A Call for New Testament Christianity
by James M Branum--thebible.net
Jesus died for his church, the bride of Christ. (Ephesians 5:25-33) Man throughout history has corrupted the church that Christ died for through denominationalism, by adding man-made laws to the scriptures, and by following creeds other than the Holy Bible.

It is possible today, to be obedient to the will of Christ. Christians can resolve to restore the church to being the church of the New Testament. (Acts 2:41-47)

Some Things You Should Know

You should know that in Bible times, the church is called:

* The temple of God I Cor 3:16
* The bride of Christ Eph 5:22-32
* The body of Christ Col 1:18,24; Eph 1:22-23
* The kingdom of God's son Col 1:13
* The house of God I Tim 3:15
* The church of God I Cor 1:2
* The church of the first-born Heb 12:23
* The church of the Lord Acts 20:28
* The churches of Christ Rom 16:16

You should know that the church is:

* Built by Jesus Christ Matt 16:13-18
* Purchased by the blood of Christ Acts 20:28
* Built on Jesus Christ as the only foundation I Cor 3:11
* Not built on Peter, Paul, or any other man I Cor 1:12-13
* Composed of the saved, who are added to it by the Lord who saves them. Acts 2:47

You should know that members of the church are called:

* Members of Christ I Cor 12:27 ,6:15, Rom 12:4-5
* Disciples of Christ Acts 6:1,7; 11:26
* Believers Acts 5:14; II Cor 6:15
* Saints Acts 9:13; Rom 1:7; Phil 1:1
* Priests I Peter 2:5,9; Rev 1:6
* Children of God Gal 3:26-27; I John 3:1-2
* Christians Acts 11:26; 26:28; I Peter 4:16

You should know that the local church has:

* Elders (also called bishops and pastors) who oversee and tend the flock I Tim 3:1-7; Titus 1:5-9; I Peter 5:1-4
* Deacons, who serve the church I Tim 3:8-13 Phil 1:1
* Evangelists (preachers, ministers) who teach and proclaim the word of God Eph 4:11; I Tim 4:13-16; II Tim 4:1-5
* Members, who love the Lord and each other Phil 2:1-5
* Autonomy, and is bound to other local churches only by the common faith shared Jude 3 Gal 5:1

You should know that the Lord Jesus Christ:

* Loved the church Eph 5:25
* Shed his blood for the church Acts 20:28
* Established the church Matt 16:18
* Added saved people to the church Acts 2:47
* Is the head of the church Eph 1:22-23; 5:23
* Will save the church Acts 2:47; Eph 5:23

You should know that man did not:

* Purpose the church Eph 3:10-11
* Purchase the church Acts 20:28, Eph 5:25
* Name its members Isa 56:5; 62:2; Acts 11:26; I Peter 4:16
* Add people to the church Acts 2:47; I Cor 12:18
* Give the church its doctrine Gal 1:8-11; II John 9-11

You should know, to enter the church, you must:

* Believe in Jesus Christ Heb 11:6; John 8:24 Acts 16:31
* Repent of your sins (Turn away from your sins) Luke 13:3; Acts 2:38; 3:19; 17:30
* Confess faith in Jesus Matt 10:32; Acts 8:37; Rom 10:9-10
* Be baptized into the saving blood of Jesus Matt 28:19; Mark 16:16; Acts 2:38; 10:48; 22:16

You should know that baptism requires:

* Much water John 3:23; Acts 10:47
* Going down into the water Acts 8:36-38
* A burial in water Romans 6:3-4; Col 2:12
* A resurrection Acts 8:39; Rom 6:4; Col 2:12
* A birth John 3:3-5; Rom 6:3-6
* A washing Acts 22:16 Heb 10:22

You should know that by baptism:

* You are saved from sins Mark 16:16 I Peter 3:21
* You have remission of sins Acts 2:38
* Sins are washed away by the blood of Christ Acts 22:16; Heb 9:22; 10:22; I Peter 3:21
* You enter into the church I Cor 12:13; Acts 2:41,47
* You enter into Christ Gal 3:26-27 Rom 6:3-4
* You put on Christ and become a child of God Gal 3:26-27
* You are born again, a new creature Rom 6:3-4; II Cor 5:17
* You walk in newness of life Rom 6:3-6
* You obey Christ Mark 16:15-16; Acts 10:48; II Thes 1:7-9

