You can be just a Christian! Does this sound strange? With over 400 religious bodies in our country, it might appear impossible to be a Christian without being part of a denomination. It is not only possible, but there are actually thousands of "Christians only" in this and other nations.
(1 Corinthians 1:2), "the body of Christ" (1 Corinthians 12:27), or "the household of faith" (Galatians 6:10). These and similar Biblical phrases are nor proper names, but descriptive expressions which show how the church is related to Christ and His Father.
We, on the other hand, plead for the restoration of apostolic Christianity, rather than a reformation of existing religious bodies. Since all agree that the early church was right, we should also be able to agree that we cannot be wrong if wee succeed in reproducing that church today in every essential part. While many things have changed in the twentieth century, the teachings of Jesus and His apostles have not. Truth is absolute and unchangeable. God’s Word is truth (John 17:17) and can save today as surely as in the first century, if applied in the same way. "The truth will make you free", (John 8:32).
Should you visit the congregation you will find it worshipping God as did the early disciples --- "in spirit and truth," (John 4:24). You will observe that it partakes of the Lord’s supper, or communion, every Sunday. This is because we are following the example of the early Christians who assembled every first day of the week to "break bread" (Acts 20:7). Likewise, in every other way the church seeks to reproduce New Testament Christianity --- in organization, in work, and in other area of teaching.
Today we teach (as did the apostles then) that for Christ’s blood to remove our sins we must as believers in Him repent, confess our faith, and be baptized. As we are thus saved from our sins, the Lord adds us to His body, the church. "And the Lord added to the church daily such as should be saved" (Acts 2:47). "For in one Spirit were we all baptized into one body" (1 Corinthians 12:13) the saved, then, are in the body (or church) of Christ (Ephesians 1:22-23, 5:23); one cannot be saved and be outside the body.
The early disciples were Christians only. Although we live 1900 years later, we too can be Christians only if we will follow the same teachings given to these first followers of Jesus Christ. Christ said, "The seed is the Word of God" (Luke 8:11). Just as surely as a planted acorn will produce only an oak, so God’s Work will produce Christians and nothing more. We invite your earnest consideration to this plea and a thorough investigation of the practices of the first century church.
A friendly welcome awaits you. We do not wish to embarrass you in any way. You will not be asked for contributions. We assemble for Bible study and worship each Sunday morning and we welcome you to meet with us. We would be happy to talk to you about your questions and we want to be of encouragement. Please e-mail me, Dennis Crawford, at BibleTruths@hotmail.com for comments or further Bible information, or for the location of a congregation belonging to Jesus Christ near you.
Blog Archive
Thursday, May 1, 2008
Being Just A Christian
Are You A Christian?
Difficulties may come his way. If so, they should not be the result of doing evil. "By no means let any of you suffer as a murderer. or thief, or evildoer, or any troublesome meddler; but if anyone suffers as a Christian, let him not feel ashamed, but in that name let him glorify God", (1 Peter 4:15-16).
Salvation was prophesied in Joel 2:32. "And it will come about that whosoever calls upon the name of the Lord will be delivered ..." The fulfillment of this prophecy is found in Acts 2:16-42 where those who asked, "What shall we do?" were told to, "Repent and be baptized in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins ..." (Acts 2:38). They called upon His name when they confessed Jesus as Lord and were baptized in obedience to His command.
In order to become a Christian one must believe Jesus is the Christ, confessing that He is the Son of God, and accepting Him as Lord and savior. One accepts Him as Lord by doing what He commanded. Jesus said, "Not every one who says to Me, 'Lord, Lord', will enter the kingdom of heaven; but he who does the will of my Father who is in heaven" (Matthew 7:21).
One begins to obey His commands by repenting and being baptized for the remission (forgiveness) of sins (Acts 2:38).At the point of baptism into Christ, one enters into fellowship with God as a child of His (Galatians 3:26-27). This fellowship is possible only because Christ has died in order to atone for sin. All are guilty of sin and sin alienates one from God.
You can be just a Christian! Does this sound strange? With over 400 religious bodies in our country, it might appear impossible to be a Christian without being part of a denomination. It is not only possible, but there are actually thousands of “Christians only” in this and other nations.
Should you visit the congregation you will find it worshipping God as did the early disciples --- “in spirit and truth,” (John 4:24). You will observe that it partakes of the Lord’s supper, or communion, every Sunday. This is because we are following the example of the early Christians who assembled every first day of the week to “break bread” (Acts 20:7). Likewise, in every other way the church seeks to reproduce New Testament Christianity --- in organization, in work, and in other area of teaching.
Today we teach (as did the apostles then) that for Christ’s blood to remove our sins we must as believers in Him repent, confess our faith, and be baptized. As we are thus saved from our sins, the Lord adds us to His body, the church. “And the Lord added to the church daily such as should be saved” (Acts 2:47). “For in one Spirit were we all baptized into one body” (1 Corinthians 12:13) the saved, then, are in the body (or church) of Christ (Ephesians 1:22-23, 5:23); one cannot be saved and be outside the body.
The early disciples were Christians only. Although we live 1900 years later, we too can be Christians only if we will follow the same teachings given to these first followers of Jesus Christ. Christ said, “The seed is the Word of God” (Luke 8:11). Just as surely as a planted acorn will produce only an oak, so God’s Word will produce Christians and nothing more. We invite your earnest consideration to this plea and a thorough investigation of the practices of the first century church.
A friendly welcome awaits you. We do not wish to embarrass you in any way. You will not be asked for contributions. We assemble for Bible study and worship each Sunday morning and we welcome you to meet with us. We would be happy to talk to you about your questions and we want to be of encouragement. Please contact me, Dennis Crawford, at BibleTruths@hotmail.com for comments, questions, or for the location of the church belonging to Jesus Christ near you.
What Must I Do to be Saved?
If you believe, you will obey Jesus as Lord. If you do not believe, you will not obey. Do you believe God raised Jesus from the dead? Will you confess Him before others? Will you be baptized for the forgiveness of your sins in obedience to His instructions?
A friendly welcome awaits you. We do not wish to embarrass you in any way. You will not be asked for contributions. We assemble for Bible study and worship each Sunday morning and we welcome you to meet with us. We would be happy to talk to you about your questions and we want to be of encouragement.
Please e-mail me, Dennis Crawford, at BibleTruths@hotmail.com for comments, questions, further Bible information, or for the location of a congregation belonging to Jesus Christ near you.
Prove All Things
Those choosing a title for a study such as this can do no better than lift it right out of the Scripture text itself. Our title of this study and this lesson is just that. The Amplified phrases it, "But test and prove all things until you can recognize what is good; to that hold fast." The New American Standard has it this way: "But examine everything carefully, hold fast to that which is good." The New International Version renders it, "Test everything . . . Hold on to the good." Marvin Vincent in his Word Studies of the New Testament says of our title, "a general exhortation not confined to prophesying." The interlinear says, "All things prove, the right hold fast." Dr. William Barclay in his translation has it this way: "Test everything, hold fast to the true thing."
The context of any text is so necessary if we are to understand and implement it properly. With this in mind I implore your patience while I read verses 12-28, with a brief exposition; listen, please --- what a compendium, brief though exhaustive, of what it is all about down here:
"And we beseech you, brethren, to know them which labor among you, and are over you in the Lord, and admonish you [beseech, that is, I beg you, please; he is, as it were, on his knees]; and to esteem them very highly in love for their work's sake. And be at peace among yourselves. Now we exhort you, brethren, warn them that are unruly, comfort the feebleminded [discouraged], support the weak, be patient toward all men. See that none render evil for evil unto any man: but ever follow that which is good, both among yourselves, and to all men. Rejoice evermore. Pray without ceasing. In every thing give thanks; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus concerning you. Quench not the Spirit. Despise not prophesyings. Prove all things; hold fast that which is good. Abstain from all appearance of evil. And the very God of peace sanctify you wholly; and I pray God your whole spirit and soul and body be preserved blameless unto the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ. Faithful is he that calleth you, who also will do it. Brethren, pray for us. Greet all the brethren with a holy kiss. [If you want to read the finest commentary on the "holy kiss" that I have read, you need Brother Irvin Barnes' booklet on the subject --- scriptural, logical, easy to apply.] I charge you by the Lord that this epistle be read unto all the holy brethren. The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with you. Amen."
