The Strenght to be Weak

by Paul Ayres
www.cvillechurch.com


I know the title seems to be a contradiction from what we deem to be the norm, but being a disciple of Jesus Christ could hardly be viewed as normal. The “weakness” that I am speaking of is one born out of strength. It comes from within and it’s deeply rooted in the power of choice, having the strength to choose to be meek.
Some of the New Testament translators had a great deal of difficulty trying to decide what word best fit the Greek word praus. In the New American Standard the word praus is translated “gentle, meek, humility, and consideration.” The word they preferred most often for praus was the word gentle, but I believe such a translation falls short of capturing the true essence of the meaning. The King James Version consistently translated the word praus as meek or meekness; and though I prefer the English word meek rather than gentle, I realize that it too falls short of its intended goal.

A word master of the Greek language helped us in defining the term. Barclay says in his commentary on Matt 5:5 “It is the regular word for an animal which has been domesticated, which has been trained to obey the word of command, which has learned to answer to the reins. It is the word for an animal which has learned to accept control.” The outgrowth of such a definition enriches our understanding of Jesus’ proclamation when He says, “Blessed are the meek, for they shall inherit the earth” (Matt. 5:5). Contemplate a wild untrained stallion as he runs free upon mountainous terrain in one of our western states. Now imagine attempts to capture such a volatile and powerful creature. He snorts and raises his front legs in defiance of any threat. How many men have broken limbs or even lost their lives trying to lasso such a majestic animal? Once the animal is captured, injuries or the demise of tamers increase as they try to domesticate the stallion in the corral. It is a difficult task to break a stallion, but once broken (domesticated) he yields to his masters reins. What a beautiful picture of meekness!

It reminds me of the man called Legion in Mark 5:9. He could not be broken by human efforts. Possessed by multiple demons, he was wild and inflicted pain on others as well as himself. No chains could hold him. He was fit only for the “range” of the dead as he lived among the tombs near Gerasenes—until the One who is meek and lowly of heart conquered the evils that possessed him, and then the demonless man willingly placed himself under the control of the master. No rage, no anger, just fit for the master’s use (Mark 18-19). We would all admit Legion was no more as he sat in gentle repose, lowly and meek of heart.

I have begun to wonder if meekness is a forgotten trait among many of those who claim to be followers of Christ. I have witnessed local congregations where peace prospered soon to be replaced by a stampede of fury. Sometimes it starts with a personal offense. Some misspoken word uttered unwisely, perhaps even with good intentions. The offended one is outraged and he cries for vindication. He sees that he has been mistreated and he is livid at the injustice that was perpetrated upon him or his family. The offense cannot go unchallenged, and so he may even begin a tirade from the pew. He doesn’t see the new family sitting behind him who is contemplating placing membership, or numerous unbelievers present—he only sees what he calls “righteousness indignation.” The expression “righteous indignation” is often reshaped and cheapened to hide the wrath of man.

Preachers don’t fare much better. They also tend to mask their venomous attacks with noble terminology such as “I’m defending the gospel.” Someone says, “Don’t you believe in defending the gospel or contending for the faith?” Unequivocally yes. The one who said, “that he was set for the defense of the gospel” also said, “And a servant of the Lord must not quarrel but be gentle (meek) to all, able to teach, patient, in humility correcting those who are in opposition, if God perhaps will grant them repentance, so that they may know the truth” (2 Timothy 2:24-25). Let’s not be fooled by Satan, who as a master technician is able to take unrighteous conduct and make it seem righteous.

The ultimate example of meekness is Jesus. He is said to be meek and humble of heart (Matt. 11:29), but what does it mean to be meek and humble of heart? Let’s look at how Jesus reacted to various situations. Notice what made Jesus burn with anger. Was it over ridicule, slander, or other personal offenses against him? Peter helps us with this question “who, when He was reviled, did not revile in return; when He suffered, He did not threaten, but committed Himself to Him who judges righteously” (1 Peter 3:23). No, He suffered through the indignities of His oppressors. The sons of thunder might ask permission from their Lord to call down fire from heaven to destroy the Samaritans who were offended at Jesus, but not Christ (Luke 9:54). No, Jesus would not have a rebuke for the ignorant Samaritans but there would be one for James and John—“But He turned and rebuked them, and said,‘You do not know what manner of spirit you are of. For the Son of Man did not come to destroy men’s lives but to save them…’”(Vs. 55-56).

