroy what it did not bringinto force.But when did the carnal ceremoniesand sacrifices of the Levitical priesthoodbegin? And how can we distinguishthem from the statutes and judgmentsthat existed prior to the old covenant?When Did Sacrificial Laws Begin?When God brought Israel to the footof Mt, Sinai, He gave the ten commandments to them. He allowed Moses todeclare all the statutes and judgments toIsrael (Exodus, chapters 20-24).Now notice carefully. There is onlyone sacrifice mentioned in the book ofthe law-the passover sacrifice (Exodus23: 18). God called it "MY sacrifice."Next, turn to Jeremiah 7:22-23. Listen


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Page 4 The GOOD NEWS January, 1954

Address communications to the Editor,Box 111, Pasadena, California.Copyright, January, 1954By the Radio Church of God

Herbert W. ArmstrongPublisher and EditorHerman L. HoehExecutive EditorRoderick C. MeredithAssociate Editor

The national magazine ofTHE CHURCH OF GODministering to its membersscattered abroad, andreporting on campus happeningsat Ambassador College Carnal Laws Distinguishedfrom Others

I t is important that we notice, now,that the spiritual principles underlyingthe material sacrificial laws are still binding. Since God can never rescind Hisspiritual law-the ten commandments-there is always the need of a SupremeSacrifice so long as sin exists. That everlasting sacrifice is Jesus, the Christ.The same holds true for us. Petersays that we are "a royal priesthood""a holy priesthood" (I Peter 2:5,9).Since we are a priesthood, of whichJesus Christ is High Priest, then WENEED TO OFFER SACRIFICES, TOO. Whatsacrifices can we offer? "I appeal to you,"said Paul, "to present your bodies as 11living sacrifice, holy and acceptable toGod, which is your spiritual service"(Romans 12:1, Panin trans.).Do you see how the spiritual principles underlying sacrifice are perpetuatedtoday, although the carnal law passedaway nearly 2000 years ago? The sameis true of circumcision. Paul spent manychapters convincing the Jews that circumcision-not a harmful rite in itself-was not needed for salvation. Ye tAbraham's children are all to be circumcised-in the heart (Rom. 2: 29).Now let us learn where we can findexactly what constituted the temporarylaws. Turn with me to Hebrews 9:9-10.In these two verses we read of the material gifts and sacrifices which included"ONLY meats and drinks and diversewashings--carnal ordinances, imposeduntil the time of reformation." Noticethat the temporary laws did not pertainto murder or theft or sabbath-breaking,but were ONLY those ordinances regulating meat and drink offerings and different washings or ablutions of the unclean.These external washings were a type ofthe Holy Spirit cleaning us up wi thin.ANYOTHER LAWS NOT INCLUDED INHEBREWS 9:10 WERE NOT PART OFlHE RITUALS ADDED BECAUSE OF SIN!Remember this point! It will help youto know which rites in the old testamentwere added to the statutes and judgments already in existence.

What Is the Law of Moses?Some people are easily confused bythe trick statement that the ten com-

changing-"I change not, saith the Eternal" (Mal. 3:6) and "Jesus, the sameyesterday, today, and forever" (Heb. 13:8) - the spiritual laws could not change.Again, God is LOVE. And God's love isdefined in I John 5:3: "For this is thelove of God, that we keep his commandments." We can have the same love thatis in the Father's heart, if we practiceHis commands-the way He, Himself,lives.

ABC NETWORK. TRANSCONTINENTAL-Every Sunday. Consultlocal newspaper radio schedules fortime and station, or keep on handthe log p ri nt ed in the J anuary issueof The PLAINTRUTH.

"The WORLD TOMORROW"Herbert W. Armstrong analyzes today's news, with the prophecies ofThe WORLD TOMORROW!

TO ALL OF EUROPE:RADIOLUXEMBOURG-23:30Sundays, Greenwich time.