It is my sincere conviction before God the Father, Christ the Son, the Holy Spirit and the angels, and you, that the Word of God provides for us guidelines, criteria whereby we may "prove all things." Surely, this is the case in view of the command itself. We are not left to wander in a maze of doubt and confusion as to this great undertaking; there is a way of doing what we are told to do. Here we tread cautiously, prayerfully, carefully. These scriptural criteria are as follows:
- • Is the thing tested lawful?
• Is the thing tested lawfully expedient?
• Is the thing tested a matter of liberty, indifference?
• Is it a violation of the witness the Spirit bears with our spirit?
• Is the thing tested a violation of conscience?
• Is the thing tested a violation or disruption of unity?
• Is the thing tested a violation or disruption of fellowship?
• Is the thing tested a violation of the law of consistency?
• Is the thing tested a substitution for the divine pattern?
• Is the thing tested a violation of types and shadows?
Mark 16:16; Romans 6:4
Music — singing;
Ephesians 5:19; Colosians 3:16
Communion — cup, loaf, fruit of the vine;
Matthew 26, Mark 14; Luke 22; 1 Corinthians 11
Teaching — one assembly, one man
at a time, women silent;
1 Corinthians 14
Music — books, notes, directing, number of songs
Communion — material, size, time, plate, cloths
Teaching — blackboard, notes, pulpit, meeting
house, pews
the Spirit Bears With Our Spirit?
Bearing Witness: Romans 8:16; Ephesians 6:17; 1 Corinthians 2:11
"This is a needful caution, to prove all things: for, though we must put a value on preaching, we must not take things upon trust from the preacher, but try them by the law and the testimony. We must search the scriptures, whether what they say be true or not. We must not believe every spirit, but must try the spirits. But we must not always be trying, always unsettled: no, at length we must be settled, and hold fast to that which is good. When we are satisfied that any thing is right, and true, and good, we must hold it fast, and not let it go, whatever opposition or whatever persecution we meet with for the sake thereof."
Box 1773, Covina, California 91722
Friday, April 18, 2008
Forsaking the Assembly
The assembly of God’s people was very important during the Old Testament dispensation. Gathering all the people together was important for several reasons. First, in Leviticus 8, Aaron and his sons were ordained as priests before all the assembly to publicly acknowledge that: “These are God’s official priests and we will follow no others.” In the New Testament, elders were ordained in the assembly to demonstrate that they were the official leaders of the congregation (Acts 14:23). Second, in Numbers 15:32-36, all the people were gathered to witness discipline --- an execution --- so that everyone would learn to respect God’s law. In the New Testament church discipline is to be administered before all the assembly so that everyone would learn a lesson (1 Corinthians 5:4). Third, in Deuteronomy 31:12, all the people were to be gathered for the reading of the law. Not everyone could read but all could hear and understand the reading. Likewise, in the New Testament we are to gather together for public reading and teaching of God’s law. Everyone might not have their own copy of God’s law or be able to read, but all could hear and understand (1 Corinthians 14:23; Coossians 1:9-10)
A “holy” convocation was very special, and there were no excuses accepted for not appearing. One might be excused for not coming to a common town meeting, but there were no excuses accepted for missing a “holy convocation”!
Numbers 9:10,13
“Speak unto the children of Israel, saying, If any man of you or of your posterity shall be unclean by reason of a dead body, or be in a journey afar off, yet he shall keep the passover unto the LORD... But the man that is clean, and is not in a journey, and forbeareth to keep the passover, even the same soul shall be cut off from among his people: because he brought not the offering of the LORD in his appointed season, that man shall bear his sin.”
This indicates the seriousness of “sacred assemblies” and the requirement to be present at them.
Leviticus 23 lists all the “holy convocations” which Israel was to observe --- there were seven in all:
1. Weekly Sabbath --- according to verse 3 there was to be an assembly in each town; an assembly for weekly worship.
2. Passover and Feast of Unleavened Bread (vv. 7-8)
3. Feast of Firstfruits (vv. 4,11-12)
4. Feast of Weeks (Pentecost) (v. 21)
5. Feast of Trumpets (v. 24)
6. Day of Atonement (v. 27)
7. Feast of Tabernacles (vv 35-36)
Hebrews 10:25“Not forsaking the assembling of ourselves together, as the manner of some is; but exhorting one another: and so much the more, as ye see the day approaching.”
Here we have a familiar passage and one that is greatly abused and misused. What we wish to do with this passage is (1) examine what the passage meant to the Hebrew brethren, and (2) draw out of the passage the principles which apply to those of us who are not Hebrews.
Written to the Hebrews
First, let us emphasize that this epistle was written to Hebrews --- Jews! It was not written to Gentiles. This is not to say that Gentiles could not learn from it, but it was written specifically to Jews who were facing special problems. Keep this in mind for it will soon become very important.
(1) were being persecuted and
(2) were tempted to quit the church.
The fact that they were being persecuted is evident from the following passage:
Hebrews 10:32-33“But call to remembrance the former days, in which, after ye were illuminated, ye endured a great fight of afflictions; Partly, whilst ye were made a gazingstock both by reproaches and afflictions; and partly, whilst ye became companions of them that were so used.”
The fact that they were tempted to leave the church and quit is evident from: “Cast not away therefore your confidence, which hath great recompense of reward” (Hebrews 10:35). Over and over in this epistle the Lord is exhorting the Jewish brethren: “Don’t ‘cast away your faith; don’t quit the church; don’t abandon the Christian faith” “Take heed, brethren, lest there be in any of you an evil heart of unbelief, in departing from the living God” (Hebrews 3:12). Again, in a rather lengthy section, the writer warns:
Hebrews 6:4-6 “For it is impossible for those who were once enlightened, and have tasted of the heavenly gift, and were made partakers of the Holy Ghost, And have tasted the good word of God, and the powers of the world to come, If they shall fall away, to renew them again unto repentance...”
In the very chapter where these people were instructed not to forsake the assembly the writer says, “Let us hold fast the profession of our faith without wavering, for He is faithful that promised” (Hebrews 10:23). There is it again: “Don’t give up! Don’t quit the church and revert to Judaism!”
Contextual, the Lord is pointing out that one of the first signs a Christian is getting weak and is about to quit the church when they begin to forsake the assembly! This is not always the case. Sometimes we see Christians who quit suddenly without warning signs. But this is relatively rare. Most often, people begin to slack off in attendance, and it means they are losing interest, growing weak, becoming worldly, and are in danger of eventually quitting altogether.
Attendance at the weekly assembly is a good indicator of how things arc going in the rest of a person’s life. If a brother isn’t attending regularly, he probably is not reading the written Word, praying, or witnessing to others regularly.
Start listening to the excuses people offer for not being present at the assembly, and these excuses reveal even more. Some of the more common ones include: “I was tired.” “I just don’t get anything out of the services.” “It’s just too far to drive all the time.” The revealing thing about all this is that people would never use these excuses if summoned to appear in court! Imagine someone excusing themselves for not responding to a court summons by saying, “I would have come to court, but I was tired. Besides, I’m just not getting anything out of my trial lately, and it’s just too far to drive all the time, so I didn’t come.” Talking to the judge like this will land you in jail, but for the church these excuses seem to be adequate for some folks.
