What The Bible Says

Vol. III - No. 4 / July 19, 2020

IS AGREEING IMPORTANT?

    When using the scriptures to show God’s authority, or the lack thereof, for some act or practice, it has been my experience that people often become annoyed and usually want to completely stop discussing whatever the subject. To bring a close to the conversation and let it be known they don’t wish to continue the discussion, they often say, "Well, that’s just the way you see. We can’t all agree on everything. Some things are just too hard to understand. We just have to do what we each feel is right." I even had a friend once say while discussing the use of mechanical instruments of music in worship, "Well we can agree to disagree on that. I don’t think that should keep us from fellowshipping". Agreeing to disagree is the basis of a false and absurd doctrine often referred to as "unity in diversity", which teaches we can somehow be united while all believing differently concerning God’s word. Try meshing this teaching with Jesus’ prayer in John 17:11,20-21 and with Paul’s exhortations to the Corinthians in I Cor. 1:10 and you’ll see why its false and absurd. It seems that agreeing on the teaching found within God’s written word simply isn’t important to many people. Since we supposedly "can’t all agree on everything" there is no real need to try to do so, right? Let’s just all agree upon disagreeing and we’ll all get to Heaven. We’ll just take different routes. Is this indeed true? Is agreeing important or can we all just believe the way we desire and be pleasing to God?

    First let us examine the statement "We can’t all agree on everything". Is this really true? Why can’t we agree? Isn’t this exactly what Jesus was praying for and what Paul was pleading to the Corinthians concerning in the above mentioned verses. In John 8:31-36, Jesus told those that believed on Him that if they continued in His word that they would know the truth and the truth would make them free from sin. What is truth? The word that they were to continue in, God’s word (v. 28), was truth according to Jesus. In John 17:17 we again find it specifically stated that God’s word is truth. So by the very fact that there is truth, there must be error or false beliefs, doctrines, and concepts. Concerning God’s word/truth, Paul told Timothy in 2 Tim. 3:16, that "All scripture is given by the inspiration of God and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness: That the man of God may be perfect, thoroughly furnished unto all good works." Since it is God’s word/truth that thoroughly furnishes unto all good works and makes one free from sin why can’t we agree on its meaning? Jesus very plainly said that if we continue in his word we would know the truth. Now certainly there are things contained in God’s word that "are hard to be understood" (2 Pet. 3:16), but does this mean they can’t be understood and understood alike? Are we saying that the omnipotent and just God of the universe that created all things couldn’t or didn’t create a book containing His word that we could all understand and that alike? Is this "non-understandable" word still going to judge us in the last day (John 12:48)? I, for one, do not intend to make such statements or even imply such. However, when we make statements such as, “We can’t all agree", we are boldly inferring just that!

    There is a growing push toward not "overly" concerning ourselves with trying to know and agree on the truth but instead just making sure our hearts are right and we are sincere in what we believe and teach. Certainly having the right kind of heart and being sincere in our beliefs and teachings is critically important (Mt. 5:8; 13:15; 15:19). If our hearts are not right and we are not sincere, why would we even have beliefs or care enough to teach them? Having the right kind of heart and being sincere is but the first step in knowing and agreeing on the truth. Even though, many men are leading others away from the truth and telling them that our interpretation of the Bible and therefore how we establish Bible authority has very little to do with our salvation, instead it is our hearts that matter. This kind of doctrine breeds disagreement in its followers and teaches that it is okay as long as we are each sincere. While indeed this may seem to be a warm and fuzzy doctrine that no doubt brings great comfort to many who are practicing and living in sin while sincerely believing they are living godly lives, it is false and will cause many to lose their eternal soul. We read that the first century Christians "were of one heart" (Acts 4:32). How can we possibly be of one heart if we all don’t believe the scriptures alike?