You should know that the faithful church will:

* Worship in spirit and in truth John 4:23-24
* Meet on the first day of the week Acts 20:7; Hebrews 10:25;
* Pray James 5:16; Acts 2:42 I Tim 2:1-2 I Thes 5:17
* Sing, making melody with the heart Eph 5:19; Col 3:16
* Eat the Lord's supper on the first day of the week Acts 2:42 20:7; Matt 26:26-30; I Cor 11:20-32
* Give, liberally and cheerfully I Cor 16:1-2; II Cor 8:1-5; 9:6-8

You should know, that in New Testament times there was:

* One family of God Eph 3:15; I Time 3:15
* One kingdom of Christ Matt 16:18-19; Col 1:13-14
* One body of Christ Col 1:18; Eph 1:22-23; 4:4
* One bride of Christ Rom 7:1-7; Eph 5:22-23
* One church of Christ Matt 16:18; Eph 1:22-23; 4:4-6

You know that the same church today:

* Is guided by the same word I Peter 1:22-25; II Tim 3:16-17
* Contends for the one faith Jude 3; Eph 4:5
* Pleads for unity of all believers John 17:20-21 Eph 4:4-6
* Is not a denomination I Cor 1:10-13; Eph 4:1-6
* Is faithful to Christ Luke 6:46; Rev 2:10; Mark 8:38
* Wears the name of Christ Rom 16:16; Acts 11:26; I Peter 4:16

You should know that you can be a member of this church:

* By doing what people 1900 years ago Acts 2:36-47
* Without being in any denomination Acts 2:47; I Cor 1:10-13

You should know that a child of God:

* Can be lost I Cor 9:27; 10:12; Gal 5:4; Hebrews 3:12-19
* But is given a law of pardon Acts 8:22; James 5:16
* Is constantly cleansed by the blood of Christ as he walks in the light of God I Peter 2:9-10; I John 1:5-10

This item originally appeared in a tract by Gospel Minutes, P.O. Box 50007, Ft. Worth, TX 76105-0007

Posted by bearingthecross at 10:57 AM EDT

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“Witnessing” For Christ
Kevin Cauley---preacherfiles

More and more I hear of members of the church speaking about “witnessing” and less frequently do I hear about members of the church speaking about teaching the gospel of Christ. While the term “witness” is a biblical one and while many people speak of “witnessing” within the denominational world, perhaps we should wonder if the way the Bible uses the term and the way the denominations use the term coincide. Are we as Christians allowing the denominational world to change our ways or are we as Christians seeking to change the ways of denominations? It appears that in this terminology we have allowed denominationalism to take control.

As I look at all the different ways in which the word witness is used in the scriptures, I don’t find a single solitary instance in which it is used in the same way that most religious people use the word today. We see that the apostles were eyewitnesses of the resurrection and so was the apostle Paul (Acts 1:22; 4:33; 22:15). The Holy Spirit was a witness to the Jews that the Gentiles were to receive the gospel message (Acts 15:8). God gave witness to the apostles and prophets through miraculous signs and wonders that what they said and taught was true (Hebrews 2:4). John writes that the record that God gave of His Son, Jesus, is the witness that is in us, if we believe that record (1 John 5:9,10). However, we never read of an apostle, prophet, or inspired teacher within the New Testament telling Christians to go out and “witness” for Christ. “Preach the gospel”–Yes. “Witness”–No. Where does this concept come from?

