Study: The Bible Concept Of The Church

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Laela

Sidestepping the "lynch mob"
I. The Bible Concept of the Church

Ephesians 3:10,11 says the church is part of God's eternal wisdom. This shows that the church is important to God, so we should respect His will regarding it. What does He say should be our concept of the church, and does denominationalism fit that concept?

A. Bible Meanings of the Word "Church"
The word "church" is used two ways in the Bible:

The church in the "universal" sense
The "universal" church refers to the body or group of all saved people everywhere. It includes all who have been redeemed by Jesus' blood, have been forgiven of their sins, and have been born into His spiritual family. Bible examples of this usage are:

Matthew 16:18 - Jesus promised to build His church. The church is built on Jesus and belongs to Him ("my church"). [Cf. 1 Cor. 3:11]

Ephesians 5:23,25 - Jesus is Head of the church, and He is Savior of His body. He gave Himself for the church. So the church is the body of all people who have been saved by Christ.

Acts 2:47 - The Lord added to the church those who were saved. The "universal" church consists of all saved people everywhere because, when God saves people, He puts them in the church. In this sense, the church is always singular.

[See also Eph. 1:22,23; Col. 1:18,24; 1 Tim. 3:15; cf. 1 Cor. 12:12-14 to Acts 2:38; 22:16; Mk 16:16.]

The church in the "local" sense
The "local" church refers to a congregation of Christians in a region who have united themselves to work and worship together. According to the Bible, they have a pattern of organization, work that they are to do, and funds they use to do this work.

In the Bible, Christians were not just members of the universal body of all saved people, but they also associated themselves into local churches. Here are some examples:

Acts 8:1 - The church which was in Jerusalem.
1 Corinthians 1:2 - The church of God which was at Corinth.
1 Thessalonians 2:14 - Churches of God which were in Judea.
Revelation 1:4,11 - The seven churches of Asia.
Galatians 1:2 - The churches of Galatia.

Note that, in this local sense, the word "church" can be used in the plural - "churches of Christ" (Rom. 16:16). Congregations existed in different localities, but they were not religiously divided. All had the same pattern of organization, doctrine, worship, salvation, etc.

[See also Acts 11:22; 2 Cor. 1:1; 8:1; Gal. 1:22; 1 Cor. 16:1; Rom. 16:1,4; 1 Cor. 14:33.]

B. The Denominational Concept of the Church
Modern denominations include many local congregations, and they claim there is one universal church composed of all "saved" people. But they add something new - the denominations. All these "saved" people in all these local churches are now divided into denominations.

The concept of a denomination, as commonly believed today, involves all the following elements:

* Each denomination is an affiliation or confederation consisting of a number of local churches.

* Each denomination has its own peculiar name, doctrine, organization, plan of worship, etc., which distinguishes it from other denominations.

* Each denomination claims it is composed of Christians, but it does not claim to contain all faithful Christians. Each denomination believes there are faithful children of God in other denominations. "There are saved people in all the denominations." "We're all going to heaven, just by different routes." "One church is as good as another." It's just a matter of personal preference, like different kinds of cars, colors of clothes, etc. So "join the church of your choice."

Ask any informed denominationalist, and he will confirm what we have said. Ask: "Are there saved Christians in your denomination?" He will say, "Yes." Ask: "Are there Christians in other denominations, who will go to heaven?" He will say, "Yes." Ask: "Does one have to be a member of your denomination to go to heaven?" He will say, "No." So each denomination claims to consist of some Christians, but not all Christians.

A denominational preacher once said the following in a letter to me:

"There is only one 'holy Christian Church,' of which Christ is the Head, but it is now made up of many denominations ... But faith in Christ is the first criterion of membership in the holy Christian Church, and we feel that such believers can be found in all Christian denominations."

C. Denominationalism Differs from God's Plan.
God's plan involves all saved people in one universal body, yet associated together in local churches. Denominationalism changes God's plan by adding the concept of denominational affiliations - associations of local churches that contain some of the saved but not all of the saved - organizations that are more than just local churches, but less than the universal church. Denominations were unknown in the Bible. They constitute an addition, a change in God's plan. Most people can easily read their Bibles and see that this is so.

What does God think about unauthorized changes in His pattern?
What difference does it make? Will God be pleased with people who defend the denominational concept?

Galatians 1:6-9 - Any man is accursed if he preaches a gospel different from what is revealed in the New Testament. But denominationalism is different from the gospel. It is nowhere authorized in the gospel.

2 John 9 - Whoever does not abide in Jesus' doctrine does not have God. Is denominationalism part of Jesus' teaching? No! It is not revealed in His word. Therefore, those who practice this unauthorized change have not God! [See also Rev. 22:18,19.]

Is God pleased when people follow man's wisdom instead of His?
The church is part of God's eternal wisdom in the Bible (Eph. 3:10,11). Denominations are not in the Bible, so they must have come from men. If we participate in them, we are following man's wisdom, not God's. What does God think about this?

Proverbs 3:5,6 - We must not lean on our human wisdom, but must trust in God to guide us.

Proverbs 14:12 - There are ways that seem right to men, but their end is death.

Matthew 15:9,13,14 - Human traditions and commands make our service to God vain or empty. Everything religiously which God did not plant will be

rooted up. By whose command do denominations exist? Who planted them? Not God, but man. Hence, they make people's worship and service to God vain and they will be rooted up.

[See also Isa. 55:8,9; Jer. 10:23; Col.3:17; 1 Cor. 1:18-25; 2:1-5.]

II. The Bible Teaching About Unity
Each denomination has practices that contradict and disagree with the practices of other denominations. One says only immersion is true baptism; another says sprinkling is acceptable too. One says a child of God can fall from grace; another says this is impossible, etc. Surely this constitutes religious division and confusion.

Yet the denominational concept says God will accept all this - people in all the groups please Him and will receive eternal life. "It doesn't matter what you believe as long as you worship God sincerely," etc. Is this really what the Bible teaches?

A. Jesus' Prayer
John 17:20-23 - Jesus prayed for all who believe on Him to be one as He and His Father are one. Jesus, the Head of the church, prayed for unity. Denominations claim that He is their head, yet they practice division!

Someone may claim the denominations are all part of one universal church, though they contradict one another. But is this how Jesus and His Father were one? When did the Father and Son ever disagree about what church people should be members of? or about how to worship God? or about the plan of salvation? or about the organization of the church?

When did the Father say to the Son: "I disagree with your practices, but it doesn't matter what you believe as long as you're sincere. We're all going to the same place anyway, so just join the church of your choice"??

In what sense were the Father and the Son "one"? John 12:49,50 says they both taught the same commandments! True Bible unity consists of everybody doing the will of the Father! Those who promote other forms of "unity," while excusing the existence of denominational division, are actually rejecting and rebelling against Jesus' prayer for unity.

[Cf. John 14:31; 15:10; 17:17.]

B. Division at Corinth
1 Corinthians 1:10-13 - Paul pled with the Corinthians that there be no divisions among them (verse 10). Do denominations obey this plea? Are there "no divisions among them"? Surely they are divided, so how can anyone excuse their existence and say God will accept them?

Is Christ divided (verse 13)? Does He contradict Himself or teach contradictory things to His followers? Surely not. Such actions would make Him a hypocrite! How then can all the denominations be truly following Him and truly accepting His headship when they contradict one another? It must be true that some people are really not following Him and that is why the division exists.

If Paul rebuked the division at Corinth, should we not rebuke the far greater division in denominationalism? Did Paul tell the Corinthians to just overlook their differences because they were all pleasing to God anyway? Not at all! He told them to cease their divisive practices and seek unity by practicing

the true teachings of God (read chapters 5,12-14,15, etc.)

C. Unity of the Spirit
Ephesians 4:3-6 - We must keep the unity of the Spirit. This means that, for the seven things listed, there is only one of each in God's true plan.

Specifically, there is one true God and Father. Can a person be a true Christian and believe in many gods? "It doesn't matter what god you worship as long as you are sincere. Worshipers of all gods are going to the same place, so just worship the god of your choice"?! No. There are many false gods, but only one true God.

Likewise there is only one true body and only one true faith, and the body is Jesus' church (Eph. 1:22,23; 5:23-25; Col. 1:18,24). It is just as essential to believe in only one true body and only one true faith as it is to believe in only one true God. But denominationalism takes the one true body and chops it up into many disagreeing bodies having different and contradictory faiths.

Just as there are many false gods but only one true God, so there are many false churches and many false faiths, but there is only one true church and only one true faith.

[See also 1 Cor. 14:33; 3:3; 12:12,13,20; Phil. 1:27; Eph. 2:16; Gal. 5:19-21; Rom. 12:4,5.]

III. The Bible Concept of Truth
A. An Imaginary Church
Despite the contradictory practices in denominationalism, we are told that it does not matter what church we attend, so just "join the church of our choice." Let us make up a church and see if it "does not matter" if we attend this church.

Suppose we had a church that taught all the following things:

* We follow the Bible as our sole guide in religion, but we also follow the Book of Mormon, the Catholic catechism, and Jehovah's Witness Watchtower publications as authority.

* We believe that a child of God can so sin as to be eternally lost, but we also believe that it is impossible for a child of God to so sin as to be eternally lost.

* We believe that immersion is the only true form of baptism, but we also practice sprinkling and pouring as valid forms of baptism.

* We believe that man is justified by faith alone, but we also teach that obedience is essential to justification.

* We believe that the seventh day of the week is the Christian sabbath and the first day of the week is a perversion, but we also believe that the first day of the week is the Christian sabbath for worshipping God.

* We worship the God of the Bible as our only God and Jesus as our only Savior, but we also worship the sun, moon, stars, and Satan.

What would you think of a church that believed and practiced all these contradictory doctrines? "Ridiculous! Hypocritical!" Yes, but when different churches teach these contradictory doctrines, some people tell us it "does not matter" which we join. Isn't that also ridiculous and hypocritical?

Consider what denominationalism says about Jesus. We are told that "you can find Jesus in any of the churches." And "there are people in all the denominations that are following Jesus." But if Jesus is found in all the churches, though they teach all these contradictory doctrines, doesn't that make Him a hypocrite? And if all the churches are following Jesus, yet they are going in opposite directions, doesn't that mean Jesus is leading people in opposite directions? When people try to justify denominations, they make Jesus ridiculous and hypocritical!

What is the real problem with our imaginary church? The problem is that no one could believe all these contradictory doctrines because truth does not contradict itself! This is the real issue. Jesus teaches truth, and truth does not contradict itself. Denominations contradict one another. Therefore, they cannot all be teaching truth, and they cannot all be following Jesus!

B. The Importance of Truth
The Bible emphasizes the importance of truth.

John 17:17 - God's word is truth.

John 8:32 - We must know the truth to be made free from sin (v34).

1 Peter 1:22,23 - Obeying the truth is what makes us free from sin.

2 Thessalonians 2:10-12 - Believing error and lies will condemn us. There is one true faith, just as there is only one true God (Eph. 4:3-6).

The fundamental consequence of denominationalism is that error is just as good as truth! If the denominational concept is true, then all denominations are acceptable to God even though they flatly contradict one another regarding worship, salvation, etc. This means error is just as good as truth and unrighteousness is just as good as righteousness. Denominationalism must be wrong because it says that error does not condemn.

CONCLUSION
How can people today please God and be members of the one church of the Bible, despite the existence of denominational division?

1. Reject all groups that believe the denominational concept.
Refuse to be part of any group that claims to be a denomination, or which excuses, justifies, or condones denominationalism. Recognize that all such groups are apostasies, departures from God's way.

2 Corinthians 6:17,18 - Come out from among them and be separate.

Ephesians 5:11 - Have no fellowship with the works of darkness, but reprove them. [See also Rom. 16:17; 2 John 9-11; Matt. 15:1-14; Tit. 3:10,11.]

2. Accept and obey only the word of God in its purity and simplicity.
Luke 8:11 - The Word of God is the seed of the kingdom.

1 Peter 1:22-25 - We purify our souls and are born again into God's family by obeying truth (not error).

Acts 2:38,47 - Repent and be baptized for remission of sins and God will then add you to His true church. Then find a faithful local church that follows God's true word and is not part of any denomination.

In the first century, obeying Jesus' true gospel made people members of Jesus' one true church. It did not make them members of any denomination. That gospel can have the same effect in your life as it did in theirs, for God is no respecter of persons (Acts 2:39; 10:34,35; Mk. 16:15,16). The seed of the kingdom will produce the same result today as it did in the first century (Gal. 6:8).


If you avoid man-made doctrines and obey just the true gospel, you too will become a member of Jesus' true body of all saved people, but you will not be a member of any denomination
. This will put you in fellowship with all others who have truly obeyed that gospel. Those who do not so teach, are not the Lord's true church.

Note: If you would like help in finding a faithful local church in your area or a Christian in your area to study the Bible personally with you, please click on the link at the end of this message to email us. You will be given an opportunity to inform us of your desire. Depending on where you live, we may or may not be able to help in these ways.
(C) Copyright 1986, 1990, 2001, David E. Pratte
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Topics for further Bible study
(Click for more information. Use your "back" key to return here.)
The Importance of Jesus' Church
Why So Much Religious Confusion and Disagreement?
Origin of Jesus' Church & Denominations
The Bible vs. Denominational Creeds
How Many True Churches Are There?
Divine Authority vs. Human Authority
The Nature and Meaning of the Church
How Can You Find & Identify Jesus' Church?
 

Laela

Sidestepping the "lynch mob"
The Seven Churches of Revelations 2


(1) Ephesus (Revelation 2:1-7) - the church that had forsaken its first love (2:4).

