Old Paths Advocate Volume 5 Number 4

Editorial

God’s blessings have been so gracious and so abundant upon our little magazine, “Old Paths Advocate,” that we are constrained to publish abroad our thanksgivings, that it may redound yet more to His glory and encourage the hearts of those who have taken such a kindly interest in this effort to exalt His blessed, holy, and revered Name. He has upheld us in this feeble effort, by a kind and friendly Providence. His people have stood by us. We wish to thank all who have sent us letters of encouragement, or have subscribed, or sent in subscriptions, or sent donations. God bless you all. We even thank our enemies for their boosts they have given us by kicking against us and the truths for which we stand. We ask God not to lay this sin to their charge! God has always over-ruled all for His own glory. Thus it is that He makes even the wrath and wickedness in man praise Him.

We heartily appreciate unsolicited efforts many have made to spread the magazine among their friends. We shall be glad to furnish extra copies to those who wish to interest others, or who will send names to whom sample copies may be sent.

Some truths may appear from time to time which will be new to some of our readers, but we trust that their novelty will in no wise deter any one from testing them by the most exact and searching scrutiny of the Word and God. We desire for all of our readers the rank of the Berean nobility (Acts 17:11) who “searched (anakrinontes) the Scriptures daily, whether those things were so.”

Let us here insist that our confidence in His word is such that the smallest word, or even the slightest variation of a word, if it is His, infinitely outweighs all human reasoning even though it be called “the truth” and be so skillfully harmonized with "other truths," so well interwoven into a system of doctrine that it seems almost a sacrilege to call for its credentials. “To the law and to the testimony” is our watch word: May we ever abide by it!

Bro. Paul Hays, of Fresno, California, has been sick, and so he has not been able to write much of late. Bro. Leslie Hawley visited us a short time ago, however, and he says Bro. Hays is better. So we hope he can give us several articles soon. In fact, we have just received a very fine article from him. We thank God for His improvement in health.

I have received fifty-copies of my book, THE CUP OF THE LORD,” from the printers, and am well pleased with their work. The book has forty pages of closely printed matter. It cost me about ten cents per copy to produce this book. The postage on a copy is three cents. The book is free to you; but we insist that you send us the postage for as many copies as you can use. If possible, send a donation to help pay the printing bill. All donations will be acknowledged in the paper. We were a little late in bringing it from the press. We hope all who have sent in orders will be patient with us. 1,000 copies were printed. They will reach me soon.

I will have time for a few meetings in Oklahoma, Texas, or Arkansas, after my work closes at Healdton, Oklahoma, the first of April. All who wish me to visit you for a few days, should address me at Healdton, Oklahoma, care, Tom E. Smith. Orders for the book, sent to the same address, will receive prompt notice.

J. D. Phillips

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Special Interest

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Notice “Loyal Guide” Readers

Since the publication of the first issue of the Loyal Guide, the editors of the Old Paths Advocate and I have been considering combining the two papers. Especially did this seem advisable since, as I understand it, our aims were identical. We have completed the combination now and all of you readers of the Loyal Guide will receive the Old Paths Advocate for the remainder of your unexpired terms. I am sure that you will all be greatly pleased. I feel that more good can be done by all working together and for one paper.

O. B. Perkins

We are more than delighted to make this announcement to the readers of the Old Paths Advocate, for we are confident that you will be well pleased to know that Brother O. B. Perkins and his list of subscribers are casting their lot with us, that all may work shoulder to shoulder for the cause we love. Thank God, the light is breaking!

Homer L. King

“The Cup of The Lord”

The above is the title of a tract, just off the press, written by Bro. J. D. Phillips, of Monte­bello, California.

I have just completed an examination of the work, and I am delighted with it. I unhesitatingly commend it to the readers of this paper, or to anyone else. As a reference work, I am certain that there is nothing in print on this question, that compares with it.

Bro. Phillips has spared neither time nor, money to make this a complete work. The array of scholars, historians, and grammatical authorities is unexcelled. Truly, he has “let others speak for him.”