When a member of a denomination stands up and “witnesses” they usually tell of all the “great things” God has done for them in their life. Perhaps they will speak about how God saved them from drugs. Perhaps they will speak about how God helped them get over a financial crisis. Perhaps they will speak about how God helped them become a good father or mother. The witnessing is always “how God personally helped me.” The focus of these “testimonies” is upon the individual’s personal experience. From this, those who are listening to the speaker are supposed to conclude that God will work some kind of personal experience for them as well and that they are supposed to come to believe in God based upon this “testimony.” Notice, however, that the faith that is generated by these “testimonies” does not come from God’s word, but from someone’s personal, subjective experience. Herein lies the danger; the Bible says “faith comes by hearing and hearing by the word of God” (Romans 10:17). Those who stand up and give personal “testimonies” and “witness” for God are doing the world no favor. They are not preaching the word of God–they are preaching their own subjective, emotional experiences. They are causing people to believe something other than the word of God, and that is NOT biblical faith.

Perhaps someone might say, “Well, the Holy Spirit is really the one who is witnessing.” No doubt, this is what many believe today who participate in this kind of thing. However, the Holy Spirit is not the author of confusion according to 1 Corinthians 14:33 and the Holy Spirit wrote Romans 10:17. Now is the Holy Spirit going to say that faith comes by hearing the word at one point in time and then turn around and say that faith comes by doing something OTHER than hearing the word at another point in time? For someone to say such would be indicting the Holy Spirit of a lie. Either faith comes by hearing the word of God or it does not. Either the Holy Spirit told the truth when He said that faith comes by hearing the word of God or these people who are “witnessing” today are lying. I will stick with Paul, “Let God be true, but every man a liar” (Romans 3:4).

Why would Christians get caught up in such foolishness? Do they no longer believe that faith comes by hearing the word of God? Do they believe that their simple personal stories are more important than the story of the cross? Do they believe that God’s saving power lies within their own personal experience as opposed to the resurrection of the Son of God? Let us, as Christians, put away such speech from our vocabulary. Let’s believe what the Bible has to say about how faith comes and resolve to preach God’s word instead of exalting our own personal experience above the power of the gospel (Romans 1:16). Let us resolve not to know anything save Jesus Christ and Him crucified (1 Corinthians 2:2). Let’s resolve to speak as the oracles of God (1 Peter 4:11).

(Permission to used based on the statement on the preacherfiles.com site.)

Posted by bearingthecross at 10:38 AM EDT

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Is Conscience a Safe Guide in Religion?
 
Religious people often think that, as long as they do what they sincerely believe to be right, God will be pleased. They say, “Just let your conscience be your guide.”

Let me tell you about a man who sincerely followed his conscience. Before his conversion, he did not believe Jesus was the Christ, so he blasphemed Jesus. He opposed and persecuted followers of Jesus, even imprisoning them and voting to kill them. Clearly all Christians can see that he was wrong. In fact, he was later converted when he realized that he had been “the chief of sinners.” Surely in this condition he was not right with God.

But what about his conscience? Did his conscience tell him he was wrong? The man we are discussing was Saul of Tarsus. He himself said, “I have lived in all good conscience before God until this day” (Acts 23:1). In Acts 26:9 he said, “I myself thought I must do many things contrary to the name of Jesus of Nazareth.” Saul was following his conscience, doing what he sincerely believed to be right, yet he was thoroughly wrong!

No, conscience is not a safe guide in religion. Your conscience simply tells you whether or not you are doing what you believe to be right. But if your beliefs are in error, then like Saul, you will be wrong even when you do not violate your conscience.

The human conscience is often wrong, but God´s word is never wrong (2 Timothy 3:16,17). The solution is: Let the Bible be your guide!

For more information about related topics, please visit our Bible Instruction web site at www.gospelway.com/instruct/ and study our in-depth articles there about the importance of Bible study, how to study the Bible, and the danger of human authority in religion.
 

(c) Copyright David E. Pratte, 9/2008

With permission to used as stated on the gospelway.com site.

