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Sunday, May 12, 2024

The Business Meeting: Is There a Better Way?

Adapted from a lesson by Ronny F. Wade (QC)
1996 Preacher's Study Notes **

Now David came to Nob to Ahimelech the priest. And Ahimelech was afraid when he met David, and said to him, 'Why art you alone and no one is with you?' 2 So David said unto Ahimelech the priest, 'The king has ordered me on some business, and has said to me, 'Do not let anyone know anything about the business on which I send you, or what I have commanded you. And I have directed my young men to such and such a place'. .. 8 And David said to Ahimelech, 'Is there not here on hand spear or a sword? For I have brought neither my sword nor my weapons with me, because the king's business required haste “ (1 Samuel 21:1-2, 8 NKJV).

Now, just as then, the King has a business. It is the most important business in the world, and should be treated with the utmost concern and care. Its progress and success depend, in part, upon those of us charged with its keeping

Note that in verse 8 David said that the "king's business requires . . ." That was true then, and is true now. Good, successful businesses do not run themselves. They extract time, energy, and dedication from the people who run them. Only when they die do they no longer require anything.

What Does the Lord's Business Require? I. The Lord's Business Requires Great Men.
Just as in ages past when great men like Abraham, Noah, Moses, David, Paul, and Peter led the work of God, so today God needs great men to carry on the work of the church. The church is in desperate need of men of knowledge, faith, purity, wisdom and optimism. A church will be no greater than its leaders. It will never rise any higher, nor travel any farther than its leadership can carry it.

II. The Lord's Business Requires Planning.
"Not slothful in business but fervent in spirit" (Romans 12:11).
The word "business" translates a Greek word meaning diligence. In the execution of this great spiritual enterprise, diligence should be manifested in every aspect of our planning and work. In Acts 6:1-2, we see the value of planning. When a problem arose, the apostles charged the multitude to "look ye out among you . . . whom we may appoint over this business." According to Vine, the word translated "business" in this passage "signifies a necessity, a need and is used in this place concerning duty or business." The problem was addressed, not swept under the rug, and a solution was forthcoming. Why plan?

a. It Is Essential For The Church To Control Its Own Future (avoid trouble, division, etc.—see Acts 20:28-30).
b. Planning Establishes Priorities.
c. Planning Aids In The Implementation Of Goals.
Where are we now? Where do we want to go? How do we get there?
Remember, if we continue to do the same things we are now doing, in the way we are doing them, we will continue to get the same results we are now getting.

III. The Lord's Business Requires Effort.
Proverbs 22:29
reads, "a man diligent in his business shall stand before kings."
Galatians 4:8 reads, "It is good to be zealously affected always in a good thing."
Titus 2:13-14 reads, "Who gave himself that He might redeem us from all iniquity and purify unto Himself a peculiar people zealous of good works."
>BR> Why do we not accomplish more, grow faster, pack the building, etc.? Many times it is because we have not put forth sufficient effort. A persistent, patient, continuance in well-doing is necessary for success. The life of the church must become a way of life for every member.

IV. The Lord's Business Requires Cooperation.

Cooperation implies two things:
(a) Everyone Must Work—you cannot have cooperation until you have operation;
(b) There Must Be Coordination Of Effort. Coordinating the efforts of a group involves both planning and execution plus dedication. We must have a plan of attack, a battle plan, if you please—some kind of a plan that addresses all the needs of a congregation, as well as its expectations for growth and development. When everyone works together doing his/her part, the church can grow and make progress. As long as we bite and devour each other, the church will exist in a continual state of turmoil and confusion.

V. The Lord's Business Requires Urgency, "haste."
Ezra 6:12 reads, "I have a decree, let it be done with haste." Every moment we waste in doing the work that needs to be done, we lose time, souls, opportunities, and ground for the truth. May we all realize the urgency of our task and be about it. The fact that the Lord has a business that is to be implemented, necessitates.-some type of procedural approach in dealing with it. But how? In what way may the Lord's business best be handled? What approach, or approaches should be used in an attempt to execute this great work with utmost urgency? Shall we allow the work of the Lord to drift aimlessly? Shall we argue and disagree while the ship on which we float, sinks?, or shall we be up and about "the Father's business?"

Business Meetings in the Bible
Any congregation which functions scripturally, has business with which to deal. Deciding on and carrying out that business must be done within certain divine precepts. "Let all things be done unto edifying" (1 Corinthians 14:26). "Let all things be done decently and in order" (1 Corinthians 14:40).

There is not a specific detailed example of a business meeting, such as is characteristic among most of our churches, given in the New Testament. There are, however, instances of some meetings where the church or its leaders came together to consider spiritual matters.

I. In Acts 6:1-7, we have the account of the Jerusalem brethren coming together to consider the needs of Grecian Jewish widows who were being neglected in the daily ministration of the church. The text says, "And the twelve called the multitude of the disciples unto them, and said . . ." (v. 2). In this instance, action was taken and the results were immediately apparent according to verse 7.

II. In Acts 15:1-29, we have an account of a meeting where the leading lights of Jerusalem gathered to resolve the difficulties over the issue of circumcising Gentile converts: "And the apostles and the elders were gathered together to consider this matter" (Acts 15:6). Thayer defines the word "consider" to mean "to see about something, i.e. to ascertain what must be done about it" (p. 173). Although there was much disputing (v. 7) and earlier "no small dissension and questioning" (v. 2), order was maintained and in verse 25, “... being assembled in with one accord” --or [Strong's 3661] “having become of one mind.,” a consensus [does not “one mind” mean unanimous agreement?, pdc] was reached on the issues involved. Immediate and decisive action was taken to stop any "uncertain sounds" which were emanating from Jerusalem on these particular matters.

These two examples are clearly models for us today when we meet to deal with problems facing the church. Note that in both situations decisive action was the thing which brought about the desired results. These brethren did not meet just to talk, they met in order to act. Unfortunately, today many business meetings are nothing more than "talk sessions" where nothing is accomplished.

This reminds me of what John Kenneth Galbraith said about the meetings held by President Herbert Hoover after the horrible stock market panic of 1929. “Yet to suppose that President Hoover was engaged only in organizing further reassurance is to do him a serious injustice. He was also conducting one of the oldest, most important and, unhappily, one of the least understood rites in American life. This is the rite of the meeting which is called not to do business, but to do no business. It is a rite which is still practiced in our time . . . Finally there is the meeting which is called not because there is business to be done, but because it is necessary to create the impression that business is being done. Such meetings are more than a substitute for action. They are widely regarded as action” (The Great Crash: 1929, pp. 138-139).

Sad to say, the "no-business" meetings of Herbert Hoover and his colleagues did not lead to decisive action which might have avoided the collapse of the economy and the onset of the great depression of the 1930s. All too often this describes what happens at the business meetings conducted by many churches today. A regular meeting is scheduled whether there is business to be discussed or not. Brethren then proceed to manufacture something to talk about, which often leads to disagreements, arguments, and all kinds of disruption. Finally the meeting is adjourned with nothing accomplished.

III. In Acts 20:17-38, we have an account of a meeting between Paul and the Ephesian elders in which various aspects of their duties as shepherds were discussed. One might refer to this as an "elders meeting" or a "business meeting of the elders" to discuss spiritual matters. Regardless of the terminology used, the purpose is clear, and becomes a precedent for elders today to meet and discuss various aspects of their task as it relates to work of the church.

Is There a Better Way?
One might answer by saying, "That depends." Certainly any attempt to transact the business of the church that ends in frustration, argumentation, or stalemate has failed. There surely is a better way than that. On the other hand, to suggest that all business meetings are wrong, meaningless, or of no value, is equally wrong. Since the business of the church must be attended to, we must be sure that whatever format is used expedites rather than hinders its progress.

Things to Consider When
Conducting Church Business
I. Communication.
Good communication is absolutely necessary if the leadership of a church is to function effectively. More problems are created when people do not know what is going on than we realize. I continually hear, "no one knows what is going on here," "we don't even know how much money we take in," "we don't know how much is in the treasury," "we always learn after the fact what this church is doing." Leaders who operate under a veil of secrecy are inviting disaster. An eldership that makes determinations without sharing these decisions with the church will soon find the trust they previously had, eroding.

Communication has been defined as merely "fostering understanding." In Acts 15, the meeting concluded by (1) the writing of a letter to the Gentile brethren in Antioch and Syria and Cilicia (vv. 20-23), (2) the choosing of two men (vv. 22-25), (3) the letter was sent and read in Antioch (vv. 30-31), and (4) Judas and Silas confirmed the contents of the letter by mouth (vv. 22, 27, 32). Good communication was necessary to ensure the success of the meeting and the decisions reached.

A Leader Who Communicates Will:
1.
Motivate and inspire people to take action;
2. Build cooperation and trust;
3. Maintain focus on the issues;
4. Resolve conflict;
5. Provide accurate information;
6. Prevent communication breakdowns.

When decisions are reached in a business meeting, those decisions should be relayed to the whole church so that everyone can become involved in carrying out the agreed upon goals.

II. Resolution of Conflicts.
Conflict usually arises when someone's power or pursuit of a goal is threatened, or when an individual believes someone else is interfering with the pursuit of his belief or goal. If, as a church, we expect to accomplish anything, we do not have the luxury of ignoring conflict. One thing we know, when standoffs start, communication usually stops. The key to resolving conflict is to get people talking. How can we get people talking again, defuse a hostile situation, and swing people to another side of an issue?

