What The Bible Says

Vol. III - No. 22 / March 28, 2021

"...TRY THE SPIRITS..."

All of us preachers claim to preach the word of God. We all read and quote scriptures. Yet we preach different doctrines. Undoubtedly this is responsible for the religious confusion that exists all around us.

    Does the Bible actually teach all these different doctrines? If it does, that makes it a contradictory book and, if it contradicts itself, it cannot be the word of God.

    All preachers sound sincere and no doubt the average listener thinks they are all sincere. But are they? Are they sure beyond doubt that they are preaching the pure word of God without any additions, subtractions, or substitutions? We are warned in 2 Peter 2:1 there would be “false teachers”. In fact, 1 John 4:1 warns that “many false prophets have gone out into the world”. Even Jesus warned us to beware of false prophets who come in sheep’s clothing (Matthew 7:15).

    I believe I can suggest a test of how much preachers really believe what they teach and it is this: ARE THEY WILLING TO MEET OPPONENTS AND DISCUSS DIFFERENCES BEFORE AN AUDIENCE?. If they believe what they preach they surely ought to be willing to let it be investigated and examined. The truth in the matter is that most preachers are not willing to stand up and DEFEND what they preach. It’s one thing to preach something and another thing to defend it when they are challenged! They continue to preach from pulpits, radio, and television but when challenged concerning what they preach, they either brand the person questioning them as a trouble maker or someone not worthy of even common courtesy. Could it really be they are fearful to have what they preach examined by what God’s word really teaches? Could it be most of what they preach are doctrines and commandments of men?

    Friends, I believe I am preaching the truth on what to do to be saved, on the New Testament church, on acceptable worship, on the work of the church, that we can fall from grace, and on other vital subjects. I’m not saying denominational preachers aren’t preaching the truth on anything. They do preach a lot of the truth. However, on the plan of salvation, the church, true worship, etc., they do not. Their preaching and teaching will leave a sinner without Christ and away from the benefits of His death and blood.

    If you believe I am teaching error through the means of this bulletin, please persuade a preacher you believe is right to come with you and we’ll discuss any subject on which you think I am wrong. I am not being boastful! Neither do I think I am smarter than denominational preachers. But I am sincere about what I preach - sincere enough to let any audience hear me discuss it with a preacher who disagrees. 
—E.R. Hall, Jr.

DEAD OR ALIVE

    Death is a state of separation. Physical Death is separation of body and spirit (Jas. 2:26). The spirit lives on, and so God could say of long deceased Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob:  "I am their God" (Exo. 3:6). Moses and Elijah, long dead physically, talked with Jesus in His transfiguration (Matt. 17:3). How then can anyone who believes the Bible say that  physical death is the cessation of all life, as some religious people claim? Even so, Spiritual Death is separation from God (Isa. 59:1,2). Paul said "I was alive once without the law, but when the commandment came, sin revived and I died" (Rom. 7:9). Sin produced death in Paul at that earlier time in his life (Rom. 7:13). Deliverance from that death was through Christ (Rom. 7:24,25). This deliverance was accomplished through reconciliation to God so that Paul was no longer separated from God (2 Cor. 5:18,19). So it is with us today.

      We are all dead and alive. We are either dead in sin or alive with God. If we are living in sin with its dominion over us, then we are dead. If through Christ we put to death the sinful life, then we are alive unto God (Rom. 6:11). This newness of life is gained in Christ through our obedience to God by faith when we are baptized into the death of Christ (Rom. 6:3-6). Since we are all dead and alive in one of the two situations, we should recognize that spiritual death does not render us unconscious or incapable of action. Here we can see one of the errors of Calvinism. If, when we have died to sin, we are still continually tempted by it, then why, when we are dead in sin, can we not hear and heed the appeal of the Gospel to repent and be converted without a miraculous operation of the Spirit to enable us? Peter told people who had been convinced by the preached message concerning Christ, "Repent, and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins, and ye shall receive the gift of the Holy Spirit" (Acts 2:38). They had not, at that point, received either the Holy Spirit as a gift or salvation as the gift of the Spirit, for Peter said "you shall receive" it, conditioned upon their repentance and baptism. They were dead in trespasses, yet they were told to do something about it. This indicates that they were capable of doing something about their condition, else the commandment was vain.

