A quick note!
Author: Brandi With An I
•10:44 AM
Hello everyone!

For starters I would like to thank all of you for reading and supporting this blog. I hope something here has blessed your life while reading as it blessed my life when posting.

Now, on to the reason for this post.

This is just a quick note to inform all readers that there will be new content featured on the Church of Christ Blog for the next few months.

In addition to what you already see on a regular basis, the book "The Church of Christ: the Distinctive Nature of the New Testament Church" by: Edward C. Wharton will be posted and shared on here.

This book breaks down the origins of the Lord's church, what's expected of those in it, how we reach out to others and more! Many questions that a lot of people have will be answered throughout the course of it. 

Everything in here is backed up by Scripture and it's truly a must read for all.

I hope, and pray, that we all gain a better understanding of The Church of Christ and what the Lord expects from us while we live here below and strive to make Heaven our eternal home.

God Bless you all,
- B.
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Food for Thought
Author: Brandi With An I
•12:42 PM

1 Corinthians 3:6

King James Version (KJV)

6I have planted, Apollos watered; but God gave the increase.

Just like back in Bible times, this still stands true today; God can't give the increase to anything unless we do our part. 


Many of us complain about how people aren't coming to worship anymore. We say how there aren't as many people coming and seeking Christ as there were back in the day.


Well, ask yourselves, have we done our part?


Have we reached out to those we haven't seen in a while?
Have we walked the neighborhoods spreading the good news of Christ and inviting people to worship?
Have we lived our lives as examples to those we are around?


We're expecting God to work a miracle but that's not going to happen.


He expects us to do our part, then in His own time and way He'll give the increase.


Look at it this way.


You want to plant a rose garden, so what do you do?
You buy the soil, seeds, and water like you're supposed to;
eventually, roses will bloom.


Do you think you'll get the same result if you just walk outside and say,
"Now look here, I wanna see some roses, so start blooming!"


Doesn't work that way.

If we want the Lord's church to grow by leaps and bounds, we need to do something.
If we want to reach more people, we have to go out and do the work.


You want God to move?


Step out on faith and watch Him show up and show out!


Think about it
- B.
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Devotional
Author: Brandi With An I
•1:18 PM
The Church Name
by: Tom Smith, Wooddale Church of Christ

It is common to hear people speak of "my church" or "your church" as they speak of a particular religious group. 

Such terminology suggests to many that the church is just an organization which man devised for his own needs. Thus, if society and custom change man can alter the church to fit those needs. 

From this kind of thinking comes a "justification" for "many churches" so that the needs of various people will be met. Then we are urged to "join the church of your choice," with the implication that all churches are equal in the sight of God and only personal preference should govern your decision about choosing a church.

But whose church is it, anyway? 
Did God say nothing in His word about the church? 
Did Jesus never address the subject? 
Did the apostles refuse to teach on the subject? 

Anyone who has even casually read the Scriptures knows that the Bible has much to say about the church. If we are to learn the value (or lack of it) of the church, we must go to the Bible to find it.

When Peter confessed to Jesus, "Thou art the Christ, the Son of the living God," the Lord replied, "Upon this rock I will build my church " (Matt. 16:16-18). 

Founders of this nation made America a great nation, a founder of a business often determines the value of the business. 

So it is with the church of which we read in the Bible. 

Jesus Christ is the builder of it, He founded the church. 

Man has since built many churches, and we can easily agree that these are not really important. But that church which Jesus built is important, simply because it is built by God's "only begotten Son."

The word "church" literally means, "called out." 
Peter writes, "But ye are a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, an holy nation, a peculiar people; that ye should shew forth the praises of him who hath called you out of darkness into his marvellous light" (1 Pet. 2:9). Christ has called us "by the gospel" (John 6:44-45; 2 Thes. 2:13-14), out of sin and into righteousness (Rom. 1:16-17; 2 Cor. 5:21). Those who respond to His call through the gospel (Mark 16:15-16) are "the called out" or "the church." That means the value of the church is determined by the value of the call, and the One who calls is Lord of those who are called.

