April 29, 2001 Volume 2 Number 17
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The NT Church Description: Membership In our quest to identify the New Testament church we have been examining the way Jews and Gentiles became Christians. Since God has not changed and His Word has not changed---church membership has not changed. We have already looked at the first step necessary to become a member of the Lord’s church: Hearing the word of God. Hearing the word of God develops faith. Paul writes in Rom 10:17, “So then faith comes by hearing, and hearing by the word of God.” This brings us to the next step. It too, flows as smoothly as hearing does to faith. A belief in God brings man face to face with his limitations. The Bible reveals to us that there is not a man or women who has ever lived who has not sinned and rebelled against the commandments of God. Rom 3:23 states, “for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God.” Faith then flows into repentance. In Acts Chapter 2 we can see a clear example of church membership as we have described up to this point. First of all we note that the Jews were assembled for the Day of Pentecost as was commanded by God. They are brought to where the apostles were gathered as a direct result of a miracle. In fact, Peter explains what is happening in verses 16-17, “But this is what was spoken by the prophet Joel: 'And it shall come to pass in the last days, says God, That I will pour out of My Spirit on all flesh…” Once they had an audience Peter begins to preach. The Jews heard the first gospel sermon ever preached. Evidence was presented to them that Jesus of Nazareth was indeed the Messiah, which God promised He would send. They were also brought face to face with the fact that they had killed Him. Did hearing the word of God produce faith? Most certainly! In the midst of the sermon the people ask, “Men and brethren, what shall we do?” (Acts 2:37). These people were persuaded by the inspired sermon of the apostle Peter that Jesus of Nazareth was indeed the Son of the Living God. Hearing the word of God cut their hearts. It produced in them a strong emotion; it stunned them violently (Vine’s). Their question demonstrates their faith. Their question also demonstrates their guilt, in other words their sin. God, in turn, demonstrates His mercy and His plan for man’s salvation. The natural flow from faith to repentance is seen by Peter’s answer. These once hardhearted individuals softened their hearts due to the preaching of the gospel. In verses 38 Peter answers their question by saying, “Repent, and let every one of you be baptized in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins; and you shall receive the gift of the Holy Spirit.” Repentance, as is hearing the gospel and faith, is an essential component to church membership and obviously forgiveness of sins. Acts 2:47 says, ““And the Lord added to the church daily those who were being saved.” The saved are those who have been added to the Lord’s church----those who are members of it---those who obeyed God’s words in verse 38. The gospel is indeed “the power of God to salvation” (Rom 1:16). These Jews were the same ones that not too long before were saying, “Crucify Him, crucify Him” (Luke 23:21). The Bible clearly points out that those who have a clear mind, and have not ruined their conscience through sin and dishonesty will admit to that fact that they are not perfect, and that they have some serious flaws. When the gospel of Jesus Christ is proclaimed to honest people, faith is born. Rom 10:7 states not only that the only source of true faith is to be found in the word of Christ, but that the very proclamation of the gospel will produce such a faith in the hearts of men. It did exactly this in 33 A.D. on the Day of Pentecost. Bible repentance involves far more than just being sorry for being caught. In 2 Cor 7:8 Paul writes, “For even if I made you sorry with my letter, I do not regret it; though I did regret it. For I perceive that the same epistle made you sorry, though only for a while.” Paul’s letter, an inspired epistle written to the Corinthians, caused their hearts to be cut. It produced in them a strong emotion; it stunned them violently (Vine’s). Paul goes on to say in verse 9, “Now I rejoice, not that you were made sorry, but that your sorrow led to repentance. For you were made sorry in a godly manner, that you might suffer loss from us in nothing.” Once again we see the power of the gospel in that the sorrow produced by it causes repentance. Godly sorrow prevents loss. We will continue this study next week.
A number of years ago I wrote an article with the above title. The lessons taught then were needed and some of the same lessons are still needed. Everybody wants the church to grow. Church growth seminars and church growth experts have multiplied like rabbits in the last several years. We do not question the
sincerity of many of these efforts. Let's face it, the church is not growing
like it once did and we should have genuine concern for souls who are lost.
But this concern must not prompt us to employ techniques that are at best
questionable and sometimes totally without Bible authority. There is a line
that must be drawn between that which is expedient and that which is foolish.