Hebrews 10:25 is exhorting the Jewish people not to slack off on attendance because forsaking the assembly is the first step toward quitting the church altogether!
The next critical word we must define is “manner” --- “as the manner of some is.” This comes from the Greek word ethos which means “a usage (prescribed by habit or law); custom, manner, be wont” (Strong’s, # 1485) . In other words, the kind of “forsaking” which the Lord is describing has become a habit with some. Had we chosen “abandon” to translate egkataleipo, it would lead some to think of a “once and for all” abandonment rather than something done habitually. “Neglect,” by contrast, carries across the idea of habit quite well and fits the context better than “abandon.”
Next, notice the words “the assembling.” This translates the Greek noun episunagoga which literally means “the assembly.” This again validates our contention that the Lord is describing a habitual, continuous “neglecting” of the “assembly” rather than a “one time” abandonment of the church. Had the Lord been discussing total abandonment of the “church,” He would have used the word ekklesia rather than episunagoga.
To clarify, there are two separate issues at stake in our study which we might label as (1) the disease and (2) the symptoms of the disease. These two items must not be confused. The Lord is concerned about the Hebrews abandoning the church --- that’s the disease. One of the symptoms that the Hebrews were about to come down ,with the disease was their neglecting of the assembly. Hebrews 10:25 then is forbidding men to neglect the worship assembly, for this will only make them weak and lead to their actual abandonment of the church altogether. Hebrews 10 25 is not directly addressing the issue of their total abandonment of the faith, but rather is focusing in on one of the symptoms that leads to total abandonment
Finally, notice two things about the Greek noun episunagoga: (1) the definite article is used, and (2) it is singular in number. The definite article means a specific assembly is envisioned, not “an assembly,” but “the assembly”; a special assembly convened and conducted by the church. The singular number means that one particular assembly is envisioned; not the assemblies, but the assembly. There is one and only one assembly that is peculiar to the Lord’s church --- the Lord’s day assembly when the brethren come together to “break the bread.” “And upon the first day of the week, when the disciples came together to break bread, Paul preached unto them” (Acts 20:7). This is the only assembly that is divinely chosen! “Wherefore, my brethren, when ye come together to eat, tarry one for another. And if any man hunger, let him eat at home; that ye come not together unto condemnation” (1 Corinthians 11:33-34). This passage teaches that the church must “come together” to eat the Lord’s supper and according to verse 26 it was done “often.” Every first day of each week the church would do this (Acts 20:7).
These passages demonstrate that it is scriptural for brethren to assemble on other occasions besides the first day of the week. But there is a certain assembly which God chose, and attendance at this meeting is obligatory. A congregation does not sin by not having a mid-week service, or a Sunday evening service, but it does sin when it doesn’t come together on the first day of the week for communion.
In contrast to neglecting the assembly, we must “exhort one another.” The question we must now answer is: Did the Lord mean we should (1) exhort brethren to assemble? or (2) should we assemble so as to exhort one another? Look carefully at these two questions and you will see that they are saying quite different things.
The context is in favor of the second choice We assemble in order that we might exhort one another In fact, look at the preceding verse “And let us consider one another to provoke unto love and to good works” (Hebrews 10:24). We must “provoke one another to love and good works.” How can we do this? By our assembly! The Lord’s day assembly of the church was designed by the Lord to exhort all who attend. “Let all things be done unto edifying,” wrote the Apostle Paul (1 Corinthians 14:26). In the assembly we sing, and by singing we teach and admonish one another (Colossians 3:16). When we pray we edify (1 Corinthians14:15-17). By teaching we edify (1 Corinthians 14:4-5). By giving liberally we edify (2 Corinthians 9:2). By communing we edify (1 Corinthians 11:26).
This is why it was so critical for these Jewish brethren to make sure they were present at the assembly. At that time they were tempted to give up and to quit the church. By neglecting the assembly they were getting weaker and weaker, so the Lord was here commanding them to be present at the assembly where exhortation takes place.
What is this “day” that is “approaching”? There are three popular interpretations:
(1) The first day of the week theory, (2) the Judgment Day theory, and (3) the destruction of Jerusalem theory. Let us examine each briefly.
The problem with this is that those who believe it don’t really believe it! None of them practice it! None of them go around during the week becoming more and more earnest in their exhortations as the first day of the week draws nearer and nearer. Furthermore, there is no logical reason why exhortation to assemble should be more intense on Saturday than On Friday or Thursday.
The problem with this interpretation is that the Lord was speaking of a certain day that these Jewish Christians in the first century could see coming, and they couldn’t see the end of the world coming! Of this point we can be most confident because: (1) Christians of the first century were taught that the Judgment Day would not come before a great apostasy occurred first, and this did not happen until hundreds of years later (2 Thessalonians 2:3); (2) Jesus taught over and over that His second coming would be like a thief in the night. “For yourselves know perfectly that the day of the Lord so cometh as a thief in the night” (1 Thessalonians 5:2).
“But the day of the Lord will come as a thief in the night.” (2 Peter 3:10)
“But know this, that if the good-man of the house had known in what watch the thief would come, he would have watched, and would not have suffered his house to be broken up. Therefore be ye also ready: for in such an hour as ye think not the Son of man cometh” (Matthew 24:43-44).
“But of that day and that hour knoweth no man, no, not the angels which are in heaven, neither the Son, but the Father” (Mark 13:32).
Over and over we are taught that the coming of the Lord will be like a thief who gives no sign or warning that He is coming. Therefore, because there are no signs given to indicate the end of the world is approaching. Hebrews 10:25 is not speaking of the end of the world.
This is undoubtedly what the Lord was referring to in Hebrews 10:25. Remember, the book of Hebrews was written to Jews! They more than any on earth would be affected by Jerusalem’s destruction. These Jewish Christians were being persecuted and harassed by unbelieving Jews. As Jerusalem’s destruction drew nearer and nearer the persecution intensified. “Then shall they deliver you up to be afflicted, and shall kill you: and ye shall be hated of all nations for my name’s sake. And then shall many be offended, and shall betray one another, and shall hate one another” (Matthew 24:9-10). This increase in persecution would cause many to question their allegiance to Christ. Many would be tempted to abandon the church and revert to Judaism. But the Lord is trying to tell the Hebrew Christians, “If you’ll stay faithful and remain in the church, this persecution and harassment from the Jews is going to end when Jerusalem is destroyed and your enemies are killed. But, if you defect and return to the Jewish religion, you will find yourself destroyed along with those unbelieving Jews!” As these Hebrew Christians saw Jerusalem’s destruction drawing nearer and nearer and their persecution growing worse and worse, it was all the more needful that they should attend the assembly of the church where they could be exhorted to stay faithful!
The destruction of Jerusalem was a major crisis in the lives of the Jews, and they were tempted to give up on God and quit the church; but the Lord is saying. “This is the time when you need the church most of all!”
Many times today, when people go through a crisis they are tempted to give up on God and quit the church! The loss of a child, the loss of a parent, financial problems, marital problems, health problems --- all of these are disasters that drive a lot of people to give up and quit the church. They throw up their hands and quit, thinking, “If God cares for me why does He allow these disasters to come upon me?” Times of crisis are the times when it is especially important to be present at the assembly where exhortation takes place!
In summary, Hebrews 10:25 is just as relevant to us today during crises which we face, as it was to those Jews who were facing the crisis of Jerusalem’s destruction.