(2) Smyrna (Revelation 2:8-11) - the church that would suffer persecution (2:10).

(3) Pergamum (Revelation 2:12-17) - the church that needed to repent (2:16).

(4) Thyatira (Revelation 2:18-29) - the church that had a false prophetess (2:20).

(5) Sardis (Revelation 3:1-6) - the church that had fallen asleep (3:2).

(6) Philadelphia (Revelation 3:7-13) - the church that had endured patiently (3:10).

(7) Laodicea (Revelation 3:14-22) - the church with the lukewarm faith (3:16).
 

Laela

Sidestepping the "lynch mob"
I. Emotions as a Religious Guide
A. Many People Accept or Reject Religious Beliefs on the Basis of Emotion.
They may believe in a church, preacher, or doctrine, because they "feel good" about it, regardless of whether or not they have found convincing evidence that it is true.

Some almost rebel against the need for study and evidence in religion. They view faith as a "leap in the dark" based on feelings. A popular song said, "It can't be wrong when it feels so right." That expresses the approach some take to determining their religious views.

Consider some specific examples.

Better-felt-than-told" religious experiences
Some people had emotional experiences that convinced them they were saved. Maybe they attended a "revival" with rhythmic music, hypnotic preaching, clapping, excitement, and people claiming to "feel the Spirit moving." Perhaps emotional appeals brought them to the "mourner's bench" where they tried to "pray through."

Or some may have experienced guilt or some other deep emotional need, and they prayed to God for help. Then maybe they have heard some religious teaching and assumed this was God's answer. Maybe they received a deep sense of peace and warmth, so they just "feel sure" they are saved. Asked to describe this feeling, they say, "It's better felt than told, but if you ever feel it, you'll know it." Others have said, "I wouldn't trade this feeling for a stack of Bibles."

Others may pray for healing or some other great blessing. Perhaps someone tells them to "expect a miracle." Maybe they speak sounds they had never spoken before, so they conclude they "spoke in tongues." This may give a deep emotional conviction that God has accepted them or that they are "led by the Spirit" to do certain things.

Some teachers tell people to pray to know the truth and God will answer in the form of a feeling of warmth, peace, conviction, etc.
Some call this a "burning in the bosom." Such feelings often come naturally, as when your ball team wins or you meet a pretty girl. But when it happens after a preacher suggested that you watch for it, people conclude God is telling them that the teacher and his message were from God, etc. The result is that beliefs are accepted on the basis of feelings, not evidence.

Strong emotional appeals are used to justify certain practices, regardless of what the Scriptures say.
People may accept a doctrine because "my dear mother (or other loved one) believed this, and I just can't believe she is lost." Or some programs and organizations make emotional appeals for money to help needy people or to save lost souls, despite the fact the program or organization itself may be corrupt or unscriptural. Many such examples could be given.

B. Are Feelings a Reliable Guide in Religion?
Can we be sure we are right religiously just because we feel right, or because we prayed and had an emotional experience?

Are feelings a reliable guide outside religion?
Allof us know instances where feelings have led to serious mistakes. Movies, books, and songs urge people to "follow your heart." The Star Wars characters said, "Reach out with your feelings," and "What do your feelings tell you?" It makes good entertainment, but many people who try it in real life have lived to regret it.

* Young people "feel sure" they are in love, so they marry on impulse, then regret it for the rest of their lives.

* People become afraid and "feel sure" they hear a thief, so they shoot and kill a family member.

* Strong emotions may lead to adultery, killing, stealing, and other evils.

Are these acts right just because our emotions led us to do them?

Where does God's word say that feelings will show us right from wrong?
The New Testament is filled with examples of people who needed to know right from wrong. Where were such people ever told to trust their feelings or to pray for a "burning in the bosom" to tell them whether a church or belief is right or wrong?

2 Timothy 3:16,17 - The Scriptures provide us to "all good works." If we ought to trust our feelings to tell us right from wrong, then the Bible should say so. Where does it say this?

If this approach is good, why do people who use it end up contradicting one another?
When questioned, Mormons, Pentecostals, Catholics, Baptists, and Charismatics often tell about their emotional experiences. They may tell how they prayed to know what was right or had an experience that gave them peace and assurance that they were right. There is not a nickel's worth of difference in their stories that would convince you which one believes the truth. Yet they thoroughly contradict one another and many believe the others are wrong. Do the feelings really prove they are all pleasing to God?

1 Corinthians 1:10-13 - God rebukes religious division and contradictions. Yet such division is inevitable if we follow our feelings, because feelings vary so much from person to person and from time to time.

Following feelings to guide us in religion results in division, but God condemns division. Therefore, God does not want us to follow our feelings in religion!

[1 Cor. 14:33; John 17:20,21; Ephesians 4:3-6; Galatians 5:19-21]

How do you know which feelings come from God and which come from Satan?
2 Corinthians 11:13-15 - Satan is adeceiver, liar, and counterfeiter. Everyone knows that Satan and evil may inspire feelings like anger, hate, etc. So why can't they inspire us to feel sure certain doctrines are true, when really they are not true? (2 Cor. 11:3; Matthew 24:24).

I read of a Buddhist monk who felt he should have other monks kick him down a flight of over 250 stairs. They did. Afterward he said he "felt a great sense of peace with God." Did his feelings prove God was pleased with him? Should we all do the same?

Hosts of other people tell experiences that led them to "feel sure" they were right, but their practices thoroughly contradict the Bible. How do you know when a feeling does or does not really tell you God's will? How can you be sure your feeling is really from God?

The Bible expressly teaches us to control our feelings, not vice-versa.
Some emotions we are told to control are:

Fear - 2 Timothy 1:7 (cf. Joshua 1:9; Revelation 2:10)
Anger - James 1:19,20 (cf. Proverbs 16:32; Matthew 5:22)
Hatred (1 John 3:15; 4:20)
Love (1 John 2:15-17; 1 Timothy 6:10; 2 Timothy 3:2-4)
Joy (1 Corinthians 13:6)

These emotions are not necessarily bad, but they can lead to serious error if we let them control us. If we cannot trust these emotions to guide us, how can we trust any emotions? How could we know which to trust and which not to trust?

The Bible specifically warns that the feelings of our hearts may lead us into error.

Jeremiah 17:9 - The heart is deceitful above all things and is exceedingly corrupt. Who can know it? Would God use something so unreliable to lead us to truth? [Matt. 15:18-20; Prov. 4:23]

Proverbs 14:12 - There is a way that seems right to man, but the end thereof are the ways of death. How can this be harmonized with the idea that "it can't be wrong if it feels so right"?

Proverbs 28:26 - He who trusts in his own heart is a fool. Why? Because the urgings of the heart are unreliable and often lead to error! Poets may say to "follow your heart." But the Bible confirms what we all really know: trusting your feelings can lead to tragic error.

Acts 26:9 - Saul of Tarsus really thought that he ought to do many things contrary to Jesus. He felt sure he was right. But he was really the chief of sinners (1 Timothy 1:12-15).

Jeremiah 10:23 - Proper guidance in how to live is not found inside man. It comes from outside man. Clearly we cannot expect to find assurance of truth in our feelings.

Emotions are neither good nor bad of themselves, but God never intended for them to guide us or to reveal what is good or bad. We should control them, not let them control us. They are followers, not leaders. To follow them is to get the "cart before the horse."

To believe that we can know right from wrong by praying for a feeling or by following our emotions is to pervert the purpose of feelings and to expose ourselves to all sorts of false practices.

(Study also Matthew 7:21-23 and 2 Corinthians 10:18.)

C. What Guide Can Tell Us What Is True in Religion?
If we cannot know right from wrong by following our feelings, how can we know? It was exactly to meet this need that God gave us the Bible, the Scriptures.

Consider these passages:
Romans 10:17 - Faith comes from hearing and hearing by the Word of God. Faith does not come by feelings or by praying for emotional experiences.

Psalms 119:105 - God'sword is a lamp to our feet and a light to our path. The Bible (not feelings) shows to us the proper way to go. (Cf. Psalm 19:7-11.)

Acts 17:2,3 - How did the apostles convince people what is right or wrong? Did they say to pray for a feeling of peace and assurance? Did they arrange emotional meetings with exciting music, shouting, clapping, and prayers at the mourners' bench? No. They just reasoned with people from the Scriptures! (See also Acts 28:23; 18:28; 17:17; 18:4,19; 19:8,9; 24:25.)

1 Peter 3:15- We too should persuade people, not by telling them to follow their emotions, but by giving them reasons: evidence from God's word.

John 20:29-31 -The Scriptures were written to provide the evidence people need in order to believe and be saved. Bible writers did miracles to prove their message was from God, but now their message and eyewitness testimony of their miracles is recorded in Scripture. So we do not need to see miracles today; we believe on the basis of the testimony in the written word.

Acts 17:11 - To know whether or not some teaching is true, we should search the Scriptures daily, not pray for an emotional experience.

Galatians 1:8,9; 1 John 4:1,6; 2 John 9-11 - Many false prophets are in the world. How do we know who speaks the truth? Not by feelings, but by comparing what men teach to the true gospel recorded in the New Testament.

2 Timothy 3:13-17- The Scriptures are the guide God provided so we can avoid being deceived. What we need is, not an emotional experience, but a knowledge of the Scriptures that teach, correct, instruct, and provide us to all good works. (Cf. 4:1-4.)

1 John 2:3-6- How can we know whether we know God and are in fellowship with Him? Not by emotions, but by whether or not we keep His commands. And the commands are recorded in the Scriptures - 1 Corinthians14:37 (cf. 1John 3:7-10).

This is why the Bible so frequently tells us to study diligently and meditate on God's word - 2 Timothy 2:15; Joshua 1:7,8; John 8:31,32; Psalm 1:1,2; 119:11,42-48,97-99. People go into error, not because they lack an emotional experience, but because they lack knowledge of the Scriptures (Matthew 22:29; Romans 10:1-3; Hosea 4:6).

When people rely on emotions, they often end up in error because emotions are fallible and changing. The Scriptures, however, are infallible and can never be wrong (John 17:17; Psalm 119:128; 33:4; 19:8; Romans 3:4). But we must study the Bible diligently with an honest heart, or we will misunderstand it and still be wrong.

Someone may point out that we should pray for wisdom and knowledge (James 1:5-8; Colossians 1:9,10).
True, the passages do say to pray for wisdom. What they don't say is to pray for a "burning in the bosom" or a feeling! To conclude that a prayer for wisdom will be answered by a feeling is to assume what is nowhere taught in Scripture and in fact contradicts the many passages we have studied.

In order to properly understand Bible teaching, we must consider other passages about the subject (Acts 3:22,23; Matthew 28:20; Matthew 4:5-7). Specifically, to understand how God answers prayer for wisdom, we must remember that God answers prayer only if we pray according to His will (1John 5:14; Matthew 26:36-46).

To illustrate, the Bible says to pray for bread (Matthew 6:11), but other passages says we must work for food (2 Thessalonians 3:8-10). This shows that the way God answers a prayer for food, is to help us obtain a job so we can work for it.

Likewise, God will answer a prayer for wisdom and knowledge in accordance with His will, not contrary to it. But we have already learned what His will says. It says that the truth is revealed in the Scriptures, and in order to learn what is true we must study. So the prayer for bread is answered when we work, and the prayer for wisdom is answered when we study God's word. To pray for God to tell us right from wrong by a feeling, would be an unscriptural prayer.

So the Scriptures are our God-given guide in religion. If we trust our emotions to show us right from wrong, we pervert the purpose of emotions and show a lack of faith in the Bible.

II. Emotions and Worship
A. Many Churches Design Their Worship to Excite Emotions.
People often mistake emotional feelings for true spiritual-mindedness. When they get excited, they "feel close to God" or claim they "feel the Spirit moving." Some people will only attend churches where they get this emotional "high." So some churches appeal to such thinking by deliberately arranging activities that provoke excitement and emotional stimulation. They intentionally use such emotionalism to draw crowds. Consider some examples:

Beautiful cathedrals with fancy artwork to create a "mood" that people enjoy

Exciting preachers with dramatic eloquence or dynamic speaking rhythm that arouses and excites

Thrilling music with instruments and special singing groups or with hypnotic rhythms that arouse, excite, entertain, and "move the audience" (emotionally)

External rituals such as lighting candles and dimming lights to create a mood

"Tongue-speaking" and "healing testimonials" that excite people emotionally - Often it is the emotions involved that lead people to desire these gifts, regardless of what the Bible says about the true purpose and use of the gifts (1Corinthians 12-14).

Clapping, shouting, continual "Amens" and "Praise the Lord" - Suchactivities are often deliberately used by preachers to stir up emotions and excitement.

Some people think these activities are highly "spiritual," but honest observation shows that they are just natural emotions, which appeal to man's carnal, physical desire for excitement and thrills. They are not truly spiritual at all, but are mere externals. They motivate people by means of emotional excitement very similar to what attracts people to ball games, rock concerts, and pictures of pretty girls. People seek "a good time," enjoying the mood and excitement. But excitement does not equal spirituality.

Outside religion, such desires are often used to lead people to participate in immoral conduct. When done in the name of religion, such motivations often lead to unscriptural beliefs and practices, which are justified as being the will of God but which really do nothing but satisfy fleshly desires.

Is God really pleased by such motivation in worship?

B. What Is the Purpose of Worship?
The primary purpose of worship is to honor and praise God.
Revelation 4:9-11 - We worship in order to give God honor, glory, and thanks.

Hebrews 13:15 - We "offer the sacrifice of praise to God..., the fruit of our lips giving thanks to his name."

Isaiah 55:8,9; Luke 16:15 - But what pleases us and what pleases God are often two entirely different things. We must determine what we do in worship, then, according to what God wants, regardless of whether or not it excites us or gives us enjoyment.

