The OLD PATHS

The OLD PATHS
January 1, 1998 Issue
by Don L. King

With this issue we begin our 67th year of publication. Our plea has always been to seek the old paths. That was the reason the name Old Paths Advocate was chosen in the first place.

In Jeremiah 6:16, the prophet is trying to warn Israel of impending doom from the north. The people had rejected all of the Lord's warnings and now, great harm was on the way. The passage reads: "Thus saith the Lord, Stand ye in the ways, and see, and ask for the old paths, where is the good way, and walk therein, and ye shall find rest for your souls. But they said, we will not walk therein." Notice he said first of all "stand." Then, "see." Finally, they are advised to "ask for the old paths." Israel needed to stand in one place long enough to see where they were. They were away from God! Once they ascertained that they were away from the Lord they must then inquire as to where the old paths might be.

What a lesson for us today! Someone says," you mean this passage applies to us?" Yes, we can (and must) learn from this. "For whatsoever things were written aforetime were written for our learning, that we through patience and comfort of the scriptures might have hope. (Romans 15:4)

We are living in a time when the very basis of the Christian religion is being challenged and undermined. It is not surprising that denominational preachers speak things untrue. We expect those whom we recognize as false teachers to teach false doctrine. When false doctrine comes from some in the church it comes as a complete surprise to most of us because we just don't expect it. We are hearing strange sound today from a few of our own. The ideas of a "new confession," or of "praying to Jesus" rather than praying through Him as we are plainly taught to do in Colossians 3:17, are being embraced by some who worship right. Look at Colossians 3:17 with me: "And whatsoever ye do in word or deed, do all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God and the Father by Him." What did Paul say? He said do "ALL" in the name of the Lord Jesus. (or by His authority). Would prayer fall under that term, "all?" If it does, then ALL our prayers are to be prayed in His name (or by His authority) to God and the Father BY HIM, not TO HIM but "BY HIM." Small wonder Jesus said, "I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by me." (emphasis mine DLK) What do we do when we pray? We approach the Father in prayer do we not? Yes, and we can not go there unless we do so by, or through, the worthy name of Jesus. So saith inspiration! No matter what other obscure passage one may consider it must be seen in the light from these clearly stated ones. If not, why not? The apostle Paul said:"...Let God be true, but every man a liar..." (Romans 3:4)

What a great time for us to "stand in the ways, and see and ask for the old paths." Where can we possibly go but down unless we do so. Brethren, it is time for all of us to take a look around us. Where are we? We are being deluged with new translations of the Bible. Have you noticed that? Many are obviously trying to take the ‘teeth" out of the word of the Lord. We hear terrible railings against the old King James Version. There are those who would really like to get it completely out of the way. Some would have us believe it is a very poor translation indeed. If it is so bad, I am absolutely amazed that the Campbell's, Rice's, Smith's, et. al, were able to find enough truth in it to restore the Lord's Church! How did they ever get the work started if it was so bad? Again, we need to "stand" Thee" "and ask for the old paths."

No, it is not the purpose of this writing to ban all translations except the KJV. Like most of you, we refer to various translations from time to time. Yes, we agree that there are some terms used in the old version which must be explained as we teach the people. However, at least we have learned them! Every novice teacher has learned to explain that the word "conversation" in the KJV often means "manner of life." He will point out that the context, or setting of the text, will show the proper meaning. etc., etc.

Frankly, we deem it a huge blunder to allow a version which has been accepted as a standard work for hundreds of years to simply be set aside as worthless, if only in our minds. We need to see where we are and then ask for the old paths. DLK