Posted by bearingthecross at 9:42 AM EDT

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Today's Devonational comes from the Truth for the World webpage entiteled: "The Church is born"

An excerpt: The birth of Jesus Christ was the most unique birth that has ever occurred, because Christ, the only begotten Son of God, was born of a virgin. But the birth of Christ, as He took the form of man, became flesh, and dwelt among men, was for a specific purpose—that He might become the sacrifice for our sins through His death, burial, and resurrection, and, in so doing, that He might bring into existence His church. Without the birth of the church there would be no salvation for any of us.
go to this webpage for the complete article: http://www.tftw2.org/Articles/churchisborn.htm

Posted by bearingthecross at 10:52 AM EDT

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Today's devonational comes from the Gospel Minutes newsletter entitled: To Recieve God's Blessings"
by Clem Thurman

An excerpt: "They Had to Believe: The Bible says
clearly, "And without faith it is impossible to be
well-pleasing unto him; for he that cometh to God
must believe that he is, and that he is a rewarder
of them that seek after him" (Heb. 11:6). In order
to receive the blessing of healing, the people had
to believe. No one has ever received a promised
blessing upon the basis of a dead faith. But any
faith which has not led to obedience is yet a dead
faith (James 2:24-26)."

To read the rest of the article go to: http://www.wfcoc.org/WFCoC/Minutes_2009_files/gm071709.pdf
This is a PDF format file

Posted by bearingthecross at 12:05 PM EDT

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 Prayer of Abandonment
by Charles de Foucauld
posted by Robert J. Young
[permission is given to reprint with credit noted]
 

My Father,
I abandon myself to you.
Make of me what you will.
Whatever you make of me,
I thank you.
I am ready for everything
I accept everything.
Provided that your will be done in me,
In all your creatures,
I desire nothing else, Lord.
I put my soul in your hands,
I give it to you, Lord,
With all the love in my heart,
Because I love you,
And because it is for me a need of love
To give myself,
To put myself in your hands unreservedly,
With infinite trust.
For you are my Father!

from the bob young resource page
http://www.bobyoungresources.com/articles/prayer_abandonment.htm

-----------------------------------------------

Going To Heaven
By Ron Boatwright

      Our number one priority in this life must be to go to Heaven.  Nothing else is as important.  Jesus says in Matthew 6:33, "But seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness, and all these things shall be added to you."  Our soul is the most precious thing we have.  There is nothing that can equal its value.  We read in Matthew 16:26, "For what profit is it to a man if he gains the whole world and loses his own soul?  Or what will a man give in exchange for his soul?"  One certainly does not profit in the tragic loss of his soul.

     It is easy in today’s materialistic society to get caught up in the pursuit of materialism if we are not careful.  Our Lord says in Matthew 6:19-21, "Do not lay up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moth and rust destroy and where thieves break in and steal.  But lay up for yourselves treasures in Heaven, where neither moth nor rust destroys and where thieves do not break in and steal.  For where your treasure is there will your heart be also."  Our bank account needs to be in heaven.

     Everyday we need to tell ourselves that the main thing in this life is to go to Heaven.  We read in Colossians 3:2, "Set your affection on things above, not on things on the earth."  We should regularly think about going to Heaven.

     Heaven is a prepared place (John 14:2-3) for a prepared people.  It will be such a wonderful place, which is beyond our wildest dreams.  Paul says in 1 Corinthians 2:9, "Eye has not seen, nor ear heard, nor entered into the heart of man the things which God has prepared for those who love Him."  There is no way that Heaven can be described so we as mortal human beings can understand how wonderful it will be.

     A person will not accidentally go to Heaven.  Going to Heaven is a lifelong race as we read in Hebrews 12:1, "Let us run with endurance the race that is set before us."  Going to Heaven requires endurance, patience, and persistence.  We must finish the race.

(With permission from the author as stated on the webpage: http://www.netbiblestudy.net/bulletin/index.htm

Posted by bearingthecross at 11:31 AM EDT

Updated: Sunday, 6 June 2010 11:40 AM EDT

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WE MUST KNOW THE LORD GOD WHO IS OUR CREATOR 
AND 
WE MUST KNOW THE LORD GOD WHO IS OUR RULER

The Bible says, "God that made the world and all things therein, seeing that he is Lord (Ruler) of heaven and earth, dwelleth not in temples made with hands. Forasmuch then as we are the offspring (the sons) of God, we ought not to think that the Godhead is like unto gold, or silver, or stone, graven by art and mans's device." Acts 17:24,29