Sometimes people say, "I just don't get anything out of worship," meaning that it does not please them like they expect it to. But this is no excuse for failing to worship, or for changing the worship so that it does please us. The purpose of worship is to please God, not to please the worshipers. We should participate, not for the feeling we "get," but for the honor we can give to God.

(See also 1 Chron. 29:10-13; Neh. 9:5,6; Psalm 148).

Another purpose for worship is to teach people God's will and to encourage them to obey it.
Hebrews 10:24,25 - We assemble to "provoke one another to love and good works" and to "exhort one another." Note that it does not say to provoke one another to excitement and a "good time."

Colossians 3:16 - We sing to "teach and admonish one another" as well as to express praise to God.

2 Timothy 4:2-4; 2 Corinthians 7:8-10 - Scriptural teaching may, at times, rebuke people and lead them to sorrow for sin. This may not be enjoyable or pleasing to the people, but it is still an essential part of worship.

(See also Acts 20:7; 11:26; 1Corinthians 14:19-26; 1 Thessalonians 2:4).

To be sure our worship accomplishes these purposes, we must practice only what is authorized in God's word.
Matthew 15:9 - Worship based on human invention is vain. We must avoid things that people invent or choose to participate in, either because of human wisdom or because of human feelings.

Colossians 3:17 - Everything we do must be in Jesus' name (by His authority).

2 John 9; Galatians 1:8,9 - We are separated from God if we participate in any practice that cannot be found in God's word.

So we should not design acts of worship or choose to participate in them simply or primarily because they give people a certain feeling or emotion. We must determine what we practice or participate in wholly on the basis of what God's word says to do.

Now when Christians worship as God instructs, they surely will often experience emotions. This is good. But again the point is that we must control our emotions, not let them control our decisions about what we do.

All people have emotions. But emotions are cyclical. People have highs and lows. Some go way high and then way low. Others vary relatively little. But everyone has times when we are emotionally up and times we are down or "blue." If the purpose or success of worship were to be measured by our emotions, there would be no standard for how to worship or what constituted acceptable worship, because it would vary so much.

So the standard God set is an absolute one, not determined by our emotions. We must choose to do what God says to do, motivated by our devotion and trust toward Him, regardless of what our emotions would encourage us to do. As we obey God in this way, we will develop a true and abiding sense of joy, not based on natural thrills or artificial excitement, but based on our conviction that we have pleased God according to His will. This is true spirituality.

(See also Phil. 4:4; Psa. 122:1; 1Chron. 16:29-31.)

C. Do We Convey a Message that We Mean and People Can Understand?
When emotions are the emphasis, many things may be done that excite and thrill, regardless of whether or not they are reasonable or easily understood. For example, instruments, clapping, shouting, and strong musical rhythms arouse feelings, but convey no understandable message. Continual repetition of "Amen," and "Praise the Lord" may lead to excitement with no thought of the meaning of the expressions.

"Tongue-speaking," as practiced today, never of itself conveys an understandable message, and often no effort is made to "interpret." Some preachers preach with a sing-song, hypnotic rhythm, often interrupted by interjections from the audience, to produce excitement with little emphasis on the meaning of the message.

Consider these passages:
Mark 7:14; Ephesians 5:17- The intent of our teaching should be to convey a message that people can understand (see also Colossians 1:9; Ephesians 3:3-5).

Nehemiah 8:8 - The Levites taught Israel by reading God's law and then giving the sense so as to cause people to understand.

Acts 17:2,17; 18:4,19,28 - Faithful teachers taught people by reasoning with them. While emotions may have been produced as a side effect, they were never the main emphasis. People's convictions must be based on evidence and on the meaning or content of the message, not on emotion. (See also Acts 19:8,9; 24:25; 28:23; etc.)

1 Corinthians 14 -This chapter discusses spiritual gifts in the age when they existed, prior to the completion of the Scriptures ("that which is perfect" - cf. 1 Cor. 13:8-13 to James 1:25; 2 Timothy 3:16,17; etc.). However, the principles discussed would apply to all things done in worship assemblies (vv26,40). All is to be done for the purpose of edifying by means of conveying an understandable message (vv 6,9,12,19,26).

Specifically, singing and praying must be understandable (vv 15-17). Unbelievers will not be persuaded and converted unless they hear a message they can understand (vv 23-25). God is not the author of confusion (v33), so worship must be decent and orderly (v40).

When they emphasize emotions, people depart from proper concern for an understandable message. Much of what is done is confusing at best or even completely incapable of being understood. The emphasis is on feeling, not on reasoning and understanding. This is clearly rebuked in 1Corinthians 14.

Specifically consider phrases like "Praise the Lord" and "Amen."
Surely such expressions have a proper place in a Christian's vocabulary. But consider:

Matthew 6:7 - Jesus taught His disciples to not use "vain repetitions." Vain repetition refers to repeating words or phrases without seriously considering the meaning. We are just mouthing words. In their desire to stir up emotions, some preachers and audiences repeat "amen" and "praise the Lord" so often that they become vain repetitions.

I have heard audiences "amen" a preacher so much that they said it even when he made completely meaningless statements. One preacher got tangled in the microphone cord so he made some insignificant comment about the cord, and several people said "Amen"!

I have talked with charismatic folks who used the phrase "Praise the Lord" for everything. We would discuss a practice they participated in, and I would give a Scripture to show why I believed they were wrong. Even when they could not answer or explain their practice in harmony with the passage, they said, "Oh well. Praise the Lord!" Surely these expressions have lost their true meaning to these people. They are "vain repetitions."

"Amen" ("so be it") is used Scripturally at the end of prayers (1Corinthians 14:16; Matthew 6:13), at the end of songs (Psalm 41:13; 72:19; etc.), or at the end of a book or sermon (Matthew 28:20; Romans 16:27; 2 Corinthians 13:14; etc.). It is sometimes used when there is a logical break in thought in a lesson (Romans 1:25; 9:5; 11:36; 15:33; Ephesians 3:21; etc.).

But never in the Bible is "amen" used in ways that repeatedly interrupt the train of thought, even in the middle of sentences. Such a practice hinders the ability of the speaker to reason with the audience. And continual use of the word causes it to lose its significance and become a "vain repetition."

The word "Amen" is used less than 80 times in the whole Bible (King James Version). That amounts to about one occurrence in every twenty pages! Yet some preachers and audiences use it that often in ten minutes of a sermon!

Conclusion
We have learned in this study that we should avoid the abuse of emotions. At the same time, we should not overreact by concluding that all expression of emotion is bad and should be suppressed. The truth is that emotions can be good, but only when we are in control so that we are doing what is scriptural, understandable, and edifying.

It is only good and natural for Christians to feel and express emotions as they serve God. But we must not let emotions determine for us what we will believe or what we will do in worship, nor may we let them hinder people from understanding the meaning of what is done in worship.

What is the basis for your beliefs and your practices in worship?
 

Laela

Sidestepping the "lynch mob"

How Can You Find and Identify
the Church That Belongs To Jesus?

According to the New Testament, Jesus built His church and added all saved people to it. What standard of authority, pattern, doctrine, or creed did that church follow? What was its worship, work, name, origin, and doctrine of salvation and forgiveness of sins? Did it have an earthly organization, hierarchy, or centralized headquarters? How does modern "Christianity" compare to the church of Christ? How did Roman Catholicism and the denominations of the Protestant Reformation originate in history? Does Jesus' church exist today? If so, what characteristics should we seek in finding and identifying it?
Introduction
All serious Bible students agree that Jesus built only one church, and at that time all saved people were in that one church (Matt. 16:18; Acts 2:47). But today there are actually hundreds of different denominations, differing from one another in name, authority, worship, organization, plan of salvation and forgiveness of sins, etc. Yet all claim to be Christian, to follow Jesus, and to be pleasing to God.

The purpose of this study is to determine what Jesus wants us to practice regarding church membership.What was Jesus' church like in the first century? Does the church that Jesus built still exist today? If so, how can we find and identify it? What does God think about all the many different modern Catholic and Protestant denominations?

Now please take out your Bible and look up the >>> CAPITALIZED Scriptures <<<. Then study for you own benefit each question marked **. You may find a list of correct answers at the end of the study. (Note: This article is not intended to be submitted to us for grading. However, if you wish to study this material as part of a graded course, please go to our online Bible courses at www.BibleStudyLessons.com. Thank you.)

How important is Jesus' church?
Why should we study about Jesus' church? Some people think the church has nothing to do with salvation, so you can be saved outside the church. How important is the church to Jesus the Lord?

>>> Read ACTS 20:28. <<<

*1* How did Jesus make the church His? (a) He bought it with His blood, (b) He came to set up an earthly kingdom but couldn't, so He made the church instead, (c) somebody gave the church to Him.

*2* Can we be saved without Jesus' blood? (a) yes, (b) no.

*3* Then can we be saved outside Jesus' church? (a) yes, (b) no.

Jesus shed His blood to save us from sin (Ephesians 1:7; Revelation 1:5; Romans 5:6-9). But the people who have been saved and purchased by that blood are the people who are in the church!

>>> Read EPHESIANS 5:23,25. <<<

*4* For whom is Christ the Savior? (a) the nation of Israel only, (b) the body (church), (c) all people will be saved.

*5* For whom did He give Himself? (a) the church, (b) white, middle-class Americans only, (c) it doesn't matter.

Salvation can be obtained only through Jesus (Acts 4:12; John 14:6; Hebrews 5:9; 7:25). But the body of people whom Jesus has saved is the church. If the church has nothing to do with our salvation, why did the Lord die for it?

The Lord adds to the church those who should be saved - Acts 2:47. Christ is the Savior; but all those whose sins He has forgiven are in the church. Those outside the church are yet in their sins. This is why it is vitally important for us to learn about Jesus' church. (See also Ephesians 3:10,11; Colossians 1:12-14; Hebrews 10:25; etc.)

The word "church" has different meanings.
In the Bible, the "church" always refers to a group of people, never to a physical building. The word has two primary uses:

1. The church universally - the body of all saved people everywhere (Matthew 16:18; Ephesians 5:22-25; Acts 2:47).

2. The church locally - a congregation of saved people in a certain area who meet, work, and worship together (Jerusalem, Corinth, etc. - Acts 8:1; 13:1; 1 Corinthians 1:2; Galatians 1:2; Revelation 1:4).

We will study many examples of this word as we proceed.

First let us study the characteristics of the New Testament church, then we will study the origin of the modern denominations.

Part I: What Should Jesus' Church Be Like?
If the police were searching for a missing person, how would they identify the correct person? They would need a description or list of identifying characteristics: age, name, height, weight, etc.

Now suppose we want to find the church that belongs to Jesus. How can we identify it?

>>> Read MATTHEW 7:15-21. <<<

*6* How can false teachers be identified? (a) by their outward appearance, (b) by their unkind manners, (c) by their fruits.

*7* What are the "fruits" of God's followers? (a) they do the will of the Father, (b) they just call Jesus "Lord," (c) they just believe.

The true church can be identified because it teaches and practices the will of God. By learning Jesus' will for His church, we can know the identifying marks of His church. [Cf. 1 John 2:3-6]

Consider these characteristics:

A. The Doctrinal Standard of the Church
What law or rules should the church follow to determine what it believes, teaches, and practices?
>>> Read EPHESIANS 1:22,23. <<<

*8* Who is Head over all things to the church? (a) John the Baptist, (b) Peter, (c) Jesus.

*9* Whose control, then, should the church submit to? (a) Mohammed, (b) Jesus, (c) a council of men.

>>> Read COLOSSIANS 3:17. <<<

*10* What must be done in Jesus' name (by His authority)? (a) everything we do, (b) only the things we want to do, (c) whatever a preacher says.

Since Jesus built and purchased the church, it must follow His directions. His will is revealed in the New Testament (1 Corinthians 14:37; 2 Timothy 3:16,17; Ephesians 3:3-5).

(See also Ephesians 5:23; Colossians 1:18; 2:19; John 12:48; Acts 3:22,23; Matthew 28:18-20; Luke 6:46; Hebrews 5:9.)

May the church follow man-made laws?
>>> Read 2 JOHN 9. <<<

*11* What is our condition if we do not abide in the teachings of Jesus? (a) God overlooks it, (b) we get another chance after death, (c) we do not have the Father or Son.

>>> Read MATTHEW 15:9. <<<

*12* What does God think of worship that is based on man-made teachings? (a) it is vain, (b) He encourages it, (c) it doesn't matter.

>>> Read GALATIANS 1:8,9. <<<

*13* What happens if we preach a gospel different from the New Testament? (a) nothing, (b) we are accursed, (c) no one knows.

*14* Would a church be honoring Jesus as Lord if it follows doctrines or practices not found in the Bible? (a) yes, (b) no.

If Jesus' church exists today, it must strive to listen to all His teachings and must avoid practices not found in His teachings.

(See Revelation 22:18,19; Proverbs 14:12; 3:5,6; Jeremiah 10:23.)

B. The Origin or Beginning of the Church
>>> Read MATTHEW 16:15-18. <<<

*15* What did Jesus promise to build? (a) a social club, (b) an entertainment, recreational club, (c) His church, (d) all the preceding.

*16* Did the church exist when Jesus said this? (a) yes, (b) no.

*17* To whom would the church belong? (a) Peter, (b) Jesus, (c) John the Baptist.

*18* How many churches did Jesus promise to build? (a) one, (b) ten, (c) hundreds.

This passage and all passages before Acts 2 speak of the church as coming in the future (see also Isaiah 2:2,3; Daniel 2:44; Mark 1:15; 9:1; Acts 1:4-8).

