The Truth in Print Vol. 27 Issue 5, June 2021
A Publication of the Valley church of Christ,
2375 W. 8th Street, Yuma, AZ 85364 (928-782-5058)
Website
Address ~ http://yumavalleychurchofchrist.com
“I’M STAYING WITH ZOOM”
Long
Term Effects
When churches responded to the mandates governors
issued because of Covid19 it had quite an impact on worship and the Lord’s
Supper. We have a command not to forsake assembling and stern warning
concerning willful sin follows (Heb. 10:23-31). In talking with a brother
shortly after the Hitlerian mandates he stated that it might be decades before
we fully understand the full influence of this on our churches --- such things
of course as our churches giving in out of fear, justifying closing their doors
by saying this is about safety not persecution (you had to blind to believe all
of that), and setting up worship online thus leading brethren to think they’d
be scriptural in following along wherever they might be --- just think, the
Lord’s Supper even when at the lake on Sunday for the weekend. How convenient
and how lacking of sound doctrine and teaching!
ARE WE
ALREADY HEARING “I’M STAYING WITH ZOOM FOR NOW”?
Do you think for a minute that a mere human
tradition cannot be developed among us as a result of changes made because of covid19?
You had best think again and consider that a zoomed Lord’s Supper set up for
the purpose of condoning brethren watching from outside the assembly, and then
partaking at home or elsewhere is not sound doctrine! Those who “set such up”
are just as culpable as those breaking the New Testament pattern for assembling
to partake! Furthermore do not let
brethren define a zoomed bible class as being the same as the assembly of the
church. Don’t think it Orwellian to picture the future and see some, who having
left the faith, in so called churches of Christ that are strictly online, with the
click here link for contribution accepted from anyone. What better way is there
for false teachers having complete control?
The current pride in technology denominational
invite is “Worship online or in person here.” We must be certain that what we
do with high tech is scriptural as regards the work and worship of Christ’s
church. If “zoom” and “online” are let stray, as some among us already have,
then you will have a developed human tradition that will cause many to lose
their souls. The impact itself on the body of Christ can be like a spreading spiritual
virus in years following upon member’s zeal for assembling (Cf. Eph. 4:14; 2
Tim. 2:17; Heb. 10:24-27).
WE MUST SPEAK
THE THINGS THAT ARE PROPER FOR SOUND DOCTRINE (TITUS 2:1)
Tit
2:1 But as for you, speak the things which are proper for sound doctrine:
To “speak” is defined in Thayer’s definition:
“5. to use words in order to declare one’s mind, and disclose one’s thoughts;
to speak.”
Out of
the abundance of the mouth the heart speaks and a tree is known by its fruit
(Matt. 12:33-37); false motives are seen in men’s speech used to protect human
traditions against God’s teaching in His word, “But you say…” (Matt. 15:3-9); to
the covetous who served not God but mammon Jesus said: "You are those who
justify yourselves before men, but God knows your hearts. For what is highly
esteemed among men is an abomination in the sight of God (Lk. 16:15); "No
servant can serve two masters; for either he will hate the one and love the
other, or else he will be loyal to the one and despise the other. You cannot
serve God and mammon" (Lk. 16:19). Lies are product of those whose father
is the devil and do not listening to Christ’s Word (Jo. 8:43-45).
Compare both character and speech among those
mentioned in Titus: “empty talkers” (Tit 1:10), “deceivers”
(1:10), “liars” (Tit 1:12), “Jewish myths and commandments of men who
turn from the truth” (1:14), “defiled and unbelieving” (Tit
1:15), both “mind and conscience is defiled” (Tit 1:15), the hypocrites “profess
they know God, but by their deeds they deny Him, being detestable and
disobedient and worthless for any good deed” (Tit 1:16).
SHOWING
ONESELF A LOVER OF THE TRUTH IS SEEN SPEAKING THE TRUTH TO ONE ANOTHER (EPH.
4:20-25).
