READERS' EXCHANGE

 

I enjoy so much Restoration Review and suppose I read every word of all of them. I do feel so strongly that both you and Carl have so much to offer when I would like to apply it in a more pronounced framework. Would to God we might harness all right into one package but suppose that is an impossibility. I do not know what number in hell Ira Rice assigned you and Carl and 90% of other brethren, but mine is 2,500,001 and I do not want you boys grabbing it! —Jimmie Lovell, Box 146, Palos Verdes Estates, Ca. 90274.

(I hardly see how Carl and I could be more pronounced. “Framework” is something else. Neither of us takes too well to being either framed up or fenced in.I am all for the “one package” idea if this means sharing together in the Body of Christ, being individually members thereof. Blending voices in behalf of a party is something else, and that’s where harnesses usually come in. One of the surprises we’ll have in heaven, I would think, is that there will be people there that we will not expect to see. Assign a man a number in hell and he turns up in heaven! Well, we editors will one day be at home with the Lord, and we will have matured to the point that all these things in this world will be like childhood. I’m all in favor of loving old Ira right into heaven! —Ed.)

The name of the church struck a responsive chord in me too. Recently I did a little word study on the term “disciple” for a men’s retreat. Both Moulton and Milligan as well as Arndt and Gingrich suggest that apprentice conveys the idea of mathetes as well or better than most other words. Wouldn’t it be delightful if we were all apprentices of Jesus? No wonder Luke uses the term almost to the exclusion of other designations. —Bob Williams, 210 Wettermark, Nacogdoches, Tx. 75961.

In reference to your “Does the Holy Spirit Come Along Afterwards,” I appreciated your remarks, especially your willingness to show “exceptions” to your thesis. However, I believe you did leave out one problem passage, which is used by almost everyone in encouraging believers to seek the baptism in the Holy Spirit. Pentecost is a notable example of believers having a second blessing following conversion, whether you hold the view of only the Twelve or the 120 believers being baptized in the Holy Spirit. —Tom Stewart, 1601 W. South Ave., Emporia, Ks. 66801.

(The Spirit came to the Twelve on Pentecost as a special endowment and for a special purpose. The church had not yet had its birthday and the Spirit had not yet been given, whether there were “conversions” or not (John 7:39). The apostles were now endowed to carry out their mission, beginning with the ability to speak foreign languages right there on Pentecost. All this is irrelevant to the normal mission of the Spirit in the life of every believer. This normal mission is dearly set forth in Acts 2:38, for even on Pentecost the believers were to repent and be baptized, and upon their response to the gospel they received the Holy Spirit as God’s promise. Why should people want it any other way? —Ed.)

We continue to find your journal to be full of good news of growth in our Churches of Christ. More than that we appreciate more and more the value of restoration as a continuing process among all of God’s churches. And most of all we are excited about the increasing numbers of God’s children who accept each other without the traditional tests. —Tom and Rickey Stoneham, 3421 Wingate, Waco, Tx. 76706.

I think the tide is turning west of the Mississippi, and if we can get it turned over on this side, maybe the church can get about the business of restoration and realize that it has not yet done so. I will be 30 years old in June, and I hope I live long enough to see the Church of Christ stop straining at gnats and swallowing camels. —Frank Dennis, 105 Colonial Dr., Cleveland, Ms. 38732.

There is a difference in a man’s inner spiritual balance and what he finds himself teaching. Since receiving the Holy Spirit with the gift of speaking in tongues I find my prayer life enlarged, fasting a privilege, witnessing empowered, healing a reality, worship a pleasure, love overflowing, agreement with all God’s word, assurance increased and on and on and on. Yes, and much garbage tossed out of the crevices. There is no need which God does not have the power to fill if we just ask. —Tom Trunich, Box 552, Buda, Tx. 78610.

If you would like a sample copy of Fellowship, published by Independents, Disciples, and Church of Christ (18 concerned disciples), Leroy Garrett being one of the editors, send your request either to us in Denton or to 1699 Court St., NE, Salem, OR. 97301. You can subscribe for 2.00 at same addresses.