The printers have done a neat job; the type is large and plain; the paper is high grade. Both young and old may read with ease.

​The forty-page tract is free for the asking and the postage. Order one or as many as you can use, and be convinced. Do not be afraid to hand them out to your friends, as there is nothing to justly offend anyone. Enclose three or four cents per copy for postage, or better still include a donation to help bear the burden of publishing. Address all orders to J. D. Phillips, Montebello, California.

Homer L. King

Reynolds - Julian Discussion

This discussion was held in the High School auditorium at Samson, Alabama, January 21-27, Frank A. Julian, of Pennsylvania, representing “Jehovah’s Witnesses,” the Rutherford branch of the Russellites, and W. H. Reynolds, of Alabama, representing the church of Christ. H. E. Pierce of Pensacola, Florida, and H. C. Harper of Sneads, Florida, moderated for Brother Reynolds and D. H. Stanley of Opp, Alabama, moderated for Mr. Julian.

The discussion was well attended. Mr. Julian had talked very boastfully while selling and attempting to sell their literature in the neighboring communities. He signed up on four propositions, but when the debate came off, he had time for only two, and it seemed was sorry that he had signed any. Brother Reynolds gives no quarter to error in discussion. Mr. Julian claimed that “Jehovah’s Witnesses” are the “progressive element” of the Russellites. They seek to make a fortune out of books on new things as did Russell. He said Russell made some mistakes, and one was in selling “miracle wheat” at sixty dollars a bushel. He affirmed: The kingdom of Christ began to be established in A. D. 1914, and the Scriptures so teach. Bro. Reynolds affirmed: All responsible who die in disobedience will suffer eternal torment, and the Scriptures so teach.

H.

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Articles

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Our Young People - Number 1

Their Development: David said, “I have been young, and now I am old.” (Psalm 37:25). I wish to speak in behalf of the young boys and girls who have given their hearts to the Lord. I am not ready to say, with some, that all of our young folks are bad. I believe we have some as good and pure boys and girls now as ever lived. They will carry on the: work in the home and in the church in the very near future. However, not all young Christians will develop in the right direction. Some are like a wasp - larger when born than at any other time. They must “desire the sincere milk of the word, that ye may grow thereby” (1 Peter 2:2), and must “Study to show thyself approved of God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed; rightly dividing the word of truth” (2 Timothy 2:15).

As a result of twenty years’ experience with young Christians, I have found that the most of them are willing to do their best, if only given a chance. Too often, I fear, the young members are treated with almost silent contempt. When the older and stronger members do all their talking to each other, neglecting the young, they soon decide there is nothing for them to do. One brother not long since told me that when he obeyed the gospel, he made up his mind to do anything he was asked to do, but fifteen years passed by before he was asked to do a thing, and that he was out of the notion by that time. You just cannot tell what is in a boy by looking at his; big feet or his uncombed hair. Give him a chance to develop; he may make an elder of the congregation someday, or may make a good gospel preacher. Anyway, give him a chance to be and to do the best he can.

The elders, or leaders, should talk with the boys about spiritual things, and give them something to do. Have them read a chapter, give thanks, dismiss the audience, and it will not be long until they will be able to lead a prayer or make a short talk. Maybe, they can lead a song. Of course, they will make mistakes - we all did, and do yet - but the leaders can take care of the mistakes. Encourage them to read the Bible daily, and give them enough to do to keep them busy.

Mothers and the older sisters should be pals with the girls. Don’t put in all your visiting hours talking about how rude the girls are, but try to fill their minds with something wholesome and uplifting. Hear Paul: “The aged women likewise, that they be in behavior, 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 own 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. blasphemed” (Titus 2:3-5). If mothers would teach their daughters how to pray, read the Bible with them, take them along when they go to visit the sick, letting them help do something for the sick, let them make something for the needy; talk freely and kindly with them, there would soon be a marked improvement, not only in the girls, but the mothers as well.