But passages after Acts 2 all speak of the church as being in existence (see Acts 2:47; 5:11; 8:1-3; 11:22,26; Colossians 1:13; etc.).

So the church that belongs to Jesus began in Jerusalem on Pentecost after Jesus' ascension (Acts 2:38,41,47).

*19* Suppose men begin a church at a place and time other than Jerusalem on Pentecost. Would it be Jesus' church? (a) yes, (b) no.

We are looking for the church Jesus began on Pentecost in Jerusalem.

C. The Names or Designations of the Church
Names are important to God. He sometimes named people before they were born, or changed their names later (Genesis 17:5,15,19; 32:27,28; Luke 1:13; Matt. 1:21; Isaiah 62:2; etc.). What terms or phrases does the Lord want us to use to refer to the church and its members?

Terms used for the church:
The church of Christ or of God (Matthew 16:18; Romans 16:16; 1 Corinthians 1:2; etc.).
The house or family of God (1 Timothy 3:15; Ephesians 2:16,19; Galatians 6:10).
The kingdom of Christ (Colossians 1:13; Matthew 16:18,19; Revelation 1:9; Hebrews 12:28).
The body of Christ (Ephesians 1:22,23; 4:4-6; Colossians 1:18).

Note that all these terms give honor to God the Father or the Son, and show our relationship to them.

Terms used for individual members of the church:
Disciples (Acts 11:26; 20:7; 8:3; 9:1).
Children of God (2 Corinthians 6:16-18; 1 John 3:2).
Christians (Acts 11:26; 26:28; 1 Peter 4:16).

>>> Read 1 CORINTHIANS 1:10-13. <<<

*20* What sin occurred at Corinth? (a) groups were named after men, (b) men were exalted instead of Jesus, (c) division, (d) all the preceding.

Naming the church after a particular doctrine likewise violates the principles of this passage, promotes division, and fails to exalt God.

One of the fruits of Jesus' church was that it wore names that glorify God and Christ. It never wore names that honor men, were invented by men, or exalted some particular Bible doctrine.

D. The Steps to Enter the Church
Some churches teach that there are some things a person must do to be saved, and then afterward there are other things he must do to join the church. But the church is the body of all saved people (Ephesians 5:23,25; Acts 20:28; Colossians 1:13). Therefore, whenever one receives the forgiveness of his sins, he automatically becomes a member of the church at the same time and by the same steps.

You cannot be voted into the Lord's church, you cannot purchase membership in it, and you cannot "join" it. You simply obey the gospel and let God add you (Acts 2:47).

To be forgiven of sins, one must take the following steps:

Hear the gospel (John 6:44,45; Romans 10:17).
Believe it (Romans 1:16; Hebrews 11:6; John 8:24).
Repent (Acts 17:30; 2 Corinthians 7:10; 2 Peter 3:9).
Confess Christ (Romans 10:9,10; Acts 8:37).
Be baptized (immersed) for the purpose of receiving forgiveness (Acts 2:38; 22:16; Mark 16:16; Romans 6:3,4; 1 Peter 3:21).

At baptism, one's sins are forgiven and the Lord then adds him to the church (Acts 2:38,47; 1 Corinthians 12:13).

*21* Suppose a church teaches some other way for people to be saved. Would it be honoring Jesus as Lord? (a) yes, (b) no.

*22* In fact, would the people in that church even have received forgiveness of sins? (a) yes, (b) no.

We are looking for the church that teaches just what the gospel says about salvation.

E. The Worship Offered in the Church Assemblies
The Lord taught His church to do five things when they meet.

1. Teaching
>>>Read ACTS 2:42. <<<

*23* In what activities did these disciples continue steadfastly? (a) the apostles' doctrine, (b) prayer, (c) breaking of bread, (d) all the preceding.

We should teach only God's word, not man's. (cf. Acts 20:7; 11:26; Hebrews 10:24f.)

2. Prayer (see Acts 2:42 above)
In Bible study, God talks to us. In prayer, we talk to God. (cf. 1 Corinthians 14:15; Philippians 4:6; Acts 4:23-31; 1 Timothy 2:5.)

3. Giving
>>>Read 1 CORINTHIANS 16:1,2. <<<

*24* How did the church obtain financial income? (a) raffles, bingo, (b) bake-sales, rummages, (c) collections, (d) all the preceding.

*25* When were the collections taken up? (a) seventh day of the week, (b) first day of the week, (c) as often as possible.

*26* How did the members decide how much to give? (a) according to prosperity, (b) the preacher decided for them, (c) they gave a tenth.

The church took up collections from the members on the first day of the week. Each member gave generously according to prosperity. The church never used tithing (requiring 10%), nor man-made fund-raising methods like bingo, raffles, rummages, etc. (cf. 2 Cor. 8:1-5; 9:6,7.)

4. Lord's Supper (communion or breaking of bread)
>>> Read 1 CORINTHIANS 11:23-26. <<<

*27* What do the bread and cup remind us of? (a) Jesus' body and blood, (b) the creation, (b) the giving of the 10 commands.

*28* Would it be right to have bacon and eggs on the Lord's table? (a) yes, (b) no.

We should eat the bread and drink the fruit of the vine in memory of Jesus' body and blood. (cf. Matthew 26:17-30; Acts 2:42):

>>> Read ACTS 20:7. <<<

*29* When did the disciples break bread? (a) at Easter and Christmas, (b) on the last day of the week, (c) on the first day of the week.

*30* How often does this day occur? (a) once per year, (b) once per month, (c) once per week.

When God has specified memorial feasts, He has always told people when to do them. If He said to do it on a certain day of a certain month of the year, it would be an annual feast (Ex. 12:6,14,24ff; Lev. 23:24,27). If He said to do it on a certain day of the month, it would be a monthly observance (Ezek. 46:1,6,7). If He said to do it on a certain day of the week, then it would be observed weekly (such as the sabbath - Ex. 20:8-11).

Likewise, since God has revealed that disciples had the Lord's supper on the first day of the week, we should do it as often as that day occurs. Note that this is the same day on which we have the collection. Some churches have annual or monthly communion. Do they also take up collections only annually or monthly?!

5. Singing
>>> Read EPHESIANS 5:19. <<<

*31* What act of worship is commanded here? (a) prayer, (b) singing, (c) none.

*32* Is God pleased if we just mouth the words? (a) yes, (b) no.

*33* What purposes are accomplished by singing? (a) praising God and teaching others, (b) showing off musical ability, (c) entertainment to draw big crowds.

Every New Testament passage that mentions music in worship, specifies singing (Colossians 3:16; 1 Corinthians 14:15; Romans 15:9; Hebrews 2:12; James 5:13). There are two kinds of music - singing (vocal) and playing (instrumental).

*34* Since Jesus expressly says to "sing," are we honoring Jesus if we add another kind of music (playing on instruments)? (a) yes, (b) no.

To use instruments of music in worship is to follow human authority. It fails to honor Jesus just like bacon and eggs on the Lord's Table.

>>> Read HEBREWS 10:25. <<<

*35* What error should Christians avoid? (a) forsaking the assembling together, (b) giving too much money, (c) attending too often.

*36* Would a church be following Jesus as Lord if it worshipped in ways that are not found in the gospel? (a) yes, (b) no.

Note: Individual Christians should study the Bible, pray, and sing regularly in private, but in this lesson we are considering our praise to God in church meetings.

We are looking for the church that worships God just the way the New Testament teaches. When we find it, we should strive diligently to attend whenever the church meets.

F. The Work or Mission of the Church
>>> Read ACTS 11:26. <<<

*37* What work did the church in Antioch accomplish? (a) entertainment and recreation, (b) social functions, (c) assembling to teach and study God's word.

The church is the "pillar and ground of the truth" - 1 Timothy 3:15. It teaches the gospel to the lost and edifies the members (see also Acts 11:22; 20:7; Hebrews 10:24,25; Ephesians 4:11-16; Philippians 4:14-18). The church also cares for its own physically needy members (Acts 4:32-35; 6:1-6; 1 Corinthians 16:1,2; 2 Corinthians 8 & 9; 1 Timothy 5:16).

The primary work of the church is spiritual. It helps people be right with God so they can receive eternal life. The church we are looking for is not a social or recreational club, nor a general welfare society. Any church that does these other works fails to honor the Lord. (See also John 18:36; 6:63,27; 2 Corinthians 10:3-5.)

G. The Organization of the Church
Universal Church Government
>>> Read EPHESIANS 1:22,23. <<<

*38* Who is head over the church? (a) Peter, (b) Jesus, (c) some other man.

*39* He is head over how many things to the church? (a) things in heaven only, (b) things on earth only, (c) all things.

*40* What is left for men to be head over? (a) church laws, (b) things on earth, (c) nothing.

*41* Where is Jesus now (Hebrews 8:1; 1 Peter 3:22)? (a) Jerusalem, (b) heaven, (c) Rome.

*42* Then where is the headquarters of Jesus church? (a) heaven, (b) Rome, (c) Salt Lake City.

As Head of the church, Jesus has made all the laws and revealed them in His word. His church has no earthly headquarters or governing body. No man or group of men may make laws for the church.

Local Church Organization
A local church consists of saints (members) with the bishops and deacons (Philippians 1:1).

>>> Read ACTS 20:17,28. <<<

*43* What is the work of elders? (a) oversee and feed (shepherd) the church, (b) make laws, (c) just the same as the other members.

*44* How many flocks (churches) did these elders oversee (v17)? (a) the one at Ephesus, (b) all those in the surrounding region, (c) all churches in the world.

>>> Read 1 PETER 5:1-3. <<<

*45* What is the work of elders? (a) feed (shepherd) the flock, (b) oversee the church, (c) set a good example, (d) all the preceding.

*46* An eldership should have oversight of the work of how many churches? (a) as many as they can, (b) as many as will send them money, (c) the one among them.

(Note that "elder" is just another name for an overseer or "bishop" and a shepherd or "pastor.")

Each local church must work to appoint a plurality of elders (Acts 14:23). To be appointed, these men must possess certain qualifications (1 Timothy 3:1-7; Titus 1:5-9). When they have been appointed, they guide the local church in obeying God's word. The oversight of each eldership is limited to the one local church where they have been appointed.

One of the fruits of Jesus' church is that Christ is the only Head. There is no earthly headquarters or centralized institutions, but each congregation functions independently under its own officers.

*47* If a church follows human changes in this pattern, would it be honoring Jesus as Lord? (a) yes, (b) no.

We have now studied the "fruits" or characteristics of Jesus' church. Since God is no respecter of persons, He still requires His church to possess these same characteristics today. If we seek Jesus' church, we must find the one that follows His will in all these ways. Any church that does not have these characteristics, cannot be the church Jesus built.

Part II. How Did the Modern Denominations Begin?
Jesus built one church, and the Bible tells us what it should be like. Today there are many different denominations. Is God pleased by their existence? Where did they come from?

A. Warnings of Departure from the Gospel
>>> Read ACTS 20:28-30. <<<

*48* What danger does Paul warn about? (a) following the Bible too closely, (b) condemning sin too firmly, (c) following false teachers.

*49* Can religious leaders lead people into error? (a) yes, (b) no.

>>> Read 2 TIMOTHY 4:2-4. <<<

*50* What error will people be guilty of? (a) turning away from truth, (b) rebuking false teachers, (c) being too intolerant.

*51* What kind of teachers will they want? (a) men who preach truth, (b) men who please the people, (c) men who oppose error.

>>> Read 1 TIMOTHY 4:1-3. <<<

*52* What does the Spirit predict will happen? (a) everyone will be saved, (b) the saved will never be lost, (c) some will depart from the faith and follow error, (d) all the preceding.

*53* What particular doctrines will be taught? (a) it is wrong to eat meats, (b) people should not marry, (c) both of the preceding.

Throughout history, false teachers have tried to lead God's people astray. In particular, Jesus warned that error would enter among the leaders of His people, and some would even forbid marriage and command to abstain from meats. To please Jesus, however, God's true people must reject these false teachings. (See also Matthew 7:15-23; Galatians 1:6-10; 1 John 4:1,6; 2 Corinthians 11:13-15; 2 John 9-11; Ephesians 5:11; Matthew 15:14.)

B. The Beginning of the Catholic Church
In Jesus' plan for His church, He is to be the only head, and no man-made laws or earthly headquarters are allowed. No officers may oversee more than one local church.


However, after the church began, departure occurred as time passed, just as predicted in the Scriptures above. Certain congregations began to exalt one elder above the others. As new churches began, this exalted "bishop" would assume the oversight of several churches in a region called a "diocese."



Soon, bishops were meeting in councils to issue "church laws."
The first universal council, to which all churches were invited to send representatives, was held in Nicea in 325 A.D. Later, discussion arose regarding who would be the earthly head of the whole church. Finally, in the sixth or seventh century A.D., the Bishop of Rome was generally recognized as "Pope." Clearly, this is a departure from Jesus' plan for church organization.

Meanwhile, the church was adopting other new practices.
Listed below are the approximate dates when many of the practices came to be generally accepted. (Note: This historical information can be documented by checking encyclopedias or church history books, including Catholic sources.)

PRACTICE Use of images in worship
DATE 4th century

PRACTICEInfant baptism
DATE 4th century

PRACTICE Celibacy of priests
DATE 4th century

PRACTICE Purgatory
DATE 6th century

PRACTICE Instrumental music (first used)
DATE 7th century

PRACTICE Confession to priest
DATE 9th century

PRACTICE Indulgences
DATE 12th century

PRACTICE Sprinkling for baptism
DATE 1311

PRACTICE Cup withheld from laity
DATE 1416

PRACTICE Infallibility of the Pope
DATE 1870

Note especially celibacy, which forbids priests to marry. The Catholic church has also commanded members to abstain from meats on Fridays during Lent. This expressly fulfills 1 Timothy 4:1-3.