Jesus felt outrage over the oppressed that were being “eaten” by the religious wolves of His day. He would describe these blatant hypocrites as “blind guides, devourers of widow’s houses, sons of hell, whitewash tombs full of dead man bones,” along with other apt descriptions (Matt. 23). He would blaze with anger as He watched His Father’s house being merchandized in John 2:13-17. The tables would be overturned and the patrons whipped as He cleansed the temple. Jesus would suffer personal indignities without a whimper but His anger would burn for the injustice of others and the dishonoring of His Father’s name. Even when we see His anger flaring the most, it was not without restraint. The One who upholds the universe by the word of His power (Heb. 1:3) could have destroyed His enemies with a mere thought. He could have used one angel, and that would have been enough to annihilate the Sadducees and the Pharisees, let alone having twelve legions at His bidding (Matt. 26:53).

In the case of Jesus we see Him choosing to be “weak”—not morally or spiritually but willfully submitting to the Father. On the cross, as His enemies surrounded Him and railed against the only begotten Son of God, He said, “Father forgive them for they do not know what they do.” Jesus desired even His murderers to repent and come to Him, which demonstrated His meek and humble spirit. What magnificent power. What a blessed example of One solely governed by His Father’s will. When He cried triumphantly on the cross “It is finished,” it was not some idle boast. It was the purest expression of meekness ever uttered upon the face of the earth.
It is this kind of spirit born of choice that will make a difference in the world. As Thomas Chisholm said in his hymn, “O to be like Thee! Lowly in spirit, holy and harmless, patient and brave; Meekly enduring cruel reproaches, Willing to suffer others to save.” O, Lord, grant us the strength we need to be meek, for I know that the meek will inherit Your blessings.

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Churches of Christ

by Gus Nichols
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In the days of the apostles each congregation of Christians was to be so patterned after the will of Christ that it would be a church “of Christ” and not a human organization. The congregations belonged to Christ, being authorized by him, and constructed according to his Divine Will. Hence, Paul said, The churches of Christ salute you” (Rom. 16:16). They would not have been “Churches of Christ” if they had been the inventions of human wisdom, and built according to some pattern gotten up by man, or set of men. To be “Churches of Christ” back there those congregations had to believe in and follow Christ (Matt. 16:24). They had to accept Christ as their great head and lawgiver (Col. 1:18, 24; Eph. 5:23). They had to accept his doctrine and guidance in all religious activity, else they could not have been “Churches of Christ” (Rom. 16:16).

Built by Christ

Christ built the church. He said, “Upon this rock I will build my church” (Matt. 16:18). Of course, Christ built the kind of church that he wanted his church to be. He certainly knew what sort of church he wanted, and was able to so construct it that he would be pleased with it. The church was typified by the earthly tabernacle which was made “According to the pattern” God gave (Heb. 8:5). Since it was to be a type of the spiritual tabernacle which the Lord pitched, and not man, it was built according to the “pattern.” Hence, God had a certain kind of church in mind when he gave the type of it in the Old Testament (Heb. 10:1).

Jerusalem Church

The church at Jerusalem was the first congregation of the Lord’s church ever to exist. It had its “Beginning” on Pentecost, after the resurrection of Christ when the Holy Spirit came from heaven to guide the apostles into all truth (Acts 11:15; Luke 24:46-49; John 16:13). Christ had said, “I will build my church” (Matt. 16:18). The Jerusalem church being the first congregation built, it was the fulfillment of the Lord’s promise to build his church. It was the church of Christ. It was the “pattern” by which all other congregations were to be fashioned, as the tabernacle, which was a type of it, was built according to the “Pattern” (Heb. 8:5). The Jerusalem church is the mother church.

