Fellow Workers

By Michael E. Brooks

“Greet Priscilla and Aquila, my fel­low workers in Christ Jesus, who risked their own necks for my life, to whom not only I give thanks, but also all the churches of the Gen­tiles" (Romans 16:3,4).

I read Romans 16 with much greater ap­preciation now than I did several years ago. I must confess that at one time I con­sidered it merely a rather tedious collection of personal notes from Paul that had little relevance or meaning to Christians today. I suspect that others have shared those views. After all, what difference does it make to us whether the Romans said hello to Rufus and his mother (verse 13) or to the household of Aristobulus (verse 10). Who were these people anyway? Why should we care? What application or doc­trine can be derived from such details?

I no longer feel that way, however. For the past twenty years God has given me the privilege of traveling to a number of different countries where I have met and worked with many Christians. I know what it is to have co-workers who put their own lives at risk for the Gospel's sake, and sometimes even for my sake. I have wit­nessed and sometimes assisted those who have responded with faith to the Gospel and who have obeyed the commands of Christ, in spite of opposition and persecu­tion. I now better understand Paul's love for Mary "who labored much for us" (verse 6), and for Epaenetus, "the firstfruits of Achaia to Christ" (verse 5).

The church in Rome had a remarkable collection of workers, gathered apparently from many different parts of the Empire. Paul, who had helped to convert at least some of them and worked with others, sends his love and regard for them in such a way that not only would the church there know of them and their work, but also so that Christians of every age and in every place would respect and admire them. Jesus said of the woman who anointed him with perfume, "Wherever this gospel is preached in the whole world, what this woman has done will also be told as a me­morial to her" (Mark14:9). So the labors of Phoebe, Urbanus, and many others in Rome are still being told today.

It is important for us to recognize that there are still many faithful Christians la­boring in the Gospel throughout the world today. Faithful workers have not vanished. Bangladesh, Nepal, India, Brazil, Nigeria, Guyana, and the United States, to name but a few, contain dedicated servants of Christ, as do most other nations of the world. According to brethren in Florence, Alabama, only eight countries lack at least one Church of Christ today. Wherever the Church exists, it is because someone worked to preach the Gospel and produce obedient faith. It is also because work con­tinues to build up and increase those churches.

Let us give honor to the many little-known co-workers of Christ who labor throughout the world. In New Testament times it was the apostles who received most of the attention. Today it may be mis­sionaries and preachers. But God knows and loves all those who serve him. We are thankful for every one of them, and pray God's blessings upon them. &

“Daddy, What Is a Christian?”

Author Unknown

A little boy once asked his father, “Daddy, what is a Christian?”

The father thought for a minute, and then replied, “Son, a Christian believes in God and in Jesus Christ, the Son of God. He has heard the gospel of Christ and in faith obeyed it. This means that he re­pented of his sins and confessed Jesus to be God’s Son. He was then baptized for the remission of sins. When he did this, the Lord added him to His church.”

“He loves God very much. He loves his family, his brethren, his neighbors, and even his enemies. He is one who takes his religion seriously. He lives it seven days a week. He worships God with other disciples at every available opportunity. He really enjoys his service to God. He is not covet­ous or stingy, but from a generous and cheerful heart gives his money to help others and further the Lord’s work.”

“He prays frequently and fervently. He chooses his words carefully at all times. He does not choose good words when he as­sembles with the saints, then uses bad words on the job or elsewhere. He is kind, considerate, gentle, patient, caring and in general is a good neighbor and citizen. He reads the Bible regularly and shares it with anyone who is willing to study. He leads his family in praying with them and for them. He is dependable in the work of promoting God’s truth. He is hospitable, visits the sick, is honest in his dealings, and is a good example to others. He loves and is loved. These are just a few of the things that constitute a Christian.”

The boy thought for a moment and then asked, “Have I ever seen one?” &

The Standard of the Social Gospel

By Jackie Prince

Those who preach the “social gos­pel” use human rather than divine wisdom as their standard.

      1Co 1:20-23 Where is the wise? Where is the scribe? Where is the disputer of this age? Has not God made foolish the wisdom of this world? For since, in the wisdom of God, the world through     wisdom did not know God, it pleased God through the foolishness of the message preached to save those who believe. For Jews request a sign, and Greeks seek after wisdom; but we preach Christ crucified, to the Jews a stumbling block and to the Greeks  foolishness,  

      1Co 2:1-4 And I, brethren, when I came to you, did not come with excel­lence of speech or of wisdom declar­ing to you the testimony of God. For I determined not to know anything among you  except Jesus Christ and Him crucified. I was with you in weak­ness, in fear, and in much trembling. And my speech and my preaching were not with persuasive words of hu­man wisdom, but in demonstration of the Spirit and of power,  

We must be leery of human reason and logic. God’s thoughts and ways are not our thoughts and ways.

      Js 3:13-18 Who is wise and under­standing among you? Let him show by good conduct that his works are done in the meekness of wisdom. But if you have bitter envy and self-seeking in your hearts, do not boast and lie against the truth. This wisdom does not descend from above, but is earthly, sensual, demonic. For where envy and self-seeking exist, confusion and every evil thing are there. But the wisdom that is from above is first pure, then peaceable, gentle, willing to yield, full of mercy and good fruits, without par­tiality and without hypocrisy. Now the fruit of righteousness is sown in peace by those who make peace. 

Jessie Jackson and Al Sharpton do not fit the above descriptions but neither do other social gospel preachers. All of them preach what their followers want to hear. &