Steps To Conflict Resolution Include:
1. Collect information—don't wait for information, pursue it.
2. Clarify the issues—defuse hostility by listening to all sides.
3. Move to neutral territory—go to where neither adversary has the advantage.
4. Identify common ground—seek areas of agreement.
5.Form an action plan—clearly communicate the plan to all.

In the Acts 15 meeting, there was much disputing (v. 7). However, order was maintained and all conflicts resolved. "It seemed good unto us, being assembled with one accord" (v. 25).

III. Gaining Consensus/Unanimity* [See note at end of lesson].
The object of every meeting in which decisions are made, goals are set, and work is discussed, should be consensus. The way decisions are reached can strongly influence the quality of the decision, the speed with which it is made and the willingness of the group's members to support it. Some approaches used to reach decisions include the following.

Decision By A Single Individual. This often occurs in a situation where one person feels the right to "run the church." This individual makes all the decisions without consulting anyone. Often, when his power or right of leadership is questioned, trouble erupts. Such a procedure overlooks many important points, e.g., the ability of others to contribute to the decision making process, the involvement of everyone in the work of the church, etc. In some situations, it may be that everyone refuses to "get involved," leaving the entire load on the shoulders of one man. Such a situation is regrettable. (Diotrephes is an example of one man rule, 3 John 9.)

Decision By Minority. In this case, two or three people make the decisions for the group in which they are a small minority. Such a procedure seldom leads to high-quality decisions. In reality, such a procedure also often leads to a lack of support on the part of those who were not a part of the decision. Minority rule is a poor substitute for effective decision making.

Decision By Majority. As a result of democratic ideology, a majority vote is probably the most popular group decision mechanism. A number of problems emerge with this approach in church business meetings. There is always the danger of opposing forces "stacking the deck," bringing in sufficient numbers to get their way. In addition, those who lose and are out-voted may become embittered. In some situations, people vote who have no business participating in the process (young Christians, immature members, recent convents, etc.). Finally, winners are often convinced that they are always right about everything. The "majority" becomes the norm for establishing all actions as well as the "right" and "wrong" of spiritual matters. Since the church is not a democracy, it seems foolish to try to conduct its business by "majority rule." Some may complain: "If the majority does not rule, then the minority will." That is why neither approach is valid in determining matters of right and wrong. Even in matters of judgment and indifference, both approaches are seriously flawed.

Decision By Consensus/Unanimity* [See Note at End of Lesson]. Consensus means full participation by all group members until all members have become committed to a decision. Consensus can be obtained only when members freely express their opinions and keep working together to reach a decision that meets with the approval of the group as a whole. Consensus building is designed to identify common areas of beliefs and knowledge among group members. In a consensus session, the goal is to seek the highest level of agreement without dividing the participants into factions. Voting and compromising are avoided in order that the decision may be based on facts and full-discussion. In Acts 15, consensus was reached. When James placed the suggestion before the group that a letter be sent to the Gentiles explaining that God did not require them to "be circumcised and keep the law" (v. 24), there was unanimous agreement.

Helpful Ideas for Conducting Business Meetings
1. Know When And Why To Have A Meeting.
2. Always Have An Agenda.
3. Get Input For The Agenda Ahead Of The Meeting.
4. Set Meeting Priorities.
5. Determine Time Allocations For Each Topic.
6. Set A Time Limit.
7. Plan The Meeting Ahead. Have Everything You Need (handouts, Equipment, Etc.).
8. Choose An Appropriate Place.
9. Start On Time—End On Time.
10. Summarize Often, Make Sure Everyone Understands What Has Been Decided.
11. Keep Good Minutes.
12. Close On A Positive Note.

Conclusion
In conducting church business, we must always be sure that all things are done according to the pattern. We have no right to do anything that is out of harmony with Bible teaching. We must also remember that the Lord's business is the most important business in the world. It demands our very best. To approach it in a half-hearted manner, or to slight it, is to reveal our lack of dedication and love for the Lord. Brethren, let us be up and about "our Father's business."
P. 0. Box 10811, Springfield, MO 65808

* Note: I believe brother Wade is in error here, because “consensus” is defined in the dictionary as “a general agreement,” which could be achieved by a three quarter majority vote. The word “unanimous” would fit his definition, and is used in Acts 15:25, with the phrase “being assembled with one accord” [Strong's 3661] which means “having one mind,” “unanimous,” or “all in agreement.” This is in the context of an assembly of the church to arrive at a decision on a matter, and is in conformity with the many texts on unity of the body.

Dennis Crawford, BibleTruthsToU@gmail.com, 253-396-0290:
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Thursday, April 2, 2015

The Traveling
Church

The Traveling Church
by Raymond Fox

By many people today, including unfortunately many Christians, the Bible is viewed merely as a book full of prohibitions, prohibitions that seem to forbid everything that people would rather be doing. This narrow perspective of God's word sometimes produces resentment at having to deny self and limits a full understanding of what the Christian life comprehends. While the Bible certainly does contain many prohibitions that define what a Christian is not, the Scriptures also describe in many positive truths what a Christian is. The application of these positive truths and negative prohibitions can be shown in a variety of issues and questions confronting Christians today. One such issue that Christians need to understand is the importance of congregating with other Christians for worship.

The question arises, "Can Christians, while travelling, stop by the roadside on Sunday morning and worship in their camper or must they instead make plans to worship at an established congregation?

First, let us examine in detail a specific prohibition in the Scriptures that directly answers this question and then study a general, positive description of the Christian life that offers a broader perspective for understanding this question and related matters.

Sometimes it matters not how direct a negative command is, someone will try to skirt the issue and contend that the command does not apply in certain circumstances This fact is true of Hebrews 10:25 and its application to the "travelling church" concept Therefore a detailed study of the passage is required to demonstrate that it does apply to this question Paul writes, "Not forsaking the assembling of ourselves together, as the manner, of some is, but exhorting one another:.and so much the more, as you see the day approaching" "Do not forsake the assembly" has the force of a simple straightforward charge. But many try to whittle away at the statement's power to weaken it enough to permit certain accommodations such as the "travelling church"

For instance it has been argued the the word "forsake" means to forsake completely and not simply momentarily. Thus, if every now and then Christians want to go on vacation and worship at their convenience at their campground or along the roadside or even not worship at all, they have not forsaken worship completely. It is true that the word forsake (which means "to leave off") can refer to a complete desertion. But the word is also used in a momentary sense such as when the Father forsook the Son for a time on the cross. The context determines the exact meaning of a word. Paul, though, does not qualify the word in Hebrews 10:25 by saying “Do not forsake the assembly completely" or even by saying "Do not forsake the assembly momentarily" Since. Paul did not qualify the word neither can we qualify it. Therefore it stands unrestricted: Do not forsake the assembly, whether for a time or for good, do not forsake the assembly. Someone might add, "well if the word is unrestricted in meaning then what about someone who is sick and bedfast?" This question does not alter the meaning of this passage nor any passage because God has never commanded man to do something that is absolutely beyond his physical power to perform.

Some make a different attempt to hack away at this verse by arguing that communing in a motor home in the mountains one Sunday constitutes an assembly and therefore no one has forsaken the assembly As anyone knows Jesus said "for where two or three are gathered together in my name, there am I in the midst of them" (Matthew 18:20).

Jesus, however, was speaking about prayer and not about worshiping in the woods But grant, for the sake of consideration, that Jesus was talking about any gathering in His name, including worship. One point is clear and that is that the gathering must be in his name The phrase "in His name" of course is an idiomatic way of saying "by His authority."

If a police officer came to your door and announced that he was there in the name of such and such a county to serve you a summons he would mean that he was acting by the authority of that county. So the assembly must meet by the authority or authorization of Christ to guarantee His presence. For Christ's statement to include the "travelling church" its advocates must first show that Christ authorizes the "travelling church". What they do instead is go to Matthew 18:20 to authorize the practice. They are begging the question, assuming that which has to be proven.

In actuality the practice contradicts the worship Christ has authorized.Worship is congregational. Communion, for example, can only be performed with the proper meaning and intention that Christ gave it in a true congregational setting I Corinthians 10:16, 17 explains that one of the effects of the communion was to symbolize the unity of the congregation. The congregation at (Corinth had many divisions and Paul was reminding them that they were one body because they partook of one bread. The word "communion" means joint participation. It is an activity therefore that the congregation must perform together.

If we say that communion is not congregational and that a man and wife can celebrate the Lord's supper in their motel room then other practices could equally be authorized such as communion in the hospital room, night communion and ultimately individual loaves and cups. If communion is not congregational it degenerates to an individual exercise and individual is exactly the opposite of communion. Imagine if one Sunday a congregation comprised of five couples separated into five directions for worship One family went to the mountains, another family went to the beach, one family struck out across country, another stayed home and, of course, one couple met in the church building because someone has to hold down the fort." [Or, in the same way, they all could have stayed home, pdc]. Communion has effectively lost its simply but beautiful representation of the unity of the congregation. The point is that, since the "travelling church" contradicts the worship authorized by Christ, it is impossible for the "travelling church" to meet "in the name of Christ".

