Ever notice how easy it is to look like the bad guy when someone is in the wrong and you point it out? As you read through Paul’s short letter to the Galatian brethren, you cannot help but feel bad for him.

This letter was written by godly inspiration to help the brethren stay faithful and beware of evil influences (Gal. 1:6-9). You really get an idea of what the apostle was going through when he stated, “Have I become your enemy because I tell you the truth?” (Gal. 4:16). Understand that the impact of those words are magnified when we note the attitude the brethren had towards Paul at one time. In the previous verse, the apostle said that there was a time that the brethren there would have plucked their own eyes out for him (verse 15).  

We might think that we can handle rebukes from someone that we care for. Maybe, but maybe not. Do not think that it becomes easier to accept correction from someone because you are close to them. When pointing out error, our ultimate goal should always be to do the will of God. Therefore, if we are told that we are coming up short in our service to the Lord, we should gladly accept what we are told by recognizing that it is a message from the one who we want to please (Heb. 11:6).

Contrast the reaction to the rebuke Peter gave Simon (Acts 8:20-24) and the rebuke Stephen gave to a crowd of Jews who claimed to be very religious (Acts 7:51-59). More often than not, we should be prepared for unkind words after rebuking someone. This harsh feedback often causes the person offering correction to doubt themselves, their approach, etc.

We certainly need to use good judgment when correcting others, but those who want to go to heaven will also want people to be open and honest with them. Criticism is not always an easy pill to swallow, but I pray that we do not fall victim to wanting it always sugar coated!

Chuck

During discussions about the church, people have occasionally told me that Alexander Campbell started the church of Christ in the 1800s. How do you answer this? This is a great question and with any good Bible question, we shall do our best to give it a Bible-based answer.

Before I get into the scriptures, let me give a brief history lesson about Alexander Campbell. Alexander’s father (Thomas) was a Presbyterian preacher. Thomas was dissatisfied with the Presbyterian beliefs and desired a more Biblically-oriented belief system. Alexander was also a Presbyterian and had similar concerns about the group’s teachings.

Alexander soon joined a local Baptist church. The longer he preached, the more convinced he became that there should not be any religious sects and that we should simply be Christians (Acts 11:26). This drove a wedge between him and the Baptists. Eventually, Campbell came across an independent group called the Disciples of Christ. Alexander Campbell’s plea was that of his father: “Where the scriptures speak, we speak, where the scriptures are silent, we are silent.”

I say all of this to point out that Alexander Campbell, like some before him and some after him, encouraged people to get back to the scriptures. Nobody alive in the last several hundred years can reinvent the wheel though. This is to say that no matter what Campbell did, he was not going to be able to start the church of Christ. Alexander Campbell could not have founded the church of Christ because Jesus did that roughly 1700 years before Alexander was born (Matt. 16:18; Acts 20:28; Eph. 1:22-23; Col. 1:18).

What is a good way to answer the accusation that Alexander Campbell started the church of Christ?  I would start by reading the verses that were listed in the previous paragraph and then consider the travels of Paul in the book of Acts. People should see that when Paul went into a city, he taught the gospel, converted people and helped establish local churches (Acts 15:41; 16:5; etc.).

Remember that when Paul traveled to these different cities, he went into the synagogues to teach. This indicates that these cities already contained religious people doing what they thought was right in the sight of God. Those who accepted the teachings Paul spoke were converted (Acts 18:8). What would people, who rejected what Paul taught, say about him? Could they accuse him of starting his own religious sect? They could, but they would be wrong.

I do not want to leave the impression that I am putting Alexander on par with Paul. What I am saying is that neither Paul nor Alexander Campbell could start the church of Christ. There were some in the first century that wanted to put Paul in a position of authority that only belonged to Christ (I Cor. 1:11-14). You cannot stop people from believing and teaching things that are wrong. I am no more a member of a church that was started by Alexander Campbell than I am of one started by the apostle Paul!

If some man establishes a religious organization rather than seeking only the one that was established by Christ, that organization is a religious sect ( a denomination, if you will). Whether you talk about the Presbyterian Church or the Baptist Church, neither one were started by Christ. The churches that follow Christ are of the church that belongs to Christ (Rom. 16:16). This question is important for all of us – do you belong to the church you read about in the Bible, or do you belong to one you read about in some history book that was created by some man?

Chuck

There is no question that our Lord does not want anyone to perish (II Pet. 3:9). Even so, if you read that passage in Peter, you will note that it ended by saying “…but that all should come to repentance.” Was this talking about those who are not Christians?  No, he is talking about all people.

There is not enough space in this bulletin to list all the Biblical references that deal with the need for Christians to repent, but here are a few to read carefully: Rev. 2:5, II Cor. 7:9, Acts 8:22. Seeing that the Bible obviously requires Christians to repent, we can logically conclude that it would be wrong to say that a group of religious people are okay with God just because they call themselves a church.

We cannot consider all religious groups faithful because there is a God-given standard. Without a standard, churches would never need to be rebuked. Everybody can recognize that there are differences between today’s sects. Therefore, these differences mean that someone is wrong or all are wrong. They logically cannot mean that all are right. Because of the God-given standard, we must agree (Gal. 1:6-9; I Cor. 1:10).

