July 1, 2007

Non-Church Religious Collectives: Are They Authorized?

Man reading the Bible

“Whatever you do in word or deed, do all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks through Him to God the Father” (Colossians 3:17).

This verse is often cited to show the need for us to do only those things that have been authorized in God’s word. To do something “in the name of the Lord” is to do what He has authorized us to do. This principle needs to govern all that we do in our lives.

When the Bible is silent on a particular practice, are we to conclude that it is authorized or prohibited? Some look for a specific prohibition before they will say that a thing is wrong. But the principle in Hebrews 7:14 shows that God’s silence is prohibitive. Jesus could not be a priest under the old law because He was “descended from Judah.” Men from this tribe were prohibited from serving as priests because “Moses spoke nothing concerning priests.” Men from Judah were excluded from becoming priests simply because the Law said nothing about it.

We also need to understand the difference between generic and specific authority. When God specifies something (such as the tribe of Levi for priests), everything else is excluded (Judah and others). When God’s word does not specify something (such as the type of location in which a congregation ought to assemble), we are at liberty to use various options or expedients, provided those options do not violate another instruction or principle (1 Corinthians 10:23).
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June 6, 2007

Support of Preachers

“So also the Lord directed those who proclaim the gospel to get their living from the gospel” (1 Corinthians 9:14).

This verse, along with the verses leading up to it, shows us God’s design that those who devote their lives to preaching the gospel ought to be able to make a living from their work. Local churches and individual Christians ought to take this seriously. Are they, to the best of their ability, allowing those who labor in the gospel to devote their lives wholly to that work?
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June 1, 2007

Forsaking Methodology

[This article was written by Brandon Trout.]

Teaching the Good News can be a difficult work. A Christian is required to anticipate teaching things that may be difficult, even offensive, to their audience. 2 Timothy 4:2 teaches that our responsibility is to “preach the word; be ready in season and out of season; reprove, rebuke, and exhort, with complete patience and teaching” [ESV – et seq.]. The writer then continues to caution that many will “turn away from listening to the truth,” seeking out teachers who will “suit their own passions.”Continue Reading

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June 1, 2007

Preparing to Preach

Man holding Bible on road

One who decides to devote his life to the preaching of the gospel is to be commended. It is an important work and one which will always be needed. But how would a man who has decided to devote his life to the gospel prepare to do the work?
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March 1, 2007

“Preach Christ, Not the Church”

Crosses

In the religious world, we have what seems to be a countless number of churches. All have their particular name, creed, organization, and practices. But when we turn to the pages of the New Testament, we read of the one true church. Jesus promised to build one church (Matthew 16:18). Jesus purchased one church (Acts 20:28). Jesus is the head of one church (Ephesians 1:22-23). The one true church is the universal body of the saved.

Whenever we read of churches (plural) in the New Testament, it refers to local churches. “All the churches of Christ greet you” (Romans 16:16). Paul wrote “to the churches of Galatia” (Galatians 1:2). The book of Revelation was addressed to the “seven churches” in Asia (Revelation 1:11). Notice these are all local churches, not confederations of local churches, or denominations (i.e. the Baptist church, Methodist church, Episcopal church, etc.).

Yet this teaching that there is but one true church is not popular. Most professed Christians believe that one church is as good as another. People are told to join the church of their choice. After all, they all believe in Christ, so they are all basically the same. This is the mentality of many. They do not want to condemn or be critical of any other church. They do not think we should do so either. So they tell us to preach Christ, not the church.
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February 1, 2007

Reverend

[This article was written by Tim Haile.]

King David said of God, “He has sent redemption to His people; He has commanded His covenant forever: holy and reverend is His name” (Psalm 111:9). David exalted God’s name as being “holy and reverend.” David gave this description on the basis of God’s ability to send redemption and establish His eternal covenant. Obviously, these two things are utterly impossible for man to do, so man is not in this classification. “Holy” means “set apart,” and “reverend” means “to fear, to be afraid, to stand in awe of.” So, in this context David describes God’s name as “holy” because it is set far apart from any ordinary name, and God’s name is “reverend” because God is to be feared and honored for His greatness, glory and power.
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January 1, 2007

Constants in a Changing World

River

This world is full of constant change. Many things come and go, whether they are people, cultures, governments, trends, or fashions. Yet the writer of Ecclesiastes noted, “There is nothing new under the sun” (Ecclesiastes 1:9). The changes we see are just perpetual cycles that exist in this world. But in the midst of the changes we face in this life, there are certain fundamental truths that will always remain constant.
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