"Espresso" or "Expresso"? by Forrest D. Moyer (http://focusmagazine.org/Articles/esspresso.htm)
We have a lot of words that we commonly mispronounce. People say "expresso" when it should be "espresso." There is no "x" in espresso. Yes, I know that it is a small difference, and, yes, I know that I shouldn't be nit-picky (A nit-picker is one who is concerned about petty details). But facts are facts, and letters do make a difference. When it comes to Bible teaching, we especially need to be careful so that we say what the book says. We need to avoid some of the ordinary fallacies that pop up in conversation about the Bible or about the church of our Lord. Let us look a few of these terms that are commonly misused.
"I am a Church of Christer"
We may well understand what the person is trying to say; but it
is a fallacious way of saying, "I am a Christian." We
come to think of the church in a denominational sense. We want
to distinguish between being a Baptist or Presbyterian or the
like, and so we use expressions that would indicate that we are
a part of another denomination called "the church of Christ."
Why isn't it sufficient to say, "I am a Christian?"
Conjoined with this expression is another that we hear. A preacher
may be referred to as "a church of Christ preacher."
What is that? Do you mean that he preaches "the church of
Christ?" Why cannot we be content to say that he is "a
gospel preacher?" Isn't that definitive enough? Or must
we denominationalize the church by our expressions?
"Congregations of the Church of Christ"
This is perhaps even more common to hear. The thinking behind
this expression is that "the church of Christ" is made
up of congregations. This is indeed a denominational concept.
(A denomination is defined as "an organized group of religious
congregations.") But that is not what the Bible teaches about
the church. Universally, the church is composed of all saved individuals
on the face of God's earth. Christians are "the church of
the firstborn who are enrolled in heaven" (Hebrews 12:23).
The word "firstborn" is a plural word and therefore,
properly would be "firstborn ones." (You see, another
fallacy is that people go to this passage and argue somewhat like
this: "The church is the church of the 'firstborn.' The 'firstborn'
is Christ. Therefore, it is the 'church of Christ.'" Such
is more fallacious reasoning since the word is plural.) When we
say that the church of our Lord is not a denomination, we mean
that it is not composed of a group of congregations. It is composed
of those individuals whose names are enrolled in Heaven. Further,
the word ekklesia basically means "an assembly" or "congregation."
Thus, it would be foolish to say, "churches of the church"
or "assemblies of the assembly" or "congregations
of the congregation." We need to get away from this thinking
and speaking in denominational terminology.
"The Church of Christ' Is the Name We Must Use"
Some brethren are most vehement when it comes to the designations
of the church. You would think that God gave a divine fiat that
says, "You must be called 'the church of Christ.'" Did
it ever occur to these good men that the expression "the
church of Christ" does not occur in the New Testament? Yes,
I know that when referring to several congregations, Paul used
the term "churches of Christ" (Romans 16:16). It is
eminently scriptural for a local church to be referred to as a
"church of Christ." But is this the only term by which
a local church can be called? What about referring to the local
church as "the church of God" (See 1 Corinthians 1:2,
1 Thessalonians 2:14)? "But," you say, "people
wouldn't know who 'we' are if we used the term 'church of God.'"
Face it, brethren; it is so easy to get caught up in a denominational
mindset. What if a group of people in a remote area started studying
the Bible, believed in Jesus and were baptized for the remission
of their sins. I believe that all of us would agree that they
are Christians. Suppose they began meeting regularly and simply
referred to themselves as "the church of God." Would
this be scriptural? If you moved into the area and found them,
would you try to convince them to cease using "the church
of God" and begin using "the church of Christ?"
What scripture would you go to in order to try to convince them
of this? Can't you see that we get into some rather fuzzy thinking
about the church?
"Unto" and "Into"
When I began preaching some fifty years ago, I heard preachers
preaching on the plan of salvation and making an argument on "unto"
and "into." This sounded good to me, and I began to
use it also. The argument went like this: "We believe unto
righteousness; we repent unto life; we confess unto salvation.
