What The Bible Says

Vol. VI - No. 14 / November 5, 2023

"JUDGE NOT, THAT YE BE NOT JUDGED"

    "Judge not, that ye be not judged." (Matthew 7:1) This may be one of the most misunderstood and therefore misapplied verses in the Bible. So much so, that even those who don't believe in the Bible quote, Matt. 7:1, in an effort to silence others who point out their wrongs. They might say, "now you know you're not supposed to judge." The truth is, we all make judgments every day concerning what we believe to be right and wrong. After all, the person who says, "it's wrong for you to judge me" has himself judged the person judging him.

    The problem is that most people never read the entire context! When we consider the context of Matthew 7: 1, we see that a person subjects himself to the same standard or rule of judgment that he uses towards another. "For with what judgment ye judge, ye shall be judged: and with what measure ye use, it shall be measured to you again" (Matt. 7:2).

    Jesus goes on to ask why we would judge hypocritically, i.e., judge another while we are guilty of sin. Notice Matthew 7: 3-4, "And why beholdest thou the mote that is in thy brothers eye, but considers not the beam that is in thine own eye? Or how wilt thou say to thy brother, Let me pull the mote out of thine eye; and behold, a beam is in thine own eye?”

    In his letter to the Romans, Paul said something similar when he wrote, "Therefore thou art inexcusable, 0 man, whosoever thou art that judges: for wherein thou judgest another, thou condemnest thyself; for thou that judges does the same things” (Romans 2:1). When we judge another person while guilty of the same sin(s), we are actually condemning ourselves. Maybe if we took the time and considered ourselves first, there would be less antagonism in the Church of Christ and the world as a whole.

    Continuing in Matthew 7:5, we read what Jesus said we must do first before we try to help our brother. "Thou hypocrite, first cast out the beam out of thine own eye, and then shalt thou see clearly to cast out the mote out of thy brothers eye.”

    It is clear from the above verse, that the commonly heard idea - that we are never to judge another - just isn't so! We are in a condition to judge only after we have gotten rid of our own sin, then at that point, we can see clearly to help our brother with his sin. If you are telling people that Jesus said we are not to judge, you are misrepresenting the point that Jesus was making.

    In fact, we are to judge righteous judgement. In John 7:24, Jesus answering the people when they accused him of having a devil said, "Judge not according to the appearance, but judge righteous judgement." Clearly there is a type of judgement that is not to be used, and a type of judgment that is acceptable. If you've been misrepresenting Jesus concerning this subject or any other, you don't have to continue doing so.  —Jerime Booker

A COSTLY MISTAKE

    Failing to realize that we, today, do not live under the law of Moses is resulting in a costly mistake. Any casual observer of the Bible will notice that it is divided into the Old and New Testaments. The Old Testament in the book of Genesis covers the Patriarchal Period when God made His will known to the heads of the family (Patriarchs). Beginning in Exodus and continuing through Malachi is the record of God's dealing with the children of lsrael through the law He gave to Moses on Mount Sinai (Exodus 19-20). This law God gave to Israel and not to the Patriarchs (Deuteronomy 5:2-3) and it was to serve as a "schoolmaster" to bring them to Christ (Galatians 3:24). All the while even the Israelites was made aware that the law of Moses would one day be replaced with a New Testament or the law of Christ (Jeremiah 31:31-32). The law of Moses was only a "shadow" of things to come (Hebrews 10:1). The animal sacrifices that were done yearly could not take away sin (Hebrews 10:1-4).

    As the New Testament begins, we see the birth of the prophesied Savior, the Son of God. The books of Matthew through John record the birth, life, death, and resurrection of Jesus Christ. But we must remember that the life Jesus lived on this earth was lived during the time of the law of Moses. Jesus' law or the New Testament was not in force until after His death (Hebrews 9:15-17). Therefore as Jesus lived He could save ANY ONE from their sins ANYWAY He chose. Thus the sinner of Luke 18:10-14 was "justified" and the thief on the cross in Luke 23:43 was promised "paradise" because these incidence happened before Jesus' death. When Jesus died, salvation can only be given according to the conditions of His will.

