What The Bible Says

Vol. I - No. 3 / July 1, 2018

HAVE YOU BEEN ‘RISEN WITH CHRIST’?

    Often people say, "Have you been saved?" or "Have you been born again"? There is another way those questions might be asked: "Have you been ‘risen with Christ'"? Writing by inspiration to the Christians at Colossae, the apostle Paul said, "If ye then be risen with Christ, seek those things which are above, where Christ sitteth on the right hand of God." (Colossians 3:1).

    To be a Christian means to be "risen with Christ". Have you? Let us understand Paul is not talking about a physical resurrection from the grave anymore than Jesus was talking about a physical birth in John 3:3-5. What does it mean to be "risen with Christ"? The answer is found in Romans 6:3-5: "Know ye not, that so many of us as were baptized into Jesus Christ were baptized into his death? Therefore we are buried with him by baptism into death: that like as Christ was raised up from the dead by the glory of the Father, even so we also should walk in newness of life. For if we have been planted together in the likeness of his death, we shall be also in the likeness of his resurrection:" Through baptism into Christ, we were baptized into His death. If we have been "planted together in the likeness of His death", we are also in the "likeness of His resurrection”. We have been "risen with Christ"! But notice, this resurrection can not come about except that we first be "baptized into His death"!

    A majority of religious people want to be saved, born again, or risen with Christ but refuse and deny that which is essential for these things to come about - BAPTISM! The inspired apostle also stated in Colossians 2:12: "Buried with him in baptism, wherein also ye are risen with him through the faith of the operation of God, who hath raised him from the dead." There must be a burial before there can be a resurrection. We must be baptized into Christ in order that we be "risen with Him".
—E.R. Hall, Jr.

SHOULD THE CHURCH PROVIDE SOCIAL MEANS AND RECREATION?

        It may come as a surprise, especially to younger readers, that many of the social works churches engage in (recreational teams sponsored, plays and pageants, day-care centers, retreats, showers and teas, physical exercise classes, providing walking tracks, gymnasiums, financial counseling, etc.) are of very recent origin. The fact that something is of recent origin does not necessarily make it unscriptural, but this is mentioned due to the fact that there was practically universal rejection of these practices among churches of Christ as little as fifty to fifty-five years ago.

    In 1951, B.C. Goodpasture was editor of the Gospel Advocate, a periodical written and published by a number of gospel preachers. The Advocate published the Gospel Advocate Annual Lesson Commentary primarily written with Bible teachers in mind. In that book, bro. Goodpasture wrote:

"It is not the mission of the church to furnish amusement for the world or even for its own members. Innocent amusement in proper proportion has its place in the life of all normal persons but it is not the business of the church to furnish it...The church was not established to feature athletics.. .For the church to turn aside from its divine work to furnish amusement and recreation is to pervert its mission. It is to degrade its mission. .. Building recreation rooms, and providing and supervising recreational activities at the expense of the church, is a departure from the simple gospel plan as revealed in the New Testament...The church might as well relieve the parents of feeding and disciplining all of the young people at church expense as to take over the job of entertaining and supervising the recreation at church expense" (page 229).

    It is interesting that most churches claiming to be "of Christ" that build, maintain, and fund these social works now are strong supporters of the Advocate. Obviously, changes came along the way. We are not arguing that because something is of recent origin it is unscriptural, we are simply calling attention to the fact that brethren have changed, and that what now is considered common was universally and vehemently opposed by gospel preachers and a leading journal among Christians only fifty years ago.

    At some point, Christians changed in their thinking and believed it was scriptural to take money contributed to the church for its work, to construct buildings which included kitchens and large dining rooms, commonly called "fellowship halls." These were not built to feed needy saints, but to provide social functions for well-fed Christians. Whereas the primary work of the church is to preach the gospel (I Tim. 3:15; I Thess. 1:8), edify saints through teaching (I Tim. 3:15; Eph. 4:11-16), and take care of its own indigent members (Acts 2:44-45; 4:32-35; 6:1-6; 11:27-30; Rom. 15:25, 26; 1 Cor. 16:1-4; II Cor. 8-9), a philosophy known as the “social gospel" began to be prominent in the latter half of the Twentieth Century, emphasizing an ideal social order that is believed to be achieved by solving social problems. Rather then emphasizing the need for salvation from sins and things eternal, a shift in thinking came that prompted brethren to expend the churches’ resources and funds in solving economic, health, and other social related issues. Catering to the needs of the “whole man," churches began providing childcare, entertainment, mothers' day out, etc.

    Therefore, the issue is not whether or not brethren should enjoy meals and recreational times together; rather it is a question of authority. Does the New Testament give Divine authority for churches to provide for these things from their treasuries? Keep in mind that Jesus said, “Many will say to me in that day, Lord, Lord, did we not prophesy by thy name, and by thy name east out demons, and by thy name do many mighty works? And then will I profess unto them, I never knew you: depart from me, ye that work lawlessness" (Matt. 7:22-23). "Lawless" works are those for which there is no divine authority, no "law" from God that would authorize their practice. 

    Though some may think they are "helpful" and that they "do good," if something is not authorized; one goes beyond the doctrine of Christ and has not God when he engages in its practice (II John 9).
—Phillip Owens

***SENTENCE SERMONS***

You are where you are and what you are because of the dominating thoughts that occupy your mind.

