Dr. Bill Crump (no login) from IP address 66.19.67.40
This thread presents essays by John Waddey about the Change Movement. They are taken from his on-going series A Lesson to Fortify Your Faith.
LOOKING AHEAD TO THE YEAR 2050
Futurists study the past and present and tell us what the future might possibly be. They analyze trends and predict future changes, for good or bad. Wise businessmen consider such projections when investing for the future of their companies. I am no prophet, but I invite you to take an imaginary trip to a large American city in the year 2050. Our purpose will be to visit a Church of Christ and worship with them. Given current trends and projections at work among our brethren here are some things you might possibly find.
You may find a woman teaching the adult Bible class, preaching or even serving as an elder. Already professors are telling us that we have misunderstood the verses that seem to forbid such. They tell us we have too long denied our Christian ladies the privilege to use their talents to the glory of God. A few trend-setter congregations already have their women teachers and preachers.
The minister or ministeress may well be adorned in a lovely clerical robe. Our objections to such practices will likely have been determined by change agents to be based only on our rural, frontier heritage and our narrow, unscholarly approach to interpreting the Bible. The preacher may well be identified as pastor of the church and have "Rev." affixed to his or her name. They would argue that such matters are too trivial to dispute over and our refusal to use them was just our tradition.
There might even be a guest speaker from the Catholic, Baptist or Pentecostal church. They will no longer think of the church as an exclusive body. To them all denominations are equally pleasing to God.
You may well find the service to be unfamiliar in tone and content. There could be a dramatic presentation, and possibly even an "interpretive spiritual dance." The service would likely be demonstrative with bodily gyrations, shouting and applause. The music likely will be contemporary and may well include instrumental accompaniment from a piano or organ and possibly a rock band. Rather than join in congregational singing, you will be expected to sit quietly and listen as the soloist or praise group present their performance. The choir will then sing their selection and finally the congregation will be invited to join in a hymn or two. Such features are already being discussed and rationalized and some are already implementing some or all of them.
The lesson of the hour may well consist of a brief story or parable related by a clergyman or woman. Little emphasis will be placed on the Bible, as "proof-texting" will have long ago been rejected. Nothing will be presented as absolutely right or wrong. Postmodern thinking will not allow such utterances. Doctrine will have no place in the lesson. Promoters of change concluded that doctrine doesn't matter and that it is doctrine that makes people disagree and divide. The story will come to a close with a call for those who want a relationship with Jesus to come and be saved by grace through faith. They will be led to pray the sinner's prayer and receive the blessing. Baptism will no longer be considered as essential to salvation since they have concluded that obedience plays no part in salvation. It may however possibly be retained for church membership.
Communion might be observed following dismissal. It will be offered in the fellowship hall, during the pot luck meal. It will be a joyful and festive celebration of the good life they have in Christ. This is already being advocated by some. There may also be a Saturday evening service with Communion for those who do not wish to assemble on the Lord's Day. The leading lights of our change movement have rejected the idea of a Biblical pattern that must be followed. They have concluded that Communion can be observed on other occasions than the first day of the week. The prevailing thinking in that element of the church is that we must give the people what they want if we expect to get them into our churches. Since other religious bodies are doing this with success, we would be foolish not to follow their suit.
Bible classes will offer alternatives for every taste. There well may be a class devoted to reviewing contemporary books, or perhaps classic literature with relevant themes. Others may offer health tips for Christians, or the challenges of aging. There could be an armchair travelers class which views travel logs. A class could study classic movies and television shows. There could be arts and crafts. A course in social activism might cover such topics as ecology, AIDS ministry, the challenges of leisure time, money management and other timely subjects. It will truly be a "felt needs" program. For those who are elderly and traditional in their thinking they will still have a few classes that study the Bible.
If you are currently 50 or older, and a faithful Christian, very likely you would be totally revulsed at such an incredible situation. Your blood pressure would rise and your stomach would churn. You probably would get up and walk out. I would! Such a group would be a church of Christ in name only, even if they were directly descended from a faithful church of today. If you searched hard enough you likely could find a congregation that would still worship and serve in the way you are familiar with. It probably would be small in size and likely on the outskirts of town or in a rural setting.
You may be wagging your head and saying "You are crazy! Such is so farfetched as to be insane." But my dear friend, the things I am seeing as future possibilities are already being done here and there by those who are clamoring for change. The section on the Bible classes is straight from the bulletins of local denominational churches. Our change agents are following these churches in all other areas and it is only reasonable to think they will embrace such programs as well. Remember, "Some shall fall away from the faith" (I Tim. 4:1).
As in all futuristic projects factors may arise that will nullify the prediction. For example if our brethren should wake up and realize just how wrong and destructive the change movement is; if they should show the promoters of change the door; if they should repent and turn back to God with humble and obedient hearts; we might well see Christ's church, as we have known her, surviving and flourishing in that distant day. May God grant that this be the case.
Goodness Mr. Waddey, you certainly paint a grim picture of the future. Mine is a little different. Go on a different journey if you will.
On this trip, we see the church in 2050 as well. However, in this one, the members are SMILING! They are glad to see each other. They are not suspicious of every word or thought. They aren't worried that a Baptist, Presbyterian, or Methodist may be undercover in their midst. They actually hope that they ARE there to fellowship in the unity of the saving power of... you guessed it! Jesus Christ!
The service isn't a funeral, but a celebration. It focuses on a tomb that is empty. They are joyful and clapping and singing, and yes, even dancing. The whole time being... you probably didn't guess this one... reverent and respectful of God.
The sermon is actually helpful to their day to day life. It focuses on a tomb that is empty. It also shows that since the tomb is empty, we can have life, and have it to the full.
I agree, the church will be different in 2050. Where we disagree is that instead of trying to stop the change, I believe we better get busy helping it!
John MARKED you in Revelation 18 and Plato in the Republic warns:
"Now when a man abandons himself to music to play upon him and pour into his soul as it were through the funnel of his ears those sweet, soft, and dirge-like airs of which we were just now speaking, and gives his entire time to the warblings and blandishments of song,
the first result is that the principle of high spirit (temperament), if he had it, is softened like iron and is made useful instead of useless and brittle.
But when he continues the practice without remission and is spellbound,
the effect begins to be that he melts and liquefies till he completely dissolves away his spirit,
cuts out as it were the very sinews of his soul and makes of himself a 'feeble warrior.' "Assuredly," he said.
"And if," said I, "he has to begin with a spiritless nature he reaches this result quickly, but if high-spirited, by weakening the spirit he makes it unstable.
The world has seen the "them" come and go but since they are SPIRIT NEUTERED they collect their own kind and like the Shakers just die out.
Heredotus explains how Cyrus was told how to neuter captives:
Grant, then, forgiveness to the Lydians, and to make sure of their never rebelling against thee, or alarming thee more, send and forbid them to keep any weapons of war, command them to wear tunics under their cloaks, and to put buskins upon their legs,
and make them bring up their sons to cithern-playing (Kitharizein), singing (psallein), and shop-keeping (Hucksterism). (Or translated lyre playing and harping which is redundant)
So wilt thou soon see them become women instead of men,
and there will be no more fear of their REVOLTING from thee."