    This is where the costly mistake is made. Countless numbers of people are patterning their salvation like the sinner of Luke 18 and the thief on the cross. However, this does not meet the conditions of the will found after Jesus's death. In order to be saved today, we must hear (Jn. 6:44-45), believe (Romans 10:17), repent (Luke 13:3,5), confess (Matthew 10:32; Romans 10:10), and be baptized (Mark 16:16). To fail to do these is making a costly mistake because our souls are at risk!  —E.R. Hall, Jr.

LIFE'S COUNTDOWN

      If we live 65 years, we have about 600,000 hours at our disposal. Assuming we are 18 when we complete high school, we have 47 years, or nearly 412,000 hours to live after graduation.

    If we spend 8 hours a day sleeping and 8 hours a day working, that only leaves 8 hours a day for everything else. That amounts to 137,000 hours in each category. When we think of the time we have to work and play in terms of hours, it doesn’t seem like much. And when seen in the light of eternity, it's but a fleeting moment. How important, therefore, that we spend our waking hours wisely!        

    The Psalmist wrote: "Teach us to number our days, that we may gain a heart of wisdom" (Psa. 90:12). I'm not suggesting that we need to start literally counting our days or hours that we have left. However we need to be aware of the swift passage of time and the need to live with eternity's values in view. Paul wrote: "Be very careful, then, how you live -- not as unwise but as wise, making the most of every opportunity, because the days are evil" (Eph. 5:15-16).

    The hours, days, and years are here and gone. So whether we count them or not, let's be sure to make them count -- for the Lord.  We can't afford to just spend our time; we must invest it. —Shane Williams

"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. VI - No. 13 / October 23, 2023

TO OUR BAPTIST FRIENDS

    Why do Baptists desire to wear John's name, do business in John's name, and glorify John's name? In fact, "Baptist" was never a part of John's name! "His name is John." (Luke 1:13,60,63).  

    What are the legal names of Al the plumber, Jack the electrician, or John the baptist? Are they not Al, Jack, and John? The terms "plumber", "electrician", and "baptist" (baptizer or immerser) are merely describing the work they do. Thus to style oneself a "baptist" does not personally honor John anymore than calling oneself a "plumber" or an "electrician" would be a personal honor to Al or Jack.   

    Why wear the name "Baptist" anyway? There are those who would say they are not trying to bring any honor to John whatsoever but is that really true? Do people not know us by the name we wear? Certainly they do! By what name do people most often refer to you religiously: a Baptist or a Christian? The name "Christian" does bear the name of Christ. Are we to be followers of John or Christ? Who shed His blood for us: John the immerser or Jesus Christ? Who brought life and immortality to light through the gospel (2 Timothy 1:10)?

    Is it not wrong to rob Christ of the glory that is rightfully His and give it to another (1 Corinthians 1:10-13). In John 3:29 we read that Jesus is the bridegroom and John was the bridegroom's friend. While Baptists claim to be married to Christ, they wear the name of the bridegroom's best friend. For Christians to be called Baptists is like a woman who married a Smith but wears the name of Jones, the bridegroom's friend. 

     “…And the disciples were called Christians first in Antioch." (Acts 11:26). Let us be content to be called Christians and only Christians. This is the only thing we find the followers of Christ called in the New Testament. No disciples of Christ were ever called Baptist or any one of the hundreds of other religious names that we are so accustomed to hearing today. Simply be a Christian! Wear and honor the name of Christ!  —E.R. Hall, Jr.

THE SENTINEL

    A sentinel is a soldier whose assignment is to stand watch. Its meaning and usage come from French and Italian words associated with vigilance and one’s ability to perceive. Most often we would simply use the word guard. The opposite of sentinel would be the one who poses the hazard or menace.

    When I think of a sentinel, I am reminded of a childhood friend who served a tour of duty at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier during his Marine Corps tenure. I have been at the memorial during the changing of the guard ceremony. It is to me quite a stirring and somber event. There has been a sentinel on duty every minute of every day since 1937. The Sentinel’s Creed in its final statement says, “this soldier will in honored glory rest under my eternal vigilance”.

