The Truth In
Print Vol. 16 Issue 10, Nov. 2010
A Publication of the Valley church of Christ,
2375 W. 8th Street, Yuma, AZ 85364
(928-782-5058)
Website Address ~ http://yumavalleychurchofchrist.com
Selected Newspaper
Articles
The following are selected newspaper
articles ran by the Valley Church of Christ for 2009 –2010. We put some together periodically in order to
post them on our website. Both churches and preachers would do well to consider
that just offering a few scriptural points on important topics can go a long
way in helping others.
Why Pentecostal / Charismatic Tactics
Easily Deceive
Fundamental is that faith comes by hearing God’s word (Rom. 10:17).
Moreover we are told that “the faith” or the New Testament was “once for all”
delivered in the first century (Jude 3). Above all we are to understand that
the completed “written” Word thoroughly furnishes us unto every good work (2
Tim. 3:16-17). People are easily deceived in Pentecostalism because they have
no trust in God’s completed revelation of His will in the New Testament
scriptures. Paul taught that the gifts of “tongues,” “prophecy” and “knowledge” ceased with the
completed written word (I Cor. 13:8). The Charismatic movement thrives on
convincing people that God is still speaking directly to men --- revealing His
will to a select few who the rest must believe and submit to. Basic to
understanding the truth is that the New Testament came by one Spirit who did
not reveal contradictory doctrines (Eph. 4:1-4 “one” Spirit, “one” faith; cp.
Eph. 3:3-4). Because there is just “one faith” what was taught in one church
was taught “everywhere in every church” in the first century (I Cor. 4:17). The
scriptures must be taught and preached directly from the Bible (Read 2 Tim.
3:14 thru 4:5). Surely you’ve seen --- different types of churches “claiming”
spiritual gifts actually teach differing and contradictory doctrines! A full study of spiritual gifts may be found
at http://www.yumavalleychurchofchrist.com/articles/prophecy.htm . You will find such
important points as:
1. Spiritual
gifts were of a temporary nature and of limited duration.
2.
The change from when men were inspired to when men cannot speak by inspiration
is clearly set forth in the New Testament scriptures.
Complaining With No Intention of Making Things Scriptural
Paul
said to the church at Corinth: “For it hath been declared unto me of you, my
brethren, by them which are of the house of Chloe, that there are
contentions among you” (I Cor. 1:11). Rather than complain and do nothing some
cared and wanted things corrected. More than once Paul spoke about things he
heard concerning error practice in their church. The “I heard” passages are I
Cor. 1:11; 5:1-2; 11:13. Truthful reports aren’t wrong! Again Paul said, “It is
reported commonly that there is fornication among you, and such
fornication as is not so much as named among the Gentiles, that one should have
his father's wife” --- their pride and worldly view of themselves produced
tolerating this and kept them from being ashamed (I Cor. 3:3; I Cor. 5:1-2).
Today complaints are heard everywhere from
the abundance of cowards and hypocrites who are not willing to be a part of a
scriptural solution (cf. Ps. 106:25). Complaints are heard about fornication
and adultery (cf. I Cor. 5:11, 6:9-10), unscriptural divorce being rampant (cf.
Matt. 19:9), so called women pastors having authority over the men (cf. I Tim.
2:11-12, 3:1-7), a worldly sterile entertainment as false worship to attract
and keep teens (cf. Col. 3:16), the higher headquarters that dictate with no scriptural
authority to do so to their churches ( c. I Pet. 5:1-4; Acts 14:23), there is
so much insincerity in professions of faith today --- but they have no intent
to teach the faith that saves is a belief that leads to obeying in repentance
and baptism for the remission of one’s sins! (cf. Mk. 16:15-16; Acts 2:38; Acts
18:8).
Stupid Kid’s Games Draw Customers
People often talk about the continuing
changes and new sets of standards promoted by churches. They sense that
something is really wrong. The social and entertainment is where peoples’
hearts are – for adults as well as kids. These have taken away their desire to
please God (cf. I Cor. 11:33-34). Kids and teens are rightly called “customers”
for phony youth ministers (cf. Rom. 16:18; Phil. 3:19). From a child Timothy
had known the Holy Scriptures (2 Tim. 3:15). The fear of God is in keeping His
commandments (cf. Pr. 13:13; Eccl. 12:13; Jo. 4:24). Today greedy self serving
ministers must seek newer more appealing extremes to draw in their customers.