Furthermore the word Paul uses in Hebrews 10:25, that is translated "assembling together”, proves that he has congregational worship under consideration. Thayer defines the word "episunagoge" as "a gathering together in one place" (See II Thessalonians 2:1). Congregational worship is that time that the saints gather together in one place to exhort one another. In fact this word is a form of the Greek equivalent to the word "congregation" Christians thus have forsaken the congregating of the saints when they choose to meet along the roadside for worship.

Another argument some have used to try to diminish the thrust of Hebrews 10:.25 is based on the phrase "as the manner of some is" This phrase can correctly be translated “as the habit (or custom) of some is" So some whose vacation cannot be accommodated to the regular worship claim that communing in their camper is not wrong as long as the practice does not become habitual. But the verse cannot be construed to say, "You may forsake the assembly as long as you do not make it a habit." Paul gives a clear unqualified prohibition, "Not forsaking the assembling of ourselves together," and then mentions the extent to which some had carried their neglect of the assembly, "as the habit of some is".

If something is inherently wrong about a practice, that practice is wrong whether it is committed once or habitually. Furthermore, the very idea of habit is so indefinite that the limits of habit can be very subjective. One fellow may say he only communes by the river side once a year during trout season so it is not his habit to miss the regular worship. But with any regularity at all, even if it is once a year, the practice has taken the form of habit. And, after all, what authorizes a practice one time will authorize a habit many times..

The full force of Paul's statement in Hebrews 10:25 becomes clear in view of the context in which it was written. Hebrews was written shortly before the destruction of Jerusalem in 70 A. D. and alludes to the persecution the Christians were suffering. Paul's readers had "endured a great fight of afflictions" (10:32) and had taken "joyfully the spoiling of (their) goods" (10:34). Paul intended to encourage them to continue to stand steadfast despite the persecution because "yet a little while, and he that shall come will come, and will not tarry " (10:37).

This statement is a veiled reference to the approaching Roman legions led by Titus to destroy Jerusalem. In light of the context, when Paul states, "and so much more, as you see the day approaching," he was undoubtedly referring to the destruction of Jerusalem, (The "day" could not have alluded to the final day of judgement for they could not see" it approaching. Paul has taught in II Thessalonians 2:13 that the second coming of Christ was yet in the distant future.) Knowing that Paul was writing to Christians who were suffering persecution and warning them not to forsake the assembly despite persecution makes a fishing trip a pretty poor excuse to miss the, assembly.

It might have been easy for those early Christians to rationalize that they could stay home and commune without gathering with the congregation to avoid physical harm. But Paul forbids this because the Christians needed the company and exhortation of each other to remain strong. Christians today are hard pressed to find a reason to miss worship or accommodate worship to their individual circumstances that would compare with persecution. Thus, whatever quibbles people may offer to try to weaken this simple straightforward statement, Paul's words still stand.

But is all this minute investigation of a verse necessary to Prove that Christians must worship together? No, it is not, considering the many positive truths that sum up the Christian life in a comprehensive fashion. One such statement comes from the Sermon on the Mount in Matthew 6:33. "But seek ye first the kingdom of God and His righteousness." The kingdom of God of course was realized on the earth when the church was established on the day of Pentecost as recorded in Acts chapter two. Jesus then desires his disciples to seek first the welfare, edification and strength of the church. If each disciple put the Lord and His cause before self then questions like the "travelling church" would never arise. Someone who wonders if his priorities are in order, need only ask himself a simple question: “ Do I conform worship to fit my life --- or do I conform my life to fit worship

When Christians devote themselves to applying the general principles of Christianity in every aspect of their life then the specific prohibitions in the Word will not seem so disturbing and threatening.



A friendly welcome awaits you. We do not wish to embarrass you in any way. You will not be asked for contributions. We assemble for Bible study and worship each Sunday morning and we welcome you to meet with us. We would be happy to talk to you about your questions and we want to be of encouragement.

If you have any comments or questions --- or would like the location and contact names of a congregation of the church belonging to Jesus Christ near you, please contact me at BibleTruthsToU@gmail.com or 253-396-0290 (cell). Thanks Dennis Crawford, editor.
. Raymond Fox,753 Saucito A venue, Salinas, California 93906
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Tuesday, March 3, 2015

The Lord's Church MENU

The Lord's Church MENU 1) The Church That Jesus Built

2) The Church Jesus Died For --- A Bible Study

3) The Church Belonging to Christ.

4) Worship of the Church

5) Who Are The Churches of Christ, and What Do They Believe?

6) The Church of Christ (Part 1)

7) The Church of Christ (Part 2)

8) Must I Go to Church in Order to Be Saved?

9) The Traveling Church by Ray Fox

10) Denominationalism and Division of the Lord's Church

11) Business Meetings of the Lord's Church. Is There a Better Way? (Under Construction, but still can access by cliking on home at the very bottom of the page)

Return to Main Menu - Home


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Thursday, July 2, 2009

The Church That Jesus Built

The Church That Jesus Built
by
A. G. HOBBS


Jesus said “I will build My church.” Matthew 16:18. Again we are told “The Lord added to the church daily such as should be savedActs 2:47.

Between the time that the Lord said He would build His church, and that He was adding to the church; it came into existence, or was established, or He could not have added the obedient to it. It is evident that the church is built on Jesus Christ — not on Peter. Please note:
For other foundation can no man lay
than that is laid,
which is Jesus Christ.

(1 Corinthians 3:11).


The word “church” is found many times in the New Testament; and is used in three senses: In a general sense, embracing all the saved, Ephesians 5:25; in a local sense, embracing the saved of a certain locality, I Corinthians 1:2, and in Romans 16:16 . Paul refers to local congregations in different places. Then “the church” is used in an assembled sense as in I Corinthians 14:23, 34-35. Primarily the word “church” means “the called out,” and by consequence called together.

The New Testament reveals that Jesus built His church and it also reveals outstanding characteristics about it. The church of Christ today is not a denomination but the true church of the Lord in name, terms of pardons worship and all the fundamentals and essentials. We are pleading for Christianity in its primitive purity — free from human names, creeds, and traditions.

We do not believe in water salvation. We do not believe in salvation by works of human merit. There are “good” people in all religious bodies but it takes more than merely being “good” to be saved. God’s will must be done. Matthew 7:21.

With an open mind and Bible, will you carefully consider the following facts about the church of the New Testament — the one that Jesus built:

It’s Oneness
Jesus built only one church. It is called the body of Christ, Ephesians 1:22-23;There is one body.” Ephesians 4:4. Therefore, Christ has one church. “But now are they many members, yet BUT ONE BODY.” 1 Corinthians 12:20. Therefore, there is BUT ONE CHURCH. Every figure that refers to the church teaches its oneness: one King — one kingdom, John 18:36; one husband — one bride, 2 Corinthians 11:2; one shepherd —one flock, John 10:11, 16; Ephesians 2:12-22; one building — one foundation, 1 Corinthians 3:9, 11.

The fact that there is one, and only one true church cannot be denied without evading and denying the plain teaching of the Bible.

Built By Christ
Jesus said, “I will build my church.” Matthew 16:18. Since the church of Christ was built by Christ, it could not have been built by any man.

Furthermore Jesus built only one church. “My church” is singular number. All others, therefore, that have sprung up since New Testament times must have been built by men and without either the authority or approval of Christ. The logic and force of this conclusion cannot be evaded without evading the truth.

Began A.D. 33
And the Lord added to the church daily such as should be saved.” Acts 2:47. This was in A.D. 33. The church that the Lord declared that He would build had, therefore, been built. He could not have added the saved to the church had it not been in existence. The history of the establishment of the church of Christ is found in Acts 2:1-47.

Began In Jerusalem
Just before His ascension, Jesus told the apostles “that repentance and remission of sins should be preached in His name among all nations, beginning at Jerusalem.” Luke 24:47. And Jesus told them not to depart from Jerusalem until they be endued with power from on high. Luke 24:49. After His ascension, they returned to Jerusalem and there tarried until the Holy Spirit came to guide them into all truth and enable them to preach accurately what the Lord wanted preached and also to confirm or prove the truth preached. (Mark 16:20).

Isaiah had prophesied that the law of the Lord was to go forth from Jerusalem. Isaiah 2:2-3. So it was in this city that the church had to be established, and there it was established; and there the Lord added to it daily. Any religious body of people today that had its origin in any other place cannot be the church of Christ.

Purchased By Blood Of Christ
Jesus purchased the church with His own blood. Acts 20:28. He gave himself for the church. Ephesians 5:25. His church is precious and dear to Him. To persecute it is to persecute Him. Acts 9:5.

He died for no denomination Therefore, they are bloodless as far as the blood of Christ is concerned; and most of them teach that a person is saved on the outside before and without belonging to them.

Every drop of blood that Jesus shed went to the purchasing of His church. If a sinner is saved on the outside, he is saved without blood.

Saved By Blood Of Christ
Sinners are saved by the blood of Christ. Matthew 26:28. The blood of Christ was shed in His death. We are baptized into Christ and into His death. Romans 6:3-4. Hence, no one receives any benefit of the death and shed blood of Christ until he is buried with Him by baptism into His death.

No foreigner can become a naturalized citizen of the U.S. by merely believing in the President. He must, comply with the rules laid down. No one can be saved merely by believing in Christ. Sinners do not believe into the death of Christ, but are baptized into His death. Hence, the doctrine of salvation by faith only is a bloodless doctrine.

