What The Bible Says
“What The Bible Says - Vol. 4 / No. 20”
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What The Bible Says
Vol. IV - No. 20 / February 27, 2022
WHAT'S YOUR QUESTION?
(Editor’s Note: In this issue of WHAT THE BIBLE SAYS, we would like to deal with two often asked questions. These questions may have also been on your mind. If there should be other questions you would like to have answered, why not write or email us and ask them? We would try and do our best to give you a Bible answer, and only a Bible answer, to any Bible question you would ask. Let us hear from you.)
How and where do we learn the church of Christ is the only church?
Not everything that calls itself a church of Christ is such. There are many who go by that designation which do not follow the New Testament pattern. The term “church of Christ” is a scriptural designation for the church as can be seen from Romans 16:16 - “The churches of Christ salute you”. However, having the right name is only one requirement of the church. It must also be scriptural in work, worship, and all other things Christ has authorized the church to do. Christ, through the New Testament, must authorize every aspect of the church if He is truly to be the Head of it (Ephesians 1:22-23; 5:23).
Churches of Christ which follow the New Testament pattern are the only church because they constitute the only church which was bought by the blood of Christ and which was built by Christ (Matthew 16:18; Acts 20:28). No other church is mentioned in or sanctioned by the New Testament. As stated already, ‘churches of Christ’ is one scriptural designation for God’s people. There are others such as: “church of God” (1 Corinthians 1:2). Any church that goes by a name or designation other than one found in the New Testament, is not the church the Lord established. How can a church be the church of the New Testament when it wears an unscriptural name? Of course there are many who say, “There’s nothing in a name” but God’s word teaches, “Neither is there salvation in any other: for there is none other name under heaven given among men, whereby we must be saved” (Acts 4:12).
Also, for churches to wear such names as Methodist, Baptist, Catholic, Mormon, etc. is to have names not found in the New Testament to designate the church of the Lord. In addition to unscriptural names, they also teach doctrines and engage in practices not found in the New Testament. Those who say their doctrines and practices are acceptable to God need to tell us for what purpose God gave us the Bible. If we are at liberty to go our own way and do as we please, the Bible is of no use to us whatsoever. If we have this kind of liberty in religious matters, we need to throw our Bibles away like the Modernist and Humanist have been trying to get us to do!
Why aren’t members of all churches along with those who never learn the Bible but live good lives not saved?
God’s demands a strict following of His word. “But even if we, or an angel from heaven, preach any other gospel to you than what we have preached to you, let him be accursed. As we have said before, so now I say again, if anyone preaches any other gospel to you than what you have received, let him be accursed.” (Galatians 1:8-9). “Whoever transgresses and does not abide in the doctrine of Christ does not have God. He who abides in the doctrine of Christ has both the Father and the Son.” (2 John 9). Salvation is not one time promised to those who disobey His word. This is what we believe and practice at the East Albertville church of Christ because this is the only fair and proper attitude toward God’s word. As to those who never learn the Bible but live good moral lives, the Bible teaches Jesus died for our sins (Matthew 26:28). It also teaches all are sinners (Romans 3:23; 6:23). To have forgiveness of sins one must contact the blood of Christ. This is done by hearing God’s word and believing it (Romans 10:17), repenting of our sins (Luke 13:,5; Acts 2:38), confessing Christ to be God’s Son (Romans 10:10; Acts 8:37), and being buried with Christ in baptism (Romans 6:3-6; Acts 2:38). If the good moral person can be saved by his good works and not obey these commands, he can be saved without the blood of Christ. Baptism is the act which puts us in contact with Christ’s blood. Thus, Christ died in vain if just being a good moral person is all it takes to be saved. —E.R. Hall, Jr.
"...WE WALK BY FAITH..."
"Therefore, being always of good courage, and knowing that while we are at home in the body we are absent from the Lord - for we walk by faith, not by sight"; (2 Corinthians 5:6-7).
The Bible often uses "walk" as a metaphor for one's manner of conduct. Life is a journey; we are merely "sojourners and pilgrims" here. An old hymn says, "this world is not my home; I'm just a passing through..." In the body we are "absent from the Lord," but like Paul, we "walk by faith..." and "make it our aim to always be well-pleasing" to God (2 Corinthians 5:2-9). Our choices are made with respect to things, which are unseen, rather than to those which are seen (2 Corinthians 4:16-18).
Although we cannot see God, Christ, the Holy Spirit, and Heaven with our eyes, we have complete confidence that they are real, and we act accordingly.
Whether we see or do not see does not alter their nature or importance, nor does it make it improper to act with reference to them.
Faith enables us to see when the eye cannot. It makes easy the most self-sacrificial service required of us (cf. Abraham, Gen. 22). It enables us to endure sore trials without murmuring. When dangers arise, it lights our path and gives us courage. It enables us to overcome doubt and temptations for we believe that "Faith is the victory that overcomes the world!"
We do not "walk by sight." One walks by sight when he is motivated only by the approval of other people. He walks by sight when he makes mammon his god...when he lives for getting and hoarding, or spending and squandering ... when he estimates worth by wealth, or property. A man walks by sight when he cannot control his appetite or passion; when he cannot put aside things "good for food and pleasant to the eyes" for the sake of tomorrow's sickness, or a life of disgrace; when he finds himself again and again yielding to the same temptation from which he has suffered. Weakly lives and miserably dies the one who is a slave of what his better nature condemns and despises, but to which his fleshly appetite, long made a tyrant by yielding to it, ties and binds him.
—James E. Cooper
SENTENCE SERMONS
What a pity human beings cannot exchange problems. Everyone knows exactly how to solve the other fellow's.
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If you want to set the world right, start with yourself.
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Christianity is often judged by what others
see of it in you.
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Bitterness corrodes the spirit.
"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