    How we interpret the scriptures and how we establish Bible authority for all that we do as Christians is of utmost importance. And, therefore agreeing is of utmost importance as well. Our souls depend on it because we will be judged by God’s word (John 12:48). We are told that whatever we do "in word or deed do all in the name of the Lord Jesus" (Col. 3:17). How can we do something in someone’s name for which they gave us no authority? The apostle Paul said in 2 Tim 2:15, "Study to show thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth." What a preacher says, what our loved ones believe, nor what we sincerely but mistakenly thought the Bible said is going to approve us before God. It is study that will approve us unto God. It was those at Berea who where more noble than those at Thessalonica because "they received the word with all readiness of mind, and searched the scriptures daily, whether those things were so" (Acts 17:11). Recall from John 8 that it is Christ’s word/truth that shall makes us free, but only on the condition that we continue in it (v.31). This is how we learn or know God’s will. This is how we are freed from our sins. This is how we agree on God’s word and become of "one mind" (Rom. 15,16; 2 Cor. 13:11; Phil. 1:27; 2:2; 1 Pet. 3:8). We must continue in the scriptures that are by God’s inspiration and that thoroughly furnish us. We must have a sincere, open and receptive heart and study God’s word in light of it (Acts 8:30-35).

    Disagreement, at its root, is the result of man’s will conflicting with God’s will. Whether we admit it or not, it starts as man’s desire to do something for which God’s word has given no authorization. Thus men go about twisting and perverting scripture, lifting it from its context to prove their positions (2 Pet. 3:16). Or perhaps sometimes they even seek to "find" authority through some other means than the Bible (the Pope, church creeds, etc), or maybe they just all together do away with the need for authority (at least in their own minds) and let their heart be their guide. After all, it is to them a "sincere" effort to serve God, even though it is as they so desire and not necessarily as God would have it. Then disagreement comes full circle when someone questions someone else’s actions or practices based on scripture or perhaps sometimes even their own false belief. As we can see, the problem is that we let our desires and wishes take precedence over God’s desires and wishes. God certainly has desires and wishes (I Tim 2:4). The pages of His word are filled with His will for man and give “us all things that pertain unto life and godliness" (2 Pet 1:3).

    Sadly, there is not an easily executed solution to resolve disagreement. Yet, just to avoid discussing it and take comfort that we are somehow pleasing to God when we mutually agree to disagree is a terrible mistake. It is a mistake that will lead to more division and more souls being lost. As before stated, it requires sincere and continual study of God’s word to "know the truth" (John 8:31). It means studying the Bible to establish God’s will, not searching the Bible in an effort to prove our own (Acts 17:11). This involves putting aside our emotions. This is never a simple task when the beliefs that we may hold so strongly and feel so deeply about come under attack. Yet, it has to be done to see and accept the truth. Was it easy for the children of Israel to see and accept the truth? Certainly not, they killed the Messiah and many others whom taught the truth (Acts 2:36; 7:54-58). Was it easy for Saul/Paul to see and accept the truth? Apparently it wasn’t because it took Christ’s appearing unto Him while on his way to Damascus to persecute more Christians to change his life (Acts 9:1-3). Was Paul sincere in his persecuting of Christians? Did he think he was doing God’s will? Unquestionably he did and even said so (Acts 22:3-5). Did his sincerity make it right and justify him before God? Certainly it did not. It may seem that it would be much easier for us today to see, accept, and agree on the truth if we had a personal encounter with Christ as Paul, but keep in mind we don’t need that. We, unlike Paul, have God’s inspired word in its entirety and neatly contained in one bound book at our disposal (I Cor. 13:12; 2 Tim 3:16,17). It’s just a matter of actually using it. Let’s earnestly use it and learn the truth so that we can all agree in our beliefs. It is vitally important because God’s truth is absolute. It does not change in meaning depending upon the person, neither the situation, nor from generation to generation (2 Pet. 1:20; Psa. 100:5). If you and I each hold to a different belief it means that at least one of the beliefs is erroneous. So let us search the scriptures to insure that our belief is indeed truth and then hold fast to it (Prov. 23:23).
—Ruben Hall

Live Video Streaming Of The Bible Study 

SUNDAY 9:30 AM and Wednesday 7:00 PM WWW.EASTALBERTVILLE.COM - click on “Live Feed”
or
Go To East Albertville church of Christ on YOUTUBE/FACEBOOK

Live Video Streaming Of The Bible Sermon

SUNDAY 9:30 AM and 5:00 PM WWW.EASTALBERTVILLE.COM - click on “Live Feed”
or
Go To East Albertville church of Christ on YOUTUBE/FaceBook

HAVE A BIBLE QUESTION YOU’D LIKE ANSWERED?

