By Kenneth E. Thomas No one is authorized to speak for the different local congregations of Christians who are usually known as churches of Christ. Consequently no one is qualified nor authorized to tell you what a particular local church of Christ believes. Hopefully they believe and practice only those things that are authorized in the New Testament nothing more nothing less and nothing else.
Each congregation of Christians is made up of folks who have been saved in the blood of Jesus
by having obeyed the gospel of Christ (Acts 2:37-38, 41 47; 1 Corinthians 15:1-4). This one
universal body does not formulate doctrine, neither does the membership on the local level. The
Bible alone determines when a local group of Christians are indeed a church of Christ. If a group
departs from the doctrine of Christ in any particular, they have to that extent lost their identity
with Christ and are in danger of having their "candlestick removed" or their identity with Christ
terminated ( Revelation 2:5; 2 John 9-10; Galatians 1:6-10; Matthew 15:9; 2 Timothy 4:1-8).
For what do faithful churches of Christ plead in the religious
community?
Our plea is for religious unity based solely on the Bible (2 Timothy 3:16-17; John 16:12-13; 2
Peter 1:3; Revelation 22:18-19; 1 Peter 4:11). Unity cannot be attained nor maintained using
any other standard of authority. So we plead with our own brethren and with all of our religious
friends to be sure we have a Bible created faith, and that we all learn to "..speak as the oracles of
God.." (1 Peter 4:11), calling Bible things by Bible names, and doing Bible things in Bible ways
(Colossians 3:17; Matthew 7:13-29).
Our plea is not to restore the church of Christ, it never went out of existence.
We plead with folks to learn from the Bible, specifically the New Testament scriptures, how to become simply and only a Christian as folks did in the first century A.D. when "no differing denominations existed..."(Edward T. Hiscox Standard Manual For Baptist Churches, page 22).
People having been "added by the Lord to His church" (Acts 2:22-38,40-41,47; Colossians
1:13-14),then set up local assemblies patterned after those congregations which Paul and others
planted in various areas of their world as guided by the Holy Spirit in the early days of the religion
of Christ (Acts 14:23; Titus 1:5; Acts 20:28; Philippians 1:1-2; 1 Peter 5:1-4; Hebrews
13:7,17). We believe this is right and cannot be wrong. It requires neither more nor less for
fellowship in the one body of Christ than was required in the first century a.d., nor does it require
more or less for "joining" one's self to a local church than knowing one is a faithful member of
Christ's universal body, His church (Acts 9:18-20; Acts 9:26-28; 1 John 1:1-9).
Not a denominational movement
While we are not ashamed to admit that much which some of us have learned was first recognized on this continent by some prominent men in what has come to be known as "The Restoration Movement" of the early 1790's & 1800's, when such great men as James O Kelly, Abner Jones, Elias Smith, Barton W. Stone, Thomas and his son Alexander Campbell and many others who saw the evils of denominational divisions and plead with folks to unite on the Bible alone, we are not a part of a "movement" so much as we are heirs in understanding in part at least, to what some of these men learned from a study of God's word. Seed in both the physical as well as the spiritual realms always reproduces "after its kind" (Genesis 1:11; Luke 8:11; Galatians 6:7-8). Consequently, if one secures the pure seed, the word of Christ as found in the New Testament, when such is sown (taught, believed and obeyed), it will produce what ever it produced in the first century on any continent in the world.
When a crop of "ists" "tist" and "dists" etc., are produced, it must be obvious that someone
has mixed the seed somehow. All the seed, the word of Christ, is capable of reproducing is a
harvest of pure un-denominational and non-denominational Christians (Isaiah 56:5; 62:2; Acts
4:10-12; Acts 11:26b; 1 Corinthians 1:10-12; Acts 26:28; 1 Peter 4:16).
How many churches of Christ are there?
Since the New Testament recognizes no organization larger, smaller, or other than the local
assembly of Christians, and since each of these is self governed, no man or group of men have the
right to speak on behalf of these churches. With no centralized controlling hierarchy or agencies,
no conventions, synods, nor associations existing among us, it cannot be determined how many
there are. Occasionally someone desiring to know will send out questionnaires to as many
addresses as they can find and attempt to get a listing to accommodate folks who travel around
the country a lot. Sometimes they place advertisements in a paper that is widely circulated around
the brotherhood asking folks to write in information to one who is compiling such a listing. There
is no doubt that there are many who are never contacted nor who send the requested information
and are consequently never listed in such "church directories." As Paul wrote about the Lord's
great house, " the Lord knows those that are His" (2 Timothy 2:19). Besides, since only the
Lord can remove the candlestick which represents those local congregations belonging to Him,
any listing we may do may be in error, for some may be churches of Christ in name only, and
their lampstand (candlestick) may have long since been removed (Revelation 2:4-5; 3:1).