Eph
4:20 But you have not so learned Christ,
Eph
4:21 if indeed you have heard Him and have been taught by Him, as the truth is
in Jesus:
Eph
4:22 that you put off, concerning your former conduct, the old man which grows
corrupt according to the deceitful lusts,
Eph
4:23 and be renewed in the spirit of your mind,
Eph
4:24 and that you put on the new man which was created according to God, in
true righteousness and holiness.
Eph
4:25 Therefore, putting away lying, "LET EACH ONE OF YOU SPEAK TRUTH WITH
HIS NEIGHBOR," for we are members of one another.
TO SPEAK,
EXHORT AND REBUKE WITH ALL AUTHORITY (TITUS 2:15)
Tit
2:15 Speak these things, exhort, and rebuke with all authority. Let no one
despise you.
All authority belongs to Christ and
resides in the Word that was to be proclaimed (Matt. 28:18-20; Jude 3).
1.
SPEAK [G2980 laleō]: Thayer: 5. to use words in order to declare one’s
mind, and disclose one’s thoughts; to speak.
2.
EXHORT [G3870 parakaleō] *a wide variety of meanings, Thayer: 2) to
address, speak to, (call to, call upon), which may be done in the way of
exhortation, entreaty, comfort, instruction.
3.
REBUKE [G1651 elegchō, vb.] Strong’s definition: to confute, admonish: - convict,
convince, tell a fault, rebuke, reprove. Now Thayer’s definition:
1) to convict, refute, confute
1a) generally with a suggestion of shame of the
person convicted
1b) by conviction to bring to the light, to expose
2) to find fault with, correct
2a) by word
2a1) to reprehend severely, chide, admonish, reprove
2a2) to call to account, show one his fault, demand
an explanation
2b) by deed
2b1) to chasten, to punish
PREACHING INVOLVES “REPROVE” [G1651], “REBUKE” [G2008] &
“EXHORT” [G3870] (CF. 2 TIM. 4:2)
Preach the Word
2Ti 4:1 I charge
thee therefore before God, and the Lord Jesus Christ, who shall judge
the quick and the dead at his appearing and his kingdom;
2Ti 4:2 Preach
the word; be instant in season, out of season; reprove,
rebuke, exhort
with all longsuffering and doctrine.
2Ti 4:3 For the
time will come when they will not endure sound doctrine; but after their own
lusts shall they heap to themselves teachers, having itching ears;
2Ti 4:4 And they
shall turn away their ears from the truth, and shall be turned unto
fables.
2Ti 4:5 But
watch thou in all things, endure afflictions, do the work of an evangelist,
make full proof of thy ministry. Preach the Word
1.
“REPROVE” *See REBUKE [G1651 elegchō, vb.] above definition.
2. “REBUKE” [G2008
epitimaō] Thayer definition: 4) to tax with fault, rate, chide, rebuke, reprove,
censure severely, and exhort.
3.
“EXHORT” *See EXHORT [G3870 parakaleō] above definition.
QUALIFIED ELDERS DO THIS:
See “exhort” [G3870], “convince” or “rebuke” [G1651],
“gainsayers” [G483] in the below.
*Gainsayers [G483 antilegō] are those who speak
against, contradict the truth. Strong’s definition: to dispute, refuse:
- answer again, contradict, deny, gainsay (-er), speak against. From G473 anti
– “indicating exchange, succession, for, instead of, in the place of” (Thayer
2.) and G3004 legō meaning “to speak, affirm, teach, advise etc. (Cf.
Thayer definitions).
Tit 1:9 Holding
fast the faithful word as he hath been taught, that he may be able by sound
doctrine both to exhort and to convince the gainsayers.
Tit 1:10 For
there are many unruly and vain talkers and deceivers, specially they of the
circumcision:
Tit 1:11 Whose
mouths must be stopped, who subvert whole houses, teaching things which they
ought not, for filthy lucre's sake.
Tit 1:12 One of
themselves, even a prophet of their own, said, The Cretians are
alway liars, evil beasts, slow bellies.
Tit 1:13 This
witness is true. Wherefore rebuke them
sharply, that they may be sound in the faith;
Tit 1:14 Not
giving heed to Jewish fables, and commandments of men, that turn from the
truth.