​Our young people are the cream of the country. They are the fathers and mothers of tomorrow, and must soon take our places in the church. Then, let us give them a better chance than we had to develop into useful men and women. In common labor the best overseer is the one who can get the best work from his crew, and the same is true in the church. If we, the fathers and mothers, and church leaders, do not show an interest in our young people and try to develop them - who will? More later.

Yours, in Christ,
Homer A. Gay

What We Teach and Why - Number 1

This theme should attract the attention of every preacher and teacher in the land. When brethren everywhere begin to preach and teach just exactly what they can read in the Bible, then the people will begin to believe the Bible. When they believe the Bible they will do what it teaches, and when they do this they will be what they ought to be.

1. We teach that Jesus Christ is the Son of God.

This is the great central truth of the Christian religion. It is that around which revolves everything connected with the scheme of redemption Hence, there are more and stronger proofs establishing this fact than any other of which the Bible treats.

John says, “If we receive the witness of men, the witness of God is greater, for this is the witness of God which he hath testified of His Son He that believeth on the Son of God hath the witness in himself; He that believeth not God, hath made Him a Liar; because he believeth not the record that God gave of His Son. And this is the record, that God hath given to us eternal life, and this life is in the Son. He that hath the Son hath life; and he that hath not the Son of God hath not life. These things have I written unto you that believe on the name of the Son of God; that ye may know that ye have eternal life, and that ye may believe on the name of the Son of God.” (1 John 5:9-13). This is the testimony that God has given of His Son, and he that does not believe it makes God a liar. We have not the room for all the testimony given on this subject, but will give one more.

​“And Jesus, when He was baptized went up straightway out of the water: and Io the heavens were opened unto Him, and He saw the spirit of God, descending like a dove, and lighting upon Him. And lo a voice from heaven saying, This is my beloved Son. in whom I am well pleased.” (Matthew 3:16-17). This ought to be enough to convince anyone that Jesus Christ is the Son of God. This will suffice for this time.

Brotherly,
G. B. Harrell
(to be continued)

Our Service of Love

Since love is the underlying principle of the Christian religion, and the greatest factor for good of all the attributes of God, we should be very much concerned about it. Even our “faith” must “work by love” (Galatians 5:6). “God is love,” “Love is of God.” The first and great commandment in the law, was to love God. The second was to love our neighbor (Matthew 22:37). We are commanded to love our enemies.

With these truths before us, we see that we need to stress love more than we do. We need to cultivate it more. We need more love among the brethren. “Let brotherly love continue” (Hebrews 13:1). If the members of the local congregations possessed more true brotherly love, many things that arise, causing strife, hatred, discord and open divisions, "would never arise. Many hard sayings that cut deep and wound the feelings of "good brethren, would, never be uttered. May we earnestly pray, “Lord, increase our love!”

If members of the church in general, especially those who are recognized as leaders and preachers, possessed and exhibited more brotherly love; the things that have torn asunder the body of Christ, would have, to say the least, had a less disastrous effect, but alas! We hear brethren, members of the one body, thus members one of another, saying all manner of hard things to and about each other; thus exhibiting envy, hatred, malice, which are the very opposites of love. Seemingly counting worldly tactics and a spirit which never originated with God or His teachings, of greater value and force in defending what they affirm to be the truth, than the spirit of the humble Christ, which is love, gentleness, meekness, kindness, and humbleness. Brethren, these things ought not to be.

The greatest avenue into the hearts of mankind is love. Then let us exhibit more of it. If those who have brought in the innovations which have divided us - innovations which they admit are not essential to acceptable worship - had only loved the church, as Christ loved it and gave His life’s blood for it, certainly they never would have introduced them. Hence, we need more love for the church.

