____________________________________________________ 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). ____________________________________________________ October 27, 1996 ____________________________________________________ Are You Continuing to Fellowship Error? Remaining In A Group Where Error Is Taught by Bob Buchanon Am I just being an eternal optimist or does it seem that this country is turning back to conservative thinking in politics and religion? I'm convinced that Americans are simply a people who demand the right to think for themselves. Many people in various Catholic and Protestant denominations are beginning to question the old doctrinal beliefs of their religions. No longer will intelligent people just swallow some doctrine because their parents have always believed it this way, or the majority seem to accept it, or their favorite preacher teaches it, or their creed endorses it. People are startled with much of the liberal Sunday School literature their church is pushing. Modernism, Communism, and liberalism are permeating the religions all across this country. Audiences are tired of having the pulpit used for political and social questions, joke telling, movie reviews, and brag sessions. They are longing for good, old-fashioned preaching where the book, chapter, and verse from God's Word is used. Doctrines like the infallibility of the pope, salvation by faith only, once saved--always saved, sprinkling the infants, using mechanical instruments of music, etc. are being questioned by many independently thinking members. Any effort to stop this search for truth will fail. These people are not agnostics, infidels or trouble-makers. They are just searching for Truth. They are folks who are sincere and honest with themselves and others. As Bill Hall, a gospel preacher in Canada, once wrote: ``We are amazed, however, at the fact these people who admit they don't believe what their religion teaches are giving no consideration to making a change. They continue right on giving their encouragement and financial support to that which they admit to be in error... How can reasonable, intelligent people lend their moral and financial support to that which they admit is contrary to God's Will? Is this the basis on which they want to stand when they are called before the Judgment seat of Christ?'' Paul said, ``Be not ye therefore partakers with them. ...and have no fellowship with the unfruitful works of darkness, but rather reprove them'' (Eph. 5:7,11). Another gospel preacher, Harold Comer of Alabama, said: ``You have the obligation to object vocally, plainly, forcefully and regularly, with love, to all false teaching. If you do, your associates will change or they will eliminate your opportunity to be heard when you oppose the error. When you cannot object to the error with any real hope of moving others to truth, then your time is better spent with a few of the righteous even if it is farther to drive or it means that you and your children will have to make new friends or work in a small group for a while. God blesses acts of righteousness done in faith. May he bless your stand for truth.'' If each person today would go back beyond the doctrines of Catholic and Protestant denominations, all the way back to the New Testament, he would learn that there was only one faith and one church that belonged to Christ. Will you denounce error today? -- Via The Gospel Way (at least 12 years ago or more) ___________________________________________ ``I'm Not Going Along With What I'm Going Along With'' by Tom Edwards I appreciate the previous article in this bulletin by Bob Buchanon. Though written years ago--at least twelve or more--it is still a current issue that we must give serious attention to. Bob's article reminded me of an old Theophilus cartoon I once read, in which a fellow was partaking of the Lord's supper using substitutes--instead of just the unleaven bread and the fruit of the vine, as the Lord instituted. The caption read something like: ``I'm not going along with what I'm going along with.'' How inconsistent this is, and whom would such a person think he is fooling? Does saying ``I don't believe murder is right'' make it all right when that same person would then commit murder or be an accomplice with others who do? Of course not. What ever happened to that old cliche that ``actions speak louder than words''? You might believe it is wrong to substitute the elements of the Lord's supper with other items, but if you are worshiping where this is being done and going along with it, you are equally guilty! I have been surprised over many of the brethren in our area who have left fairly conservative churches in order to be a part of those which they would see various unscriptural practices in. I know there are some of these who do not believe it is right for a church to sponsor or have ``fellowship halls'' for social meals because this type of activity is not to be the work of the church (1 Cor. 11:20-22,33,34); yet they are supporting that kind of group with their weekly contributions, even though they might not attend the ``dinner on the grounds'' themselves. This can also be said for those who realize that we have no authority for a ``sponsoring church'' arrangement, in which churches yield part of their treasury to another central church that will pool the money together and take charge of its oversight--such as for the Mack Lyons' TV show in which various congregations in the Tri-state area are giving to one sponsoring church in Huntington. The Bible says nothing about this type of format, nor does it give authority for ``missionary societies''; rather, evangelists had fellowship (monetary support) directly from other congregations. There were no other organizations nor institutions to do this type of work--or any other type of work--for the church. The Lord's church is to be all sufficient in these matters. It can also be noted that in matters of benevolence, a church could use its funds for only needy saints--though the individual Christian can (and should if it is in his power) show