There is a line that must be drawn between that which is authorized by
Scripture and that which is not. Churches depending on "rah-rah pep rallies" and trips on chartered buses soon find themselves constantly trying to please the appetites of gluttons, neurotics and fun and thrill seekers. Spirituality takes the back seat to physical gratification. A slick tongued orator may draw a big crowd, but when the brighter lights beckon and he moves on the disciples soon dissipate. The most noble of benevolent
service cannot be depended upon to grow a Even now the membership
list in many congregations is padded with names of people who seldom attend.
They were converted to the "fun and games syndrome" which they
conceived to be the doctrine of Christ. Pies in the face of youth ministers,
parlor games, and appeals to the sensational will not bring one to the Christ
who purchased the church with his own blood. “If I be lifted up,” Jesus proclaimed, “I will draw all men unto myself” John 12:32. Paul determined, "...to know nothing among you, save Jesus Christ, and him crucified" 1 Cor 2:2. To be sure we will be loved for benevolent deeds and we surely ought to practice Christian fellowship and there is a time for "having fun," but Jesus preached and Jesus lived--thats the drawing power for the church. We should be very careful about pulling people into the church by means other than how God directed. Remember the Gospel is the power of God to save, Romans 1:16. We need to be sure we are converting people to the Lord Jesus. Remember... What draws 'em, keeps 'em! DRL NOTE: Brother Cole
has stated a much needed truth in the article above. I commend it to you. I
was made to appreciate this article even more when I received the bulletin of
the nearby Benton church of Christ dated, March 29, 2001. Under the heading:
C.H.A.R.G.E., was found this "Many of you have commented to me on how much you like our new "Changing Hearts And Renewing Growth for Eternity" class on Wednesday nights. Don't forget to take some of the C.H.A.R.G.E cards and invite your friends. Each week will be a new T-shirt winner and at the end of our quarter, 2 lucky people will win dinner for 2 to Cracker Barrel. If you are in a skit group, don't forget to be at the building at 5:00 on the night you are scheduled for some practice and a quick dinner." I am sure that many DO LIKE this program mentioned above. My question is, what does the Lord think of it??? Behavior that Fits the
Name During the fourth century before the birth of Christ, Alexander the Great of Greece conquered the Mediterranean world. Though he did not realize it, God was using him to prepare the world for the coming of the messiah. As a result of his conquests, Greek was established as a common language throughout that part of the world, and it was so even in the time of the Roman Empire. The New Testament was written in Koine (common) Greek, the simplest and most readable form. John Borgstrom writes about one of Alexander's campaigns, during which he received word that one of his officers had been continually and severely misbehaving. His actions shed a negative light on the character of all the Greek troops. What made the situation intolerable was that his officer's name was also Alexander. Legend has it that when the commander heard about the behavior of this young man he sent a summons to have him appear before him. When the officer arrived at the tent, Alexander the Great asked him, "What is your name?" The reply came back: "Alexander, Sir." The commander looked him straight in the eye and said forcefully, "Soldier, either change your behavior or change you name!" Because you and I (and the church) wear the name of Christ, our attitudes, words, and deeds cast a reflection on Him and on all His followers. Others will make a decision about the Lord based in part on what they see in our lives. Those who may not hear the sermons we preach cannot miss the sermons we live. An old poem suggests that you and I are writing a gospel every day by the way we live. Then the poem asks, "Say, what is the gospel according to you?" According to Titus 2:9-10, our conduct, especially our subjection to authority, “showing all good fidelity, that they may adorn the doctrine of God our Savior in all things.” That is, our lives make the message about Jesus attractive and more likely to be received. Brothers and sisters, if we are going to wear the name, let us be sure we bear the character of Jesus Christ. Others must see Him living in us. The Spirit Expressly Says
... The Holy Spirit Is a Person The third person of the Godhead is the Holy Spirit. In Deut. 6:4 we read: "Hear, 0 Israel! The Lord is our God, the Lord is one." The Godhead is one essence, or being, but three distinct personalities. They are: The Father, The Son and The Holy Spirit. The Bible record reveals that the Holy Spirit is not only Divine, but He is a person. Notice the personal pronouns used to describe the Holy Spirit. "But when He, the Spirit of truth, comes, He will guide you into all the truth" (John 16:13). Also, "And while they were ministering to the Lord, the Holy Spirit said, 'Set apart for Me Barnabas and Saul for the work" (Acts 13:2). Men can treat the Holy Spirit the same way they can act toward another person:
Food For Thought “Dusty Bibles lead to dirty lives” We
hope you find this bulletin useful in your Bible study. 2
Sam 22:31
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