A Minute With The Bible Aired during September, 2001 The organization of the church we read about in the New Testament was very simple. Each congregation was to have bishops(elders) to oversee the local flock. "Faithful is the saying, If a man seeketh the office of a bishop, he desireth a good work"(I Timothy 3:1). In addition to these elders, men were to be appointed as deacons. "Deacons, in like manner must be grave, not double-tongued, not given to much wine, not greedy of filthy lucre"(I Timothy 3:8). These servants were to meet certain qualifications and "serve as deacons." Elders were the overseers; deacons were those who served. Each member was to be subject to the elders in carrying forth the work of the Lord's church. A simple organization that was profound in it's nature.
"God is a spirit: and they that worship him must worship in spirit and truth"(John 4:24). Jesus intended for men to please Jehovah in their service and worship. The church in the first century engaged in singing psalms and hymns and spiritual songs(Ephesians 5:19); remembering the Lord's death in the Lord's Supper(Acts 20:7); praying unto God(Acts 2:42); studying the word of God(Acts 2:42), and contributing of their funds(I Corinthians 16:2). There is no difference in the actions in our services and the actions of the church in Jerusalem. When churches follow the instructions of the gospel, they will reflect the same activities as the early church. Do they worship after the New Testament pattern where you attend?
The church we read about in the New Testament was a spiritual institution. In Ephesians 4:11-12, we find the work outlined. "And he gave some apostles; and some, prophets; and some, evangelists; and some, pastors and teachers; for the perfecting of the saints, unto the work of ministering, unto the building up of the body of Christ." In other words, preaching to the unsaved, teaching the saved, and caring for the needy constituted the work of the early church. We are not a social institution designed to serve the material and physical needs of mankind, but the body of Christ, purchased with His blood. Our efforts are to save souls; not entertain. Our appeal is to the spirit; not to the flesh. We respect the nature of the Lord's church.
Paul instructed the church at Corinth, "Upon the first day of the week let each one of you lay by him in store, as he may prosper, that no collections be made when I come"(I Corinthians 16:2). What a simple method for having the funds to carry on the work of the Lord's church. No raffles, no rummage sales, no begging, no business ventures: just each person giving on the first day of the week(Sunday). We have no other means for raising needed monies. This is surprising to many people and they wonder how we exist. When people are converted to Christ, they will support Christ's church. Their hearts lead them to do as Corinth: to contribute on the first day of each week into a common treasury. Such an approach is scriptural and very effective.
The apostle Paul addressed the brethren at Corinth in these words: "Unto the church of God which is at Corinth, even them that are sanctified in Christ Jesus, called to be saints"(I Corinthians 1:2). Are you aware that every person who is a Christian is a saint? The word itself contains the idea of one set apart. When one is saved, he or she is set apart to the service of Jesus Christ. There were no canonizations; they just obeyed the gospel and became saints. Since Christians are set apart to the service of God as saints, they live by the standards set forth in the Word of God. They live righteously; they worship God; they obey His commandments. Such disciples are dedicated to the service of the Master and live a consecrated life of godliness. Only God can make a saint: he makes you one when you obey and follow his commands.
The apostle Paul identified Christ as the head of His church in Colossians 1:18, "And he(Christ) is the head of the body, the church: who is the beginning the firstborn from the dead; that in all things he might have the preeminence." Christ is the head of every Christian(I Corinthians 11:3) as well as the head of the church he established on Pentecost, AD 33. There is no earthly head for the Lord's church. There is no ecclesiastical group that reigns over the Lord's church. As the head of the church, he revealed His will(the New Testament). Jesus Christ has all authority in His church(Matthew 28:18). No other can be the spiritual head of His church nor the spiritual head of the Christian. His authority cannot be overruled by men nor changed by churches.
In Ephesians 4:3, the apostle Paul instructed the saints at Corinth to be "giving diligence to keep the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace." He would further state, "There is one body...one hope...one faith...one baptism...and...one God and Father of all..."(vs. 4-6). The division in our religious world is a shame. The command to be one in Christ Jesus is plain from this and other passages. How can such division be cured? The answer is simple. Let each of us follow the instructions of the New Testament and we will be in the one body and practicing the one faith. Division is the result of the commandments of men, not of God. We can be united only when we resolve that in everything we teach, everything we believe, and everything we practice comes from the authority of the Word of God. Until we resolve to follow completely what is commanded therein, we will continue to have division.
The division that exists in our religious world is deplorable. There are thousands of different churches throughout the world. And yet, the apostle Paul wrote, "Now I beseech you, brethren, mark them that are causing the divisions and occasions of stumbling, contrary to the doctrine which ye learned..."(Romans 16:17). In this short sentence, Paul identified the cause of division: those who taught "contrary to the doctrine" of Christ. Have you ever examined the teachings and practices of the church to which you belong? Did you use the scriptures to see if what is done has the authority of Christ behind such? Have you challenged your religious leaders for authority from the scriptures for your belief and actions? We can cure religious division by following the New Testament and find the unity for which Jesus prayed in John 17:20-21.
The apostle Paul instructed the elders at Ephesus, "Take heed unto yourselves, and to all the flock, in which the Holy Spirit hath made you bishops to feed the church of the Lord which he purchased with his own blood"(Acts 20:28). Each congregation was autonomous(self-governing), answering only to Jesus Christ. These elders were bishops over only the church in which they were members. There was no super organization to which they belonged. Each church was independent, tending to its own affairs and answerable only to Jesus Christ. How different from the churches man establishes. The church of Christ has elders (bishops) who see that the word of God is taught and obeyed. They understand they are shepherds who answer to God. Is not the Lord's way best in this and all religious matters?
Romans 10:14 states, "How then shall they call on him in whom they have not believed? and how shall they believe in him whom that have not heard?" For one to be acceptable to God, he must hear the word of God and believe what is taught. When one has faith, he will be led to repent(Acts 3:19), confess Christ before men(Romans 10:10), and be immersed for the remission of sins(Acts 2:38). The obedient one will now be a Christian, for this is God's plan of salvation, not a product of men. After becoming a Christian, the disciple is to be faithful to the commands of Christ(Revelation 2:10). This was the way people were saved in the days of the apostles; this is the way that God saves people of our day.
Psalm 144:3 states, "O Lord, what is man, that You take knowledge of him?" Mankind has been trying to define itself through the years(without success). The Bible answer is straightforward: man is a creature made by Jehovah. He spoke him into existence after preparing the earth for his habitation. God created the atmosphere, the vegetation, and the animals in order that man might survive on this earth. Every breath, every movement, every particle of food, all of these come from the Lord. We survive on this earth as a result of the power and protection of Jehovah. Man has not appreciated what God has done. We often destroy the wondrous and marvelous things we find on our planet. The Lord has not forgotten mankind: he continues to supply his physical needs even though, as a whole, humanity does not accept Him nor His word. Yet, he still provides blessings for all.
Jesus asked a question of the apostle Peter, in Matthew 17:25, "What thinkest thou, Simon?" The Lord wanted this disciple to apply reasoning to his answer to a question Christ was asking of Peter. The Lord still expects us to apply our thinking processes when we reason about morals and religion. Christ would ask of the apostle his reasoning about paying taxes. Jesus would point out that even he, son of the Creator, would pay the shekel tax. The Lord desires that all of us think before we speak; think before we act; and think before we accuse. Unlike the animals that go by pure instinct(and training), man is a free moral agent with the power of reasoning. "What thinkest thou?" Do you accept the divine creator of the universe? Do you accept his revealed word? The evidence is all around us, but it is up to each of us to think and accept that which is evident.
The Lord asked Eve, after they had partaken of the forbidden fruit, "Who told you that you were naked?"(Genesis 7:11). Adam and Eve tried to hide from God, but such was not possible. They had eaten of the forbidden fruit and now felt the shame of their actions. Embarrassed, Eve tried to hide her nakedness. The Lord, in his mercy, made them garments from animal skins to cover their bodies. They were then separated from the tree of life in the Garden of Eden for their transgressions. Sin always brings shame, even though a person may not feel shameful as a result of one's transgressions. The first couple violated the command of God and paid the price. So it is in our day, we pay the price for transgression. We may not suffer punishment in this life, but God always punishes the transgressor. Their sin caught up with them; our sins catch up with us.
The apostle Paul, in I Corinthians 4:7, asked, "For who maketh thee to differ?" The nature of some humans is to differ with others. It happens in the home; it occurs in government; it is evident in all of society. Such differences often lead to alienation and division. It happens in religion as well. The differences we find in religion does not come from God nor from His word. Such arises when men fail to accept and follow the scriptures. Human doctrine and teachings create differences that lead to division. We can, however, solve our differences. Not through compromise; not through "giving in"; not through human devises, but through accepting and following the word of God. The New Testament is the only book that can solve the differences we have in religious matters. Are you willing to follow what Christ said? Only our willingness to do so can bring about unity in religion.
James said, "Behold, we call them blessed that endured: ye have heard of the patience of Job, and have seen the end of the Lord, how that the Lord is full of pity, and merciful"(James 5:11). Too many say, "Lord, give me patience and I want it right now." However, that is not the way that one gains patience. The idea in patience is the willingness to endure. Job endured the trials that fell upon him. As he lost his family, his wealth, and his health, he still refused to renounce God. Even his close friends could not talk him into dying so that he might have peace. Job understood that what happened to him would eventually turn out for the good. Job's patience was rewarded as the Lord chastised Job's friends, relieved his affliction, gave him another family, and restored his wealth. Job was patient because he accepted and followed the Lord. As you compare yourself with Job, just how patient are you?
Jesus Christ told his disciples, "Watch and pray, that ye enter not into temptation: the spirit indeed is willing, but the flesh is weak"(Matthew 26:41). Have you ever done something and realized almost immediately that you should not have done such? The temptation became so strong that you yielded. Jesus is teaching that one must be alert to Satan's devices and pray that any temptation can be overcome. Knowing the weakness of men, Jesus encourages us to resist the temptation, even as Paul said, 'flee fornication"(I Corinthians 6:18). When one recognizes that temptation is entrapping him or her into doing evil, take control of self and say no, even to the extent of running away from such. If a person knows that he will be tempted to sin under certain conditions and situations, resolve to avoid such trappings. Satan is always tempting and making sin attractive. Learn to flee from such.
The words of the apostle Paul, "Set your mind on the things that are above, not on the things that are upon the earth" (Colossians 3:2). In order to serve Jesus Christ, one must have a mindset toward pleasing Him. The things of this earth are extremely attractive and hold the focus of most of its inhabitants. Paul is encouraging those at Colosse to focus their minds on "things that are above." While the earth and its offerings are appealing, they are only temporary. A few short years upon this earth is nothing to compare with eternity. While we labor for a nice home on earth, we need to realize that it is only temporary and will someday decay. When one is giving attention to the future, his intention should be to prepare to live with God in eternity. Ask yourself, what will it be for me after this life? The choice is up to you. If you make the right choice, you will live in eternal happiness.
In Acts 16:30, a man asked the apostle Paul, "Sirs, what must I do to be saved?" The jailer was convicted of his need to give up sin and serve the Lord. Paul would speak to him the word of the Lord the requirements to become a disciple of Jesus Christ. The apostle tells him to believe and then he spoke the word of the Lord to him. After hearing the requirements of God, he was baptized, immediately, along with others in his household. His confession, as taught in Romans 10:10, would have occurred in the process. He was willing to change, that is, repent for he accepted the gospel and changed(that is repentance). Having followed the plan of God, he rejoiced. The jailer did what was commanded because he did what God said. Are you willing to do as the Lord has commanded in His word? Do you have the type of courage as did the Philippian jailer?
"I have fought the good fight, I have finished the course, I have kept the faith"(II Timothy 4:7). The words of Paul are as appropriate today as they were when he wrote them two thousand years ago. The requirements of God for one to be acceptable to him have not changed. One who desires to please the Lord will hold up the banner of the cross as he stands up for the Lord, endures the temptations of Satan, and keeps his faith n the word of the Lord intact. Endurance is the key to one being successful in any venture. It is especially true in religion. To please Jehovah, one must make a commitment to follow him wherever he leads and to stand for truth and righteousness in all circumstances. Paul is writing to a young man, encouraging him to face life with the Lord and be willing, whatever happens, to remain true to the God who made him. Should this not be an encouragement to all of us?
In Acts 16:30, a man asked the apostle Paul, "Sirs, what must I do to be saved?" The jailer was convicted of his need to give up sin and serve the Lord. Paul would speak to him the word of the Lord the requirements to become a disciple of Jesus Christ. The apostle tells him to believe and then he spoke the word of the Lord to him. After hearing the requirements of God, he was baptized, immediately, along with others in his household. His confession, as taught in Romans 10:10, would have occurred in the process. He was willing to change, that is, repent for he accepted the gospel and changed(that is repentance). Having followed the plan of God, he rejoiced. The jailer did what was commanded because he did what God said. Are you willing to do as the Lord has commanded in His word? Do you have the type of courage as did the Philippian jailer?July, 1999 August, 1999 September, 1999 October, 1999 November, 1999 December, 1999 January, 2000 June, 2000 July, 2000 August, 2000 October, 2000 November, 2000 December, 2000 January, 2001 February, 2001 March, 2001 April, 2001 May, 2001 June, 2001 July, 2001 August, 2001 October, 2001 November, 2001 December, 2001 January, 2002 February, 2002 March, 2002 April, 2002 May, 2002