Hebrews 10:26-31
“For if we sin willfully after that we have received the knowledge of the truth, there remaineth no more sacrifice for sins, But a certain fearful looking for of judgment and fiery indignation, which shall devour the adversaries. He that despised Moses’ law died without mercy under two or three witnesses: Of how much sorer punishment, suppose ye, shall he be thought worthy, who hath trodden under foot the Son of God, and bath counted the blood of the covenant, wherewith he was sanctified, an unholy thing, and hath done despite unto the Spirit of grace? For we know Him that hath said, Vengeance belongeth unto Me, I will recompense, saith the Lord. And again, The Lord shall judge his people. It is a fearful thing to fall into the hands of the living God.”
If we fail to see the overall message of the book of Hebrews, we will fail to see the point of this passage. Many read verse 25 in connection with these verses and immediately they draw some very serious conclusions:
- (1) Forsaking the assembly is willful sin.
(2) There “remaineth no more sacrifice for sins” because you missed church.
(3) You deserve “fiery indignation” for missing church.
(4) You deserve to die without mercy under two or three witnesses.
(5) You trample the Son of God under your feet when you miss church.
(6) You count the blood of Jesus as an unholy thing by missing church.
(7) You insult the Holy Spirit by missing church.
(8) God will take vengeance on you for missing church.
(9) It is a fearful thing to fall into the hands of the living God after you have missed church.
However, what we’re failing to do is to back up enough to see the larger context. The Lord is warning about leaving the Christian faith and returning to Judaism. Forsaking the assembly is merely a symptom that some are about to do this --- they’re starting to “not care” about things God commanded!
If these Jewish Christians quit the church and abandon the Christian faith, then: they are willfully sinning; there is no more sacrifice outside of the Lord’s body that will atone for their sins; they deserve fiery indignation for turning their backs on the Lord who purchased their salvation. When men rejected the Mosaic covenant and left for false religion they died without mercy under two or three witnesses (Deuteronmy 17:6-9).
If “death without mercy” was inflicted upon men who left the Mosaic covenant, how much worse should one be punished who leaves behind the new covenant? Again, by leaving Christ and returning to Judaism, these Hebrews would be “trampling under foot” the Son of God; they would be counting His blood which sanctified them as something unholy; they would be insulting the Holy Spirit! Anyone guilty of such atrocities will surely have vengeance taken upon them by God. No wonder a person is worse off if they fall away after obeying the gospel (2 Peter 2:20-22).
Again, for emphasis’ sake, Hebrews 10:25 is warning the Jewish Christians not to “neglect” the weekly assembly because that is the first step toward weakness that will lead to quitting altogether.
First, many insist that “forsake” means to “totally abandon” the church once and for all time. They make the passage read something like this: “Do not totally abandon the assembling of yourselves together as some have done.”
There are two problems with this: (1) the passage does not have the word “totally” in it --- that’s been added by wishful thinking; (2) This interpretation ignores the force of the word ethos, “habit.” Some Christians were in a regular habit of doing something! Were they in the habit of “totally abandoning” the church once and for all about twice a month? That’s like saying, “You can’t count on John Doe because he totally abandons the church once and for all every month.”
Second, when forced to admit “forsake” is not total abandonment, some argue that “forsake” does not mean missing church just once. They illustrate it by asking this: “If a preacher leaves his wife behind to hold a meeting for a week, has he ‘forsaken’ her?” Most would answer “No.” Their conclusion is: If a preacher doesn’t “forsake” his wife by being gone just one week, neither does a Christian “forsake” the assembly by missing just one Sunday.
While this sounds reasonable, let’s imagine this: Suppose the husband left his wife at home sick with no one to care for her? Or suppose he left her penniless with no food to eat? Or again, suppose he spends his week with another woman? Did he “forsake” his wife in any sense?
There’s no doubt that “forsake” can mean “total abandonment,” but the question is: Is that all it can mean? Can a man “forsake,” “neglect,” or “abandon” his wife, or the assembly, in any sense short of total apostasy?
1 Samuel 15:3, 9“Now go and smite Amalek, and utterly destroy all that they have, and spare them not; but slay both man and woman, infant and suckling, ox and sheep, camel and ass.
But Saul and the people spared Agag, and the best of the sheep, and of the oxen, and of the fatlings, and the lambs, and all that was good, and would not utterly destroy them: but every thing that was vile and refuse, that they destroyed utterly.”
Here the Bible distinguishes between destroying and “utterly” destroying; they are not the same thing. Saul “destroyed” some of the Amalekites, but he did not “utterly” destroy them. Again, “And it came to pass, when Israel was strong, that they put the Canaanites to tribute, and did not utterly drive them out” (Judges. 1:28). Israel drove out the Canaanites, but they did not “utterly” drive them out.
There is apparently a difference between:
- 1) "refusing" and "utterly refusing" Exodus 22:17
2) "making desolate" and "making utterly desolate" Isaiah 6:11
3) "rejecting" and "utterly rejecting" Jeremiah 14:19
4) "forgetting" and "utterly forgetting" Jeremiah 23:39
5) "going bald" and "going utterly bald" Ezekiel 27:31
6) "cutting off" and "utterly cut off" Hosea 10:15
7) "being at fault" and "being utterly at fault" 1 Corinthians 6:7
Likewise, the Bible distinguishes between “forsaking” and “utterly forsaking.” “O forsake me not utterly,” the prophet said (Psalms 119:8). In contrast, God said, “For a small moment have I forsaken thee; but with great mercies will I gather thee. In a little wrath I hid my face from thee for a moment” (Isaiah 54:7-8). Interestingly, the Septuagint (LXX) uses egkataleipo, the same Greek word used in Hebrews 10:25, in both of these Old Testament passages!
In the New Testament there are some familiar passages: “And about the ninth hour Jesus cried with a loud voice, saying. . . My God, My God, why hast thou forsaken me?” (Matthew 27:46). Take note that this is the first time God ever forsook Jesus. It was the only time He ever did it. And, He never intended to permanently forsake Him. The Father forsook Jesus for “a small moment,” but He did not “Utterly” forsake Him.
Again, “Demas hath forsaken me, having loved this present world” (2 Timothy 4:10). Even if Demas had returned the very next day, it would not remove the fact that he had “forsaken” Paul.
The point is, we can be guilty of “forsaking the assembly,” or: “neglecting” the assembly when we miss only one time! To say that “forsaking” in Hebrews 10:25 is “total abandonment” of the church is to confuse the disease with its symptoms.
I believe the Lord knew this would be a problem. He knew that His disciples would sometimes have to make a choice between their jobs and their obligations to God and that is why He taught:
Matthew 6:25-33“Therefore I say unto you, Take no thought for your life, what ye shall eat, or what ye shall drink; nor yet for your body, what ye shall put on. Is not the life more than meat, and the body than raiment? Behold the fowls of the air: for they sow not, neither do they reap, nor gather into barns; yet your heavenly Father feedeth them. Are ye not much better than they? Which of you by taking thought can add one cubit unto his stature? And why take ye thought for raiment? Consider the lilies of the field how they grow; they toil not, neither do they spin: And yet I say unto you, That even Solomon in all his glory was not arrayed like one of these. Wherefore , if God so clothe the grass of the field, which to day is, and tomorrow is cast into the oven, shall He not much more clothe you, O ye of little faith? Therefore take no thought, saying, What shall we eat? or, What shall we drink? or, Wherewithal shall we be clothed? (For after all these things do the Gentiles seek:) for your heavenly Father knoweth that ye have need of all these things. But seek ye first the kingdom of God, and His righteousness; and all these things shall be added unto you.”
There is not a better answer than that! There’s nothing more to say. Jesus said if we put the kingdom of God first in our lives God will provide for all our physical needs. The real question today is not, “What about my job?” but, “Are we believers, or unbelievers?” Do we believe what Jesus said, or not? I do note this particular point In Matthew 22:3-5, when the king’s wedding invitation was rejected in favor of business and job related matters, the king was wroth and declared the guests to be “unworthy.” If a job was an inexcusable reason for missing a king’s wedding invitation, I question that it would be an excusable reason for missing the “holy convocation” called by the living God!