**********

You can easily judge the character of a man by how he treats those who can do nothing for him.

"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. I - NO. 1 / June 3, 2018

THE IMPORTANCE OF BIBLE KNOWLEDGE 

  It is not difficult to convince someone of the importance of knowledge they need pertaining to their job, a hobby they like, or other items of interest to them. We desire to know all we can about our job in order that we might do it better. A hobby or something of a particular interest is more enjoyable the more we learn about it. Should we not have the same desire to know spiritual things that pertain not only to our lives now but eternity as well?

  The importance of Bible knowledge can be seen in that it can give us the PROPER CONCEPT OF GOD. We can know that God is the Creator of all things (Genesis 1:1). It is in Him that "we live, and move, and have our being" (Acts 17:28). While we are His off-spring, we must not change Him into some graven artwork or any other thing that man might devise. While "the heavens declare the glory of God; and the firmament sheweth his handywork"(Psalms 19:1), these things do not tell us about God's will. That's the importance of Bible knowledge.

  Knowledge of the Bible also gives us the PROPER CONCEPT OF SALVATION. This is certainly important in view of the fact there so many false concepts. Many, today, have forgotten why Jesus came into the world. "And she shall bring forth a son, and thou shalt call his name JESUS: for he shall save his people from their sins." (Matthew 1:21). Since He is the one who can save us from our sins, we need to listen to what He says. "I said therefore unto you, that ye shall die in your sins: for if ye believe not that I am he, ye shall die in your sins." (John 8:24). "I tell you, Nay: but, except ye repent, ye shall all likewise perish." (Luke 13:3,5). "Whosoever therefore shall confess me before men, him will I confess also before my Father which is in heaven." (Matthew 10:32). "He that believeth and is baptized shall be saved; but he that believeth not shall be damned." (Mark 16:16).

  May we all realize the importance of Bible knowledge and begin our search for the truth that we might put it into practice in our lives.

—E.R. Hall, Jr.

READING WITH UNDERSTANDING 

  If we handle aright the Word of Truth and obey its teaching as we are taught to do (2 Tim. 15,19), we must read the Scriptures with understanding. The man of Ethiopia in Acts 8 had a problem along this line. He was reading, but he was not understanding what he was reading. His problem was not that he was a poor reader, but the he lacked information that would clarify what the prophet was writing about back in Isa. 53. When Philip supplied that essential information, the man could readily understand; therefore, he became a believer, obedient to the Gospel. 

  Reading the Bible with understanding requires the same fundamental rules and applied skills as are required for secular reading. To ignore those rules and skills is to doom oneself to lack of understanding and to misunderstanding. Words functioning in a particular way, phrases, clauses, sentence structure, paragraphs, topics, narration, description, and explanation, context, the speaker, the one or ones addressed -- all of these things are factors that are fundamental to our reading and understanding both the Scriptures and other writings. The context of application cannot be ignored. "What you do, do quickly" is not a general maxim for daily living (Jn. 13:27). "Whatever your hand finds to do, do it with your might" is a maxim understood in the limiting context of what is right and in consideration of the value of time and the limited opportunities of life (Eccl. 9:10). 

  Historical setting is an integral part of Scriptural study. By it, we distinguish between the Patriarchal Period and the time of the Law of Moses, and between the time of Moses' Law and the time of the New Covenant. We also distinguish between the era of the Apostles' lives with the attending miracles, and the time of maturity of the church with the completed revelation of the New Testament. Most of the time, the historical information we need for proper application of the Scriptures is supplied in the Scriptures themselves. Knowledge of ancient secular history is also helpful in some instances. The prophecy of Dan. 2 is a good illustration of this. In the New Testament (2 Thess. 2, for example), some prophecies were not fulfilled until after the close of the writing of the New Testament. We can understand their fulfillment only in the light of secular history. The Book of Revelation speaks of things that were to shortly come to pass as well as things pertaining to the final judgment, which is yet to come. Great care must be exercised when we are trying to place New Testament prophecies in any secular historical setting, lest we err in our assessment. We must remember that our standard of truth is the Word of God and not secular history, which is sometimes subjective and sometimes erroneous. 

  Let us not lose confidence in the possibility of reading the Scriptures with understanding so as to be pleasing to God in what we do. Paul asserts this possibility in Eph. 3:1-7. John also does the same in Jno. 20:30,31. In fact, understanding in order to obey is implicit in the writing of the New Testament, else why would it have been written? “How readest thou?”

—Gilbert Alexander

PERSONAL COMMENT:

  THE INSTRUCTOR has long been a teaching medium of the East Albertville church of Christ. It’s first issue was January 1964 and it continued consistently until the untimely death of brother Carrol R. Sutton in December 2016. Brother Sutton, in the editorial of the first issue, set forth the purpose of THE INSTRUCTOR when he stated, "It is our intention to do what we can to instruct others by means of this periodical.”

  Though THE INSTRUCTOR was a mail-out bulletin during the fifty-two years of its publication, this bulletin WHAT THE BIBLE SAYS is intended to be e-mailed to anyone who wishes to receive it. If you wish to discontinue receiving this bulletin please send an email to: preacher@eastalbertville.org. If you know of someone you would like to receive this bulletin, use the same email address above to submit their names and email address and we will add them to the address database.

At present, the plan is to email the bulletin every other week.

—E.R. Hall, Jr., Editor

”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