      Now, consider the lives of the saints. Paul told people who had died to sin when they obeyed the Gospel to "put to death” their members which were on the earth: "fornication, uncleanness, passion, evil desire, and covetousness, which is idolatry” (Col. 3:5). This he said to people who had put off "the old man with his deeds" and had "put on the new man who is renewed in knowledge according to the image of Him Who created him” (Col. 3:9,10). These were people who had been dead but had been made alive together with Him through their faith and obedience to Christ (Col. 2:9-15). To the Ephesians, Paul included all as having once been dead in trespasses and sins, but he asserted that God had made them alive together with Christ through faith in Him (Eph. 2:1-22). Christians are Christians because they "have crucified the flesh with its passion and desires" yet they must constantly guard themselves against the temptations of sin (Gal. 5:18 - 6:5). We must "let not sin reign" in our lives (Rom. 6:12).

     Now, the practical questions are these: Are we alive to sin and thus dead, separated from God; or are we alive to God and dead to sin? God has made us capable of choosing and has provided the way of escape from death in sin through Jesus Christ, if we will believe in Him and obey Him (Heb. 5:8,9). What do we choose?
—Gilbert Alexander

***SENTENCE SERMONS*** 

Certain channels are called 'educational TV'. But in reality all TV is educational -- it typically teaches profanity, violence, sexual immorality, etc.
***
The true disciple is obedient rather than ambitious, committed rather than competitive. For him, nothing is more important than pleasing the One who called him.

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"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

What The Bible Says

Vol. III - No. 21 / March 14, 2021

ASK YOUR PREACHER?

    It’s an easy claim for a church or a person to say, “The Bible is our/my only standard”. Indeed it ought to be for 2 John 9-10 teaches, “Whosoever transgresseth and abideth not in the doctrine of Christ, hath not God. He that abideth in the doctrine of Christ hath both the Father and the Son. 10 If there come any unto you, and bring not this doctrine, receive him not into your house nor bid him Godspeed;”

    There are many doctrines advocated by preachers from pulpits, radio, television, internet, and even bulletins like this but are we to simply take their word that the doctrines they teach are of Christ? In Acts 17:11 we read of people in Berea who “were more fair-mined than those in Thessalonica, in that they received the word with all readiness, and searched the Scriptures daily to find out whether these things were so.” We, too, would be “fair- mined” to search the Scriptures and see what they teach rather than take someone’s word on the matter. That’s why we are urging you to ASK YOUR PREACHER!

IS ONE CHURCH AS GOOD AS ANOTHER?

    Ask your preacher where the Bible says one church is as good as another. Many preachers and churches teach this doctrine but where does the Bible teach such? What the Scriptures do teach is there is “one body” (Ephesians 4:4) and "the body” is the “the church” (Ephesians 1:22-23). Also Colossians 1:18 says Christ is "the head of the body, the church”. Christ is “the Saviour of the body, the church” (Ephesians 5:23) and in Matthew 16:18 Jesus said, “I will build my church”. Only the church that Jesus built, the church that is His body, the one that He is the head of, and the one which He is the Saviour of will suffice! Other churches that are man-made, wear names foreign to the Bible, ruled and governed by Popes, synods, conferences, and creeds written by men will be “rooted up” (Matthew 15:13). Now I ask you, “Is one church as good as another?” If we are talking about man-made churches, you are absolutely right - One church IS just as good as another! But Jesus nowhere indicates He will save people in anything but His church!

SAVED BY FAITH ONLY?

