What The Bible Says
“What The Bible Says - Vol. 6 / No. 26”
.jpg)
What The Bible Says
Vol. VI - No. 26 / May 5, 2024
THE LORD'S CHURCH IS NOT...
The Lord’s church is not a social institution! Many institutions of this world cater to the social side of man, emphasizing one particular aspect over another. The church does not have the responsibility to run orphans homes, colleges, homes for unwed mothers, etc. The church is to show forth God's wisdom. Ephesians 2:10 teaches "To the intent that now unto the principalities and powers in heavenly places might be known by the church the manifold wisdom of God." The church is to uphold and support the truth. 1 Tim. 3:15 says, "But if I tarry long, that thou mayest know how thou oughtest to behave thyself in the house of God, which is the church of the living God, the pillar and ground of the truth." We know that Christ's blood was shed to purchase the church (Acts 20:28) . Yet, not one drop of His blood was necessary to purchase a social institution where the physical needs of mankind are made the primary consideration.
The Lord’s church is not a recreation center! You cannot come together as the church to enjoy a game of basketball as you might do so at the YMCA. The church assembles to worship God in spirit and in truth (Heb. 10:25; John 4:24). Where is Bible authority, either expressed or implied, for the church of our Lord to have ball teams, pool tables, and such like?
The Lord’s church is not a material building! Too many people today worship some building or structure. The church of the New Testament is made up, not of stone or wood, but of "living stones". Not a material building but a “spiritual house". (1 Peter 2:5) . The church, then, are the pure, dedicated Christians that make up the assembly. When such statements as, " ...when ye are gathered together... " (1 Cor. 5:4) and "If therefore the whole church be come together into one place... "(1 Cor. 14:23) are read, we can understand that the church exists only when there is an assemblying together. (Let it also be understood that we are speaking of the church in the sense of the local congregation like that of Corinth, Ephesus, Colossi, and etc. as found in the New Testament.) Therefore, if a church decides to meet in a regular, specified place, that place is NOT the church but only the place where the church meets.
The Lord’s church is not one member! Often times, Christians can talk and behave so as to leave the impression that they, as an individual person, are the church. Some may even be quick to quote Matthew 18:20 which says, "For where two or three are gathered together in my name, there am in the midst of them." and conclude that two or three Christians constitute the church. This is done in an effort to justify many things. Some Christians might want to go away on vacations, fishing trips, trips to visit relatives, and etc. and excuse themselves from assembyling with the church. Yet to soothe their conscience, they might pause long enough on Sunday to pull their car over to the side of the road or drop anchor on their boat to take the Lord's Supper. Some might even simply stay at home with relatives and "worship". I have personally known of this taking place due to sicknesses, funerals, or inclement weather and in more recent times during the Covid pandemic. The question that must be answered is: Is this the church? Certainly, two or three Christians might be all the Christians in a locality. If that is the case, then that number would constitute the church. Yet when I fail to seek out other faithful Christians who are engaged in the work that the Lord has authorized for His church to do, then I am demeaning the church and what the Lord has assigned it to do. The local church is to carry the gospel through teaching and preaching in all the various ways which that can be accomplished, edify and strengthen itself, and see to the needs of its' destitute members. (Ephesians 4:12). That can only come about through an established work in that locality; an established work that has a designated place and time to meet, and a treasury from which it can carry out its God given functions. Surely, can we not see that a family simply passing through, who decides to "worship" and take the Lord's Supper on the side of the road, is not the church which we have described in the New Testament. Neither is the family who decides to stay at home on a given Sunday regardless of the circumstances. The disciples in Troas "came together". Paul knew of them and their whereabouts and was a part with them in their breaking bread on the first day of the week. (Acts 20:6,7). Can we not be content with this Bible example, and stop finding excuses and saying, "But what if ... "? Can we not see that we are reducing divine things down to our own level, when we try to make things convenient for ourselves? No, I am not the church. (1 Cor. 12:12-14 “For as the body is one and has many members, but all the members of that one body, being many, are one body, so also is Christ. For by one Spirit we were all baptized into one body—whether Jews or Greeks, whether slaves or free—and have all been made to drink into one Spirit. For in fact the body is not one member but many.”). I am a member of the church. (v. 20). I trust that we can see the difference and adjust our thinking and actions accordingly.
The Lord’s church is not a denomination! A denomination is a group that is a part of another group. The Lord's church is not a religious sect. If it were, it would be no better than churches which men have established after their own creeds and doctrines. Thus all churches would be right and a person could, indeed, "just join the church of his choice”. —E.R. Hall, Jr.
SOME "IFS" AND "WHYS" ABOUT BAPTISM
IF baptism is not necessary to salvation, WHY did Peter say that "baptism doth also now save us”? (1 Pet. 3:21)
IF one can be forgiven of his sins without baptism, WHY did Peter command "be baptized… for the remission of your sins”? (Acts 2:38)
IF sins are taken away before baptism, WHY was Saul of Tarsus told by Ananias to "arise, and be baptized and wash away thy sins calling on the name of the Lord”? (Acts 22:16)
IF one is a child of God without being baptized, WHY did Paul say that the Galatians were children of God when they were baptized into Christ? (Gal. 3:26,27)
IF baptism is of no importance in one's service to God, WHY was Cornelius and his household told to be baptized in water? (Acts 10:48)
IF baptism is not essential to one's salvation, WHY did Jesus say, "He that believeth and is baptized shall be saved”? (Mk. 16:16)
IF one becomes a member of the body of Christ, the church of Christ, without baptism, WHY did Paul write to the Corinthians saying: "by one Spirit are we all baptized into one body”? (1 Cor. 12:13)
IF baptism is for the remission of sins, to wash away sins, to put one into Christ, a command of God, in order to salvation, WHY will men refuse to obey God in being baptized?
Paul wrote to the Ephesians and said, "In Him we have redemption through His blood, the forgiveness of sins, according to the riches of His grace." 1:7. Jesus shed His blood to redeem us from our sins.
QUESTION: Where and at what time did Jesus shed His blood? He shed His blood when He died upon the cross. Paul says that we are baptized into His death (Rom. 6:3,4). He goes on to say in that very same chapter that when we are baptized into Christ, we obey that form of doctrine that is presented in the death, burial, and resurrection of Christ. (Rom. 6:16-18). So, we urge you to humbly submit your life to Christ by being baptized into Him, into His body, the church of Christ.
—Cecil F. Cox
The Gospel Power,
Vol. 17, No. 3, March 2010
When you are told by the attending physician that you have only a little while left to live, you will not regret one moment you have spent in the study of your Bible. After all books are laid aside, this Word will still face you in that great day of judgment! We plead with you to carefully use this sacred volume in this life! It is God's revealed will to you. Don't ignore nor neglect it!
If we can assist you in the study of God's book, let us know. We would be glad to come into your home and study. We also offer a free Bible correspondence course on our website that you can find on this page. We would welcome the opportunity to study with you.
"And now I commend you to God, and to the Word of His grace, which is able to build you up, and to give you an inheritance among all them that are santified." (Acts 20:32)
"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