What do Christians, members of the church of Christ, believe about the Bible?
If one is a faithful Christian, hence a member of Christ's church, one believes that the cannon of
Scripture was set hundreds of years before the first un-inspired council of men ever met to sit in
judgment as to what should and should not be included in said "Cannon." The original
autographed manuscripts were word by word divinely inspired (1 Corinthians 2:1-16; 2
Timothy 3:16-17; 1 Corinthians 14:37; 2 Peter 3:15-16; Ephesians 3:1-6). Therefore, the
Bible is our only infallible guide. All preaching and teaching must be in keeping with a "thus saith
the Lord" or as Peter said we must "...speak as the oracles of God" (1 Peter 4:11). This is
essential because Jesus promised and fulfilled His promise to guide the inspired writers into "all
truth" (John 16:12-13; 1 Corinthians 13:8; James 1:25). Faithful Christians are urged by
elders and preachers to compare that taught with the apostle's doctrine as the noble Bereans of
Paul's day compared the Old Testament Scriptures to what he claimed they taught (Acts 17:11).
The New Testament specifically is the final authority in every faithful local church of Christ for it
is the will of Christ (Hebrews 1:1-3; 2:1-4; 7:12; 10:9-10; 2 Corinthians 3:1-18; Acts 3:22-23;
Matthew 17:5; Colossians 3:17; 2 John 9-11). Different versions of the Scriptures may vary in
content due to un-inspired men's work when they allow prejudice to come between them and
being faithful to the text of the original manuscripts. Still, God by His providence has promised
that His word will never pass away (Matthew 24:35; 1 Peter 1:22-25). I believe Him. What
about you? The word, "the books," will be there on judgment day (Revelation 20:12-15; John
12:48; Romans 2:6-16; 2 Corinthians 5:10-11).
Do members of the churches of Christ believe in the virgin birth of Jesus Christ?
As in the previous answers yes, they do, if they are faithful to what the Scriptures teach both in
the Old and New Testaments. The first promised of a virgin born son of the "seed of woman"
not man and woman, was promised in (Genesis 3:15). His heel would be bruised but He would
give a head wound to the Devil. Jesus fulfilled both predictions when he was indeed born of the
Virgin Mary who had never "known" a man in the conjugal relationship and when He arose
victoriously over death the third day (Isaiah 7:14; 9:6; Matthew 1:18-25; Romans 1:1-4; 1
Corinthians 15:1-4).
Do you folks believe in Predestination?
The answer to this question is both yes and no. Yes, we believe that God had a predetermined plan by which men may be saved. We believe this plan involves the Son of God and the church His blood purchased. John the immerser near the time for the virgin born Son of God to begin His ministry, preached that the Jews should repent for the kingdom of God was at hand (Matthew 3:1-3). When Jesus began preaching after being baptized by John to "fulfill all righteousness" and after being tempted by Satan in the wilderness, said to the same people, "..Repent: for the kingdom of heaven is at hand" (Matthew 4:17). He also said-"The time is fulfilled, and the kingdom of God is at hand" in (Mark 1:15). To another audience He said some of them would live to see the kingdom... come "with power" (Mark 9:1). After John was dead Jesus promised, based on Peter's inspired confession of the deity of Jesus, "upon this rock I will build My church.."(Matthew 16:18-19).
This relationship was planned and promised from eternity (Ephesians 3:8-11). On Pentecost, the birthday of Christ's church, Peter told these rebellious Jews that the events which had transpired were in keeping with God's predetermined plan to give His Son for the sins of mankind.
"Ye men of Israel, hear these words; Jesus of Nazareth, a man approved of God among you by miracles and wonders and signs, which God did by Him in the midst of you, as you yourselves also know:
Him, being delivered by the determinate council and foreknowledge of God, ye have taken, and by wicked hands have crucified and slain: Whom God hath raised up,.."(Acts 2:22-24).