The churches which have been begun by men are usually governed by synods, councils, conventions or some other such organization in which men determine the course of that church. But when He gave the "great commission" to the apostles, Christ said, " All authority hath been given unto me in heaven and on earth " (Matt. 28:18). 

Jesus doesn't share His headship over the church with man. 
Notice again, "He is the head of the body, the church. ..that in all things he might have the pre-eminence" (Col. 1:18). 

Paul wrote that God has "put all things in subjection under his feet, and gave him to be head over all things to the church, which is his body" (Eph. 1:22-23). 

Man might govern his own church, if he had the right to have one. 
But it is not up to a man, nor to a group of men, to govern the church of Christ, for only Christ is head of it and only Christ has authority over it.
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Question of the Day
Author: Brandi With An I
•3:13 PM

Does it really matter why one is baptized?

Bob Prichard
Topic(s): Baptism, Salvation

The second chapter of Acts describes the beginning of the Lord's church almost two thousand years ago on the day of Pentecost. 

Hearing Peter's words, Repent, and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins (Acts 2:38), they that gladly received his word were baptized: and the same day there were added unto them about three thousand souls (Acts 2:41). According to Acts 2:47, the Lord added to the church daily such as should be [or, those who were being] saved. Thus the Lord added three thousand people to His church as they obeyed the teachings of the apostles by being baptized.

While the administrator of baptism is unimportant, the purpose in baptism is of the utmost importance. Anyone properly baptized, as those three thousand were on the day of Pentecost, is added unto the Lord's church. A person baptized for the wrong purpose, however, has no assurance that the Lord will add him to His church. For example, if a man was baptized simply because his wife wanted him to be baptized, and he made no real commitment to the Lord, then the Lord certainly would not add that man to His church, because pleasing or obeying a wife is not the Lord's purpose in baptism. We see, then, that it is important to know and understand the Lord's purposes in baptism.

Jesus commissioned his disciples, Go ye into all the world, and preach the gospel to every creature. He that believeth and is baptized shall be saved; but he that believeth not shall be damned (Mark 16:15-16). The purpose of baptism, then, as stated by Christ, is to save the believer. Scriptural baptism then, is preceded by belief in Christ. Peter told those gathered on Pentecost, Repent, and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins (Acts 2:38). So Peter said that the purpose of baptism of the penitent believer is for the remission (forgiveness) of sins.

Ananias commanded Saul of Tarsus, And now why tarriest thou? arise, and be baptized, and wash away thy sins, calling on the name of the Lord (Acts 22:16). Here again the purpose of baptism is stated, to wash away sins. Paul declared to the Galatians, as many of you as have been baptized into Christ have put on Christ (Galatians 3:27). Thus baptism puts the obedient believer into Christ, where there is salvation. Peter compared baptism to Noah's ark, saying, The like figure whereunto even baptism doth also now save us (not the putting away of the filth of the flesh, but the answer of a good conscience toward God,) by the resurrection of Jesus Christ (1 Peter 3:21). Peter clearly said, baptism doth also now save us. The scriptures show that baptism is an immersion in water for the forgiveness of sins, upon which the Lord adds that penitent and obedient believer to His church. A baptism administered merely as a denominational ordinance to those who have already been saved, or to a child that is unaware of the significance of baptism, does not fit the New Testament pattern for baptism.

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What kind of heart do you have?
Author: Brandi With An I
•3:44 PM
[ Notes taken from the sermon preached 
by Bro. Richard Washington ]


The text was taken from Mark 4:13-20:


13 Then Jesus said to them, “Don’t you understand this parable? How then will you understand any parable? 14 The farmer sows the word. 15 Some people are like seed along the path, where the word is sown. As soon as they hear it, Satan comes and takes away the word that was sown in them. 16Others, like seed sown on rocky places, hear the word and at once receive it with joy. 17 But since they have no root, they last only a short time. When trouble or persecution comes because of the word, they quickly fall away. 18 Still others, like seed sown among thorns, hear the word; 19 but the worries of this life, the deceitfulness of wealth and the desires for other things come in and choke the word, making it unfruitful. 20 Others, like seed sown on good soil, hear the word, accept it, and produce a crop—some thirty, some sixty, some a hundred times what was sown.”


