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Larry DeLong |
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As we look out into the religious world today we see thousands of
"churches" with different names, differing in organization, and teaching
different doctrines. This is most confusing and completely against the
unity that God demands in His word. In fact, the division caused by
denominationalism was Madeline O'Hare's biggest argument against God. If
denominationalism was of God, then she certainly would have had a good
argument. But denominationalism is not from God. It was created by men and
therefore, Ms. O'Hare had no case against God.
Our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ promised to build only one church in Matt. 16:18. He gave distinctive marks of identity so man could distinguish between the genuine and the fake, for God is not the author of confusion (1 Cor. 14:33). The New Testament is the pattern to direct us to the church Jesus built, the body of the saved. Therefore, dear reader, I hope you will be honest with yourself and with God, and consider the church described in the Bible and see if the church that you are a member of is the same one the Bible identifies. Let's consider some of the marks of the one church of the Bible. Name alone does not exclusively identify a person or thing. For example, the name "Smith" does not identify one certain individual named Smith, nor does the name "Main Street" exclusively identify one certain street called Main Street. There must be additional information for proper identification. The same is true with regard to the church of our Lord. Inspiration addresses the church by such terms as "church of God" (1 Cor 1:2), "the body of Christ" (1 Cor 10:16), "the churches of Christ" (Rom 16:16), the "temple of God" (1 Cor 3:16) and the "house of God" (1 Tim 3:15). All of these names give glory to Jesus who purchased the church with His own blood, Acts 20:28. To use these terms would be scripturally acceptable if all other aspects of a church were also scriptural. But just to use one of these terms does not make the church scriptural in itself. However, to use names that are not mentioned in the Bible automatically identifies a false, or man-made organization. How can they ever claim to be a Bible church if they are not found in the Bible? The mere fact that Jesus said, "upon this rock I will build my church" [ emphasis, LD ] eliminates the right to use any other name than that which God has prescribed. Man does not have the right to name a religious institution after some man or some religious act and then claim to be a follower of Jesus. In the quest to return to the Bible, we must reject all denominational names and choose to call Bible things with Bible names. The reason: all Bible names of the church signify ownership of the church by Jesus Christ who purchased it with a dear price. Christ's church, or kingdom, was established in the city of Jerusalem in AD 33 as related in Acts 2. Now let us notice some scriptures that point to that great and glorious day. Isaiah prophesied saying, "And it shall come to pass in the last days, that the mountain of the Lord's house shall be established in the top of the mountains, and shall be exalted above the hills; and all nations shall flow unto it… for out of Zion shall go forth the law, and the word of the Lord from Jerusalem," (Isa. 2:2-3). Daniel said, "And in the days of these kings (the kings of the Roman Empire as per his vision, LD) shall the God of heaven set up a kingdom, which shall never be destroyed…and it shall stand forever," (Dan 2:44). Joel also prophesied of that very day when he said, "And it shall come to pass afterward, that I will pour out my spirit upon all flesh; and your sons and your daughters shall prophesy, your old men shall dream dreams, your young men shall see visions: And also upon the servants and upon the handmaids in those days will I pour out my spirit…for in mount Zion and in Jerusalem shall be deliverance," (Joel 2:28-29, 32). (Remember Peter stood up on the day of Pentecost in Acts 2:16 and related the events happening that day to the prophesy of Joel.) So, as given by the Old Testament prophets, the kingdom of God would be set up in Jerusalem, in the last days, in the days of the Roman Empire and the Spirit of God would be poured out on that day. In Mark 9:1 Jesus continues to point into the future and says, "Verily I say unto you, That there be some of them that stand here, which shall not taste of death, till they have seen the kingdom of God come with power." Notice here that Jesus points out that the kingdom would come "with power" in the lifetime of some standing there that day. Then in Luke 24:49 some of Jesus' last words to His apostles were, "And, behold, I send the promise of my Father upon you: but tarry ye in the city of Jerusalem, until ye be endued with power from on high." When would this power come? Jesus answers this in Acts 1:8 saying, "But ye shall receive power, after that the Holy Ghost is come upon you: and ye shall be witnesses unto me both in Jerusalem, and in all Judea, and in Samaria, and unto the uttermost part of the earth." The power would come when the Holy Spirit came, which would mark the beginning of the kingdom. In Acts 2:1-4 we see the promise of the Father coming upon the apostles as they were all filled with the Holy Spirit. This marks the beginning of the kingdom, or church. Everything before this time speaks of the kingdom as yet in the future; everything after this point speaks of the kingdom, or church as already existing (cf. Acts 2:47; Col 1:13; Rev 1:9). Therefore, any church established any other day than the day of Pentecost described in Acts 2 (AD 33), or established in any other city than Jerusalem, is not the Lord's church and should be rejected. The church of the Bible had a very definite organization under