____________________________________________________ THE GOSPEL OBSERVER "Go therefore and make disciples of all the nations...teaching them to observe all that I commanded you; and lo, I am with you always, even to the end of the age" (Matthew 28:19,20). ____________________________________________________ January 31, 1993 ____________________________________________________ What Is The Church Of Christ? by Robert Harkrider The above question is frequently asked. Amid the religious confusion of different and conflicting doctrines, many think of the church as simply another denomination. However, the church of Christ is not a denomination nor any part of denominationalism. Not A Denomination From arithmetic, we learn that the word ``denominator'' suggests a fraction or part of the whole; ``denomination'' comes from the same root word. The church of God is not a part or fraction of anything; it is the body of Christ. The Bible declares the oneness of the Lord's church. In Eph. 4:4 and 1 Cor. 12:20 it speaks of the one body. The body is the church (Col. 1:24); hence there is but one church! Follow Bible Pattern The church of Christ is not only singular in the fact of its oneness but also in its distinction and separateness from every human institution on earth. Built by a divine pattern it stands separated from the religious organizations of human origin in all of its characteristics. The adoption of human creeds, names, worship, or organization will denominationalize the church and broaden the gap of religious division. The only way to solve religious difference is to put away human inventions and get back to the Bible. Like The New Testament Church In every characteristic the church must be exactly like the church of which we read in the New Testament. It did make a difference what the members of the church in the New Testament believed and practiced (1 Cor. 1:10-13). If we want to be a member of the church for which Christ died we must speak where the Bible speaks and be silent where the Bible is silent. ``Whosoever transgresseth, and abideth not in the doctrine of Christ hath not God. He that abideth in the doctrine of Christ, he hath both the Father and the Son'' (2 Jn. 9). We must be aware lest we become like the Pharisees. ``This people draweth nigh unto me with their mouth, and honoreth me with their lips; but their heart is far from me. But in vain do they worship me, teaching for doctrines the commandments of men'' (Matt. 15:7-9). No Denominational Creed The church of Christ stands separate from the denominational world by the use of its only creed, the Bible. There is no human creed supplied for its members to follow such as the Prayer-Book, the Discipline, the Confession of Faith, or others which are written and devised by man. The apostle, by inspiration, declared that the Bible as revealed, completely supplies us unto ``every good work'' (2 Tim. 3:16-17). To justify our religious actions upon the basis of human wisdom is but to dishonor God and to reduce His ways to a level with human ways (Isa. 55:8-9). We must abide only in the Scriptures, for to depart from them brings the wrath of God upon us (Gal. 1:6-11). No Denominational Name The church is unique in that it wears an undenominational name. As the church is wedded to Christ, its Savior, it must wear His name (Romans 16:16; 1 Cor. 1:1-2). ``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). Can you find the name you wear religiously in the New Testament or is it of human origin? Worship Authorized in Bible The church of Christ practices in worship only that which is authorized by the New Testament. The church does not use instrumental music in worship because the Lord has not authorized such. Men are not at liberty to add to God's plan of music anymore than they can add to God's plan for the Lord's Supper. Surely we all agree that it would be sinful to add ham and eggs to the Lord's Supper. Why? Because the Lord has given us the pattern of what to use, unleavened bread and the fruit of the vine. By the same token it is sinful to add to the Lord's pattern for music in worship. Always, without any exception, music made by New Testament Christians is vocal--singing (Eph. 5:19; Col. 3:16). Just one passage would be sufficient to give us authority for the use of instruments of music in worship. It is significant that there are none! No Denominational Organization The church of Christ is undenominational in government and organization. We do not recognize any earthly head or prelate. Neither is there a convention, council, or synod to direct the work of each congregation. Every congregation is separate and independent of all others. The New Testament pattern is bishops and deacons in every church (Phil. 1:1). The elders or bishops, take the oversight of the church feeding the body of Christ with the word of God (1 Pet. 5:1-3). All human societies are rejected in doing the work of the church. Does the church to which you belong have all these essential characteristics, or is it perhaps lacking some of these scriptural qualities? ___________________________________________ CAN YOU FIND 16 BOOKS OF THE BIBLE? I once made a remark about the hidden books of the Bible. It was a lulu, kept people looking so hard for facts. For others, it was a revelation. Some were in a jam, especially since the name of the books were not capitalized. The real truth, however, struck home to numbers of readers. To others, it was a real job. We want it to be a most fascinating few moments for you. Yes, there will be some really easy ones to spot. Others may require judges to help find them. I will quickly admit it usually takes a minister to find one of them and there shall be loud lamentations if he should fail. A little lady says she brews a cup of tea so she can concentrate better. See how well you can compete. Relax now for there really are sixteen names of books of the Bible in this story. -- Selected ___________________________________________ Selected Sentence Sermons A dog is loved by old and young, he wags his tail and not his tongue. A gossip is a person with a strong sense of rumor. A tongue three inches long can ruin a man six feet tall. A loose tongue may get a person into a tight place. Gossip always seems to travel fastest over grapevines that are slightly sourer. A groundless rumor often covers a lot of ground. "Where no wood is, there the fire goeth out, so where there is no talebearer, the strife ceaseth" (Prov. 26;20). ________________________________________ Tri-State CHURCH OF CHRIST 1314 Montgomery Avenue, Ashland, Kentucky 41101 Sunday: 10:00 A.M. Bible class 10:50 A.M. Worship 6:30 P.M. Worship Wednesday: 7:30 P.M. Bible study evangelist/editor: Tom Edwards (606) 325-9742 e-mail: tedwards@zoomnet.net Gospel Observer web site: http://www.zoomnet.net/~tedwards/go ________________________________________