There are four types of hearts:
Rejectful Heart
Retractful Heart
Restricted Heart
and
Reproductive Heart



  • Rejectful Heart: word of God went on it but didn't go in it (v. 15)
    • II Corinthians 4:3-4 -> 3 And even if our gospel is veiled, it is veiled to those who are perishing. 4 The god of this age has blinded the minds of unbelievers, so that they cannot see the light of the gospel that displays the glory of Christ, who is the image of God.
    • I Corinthians 4:6 -> 6 Now, brothers and sisters, I have applied these things to myself and Apollos for your benefit, so that you may learn from us the meaning of the saying, “Do not go beyond what is written.” Then you will not be puffed up in being a follower of one of us over against the other.

  • Retractful Heart: obeyed the word and then turned their back on God (v. 16 & 17)
    • II Peter 2:20-22 -> 20 If they have escaped the corruption of the world by knowing our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ and are again entangled in it and are overcome, they are worse off at the end than they were at the beginning. 21 It would have been better for them not to have known the way of righteousness, than to have known it and then to turn their backs on the sacred command that was passed on to them. 22 Of them the proverbs are true: “A dog returns to its vomit,”[a] and, “A sow that is washed returns to her wallowing in the mud.”
  • Restricted Heart: word of God went on it, in it, down, but didn't come back up (v. 18 & 19)
    • Luke 10:38-40 -> 38 As Jesus and his disciples were on their way, he came to a village where a woman named Martha opened her home to him. 39 She had a sister called Mary, who sat at the Lord’s feet listening to what he said. 40 But Martha was distracted by all the preparations that had to be made. She came to him and asked, “Lord, don’t you care that my sister has left me to do the work by myself? Tell her to help me!”
    • We have to be careful not to get caught up in what we have or it will have us. We can't allow duties, dollars and evil desires to stop us from being and becoming who God wants us to be.
  • Reproductive Heart: word fell on good ground; went on, in, down and came up (v. 20)
Now that we know the different kinds of hearts, I have a question for you...
What kind of heart do YOU have?

We have to be honest with ourselves.
If we don't have a Reproductive Heart, it's about time for us to allow God to perform
a spiritual heart transplant on us...wouldn't you agree?

Think about it...
- B.
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Gospel Meeting
Author: Brandi With An I
•4:16 PM
When: September 25-29, 2011
Where: Fidelity Church of Christ
140 Fidelity St.
Houston, TX 77029
(713) 674-3403
Time: 6pm Sunday; 7pm Monday - Thursday
Guest Speaker: Bro. Jack Evans, Sr. - President of Southwestern Christian College
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Salvation by Faith Alone
Author: Brandi With An I
•1:19 PM
The Scripture says, “Have no fellowship with the unfruitful works of darkness, but rather ex­pose them” (Eph. 5:11). 

Welcome to our series of lessons titled “Answering Denomination­al Doctrines.” 

In this lesson we will be looking at the doctrine of “salvation by faith alone.” 
Is faith by itself all that a person has to have to be saved? 
Are we saved at the point that we mentally accept and recognize Jesus as the Son of God and Savior of the world? 

Mul­tiplied millions of people believe this idea. 
They believe that at the point of belief alone, a person is saved. 
Is that what the Bible teaches?

First, let’s represent this doctrine fairly by quoting some of the famous believers and teach­ers of this doctrine to see exactly what they have to say concerning it. 

For example, Martin Luther said concerning faith alone: “Our salvation is through faith alone. We only need to believe that our sins are forgiven for Christ’s sake, Who died to redeem us.” One of the fa­mous proponents of this doctrine was Martin Luther, who said that it is only by faith alone that we are saved. This means that all a person has to do is believe that Jesus died for his sins, and accept Him as Savior. But Luther is not the only one who believes that. 

In the Methodist Book of Discipline we read, “We are accounted righteous before God only for the merit of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ by faith, and not for our own works or deserv­ings. Wherefore, that we are justified by faith only is a most wholesome doctrine and very full of comfort.” 

Whether or not such a concept is comforting, we want to ask the question, “Is it of God?” 
Is such a teaching biblical? 