​If Christians had a greater degree of the love that Christ had for the church (Ephesians 5:25), we would not find, them forsaking the assembly of the church on Lord’s day, by visiting, entertaining company, fishing, or other worldly affairs and pleasures. We would not have to worry about finances, mission work, how to build up the church, etc. Brethren, let us love God, Christ, and His church, and each other, more. May we be willing to spend and be spent, if need be, to the extent of our lives, for the cause of our Lord, and that souls may be saved in the Day of Judgment.

In brotherly love,
H. E. Robertson

Example of the Believers

1 Timothy 4:12

It is important to watch our character every day of our lives, and pattern it after the divine requirements, that we may be an example of the believers in Christ; but it is just as essential to watch the worship to our God, and be careful that it is according to the divine pattern.

There is an erroneous idea among the people to the effect, that if one’s character is good, he is a fit example to follow, regardless of his manner of worship, or if one’s character is bad, his manner of worship (though it be according to divine pattern) must be rejected. However, the Apostle tells to whom we should be an example; viz., “believers in Christ.” Not murders, liars, drunkards, and revelers. We are to be an example “in word, in conversation, in charity, in spirit, in faith, in purity,” and if we do this we will be a fit example both in character and in worship.” In order for one to be an example of the believers in Christ: one, must know and be formed by the divine rule which God has given of Christ (Philippians 2:2). The prophet said that it was not in man that walketh to direct his steps (Jeremiah 10:23). Therefore, it is God’s revelation that must direct us in purity of. life and in the worship.

​Co-workers, may we work and pray that we may be proper examples of the believers in Christ, in character and in the worship.

J. E. Tidwell

And

This is a little word, but it has a very impor­tant meaning. If this team and wagon weigh 3000 pounds, it is immediately seen to be false if a person says this wagon weighs 3000 pounds. Just so, when the Bible says, “He that believeth and is baptized shall be saved” (Mark 16:16), for me (yes, for any one) to say he that believeth shall be saved without baptism. And when the Bible says, “Repent and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins” (Acts 2:38), it is just as evidently false for one to say, you can obtain the remission of' sins without baptism. And when the Bible says, “With, the heart man believeth unto righteousness, and with the mouth confession is made unto salvation,” it is false for one to say the confession is not necessary. (Romans 10:9-10) As logically one can dispense with faith in “He that believeth and is baptized shall be saved,” as the Bible teaches, as with baptism. And just as logical (rather illogical) would it be to dispense with repentance is “Repent and be baptized” (Acts 2:38) as to dispense with baptism.

H.

When Does the First Day of the Week Begin?

Question in December 1st issue: “If the Lord’s Day, ‘as they counted it,’ was from sunset to next sunset, how could Paul depart on the morrow (epaurion, on the next day. - Thayer), if he departed before the next sunset, as is stated in verse 2? Will some of our readers tell us?” Answer: - Paul COULD NOT “depart on the morrow” or next day, if he departed before the next sunset - that is, reckoning the day from one sunset to the next. Therefore, there must be another method of reckoning time in the present generation.

When the children of Israel were being delivered out of Egyptian Bondage, the Lord spoke unto them, saying, “This month shall be unto YOU the BEGINNING of months: It shall be the FIRST month of the year TO YOU” (Exodus 12:2). Hence, the Lord not only changed the Law to Israel, but He also changed the time. If, prior to the Exodus, the month Abib (or Nisan) had been the beginning of time, why should the Lord speak to them, saying, “TO YOU shall this be the beginning of months, - the first month?” The Lord only, has the right to change times and laws, but He has that right; and when He teaches by precept and example that time has changed, HIS WORD is law TO YOU (Christians). Now let us go to His word and learn what it says:

Matthew 28:1: “Now LATE ON THE SABBATH DAY as it began to DAWN toward the First Day of the Week, came Mary Magdalene, and the other Mary, to see the Sepulchre.”

Mark 16:2: “And when THE SABBATH WAS PASSED, Mary Magdalene and Mary the mother of James and Salome bought spices, that they might come and anoint Him. And VERY EARLY ON THE FIRST DAY OF THE WEEK, they come to the tomb WHEN THE SUN WAS RISEN.”

