What The Bible Says
“What The Bible Says - Vol. 2 / No. 11”
.jpg)
What The Bible Says
Vol. II - No. 11 / November 3, 2019
"DIGITAL CHURCH" VERSUS "LOCATION CENTRIC" CHURCHES
I recently read an article entitled, “Church as we know it is over. Here’s what’s next.” The article describes the rise of the “digital church” and it explains how digital church (streamed worship services and online Bible sermons and studies) will replace the “physical attendance model that is location-centric.”
The internet has provided an amazing platform for Bible study. It provides access to many different versions the Bible in many different languages. It houses an avalanche of Bible commentary, study and resource materials, lexicons and dictionaries. I personally like blueletterbible.org and use it almost every day. I keep a tab to this site always open in my internet browser. Of course, as is true with other sources of Bible commentary, whether written or oral, Bible students must be careful to avoid being deceived by the many religious and doctrinal errors that are propagated on the internet and through religious apps. There are false teachers who deceitfully plot to overthrow faith (2 Pet. 2:1; Eph. 4:14; 2 Tim. 2:18). However, the internet and digital technology can be a tremendously valuable tools for learning the Bible.
The author of the above referenced article is correct that many people do prefer to use their phones, tablets and computers for many things, including spiritual things. However, these devices cannot provide all of our spiritual nourishment. Watching streamed worship services is not a substitute for actually being in and being a part of a worship assembly. This is not a criticism of technology, nor is it a denial of its usefulness, but technology does have its limitations.
For example, those who presume to speak on behalf of God are obligated to speak “the very words of God” (1 Pet. 4:11). Preachers must base their message and their conclusions upon what the Scriptures say and teach. Only the Scripture is “given by the inspiration of God” and it alone is capable of guiding people spiritually (2 Tim. 3:16-17). The preacher is obligated to speak where the Bible speaks whether he writes his bullet points on a chalk board or projects them onto a screen using a DLP projector. He might disseminate his writings and sermons using physical paper or he might do so in digital format via the internet. Regardless of the technology that he uses, he is obligated before God to speak where God has spoken. Ones use of technology does not violate or negate the basic purpose, which is to disseminate the gospel.
Technology and Worship
Christians are commanded to assemble. Hebrews 10:25 says, “Not forsaking our own assembling together, as is the habit of some, but encouraging one another; and all the more as you see the day drawing near.”
One might walk to that assembly, ride a horse, ride in a horse-drawn buggy or car or fly in some futuristic hovercraft. They may some day invent a Star Trek-like “transporter” capable of dematerializing us and then instantaneously re-materializing us somewhere else! Regardless of advancements that might be made in transportation technology, our obligation to God remains exactly the same—we are to assemble together. We have approved apostolic examples of saints assembling upon the first day of the week—“And they continued steadfastly in the apostles’ doctrine and fellowship, in the breaking of bread, and in prayers” (Acts 2:42); “Now on the first day of the week, when the disciples came together to break bread, Paul, ready to depart the next day, spoke to them and continued his message until midnight” (Acts 20:7).
1 Corinthians 14 provides instructions governing worship. It addresses various worship practices as well as the type of attitude and conduct that should be had in worship assemblies. Verse 23 says, “Therefore if the whole church comes together in one place…” In order to worship God there must be an assembly, and in order to have an assembly there must be agreement upon a certain time and place. This is, by definition, “location-centric.” Yes, people might reject this concept but they are wrong if they do.
Singing is the type of music that is authorized in the New Testament for worship and it is to be done “to one another” (Eph. 5:19). This requires being together in an assembly. Giving also involves a church assembly—“Now concerning the collection for the saints, as I have given orders to the churches of Galatia, so you must do also: On the first day of the week let each one of you lay something aside, storing up as he may prosper, that there be no collections when I come” (1 Cor. 16:1-2).
Scriptural observance of the Lord’s Supper requires eating unleavened bread in remembrance of Christ’s body and drinking fruit of the vine in remembrance of His blood (1 Cor. 11:24-25). It is also to be done when saints “come together in one place” (1 Cor. 11:20 & 33). The Lord’s Supper cannot be rightly observed through a conference call or on Facebook. It can only be done by saints in a church assembly that has come together into “one place.”
While it is fine to use the internet, social media, apps and other technology for certain things relating to spirituality, it is no substitute for the church assembly composed of physical people. Those who are too lazy or too preoccupied with other activities to take the time to attend a church assembly cannot worship God “in spirit and in truth” (John 4:24).
—Tim Haile
"THE BIBLE AND YOU"
Mankind is certainly ingenious when it comes to inventing different views to tip toe around what God's word says. Mark 16:16 is one such passage.
THE METHODISTS read Mark 16:16 like this: "He that believeth not and is baptized shall be saved". One of their cardinal doctrines teaches the practice of infant baptism when the infant is way too young to know what’s going on much less to believe anything the Bible teaches concerning sin, repentance, and salvation.
THE ATHEISTS read Mark 16:16 like this: "He that believeth and is baptized shall not be saved". They do not even believe in God to Whom man is accountable for his actions. Since there is no accountability to a God, there can be no such thing as sin and definitely no need for salvation.
THE UNIVERSALISTS read Mark 16:16 like this: "He that believeth not and is baptized not shall be saved". They believe EVERYBODY is SAVED and NOBODY is LOST.
THE BAPTISTS read Mark 16:16 like this: "He that believeth and is not baptized shall be saved". They believe salvation comes at the point of faith and baptism has nothing to do with saving.
JESUS said in Mark 16:16 "He that believeth and is baptized shall be saved". Now, which view are we going to take on this passage?
—E.R. Hall, Jr.
HAVE A BIBLE QUESTION YOU’D LIKE ANSWERED?
HERE’S YOUR CHANCE…
BIBLE CROSSFIRE
A CALL-IN RADIO PROGRAM
WBSA
93.5 FM & 1300 AM
also
SIRIUS XM CHANNEL 113
SUNDAY NIGHTS @ 8 PM CT
PREVIOUS SHOWS AVAILABLE AT:
BibleCrossfire.com
IMPROVE YOUR UNDERSTANDING OF THE BIBLE...
FREE ONLINE BIBLE CORRESPONDENCE COURSE
http://EastAlbertville.org/course
"What The Bible Says” is e-mailed twice a month. If you know of others who might benefit from the articles contained in this bulletin, we would be glad to have you submit their e-mail addresses and we will include them in the next mailing. If you are receiving this bulletin and do not wish to continue to do so, please e-mail us with your desire to be removed from the mailing list and you will be removed promptly. Continue to the bottom of this page for further instructions as to how you may contact us.
--- E.R. Hall, Jr.
SCHEDULE OF SERVICES
For The East Albertville Church Of Christ
meeting at
4777 U.S. Highway 431
Albertville, AL 35950
Sunday
Bible Classes …………..….…………… 9:30 AM
Morning Worship ……..…….….……… 10:30 AM
Evening Worship …………………........ 5:00 PM
Wednesday
Bible Classes …………..………........... 7:00 PM
Radio Program
Sunday
WBSA 93.5 FM/1300 AM ………………………….. 8:30 AM
Monday - Saturday
WBSA 93.5 FM/1300 AM ………………………….. 11:15 AM
Website: www. EastAlbertville.org