    Ask your preacher where the Bible says a person is saved by faith only. The Bible most certainly teaches we are saved by faith. Romans 5:1 says, “Therefore, having been justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ,”. But it does not say faith only justifies/saves. James 2:24 teaches, “You see then that a man is justified by works, and not by faith only.” What the Bible does teach is is salvation is by GRACE (Ephesians 2:5), CHRIST’S BLOOD (Matthew 26:28), THE WORD (James 1:21), OBEDIENCE (Hebrews 5:9), WORKS (James 2:24), FAITH (Hebrews 11:6), and BAPTISM (1 Peter 3:21). It takes ALL these to bring about our salvation. That being the case, why do some preachers preach only one thing to the exclusion of all the other things that are necessary? Why not ask them?

SPRINKLING FOR BAPTISM?

    Ask your preacher where the Bible says that a person was ever sprinkled for baptism. The Bible teaches baptism is a burial in Romans 6:4 and Colossians 2:12. For an example of water baptism being administered, we can turn to Acts 8:38. On the occasion Philip, the preacher, was baptizing the treasurer of Ethopia. The verse says, “…both Philip and the eunuch went down into the water, and he baptized him.” Verse 39 also bears out they came “up out of the water”. This example harmonizes with the passages in Romans 6:4 and Colossians 2:12 concerning baptism being a burial and our being “buried with Him by baptism” is like that of Jesus’ death, burial, and resurrection. Where does the practice of sprinkling for baptism originate: from man or from God’s Word? Ask your preacher and get him to produce the scripture.

BAPTISM NOT NECESSARY?

    Ask your preacher where the Bible says baptism is not necessary to salvation. Then ask yourself the question of how can men make such a statement when Jesus Himself said, “He that believeth and is baptized shall be saved.” (Mark 16:16). Do they profess to know more than Jesus? Do they profess to know more than Peter because he commanded the people in Acts 2:38 to “Repent, and be baptized every one of you the name of Jesus Christ, for the remission of sins.” If baptism is not necessary then how do we get into Christ? Galatians 3:27 says, “For as many of you as were baptized into Christ have put on Christ.” If we aren’t “baptized into Christ” how else can we “put on Christ”? A lot of preachers talk about “praying your sins away” but the Bible talks about being “baptized, and wash away thy sins” (Acts 22:16). For baptism to save, to be for the remission of sins, to put a person into Christ, and to wash away sins, how can preachers claim to believe the Bible and yet preach baptism has nothing to do with saving a person? Ask your preacher?

    Let’s never fear to question those who profess to be teaching God’s Word. Our souls are too precious and eternity too long to risk taking some preacher’s word over what the Bible teaches. “Beloved, believe not every spirit, but try the spirits whether they be of God because many false prophets are gone out into the world.” (1 John 4:1)

    If you have any question or wish to challenge anything in this bulletin, feel free to contact us at the address given on the front or go to www.eastalbertville.org and give us your question or comment in the ‘comment box’ on the church’s homepage. We will be glad to hear from you and have the opportunity to reason and study with you.
—E.R. Hall, Jr.

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"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

What The Bible Says

Vol. III - No. 20 / February 28, 2021

WHY DOES GOD NOT HEAR SINNERS?

    The basis for this question is found in John 9:31, "Now we know that God heareth not sinners: but if any man be a worshiper of God, and doeth His will, him He heareth." Actually, the answer is also found in the same verse: "...but if any man be a worshiper of God, and doeth His will, him He heareth." God does not hear sinners because they do not worship Him nor do they do His will.

WHAT DOES IT MEAN TO”HEAR"?

    Normally, the word "hear" means to "be endowed with the faculty of hearing" or "not deaf". The word "hear" in John 9:31 means "to yield to, hear and obey" (Thayer, P. 22). Thus, in regards to prayer, God is under no obligation to answer the prayer of a sinner. God is not deaf but He does not yield to the sinner's prayer nor does He hear in order that He might obey. It is in this way that "God heareth not sinners".