The changes we have described resulted in the Roman Catholic church. "By their fruits you shall know them" (Matt. 7:15-21). Does the Catholic church show the fruits of being Jesus' church?

Contrary to its claims, the Catholic church is not truly "the first church," but is rather the first major apostasy from the true church. If we wish to find Jesus' church, we must look elsewhere. (Note that we have no desire to hurt people in any particular religious group. We present these facts so people can know the truth and honor Jesus as their Lord - Luke 6:46; Rev. 3:19.)

C. The Beginning of Protestant Denominations
As Rome departed further from God's word, many Catholics began to object. At that time the church allowed only Latin translations of the Bible, which the common people could not understand. In the 1400's and 1500's, men like John Wycliffe and William Tyndale translated the Bible into English. For this, the church burned Wycliffe's bones and made a martyr of Tyndale!

In 1517, a Catholic monk named Martin Luther nailed his "95 Theses" (or points of disagreement) to the door of a church building in Wittenburg, Germany. Other men like Zwingli and Calvin joined the movement of "protest," not to start a new church, but to "reform" the Catholic church. Unable to sway the church, however, each of these men (or their followers) eventually began a new church separate from Rome and separate from the other Protestant churches.

Here are some examples:

NAME Lutheran
DATE 1530
PLACE Germany
FOUNDER Martin Luther


NAME Church of England
DATE 1534
PLACE England
FOUNDER Henry VIII

NAME Presbyterian
DATE 1536
PLACE Switzerland
FOUNDER John Calvin

NAME Baptist
DATE 1609
PLACE Holland
FOUNDER John Smyth

NAME Methodist
DATE 1739
PLACE England
FOUNDER John Wesley

NAME Mormon
DATE 1830
PLACE America
FOUNDER Joseph Smith

NAME 7th Day Adventist
DATE 1846
PLACE America
FOUNDER Miller/White

NAME Jehovah's Witnesses
DATE 1872
PLACE America
FOUNDER C. Russell

(Again, this information can be verified in any good encyclopedia or church history, including those written by men in the churches listed. Note that some dates are approximate.)

Remember, "by their fruits you shall know them" (Matt. 7:15-21). Let us compare the fruits of these denominations to the characteristics of Jesus' church.

Authority - Most denominations have creeds the church follows as law in addition to the Bible.

Origin - No Protestant denomination existed as an organized, functioning body, separate from the Catholic apostasy, prior to 1500 AD. They were all begun by men in times and places other than the day of Pentecost in Jerusalem (Acts 2).

Name - Nearly all denominations have names invented by men and not found in the gospel. Their names honor men and special doctrines, not God and Christ.

Salvation - Most denominations practice sprinkling, pouring, and infant baptism. Most teach salvation by "faith only" (baptism is not necessary to salvation).

Worship - Most practice annual or monthly communion, instrumental music, holy days, tithing and other man-made fund-raising methods.

Work - Most denominations practice the "Social Gospel" - church-sponsored recreation, entertainment, etc.

Organization - Nearly all denominations have earthly headquarters, central governing bodies, boards and institutions of all kinds that centralize the work and government of the church.


Protestant leaders had some admirable goals, but all of them (or their followers) clung to many basic errors of Catholicism and even added some new ones
. Every Protestant denomination differs from the church of Christ on many or all of the above points. Yet God forbids such departures from His way and warns us not to be part of such groups. Again, if we wish to find the church belonging to Jesus, we must look elsewhere.

---cont'd
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Laela

Sidestepping the "lynch mob"
Continued
__________________________________
D. God's Attitude Toward Religious Division

Denominations are divided, contradicting and disagreeing with one another. People often say, "All the churches are following Jesus. It doesn't matter where you attend, or what you believe, as long as you worship the true God. Just join the church of your choice." What does Jesus say? Is He pleased by all these denominations?

>>> Read JOHN 17:20,21. <<<

*54* In what way should we be like the Father and the Son? (a) we must overlook division, (b) we must be united as one, (c) we must tolerate error.

*55* In what ways do the Father and the Son contradict one another? (a) about how to worship, (b) about how to be saved, (c) about what church to attend, (d) none of the preceding. (See also John 12:49,50.)

The existence of many different churches contradicts Jesus' prayer for unity.

>>> Read 1 CORINTHIANS 1:10,13. <<<

*56* Is God pleased by division? (a) yes, (b) no.

*57* Are denominations (a) united, or (b) divided?

*58* Is Christ divided? Does He contradict Himself? (a) yes, (b) no.

*59* Jesus does not contradict Himself, but churches do contradict one another. So are "all the churches following Jesus"? (a) yes, (b) no.

When a preacher knowingly preaches contradictory things to different people, we call him a hypocrite. But denominations contradict one another, yet they all say they get their teaching from Jesus. What would that make Jesus?! Denominationalism violates God's law against division (Galatians 5:19-21; Philippians 2:2f).

>>> Read 1 CORINTHIANS 14:33. <<<

*60* Is God the author of confusion? (a) yes, (b) no.

*61* Is the existence of many churches confusing? (a) yes, (b) no.

*62* Is God the source of all the denominations? (a) yes, (b) no.

God did not create the modern denominations, so they must have been begun by men. They are not in the Bible, therefore they exist contrary to God's authority. When churches disagree, one may be right and the others wrong, or they may all be wrong, but they cannot all be right!

>>> Read EPHESIANS 4:3-6. <<<

*63* What should we strive to keep? (a) miracles for today, (b) unity, (c) a pope, (d) all the preceding.

*64* How many true "God and Fathers" are there? (a) one, (b) hundreds, (c) it does not matter.

*65* Can we please God if we think there are many Gods and we may just worship the god of our choice? (a) yes, (b) no.

*66* How many "bodies" and "faiths" are there? (a) hundreds, (b) one, (c) it does not matter.

*67* Can we please God if we think there are hundreds of different bodies and faiths, so it doesn't matter what we believe and we can just take our choice? (a) yes, (b) no.

There may be many false gods, but there is only one true God, according to Jesus' teaching. In the same way, there is only one true body (church) and only one true faith. All others are false. [Cf. 1 Corinthians 12:12-20]

>>> Read 2 CORINTHIANS 6:17-17:1. <<<

*68* What must we do to be God's true children? (a) just follow our preacher, (b) keep our family religion, (c) separate from error.

*69* May we continue to be part of churches and practices that are not found in the gospel? (a) yes, (b) no.

Jesus the Lord established one church. Denominations did not exist in the New Testament, and division is condemned. Jesus requires us to follow His same gospel pattern, but Catholic and Protestant churches are departures from His pattern. Therefore, we must not be members of any of these groups. Are you a member of one of these man-made churches? [Cf. 2 John 9-11; Eph. 5:11; Matt. 15:14]

E. The Existence of Jesus' True Church Today
If we cannot find the true church among the Protestant or Catholic churches, where can we find it? Does it exist? Since we must be members of it to be saved, how can people today be saved?

>>> Read 1 PETER 1:22-25. <<<

*70* How do we purify our souls? (a) just believe in Jesus, (b) obey the truth, (c) pray to Mary.

*71* What is the seed by which we are born again? (a) God's word, (b) human creeds, (c) denominational doctrine, (d) all the preceding.

*72* How long will this seed endure? (a) till the middle ages, (b) till the 1800's, (c) forever.

"The seed is the word of God" - Luke 8:11. God's creations, including the church, reproduce by means of seed. When men hear the gospel with receptive hearts, they will believe and obey. As a result, they are "born again" into God's family, the church. (See James 1:18; Luke 8:15; Romans 1:16; 10:17; Mark 16:15,16; John 3:3-5.)

>>> Read GALATIANS 6:7. <<<

The seed always reproduces after its own kind. To get the right "fruit," we must plant the right "seed"! The reason denominations do not produce the right fruit is that they plant the wrong seed.

*73* When a seed grows, what kind of plant results? (a) the same kind as the seed came from, (b) it changes from year to year, (c) you never know. (cf. Genesis 1:11,21ff)

At any time or place, the same seed always produces the same kind of living thing. This is also true of doctrines.

*74* Suppose you believed and obeyed Buddhist doctrine. What would that make you? (a) a Christian, (b) a Hindu, (c) a Buddhist.

Man-made doctrines reproduce after their own kind and make people members of man-made religious groups.

*75* In the first century, when people heard and obeyed the gospel of Christ, what kind of Christians did they become and what church did they become members of? (a) Lutherans, (b) Catholics, (c) just Christians, members of Jesus' church.

*76* If you were to obey simply the gospel today, without any man-made changes, what kind of Christian would you become and what church would that make you a member of? (a) the same as in the first century, (b) a modern denomination, (c) no one knows.

Anytime and anyplace, when a person obeys only the gospel, he becomes a Christian, exactly like people were in the first century. They were not members of any of the modern denominations and neither should people today be. The Lord will add people today to His church, just as He did in the first century (Acts 2:47). These saved people must then work and worship with a faithful local church.

Conclusion
People who wish to be saved must be members of the Lord's one true church. Faithful local congregations of God's people already exist in thousands of communities throughout the world. Wherever they are, they seek to follow simply God's word without any human changes. Members of these churches have humbly received forgiveness through Jesus' blood according to the gospel. They are scriptural in name, origin, worship, work, and organization.

Since salvation is free to all, you too can obey the gospel and enter Jesus' true church (Matthew 28:18-20; Romans 1:16; Acts 2:39; Titus 2:11,12; 2 Peter 3:9).

Do you believe the truths presented in this lesson? Will you submit to Jesus' commands today?

Correct answers to the questions are as follows:

*1* = a, *2* = b, *3* = b, *4* = b, *5* = a, *6* = c, *7* = a, *8* = c, *9* = b, *10* = a, *11* = c, *12* = a, *13* = b, *14* = b, *15* = c, *16* = b, *17* = b, *18* = a, *19* = b, *20* = d, *21* = b, *22* = b, *23* = d, *24* = c, *25* = b, *26* = a, *27* = a, *28* = b, *29* = c, *30* = c, *31* = b, *32* = b, *33* = a, *34* = b, *35* = a, *36* = b, *37* = c, *38* = b, *39* = c, *40* = c, *41* = b, *42* = a, *43* = a, *44* = a, *45* = d, *46* = c, *47* = b, *48* = c, *49* = a, *50* = a, *51* = b, *52* = c, *53* = c, *54* = b, *55* = d, *56* = b, *57* = b, *58* = b, *59* = b, *60* = b, *61* = a, *62* = b, *63* = b, *64* = a, *65* = b, *66* = b, *67* = b, *68* = c, *69* = b, *70* = b, *71* = a, *72* = c, *73* = a, *74* = c, *75* = c, *76* = a

Note: If you would like help in finding a faithful local church in your area or a Christian in your area to study the Bible personally with you, please click on the link at the end of this message to email us. You will be given an opportunity to inform us of your desire. Depending on where you live, we may or may not be able to help in these ways.
(C) Copyright 1990, 1998, David E. Pratte
 

Laela

Sidestepping the "lynch mob"
Divine vs. Human Authority in Religion:
Should We Follow Man-Made Changes in Bible Teaching?

What is the proper source or standard of authority in religion? Should we follow the Bible as the inspired revelation of the law of God, or should we follow man-made religious laws and rules to guide us in faith and worship? What about human tradition, church laws, decrees of councils, and creeds? May human wisdom change Divine law, or should we respect the silence of the Scriptures?
Click here to hear a free mp3 recorded message on a related topic.

All true religious authority comes ultimately from God through Jesus Christ.
God is Lord or Ruler of the universe.

Matthew 11:25 — God is Lord of heaven and earth. “Lord” means a person who has authority over others: a master, chief, or ruler. [Psalm 97:5; Joshua 3:11,13]
Acts 17:24 — God made the world and everything in it since He is Lord of heaven and earth.
It follows that only God possesses the ultimate authority in the universe. Man’s power is limited. Only God possesses unlimited power over all created things.
[Deut. 10:17; Dan. 2:47; 1 Chron.29:11,12; Psalm 136:3; 95:3; 97:9; 83:18; Isa. 33:22]
As God’s Divine Son and Lord of all, Jesus reveals God’s will for today.