Salvation is in Christ. 2 Timothy 2:10. Redemption is in Christ. Ephesians 1:7. We are baptized into Christ. Galatians 3:26-27 The saving power of Christ’s blood extends only to those that obey Him. Hebrews 5:9.

All The Saved Added
And the Lord added to the church daily such as should be saved.” Acts 2:47. Only the obedient should be saved; hence, all who heard the gospels believed it, repented of their sins, confessed their faith in Christ and were baptized into Him, were added to His church. Acts 2:38; Romans 10:10. No one was voted on. There is neither command nor example for voting to receive a person into the church. They obeyed and the Lord did the adding. There were no saved people out of the church of the Lord.

Strictly Independent
The church of the Lord existed in the first century independent of all other religious organizations The early Christians were all complete in Christ. Colossians 2:10. They enjoyed all spiritual blessings without any religious affiliation other than being members of the church of Christ.

This undeniable conclusion follows:
No denomination is essential today. All could disband without molesting the church of the Lord in the least. There is not one spiritual blessing that is promised of the Lord that cannot be obtained by belonging to His church — and His church only.

Furthermore, each local congregation was independent of every other congregation. There were no presiding elders, but a plurality of elders or bishops over each congregation. Acts 11:30, 14:23, 20:17; Philippians 1:1.

All Apostles Members
All the apostles were members of the church that Jesus built. 1 Corinthians 12:28. They all were given the same gospel to preach. All that heard them heard and believed the same message. All were told to do the same things to be saved. And all who obeyed were just Christians only. They were all added to, the same church —the church of Christ. If all preachers today spoke only as the oracles of God, 1 Peter 4:11, all their converts would just be Christians only.

Not Composed Of Denominations
The church that Jesus built is not composed of different denominations, wearing different names, teaching different doctrines, etc. This is division, confusion, and a hindrance to spreading the true gospel. Jesus said that a kingdom divided against itself cannot stand. Mark 3:24.

The church of the New Testament consisted of all those that obeyed the gospel. It is used in a general sense referring to the saved, and in a limited sense referring to the saved of a certain locality as, “The churches of Christ salute you.Romans 16:16. Paul was here speaking of local congregations The local congregations were made up of individual members. “Now ye are the body of Christ, and members in particular.” 1 Corinthians 12:27.

Christians Only
The disciples were called Christians. Acts 11:26; 26:28; 1 Peter 4:16. They were content to be Christians only and not join a denomination unknown to the Bible, and add a human name, or a number. No, they were not “First Christians.” There is something in a name. We may wear the right name and be right in name, or wear a human name and be wrong in name. Are you just a Christian?

No Pie Suppers
The church that Jesus built met its financial obligations with free-will offerings which were given in accord with Divine instruction. The Divine plan is for each one to lay by in store on the first day of the week as he has prospered, willingly and cheerfully as he purposes in his heart. 1 Corinthians 16:1-2; 2 Corinthians 9:7. And Christians are commanded to give bountifully. 2 Corinthians 9:6. Giving is one of the supreme tests of one’s love. Love gives. The more we love the more we give. Those who love the Lord do not have to be enticed by an oyster fry, or pie supper.

Suppers and entertainments to raise money for the work of the Lord are contrary both to the letter and the spirit of the New Testament.

No Human Creeds
The creed of the church of Christ is Christ. His life, death for man’s sins, burial, resurrection, and kingship were preached. These facts convinced men that Jesus is the Christ the Son of the living God. They were then commanded to obey the commands of King Jesus — recognize His authority and bow in submission to His will.

No uninspired men could make a creed or bind one on the church. They could not then. They can not now. The inspired Word is now an all sufficient guide in all matters of religious faith, doctrine, and practice. 2 Timothy 3:16-17.

Only Vocal Music
The first principle of acceptable worship is to worship the Lord AS HE DIRECTS and not just as we choose. The inspired writers of the New Testament commanded the early church to sing. Ephesians 5:19; Colossians 3:16. They specified the KIND of music to. use. Every other kind is thereby excluded.

Instrumental music is at least 6000 years old. Jubal, a descendant of Cain, “was the father of all such as handle the harp and pipe.” Genesis 4:21. Therefore, those who think that the use of instrumental music is a mark of progress are misinformed. Musical instruments had been in existence for thousands of years before Christ, and were in existence during His life here on earth, and when the church was established. Yet, the apostles who were guided into all truth by the Spirit, John 16:13, did not command or authorize such to be used in worship.

The church of Christ walks by faith. 2 Corinthians 5:7. Faith comes by hearing the word of God, Romans 10:17; and “whatsoever is not of faith is sin.” Romans 14:23. Since instrumental music is not authorized in the doctrine of Christ it is religiously wrong to inject it into the worship. And John declares that all such “hath not God.” 2 John 9.

Believed In Debates
The early church believed in contending earnestly for the faith once for all delivered to the saints as Jude commands in Jude 3. The word “contend” is defined: To strive in opposition or rivalry; compete; also, to strive in debate; argue.

In the King James Version, “debate” is condemned in Romans 1:29; but it used to mean strife. Now debate has come to mean honorable discussion, and certainly is not wrong when properly conducted. The word “debate” is omitted and the Greek word is translated “strife” in the American Standard Version.

Stephen, guided by the Holy Spirit, engaged in a public disputation. In Acts 6:9-10 we read: “There arose certain of the synagogue . .. disputing with Stephen. And they were not able to resist the wisdom and the spirit by which he spake.” Since Stephen was guided by the Holy Spirit, it is evident that a public discussion of a religious question is not wrong. It was not wrong then, and it is not wrong now.

Jesus had many discussions on religious issues. He debated the devil, Matthew 4:1-11. Read His discussions with the Sadducees and Pharisees, Matthew 22 :23-46; and note His public rebuke of the religious hypocrisy of which they were guilty, Matthew 23:1-33.

All discussions should be in a kind spirit; but to refuse to contend for the truth is not the spirit of Christ. Anything that is not worth contending for is evidently no part of the faith which was once for all delivered to the saints.

Hence, the church of Christ stands ready at any time to uphold the truth in either private or public discussion — and without fear of successful contradiction because truth has nothing to fear.

Any church that does not believe in debates is lacking in one of the characteristics of the church that Jesus built.

“One Baptism”
There is one body, and one Spirit, even as ye are called in one hope of your calling; one Lord, one faith, one baptism.Ephesians 4:4-5.

This passage plainly declares that there is ONE BAPTISM. Therefore, it is certainly wrong to teach that there is more than one.
    1. This “one baptism” is water baptism. Proof: Paul, by inspiration, penned this truth about A.D. 64. Peter, guided by the same Spirit, and about the same time, said that baptism is in water, 1 Peter 3:20-21, as does Acts 8:35-40 and Romans 6:3-5. So that should forever settle the question beyond doubt.

    The last example of baptism of the Holy Ghost was about A.D. 41. Acts 10:44-45. It was about 23 years thereafter that Paul wrote Ephesians and declared that there is “one baptism.”

    There had been John’s baptism, but it was no longer valid. Acts 19:1-5. There had been the baptism of the Holy Ghost, Acts 2:4; 10:44-45; and there is to be the baptism of fire. 2 Thessalonians 1:7-9. But now THERE IS ONLY ONE BAPTISM, AND IT IS IN WATER.

    2. It is a burial of the body in water, and a resurrection to walk in newness of life. Acts 8:35-40; Romans 6:3-5; Colossians 2:12.

    3. It is to be saved, Mark 16:16.

    4. It is for believers (not infants), Matthew 28:1 8-20. Infants are not lost and cannot be taught the gospel.
These undeniable conclusions follow unless the word of God is denied: Sprinkling and pouring are not baptism; and no one today has the baptism of the Holy Ghost, (or Spirit).

The Lord’s Supper Weekly
And upon the first day of the week, when the disciples came together to break bread, Paul preached unto them, ready to depart on the morrow; and continued his speech until midnight.” Acts 20:7.

Thus, we are told how often the Lord’s supper was observed by the early Church. It was not monthly or yearly. Neither was the time Thursday night, but on the first day of the week — the Lord’s Day. Revelation 1:10. Every week has a first day. The church of Christ today meets on the first day of the week to break bread as we have this example.

Does the church to which you belong meet on the first day of the week to break bread? If not, why not? It does not fit the Divine pattern.

Secular historians testify that the Lord’s supper was observed every Lord’s day, and that the Lord’s day is the first day of the week — not the seventh day --- the Sabbath.

In his History of the Christian Religion and the Church, Neander wrote as follows;

As we have already remarked, the celebration of the Lord’s Supper was still held to constitute an essential part of divine worship on every Sunday, as appears from Justin Martyr (A. D. 150), and the whole church partook of the communion after they joined in the Amen of the preceding prayer.” (Vol. 1, page 332).

Eusebius, who has been called the father of ecclesiastical history, said: “From the beginning the Christians assembled on the first day of the week, called by them the Lord’s Day, to read the Scriptures, to preach, and to celebrate the Lord’s supper.”

The Lord’s Day” cannot refer to the Sabbath, the seventh day of the week, because it was part of the Old Law that was written on tables of stone when Moses’ face shined; and this testament “was abolished,” (2 Corinthians 3:6-14) — when Jesus was crucified. (Colossians 2:14-16).