No, we do not believe that individuals are born either elect or non elect destined to be saved or lost by God's predetermined will. "God is no respecter of persons.."(Acts 10:34). God is not willing that any should perish, but that all should come to repentance" (2 Peter 3:9). Jesus "tasted of death for every man" (Hebrews 2:9; John 3:16-17; Romans 5:5-9; Revelation 22:17). These passages show "whosoever" will may come to Christ, obey His gospel and be saved thereby. (1 Timothy 2:4) says "God desires that all men to be saved, and come to a knowledge of the truth."
Peter told the people on Pentecost to "..save yourselves from this crooked generation" (Acts
2:40). Paul told Christians that they must "work out your own salvation with fear and
trembling" (Philippians 2:12). Man is a "free moral agent" capable of hearing what is taught
and weighing the message with a view to either accepting or rejecting. Peter had no idea but what
his audience could act on his instructions without being "acted upon" by an outside force (the
Holy Spirit) enabling them to act. Hence he put the responsibility on them to respond. The Holy
Spirit uses agency, His word, to move people to do the will of Christ (Ephesians 6:17; 2
Corinthians 5:18-20).
I understand you folks practice only immersion as baptism. Why is this so?
We are not at liberty to determine what pleases Christ objectively. We must adhere to what He sent the Holy Spirit to reveal to his apostles. They wrote this down in the New Testament for all men of all time to know the will of Christ in this, as well as all other matters relative to the "doctrine of Christ" and we must abide in what they revealed (John 16:12-13; 2 John 9-11; Galatians 1:6-10).
The apostle Paul wrote the following to the Ephesians, "One Lord, one faith, one baptism"
(Eph. 4:5). Our task is to learn what this "one baptism" is. There had been other baptisms such as John's baptism ,the baptism of suffering, the baptism of the Holy Spirit, etc. There is one baptism reserved for the future, the baptism of fire or eternal torment (Matt. 3:11-12).
When Paul penned the Ephesian letter all past baptisms had served their purpose and had passed away. This is why he said "one baptism." This one baptism is immersion in water of a penitent believer for the forgiveness of past sins and into the body of Christ. The very meaning of the word translated into our English word "baptize" means only to "dip, immerse, plunge." It comes from the Greek word "baptizo." Look up this word in a Greek lexicon not your English dictionary. English dictionaries define a word according to its present usage.
The language of Scripture will help one to understand what the one baptism is, as one reads cases where it was practiced or spoken about. For example: Paul speaks of this act of faith as a burial, a planting, and a resurrection to newness of life (Romans 6:3-4; Colossians 2:12; Romans 6:16-18). It pictures the death, burial and resurrection of Jesus each time one yields to Him in compliance to His instructions as given in the "Great Commission."
When the Evangelist Philip "preached Jesus" to the eunuch recorded in (Acts 8:26-39), we learn that the eunuch requested water baptism of the preacher. Philip accommodated him by commanding the chariot to stand still. They got out, went "down into the water, both Philip and the eunuch; and he baptized him. And when they were come up out of the water,.." Even John's baptism prior to the baptism of the Great Commission, according to New Testament writers, required "much water" (John 3:23). Immersion requires folks coming to the water, going down into the water, and coming up out of the water. Other "modes" called baptism do not fit the Biblical meaning of the word nor do they picture a "form of Christ's Death, Burial, and Resurrection as does this one baptism authorized and commanded in Scripture. Besides, those who offer a "choice of Sprinkling, Pouring, or Immersion," have two too many baptism to agree with what Paul wrote in (Ephesians 4:5).
Actually there is no such thing as "modes" of baptism. Baptism is only immersion. It is a verb
denoting only that action. To say that one may be "baptized by sprinkling" or by "pouring"
would be as senseless as saying that one may "walk by flying." They are different verbs denoting
different actions. We will deal more in depth with the Scriptural "design" or "purpose" assigned
by Christ and His apostles to this action later.
Why don't you folks practice infant baptism?
That's a good question I suppose. I would, however, suggest that a better question would be "Why do others practice infant baptism?" The one involved in a given practice is the one who should be called upon to give the Biblical answer in defense of said practice according to (1 Peter 3:15; 4:11; 2 John 9; Galatians 1:8-9).
