Leaving An Apostate Congregation

Many of our brethren across the country are sore distressed by the state of affairs in churches of Christ today. To say that many churches are undergoing change is a gross understatement of the situation. Radical changes in thought toward the authority of the Scriptures are allowing many churches of Christ to take very liberal views toward the work and worship of the church. With the "new hermeneutic" as their license (which denies that the New Testament reveals a pattern for our organization, work, and worship) the movers and shakers of institutional churches of Christ are leading their people toward the wholesale acceptance of a myriad of innovations and compromises with denominationalism. Our brethren are "re-thinking" such issues as instrumental music in worship and the role of women in the leadership and worship of the church. Additionally, many brethren are abandoning "book, chapter, and verse" preaching and teaching for a modernistic higher criticism which seized the pulpits of denominational churches many years ago. Moral issues such as social drinking, mixed swimming, divorce and remarriage, immodest dress, etc. are no longer preached about in sermons lest we appear too strict and legalistic. Even the plan of salvation is under serious attack. Many leading, influential elders, preachers, and professors are not too sure there is a "plan" as we have preached it. Baptism is being "re-thought" in some circles, and it appears that before long the necessity of immersion for the remission of sins may be abandoned altogether.

Within many of the churches troubled by these issues are some brethren who sense strongly that the church is "leaving" them. They see these changes as apostasy, but it is hard to break long-standing ties with friends and family and leave such rank infidelity to the Lord Jesus Christ and His will. They know the church is not what it should be doctrinally, nor is it even moving in that direction. The preaching is no longer distinctive and could be served up in any denominational pulpit in town. They have tried to warn the elders, the preacher, their friends and anyone who will listen. But they are considered "old-fashioned", "non-progressive", "anti", and even "legalistic." Eventually, the elders no longer listen to them. The preacher berates them for trying to hold on to a "1950 mentality." Each passing week brings more compromise, additional innovation, and bolder liberalism. What must concerned brethren do if they cannot get the church to listen to the truth?

A Case In Point

King Jeroboam of Israel introduced the apostate worship of idolatrous golden calves in an effort to keep the northern tribes from going to Jerusalem for worship (1 Kings 12:26-33). He even appointed non-Levites to his new "priesthood." Unable to stop such apostasy, many Levites had no other recourse but to leave Israel and flee to Judah (2 Chronicles 11:13-17). Remaining faithful to God meant separating from their homes and friends with whom they had previously worshipped. Doubtless it was painful to do this, but it resulted in the strengthening of Judah (v. 17). Men and women who stand for the truth always strengthen the people of God who are like-minded.

When John heard the announcement of the imminent destruction of "Babylon," he heard another angel warn, “Come out of her, my people, lest you share in her sins, and lest you receive of her plagues. For her sins have reached to heaven, and God has remembered her iniquities.” (Revelation 18:4,5). While opinions vary regarding what "Babylon" is in this symbolic passage, the warning is clear that God's people must flee from Babylon or perish with her. Even Lot was warned to leave Sodom or be destroyed with the salacious city (Genesis 19:13,14).

It is no different today. God's faithful people must no longer promote apostasy by tolerating it. "Come out from among them and be separate, says the Lord "

Mark W. White ~ In Gospel Power

Often there are some foundational issues that must be addressed before lasting growth can be a real possibility for a congregation. The description in Rev. 3:15-19 of the church in Laodicea is disheartening. Suppose a vibrant evangelist who was an effective personal worker" had moved to Laodicea and soon numerous people were being baptized. In the environment of the congregation at Laodicea, how long would most of those new converts have remained faithful? Sometimes the way the Lord's own people think and act makes it difficult, first, to interest unbelievers in the Lord and, second, to establish in the faith those who do obey the gospel. All too few of the lost are rescued anywhere -- but perhaps a greater tragedy is the mortality rate of those who are rescued. What, then, are some of the matters that must be tended to if a congregation is to expect solid, enduring growth through its efforts in personal evangelism?

We must live as those who genuinely know the Lord and who enjoy an obvious closeness to Him. Cf. "Therefore be careful to observe them; for this is your wisdom and your understanding in the sight of the peoples who will hear all these statutes, and say, 'Surely this great nation is a wise and understanding people.' For what great nation is there that has God so near to it, as the Lord our God is to us, for whatever reason we may call upon Him?" Deut 4:6-7. People need to be able to make of us the kind of request the Greeks made of Philip: "Now there were certain Greeks among those who came up to worship at the feast. Then they came to Philip, who was from Bethsaida of Galilee, and asked him, saying, 'Sir, we wish to see Jesus'" Jn 12:20,21. Others must see in us the blessings of walking with the Lord, not simply the pride of knowing about the Lord. It is hard to share what we do not have. We need to be able to wish for others the close personal relationship with the Lord that we ourselves enjoy. "And Paul said, 'I would to God that not only you, but also all who hear me today, might become both almost and altogether such as I am, except for these chains'" Ac. 26:29.