Church Reproduced

But the gospel which began to be preached in its fullness on Pentecost, in Jerusalem, was to go to all nations (Matt. 28:19-20; Mark 16:15-16; Luke 24:46-49; Acts 1:8; Acts 2). This mother congregation was to be a going, growing concern in the world. It was to be a fountain from which a great stream of blessings was to flow into all the world, ever deepening and widening to the enrichment of human souls. Hence, a member of the Jerusalem church, namely Philip, who later was called an “Evangelist,” went to Samaria and “Preached Christ unto them” (Acts 8:5). When they believed they were baptized, both men and women (Acts 8:12). The Lord added them to the church as he had added those who obeyed the gospel at Jerusalem (Acts 2:41, 47). This was the beginning of the church in Samaria. Furthermore, this was the church “of Christ,” the same as the church at Jerusalem. The two congregations were simply “Churches of Christ” (Rom. 16:16). Neither one of them was a religious sect, or denomination. They were not founded upon the doctrines and commandments of men. It is true that Philip preached the word, and started this church in this place, but it was not a “Philipite Church.” It was not a new sort of church, but a reproduction of the church in Jerusalem. If Philip had taken wheat seed from Jerusalem to Samaria and sown it, the result would have been wheat, just like that which grew back in Jerusalem. It would not have produced a new kind of wheat. “Now the parable is this, the seed is the word of God” (Luke 8:11). “The sower soweth the word” (Mark 4:14). It is called “The word of the kingdom” (Matt. 13:19). Like other seed, the word of God produces after its kind (Gen. 1:1-12; Gal. 6:7). It simply made those who believed and lovingly obeyed it members of the church of Christ in Jerusalem. And it could produce nothing but Christians in Samaria, who, when saved, were added to the church. They did not become “Philipites.” Neither did they become sectarians in any sense. The same word now will make people members of the same church. A congregation now built upon Christ in the same way, is the church of Christ in a given community. A plurality of such congregations are simply “Churches of Christ” (Rom. 16:16).

Church at Corinth

As another example of the many that might be chosen, Paul took this same gospel and preached it in Corinth, “And many of the Corinthians hearing, believed and were baptized” (Acts 18:8). This made them the “Church of God” or “Body of Christ” at Corinth (1 Cor. 1:1-2; 1 Cor. 12:27). They did not become “Paulites,” neither was the church Paul planted at Corinth a “Paulite” church. Seed always reproduces after its kind, and the word of God can never start anything in any place other than the church of Christ. Such congregations as are built upon him, and constructed according to his doctrine, are called “Churches of Christ” (Rom. 16:16). But if Philip and Paul had gone out and gotten them a human creed, and a human system of doctrine, with a man-made organization tying the congregations together, one sect following Philip and wearing his name, and the other denomination following Paul, and wearing his name, such congregations would not have been “Churches of Christ,” for Christ was not the author of such churches. Neither is he the author of such now. A perverted gospel is not the gospel of Christ, neither is a humanly-invented church the church of Christ. But Philip and Paul preached the same gospel, being guided by the same Holy Spirit, and the result was the same — “Churches of Christ.”

“Churches of Christ” Now

Any now who preach, believe and practice, identically what inspired preachers believed, taught and practiced in the first century, without addition or subtraction, or any other change, will be nothing but Christians, and the church of Christ in a given community. We have no right to wear the name of some man, though he may have taught us the truth. Even if Paul were here and had taught us and started our congregation, it would be sinful to wear his name (1 Cor. 1:10-13; Acts 11:26; 26:18; 1 Pet. 4:16). Furthermore, it is religious intolerance and persecution to try to force those who are determined to be Christians only, to wear some human religious name. It is also a plain violation of the golden rule (Matt. 7:12). One could never produce and Austin car, or a motorcycle, by properly assembling genuine Ford parts, without any change, or deviation from the purpose of the inventor of those parts, and of the Ford car. Neither can any man, or set of men, ever produce a denomination, or anything but “Churches of Christ” by assembling all parts of his doctrine, as he gave it, and putting al items of his teaching and worship into loving obedience on the part of the people in a given community.

No Changes Permitted

There are to be no changes in the doctrine and teaching of Christ (1 Tim. 1:3; 2 John 9; Matt. 15:9; Jude 3; Rev. 22:18-19). This principle was intended to keep the church one and the same through the ages. Christ wanted his church to remain like he built it. Any desire, or attempt, to change the church from what it was in New Testament times shows one to be dissatisfied with the church as Christ built it (Matt. 16:18). Christ has given no man any authority whatsoever to change his church from what it was when he built it. All authority from Christ is now in the New Testament (John 16:13; 17:8, 14; Matt. 16:19). This book does not authorize anything but “Churches of Christ” (Rom. 16:16). Only such congregations as are patterned after the “Churches of Christ” in the New Testament are “Churches of Christ” now. A church ceases to be “of Christ” when it ceases to be fashioned by the will and Authority “of Christ.” A thing cannot be of God, or of Christ, which is contrary to the will of God and of Christ. A Masonic Lodge is built upon the principles and teaching of Free Masonry, not upon those of the Odd Fellows, or the Elks, etc. All depends upon following the old, or original. It is not proper to compare a given congregation with congregations of the days of Luther, or Calvin, or Smith, or Wesley. This is sure to lead to error. The only comparison that is proper is: Is the church of which I am a member in my community identical with “the Churches of Christ” in the days of the apostles (Rom. 16:16)? “Make all things according to the pattern” (Heb. 8:5).

