February 18, 2009

Turning the Lord’s Supper into a Common Meal

Many disagreements between conservative-minded and liberal-minded brethren center around what is done in the assembly of the local church. One notable point of contention has to do with the practice of the Lord’s Supper. Some are advocating (or already practice this) that we turn the Lord’s Supper into more than just a simple memorial, but make it into a common meal.
Continue Reading

Filed Under: Links Tagged With: ,
October 1, 2008

The Importance of the Assembly

Pews

The New Testament instructs us of the importance of assembling with the local church. The Hebrew writer warned that we must “not [forsake] our own assembling together, as is the habit of some, but encouraging one another; and all the more as you see the day drawing near” (Hebrews 10:25).

The assembly is important. Let us notice why it is important.
Continue Reading

Filed Under: Articles Tagged With: , , , ,
June 1, 2008

Instrumental Music in Worship to God

One of the things that sets the Lord’s church apart from most denominations has to do with the music used in worship. Most denominations use instruments in their music for worship. Faithful brethren have rightly opposed this for years. The practice, however, is certainly not going away. There seems to be more and more in the church who see nothing wrong with the use of instruments in worship. Every so often it is necessary to remind brethren why we do not use instruments. To stop teaching on a topic can eventually lead to apostasy. So let us briefly examine why we do not use instrumental music in worship to God.

Before we begin this study though, I believe a point needs to be made. The issue of instrumental music in worship is important, but there is a much larger issue that is at the heart of this. It has to do with Bible authority. What has God authorized us to do? It is important to understand the issue over instrumental music – not just for this one issue, but because the principles we use to determine God’s will on the topic are what we need to use to determine God’s will in so many of the things that we do. With that in mind, let us consider this subject.
Continue Reading

Filed Under: Articles Tagged With: , ,
April 9, 2008

In Spirit and Truth

Prayer, worship

“But an hour is coming, and now is, when the true worshipers will worship the Father in spirit and truth; for such people the Father seeks to be His worshipers. God is spirit, and those who worship Him must worship in spirit and truth” (John 4:23-24).

This passage is often cited to show how we are to worship. We must worship God in spirit and truth.
Continue Reading

Filed Under: Articles Tagged With: , ,
January 1, 2008

Measures of a Sound Church

Church building

How can we know if a local church is a sound church? First, what do we mean by a sound church? This particular phrase is not used in the New Testament. But the word “sound” is used to describe teaching, doctrine, and words (1 Timothy 1:10; 2 Timothy 1:13; 4:3). The Greek word which is translated “sound” means to have good health, to be well, and to be uncorrupted. This word can certainly be used in reference to a local church. So how do we know if a church is “sound”?
Continue Reading

Filed Under: Articles Tagged With: , , , ,
February 1, 2007

Nation’s Largest Church of Christ Adds Instrumental Music and Saturday Night Communion

[This article was written by Larry R. DeVore.]

Moses E. Lard wrote in April 1865 at the end of the Civil War these words: “He is a poor observer of men and things who does not see slowly growing up among us a class of men who can no longer be satisfied with the ancient gospel and the ancient order of things. These men must have changes; and silently they are preparing the mind of the brotherhood to receive changes. Do not be deceived, brethren, the Devil is not sleeping. If you refuse to see the danger till ruin is upon you, then it will be too late.” (Quoted in Churches of Christ During the Civil War, page 106, by Dayton Keesee). In the light of happenings today among Churches of Christ, he could have written these words in April 2006.
Continue Reading

Filed Under: Articles, Religious News Tagged With: , , ,
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.
Continue Reading

Filed Under: Articles Tagged With: , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , ,