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Questions Answered By Bob Myhan The following questions were asked of me by a young man in Alabama. It was my pleasure to answer them to the best of my ability. They are reprinted here in the hope that they will be of some help to others. #1 Can we agree that there are saved people to be found in the denominations? Answer: I do not know how long a person can continue to be "saved" after ceasing to work and worship with one of the Lord's local churches. But no one was ever saved by joining a denomination, no one ever got into a denomination by doing anything the Lord demands and nothing the Lord demands will put anyone into a denomination. Most denominational preachers will admit that one can be saved without being a member of any denomination. And denominations have no Bible authority to exist. Therefore, why would any saved person want to jeopardize his salvation by joining a denomination? #2 And if yes do we recognize them as members of the church of Christ? Answer: Anyone who has obeyed the gospel plan of salvation for alien sinners is saved and a member of the Lord's church until the Lord says otherwise. But not all members of the Lord's church are acceptable to God. One must be "faithful unto death" to receive "the crown of life" (Rev. 2:10). #3 Did the Lord give a specific name for "the church"? Answer: If, by "specific," you mean, official, He did not. Otherwise, He gave several specific names for "the church." Some of them are:
Keep in mind that the word "church" is a translation of the Greek word "ecclesia" which has no inherent spiritual connotation. Whenever the word is used generally, it is translated "assembly." (Acts 19:32, 39, 41) Thus, whenever the word "church" is found in any English translation, it refers specifically to the Lord's church or assembly. There were no denominations in the first century. #4 Are not those in the "christian church" our brethren? Answer: [Please see my answers to questions #1 & #2.] #5 Do we all have to wear the same name "church of Christ" or the same name "Christian" Acts 26:28 1 Pet 4:16? Answer: An individual Christian has no more authority to wear the name "church of Christ" than a church has to wear the name "Christian." A local collectivity of faithful Christians may use any scriptural name. [See, again, my answer to #3 above.] #6 Does not wearing a specific name even if it is a biblical description separate or "denominate" us from other christians? Answer: On an individual basis it is those who want to be a certain "kind" of Christian who separate themselves from other Christians (see 1 Cor. 1:10-15). How can "just wanting to be a Christian - nothing more, nothing less and nothing other" be wrong? On a congregational basis, however, there is nothing inherently wrong in making legitimate distinctions between and among local churches. Some of the first century churches were "denominated" by the city they were located in (1 Thess. 1:1; Rev. 2:1, 8, 12, 18; 3:1, 7, 14). These designations by locality obviously set them apart from one another. But modern day denominations do not differ only in the name they choose. They are organizational units made up of many congregations, usually with a governing body making decisions for all the congregations in the organizational unit. Each denomination is different from the others in doctrine, practice and organizational structure. This is foreign to the Scriptures. Even churches of Christ will cease to be “of Christ” if they cease to be what He would have them to be. (see Rev. 2:5) & Human Opinion VS the Bible (Part 3) By Tim Haile Last week’s article explained the dangers of mixing human opinion with worship. Jesus taught that operating by human opinion renders our worship “vain” (Matt. 15:9). One of the acts of worship most affected by the exercise of human opinion is music. Disagreement has long existed over the use of instrumental music in worship to God. Of course, to the Bible believer, the only real question is whether or not it is authorized by God’s word. If God does not authorize it, then it is sinful and should not be practiced, for it is sinful to add to the word of God (Rev. 22:18). If God authorizes it, then it may be practiced with divine approval. The only right way is God’s way, and God’s way is plainly expressed in the Scriptures (2 Timothy 3:16, 17). Those of us who insist upon a “thus saith the Lord” for all that we believe, teach and practice in religion, are often misrepresented on the subject of worship music. Because of our opposition to mechanical music in worship to God, we are often accused of “not believing in music” at all! This is simply not true, for we openly practice music in our public worship assemblies. While it is vocal, it is still music. Interestingly, a cappella music has become extremely popular in pop music circles over recent years. I wonder if popular a cappella singers are charged with “not believing in music”? I wonder if they, themselves, deny that music is what they make? While being a different kind of music, a cappella music is just as much “music” as is instrumental music. It is unfair to accuse others of “not believing in music” just because they reject the use of one particular kind of music in their worship to God. The important issue is that several plain Bible passages authorize singing as the kind of worship music that is required by God, and no New Testament passage authorizes instrumental music (Matthew 26:30; Acts 16:25; Romans 15:9; 1 Corinthians 14:15, 26; Ephesians 5:19; Colossians 3:16; Hebrews 2:12; James 5:13). The Bible believer “believes” that our worship music is to be made by “speaking” and “singing,” as specified and demanded by Ephesians 5:19. & "Sealed with the Holy Spirit" By Bob Myhan Paul told the Ephesian saints that they “were sealed with the Holy Spirit of promise” (Eph. 1:13-14) What does this mean? Are Christians “sealed with the Holy Spirit,” today? If so, how are they sealed? This “seal” is not an unconditional guarantee that, once one is saved, he will always be saved. Rather, it is the means by which God recognizes those who are His children. That is, the Holy Spirit seals us by revealing to us—in the New Testament—how to conduct ourselves now that we are God’s children. And we seal ourselves as we obey. Therefore, brethren, we are debtors--not to the flesh, to live according to the flesh. For if you live according to the flesh you will die; but if by the Spirit you put to death the deeds of the body, you will live. For as many as are led by the Spirit of God, these are sons of God…. The Spirit Himself bears witness with our spirit that we are children of God, and if children, then heirs--heirs of God and joint heirs with Christ, if indeed we suffer with Him, that we may also be glorified together. (Rom. 8:12-14, 16-17) Nevertheless the solid foundation of God stands, having this seal: "The Lord knows those who are His," and, "Let everyone who names the name of Christ depart from iniquity." But in a great house there are not only vessels of gold and silver, but also of wood and clay, some for honor and some for dishonor. Therefore if anyone cleanses himself from the latter, he will be a vessel for honor, sanctified and useful for the Master, prepared for every good work. (2 Tim. 2:19-21) Thus, God recognizes His children when He sees them depart from iniquity cleanse themselves from vessels of dishonor and bear the fruit of the Spirit. (Gal. 5:21-23) Similarly, the Father had earlier set His seal on the Son with the works the Son did and the character the Son exhibited. (John 14:7-11; Acts 2:22) Are you sealed? & |