The Church Today
The church of Christ today is the one that Jesus built. We wear the same name, teach the same terms of pardon, and worship the same way. To be the New Testament Church, it must meet the characteristics herein set forth. Are you a member of the Church that Jesus built or do you belong to one that is human in origin, name, faith, doctrine, and practice? Why belong to a denomination when you could belong to the true Church you read about in the New Testament and be just a Christian only?

If you desire to practice Christianity as it was in New Testament times, we invite you to obey the Gospel and the Lord will add you to His Church, Acts 2:38, 47. Then worship according to the pattern of the Church of the New Testament times; live a faithful religious life, a clean life morally; be faithful unto death and a crown of life will be yours in the heavenly home where sorrows never come, and tears will be wiped away.

We Earnestly Solicit Your Presence at Our Services

Please contact me, Dennis Crawford, at BibleTruthsToU@gmail.com, or 253-396-0290 (cell) for comments or further Bible information, or for the location of a congregation belonging to Jesus Christ near you.
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Monday, August 4, 2008

The Church Jesus Died For ---
a Bible study

The Church Jesus Died For --- a Bible study
by Don Danklefsen
1) Matthew 16:18:
What did Jesus promise to build?

2) Acts 20:28:
What was the purchase price for the church?

3) Philippians 2:5-9:
What name is above all names?
How does Hebrews 5:7-8 show submission on Jesus part?

4) John 14:15 & Hebrews 5:9:
How can we show that same love toward God’s Son?

5) 2 Corinthians 5:17:
After a person becomes a Christian, is this to be the end of Christianity for him, or should it be the beginning of a new life in Christ?

6) Romans 6:11-18:
How does one demonstrate that they are a changed person after becoming a Christian?

7) John 4:24; 17:17:
God asks His children to worship in spirit and truth in John 4:24.
What is truth?

8) Romans 2:8:
If one does not obey the truth (God’s Word), what are they doing?

9) Leviticus 10:1-3:
How does the Lord’s action against Nadab and Abihu teach us a lesson as we worship today?

10) Hebrews 10:24 & Galatians 6:10:
How are Christians strengthened and built up?

11) Hebrews 3:13:
How often does God want His people to exhort one another? (vs. 3)

12) Hebrews 3:12 & 1 Peter 2:2:
What can happen when a Christian intentionally misses being with other Christians for fellowship, in worship, and Bible study?
What should Christians do to grow in Christ?

13) Hebrews 10:25 & 26-31:
God asks Christians not to miss meeting together. (The word “assembling” means any time Christians assemble.) How does He express the importance of not missing these assemblies? (vs. 26-31)
Is it, then, a sin to willfully miss the assembly of the church?

14) Philippians 1:1:
God’s organization for the church is to have bishops and deacons. If every Christian in a congregation decided to stay home and not worship God, what would happen to the assembly and it’s leadership?

15) 2 Peter 2:20-22:
A Christian who goes back into the world is like a___________________________

16) Matthew 25:30 & 25:41:
Christians who do not mature and produce fruit are called _______________ and will experience ____________.

17) 1 Peter 5:1-4:
Functions of the bishops (also called elders or pastors) are to ____________________________.

18) 1 Timothy 3:1-7:
Some of the 18 qualifications for bishops are (vs 1-7) _____________________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________________________
& 7 qualifications for deacons (vs 8-13) ____________________________________
_______________________________________________________________________.

19) 2 Timothy 4:2-5:
The preachers responsibilities are to ____________________________________________________________________________________.

20) 2 Timothy 2:15 & Acts 17:11:
What responsibility is given to all Christians?

21) Hebrews 13:17:
What great responsibility toward members is placed on the shoulders of the bishops/elders for the congregation belonging to Jesus Christ?

22) Mark 10:29-30 & Galatians 4:16:
May there be persecution when one becomes a follower of Jesus?

23) Several ways Satan temps Christians to leave the faith are:
Luke 8:14: _______________________________________________

Matthew 10:34-38: ________________________________________

Matthew 7:15-20:__________________________________________

Matthew 25:24-30:__________________________________________

Hebrews 11:35-40:__________________________________________

1 Corinthians 6:9-11 & Galatians 5:19-21:___________________

24) John 17:20-21:
Jesus prayed for what concerning His followers?

25) Acts 11:26 & 1 Peter 4:16:
When a person becomes a member of God’s family, what name should he proudly wear?

26) 1 Corinthians 1:10-15:
How did members of the church in Corinth disobey the Lord?

27) Acts 4:12 & Matthew 1:21:
Men often say the NAME one wears is not important. How does God express the importance of wearing the proper name?

28) Ephesians 3:21 & Romans 16:16:
When looking for a church using a Biblical name, what name would best express the thoughts of Acts 4:12?

29) Acts 20:7; 1 Corinthians 16:1-2 & 14:15-16:
When did the Lord’s people meet together for prayer, the Lord’s supper, preaching, singing, and giving of their means?

30) Ephesians 5:19 & 1 Corinthians 14:15:
What form of music did the Lord’s church use?

31) 1 Corinthians 4:6 & Revelation 22:18-19:
What is said about worshipping in a way not authorized in the scriptures?

32) Acts 1:4,8; 2:1-47:
When was the church established?

33) Ephesians 1:22-23 & 1 Corinthians 12:12-20:
During the life time of the apostles, how many churches, or bodies, were there?

34) Ephesians 5:23:
What does Jesus promise to save?

35) How can 1 Peter 2:21-25 help one to decide to be a member of the church of the Bible?

36) Ephesians 4:4-6:
Would you like to be a member of the same church Paul, Peter, and John belonged to?

37) Acts 2:38-41 & Romans 6:3-4:
When a Christian shares the gospel --- Jesus’ death, burial, and resurrection (1 Corinthians 15:1-4), how is the lost individual told to respond to become a member of the Lord’s church?

38) 1 Corinthians 11:20-29 & Acts 20:7:
When one is baptized into Christ, they think of Jesus’ death on the cross. How has God arranged for Christians to remember the Lord’s suffering every Sunday?

39) Acts 22:16:
Do you want to obey the Gospel and worship with others by taking the Lord’s Supper with Christians every Sunday?

WHAT CAN YOU DO?
You can accept the authority of Christ by doing what He commanded (Matthew 7:21; John 14:15; 15:10-14; Luke 6:46). Notice the pattern for becoming a Christian as revealed in the Scriptures. The Gospel was heard, resulting in faith (Romans 10:17). Repentance of (turning away from) sin (Acts 17:30) and confession of Jesus as the Son of God followed (Romans 10:10). Believers were baptized INTO Christ for the remission (forgiveness) of sins (See Galatians 3:27; Colossians 2:12; Acts 2:38; 22:16; Mark 16:16; Romans 6:3-5; 1 Peter 3:20-21), and added to His church (Acts 2:47). Christians were taught to be faithful even to the point of death (Revelation 2:10).

WE WELCOME YOU
Following the instructions of the Scriptures, members of Christ’s body [collectively called the “churches of ChristRomans 16:16),] assemble as congregations for worship, encouragement, and Bible study. The congregation in your community welcomes you to investigate the Bible with us. With a spirit of brotherly love we would seek to reconcile any differences by following the Bible ONLY. We recognize the Bible as God’s inspired word, the ONLY reliable standard of faith and practice. We desire the unity for which Christ prayed and which the Bible emphasizes in the expression, “one Lord, one faith, one baptism.” Together we seek to maintain “the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace.”

A friendly welcome awaits you. We do not wish to embarrass you in any way. You will not be asked for contributions. We assemble for Bible study and worship each Sunday morning and we welcome you to meet with us. We would be happy to talk to you about your questions and we want to be of encouragement.

Please contact me, Dennis Crawford, at BibleTruthsTOu@gmail.com or 253-396-0290 (cell) for comments, questions, for further Bible information, or for the location of a congregation belonging to Jesus Christ near you.


The Gospel and Eternal Life Series, 102, Western Ave., West Monroe, LA. 71291
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Friday, August 1, 2008

Worship Of The Church

Worship of the Church
ONE CHURCH?
Have you counted all the churches in the yellow pages of your telephone book? The library is full of books about these churches.

Why do they teach so many different things?
- Pray to Mary.
- Don't pray to Mary.
- Baptize babies.
- Don't baptize babies.
- Priests can marry.
- Priests can't marry.
- The "Work of the Church" is social.
- The "Work of the Church" is spiritual.
- There is no life after this one.
- There is a life after this one.

HOW CAN I KNOW WHICH “CHURCH”
IS THE RIGHT ONE?

Where did all these churches come from? Well, back about 30 AD Jesus said, " I will build My Church..." in Matthew 16:18. That must mean that the Church belongs to Jesus. At least, that's what the Bible says...

The Bible teaches us that "All scripture given by inspiration of God ... is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness" (2 Timothy 3:16) and that Jesus "has purchased with His own blood" the Church (Acts 20:28).