    There are multiple scriptural references to guarding and watching that have much more significance than the sentinel posted at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier, though important to our nation’s military and our citizenry. One such guard is recorded in Gen. 3:24 and was placed by the Lord God: “and He placed cherubim at the east of the garden of Eden, and a flaming sword which turned every way, to guard the way to the Tree of Life.”

    The cherubim depicted here seem to be the four faced, four winged angelic beings that Ezekiel saw as recorded in Ch 1:6 and Ch 10:14. These are the attendants of God with supernatural abilities.  In Ezekiel 28:14, they are said to be able to walk amid stones of fire.  They are further described in Isa 37:16 and Psalms 80:1 when pictured as being the ones whom God dwells between. Also of note is that these cherubim that God placed is plural, cherubim being the plural for cherub. Have you considered whether the sword that God placed with the cherubim could perform its duty independently, or was it wielded by a cherub? Without knowing this answer, I do know that every directive of God, if followed correctly, will accomplish what He desires. We, in our day and in our culture, would say that God placed an armed guard to guard the way to the Tree of Life. I have never found any reference to a security breach pertaining to the Tree of Life, nor do I know of any valid claim to a man being able to live forever, apart from Jesus in Jn. 14:6, “…I am the way, the truth and the life.  No one comes to the Father except through Me”.

    Another guard I would like to consider is man. The text of Proverbs 4:23 directs the reader to, “keep your heart with all diligence, for out of it spring the issues of life.” The word heart is mentioned more than 800 times in the Bible, more than holy, blessed or sacrifice. The NIV reads “above all else, guard your heart.”  There can be no doubt that man’s heart, the thinking part of man’s being, has the utmost impact on his eternal destiny. God has stressed this repeatedly. The heart pictured here is like a rudder to steer man on his journey.  Mat. 6:21 declares that “for where your treasure is, there will your heart be also.” Verse 20 of the same chapter encourages man to “lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven”. Men to varying degrees are treasure seekers, always looking for more, better, newer treasure. The right-thinking man understands that his soul is the most valuable treasure he possesses. Mark 8:37 asks the question “or what will a man give in exchange for his soul?” This man also understands there is a day coming when all will appear before the judgement seat of Christ, 2 Cor. 5:10. At this judgement, if found faithful, then certain rights and privileges will be awarded. If found unfaithful, then certain destruction. God has given direction, but also all the necessary equipment for man to win his spiritual battle. If we are daily fighting the good fight of faith that we might lay hold of eternal life as 1 Tim. 6:12 directs, then we can have what the writer of Philippians penned in chapter 4 and verse 7 “the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding will guard your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus.”

    One of the beneficial rights promised to the faithful, can be found in Rev. 2:7 “…to him who overcomes, I will give to eat from the Tree of Life, which is in the midst of the Paradise of God.” This same right is confirmed later in Rev. 22:14, “Blessed are those who do his commandments, that they may have the right to the Tree of Life and may enter through the gates into the city.”

    Consider the two guards discussed here and how they both relate to the Tree of Life. In one scenario, man was driven from the garden to prohibit him from eating the fruit of the Tree of Life because of disobedience. In the other, if he overcomes through obedience, will be afforded the right to eat from the fruit of the Tree of Life.  

    Have you done all that is necessary to guard your heart? If not, why not? Your heart is your key to valuable treasure, eternal life.  Obey God while you have opportunity.  Stop resisting…  —Blind Bartimaeus 23

"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. VI - No. 12 / October 8, 2023

SENSATIONAL RELIGION

    "Sensational journalism" is the norm of the day. In the effort to spruce up newspapers, magazines, and television news, the appeal is to the physical senses to get and hold our attention. Sad, though true, many religious groups have resorted to what I call "sensational religion" in order to get and hold a crowd. This has been accomplished in many ways. Some religious groups have resorted to more than modest church buildings where expensive stain glass and lavish furnishings makeup the place so that it will appeal to people. Some church buildings are certainly "sensational" structures. I even saw on television a church building built completely out of crystal and appropriately name "The Crystal Cathedral”.