Luke 23:56; Luke 24:1: “And on the Sabbath they rested according to the commandment. But on the First Day of the Week, AT EARLY DAWN, they came unto the tomb, bringing the spices which they had prepared.”

John 20:1: “Now on the First Day of the Week cometh Mary Magdalene early, while it was yet dark, unto the tomb, and seeth the stone taken away from the tomb.”

The foregoing is the testimony of four witnesses all telling of the same event, and the sum of their evidence is as follows:

“Now late on the Sabbath day, while it was yet dark,” as it began to dawn toward the First Day of the Week, Mary Magdalene, and the other Mary, and Salome, started with spices toward the Sepulchre, and very early on the First Day of the Week, they came to the tomb when the sun was risen.

But while they were on their way, behold there was a great earthquake; for an angel of the Lord descended from Heaven and came and rolled away the stone and sat upon it. And when they came unto the tomb, he said to them; “Fear ye not; for I know that ye seek Jesus who has been crucified: He is not here: for He is risen even as He said.” A “great earthquake” had occurred previously at the death of Jesus. It was only three days before when Jesus gave up His Spirit, and “the earth did quake and the rocks were rent, and the tombs were opened; and many bodies of the saints that were fallen asleep arose” (Matthew 27:50-52). What great event was happening when the earth quaked this second time (Matthew 28:2) between the time “while it was yet dark,” and the women were on their way to the tomb, and “when the sun was risen” upon their arrival at the sepulchre? None other than the fulfillment of the Scripture - the words of the Prophet Malachi (3:2) - “Unto you that fear My name snail the Sun of Righteousness arise with healing in its wings.” As the earth quaked both Suns arose, both lights of this world. The Sun that we behold with our fleshly eyes and the Sun that we behold with our spiritual eyes, both arose at the same time. Jesus’ spirit whose departure was marked by a rending and a quaking of the earth, in returning was heralded by another, a great earthquake - a witness of Heaven and earth of the rising of the Son of God! And as that glorious event occurred between the time “while it was yet dark” and the women’s arrival at the tomb “when the Sun was risen,” it must have come to pass while the sun was rising, for then “the Sun (Son) of Righteousness arose with healing in its (His) wings.” How beautiful and how wonderful are the figures of speech used in Scripture prophecy!

A change of the beginning of time was made to Israel at their deliverance from Egyptian Bondage. A change of the beginning of time was made to Christians at their deliverance from bondage to sin. This Sabbath lasted until the rising of the Sun, for it was still “late on the Sabbath” when “it began to dawn toward the First Day of the Week” (Matthew 28:1). Luke says they came to the tomb “ON the First Day of the Week AT EARLY DAWN.” Mark says they came to the tomb “VERY EARLY on the First Day of the Week WHEN THE SUN WAS RISEN.”

Therefore, the dawn spoken of was the RISING OF THE SUN, and it becomes a figure of the rising of our Sun - Jesus. John says (John 1:4): “In Him was life and the life was THE LIGHT of men.” Again, John 1:9 says: “There was the true light, which lighteth every man coming into the world.” Jesus Himself said, “I am the light of the world.” And “while ye have the light believe on that light, that ye may become sons of light” (John 12:36). Now He, the “light of the world,” the “Sun of Righteousness.” arose “with healing in His wings,” bringing life and immortality to light through the Gospel. This act (the resurrection) was the completion of redemption’s work; hence, the beginning of a new era, or age.

The Deliverance from Egyptian Bondage was to the Israelites the beginning. The month Nisan became the first month during which they sacrificed the Passover. This, no doubt, became the type of the change of time, when our Passover, even Christ, having been sacrificed on the Cross, was raised from the dead. And we, in celebrating our Passover on the First Day of the Week, fulfill the anti-type of the Israelites who had a beginning of months. And we have a beginning of days the First Day, and the beginning of that day when, the Sun of Righteousness arose.