In studying with prospects, many of whom are lonely and without any substantial relationships, we portray the Lord's church as a loving family who support one another in the living of life together. This is as it should be. Jesus said, "A new commandment I give to you, that you love one another; as I have loved you, that you also love one another. By this all will know that you are My disciples, if you have love for one another" Jn 13:34,35.

The members of the church in Jerusalem were obviously involved with one another on a daily basis: "So continuing daily with one accord in the temple, and breaking bread from house to house, they ate their food with gladness and simplicity of heart, praising God and having favor with all the people. And the Lord added to the church daily those who were being saved" Ac. 2:46,47. Paul wrote, "Rejoice with those who rejoice, and weep with those who weep" Rom 12:15. But does the reality of our congregational life fulfill the claims we make about the closeness of the Lord's family? In this busy age, the same thing is happening to our spiritual family that is happening in all too many cases to our physical families: we are merely coexisting under the same roof without any real sharing of life together. If we would truly "restore" New Testament Christianity, we must do more than see one another at the church building and show an occasional act of hospitality in our homes. We must become "involved" (which means, literally, "rolled together, intertwined") with one another.

To our shame, the services of the Lord's people are not always such as would move an unbeliever or a new convert in God's direction.

To the Christians in Corinth, Paul wrote, "Now in giving these instructions I do not praise you, since you come together not for the better but for the worse" 1 Cor 11:17;14:15-17,23-26. It is a sad commentary when we feel a bit reluctant to bring to services our best prospects for study -- or when we have to apologize to new converts for what they see and hear when the church meets. Something is wrong anytime we impart anything other than spiritual refreshment and strength to our visitors and new converts. In our assemblies, unbelievers ought to experience courtesy, warmth, and genuine interest in spiritual things: real love for God and man. If we are serious about church growth, we are going to have to be more "visitor conscious" when we assemble, i.e. more mindful of the presence of visitors and more deliberate in our efforts to make the assembly what it needs to be for their sake.

We must be prepared  to nurture babes in Christ.

In the spiritual family as in our physical families, the reality of having "babies" is often strikingly different from our idealized visions beforehand. New converts often bring with them a host of "problems." Have we "counted the cost" of making and establishing new converts to the Lord in the real world? In addition to the hard work of really grounding any babe in Christ, there is an additional consideration: those who are most receptive to the gospel often are not from our own socio-economic group and bring with them problems we may be uncomfortable dealing with. Cf. Mt. 9:9-13.

One reason we have not grown more than we have is that we have limited our evangelism to well-scrubbed individuals who we think would "fit right in" with little work on our part.

Until we are prepared to have Paul's attitude it is unlikely that we would enjoy what it would be like if new converts did fill our pews: "But we were gentle among you, just as a nursing mother cherishes her own children. So, affectionately longing for you, we were well pleased to impart to you not only the gospel of God, but also our own lives, because you had become dear to us" 1 Thess 2:7,8.

We must learn to work in the strength of the Lord and to His glory.

If we leave the Lord out of His own work, we do not deserve to grow. We must learn truly to speak and act as "stewards." "For it is God who works in you both to will and to do for His good pleasure" Phil. 2:13. "If anyone speaks, let him speak as the oracles of God. If anyone ministers, let him do it as with the ability which God supplies, that in all things God may be glorified through Jesus Christ, to whom belong the glory and the dominion forever and ever. Amen" 1 Pet 4:11. Before becoming useful and effective in reaching the lost, we may have to cleanse ourselves of certain things that hinder us. "Therefore if anyone cleanses himself from the latter, he will be a vessel for honor, sanctified and useful for the Master, prepared for every good work" 2 Tim 2:21.

We, like the apostles, need to be made into fishers of men. "And He said to them, 'Follow Me, and I will make you fishers of men'" Mt. 4:19.

There is work to be done setting our house in order for the work of personal evangelism. "Meditate on these things; give yourself entirely to them, that your progress may be evident to all. Take heed to yourself and to the doctrine. Continue in them, for in doing this you will save both yourself and those who hear you" 1 Tim. 4:15,16.

FOR THE RAGE OF THEIR TONGUE

"Their princes shall fall by the sword for the rage of their tongue" Hos 7:16. This was the judgment and condemnation of God against the leaders of Israel. With insolence and cursing, their tongues spoke wickedly and loftily against justice and righteousness; Ps 73:8, 9.

That was then. This is now. What of us? In anger and frustration, do we allow our tongues to lash out against others? In the home? On the job? In the church? If so, be assured of these two things: (1) "There is not a word in my tongue, but, lo, O Lord, thou knowest it altogether" Ps 139:4. (2) "Every idle word that men shall speak, they shall give account thereof in the day of judgment" Matt. 12:36.

As it was said of Levi, so let it be said of us, "The law of truth was in his mouth, and iniquity was not found in his lips" Mal 2:6. Our tongues may be ruled by the "law of truth" and by "the law of kindness" Prov 31:26. How happy would be our homes, our communities, our spiritual relationships, if our tongues were tended by tactful truth and considerate kindness! Starting today, I will try to do better. Will you?

Larry Ray Hafley