And Jesus agreed with Plato by identifying His generation as every generation where the love for the Word -- as it has been delivered -- has been lost and can never be recovered. Never:
But whereunto shall I liken this generation? It is like unto children sitting in the markets (public places to attract the masses) , and calling unto their fellows, Matthew 11:16
And saying, We have piped unto you, and ye have not danced; we have mourned unto you, and ye have not lamented. Matthew 11:17
Jesus was speaking of the PERVERTED clergy who continued the ABOMINATION OF DESOLATION where they did music and sex and perversion RIGHT THERE IN THE TEMPLE.
Lee, you have been TAKEN CAPTIVE and your wife (or significant other) in my understanding has grounds for divorce--quickly. According to all of the Biblical and general understanding that when the MUSICATORS go into the places where they understand their gods to be they are worthy of instant execution. Even in Jezebel's temple no one got so vile. Even OUTSIDE they were considered the HAREM OF THE GODS. Cheap sex change, huh! When God pours out His WRATH them meaning is ORGE or turning people into BUFFOONS who were the harem of the HARP PLUCKERS.
I agree w/ "Our Future is so Bright!" What you describe is exactly what a church should be. We should be rejoicing and praising God together as a body of Christ! The Gospel is for everyone not just a select group of Pharisees who claim they are the only one's that are right and the only one's going to heaven! How narrow minded... No wonder people from the hard-line CofC are leaving for more spirit-filled churches! You hard-liners are a spiritualy dead people; that's why you are shrinking and not growing. That is why God is not blessing you with growth in your congregations. You serve man and not God! Get a clue! Read the Gospels, Jesus condemned Pharisees more than any other people because of their legalistic and haughty ways, and self imposed rules. Christianity is about a relationship with God, not about rules. To be more concerned about whether or not there's music in a church service, or if they are conducting the service the way you CofC people have determined it should be is the most unbiblical view a person could have. You drive people away from Christ because of all YOUR rules - rules never mentioned in the New Testament - EVER! Oh, how you will answer to God when he asks you what you did to enlarge His Kingdom and all you have to say is... I didn't because I was in the business of driving people away from you; I let them know all about my rules and regulations and then imagine that - they didn't want any part of being a Christian. I continually told everyone how wrong they were; I contunially attacked everyone and every church outside the CofC. I was in the business of judging - I guess I forgot you were the one who was supposed to do that... I guess I thought I was God. . .
It looks like all of the queerling-singiling-thinglings live in Marina Del Rey.
I think you may be MARDUK, you remember, the "god" with 50 names.
When Paul POINTS to Eve to OUTLAW female performers he knew LOTS MORE than you.
In the Greek world it was NOT SCRIPTURAL for prostitutes or Sodomite PERFORMERS to perform other than in the CLOSED "churches" called symposia.
Females could not PERFORM in the theater even. Therefore, they USED female impersonators. Plato warned that this MARKS or MANUFACTURES "gender bleed." No wat i mean?
Inanna was an EVE character who is also ZOE in Greek. She got the father god drunk and STOLE the ME which you will FIND in the end-time Babylon Whore "wurshup-uh" defined in Revelation 18. Of course, this means that all of the LAMPSTANDS have been removed and the PERFORMERS will go back into hell from which they were resurrected. So, let's PRETEND that you are a REAL person rather than a Person Impersonator and listen to the ZOE meaning.
"My father has given me the me:
He gave me the high priesthood.
He gave me godship.
He gave me the noble, enduring crown.
He gave me the throne of kingship.
He gave me the noble sceptre.
He gave me the staff.
He gave me the holy measuring rod and line.
He gave me the high throne.
He gave me shepardship.
He gave me kingship.
He gave me the princess priestess.
He gave me the divine queen priestess.
He gave me the incantation priest.
He gave me the noble priest.
He gave me the libations priest.
He gave me truth.
He gave me decent into the underworld.
He gave me ascent from the underworls.
He gave me the kurgurra.
The kurgarru, the assinu, and the kulu'u performed plays, music, dances, and games during rituals
He gave me the dagger and sword.
He gave me the black garment.
He gave me the colorful garment.
He gave me the loosening of hair.
He gave me the binding of hair.
He gave me the standard.
He gave me the quiver.
He gave me the art of lovemaking.
He gave me the art of kissing the phallus.
He gave me the art of prostitution.
He gave me the art of speeding.
He gave me the art of forthright speech.
He gave me the art of slanderous speech.
He gave me the art of adorning speech.
He gave me the cult of the prostitute.
He gave me the holy tavern.
He gave me the holy shrine.
He gave me the holy priestess of heaven.
He gave me the resounding musical instrument.
He gave me the art of song.
He gave me the art of the elder.
He gave me the art of the hero.
He gave me the art of power.
He gave me the art of treachery.
He gave me the art of straightforwardness.
He gave me the plundering of cities.
He gave me the setting up of lamentations.
He gave me the rejoicing of the heart.
He gave me deceit.
He gave me the rebellious land.
He gave me the art of kindness.
He gave me travel.
He gave me the secure dwelling place.
He gave me the craft of the woodworker.
He gave me the craft of the copper worker.
He gave me the craft of the scribe.
He gave me the craft of the smith.
He gave me the craft of the leather maker.
He gave me the craft of the fuller.
He gave me the craft of the builder.
He gave me the craft of the reed worker.
He gave me the perceptive ear.
He gave me the power of attention.
He gave me the holy purification rites.
He gave me the feeding pen.
He gave me the heaping up of hot coals.
He gave me the sheepfold.
He gave me fear.
He gave me consternation.
He gave me dismay.
He gave me the bitter-toothed lion.
He gave me the kindling fire.
He gave me the putting out of fire.
He gave me the weary arm.
He gave me the assembled family.
He gave me procreation.
He gave me the kindling of strife.
He gave me counseling.
He gave me heart-soothing.
He gave me the giving of judgements.
He gave me the making of decisions."
ALL performers as Female Impersonators (easy for some) were HAPPY to perform and be USED as the HAREM OF THE GODS.
That's WHY they need all of those PROFESSIONAL "ministers" (high cost slaves). Which MINISTRY do YOU get used by the MOTHER GODDESS FOR?
Now the Spirit speaketh expressly, that in the latter times some shall depart from the faith, giving heed to seducing spirits, and doctrines of devils; - 1 Timothy 4:1.
To recap, here’s what John Waddey predicts is in store for the church of Christ, given the present trends from the Change Movement:
Women serving as teachers, church officers, and ministers
Ministers wearing clerical robes and the title of “Reverend”
Ecumenical services with guest speakers from different denominations
Dramatic presentations and interpretive spiritual dancing
Bodily gyrations, shouting, and applause
Contemporary rock music from a praise band and soloists; fewer congregational hymns
Message consisting of brief stories and anecdotes
Rejection of biblical doctrine and Bible as proof-text
Rejection of absolutes of right and wrong
Salvation by grace through faith alone; baptism rejected as essential for salvation
Communion served as a fellowship meal outside the worship service or on days other than the first day of the week
Alternative services to those on the first day of the week
Classes offering a host of worldly subjects to meet “felt needs”
I noticed that in “Lee Gullism’s” (legalism) haste to bash Waddey’s essay, he did not deny any of the predictions above. Moreover, Gull’s futuristic church consists of smiling, carefree people who embrace ecumenical beliefs; who not only sing during the worship service but clap and dance (make commotion); who demand motivational speeches that focus on managing day-to-day problems and worries instead of expository presentations of biblical concepts; who see the empty tomb as a license to “live life to the fullest.” Thus, Gull’s futuristic church focuses on living it up and having a good time through fun, games, entertainment, and “freedom” to do as we please.
