Know Your Bible
VOL. 13 January 25, 2015 NO. 46
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THE CHURCH AND DENOMINATIONS
Once upon a time, gospel preachers rarely, if ever, joined the ministerial association or participated in religious events with denominational leaders, particularly where this action might suggest or imply approval of sectarian division, human names, and human creeds. A minister of the gospel might be associated with a denominational preacher at a funeral, or in opposing some moral evil in the community, but never in a capacity that suggested he approved or condoned denominational error. There was a strong feeling that the New Testament church was not on a level plane with a church started by King Henry VIII or by John Calvin, and preachers of the gospel seemed cautious about engaging in any activity that would leave an impression that the church was "a denomination among denominations."
The attitude of Thomas Campbell and other restoration preachers was to deplore denominational division. In his "Declaration and Address," Campbell said: "That division among the Christians is a horrid evil, fraught with many evils. It is anti-Christian, as it destroys the visible unity of the body of Christ, as if he were divided against himself, excluding and excommunicating a part of himself. It is anti-scriptural, as being strictly prohibited by his sovereign authority, a direct violation of his express command. It is anti-natural, as it excites Christians to condemn, to hate, and oppose one another, who are bound by the highest and most endearing obligations to love each other as brethren, even as Christ loved them. In a word, it is productive of confusion and every evil work." This has been the general attitude among churches of Christ toward sectarian division and the creeds of men.
It was surprising, therefore, to see the following advertisement in the Jackson Sun (Jackson, TN) On April 21, 2011:
Holy Week Services April 18-22
Monday at First United Methodist Church
Service by Kenneth Grizzell
of Campbell Street Church of Christ
Tuesday at Skyline Church of Christ
Service by Randy Carter
of Northside Assembly of God
Wednesday at St. Mary’s Catholic Church
Service by Charles Fillatreau
of All Saints Anglican Church
Thursday at First Baptist Church
Service by Jeremy Smith
of Family Worship Center
Friday at First Presbyterian
Service by Ben Mandrell
of Englewood Baptist Church
Sponsored by Jackson Area Ministerial Alliance
A love offering will be shared among Area Relief Ministries, RIFA, and Salvation Army
On May 6, 2011, a picture appeared on the front page of the newspaper with the following caption: "The Rev. Kenneth Grizzell with Campbell Street Church of Christ welcomes everyone to breakfast on the National Day of Prayer Thursday at Carl Perkins Civic Center. Grizzell is president of the Jackson Area Ministerial Association."
The world do move.
—Alan Highers
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“YOU HAVE HEARD…”
In the great sermon our Lord delivered on the mountain, He addressed the issue of what was being heard from men. Six times in the fifth chapter of Matthew Jesus said, "Ye have heard," then He sets forth the truth as He says, "but I say unto you."
There are statements we are hearing today from religious people that need to be corrected. It is the Truth that will make us free, not the things we are so often hearing (Jn. 8:32). Herein we thus call attention to some of the things we hear today that need to be corrected. Listen to Jesus as He corrects the modern talk.
You Have Heard:-- "Everybody ought to be keeping the Ten Commandments."
The Bible Says: -- Jesus came to "fulfill" the law, (Matt. 5:17). Jesus "took it out of the way, having nailed it to the cross" (Col. 2:14). We have a covenant that is "better" (Heb. 8:6). So we are now under "the law of Christ" (1 Cor. 9:21).
You Have Heard: -- "Man is justified by faith only."
The Bible Says: -- Justification is by faith -- Rom. 3:24; by grace -- 1 Cor. 6:11; by the blood of Christ -- Rom. 5:9; and by works -- Jas. 2:24; justification is thus by our obedience -- Rom. 2:8.
You Have Heard: -- "There are good people in all denominations." We don't deny this. The issue is who is saved and what it is we must do to be saved and where the Lord puts the saved.
The Bible Says: -- Jesus saves those who obey Him. (Heb. 5:8,9; Matt. 7:21). Those who refuse to believe and obey are not saved. The saved are added by the Lord Himself to His body, the church, not to a denomination started and maintained by men. Read Acts 2:47; 1 Cor. 12:13.
You Have Heard: -- "I want to be saved like the thief on the cross. Jesus didn't tell him to be baptized."
The Bible Says: -- "He that believeth and is baptized shall be saved" (Mk. 16:16). If Jesus is the Savior, why do we want to tell Him how to save us? But, do you really want to be saved like the thief on the cross? Would you want to be a thief? Do you want to be crucified? Do you want to turn the clock of time back and live before the time of Christ's death? Why not desire to be saved like the people of Acts 2:36-38; 22:16!
You Have Heard: -- "Baptism won't save."
The Bible Says: -- "Repent, and be baptized...for the remission of sins,..." Acts 2:38; "...even baptism doth now save us" 1 Pet. 3;21; "He
that believeth and is baptized shall be saved" Mk. 16:16.
You Have Heard: -- "God is too good to send anyone to hell."
The Bible Says: -- God spared not angels and spared not the ancient world (2 Pet;. 2:4,5). Jesus said, "...except ye believe that I am He, ye shall die in your sins" (Jn. 8:24). "...except ye repent, ye shall all in like manner perish" (Lk. 13:3). Does it not sound like hell to you? See Psa. 9:17.
You Have Heard:-- "It makes no difference what you believe just as long as you are honest and sincere."
The Bible Says: -- "Except ye believe that I am He, ye shall die in your sins..." (Jn. 8:24). Now, who says it makes no difference what we believe? "He that believeth not shall be damned" (Mk. 16:16).
You Have Heard: -- "It makes no matter what church you are a member of for one church is as good as another." But who said so?
The Bible Says: -- Jesus purchased (bought) the church with His own blood (Acts 20:28). He is the head of the church (Col. 1:18). It is His body (Eph. 1:22). How many bodies does Christ have? The saved are added by the Lord to His body, His church (Acts 2:47).
—Leo B. Plyler
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Know Your Bible" is e-mailed weekly by the church of Christ which meets at 112 Roberts Avenue in Wise, Virginia. If you know of others who might benefit from the articles contained in this bulletin, we would be glad to have you submit their e-mail addresses and we will include them in next week's mailing. If you are receiving this bulletin and do not wish to continue to do so, please e-mail us with your desire to be removed from the mailing list and we will remove your address promptly. Continue to the bottom of this page and further instructions will be given as to how you may contact us.
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