Our “Beloved” Brethren

By Richie Thetford

One might ask “Why isn’t the church of Christ grow- ing in number like it once was?” That is a valid question and one that deserves an honest answer. Many elders, preachers, and members might offer various reasons as to why the church is not growing in number like it once was. But I believe the answer lies within our midst, our own “beloved” brethren! Over the past five years of preaching I have seen and experienced the hatred that some brethren have toward one another. The word “hypocrite” is etched on their forehead as they attend service after service “in the name of the Lord” (Matt 7:21-23). There is no way the Lord’s church can and will grow as long as the brethren won’t get along. Notice I said won’t, not can’t. All Christians can and will get along with one another if they really want to. The problem is, many do not want to. Many are guilty of wanting to condemn their brethren rather than trying to restore them.

“Go And Sin No More”

Jesus gives us an example of this in the account of the woman who was caught in adultery in John 8:2-11. These scribes and Pharisees wanted to see her stoned to death as the old law stipulated should happen. But Je- sus, wanting them to understand the importance of forgiveness, asked for the one without sin to throw the first stone. Fortunately, they all did a self-examination and concluded that “we all have sin” and therefore no one felt he was above sin to be able to punish her with death. Jesus told the woman that he would not condemn her but rather offered her forgiveness, telling her to go and “sin no more.” This woman was given “another chance,” a renewed life, because Christ, in his example, showed that Christianity is a religion of forgiveness, not condemnation.

Jesus pointed out to Peter the importance of forgiving as often as one asks (Matt 18:21-22). Forgiveness is “to give up resentment against or the desire to punish; pardon. To overlook an offense; to cancel.” Many brethren say they forgive when in reality they don’t. When brethren resent one another, they are not really ready to forgive one another. As each new occurrence happens these brethren, though they say they have forgiven in the past, will continue to bring up previous occurrences and place them before the supposedly forgiven party. What if God did that to each one of us? We fully expect God to forgive us of our sins when we ask him to, yet often we will not truly forgive our own brother in Christ. When this happens, we are guilty of murder.

Are We Guilty of Murder?

When we do not have a genuine loving and forgiving attitude as evidenced by the fact that we are not truly leaning toward the restoration of our brethren, then we are guilty of murder. Notice the words of God as John writes in 1 John 3:4-15:

Whoever commits sin also commits lawlessness, and sin is lawlessness. And you know that He was manifested to take away our sins, and in Him there is no sin. Whoever abides in Him does not sin. Whoever sins has neither seen Him nor known Him. Little children, let no one deceive you. He who practices righteousness is righteous, just as He is righteous. He who sins is of the devil, for the devil has sinned from the beginning. For this purpose the Son of God was manifested, that He might destroy the works of the devil. Whoever has been born of God does not sin, for His seed remains in him; and he cannot sin, because he has been born of God. In this the children of God and the children of the devil are manifest: Whoever does not practice righteousness is not of God, nor is he who does not love his brother. For this is the message that you heard from the beginning, that we should love one another, not as Cain who was of the wicked one and murdered his brother.

And why did he murder him? Because his works were evil and his brother’s righteous. Do not marvel, my brethren, if the world hates you. We know that we have passed from death to life, because we love the brethren. He who does not love his brother abides in death. Whoever hates his brother is a murderer, and you know that no murderer has eternal life abiding in him.

If we do not exhibit a sincere love and concern for our brethren, then we are guilty of murder. If we believe that our brother is in sin and we do not have an attitude of wanting to restore him but would rather “avoid him” and condemn him, then we do not have love and are guilty of murder!