I. Who arethe Persons that are called the Lord God in being our Creator?

A. The Father, the Word and the Holy Spirit are the three Persons who equally are called the Lord God in being our Creator because the Lord God in being the Father, the Word and the Holy Spirit created our own divine nature of life free of sin. Moses said, "And the Lord God formed man of the dust of the ground, and breathed into his nostrils the breath of life; and man became a living soul." John said concerning those three Persons who equally are called the Lord God in being our Creator. "For there are three (Persons) that bear record (of our creation) in heaven, the Father, the Word and the Holy Spirit: and these three (Persons) are one" (equal) in power, rule and authority because They equally possess the same Personage, Powers, Nature and Attributes of the one and only Lord God in reference to Their Own Individual Nature of life. Genesis 2:7, 1 John 5:7

Click here for rest of article: http://www.churchesofchrist.net/authors/Charles_Burke/nt/p04.htm

Posted by bearingthecross at 12:52 PM EDT

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This item is available on TheBible.net at: http://www.TheBible.net/modules.php?name=Read&cat=2&itemid=44

TheBible.net

Before Any King Reigned In Israel
By Eric Lyons

For most people, the 36th chapter of Genesis is “unfamiliar territory.” It is known more for being the chapter after Genesis 36 (in which details are given about Jacob’s name being changed to Israel) and before chapter 37 (where one can read about Joseph’s brothers selling him into slavery). Nowhere does Genesis 35 record the names of such patriarchs as Abraham, Isaac, or Joseph (and Jacob is mentioned only once). Nor are there any memorable stories from this portion of Genesis—of the kind that we learned in our youth. Truly, the least-studied chapter in the first book of the Bible seems to be Genesis 36—the genealogy of Esau.
click link for complete article

Posted by bearingthecross at 10:55 AM EDT

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The Source of True Wisdom

Many people believe that the major problems people face can be solved by human wisdom, such as science and philosophy. But what are people's greatest problems? Aren't we concerned about war, crime, corruption, broken homes, delinquent children, alcoholism, drugs, death, and disease? Can human wisdom really solve these problems?

Jeremiah 10:23 says, "O Lord, I know the way of man is not in himself; It is not in man who walks to direct his own steps." Let's face it. Every real problem we have can be traced, directly or indirectly to sin. We are guilty of disobeying God!

Whether it be murder or stealing, pornography or adultery, alcoholism or lying, the problem is human lust, greed, and immorality. Even death and disease are in the world because sin is in the world. Ever since Adam and Eve, people have been "doing our own thing," following our own human wisdom. And it hasn't worked, and it won't work, because "the way of man is not in himself."

What people really need is the willpower to control our lusts and to learn to love others. Then we need to be made free from the guilt of our past sins (John 8:32.34). In other words, we need repentance and forgiveness.

Now what source of wisdom can we find that will tell us the truth about these issues? Proverbs 3:5-6 says, "Trust in the Lord with all your heart, And lean not on your own understanding; In all your ways acknowledge Him, And He shall direct your paths."

Human wisdom cannot solve our real problems. But Divine wisdom can, provided we are willing to study it and obey it.

To please God, we must know the truth, and that truth is found in God's word.

For more information on this subject, please visit our Bible Instruction web site at www.gospelway.com/instruct/ and study our in-depth articles there about the importance of Bible study, how to study the Bible, and the danger of human authority in religion.

(c) Copyright David E. Pratte, 8/2/2005

Permission to use as stated on the gospelway.com webpage.

Posted by bearingthecross at 10:08 AM EDT

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Kevin Cauley --preacherfiles.com

Recently I was asked this very important question. It is a question about which many people have pondered. It is a question that largely goes unanswered by many that choose rather to uphold the status quo of mainline religious bodies today. It is a question, however, that is begging to be answered by millions and answer it we must! Christ prayed for his disciples in John 17:20-23. He said,

Neither pray I for these alone, but for them also which shall believe on me through their word; That they all may be one; as thou, Father, art in me, and I in thee, that they also may be one in us: that the world may believe that thou hast sent me. And the glory which thou gavest me I have given them; that they may be one, even as we are one: I in them, and thou in me, that they may be made perfect in one; and that the world may know that thou hast sent me, and hast loved them, as thou hast loved me.
Jesus prayed for the unity and oneness of those who believe on Him. If this was His great concern and plea, then why do we have so many "churches?"