WHY SHOULD HE HEAR A SINNER'S PRAYER?

1. God has already shown His love to sinners by giving His Son to die. "For God so loved the world, that he gave His only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in Him should not perish, but have everlasting life." (John 3:16). "But God commendeth His love toward us, in that, while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us." (Romans 5:8). God showed His love first, now we ought to love Him. "We love Him, because He first loved us." (1 John 4:19).

2. What makes a sinner? A sinner is one who trangresses the law of God for that is what sin is. "Whosoever committeth sin trangresseth also the law: for sin is the transgression of the law.” (1 John 3:4). A person "that committeth sin is of the devil" (1 John 3:8) and yet, God sent Christ "to take away our sins" (1 John 3:5). Now it is our turn to commend our love to God. How do we do that? Keep His commandments (John 14:15,21; 15:10) and keep His word (Luke 11:28: John 14:23).

3. What is the sinner's attitude and action toward God's word and God's commandments? A sinner hears but does not do according to Jesus in Matthew 7:26 . Jesus pronounces such a person to be "foolish". Neither does the sinner truly love God. "He that loveth me not keepeth not my sayings:..." (John 14:24).

4. What happens when we sin? We become separated from God, our sin causes Him to hide His face from us, and sin causes Him to not hear. We learn all this from Isaiah 59:1,2.

5. Why should anyone remain a sinner when God has provided the means of redemption? "In whom (Christ, ERH) we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of sins, according to the riches of his grace." (Ephesians 1:7). What reason is there for anyone to be in sin? God's grace is for all (Titus 2:11,12). God wants "all men to be saved, and to come unto the knowledge of the truth"(1 Timothy 2:4). God is "not willing that any should perish, but that all should come to repentance" (2 Peter 3:9).

6. Also, in answering the question of why should God hear a sinner's prayer, we must not forget the nature of God. Deuteronomy 32:4 says: "He is the rock, his work is perfect: for all his ways are judgment: a God of truth and without iniquity, just and right is he." The book of Job in chapter 34 and verse 10 records: "Far be it from God, that he should do wickedness; and from the Almighty, that he should commit iniquity." David records in Psalms 92:15: "To shew that the Lord is upright: he is my rock, and there is no unrighteousness in him." James 1:13 says, "God cannot be tempted with evil, neither tempteth he any man." "God is light, and in him is no darkness at all."(1 John 1:5). In view of His nature, is there any wonder that God will not hear sinners?

7. Indeed, why should God hear the sinner when He has made every provision for his sins to be forgiven and, yet, he still remains in sin. "The face of the Lord is against them that do evil,..." (Psalms 34:16). "Then shall they cry unto the Lord, but he will not hear them: he will even hide his face from them at that time, as they have behaved themselves ill in their doings." (Micah 3:4).

8. Jeremiah 7:24 "But they hearkened not, nor inclined their ear, but walked in the counsels and in the imagination of their evil heart, and went backward, and not forward." (11:8) "Yet they obeyed not, nor inclined their ear, but walked every one in the imagination of their evil heart: therefore I will bring upon them all the words of this covenant, which I commanded them to do; but they did them not." (17:23) "But they obeyed not, neither inclined their ear, but made their neck still, that they might not hear, nor receive instruction." (25:4) "And the Lord hath sent unto you all his servants the prophets, rising early and sending them; but ye have not hearkened nor inclined your ear to hear.” 

    How can anyone who does not let his ear hear what God says, expect God to hear him?
—E.R. Hall, Jr.

***SENTENCE SERMONS*** 

The best inheritance a father can leave his children is a good example.
***
Choice, not chance, determines human destiny.
 ***
To be upset over what you don't have is to waste what you do have.
*** 
You (and I) cannot justify our faults by saying, “That’s just the way I am!”

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HAVE A BIBLE QUESTION YOU’D LIKE ANSWERED?