It is significant that Gull says nothing about his futuristic church making a genuine commitment to follow faithfully the commands of Christ in the Gospels and through the apostolic epistles, veering neither to the left hand nor to the right. Instead, we get the impression that people will come to Gull’s church to have God fill them up, satisfy them, and meet their needs; in other words, to get from God. With this kind of selfish mindset, it is difficult, perhaps even impossible, to give to God, not just through our finances, but through our whole Christian life. The goal of the Christian life is to please God/Christ by walking the narrow path through complete obedience to His Word, not in perpetually seeking a good time.
With Gull’s brand of futuristic church, however, Waddey’s predictions are right on course.
I don't think that everything posted in Mr. Waddi's essay will come to be, and saying it will is very pesimistic. I do see some of it as wrong, but not going to actually come to pass. I also don't think there can be any allegation made because someone didn't deny a prediction. You can't deny something that hasn't happened yet, you can only ignore it.
What do you mean, “I do see some of it as wrong…”? Is it that some of the predictions which have not yet happened are wrong—and which ones are they? If not, is it that [only] some of “The Acts of the Change Apostles” are wrong—and which ones are they?
Remember that the bleak situation regarding the future of the church may be reversed only when the attempts to pervert the truth—and transform the church into something it shouldn’t be—are stifled and resisted against. Note brother Waddey’s last paragraph:
“As in all futuristic projects factors may arise that will nullify the prediction. For example if our brethren should wake up and realize just how wrong and destructive the change movement is; if they should show the promoters of change the door; if they should repent and turn back to God with humble and obedient hearts; we might well see Christ's church, as we have known her, surviving and flourishing in that distant day. May God grant that this be the case.
It is also essential that we identify as soon as we can the change agents operating in the brotherhood, as well as their ardent supporters. We CAN KNOW THEM by the words they utter here and elsewhere. These are the “members” of this church who continue to badmouth the church that Christ purchased with His own blood. There are the “members” or ex-members who claim that the church is dying or that the church—when attempts are made to define it as one more denomination in order that it loses its uniqueness and identity—will become extinct.
Just who are these change agents and their disciples?
When Jesus said to the saints in Smyrna, "Be thou faithful unto death" he was calling for their loyalty, even in the face of great hardship and suffering. For their loyalty they would receive "the crown of life" (Rev. 2:10). Loyalty: some profess it, some practice it. Only the latter can always be counted on. A. P. Gouthey wrote, "If virtues be graded, loyalty I think, would stand near the top of the list. At any rate, no leader can demonstrate his full capabilities without it." John Ruskin said, "The noblest word in the catalogue of social virtues is 'Loyalty.'"
Loyalty is expected in many areas of life: marriage, family, friends, nation, and employment. God also expects loyalty of his children, the subjects of his kingdom. We must be loyal to God, his Son, his Church and his Word. Loyalty to the church includes the universal church of Christ (I Pet. 2:17) scattered throughout the world and the congregation of which we are members.
Many of those who now lead our congregations came into the church in the days of her prosperity. They fought no battles, knew no hardship, endured no hateful scorn. They made few sacrifices for their faith. They inherited congregations long established and facilities built and paid for by others. So also is the case with the administrators and teachers in our Christian Schools. Loyalty or the lack thereof is not easily detected in times of peace when all is well. It is in times of conflict that men's loyalty or lack thereof become evident. Now a time of testing has come upon us. Living in a society that has been coopted by alien philosophies and an anti-Christian value system, many members of the church have been influenced by the wisdom of the world. They are embolden to question every aspect of the faith, worship and practice of the church of which Christ is head (Eph. 1:22). Christian leaders who have attained worldly standing cast reproach on the church. They ridicule her doctrines and ancient forms of worship. Abandoning the sacred canons of Scripture, they look to the world of commerce to find new and exciting ways to enlarge their congregations. They loudly protest that they are faithful members of the church of Christ, but their actions demonstrate their disloyalty. Hundreds, perhaps thousands of little-known preachers and elders stand like opportunistic politicians, waiting to see which way the wind is blowing before they declare themselves. They can follow the promoters of change if the tide goes their way, or they can hold to the old ways if that is to their advantage. Such wind-watchers are not loyal servants of Christ! They are serving their own interests. "Loyalty is one thing a leader cannot do without. It is as priceless as it is rare. It creates a quiet confidence in the heart of many leaders and is the assurance of success in any enterprise" (A. P. Gouthey).
Those who have already turned their backs on the church, as they seek standing among the evangelical denominations, protest that they are not disloyal to Christ; that they are only tired of the church. Although it may sound redundant, they must be reminded that you cannot be loyal to a king and disloyal to his kingdom! The church of Christ is the kingdom of Christ (Matt. 16:18). It is his body (Eph. 1:22). Acts of disloyalty toward the church of Christ manifest disloyalty to the Master himself.
"Loyalty to God is alone fundamental. Feelings, words, deeds, must be beads strung on the string of duty...say you ever and only, 'Lo I come to do Thy will, O my God.' Out of that dutiful root grows the beautiful life, the life radically and radiantly true to God, the only life that can be lived in both worlds" (Maltbie Babcock). In this mortal struggle for the heart and soul of the church we need the conviction expressed in the following worlds of Will Shakespeare, "Master go on, and I will follow thee, To the last gasp, with truth and loyalty." Only then will we prevail and the church we love be spared from desolation. May it be said of us as Alexander Pope said of a departed comrade, "friend to truth! Of soul sincere, In action faithful, and in honor clear; Who broke no promise, served no private end, Who gained no title, and who lost no friend." In a word, he was loyal!
I realize that what I'm about to ask is a little off topic, but I was reading through the points of Mr. Waddy listed above and I read the one that said "baptism required for salvation." I have always believed this to be true just like the rest of you and I'm not questioning it, but what about the guy next to Jesus while they were on their crosses whom Jesus told "today you will be with me in Paradise." I can only assume that means heaven, but was this man baptized? The Bible doesn't actually say, but I'm not inclined to think so. What about him? Could others ever make it to heaven in the same manner? It's just a thought.
The subject is not only off topic, but it's also been covered elsewhere on this site. Nevertheless, here's brief recap:
Since Jesus was Christ, He could extend salvation and pardon to whomever He pleased at whatever time. The Gospels do not say whether the thief on the cross was baptized, but a good guess would be that he was not, since he was executed for theft.
It must be noted that Christ's exception applied only to the thief at that particular moment, not to us today. For those who are itching to ditch baptism on that basis, however, Christ's exception does not grant the rest of us license to forego baptism for remission of sins. Here's why: After Christ was resurrected and just before He ascended, He laid down the cardinal command about baptism and salvation once and for all in Mark 16:16: "He that believeth and is baptized shall be saved; but he that believeth not shall be damned" (KJV). That command has applied to everyone from that moment on in time. Anyone wishing to be saved without baptism today would require a personal waiver from Christ, just as He did with the thief. That said, baptism is essential for salvation, because Christ has commanded it. So what happens to those who intend to be baptized but who die just before they are immersed? That's pure speculation and is best left to the wisdom of God.
Now, lest the subject go off on a further tangent, those wishing to rehash baptism should seek other appropriate threads.