    Worship, if you want to call it that, in many churches has become a "sensational" event. Elegantly clothed choirs perform before an audience of ''worshippers". Numerous and expensive electronic musical instruments are used to further the sensation. With all the talent that is on display, it is a wonder that some churches don't start charging admission to get in instead of waiting until after you are there to take up a "collection”.

    Preachers are certainly not immune to giving in to sensational tactics. If the flashy expensive clothing and jewelry some preachers wear into the pulpit don't grab your attention, their preaching style is sure to do the job. They almost always manage to get the audience worked up into an emotional frenzy by telling a series of death bed stories or human tragedy experiences. As the pitch becomes feverish, some preachers resort to unscriptural tactics such as claiming to speak in unknown tongues like disciples did in the first century. With only tidbits of the Bible being used up to this point, the Bible is sure to be thrown out the window when the call is made to come down to the front. Some call it the "altar call" but with whatever words are used to describe it, the preacher is challenging the sinners in the audience to come forward to either pray their sins away or to relate their experience of salvation. Nothing could be farther from what the Bible teaches but it makes for a sensational time for people to shout and holler, leap and jump like a bunch of unruly children.

    After everything finally gets calmed down and services are dismissed, everyone goes home with an emotional "high". The interesting thing is this seems to be addictive because they expect to get this "high" every time they go. Yes, religion in many quarters has become very sensational and it is the church that offers and sustains the highest sensations that generally have the larger crowds. Could it be that while our physical senses are feasting our souls could still be thirsting for something more? Matthew 5:6 “Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, For they shall be filled.” Psalms 119:172 “My tongue shall speak of Your word, For all Your commandments are righteousness.”  —E.R. Hall, Jr.

WHAT CHURCH SHOULD I JOIN?

 All up and down this troubled land 
            Confusion reigns today, 
          As honest folks on every hand 
               In doubts are heard to say: 
          "I cannot tell which church to join, 
             There are so very many." 
          To whom we offer this advice -
             You should never join any! 

          You cannot join the church that belongs to Christ, 
             No man can vote you in; 
          The Lord, Himself. will add you 
            When he saves you from your sins.
          Then take no chances, neighbor: 
             This race but once you'll run. 
          If a church you join be of man, 
             It is not the proper one. 

          Beware the church you cannot find 
             Within the sacred pages; 
          Be safe, dear sinner, rest your soul 
             Upon the Rock of Ages. 
          Be added to His blood-bought church, 
             And drink salvation's cup; 
          For every plant God planted not, 
             It shall be rooted up. 

          No mourner's bench on Pentecost 
             The inspired Peter fitted, 
          But said, "Repent and be baptized 
             That your sins may be remitted." 
          The Lord, who saved and added those 
             Who did, that day, His will, 
          Will do the same for you dear friend, 
             For He is adding still. 

          Let not false teachers lead you wrong, 
             Nor close your eyes in slumber; 
          When Jesus said He'd build His church, 
            'Twas not in plural number. 
          No choice of churches, neighbor mine, 
            Is found beneath the sun; 
          Though men may have ten thousand,
            Our Savior has but one.
—Author Unknown

***SENTENCE SERMONS***

"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. VI - No. 11 / September 24, 2023

TROUBLESOME TIMES

    Economically, our nation is struggling with high inflation resulting with such higher prices for many goods and services making it difficult for many families to make ends meet. Internationally, the war in Ukraine is taking the lives of many including the innocent, unable to fully comprehend. Hopefully these will improve with time and we pray soon.
 

    However, I believe that the greatest problem that faces this nation is it’s moral decay. For those that may not know the entire month of June has been nationally recognized as the “LGBT Pride Month”. This is a national effort to promote these perverse and ungodly acts to try to persuade people to not only accept, defend and even practice such. There is and has been an effort to influence very young children in our school systems that such behavior is normal and to acclimate their impressionable minds to accept such perverseness.


    Those that practice and/or support the LGBT movement say that they are inclusive and include people of color or of other nationalities to promote acceptability. However, there is no sin to be found in the color of a person or the nation of which they were born. In Acts 17:26 Paul states that God has created all men from every nation of one blood.


