DENOMINATIONS

Webster defines ‘denomination’ as a “religious organization uniting in a single legal and administrative body; a number of local congregations;” also, a group of churches (collective) under the same name.

The “churches of Christ” (Romans 16:16) are each independent local churches. A church of Christ knows that its headquarters is in Heaven and Jesus is our head. Colossians 1:18.

We cannot find the denominational concept in the Bible. Each local church of Christ (that is organized and practicing scripturally) has only the Bible as its guide. Jesus said He had “all authority” – Matthew 28:18 - and what He (Christ) had bound and loosed in Heaven, He sent the Holy Spirit to guide the apostles and other inspired men to bind and loose on earth those same things. Matthew 16:19; 18:18.

We dare not bind where God has not bound, we dare not loose where God has not loosed.
All we do in word (what we teach) and deed (what we practice), must be done in the name (by the authority of – Acts 4:7) the Lord. Colossians 3:17.

We have no pressure from any group, headquarters, synod, to do anything we cannot read about in the Bible. Each local church of Christ is charged to study the Bible for itself and to be guided ONLY by God’s word – the Bible. What is found authorized in the Bible, we do! 2 Timothy 3:16-f. What cannot be found authorized in Gods word, we oppose and do not do!

For example:
1. We cannot find Christs’ authority for mechanical music in worship. So, we have singing only in our worship service – Colossians 3:16; Ephesians 5:19.

2. We do find authority for partaking of the Lord’s supper on the first day of the week (Sunday) – Acts 20:7. Every week has a first day, we find no other time or frequency.

3. We find authority for giving into the church treasury on the first day of the week, so that is when we give – 1 Corinthians 16:2.

Are you a member of the Lords church using only His word as your source of information? If not, you can be!

ARE YOU IN CHRIST?

Ephesians 1:3-14 is a beautiful passage having to do with the spiritual blessings afforded to one who is IN Christ.

Vs. 3 – God hath blessed those IN Christ will ALL spiritual blessings. We have many physical blessings, but IN Christ, we receive spiritual blessings.

Vs. 4 – God chose those IN Christ before the foundations of the world. Some think this supports the erroneous doctrine of predestination. It does NOT. It tells us that God – before He created the world - determined that mans’ salvation would be IN Christ - for those who obey the gospel. Any person, any era, since Day of Pentecost 33AD, can obey Gods word = gospel.

Vs 5 – God ‘predestined’ this salvation for those who would become children of God by the new birth (baptism). In John 3:5, Jesus teaches one must be born of water and the Spirit to enter the kingdom = church; kingdom = eternal in heaven. ‘Kingdom’ is used in two ways in the New Testament.
The water is baptism as directed by the Holy Spirit through the word of God (gospel). Galatians 3:27; Mark 16:16; Acts 2:38.
The Holy Spirit guided the apostles into ALL truth – John 16:13.
This is why all scripture is inspired of God – 2 Timothy 3:16-17 – and makes the man of God thoroughly furnished unto all good works.

Vs. 7 – IN Christ we have redemption [bought back from sin] through His blood, the forgiveness of sins. Matthew 26:28; Galatians 3:27.

Vs. 9 – God made known unto us the mystery (gospel) of His will, which He purposed.

Vs. 10 – That when the fullness of times was come (last days = gospel dispensation), ALL things IN Christ gathered together.

Vs. 11 – IN Christ, we have what God ‘predestined’ (planned) – SALVATION.

Vs. 12 – That we (Christians = IN Christ), should be to the praise of His glory.

Vs. 13 – Through the gospel we (Christians), are sealed with the Holy Spirit. (A seal identifies – Christians follow the teaching the Holy Spirit guided the apostles into, and are guarded by such).

Vs. 14 – This seal is an earnest (foretaste) of heaven to come, unto the praise of God’s glory.

Are you IN Christ? Salvation is one of the spiritual gifts mentioned in vs 3.
NO salvation outside Christ. One cannot be saved outside of Christ. How does one get INTO Christ? Galatians 3; Romans 6.

You can make your “calling (by the gospel) and election (salvation) sure”. 2 Peter 1:10.

What if....'Feelings' don't work?

Some religious bodies tell people that the way to be ‘saved’ is just to pray to God to save them, and when they ‘get a feeling’, that means they are saved!

A preacher was called to an elderly man who was on his deathbed. The preacher prayed and prayed and the sick man wanted to, tried to, ‘get that feeling’, but he never did. Here is a true example of a man that wanted to be saved, but just could not ‘get the feeling’. Is that what the Bible teaches?

Where in all of God’s word (ie: Bible) is such a thing taught? Where? One can read in Acts 2:37-38 where many heard the gospel preached until they had faith (Romans 10:17 tells us faith comes by hearing)….in Acts many heard until they believed (developed faith) and then were told “to repent and be baptized for the remission of their sins”. According to the Bible, then, and only then, were they ‘saved’ and the Lord added them to His church.

One can also read in Mark 16:16 Jesus says, “he that believeth and is baptized shall be saved.” Again the Bible states in Acts 22:16…”arise and be baptized and wash away they sins”.