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Jesus' Response to Peer Pressure

by Larry Rouse


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The prince of this world has used his power to effectively bend the will of men since the beginning. Jesus knows the tactics of Satan, “the prince of the power of the air” (Eph 2:2), and how he uses this power. Unlike any other man before or after, Jesus faced Satan and his system of pressure and prevailed without ever giving in. Towards the end of His ministry and His life Jesus said, “I will no longer talk much with you, for the ruler of this world is coming, and he has nothing in Me.” (Jn 14:30) We would do well to learn from the author of our salvation in these confrontations.

I am convinced that the most powerful tool that Satan uses is peer pressure. Man is a social being and as a result he has a natural desire to belong to others and to fit-in to ones surroundings. Everyone knows the power of social rejection and ridicule. In Jesus’ day the intimidating threat of social ostracism caused a mother and a father to deny knowing Him. These parents had just received a gift they likely never thought possible, that their son who had been born blind from birth could now see! Why could they not stand up for Jesus who had done this gracious, mighty deed? “His parents said these things because they feared the Jews, for the Jews had agreed already that if anyone confessed that He was Christ, he would be put out of the synagogue.” (Jn 9:22)

Satan wants you to line up with him by any means possible. Our God does not work that way. There are “carnal” tactics that are not to be used by Christians. Paul wrote: “For though we walk in the flesh, we do not war according to the flesh. For the weapons of our warfare are not carnal but mighty in God...” (2 Cor 10:3-4) Unlike Satan, God will not browbeat or force you into His way. God wants you to choose His way based upon the appeal of the reasonable love of God. As Christians we have two choices, to be conformed by the mindless pressures of Satan or to be transformed by “by the renewing of your mind, that you may prove what is that good and acceptable and perfect will of God.” (Rom 12:2)

Consider these attacks upon Jesus:

1. Satan offered and actually could give to Jesus “all the kingdoms of the world and their glory” (Mt 4:8). Satan also offers us friendship with the world along with a good listening audience. “They are of the world. Therefore they speak as of the world, and the world hears them.” (1 Jn 4:5).

2. Satan tried to break down Jesus with praise and by that attach Him to carnal men. Jesus refused to commit Himself to these believers because “He knew all men, and had no need that anyone should testify of man, for He knew what was in man.” (Jn 2:24-25)

3. Satan tried to intimidate Him by slander and whisperings. Since Jesus was seeking the praise of God and not men He was unfazed by it. He did however note the irrational nature of these attacks. “For John the Baptist came neither eating bread nor drinking wine, and you say, ‘He has a demon.’ The Son of Man has come eating and drinking, and you say, ‘Look, a glutton and a winebibber, a friend of tax collectors and sinners!’ But wisdom is justified by all her children.” (Lk 7:33-35)

4. Satan tried to discourage Jesus with dwindling interest among the people and He even had an entire assembly walk out on Him. Did Jesus call them back and apologize because He told them the truth? While the apostles who remained might have felt this pressure, they knew plainly that Jesus did not by his reaction. Peter understood there was something greater than the acceptance of men. “From that time many of His disciples went back and walked with Him no more. Then Jesus said to the twelve, “Do you also want to go away?” But Simon Peter answered Him, “Lord, to whom shall we go? You have the words of eternal life. Also we have come to believe and know that You are the Christ, the Son of the living God.” (Jn 6:66-69)
How has Satan sought to break you down? Remember the words of our Lord, “If the world hates you, you know that it hated Me before it hated you. If you were of the world, the world would love its own. Yet because you are not of the world, but I chose you out of the world, therefore the world hates you.” (Jn 15:18-19)

The greatest pressure of all can come from our own brethren. There are some men and elderships that use rebuke and even the act of withdrawal as Diotrophes did, as a weapon to defend one’s personal control of people. John wrote about him: “I will call to mind his deeds which he does, prating against us with malicious words. And not content with that, he himself does not receive the brethren, and forbids those who wish to, putting them out of the church.” (3 Jn 10)

Let us all learn from the faith and courage of our Lord and realize what is at stake. When we give in to these carnal pressures, we have been overpowered and enslaved to men. “While they promise them liberty, they themselves are slaves of corruption; for by whom a person is overcome, by him also he is brought into bondage.” (1 Pt 2:19) There is neither logic nor mercy to this kind of life. There is a better way, the reasonable, principled stand by faith based upon the word of God. Where do you stand? Are you free or are you a slave of men?

