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The Gospel Observer

"Go therefore and make disciples of all the nations...teaching them to observe all that I commanded you, and lo, I am with you always, even to the end of the age" (Matt. 28:19,20).
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November 18, 1990
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Contents:

1) Gossip (Clarence R. Johnson)
2)
"One Verse Only" Salvation (Bill Hall)
3) An Indian in the Outfield (Tom Edwards) 
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-1-

Gossip
by Clarence R. Johnson

King Solomon, the sage of Israel, wrote, "A fool's lips enter into contention, and his mouth calls for blows. A fool's mouth is destruction, and his lips are the snare of his soul. The words of a talebearer are like tasty trifles, and they go down into the inmost body" (Proverbs 18:6-8). And again, "A perverse man sows strife, and a whisperer separates the best of friends" (Proverbs 16:28).     

This truth has been recognized by many before and after Solomon. Friendships and family ties have been sacrificed at the altar of gossip. Even whole nations have been brought low by slander.

Each of us, at one time or another, has been the object of another's gossip. We know all too well the power of the tongue to hurt and destroy.  Perhaps the gossiper needs to be reminded that "whatever a man sows, that he will also reap" (Gal. 6:7). Perhaps that is why the wise man said, "whoever speaks slander is a fool" (Prov. 10:18). Jesus Himself admonished, "Therefore, whatever you want men to do to you, do also to them...." (Matthew 7:12).

A good rule to follow when tempted to repeat a juicy morsel of gossip might be to ask one's self a few pertinent questions: (1) do I know this to be a fact, (2) would I be willing to put it in writing and sign my name to it, and (3) will those to whom I tell it be made better by this knowledge? If we cannot answer these questions in the affirmative, let us refrain from the temptation to "tell all." If someone approaches you with a bit of slander, ask him to submit to this same three question test. If he "flunks out" consider the source of that which you have heard, and pour cold water on the fire of contention.

"Where there is no wood, the fire goes out; and where there is no talebearer, strife ceases. As charcoal is to burning coals, and wood to fire, so is a contentious man to kindle strife. The words of a talebearer are like tasty trifles, and they go down into the inmost body" (Proverbs 26:20-22).
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-2-

"One Verse Only" Salvation
by Bill Hall

The following is an actual Bible discussion between two men searching for truth. Only slight variations exist. We hope that by printing it here we can bring our readers to a better understanding of Bible teaching concerning what to do to be saved.

Joe: The Bible tells exactly what one must do to be saved in Romans 10:9: "That if thou shalt confess with thy mouth the Lord Jesus, and shalt believe in thine heart that God hath raised him from the dead, thou shalt be saved.

John: Yes, I believe that verse, but we must not isolate one verse and ignore other passages which give additional information on the subject.

Joe: But other verses confirm this teaching. The thief on the cross and the publican in the temple were both saved in this way. The publican just smote his breast and prayed, "God be merciful to me a sinner," and then went down to his house justified.

John: Did the thief and the publican believe that God had raised Jesus from the dead?

Joe: Of course not, for Jesus had not died.

John: But Romans 10:9 says that one must believe "that God hath raised him from the dead." So, in our acceptance of Romans 10:9 as being applicable to the sinner today, we rule out the thief and the publican as examples of how present day conversions take place.

Joe: I see what you're saying, but I still believe that Romans 10:9 contains the full plan of salvation, for it says "Thou shalt be saved."

John: But Romans 10:9 doesn't mention repentance. You believe that one must repent, don't you?     

Joe: Yes, one must repent to be saved.

John: Then you acknowledge that to learn what one must do to be saved, a person must accept all that the scriptures say on the subject rather than simply rely on one verse, such as Romans 10:9, isolated from the rest of the Bible. But when we study further we learn of a penitent believer, Saul of Tarsus, who was instructed to, "Arise, and be baptized, and wash away thy sins, calling on the name of the Lord" (Acts 22:16).  We conclude, therefore, that in addition to doing those things mentioned in Romans 10:9, one must also repent and be baptized to be saved.

We urge our readers to study for themselves. The conversion of the 3,000 (Acts 2:22-41), the Samaritans (Acts 8:5-13), of the Ethiopian (Acts 8:35-39), of the Philippian jailer (Acts 16:25-34) ought to be carefully considered.  Observe what each one did to be saved, and "go, and do thou likewise."
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-3-

An Indian in the Outfield
by Tom Edwards

I read an article recently in which the writer pointed out that the first Indian to play in the major leagues was Louis Sockalexis who had become an outfielder for the Cleveland Spiders in 1897. He was "graceful as a deer" and very quick on his feet. It has been said that he could run the hundred-yard dash in less then ten seconds -- a fast pace for before the turn of the century. Louis did such a superb job as a player that many people came to the ballpark to "see those Indians" play ball. As time evolved, the team soon became known as the Cleveland Indians.

For three seasons Sockalexis played in the majors, but his glittering career soon became tarnished after being persuaded by his "friends" to taste his first alcoholic drink at a party one night. Like so many others, his one drink led to more and more until his life had become wrecked. From an admired hero to a "forsaken and miserable beggar," Louis wandered back to his reservation where he died December 24, 1913 at the age of 42.

Perhaps the best advice that has been said towards the prevention of alcoholism is never take that first drink. Then you'll never put yourself in a position of this type of possible danger.

The Bible has much to say about the destructive nature of alcoholic beverages. Solomon writes the following in Proverbs 23:29-35:  "Who has woe? Who has sorrow? Who has contentions? Who has complaints?  Who has wounds without cause? Who has redness of eyes?  Those who linger long at the wine, those who go in search of mixed wine.  Do not look on the wine when it is red, when it sparkles in the cup, when it swirls around smoothly; at the last it bites like a serpent, and stings like a viper.  Your eyes will see strange things, and your heart will utter perverse things. Yes, you will be like one who lies down in the midst of the sea, or like one who lies at the top of the mast, saying: `They have struck me, but I was not hurt; They have beaten me, but I did not feel it. When shall I awake, that I may seek another drink?"'

Even more serious than the damage alcoholic beverages can do to our body or mind is the eternal harm they can bring to our soul. May the drink we thirst after be the living waters which Christ willingly provides for His own.
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The Steps That Lead to Eternal Salvation


1) Hear the gospel, for that is how faith comes (Rom. 10:17;  John 20:30,31).
2) Believe in the deity of Christ (John 8:24; John 3:18).
3) Repent of sins (Luke 13:5; Acts 17:30).
4) Confess faith in Christ (Rom. 10:9,10; Acts 8:36-38).
5) Be baptized in water for the remission of sins (Mark 16:16; Acts 2:38; 22:16; Rom. 6:3,4; Gal. 3:26,27; 1 Pet. 3:21).
6) Continue in the faith; for, if not, salvation can be lost (Heb. 10:36-39; Rev. 2:10; 2 Pet. 2:20-22).
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First published for the Tri-state church of Christ in Ashland, Kentucky, at 713 13th Street.

evangelist/editor: Tom Edwards
tedwards1109@gmail.com
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