Devoted to the Propagation and Defense of New Testament Christianity
VOLUME 22
September 3, 1970
NUMBER 17, PAGE 8-9

Questions And Answers

Send All Questions To: Eugene Britnell, P.O. Box 3012, Little Rock, Arkansas 72203

From Quitman, Texas:

"Of whom is Paul writing in Romans 1:18-32, the Gentiles or the Jews? I will appreciate very much the correct answer."

In a sense, Paul was speaking of both Jews and Gentiles, and his teaching is applicable to all men, even today. In verse 16 he declared that the gospel was God's power to save all men — Jews and Gentiles — for therein was revealed the righteousness of God. Both Jews and Gentiles were lost without the gospel. The reasonings — the professed wisdom — along with the sins which are characteristic of those who reject the wisdom of God, had plunged the Gentiles into the depths of moral pollution instead of saving them; and the law had condemned the Jews. All were sinners and under just condemnation.

Any reference to moral and spiritual deterioration, such as that described in verses 26-32, was more descriptive of the Gentiles than of the Jews. While there were exceptions on both sides, it seems that the Jews had lived on a higher plane of morality than the Gentiles. Christians were admonished frequently not to live "as the Gentiles." Paul spoke of a sin among the Christians in Corinth "as is not so much as named among the Gentiles" (I Cor. 5:1). "This I say therefore, and testify in the Lord, that ye henceforth walk not as other Gentiles walk, in the vanity of their mind" (Eph. 4:17). "We who are Jews by nature, and not sinners of the Gentiles" (Gal. 2:15).

A careful reading of those verses in Romans chapter one is almost like reading the newspapers of our day. The sins of that day are rampant in our society. And the sequence which they followed from God to degradation has been true of many people. Once the first step is taken, the others follow as logically and inevitably as night follows day. Note them:

1. They refused to glorify God. In this they failed to honor and exalt His glory, wisdom and power. This is the first step away from God.

2. They were guilty of ingratitude. This is natural, for one does not thank the God whom he does not glorify.

3. They became vain in their imaginations or reasonings. This is true of all who reject God. Many people of our time have deified human wisdom and exalted philosophy above divine revelation. This was a problem in Corinth (I Cor. 1).

4. They became fools. "The fool hath said in his heart, There is no God" (Psalm 14:1).

5. They changed the glory or image of God to the idols "made like to corruptible man." To see the foolishness and futility of this step, read Psalm 115:4-8.

6. Finally, having rejected God and his wisdom, they "changed the truth of God into a lie." Why not? Those who don't need God certainly have no regard for His Truth.

There you have it. Complete apostasy! These are the steps which lead down the road of ruin. The sins which are mentioned in verses 26 through 32 are rebellious, irreligious, immoral, inhuman, animalistic, and a shame and disgrace before God! If you don't want to travel this road and become guilty of these sins, don't take the first step. Glorify God by exalting Him to His rightful position in the universe and in your life.

From Charlotte, N. C.:

"I would like your thoughts on whether or not it is right for the local church to have a house for the preacher to live in. We have a brother here who takes the position that it is wrong for the church to own and maintain a dwelling place for the preacher and his family."

"Even so hath the Lord ordained that they which preach the gospel should live of the gospel" (1 Cor. 9:14). Read verses 7 through 15 of that chapter. These and related verses in the Bible prove beyond doubt that it is right for the church to support those who preach the gospel. The method by which this is done is not specified. The preacher and his family need that which is normal for any family — food, clothing, shelter, etc.

The support for the preacher and his family may be provided in several ways. What is expedient in one case might not be in another. (Actually, the church supports the preacher and he provides for his family just like any other man.) The church may provide a house as a part of the preacher's salary, or it may furnish him an extra allowance with which he may buy or rent a house. There are advantages and disadvantages to both arrangements, and that is why some preachers and churches prefer one way and some another. You find many examples of both, and in either case the church is simply supporting the preacher as he labors in the gospel.

The brother in Charlotte may deny that I have given scriptural authority for the church owning and maintaining a dwelling. I have proven by the Bible that the church may support a preacher. How that support is supplied is a matter of expediency. The church may own and maintain a building in which to worship, rooms in which to teach and edify, buildings (where necessary — for the care of its needy, and a house for one who is preaching the gospel. There is no specific command or example for any of these, but they are authorized by a common and scriptural principle.