"Orphan" Not Found In New Testament
I noticed in a recent issue of the "BOLES HOME" news an announcement was made that in a meeting of the directors of the home it was decided that a change be made in the name of the home from "BOLES ORPHAN HOME" to "BOLES HOME"; stating that the name "orphan" has long been considered a stigma. It was also stated that a note was made concerning the word "orphan"; that it was not to be found in the New Testament.
I concur in the matter regarding the word "orphan"; but it should also be noted that the name "BOLES," "TIPTON," etc. are not found in the New Testament either. Neither do we read about a board of directors.
It is true that Christians should visit the fatherless and the widows in their afflictions (James 1:27); but one should also keep himself unspotted from the world.
One cannot keep himself unspotted from the world and at the same time be partakers of the world. If this board of directors is separate and apart from the church, then it is of the world.
We have the perfect law of liberty (1 Cor. 13:10) in God's word. It is complete in all its attributes. "All scripture is given by inspiration of God — , that the man of God may be perfect thoroughly furnished unto every good work" (2 Tim. 3:16-17.) How is it that the scriptures thoroughly furnish us unto every good work, yet so silent concerning the functioning of benevolent organizations and ecclesiastical bodies so stoutly upheld by some of our brethren; BOLES HOME or the HERALD OF TRUTH for example? Does the end justify the means? Indeed not, unless the means are authorized by God's' word. Some are going beyond their authority, legislating where neither Christ nor His apostles dared to tread. (2 John 9-10; Rev. 22:18-19.) Is it not later than we think?