Have You Heard...?

by Hiram Hutto
www.cvillechurch.com

Have you heard about the group of Christians in this community that is not at all like the denominations so often encountered? Some have wondered about this difference and even remarked about it. This group is different in a number of ways but space permits us to consider only a few, and that but briefly.

1. Different, in attitude toward the Bible. These Christians believe the Bible to be the inspired, infallible, complete, authoritative word of God, and that the New Testament is the final expression of that word. This faith is based upon such scriptures as 2 Tim. 3: 16; 2 Pet. 1:3, 4, 21; Rev. 22:18, 19; Jn. 10:35. But, do not all Protestant denominations believe this? There was a time when they did, but now many of them will tell you unhesitatingly that they no longer do. Even those denominations which are known as "Fundamentalists" are guilty of dividing the commandments of Christ into "essential" and "non-essential" commands. This, in effect, nullifies the authority of the scriptures because it will let every man decide for himself what is essential and what is not. But not these Christians! They believe that man shall live "by every word that proceedeth out of the mouth of God" (Matt. 4:4). Is this what you believe?

2. Different, in attitude toward how to become a Christian. Since their faith in the scriptures is such that it will not allow them to divide the commandments of Christ into essential and non-essential commands, this group of Christians insists that because every man has sinned and separated himself from God (Rom. 3:23; Isa. 59:1, 2) man's only hope of benefiting from the blood of Christ is to do all that Christ has commanded men to do in order to reap these benefits. This, of course, involves faith in Christ as the Son of God (Jn. 20:30, 31; Mk. 16:16). But since the scripture says that our faith avails only when it works by love (Gal. 5:6; Jas. 2:24) they also repented of their sins (Acts 17:30), confessed with their mouth what they believed in their heart (Acts 8:37; Rom. 10:10) and gladly obeyed the command of Christ to be baptized, i.e. immersed (Rom. 6:3,4; Col. 2:12), in water (Acts 8:36) for the remission of their sins (Acts 2:38; 22:16) or to be saved (Mk. 16: 16; 1 Pet. 3:21). When one has done all these things--and not until then--the Bible reveals that he is saved, a child of God by faith (Gal. 3:27), and a member of the Lord's church (cf. Acts 18:8; 1 Cor. 1:1, 2). Is this what you did?

3. Different, in insisting on being simply a Christian -- nothing more, nothing less, and nothing else. Every religious group teaches that a person can believe all the truth, obey every command of God, be a Christian while he lives, and go to heaven when he dies without ever belonging to any denomination whatsoever. Since this is true, this group of Christians sees the unimportance of every denomination and hence have not joined any denomination and are not a part of any denomination, but are simply Christians-- nothing more, nothing less, and nothing else! Furthermore, since the Bible reveals that it is wrong and sinful to divide the people of God into different categories, and be called by different religious names (1 Cor. 1:10-13) this group is satisfied with the name given in the New Testament, i.e., the name Christian (Acts 11:26; 26:28 1 Pet 4:16), and pleads for all believers to be one even as Christ prayed (Jn. 17:20, 21). They are satisfied to be simply members of the Lord's church and just Christians. Can this be dangerous? Can it be anything but safe? Is that what you are; or are you a "Christian plus another name"?

4. Different, in its attitude toward church worship and work. Since the New Testament commands Christians to assemble together (Heb. 10:25) these do so, but such does not make them a denomination in any sense of the word. Such is simply the congregation of the Lord's people; the congregation devoted to and belonging to the Lord; or the church that belongs to the Lord, hence the church of Christ or church of God (Acts 20:28; Rom. 16:16).

Since these Christians have the confidence in the scriptures already mentioned, they accept the New Testament as the divine, verbally inspired, and authoritative blueprint for the church throughout all ages. Whatever acts this blueprint reveals that Christians did when they thus assembled is the pattern for them and to it they cling tenaciously. Since the New Testament reveals that Christians are to assemble on the first day of the week to break bread or eat the Lord's supper, to give of their money, to sing, to teach the apostles' doctrine, and pray together (Acts 2:42; 20:7; 1 Cor. 16:1-3; Eph. 5:19), that is exactly what this group of Christians does. Since the Bible forbids adding anything to what is revealed (Rev. 22:18, 19) these Christians do not do anything else in church worship. Is this unreasonable? Can it be anything but right? Is this what you do?

The New Testament also tells that the church is to preach the gospel, edify itself, and care for its needy (1 Tim. 3:15; Eph. 4:16; Acts 6:1-6). This group is glad to do just that.