I encourage you to listen to the word of God in this matter (Heb 4:1-16). When one does not love his brother then we know he is not of God. Jesus said: “You are of your father the devil, and the desires of your father you want to do. He was a murderer from the beginning, and does not stand in the truth, because there is no truth in him. When he speaks a lie, he speaks from his own resources, for he is a liar and the father of it” (John 8:44). Vine’s Expository Dictionary of Biblical Words uses the same Greek word in John 8:44 as in 1 John 3:15. Notice what is said: murderer: “anthropoktonos” “manslaying,” “a manslayer, murderer” (anthropos, “a man,” kteino, “to slay”), is used of Satan (John 8:44), of one who hates his brother, and who, being a “murderer,” has not eternal life (1 John 3:15, twice). When one does not have the love of the brethren to the point that they are striving for reconciliation with each other and God, then they have an attitude as Esau had toward Jacob (Gen 27:41). In addition, when we stand to condemn rather than try to build up and restore, then we are guilty of murder — taking the very life of our neighbor (Lev 19:16-18). Jesus said, “You have heard that it was said to those of old, ‘You shall not murder,’ and whoever murders will be in danger of the judgment. But I say to you that whoever is angry with his brother without a cause shall be in danger of the judgment. And whoever says to his brother, ‘Raca!’ shall be in danger of the council. But whoever says, ‘You fool!’ shall be in danger of hell fire” (Matt 5:21-22).

“Have Love For One Another”

Churches of the Lord have been torn asunder because some do not exercise a loving attitude for one another. Some Christians seem to stay busy talebearing and causing strife within the local church. Solomon wrote:

Where there is no wood, the fire goes out; and where there is no talebearer, strife ceases. As charcoal is to burning coals, and wood to fire, so is a contentious man to kindle strife. The words of a talebearer are like tasty trifles, and they go down into the inmost body. Fervent lips with a wicked heart are like earthenware covered with silver dross. He who hates, disguises it with his lips, and lays up deceit within himself; When he speaks kindly, do not believe him, for there are seven abominations in his heart; Though his hatred is covered by deceit, his wickedness will be revealed before the assembly (Prov 26:20-26).

These things should not be taking place in the church of our Lord. A handshake and words of love should be sincere among the brethren!

I would like to urge each and everyone of us to under- stand how eternally important it is that we exercise genuine love for one another and seek each others betterment while we live here on this earth. Jesus commanded that we love (John 15:17) and also taught us an example of forgiveness with the woman caught in adultery. May we learn from it and exercise a willing attitude to want to forgive as God has forgiven us, striving for unity always. Remember, one can know who a disciple of Christ is by his love. “A new commandment I give to you, that you love one another; as I have loved you, that you also love one another. By this all will know that you are My disciples, if you have love for one another” (John 13:34-35). When we exercise sincere love toward one another, then all saints will certainly be “our beloved brethren!”

What Is Gospel Preaching?

By W. R. Jones

I am still a great believer in the power of gospel preaching. I am convinced that absolutely nothing will put God’s true message across as well as a forceful les- son from a godly preacher or teacher. I say this because I firmly believe that we not only draw from the words of those who teach us, but from their lives and character. While I was quite a young preacher I worked with an elder of the church, who I am sure did more to shape my future than any man. This godly man taught me a great deal, you may be sure. And yet, strange as it may seem, I cannot remember precisely as much of what he taught me as I can remember about him; his life, his character, and his attitude.

In (Acts 4:13) please notice what is said about Peter and John. “Now when they saw the boldness of Peter and John, and perceived that they were unlearned and ignorant men, they marveled; and they took knowledge of them, that they had been with Jesus.” They took note that these men “had been with Jesus.” I grant that more was involved in this statement then than there is now, because miracles were involved, but the principle remains the same. The people could tell that these men “had been with Jesus.”

So, what we need today is not more gimmicks, not more novel plans, not more ingenious approaches, but more godly men who will set forth the unsearchable riches without fear or favor, and do so free of fanaticism. We need men, and women as well (within their limitations of teaching) who will demonstrate in word and deed that they have “been with Jesus.” We must remember, when people are called with “secular attractions” it takes bigger and more fascinating “attractions” to keep them. You cannot call people with the things of the flesh and expect them to walk after the things of the Spirit. When people are truly called by the plain and simple gospel that is all it takes to keep them. Jesus said to the woman at the well: “But whosoever drinketh of the water that I shall give him shall never thirst; but the water that I shall give him shall be in him a well of water springing up into everlasting life.” True gospel preachers and teachers never have to resort to anything except the word of God. I am never under pressure to come forward with some astounding thing that is bigger and better. As a preacher, I find that most comforting.