Two things, Sethy, Paradise is NOT heaven. It literally means a garden or a place for resting souls. Remember that Jesus went there to "preach to the souls in prison" which I think means not only the pre-flood people but all who lived in RIGHTEOUSNESS and practiced JUSTICE before the cross.
It might mean that the thief heard the gospel there? However, like the "sons of thunder" he didn't ask to be saved but wanted to be noticed in the NEW EARTHLY kingdom which not even the apostles had yet grasped.
However, you will notice that, as often with Jesus, the ANSWER did not match the question. ALL of the dead were in Paradise which was thought to consists of two groups with a FIXED GULF between. The wicked were reserved for judgment.
Next, Jesus had not shed His blood and taken it into the heavenly tabernacle so there was no SAVING in the true sense until later. Too late for the thief.
Then, Jesus didn't preach baptism as a PUNCHED TICKED TO HEAVEN but the well-known method of MAKING DISCIPLES: you do that when people believe by BAPTIZING THEM and giving them A holy spirit so the WORD will stick in their purified minds or spirits. Then, they engage in Life learning which WORSHIP CENTERS intend, with a high hand, to quench absolutely.
Finally, you will notice that the Thief DIED ON THE CROSS FOR HIS OWN SINS. Now, you don't want to rest your hope on that do you? Baptism as a fulfilled type is an INSTEAD OF which means Grace. INSTEAD of dying on the cross you can DIE to yourself. Instead of being dressed out in a literal tomb you can INSTEAD OF be burried alongside Jesus and be RESURRECTED in Spirit.
INSTEAD OF does not mean DO NOTHING. Bill Gates sends you a check for a billion dollars. INSTEAD OF earning the money you ENDORSE the check and enjoy the FREE GIFT. It is INgratitude to repudiate the METHOD commanded by Jesus Christ.
I've listd several points to think about and search for more info. The Christian Courier has some good info and so do some other c of C sites.
1. Jesus had yet to die at that point. He had not fulfilled God's promise. This is a transitional time between the Jewish Law and the Church which would be established several days later.
2. Remember, Jesus had the power to PERSONALLY forgive sins without baptism. As such, Jesus had power to bless the thief who could not be baptized at the moment of belief and repentence. This does not pertain to us today.
3. How do we know the thief was never baptized prior and fell away? Thousands were baptized across the country, many fell back to their prior lifestyles. We'll never know if he was one or not.
Just some points to research and think about. I don't want to get into a teaching mode here as I'm not sure of your beliefs. But I don't think God will mind that I give you a few hints or ideas to look up and study on your own AND with an elder/deacon at your church.
1 Peter 3:18 For Christ also hath once suffered for sins, the just for the unjust, that he might bring us to God, being put to death in the flesh, but quickened by the Spirit:
1 Peter 3:19 By which also he went and preached unto the spirits in prison;
1 Peter 3:20 Which sometime were disobedient, when once the longsuffering of God waited in the days of Noah, while the ark was a preparing, wherein few, that is, eight souls were saved by water.
1 Peter 3:21 The like figure whereunto even baptism doth also now save us (not the putting away of the filth of the flesh, but the answer of a good conscience toward God,) by the resurrection of Jesus Christ:
1 Peter 3:22 Who is gone into heaven, and is on the right hand of God; angels and authorities and powers being made subject unto him.
"Community Churches and Churches of Christ" by John Waddey
March 18 2006, 5:27 PM
COMMUNITY CHURCHES AND CHURCHES OF CHRIST
We all understand that God did not assign a specific name to his church. Rather, several different names are used to designate his people: church of God, church of the Lord, churches of Christ and the church. When there was but one body of people in the world that honored Christ as their founder, head and Lord there was no need for any further identification. We, however, live in a society were there are upwards of 1,500 different kinds of churches. This situation creates a state of confusion as to which body of people one is referring to when he speaks of or asks about "the church." This situation necessitates that we have some way of identifying ourselves so we can communicate, find each other and point others to a body of brethren in a given place.
In the early days of the Restoration Movement three different streams of people came together to unite on the Bible and restore the faith and practice of the original church. Those led by Alexander Campbell most often referred to themselves as Disciples of Christ. Those led by Barton Stone most often used the name Church of Christ. Those coming from the James O'Kelly, Elias Smith and Abner Jones movement preferred the name Christian Church. There was not a strict adherence to any particular one of these names and all the brethren recognized each other as fellow-Christians serving God in one body. When schism occurred at the end of the 19th and the beginning of the 20th centuries, those preferring to have instrumental music, missionary societies, women in positions of church leadership, etc., generally identified themselves as Christian Churches/Disciples of Christ. Our brethren distinguished themselves by the biblical name Churches of Christ, found in Rom. 16:16. Over a period of 25 years this distinction of names became virtually complete. Our brethren continued to hold and use the name Church of Christ, not because it was the exclusive Bible cognomen for the church but because it was biblical and was helpful in identifying our people, wherever they might be.
Over the last 40 years, as liberalism slowly eroded the Biblical foundations of many of our younger preachers and they in turn failed to properly instruct and indoctrinate our people, a new generation of leaders arose who seemed to be ashamed of their association with the brotherhood of people known as Churches of Christ. They craved acceptance with their neighbors of the Evangelical churches. They did not want to bear the stigma of being exclusive and different from the worldly churches around them. Since they no longer believed the exclusive message of salvation and the one church of Scripture, they did not want to be publicly identified with those who still held to such exclusive beliefs. Hence they began to cast around for a name that would do two things:
It would mask from the people of their community that they were affiliated with other Churches of Christ.
It would make them appear like other "Community Churches" that were experiencing phenomenal growth. We know that many of those who have taken this route have chosen as their models "Non-denominational Community Churches" such as the Saddleback Community Church of Orange County California and Willow Creek Church in Barrington, Illinois, and Robert Schuller's Crystal Cathedral. Of course those churches are thoroughly denominational in their faith and practice since they prefer the doctrines and commandments of men rather than the authority of the New Testament of Christ as their standard. Numerous Baptist, Methodist, Reformed and other denominational congregations have also taken this same moniker of "Community Church." It seems that some of our brethren prefer to be identified with such groups rather than with their brethren of the Churches of Christ.
Another probable motive is that under the name of Community Church, the typical congregation places little or no emphasis on doctrinal loyalty. Thus a typical Community Church might employ a Methodist minister this year and a Disciples of Christ man the next, and a female Presbyterian the following. Indicators are that some of our brethren who have chosen this route have a similar laxness about doctrinal standards. Church for them is all about fellowship, fun, doing good and feeling good. Such things as abiding in the doctrine of Christ (II John 9-11) are given little emphasis.
Those of our people who have chosen to identify themselves as Community churches seem to have a commonality about them. They all have embraced the agenda of the change movement which seeks to transform our people into the likeness of our denominational neighbors. Such things as salvation by grace through faith before immersion, a de-emphasis on the importance of baptism, a willingness to tolerate the use of instrumental music in worship, a willingness to allow women to assume leadership roles in the life of the church, acceptance of denominational churches as in good standing with God and other related issues seem to be part and parcel of those wishing to be known as "Community Churches." Several of our Universities and Colleges have given encouragement to the Community Church movement: among them Abilene Christian University, Pepperdine University and Harding Graduate School of Religion.