RADIO LOG

TO mE NATION & CANADA:XEG-1050 on dial, every night,8:30 P.M. Central Std. time.Other s ta tions at usual time.

the slaves of a master forever-meaning till the death of one of the parties.(See Exodus 21:6; Lev. 25:46; Deut,15:17.)What are the factors surrounding sacrifices? One, the priesthood. Two, theneed for sacrifices.What is the purpose of a priesthood?To offer sacrifices and to act on behalfof men in relation to God (Hebrews5: 1 and 8:3) . But how long do offerings for sins need to be made? Paul tellsus: "Now where remission of these is,there is no more offering for sin" (Hebrews 10:18).To offer sacrifices for sin after Christgave His life in full payment for all sinsmakes a mockery of Him. Therefore,SINCE PHYSICAL OFFERINGS WERE NOLONGER N E E D E ~ A N D HENCE THEPHYSICAL LEVITICAL PRIESTHOODWAS NO LONGER NECESSARY-the oldtestament offerings are no longer binding. The factors involved in the originallaw ceased to exist.Perhaps we have failed to realize thatGod ALONE has the right to rescind,change or alter material laws. God willchange the present chemical and physicallaws that govern this temporary universe(Matt. 5:18). In like manner, God hasalready changed the carnal laws added tothe old covenant. Those carnallaws weresttbject to change because their everlasting endurance depended upon physical cVrcumstances-the coming of thepromised seed, Christ, who should takeupon Himself the sins of the world.When the circumstances were altered,the everlasting obligation to the carnallaws ceased.GOD WILL NOT, HOWEVER, ALTER HISSPIRITUAL LAWS. The spiritual laws describe the very character of God. Theyenable us to know what God is like.Since the character of God remains en-

NUMBER 1OL. IV

to what the Eternal inspired Jeremiahto write: "For in the day that I broughtthem out of the land of Egypt, I DID NOTSPEAK OR COMMAND them C01I-cerning burnt offerings and sacrifices.But this COMMAND I GAVE TIlEM: 'Obeymy voice . . . and walk in ALL THEWAY THAT I COMMAND YOU, that it maybe well with you.'"God did not command sacrificesto beoffered originally. This explains whynone of those temporary sacrifices wereperpetuated by different symbols in theNew Testament Church. ONLY TIlEPASSOVER IS PRESERVED BY DIFFERENTSYMBOLS TODAY-because it began before the old covenant was made. (See itsinstitution in Exodus 12.) The very factthat Jesus substituted unleavened breadand wine for the passover only, and notfor the temporary offerings, is absoluteproof that the old testament offeringsare not binding today!Paul says (Gal. 3: 19) they wereadded because of transgression-becauseGod's spiritual Iaw was being brokenuntil Christ should come. They were substitutes for the sacrifice of Christ and asa "reminder of sin" to teach the peoplethe need of the Messiah who would paythe penalty of human transgression (Hebrews 10:3) ."But," many ask, "weren't the sacrificesordained forever?"Yes, the Bible does say that the Levitical priesthood and its sacrifices were tobe perpetual or forever. But let us understand the real significance of the Hebrew word translated "forever." It meanscontinuous, so long as the factors in'Volved exist.Notice three scriptures where thismeaning is made plain. Men could be


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January, 1954mandments are the law of Moses. Theyturn to Luke 2:22-24 in which the ceremonies of the law of Moses are alsocalled par t of the law of the Lord.Why?Because all law comes from God.Moses is not the lawmaker! He merelytold the people the laws that God setin motion (John 1:17).Let us not let men tell us what constituted the law of Moses. Here is God'sdefinition in Malachi 4:4: "Rememberthe law of my servant Moses, the statutesand judgments that I commanded him atHoreb for all Israel."The law of Moses is NEVER calledthe ten commandments. I t comprises thestatutes and judgments which God gavehim to communicate to the people. Thedifference between the law of Moses andthe ten commandments is that Godspoke the ten words, but Moses deliveredthe statutes and judgments.Now, let us recall that when Moses