5. Different, because it has no ecclesiastical or denominational hierarchy. Since this group accepts the New Testament as its blueprint for the church, it is happy to follow the pattern therein given for church organization. The New Testament reveals no ecclesiastical authority higher than the local congregation, except Christ the head of the church (Eph. 1:22, 23). The local congregation being overseen by elders (Acts 14:23; 20:17,28; 1 Pet. 5:1-3; Titus 1:5-9; 1Tim. 3:1-7) with deacons to serve (Phil. 1:1; 1 Tim. 3:8-10) and is not governed by any conference, association, synod, pope, or council, but is simply free under God to do the will of Christ. It has no denominational machinery or earthly headquarters but is a free, independent, and autonomous body of Christians. Is the church of which you are a member like this? This group occupies a unique and enviable position, indeed! It is a position based upon and produced by the infallible word of God.

This group does not occupy this position merely as their opinion but because the word of God tells them and all others to do so. Wouldn't you like to do the same? For more information about this group of Christians who insist on calling Bible things by Bible names and doing Bible things in Bible ways, you are cordially invited to attend with these Christians in your area. Why not check it out? You'll be glad you did.

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Selecting A Companion

by Bill Hall
www.cvillechurch.com


A happy home being with a wise choice of a marriage partner. We therefore submit the following questions as a guide for our young people as they seek out their companion for life.

1. Is this person eligible for marriage? There are those who have a right to marry according to the laws of our state, but who do not have a right to marry according to the law of God. God's authority is supreme, and the Christian must abide by His law whenever there is a conflict between His law and governmental law.

God's law is that only those who are divorced for the cause of fornication have a right to remarry. "And I say to you, whoever divorces his wife, except for sexual immorality, and marries another, commits adultery, and whoever marries her ho is divorced commits adultery" (Matthew 19:9). If one's marriage partner is guilty of marital infidelity, he can put that partner away for that cause, and marry another. If the divorce is for any other cause, he is ineligible for marriage.

2. Is this person a Christian? Many problems can arise when a Christian is married to a non-Christian, especially when it is the wife who is the Christian. Before any young lady marries a non-Christian, she should consider the following problems which often face the Christian in a mixed marriage.

Problems in attending services

She should ask herself, "What will I do if my husband some Lord's day drives away in the car, leaving me with no transportation to the services?" "What will I do if my husband announces that his company is moving us to some city where no church of the Lord meets?" Many women have faced these problems.

Problems in giving

The young lady loves the Lord and His work, and wants to give liberally in support of it. Her husband, however, does not share her convictions. He feels that a dollar is plenty to give.
Problems in training children

Some have succeeded in bringing up their children to be Christians without the help of their companions. Eunice succeeded with Timothy. But the influence of a father is great, and many are the women who have not been able to overcome this influence to see their children become Christians.

Problems in overcoming the influence of one's companion

Marrying with the hope of reforming one's companion is a dangerous thing. Often the companion is lifted to a higher standard, but seldom to the standard of a Christian.
Instead, as the non-Christian's standards are raised, the Christian's standards are lowered, so that the two meet somewhere in between. The young lady should realize that the man she marries will be the greatest influence of an earthly nature on her life, and she should ask herself, "Will this man help me to go to heaven?"

Emotional problems

Recently a godly woman, having just received word of her husband's death in an automobile accident, cried, "Why couldn't it have been me or one of the children, for my husband was not ready to die?"

Is the reader thinking she will convert her husband after marriage? She may be able to do so, but statistics show that her chances are not very good. The risk is too great. The only safe course is for Christians to marry Christians.

3. Does this person possess strength of character? Many boys and girls seem to want to do right, but are just too easily influenced by their associates or by the circumstances which surround them. Such weakness of character does not make for a good marriage partner. If one wants a happy home, he should choose a companion who is dependable, whose word can be trusted, who has the strength to do right, even when all around him are doing wrong.

After all, if that young man or woman lies to his parents or employer, he will some day lie to you. If he is excessively jealous and possessive during courtship, he will manifest the same weaknesses after marriage. If he is quick-tempered -- or flirty -- or a "show-off" -- or a spendthrift -- or a "tightwad" -- now, he will be after marriage. One cannot marry a moral weakling, and expect a happy home.

Yes, there will be faults and eccentricities that must be accepted and tolerated in any happy relationship between two people. But there are certain conditions that are practically intolerable, and we hope that this article will help some young person avoid such.