It would be as scriptural to identify one’s congregation as the Community Church of Christ as the State Street Church of Christ. But for most of these folks, they want the "Community Church" without the "of Christ" designation. As Jesus said we can only judge them by their fruits (Matt. 7:16-21). The direction of this movement is away from New Testament Christianity and from obedience to the message of Christ. It is away from the brotherhood of Churches of Christ of which they once were a part. In my judgment it would be a mistake for a congregation to take such a name as it creates confusion as to who they are. It also identifies them with those who are abandoning the Bible as their standard of faith and practice. It reflects on their part a sense of shame to be identified with the gospel and the body of Christ. Paul was not ashamed of the message he preached (Rom. 1:16). With Jesus, he gladly endured the shame of the cross (Heb. 12:2; Gal. 5:11) and so should we. If the world despises us for what we believe and stand for, so be it. They hated Jesus for his faith and convictions (John 15:17-20).
All about us we see chaos, confusion and division, the result of sin. In response to this evil, God planned to unite all men in his church, abolishing all division and separation. Only in Christ will true unity be realized. In Ephesians 4:1-6 Paul gives us the necessary ingredients for unity.
To have unity you need a certain kind of people. They must "walk worthily of the calling wherewith (they) were called" (Eph. 4:1). They strive to live up to the standard set by Jesus, walking in the light as he is in the light (I John 1:7). When we enter an organization we accept the obligation to live by the required standards of that group. To do otherwise is to embarrass or hinder the body.
Paul says we must walk with lowliness or humility if we would promote unity (Eph. 4:2). Lowliness is the opposite of pride and ambition. The ancient Greeks viewed humility as a servile, cowardly thing, but Christ made it a virtue. Humility is the result of three ingredients. We are made humble when we realize our own unworthiness. We need to daily examine and prove ourselves (II Cor. 13:5). When we compare our lives with that of Christ and the law of God we are forced to see how we sin and fall short of God's glory (Rom. 3:23). When we contemplate our total dependence upon God, we see his great power and our "creatureliness" (Acts 17:25, 28). Without lowliness there will be no unity.
Meekness or gentleness is a prerequisite of unity. Aristotle described meekness as "the mean between being too angry and not angry enough." A meek soul is angry at the right time but never at the wrong time. He, like Jesus, will be angry at the wrongs others suffer, but not at those imposed upon him. He will have every instinct, passion and word under control. He will not allow anger to cause him to sin (Eph. 4:26). Meekness is strength under control. It is a fruit of the Holy Spirit (Gal. 5:22-23).
Longsuffering or patience is necessary for unity. Longsuffering is the spirit which does not give in. The Romans of Paul's day knew this concept. Their persistence would never accept peace under defeat. They might loose a battle but not a war. We must have that same determination to maintain unity with our brothers and sisters in Christ. Patience will bear with insult and injury without bitterness or complaint. It will tolerate foolish and unpleasant folks without frustration. Without patience a group will never have unity. Satan will see to that.
Love is an essential ingredient of unity. Roman society knew of erotic love and family love but a new level of love was needed. Christ taught men to love their neighbor as themselves (Matt. 22:39); to treat them as they wished to be treated (Matt. 7:12); to do good to all men (Gal. 6:10); to feed a hungry enemy (Rom. 12:20). With this attitude of goodwill flowing from each heart, unity will be ours. When we speak the truth in love the church will be built up in love (Eph. 4:15-16).
We are admonished to maintain unity (Eph. 4:3). We must do so with "diligence." Diligence is effort, so concentrated, as to bring forth perspiration such as is seen on the brow of a surgeon in the midst of a long and tedious operation. Maintaining unity is never easy. It requires the hard work of every member of the body. Maintaining unity suggests that we do not create or originate it. The church as founded by Christ was "essentially, intentionally and constitutionally one" (Thomas Campbell). He has but one church (Eph.1:22; 4:4). When one disciple wins another they are united in their faith and loyalty. Our task is to maintain and conserve that sacred oneness.
It will help us to do our job if we are often reminded of God's will in this matter. Paul wrote, "Now I beseech you brethren, through the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, that ye all speak the same thing, and that there be no divisions among you..."(I Cor. 1:10). God hates and counts as abominable him that soweth discord among brethren (Prov. 6:17-19). Jesus prayed that we all be one as are he and the Father are one (John 17:20-21). To successfully maintain peace, selfishness must be obliterated. Selfishness and peace are mortal enemies. Observation and experience suggest that ninety per cent of our conflicts, whether congregational or brotherhood wide, are personality centered. When the proud, dominant personality is removed, the conflict vanishes.
The nature of the unity God expects of us is "unity of the Spirit" (Eph. 4:3). It originates with the Holy Spirit. It results from the fact that by one Spirit we all are baptized into one body and all drink of one Spirit (I Cor. 12:12-13). Such being the case, we should remain in fellowship with one another. This unity is bound together in peace. Thus Jesus blesses the peace-makers as the true children of God (Matt. 5:9). This implies that the agitator and church splitter has a different father from hellish realms. This unity flows from the heart of the individual Christian and modifies every attitude, action and relationship in a way that makes for peace.
The basis for unity is presented in Eph. 4:4-5: "There is one body, and one Spirit, even as you were called in one hope of your calling; one Lord, one faith, one baptism, one God and Father..." It is interesting to note that this unity is based on the Holy Spirit, the Lord Jesus and the Holy Father. Since each believer was baptized into the name of the Father, the Son and the Holy Spirit (Matt. 28:19), we should all strive to stay on cordial terms with each other.
There being only one body, which is the church (Eph. 1:22; 4:4), it is only reasonable that we all be on brotherly terms. One hope of heaven awaits all. Since we all serve the Lord Jesus, believe the one faith or doctrine of Christ (Jude 3) and have received the one baptism, it is to be expected that we serve the Lord in harmony. That one God and Father rules over, in and through all of us, demands that all his children live together in loving peace. Since God has but one family, there cannot be a half dozen different kinds of churches of Christ, each alienated against the other and all still properly related to the other! [emphasis Dr. BC]
Christian leaders must guide the Church toward this unity. "He gave...
apostles...prophets...evangelists...and teachers; for the perfecting of the saints...till we call attain unto the unity of the faith..." (Eph. 4:11-13). Nothing is more important than the quest for unity. Sadly such ranks low in priority with too many preachers and elders in our day. A wounded, divided church is the unfortunate result.
Unity is not uniformity. While we must be united in the fundamentals of the faith, there are hundreds of lesser matters where great diversity is allowed. For example, when we commune, God has designated that we use bread and fruit of the vine to commemorate his death (I Cor. 11:23-27), but how we will dispense the emblems and their place in the worship hour is ours to decide. So with Thomas Campbell we practice unity in matters of faith, liberty in matters of opinions and in all things charity. True unity grows from a Christ-like attitude, while uniformity is imposed from without.
William Barclay wisely notes, "the church will only realize her unity, when she realizes that she does not exist to propagate the point of view of any one [man, JHW] or body of men, but to give a home and a dwelling-place where the Spirit of Christ can dwell and where all men who love Christ can meet in the Spirit." Such also is the thought of Paul in Ephesians 2:19-22. When each living stone is fitly framed together, we grow into a holy temple, a habitation of God in the Spirit. Let us all give diligence to keep the unity of the Spirit in the bonds of peace.