In memory of Jesus’ resurrection from the dead, and our deliverance from Bondage to Sin, we observe the First Day of the Week from sunrise to the next sunrise. The resurrection was the completion of the Plan of Redemption - our deliverance from Sin-bondage, by means of which we walk in newness of life. Therefore, it marks the beginning of a new era, a new period, or age, of time.

What of John 20:1, where it says, “Now, very early on the First Day of the Week, cometh Mary Magdalene, early, while it was yet dark, unto the tomb?” Does this not give the impression that Mary arrived at the tomb while it was yet dark? A superficial glance at this might leave this impression, but a careful consideration will reveal that it harmonizes perfectly with Matthew 28:1 and Mark 16:2. John says, “She COMETH to the tomb” - a present tense, telling of a past event. In it is implied her starting out and her arrival; and John states the time of her starting (“while it was yet dark”), but does not relate, as does Mark, “they came to the tomb when the sun was risen.” Nor does John give us a complete record, as Matthew and Mark give. He does not tell of the other Mary and Salome accompanying Mary Magdalene to the tomb, nor of the time of their arrival at the tomb. In order to have all the evidence we must hear all the witnesses. According to all, Mary Magdalene and the other Mary with Salome started for the tomb late on the Sabbath day, while it was yet dark, as it began to dawn toward the First Day of the Week. The earthquake occurred while they were on their way. And while they were on their way, the Sun and the Sun of Righteousness (Jesus) arose. Upon their arrival at the tomb “when the sun was risen,” they found the stone rolled away and an angel sitting thereon announcing the resurrection of the Lord. The foregoing, then, is a sequence of these events.

In order for Jesus to fulfill the third day of the prediction - what? In their reckoning time a part of a day was counted as one day. The first of the three days ended with the setting of the sun Friday when He was crucified. The second day He rested (on the Sabbath) in the tomb. Now, the change of time, the beginning of a new era - He arose very early on the First Day of the Week. (Mark 16:9). This was the third day, and the new era, as well as the new day, began with the rising of the two Suns - the common sun and the “Sun of Righteousness, the Son of God.

Jesus was hanged on the Cross about the time of the morning sacrifice (Mark 15:25), and died about the time of the offering of the evening oblation (Matthew 27:45-50) under the OLD Law. He arose with the new light on the First Day of the Week. At the time of the return from the Babylonian captivity, the gates of Jerusalem were shut while the sun was hot Friday and remained closed until sunrise Sunday. (See Nehemiah 7:3 and Nehemiah 13:15-22). This event becomes a type of the Gates of death, that closed upon Jesus while the sun was still hot Friday (Mark 15:34-37 and Mark 15:42) and were opened when the sun arose upon the First Day of the Week.

The apostles and other disciples understood concerning the First Day of the Week. Paul having arrived at Troas tarried there seven days; and when the First Day of the Week came he assembled with the disciples intending to depart on the morrow (the second day of the week). This meeting began on the first day, was prolonged until midnight, then the breaking of bread, more talk until the break of day - the second day of the week. Hence Paul departed on the SECOND day of the week. He remained with the disciples all the first day and departed at the break of day - “the morrow” - the second day of the week. Then the time must have been reckoned from sunrise to the next sunrise. See Acts 20:1-11.

​It was still “late on the Sabbath” when the day “began to dawn toward the First Day of the Week.” The dawn is the MORNING LIGHT. The women were on their way to the tomb, while it was yet dark, and arrived there when the sun was risen. This last of the Jewish Sabbaths (of the Old Testament) must have lasted until the sun arose - the dawn of the First Day of the Week.

L. L. McGill

“For we must all appear before the judgment seat of Christ, that, every one may receive the things done in the body, according to that which he hath done, whether good or bad. Knowing therefore the fear, of the Lord, we persuade men.” 2 Corinthians 5:10-11. “Almost thou persuadest me to be a Christian.” - King Agrippa to Paul, Acts 26:28.

H.