The Truth in Print Vol. 24 Issue 3, Apr. 2018
A Publication of the Valley church of Christ,
2375 W. 8th Street, Yuma, AZ 85364 (928-782-5058)
Website
Address ~ http://yumavalleychurchofchrist.com
“What would you say defines a Church of
Christ?” Questionnaire (Reviewed)
A questionnaire, totaling 640 plus
respondents, titled “What is a Church of Christ” (The Christian Chronicle Vol.
75, No. March 2018 by Erik Tryggestad) deals with the
above question. Some of the answers unscriptural as they were did not surprise
me in the least — they echoed the same cat calls we have heard for years to
join in fellowship with the denominations and other church types. It set forth
the clear division between non-institutional (N.I.) churches and those
supporting para-church organizations and missions. It mentioned churches that
have added instruments of music for worship, jointly ministered with
denominational groups and have changed the name but “still identify with the
fellowship of autonomous congregations.” In their mind perhaps, but they fail
miserably in thinking that those studying the New Testament see them somewhere
in there.
Human Credentials? Yes a plenty!
Noticeable among respondents were some with
credentials from theology schools, divinity degrees and appointments in
universities. If you listen to them they have nothing to offer. They stand in
stark contrast to the many passages of scripture in the New Testament assuring
those who are Christians that they can know, have and practice “sound doctrine”
as to the membership, organization, teaching, work and worship of the local
church.
Such is a respondent who says he grew up in
“a very legalistic side of the church” and is quoted as saying “Now we’re more
grace-oriented. We’re not quite sure who’s in and who’s out.” He adds “Our
focus point is now Jesus Christ, which is where it should have been all along,
so why am I trying to convert my Baptist friend? It’s our mission to focus on
the unchurched.”
I have Baptist friends I would like to see
converted. Here’s why: Mk. 16:15-16;
Acts 2:37-38, 41; Acts 8: 26-39. Scriptural baptism is “for the remission of
sins.” One is baptized into Christ to put on Christ (Gal. 3:26-27). Baptism is
into the one body, the church (I Cor. 12:13).
Focus on Jesus
The “focus on Jesus” approach is repeated
with slight variations. They just can’t seem to get away from it and down to
specifics. It (said focus) appears to cross boundaries that separate from those
referred to as “other Christ-followers.” Here’s more: “… If ‘we’ were defined
by the boundaries in the past, but want to be defined by our allegiance to
Christ above all else, how do we see the boundaries now? Which distinctives do we cling to as biblical imperatives and
which ones do we attribute to tradition?”
Well brethren surely we don’t study to
separate Christ from His Word and keeping it, do we? (cf. Col. 2:19, 6-9,1:23; 2 Jo. 9 (boundaries); Phil. 1:27; Jude 3; Jo. 12:48,
etc.). Since when is the Head of the church (Christ) in Eph. 4:14-15 separated
from the “one faith” (Eph. 4:5) and “one baptism (Eph. 4:5)? And from “singing”
not playing instruments (Eph. 5:19)?
It actually appears to me that said “focus”
is the remedy of many for the so called identity crises they speak of. Under
“THE FELLOWSHIP’S TRUE FOUNDER” the author states “Regardless of where they
stand on the issues that divide congregations, the survey respondents and
reviewers agreed that Churches of Christ should be defined not by practices or
stances, but by the divine.” Defined by the divine what? By the divine Head? By
the divine revelation He gave, the whole New Testament scriptures? (cf. Acts
20:27; 2 Tim. 4:1-5). Read Phil. 1:27 where “...striving together for the faith of
the gospel” is indicative of a local church’s function).
There
were groupings according to age with appropriate headings.
“Under 30: Young believers question the fellowship’s
nondenominational claim (10.2%)”
•“…few
in the under 30 group identified Churches of Christ as nondenominational. One
even called the fellowship ‘a denomination that denies it’s a denomination.’”
(Compare Eph. 4:4-6 where there is “one body” (church, Eph. 1:22-23) for the
“one faith” (the New Testament, Jude 3).
•
“Instead, outsiders frequently think the Church of Christ is ‘the ones who
think only they are going to heaven’ or ‘the a
cappella music guys.’”
While many decry that we often explain what
we are by telling others what we do “not” do, there is nothing wrong with
contrasting what we do that we have scripture for with what we don’t practice
that others are willing to. The “one faith” teaches “singing” (that involves
the use of words) and not the use of instruments of music (Eph. 5:19; Col.
3:16). That’s why we DO NOT use instruments in our worship.
•“Respondents
also expressed frustration with debates in their churches about the use of
instruments in worship or the practices of various denominations. The problem
they said, isn’t that these issues are divisive; it’s that young people don’t
care about them.”
Listen young people. Christians in the first
century church in the N.T. did not go around debating the use of instruments in
the worship of their churches for they used none! They sang as commanded.