It is my understanding that infant baptism began in a vain attempt to remove what they "claim" infants possess, "inherited or Adamic sin." The Catholic dictionary says not only that "water may be poured on the head of the recipient, but also that this removes both original and actual sins (in the case of adults).." (Encyclopedic Dictionary, pg. 21 Catholic Bible). (Of Adam and Eve) "..By this sin they fell from their original righteousness, and communion with God, and so became dead in sin, and wholly defiled in all the faculties and parts of soul and body.
They being the root of all mankind, the guilt of this sin was imputed, and the same death in sin and corrupted nature conveyed, to all their posterity, descending from them by ordinary generation. From this original corruption, whereby we are utterly indisposed, disabled, and made opposite to all good, and wholly inclined to all evil, do proceed all actual transgressions" (Presbyterian Constitution. Pages 34,5,6, Emphasis mine, ket).
Quotes of like nature may be found in many Creeds written by un-inspired men. Nothing could
be farther from the truth of the teaching of Jesus Christ than the above! I include them here so
that you may see why some began the practice of infant baptism, or what they call baptism.
What Christ taught about infants
Jesus said, "Suffer (allow) little children, and forbid them not, to come unto Me: for of such is the kingdom of heaven" (Matthew 19:14). In another context Jesus said, "Verily I say unto you, Except ye be converted, and become as little children, ye shall not enter into the kingdom of heaven" (Matthew 18:3).
The very definition of sin will show who may become guilty (1 John 3:4; James 1:13-15).
We do not "baptize" infants because they have no sin and because the New Testament teaches
no such doctrine. The only proper candidates from Scriptural baptism are penitent believers upon
confession of their faith in Jesus Christ (Mark 16:15-16; Matthew 10:32; Romans 10:9-10;
Acts 2:38; Acts 8:37; Romans 6:3-4; Colossians 3:17). It is not abiding in the doctrine of
Christ and is therefore a sinful practice, rather than a wonderful thing as God (Christ) views it (2
John 9).
Why do you folks observe Communion every week? Others don't do this that often. Won't
it become less meaningful if done each week as I understand you folks do?
Does preaching, the collection, praying, and Bible study become less meaningful when done each week? I should think not. Besides, we aren't at liberty to make such a decision as to its frequency based on such subjective "arguments." What does the Bible teach about this subject? That's what must be determined.
We learn that we are to observe communion by the fact that Jesus Christ who instituted this
memorial said in clear language, "This do...in remembrance of Me" (Luke 22:19; Matthew
26:26-28). The apostles who were guided into "all truth" (John 16:13), observed this memorial
on the "first day of the week" (Acts 20:7). So from this approved apostolic example we know
the day. Then by what is known as a necessary inference from the same passage (Acts 20:7),
we learn that it is to be observed every first day of the week as often as they come around. The
Jew understood this language from the Old Testament commandment to "remember the Sabbath
day and keep it holy" (Exodus 20:8), to mean as often as the seventh (Sabbath) day came. Each
week has a first day just as each week has a seventh day. Since we are under the law of Christ
(Matthew 17:5), we must be as careful to observe the communion each Lord's day as the Jew
was to observe the Sabbath each week. If you go to work and they tell you payday is on Friday. I
wonder if you would show up each Friday for your pay check? I have no doubt that you would
understand the language when your pay check was under consideration. I know folks understand
(1 Corinthians 16:2) which says "upon the first day of the week let every one of you lay be him
in store..." to authorize a weekly contribution. Why can they see this in the case of taking up the
collection and are unable to understand the identical language where communion is concerned?
You be the judge. There is always a way that is right and cannot be wrong. It is both safe and
scriptural to observe this great memorial each week.
I
Did you know that of all eight New Testament passages where music is mentioned, all of them
speak of only one kind of music? You guessed it, it is singing. Following are the passages:
(Matthew 26:30; Acts 16:25; Romans 15:9; 1 Corinthians 14:15; Ephesians 5:19;
Colossians 3:16; Hebrews 2:12; James 5:13). Whether in an assembly of the saints gathered for
worship services, or when an individual praises the Lord in music, it must be the kind of music He
has authorized. It is just as sinful to substitute another kind of music in worship as it was in the
case of Cain to offer the fruit of the ground in (Genesis 4:3-6), and as it was for Nadab and
Abihu to "offer strange fire which the Lord commanded not" ( Leviticus 10:1-3). To please the
Lord, one must "walk by faith." Faith comes by hearing the word of God (2 Corinthians 5:7;
Romans 10:17).Where there is no instruction for a given practice, one sins who engages in such
(2 John 9). It is just that simple. An act engaged in when there is no information in God's word,
simply cannot be an act of faith. Do other religious folks know this? Yes they do! Let us notice
what some of them have written about music in worship.