In Romans 6:3; Galatians 3:27, one can read that people are baptized into Christ. All spiritual blessings are in Christ – Ephesians 1:3. Baptism into Christ brings one into death of Christ (contact with blood of Christ) Romans 6:3. Christs’ blood shed in His death is what saves – gives forgiveness of sins. 1Peter: 1:18-19.

I can NOT read in my Bible – from Pentecost in Acts 2 – after the gospel of Jesus Christ was first preached, of anyone ever being told to just ‘pray for salvation’ and when he ‘gets a feeling’, he will know he’s saved! Better felt than told, as some put it. Total error with no appeal to Gods word. False doctrine concocted by some mans ‘feelings’. This error cannot save!

To be saved and spend eternity with God in Heaven, man must go by God’s word in all they do religiously. Go by the Bible, not anyones ‘feelings’.

Colossians 3:17 tells us…..“Whatsoever you do in word or deed, do all in the name of the Lord.”
Word – what you teach; deed – what you practice; in the name of – by God’s authority (Acts 4:7).

God’s words – NOT feelings, not man’s ideas – are the words whereby men are saved.
“Lord, to whom shall we go? Thou hast the words of eternal life.” John 6:68

Consider UZZAH!

Most people ‘feel’ that wherever you do religiously is OK. Just as long as your heart is right. You feel good about it. Seems ‘right’ to you. But, is it right to God?

In studying with one person, they stated they “just didn’t think God was going to be that nit-picky” – ie: requiring people to follow to the letter ALL that He has commanded. ‘Not add to nor take away from God’s word.’ Revelation 22: 18-19.

God had Paul write in Colossians 3:17 - “Whatsoever you do in word or deed, do all in the name of the Lord”.
“Word” = what you say and teach; “deed” = what you practice; “in the name of” = by the authority of – Acts 4:7.

Settles it. Christians (those in Christ) are commanded to have Bible book, chapter, and verse – Gods authority - for all they teach and practice!

Considering bible verses we have read above, is God going to be nit-picky?
Let’s consider a great example by looking at Uzzah. Many may not know who Uzzah is or what he did.

For this background read 1 Samuel chapters 4-9; 2 Samuel chapter 6.
[Paraphrasing slightly] The Ark of the Covenant, which resided in the Tabernacle and where God dwelled with the children of Israel, had been captured in a battle between Israel and the Philistines. The Philistines carried the Ark away and suffered many problems including physical maladies because of their having the Ark. They wanted rid of it. After moving it from town to town, the Philistines turned the Ark over to the men of Bethshemesh (the Lord killed over 50,000 of them for looking into the Ark) and the Ark finally came to reside in the home of Abinadab in Gibeah [north and east of Jerusalem] where it stayed some 20 years.

When David becomes the second king of Israel he goes to bring the Ark home to Jerusalem.

David put the Ark upon a cart pulled by oxen and started the journey. Many went along singing & shouting. One such was Uzzah. As the Ark traveled, the oxen stumbled and Uzzah put out his hand and touched the ark to steady it. Perhaps just a reflex action on Uzzahs part? No matter. God struck him dead. God had commanded that no one touch the Ark at any time.
Gods action scared David so that David turned aside and left the Ark for some three months in the home of Obededom before finally returning it to Jerusalem.

Over 50,000 struck dead for looking into the Ark. Uzzah struck dead just for trying to steady the Ark, keep it from falling off the cart. Seems small thing to us, but God doesn’t think like man. Is God going to be nit-picky? The scriptures have just answered that with a resounding YES!

“There is a way which seemeth right unto a man, but the end thereof are the ways of [spiritual] death”. Proverbs 14:12.

Quotes from KJV.

Do ALL according to the Pattern

In Genesis 6:14-16, God told Noah exactly how to build the Ark (pattern to build). In Exodus 25:40, God admonishes the people to build the Tabernacle ‘according to the pattern’. Again, in Number 8:4; reiterated in Acts 7:44.

God has always given instructions for various things He wanted done. Suppose 10 women went to work for a clothing manufacturer and each was handed blue material and the same pattern and size to make blue jeans. Suppose some took it upon themselves to make some large, others small, others short, others long, one made a dress!
But, suppose one woman actually did follow the ‘pattern’ and made blue jeans the size and directions according to the pattern. ALL should have, but only ONE followed the ‘pattern’.
When each of the women presented what was made to the boss, what do you think he would say? Did the 9 follow his instruction? Would he be pleased?

In Matthew 16:18, Jesus said He would build His church. Matthew 28:18 tells us that Jesus has ALL authority. We are not to add to or take away from – Revelation 22:18.
We have no authority to change God's ‘pattern’.
We are NOT to go beyond that which is written – 1Corinthians 4:6. ALL we do in word (what we teach) or deed (what we do – how we live), must be “in the name of the Lord” or by His authority. Colossians 3:17 and Acts 4:7
ALL according to the ‘pattern’ ie: Gods word.

The church is not the place (physical location) the church comes together, but rather IS, the people who are Christians (IN Christ) who assemble for worship. All should have the same book (instructions), the Bible, the word of God, the ‘pattern’ that God has given man.