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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. 2 / June 21, 2020

DOES MORAL GOODNESS MAKE ONE A CHRISTIAN?

    Many honest and sincere souls mistakenly believe that if a person is morally good, then he is a Christian. No one can be a faithful follower of Christ without being on a high moral plane. However, Christianity is more than merely being moral.

    Acts 10 tells about a man named Cornelius, whose living standard, from a moral standpoint, was above reproach. The moral life of this man would put many Christians to shame. He is described (Acts 10) as a “devout man,” “a just man,” and one, “which gave much alms to the people.” In spite of these good traits, he was not a child of God.

    Peter came to Cornelius’ house and told him what he needed to do to be in a saved state. Before this, it is clear Cornelius was an unsaved person. In Acts 11, Peter defended himself to the Jewish brethren for having preached to the Gentiles. In doing so, Peter cited what the angel had said to Cornelius, which was, “. . .  Send men to Joppa, and call for Simon, whose surname is Peter; who shall tell thee words, whereby thou and all thy house shall be saved (vs. 13-14).”  Thus, before the arrival of Peter and his preaching, Cornelius, a very moral man, was unsaved.

    Further, Cornelius’ prayers and good deeds did not save him, nor was he saved because of hearing an angel. Instead, he was saved by hearing and believing (Acts 15:7), repenting, (Acts 17:30-31), and by being baptized (Acts 10:48, 2:38).

    If moral goodness could save someone, undoubtedly Cornelius, a cut above most, would have been saved. Moral virtue alone could not save him, and it cannot save us today. However, we must not get the wrong idea.  A Christian must have high morals, but it takes more than merely being morally good to be a Christian and to be saved. 
—Mike Johnson

HAVE YOU EVER DONE AN INVESTIGATION?

    No, I'm not talking about an investigation into something you had stolen or damage that was done to your personal property. I realize none of us are detectives or private investigators. Yet, there are two areas that I would like to challenge you to investigate.

INVESTIGATE WHAT YOU BELIEVE RELIGIOUSLY

    God has given us everything that "pertains unto life and godliness" in His word, the New Testament (2 Peter 1:3). God's word is inspired of Him and we can be "thoroughly furnished...unto all good works" (2 Timothy 3:16,17). Have you ever investigated what you believe to see whether it is taught in God's words or do you believe what you do simply because it is what the preacher teaches or what your parents have taught you? So much of what is taught in the religious world is believed to be God's word when, in truth, it is nothing more than traditions that originated with man. How can you or I either one know if what we believe is a "hand me down" from man or is it's God's word unless we take the time to investigate? Are we safe to accept something to have originated with God just because it comes from a church, a preacher, or our parents? Is it not possible to be sincere and conscientious yet sincerely and conscientiously wrong? Saul was (Acts 21:3; 26:9)!

    God warns us that "many false prophets are gone out into the world" (1 John 4:1) and "there shall be false teachers among you" (2 Peter 2:1). We are even warned that the ministers of Satan will appear as "ministers of righteousness"(2 Corinthians 11:14,15). What if the things we believe and practice in religion is because of what has come about by a false teacher? Is it OK to believe and practice these things as long as we are sincere? Can we excuse ourselves from investigating what we believe with the statement that is so often used: "What I don't know can't hurt me!"? If an unlabeled bottle of poison gets misplaced in the medicine cabinet and we drink it, will it not hurt us if we don't know it's poison? Sure it will!! We ought to not apply such logic in the area of religion, either. How can we know who are the false teachers? It's surely not going to be by their appearance. We've just seen in 2 Corinthians 11:14,15 that Satan's ministers will be "transformed as ministers of righteousness". Even Jesus describes false teachers as wolves in "sheep's clothing" (Matthew 7:15). We won't be able to perform the investigation by means of their appearance or personality. The only way to investigate and know for a certainty is to compare what they teach by the word of God. God’s word is truth (John 17:17) and it will be God’s word that will judge us in the Judgement Day (John 12:48; Romans 2:2).