    Now let us consider some specific teachings found in the Bible concerning these sinful practices. In Genesis 2:18-24 After God created man God said that it is not good that man should be alone and created woman as a help comparable to him and they became one flesh. Please note that God did not create a man for man.


    In Matthew 19:4-5 Christ said that in the beginning God made them male and female and that a man would be joined to his wife and they would become one flesh. Reaffirming what God did in the beginning. (“joined” indicating marriage) (becoming one flesh referencing the sexual act.) Man and Woman!


    Concerning homosexuality we can read in Romans 1:26-27 that God gave them up to vile passions. For woman exchanged the natural use for that which is against nature and men leaving the natural use of the woman burned in their lust for one another, men with men committing what is shameful. Verse 32 states that those who practice such things are deserving of death. Note: (vile passions) (against nature) (shameful) (deserving of death).


    In 1 Corinthians 6:9-10 We can read that homosexuals will not inherit the kingdom of God.


    There are many other passages that clearly teach the homosexuality and related sins are condemned in the Bible but there is not one that would justify such. How could anyone find pride in such. I know that there are many other sins that are condemned in the Bible including other sins of the flesh but one does not justify another.

    In conclusion, I encourage all who commit such sins, as well as those who support such, to repent considering the consequences of which you will be held accountable. How can anyone take pride in “LGBT”? —Gerald White

EMOTIONALISM

    Emotions are a part of our makeup as a human being. Emotions truly have their place in our everyday lives. It is only natural that our emotions are involved when it comes to religious matters. Emotions also serve as a motivating force. Jesus said, "If ye love me, keep my commandments." (John 14:15). The faith we have should be a ‘'faith which worketh by love." (Galatians 5:6). From these two verses we see FAITH operates by LOVE and love should motivate us to be OBEDIENT to God's will. From Romans 8:24-25 and 15:4 we learn that through the Scriptures we have HOPE and hope causes us to WAIT. In 2 Corinthians 7: 8-10, we see that through the letter (inspired epistle) Paul wrote, the Corinthian Christians were made to have GODLY SORROW and their sorrow lead to REPENTANCE. In these examples, we see how emotions play a part in our lives as Christians.   

    However, we must not become devoted to emotions. Stephen, in Acts 6 was attempting to objectively reason with the people (verse 10) but because of some who told lies against Stephen, the people were "stirred up" (verse 12) and Stephen was later put to death. Their emotions overcame them to the point they were willing to believe lies rather than the truth. Paul, in Acts 19, came close to the same fate of Stephen when Demetrius spoke words against Paul which caused the people to be ''full of wrath" (verse 28). These are two examples of people given to emotionalism or devotion to emotions. It is when emotions are used as an end in itself that we are given to emotionalism.

    Today, many people 'go to church' just to get the feeling or experience the emotion. Churches and preachers cater to this devotion by setting the "mood". Many churches use elaborate musical scores. Some churches turn the lights down low. The preacher goes into his discourse of sad stories about mother and father. All of this is to create a mood which will invoke emotions of either joy or sorrow.

    Rather than being devoted to emotions we need to be devoted to the word of God. Through studying, hearing, and meditating on God's word our emotions of love, hate, joy, and sorrow need to be invoked to be obedient to do the things God would have us to do and to refrain from the things He would have us not to do.

    To what are we devoted: a certain feeling or to God's word? Why is religion important to us: because of the certain feeling we have grown accustomed to having or is it the comfort we get from studying and being obedient to God's words (1 Thessalonians 4:18)?  —E.R. Hall, Jr.

"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. VI - No. 10 / September 10, 2023

PROTESTANTISM

    Many people often ask me what I am religiously. When I reply that I am simply a Christian, they reply, "Oh, I know that but what church are you a member of?" To which I reply, "I am a member of the Lord's church." Acting a little put out at this point, they asked, “Are you Catholic or Protestant!?" I respond, "Neither one!”. 

    I am simply a Christian (Acts 11:26), a member of the church built by the Lord (Matthew 16:18), a church that bears His name (Romans 16:16), a church of which Jesus is the Head (Colossians 1:18), and follows only the Scriptures as its creed ( 2 Timothy 3:16-17).