Hebrews 1:1,2 – God speaks to us today through His Son through Him He made the worlds.
Matthew 28:18-20 – Jesus possesses “all authority in heaven and on earth,” so we should obey all His commands.
Ephesians 1:21-23 – He is above all power and might and dominion. Specifically, He is Head over all things to the church.
So, ultimate religious authority resides in God, and that authority is exercised through the teachings of Jesus Christ.
[Luke 6:46; 4:32; Acts 3:22,23; 10:36; Rev. 17:14; 19:16; Rom. 10:12; 9:5; Phil. 2:9-11; 3:20,21; Matt. 7:29; 17:5; John 3:31; 6:63,68; 12:48; 16:15; 17:2,10; Col. 1:16; 3:16,17; 1 Tim. 6:3]
Divine authority is revealed in the Scriptures.
John 16:13 – Jesus promised the men who penned the New Testament that the Spirit would guide them into all truth.
Ephesians 3:3-5; 1 Corinthians 14:37– What Paul received by revelation, he wrote down to instruct those who were not directly guided by the Holy Spirit. So the things he wrote were the commands of Lord.
2 Timothy 3:16,17 - All Scripture is inspired by God and profitable for teaching and furnishing to all good works.
2 Peter 1:20,21 - No Scripture ever came by will of man, but men spoke as moved by the Holy Spirit. This includes the New Testament (3:15,16).
God has recorded His will in the Bible to guide our lives.
[Luke 10:16; 1:1-4; Matt. 15:4; 22:29-32; 10:19,20; 1 Thess. 4:15; 1 Tim. 4:1; Gal. 1:11,12; 1 Cor. 2:11-13; 4:6; 2 Thess. 3:6,12,17; John 20:30,31; 10:35; 1 John 1:1-4; 1 Tim. 4:11; Jude 3]
But what about religious practices, teachings, or organizations that are not included or that differ from what God has revealed in His will?
When a practice cannot be found in God’s word, is that practice right or wrong? When God is “silent” or says nothing about a practice, does that silence give us consent to do the thing, or does it prohibit us from doing it?
This issue is fundamental because people participate in many modern religious practices that are not revealed in the Bible. They often defend these acts, saying, “God nowhere said not to do it.” So, are practices acceptable as long as God nowhere expressly forbids them, or are they wrong unless He says to do them? It is the purpose of this study to examine these questions.
Consider these Bible principles:

I. The Bible Completely Reveals All God’s Will for Us.
Everything that God considers to be good and approved, is revealed to us in the gospel.
John 16:13 (14:26) — The Holy Spirit revealed all truth to the apostles. This is the truth that, as already studied, they wrote in the Scriptures.
Acts 20:20,27 — Paul preached the whole counsel of God, keeping back nothing that was profitable.
2 Timothy 3:16,17 — All good works are recorded in the Scriptures. In this way, the inspired Scriptures are profitable to teach and instruct men in righteousness, etc.
2 Peter 1:3; 1:12-15; 3:1,2— In Peter’s lifetime, people received all things that pertain to life and godliness. He then wrote these things down so that, even after he died, we could be reminded of the words of Jesus’ apostles and prophets.
James 1:25 — This word of truth, by which men are born again and saved (vv 18,21), is the perfect law of liberty.
The Bible does not claim to reveal all things that are not part of Divine truth, that do not pertain to godliness, that are not part of good works or righteousness, that are not profitable to being born again and saved. But all truth that is profitable to these things is revealed. We need no further revelation because the Bible completely reveals all God’s will for man. From it we can learn all that pleases God and leads to eternal salvation.
Consider the consequence of this for doctrines and practices not revealed in the Bible. Since the Bible contains all truth and all good works and everything that pertains to life, godliness, and righteousness, does it not follow that, that any practice not found there is not true, not a good work, not righteous, and does not pertain to life or godliness? How then can we practice these things and expect to please God?
[Matt. 28:20; Col. 4:12; Jude 3; Hebrews. 13:20,31; John 20:30,31; 1 John 1:1-4; 2:1-6.]

II. Practices Not Included in God’s Revealed Word Are Unacceptable.
The previous point provides a necessary inference about unrevealed practices. But God’s word deals even more directly with such practices. Consider the following principles:
A. The Principle of Ownership
Everything in the Universe, especially in the church, belongs to God.
Acts 17:24 — God made the world and everything in it since He is Lord of heaven and earth.
1 Chronicles 29:11,12 — Everything in heaven and earth belongs to God. He reigns over all.
Matthew 16:18 – The church, in particular, belongs to Jesus because He built it.
Acts 20:28 – He purchased it with His blood.
Ephesians 1:22,23; 5:23-25 – The church is His body. He is head over all things to the church, like a man is head over his wife. Therefore, the church must submit to His will.
To practice things not authorized by God is to fail to honor our head and owner.
Should your body obey the instructions of another person’s head? Does another man, who has no authority over your wife, have the right to tell your wife to do things you never told her to do? Does your neighbor have the right to use your house or car differently from what you have decided? May he have a party in your house or drive off with your car without your permission?
Note that you don’t have to tell every other man specifically not to try to tell your wife what to do and not to try to get your body to obey their head and not to try to use your house and car in ways other than what you have chosen. These things are wrong because they violate the principle of ownership and headship. No one can use your property without your permission.
Likewise, if we belong to God and if specifically the church belongs to Jesus, what right do people have choosing to practice things different from would the owner has chosen? What right do men have making rules for the church or authorizing practices that are not included in what God has authorized?
God does not have to specifically say not to do these things. All such things are wrong because they violate the principle of ownership. No one has the right to use God’s property without His permission.
[Colossians 1:18; 2:19-22; Psalm 95:3-5; 24:1,2; 50:10,12; Haggai 2:8; 1 Chron. 29:12,14]

B. The Principle of Wisdom
God’s wisdom is infinitely above that of man.
Isaiah 55:8,9 — God’s thoughts and ways are above ours and completely different from ours. We cannot possibly know God’s will about a matter unless He reveals it.
Jeremiah 10:23 — The way of man is not in himself. It is not in man who walks to direct his steps. Man is simply not wise enough to know how to live apart from God’s revelation.

Since we do not think like God does, we cannot possibly know God’s will unless He reveals it.
Often people will defend some religious practice because it “makes sense” to them. “I don’t see anything wrong with it.” But if our human wisdom accepts something, that proves nothing about whether or not God approves it.
Proverbs 14:12 — There is a way that seems right to man, but the end is death.
2 Corinthians 10:18 — Not he who commends himself is approved, but he whom the Lord commends. The fact that we approve a thing does not in any way indicate the God approves it.

Knowing this, God completely revealed His will for us in the Bible, then He warned us not to follow human wisdom.
Isaiah 30:1 – When people devise plans and take counsel not according to God’s Spirit, they add sin to sin and practice rebellion.
Whenever we practice things not revealed in the Bible, we are following fallible human wisdom instead of God’s infallible wisdom! Instead, we must practice only what is revealed.
[1 Corinthians 1:21-24; 2:5,10-13; Isaiah 65:2; Jeremiah 8:9; 17:5; Psalms 81:12,13; 94:11; Proverbs 28:26; 14:14; 21:2; 16:2; 20:24; Ezekiel 13:2,17]

C. The Principle of Worship
Worship that pleases God must be directed by His truth.
John 4:23,24 — To please God, worship must be in spirit and in truth.
John 17:17 - But God’s word is truth.
John 16:13 - And all truth is revealed in the gospel (as already discussed).
Matthew 21:25 - But every religious practice is based either on God’s authority or else on man’s authority. If God did not originate a practice, then man must have invented it.

Since the gospel reveals all truth, then any practice which is not revealed in the gospel must not be part of the truth but is human in origin and therefore vain.
Matthew 15:9,13,14 — Worship is vain (worthless) when based on precepts of human origin.
The purpose of worship is to please and glorify God. We honor and respect Him when we do what He says. If we do what men say to do instead of what God says, then we are not showing respect for God and His will. Instead, we are showing respect for the men who invented the practice. So instead of pleasing God by our worship, we displease Him.
[1 Kings 12:32,33]
D. The Principle of Love
Love leads us to do what pleases the one whom we love.
Matthew 22:37 — Loving God is the most important command there is.
John 14:15 — But Biblical love requires keeping God’s commands. [1 John 5:3; 2 John 6]
Sometimes people think that, as long as they claim to love God, it doesn’t matter whether or not the things they do are in the Bible. But love leads us to seek to please the person we love, rather than pleasing ourselves.
To invent unauthorized practices is to show love for men, not for God.
People often defend their religious practices saying, “I think it’s beautiful,” “I like it,” or “We’re satisfied with it.” All that is proved by such statements is that we are pleasing ourselves, not God. When we love God, we do what pleases Him, not what we want.
Luke 16:15 — What is highly esteemed by men is an abomination to God. The fact that we like a thing does not at all mean that God likes it.
Doing what we want in worship is like a man who gives his wife a chainsaw for her birthday, because that’s what he wants. Does that show love for the wife? No, it shows love for himself.
2 Timothy 4:2-4 – When men seek teachers and teaching according to their own desires, the result will be to turn away from the truth and follow fables. Instead, we must “preach the word.”
If we love God, we will do only what He wants, not what we want. But remember that we can’t know what He wants except as He has revealed it in the Bible, and the Bible completely reveals what God wants.
Rather than being an excuse for overlooking what the Bible says, love is actually a reason for doing only what the Bible says.
E. The Principle of Faith
Faith also requires that we do what pleases God.
Hebrews 11:6 - Without faith it is impossible to please God.
2 Corinthians 5:7 — We walk by faith, not by sight. Faith involves a way of “walking” (living); it must be demonstrated in action. [Cf. Galatians 2:20; 5:6; James 2:14-26; Hebrews chapter 11.]
Proper faith must be based on God’s word.
Romans 10:17 — Faith comes by hearing God’s word.
Some people think that, as long as they believe in God and claim to trust Him, He will accept what they do, whether or not it is in the Bible.
One man said He trusted God, so he was sure God would accept what he was about to do. When asked if he could find in the Bible where God approved the act, he said no, but he still felt sure God would accept it. What he was about to do was to commit suicide!
To follow man-made doctrines is to put our faith in man, instead of God.
Proverbs 3:5,6 — Trust in the Lord and don’t lean on your own understanding. Acknowledge Him and He will direct your paths. True faith will teach us to do only what the Lord reveals.
Proverbs 28:26 – He who trusts in his own heart is a fool. To do what we think is right, even though it is not revealed in the Bible, is to trust in our own hearts and lean on our own understanding, rather than allowing God to direct us.
It is impossible to practice anything by faith if it cannot be found in the Bible. People who practice things they cannot find in the Bible, do not really trust in God. Instead they trust in the wisdom of the people who invented those practices. To truly walk by faith requires us to restrict ourselves to doing only what God has revealed.
[Hosea 10:13]

F. The Principle of Authority
The Lordship of God requires us to do everything according to His authority.
Colossians 3:17 — All we do, in word or deed, should be done in Jesus’ name. To act in Jesus’ name is to follow His authority (Acts 4:7-10).
But we have seen that Jesus’ authority for today is completely revealed in the Bible. Practices not included in Bible teaching, therefore, cannot be done in Jesus’ name.
To do things that differ from what God said is to fail to follow His authority.
Galatians 1:6-9 — Any man is accursed if he preaches a gospel different from what inspired men taught in the first century. That gospel completely reveals all good works God wants us to do. If a practice is not included in the gospel, then, for us to say it is acceptable, would be to preach a different gospel.
1 Timothy 1:3 – Instead of justifying doctrines that differ from the gospel, we must charge men to “teach no other doctrine.” [Titus 2:14]
2 John 9 — Whoever goes beyond and does not abide in Jesus’ teaching, does not have God. To have God we must abide in Jesus’ teaching. But all Jesus’ teaching is revealed in the New Testament. So to practice things we cannot find in Jesus’ teaching would be to separate ourselves from Him.

When we study a practice, we should not ask, “Where does God say not to do this?”, but rather “Where does God’s word authorize this act?”
Although the Bible does expressly forbid some acts, God never intended for His word to specifically itemize all the things He does not want us to do. Had He done that, the Bible would have been so huge we could never digest it. Instead, God tells us what He does want us to do. Then He tells us that other things are unacceptable.
Jeremiah 7:23,24 – God accused His people of not obeying what He said, but walking in their own counsels and the imagination (stubbornness – ASV) of our own hearts. To be God’s people, we must obey His voice and walk in the ways He has commanded. Then it will be well with us.
When we practice that which we cannot find in God’s word, we walk in the counsel of our own hearts. We fail to honor God as our owner, we fail to honor Jesus as head of the church, we fail to truly love and trust God, we fail to worship God in truth, and we fail to respect the wisdom and authority of God.
When an act cannot be found included in God’s will for us, then God’s true people will refuse to participate in it. They will practice only what they find authorized in God’s word.
[Revelation 22:18,19; Cf. Deuteronomy 4:2; 12:32; Proverbs 30:6; 1 Peter 4:11; 1 Corinthians 4:6; Romans 10:1-3; Colossians 2:8,22; Jeremiah 9:14; 11:8; 18:12; 16:12; 13:10; 3:17; 23:16,17,21,26,32; 14:14; Deuteronomy 29:19; Numbers 24:13; Hebrews 13:9]

III. Some Applications of Divine Authority
(General and Specific Authority)

We have learned that, in order to please God, we must do only what is included in His instructions. Our practices must fit the definition or fall within the meaning of what He teaches.
However, we should not conclude that an act must be expressly named or specifically mentioned in order to be authorized. Some people conclude that any act is acceptable unless it is expressly, specifically forbidden. Others conclude the act is wrong unless it is expressly, specifically mentioned. Neither view harmonizes with what we have learned.
A statement of the principle of general and specific authority
When God wants man to do a thing in a particular way, He instructs us by choosing words that are specific or narrow (limited, precise, restricted, detailed, exclusive) in their meaning.

He has told us not to practice things that do not fit the meaning of His instructions. So, when He wants a thing done in a particular way, He words His instructions in such a way as to leave us no choice. If we then do things differently, outside the limits of the meaning of the terms He uses, we displease Him. In this sense, God does not have to specifically say “not to” do certain acts. He just specifies what He wants, and anything different from that is unacceptable.
Note that this principle will determine what constitutes an acceptable aid or tool. Any action, including an aid or tool, must fit the meaning of God’s instructions. If what we do differs from the meaning of God’s instructions, then the act is not an aid but an unauthorized change.
When God wants to leave men free to choose from several alternative ways of doing a thing, He instructs us by choosing words that are more general or broad (inclusive, comprehensive, all-encompassing) in their meaning.

We are still restricted to doing only what fits the meaning of what He said, but in this case there are various ways of doing what fits the instruction. We can then use our own wisdom to choose from any course of action that fits the meaning of what God said to do. Any such choice that we make would be acceptable because we would still be doing what God said.
Note that, in this case, God does not have to spell out all the details of what we should do. He simply instructs us in general terms; then any action – including the use of tools or aids – is authorized, so long as it fits the meaning or definition of the instructions given.
We will illustrate these principles with examples.