INVESTIGATE THE CHURCH OF CHRIST
WHICH MEETS AT 4777 U.S. HIGHWAY 431 ALBERTVILLE, AL.

I ask of you to do this for I fear that much has been said about the Lord’s church by people who are misinformed. Misinformation can cause prejudice and prejudice can turn people off. Maybe you've heard it said about us that, "They think they are the only ones going to Heaven" or "They think they are the only ones right and everybody else is wrong". If you've heard these statements in regards to us, what was your immediate thoughts. Let me guess! You thought, "Well, if they think that way, I don't want to have anything to do with them!"

    Let me tell you about us. We believe as Jesus taught. He said, "Not every one that saith unto me, Lord, Lord, shall enter into the kingdom of heaven; but he that doeth the will of my Father which is in heaven." (Matthew 7:21). Any person that "doeth the will" of the Father will enter into the kingdom of heaven. So, we put great emphasis on doing the Father's will. His will is revealed in the pages of the New Testament and have been revealed so that we can read and understand (Ephesians 3:3-5). Anyone can read and understand! Anyone can do the will of the Father! Our sole desire is to read and understand God's word and to do His will! If that is your desire, you owe it to yourself to come and investigate us regardless of what people may say. What they are saying may be something they are repeating. They may be very sincere but you owe it to yourself to see if we study the Bible, follow it in all we do, and live our lives in accordance to it. We believe that ought to be the same desire that everyone should have. If we can agree on anything, we ought to be able to agree on what God says.

    The East Albertville church of Christ conducts a Bible study every Sunday morning at 9:30 and assembles for worship at 10:30 AM and 5 PM. On Wednesday evening at 7 PM the church conducts a period of Bible study. If you were to attend any of these services, you can rest assured you will not be coerced nor asked for money. We just ask you to come, bring your Bibles, and study with us. You would be an honored guest. So why not come and investigate for yourself. Find out for a fact what we believe, teach, and practice. We believe that you might be surprised to find out that we are simply a group of people striving to do the will of the Father. We also have live streaming of these Bible classes and sermons. These can be seen on the church’s website, www.eastalbertville.org, or on the church’s YouTube channel, or on FaceBook.                     
—E.R. Hall, Jr.

Live Video Streaming Of The Bible Study 

SUNDAY 9:30 AM and Wednesday 7:00 PM WWW.EASTALBERTVILLE.COM - click on “Live Feed”
or
Go To East Albertville church of Christ on YOUTUBE/FACEBOOK

Live Video Streaming Of The Bible Sermon

SUNDAY 9:30 AM and 5:00 PM WWW.EASTALBERTVILLE.COM - click on “Live Feed”
or
Go To East Albertville church of Christ on YOUTUBE/FaceBook

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

What The Bible Says

Vol. II - No. 26 / May 24, 2020

"MODEST APPAREL"

    We are living in a permissive society where people practice very few restraints. This is certainly evident in the types of clothes that are worn. It is amazing that some young people (and some that are not so young) think nothing of taking off half and sometimes more than half of their clothes thus exposing their bodies to the lustful stares of the public. 

    Immodest apparel is a year round problem but it seems to increase as the weather gets warmer. Some seem to think that the standard for modesty is regulated by weather conditions. Many who would not think of undressing in the public eye at other times will go practically naked during the summer months in an effort to "beat the heat". 

GOD’S WORD IS THE STANDARD 

    God has been very clear in stating that the woman who is a Christian is to dress in "modest apparel". "In like manner also, that women adorn themselves in modest apparel, with shamefacedness, and sobriety; not with braided hair, or gold or pearls, or costly array; But (which becometh women professing godliness) with good works" (2 Timothy 2:9-10). 