Some testimony from some Protestant reformers who were respected by many
John Calvin, a prominent man and one of the founders of the Presbyterian church: "Musical
instruments in celebrating the praises of God would be no more suitable than the burning of
incense, the lighting up of lamps, the restoration of the other shadows of the law. The Papist,
therefore have foolishly borrowed this, as well as many other things, from the Jews" (John
Calvin's Commentary, Thirty-Third Psalm).
Adam Clark John Wesley Martin Luther John Knox Charles Spurgeon Conybeare and Howson
The quotes above are not in and of themselves used as our authority. Our authority, or in the case of instrumental music in worship, the lack of authority is the fact that the New Testament is silent regarding their use. It speaks specifically to the kind of music we are authorized to use. The music is, as seen, vocal. I use quotes from un-inspired men to show that it isn't only members of the church of Christ who know this fact. It amazes me that the same folks who place such stock in other doctrinal positions taken by these reformers of the Protestant Reformation period, part company with them when the music controversy is under consideration. I wonder why this is so? I'm sure the reason would differ according to whom one may ask the question. Folks are prone to do what they enjoy and what they want rather than seeking to know what the Lord's will is in this, and a host of other doctrinal matters. Foy E. Wallace Jr, used to say something like the following: "When folks do what pleases them rather than what God has authorized in worship, it doesn't fall far short of self worship." I believe he hit the proverbial nail right on the head!
The first mechanical instrument of music ever known to have been used in the worship assembly of those professing to follow Jesus Christ, was among the apostate Roman Catholics in about 670 A.D. It caused such a furor that they removed it and it wasn't re-introduced until about the thirteenth century.
The above are facts of history that anyone who desires may check into. Hopefully folks will be
content to believe and practice that which is found in the New Testament of Jesus Christ. He said,
"There is a judge for the one who rejects Me and does not accept My words; that very
word which I spoke will condemn him at the last day" (John 12:48 NIV).
Where do churches of Christ get their money to finance their various functions?
As is true of every question we are asked, we must answer from the last will and testament of Jesus Christ. His word must guide what we believe and practice if we are to be well pleasing to Him, as the last passage cited shows. Peter said we are to "..speak as the oracles of God" (1 Peter 4:11). I hope you will be impressed with the fact that we haven't given our opinion in answering these questions, nor have we said anything like "The Church of Christ Teaches" thus and so. No, we have attempted to give you book, chapter, and verse or a "thus saith the Lord." Any other approach would not assure us of being right with the Lord Jesus Christ. Any time I am asked, "what does your church teach.." I am careful to call folks attention to the fact that the church doesn't determine what we believe and teach, the New Testament does!
Many religious organizations own and operate various business enterprises in competition with the free enterprise system in this country. Everything from manufacturing plants to breweries producing alcoholic beverages, to housing projects retirement centers, etc., etc., etc. You name it, and some so called "church" organization is involved in it! But again, if we are to please Christ we must be content to make our income as a collective (local church of Christ) in the same way they did in the first century when guided by the inspired apostles. Now, all we must do is go to the book and see how they financed their functions? They had all of the same needs and responsibilities common to Congregations of Christians today.
Guess what? They were able to finance every activity with which they were charged by the "free will" offering into the treasury of each local church of Christ made by each member thereof on the first day of each week (1 Corinthians 16:1-2). Two other chapters in Paul's letters to the brethren at Corinth give other principles governing the Christian's giving to the Lord. These are chapters eight and nine. Often we are asked- "Do you folks in the church of Christ tithe?" I usually answer first of all that the commandment setting the amount of ten percent is an Old Testament commandment given to and applicable only to the Jews. Just like the Sabbath was a part of the Law of Moses, so too, is the tithe. If one will read the above passages one will learn that one is commanded to give each Lord's day. Also that this giving is to be "as God has prospered him."