firstdelivered the statutes and judgments,the law of Moses had no sacrifices connected with it. Jeremiah said so! (Jer.7:22). But after the close of the oldcovenant (Ex. 24), the Levitical priesthood was established and the laws regulating offerings were added (Exodus 28:1). (Prior to this time offerings werevoluntary and young men were priests-Exodus 24:5.)The law of Moses was originally thecivil law, based on the ten commandments. Those civil statutes and judgments are right and good (Psalm 119:7,8).BUT ADDED TO THEM WEREOTHER STAlUTES AND JUDGMENTS REGULATING MATERIALRITUALS, SUCH AS SACRIFICES,LIGHTING OF CANDLES, BURNING INCENSE, AND VARIOUSWASHINGS FOR THE UNCLEAN.This almost unnoticed fact is whatcauses so much difficulty in understanding that the LAW OF MOSES WAS COM-POSED OF two DISTINCT PARTS: THECIVIL AND THE RITUALISTIC!Part of Law of Moses StilI in Force!Jesus said the two great commandments were love to God and love toneighbor. Do you know from where Hequoted these laws?Out of the book of the law!-the lawsthat Moses spoke to the people. Readit in Leviticus 19:18: "You shall loveyour neighbor as yourself." And Deuteronomy 6:4: "You shall love the Lordyour God with all your heart, and withall your soul, and with all your might."In II John 5 and 6, God commandsChristians to obey these two basic lawswhich He communicated to the peopleby Moses! In II Kings 23:25, Josiah ispraised because he "turned to the Lord

The GOOD NEWSwith all his heart and with all his souland with all his might, ACCORDING TOTHE LAW OF MOSES!"Notice how plain it is. The civil lawof Moses expounds the ten commandments by revealing how the ten basicprinciples are to be applied.Then why do we read in Acts thatGentile converts do not have to observe the law of Moses, except for fourpoints? (Acts 15.) The answer is madeplain in Acts 21:21. The laws of Mosescalled in question involved "customs."Read it for yourself. The Jews werefalsely accusing Paul, saying that hetaught Jews living abroad "not to circumcise their children or observe theCUSTOMS"! (Acts 21:21.)The controversy in the early churchdid not involve spiritual principles oflove and obedience in the civil law ofMoses. It involved only ceremonial additions to the original civ,il law of Moses.The controversy in Acts 15 involvedonly customs-ADDED ceremonies orrituals. This is further proven by noticing the four points which are bindingon all Christians everywhere.These points were connected withrituals. We are not to eat blood, animalswhich are strangled, meats offered toidols or to practice fornication. Thesefour spiritual points involving fornication and eating blood were connectedwith customs or ceremonies of the law ofMoses. The civil law was not involved.You will find them taken from Leviticus 17:7 and 10. "And they shall nomore offer their sacrifices unto demons,after whom they have gone a whoring.This shall be a statute for ever unto themthroughout their generations." Paganidolatry involved physical fornication aswell as spiritual whoredom (Numbers25:1-3).Continuing from Leviticus 17:10:"And whatsoever man there be of thehouse of Israel, or of the strangers thatsojourn among you, that eateth any manner of blood; I will even set my faceagainst that soul that eateth blood," saysthe Eternal. Any animal strangled contained blood.How plain! Only the ceremonial customs of the law of Moses have passedaway. The many civil laws regulatingtithing, clean and unclean meats, the annual sabbaths, and many others are stillfor the New Testament Church becausethey explain the ten commandments.For example: God forbids us to eatunclean meats. To take what He forbidsis to covet. One of the ten commandments says: "Thou shalt NOT covet."Now let us consider the use of thedeath penalty in old testament times.

Ministration of DeathA common question often asked is

Page 5this: Why do we not enforce the deathpenalty for sabbath-breakers or any otherviolation of the ten commandments?In the January 1953 GOOD NEWS, wepublished an article explaining the trothabout the administration of death. If youhave not already read it, be sure to writein for a back copy.The answer to this question is foundin Matthew 5. Let us turn to this important chapter again. Jesus was anticipating doubts in the minds of the disciples. He commences by saying He cameto keep the law, not to destroy it. Thenhe proceeds to CHANGE the civil laws asthey were given to ancient Israel. Hemagnifies them and makes them honorable. He raises them from narrow, nationallaws to a spiritual plane regulatingthe whole of human society. Six timesJesus says: 'You have heard it said inolden times.... But I say to you... ."and He then proceeds to expound thespiritual principles underlying the civillaws of Moses.In particular, notice Matthew 5:38:"You havc heard that it was said, 'Aneye for an eye and a tooth for a tooth.But I say to you, do not resist one who isevil. But if anyone strikes you on theright c ~ ~ e k , turn to him the otheralso....Why did Jesus RESTORE THESE SPIRI-TUAl. LAWS as they were from the beginning? Why was Moses commandedto give them only in the letter to ancientIsrael?Ancient Israel was not like the churchof God today. It was a national churcha carnal nation organized into the congregation of Israel. They did not have thepromise of the Holy Spirit; they were anation of this world. Moses said that theydid not even have the power or strengthof will to keep what little he commandedthem (Deur, 5:29). And neither dohuman beings today! People don't wanto obey the commandments. "The carnal mind is enmity against God: for iis not subject to the law of God" (RomS:7) . Israel needed punishments folawbreakers to keep peace and securitin the land.Jesus came to make it possible fous to have the very nature of God acting in us. Therefore He restored thecivil law to its original spiritual perfection. And with that restoration thepower to administer the death penaltyin the church of God passed from mento Him who created man. Today GodCOrrects us as His children. "Vengeancis mine," says God. We are rather tosuffer wrong and trust God.