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PREVIOUS SHOWS AVAILABLE AT:

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"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

What The Bible Says

Vol. III - No. 19 / February 14, 2021

INTERMINGLING THE PHYSICAL WITH THE SPIRITUAL

    If we are not careful we will gradually intermingle the physical with the spiritual. This was a problem even in the early church. Corinth turned a spiritual feast (the Lord's supper) into a physical festival (1 Cor. 11). What was supposed to be the Lord's supper became their own supper (1 Cor. 11:21). Paul reminded them that they had "houses to eat and drink in" and to so desecrate the spiritual feast of the Lord's supper with the physical was to "despise the church of God" (1 Cor. 11:22). So, he said, "If any man hunger let him eat at home: that ye come not together unto condemnation" (1 Cor. 11:34).

    Long ago the denominations failed to see the distinction between the carnal and the spiritual, so they built their kitchens and recreation rooms, and people soon looked upon church-furnished recreation and social activities as an integral part of the church’s mission. I can remember when Christians thought this was ridiculous. When I was a boy, the Presbyterians in my home town built a kitchen on to their building. Our brethren ridiculed it, and exclaimed, "The very idea of a kitchen in a church building!" Now, the church of Christ there whose building is just across the street, has a special building for a kitchen and a recreation room where they have social activities like baby and bridal showers, pot lucks, etc.

    Today, the liberal churches ape the denominations. There are liberal churches that have recreation programs, youth ministers, million dollar gymnasiums and well-furnished kitchens, etc. The spiritual-minded person finds this to be unscriptural and abhorrent. Worship is designed to draw our minds away from such things and focus them upon that which transcends all of this. The carnally minded think the church is not fulfilling its mission if it is not filling stomachs or entertaining someone. They intermingle praying with playing, and the social with the spiritual.

    We all need to be careful how we walk. Our Lord did not die for a YMCA or a Red Cross society. He shed His blood to purchase a divine spiritual institution with a divine spiritual mission. We must keep the line distinct and wide between the secular, the carnal, the physical, and the divine spiritual. The church has a threefold mission: Evangelism, edification and benevolence among its needy members. That does not include recreation and social activities. These are fine, but we must refrain from anything that remotely indicates that we are intermingling the social with the spiritual.

    A brother was asked how services were last Sunday. He replied, "The preaching was weak, the coffee was cold, and the donuts were old." N. B. Hardeman used to say, "The less spiritual a person is the more fried chicken it takes to keep him interested." Someone has said, "If we must use tea parties, fried chicken dinners, and ice cream socials to keep a church interested, the church is as cold as the ice cream, as weak as the tea, and as dead as the chicken.”

      Churches  generally need  more reverence  in their worship and more spirituality  in their members.  Let it not  be said of us as of ancient Israel, "They sat down to eat and drink, and rose up to play" (1 Cor. 10:7).
—James P. Needham

'SUPER BOWL BASH'

    It is nothing unusual, in fact it is becoming to be expected, of ‘ hurches' to be more in touch with the feelings and lives of its ‘ embers'. Therefore you have read the above advertisements on church marques. I’ve even heard of a church in Lubbock, Tx. that moved a big screen TV into the auditorium to watch the Super Bowl and conducted worship services during the commercials. Would you want to be in that building watching the Super Bowl when the Lord returned? While some churches substitute a ‘bash’ for worship, others completely call off services to accommodate their member’s desires. Are such folks really serious about their faith?

    How do we fit these verses into a Super Bowl service or calling off worship services all together: “But seek ye first the kingdom of God, and his righteousness; and all these things shall be added unto you.” (Matthew 6:33) or “If ye then be risen with Christ, seek those things which are above, where Christ sitteth on the right hand of God. Set your affection on things above, not on things on the earth.” (Colossians 3:1,2). When we substitute a Super Bowl party or cancel services to watch a football game, WHO are we seeking first? Where, can we honestly say, have we set our affections?