which it operated, but biblical hermeneutics must be employed when we speak of church government, then and now. Then, the apostles of Jesus spoke through inspiration. They spoke with unerring accuracy and they could perform miracles, which were signs used for the purpose of confirming their word, Mark 16:20. Prophets fell into the same category regarding the miraculous. They prophesied things that had not yet been revealed to man from God. However, once the written word was completed, the need for special prophets was taken away, (1 Cor 13:8-10). Therefore, the application of apostles and prophets as a part of the organization of the church today does not and cannot exist. We do read, however, that the church had elders as the leaders of the church. They are also known as bishops, presbyters, pastors, shepherds and overseers. The qualifications for these men are found in 1 Tim 3:1-7 and Titus 1. These specifications can be met by men today and therefore can be a part of the church's organization. In fact, these conditions must be met before a man can serve as an elder. In the Bible they always served in plurality, never having one elder over a congregation. Also in this regard, elders only had authority over the congregation in which they served, each individual congregation being autonomous within itself. The early church selected deacons to assist in the work of the church, and they were given a special capacity in which to serve. They were to tend to the daily ministrations of the church under the oversight of the elders, that the work of the church could be accomplished decently and in order. Deacons are to be a part of the organization of the church today as they were in the first century, and they too must meet certain qualifications which are given in 1 Timothy 3:8-13. Preachers were a part of first century congregations, as well. Paul preached, as did Peter, James, John, Timothy, Titus, Apollos and on and on the list can go. They all preached the word of God to the church as well as to the lost. The purpose of the preacher is to spread the good news of Jesus Christ throughout the world. He also serves under the oversight of the eldership. Elders, Deacons and preachers — this is the biblical pattern. Yet this pattern is being challenged today. Preachers are placed in the position of the "Pastor," but never meet the qualifications for such a position. Deacons are assuming authority in matters where they have no authority and elders are being phased out in many religious circles. Such churches are not biblical churches and therefore are not the church that Jesus built. It is tragically strange that the method by which one becomes a New Testament Christian must be defended. In the first century, people heard the Gospel of Christ preached, believed it and obeyed it. Paul described the prescription for salvation in 1 Cor 15:1-4 as believing in the death, burial and resurrection of Christ. Confession of Jesus as the Son of God was also necessary in becoming a Christian, (Matt 10:32-33; Rom 10:10). Peter preached on the day of Pentecost that one must repent and be baptized in the name of Jesus for the remission of sins in order to be saved and be added to the church, Acts 2:38-47. Paul said in Romans 6:3-4 that one is buried into the death of Christ by baptism and as Christ was raised from the dead, so is the new Christian to walk in a new life — a description of the new birth. Peter plainly says that baptism saves us (1 Pet 3:21). Ananias told Saul what would take place in baptism — his sins would be washed away, (Acts 22:16). This was the practice and teaching of the first century church. Since the first century, many deviations and departures with regard to the entrance into the church have occurred. The terms of entrance cannot change with the passing of time. Those who practice contrary to the pattern, are not the New Testament church — in principle or in practice. Many things are a matter of expediency in our worship to God, such as the time of worship on the Lord's day, where we worship, the order of the service, etc. But some things are not matters of expediency. As we read and study the activities of the early church, we understand that Christians assembled for worship, exhortation and edification; and what is done in worship is of utmost importance. In the worship of the New Testament church we must engage in acts in which God is glorified and revered, as well as edifying to one another. In our worship we must pray, giving praise and adoration to an awesome God (Eph 6:18; Phil 4:6). We are to sing praises to God by speaking to one another in psalms, hymns and spiritual songs (Eph 5:19; Col 3:16). We express our happiness to God and teach one another through song; this can only be done by singing. We are commanded to give of our income, whatever it happens to be (1 Cor 16:2). We are to preach the word of God for the instruction and edification of souls (2 Tim 4:2-5). We are also to assemble around the Lord's table every first day of the week (Matt 26:26-29; Acts 20:7). This is to commemorate the death of Christ upon the cross which was done for our salvation. All of these acts must be done in spirit and in truth, John 4:24. To pervert the worship of God through additions and deletions from His word makes our worship vain and useless, (Matt 15:9). There are many other marks of identity distinguishing the church of the Bible from man-made denominations and frauds, but these are sufficient to recognize the one true church that Jesus built and died for. The church of the Bible is His one and only body and "Neither is there salvation in any other: for there is none other name under heaven given among men, whereby we must be saved," (Acts 4:12). Friends, each of us is obligated to compare the body we worship in with the body of Christ as described in the Bible, and seek the true church. Our souls depend upon it. |