ATTITUDES TOWARD GOD’S WORD

By Bob Myhan

t is , indeed, sad that there is division among churches of Christ over what is [and is not] the work of the local church. But it is sadder, still, that this division is the result of far different attitudes toward God’s word. There are basically only two attitudes from which to choose. They are conservative, “tending to preserve established institutions and methods and to resist or oppose any changes in these,” and liberal, “favoring reform or progress.” Both these attitudes can be seen in ancient Israel. Initially, they had a conservative attitude that pleased God. Notice Exodus 19:1-8 (see also Deuteronomy 5:23-28).

In the third month after the children of Israel had gone out of the land of Egypt, on the same day, they came to the Wilderness of Sinai. For they had departed from Rephidim, had come to the Wilderness of Sinai, and camped in the wilderness. So Israel camped there before the mountain. And Moses went up to God, and the Lord called to him from the mountain, saying, "Thus you shall say to the house of Jacob, and tell the children of Israel: 'You have seen what I did to the Egyptians, and how I bore you on eagles' wings and brought you to Myself. Now therefore, if you will indeed obey My voice and keep My covenant, then you shall be a special treasure to Me above all people; for all the earth is Mine. And you shall be to Me a kingdom of priests and a holy nation.' These are the words which you shall speak to the children of Israel."

So Moses came and called for the elders of the people, and laid before them all these words which the Lord commanded him. Then all the people answered together and said, "All that the Lord has spoken we will do." So Moses brought back the words of the people to the Lord.

Eventually, however, they developed a liberal attitude, which displeased God (see 1 Kings 11:1-13; 26-38; 12:25-33).

Those who love God, of course, know that any attempt to reform His revealed will is not progress but the opposite. Those who love “the praise of men more than the praise of God” will sacrifice the doing of God’s will in order to gain or retain the favor of men (Matt. 6:1-5; John 12:42-43). And, more often than not, they will come to despise any and all who refuse to do likewise. Notice the Lord’s words in John 15:18-19.

"If the world hates you, you know that it hated Me before it hated you. If you were of the world, the world would love its own. Yet because you are not of the world, but I chose you out of the world, therefore the world hates you.”

Thus, we see that “liberal” and “conservative” are not merely party names but contrasting attitudes toward the revealed will of God.

[To be continued]

10 Reasons Why You Should Investigate the Church of Christ (Conclusion)

By Kenneth E. Thomas

“Prove all things; hold fast that which is good” (1 Thess. 5:21).

. Gospel preachers in faithful churches of Christ refuse to wear religious titles which tend to exalt one above the other and there is no clergy laity system known to New Testament Christianity (Matthew 20:20-27; Matthew 23:1-12; 2 Thessalonians 2:1-4; 1 Timothy 2:5-6; Psalm 111:9-10).

. The New Testament teaches that water baptism is the final act of the new birth of the water and of the Spirit, and that it is a burial of a penitent believer and a resurrection to a new life in Christ. Faithful local churches of Christ honor these instructions. Baptism not only puts one “in Christ” but also into the universal body of the redeemed, the family of God. One is not baptized into the local congregation. (Acts 2:22-38,40-41, 47; Romans 6:3-6; Colossians 2:12; Mark 16:15-16; Acts 8:26-39; 10:47-48; 1 Peter 3:20-22; Titus 3:5; Acts 22:16). This is the only baptism that is acceptable to Christ (Ephesians 4:5; Acts 19:1-7).

. Faithful local churches urge the membership to live godly lives, upholding the Biblical standard for morals. If and when members disregard the Biblical standard they become subject to disciplinary action beginning with pointed and plain teaching and ultimately leading to being expelled from among the local membership if they refuse to repent and give up ungodly immoral lifestyles. (Titus 2:11-14; 1 Corinthians 5:1-13; 2 Thessalonians 3:6).

. We plead for complete obedience to Christ and seek peace and unity based on the Apostle’s teaching as Christ prayed we should and as the apostles admonished we must to please Christ (John 17:17-; 20-21; 1 Corinthians 1:10-12; 3:1-6).

Religious error flourishes where people fail to investigate, study, and think. It was noble in God’s sight when the Bereans “...received the word with all readiness of mind, and searched the Scriptures daily, whether those things were so” (Acts 17:11). It is still noble to demand proof that your teaching is what may be proven from the New Testament (1 John 3:1-2; Romans 16:17-18; 1 Thessalonians 5:21; Jude 3).

In order to please Christ, we must obey Him--even if it means changing beliefs and practices which we may have engaged in for years (Hebrews 5:8-9; 2 Thessalonians 1:1-10; Matthew 10:32-30; Luke 14:23-34). Truth and humility do not fear investigation--they welcome it (Isaiah 1:18; 1 Thess. 5:21).

If you are weary concerning denominational divisions and doctrines of uninspired men which are constantly changing with the times, we believe you will be happy to learn of the plea made by faithful Christians and by local churches of Christ to lay aside all human elements in religion such as creeds and such and just follow the word of Christ in everything (Colossians 3:17; Acts 3:22-23; Matthew 17:1-5; John 12:48; 2 John 9-11; 2 Corinthians 6:14-7:1). In other words, come with us back to the Bible. Be as broad as it allows and as narrow as it demands.

Let us call Bible things by Bible names.

Let us do Bible things in Bible ways.

Let us seek to obey Christ in all things.

Let us be simple New Testament Christians-nothing more and nothing less and nothing else. &

SOWING AND REAPING

By Gilbert Alexander

rue Christianity is a religion of doing. Not just any kind of doing will suffice. Men must do the will of God. "But be ye doers of the word, and not hearers only, deceiving your own selves" (James 1:22). "Not everyone that saith unto me, ‘Lord, Lord', shall enter into the kingdom of heaven; but he that doeth the will of my Father who is in heaven" (Matt. 7:21). "My little children, let no man lead you astray: he that doeth righteousness is righteous, even as he is righteous” (1 John 3:7). "Therefore to him that knoweth to do good, and doeth it not, to him it is sin" (James 4:17). "But to do good and to communicate forget not: for with such sacrifices God is well pleased” (Heb. 13: 16). The good works that Christians are to live in have been prescribed by God (Eph. 2:10).

The doing of God's will is motivated by the fear of God and the love of God (Eccl. 12:13,14; Heb. 12:28,29; 1 John 5:3; John 14:15,21) A man who has a proper understanding of God's greatness and power ought to be moved to honor Him by obeying His will. Likewise, one who has an appreciation of the great love God has bestowed on mankind ought to be moved to love God and obey Him. Both of these motivators grow in men’s hearts as men grow in the knowledge of God.

Doing the will of God is sowing good seed unto life eternal. The reaping time will be a joyous time, indeed, for those who have sown to the spirit. Men will be judged in that final day on the basis of what they have done with their lives. God will judge every man according to his deeds (Rev. 20:12; 2 Cor. 5:10; Rom. 2:6). Eternal life will be awarded to those who by patience in well-doing have sought for glory and honor and incorruption (Rom. 2:7). To every man who works good, God will grant glory, honor and peace (Rom. 2:10). No comfort is afforded those who hold the doctrine of salvation by faith alone. The stated basis of judgment destroys that false doctrine (James 2:24). Since we will all reap what we have sown, isn't it time we were up and doing? & [Pathfinder, Vol. 18, No. 9]