    The Lord’s church is not to cater to the things of this world nor to those who love the world. It stands to be the “pillar and ground of the truth” (1 Timothy 3:15). The church must present and uphold the truth of God’s word (John 17:17) and that is not done when it resorts to “meat and drink” (Romans 14:17) or ‘bashing’ as many churches have become caught up in. One thing is for sure, we won’t be watching football games in Heaven. What we will be doing is worshiping God. (Revelation 4). That’s what we need to be doing here and now in preparation for a home in Heaven.
—E.R. Hall, Jr.

A LITTLE FELLOW’S DAD 

I may never be as clever as my neighbor down the street,
I may never be as wealthy as some other men I meet;
I may never have the glory that some other men have had,
But I’ve got to be successful as a little fellow’s dad.

There are certain dreams I cherish that I’d like to see come true,
There are things I would accomplish ere my working time is through;
But the task my heart is set on is to guide a little lad
And to make myself successful as the little fellow’s dad.

It is that one job I dream of; it’s the task I think of most;
If I’d fail that growing youngster I’d have nothing else to boast;
For though wealth and fame I’d gather, all my future would be sad,
If I failed to be successful as that little fellow’s dad.

I may never get earth’s glory; I may never gather gold,
Men may count me as a failure when my business life is told;
But if he who follows after is a faithful Christian, I’ll be glad--
For I’ll know I’ve been successful as a little fellow’s dad. 

—Copied

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"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

What The Bible Says

Vol. III - No. 18 / January 31, 2021

WHICH CHURCH IS RIGHT?

    With the situation in the religious world being what it is, this may sound like a ridiculous question to some. We so often hear, "Join the church of your choice," or "One church is as good as another"and "It doesn't matter what you believe as long as you're sincere." This is what man says but is this what God says about it? Does it matter what church you join and support?

    In Matthew 16:18 we have the first mention made of the church: Jesus said, "And I say unto you that thou art Peter and upon this rock I will build my church, and the gates of hell shall not prevail against it". Note that He said "church" - not churches. Jesus intended only to build one church and we must know that one is all He built.

    Ephesians 4:4-6 teaches there "is one body and one Spirit, even as you are called in one hope of your calling; one Lord, one faith, one baptism; one God and Father of all, who is above all, and through all, and in you all." The "one body" is one church, for the body of Christ is the church, and Christ as the head of it (Eph. 1:22, 23; Col. 1:18,24). If there is only one body and the body is the church, it follows that there is only one church.

    When we look about us and see there are many "churches", there should be no doubt that something is not right! Instead of praising denominationalism, as we hear so many do, we should hang our heads in shame at the gross error and division that is its fruit. What we have now is not what Jesus intended at all.

    So, which church is right? We must look to the Scriptures to know the answer and not to human opinions. We must first see what the scriptures teach concerning what constitutes the church. Who are members of the body of Christ, the church? In Acts 2:47 we learn those who were added to the church were those who were being saved. The next identifying mark of the true church is that they teach and practice only what the head of the church has authorized. Since Christ has been given all authority (Matt. 28:18), the true church follows the words of Christ. They have no creed but the Bible and no head but Christ. If a church has its own creed or recognizes anyone but Christ as its authority, it cannot be rightly called the true church. If you investigate denominations, you will find that very few do not have a creed, and most, though they claim allegiance to Christ, will reject some portion of Scripture because it does not agree with what they teach and/or practice.

    The right church is the one that has wholly submitted itself to the will of Christ, and endeavors to continue in His will. The true, "right" church seeks to please Christ and not self. Even then, the "right" church will have its faults because it is made up of imperfect people; Christians still sin and they still make mistakes. If, in the true church, error is discovered, they will humble themselves and make corrections. You may not find a "perfect" church, but you can find the right one.
—E.R. Hall, Jr.

EVERY DIRTY WORD KNOWN TO MAN!