Yet, today, we see every name man can imagine, all kinds of ways to organize religion, worship, different plans of salvation, different standards of morality. HOW can this be if ALL follow the ‘pattern’ that God set forth….THE BIBLE? How can any church be ‘of God’ if it does not follow the ‘pattern’?

We can all be wrong but we can’t all be right if the Bible is our ‘pattern/authority’ in religion. Are you using God’s pattern or using a pattern that has been changed by man to suit man?

One MUST OBEY the Gospel of God

Although some religious bodies teach that man is saved by ‘faith only’, the Bible plainly teaches that ‘obedience’ to God and His will (plan) is essential to salvation.

Let us consider what Gods’ word [ie:Bible] has to say:

1). Jesus will come “in flaming fire taking vengeance on them that know not the gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ”. 2 Thessalonians 1:7-8.

2). “Seeing ye have purified your souls in obeying the truth”…1 Peter 1:22.

3). “For the time is come that judgment must begin at the house of God; and if it first begin at us, what shall be the end of them that obey not the gospel of God?” 1 Peter 4:17.

4). On Pentecost when the apostle Peter (inspired by the Holy Spirit), preached the gospel of the death and resurrection of Christ to the great number of Jews present (Acts 2:5), they did not ask what to believe, they believed what Peter preached. That is why they asked what to DO to be saved, to receive salvation! Acts 2:37.
Peter told them to repent (change their minds, change their actions), and be baptized FOR (in order to) have remission of their sins. Acts 2:38.

That answer was Gods' answer back then and it is Gods' answer today!
And that is NOT FAITH ONLY, but faith enough to DO (action/obedience) what Peter told them to do to be saved from their sins.
That is what obeying the gospel is all about! But, it does NOT stop there.

In 2 Thessalonians 1:7-8, obeying the gospel is present tense, indicating an act continuing. Faith, repentance, baptism (for remission of sins as above),
is obeying the first principles of the gospel or becoming a Christian (one IN Christ).

After obedience to the gospels first principles, a Christian must be faithful in worship and in work – that is continuing to obey the gospel.
Those who do not continue faithful are fallen from God’s grace. Galatians 5:4.

God’s word tells us, ‘Faith Only’ will NOT save! Are you obeying God’s gospel or are you sitting idle with ‘faith only’ as your doctrine?

ORGANIZING the BIBLE

The Bible is the inspired word of God which makes us furnished (prepared) unto all good works. 2 Timothy 3:16-17. Inspired means ‘God-breathed’;
Greek: theopneustos

2 Peter 1: 20-21…….“knowing this first, that NO prophecy [teaching] of the scriptures is of private interpretation…for the prophecy came not at any time by the will of man; but holy men of God spake as they were moved by the Holy Ghost.” The writers of the scriptures inked their pens, God gave the words.

The two big sections of the Bible are the Old Testament and the New Testament. The first book of the Bible, Genesis, and half of the book of Exodus discuss the creation and down to the giving of the (OT) Law to Moses and the Israelites at Mt. Sinai. The Old Testament (10 commandments and numerous other laws) was given ONLY to the Nation of Israel. Deuteronomy 5:1-3.

The purpose of the Old law was to prepare the people to receive the Messiah (Christ) when He came. The Old Testament was no longer in effect after Christ came and was crucified.
The New Testament went in to effect on the Day of Pentecost - Acts 2; Galatians 3:23-25; Colossians 2:14; Hebrews 9:15-17.

Many today are ignorant of the fact that the Old Testament is NOT our law today. A testament, or will, goes in to effect after the one who made it dies.
Again, Hebrews 9:15-17.

It is good to study the Old Testament (Romans 15:4) to learn much about God, the history of the world - including creation - and how God dealt with man in times past. Hebrews 1:1.

In addition, there are many prophecies in the Old Testament about Christ and His kingdom, which is the church. Matthew 16:18-19. Some do not believe that the kingdom has come. But the bible plainly states that it has, that the kingdom IS the church, and that Christ is King. Mark 9:1; Matthew 16:18-19; Colossians 1:13; Revelation 17:14; Hebrews 12:28.

The first four books of the New Testament are the birth, early years, and personal ministry of Christ. The book of Acts is the history of the establishment of the church (kingdom), how one gets into the church (kingdom), and the growth of the church.

The next 21 books are written to churches and individuals telling how to live as a Christian (one IN Christ), how to worship, and the work of the church.

The last book – Revelation – deals with the final resting place of ALL humanity – Heaven or Hell – and the great spiritual battle going on between God and His people and the Devil and his people. This spiritual battle is ongoing until the end of time and Christs’ return. Revelation was written in signs and symbols, a lot of it is not literal, but figurative. It was also to encourage the early church [church in any age] and Christians undergoing horrific persecution at that time. It also underscores who will be triumphant – GOD.

The New Testament tells one how to be on Gods winning side and spend eternity in Heaven with God and His angels.

See previous posts: ‘How Does One Become a Christian’; ‘Are We Under the Old Testament Today?’