Paul wrote further, "But this I say, He which soweth sparingly shall reap also sparingly; and he which soweth bountifully shall reap also bountifully. Every man according as he purposeth in his heart, so let him give; not grudgingly, or of necessity: For God loves a cheerful giver" (2 Corinthians 9:6-7). Here we see again that no dollar amount is specified.
Could it be that ten percent may not be enough since we live under a better law with better promises (Hebrews 7:19)? Something for each giver to consider. Still, no set amount is given in the New Testament. Faithful Christians feel such a debt of gratitude for having been saved by grace through faith in the blood of Jesus by gospel obedience, that we are moved to give liberally so others may hear, believe, and obey the gospel, so they too may have the remission of sins, and have the hope of eternal life (Titus 1:1-2; Romans 8:16-18, 24-25).
Paul said the reason the Corinthian brethren gave so liberally to assist their needy brethren
elsewhere, was because they, "first gave their own selves to the Lord.."(2 Corinthians 8:5-KJV). I am convinced that when one truly surrenders to Jesus as the Lord of one's life, one will
not have to be cajoled threatened, begged, or bribed to give to the cause that cost Jesus His life's
blood (Ephesians 5:25; Acts 20:28; Romans 5:6-9). Again, in answer to the question, we
follow the inspired teaching found in the apostle's doctrine to learn how we must give to support
the cause of Christ.
I understand you folks have no Creed, Articles of faith, Manual or Catechism
You understand correctly. We work to "keep the unity of the Spirit.." (Ephesians 4:3). We know that if we are to please Christ we must "all speak the same thing, and that there be no divisions among you; but that ye be perfectly joined together in the same mind and in the same judgement" (1 Corinthians 1:10).
It is impossible to obey that commandment of the inspired apostle (which by the way is in perfect harmony with the prayer of Christ for unity among His followers) (John 17:20-21), if we have different standards of religious authority. All those who take these passages seriously are united throughout the whole world.
Imagine the confusion in our society if we did not all subscribe to the standards for weights and measurements! How would we know when we had a gallon of gasoline, a pound of hamburger, a yard of cloth, etc., etc., etc? Can't you see that as long as Creeds of men exist which disagree in many points with each other, and which all are at odds with the teaching of Scripture, they are a barrier to the unity for which Christ prayed, and about which the apostles wrote? The Bible says "There is one body, and one Spirit, even as ye are called in one hope of your calling; One Lord, one faith, one baptism, One God and Father of all, who is above all, and through all, and in you all" (Ephesians 4:4-6). Creeds suggest many bodies, faiths, hopes, and baptisms. They promote division in contrast to Christ's prayer and the apostle's teaching.
We are admonished to, "..mark them which cause divisions and offenses contrary to the doctrine which ye have learned; and avoid them. For they that are such serve not our Lord Jesus Christ, but their own belly; and by good words and fair speeches deceive the hearts of the simple (unlearned)" (Romans 16:17-18). Look at just one example found in the Methodist Discipline in contrast to the above Scripture citation. Not only does this human document allow for the "baptism" of infants contrary to the New Testament, they give a choice of "three baptisms."
"Let every adult person and the parents of every child to be baptized, have the choice of
sprinkling, pouring, or immersion" (Meth. Disp. p. 539).
Is it true that you folks in the church of Christ still believe in heaven and hell?
If we have any members who do not believe that there's a Heaven to gain and a Hell to shun, they do not believe what the Bible teaches. The same Bible that offers eternal life in heaven to the obedient, warns of a place of eternal torment for the disobedient and the ungodly. If one doesn't believe in one, he cannot logically believe in the other. Jesus believed in both. If Jesus was mistaken, He wasn't who and what He claimed to be and we are all adrift without chart or compass! In (Matthew 25:1-46), Jesus spoke parables suggesting the need for preparation for His return to judge the world. He gave two possible places of abode for folks. Eternal life or eternal punishment.
Just before leaving from among the disciples He tried to relieve their sorrow about His leaving them to return to the Father's house from whence He had come to earth with the following words: "Let not your hearts be troubled: ye believe in God (the Father ket), believe also in Me. In My Father's house are many mansions: if it were not so, I would have told you. And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again, and receive you unto Myself; that where I am, there ye may be also" (John 14:1-3). See Paul's hope and what he taught others about life after death in (2 Corinthians 5:1-9; Philippians 3:8-14; 2 Timothy 4:1-8).