    The word "MODEST" means orderly, well arranged, DECENT. This means that clothing is to be of such a nature that it will not cause lustful stares. Shorts, tight fitting pants, short skirts, majorette suits, cheer leader outfits, and see-through clothing certainly do not fit into the category of decent apparel.

    The word “SHAMEFACEDNESS" is defined as a sense of shame. Someone once described it as the ability to blush. Some have obviously lost that ability or either have a very low threshold for blushing due to the fact that they continually wear indecent apparel. 

    “SOBRIETY" means soundness of mind, that habitual inner self-government, with its constant rein on all the passions and desires which would hinder temptation from arising. The one who is seeking to serve God will always choose that which is unquestionably modest so as not to cause any doubt. 

CAUSING OTHERS TO LUST IS SIN!

    Some have argued that people will have evil thoughts regardless of what you are wearing. That is true and Jesus condemns them in Matthew 5:28: "But I say unto you, that whosoever looketh on a woman to lust after her hath committed adultery with her already in his heart." However, the lady or man who dresses in such a manner as to cause lust is ALSO GUILTY! 

    David's sin with Bathsheba was partly the consequences of her own carelessness. "And it came to pass in an eveningtide, that David arose from off his bed, and walked upon the roof of the king’s house: and from the roof he saw a woman washing herself; and the woman was very beautiful to look upon" (2 Samuel 11: 2). Had Bathsheba been more careful to see to that her nakedness could not have been seen, the lust of David might have been prevented. Also, part of the blame belongs to David for he should not have continued gaze.

CHRISTIANS ARE NOT TO BE CONFORMED TO THE WORLD 

    Paul said, "And be not conformed to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what is that good and acceptable and perfect will of God" (Romans 12:12). Satan wants every young person to believe that they must conform to the world in their dress in order to be popular. THIS IS NOT TRUE! Some of the most popular young people I've known refused to go along with immodest dress, even so far as participating in sports. One young man I know refused to wear shorts to play in the varsity basketball games. He was the only one on the floor with full length pants but it did not prevent him from being the team's highest scorer nor from receiving the praise and adoration of his peers. Certainly there were "smart" remarks from some team mates and from the crowd but this didn't stop him from doing what he knew was right. Oh! By the way ... 

WHAT ABOUT MEN? 

    I fear not enough is said concerning modest apparel for men. Yet the problem of indecency in dress is in no wise confined to the female. Men can and do dress in immodest apparel. 

    Some don't like to admit it but the female can and does lust just as men do. Joseph was cast into prison because of the lust of Potiphar's wife. (Genesis 39:7-23). 

    Some men wear trousers that are too tight and have been designed to call attention to certain parts of the body. Some don't even have hip pockets so that they can be even tighter. Some men have a common practice of going without a shirt in the summer as if the exposure of their nakedness did not matter. 

WHAT CAN BE DONE? 

    The problem can best be taken care of in the home. Fathers, as the head of the households, need to set down strict Bible based codes of dress for both the boys and the girls. Parents need to instill in their children, at a very early age, the necessity of modest apparel. They need to remember that little children grow up to be adults and we need to be developing their attitudes early concerning modesty, shamefacedness, and sobriety. If we let our children run around half dressed at an early age, we are setting a pattern for an older age. 

    Elders, preachers, and teachers need to speak out more against the immodest apparel that is being worn or, at least, is being tolerated by Christians. Silence will never convict the one's guilty of immodest apparel.
—E.R. Hall, Jr.

"I'M A GAMBLER!"

   I'm a gambler! Oh, not the kind that frequents places behind closed doors in some night club. I gamble with my soul as the stake. I am betting that I can live a live of indifference, a life of neglect when it comes to the things of God, and still be saved. 

    I'm gambling with the souls of my children as stakes, also. I am betting their souls that I can let them miss Bible classes, worship services, midweek Bible classes, and gospel meetings and that I can get sufficient knowledge without attending classes myself. I’m betting that I can remain indifferent to the teachings of Christ and I can still drift into heaven . 

