[This article was written by Larry R. DeVore.]
If I ask you the question, “Are you are a believer in CENI?” you would probably answer, “No, I am a Christian.” Then you would probably ask, “What is a CENI, anyway?”
It sounds like something slightly unpleasant like sinner, doesn’t it? I assure it us not unpleasant – it is something good for us.
Our progressive brethren who are adding instrumental music, Saturday communion, Christmas plays into the worship use it in a derogatory manner against who don’t go along with them.
Example: The Richland Hills Church of Christ in Fort Worth, TX, with 6,400 members. They decided they would add an instrumental music assembly and Saturday evening communion beginning in February 2007. Two of their 17 elders resigned prior to the announcement of their changes.
It stands for C (Command), E (Example), and N (Necessary) I (Implication). The traditional and Biblical way of establishing scriptural authority for all that we do in the work, worship and life of the church. The progressives think that we are backward, anchored to the past in looking for CENI for what the church does. They think it has been replaced by the principle of “love” and a good “spirit” in doing things for God. Of course, they mean, doing the things they want to do in worship and expecting God to accept it because they really, really love Him.
I maintain that if we really, really love Him, we will honor and follow His word, and only do the things He authorizes for us to do in worshipping and serving Him. “If anyone speaks, let him speak as the oracles of God…” (1 Peter 4:11a).