The “Social Gospel” influence upon us today has caused many to look with disdain upon “old fashioned gospel preaching.” The new idea is to get the message across with “puppet shows” and “Bible drama” and a host of other things which are designed to entertain and do a little teaching at the same time. I must confess, I just don’t believe a puppet or an actor could have much of a spiritual impact on me. But, that godly elder did! He didn’t entertain me, but he taught me, and let me freely observe that teaching in his life. I had the wonderful opportunity to see what it is really all about. When people listen to you and observe you, can they tell you have “been with Jesus”?

So, while the denominational world and the liberal- minded brethren give the world “puppet shows” and “Bible dramas” and all kind of presentations that obscure and water down the truth, let’s get on with the real work. Let’s give the lost and dying world the forceful, but simple gospel of Christ, falling from the lips of truly spiritual men. Not lessons that are shrouded in a lot of philosophical jargon, but lessons filled with a “thus saith the Lord.” We may not have the most listeners and we may not have the biggest crowds, but we will make people who do hear us “meet for the Master’s use” and prepared for eternity (2 Tim. 2:21). After all, that’s what it’s all about.

Why Not Libya?

By Connie W. Adams

From the time I was a teenager and began trying to preach the gospel, I have had a keen interest in preaching the gospel to the whole world. This began when we had a preacher at Hopewell, Virginia who had just spent some time preaching in Alaska before it was a state. His ac- counts of work there, along with pictures he showed whetted my young appetite to someday have a part in preaching the gospel in other parts of the world. Before my first wife and I were married, we talked about spending some of our life on foreign soil in the work of the kingdom. It was that determination which prompted us to go to Norway in 1957 to help begin the work in the land of the midnight sun.

In the years since, we have been back to Norway four times and maintain a keen interest in what is being done there. The light of truth has flickered at times, but it is still burning. All of my life as a preacher, I have prayed for the Lord to open doors of opportunity for me to preach the gospel. He has abundantly answered those prayers and sometimes there have been several doors open at the same time and so decisions have been made as to where we could do the most good at that time.

It is very easy to become excited about the work in which we are involved. It is natural for this to happen. But it is also easy to become judgmental as to the motives of others who have chosen to work in other fields. Remember, the field is the world. All of it — not just the part in which we have taken a special interest.

While it is true that the scattered disciples went everywhere preaching the word (Acts 8:4), it is also true that some of the apostles and other brethren remained in Jerusalem for there was still much work to do there. I don’t read about those who were scattered questioning the motives of those who stayed in Jerusalem. Those who left and those who stayed were all involved in the Lord’s work.

Why This Article?

A good brother who lives in Nebraska (a state where there is much work to do and where congregations are scarce) wrote a piece in the November-December, 1997 Russian Update entitled “Why Not Russia?” Along with many others, I have followed with interest the reports from several brethren who have worked in Russia since the fall of the Iron Curtain. We have had some part in helping and encouraging some of those who have gone. I look forward to the Russian Update and read every article with keen interest. But I fear that our Nebraska brother got a little carried away in his article.

First, he talked about those who “are missionaries.” Now, I have had a part in preaching the gospel in several countries, but I simply did the work of an evangelist the same as I do in Kentucky or wherever else I preach. Evangelists work to convert souls to Christ and establish congregations, not missions. This whole notion of missions and missionaries is born of denominational jargon.

Then he spoke of “hot spots” where some “missionaries” have gone. He named the Philippines, Africa (which country? — it is a huge continent), Eastern Europe, and even China and Vietnam. Well, I have been to both the Philippines and South Africa in the heart of summer in both places and he is right — they are “hot spots.” They are also places where much good work is being done and fruit being borne. Trips to any of these places involve much expense and hectic schedules which are physically and mentally exhausting. Some of us have also been in some “cold spots” even as he has in Russia.

He then began to judge the hearts of brethren who choose to stay where they are and preach when he said, “Some sit in their offices and say, ‘There’s too much work to do right here!’” Well, has our brother considered the possibility that might just be true? He wondered if we are so vain as to think the work would not survive without us. It well might, but does that mitigate the fact there are times when a work might be hindered by a precipitous move?