Words of a Wise Man Well Worth Heeding (by John Waddey)
April 1 2006, 2:39 PM
WORDS OF A WISE MAN WELL WORTH HEEDING
For those unfamiliar with our history, for the first 50 years of our back-to-the-Bible movement, none of our congregations used musical instruments in their worship. The practice of using instrumental music in worship first arose among our brethren in 1859 when L. L. Pinkerton and the church in Midway, Kentucky, brought in a melodeon to assist with their singing. This issue troubled our brotherhood for the next 50 years. The greater number of our churches chose to embrace the instrument even if it meant disrupting the fellowship of the body of Christ. One of the men who manfully resisted the innovation a century ago was Bro. Joe S. Warlick. Brethren would do well to consider the words he spoke on the issue:
"The day on which a church sets up an organ in its house is the day on which it reaches the first station on the road to apostasy. From this it will soon proceed to other innovations; and the work of innovation once fairly commenced, no stop can be put to it till ruin ensues. Then the spirit which precedes and fosters these innovations is a most dangerous spirit; dangerous because [it is] cruel, intractable, and unreasonable. It is cruel, because it is ready to immolate everything that in the least stands in the way of its wicked work; intractable, because it will not yield even one tittle of its innovations; and unreasonable, because it will heed neither the voice of God nor that of man. Indeed, when a church has once introduced an organ we believe it to be true, as a general rule, (of those members who take the lead in the work) that they will suffer its Bible to be torn into shreds before they will part with their pet." (From "The Stark-Warlick Debate," The Gospel Advocate, p. 17).
Now events have gone full circle. We have worldly men in worldly congregations trying to make the use of instrumental music in worship simply a matter of opinion, our a cappella singing just a matter of our tradition. They excuse those who bring it into their worship and devotionals. They label as misguided those past and present who steadfastly refused to go with the multitude who demanded pianos and organs. They are ready to embrace the children of those who tore the cause of Christ asunder over this innovation and apologize for our fathers' strong and biblical stand. Such apologists shame the cause of Christ and show themselves to be unworthy of the positions they fill as preachers for churches of Christ. If they prevail the church loses. If their carnal minds must have an instrument or perish, they need to go on to the Disciples of Christ and join those who share that same kind of faith.
Advice to Those Who Defend the Faith (by John Waddey)
April 8 2006, 5:40 PM
ADVICE TO THOSE WHO DEFEND THE FAITH
A tragic war is raging within the kingdom of Christ. An alien spirit has taken hold on the hearts of many brethren. They have left their first love and gone after a new, changed way of serving God.
For some older brethren this is but the latest of many battles to be fought. Like seasoned soldiers, by experience they have learned valuable lessons about the best strategies of battle and mistakes to avoid. As we engage those whose mission is to change our faith, worship and the very nature of the church, there are some important things to remember:
I. We do not want to defend a faulty doctrine or practice. No matter how widely held, no matter how hoary with age, error is error. A misinterpreted verse is wrongly understood and can be wrongly applied. If we have been mistaken on any matter, honor and truth demand that we concede the faulty point and embrace the truth.
II. We must never fight over that which is merely a harmless matter of preference. Some things we have long practiced are not matters of faith revealed in Scripture. They are traditional ways of doing things, optional ways we have chosen to fulfil a divine requirement. For example, we have long assembled on Lord's Day morning. Since the hour of worship is not specified, if a group should choose to worship in the afternoon, we should not question them for so doing.
III. We should never penalize a brother who is exercising his liberty in Christ. Jesus came to proclaim liberty (Luke 4:18). Paul reminded the Galatians that "for freedom Christ has set the free" (Gal. 5:1). He manfully resisted the Jewish brethren who sought to spy out the liberty of the Gentile brethren (Gal. 2:4). In all areas where God has not specified the methods or manner of doing his will each disciple and each congregation has the Christ-given liberty to make their own choice about how to implement it.
IV. We must never be found promoting any practice or doctrine that is in any way contrary to God's revealed will. Errorists are quick to spot our mistakes and flaws. Don't give them the opportunity to neutralize your efforts in defense of the kingdom.
V. May it always be our resolve and commitment to do no harm to the church of Christ. In carnal war it is often the case that those who are on the right side of the conflict do great damage to the very city or people they would deliver. Our goal must be to strengthen and build up the church. The mission of the false teachers is to wreck and destroy; ours is to fortify against their assaults and to rebuild what they have damaged.
VI. May we never intentionally wound or discourage any brother or sister who is faithfully striving to please the Master. They too are servants of Christ and answer only to him (Rom. 14:4). When we wound those innocent souls, we sin against Christ (I Cor. 8:12).
To avoid these mistakes we must search the Scripture daily (Acts 17:11). We must study to show ourselves approved unto God (II Tim. 2;15). We must weigh every thought, word and deed to be sure they reflect the spirit of Christ (Phil 2:5), love for our brethren ( I Pet. 2:17) and love for the Master and his church. We must do these things lest we find ourselves weighed in the balances and found wanting when we stand before the Judge of all (Dan. 5:27).
Re: Advice to Those Who Defend the Faith (by John Waddey)
April 9 2006, 9:33 PM
I think Irenaeus said it all in c. 180 (E/W 1.415)
"When, however, they [gnostics] are confuted from the Scriptures, they turn around and accuse these same Scriptures as if they were not correct...But, again, when we refer them to that tradition which originates from the apostles..they object to tradition, saying that they themselves are wiser not merely than the presbyters (elders), but even than the apostles."
Seems we are fighting the same fight all these centuries later...And so the pendulum swings ever back and forth across the centuries. It is up to us to remember who we fight for and why. Though it may sometimes be hard to not be angry with some posters who seem to purposefully goad Christians, we must remember who is behind their behavior and keep ourselves above such actions ourselves. Wish that was as easily done as said!
As for me, I have no anger towards those of other religions who are confused and semi-hostile when confronted with scripture. They have been kept from the truth and are just now coming to an understanding of what the scriptures truly state. I understand their feelings and fear.
My problem is with those that were TAUGHT CORRECTLY and have now turned their backs on the truth, intent to lead others down the same path. For some reason, they truly upset me the most. I guess its the knowledge that we've lost a sheep who is intent on taking more souls with him/her. For this I hold several well-known preachers accountable and pray for their lost souls. For me, it is hard not to let my anger get the best of me when dealing with their sarcastic and rude comments to Christians that are trying so hard to keep the sheep safe and follow ALL of God's word.
Good posting Dr. Crumb. Brother Waddey is wonderful.
As we engage those whose mission is to capture, reshape and redirect the church we love, we must beware of certain pitfalls that can keep us from the victory. Anyone can win a war, but only the noble can win justly and bring about peace.
We must not only be against their unauthorized innovations, we must be for those positive aspects of Christianity that are the heart of our faith. Jesus put a high premium on justice, mercy and faith (Matt. 23:23). Those who only know how to oppose something will never succeed to building up the kingdom of God.
We must be disciples guided by love (Eph. 5:2): love for the Cause of Christ; love for our fellow-Christians; love for those who are our opponents in this struggle for the heart of the church. Our goal should be to snatch from the fire those who have turned away from the holy Word (Jude 23).
We must be kind (Eph. 4:32), considerate and courteous (I Pet. 3:8 KJV) when dealing with those whom we must confront.
We must be soldiers of high honor, integrity, honesty and truthfulness in dealing with the proponents of change (Phil. 4:8). We cannot operate on the principle that all is fair in war, nor can we ever assume that the end justifies the means. We want to prevail, but only in an honorable way.
We must be strong in faith, prayer, holiness, devotion and good works. Ours is a spiritual war. It will only be won by spiritual men and women of great faith and piety (Eph. 6:17-18).