“Then Jesus said to those Jews who believed Him, “If you abide in My word, you are My disciples indeed. And you shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free.” (Jn 8:31-32)

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Is Only One Church Right (Part 2)

by Sewell Hall
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Last week, we observed from Ephesians 4:4-5 that ``there is one body...one Lord, one faith and one baptism.'' That one body is Christ's church (Ephesians 1:22-23; Colossians 1:18), composed of all persons in all the world who have been saved by Jesus Christ. He adds all who are saved to His church (Acts 2:47).

The one church is not a denomination, nor is it a collection of denominations. It is not even a collection of local churches; it is the body of all saved individuals, and it has no earthly organization. One does not have to investigate all of the churches in the world to find the Lord's church. Any believer in Jesus Christ who follows the simple instructions of Acts 2:38 will be saved and added to it (Acts 2:41, 47). He has no other decision to make or joining to do.

Membership in a local church is another matter. The Ethiopian who was converted on the road from Jerusalem to Gaza (Acts 8) was surely saved and added to the church. But he was not a member of any local church; he had left Jerusalem and there was no local church in Ethiopia at that time.

The examples in the book of Acts clearly indicate that the Lord intended for saved individuals in a community to have fellowship in a local church. Such a church (assembly) was invariably organized when several individuals in a community were saved. In this sense there were many churches--we read of seven in the province of Asia (Revelation 1-3). Local churches were identified as ``churches of God'' (1 Corinthians 11:16) and ``churches of Christ'' (Romans 16:16). They were, however, independent of each other, each exercising autonomy over its own affairs.

Are All Local Churches Right?

If you should ask the leaders of most local churches, regardless of the name they wear, if theirs is a church of God or a church of Christ, they would say, ``Yes.'' But sadly enough, more questions must be asked before we affiliate with such a church. We must be careful not to compromise our membership in the ``one body'' by affiliating with a local group that would make substitutions for the ``ones'' of Ephesians 4. That passage not only states that there is one body; it also says, ``one Lord, one faith, one baptism'' (vs. 5). In view of this, it is important to ask the following questions:

WHO IS THE HEAD OF THIS CHURCH? If we are informed of a president, general overseer, archbishop, superintendent, pope or any other human being or legislative assembly exercising authority over the faith of that congregation, we must avoid that church. There is ``one Lord'' (Ephesians 4:5), and that one Lord is Jesus Christ (1 Corinthians 8:6). ``He is the head of the body the church'' (Colossians 1:18). To acknowledge any other head or religious lord is to be guilty of disloyalty to Him. Religious titles of any kind violate the unique position of Jesus who said, ``Do not be called `Rabbi': for One is your Teacher, the Christ, and you are all brethren. And do not call anyone on earth your father; for One is your Father, He who is in heaven. And do not be called teachers; for One is your Teacher, the Christ'' (Matthew 23:8-10).

SHOW ME A COPY OF YOUR CREED. If a manual, catechism, discipline, confession of faith, or any other book written by a mere man or group of men is offered, that church must be rejected. There is ``one faith'' (creed) according to the same verse (Ephesians 4:5). That faith is the gospel of Christ (Philippians 1:27). No clergy class is authorized to hand down official interpretations of God's word.

WHAT BAPTISM DO YOU RECOGNIZE? If the answer is: ``We will accept just any baptism--immersion, sprinkling or pouring,'' you will need to avoid that church. Ephesians 4:5 says that there is ``one baptism'' and according to Romans 6:4, it is a burial. If the answer is: ``Any baptism administered by one who has been ordained or licensed by our church,'' then you can know you are in the wrong place because the ``one baptism'' of Ephesians 4:5 is baptism ``in the name of Jesus Christ'' (Acts 2:38), not by the authority of a church--any church.

IS THIS CHURCH AFFILIATED WITH ANY DENOMINATION OR ASSOCIATION OF CHURCHES? Again, if the answer is ``Yes,'' you are in the wrong place. Jesus did not establish a denomination. A denomination, by the very definition of the word, is a division; and Jesus prayed for unity of all believers in Himself and in the Father (John 17:20).

DO YOU BELIEVE THERE IS MORE THAN ONE CHURCH? Although it is considered arrogant, narrow-minded and bigoted to say that there is only one right church, anyone who says otherwise contradicts the plain teaching of Scripture. Anyone, referring to anything other than local assemblies, who say that there is more than one right church is speaking of something other than the church which Jesus established. Any ``church'' other than the ``one body'' of Ephesians 4:4 is a plant that the heavenly Father did not plant, and it will be rooted up (Matthew 15:13).

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