He then shames us by saying, “Russia is not an exotic location like Africa or the Philippines.” Has our brother been in either place yet? If not, I would like for him to tell me how “exotic” Tondo is in the Manila area or Soweto near Johannesburg. Both of these are huge areas which can be largely described as ghettoes. I have seen garbage piled waist high in Tondo and open drainage ditches into which raw sewage flowed. You could smell the stench far away. How “exotic” is it to wade water to your knees after the river overflowed and flooded the town, or to preach with a towel to wipe sweat. How exotic is it to ride a bus with the passenger seated beside you holding a goat, or two chickens with the feet tied together? How exotic is it to sleep under a mosquito net in a nipa hut? The brethren who work in South Africa, Zimbabwe, Kenya, Nigeria, or India can add much to the “exotic” list. He says Russia is a “dirty, depressing environment” where the work is difficult. I am sure he is right. But Russia is not the only place in the world where that is true.

But the most severe judgment of all is when he wondered out loud “if some American preachers are not still cold warriors at heart who just can’t get excited about the idea of making our former enemies our brethren.” My brother, if you seriously have wondered this, it would have been far better if you had kept that to yourself. That is a serious indictment of your brethren and unless you have hard, cold facts to sustain such a suspicion, it would have been far better to have withheld that suspicion. I get around among a good many brethren over the country and I just don’t believe that is a proper assessment at all.

Then he raised this question: “What right do we have to say where we will and will not go? So you don’t want to go to Russia. Are you here to do your will or his?” Has all choice now been removed from us and placed in the hands of this brother? Is it his right to decide where in the world we all shall preach? Then he said, “But if you don’t go to Russia, nobody will.” That is not quite true. We have had three men from here in Kentucky to go to Russia. John Smith of Winchester has made several trips. One of the elders of a Louisville congregation took early retirement from his job, learned the Russian language and moved to Russia.

Is there work to do for the Lord in Russia? To be sure. There has been an open door and we are praying that the recent legislation there will not bring to a halt the access which American workers have had to that field. If it does, there are native Christians remaining and it can only be hoped that they will be steadfast in the face of whatever hardships there may be.

But, why not Libya? Or Saudi Arabia? Or Iraq? Or Iran? Should we lecture the brethren and say, “If you don’t do to Libya, nobody will.” Brethren, there is something to be said for open doors. Several times in the New Testament reference is made to these “open doors” (1 Cor. 16:9; Col. 4:3; Acts 14:27; Rev. 3:5). These references indicate that opportunities were present. Sometimes doors open and sometimes they close. We must be alert to opportunities and strike while the iron is hot. If that makes a place a “hot spot,” then so be it.

Now, none of this has been said to dampen or discourage the work of good men in Russia, or those who may be planning to go. Of course, more help is needed. Gospel preachers around the world are spread thin. If you don’t think so, then talk to Tom or Terrell Bunting in Norway. Ask them about the rest of Scandinavia. The last thing Scott Tope said to me when we parted after the training school for preachers at Eshowe, South Africa was “tell the brethren in America that we are spread very thin.” We need more work done in Russia. We need more work done in many places in the world, including many parts of the U.S.A. But I, for one, do not intend to allow a preacher who has made a trip to Russia to deprive me of my right to use the best wisdom I can as to where and when I shall preach the gospel for my remaining days. I appreciate his desire to promote the work in a part of the world where he has a special interest, but please don’t put the rest of the brethren on a guilt trip when their zeal leads them to other parts of the field.

I Will Put You In Remembrance

By Mike Willis

Wherefore I will not be negligent to put you always in remembrance of these things, though ye know them, and be established in the present truth. Yea, I think it meet, as long as I am in this tabernacle, to stir you up by putting you in remembrance; knowing that shortly I must put off this my tabernacle, even as our Lord Jesus Christ hath showed me (2 Pet. 1:12-14).