    Yes, I'm a gambler of the most reckless type. I am gambling against impossible odds with my soul and the souls of my family as the stakes, for you see, "I am a lukewarm Christian". Read Revelation 3:15-16.                                  
—Selected 

Live Video Streaming Of The Bible Study 

SUNDAY 9:30 AM and Wednesday 7:00 PM WWW.EASTALBERTVILLE.COM - click on “Live Feed”
or
Go To East Albertville church of Christ on YOUTUBE/FACEBOOK

Live Video Streaming Of The Bible Sermon

SUNDAY 10:30 AM and 5:00 PM WWW.EASTALBERTVILLE.COM - click on “Live Feed”
or
Go To East Albertville church of Christ on YOUTUBE/FaceBook

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

What The Bible Says

Vol. II - No. 25 / May 10, 2020

"FOR WHERE TWO OR THREE ARE GATHERED TOGETHER... I AM IN THE MIDST OF  THEM"

    The title comes from Matthew 18:20 where Jesus said, “For where two or three are gathered together in My name, I am there in the midst of them.” This verse has been used for some time by Christians to justify their being elsewhere on Sunday besides the local church. If there are two or three family members who are Christians they feel they can partake of the Lord’s supper either on the side of the road, in their motel room, or in their boat on the lake and it will be acceptable unto God because of this verse.

    Because of the coronavirus pandemic, many churches have altered their services. Some have completely cancelled all services. Some, like the church at East Albertville, have conducted a parking lot service where the church can meet to fulfill the commandments to observe the Lord’s Supper (Acts 20:7; 1 Corinthians 11:17-31) and to lay by in store as we’ve been prospered (1 Corinthians 16:1,2) on the first day of the week. Some of the churches which have cancelled the assembly on the first day of the week have members who are ‘worshipping at home’. Again, Matthew 18:20 is often being used to justify Christians remaining at home and partaking of the Lord’s Supper. Does this verse justify such action?

    Let us look at the context of verse 20. Back in verse 18 and going through verse 20 here is what’s stated: “18 Truly, I say to you, whatever you bind on earth shall be bound in heaven, and whatever you loose on earth shall be loosed in heaven. 19 Again I say to you, if two of you agree on earth about anything they ask, it will be done for them by my Father in heaven. 20 For where two or three are gathered in my name, there am I among them.” Jesus gave ‘binding’ and ‘loosing’ authority only to the apostles. We know this from Jesus’ statement to Peter in Matthew 16:19: “I will give you the keys of the kingdom of heaven, and whatever you bind on earth shall be bound in heaven, and whatever you loose on earth shall be loosed in heaven.” Jesus is making that same statement to all the apostles here in Matthew 18:18. Jesus’ statement in verse 20 is assuring them of the promise He made in verse 19: “Again I say to you, if two of you agree on earth about anything they ask, it will be done for them by my Father in heaven.” Again, the “YOU” is referring to the apostles. Who else has been given the authority to bind and loose anything in religious and spiritual matters?  

    In verses 15-17 Jesus is giving instructions pertaining to matters within the church/kingdom that are applicable for us today, but verses 18-20 apply specifically to the apostles. It’s similar to Mark 16:14-18. Again, in that text, Jesus is speaking to the apostles, but the commission of going into all the world and preaching the gospel, along with the instructions of verse 16, is applicable to us today. However, verses 17-18 apply only to the apostles. We cannot cast out demons and drink deadly poison and it not hurt us. Likewise, we do not have the authority to ‘bind’ nor ‘loose’. Matthew 18:20, while specifically applicable to the apostles’ authority to bind and loose, also teaches a general truth. That truth is: when we gather in Christ's name, or by His authority, He will be with us. However, we must be careful not to use this verse to justify doing things for which we have no Bible authority!