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Acts 2 and Today

by Bubba Garner
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A hub is the center of something, the heart of a matter, the focal and pivotal point. The second chapter of Acts is aptly described as “The Hub of the Bible.” The Old Testament lays the foundation for it; the rest of the New Testament launches from it. One looks forward, the other looks backward. And all gospel preaching revolves around what was said and done on the day of Pentecost following the death, burial and resurrection of Jesus Christ.

The History

Under the Law of Moses, every male was required to make a pilgrimage to Jerusalem three times a year—for the Feast of Unleavened Bread, the Feast of Weeks, and the Feast of Booths (Deut. 16:16). The apostles celebrated the Feast of Unleavened Bread, also called Passover, with Jesus on the night He was betrayed. The following day, Jesus became the perfect Paschal Lamb of sacrifice whose blood was applied, not to the door posts or the lintel, but to the sins of the world.

The Feast of Weeks, referred to elsewhere as the Day of First Fruits or the Feast of Harvest, was celebrated fifty days after Passover. The Greek name given to this festival was Pentecost. It was a day of thanksgiving in which the Israelites, with hearts full of gratitude and joy, gave back the first fruits of their harvest to the Lord. How appropriate that on the same day the first fruits of the gospel were harvested at the conclusion of Peter’s sermon.

It is no coincidence that the day of Pentecost finds its place in the hub of history. Isaiah predicted that “the law of the Lord will go forth from Zion, and the word of the Lord from Jerusalem” (Isa. 2:3). God chose the city of David as the place to announce that the Son of David, Jesus Christ, was reigning on His throne. In addition to the “Jews living in Jerusalem, devout men from every nation under heaven” (Acts 2:5), there was a surge of people who had come to the city to celebrate the Feast of Weeks. Though many traveled through great hardship and sacrifice, they would soon learn what Jesus had suffered for their sakes.

The Sermon

The apostles were all in Jerusalem on the day of Pentecost just as Jesus had instructed them before His ascension (Acts 1:4-5). When the sound from heaven filled the house where they were gathered and the Holy Spirit enabled them to speak in tongues, a crowd gathered to investigate. While everyone was amazed at what they saw and heard, some quickly dismissed it as drunkenness of the twelve. But others were able to deduce that it was a sign from heaven and wondered aloud, “What does this mean” (Acts 2:12)?

Peter explained that what they were witnessing was a direct fulfillment of the prophecy of Joel. The time had come when God would pour out His Spirit not just on the Jews but “on all mankind” (Acts 2:17). His King would not be ruler over one race of people but would offer salvation to “whoever” recognized His authority (Acts 2:21). Jesus Himself said that His kingdom would come with power (Mark 9:1 LBX), power that would be given through the Holy Spirit (Acts 1:8). And since John tells us that the Spirit would not be given until Jesus was glorified (John 7:39), what else can we deduce but that Christ has been exalted and is reigning as King of all kings and Lord of all men?

For a moment, all seemed lost. When the hands of those godless men drove nails through the hands and feet of the Son of God, the whole cause appeared as dead as its Leader. But everything had transpired according to the “predetermined plan and foreknowledge of God” (Acts 2:23). The cross was not some unforeseen defeat that Jesus suffered because of the power of His enemies, it was the eternal purpose of God by which His Son was sacrificed for every soul (Isa. 53:10). The night of weeping became the morning of joy when Jesus was raised from the dead, canceling the curse of sin and ending the grasp of the grave.

The Response

Having heard this, the people were “pierced to the heart” (Acts 2:37). That’s the King’s domain, His territory. The difference between the kingdom of God and the kingdoms of men is that the Lord is interested in ruling the heart. Peter’s message was able to cut through the hardened tissues and find its intended target, provoking them to ask, “what shall we do?”
Since Jesus is Lord and Christ, the answer Peter gave involved submitting to Him as King. Repent and be baptized “in the name of Jesus Christ” (Acts 2:38) means it is done according to His authority. He who has been given all power in heaven and on earth certainly has the right to determine how a man’s sins are forgiven. To reject repentance and baptism is to reject the command of the King. But by submitting to His terms of pardon, salvation is granted to “as many as the Lord our God shall call to Himself” (Acts 2:39). God promised Abraham that through his seed all nations of the earth would be blessed. What greater blessing than for all men to have forgiveness of sins through Jesus Christ, the son of Abraham, the Son of God?