How to Apply These PrinciplesThus far in our study we have foundthree main texts which can guide us in(Please conti nue on page 8)


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Problems of New Convertsby Ted Armstrong

Do YOU know why the majority ofAmerican people turn up theirnoses at "religion" and refuse

to have anything to do with it?You have probably been taught mostof your life that it is necessary to GIVEUP everything that is GOOD, everythingthat is FUN, in order to become "saved."This is the common conception of salvation-and most people take it forgranted without ever questioning it.The churches paint Christianity as amorbid religion with a God who demands penance and suffering from poorhelpless mortals. Life, to many professing Christians, is unhappy! uncomfortable, drab, poverty-stricken. Salvation islooked upon as the reward for enduringall this misery that the Father imposeson us.What kind of God is it tha t this common teaching portrays? Is it any wonderthat most people don't want to tu rn toGod?If people could only understand thatconversion is not a mat ter of "just howmuch do 1 have to give up"! Jesus camethat we might have life, of course, butHe also came that we might have itmore abunda:ntly (John 10: 10 ) _

What Conversion Really IsJesus came to call us out of thisworld's troubled conditions-to bring usa life just FILLED with interest, withZEAL, and with USEFULNESS. He didnot tell us to bend our backs under amountain of human woe and suffering!Or to do penance and live in poverty andmisery!Conversion does not mean to cast allmaterial things aside. Instead, conversionmakes possible for the first time ourintelligent use of the material creation.Jesus Christ did not say: Throw materialwealth and all physical pleasures awayand seek only the Kingdom of God.

Notice what He did say: "Seek ye firstthe kingdom of God, and his righteousness; and all these things shall be ADDEDunto you" (Marthew 6:33).So it is not the giving up of thesethings that is so important-it is the attitude toward them! Seek FIRST the kingdom of God, and THEN (secondarily inimportance) shall these things be addedto you! We are here to learn how to usethe material world, not to abuse it. Weare here to learn how to be happy andhow to make others happy, too.The only true way to happiness is set

forth in God's revelation to man-theBible. And the very first step to findingreal happiness is described by Paul in hisletter to the Romans, when he said: "Benot conformed to this world; but be yetransformed by the renewing of yourmind, that ye may prove what is thatgood, and acceptable, and perfect, willof God" (Romans 12:2).Notice. Here is the very STARTINGPOINT on the way to salvation! To comeout of this world! Not to be conformedto its way, but to become like God bylearning and practicing His will.How to Do the Will of God

Everywhere in the Bible the newlyconverted person is compared to a littlebaby who is completely dependent on itsparents for life and protection. For theprotection, then, of each newly begottenmember in God's family, the HeavenlyFather intended that each of us should be"set apart" and separated from the waysof this present world. It keeps us fromthe dangerous influences that are hiddeneverywhere. God knows it is the onlyway that we can "put on the new man"- develop spiritually- CHANGE fromone person to another in CHARACTER(Eph.4:24).But does this mean that we are to absolve all contact with the "outsideworld"? How are we to come out ofthis world's society and customs and stilllive in the world?The process of conversion is not aneasy task! Jesus said that he came tobring a SWORD on earth-not peace!(Matt. 10:34.) The sword is the sharptwo-edged cutting WORD OF Goo-Histruth! This word, this sword, HURTS thecarnal mind. It causes discomfort to thosewho are following their natural desires,and who want to do what seems right tothem.And who are those usually MOST CON-cERNED when they discover that youhave turned away from this presentworld? Why, it is your own family andrelatives, of course! Jesus prophesied it!He said the truth would set a managainst his father, a daughter against hermother, and that a man's foes would bethose of his own household! (Matt. 10:35-36.)That is the real meaning behind thecommand to come out of this world.The very purpose which God has in thiscommand to be separate from the worldis to TEST OUR STRENGTH AND OUR