The book of 2 Peter was written shortly before Peter’s death. The Lord foretold the death of Peter (“even as our Lord Jesus Christ hath showed me”) in John 21:18-19. There Jesus said, “Verily, verily, I say unto thee, When thou was young, thou girdedst thyself, and walkedst whither thou wouldest: but when thou shalt be old, thou shalt stretch forth thy hands, and another shall gird thee, and carry thee whither thou wouldest not”  (John 21:18). The Apostle John adds, “This spake he, signifying by what death he should glorify God” (John 21:19). How Jesus’ statement signified “by what death” Peter would die is not as obvious in English as it was in Greek. The phrase “stretch forth” is translated from ekteino that basically means “stretch out.” However, the phrase is used “of one who is crucified” in several places (Epict. 3, 25, 22; Josephus, Antiquities 19, 94; Epistle of Barnabas 12:2). Early church historians are uniformly agreed that Peter was taken to Rome and put to death by crucifixion (Eusebius Chap. 25), some adding that he was crucified upside down. Based on John’s comment in 21:19, I conclude that this word was intended to convey to Peter the manner of death that he would die — that he would be crucified.

No doubt Peter could see events leading to his death developing and, therefore, penned this short letter. Knowing that his death was imminent, he wanted to remind the Christians of some things that they need to keep in mind, lest they slip away from them. The work of reminding Christians of the basic truths of the gospel is just as much a work of gospel preachers today as it was for Peter. The Apostle was afraid that false teachers would lead men away from the truths of the gospel which he re-enforced; therefore, he wrote to remind them of those fundamental truths.

We also see the need to remind men of some fundamental truths which we are in danger of losing. That is not to say that the truths that will follow are the most basic. Indeed, the deity of Christ, his atonement, the inspiration of the Scriptures, and many other doctrines are certainly fundamental principles that we must not forsake. However, the following truths seem to be some fundamental truths that are in jeopardy at this present hour. We remind brethren of them, not to exalt them above other truths, but because they are under assault.

The Plan of Salvation

When I was a child, I distinctly remember hearing sermons about the “plan of salvation.” Everyone understood that man’s salvation depended upon both what God does and what man does. God’s part was demonstrated in his loving grace toward us in sacrificing his only begotten Son for the sins of mankind (John 3:16). Our religious neighbors were fundamentally agreed on what God had done for mankind through Jesus Christ. However, our religious neighbors were fundamentally disagreed on man’s part in his salvation. So brethren preached many sermons on the “plan of salvation” in which they presented what the Bible teaches that man must do to receive the gift of God’s grace.

They developed that man’s part in his salvation is the following: (1) The hearing that produces faith (Rom. 10:17; Matt. 28:18-20; Mark 16:15-16). (2) Faith in Christ (Heb. 11:6; John 8:24; 14:6; Mark 16:16). (3) Repentance of sins (Acts 2:38; 17:30; 2 Pet. 3:9). (4) Confessing one’s faith in Christ (Acts 8:37; Matt. 10:32; Rom. 10:10). (5) Baptism (Matt. 28:18-20; Mark 16:15-16; Acts 2:38; 22:16; Col. 2:12; Rom. 6:3-4; 1 Pet. 3:21). Our brethren emphasized that (a) Baptism is a burial in water; (b) Baptism is ad- ministered to penitent believers; and (c) Baptism is for the remission of sins. We understood that there is only one way to become a Christian, by “obeying the gospel.”

Roman Catholicism teaches salvation through meritorious works and Protestant denominationalism teaches salvation through “faith only.” Both are in error. What the gospel presents as the conditions for man’s salvation was a distinctive mark of the gospel preaching I heard in my youth.

There are evidences that our brethren are drifting away from this fundamental truth. Max Lucado has preached salvation through faith only. Others are more subtle in their criticism of preaching the plan of salvation, charging that such is preaching salvation by works. What they mean is that we are emphasizing what man must do to be saved to the neglect of preaching what God has done to save us. (What good would preaching either one be to the neglect of the other?) Basically what these critics are condemning is preaching that water baptism is a condition for salvation!

I intend to preach the “plan of salvation” so that when my days on earth are over there will still be a remnant who clings to the fundamental truths of the gospel.