Some people believe that at the moment they mentally accept Jesus, they are saved. 
Is that what the Bible says? 

Please understand as we begin this lesson that we are not denying that a person must believe in Jesus to be saved. There is no doubt that the Scripture clearly teaches that a person must have faith. “Without faith, it is impossible to believe God” (Heb. 11:6). Jesus Himself said, “Unless you believe that I am He, you will surely die in your sins” (Jn. 8:24). As Philip was teaching the Ethiopian eunuch, they came to a certain water and the eunuch said, “Here is water. What hinders me?” Philip said, “If you believe with all your heart, you may” (Acts 8:36-39). 

We are not denying that a person must believe. 
But is belief all that a person must do? 
Are we saved the second we believe Jesus is the Son of God? 

Like the doctrine of “once saved, always saved” (which says that a person cannot fall from grace), it is the case that in the exact language of false teachers, God has said that we are not saved by faith alone.  

James 2:24 is such a powerful passage that discusses true faith versus a faith that will not save. Notice what James said: “You see then that a man is justified by works, and not by faith only.” 

When we hear about the doctrine of salvation by faith alone, it is almost as if the doctrine is found on practically every page of the Bible.  

“Just have faith only!” 

Do you know how many times in Scripture “faith only” or “faith alone” is mentioned? 
It is mentioned only one time in the Bible. 
We hear it as if it was in every conversion account, yet it is mentioned only once in the Bible. The only time that God uses faith alone, He says the exact opposite of what millions are saying, what Martin Luther and the Methodist Book of Discipline teach, and what multiplied millions of people believe con­cerning that “all a person has to do to be saved is have faith alone.” 
God mentions “faith only” one time, and there He says that a person is not justified by faith alone! The concept of being “justified” means “just as if I had never sinned.” But a person is not forgiv­en, is not a child of God, and is not redeemed at the point of faith alone!
So while such a con­cept may be popular, and while many may agree that it is a comforting doctrine, the Bible does not teach that faith alone will save a person.
If we are going to show today that at the point of belief, a person is not saved, what would we have to do? We would need to present some clear-cut cases in Scripture of people who believed in Jesus, yet who were still lost. If we can do that, then we can show clearly that faith alone is not the point at which a person is saved. 
Let’s look at five examples in the New Testament of people who believed in Jesus (that is, all they had was faith), yet who were not saved.
John 1:12 tells us, “As many as received Him, to them He gave the right to become children of God.” At the point of belief, those people still had to become something that, at that particular point, they were not. Belief puts a person in the arena of those who may then do the rest of the things that God has said a person must do to become a child of God. But the passage does not say, “As many as received Him, He made children of God.” It does not say that at the point of belief, they were children of God. Rather, it says that they had the right to become children of God.
In John 12:42 the Bible says, “Nevertheless even among the rulers many believed in Him, but because of the Pharisees they did not confess Him, lest they should be put out of the synagogue.” 
Even among the religious leaders, there were many who believed in Jesus. If the doctrine of faith-only salvation is true, then at this point these people must have been saved.  
But can a person be saved without confessing Jesus? 
Not according to what Jesus Himself said! 
In Matthew 10:32-33 Jesus said, “If you do not confess Me before men, I will not con­fess you before the Father who is in heaven. But if you do confess Me before Men, I also will confess you before the Father who is in heaven.” 
In John 12:42 we find people who believed in Jesus. If the doctrine of faith-only salvation is true, then those people must have been saved. Yet Jesus said, ““If you do not confess Me before men, I will not confess you before the Father who is in heaven. If you will not say that you believe in Me, I will not say to the Father, ‘This is a child of Mine.’” 
So, here we find an example of people who believed in Jesus, yet who would not do the rest of what God commanded them to do.
In John 8:30,44 we find an example that makes it abundantly clear that a person can believe in Jesus yet sill be a child of the devil. John 8:30 says, “As He spoke these words, many believed in Him.” Then, in verse 44 Jesus said to those same people,
“You are of your father the devil, and the desires of your father you want to do. He was a murderer from the beginning, and does not stand in the truth, because there is no truth in him. When he speaks a lie, he speaks from his own resources, for he is a liar and the father of it.”

Jesus had been preaching. 
And what happened? 
Many believed in Him. 
Yet to that same group of people Jesus said, “You are of your father the devil.” 

What do we learn from this teaching? 
A person can believe in Jesus, yet still be a child of the devil. 
Why? 

If a person is not willing to do the rest of what God said, then you are not yet a child of God but are still a child of the devil. At the point of belief, a person must then work toward obeying God’s plan of salvation.

In Acts 9:4-6 we find Saul being confronted by the Lord while traveling to Damascus. He responds by asking, “Who are You, Lord?” Christ said, “I am Jesus, whom you are perse­cuting.” Saul then asked, “Lord, what would You have me to do?” Saul recognized that Je­sus was Lord, and he believed in Him as Lord. He even called him “Lord.” 
But was Saul saved at the point that he recognized Jesus as Lord? 
Absolutely not! 

In Acts 22:16 we see the rest of the story. 
Ananias comes to Saul and asks, “Why are you tarrying?” He then tells Saul, “Arise and be baptized, washing away your sins, calling on the name of the Lord.” 

At the point of Saul’s belief, his sins were not gone. 
He was not yet a child of God because he had to do God’s will. 

Let’s stop here and think about something else. 

Oftentimes, in association with the idea of faith-only salvation, I hear people say, “To be saved, all a person must do is believe in Jesus and say the sinner’s prayer.” That prayer goes something like this: “Dear Jesus, I believe that You are the Savior. I accept You into my heart, and ask you to come and fill my life.” 

Is that correct? 
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Keep a Song in your Heart
Author: Brandi With An I
•1:13 PM
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Question of the Day
Author: Brandi With An I
•8:00 AM
Should a pastor be called reverend?
Topic(s): Bible Study, Denominationalism
Todd Clippard

This question as submitted was "should a pastor be called reverend?" 
The REAL question is, "should a preacher be called a pastor?" 
This practice is common among most religious bodies today, yet is complete foreign to the Bible.

In response to the original question, no person should be called reverend. Matthew 23:1-12 forbids the use of religious titles to elevate one man above another.

Hardly a week goes by that I do not receive at least one call asking, "Are you the pastor?" I generally respond, "No, I am the preacher." This sometimes confuses the caller who actually cares about my response. But, because they usually have some business to discuss, they ignore my reply and go on. 
I know some of you are wondering, "If you are the preacher, then why aren't you the pastor?" 

The answer is simple; the Bible never refers to a preacher as being synonymous with being a pastor. I know this confuses many because the denominational world has erroneously conceived the idea that the preacher is "in charge" of the church. 

What does the Bible say about pastors? 
Who may be rightfully called a pastor? 

This is the focus of our study.

The word "pastor" is found only once in the King James Bible (Ephesians 4:11). It is translated from the Greek word poimane. However, the same Greek word is elsewhere translated "feed" (Acts 20:28; 1 Peter 5:2). In these contexts, it describes a function of the eldership<. This concept is also foreign to most of the religious world, but we shall shed some light on it later in this article.

In Acts 20:17, Paul called the elders of the Ephesian church to meet him in Miletus. In that meeting he gave the following charge in verse 28, "Take heed to yourselves, and to all the flock, over which the Holy Spirit hath made you overseers, to feed the church of God which He hath purchased with His own blood." "Feed" is translated "from the same Greek word translated "pastors" in Ephesians 4:11.

In 1 Peter 5:1, Peter gives an exhortation to the elders. In this exhortation is the command to "feed the flock of God which is among you" (1 Peter 5:2). Again, this word is the same as that appearing in Acts 20:28. Thus, the charge to feed or pastor the flock (local church) is given to the elders, and not to the preacher. 

Now we must answer the question, "what is an elder?"

The word "elder" is translated from the Greek word presbuteros. Of this word, Vine's dictionary says these "were appointed to have the spiritual care of, and to exercise oversight over, the churches. To these, the term "bishops," or "overseers," is also applied (Acts 20:17, 28; Titus 1:5-7)." Paul writes of a bishop and elder as being synonymous in Titus 1:5-7. 
For a man to serve as an elder (or bishop), he must meet the qualifications given in the scriptures, specifically 1 Timothy 3:1-7 and Titus 1:5-9. 
Notice I said "a man." 
One of the qualifications for elders, or pastors, is that he must be the "husband of one wife" (1 Tim 3:2; Titus 1:6). Therefore, this automatically excludes women from serving in this capacity.

Also, one never reads in the Bible of one man "pastoring" a church. Each congregation was always overseen by a plurality of elders (Acts 14:23, Acts 20:17; Philippians 1:1; Titus 1:5; Hebrews 13:7, 17; 1 Peter 5:1).

Finally, in reference to elders, Paul told Titus he left him in Crete to "set in order the things that are lacking, and appoint elders in every city, as I had appointed thee" (Titus 1:5). 

Is the congregation where you worship overseen by elders? 
If not, then according to scripture, something is lacking. 

If you have questions about church organization, contact me and we'll study the Bible together.

[SOURCE]
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Question of the Day
Author: Brandi With An I
•8:00 AM
Must one be a member of the church of Christ to be saved?
Topic(s): Church, Salvation
Todd Clippard

(Note - The entirety of the inquisitor's comments appear below:)

I am also curious about a rumor I heard, that the Church of Christ believes you can't be saved without being a member of your church. If this is so, I must note that Jesus said He does "not dwell in temples made with hands" and the verses you laid out make it abundantly obvious that HE is the only way.

I do not have a church. The Lord has a church. In Matthew 16:16-19, He said He would build His church. Acts 20:28 teaches He purchased the church with His blood. The Bible only speaks of one church. The term "church of Christ" is not an identity of ourselves as simply one denomination among the thousands now in existence. Rather, it identifies Christ's church, that is to say, the church that belongs to Christ. The one He came to build and for which He gave His life.

Acts 2:47 says the Lord adds the saved to the church. Ephesians 1:22-23 and Colossians 1:18 teach there is one head (Christ) and one body (church).

Ephesians 5:23-33 utilizes 12 nouns and pronouns referring to the church, all of them singular.

Also, in this and other passages, the church is likened to the bride or the wife of Christ (e.g., Rom 7:1-4). Therefore, to teach there is more than one church is to make Jesus a polygamist.

Please consider a few simple questions:

Can a man be saved without being reconciled to God (2 Cor 5:18-20; Eph 2:16)?

According to these verses, where is the place of reconciliation?

Is the body of Christ the church (Eph 1:22-23; Col 1:18)?

How many bodies does Jesus have (Eph 4:4)?

According to Ephesians 5:23, of what is Jesus the Savior?

Now, must one be a member of the church of Christ in order to be saved?

[SOURCE]
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Keep a Song in your Heart
Author: Brandi With An I
•6:22 PM
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Keep a Song in your Heart
Author: Brandi With An I
•3:29 PM
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Keep a Song in your Heart
Author: Brandi With An I
•3:23 PM
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10 Facts about the Church of Christ
Author: Brandi With An I
•10:22 PM
1. We read of it in the New Testament (Romans 16:16)
2. It exalts Christ as the only head of the church (Ephesians 1:22).
3. It has no creed but Christ and binds no name on its members but the divine name, Christian (Acts 11:26).
4. It speaks where the Bible speaks and is silent where the Bible is silent (1 Peter 4:11)
5. It pleads for the unity of all believers in Christ (John 17:20-21).
6. It is not a denomination, nor a group of denominations, but simply the body of Christ (Ephesians 5:23; Colossians 1:18).
7. Its founder is Christ Himself (Matthew 16:18).
8. Its aim is to save souls by Gospel preaching (Romans 1:16).
9. Its worship is patterned after the New Testament (John 4:24).
10. It teaches that scriptural unity can be attained on all disputed doctrinal questions (1 Corinthians 1:10).
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Keep a Song in your Heart
Author: Brandi With An I
•9:37 PM
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Keep a Song in your Heart
Author: Brandi With An I
•3:42 PM
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What about tradition?
Author: Brandi With An I
•3:54 PM


And he said unto them, Full well ye reject the commandment of God, that ye may keep your own tradition. (Mark 7:9)
When the New Testament speaks of traditions (Matthew 15:2-6), it refers to religious beliefs and practices that were handed down from generation to generation. Many thought these beliefs and practices originated with God and had His approval. The fact is, some of them were of human origin and did not have God’s approval.
[ Note Matthew 15:2-6 ]
This passage deals with an occasion when scribes and Pharisees from Jerusalem asked Jesus why His disciples transgressed the tradition of the elders in that they did not wash their hands when they ate bread. They regarded the ceremonial washing of hands as a sacred obligation and they noticed the disciples of Christ failed to observe it.
When they asked Jesus about it, He asked them why they transgressed God’s word by observing traditions. The point is, if God authorized such traditions they would not conflict with His commands. Jesus then cited the command that called for honoring fathers and mothers (Exodus 20:12). In this case honoring parents included providing for them when such a need arose. But some grown children, who were able, found a way to avoid this responsibility. Based on tradition they claimed what they had was on tradition they claimed what they had was already dedicated to the Lord, and therefore they could not help their needy parents (Mark 7:11). They found a way to sidestep responsibility. They used tradition to avoid obeying God’s commandment. This line of reasoning demonstrated the fact human tradition was sometimes used to cancel out the law of God.
This would also help answer their question why the disciples did not ceremonially wash their hands before eating. Such a law did not come from God. It made no difference what men approved it, how many approved it, or how long it had been practiced. If it did not come from God it was unnecessary.
According to Mark’s account Jesus said, “Full well, ye reject the commandments of God, that ye may keep your traditions” (Mark 7:9). Many of these traditions (human laws) came into being long after the giving of God’s law by Moses. Over time these human traditions came to be regarded as God’s will. Jesus pointed out the danger of them and upheld the disciples in rejecting practicing them.
We should also note the apostle Paul wrote against the traditions of men in Colossians 2:8, 9. He said, “Beware lest any man spoil you through philosophy and vain deceit, after the traditions of men, after the rudiments of the world, and not after Christ.” Then too, the apostle Peter warned against the traditions of men in 1 Peter 2:18. He was probably referring to traditions among Gentiles and pointed out Jesus died to redeem those who sought salvation by practicing such things.
Where did these traditions come from? From men! Some said they were a part of an oral law given by Moses but were not placed in the record. Others have said they came from judicial decisions and came to be regarded as precedents, and still others have said they were from great teachers who were highly regarded. And who knows where they came from among the Gentiles? The point is, these traditions did not come from God and therefore had no authority and were, at times, in conflict with God’s law.
We should note, the word “tradition” itself does not necessarily make a practice wrong. It depends on whether a practice is approved of God. In 2 Thessalonians 3:6 Paul wrote, “Now we commend you brethren, in the name of the Lord Jesus Christ, that ye withdraw yourselves from every brother that walketh disorderly, and not after the tradition which he received of us.” Here Paul warned fellow Christians not to follow any brother who failed to engage in practices God approved. This instruction, given by inspiration was to be handed down from generation to generation. The point is, this teaching (tradition) came from God. It didn’t become important or sacred because it was handed down. It was important because it was God’s will.
So we must make decisions regarding what we believe and practice. We need to make sure what we accept is the will of God. We need to be able to prove that what we do in serving Him meets His approval. Religious practices not supported by a proper way of understanding the Bible are to be avoided. Those supported by the word of God are to be practiced and defended.
Think friend, how many doctrines and practices today are of human origin! And think how important it is to be able to prove by the Bible that what we believe and do has God’s approval!
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What is the Church of Christ?
Author: Brandi With An I
•7:58 PM

