And It’s Doable!
So many differing churches across our country. Is that really what Jesus wants? No, not according to Him. It’s His church, and no one has the authority to change it or add to it.
Churches based on tradition do not replace the words of the New Testament. Other than the elders of a local congregation, there is no hierarchy of leaders in Jesus’ church. One person does not get to define what the church is or isn’t, and their words do not supersede what God has said. No books written by men, women, creeds, or councils supersede scripture.
In Matthew 16:18, Jesus states that He will build His church. He accomplished this in Acts 2, when Peter and the other apostles rose to preach the first gospel sermon (Acts 2:38). The results were that 3,000 people were baptized and added to Jesus’ church (Acts 2:41).
People are added to His church only when they repent of their sins (Acts 2:38), publicly confess Jesus as Lord (Romans 10:8-10), and are baptized for the remission of sin (Acts 22:16).
The church doesn’t belong to anyone else. It’s His church, and He wants it the way He taught it. It certainly doesn’t belong to people to change, reshape, add to, delete from, or change. There’s no cultural need to modify the scriptures. There never has been. People today need the same gospel and doctrine as delivered in the first century.
If it’s His church, we should do only as the New Testament attests. The church should bear His name, for example. You can see this in Romans 16:16. God gave Jesus all authority in heaven and on earth (Ephesians 1:22-23) and gave Him as head over all things to the church.
If God breathed out His word (2 Timothy 3:16), then His word is perfect and must be followed by those who claim Jesus as their Savior. If the church’s name is “church of Christ” or “church of God” (1 Corinthians 1:2), then we should wear it. It’s Biblical and it gives glory to God. Men don’t particularly appreciate it when their wives won’t wear their last name. After all, she agreed to marry him. People may ask, “Who does she belong to?” or “Who is she married to?” Names are important. How would people get your attention if they don’t know your name?
Therefore, to be united, all churches should have their outside signage as, for example, “church of Christ” or “church of God.” I preach at Matthews St. church of Christ, located in Bay City, TX. The location is given, and the name is biblical.
Did you know Paul said we can understand the Bible alike? It’s in Ephesians 3:4. To understand it, one needs a clear mind, free from preconceived notions. It takes effort, but it can be done successfully.
Masses of religious errors have caused great confusion for people. In the first century, folks edged closer and closer to the precipice, moving away from scripture, and after some time, fell away to doctrines of men (2 Timothy 4:1-3). As a result, today, numerous items need to be corrected among churches. The changes must be made, or Jesus will have some unpleasant things to say at judgment.
Our Lord Jesus wants His church to be united. To be sure, there are no denominational names in the New Testament.
By: Garland Van Dyke
Where: Matthews St. church of Christ, Bay City, TX 77414
Contact us: PO Box 1522, Bay City, TX, 77414
On the web: www.matthewsstreetchurchofchrist
Follow us on Facebook: www.facebook.com/matthewsstreetchurchofchrist/