We must look to God for the victory. It is his church that is under attack; his word being questioned and distorted; his Son being dishonored. Victory will be won, "Not by might, nor by power, but by my Spirit saith Jehovah" (Zech. 4:6). "The battle is Jehovah's" (I Sam. 17:47). "If God is for us who is against us?" (Rom. 8:31). Victory will not be won because we are smarter, better educated, tougher soldiers, or because we can hit harder. Nor will shouting, bullying or any other expressions of physical strength turn the tide.
We must not be consumed with opposing error. Where preachers fall into this trap their congregations wither and die, even as they make war on error. We must be busy in evangelism, reclaiming the fallen and edifying the church, even as we are confronting those who are opposing the way of truth (II Tim. 4:1-2).
We must be willing to hear and evaluate the criticisms the change agents raise against our practices. No one with an open and honest mind would argue that we have perfectly restored every aspect of Christianity to its original basis. We have not measured up in zeal, devotion, purity, generosity and outreach. Rather than plugging our ears and taking offense at such criticisms, we must face and acknowledge them where needed and work to right them.
We must take the offensive without being offensive. Without doubt, the ugly, harsh, abrasive attitude of many conservative preachers has made the liberal success possible. Brethren have been turned off and some alienated by the way many have chosen to wage their warfare.
If we should succeed in routing the enemy; if we refute their every error and see them gone, what will we have at the end? If we are left a narrow, bitter band who do nothing but fight church folks, we will have a hollow victory. The survivors will soon bite and destroy one another (Gal. 5:15). Let's fight the good fight of faith (I Tim. 6:12), but let's remember to be "good soldiers of Christ Jesus" (II Tim. 2:3), whose code is fidelity, honor and service.
There is a kind of worship that appeals to the spiritual nature of man and there is a kind that appeals to the fleshly, sensual nature. We see this in secular music. Patriotic songs and sweet songs about love, home and family appeal to man's higher instincts while the wild music of the dance hall and rock concert appeals to the lowest aspects of man's nature.
The music Christ ordained for his church was that of "speaking one to another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing and making melody with your heart to the Lord" (Eph. 5:19). Early Christians knew about religious music accompanied by instruments. Jewish converts had seen it at their temple. Gentiles had observed it in their pagan temples. But when they worshiped God through Christ, they praised God with sweet vocal hymns of devotion (Heb. 13:15).
Today some among us are clamoring for instruments of music. They justify themselves by insisting such will help them praise God better. Consider the following quotes that address this very issue. Quotes are from James Bales, Instrumental Music & New Testament Worship, 1973.
Richard Wagner (1813-1883), famous German composer, made the following observation:
"There is no doubt but that those qualities absolutely necessary to church music, namely, modesty, dignity, and soulfulness are more inherent in the vocal style than in any other. Reserve and humble restraint befits the house of God...Religious feeling finds its most natural expression in vocal utterance, for the human heart is the source of both devotion and song" (Catholic Encyclopedia (1911), Vol 10, p. 651).
Of the other type of worship, that which appeals more to the senses, D.B. Cameron wrote:
"...this mode of worship fosters a craving for sensational novelties. As it excites the natural sensibilities, it creates a desire for further indulgence of the same nature, for the more that kind of pleasure is gratified, the more its votaries demand. It acts much on people as the exhilaration of strong drink, so that many become quite enslaved at last to the enjoyment of this kind of religious aesthetics. When spirituality decays, people invent external attractions in worship. Many mistake the soothing effects or buoyant feelings produced by fine music for spiritual effects, but they are entirely sensuous" (Exposition of the Epistle to the Hebrews, 1889, pp. 518-519).
James Beggs observed:
Some argue "...that organs and a splendid ceremonial must have the effect of elevating and refining the soul, of arousing and exalting all the better principles and feelings of our moral natures; and that, therefore, it is scarcely possible to imagine that their religious use can be absolutely unlawful in the Christian Church. Now all this is a mere delusion, contradicted by history and experience. In proportion as the senses and imagination are excited and gratified, the soul is generally starved...All idolaters maintain that the fine arts generally, but perhaps especially music and sculpture, have a direct and necessary tendency to refine and elevate the human soul above the groveling pursuits of sense and sin. The theory is very plausible, and is apt to be eagerly embraced by the ignorant and thoughtless. The facts of history, however, teach a very different lesson" (Open Forum, The Converted Catholic Magazine, May 1954, p. 159).
Robert Milligan, 19th century gospel preacher and educator, wrote,
"...the general tendency of instrumental music is to quench the influence of the Spirit in the heart, and to promote in the churches a cold, barren, and lifeless formalism, has I think, been historically demonstrated; for otherwise, how shall we account for the fact that, wherever the organ is used, there is at least manifested a constant tendency to give up congregational singing..." (The Great Commission, pp. 208-209).
C.G. Herbermann sums it up in a forceful way: "...the first Christians were of too spiritual a fibre to substitute lifeless instruments for or to use them to accompany the human voice" (Catholic Encyclopedia, 1911, Vol. 10, p. 648).
May we not repeat the mistake of those who seek a sensual experience at the cost of the truly spiritual.
John Waddey
****************
Comment: Though certain discerning people may have seen the apostasy in using instruments in Christian worship, the fact remains that the New Testament is the sole Authority on that matter. The New Testament definitively authorizes only vocal music in worship, which excludes instrumental and all other kinds of music, because the latter are neither specified nor authorized. The silence of God is non-permissive. In matters of worship about which God is most specific, such as vocal music, He has no need to list all pertinent negatives, for He expects His obedient children to accept His Word as written, without adding to it, without taking from it.
Dr. Bill, a few questions if you would be so kind... Is it true that you played piano/organ for many years in a Baptist Church? Did you join the Baptist Church? Did you belong to the COC before joining the Baptist Church? If so was it a cofc? Were you rebaptized into the Baptist Church? Were you rebaptized upon rejoining the COC? Do you think that Baptist, as you once were, are going to Heaven? (your opinon). Do you think the COC has it all right?............thanks
Since this thread presents essays by John Waddey, I'm surprised that someone using the initials of the Southern Baptist Convention desires personal information about me instead. SBC should be more far more interested in finding something about John Waddey.
What SBC particularly wants is my "opinion" about whether or not Baptists are going to heaven. Why does SBC not include other faiths like the Catholics, Methodists, or Episcopalians? Such a question not only asks me to stand in the place of God, it's also a trick question. Christ experienced similar types of questions from the Pharisees who were out to trick Him. About the Baptists, if I said "Yes," SBC could then argue that I support ecumenism, which holds that all faiths are of equal merit and provide many paths to heaven. If I said "No," then SBC could whip out Matt. 7:1-2, point a finger, and accuse me of being judgmental.
So here's what I'm gonna do: I'm gonna steer SBC and any other interested parties to my article titled "Who Is Going to Heaven?" which is located in the thread Apostate: Jeff Walling. It's here on the Madison Church site several pages over. That article will tell SBC exactly who is going to heaven, according to the New Testament. SBC can then determine if Baptists measure up to New Testament standards. The link to that thread is: http://www.network54.com/Forum/150389/thread/1075121197/last-1112306130/APOSTATE-+JEFF+WALLING%97Should+Youth+Go+to+Winterfest-
Now if SBC really wants my answers to the remaining questions, then I require that SBC reveal his/her true identity, full name, and cease this cloak-and-dagger charade of hiding in anonymity.