FAITH. I f other people in the outsideworld begin to persecute you, and berateyou for your religion, would you betroubled too much? Somewhat, perhaps,but not very much. But-when your ownFAMILY begins to accuse,to malign andto persecute you for your "crazy" religion-don' t you sometimes begin to weakenjust a little?Yes, it is more difficultthan it sounds.We may refuse to work at our jobs onthe sabbath, we may discontinue our associations with former friends insofar asthose associations disobey God's law, wemay quit keeping the worldly holidays;but when it comes to the very membersof our families-we sometimes begin toweaken to temptations. How much dowe have to give up? Jesus said, "He thatloverh son or daughter more than me isnot worthy of me; and he that lovethfather or mother more than me is notworthy of me" (Matt. 10:37).Yes, sometimes we must give up theformer fellowship, even with our ownfamilies. If we are of the world, theworld will love its own. But because Godhas called us out of this world, it willHATE US (John 15:19).The problem that confronts each of us,then, is how can we be SEPARATE fromthis world, and still have CHARITY andLOVE for it? Can we LOVE other peopleas ourselves? We know that the carnalmind is the attitude of ENMITY againstGod's law, God's rule (Rom. 8:7). Theconverted mind is the changed mindof LOVE directed away from self andtoward others. "This is my commandment, that ye love one another, as I haveloved you. Greater love hath no manthan this, that a man lay down his lifefor his friends" (John 15:13).

Love ONLY Church Members?The true Christian attitude is one ofLOVE and CHARITABLENESS toward oth

ers. We can love others and still notfellowship them. Love and fellowship arenot the same! Many, of course, will ask:did not Christ say we are to fellowshipthe unconverted when he said "And ifye salute your brethren only, what do yemore than others"? Doesn't this meanthat we are to associate with the world,mingle with the unconverted, go out andfellowship worldly people?It most certainly does not!It means exactly what it says! We areto "salute," to greet in a FRIENDLY ANDLOVING MANNER, 4ll those with whom


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January, 1954we come in contact. We are to be anEXAMPLE of God's character before others, but we are not to fellowship theworld.The very purpose of the Christian call-ing hinges on our understanding of thisprinciple. Weare called to become corulers with Jesus Christ-to JUDGE THISWORLD WITH HIM! Yes--even to judgeangels! ( I Cor. 6:3.) Do the judges andjurors fellowship with the ones who areawaiting trial? No.But can we find the right balance?Can we fully understand that we mustremain unspot ted from the world andyet love those who are ensnared in it?Whoever will be a friend of the world isthe enemy of God! (James 4:4.)So let's realize that while we must remain in this world, we cannot be of it!

Help the Underdog(Continued from page 2)

prepared for his world-wide ministry bybeing led to enter the advertising andpublishing field-where he received thespecial kind of training necessary toprepare him for conducting the international gospel crusade by radio and theprinting press.Then God miraculously opened theway for Ambassador College-whereMr. Armstrong could train young mento help him just as Jesus did, and asPaul did with the evangelists Timothy,Titus, Silas, and others.It is GOD'S revealed WILL-nOt humanreason-which has led Mr. Armstrongto see the necessity of thoroughly training those who are to be actively used inGod's work. This principle holds truein regard to almost any office in God'schurch.

In I Timothy 3:1-13, Paul instructsTimothy in the qualities which a manmust have before he can be ordained asa local elder or deacon. Even of thedeacons, Paul wrote, "And let thesefirst be proved; then let them use theoffice of a deacon, being found blameless" (verse 10). A deacon must be"proved" or "tested" in his ability andwillingness to exercise his office in a"blameless" manner before being ordained. The evangelists were instructedto be sure that any elder or deaconwould submit to God's governmentbefore ordaining them.Yes, God's ministers must be verycareful whom they appoint to aid in thespiritual ministry of Jesus Christ. Theymust be called of God, thoroughlytrained and prepared, and able to provetheir reliability and complete willingness to obey God's government in Hischurch.

