Brother Gatewood In Santa Ana, California
On November 30, 1950, at Broadway and Walnut in Santa Ana, I heard brother Gatewood give a report of the work being done in Germany.
Some of us who had "sent once and again" directly to the field where the work was being done were glad to hear of the progress that had been made there "in the beginning, of the gospel."
Every faithful child of God rejoices to hear that even one has been delivered from the powers of darkness and translated into the kingdom of his dear Son. Every faithful child of God prays and works to the end that others will obey the gospel.
It is also true that every faithful child of God will strive to "make all things according to the pattern." The honest student of God's word will "learn not to go beyond the things which are written." The obedient child of God will also bow to the divine injunction "If any man speak, let him speak as the oracles of God."
Brother Gatewood told us that we could send directly to the ones doing the work if we cared to, or we could send through the Broadway Church of Christ in Lubbock, Texas. I can read in my Bible of a church sending directly to the preacher who was preaching the gospel, but I have never read of one church sending through another church as a means of spreading the gospel. If there is such a case in the Bible will not those who are contending for it cite the case? If there is no case in God's word will not good men abandon the plan? Why will men lose sight of the authority of God's word? Certainly, no practice is no religion. Just so, acting without authority of God's word is vain religion. One who insists on a practice for which he cannot give a "thus saith the Lord" is either uninformed or rebellious. If there can be a "thus saith the Lord" for the practice of one church sending through another church to preach the Gospel, let the verse be given and the discussion will cease. If it cannot be given, let the activity be based on that for which we can give a "thus saith the Lord" and the discussion will cease. Will the discussion cease as long as teaching and practice is without the authority of God's word? Never! "There are many devices in a man's heart; nevertheless the counsel of the Lord, that shall stand." "For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways, saith the Lord." If we would do the work that the Lord would have us do, we will do it how He wants it done!
Another plea was made for individuals to support the plan. This plea was made on the basis of one's worshipping where the elders of the congregation did not care to support the plan. Brother Gatewood suggested in such cases that individuals sign pledges for any amount they desired, for the length of time they desired. If individuals followed this course in every work that is being done, there would be absolutely no work to be overseen by the elders of local congregations (so far as finances are concerned). In all fairness, do you believe the suggested is God's plan? On the personal pledges brother Gatewood also mentioned that it did not have to be sent through the Broadway church in Lubbock. His suggestion to do it either way reminded me of a story I heard. A father was giving some financial advice to his son. He said, "Son, get the money. Get it honest if you can, but if you can't—get the money!" Get it scripturally if you can, but if you can't—get it!
Let brother Gatewood and the elders at Broadway in Lubbock abandon their unscriptural methods and cry out against them. Let them "prove all things; hold fast to that which is good." Let them "make all things according to the pattern." Let them "learn not to go beyond the things that are written." Let them bow to the divine injunction "If any man speak, let him speak as the oracles of God."
Let all good men honor God by doing His will. Refuse to take part in anything that is not according to "the form of sound words."