The All-Sufficient Church

The Church of Christ has a distinctive founder, builder, head, body, mission, plan of salvation, membership, worship, name, doctrine, and work. (Isaiah 28:16; Ephesians 2:20; Colossians 1:18; Ephesians 4:4; Mark 16:15; Acts 2:38; Acts 2:47; John 4:24; Acts 11:26; Colossians 3:17; 1 Corinthians 15:58).

The New Testament provides no legislation for organizations larger or smaller than the New Testament church!

 Anything larger than, smaller than, or other than this is a failure. The divine wisdom of God was demonstrated in making each local church self-governing under Christ (Philippians 1:1). The church of Christ is the divine missionary society. Any missionary society larger or smaller than or different from the local congregation is unscriptural. This not to say that churches cannot cooperate. The New Testament teaches that churches may cooperate in evangelism (Acts 11:21-22); in benevolence (Acts 11:29-30); and in edification (Acts 11:23).

This does not negate the right of the Church of Christ to support orphan homes. An orphan home is just that: a home, not the church! Congregational autonomy does not affect churches cooperating. As Everett Ferguson points out: This independence by the local church is often called ‘congregational autonomy,’ that is, self-governing, congregations. Autonomy is not a wholly satisfactory word. In regard to faith and practice, the church is a monarchy, subject to its Lord. But in matters of opinion, expediency, and human judgment each church is an independent, self-governing unit, and in this sense autonomy is an appropriate word. But autonomy is not isolation. The early churches practiced a fullness of fellowship, cooperation, mutual assistance, and communication (The Church of Christ, A Biblical Ecclesiology for Today. p. 345).

Some brethren have established organizations under the heading “work of the churches of Christ” when in reality they are robbing the church of its work. Some organizations among brethren today are not under an eldership, and therefore, they are not bringing glory to Christ and His Church, but rather to some man-made organization. History brings to light the American Christian Missionary Society and the present age features various appendages which represent man-made organizations that have been created beyond the organization of the church of Christ. The purpose and mission of many of these teach by example and by their very existence imply that the church is inadequate for its task and they deny God’s declaration of the all-sufficiency of His church!

Reflections by a Pioneer

This I Remember, by B.C. Goodpasture

William Henry Book was an outstanding preacher of the Christian’ Church. He was born in Newcastle, Virginia, on July 4, 1863; educated at Milligan College Milligan College, Tennessee; preached for the Tabernacle Church of Christ, Columbus, Indiana, for twenty years. He was the author of Real Life and Original Sayings of W. H. Book, Tabernacle Sermons, 2 Volumes, Indiana Pulpit, and Sermons for the People.

During the later years of his life he spent the winter months in Orlando, Florida. He usually spent a night in Atlanta enroute to Florida. I was living in Atlanta at the time. Usually when stopping in the city, he called me and asked me to come up to his hotel and talk with him. These visits were enjoyable and profitable. Book was regarded by many of his brethren as ultra-conservative. He told me more than once that, the use of instrumental music in the worship was a matter of indifference to him. He said that if he were preaching for a church that did not want it, he would not insist on having it; but, if, on the other hand, a church wanted it, he would not oppose it. ‘ Book was what some would call a strong “first principle” preacher. I heard him preach a powerful sermon on the Conversion of the Eunuch, while he was in a meeting in East Point, near Atlanta. He told me about being asked to preach at the Peachtree Christian Church, an “open membership” church. He said he preached on Pentecost and What Happened. He said he saw to it that one “gospel sermon” was preached in that imposing building.

But the thing I remember and cherish most is what he said about Brother Hardeman. At the time the Christian Church Committee was looking for a man to meet Brother Hardeman in debate, Book was asked. He said: “No; I will not meet Brother Hardeman in debate; I am more in agreement with him than I am with you fellows.” It will be remembered that Ira M. Boswell of Georgetown, Kentucky, was selected to meet Brother Hardeman.

(Gospel Advocate, November 18, 1976).

“He Being Dead, Yet Speaketh”

We are blessed to have many in our past who set godly examples and left their mark in the great works they accomplished. Brother Foy E. Wallace Jr. must be classed as an individual who though dead, yet speaks volumes! One of the treasures he left to us was The Instrumental Music Question. Deep within this rich work is the following simple, yet powerful teaching set forth on the question of mechanical instrumental music in worship. Brother Wallace gives us a syllogism on the subject, which concludes that instrumental music in worship is an authority issue.

