The Truth in Print Vol. 26 Issue 8, Sept. 2020
A Publication of the Valley church of Christ,
2375 W. 8th Street, Yuma, AZ 85364 (928-782-5058)
Civil Government – A Hot Topic!
Civil government is a hot topic and for good
reasons — just look at what covid19 restrictions have brought to our nation.
Here are a few brief articles that highlight important aspects of a government
out of control even according to our own Bill of Rights — much less having
intruded into God’s authority! There is an IF that is well known in Acts 4:19,
5:29. If the government’s rules are not a violation of God’s laws then we are
to submit to them. When man’s rules seek to restrict God’s commands, then we
are restricted by God’s commands!
The Corona Virus and Worship (April 2020)
There is so much of “see us online live”
that people are more than willing to sit at home and think that’s the same as
assembling. Also some have looked for “drive throughs” for their own worship.
In the New Testament disciples came together in a planned assembly, in one
place, upon the first day of the week to partake of the Lord’s Supper (Acts
20:7; I Cor. 11:17-18, 20, 33). That necessitated leaving their homes and
gathering in a specified assembly for that purpose. Viruses don’t change that!
Don’t you hear similar things to “I wish we
could do this more often”? Some are excited that “virtual assembling” (i.e.
carried out by means of a computer network) allows them to hook up with old
friends across the nation. But God expects Christians to go from their homes to
the planned assembly of the local church – thus coming together “to eat” the
Supper (Acts 20:7; I Cor. 11:33).
Moreover the decrees of man over God don’t
change that! When threatened not to teach Peter and John answered, “Whether it
be right in the sight of God to hearken unto you more than unto God, judge ye.
For we cannot but speak the things which we have seen and heard” (Acts
4:19-20). They went right on preaching, and later all the apostles having been
taken answered “We ought to obey God rather than men” (Acts 5:29). Christians
are to be concerned about their spiritual health and not forsake the assembling
of the church. We are taught not to forsake assembling of ourselves together
(Heb. 10:24-25).
The Corona Virus and Worship #2 (May
2020)
In last month’s article I stated there has
been so much of “see us online live” that people are more than willing to sit
at home and think that’s the same as assembling. Some having been told that Christians
didn’t have church buildings in the first century believe that the assemblies
of the local church are really not so very important --- thus they have “cells”
that are of major importance.
Of major importance in the New Testament is
God’s command not to forsake the assembling of ourselves together (Heb. 10:
24-25) --- that command is God’s not mans! In Acts 2:46 we are told “…they
continued daily with one accord in the temple…” while their common meals were
eaten from house to house (Cf. Acts 5:12). This allowed place was gratis until
opposition to the Gospel brought persecutions. At Troas when the disciples came
together “to break bread” (an expression for the Lord’s Supper, I Cor. 10:16,
Acts 2:42) --- it says they met in an upper room (Acts 20:7-8) --- they were
not without the accommodation of a building in which to meet.
Again of major importance in the New
Testament is instruction for disciples to come together in a planned assembly,
in one place, upon the first day of the week “to eat” the Lord’s Supper (Cf.
Acts 20:7; I Cor. 11:17-18, 20, 33). That necessitated leaving their homes and
gathering in a specified assembly for that purpose --- thus by no means
“virtual worship.” The Supper was partaken of by those Christians who assembled
– they were instructed to wait for one another to do so (Acts 20:7; I Cor.
11:33).
The Corona Virus and Worship #3 – Seeking
to Trump God with the Health Card (June 2020)
The command to not forsake the assembling of
ourselves together is God’s (Heb. 10:24-25). God always gives us that right
even when civil authority wants to deny us of our Bill of Rights (Acts 4:18-20,
5:29). God instructs disciples to come together in a planned assembly, in one
place, upon the first day of the week “to eat” the Lord’s Supper (Acts 20:7; I
Cor. 11:17-18, 20, 33). The Supper was partaken of by those Christians who
assembled – they were instructed to wait for one another to do so (Acts 20:7; I
Cor. 11:33). That necessitated leaving their homes and gathering in a specified
assembly for that purpose --- thus by no means like so called “virtual worship”
or meeting on Zoom.
A common observation throughout “the
lockdown” has been that some banned worship but then promoted and participated in
recent protests. A mayor participated in street protests but demanded churches
remain shut. Hypocrites invoked our 1st Amendment for public protests “during”
covid19 “lock down” with restrictions on assembling to worship. Leaders were observed violating their own
lockdown rules --- some privileged got haircuts but demanded the rest be
shaggy. Then the President has a rally and gaspingly they declare how bad that
is.
Inconsistency breeds strife and confusion
and no one appears to be more confused than our leaders on our 1st Amendment
right to assemble. “Health” has become
the perfect storm to use to trample our 1st Amendment rights. Much greater,
though, is the error of those thinking lightly of God’s Word thus seeking to
trump God with the Health Card!
