“THE CRUX OF THE MATTER” - II The authors of The Crux of the Matter say that there are a few Churches of Christ who have “introduced instrumental worship.” But the moment instruments of music were introduced into the congregation, it ceased being a church of Christ. There are so-named Churches of Christ in Indiana, Ohio, and elsewhere that use the instrument; but they are not churches of Christ. They are the Christian Church. They are not of us. John wrote of some in his day, “They went out from us, but they were not of us; for if they had been of us, they would no doubt have continued with us: but they went out, that they might be made manifest that they were not all of us” (1 John 2:19). All Christians and faithful congregations of the Lord should mark such congregations that leave the faith, bringing in the mechanical instrument into the worship. The sooner they are identified and separated from us, the better for the cause of Christ. The three professors of ACU tell us, “Some [‘Churches of Christ’] have women who serve the Lord’s Supper, read Scripture, pray, or perhaps even preach in the assembly and teach classes for adults.” Any church that uses women in a leadership role is not the church of the New Testament. All churches of Christ will be loyal to the Lord’s word. The Bible teaches that women are not to teach, nor usurp authority over men. To put women in the above-cited roles is to put them into positions of leadership, and no godly woman would desire such. Paul wrote, “Let the woman learn in silence with all subjection. But I suffer not a woman to teach, nor to usurp authority over the man, but to be in silence” (1 Tim. 2:11-12). A woman is not to get up in the assembly and teach. She is not to be in a leadership position. This would include serving at the table, which is a form of leadership (1 Cor. 14: 34). As to the name “Church of Christ” on the marquee or the letterhead, a few remarks are in order. We have argued, and rightfully so, that any designation found in the New Testament is a scriptural one. The church in the New Testament is referred to as the kingdom of God, the church of God, the house of God, the family, etc. We should be satisfied with scriptural designations. But a church can have the right name, but not be the right church, as mentioned above about some “Churches of Christ” that use the instrument. If my son, Thomas, were kidnapped, there are many Thomases out there but only one who has the fingerprints of my son, Thomas. It is a matter of identity. Any church that does not have the true identifying marks of the New Testament church is not the Lord’s church. The designation, or name, “Church of Christ” on our marquee is an identifying mark. Sometimes circumstances determine the better course to follow. Paul said that due to the present distress it was good for some not to marry (1 Cor. 7:8,26). Maybe under different circumstances, he would not have given such inspired advice. Likewise, due to the religious situation of our day, it is better to put “Church of Christ” on our signs and letterheads to help fellow Christians as they are traveling to find a loyal church. If the liberal churches, which are practicing that which is not authorized in Scripture, would change their names it would help clear up the confusion. Some are embarrassed with the name anyway; so, they ought to do the Lord’s cause a favor and change it. The ACU professors tell us that some “Churches of Christ” have members “who believe that God will save at least some people who don’t attend a Church of Christ.” I do not doubt that some professed members of the church hold to this false idea. This shows the importance of getting back preaching and teaching the fundamentals. The apostle Paul taught that Christ is the savior of the body (Eph. 5:23). His body is the church (Eph. 1:22-23; Col.1:18). Thus, Christ will save the church. If one is not in the church, he cannot be saved. Some say that there are Christians in the denominations as well as in the church of Christ. But the church is the house, or family of God ( 1Tim.3:15; Eph. 3:15). Christians are the children of God (Gal.3:26-27; I John 3:1). But if there are Christians in the denominations, then that would mean there are children of God outside his family. Does anyone really want to charge God with having children outside his spiritual family? If Christians forsake the assembly of the saints, the apostle Paul said that there remains no more sacrifice for sins (Heb. 10:24-29). God “abideth faithful: he cannot deny himself” (2 Tim. 2:13). God will not go contrary to his word. So, if one turns his back on the assembly of the saints, i.e., the church of Christ, God will not save that person. The ACU threesome tell us that some in the “Church of Christ” “believe the Holy Spirit is alive, active among us, and doing surprising and even miraculous things.” None who understand the Bible will deny that the Holy Spirit is alive. Almost forty years ago there was a theory going around that “God is dead,” but one does not hear much about it now. J. D. Bales was supposed to meet Thomas J. J. Altizer, the widely publicized representative of the “God is dead” theology. The debate never took place, but Bales did write a book analyzing the theory. Pentecostals have accused us of denying the existence of the Holy Spirit, but faithful brethren over the years have argued for his existence and the truth on his work. The New Testament teaches that the Holy Spirit is active among us (Eph. 6:17; 1 Tim.4:1; Rev. 2:7,11,17,29). But he does not do miracles today. It is a matter of demonstration, not argumentation. There are some who claim that the Holy Spirit is doing miraculous things today. Allan Hicks in LoveLines wrote recently:
This is a failure to understand what the word “miracle,” as used in the Bible, means. Supernatural manifestations used to confirm the word do not happen today. The age of miracles has ceased (1 Cor. 13:4-8). The word of God has been confirmed. On a positive note, I am thankful for many brethren, in various places through different means, who are speaking out against the rank liberalism set forth in The Crux of the Matter. Let us use the sword of the Spirit to fight this error until it is defeated or we quit the walks of men. | ||||||||