The Five Acts of Worship

Another fundamental lesson that we heard when we grew up pertained to revealed worship. Gospel preachers emphasized to us that God has a pattern for worship. They emphasized that when men violate God’s pattern for worship, God is displeased, as shown by Cain’s unauthorized worship (Gen. 4), Nadab and Abihu’s offering “strange” fire which God “commanded not” (Lev. 10:1-2), and Saul’s unauthorized worship (1 Sam. 15). We learned that God has a pattern for worship in our own age as well.

The acts of worship that God has commanded are as follows: (1) Prayer (Acts 2:42; 1 Cor. 14:15). For prayer to be acceptable, it must be offered in Jesus’ name (John 16:23-26). Prayer offered in the name of the virgin Mary is not acceptable worship. (2) The Lord’s supper (Acts 20:7; 1 Cor. 11:20-33). The Lord’s supper is observed weekly (Acts 20:7; 1 Cor. 11:20; 16:1-2). The elements to be used are unleavened bread and the “fruit of the vine” (Matt. 26:17, 26-28). Both the bread and fruit of the vine was taken by all participants. The Lord’s supper is not a sacrifice anew of the literal body and blood of Jesus (as in transubstantiation). (3) Giving (1 Cor. 16:1-2; 2 Cor. 9:6-7). The church’s work is financed by the free-will offerings of its members. The early church did not tithe, take up several offerings, raise funds through commercial enterprises (rummage sales, raffles, cake sales, car washes, etc.), and such like things. The church only took a contribution on Sunday, not on any other day of the week. (4) Singing (1 Cor. 14:15; Eph. 5:19; Col. 3:16). The Lord commanded that his saints lift their voices in praise to him in song. Men have changed this part of worship by: (a) Choirs, (b) Professional entertainers to perform for the group, and (c) Mechanical instruments of music. (5) Preaching (Acts 2:42). That which was preached from the pulpit was apostolic doctrine. The pulpit is abused when another message is preached (such as The Book of Mormon, the Koran, Science and Health With Key to the Scriptures). The pulpit is abused when those who believe the Bible do not use the Bible when they preach, choosing rather to tell anecdotes and self-motivation stories. Faith is built through the preaching of the word (Rom. 10:17). When the word is not preached, faith cannot be built.

If there is no pattern for worship, then one kind of worship is just as good as any other (Rom. 4:15). That there is a pattern for worship is obvious from God’s condemnation of idolatry (1 Cor. 6:9). The very fact that idolatry is condemned demonstrates that there is a pattern revealed for man’s worship. The departures from that pattern of worship are just as serious in our own day as they were in the first century.

There is plenty of evidence that indicates brethren are moving away from this concept. Just how long has it been since you have heard a sermon on the five acts of worship? Among our liberal brethren, a few churches have allowed mechanical instruments of music to be used, a chorus (choir), and solos sometimes performed in their public worship, the word of God is less and less emphasized in their preaching and teaching programs, some churches have “hummed” a song while the Lord’s supper is being taken, and some have raised funds through selling admission to certain programs.

Will there be a remnant who still insist on the New Testament pattern of worship in the next generation? That depends upon whether or not we put our brethren in remembrance of these things.

The Church of Christ

Another lesson that was a distinctive part of the preaching we learned as children concerned the Lord’s church. Brethren of that generation distinguished between divinely revealed religion and that devised by men. They were not ashamed or embarrassed to preach the distinctive features of revealed religion.

The church of Christ has always been distinctive. One can easily distinguish the worship of the New Testament church (congregational singing, partaking of the Lord’s supper on the first day of each week, prayer in the name of Jesus, contribution, and preaching apostolic doctrine) from that of any sect of Judaism (with its Temple sacrifices, Levitical priesthood, Levitical choirs, tithing, etc.) or any pagan temple. Had the church not been distinctive, there would have been no reason for its separate existence.