“The church is a body of baptized believers, called out from the world, over which Christ reigns as head, and which the Holy Spirit directs by means of the Word of Truth”
– Guy N. Woods
The church includes all who have accepted the invitation of Christ to leave sinful ways ad follow Him (Acts 2:47).
In the Bible “church” did not refer to a meetinghouse. A meetinghouse (or church building) is the place where a church meets. “Church” refers to people. A church may meet in a house (Romans 16:5).
  1. How and When did it Begin?
Plans for the church were first made in heaven, for the church is a part of God’s eternal purpose (Ephesians 3:10).
Jesus announced, during His personal ministry, He would build it (Matthew 16:18). He prepared for it by announcing its coming and the conditions of membership. The church He promised is the same as the kingdom of God that had been anticipated from Old Testament times (Daniel 2:44). Jesus is King over the kingdom and Head over the church. The same acts of obedience that put the sinner into the kingdom (John 3:5), put him into the church (Acts 2:38; 1 Corinthians 12:13). Christians are citizens of the kingdom and members of the church.
  1. Why would one want to be a member of it?
One cannot be saved and remain out of it any more than one can be saved and remain out of the family of God. If one says he is not a member of the church Jesus built he either isn’t saved or doesn’t understand. All spiritual blessings are in Christ (Ephesians 1:3). To be in Christ is to be in His body which is the church (Ephesians 1:22, 23).
  1. How does one get into the church?
First, one must be saved. The Lord then adds him to it (Acts 2:47). There are no saved (forgiven) people out of the church Jesus built, nor are there alien sinners in the church He built. The line between the world and the church is distinct. On one side are the lost. On the other are the saved. The dividing line is obedience. Before one obeys the gospel he is out of it. After obedience he is in it.
What are these conditions?
*      Hear the gospel (Romans 10:17)
*      Believe the gospel (Mark 1:15)
*      Repent of sins (Luke 13:5)
*      Confess Christ (Acts 8:37; Romans 10:10)
*      Be immersed (Acts 2:38; 1 Peter 3:21)
  1. What is the work of the church?
The church is to support the teaching of God’s word (1 Corinthians 9:14), to edify (Ephesians 4:11, 12), and relieve the afflicted (Galatians 6:10; 1 Timothy 5:9). Individual members are to live the Christian life, honor God, teach His word, support themselves as much as possible, and help others who have need. They are to pay their debts and be law-abiding citizens. They are to live pure lives, to be truthful and honest, and they are to honor Christ.
  1. The worship of the church.
Christians are to assemble regularly (Hebrews 10:25). When assembled they are to:
*      Sing praises (Colossians 3:16; Ephesians 5:19)
*      Pray (1 Thessalonians 5:17; 1 Timothy 2:1-3)
*      Teach, or listen to teaching (Acts 20:7)
*      Partake of the Lord’s Supper, on the first day of the week (1 Corinthians 11:23-27)
*      Contribute financially, on the first day of the week (1 Corinthians 16:1,2)
  1. Who is head of the church?
According to the Bible Christ is the head (Ephesians 1:22, 23; Colossians 1:18). There is no evidence Jesus ever appointed anyone on earth to represent Him personally. The keys of Matthew 16:19 represent the gospel which is used by everyone to obtain the forgiveness of sins. Every lost man must obey the same unchangeable gospel (Galatians 1:8, 9).
  1. The destiny of the church.
It is to continue till the end of time (Matthew 16:18), then it is to be delivered up to the Father (1 Corinthians 15:24). Faithful Christians will enter heaven (Matthew 25:24). When this happens the church/kingdom will realize the last great promise of God—to be with Him forever.
  1. The non-denominational view.
The Bible does not present the New Testament church as a body made up of all denominations, nor as a single denomination. The church of Christ existed before a denominational arrangement developed. Centuries after the church began, different doctrines were taught that had no Bible support and division occurred. Then the denominational system developed with different names, creeds and churches. A non-denominational view looks back over these to the first century, when there was only one church.
Members of the church of Christ seek to duplicate the non-denominational church of the first century. They take the Bible as their supreme guide. They reject doctrines and practices that were introduced after the close of the New Testament. They seek to be Christians only. They believe this is the one and only way to unite all who are seeking to follow Christ. No one has to give up anything taught in the Bible to become a member. Everyone must be ready to give up everything not taught in the Bible.
  1. If you are interested in being a Christian only, seek out the church of Christ and see if these things are so. You have everything to gain. You are welcome to attend and listen. You have the opportunity to ask questions following the service, in privacy if you wish. Expect a Bible answer given courteously and with respect. Your eternal destiny may well depend on your decision.

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