Tit 1:15 Unto
the pure all things are pure: but unto them that are defiled and
unbelieving is nothing pure; but even their mind and conscience is
defiled.
Note: They are not a co-participant here (Cf. Eph.
5:11). If one cannot do this they are not fit. See Rev. 3:19 for the Lord’s
love in doing this (also 2 Tim. 1:7). Mouths have to be shut at times and that
even if there is dissension. *See Acts 15:1-2 “dissension” [G4714 stasis]
Thayer: strife, dissension. Here there was strife and debate (mutual
questioning and answering); you see Paul and Barnabas not giving in but
standing!
DEFINITIONS
RELATED TO TEACHING AND “SOUND DOCTRINE”
“TEACHING” [G1319
didaskalia] *Strong’s says it may refer to “function or information.”
a.
Thayer 1. “teaching, instruction”: Rom. 12:7; I Tim. 4:13, 16;
5:17; 2 Tim. 3:10, 16; Titus 2:7 “doctrine”.
b.
Thayer 2. “teaching, i.e. that which is taught, doctrine” : Eph.
4:14; I Tim 1:10, 4:6; I Tim. 6:1,3; 2 Tim. 4:3; Titus 1:9; Titus 2:1, 10.
c.
“Sound” [G5198 hugiainō] Thayer: “the sound i.e. true and
incorrupt doctrine” – I Tim. 1:10, 2 Tim. 4:3; Titus 1:9, Titus 2:1; …
d.
“Sound” [G2570 kalos] Thayer: prim. “whole”; b. good, excellent in
nature…well adapted to its ends – Cf. I Tim. 4:6.
ALWAYS
KEEP SOUND DOCTRINE IN MIND FOR YOU WILL SEE OR HEAR THE OPPOSITE.
LOOK
AT THESE VERSES CAREFULLY WHERE YOU HAVE THE WORD “DOCTRINE”:
Eph.
4:14 “every wind of doctrine” (G1319) i.e. *a scheme, plan contrary to the
faith; compare I Tim. 4:6 “good (G2570) doctrine (G1319)”; I
Tim. 6:1 *His doctrine (G1319), I
Tim. 6:3 NASB “a different doctrine” [G2085 heterodidaskaleō],
in the KJV this is translated “teach otherwise” i.e. deviate from the truth contrasted
with “wholesome words” (*sound G5198) in the “doctrine (G1319) which accords to
godliness”; I Tim. 1:3 some “teach strange doctrines” [also G2085
“different”]; 2 Tim. 1:13 “sound” words (G5198); 2 Tim. 4:3 for
the time will come when they will not endure “sound doctrine” [*sound G5198, doctrine
G1319]; Titus 1:9 holding fast the “faithful” (G4103) pistos
“trustworthy” word + both to exhort and convict those who contradict “sound”
(G5198) doctrine (G1319); Titus 2:1 speak the things which are
“fitting” (G4241 prepo – “to be becoming or fit”), “sound” (G5198) doctrine
(G1319); Rom. 16:17 note those who cause divisions and offenses,
contrary to the doctrine(G1319 “teaching”) which you learned, and avoid them. Withdrawal
from and marking those contrary to sound doctrine is part of sound doctrine!
(Cf. 2 Th. 3:6).
WHAT
WILL MEN DESIRE WHEN THEY CANNOT ENDURE SOUND DOCTRINE?
2Ti 4:3 For the time will come when they will not
endure sound doctrine, but according to their own desires, because they have
itching ears, they will heap up for themselves teachers;
2Ti 4:4 and they will turn their ears away from the
truth, and be turned aside to fables.
a.
“…according to their own desires” > [G1939 epithumia, nf] Thayer: 1)
desire, craving, longing, desire for what is forbidden, lust
b.
“…because they have itching ears” > [G2833 knēthō, vb.] Thayer:
1) to scratch, tickle, make to itch… 3) desirous of hearing something pleasant
c.