Concerning the place of eternal torment Hell, Jesus was very graphic in His description of that place of conscious suffering for the lost in (Mark 9:43-48). He said it was a place "...where the fire is not quenched." Take time to turn and read those passages please before proceeding. Those who do not obey the gospel Paul said, would be "punished with everlasting destruction from the presence of the Lord and from the glory of His power," (2 Thessalonians 1:6-10; Romans 2:6-11; Mark 16:16).
One has given up the right to cling to belief in a reward in heaven who doesn't believe in the
punishment in hell! The religion of Christ isn't like a smorgasbord where one may pick and
choose what one likes and reject what one doesn't! It is all, or nothing at all! What about you?
Will you take it all? You must to please Christ. It is our hope and prayer that you will.
What is the function of local churches of Christ? What all do they support from their funds
collected on the First day of the week? Do they have publishing houses etc.?
Those are good questions which cry out for Bible answers! Elsewhere in this study we pointed out that "there is no organization larger, smaller, or other than the local congregation authorized in Christ's word for collective "church work" or functions. Each local church was autonomous or self governing with a plurality of men to over see the work of the collective, called Pastors, Elders, or Bishops who must answer to the "Chief Bishop" Jesus Christ, for how well they have performed this work (Hebrews 13:7,17; 1 Peter 5:1-5; Acts 14:23; Acts 20:28; Philippians 1:1-2; 1 Thessalonians 5:11-21).
Under the oversight of these men were also deacons whose work and qualifications along with those of the elders are found in Paul's letters to Timothy and Titus, Evangelist charged with setting in order things that were lacking until full and Scriptural organization had been realized (1 Timothy 3:1-13; Titus 1:1-9).
The sum total of what local churches of Christ engaged in as a function of the collective or whole church supported from the funds collected on the first day of each week, when men guided by the Holy Spirit (the apostles) were present among them, forms the pattern for what local churches of Christ may engage in today with Christ's approval. They had young people with unique needs to that age group. They had old people with the special problems attending the aged. Christians had benevolent needs from time to time. They had sick to be seen to and Christians certainly need recreation from time to time. They had governmental responsibilities as well. They had to provide the needed facilities for a place to assemble and engage in what the collective are commanded and authorized to do each Lord's day. The church had to be edified, the gospel had to be preached to the alien sinners. Still, we find no apostolic authority, by command, example or inference that they ever set up any other collective except the local church under her Bishops to carry out any of those functions.
First of all we must recognize that there are many things which the individual Christian may engage in that are not legitimate functions for the collective or the local church. Not recognizing this, some "liberal" brethren and all denominations have become involved in many activities that may be fine in and of themselves, but are not functions in which the blood bought church of Christ may become involved.
An individual Christian may own and operate any legitimate business enterprise to make his/her income. The church is limited to the free will offering of each saint on the Lord's day primarily.
An individual Christian may own and operate a grocery story, service station, hardware store, hospital, a campsite for recreation and any number of other legitimate business enterprises. The church may not!
The faithful Christian is charged with seeing to his own family's needs, and one who does not, is said to be "worse than an infidel" (1 Timothy 5:8). There are certain widows whose care is to be provided by the church of course under the oversight of the elders. Then there are other widows which are to be taken care of by the individual and are not to become a burden to the church (1 Timothy 5:16).
Individual Christians may find it needful and healthy to see that the family (especially the young folks) have some social and recreational functions. The church at Corinth in the first century were rebuked sharply when they became involved in "eating and drinking" in the assembly and told that this was something they should provide in the houses of the members and not get the church collectively involved in (1 Corinthians 11:22).
To put it as briefly as possible for this study, no we are not allowed to set up organizations for such activities and support them with funds from the local church treasuries. The church has a mission prescribed in the pattern given by the apostles of Christ who were "guided into all truth" (John 16:13; 2 Timothy 3:16-17; James 1:25; 2 Peter 1:3), involving three activities basically.
1. Preaching the gospel: (1 Timothy 1:15; Philippians 4:15-18; Matthew 28:20; 1 Thessalonians 1:1-10; Acts 13:1-3; 2 Corinthians 11:8; 1 Corinthians 9:7-10,14).