The Significance

When Peter later looked back on the day of Pentecost, he referred to it as “the beginning” (Acts 11:15). It was the first time Jesus was preached as Lord and Christ. It was the first time people were baptized in the name of Christ for the remission of sins. The prophets predicted it. The apostles fulfilled it. But it was just the beginning. From Jerusalem, that same gospel was taken throughout all Judea and Samaria and unto the remotest part of the earth. Every creature had the opportunity to become a subject in the kingdom of God and place their citizenship in heaven.

Acts Two is the hub of the Bible. To reject the terms of salvation as they were offered “in the beginning” is to reject the authority of the King. But to submit to Him as sovereign is to receive all the blessings that come with faithful service. After all, everything revolves around Him.

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The Bible -- A Myth or God's Word?

by Bob Buchanon


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The Bible claims to be of divine origin. Biblical writers claimed that they were merely instruments through whom God spoke. David exclaimed, ``The Spirit of Jehovah spake by me, and his word was upon my tongue'' (2 Sam. 23:2). In the New Testament, Peter and Paul state their feelings very emphatically that the Scriptures were from God and not some myth or the mere product of men. Peter said that ``holy men of God spake as they were moved by the Holy Ghost'' (2 Pet. 1:21). Paul, who wrote more of the New Testament than anyone else, insisted that the things he wrote had not been given to him by men; but that he had received them by the revelation of Jesus Christ. He went on to say that ``all scripture is given by the inspiration of God'' (2 Tim. 3:16). Now either these men were misguided individuals, deliberate liars, or they were speaking the truth.

What are we to believe? Was David wrong? Was Peter mistaken? Was Paul talking out of his head? Were the Old Testament prophets mistaken when they asserted that the scriptures came to us from God?

There's no way around it, the faith of a Christian stands or falls on two things--on the inspiration of scripture and on the deity of Christ. If either of these are false--if the Bible is not God's eternal Word, or if Christ is not God's son--Christianity is false. It is bound to crumble and fall. If these two things are true, however, Christianity will stand forever, regardless of how many skeptics, or atheists, or infidels attack it.

Just because I say the Bible is the Word of God doesn't make it so. Just because someone else says it isn't doesn't make it so, either. A thing doesn't become true just because I choose to believe it; but neither does it become false just because someone else chooses to deny it.
Either the Bible is God's message to man, or it isn't. Either it comes by inspiration of God or is a myth passed on by man. At this point something has to be true and something has to be false. Someone has to be right and someone has to be wrong.

Cynical professors are doing their best to convince young and vulnerable minds that Christianity is false. But I think they are dead wrong. Perhaps a few of them are sincere; most of them, however are only peddling their own prejudices. They haven't taken the time to investigate the facts.

I'm giving my whole life to the propagation of the Christian faith because I'm so sure it's true. And in this article I want to explain why.

The Bible is the most remarkable book in the world. This marvelous volume contains the only factual story of man's origin, purpose in life, and destiny. Scholars suggest that the sixty-six books of the Bible were penned by some forty writers over a period of about 1,600 years, and although there is development within the book, there is a consistent unity throughout its wonderful pages. The Bible is not only consistent with itself, it is completely in harmony with all external facts upon which it touches. There is not one known fact in the fields of science, history, geography, archaeology, anthropology, psychology or any other area of study that contradicts or is at variance with the Holy Bible.

If we approach the Bible as we would approach any other piece of literature, we should immediately be impressed with certain unique features about it. For one thing, the Bible has been translated into more languages than any other in the world. The entire Bible is now available in nearly 250 languages. It is unusual for a book to be translated into even two or three foreign languages. But nowhere in the world is there a book that begins to compare with the Bible's record of translation in so many different languages.

But why has the Bible been the most sold book in history? Is it the Word of God, or is it the accumulation of legends and myths? On this very thing everything depends; on it Christianity stands or falls. If the Bible is the Word of God our faith is valid; if it isn't, our faith is vain.
There are many evidences which prove that the Bible is not the product of human genius. Writers often spoke of things which they could not possibly have known unless inspired by God. For instance, Paul once said that God had created all nations of ``one blood'' (Acts 17:26). It has only been discovered scientifically in modern times that there is no basic difference in the blood of various races.

Job 26:7 says there is a place void of stars in the north and that the earth is held in place by invisible forces. Scientists did not discover this until as late as 1650. Psalms 8:8 said the oceans have natural paths in them. The date of discovery for this in science is 1854. Job 38:7 lets us know that stars give off signals (radio astronomy). This was discovered by science in 1945. In the time of Christ, Ptolemy said there were 1,022 stars. In the earlier part of the past century the figure of 400 million was advanced. Since then other galaxies have been found. The Bible had said in Genesis 15:5 that there was an infinite number of stars. Only the fact that God supplied these writers with the information can explain these amazing statements.