“…heap up for themselves teachers” > [G2002 episōreuō] Strong’s:
to accumulate further, that is, (figuratively) seek additionally: - heap. Thayer:
“to heap up, accumulate in piles: to choose for themselves and run after a
great number of teachers, 2 Tim. 4:3.
d.
“…be turned aside to fables” > [G3454
muthos] Strong’s: - a tale, that is, fiction (“myth”): - fable > I Tim. 1:4,
I Tim. 4:7, 2 Tim. 4:4, Titus 1:14 “…turn away from the truth”; 2 Pet. 1:16
“cunningly devised tales…”
DO
BRETHREN KNOW THE DIFFERENCE BETWEEN THE WORD “HOME” AND “HOUSE” AND “HOUSES”
AND THE WORD “ASSEMBLY” OR “CHURCH”?
Included in the instruction (sound doctrine)
for the partaking of the Lord’s Supper:
1Co
11:17 Now in giving these instructions I do not praise you, since you
come together not for the better but for the worse.
1Co
11:18 For first of all, when you come together as a church, I hear that there
are divisions among you, and in part I believe it.
Application:
In I Cor. 11:18 “as a church” is not at home!
1Co
11:22 What! Do you not have houses to eat and drink in? Or do you despise the
church of God and shame those who have nothing? What shall I say to you? Shall
I praise you in this? I do not praise you.
Application: “houses” [G3614 oikia]
Thayer Definition: 1) a house; a. prop. an inhabited edifice, a dwelling.
1Co
11:34 But if anyone is hungry, let him eat at home, lest you come
together for judgment. And the rest I will set in order when I come.
Application:
“home” [G3624 oikos] Thayer definition: 1) a house 1c3) the place where
one has fixed his residence, one’s settled abode, domicile.
As
regards other instruction concerning the assembly:
1Co
14:35 And if they want to learn
something, let them ask their own husbands at home; for it is shameful for
women to speak in church.
Application:
Asking “at home” [G3624] is not asking in the assembly.
One
more time:
1Co
11:17 Now in giving these instructions I do not praise you, since you
come together not for the better but for the worse.
1Co
11:18 For first of all, when you come together as a church, I hear that there
are divisions among you, and in part I believe it.
Application:
“come together” [G4905 sunerchomai] Thayer Definition:
1)
to come together, i.e.
1a) to assemble
Application:
“as a church” [G1577 ekklēsia] Thayer
Definition:
1)
a gathering of citizens called out from their homes into some public place, an
assembly
1a)
an assembly of the people convened at the public place of the council for the
purpose of deliberating: Acts 19:39
Application:
Well it is plain that when the people get there they aren’t elsewhere ---
they’ve convened at the place.
1d) in a
Christian sense
1d1) an assembly of
Christians gathered for worship: in the
religious meeting: I Cor. 14:19, 35; 34; I Cor. 11:18.
Part
of Speech: noun feminine A Related Word by Thayer’s/Strong’s Number: from a
compound of [G1537 “ek” 1) out of, from, forth from] and a
derivative of [G2564 kaleō] Thayer Definition: 1) to call 1b)
to invite.
WE HAVE
SOUND DOCTRINE ON ASSEMBLING
Heb
10:23 Let us hold fast the confession of our hope without wavering, for
He who promised is faithful.
Heb
10:24 And let us consider one another in order to stir up love and good works,
Heb
10:25 not forsaking the assembling of ourselves together, as is the
manner of some, but exhorting one another, and so much the more as you
see the Day approaching.
Heb
10:26 For if we sin willfully after we have received the knowledge of the
truth, there no longer remains a sacrifice for sins,
Heb
10:27 but a certain fearful expectation of judgment, and fiery indignation
which will devour the adversaries.
Application:
“assembling of ourselves together” [G1997 episunagōgē] Thayer
Definition:
1)
“a gathering together in one place.”
2)
the (religious) assembly (of Christians)
Compare:
1Co 11:20 “Therefore when you come together in one place, it is not to eat the Lord's
Supper.”
Application:
This is not one at his home – another at her home -- others in their home – or
a portion of the church in someone’s home and other portions elsewhere.