As a side note, why some churches use men in leading roles in the services of the church who can’t even be faithful in attendance is beyond my ability to reason!
Don’t think you can out-guess the Lord --- thinking that you can “neglect” the services just once in a while without growing weak. The Lord said it will make you weak and He -knows --- He made you!
- Q. Can a Christian miss worship because of sickness or car breakdown?
A. The Lord said, “Not forsaking the assembling of ourselves together as the manner of some .. .“ The Greek word kathos (“as the manner of some”) is an adverb of manner and describes in this passage the kind of forsaking under consideration. Hebrews 10:25 is discussing men and women who could attend the services, but chose of their own volition not to do so. To miss because of persecution or lesser reasons is to miss “as the manner of some.” However, missing for sickness or car breakdown is not within one’s control --- not “as the manner of some.”
Equating missing for sickness with missing for work is making the error the Pharisees were guilty of. They could not distinguish between working on the Sabbath and being sick on the Sabbath (cf. Matthew 12:9-14).Shame on anyone equating sickness and car breakdowns with working.
Q. Isn’t there such a thing an “ox in the ditch” that justifies missing services?
A. First, notice the ox in the ditch was not harnessed up plowing in a field (Luke 14:5). In other words, the farmer did not work on the Sabbath and this cannot justify a man’s working during the Lord’s day assembly. Second, Lynwood Smith put it best when he said, “If I had an ox that kept getting in the ditch, I’d either sell the ox or fill in the ditch.” Third, the kind of “forsaking” the Lord had in mind was “as (kathos) the manner of some.” Missing for an ox in the ditch is not “as” some in Hebrews 10:25 were doing. They were missing by choice; they were not “providentially hindered.”
Q. In Numbers 9:9-13, men who were traveling were excused from observing the passover. They were allowed to make it up later. Why can’t we today miss worship for traveling purposes?
A. Carefully consider the passage cited in this question:
Numbers 9:9-13
“And the LORD spake unto Moses, saying, ‘Speak unto the children of Israel, saying, If any man of you or of your posterity shall be unclean by reason of a dead body, or be in a journey afar off, yet he shall keep the passover unto the LORD. The fourteenth day of the second month at even they shall keep it, and eat it with unleavened bread and bitter herbs. They shall leave none of it unto the morning, nor break any bone of it: according to all the ordinances of the passover they shall keep it. But the man that is clean, and is not in a journey, and forbeareth to keep the passover, even the same soul shall be cut off from among his people: because he brought not the offering of the LORD in his appointed season, that man shall bear his sin.’ ”
First, the unclean and travelers still kept the passover (v. 10)! They did not miss the passover for traveling! Men traveling on Lord’s day miss the assembly! Second, special revelation from God was required to authorize this second opportunity for observing the passover. Where is such revelation given for those who miss the weekly assembly to “make it up?” Third, the man that could attend, but simply chose not to, sinned! Many times, when people say they “couldn’t” go, the truth is they “wouldn’t” go!
Q. Is attendance at Sunday night and Wednesday night services mandatory?
A. I believe we should “be ready to every good work” (lit. 3:1), and men should try their best to attend these services, but I am not ready to put these services on an equal level with the “holy convocation” which God chose. To illustrate, suppose all the men of a congregation worked third shift and decided to have Wednesday services at 10 a.m. When a brother moved in with a daytime job, would he be sinning if he did not take off to attend the 10 a.m. service? I think not. Or suppose a congregation decided to have services every evening at 7 p.m. Would a brother be sinning if he decided to stay home one night during the year to rest? Again, I think not. Several things need to be considered before condem-ning one who misses one of these services. Why are they missing? How regularly are they missing? How mature are they in the faith? Are they just babes in Christ or have they been “raised up” in the church? Furthermore, we should consider what position they hold in the church. Is the person an elder? A preacher? A deacon? An “ordinary” member? It is scriptural to expect more out of church leaders than from others (cf. James 3;1; Luke 12:48b). We must be careful and not make a law where God made none (cf. Matthew 23:4). Before we can make a man quit his job so he can attend a 7 p.m. Wednesday night service, ask yourself if you would quit your job to attend a 10 a.m. Wednesday morning service.
Q. Should churches change the time of their weekly assembly to accommodate brethren who work, as practiced by the churches in the Philippines?
A. This is a judgment call which requires consideration of several things. Will changing the services hinder the effort to get unbelievers to attend the assembly? Has every effort been made to resolve this problem some other way? If every effort has been tried and the overall work of the church is not harmed, there is no Scripture that would forbid the congregation from using this option.
Q. If a man misses the weekly assembly to work, is he covetous and should we discipline him as per 1 Corinthians 5:11?
A. A man might miss services to work because of covetousness, and that would be grounds for discipline, but not necessarily. We should not make a blanket rule that covers all cases. We need to consider each case. How mature is this Christian? --- Is he a “babe” or a mature member? What was the man’s reason for missing the assembly to work? Was it really covetousness or merely weakness in faith?
Q. What about being a doctor and having an emergency call on the Lord’s day?
A. First, it is not wrong to be a doctor. Luke was a physician (Colossians 4:14). Second, I think it wise for men to seek branches of medicine that would not be likely to interfere with their religion. For example, there would be less problems for an “ear, nose and throat” specialist than for a heart surgeon. Third, what might be an emergency to an ordinary person might not be an emergency to a doctor. He should think through situations that are likely to occur and be prepared for them, e.g., have someone fill in for him while he’s gone. Fourth, I believe it is possible that life-threatening emergencies can arise that are out of the ordinary that would justify a doctor missing services, e.g., a plane crash with all available doctors called in, or a massive pile-up on the freeway. In such cases, the doctor would not be guilty of forsaking “as” the manner of those of Hebrews 10:25, who were voluntarily choosing to miss. Jesus said, “If ye had known what this meaneth, I will have mercy, and not sacrifice, ye would not have condemned the guiltless” (Matthew 12:7).
Q. Is Hebrews 10:25 really a command? Isn’t the subjunctive mood used rather than the imperative mood?
A. Owen L. Crouch correctly comments upon this: “Subjunctive at this point is kin to the imperative mode in that it offers an exhortation or entreaty. ” -
Q. What about worshipping God in a motel room when on vacation? Isn’t Jesus “in the midst” when just two or three gather?
A. First, Matthew 18:20 is discussing church discipline, not worship. Second, even if this passage were discussing a worship service, the phrase, “in my name” means “by my authority.” Where did Jesus ever authorize the practice of missing the Lord’s day assembly and worshipping in a motel room? Third, the apostle never offered this as a solution to the Hebrews! They were being persecuted! Paul never advised them that it would be better for husbands and wives to have communion on the roadside to avoid persecution. How can we do so simply to have a vacation? Fourth, the weekly assembly requires brethren to “come together” (Acts 20:7; 1 Corinthians 11:33). There is no “coming together” when a husband and a wife wake up in a motel room and “play” church. Fifth, if a man and wife may commune on the side of the road once without coming together with other brethren, they could do so every Lord’s day. This reasoning destroys the need for congregations! “What proves too much, proves nothing at all.”
Q. Wasn’t Paul saying that we can miss so long as we don’t make a “habit” like some — ”as the manner (habit) of some”?
A. The Lord was using the bad habit of some to illustrate what Christians should not do even once! To illustrate, in Romans 6:1-2, Paul wrote, “What shall we say then? Shall we continue in sin, that grace may abound? God forbid. How shall we, that are dead to sin, live any longer therein?” When Paul condemned continuance in sin, did he thereby condone occasional sinning so long as men don’t make a habit of it? Obviously not. Likewise, in Hebrews 10:25, by condemning the excessive habit of some, the Lord thereby was not condoning neglect of a “holy convocation” on an occasional basis.