Moreover Christians in the N.T. did not go around debating baptism; from the
beginning of the church when they preached Christ they preached baptism for the
remission of sins (Mk. 16:15-16; Acts 2:38; 8:26-39; Gal. 3:26-27).
•“Although
some respondents insisted that Churches of Christ have become a denomination,
several acknowledged the difficulty of defining a core set of characteristics
in the ever-diversifying fellowship.”
The important matter is where in the N.T.
does it teach the idea of “fellowship” enjoined, “a sharing in” with so called
churches that have left the N.T. patterns for the membership, organization,
work and worship of Christ’s church? 2 Tim. 1:13 says “hold the pattern of
sound words”; 2 Tim. 4:3 says “the time will come when they will not endure
sound doctrine.” Unity is based on the “one faith delivered” (Eph. 4:3-6), and
fellowship rules apply to those who cause division contrary to sound doctrine
(Rom. 16:17). Moreover error produces “sects” (I Cor. 11:19); “heresies” are
works of the flesh (Gal. 5:10); there are false teachers (2 Pet. 2:1).
“Ages 31-40: Millennials stress worship, not
labels (15.8%)”
•
“A few attend churches that have added instrumental services while others…said
that Churches of Christ should focus on teaching “why we use our voices and
heart to worship.”
If you explain WHY we “sing” and DO NOT
“play” instruments then you’ve just explained that those churches have false
worship. They have added to New Testament worship.
•“But
because we are sinful the church has become defined more by our traditions and
policies. People know us for how we put people off, don’t show love and stand
for traditions.”
Consider the use of key words and phrases
which are commonly used in such responses: Legalism, Isolationism, Grace, Love
(You don’t Love!), Traditions, Just Jesus, Arguing Issues, Other
Christ-followers etc. If you love Christ and others you keep (obey) His
commandments — you can call that legalism if you want to but He said do it: Jo.
14:15; I Jo. 5:2-3; 2 Jo. 9. Often sound doctrine is that which is labeled
negatively as Legalism.
•“But
as they evaluate Scripture, too many Churches of Christ have stressed correct
theology, being “right,” over compassion for postmodern thinkers, the
unchurched and those struggling with same-sex attraction, several respondents
said.”
Let’s not forget that instruction and
withdrawal shows obedience as well. The church at Corinth got the right answer,
and strongly put, for sexual immoralities being overlooked because of the
sinful pride of many: I Cor. 5:9-13, 6:9-11.
“Ages 41-50: Gen. X seeks compassion, not
politics (17.4%)”
•“I’m
concerned that old thinking and traditions are going to win out over love and
compassion.”
Often what is not wanted to win is sound
teaching and practice!
•“While
we argue over instruments and women’s roles, the rest of the world is arguing
over whether there is even a God or not.”
Such an emotional argument. While the
apostles and brethren preached on women’s roles in the first century most of
the world did not believe in God or Christ! (Cf. I
Tim. 2:11-12; I Cor. 14:34, 37-38).
“Ages 51-60: Boomers see fading sense of family
(21.7%)”
•“Like
Generation X, most respondents…said that the fellowship offers the best
possible version of Bible-based Christianity.”
Paul said he preached “the whole counsel of
God” when speaking to the elders of the church at Ephesus (Acts 20:27).
•“Now,
as many churches have abandoned or moderated their stance on exclusivity,
members don’t know what they stand for with regard to denominational practices
or societal trends, the respondents said.”
•“In
some cases, Churches of Christ have adopted traditions as doctrine and have
effectively become a denomination.”
You can’t help but wonder what “traditions”?
Be careful for in the minds of many that word includes practices scripturally
authorized for local churches.
“Above 60: God defines what a Church of Christ
is; we don’t (34.9%)”
•
““Speak where the Bible speaks; be silent where the Bible is silent” That mantra…appeared
most often in responses. ... It was, perhaps, apropos for a group sometimes
called the Silent Generation, plus the first half of the baby boomers.”
What’s needed from the above 60 is what the
apostle John set forth as an example. John “the elder” as an old man was not
silent. He didn’t just sit there and let apostasy have its way! (Cf. I, II, III John).
· One says “it is nearly
impossible to answer definitely… because many are breaking out of molds of
their past. Some see this as apostasy; some see this as progress.” “Today, a Church of Christ ‘is a body of
like-minded believers who recognize one another as children of God,’ he said,
‘free to define itself however it understands the word of God to lead it.’” “If
the question were: ‘How does the New Testament define the church?’ the answer,
of course, would be different.”
Each local church in the New Testament did
not have the freedom to attach just anything they wanted to the specifics
concerning membership, organization, work and worship. Each did NOT have its
own type of Christianity in the first century! (I Cor. 4:17; Phil. 1:27).
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
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