I. The Church belongs to Jesus Christ.
    a) The Church (kingdom) prophesied and began:
    Danial 2:31-45; Isaiah 2:2-3; Micah 4:1-3; Mark 1:13-15; 9:1; Luke 1:32-33; Colossians 1:13-18; Hebrews 12: 20-28; 18:36; Revlation 1:9;

    b) I wonder what else it says about Jesus' Church?
      1) Romans 12:5; 1 Corinthians 12:27; Ephesians 4:12, 15, 5:23; Colossians 1:18, 24; 2:19; Ephesians 2:22-23 says "...and gave Him to be the head over all things to the Church, which is His body..." (speaking of Jesus).
      HIS BODY = HIS CHURCH

      2) Colossians 1:18, "...and He is the head of the body, the Church...".
      THE HEAD DECIDES, CONTROLS, GUIDES

      3) Ephesians 4:4-6 tells us that there is
      ONE SPIRIT, ONE LORD, ONE GOD

      4) Ephesians 4:4 also tells us there is
      ONE BODY

      5) 1 Corinthians 1:10 says, "now I beseech you, brethren, by the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, that you all speak the same thing, and that there be no divisions among you; but that you be perfectly joined together in the same mind and the same judgment.”
      ONE = UNITY

      6) In John 10:16 Jesus said, "My sheep hear My voice ... and they follow Me." John 10:16 says, "...and there shall be ONE FOLD and ONE SHEPHERD." We see that in the new testament that there was only
      ONE CHURCH!
Jesus condemned man teaching his own ideas and doctrine in Mark 7:7-9. "In vain do they worship me, teaching for doctrine the commandments of men...".

GOD DOES NOT HONOR THE DOCTRINES OF MEN
However, men did change the simple teachings of Jesus, and we now have denominations. Let's compare some of these "teachings of men" with what JESUS and the APOSTLES taught in the new testament:

-Men might say, "I painted the church."
Is that "church" Jesus' Body, His Church?

-Acts 8:3 tells us that, "Saul made havoc of the Church... and committed men and women to prison."

-Men may say, “I believe all the different denominations are branches of Jesus' Church.”
Disciples are the branches, not churches!

Let's look at what the Bible says. In John 15:5-6 Jesus says “if a man abides not in Me..."

Acts 2:42 lays the teachings and foundation of the Apostles doctrine for the Church --- the Bible.

In Mark 16:16, Jesus said the following: “He that believeth and is baptized shall be saved."

But some say: “He that believeth not and is baptized shall be saved."
And others say: “He that believeth and is not baptized shall be saved."

WHO SHALL WE BELIEVE?
2 John 9, "Whosoever transgresses, and abides not in the doctrine of Christ has not God. He that abides in the doctrine of Christ, he has both the Father and the Son."

Mark 7:7-9, “... in vain do they worship me, teaching for doctrine the commandments of men." When the doctrine of Christ is polluted with the doctrine of man, it makes man's worship of God empty of value. It is vain.

Are you following the doctrines of men that make your worship vain, or ... are you abiding in the doctrine of Christ, as put forth by His Word?

II. The Purpose of the Church:
    1) To show God's Wisdom. Ephesians 3:10, “His intent was that now, through the manifold wisdom of God be made known to the rulers and authorities in the heavenly realms, according to His eternal purpose which He accomplished in Christ Jesus our Lord."

    2) That Christians might grow in the knowledge of God that their lives might be lived in accordance with His will:
    Colossians 1:10, “that you may live a life worthy of the Lord ... bearing fruit in every good work, growing in the knowledge of God."
    2 Peter 1:5-6, “... adding to your faith virtue; and to your virtue knowledge; and to knowledge temperance; and to temperance patience; and to patience godliness; and to godliness brotherly love; and to brotherly love charity (love); for if these things are in you, and abound, they make you that you shall not be idle nor unfruitful in the knowledge of Jesus Christ."
III. The name of the New Testament Church:
    1) Ephesians 1:22-23, "The Body of Christ".
    2) Colossians 1:13, "The Kingdom of God".
    3) 1 Corinthians 1:2, "The Church of God".
    4) Romans 16:16, "The Church of Christ"
IV. The organization of the Church:
Acts 4:12; Col. 3:17; John 16:23; Ephesians 2:20; Philippians 2:11.

    1) Jesus the Head:
    2) Rules through the Apostles and Elders:
    Acts 15:1-29.
    3) Bishop over the local Church:
    1 Timothy. 3:1-7
    4) Elders oversee local Church:
    5) Deacons & evangelists:
    6) Independent and self-governing:
V. We are to Strive to reproduce that New Testament Pattern for Christ's Church:
Matthew 7:21.


There are no perfect churches because there are no perfect people.
The Church is a divine-human institution, and not infallible. The rules of conduct must be in accordance with the teachings of the infallible Holy Scriptures, otherwise the true idea of the Church is lost sight of and the Church either assumes too much or too little.

The Bible and it alone is a competent and safe guide as to what we and all people are to believe and practice. Remember, The Bible:

    (1) is complete and alive , able to challenge and change us if we allow it to,
    (2) within the reach of every seeker of truth,
    (3) is clear and intelligible to all honest and good hearts, and
    (4) presents and contains all the truth God wants us to obey to live a godly life now and then with Him in Heaven after the Judgment (Matthew 7:7-8, Ephesians 3:3-4, 2 Peter 1:3, Jude 3);
    (5) The Word is perfect and eternal;
    (6) We must obey God's Word if we are to live eternally in heaven, or we will be punished eternally in hell. (Matthew 7:21-27; Romans 2:8; 6:16; 2 Thessalonians 1:7-10; Hebrews 5:9; 1 Peter 4:17-18)

Beloved, believe not every spirit, but test the spirits, whether they are of God; because many false prophets are gone out into the world", 1 John 4:2. Test everything against God's Word.

But the hour comes, and now is when the true worshippers shall worship the Father in spirit and in truth: for the Father seeks such to worship Him.", John 4:23. (Please note the underlined "in spirit" and "in truth", which will be gone into more later in this study).

When the Gospel of Christ is preached today, God is calling people to Him that they might be His worshippers, (Mark 16:15, 16; 2 Thessalonians 2:14). Anyone who hears the Gospel (Romans 10:17), believes the facts of the Gospel---the death, burial and resurrection of Jesus (Mark 16:15-16), repents of sins (Acts 17:30, 31), confesses Jesus Christ as Lord and the Son of God (Romans 10:9-10) and is baptized in water for the remission of sins (Acts 2:38; & 8:36) is a son of God (Galatians 3:26, 27) has obeyed Christ and is then added to the Church (Acts 2:47), and thus seeks to worship God.

IN THE NEW TESTAMENT SEVERAL DIFFERENT
KINDS OF WORSHIP ARE MENTIONED
    1) VAIN WORSHIP---Matthew 15:8,9, "This people draws close to me with their mouth, and honors me with their lips; but their heart is far from me. But in vain they do worship me, teaching for doctrines the commandments of men." The word vain means empty; worthless; having no genuine substance, value, or importance. Worship conducted after man's commandments is worthless.

    2) WILL-WORSHIP---Colossians 2:21-23: Will-worship is a self-devised external form of ceremonial service, a mode of ceremonial worship chosen for one's self. Note that the scripture says these shall perish with the using.

    3) IGNORANT-WORSHIP---Acts 17:23, "For as I passed by, and beheld your devotions, I found an alter with this inscription, 'TO THE UNKNOWN GOD. Whom therefore you ignorantly worship, Him I declare unto you." Ignorant is defined as lacking knowledge, uninstructed or uniformed or untaught; by implication to ignore through disinclination (Ephesians 4:18). According to Acts 17:30-1 God will not accept ignorant worship.

    4) SPIRIT AND TRUTH---John 4:23-34, "But the hour comes, and now is, when the true worshippers shall worship the Father in spirit and in truth: for the Father seeks such to worship Him. God is a Spirit: and they that worship Him must worship Him in spirit and truth." Spirit is the character of our worship. Our worship must be from a heart of love for our Maker, thus involving our attitudes in approaching God in worship; I Corinthians 13:1-3. Truth is the standard to be used: "Sanctify them through your truth: your Word is Truth", John 17:17. "Then said Jesus to those Jews which believed on Him, 'If you continue in my Word, then you are my disciples indeed; and you shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free", John 8:31-32. You can know the truth. This is the kind of worship that God desires!

THE BIBLE DESCRIBES WHAT COMPOSES THE WORSHIP,
IN SPIRIT AND TRUTH.
1) The APOSTLE'S DOCTRINE, or TEACHING:
"And they continued steadfastly in the apostles' doctrine and fellowship, and in breaking of bread, and in prayers", Acts 2:42.

"And upon the first day of the week, when the disciples came together to break bread, Paul preached unto them... and continued his speech until midnight", Acts 20:7.

"Whosoever transgresses, and abides not in the doctrine of Christ, has not God...", 2 John 9.
When they came together they studied God's Word, as we should today. We must abide (live) in the doctrine of Christ today.

2) PRAYER: Acts 12:5-15.
Acts 2:42And they (the New Christians) continued steadfastly in the apostles doctrine and fellowship, in the breaking of bread, and in prayer.”

Prayers of praise, thanksgiving and supplications to God the Father, through the name of Jesus Christ are a regular part not only of our worship, but of our everyday walk with Jesus Christ.

3) GIVING:

"Now concerning the collection for the saints (Christians), as I have given order to the churches of Galatia, even so do you. Upon the first day of the week let every one of you lay by him in store, as God has prospered him, that there be no gatherings when I come",
I Corintians 16:1-2
.
"Every man according as he purposes in his heart, so let him give; not grudgingly, or of necessity: for God loves a cheerful giver",
2 Corinthians 9:7
.
"We must then purpose to give regularly, systematically, individually, and liberally", 2 Corinthians 8:1-12.