The GOOD NEWSAs has been thoroughly explained ioprevious articles in The GOOD NEWS,Christ has promised to be with, andspecially guide, his called servants inmatters of church government and discipline (Mat. 18:15-20) . That is theway that Christ rules the true church.The example of how a supposedlyconverted couple found living in adultery should be helped is only one example of the serious decisions and responsibilities which God's ministers mustshoulder. There will be problems ofpeople wanting a job in the work, ofpeople seeking after offices in the church

to which God has not called them, offalse prophets or disgruntled elders tryingto lead off the flock after themselves.

Al l these problems will not be solvedto the complete satisfaction of everyone.This is because very few people keepclose enough to God to know His wil lin directing the church. And when personal desires and ambitions enter intothe picture, it is easy even for a converted person to let self-will get in theway of God's will.These factors will give opportunityfor those who continue in self-will tocry out tha t they are being treated unfairly, that they are "martyrs" or "underdogs." You need to realize this, and askGod to help you get all sides of thecase before feeling very sorry fur the"underdog."

Jesus Guides His Church!Although Jesus specially promised toguide His ministers in exercising theirauthority to "bind" or "loose" in apply

ing God's law to a part icular case, Hedid not promise that they would nevermake a mistake in appoint ing some tooffices in the church. Paul told the Ephesian elders whom he ordained: "O f yourown selves shall men arise, speakingperverse things, to draw away disciplesaf ter them" (Acts 20:30).So even though they diligently seekGod's direction, God's ministers todaymay make a few humao errors in theappointments of elders, deacons, or others to offices in the church. But that isfor CHRIST to judge! God's ministersare responsible to HIM.I f God's ministers seem a lit tle slowin appoint ing someone to an office inthe church, or i f they appear to havemade a mistake in such an appointment--or in any other decision they mayhave to make, the truly Christian thingfor you to do is not to criticize and condemo, nor to bi tterly think that we arepersecuting a so-called "underdog," bu tto get down on your knees before Godand ask Him to show us His will, torebuke and chasten us if necessary, andto guide us in directing His church asHe has promised to do.

Page 7And while yuu are at it, you had better ask God also to show you if YOU arethe one who is wrong! The Bible reveals that when individuals disagreedwith God's called servants, they werenearly always the ones who were wrong.So mistakes will be made. But God'sWord shows that those who criticize oraccuse God's servants of being unfairwill probably be the ones in the wrong.In the past, Jesus has always directedHis church and His true servants sotha t they were far more fair and just indirecting the church than others wouldhave been. Jesus is "the same yesterday, and TODAY, and for ever" (Heb.13:8). Think it over.

Help the UnderdogKnowing that the true church of Godis a spiritual organism which Christrules and directs through His ministers,you should be very careful not to letSatan the Devil put a spirit of antag

onism in you against them. Once Godhas shown you where He is working incarrying the true gospel to the world,and whom He is using in this ministry,you should obey them in matters ofchurch government and direction (Eeb.13:8) . I n matters of faith, you shouldfollow them as they follow Christ ( ICor. 11: 1) . This way leads to unity,peace, and love as God intends. I tavoids strife and confusion which is ofthe Devil.I f occasions arise where other brethren become disgruntled over a supposedinjustice, you had better remind yourself that Christ has promised to guideHis church into all truth-and ask Himto do it. I f someone in the church feelsthat he is an "underdog," that he hasbeen wronged or discriminated againstby God's servants, and if he comesaround to you for sympathy-you shouldhelp him.Yes, you should help the "underdog"!Here is how. I f you are careful tofind the real cause of his grievance, youwill probably find that the individual isin some manner going contrary to thegovernment of God. He may be tryingto disobey some point of God's law. Hemay be holding a feeling of bitternesstoward one of God's ministers becausehe was unwilling to be corrected onsome point; or he may feel "persecuted"because he has not been allowed toappoint himself to some office or function in God's work for which he is notqualified or prepared.Whatever may be the reason, you willnot help him by actively sympathizingwith his supposed "cause." This willonly make him feel more secure in hiserror, and seem to substantiate his feeling of bitterness.I f possible, you should try to point


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Page 8out his own mistake, help him get hismind off his own selfish desires, andwarn him in a loving way that such anattitude among God's people is onewhich Satan the Deoil is working dayand night to bring about (I Peter 5:8).