A. Bible Applications that Demonstrate the Need for Bible Authority
Some Bible events or teachings illustrate the principles we are studying. They show that certain acts or ideas would be wrong simply because they were different from, or were not part of, what God said. But other acts would be acceptable when they fit general instructions.
Noah making an ark of gopher wood— Genesis 6:14
God told Noah to make an ark of gopher wood. Metal, pine, walnut, etc., do not fit the definition of gopher wood. They constitute different kinds of materials. God did not expressly say not to use them, but they would have been wrong because He said “gopher wood” and was silent about metal, pine, etc.
Had God wanted to leave Noah free to use any kind of material, He could simply have said to make an ark, and specified no material at all. Then Noah could have chosen any kind of material. But when God specified the material, Noah was left with no other choice.
On the other hand, God said to “make” an ark, but there are many things a person can do that would fit the definition of making an ark. He might use a hammer and saw, an ox cart to carry the wood, etc., as tools to “aid” the work. None of these things are specifically mentioned, but they would have been acceptable because, Noah would still be just making an ark.
Naaman dipping in the Jordan – 2 Kings 5:10-14
Elishah told Naaman to dip seven times in the Jordan and his leprosy would be cured. The instruction was specific regarding what action to do, what river to use, and how many times to dip. But he wanted to do something else, such as have Elishah wave his hand over him or dip in some other river (the Abanah or the Pharpar in Syria).
Elishah did not say “not to” dip in the Abanah or Pharpar, but would that have been doing what God said or doing something different? Likewise, it would have been disobedience to dip a different number of times. Had God wanted to leave Naaman free in these matters, he could have simply said to dip in water. Then Naaman could have dipped in any body of water any number of times. But God’s instructions left no choice but to dip seven times in Jordan.
But the instruction was general in the sense that God had not said where in the Jordan to dip: northern Jordan or southern Jordan? Nor did it specify whether or not the servant might help put him under. If the servant put him under what would Naaman be doing? Dipping in the Jordan. That would be a legitimate aid, because it still fit the instructions God gave.
Nadab and Abihu offering incense – Leviticus 10:1-3
Nadab and Abihu were Old Testament priests who offered incense. But they used “profane” fire (“strange fire” - ASV) that God had not commanded them to use. So, God destroyed them.
Note that the problem was not that they disobeyed a specific prohibition – God had not said “not to” use the fire they used. The problem was that they used fire different from what God said. They did what God had not commanded or authorized them to do.
Some today might justify such an act by saying the fire was just an “aid” to offering the incense. But God disagreed. The fire was not just an aid but different fire from what God specified.
(The passage does not give enough information for me to give a good example of acceptable alternatives they might have had: perhaps how much fire they used?)
The temple as a house of prayer— John 2:13-16
Jesus cleansed the temple twice. The first time He said not to make His Father’s house a house of merchandise. The second time He quoted Scripture saying it should be a house of prayer (Matthew 21:12,13), and condemned them for making it a den of thieves. Note that, in the first cleansing (in John 2), Jesus said nothing about thievery. He objected simply on grounds that doing business for profit (“merchandise”) did not fit the intent of the temple.
Jesus here argued from the “silence of the Scriptures.” He did not cite Scripture that expressly forbade doing business for profit in the temple. But He concluded that such would not fit the authorized spiritual purpose of the temple and on that basis cast them out of the temple.
This is exactly the kind of reasoning we do when we conclude that local congregations today should not operate money-making businesses or provide entertainment, recreation, etc. Such acts do not fit (are not included in) the spiritual purpose God has stated for His church. So we believe they should be rejected from the work of local churches.
On the other hand, Jesus’ statement is general as regards how long the prayers should be. That is not specified, so the length would not matter (so long as it was otherwise Scriptural). But activities that did not constitute authorized worship were eliminated.
Jesus at God’s right hand – Hebrews 1:5,13
Comparing Jesus to angels, the writer asks what angel God ever told to sit at His right hand as God’s Son. The fact that God said that to His Son Jesus, but did not say it to an angel, constitutes sufficient proof that it is not true of any angel! God did not have to say the angels would notsit at His right hand. When He specified that Jesus would sit at His right hand and mentioned no angel, that eliminated the angels. (Of course, the same reasoning would eliminate a man or anyone but Jesus sitting at God’s right hand.)
(Again, the passage does not give enough information to discuss what might be authorized alternatives.)
Priests of the tribe of Levi — Hebrews 7:11-18
Jesus fulfilled Old Testament prophecy that He would be a priest after the order of Melchizedek (v17). But Jesus could not be high priest under the Old Testament, because the Old Testament said priests were of the tribe of Levi, and Jesus (as a descendant of David) was of the tribe of Judah. The Law of Moses said “nothing” about priests from the tribe of Judah. Hence, the only way Jesus could be priest would if there was a change of the law (v12).
This argument is also based on “silence of the Scriptures.” God said priests would be of the tribe of Levi, but said “nothing” about the tribe of Judah (v14). Therefore, people of the tribe of Judah could not be priests under the law.
Some people today might think, “Where does it say priests can’t be of the tribe of Judah?” But the Hebrew writer did not so reason. The law designated the tribe of Levi and said nothing about tribe of Judah. That was enough to prove tribe of Judah was wrong.
Notice, however, that this was true under what Moses said (v14). It would not be true under some other law. So, the author points out that Jesus could be priest when the law changed to the New Testament.
Marriage joining one man and one woman — Matthew 19:3-6
Jesus was asked about the grounds for divorce. He said that His teaching would differ from Moses’ teaching and would agree with God’s original marriage law. That law God joined two people — one man and one woman — as one flesh. Therefore, divorce is wrong.
This is an argument from the silence of Scripture. God joined the two and said nothing that permitted breaking the bond or being joined to a third party. It follows that breaking the bond and joining to another person would violate God’s will. The conclusion is that divorce is forbidden (though Jesus allowed an exception when one spouse violates the one-flesh covenant by having the sexual union with someone else — v9).
God specified what He wanted. Therefore, other arrangements are wrong. We must limit ourselves to doing what God authorized, no more.
Note that Jesus did not reason that divorce would be acceptable because “God never said not to get divorced.” The passage He cited said “the man is joined to his wife and the two become one.” That was enough to prove that undoing the bond would be wrong.
The same reasoning would show that the sexual union is wrong outside of marriage, before marriage, with several wives, or with someone of the same sex. True, these are all expressly forbidden in other passages, but the kind of proof Jesus used here is an additional valid proof. All of these practices differ from what God said at creation and no passage elsewhere authorizes them, therefore they are all wrong.
On the other hand, subject to other requirements, a preacher would be an authorized “aid” to a wedding. Even though no passage specifically mentions preachers performing weddings, what does he do? He joins a man to his wife, as God authorized.
B. Modern Applications of the Need for Bible Authority
We have examined how the principles we are studying are demonstrated by various Bible events or applied by faithful Bible teachers. Let us now apply the same principles to some practices we may consider today.
Note the chart below that summarizes these points:
Going and preaching the gospel — Mark 16:15,16
God said to go preach the gospel to every creature. If we preach man-made doctrines, we are not preaching the gospel. Therefore, to preach them is unacceptable.
On the other hand, there are many ways a person might “go” into all the world. He might walk or use an “aid,” such as riding a donkey, car, chariot, plane, etc. These things may not be specifically mentioned, but any or all of them would be acceptable because they fit the definition of what is stated: “go,” preach the gospel.
In the same way, there are many things a person could do that would constitute preaching the gospel. He might speak directly to a group of people, write them a letter, divide them up into classes. Or he might use an “aid,” such as radio or TV, blackboard, projector, or Internet. All such would be acceptable, though not specifically mentioned, because they fit the meaning of what God said to do. When doing them, we are simply doing what God said: preach the gospel.
Baptism — Romans 6:4; Mark 16:16; Acts 2:38
God said people should be “buried” in baptism. Sprinkling and pouring do not constitute burial. They do not fit the definition. If God did not care what action was involved, He could have simply said, “Put water on the people,” or “Make them wet.” But when He said to bury them, and nowhere said to sprinkle or pour, then sprinkling and pouring must be wrong.
Likewise, we are told that, before they can be baptized, people must hear the gospel and believe it, and repent of sins. Babies and animals cannot do these things, so to baptize them would be to do differently from what God said. This would not fit the meaning of God’s instructions. God may not have expressly said not to baptize babies or animals, but to do so would be wrong.
Suppose someone says, “I think it would be beautiful to dip a rose in water and sprinkle the water for baptism.” Would the rose be a legitimate “aid” to baptism? No, the rose might be an aid to sprinkling, but baptism is a burial and sprinkling does fit. So the rose is not a true aid.
On the other hand, you can bury someone in water in a river, lake, or man-made baptistery. No matter which you use, you are doing what God said. You are burying people in baptism. So the river, baptistery, etc., are all legitimate aids to baptism.
The collection — 1 Corinthians 16:1,2
God said for the church to obtain funds by taking up a collection of the first day of the week and each person gives according to his prosperity. Nowhere did He say for churches to have rummage sales, bake sales, or to operate businesses for profit to make money. To do these would be to do something different from what He said.
Likewise, to take up collections on some other day of the week would be different from what He said. He may not have expressly said not to do these things, but when He said to take up collections on the first day, and He never said to do these other things, then we can know that to do them would be to displease Him.
On the other hand, God said the first day of the week, but no particular time is mentioned. So whether we do it morning, afternoon, or evening would not matter, as long as it was the first day of the week.
Suppose, someone says, “I think we should start a grocery store to raise money.” If someone objects, they say the store is just an “aid” for raising money. A store may be an aid for operating a business, but operating a business is different from collecting money that people give as they have prospered.
On the other hand, when we take up collections, there are many different kinds of containers we might use: hat, basket, tabletop, etc. Any of these would be legitimate aids, because we are still doing what God said: taking up a collection.
The Lord’s Supper — Matthew 26:26-29; Acts 20:7
Regarding the Lord’s supper, Jesus said to use bread and fruit of the vine. And we are taught by inspired example that the church did this on the first day of the week, the same day on which they had the collection. To have the supper on some other day of the week would be to do different from what Jesus said. Likewise, if we added hamburger and Coke, they would be additions, not “aids” to the Lord’s Supper. God specified bread and fruit of the vine. That would displease Him as surely as would the pine wood in the ark or the sprinkling for baptism.
On the other hand, like with the collection, God has not specified any particular kind of container, nor any particular time on the first day for the Lord’s supper. The container(s) would be legitimate aids, and the time of day would not matter, because we would still be doing what God said: eating the bread and drinking the fruit of the vine on the first day of the week.
Music in worship — Ephesians 5:19; Colossians 3:16
God said to “sing” psalms, hymns, and spiritual songs, making melody in your heart. Every New Testament passage that mentions music in worship says to “sing.” Nowhere does God say to play on instruments. To play on instruments then, would fall outside the meaning of what God said to do. God does not have to expressly forbid them. The fact that He expressly said to sing, but nowhere says to play instruments, shows they are displeasing.
Suppose someone says, “The piano is just an aid to the singing.” No, a piano is an aid to playing, but playing is a different kind of music from singing, just like pine is different from gopher wood in the ark, and hamburger is different from bread on the Lord’s supper. The piano is unauthorized because when we use it we are doing something different from what God said to do.
On the other hand, if we sing songs that we find in a songbook, or if we sing various parts (soprano, alto, etc.), we are just doing what God said. We are singing and making melody in our hearts. The songbook is a legitimate aid.

Link to chart on web site

Conclusion
When we understand the Bible principles, we realize that many religious practices are wrong even though they are not expressly forbidden. On the other hand, many practices are right even though they are not expressly mentioned. An act does not need to be specifically forbidden to be wrong, nor must it be specifically mentioned to be acceptable. Whether a practice is right or wrong, and whether or not a tool is a legitimate aid, is determined by whether it falls inside or outside the meaning of the terms God uses to instruct us regarding His will.
So, we have no right to do in religion just whatever we want to do or what we think is good, apart from Scripture. God determines what He wants done, then He reveals it in His word. He determines how broad or narrow He wants His will to be in any matter, then He chooses terms that reveal to us by their meaning what we are to do. If we love Him, have faith in Him, and really respect His authority, we will do what He said and only what He said.
Have you done what He tells you to do to be forgiven of sins? Are you living faithfully?
 

Laela

Sidestepping the "lynch mob"

What Is the Church?
A Study of the Nature and Meaning of Jesus' Church: Universal and Local

What does the gospel mean when it speaks about the church Jesus built? What is the difference between the church universal and local? Is the church a denomination or just a group of individuals? What are the characteristics of a Scriptural local congregation? What organization and work should it have? May it do whatever individual Christians may do? Should we join one of the many modern denominations?
Introduction:

In Matthew 16:18 Jesus promised He would build His church. All serious Bible students agree that He did build His church in the first century. At that time, there was only one church belonging to Jesus and all saved people were in that one church. You can read about that church on nearly every page of your New Testament.

The purpose of this study is to consider what the church is.
Ephesians 3:10,11 says that the church is part of God's eternal plan. The church was so important to God that He planned it from eternity. Surely we need to understand what the church is and make sure we are following God's plan regarding it.

The word "church" in the New Testament (Greek ekklesia) refers to a group of people who are brought together for some special reason. In the religious sense, the word refers to those people who have been brought together by God by being forgiven of their sins; they have become children of God and have the hope of eternal life.

Unfortunately many people misunderstand the nature of the church.
* Some people use the word "church" to refer to a building where people worship God.