As an example of how we must agree, notice what Paul told the church at Corinth. Paul spoke on the subject of giving and mentioned that he was telling them the same thing he taught the other churches of Galatia (I Cor. 16:1). An inspired apostle was not to instruct one church to do something the others were not also expected to do.

If we are adamant about our faith and yet refuse to say that others are wrong, we could be implying that our own group is actually wrong. If we insist that our religious group has the truth and yet still refuse to say others are wrong, we are indicating that we have misunderstood the nature of God’s word.

Nobody can be considered faithful that is not abiding in the doctrine of Christ (II John 9). It may be common to hear the idea, “Let’s agree to disagree” but that is not sanctioned by the Lord. As the head of His church, Jesus demands the church to be the pillar and ground of truth (I Tim. 3:15). Folks might gather to worship God, but their gathering must be right in His sight or else they are gathering for the worse, not the better (I Cor. 11:17-19).

Personally, I have more respect for the denominational church that claims they have the truth and others are wrong than I do for a group that says everyone is okay. To be clear, I am saying that I respect their position – I am not saying they are right with the Lord simply because they took a stand. My point is that we all must be willing to claim we have the truth and be willing to study with those who oppose. However, most groups shy away from controversy by not taking a stand and instead choose to be “politically correct.” Remember, Jesus was crucified because he exposed false teaching (Luke 22:1-2).

This article is not to be construed as permission to hate people or religious groups. There is no room for self-righteous attitudes. We are to love all people just as the Father and the Son did (John 3:16). Exposing error is NOT the same as constructing walls. We are ty identify the walls that already exist whether or not people want to acknowledge them. There is a big difference between having unlawful hate in one’s heart and hating every false way (Psa. 119:104).

It would be wonderful if one church was as good as another. If that were really true though, none of the epistles in the New Testament would have been written. Both warnings and rebukes are necessary to stay true to God’s standard (II Tim. 4:2).

Chuck

We are told that there is a “common salvation” (Jude 3). This means that if you are a Christian, then anyone familiar with the Bible should know exactly what you did to be saved. Does that describe you? If not, something is amiss.

Anyone who was born again did so after receiving the word of God, which is what is able to save our souls (I Pet. 1:23; James 1:21).  The gospel of Jesus Christ needs to be heard in order to produce faith (Rom. 10:17; Acts 11:14). There is no way anyone can be saved without first hearing the message about Christ (Acts 8:35).

Not everyone who hears the gospel message believes it.Only those who believe the message can be saved (John 8:24; John 20:31: I Cor. 1:21). Keep in mind that faith makes it possible to be saved, but faith alone does not save (James 2:26). Those who believe the gospel message are those that gladly receive the word (Acts 2:41).

Those who truly believe in Jesus must be willing to confess their faith in Him (Rom. 10:9-10; Acts 8:37). It is possible to believe in Jesus but not be saved if we are unwilling to confess Him before men (John 12:42-43). Again, confessing Christ only makes it possible to be saved, but just confessing faith in Christ does not save you (Matt. 8:28-29).

When someone is willing to confess their faith in Jesus, he or she must make up their mind to change their ways, turn to Christ and repent of their sins (Acts 3:19; II Cor. 7:10; Acts 2:38). There must be a desire to turn away from walking in sin (Col. 3:5). But again, just stopping sinful activity does not save you. It just makes it possible to be saved.

To be born again, one must be born of water and the spirit (John 3:5). This is where one puts off the old man AND puts on the new man by being baptized into Christ (Rom. 6:3-7; Acts 22:16; Col. 2:12). Like the previous point, baptism does not save unless the other steps were also done. If not, one just gets wet (Acts 19:1-5). Does this describe perfectly what you did to be saved? If not, then something is wrong. Please contact us if you want to discuss further.

Chuck 

As a teacher of the word of God, I love a good illustration. Still, I have to remind myself that there is an order to be respected.  For example, I could tell you that I shed blood when I cut myself while rushing through a shave. I could explain that this blood was shed without purpose. It was not planned, and if I was told ahead of time, I would have done all I could to avoid having my blood shed.

I could have then contrasted this illustration with the blood that Jesus shed, how it was done with purpose, etc. Everything in this hypothetical scenario is true, but the order is backwards. Rather than telling a story and bringing Biblical applications to it, I should use God’s word as my starting point.

Notice how this example keeps the emphasis on God’s word. “Let’s open our Bibles and read the following text: John 19:13-30.” From there I could speak about what happened prior to Christ going to Calvary and the people crying out “Crucify Him!.” Then I would speak about the blood that was poured out from His wounds (Head, hands, feet and side). I could focus on the power and purpose of His blood. I might then contrast that with the uselessness of my own blood via the shaving illustration mentioned above (lack of power, lack of purpose, lack of planning).

As a teacher, I need to remind myself that a Bible lesson must focus on what was revealed in the scriptures, not focused on me trying to be creative. Years ago, it was instilled in me that the best way to interpret scripture is with scripture. We know that in Acts 17:11 those who went home after hearing Paul speak did not go and ponder the illustrations he spoke that made an impact on them. No, they searched the scriptures for answers. We want people to remember the word of God – that needs to be our focus.

There is nothing wrong with a good illustration, but it is to come from a great Bible text! Remember, the word of God is what produces genuine faith (Rom. 10:17). May we all seek to build this lasting faith as we teach those around us.

                                                                                            Chuck