I f you are members of a local congregation, you should discuss it with theminister and let him know the real situation so that he may help work out asolution before anything serious arises.I f you are one of the many scatteredbrethren and such a problem shouldarise, write to us at God's "headquarters church" in Pasadena, and wewill tr yto work out a solution, and will praywith you about it.Whatever you do, don't become thiskind of "underdog" yourself, or let onemake you embittered to the extent thatyou reject God's truth and thereby for-feit your right to eternal life. The "underdog" and his sympathizers may wellbe in danger of the lake of fire. It seemsthat if people allow themselves to become embittered and reject a minister,they also reject Christ's message! I t justdoesn't pay to fight God's true servants.When the men of Israel became angrybecause of Samuel's sons and wantedto reject Samuel, God said, "They havenot rejected thee, but they have rejectedME, that I should not reign over them"( I Sam. 8:7).The "underdog" problem will alwaysbe solved i f the complete truth of theparticular case is made. plain to everyone, if brethren are willing to obeyGod's will in directing the churchthrough His called and chosen ministers,and if all of us pray earnestly that Godwill protect His church and keep itfree from all strife and division. Christ'sbody, the true church, is not to be divided (I Cor. 1:13). Only by workingtogether with love and zeal can we carryOut the world-wide mission that Christhas given to all of us in His church.

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The GOOD NEWSWhich LAWSare in force?(Continued from page .5 )

studying the laws of the old testament:Jeremiah 7:22; Hebrews 9:10 and Mat-thew 5:21 through 44. These key scriptures explain what constituted the substitutes for Chris t and the Holy Spirit,and what lawswere mere permissions byMoses to a carnal people who could notkeep the law in the spirit. Let us notthink for a moment that God was unfairto deal wi th them so. After all, Israeltold God that they could keep the law!Now we can turn to the old covenantand compare it briefly with what we havestudied in other passages.Concerning the laws of warfare foundin Deuteronomy 20, we find the NewTestament teaching us that our warfareis not carnal, but spiritual-that we donot struggle with human beings but withwicked spirits in high places (Matt. 5:38and Ephesians 6). The laws in Deuteronomy were given to a physical nation toregulate physical conditions.Concerning slavery, Paul says that weshould not become the slaves of humanbeings (I Cor. 7:21-24), although if we

HOLY DAY CALENDARFor 1954

Passover, after sunset, Fri., April 16.Days of Unleavened Bread, beginsunset Sat., April 17, end sunse tSat., April 24.Pentecost, Monday, June 14, begin

ning previous sunset.Festival of Trumpets, Tues., Sept. 28.Day of A tonemen t, fa st day, Thurs.,October 7.Festival of Tabernacles , begins sunset, Monday, October 11, ends sunset Tuesday, October 19.

January, 1954were converted while being slaves. weshould abide in our calling until freedomcan be purchased. A great many are inslavery to this day and do not know it!Weare to be enterprising and efficientenough that we become the masters ofour occupations. The original law tookinto consideration the fact that slaverywas a universal practice' that needed tobe regulated.Concerning uncleanliness of womenduring childbirth (Leviticus 12), thecustoms of the law of Moses were temporary, but based upon principles ofhealth. These laws, as well as other diverse washings, were to keep the peoplemindful of the need to be externallypure. It is a good practice, however, thatwomen obtain rest after bearing children.The Holy Days are to be observedapart from the added ceremonies whichwere performed by the Levitical priesthood for the people. The Levires, not thepeople, were to blow the trumpets onthe Feast of Trumpets.Concerning the inheritance of property in Leviticus27: we are now sojournersand not inheritors. God has not given uspermanent possessions during this age.But when the government of God isestablished during the millennium, thenno one will be allowed to take awaythe rightful inheritance of another, andeach individual will be allowed to return to his inheritance during the Jubilee.In general, you can apply the principles of Matthew 5 to the book of Deuteronomy and portions of the book ofNumbers, Leviticus and Exodus. In othercases, where the ceremonial statutes arefound, you should compare the verseswith Hebrews 9:10 and Jeremiah 7:22.IF THERE IS NO CHANGE OR ABOLITIONOF THE LAWS FOUND IN THE OLDTESTAMENT, THEN YOU CAN BE REASONABLY SURE THAT TIlEY ARE TO BEOBSERVED TODAY.

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