The Bible is infallibly accurate in even the smallest of details. Locations in geography, points of the compass and even relative elevations are without error. Books of human origin do not demonstrate this infallible correctness. When the Encyclopedia Britannica was first published, although written by experts, it contained so many mistakes regarding places in America, that a special pamphlet was issued exposing the blunders. Yes, evidences give testimony to the Bible as God's Word!

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More than Conquerors

by Sewell Hall
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"Then one of them, a lawyer, asked Him a question, testing Him, and saying, `Teacher, which is the greatest commandment in the law?' Jesus said to him, `You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, with all your soul, and with all your mind. This is the first and great commandment"' (Mt 22:35-38).

These words of Jesus should not be surprising. Those who love God are those for whom the world was created. Romans 8:28, "And we know that all things work together for good to those who love God, to those who are called according to His purpose. For whom He foreknew, He also predestined to be conformed to the image of His Son, that He might be the firstborn among many brethren. Moreover whom He predestined, these He also called; whom He called, these he also justified; and whom He justified, these He also glorified."

Observe from verses 29 and 30 that those whom God foreknew and "predestined to be conformed to the image of His Son" were the ones whom He called. But according to verse 28, those whom He called are those who "love God." So those who love God are those He foreknew, predestined, justified and glorified according to His purpose -- the purpose of the ages. Whether we are a part of this great plan depends upon whether we love God. If we do not love God, then we are not among those predestined.

The love God asks is not a "touchy-feely" kind of love. The love with which He loved us was certainly not that kind; if it had been, we would not have been saved by His love. His was an active and sacrificing love. Ours for Him must be the same. It must be a love that commits itself to doing the will of God. "For this is the love of God, that we keep His commandments. And His commandments are not burdensome" (1 John 5:3). This kind of love "seeks not its own" (1 Cor 13:5); rather is "seek[s] first the kingdom of God and His righteousness" (Mt 6:33).

Love for God is often tested. Too often, we see someone who has claimed to love God disillusioned by disasters and disappointments. Sickness that takes the life of a child, an automobile wreck that leaves one handicapped, a fire that destroys a home, or the loss of a large investment sometimes cause people to blame God. Some do as Job's wife encouraged him to do: "Curse God and die" (Job 2:9)! This only proves that their love was not genuine.

In times of distress, genuine love does not fail (1 Corinthians 13:8). "Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? Shall tribulation, or distress, or persecution, or famine, or nakedness, or peril, or sword? As it is written: `For your sake we are killed all day long; We are accounted as sheep for the slaughter.' Yet in all these things, we are more than conquerors through Him who loved us" (Romans 8:35-37).

Throughout the Old and New Testaments when trials came, those who truly loved God ran to Him rather than from Him. When God demanded that Abraham offer his son as a sacrifice, Abraham confirmed his love for God by proceeding to do it. Joseph's suffering, rather than diminishing his love for God, seemed only to increase it. David's love for God grew as Saul pursued him and some of his most beautiful psalms were written when he was in the greatest danger. Still ringing down through the centuries from a prison in Philippi are the songs of praise from Paul and Silas as they suffered the pain of bleeding backs and bound feet. Truly in all of these things, they were "more than conquerors."

If our love for God is genuine, we too will be "more than conquerors." Conquerors merely defeat their enemies; those who are more than conquerors make their enemies their servants and emerge from the conflict stronger than before. When we face "tribulation, or distress, or persecution," etc., we need to see it as a test, a challenge and an opportunity to prove our love for God.

And if our love for God does not fail, we can be sure that His love for us will not fail. "For I am persuaded that neither death nor life, nor angels nor principalities nor powers, nor things present nor things to come, nor height nor depth, nor any other created thing, shall be able to separate us from the love of God which is in Christ Jesus our Lord" (Rom 8:38-39).

"What then shall we say to these things? If God is for us, who can be against us? He who did not spare His own Son, but delivered Him up for us all, how shall He not with Him also freely give us all things" (Romans 8:31-32)? "Let your conduct be without covetousness; be content with such things as you have. For He Himself has said, `I will never leave you nor forsake you,' So we may boldly say: `The Lord is my helper; I will not fear. What can man do to me?"' (Hebrews 13:5-6).

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