2710 Somerton Dr., Morrow, GA 30260
Barnes, Albert. Barnes’ Notes On the New Testament --- 1 Volume edition. Kregel Publications. 1980 edition.
Baur, W., W. F. Arndt, F. W. Gingrich. A Greek-English Lexicon. Chicago Press. 1957.
Crouch, Owen L. Expository Preaching and Teaching --- Hebrews. College Press.
Delitzsch, F. Delitzsch’s Commentary on the Hebrews. T. & T. Clark. 1870.
Lindsay, William. Lectures on the Epistle to the Hebrews. William Oliphant & Co. 1867.
Shaw, Tommy. The Destruction of Jerusalem: Its Important Place in the Divine Plan. Published by Tommy Shaw. 1979.
Strong, James. Strong’s Exhaustive Concordance of the Bible. Abingdon Press. 1974 edition.
Summers, Ray. Essentials of New Testament Greek. Broadman Press
END NOTES
1) Summers, p. 90
2) Consult also Bauer, Arndt & Gingrich, p. 217, where ethos in Hebrew 10:25 is translated “habit.”
3) For the definitive articles proving that episunagoga should be translated “assembly,” while ekklesia is reserved for “church” or “congregation,” see: Barnes, p. 1308; Lindsay, 2:121-122; Delitzsch, 2:182-183
4) Shaw, p. 56-58
5) Shaw, p. 10
6) Some object by arguing, “How can Jerusalem’s destruction be called ‘the day’ (singular) when it actually took many days (plural) for the Romans to actually destroy it?” This objection is unfounded. The word “day” (singular) is a biblical expression for distress, calamity, or judgment of some kind. It envisions the “day,” or the final completed state of such calamity, without considering the time involved in reaching that state.. For example, Isaiah 2:12 mentions “the day of the Lord” when referring to Jerusalem’s fall to Babylon. If Jerusalem’s fall to Babylonian armies could properly be called “the day” in Isaiah, then Hebrews 10:25 could likewise call Jerusalem’s fall to Roman armies “the day.” Again, Jeremiah 30:7 refers to Jerusalem’s fall to Babylon as “the day” (singular), although the actual siege required many “days” (plural). Ezekiel 21:25 likewise uses the singular word “day” to describe Jerusalem’s fall to Babylon.
Crouch, p. 298
Sunday, April 13, 2008
THE ASSEMBLY OF THE CHURCH --- a Bible Study
GOD SET THE STANDARDS
KING SAUL
WHAT DID HE DO WRONG?
1) Was Saul told to utterly destroy Amalek and everything they had?
2) Did Saul not kill the king and the best of the animals?
3) Was the purpose for not killing the animals to offer them to God in worship as a sacrifice?
1 Samuel 15:22-26
1) Was Saul’s kingdom taken from him by God because of this?
2) What did God call Saul’s sin?
3) Does this indicate that we need to be very careful before we assume something about how God wants to be worshipped?
WHY DID HE DIE?
1) Was Uzza acting out of good intentions when he was struck dead by God?
2) Why was Uzza killed by God?
3) Did David seek God’s council before moving the Ark of the Covenant?
1 Chronicles 15:12-15
1) Did David seek God’s pattern in the matter before proceeding to move the Ark of the Covenant again?
2) Did God specifically say that the Arc could not be moved on a cart?
3) Was Uzza, then, killed because they were not following God’s specific pattern for this act?
WHY DID THEY DIE?
1) What action caused Nadab and Abihu to anger God?
2) Would it matter to you?
3) Did it matter to God?
4) Why did God do this?
5) How does God demand that we honor Him?
6) Does this apply to all of God’s will for us in the Bible?
THE GOSPEL OF CHRIST?
1) Can we be removed from the Gospel of Christ to a different gospel?
2) What makes it a different gospel?
3) Does any man, Apostle, or even an angel have the right to change the Gospel of Christ?
4) Is it the duty of a Christian to persuade men to accept God’s way?
5) If we say and do things to please men, instead of God, are we servants of Christ?
6) Can we claim to be followers of Christ and be rejected by Christ on judgment day?
2 Timothy 2:15; 3:16-7; 2 Peter 1:20
1) Does God speak forth His will for us today in the New Testament?
2) Has God told us everything we need to properly worship Him?
3) Are we to study ALL of the Bible to determine the validity of our beliefs(i.e. no contradictions)?
Revelation 22:18-19; 2 John 9; 1 Corinthians 3:19-20; 4:6
1) If we add or take away from the Word of God, are we sinning?
2) Are the consequences for doing that eternally severe?
3) Should we, then, be very careful not to add or take away from the Word of God?
4) Does “adding to the Word of God” mean that any other specific action(s) than those given by God for the purpose of worship, are not to be done?
5) Does “taking away from the Word of God” mean that we must be careful to do all things specifically directed by God’s Word in worship, and not leave anything out?
6) If something is “generic” (general or non-specific), and not specific, do we then have a choice in the matter?
7) Are we “abiding in the doctrine of Christ” if we add or take away from the pattern in God’s Word?
2 Corinthians 3:7-16; 1 Corinthians 4:6; Galatians 3:24-25
1) Was the old Law done away with upon Christ’s death on the cross?
2) Are we to take our guidance from the New Testament Scriptures today?
3) Are we to go beyond what is written?
4) Is anything else but the New Testament Scriptures to have authority over Christians today?
OF THE ASSEMBLY
1) Is God greatly to be feared in the assembly of the saints?
2) Are those assembled to have reverence and respect towards God?
1 Timothy 3:15
1) What is the church of the living God?
2) What is to be taught to the church?
Revelation 1:20
1) What is the local congregation compared to?
Matthew 5:14-16
1) Who is the light of the world?
2) What are Christians compared to?
3) Where are candles to be put?
4) Where are Christians to be in order to let their light shine before men?
5) How are we to let our light shine?
1 Corinthians 14:23-24
1) Should the entire congregation be assembled when the church comes together?
2) Should everyone be there to be edified?
Acts 15:30
1) Was everyone gathered together to hear the epistle?
Acts 14:27
1) Should the entire church gather together at the assemblies?
Hebrews 2:11-12
1) Is Christ ashamed to call us brethren?
2) To whom are we to declare Christ’s name?
3) Who is to be in the assembly to sing praises to God?
4) Which assembly are we to be at to do this?
Hebrews 12:22-25
1) Unto what are we to come?
2) Should we consider the assembly of the church important?
1 Corinthians 16:1-2
1) When are Christians commanded to lay by in store?
2) Is it a command of God to assemble with the church on the first day of the week?
John 6:53-57
1) What is necessary to have spiritual life?
2) Do we need to eat the figurative “flesh” of Christ and drink His figurative “blood”?
3) What will be our destination if we do not eat of Christ’s body and drink of his blood?
1 Corinthians 11:23-30
1) How do we eat the body and drink the blood of the Lord?
2) What happens to a person who partake in the proper attitude of the communion?
3) What causes Christians to grow weak?
Acts 20:7
1) When are we to partake of the communion?
2) How many “first days” are there each week?
3) How often, then, are we to partake of the Lord’s Supper?
1 Corinthians 12:12-27
1) Are all Christians part of the same body?
2) Is every member necessary when the body (the church) assembles?
3) Should there be a schism in the body?
4) Is the body divided if I remain at home?
5) Does each of us have a function in the church?
6) What is your function in the body?
Hebrews 10:24-26
1) Are Christians to be considerate one of another?
2) Are we to encourage each other to live for the Lord?
3) Are we to forsake the church services?
4) Are we encouraging one another if we miss the assembly?
5) Do we sin willfully if we forsake the assembly -- if we could have made it?
