The Church Not Found in the Bible

By Bill Hall

It is used in the universal sense, refer­ring to the saved of all ages and (2) it is used in the local sense, referring to a congregation of saved people in any given locality.

So, we read of Jesus' giving Himself for the church, Ephesians 5:25, and of His pur­chasing the church with His own blood, Acts 20:28. In these two passages the word "church" is used in the universal sense. Jesus gave Himself for the saved of all ages and purchased them with His own blood.

But we also read of the church in Corinth, 1 Corinthians 1:2, the church in Jerusalem, Acts 11:22, and the seven churches of Asia, Revelation 1:11. The reference in these passages is to congregations of saved people in these different localities. These local churches were organized, each with its own "bishops and deacons," Philip­pians 1:1.

The Bible does not use the word "church" however, in the denominational sense. One cannot read in the scriptures of denomina­tional conferences, associations, or synods. Nor can he read of denominational hierar­chies, names, creeds, or doctrines. These are the inventions of men, not of God. They have been the cause of many problems in religion.

What of the reader? Does he consider himself a part of that universal church made up of all the saved? Is he also a member of a local church? Does his mem­bership in that local church bring him also into an association with a denominational organization—an organization bigger than the local church, but smaller than the uni­versal church? If so, he is a part of a "church" not found in the Bible.

It must be our goal just to convert people to Jesus Christ, bring them to salvation through Him and lead them to affiliation with a local church that is a part of no denomi­national organization—a local church that is organized as were the local churches of the scriptures. This is the Bible way. Why should we continue to perpetuate that which God never founded nor authorized in His word, the Bible? & (Topics for Thought, December, 2007)

Success in God's Kingdom

By Mike Waters

We all want to be successful. Suc­cess in marriage, family and busi­ness is a desire shared by all. But what about being a success in the kingdom of God? How often do we consider God's in­struction concerning success in His king­dom?

The interesting fact about success in God's kingdom is that the attitudes involved are contrary to those preached by the modern-day success "gurus." Therefore, to be a success [do not do] as He does. Ac­cording to God's word, there are many fac­tors involved in becoming a successful member of His kingdom. Let's take a moment and briefly consider four of these fac­tors.

First, we must learn the importance of self­-denial. Ours is a self-centered society. To succeed in business, an individual often must become consumed with self. "If you don't look out for yourself, then no one else will!" This attitude is contrary to Scripture. Jesus sought to emphasize to His disciples the importance of thinking little of self: "If anyone wishes to come after Me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross, and fol­low me. For whoever wishes to save his life shall lose it; but whoever loses his life tor my sake shall find it" (Matthew 16:24-25). The only way I can succeed in God's king­dom to deny self and lose my life in serving Him. I must not focus exclusively on my own recreational and professional pursuits, but seek the accomplishment of God's will in my life. Now, that's success!

Second, we must develop a servant men­tality. As the Christian becomes less con­cerned with self, he must simultaneously be­come more concerned with others. This is difficult because we naturally tend to be more concerned with our own interests. Such thinking is antagonistic to the teaching of Jesus:

You know that those who are recognized as rulers of the Gentiles lord it over them; and their great men exercise authority over them. But it is not so among you, but who­ever wishes become great among you shall he your servant; and whoever wishes to be first among you shall It slave of all. For even the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and give His life a ransom for many" (Mark 10:42-45). Many seem to have little concern for the needs of others. Jesus demonstrated by His life that the serv­ing of others was crucial to pleasing His heavenly Father. The Christian must share the mind of Christ by reaching out and serv­ing the needs of others. Now that's suc­cess!

Third, we must avoid looking back to the things of this life. Once a decision is made to become a member of Cod's kingdom, the lustful desires of the past must be put away. We must "burn all bridges" and set a course aimed at pursuing those things of an eter­nal nature. Jesus said: "No one after putting his hand to the plow and looking back, is fit for the kingdom of God" (Luke 9:62). That's a frightening revelation! But it aptly illus­trates the need to pull away from our sinful past. A Christian must lay aside prior sins, evil associations, and worldly goals and march forward in God's kingdom with un­wavering determination. Now, that's suc­cess!

Finally, we must place a high value on God's kingdom because we have never properly clarified our values. People tend to focus upon things that are of high value to them. If it means a lot to us, then we will concentrate on obtaining it. This is why we must come to value God's kingdom. Jesus taught this principle in His discourse on the kingdom of God: "The kingdom of heaven is like a treasure hidden in the field, which a man found and hid; and from the joy over it he goes and sells all that he has, and buys that field. Again, the king­dom of heaven is like a merchant seeking fine pearls, and upon finding one pearl of great value, he went and sold all that he had, and bought it" (Matthew 13.44-46). If a Christian under­stands the supreme value of God's king­dom, then he will seek it dili­gently. Nothing else in life will ever be as im­portant as being a member in good stand­ing of God's king­dom. Now, that's success!

In conclusion, Christians must aspire to be­coming successful members of God's kingdom. This success can only be achieved as a proper understanding of "spiritual" suc­cess is developed. Have you learned to deny self? Have you developed a servant mental­ity? Do you avoid "looking back" to the things of this world? Do you place su­preme value on God's kingdom? If you can answer "Yes!" to these questions, then you are on the road to becoming a success in the king­dom of God. & (Gospel Power, March 5, 2000)