"SBC" also wants to know if I think the church of Christ "has it all right." I gather s/he means if we think we have everything all figured out about salvation. What a coincidence! I just happen to have previously written an article about that very subject. It's titled "Having Everything All Figured Out." And wouldn't ya know, it's in the same thread as my article "Who Is Going to Heaven?" referenced above. Not only that, but it follows the "Heaven" article! What a fantastic coincidence!
So "SBC" can just turn right around and march back to that same thread and get the answer to another question. S/he will still have to unmask to get any further answers, however.
Jehovah Made a Distinction, So Must We (by John Waddey)
May 13 2006, 9:11 AM
JEHOVAH MADE A DISTINCTION, SO MUST WE
As Moses forewarned Pharaoh of the coming plague against the first born of Egypt, he assured him that the Hebrews would be spared for "Jehovah doth make a distinction between the Egyptians and Israel" (Ex. 11:7). It was the duty of the priests of Israel to "make a distinction between the holy and the common, and between the unclean and the clean and...teach the children of Israel all the statutes which Jehovah hath spoken..." (Lev. 10:10-11). This lesson is applicable to every man who stands before God's people to teach them and every man who assumes the duty shepherding God's flock. In a day when postmodern thinking with its doctrines of pluralism and multiculturalism has dulled the senses of many and left them to operate in a moral and spiritual fog, faithful leaders will be diligent to teach them to make these essential distinctions:
We must be aware of the clear distinction between truth and error. Postmodernism denies that moral and spiritual absolutes exist. But it is a human philosophy, flawed at its core. The Word of God clearly speaks of truth that makes us free (John 8:32). There is a spirit of truth and a spirit of error (I John 4:6). Those who are led away from the truth will be pierced through with many sorrows (I Tim. 6:10). God wants erring Christians converted from the error of their way (Jas. 5:20). To be saved one must escape from error (II Pet. 2:18). God's Word is the only truth that will sanctify the human soul (John 17:17).
We must know and teach the difference between Christ's church (Matt. 16:18) and those churches founded and directed by sinful men. The New Testament records all we can know about the church Christ founded, its worship, doctrine, organization, names and practices. The several
hundred churches of various sorts and kinds are all counterfeits competing with the true church of Christ for the souls of men. It is a cruel failure to leave people thinking that a church founded by man is in any way equal to the church founded by Christ. Christ's church is no denomination. That distinction must be made.
We must remember and teach the distinction between the worship that Christ ordained and that which men have chosen for themselves. In the New Testament He sets forth prayer, the Lord's Supper, the contribution, singing and the proclamation of the Word. All of these items are essentials of Lord's Day worship. Nothing can be added to or deleted from them and be acceptable to Him (Deut. 4:2; Prov. 30:6; Rev. 22:18).
We must distinguish between the saved and the lost. In the Judgement, Jesus will separate the sheep (saved) from the goats (lost) (Matt. 25:31-32). All have sinned and fallen short of God's glory (Rom. 3:23). It is by his grace we are saved (Eph. 2:8-9) but only those who have been born of water and Spirit have entered the kingdom of God (John 3:5). It is a misguided kindness to leave the lost soul drowning in sin when you know his undone condition and the lifeline of salvation. We are not true to Christ if we accept into the fellowship of the Church those who have not obeyed His will for salvation.
We must make a clear distinction between the Lord's plan for saving lost souls and the substitute plans that men have designed. Christ alone is Savior of humanity (Matt. 1:21). His death on Calvary is the one event that makes salvation possible (I John 1:7). He alone has all power to save us (Matt. 28:18). Only He has been appointed to judge the race (Acts 17:31). He ordained that all wishing to be saved must have faith in Him as God's Son (Rom. 10:9-10). They must repent of their sins and be baptized in water to wash away their sins (Acts 2:38; 10:47-48). Any promise of salvation on any other basis is contrary to his will and ineffectual.
We must discern between righteousness and iniquity. Those who practice righteousness will inherit eternal life but those who work iniquity will be driven from the presence of God (Matt. 7:23). Woe is pronounced upon them that call evil good and good evil (Is. 5:20). Righteousness is God's expressed will for his people. Man does not learn this by intuition or instinct. Rather he must be taught and led to righteousness (II Pet. 2:5). All of God's commandments are righteousness (Ps. 119:172). Paul rightly asks, "what fellowship have righteousness and iniquity? (II Cor. 6:14). The obvious answer is None! There is a way of life that is pleasing to God, the way of righteousness. Conversely the way of iniquity displeases Him. We can not be faithful teachers and fail to make this distinction.
May God give us wisdom and discernment to see these distinctions and the strength and courage to proclaim them.
It is God's truth that makes us free from sin and error (John 8:32). God's word is that saving truth (John 17:17). It is the case that God's truth is true whether or not we believe, acknowledge or accept it. His word is true if every man rejects and opposes it (Rom. 3:4). His truth is unalterable (Matt. 24:35), even though misguided men in every age have misinterpreted, misapplied and mishandled it. After false teachers have twisted and perverted God's word and have done their best to impose their ideas and opinions on humanity, the holy Scripture stands unscathed, unchanged like Gibraltar.
We have arrived at a point in time when a band of men have surfaced among our brethren who desire to make significant changes to the faith, worship and practice of the church of Christ.
Truth says, "Arise and be baptized and wash away thy sins" (Acts 22:16). False teachers say, "Yes, but it is not necessarily so." They theorize that so long as the sinner is sincere, so long as he believes in Jesus, God's grace might make an exception for him.
Truth says, Christ has one body which is his church (Eph. 4:4; 1:22). Errorists say, "No, the many different denomination constitute his church."
Truth declares that we are saved by grace through faith (Eph. 2:8-9). It also teaches that there are God-given conditions that we must meet to receive the gift of grace (Heb. 5:9). Vain men say, "We are saved by grace alone."
Truth teaches that saving faith is obedient faith (Gal. 5:6). Foolish men claim that faith alone can save a sinner even though the Bible says the opposite (Jas. 2:24).
Truth says that in the church, women are not allowed to teach nor have authority over men (I Tim. 2:11-12). Silly people say women can indeed fill those leadership roles in the church.
Truth says divisions and parties among believers are sinful and wrong (I Cor. 1:10-13). But proud men say that denominationalism is really acceptable to God.
Truth declares that the words of Christ will judge us (John 12:48). But arrogant men insist that God's word must give way to some cultural demands.
Truth teaches us to sing in worship and make melody with our hearts (Eph.5:19). Foolish men argue that this means to sing and play on mechanical instruments of music.
Truth teaches that Christ has all authority in Christianity and we must observe all things that he has commanded (Matt. 28:18, 20). It teaches that he is head over all things to the church (Eph. 1:22). Impudent men say that there are other things to consider such as the
demands of our culture, the felt needs of the members, the expectations of young people or the consensus of the congregation.
God's truth is the truth, no matter who speaks it or writes it. It is true no matter who opposes it or tries to change its message. Man's greatest mistake is to reject truth, to fight against truth, to despise truth, to minimize truth, to belittle truth! This is the case because God's truth will judge him in the last day (John 12:48). How awful it will be should we hear the august Judge point out that we were guilty of opposing his sacred truth which he had given to guide humanity in righteous paths! What could such an offender expect his future to be?