The first reason we have so many "churches" is because of something that John wrote. He said in 1 John 4:1 "Beloved, believe not every spirit, but try the spirits whether they are of God: because many false prophets are gone out into the world." Indeed there are many false prophets that have gone out into the world and some of these false prophets have created "churches" of their own. And this is part of Satan’s plan to divide the followers of Christ. The Bible teaches that if it is to his benefit that Satan can transform himself into an angel of light (2 Corinthians 11:14). We go on to read in the next verse, "Therefore it is no great thing if his ministers also be transformed as the ministers of righteousness." In other words, there are people in the world today who appear to be ministers of righteousness but who are actually working for Satan. How do you know the difference between the two? John has the answer. "Try (test) the spirits whether they are of God." Therein lies the only available avenue to know whether one is teaching truth or falsehood–to test the teaching of the false teacher. How does one do this? Compare what they are saying to what the Bible says and then ONLY believe what the Bible ACTUALLY teaches. If the Bible does not actually teach it, then reject it. Many false prophets mean many false "churches." Herein is a reason why there are so many churches.

The second reason we have so many "churches" is because there are many who are not content to be just Christians. Many want to be "Christians" of a particular sort. This was the problem that those at the church at Corinth were having. Paul had to rebuke them because they were calling themselves after something other than Christ. We read in 1 Corinthians 1:11, 12 "For it hath been declared unto me of you, my brethren, by them which are of the house of Chloe, that there are contentions among you. Now this I say, that every one of you saith, I am of Paul; and I of Apollos; and I of Cephas; and I of Christ." Just like today many want to say that they are Baptist-Chrisitans, Methodist-Christians, Presbyterian-Christians, Pentecostal-Christians, Lutheran-Christians, etc. What was Paul’s response to this type of thinking? He said, "Is Christ divided? was Paul crucified for you? or were ye baptized in the name of Paul?" Instead of being content to be followers of the one who was crucified for them, instead of being content to be followers of the one in whose name they were baptized, they wanted to be known as Paul-Christians or Peter-Christians, or Apollos-Christians. They were not content with just being mere Christians. They wanted their own personalized, monogrammed "Christian club." This lack of wanting to be merely Christians causes many "churches" to come into existence today.

The third reason we have so many "churches" is because there are many who simply want their own way. And they want it enough that they are willing to allow a church to be divided over their own opinions. They confuse their opinion with what the scriptures teach. To avoid this requires that we study and know what the Bible teaches so that we do not pawn off our own opinions as Biblical teaching and so that we do not pawn off Biblical teaching as our own opinions. Either mistake is disastrous when it comes to the unity of the church. The Christians at Borea practiced this. We read in Acts 17:11 "These were more noble than those in Thessalonica, in that they received the word with all readiness of mind, and searched the scriptures daily, whether those things were so." They did not merely accept the preacher’s opinion regarding what the Bible taught. They checked things out; they made absolute sure that what Paul was saying was the truth. They were not content to accept Paul’s opinion. Accepting the opinions of men as "gospel truth" causes division and is a large part of the reason there are so many "churches" today.

What is your desire my friend? Do you long for the kind of unity for which Jesus prayed? Do you desire to test the things that you believe against what the scriptures say? Do you want more than anything to be "just a Christian?" Then I offer you this challenge this very day. Find a "church." Question them regarding what they believe and practice. If the scriptures do not teach it, then reject it. If they are doing what the scriptures teach and ONLY what the scriptures teach, then accept it and become part of that church today. It is my personal conviction that the church of which I am a member, the church that belongs to Christ–the church of Christ–is doing exactly this, no more and no less. The church of Christ is not a denomination as many are lead to believe. It is merely a body of Christians who meet every week to worship together and who have banded together in God’s church to further the work of our Lord, Jesus Christ. We invite you to learn more about us and lead the simple life that is called "Christian."

Posted by bearingthecross at 11:57 AM EDT

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