2. Edification of the membership: (Hebrews 10:23-25; Ephesians 4:11-16; 1 Corinthians 12:13-27; John 4:23-24; Acts 20:6-7; Ephesians 5:19; Colossians 3:16; Acts 12:5; 1 Corinthians 16:1-2).
3. Relief of needy saints locally and sometimes in other areas where the need exists and the local church has not the ability through no fault of her own to see to their own needy (1 Corinthians 16:1-2; Romans 15:25-26; Acts 2:44-45; 4:32-37; 6:1-6; 11:26-30; 1 Timothy 5:16; 2 Corinthians 8:1-4; 2 Corinthians 9:1-5,12).
First century churches did not own and operate any human organization whether benevolent, edification (colleges and publishing houses) or social. None is authorized today to be underwritten by money from the local church treasury. Neither did they know anything at all about what has come to be known as "sponsoring elderships" where elders of one church assume the prerogative of collecting funds from a multiplicity of congregations so they may over see a work they have undertaken and support it with said funds making the decisions as to how said monies are expended.. Each local church is to reach out in all of her legitimate activities as far as they are able. When ability ceases, so does responsibility.
With nothing but the local church in evidence, the first century Christians not only saw to every need with which they were charged, they preached the gospel to the whole world (Colossians 1:23). Nothing may be called a "good work" unless it is an authorized work (Matthew 7:13-14, 22-23; Colossians 3:17; 2 John 9-11; Romans 16:17-18; 2 Timothy 4:1-8; Galatians 1:6-10; Revelation 22:18-19; John 12:48; Acts 3:22-23).
How does one become a Christian, a member of the Church of Christ?
I hope the fact that you have asked your question in this way, indicates that you have seen the need to be simply and only a Christian, a citizen in Christ's kingdom, a member of His blood bought church. I am happy to lead you to what the New Testament teaches about conversion to Christ and how one becomes a child in God's family, the church.
Every case of conversion to Christ was by that same act, how one became a member of Christ's church. One isn't saved by one means and then becomes a member of Christ's church by another. The church is the "bride of Christ" (Ephesians 5:22-33). To say that one is saved and then must "join" the church, would be like saying that one is going to be married and then go look for a wife. When one is married, one has a wife. In like manner when one is saved, one is automatically a member of Christ's church. Paul speaks of being "reconciled unto God in one body by the cross" (Ephesians 2:16). When the blood Christ shed on that cross is applied to the sin stained soul of the believer who has repented, confessed Jesus as the Christ, then in the final act of the New Birth water baptism, one becomes a part of the spiritual family of Christ, His church John 3:3-5; Acts 2:22-38,40-41,47; Colossians 1:13-14).
In the cases of conversion to Christ recorded in the Acts of the apostles of Christ, it is evident
they followed the teaching given by Christ in what has been called "The Great Commission."
Here He told the need for this gospel to be preached to every creature and said, "He that
believeth and is baptized shall be saved..." (Mark 16:15-20; Matthew 28:18-20; Luke
24:45-49).
The Jews on Pentecost The Samaritans Simon the Sorcerer The Ethiopian Eunuch Saul of Tarsus Cornelius Lydia a seller of Purple The Philippian Jailer
If you will study each of these cases objectively, you will see a pattern emerge which follows this
logical and Scriptural sequence of events. They all had to:
Hear: Believe: Repent: Confess Jesus: Be Immersed for the remission of alien sins and were
then added by the Lord to His church.
Look up and read the following passages of holy Scripture:
Belief
Repentance: Luke 13:3; Acts 17:30
Confess Christ: Romans 10:9-10.
Baptism: Galatians 3:27; Acts 2:38; Mark 16:16; Romans 6:3-6; 1 Peter 3:20-21; Galatians 3:26-29; Titus 3:3-5).
My friends, this teaching did not originate with the church of Christ. It is what you may read for yourself. Following this was what brought the church of Christ into existence. Every time an individual obeys this same gospel today, one becomes simply and only a Christian, and the Lord adds such an one to His blood bought body, the church (Acts 2:38,40-41,47). Do you desire to "save yourself from this crooked generation?" Call the one who gave you this tract or the number on the front and let us assist you in obeying Christ. God bless those who read, who understand, and who obey the Lord (Hebrews 5:9; Matthew 7:21; James 2:1:22-25; 2:14-26). "Blessed are they who do His commandments............"(Revelation 22:14).