6) Should we try to be to every assembly of the church?
OF CHRISTIANS TO WORSHIP GOD
1) What organization were those who accepted and obeyed the Gospel added to?
2) What did they "devote themselves" to?
3) Is this written in God's word for an example for us?
MUST BE UNDIVIDED
1) Are there to be any divisions in the church (the body of Christ) in doctrine?
2) Might this also refer to the "assembly"?
3) Are we to come to agreement on issues that divide the body of Christ, the church?
4) Is the church to be "one" in spirit and purpose and doctrine?
5) Can we be "perfectly joined" together if we don't do this?
6) Does Christ have more than one way He wants worship services conducted?
SOME IMPORTANT SPIRITUAL EVENTS
Acts 20:7-12; 1 Corinthians 11:17-29, 34
1) What day did Christians meet to partake of the Lord's supper?
2) How are Christians to partake of the Lord's Supper?
3) Does the Bible indicate that it is a sin to partake of the Lord's supper in an improper manner?
1 Corinthians 16:1-2
1) What did Paul say was to be done on the first day of the week?
2) Which day is the first day of the week?
1) What do these verses say about what we should do when our Christian brothers and sisters meet to worship God?
2) What are we supposed to do during the "assembly"?
3) What are Christians to do on the first day of every week?
4) Does the Bible teach that it is a sin for Christians not to be in church to worship God on Sunday morning, if they can be there?
Strong’s Greek 1429
from 1722 and 2641;; v
AV - forsake 7, leave 2; 9
GK - 1593 { ejgkataleivpw }
1) abandon, desert
1a) leave in straits, leave helpless
1b) totally abandoned, utterly forsaken
2) to leave behind among, to leave surviving
“assembling”
Strong’s Greek 1997
1997 episunagoge { ep-ee-soon-ag-o-gay’}
from 1996; TDNT - 7:841,1107; n f
AV - gathering together 1, assembling together 1; 2
GK - 2191 { ejpisunagwghv }
1) a gathering together in one place
2) the (religious) assembly (of Christians)
Summary
1) All Christians are to assemble together to worship God. (Hebrews 10:23-29)
2) We are to show respect to God when we assemble.
(Leveticus 10:3b; 1 Chronicles 13:1-13; 15:12-15; 1 Samual 15:2-23; Psalm 89:7)
3) The assembly of the church is to be undivided.
(1 Corinthians 1:10-13; Philippians 2:2; 3:15; 2 Timothy 2:15; 13:16)
4) We are to behave according to the New Testament Scriptural pattern, neither adding nor taking away from it.
(2 Tim. 2:15; 3:16-17; 2 Pet. 1:20; Rev. 22:18-19; 2 John 9;
1 Corinthians 3:19-20; 4:6)
5) We are no longer under the Old Testament Law of Moses, but are under the New Testament Law of Christ.
(2 Corinthians 3:7-16; 4:6; Galatians 3:24-25)
6) Christians are to let their light shine through the local congregation.(Matthew 5:14-16)
7) All Christians are to assemble together to be edified, sing praise to God, and to help build one another up. (Hebrews 10:23-29)
8) All Christians are commanded to give “as they have been prospered” on the first day of the week. (1 Corinthians 16:1-2; 2 Corinthians 8:12-14; 9:7).
9) It is necessary for all Christians to gather together and partake of the Lord’s Supper on the first day of each week. (Acts 20:7; 1 Corinthians 11:23-30)
10) Christians are all members of the same body, Christ’s church.
(1 Corinthians 12:12-27)
11) If we miss the assembly of the church, we cause a schism in the body.(1 Corinthians 12:25)
12) Christians are to be considerate one to another and to encourage one another.(1 Corinthians 14:23-24)
13) If we forsake the assembly, we weaken the church. (1 Corinthians 12:25)
14) It is a willful sin to miss the Sunday morning worship services.
(Acts 20:7-12; 1 Corinthians. 16:1-2; Hebrews 10:25)
Tuesday, January 1, 2008
The Church Belonging To Christ
Promise, In Fact
by Irvin Barnes
Jesus clearly affirmed that the church would be His. It would belong to Christ. This statement, by itself, is sufficient to eliminate man-made churches which wear names of human origin. Since the church which Jesus promised to build was going to belong to him, it should wear his name. Please see Acts 4:12.
Is it still in existence today?
Several expressions are used in the scriptures to refer to the church. Each term or expression describes a characteristic of the church and therefore helps us understand the nature of this wonderful institution.
First: the word “church” means the called out. In reference to the church it means the called out of the world.
In Bible times town criers would stand in the streets at some conspicuous place and report news events. The crier would call out to the townspeople to come and hear some late breaking news event. Those who gathered to hear him speak were said to be the “called out.”
The church is composed of those who have answered the call of the gospel.
2 Thessalonians 2:14, “to which He called you by our gospel, for the obtaining of the glory of our Lord Jesus Christ.” (all verses NKJV)
The gospel is “the power of God to salvation,” Romans 1:16, “the gospel of your salvation,” Ephesians 1:13 and the thing “by which also you are saved,” 1 Corinthians 15:2.
In order to be saved by the gospel it is essential to hear the gospel, Romans 10:17, to believe the gospel, Hebrews 11:6, to repent of past sins, 2 Peter 3:9, to confess with the mouth the name of the Lord Jesus, Romans 10:9-10, and to be baptized for the forgiveness of sins, Acts 2:38, Mark 16:16 and 1 Peter 3:21.
Jesus said in Mark 16:16 “He who believes and is baptized will be saved;”. Acts 2:47, declares, “And the Lord added to the church daily those who were being saved.”
It is, therefore, in this manner that sinners are called out of the world by the gospel and added to the church. This is the way “the called out” or the church came to exist and the way it continues to exist in the world today. The church is truly “the called out of this world.”
Second: the church is sometimes called the kingdom. The church locally, in a congregational sense, does not constitute the kingdom of Christ in the universal sense. The church in the universal sense, however, is the same thing as the kingdom of Christ. It is in this sense that the church is made up of all that have been saved from the day of Pentecost to the present and all who may be saved from now until Jesus comes again.
The church is called the kingdom to show it is a monarchy ruled by Jesus alone as the head or king over His kingdom.
In Matthew 16:18-19, Jesus promised to build his church, then in the very next verse He promised the apostles the keys to the kingdom. It is incompatible that Jesus promised to build the church and then in the very next breath said, “Here is the keys to an altogether different institution.”
Jesus is truly the head over His church. Ephesians 5:23- 25, “For the husband is head of the wife, as also Christ is head of the church; and He is the Savior of the body. Therefore, just as the church is subject to Christ, so let the wives be to their own husbands in everything. Husbands, love your wives, just as Christ also loved the church and gave Himself for her.”
Is Christ the head of the religious institution of which you are a member? Most professed Christians would automatically answer, "yes!" But have you, would you, go to the historical records of your church and see where and by whom the religion was founded and who is currently the general overseer or head?
Does your church have a ruling board, a general superintendent, an elected president or a convention head? If so, can you truthfully say, Jesus is the head?
Please do not become upset with me or with the word of God. Please answer for yourself in an honest and unbiased manner. If your church is tapped into a universal headquarters, can you really say Jesus is the head of the organization? The Bible no where. mentions the idea that the church would be divided into districts, synods or conventions.
Third: the church is also called the family of God. Ephesians 3:15, “Of whom the whole family in heaven and earth is named.” This denotes fellowship in a family relationship between members of the church as brothers and sisters in Christ as children of God.
Fourth: the church is called the body of Christ. Colossians 1:18, “And He is the head of the body, the church:” Ephesians 1:22-23, “And He put all things under His feet, and gave Him to be head over all things to the church, which is His body, the fullness of Him who fills all in all.”