'Unto' means 'in the direction of.' But when it comes to baptism,
we are baptized into Christ. Believing, repenting and confessing
are leading us in the direction of, but it is baptism that puts
us into Christ." This sounds good. The only thing wrong with
it is that it just isn't proper usage of the terms. The word translated
unto in Romans 10:10 and Acts 17:18 is eis. This is the same word
translated into in Gal. 3:27. In all of these passages the same
word is used. Thus, we cannot make an argument on the difference
between unto and into. It is fallacious reasoning and is not necessary
to show the essentiality of baptism for the forgiveness of sins.
No, I am not trying to be a nit-picker. But I am convinced that
we ought to be Biblical in our usage of terms. Let's get away
from denominational thinking and speaking. Let us avoid erroneous
arguments in our diligence to teach the truth. Let's just speak
as the Bible speaks.
Renewing The Mind By Clark Dugger (Reprinted from The Proclaimer, http://www.tyler.net/rrcc/proclaim.htm)
Certainly our mind controls our actions, for all that we do or say must first come from our mind. But the word "mind" can refer to more than just thought process. The apostle Paul uses the word "mind" on many occasions to refer to the attitude and disposition that an individual has towards life, and uses the word to indicate purpose, inclination and intent. He speaks of those at variance with God as having "reprobate minds" (Rom. 1:28), "corrupt minds" (1 Tim. 6:5), "defiled minds" (Titus 1:15), and says that such individuals "walk in the vanity of their mind" (Eph. 4:17).
For one to be converted to the Lord there must first be a radical change in mind or attitude toward God and His Will. This change of mind will manifest itself in a change of behavior. But conversion is more than external reforms. It is a transformation of character, a change of heart or mind from which flow the issues of life. The wise man says: "Keep thy heart with all diligence; for out of it are the issues of life" (Prov. 4:23). As people of God we are concerned exclusively with serving and pleasing Him so that we might be able to "dwell in the house of the Lord forever."
We therefore reflect the Divine viewpoint in life. We set our "minds on the things that are above, not on the things that are upon the earth" (Col. 3:2). Being spiritually minded rather than carnally minded we have the mind of Christ who emptied self, took the form of a servant and "humbled himself, becoming obedient even unto death, yea, the death of the cross" (Phil. 2:5-8).
But such transformation is not a one time occurrence. It is, rather, a continuing process that must be constantly renewed. And so Paul writes, "And be not fashioned according to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what is the good and acceptable and perfect will of God" (Rom. 12:2). This renewing process is essential to the new man, the man of God who is striving to become more like his Lord. And so we "have put on the new man, that is being renewed unto knowledge after the image of him that created him" (Col. 3:10). May God help us to continue this renewing of our mind so that we may be truly transformed into His image.
What Would They Say? by Greg Gwin (From The Beacon)
The Bible tells us about the intense persecution that was endured by early Christians. We know that many were imprisoned, and a large number were put to death (Acts26:9-11). Uninspired historical accounts give us additional information about the terrible trials and sufferings of those first disciples.
We are told that Christians in the city of Rome faced great danger when they assembled together for worship. Because of this they were often forced to hold their meetings in secret places. We know that they sometimes met in the catacombs (underground cemeteries). Evidence from those secret meetings can still be seen today. It is said that at the height of this persecution members of a family would leave for worship at different times so that they would not generate suspicion from neighbors. They changed their meeting place and the time of the assemblies each week to avoid being discovered.
Did you ever wonder how these early saints would react if they were able to comment about the practice of their modern day brothers and sisters? Don't you imagine that they would be shocked to learn about the things that keep some Christians from attending all the worship assemblies and Bible studies?
What was it that kept you from the assemblies last week? Too tired? Too busy? A school function? A ballgame? A band concert? A vacation trip? Relatives from out of town visiting? A fishing trip? A round of golf? A minor sniffle or headache? Too sick to worship (but not to sick to go to work)? Just didn't feel like coming? Stop for a minute to think what those persecuted Christians of the first century would say if they heard YOUR excuses.
Why did those people take such risks? Why did they suffer so much? The answer is obvious: they loved the Lord and were committed to His service. What about YOU?
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34748.
Phone: (352) 365-9946 for times of services.
Web site: http://www.careydillinger.com/cocbs/cocbshp.htm
MONTHLY BIBLE READING: The Miracles of Jesus, Matthew, Mark and Luke.
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