generosity to the needy in general, such as to atheists. But even during times of famine, when a wide spectrum of people were adversely affected, the benevolence from other churches was still sent to only the needy saints--and not to the needy in general (Acts 15:27-30; 1 Cor. 16:1-3; Rom. 15:25,27). We, therefore, see a distinction between how the Lord's money can be used and the individual Christian's. Is this the way the church you are affiliated with operates? Surprisingly--but maybe not so to all--many people in these congregations don't even seem to know what their group's position is on divorce and remarriage, whether some of the Lord's money is going to a missionary society, sponsoring church, or to help maintain a ``fellowship hall,'' etc. Are we not to be concerned with these issues? Will God view it as a sin when others violate His word, but not view us as being guilty because we ``know better''--even though we are still lending our support to groups that practice such? To the contrary, it is worse for the one who knows what is right, but ignores it--and not only worse, but also a sin (James 4:17; cf. 2 Pet. 2:20-22). Though we may differ in personal matters of conviction or conscience, when it comes to doctrinally matters, brethren are not to differ; but, rather, to be of one mind in their congregation. As Paul writes, ``Now I exhort you, brethren, by the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, that you all agree, and there be no divisions among you, but you be made complete in the same mind and in the same judgment'' (1 Cor. 1:10); and also, ``make my joy complete by being of the same mind, maintaining the same love, united in spirit, intent on one purpose'' (Phil. 2:2). How, though, can this be when you are attending a congregation where the Lord's money is being used for that which you see as being unscriptural: missionary societies, sponsoring church arrangements, fellowship halls, helping the needy in general, etc.? Or when you see other matters of faith being violated, such as the Lord's teaching on divorce and remarriage (a big issue of our time, and one causing many problems across our nation). Far too often the explanation I hear for why those of a more conservative background would become a part of a group that holds to various liberal positions--which the conservative would not agree with--is that ``there are more young people there for my children.'' This is often true, but that does not justify it. We at the Tri-state church of Christ are opposed to missionary societies. Rather, we believe in giving directly to the evangelist in other locations. We also believe--as the Bible shows--that in matters of benevolence, the church with its treasury can help only the needy Christian--though as individuals, we can aid the needy in general out of our own pockets and should do so when we can. Furthermore, we believe the ``sponsoring church'' arrangement is wrong because there is simply no Scriptural authority for it. We also believe it is all right to have Bible classes--and which we do--though some churches oppose this. And, lastly, when it comes to divorce and remarriage, we believe that it is only the innocent party who has the right to divorce his or her mate (and marry again, if so desires). As Matthew 19:9 shows, this is the only scriptural grounds for not only divorce and remarriage; but for also the divorce itself. Obviously, the above paragraph is not all the things which we strive to stand for here at the Tri-state church of Christ, but they are matters in which we differ with some other churches of Christ in our Tri-state area; and I'm wanting to bring this to the attention of those who are in this area and who agree with the above paragraph more so than the positions being taken where they now are. I want you to know that we are here and striving to grow. Without question, there are many morally good, sincere, and very likable people in churches that do not hold to the same doctrine that we do, so this article in no way is an attack on anyone's personal character. Rather, it is to let you know of some of these things in which we stand for; and to also invite you to visit any or all of our services. We would enjoy having you at any time. (The schedule for them is shown below.) If you would like to find out any more about us, feel free to contact me personally, using either the address, phone number, or e-mail address mentioned in this bulletin. I will be happy to discuss these matters with you. Thank you. ___________________________________________ Call Today About Our BIBLE FILM SLIDES We would be happy to show these in your home. ___________________________________________ News & Notes Carol Music requests prayer for her mother, Mrs. Earnest Hamm; for she has been having some trouble with her eyes, which resulted in a partial blindness. Barbara Withrow's mother, Christine Stambaugh, will soon be undergoing minor surgery and can also use our prayers. Other people to remember in prayer: Karen Fix Baize (who has Hodgkin's disease), ``June'' Music (Ron's mother, who is confined to a nursing home due to her condition), Earnest Hamm (Carol Music's father who still has an aneurysm on his aorta); and Juanita Ratcliffe (who has an inoperable physical problem in the brain). Being the last Sunday of the month, we will have our special ``Sing Night'' this evening. You men who are song leaders, be sure to have your selections ready. Also, if there are some favorite songs you would like to sing, be sure to tell one of the song leaders before the service. Let's each do our best to blend our voices and unite our hearts into worshiping our loving and merciful God in spirit and in truth. We hope that all will be able to be present. Is there someone nearby whom you would like us to discuss the Bible with? Please feel free to let us know. We would be happy to help out. My e-mail address: tedwards@wwd.net ________________________________________ Tri-State CHURCH OF CHRIST 713 13th Street, 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@wwd.net ________________________________________