IF A
LOCAL CHURCH ZOOMS A BIBLE CLASS IS IT THE ASSEMBLY? NO!
Application:
“as a church”
[G1577 ekklēsia] Thayer Definition:
1)
a gathering of citizens called out from their homes into some public place, an
assembly
1a)
an assembly of the people convened at the public place of the council for the
purpose of deliberating: Acts 19:39
Application:
Well it is plain that when the people get there they aren’t elsewhere ---
they’ve convened at the place.
1d)
in a Christian sense
1d1)
an assembly of Christians gathered for worship:
in the religious meeting: I Cor. 14:19 “in the church”, 35 “in church”;
34 “in the churches”; I Cor. 11:18 “as a church.”
IS A
HUMAN TRADITION BEING DEVELOPED NOW AMONG CHURCHES?
Are brethren being led to believe that an
online presentation is “assembling”?
DO HUMAN
TRADITIONS AGAINST THE WORD PLEASE FALSE TEACHERS AND FALSE BRETHREN?
Where do false motive come from? Just how
much in such a developed human tradition is there a pleasing of self and
others? Enough to leave sound doctrine!
THE KIND
OF SPIRIT GOD HAS GIVEN US (2
TIM. 1:7)
2Ti
1:7 For God has not given us a spirit of fear, but of power and of love and of
a sound mind.
“SPIRIT” [G4151
pneuma] – Thayer 5. “disposition, desire…”
a.
NOT OF “FEAR” (timidity, NASB) [G1167 deilia, n.] Thayer: 1) timidity,
fearfulness, cowardice. From [G1169 deilos, adj.] > From δέος deos (dread);
timid, that is, (by implication) faithless: - fearful > Rev.
21:8 “cowardly” followed by “unbelieving” [G571 apistos] 1) unfaithful,
faithless, (not to be trusted, perfidious).
b.
“BUT OF POWER” [G1411 dunamis] Thayer: strength, ability, power – from [G1410
dunamai] to be able or possible: - be able, can (do, +
-not), could, may, might, be possible, be of
power; Rom. 1:16 “For I am not ashamed of the gospel of Christ, for it is the
power of God to salvation for everyone who believes, for the Jew first and also
for the Greek.”
Notes:
“spirit” (mind, mental or desire):
“…not ...of fear” (timidity, cowardice), “but of power”
(*seen in believing and doing the Word, 2 Tim. 1:8, 2 Tim. 3:5 denied the
power thus weak and unfit; Ja. 1:22 doers of the word);
Some
verses where we are told to be able and are able: Jas 1:22 doers of the word;
Lk. 6:46-48; Jo. 12:42-43; I Th. 2:2; Eph. 3:16-17; Col. 1:9-12.
c.
“OF LOVE AND A SOUND MIND” – “sound” [G4995 sōphronismos] Thayer:
1)
an admonishing or calling to soundness of mind, to moderation and self-control.
Application:
You can’t separate the sound mind from sound doctrine!
CAN’T
SEPARATE THE WORD FROM STRENGTH
VERSES:
Rom. 1:16-17 “the Gospel of Christ for it is the power of God unto
salvation”; Eph. 6:11 “put on the whole armor of God that you might be
able to stand”, 16 “shield of faith” (cf. Rom. 10:17 faith comes by
hearing the word), 17 “the sword of the Spirit…the word of God”, 19 “prayer
and supplication for all saints.” Christ’s strength would have gotten all of
His churches through “lock down” whatever it took: 1) Back Yards 2) Open Spaces
3) Parking Lots etc.
“THE
CHURCH IS NOT THE BUILDING!”
Remember way back when we were explaining
that the church is not the building – that church buildings are expedients of
the command to assemble (Heb. 10:25) and the work of edifying the body (I Cor.
14:26) – there was common way of putting it plainly back then, “You can meet
under a tree for that matter!” Let’s hear that again, “You can meet under a
tree for that matter! Yes, “You can meet under a tree for that matter! Until it
came time to! Let’s hear that again. Until it came time to!
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