    I am not a Protestant because Protestantism is of man and not of God. Protestantism began as a "protest" against the Roman Catholic Church. I, too, protest the Catholic Church with its Pope, doctrines of purgatory, and prayer to virgin Mary but that's another article in another bulletin. But, I also protest Protestantism with its man-made names. When folks ask me what I am religiously they expect me to tell them that I'm a Baptist, Methodist, Lutherian, Presbyterian, or one of the other numerous religious organization. After all, there are only about +1,200 to choose from.

    Jesus can not be responsible for Protestantism for He did not promise to build many churches; only His church (Matthew 16:18) which He did in Acts 2. Those who were willing to listen and believe the gospel Peter preached and be baptized were added to the Lord's church (Acts 2:41,47). Protestantism teaches other ways to be saved. Some teach grace alone, faith alone, or that baptism is not necessary. Thus, along with their man-made names they also have man-made doctrines that you cannot find in the New Testament.

    The only organization for the Lord's church is that of elders, deacons, and saints (Philippians 1:1) but in Protestantism you find all sorts of titles and offices foreign to the Scriptures. Most Protestant churches give the title "Reverend" to their preachers and yet the only time the word 'reverend' is found in the Bible is in Psalms 111:9 and it is referring to God Himself. That is why, even though I am a preacher, I do not allow myself to be given the title of "Reverend" for I am not God, neither is any man. Neither will I refer to any man as such!  —E.R. Hall, Jr.

WAS THE DEATH OF STEPHEN UNNECESSARY?

    The title that heads this article may sound strange, but the actions and philosophies of some merit our consideration of such a question. It is true that we live in a country where we enjoy religious freedom. It is not against the law to preach Christ, in our country; whereas, it was against the law of the Jews for Stephen to preach Christ. There is a vast difference between the attitude of the officials in government in Stephen’s day; and the attitude of the officials in government in our day. Sometimes I wonder if there isn’t just as much a difference in the attitude of Stephen and the attitude of most preachers today. I don’t mean denominational preachers but those who claim to be gospel preachers.

    How many “gospel preachers” do you know that would use the plain language that Stephen used in his preaching? Stephen said, “Ye stiffnecked and uncircumcised in heart and ears, ye do always resist the Holy Ghost; as your fathers did so do ye. Which of the prophets have not your fathers persecuted? and they have slain them which shewed before of the coming of the Just One; of whom ye have been now the betrayers and murderers: Who have received the law by the disposition of angels, and have not kept it.” (Acts 7:51-53). Every person who claims to be a gospel preacher needs to examine those words very carefully. We need to ask ourself the question: Would we preach like Stephen did? Would we say what he said or would we water it down and soften it up? Would we reason that it would not be using good judgment to preach the way Stephen preached? If Stephen had used some of this good judgment that we are inclined to think about, he might not have been stoned to death.

    Couldn’t Stephen have used a little more of what we call diplomacy and possibly saved himself from being stoned to death? Sometimes I wonder if what we are doing, when we talk about good judgment and diplomacy, is excusing ourselves for compromising the truth. Don’t misunderstand me. I am not recommending that we do not use good judgment.

    Could you image Stephen or Paul or Jesus Christ keeping quiet when matters of truth are at stake? Would they excuse themselves from speaking out against unscriptural practices under the pretense of using good judgment or diplomacy? Preachers who never say anything against church support of human institutions, church sponsored recreation, church sponsored ball teams, and kindergartens should certainly ask themselves these questions. Also, preachers who are afraid to say anything about worldly practices, immodest apparel, and etc. 
--Windell Wiser
Taken from The Sunny Hill Bulletin, May 25, 1972

***SENTENCE SERMONS*** 

If what you're working for really matters, you'll give it all you've got.
 ***  
Blessed is the man who, having nothing to say, abstains from giving wordy evidence of the fact.
***  
This is true greatness: To serve unnoticed and to work unseen.

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For The East Albertville Church Of Christ
meeting at
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Albertville, AL 35950
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Evening Worship   …………………........ 5:00 PM
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