Here are just a few: (1) “Gross-out” games and “fearless” events like the
human-vegematic where a disgusting mixture that
included dog food is spit into a glass and youth are asked to drink it; (2)
Teen girls dancing to popular worldly artists while stupid family members set
in the audience and record it with glee; (3) “God is cool” videos with no
scriptural teaching whatsoever; (4) Smearing peanut butter on the feet and
challenging youth to lick it off. This gives nothing in the knowledge of God’s
Word (cf. 2 Tim. 4:1-5).
Do you like your kids being their customers? Jeremiah said, "For my people is
foolish, they have not known me; they are sottish
children (“stupid children,” n.a.s.b.), and they have
none understanding: they are wise to do evil, but to do good they have
no knowledge” (Jer.4:22). Christ requires “sound doctrine” not silly kid’s
games (Titus 2:1). In Christ the same rules apply to teenagers that apply to
the older (Read Titus 2:1-8)
Liberation Theology & Marxist Ideology
Liberation philosophy is steeped in messages “not for everyone” but for,
as is often said, “my people.” Messages filled with hate intent upon dividing
often pervert Christ’s teaching in the New Testament. Wrongful views of Jesus and His teaching
produce false religions! When political “Marxist ideology” is mixed with a
false “liberation theology” the results follow the well worn path of the
“oppressor versus the oppressed” and resultant revolution. By contrast the New
Testament gives emphasis to the unity and oneness of the Gospel message for all
of mankind while teaching obedience to civil law --- thus exposing “all”
rampant separatist’s hatred of any nationality other than their own. Jesus is
the only way to the Father and the Gospel is for “all” men, both Jews and
Gentiles (cf. Jo. 14:6, 10:16; Mk. 16:15-16; Rom. 1:16-17). In Christ there is
no “chosen” race as concerns salvation (cf. Gal. 3:26-29). No individual of any
race has to line up behind anyone of another race according to God’s plan for
Christ’s church (cf. Eph. 2). One of any race who opposes the Gospel is held
accountable by God (cf. Rom. 11:28; Acts 14:12).
The
rich can be righteous before God and lay up treasure in heaven as well as the
poor (cf. I Tim. 6:17-19). Jesus said the poor had the Gospel preached to them,
not Marxism! (cf. Matt. 11:5) Evil thoughts proceed from the heart, thus one
can be full of hate and racism and have no power over those they hate (cf.
Matt. 15:18; Gal. 5:20). Obedience to civil government is commanded by Christ
(cf. Matt. 22:21; Rom. 13:1-7).
To require civil obedience is not racism!
Human Creeds & Statements of Faith
Many believe that their church’s “creed” – often written long ago – is
equal in authority to the New Testament scriptures. However, many creeds and
statements of faith contain doctrinal errors. Paul commended the elders of the
church at Ephesus “to God and to the word of His grace, which is able to build
you up, and to give you an inheritance among all them
which are sanctified” (Acts 20:32). Paul commended them to the whole of God’s
word through Christ (cf. Matt. 28:20). He said, “For I have not shunned to declare unto you all the counsel of God” (Acts 20:27).
The word “shunned” means “to shrink, to draw back.” Paul said he had “not”
shunned to declare all the counsel of God ---the antonym for shunned being “to
be bold, to exercise courage.”
Some statements of faith are general with the intent that one who reads will
not be offended in any way --- such “attract” and often by stating mere “social
goals.” The lack of scriptural doctrinal statements is appealing to the worldly
minded, yet serves church leaders seeking wealth through numbers. Others at
times offer a Calvinistic flavor with statements of salvation by “faith only” and “eternal
security” --- thus an appeal by slighting the necessity of obedience in baptism
in order to be saved, while producing a false comfort that once saved one
cannot fall from grace (cf. Acts 2:38, Mk. 16:15-16; Gal. 5:4; 2 Pet. 2:20-21).
It has grown popular in community type churches to present baptism as a
sacrament comparable to the Lord’s Supper--- with a false “twist” of baptism as
a sign of having already been saved.
By Bob Lovelace
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learn more call, visit or visit our website at:
http://yumavalleychurchofchrist.com