Number one:
1. To use things not authorized in the worship is going beyond the teaching of Christ.
2. Instrumental music is not authorized in the worship by Christ.
3. Therefore, instrumental music in the worship is going beyond the teaching of Christ.

Number two:
1. To go beyond the teaching of Christ is transgression.
2. Instrumental music in worship is going beyond the teaching of Christ.
3. Therefore, instrumental music in the worship is transgression.

Number three:
1. Transgression of the law of Christ is sin.
2. Instrumental music in worship is transgression of the law of Christ.
3. Therefore, instrumental music in worship is sin.

The whole question of the use of instrumental music in worship involves respect for the word of God, a recognition of the authority of Jesus Christ (Foy E. Wallace Jr. The Instrumental Music Question. p. 240).

SM

The Lord’s Supper

We are prone to forget that which we should remember.  How can enlightened people forget Jesus Christ?  How can we forget his coming to redeem sinful humanity?  How can we forget his sacrifices on the cross?

Jesus instituted the Lord’s Supper because he wanted to be remembered.  The place of the Lord’s Supper is in the kingdom. “I tell you I will not drink again of this fruit of the vine until that day when I drink it new with you in my Father’s kingdom” (Matthew 26:29).  This was the practice of the early church.  “On the first day of the week, when we were gathered together to break bread”  (Acts 20:7).  Partaking of the Lord’s Supper has special meaning to the Christian.  “The cup of blessing that we bless, is it not a participation in the blood of Christ? The bread that we break, is it not a participation in the body of Christ?” (1 Corinthians 10:16).

The following statement pinpoints the humility and thankfulness that should be associated with our participation in this act of worship.

When I come to the Lord’s Table, I come, not because I am worthy: not for any righteousness of mine, for I have sinned and fallen short of what, by God’s help. I might have been,

I come, not that there is any magic in partaking of the symbols for Christ’s body and blood. But I come. because Christ bids me come. it is His table and He invites me.

I come, because it is a memorial to Him — as often as it is done in remembrance of Him. And when I remember Him — His life, His suffering, death, burial, and resurrection, I find myself humbling myself in His presence and bowing before Him in worship.

I come, because here is portrayed Christian self-denial, and I am taught very forcibly the virtues of sacrifice on behalf of another, sacrifice which has salvation in it.

I come, because here I have the opportunity to acknowledge my unworthiness  and to make a new start.

I come, because here I find comfort and peace.

I come, because I rise from this place with new strength, courage and power, to live for Him who died for men.

SM

Getting More Out Of Bible Class

The Bible is God’s Word! Man’s usefulness in life as well as his happiness in eternity demands an understanding of and obedience to the Word of God! Since knowledge of spiritual things can only be obtained through the Bible (2 Peter 1:3), it becomes essential for us to study it! A regular reading habit is required if we want to have a good working knowledge of the Scriptures (Colossians 4:16). Bible students will read the Bible and then seek to understand and apply it (Nehemiah 8:8).

BIBLE CLASS ENCOURAGES…

Coming together
Bible class is a time of coming together as students and receiving instruction from God. Fellowship with one another in the Spirit will strengthen and encourage one another.

Commitment
We must be committed as Christians to a studious lifestyle of searching the Scriptures. Dedication is necessary in being a faithful child of God.

Communication
Through Bible study we engage in communication. We listen to what the Father has to say to us through His Word. This communication has involved the Holy Spirit (John 16:13), the Son Jesus Christ (John 14:23), and holy men of God (2 Peter 1:20-21).

Christian growth A healthy appetite for knowledge of God’s Word will aid us in our growth as a Christian! “But also for this very reason, giving all diligence, add to your faith virtue, to virtue knowledge, to knowledge self-control, to self-control perseverance, to perseverance godliness, to godliness brotherly kindness, and to brotherly kindness love” (2 Peter 1:5-7).

Carrying your Bible
Bringing your own Bible to class has several benefits. 1. Your example. 2. Adding notes learned in class to the margins of your Bible. 3. Familiarity (Luke 4:16-20). 4. Mark of a studious person.

Conducting your own study throughout the rest of the week
Simply taking the preacher or teacher’s word will not suffice; we must desire to research for ourselves to ensure we are abiding in the truth (Acts 17:11; 2 John 9-11).