The church of Christ is just as distinctive from the un- revealed religions of the late twentieth century as it was from those of the mid-first century. Among the things that are distinctive about the church today are the following: (1) Its names (Rom. 16:16; 1 Cor. 1:1; 1 Tim. 3:15). Although the church does not have one exclusive name by which it is called, it is distinctive in that it wears only those names found in Scripture. Paul condemned the wearing of the names of men (1 Cor. 1:10-13) and that condemnation is just as certain in the twentieth century as it was in the first. We do not wear those names that exalt men (Lutheran, for Martin Luther), some religious act (Baptist, for baptism), some organizational structure (Presbyterian or Episcopalian), some emotional religious experience incorrectly named (Pentecostal, named after the Day of Pentecost, not some religious experience), or other non-biblical name. (2) Its organization (Phil. 1:1; 1 Tim. 3:1-14; Tit. 1:5-7). Each local church was organized congregationally. Each local church was independent and autonomous, without any organizational structure tying local congregations together (as exists in conferences, synods, and councils). The officers in the church are elders and deacons (1 Tim. 3:1-14). There was a plurality of elders in each local church (Acts 20:17, 28; Phil. 1:1; etc.). Churches soon departed from this simple form of church government to develop their own, as was done in Roman Catholicism (with its priests, bishops, archbishops, cardinals, and pope) and the varieties of government in Protestant denominational- ism (pastor oversight, inter-congregational organizations, conferences, etc.). (3) Its work is unique. The church is designed to do these works: (a) Evangelize the world (1

Tim. 3:15); (b) Edify its members (Acts 20:32); and (c) Relieve the physical sufferings of its members (Acts 6:1-6;

11:27-30). Churches are not designed to (a) Form political action committees; (b) Build and maintain colleges, high schools, grade schools, etc.; (c) Build and maintain hospitals; (d) Feed the poor of the world; (e) Operate child day-care facilities; and such like works.

Already there are evidences that brethren are moving away from preaching the distinctive nature of divinely re- vealed religion. Brethren are writing that when we preach the distinctive features of the divinely revealed church, we are preaching “ourselves” rather than Christ. Such preaching is said to be a departure from the gospel because it is “church centered” rather than “Christ centered.” How can one preach the divinely revealed kingdom of God without emphasizing the King who gave its laws?

So long as I am in the tabernacle of this body, I intend to remind brethren of the distinctive nature of the Lord’s church, lest there come a time when the Lord’s church no longer exists. There is a danger of the Lord’s church becoming just another Protestant denomination. It already has in too many places.

The Moral Purity of Its Members

Another feature of gospel preaching of my youth was a fervent call for Christians to live like Christ in their moral conduct. Brethren plainly condemned the immoral conduct of the world and called on Christians to walk in holiness.

The church has always been faced with the danger of being conformed to the moral standards of the environment in which it exists (Rom. 12:1-2). We are in danger of con- forming to the world’s moral code in the following areas: (1) Dress (1 Tim. 2:9-10). Many see nothing wrong with wearing shorts that expose most of the thigh, wearing one or two-piece bathing suits in the company of those of the opposite sex, low cut blouses, tight fitting blue jeans, skirts with splits half-way up the thigh, dresses with an open back, and other sexually stimulating apparel. (2) Divorce and remarriage (Matt. 19:9). In contrast to the Bible standard that allows remarriage for the innocent party when one puts his mate away for fornication, the world sees nothing wrong with divorce for any reason and subsequent remarriage. (3) Attitude toward drinking intoxicating beverages (1 Pet. 4:3). (4) Gambling. (5) Sexual immorality (Gal. 5:19). The world sees nothing wrong with consensual sex outside of marriage (fornication) and homo- sexuality. (6) Lasciviousness (Gal. 5:19). The world thinks that sexual stimulation is natural and sinless. Consequently, it does not condemn such things as pornography, dancing, calling sex phone lines, attending girlie shows, and such like things.

There is plenty of evidence that some have quit preaching against some of the things that the Bible demands in moral purity. One can find disagreement in about any local church by preaching on immodest dress, dancing, divorce and remarriage, and gambling, because already we are being influenced to conform to the world’s moral standards.

Conclusion

Many first century churches no longer exist. In the state of Israel today, there are only two institutional congregations, even though in the first century 3000 obeyed the gospel on the day of Pentecost (Acts 2:41). These churches have ceased to exist. What will become of the Lord’s church in our area over the next 50 years? That depends upon whether or not we do the work of a faithful preacher in reminding brethren of the fundamental truths of the gospel.