Fifth: the church is called the house of God. 1 Timothy 3:15, “but if I am delayed, I write so that you may know how you ought to conduct yourself in the house of God, which is the church of the living God, the pillar and ground of the truth.”
Isaiah 2:2-3, “Now it shall come to pass in the latter days That the mountain of the LORD’s house Shall be established on the top of the mountains, And shall be exalted above the hills; And all nations shall flow to it. Many people shall come and say, ‘Come, and let us go up to the mountain of the LORD, To the house of the God of Jacob; He will teach us His ways, And we shall walk in His paths.’ For out of Zion shall go forth the law, And the word of the LORD from Jerusalem.”
The word church does not occur in this passage. The term “house of the God of Jacob” however, is used. We have learned already the house of God is the church, 1 Timothy 3:15. So, this is definitely a prophecy about the church.
Three points stand out in this prophecy:
1. All nations shall flow into the house of God.
2. It shall come to pass in the last days.
3. The law and the word of the Lord would go forth from Jerusalem.
WHAT was going to happen? The Lord’s house was going to be established.
WHEN was it to be established? In the last days.
WHERE was all this to take place? The word was scheduled to go forth from Jerusalem.
WHO? was to be involved? All nations would flow unto the Lord’s house.
Daniel 2:44, says, “In the days of these kings shall the God of heaven set up a kingdom, which shall never be destroyed.” Since the kingdom and the church is the same institution, this too is a prophecy concerning the establishment of the church.
1. “I will build My church.”
2. “Whatsoever thou shalt bind on earth shall be bound in heaven: and whatsoever thou shalt loose on earth shall be loosed in heaven.”
It will come out later in this study that the apostles were present at the establishment of the church in the city of Jerusalem so they began binding and loosing the law or the word of the Lord as Jesus had promised.
The promise of “binding and loosing” was unique to the apostles. This promise does not apply to any “Tom, Dick or Harry,” who might go out claiming a latter day revelation. Numerous are the preachers in our day who claim God is giving them new revelation, often the message they bring is contrary to what is already revealed in the scriptures! These preachers claim the right to bind these new ideas on the world.
Such claims have resulted in new religions, old religions with a new twist---neither of which can be found in the Bible. We must put our confidence only in what can be found in the scriptures. If you wish to “try” a preacher to determine if what he preaches is the truth or not, then ask him to show his teaching to you from the Bible.
Please open your Bible to Luke 24:44-50. Note the similarity between what Jesus told the apostles and the prophecy of Isaiah.
Isaiah: word of the Lord to go forth from Jerusalem. Jesus: repentance and remission of sins to be preached beginning in Jerusalem.
Isaiah: all nations would flow to the house of God. Jesus: preaching was to be done to all nations.
To save space the passage will not here be quoted, so please open your Bible to Acts 1:2-10 and note the following points:
1. Jesus was with the apostles.
2. Jesus talked with the apostles of the coming kingdom.
3. Jesus told the 12 apostles not to depart from Jerusalem. Why Jerusalem? Because this was where the prophet had said the law and the word of the Lord was to have its beginning.
4. Jesus told the apostles to wait in Jerusalem for the baptism of the Holy Ghost which would bring them power.
5. Jesus told the 12 that they would be witnesses unto Him in all nations.
6. Jesus ascended and the apostles went to Jerusalem to wait for the promise to be fulfilled.
1. All nations shall flow unto it: Acts 2:5 and 7-12.
2. Shall come to pass in the last days: Acts 2:16-17.
3. Would begin and go forth from Jerusalem. Acts 2:5.
4. Power would come with the spirit. Acts 2:1-4.
A portion of the people out of every nation were present, representatively fulfilling the “all nations” of Isaiah 2:2-4. The last days began on Pentecost. This all took place in Jerusalem.
The questions: who, when and where, are satisfied or answered by what happened in Jerusalem on Pentecost day.
Who? All nations. When? In the last days. Where? At Jerusalem. What? The church had its beginning, Acts 2:47.
Many of those who heard him were pricked in their hearts at the preaching of the apostle Peter and cried out saying, “what shall we do?” How did Peter reply? Did he say, “Hold up your hands and repeat the name of Jesus over and over.”? Did he tell them, “All you need to do is to believe.”? Did he command them to “pray through”? He told them none of these things. He told them what Jesus told him to tell them! Jesus had said that repentance and remission of sins should be preached in his name beginning at Jerusalem.
Therefore, Peter told them to “repent and be baptized, in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins”, Acts 2:38.
“They that gladly received his word were baptized: and the same day there were added unto them about three thousand souls,” Acts 2:41. Reading on to Acts 2:47, the Bible says, “The Lord added to the church daily such as should be saved” Some translations say, “such as were being saved.”
The word church with reference to the church of Christ is used in the existing sense for the first time in Acts 2:47. All other references to the New Testament church up until this time in the Bible is stated in the future tense, such as, “I will build,” or “the Lord’s house shall be established,” etc.
Therefore one must conclude that the church which Jesus promised to build became an actual, factual, existing institution on the first Pentecost following the resurrection of Jesus. The Church of Christ began in Jerusalem in about the thirty-third year of the first century.
T F 1. Jesus said, “Upon this rock I will build my churches.”
T F 2. Jesus said, “Upon this rock I will build my church.”
T F 3. Names in religion are totally unimportant for example, it really makes no difference what name Christ’s church is called. Acts 4:12.
T F 4. The church is called “the body of Christ”. Colossians 1:18.
T F 5. There is “one Lord, one faith and many bodies.” Ephesians 4:4-5.
T F 6. The church is not the body of Christ. Ephesians 1:22-23.
T F 7. There is one body, one Spirit, one hope, and one Lord. Ephesians 4:4-6
T F 8. When Jesus said, “and whatsoever thou shalt bind on earth shall be bound in heaven:’ e was promising the power of special revelation by the spirit to the apostles only.
T F 9. When Jesus said, "and whatsoever thou shalt bind on earth shall be bound in heaven:” he was promising the power of special revelation by the spirit to Joseph Smith, Ellen White, Charles Taze Russell, Mary Baker Eddy, the Pope of Rome, Oral Roberts, Jim Bakker and Jimmy Swaggart.
T F 10. The Church of Christ had its beginning in Jerusalem on the first Pentecost after Jesus’ resurrection and was built on the foundation of the apostles and prophets with Jesus as its chief cornerstone.
T F 11. Jesus Christ is the head of the church and since He is seated at the right hand of God in heaven it is accurate to say the church has no earthly headquarters.
T F 12. The headquarters of the church is in Springfield, Missouri.
T F 13. Since Jesus is the head of the church and since the church is guided by the scriptures only, there is no need of a general superintendent or convention president.
T F 14. The Bible says nothing about the church being divided into denominations, synods, districts or diocese.
A friendly welcome awaits you. We do not wish to embarrass you in any way. You will not be asked for contributions. We assemble for Bible study and worship each Sunday morning and we welcome you to meet with us. We would be happy to talk to you about your questions and we want to be of encouragement.
Please e-mail me, Dennis Crawford, at BibleTruths@hotmail.com for comments, questions, further Bible information, or for the location of a congregation belonging to Jesus Christ near you.
Favorite Sites for Spiritual Growth
- Foundational Bible Truths
- Becoming A Mature Christian
- The Bible Steps To Salvation
- Evidences for Creation, God the Bible and Jesus Christ
- Iglesia de Cristo
- India Blog
- New Testament Church
- Phillipine Blog
- Russian blog
- Spiritual "Strong Meat"
- Structured Bible Study Methods
- The Church Belonging to Christ
- The Communion of Christ
- The Lord's Supper
- Topical Bible Studies
- Worshipping God in Spirit AND Truth
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