    The partaking of the Lord’s supper is a matter involving the church and not a select group of individual Christians. In regards to the Lord’s supper notice these verses in 1 Corinthians 11:
11:17  Now in giving these instructions I do not praise you, since you come together not for the better but for the worse.
11:18  For first of all, when you come together as a church, I hear that there are divisions among you, and in part I believe it.
11:20  Therefore when you come together in one place, it is not to eat the Lord's Supper.
11:22  What! Do you not have houses to eat and drink in? Or do you despise the church of God and shame those who have nothing? What shall I say to you? Shall I praise you in this? I do not praise you.
11:33  Therefore, my brethren, when you come together to eat, wait for one another.
11:34  But if anyone is hungry, let him eat at home, lest you come together for judgment. And the rest I will set in order when I come.

    Similarly, notice these verses in 1 Corinthians 14:
14:19  yet in the church I would rather speak five words with my understanding, that I may teach others also, than ten thousand words in a tongue.
14:23  Therefore if the whole church comes together in one place, and all speak with tongues, and there come in those who are uninformed or unbelievers, will they not say that you are out of your mind?
14:26  How is it then, brethren? Whenever you come together, each of you has a psalm, has a teaching, has a tongue, has a revelation, has an interpretation. Let all things be done for edification.
14:28  But if there is no interpreter, let him keep silent in church, and let him speak to himself and to God.
14:33  For God is not a God of confusion but of peace. As in all the churches of the saints,
14:34  Let your women keep silent in the churches, for they are not permitted to speak; but they are to be submissive, as the law also says.
14:35  And if they want to learn something, let them ask their own husbands at home; for it is shameful for women to speak in church.

    In both chapter 11 and 14 we see a clear distinction of what can be done “in the church” as opposed to what can be done “at home”. Paul required the church at Corinth to assemble or come together to eat the Lord’s Supper (1 Cor. 11:33). For that to happen the church had to set a specific time (on the first day of the week, Acts 20:7) and choose a specific place to come together. For ‘two or three’ Christians, who are but part of a local church, to gather somewhere to eat the Lord’s Supper does not meet the scriptural requirement of “the whole church…together in one place” (1 Cor. 14:23). When you take into consideration all the passages in 1 Cor. 11:17-34 along with those in chapter 14, you cannot honestly reject or deny the fact that the Lord’s supper is a matter involving the church being assembled together. We might as well take the Lord’s supper on some other day than the first day of the week than to take the Lord’s supper when the church is not assembled together. A group of individuals or an individual family, i.e. a subset of the church, does not constitute the church as described/defined in these passages of 1 Corinthians. 
—E.R. Hall, Jr. 

***SENTENCE SERMONS***

One of the best ways to stay out of evil is to fill your life with doing good.
*** 
The price of sin is too high to afford.
*** 
When you help someone up a hill you find yourself closer to the top.

***PARKING LOT SERVICES***

SUNDAY 9:30 AM @ 4777 U.S. HIGHWAY 431 EAST ALBERTVILLE CHURCH OF CHRIST

***VIRTUAL BIBLE SERMON***

SUNDAY 10:30 AM WWW.EASTALBERTVILLE.COM - click on “Live Feed”
or
Go To East Albertville church of Christ on YOUTUBE

***VIRTUAL BIBLE STUDY***

SUNDAY 5:00 PM WWW.EASTALBERTVILLE.COM - click on “Live Feed”
or
Go To East Albertville church of Christ on YOUTUBE
 
***VIRTUAL BIBLE STUDY***

WEDNESDAY 7:00 PM WWW.EASTALBERTVILLE.COM - click on “Live Feed”
or
Go To East Albertville church of Christ on YOUTUBE

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

What The Bible Says

Vol. II - No. 24 / April 26, 2020

FIVE VIEWS OF MARK 16:16

    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 EVERY-BODY will be SAVED and NOBODY will be 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 verse?

SENTENCE SERMONS

Eternity will be a long time to think about what you should have done.
*** 
Trust God’s authority, not man’s majority.
***
 If you don’t plan for the future, you probably won’t like what you get.
***
Life is short – pray hard and read the Book!
***
Too much time is wasted by people telling how busy they are.
*** 
Every man has an equal chance to become better than he presently is.
***  
Be careful of your thoughts.  They may break into words at any time.

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