Ira North and Church Benevolence

There are two extreme positions that one can take on the question,  “Must all benevolent work be done through the church treasury?” First, the position that  benevolent work must be done through the church treasury and second, the position that it should all be done individually.   In this case, as in so many others, the truth lies between the two extremes. The Bible does not say that everything must be done through the church treasury.  If so, a cup of cold water could not be given in the name of Christ without running it through the church treasury. ,We must do all in the name of Christ or by the authority of Christ. The  Book does not say, “And whatsoever you do in word or in  deed, do all through the church treasury.” Yet, it is a  mark of wisdom for Christians to do all they can through the local congregation.

I was born and reared in the shadow of David Lipscomb College and the great spiritual giants such as David Lipscomb, James A. Harding, and H. Leo Boles had great influence in my home country. My great-grandfather and  grandfather were preachers. My father is an elder in the church. I have been taught from my youth up that it is a mark of wisdom whenever possible, for Christians to do benevolent work through the local congregation.  When a local congregation in a community is active in benevolent work, it puts the church in a favorable light before the public, it builds good will for the church of our Lord, and it causes the church to be spoken well of by outsiders.  From my own study of the Bible, I know of no reason to reject these thoughts which I received in my youth.

Abilene Christian College Lectures (1950’s)

The Preaching Business by Charles Hodge

Only preachers preach. Church, get yourself a preacher. Tragically, we have office managers, lecturers, storytellers, speakers, psychologists, entertainers, comedians, but we don’t’ have preachers! A read sermon is a dead sermon. Foy Wallace used to say, “We have preacherettes preaching sermonettes to Christianettes who smoke cigarettes.” Too much preaching is not preaching. I am a country boy. I practiced preaching to cows. One cow ate my sermon notes; she dried up. In listing his jobs, Paul listed preaching before apostle and teacher (1 Timothy 2:7).

God’s sheep are starving at the Master’s table. Our brotherhood is starved for simple, plain gospel preaching. We cannot have a bully pulpit that beats people up; we do need a gospel pulpit that shakes people up. We hire preachers telling the church they are better than they are; we then fire them, telling the church they were worse than they are.

Brethren have become “lookers” rather than “listeners.” God calls us through our ears not our eyes. Preach it!

(Gospel Advocate, January 2009, p. 48)

The 1906 Division

The 1906 Division – Principles For Today by Alan E. Highers.

A Commentator’s Question’s On The Use of Mechanical Instrumental Music In Worship

“And with them Heman and Jeduthun, to sound aloud with trumpets and cymbals and the musical instruments of God. Now the sons of Jeduthun were gatekeepers” (1 Chronicles 16:42).

• Did God ever ordain instruments of music to be used in his worship?

• Can they be used in Christian assemblies according to the spirit of Christianity?

• Has Jesus Christ, or his apostles, ever commended or sanctioned the use of them?

• Were they ever used any where in the apostolic church?

• Does the use of them at present, in Christian congregations, ever increase the spirit of devotion?

• Does it ever appear that bands of musicians, either in their collective or individual capacity, are more spiritual, or as spiritual, as the other parts of the church of Christ?

• Is there less pride, self-will, stubbornness, insubordination, lightness, and frivolity among such persons than among the other professors of Christianity found in the same religious society?

• Is it ever remarked or known that musicians in the house of God have attained to any depth of piety, or superior soundness of understanding, in the things of God?

• Is it ever found that those churches and Christian societies which have and use instruments of music in divine worship are more holy, or as holy, as those societies which do not use them?

• And is it always found that the ministers which affect and recommend them to be used in the worship of Almighty God, are the most spiritual men, and the most spiritual and useful preachers?

• Can mere sounds, no matter how melodious, where no word nor sentiment is or can be uttered, be considered as giving praise to God?

• Is it possible that pipes or strings of any kind can give God praise?

• Can God be pleased with sounds which are emitted by no sentient being, and have in themselves no meaning?

• If these questions cannot be answered in the affirmative; then, query, Is not the introduction of such instruments into the worship of God antichristian, and calculated to debase and ultimately ruin the spirit and influence of the Gospel of Jesus Christ?

• And should not all who wish well to the spread and establishment of pure and undefiled religion, lift up their hand, their influence and their voice against them? The argument from their use in the Jewish service is futile in the extreme when applied to Christianity.

–Clarke’s Commentary, Volume II, pp. 610-611

The following observation is certainly applicable today… (SM)

• “My brethren, we ought to be ashamed to allow a Methodist commentator to lift up his hand more strongly, and use his influence more determinedly,and lift up his voice more loudly than we do against the introduction of things foreign to the simple worship of God” (Fred E. Dennis, Fifty Short Sermons II, p. 75)

The Indwelling Spirit

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