4) SINGING:
Let the Word of Christ dwell in you richly in all wisdom; teaching and admonishing one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing with grace in your hearts to the Lord", Colossians 3:16.

“Speaking to yourselves in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing and making melody in your heart to the Lord...", Ephesians 5:19.

Nowhere in the New Testament worship of the Church do we find the authorization for mechanical instruments of music. To use them would be in fact offering vain worship, Matthew 15:9. We understand from the scriptures that we will sing with grace, making melody in our hearts to the Lord.

5) THE LORD'S SUPPER:
"And when He had given thanks, He brake it, and said, 'Take, eat: this is my body, which is broken for you: this do in remembrance of me'. After the same manner also He took the cup, when He had supped, saying, 'This cup is the new testament in my blood: this do you, as often as you drink it, in remembrance of Me' ", 1 Corinthians 11:24-25.

"And they continued steadfastly in the apostles' doctrine and fellowship, and in breaking of bread, and in prayers", Acts 2:42.

"And upon the first day of the week, when the disciples came together to break bread..", Acts 20:7.

"But let a man examine himself, so let him eat of that bread, and drink of that cup", 1 Corinthians 11:28.

We observe from these passages that upon the first day of the week (Sunday) Christians assembled that they might break bread and drink the cup which to them by faith was the body and blood of Jesus. Since each week has a first day, every week the Lord's Supper should be observed in this worship in spirit and truth.

6) ASSEMBLED ON THE FIRST DAY OF THE WEEK:
As already noted in 1 Corinthians 11:20, 16:12; Acts 20:7; and also in Hebrews 10:24-25, "Not forsaking the assembling of ourselves together, as the manner of some is; but exhorting one another: and so much the more, as you see the day approaching." Children of God must not forsake this assembly of the Church of our Lord. To do so is sin, Hebrews 10:24-25. Christians must present their bodies as living sacrifices to God, Romans 12:1-2. Together, children of God form a spiritual house, to be a holy priesthood, to offer up spiritual sacrifices, acceptable to God by Jesus Christ, 1 Peter 2:5.

Please remember, those who are children of God must serve God acceptably with reverence and Godly fear every day of their lives, Hebrews 12:28.

WHAT CAN YOU DO?
You can accept the authority of Christ by doing what He commanded (Matthew 7:21; John 14:15; 15:10-14; Luke 6:46). Notice the pattern for becoming a Christian as revealed in the Scriptures. The Gospel was heard, resulting in faith (Romans 10:17). Repentance of (turning away from) sin (Acts 17:30) and confession of Jesus as the Son of God followed (Romans 10:10). Believers were baptized INTO Christ for the remission (forgiveness) of sins (See Galatians 3:27; Colossians 2:12; Acts 2:38; 22:16; Mark 16:16; Romans 6:3-5; 1 Peter 3:20-21), and added to His church (Acts 2:47). Christians were taught to be faithful even to the point of death (Revelation 2:10).

WE WELCOME YOU
Following the instructions of the Scriptures, members of Christ’s body [collectively called the “churches of ChristRomans 16:16),] assemble as congregations for worship, encouragement, and Bible study. The congregation in your community welcomes you to investigate the Bible with us. With a spirit of brotherly love we would seek to reconcile any differences by following the Bible ONLY. We recognize the Bible as God’s inspired word, the ONLY reliable standard of faith and practice. We desire the unity for which Christ prayed and which the Bible emphasizes in the expression, “one Lord, one faith, one baptism.” Together we seek to maintain “the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace.”

A friendly welcome awaits you. We do not wish to embarrass you in any way. You will not be asked for contributions. We assemble for Bible study and worship each Sunday morning and we welcome you to meet with us. We would be happy to talk to you about your questions and we want to be of encouragement.

If you have any comments or questions --- or would like the location and contact names of a congregation of the church belonging to Jesus Christ near you, please e-mail me at BibleTruthsToU@gmail.com or call 253-396-0290. Thanks Dennis Crawford, editor


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Monday, July 28, 2008

The Church Of Christ (part 1)

The Church Of Christ (part 1)
by Irvin Barnes


In Prophecy, In Promise, In Fact!

The Establishment of the Church of Christ
Jesus made a definite promise in Matthew 16:18, when he said, “Upon this rock I will build my church.

Jesus clearly affirmed that the church would be His. It would belong to Christ. This statement, by itself, is sufficient to eliminate man-made churches which wear names of human origin. Since the church which Jesus promised to build was going to belong to him, it should wear his name. Please see Acts 4:12.

Did Jesus ever build His church? If so, when and where did it begin? Is it still in existence today?

Several expressions are used in the scriptures to refer to the church. Each term or expression describes a characteristic of the church and therefore helps us understand the nature of this wonderful institution.

First:the word “church” means the called out. In reference to the church it means the called out of the world.

In Bible times town criers would stand in the streets at some conspicuous place and report news events. The crier would call out to the townspeople to come and hear some late breaking news event. Those who gathered to hear him speak were said to be the “called out.”

The church is composed of those who have answered the call of the gospel. 2 Thessalonians 2:14, “to which He called you by our gospel, for the obtaining of the glory of our Lord Jesus Christ.” (all verses NKJV)

The gospel is “the power of God to salvation,” Romans 1:16, “the gospel of your salvation,” Ephesians 1:13 and the thing “by which also you are saved,” 1 Corinthians 15:2.

In order to be saved by the gospel it is essential to hear the gospel, Romans 10:17, to believe the gospel, Hebrews 11:6, to repent of past sins, 2 Peter 3:9, to confess with the mouth the name of the Lord Jesus, Romans 10:9-10, and to be baptized for the forgiveness of sins, Acts 2:38, Mark 16:16 and 1 Peter 3:21.

Jesus said in Mark 16:16 He who believes and is baptized will be saved;”. Acts 2:47, declares, “And the Lord added to the church daily those who were being saved.”

It is, therefore, in this manner that sinners are called out of the world by the gospel and added to the church. This is the way “the called out” or the church came to exist and the way it continues to exist in the world today. The church is truly “the called out of this world.”

Second:the church is sometimes called the kingdom. The church locally, in a congregational sense, does not constitute the kingdom of Christ in the universal sense. The church in the universal sense, however, is the same thing as the kingdom of Christ. It is in this sense that the church is made up of all that have been saved from the day of Pentecost to the present and all who may be saved from now until Jesus comes again.

The church is called the kingdom to show it is a monarchy ruled by Jesus alone as the head or king over His kingdom.

In Matthew 16:18-19, Jesus promised to build His church, then in the very next verse He promised the apostles the keys to the kingdom. It is incompatible that Jesus promised to build the church and then in the very next breath said, “Here is the keys to an altogether different institution.”

Jesus is truly the head over His church. Ephesians 5:23-25, “For the husband is head of the wife, as also Christ is head of the church; and He is the Savior of the body. Therefore, just as the church is subject to Christ, so let the wives be to their own husbands in everything. Husbands, love your wives, just as Christ also loved the church and gave Himself for her.”

Is Christ the head of the religious institution of which you are a member? Most professed Christians would automatically answer, "yes!" But have you, would you, go to the historical records of your church and see where and by whom the religion was founded and who is currently the general overseer or head?

Does your church have a ruling board, a general superintendent, an elected president or a convention head? If so, can you truthfully say, Jesus is the head?

Please do not become upset with me or with the word of God. Please answer for yourself in an honest and unbiased manner. If your church is tapped into a universal headquarters, can you really say Jesus is the head of the organization? The Bible no where mentions the idea that the church would be divided into districts, synods or conventions.

Third:the church is also called the family of God. Ephesians 3:15, “Of whom the whole family in heaven and earth is named.” This denotes fellowship in a family relationship between members of the church as brothers and sisters in Christ as children of God.

Fourth:the church is called the body of Christ. Colossians 1:18, “And He is the head of the body, the church:” Ephesians 1:22-23, “And He put all things under His feet, and gave Him to be head over all things to the church, which is His body, the fullness of Him who fills all in all.”

Fifth:the church is called the house of God. 1 Timothy 3:15, “but if I am delayed, I write so that you may know how you ought to conduct yourself in the house of God, which is the church of the living God, the pillar and ground of the truth.”

The Church In Prophecy
Prophets of God foretold of the establishment of the church centuries before Jesus said, “I will build my church.”

Isaiah 2:2-3, “Now it shall come to pass in the latter days That the mountain of the LORD’s house Shall be established on the top of the mountains, And shall be exalted above the hills; And all nations shall flow to it. Many people shall come and say, ‘Come, and let us go up to the mountain of the LORD, To the house of the God of Jacob; He will teach us His ways, And we shall walk in His paths.’ For out of Zion shall go forth the law, And the word of the LORD from Jerusalem.”

The word church does not occur in this passage. The term “house of the God of Jacob” however, is used. We have learned already the house of God is the church, 1 Timothy 3:15. So, this is definitely a prophecy about the church.

Three points stand out in this prophecy:
    1. All nations shall flow into the house of God.
    2. It shall come to pass in the last days.
    3. The law and the word of the Lord would go forth from Jerusalem.
WHAT was going to happen? The Lord’s house was going to be established.

