Perhaps it’s such a generic phrase that it gets frequently overlooked. But as I was doing some study in Portuguese yesterday, I noted that in a goodly part of our literature, we don’t include the phrase, “people of God,” in our lists of descriptions of the Lord’s church. Continue reading
“He fell to the ground and heard a voice saying to him, ‘Saul, Saul, why are you persecuting me?'”
Acts 9.4
In a special vision, Saul, persecutor of the church, saw the Lord Jesus, who asked him why he persecuted the Lord. What is done to the church is done to the Lord.
The church is Christ’s body. In judgment he wills say, “… just as you did it for one of the least of these brothers or sisters of mine, you did it for me” Mt 25.40.
Wikipedia is getting a big-time competitor in Everipedia.org. I checked their entry on the church, and the information for Brazil was pulled from the former, with a Christian Church missionary giving information for their people as if it were us. I’ve contacted the Everipedia folk and gotten a nice reply. At the moment, they’re not allowing editing, but it will be available soon.
I took the opportunity to update the information on the church in our city, region, and in the country as well. I’ve also moved it from my email account’s space to our ministry site. Much remains to be done still, but you can check the progress here: http://gospeak.org/sjc/.
By Jeremiah Tatum — I bet by the title of this article you are at least reading the first sentence to see where this is going. Let me tell you first where this is not going. This is not going in the direction that is going to malign the church of our Lord. This is not going to be a rejection of the old paths. This is not going to be a 21st Century, “I am smarter and more enlightened than the people who lived 100 years ago,” type of article that I see being written by so many of our younger preachers today.
What this is going to be is honest. And honestly, the churches of Christ as a whole have really been making a huge mistake for a while now. Continue reading
“Now the church is his body, the fullness of him who fills all in all.”
Ephesians 1.23
The theme of the letter is the magnificent universal church. This is Paul’s first mention of the word and he ties it to Christ and his fullness.
The first chapter is all about prayer and praise for God’s work, which is focused in uniting people in the church. Am I united to Christ and to his people? This is central to his will.
“I was glad because they said to me, ‘We will go to the Lord’s temple.’”
Psalm 122.1
The writer knew the value of being in God’s presence together with the people of God. To be inside, v. 2, where God has built his abode, v. 3, to pray and praise together, vv. 4-9, is a great joy.
God is in the midst of his family, the church. We gather together to praise God and pray for one another. Does this give me joy? Do I assemble with high hopes?
BIBLE FACTS ABOUT THE CHURCH OF CHRIST
1. It was established by Christ (Matthew 16:18).
2. It was purchased with the blood of Christ (Acts 20:28).
3. It was the culmination of God’s eternal purpose (Ephesians 3:8-12). Continue reading
“But keep away from youthful passions, and pursue righteousness, faithfulness, love, and peace, in company with others who call on the Lord from a pure heart.”
2 Timothy 2.22
In order to refrain from untoward desires, Timothy must “give positive attention” (Phillips) to the virtues of Christ. This is done together with the saints.
Sin may be avoided and righteousness obtained as a part of God’s worshiping family. Seek every opportunity to be with Christ’s disciples.
We enjoyed our trip to visit our daughter and her family in Ridgeland, MS this past week. On our way home we stopped at The Dinner Bell restaurant in Waynesboro, MS, to have lunch. Let me say it wasn’t a disappointment.
I asked the waitress near the end of our visit, “Is there a church of Christ here?” She looked around and I could tell she didn’t know. She did the next best thing, she asked a man seated right behind me. “Yes,” he replied firmly as if she certainly should know. He continued, “It is right up here on highway 45.” I didn’t ask any further questions but found the conversation very interesting. Continue reading
AM I A MEMBER OF A DENOMINATION?
(Note: This week’s essay is pursuant to a sermon I preached this past Sunday morning, June 3, at the Mitchellville (TN) Church of Christ on the question, “Why Do You Say That The Church Of Christ Is Not A Denomination?”) Continue reading
A BIBLICAL CONCEPT OF THE CHURCH
(Note: The following was posted on my FB page on May 10. With a few emendations, I send it out as this week’s edition of “Hugh’s News & Views.”)
When a person says he (or she) left the church of Christ (which they often will think/speak/write in terms of “Church of Christ”) to join the Baptist Church or the Catholic Church or the Episcopal Church or whatever the denomination might be so that they and their spouse “would be members of the same church” (or for some other “reason”), I immediately know that they do not have a biblical concept of the church of Christ, nor are they and I “on the same page” when speaking of the church of Christ. They have one concept in mind, and I have an entirely different concept in mind. (Note: Contrary to the thinking of some, “Church of Christ” is not “the fellowship’s name,” as the editor of one publication recently asserted. In reality, the church of the New Testament does not have an official, exclusive, patented “name,” but, instead, it is identified by a number of descriptors of which “church of Christ” is but one). Continue reading
Definition of terms is always appropriate, especially here:
Stop and Think: How will you help others to understand that church is not a destination?
— Dave DeVries (@davedv) April 29, 2018
Church not a destination? Depends on your definition of church.
If the church is God’s present manifestation of his kingdom, absolutely that’s my destination.
“But when they believed Philip as he was proclaiming the good news about the kingdom of God and the name of Jesus Christ, they began to be baptized, both men and women.”
Acts 8.12
Philip preached to Samaritans. The gospel began to reach more and more people. The proper response to the gospel is faith and baptism. All are welcome in God’s kingdom, men and women.
The gospel about God’s kingdom includes the truth about its present manifestation, the church. “… a proper understanding of the church is required to be saved in the church (Acts 8:12), …” (Webster 2018, 21).
The United Methodist Church is celebrating 50 years of its birth with the merger of the Methodist Church and the Evangelical United Brethren Church in 1968. An article published today interviewed witnesses who recalled the birth of the new denomination.
The article’s title reminds one of Jesus’ words in Mark 9.1: “I tell you the truth, there are some standing here who will not experience death before they see the kingdom of God come with power.” The original witnesses to the new manifestation of God’s kingdom, in the church, have long passed away. Continue reading
“Now, brothers and sisters, you know about the household of Stephanus, that as the first converts of Achaia, they devoted themselves to ministry for the saints.”
1 Corinthians 16.15
Though they were the first converts in Achaia, Stephanus and his family did not consider it a position of honor, but an opportunity to serve. They did all they could for God’s people (CEV). They “spent all their time” doing so (NIRV). Such devotion means sacrifice of time, energy, and funds.
In what ways do you devote yourself to the serve of God’s family? Why is this a priority in the church?