Civil Government #1 ~ The Kind of
Government God Approves of Rewards Good Works and not Evil (July 2020)
In Romans we find the kind of civil
government God approves of with the stated purpose: Romans 13:3 “For rulers are
not a terror to good works, but to evil. Do you want to be unafraid of the
authority? Do what is good, and you will have praise from the same.” Thus: 1)
It is “not a terror to good works, but to evil” (Rom. 13:3); 2) It “praises”
those who “do that which is good” (Rom. 13:3).
With this we (Christians) are also
instructed to pray for rulers: 1Ti 2:1 “Therefore I exhort first of all that
supplications, prayers, intercessions, and giving of thanks be made for all
men,” 1Ti 2:2 “for kings and all who are in authority, that we may lead a quiet
and peaceable life in all godliness and reverence.” Here the stated purpose of
our prayers is that we (Christians) can live “quiet” and “peaceful” lives “in
all godliness and reverence.” Thus: 1) “Quiet” i.e. tranquil or with the
absence of outward disturbance; 2) “Peaceful” i.e. undisturbed and
undisturbing. Note this is for our benefit so we can live as God directs us in
His word.
Two great resultant benefits are Safety (It
is “not a terror to good works, but to evil” (Rom. 13:3); It is for “the
punishment of evil doers” (I Pet. 2:14)) and Peace – i.e. to be able to mind
one’s own affairs, work with one’s own hands and do what is right for one another in Christ, for our families and
to do good to others (Eph. 4:28; I Th. 4:11; 2 Th. 3:12; Gal. 6:10).
Civil Government #2 ~ The Kind of
Government God Approves of Allows Worship, Work & Provides Protection
(August 2020)
Considering what is still happening with
Covid19 restrictions and riots there are three areas of great concern:
#1 Worship. Here you find the governor or
mayor who said that you can’t assemble. We have a command to assemble (Heb.
10:24-25). God always gives us that right even when civil government denies us
our Bill of Rights. What limits what we do is the Word of God. We are taught to
obey God rather than men when “man” intrudes against God’s authority (Acts
4:19, 5:29).
#2 Work. Christians are commanded to work in
order to provide for self, family and be able to help others (I Tim. 5:8; Eph.
4:28). Many think lockdowns as a matter of politics and power are “fun” –-
brags about getting paid for not going to work – the lies told so one can stay
at home and yet get paid. Better stop this now or such will become a pattern
for the continued destruction of our economy!
#3 Police. Decent people say they want to be
safe, and they certainly don’t want police coverage lessened in their
communities. Look at what destruction Marxists, the Antifas, the paid and
unpaid rioters, thieves, low life looters and thugs continue to wreak upon
communities. Government should be for the protection of those who do good
works, and for the punishment of the evil doers (Rom. 13:3; I Pet. 2:14). How
did their great “Summer of Love” in Seattle turn out? The hypocritical
governing “left” are facilitators. Now
people speak of the rapes, murders, fear and suppressions of business owners,
beatings etc.
Addendum: I’ve added the following newspaper article to the original. You
may also read “All
Lives Matter – A Hot Topic” July 2020.
All Lives Matter
Christians are commanded to walk “honestly”
throughout each day “…not in rioting and drunkenness…” (Rom. 13:3). The word
“rioting” means “a letting loose.” The New Testament thoroughly covers the
works of the flesh stating that those who practice them will not inherit the
kingdom of God – they include revelries, murders and things that come from
hatred and malice as seen in wrath from enemies of righteousness – such are
learned from others (Gal. 5:19-21; Eph. 2:1-3). Concerning today’s riots in
selected cities we must press before others that God is no respecter of persons
(Rom. 2:11; Ja. 2:9; I Pet. 1:17) -- this is Antifa at work “plus” the works of
the flesh we see in others supporting Black Lives Matter -- the looting, burning,
destruction of property, beatings of civilians and police, murders etc. A
moniker becomes political and enforceable and people follow like sheep! Hatred
spreads reverse racism from minorities yet no one can call it what it is. All
lives matter — don’t be stupid and endorse their evil Marxist organizations.
Eph. 5:11 “Do not participate in
the unfruitful deeds of darkness, but instead even expose them.” The word “expose”
means to reprove or “tell a fault” – continued or repeated action — there is no
picking and choosing. Have the courage as a Christian to say all lives matter.
This is fundamental to our example as a teaching element and concern for lost
souls (Mk. 16:15-16, Gal. 6:10).
When justice for all is put
aside from our enforcement and legal courts there is no place left for fairness
and truth. When the truth fails then the one who speaks against the wicked
makes himself the prey!
The Valley
Church of Christ
2375 W. 8th
Street, Yuma, AZ 85364
(928)
782-5058 ~ http://yumavalleychurchofchrist.com
Sunday
Services – Classes ~10:00; Assembly 10:50 am; Evening: 6:00 pm.
Wednesday
evening – 7:00 pm.
Valley Church of Christ
2375 W. 8th Street, Yuma, AZ 85364
(928) 782-5058 ~
http://yumavalleychurchofchrist.com
Sunday Services – Classes ~10:00;
Assembly 10:50 am; Evening: 6:00 pm.
Wednesday evening – 7:00 pm
To learn more call, visit or visit our website at:
http://yumavalleychurchofchrist.com