WHEN was it to be established? In the last days.

WHERE was all this to take place? The word was scheduled to go forth from Jerusalem.

WHO? was to be involved? All nations would flow unto the Lord’s house.

Daniel 2:44, says, “In the days of these kings shall the God of heaven set up a kingdom, which shall never be destroyed.” Since the kingdom and the church is the same institution, this too is a prophecy concerning the establishment of the church.

The Church In Promise
Two promises were made by Jesus in Matthew 16:16-19.

    1. “I will build My church.”
    2. “Whatsoever thou shalt bind on earth shall be bound in heaven: and whatsoever thou shalt loose on earth shall be loosed in heaven.”
It will come out later in this study that the apostles were present at the establishment of the church in the city of Jerusalem so they began binding and loosing the law or the word of the Lord as Jesus had promised.

The promise of “binding and loosing” was unique to the apostles. This promise does not apply to any “Tom, Dick or Harry,” who might go out claiming a latter day revelation. Numerous are the preachers in our day who claim God is giving them new revelation, often the message they bring is contrary to what is already revealed in the scriptures! These preachers claim the right to bind these new ideas on the world.

Such claims have resulted in new religions, old religions with a new twist---neither of which can be found in the Bible. We must put our confidence only in what can be found in the scriptures. If you wish to “try” a preacher to determine if what he preaches is the truth or not, then ask him to show his teaching to you from the Bible.

Fulfillment of the Prophecies and Promises
Two accounts, Luke 24:44-52 and Acts 1:2-12, are given of a conversation between Jesus and the apostles. During this visit, the coming kingdom was discussed. The time frame in which this conversation took place is important. Jesus had been crucified, buried and resurrected. After His resurrection yet before His ascension He was seen of the apostles and spoke with them of things pertaining to the kingdom of God, Acts 1:3.

Please open your Bible to Luke 24:44-50. Note the similarity between what Jesus told the apostles and the prophecy of Isaiah.

Isaiah: word of the Lord to go forth from Jerusalem. Jesus: repentance and remission of sins to be preached beginning in Jerusalem.

Isaiah: all nations would flow to the house of God. Jesus: preaching was to be done to all nations.

To save space the passage will not here be quoted, so please open your Bible to Acts 1:2-10 and note the following points:
    1. Jesus was with the apostles.

    2. Jesus talked with the apostles of the coming kingdom.

    3. Jesus told the 12 apostles not to depart from Jerusalem. Why Jerusalem? Because this was where the prophet had said the law and the word of the Lord was to have its beginning.

    4. Jesus told the apostles to wait in Jerusalem for the baptism of the Holy Ghost which would bring them power.

    5. Jesus told the 12 that they would be witnesses unto Him in all nations.

    6. Jesus ascended and the apostles went to Jerusalem to wait for the promise to be fulfilled.
The Church Becomes a Reality
Please continue on in your open Bible to Acts chapter 2. Please remember the points of prophecy and promise listed below. Beside each point is a scripture reference from Acts 2, which shows the fulfillment of the prophecy concerning the coming of the church.
    1. All nations shall flow unto it: Acts 2:5 and 7-12.

    2. Shall come to pass in the last days: Acts 2:16-17.

    3. Would begin and go forth from Jerusalem. Acts 2:5.

    4. Power would come with the spirit. Acts 2:1-4.
A portion of the people out of every nation were present, representatively fulfilling the “all nations” of Isaiah 2:2-4. The last days began on Pentecost. This all took place in Jerusalem.

The questions: who, when and where, are satisfied or answered by what happened in Jerusalem on Pentecost day.

Who? All nations. When? In the last days.Where? At Jerusalem.What? The church had its beginning, Acts 2:47.

Many of those who heard Him were pricked in their hearts at the preaching of the apostle Peter and cried out saying, “what shall we do?” How did Peter reply? Did he say, “Hold up your hands and repeat the name of Jesus over and over.”? Did he tell them, “All you need to do is to believe.”? Did he command them to “pray through”? He told them none of these things. He told them what Jesus told him to tell them! Jesus had said that repentance and remission of sins should be preached in his name beginning at Jerusalem.

Therefore, Peter told them to “repent and be baptized, in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins”, Acts 2:38.

They that gladly received his word were baptized: and the same day there were added unto them about three thousand souls,” Acts 2:41. Reading on to Acts 2:47, the Bible says, “The Lord added to the church daily such as should be saved” Some translations say, “such as were being saved.”

The word church with reference to the church of Christ is used in the existing sense for the first time in Acts 2:47. All other references to the New Testament church up until this time in the Bible is stated in the future tense, such as, “I will build,” or “the Lord’s house shall be established,” etc.

Therefore one must conclude that the church which Jesus promised to build became an actual, factual, existing institution on the first Pentecost following the resurrection of Jesus. The Church of Christ began in Jerusalem in about the thirty-third year of the first century.

Bible Study Quiz
Please circle “T” if the statement is true. Circle “F" if the statement is false.
    T F 1. Jesus said, “Upon this rock I will build my churches.”

    T F 2. Jesus said, “Upon this rock I will build my church.”

    T F 3. Names in religion are totally unimportant for example, it really makes no difference what name Christ’s church is called. Acts 4:12.

    T F 4. The church is called “the body of Christ”. Colossians 1:18.

    T F 5. There is “one Lord, one faith and many bodies.” Ephesians 4:4-5.

    T F 6. The church is not the body of Christ. Ephesians 1:22-23.

    T F 7. There is one body, one Spirit, one hope, and one Lord. Ephesians 4:4-6

    T F 8. When Jesus said, “and whatsoever thou shalt bind on earth shall be bound in heaven:" He was promising the power of special revelation by the spirit to the apostles only.

    T F 9. When Jesus said, "and whatsoever thou shalt bind on earth shall be bound in heaven:” he was promising the power of special revelation by the spirit to Joseph Smith, Ellen White, Charles Taze Russell, Mary Baker Eddy, the Pope of Rome, Oral Roberts, Jim Bakker and Jimmy Swaggart.

    T F 10. The Church of Christ had its beginning in Jerusalem on the first Pentecost after Jesus’ resurrection and was built on the foundation of the apostles and prophets with Jesus as its chief cornerstone.

    T F 11. Jesus Christ is the head of the church and since He is seated at the right hand of God in heaven it is accurate to say the church has no earthly headquarters.

    T F 12. The headquarters of the church is in Springfield, Missouri.

    T F 13. Since Jesus is the head of the church and since the church is guided by the scriptures only, there is no need of a general superintendent or convention president.

    T F 14. The Bible says nothing about the church being divided into denominations, synods, districts or diocese.


WHAT CAN YOU DO?
You can accept the authority of Christ by doing what He commanded (Matthew 7:21; John 14:15; 15:10-14; Luke 6:46). Notice the pattern for becoming a Christian as revealed in the Scriptures. The Gospel was heard, resulting in faith (Romans 10:17). Repentance of (turning away from) sin (Acts 17:30) and confession of Jesus as the Son of God followed (Romans 10:10). Believers were baptized INTO Christ for the remission (forgiveness) of sins (See Galatians 3:27; Colossians 2:12; Acts 2:38; 22:16; Mark 16:16; Romans 6:3-5; 1 Peter 3:20-21), and added to His church (Acts 2:47). Christians were taught to be faithful even to the point of death (Revelation 2:10).

WE WELCOME YOU
Following the instructions of the Scriptures, members of Christ’s body [collectively called the “churches of ChristRomans 16:16),] assemble as congregations for worship, encouragement, and Bible study. The congregation in your community welcomes you to investigate the Bible with us. With a spirit of brotherly love we would seek to reconcile any differences by following the Bible ONLY. We recognize the Bible as God’s inspired word, the ONLY reliable standard of faith and practice. We desire the unity for which Christ prayed and which the Bible emphasizes in the expression, “one Lord, one faith, one baptism.” Together we seek to maintain “the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace.”

A friendly welcome awaits you. We do not wish to embarrass you in any way. You will not be asked for contributions. We assemble for Bible study and worship each Sunday morning and we welcome you to meet with us. We would be happy to talk to you about your questions and we want to be of encouragement.

If you have any comments or questions --- or would like the location and contact names of a congregation of the church belonging to Jesus Christ near you, please contact me at BibleTruthsToU@gmail.com or 253-396-0290 (cell). Thanks Dennis Crawford, editor
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About Me

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At one time I was an Agnostic/atheist, not much caring if God existed or not. Then one day I was challenged to examine the evidences of God and the Bible. These are the basic truths I as "Just a Christian" am trying to share with others on these blog-sites: 1) To provide the “evidences” for God and the creation, the infallibility of the Scriptures, and for Jesus Christ as the Lord and savior of mankind. [Hebrews 11:1] 2) To reach the lost with the complete Gospel of Christ and salvation. [Romans 1:16; 2:16; 5:19-20; Galatians 1:7; 2 Thessalonians 1:8-9] 3) To help Christians to grow in their knowledge and faith and the grace of God, and commitment to following Christ. [1 Peter 2:2] 4) To promote and defend the unity of church and the doctrine of Christ. [Mark 7:7-9; John 10:16; Ephesians 4:4-5; 1 Corinthians 1:10] Please e-mail me at BibleTruths@hotmail.com with any comments or suggestions. Thanks, DC