    I was recently filling my gas tank when I heard a loud blaring noise coming from the car ahead of me at the station. I usually pay no attention to the "stuff," as I have no interest in it; but this time I noticed the presence of all kinds of foul language. As I listened more intently, not to enjoy but to learn, I probably heard nearly every dirty word that I had ever heard coming from the song. I have lived a sheltered life from this standpoint and my list of such words might be quite short compared to some lists. I know precious little about the modern music scene, but I think the song was a rap song, from what I have heard about that kind.

    The scary part of the situation was that the two young girls in the car were obviously unashamed of the sound their radio/stereo was sending forth, as one of them paraded in her skin-tight clothes and talked to a carload of males who drove up. I suppose this is the modern scene, more than some of us are willing to admit it. I am concerned for our country (Prov. 14:34). I wonder about the parents of the girls (Eph. 6:4; 5:3-4). I am afraid for those young girls. I seriously considered speaking to them about the profanity they were advertising, but they left before I finished. What should I say to people in such a situation? As I think about this matter and discuss it with you, possibly I will cause some others to speak up in similar situations.

1. I believe we should start with the spiritual nature of the human being (Gen. 1:26; Zech.12:1). As God has created us in His image and endowed us with a nature like His own, we are primarily accountable to Him (Rom. 14:12). To assert our right to do as we like and to answer to none for our choices is to deny the hand of God in our creation and the voice of God in the Scriptures.  To disregard our likeness to the Lord is to undermine our dignity, worth, and potential for good; to deny the voice of God speaking to our good is to leave ourselves alone on the sea of life, without chart or compass or guiding star when we reject His. It is no wonder that so many become aimless, resorting to drugs, promiscuous sex, fame, or some other source to fill the void that only God can fill (Eccl. 3:11).

2. I think also we should stress the formation of habits, both good and bad, results from the repeated thoughts and acts that we allow a place in our minds. Habits then form character. I remember the following short poem:

Sow a thought, and you reap an act;
Sow an act, and you reap a habit;
Sow a habit, and you reap a character;
Sow a character, and you reap a destiny.”
 (Quoted by Samuel Smiles in Life and Labor, 1887)

    In many cases we have failed to instill in our young people, the relationship of what they think about and practice to the entirety of life. No one can expect to live a life dominated by good when he has chosen the bad of this world for his thoughts, speech, and behavior.

3. Personal responsibility and accountability to others is another lesson that I believe we must somehow get across to young people. The recognition of this depends on the understanding of our spiritual nature, as stressed earlier, and our need for each other. Influence and example must become concerns of all responsible people; what we do affects others. Teaching is the sole foundation for such a concern. We have it on the best authority that evil companionships have a corrupting influence on all, even on the best of us (1 Cor. 15:33). It is also true that the influence of a child of God can serve as salt and light (Mt. 5:13-16). Are you using your speech to edify others (Col. 4:6)?

4. I am satisfied also that we must embed in the thinking of our youth that a misspent life is not easily recalled or amended. I do not suggest that repentance is impossible or that sin is inevitable in its rule over us, for neither idea is correct (Acts 17:30; Rom. 6:12). Some turned to God from idols, and what a turn that was, given the associated vices of idolatry (1 Thess. 1:9). It is more the difficulty of breaking bad habits and rooting out the evil that has become second-nature to us that I hear emphasize. Patterns of speech and conduct can be changed, but to change them requires major and prolonged effort, beginning with a change of one's environment (friends). It is far better for a young person to determine to avoid the life of indecency that is becoming altogether too common among those too young to understand the bitter fruit of sin. It is undeniably true, however, that when we grow our roots in the field of sin, the fruit that we harvest cannot be expected in some other field (Gal. 6:7-8).

    Each of us can use whatever influence he has for good in helping to salvage one or more such young person. Though that one might not have become a Christian, in such a case it is still possible to save a soul from death and to cover multitude of sins (James 5:19-20). I am afraid for our young people, as I said before; but with all of us working on this problem, the situation will not be as scary.
—Bobby L. Graham

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"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