* Some think church membership is not essential to salvation.

* Some think of the church as a specific denomination: Baptist, Methodist, Lutheran, etc.

* Others think the church consists of all the different denominations together.

* Still others think the church is just individual Christians. They see no difference between the church and the individuals, so whatever Christians can do the church can do.

* Some have denied that the local church is a functioning unit or that it has any right to arrange programs of work that members are expected to participate in.

The word "church" has different meanings.
In the Bible, the word always refers to a group of people, never to a physical building.

We will study two primary uses of the word "church" in the Bible: the church universally and the church locally. Then we will conclude by briefly observing a use of the word that is not in the Bible: the church in the denominational sense.

I. The Church in the Universal Sense
A. The Church (Universal) Is the Body of All Saved People Everywhere.
It includes all those who have been redeemed by Jesus' blood, have received forgiveness of their sins, and have been born spiritually into His family.

This is the sense in which the word church is used in Matthew 16:18. Jesus promised to build His church. Other Bible examples of this usage of the word are:

Acts 20:28 - Jesus purchased the church with His own blood. But Jesus shed His blood to save us from sin and make us His (Ephesians 1:7; Revelation 1:5; Romans 5:6-9). So the people who have been saved and purchased by that blood are the people who are in the church!

Ephesians 5:23,25 - Jesus is Head of the church, and He is Savior of His body. He gave Himself up for the church. So the church is the body of all people who have been saved by Christ.

Acts 2:47 - The Lord added to the church daily those who were saved. The "universal" church consists of all saved people everywhere because, when God saves people, He puts them in the church. In this sense, the church is always singular.

This also shows us why it is important to be in the church. Many people believe that one does not need to be a part of the church to be saved. It is true that Jesus is the Savior, so the church does not save us. Nevertheless, all those whom Jesus has forgiven are in the church. If a person is not in the church, he is not among those whom Jesus has saved from sin.

[See also Ephesians 1:22,23; Colossians 1:18,24; 1 Timothy 3:15; cf. 1 Corinthians 12:12-14 to Acts 2:38; 22:16; Mark 16:16.]

B. Other Terms Used for the Church Help Us Understand Its Nature.
The church is also called the house or family of God.
1 Timothy 3:15 - The house of God is the church of the living God, the pillar and ground of the truth. [Cf. Ephesians 2:16,19; Galatians 6:10]

In the Bible a person's family is often called his "house" or "household." The church is the family or household of God because God is our Father and we are His spiritual children.

This shows God's authority over the church. As children we should obey our spiritual Father. [Matthew 7:7-11; 12:46-50]

The church is also called the kingdom of Christ.
Matthew 16:18,19 - After saying He would build His church, Jesus promised to give Peter the keys of the kingdom. The terms "church" and "kingdom" here refer to the same thing.

Colossians 1:13 - God delivered us from the power of darkness and translated us into the kingdom of the Son of His love. The kingdom is the church (v18) - remember, we already learned that, when the Lord saves people, He adds them to the church. Some people believe that Jesus' kingdom has not yet been established, but Jesus will establish it when He returns. Instead the Bible shows that Christians in the first century were in the kingdom, the church.

This term shows that Jesus is the absolute ruler over the church. He makes the laws we must obey. He has all authority in heaven and on earth (Matthew 28:18).

[Revelation 1:9; Hebrews 12:28]

The church is also called the body of Christ.
Ephesians 1:22,23 - Jesus Christ is the head of the body, the church. Like the head guides the body, so Jesus has made the rules that govern the church. The members of the body must cooperate and work together to accomplish the will of the head.

Note that each illustration of the church shows how intimately it is connected to God. That, in turn, shows how essential the church is to salvation.

Also note that Jesus is the only head of the church and He rules through the Bible. This means there is no centralized earthly headquarters, governing body or centralized organizations of any kind to supervise the work of the church.

[Ephesians 4:4-6; 4:23-25; Colossians 1:18]

II. The Church in the Local Sense
Some people see no difference between the church and the individual. They believe the local church can do whatever the individual can do. Others do not believe that the local church has the right to function as a unit, establishing and supervising programs of work. These misconceptions result from a failure to understand what the local church is.

According to the Bible a local church must possess all the following characteristics:

A. A Local Church Includes Christians in a Local Area.
Many passages show that individual Christians were included in local churches.

Acts 8:1 - The church which was at Jerusalem.

Acts 13:1 - The church that was at Antioch.

1 Corinthians 1:2 - The church of God which is at Corinth.

Revelation 1:4 - Jesus through John wrote to the seven churches of Asia. Each church was then addressed directly, describing the works of each group, distinct from the works of the other churches. Each one had its own lamp stand, which would be removed if it became unfaithful (1:20; 2:1,5). (Note 2:7,11,17,23,29; 3:6,13,22; 22:16.)

Philippians 4:15 - No church shared with Paul but only the Philippians. Note how this distinguishes the local churches as distinct one from another. One church did this work, but others did not [compare 2 Corinthians 11:8 below].

Local churches did exist, and individual Christians were part of local churches. These churches were viewed as distinct from one another, such that each church acted independently from the others.

[Note Acts 9:31; 11:22; 14:23; 15:41; 16:5; Romans 16:1,4,16; 1 Corinthians 4:17; 7:17; 11:16; 14:33,34; 16:1,2,19; 2 Corinthians 1:1; 8:1,18,19,23,24; 11:8,9,28; 12:13; Galatians 1:2,22; 1 Thessalonians 2:14; 1:1,4; Colossians 4:16]

B. A Local Church Has Rules to Follow.
Because Christ is the head of the church, He gave rules to guide the local churches.

1 Corinthians 16:1,2 - Corinth was to do as the churches in Galatia had been ordered to do.

Revelation 1:4; chapters 2 & 3 - Jesus addressed specific comments and instructions to various local churches.

In the Bible the Lord has given commands and teachings for the local churches to follow.

[1 Corinthians 11:17ff; chap. 14]

C. A Local Church Has a System for Supervising Its Work.
Titus 1:5 - There is an "order" or pattern for how local churches should be overseen.

Each local church should develop and appoint a plurality of qualified men to serve as elders, bishops, or pastors.
Acts 14:23 - Elders should be appointed in every church. In each case there was a plurality of elders.

1 Timothy 3:1-7; Titus 1:5-9 - In order to serve as bishops, elders first must be the kind of men who have the qualities listed. They are appointed to the work if they have the qualities.

If a church has a plurality of such men, they should be "appointed" or "ordained" to do the work. Before a church has qualified men, it may function in an immature state of development (like the churches in Acts 14:23 and Titus 1:5 before men were appointed.) But there is something lacking (Titus 1:5).

[Compare Philippians 1:1; Acts 20:17,28; 15:2-6; Titus 1:5-9; 1 Timothy 3:1-7].

Elders in a local church should oversee (supervise) the work of that local church.
Note the words used to describe their work and their relationship to the members.

Acts 20:28; 1 Peter 5:2,3 - "Overseers" who "take the oversight." [Translated "bishop" in 1 Timothy 3:1,2; Philippians 1:1.]

Ephesians 4:11 - "Pastors." The verb form in Acts 20:28; 1 Peter 5:2,3 shows they should "feed" or "tend" (ASV) or "shepherd" (NASB, NKJV) the flock.

1 Timothy 5:17; 1 Thessalonians 5:12 - "Rule" "over you." [Hebrews 13:7,17,24 use a different word translated "rule."]

Hebrews 13:17 - Members should "obey" and "submit."

Elders exercise the leadership in a local church, but they must not lead people to do things for which no Scriptural authority exists. They teach the members what God's word says, refute error, and guard the members from straying. Within the realm of authorized church work, there are decisions that need to be made to carry out that work. The elders are responsible to see that these decisions are made wisely.

Each eldership is authorized to oversee only the work of the one local church where they are members.
Acts 14:23 - Elders should be appointed in every church [Titus 1:5].

1 Peter 5:2,3 - Elders tend and oversee "the flock" (singular) which is "among you." Their jurisdiction is expressly limited to the local congregation. [Acts 20:28,17]

Each local church should have its own elders. Their work pertains to the church where they were appointed, and their oversight is limited to that congregation.

This necessarily implies that each congregation is separate and distinct from every other one in organization and supervision. No church and no members of a church have authority over the affairs of another local church.

[Compare Acts 20:17; Philippians 1:1; Acts 16:4].

D. A Local Church Has Funds under Its Control to Do Its Work.
1 Corinthians 16:1-4 - Churches took up funds to care for needy members. [2 Corinthians 8 & 9; Acts 6:1-6]

Philippians 4:14-16; 2 Corinthians 11:8,9 - Churches also used funds to support preachers. This requires the church to have a regular income and to maintain funds to pay these men.

Acts 5:4 - Individual members have their "own" funds under their "control." From their personal funds the individuals make contributions to the church collection (see 4:32-5:11).

The Christian serves as God's steward, having funds under his "control" [Matthew 20:15]. But when he gives them to the church, they pass out of his control into the control of the local church under their leadership (Philippians 4:15-18; 2 Corinthians 11:8,9; Acts 6:1-6). [2 Corinthians 9:6,7; 1 Corinthians 16:1,2; 1 Timothy 5:4,8,16]

So local churches are authorized to have a pool or treasury of funds belonging to the group to use to carry out its work. The church receives income by taking collections from the members. These funds are separate and distinct from the funds of the individuals.

E. A Local Church Has Work to Accomplish as a Body or Unit.
The work of a local church is authorized in the Bible.
This work can be summarized in different ways, but it includes the following:

* Teach God's word to those who are not Christians - 1 Timothy 3:15; Acts 11:22-26; Philippians 4:14-18; Acts 13:1-3; 1 Thessalonians 1:8.

* Provide opportunities for worship and praise to God - 1 Corinthians 11:18-26,33; 14:15-26; 16:1,2; Hebrews 2:12; Acts 20:7.

* Edify, instruct, and if necessary discipline those who are members - Ephesians 4:16; 1 Corinthians 14:19,23-26; chapter 5; Hebrews 10:24,25; Matthew 18:15-17.

* Provide for the physical needs of certain destitute members - 1 Corinthians 16:1-4; 2 Corinthians 8 & 9; Acts 4:32-35; 6:1-6.

Individual members have work that is distinct from that of local churches.
Individuals are authorized to do some activities that are not authorized for local churches to participate in.

* Individuals may marry, have a physical relationship as husband and wife, bear children physically, and raise them - Hebrews 13:4; Genesis 1:28; 2:18-24; Ephesians 6:1-4.

* Individuals may operate businesses to make money - Ephesians 4:28; Matthew 20:1-15; 2 Thessalonians 3:7-12; 1 Thessalonians 4:11; Acts 18:2,3; 1 Corinthians 9:7; Acts 20:34; Matthew 25:14-30.

* Individuals could own, operate, or make donations to a college, hospital, benevolent institution, etc. - Luke 10:34,35; Acts 19:9; 7:22.

* Individuals may purchase, provide, and participate in entertainment, recreation, and social activities such as athletics, orchestras, plays, parties, social clubs, etc. - 1 Timothy 4:8 Mark 6:31; 1 Corinthians 9:24,25.

* There are also differences regarding who controls individual vs. church funds, and regarding what needy people they care for - 1 Timothy 5:4,8,16; Acts 5:4; 2 Corinthians 9:6,7; etc.

We do not say that individuals may never do things that churches may do. But we do say there are works we may do as individuals that are never granted to the local church to do.

F. A Local Church Has an Identifiable Membership.
The Bible gives principles by which a local church should be able to determine who is or is not a member of that local church. Members should commit themselves to be part of a particular local church and to labor to help accomplish the work of that church.

Acts 9:26-29 - When Paul came to Jerusalem, he sought to join himself to the disciples there. He was working among them preaching and teaching God's word.

Acts 18:27,28 - When Apollos went to Achaia (Corinth), the church in Ephesus sent a letter to the brethren there to receive him. He then worked diligently among them.

Matthew 18:15-17; 1 Corinthians chapter 5; 2 Thessalonians 3:6-15 - The church has the God-given duty to withdraw from members who continue in sin and will not repent. So the church excludes from itself those members who do not remain faithful. [Compare Romans 16:17]

Members should identify themselves as part of a local church so they have men who watch for their souls and lead them in the work - Hebrews 13:17; Acts 20:28-30. But the supervision of elders extends only to the local church where they have been appointed. So elders must be able to know which sheep they are responsible for and which they are not responsible for.

A local church is not just any group of Christians. It has limits that define who is and is not included in the group. Those who are members should be identified and recognized apart from those who are not members.

[Acts 11:22-26; Romans 16:1,2; 2 Corinthians 3:1; Hebrews 10:24,25; 1 Corinthians 1:2; 16:1,2; 1 Thessalonians 1:1; Galatians 1:2; Revelation 1:4]

G. The Members Should Intend and Agree to Be a Local Church.
This point follows from all the previous points. When members commit themselves to be part of a local church, they understand and recognize that they become part of the group that follows the rules God has given for local churches and that follows the oversight of the elders. They should give so the group has funds of the group to do the work of a local church.

All this means that a local church is not just a group of Christians, but a group of Christians that are ordered, arranged, or organized to work and worship together as a local church. They intend for this group to continue indefinitely in this work (it is not intended to be a temporary arrangement).

Illustration: A pile of bricks is a group of individual units. The same group of bricks may be organized to form an office building, hospital, or school. What the bricks make up depends on how they are organized, arranged, or patterned together.

So a group of Christians does not constitute a local church until it is arranged, patterned, or ordered so as to constitute a local church. The same group of Christians could be arranged to form a business corporation, a school, a college, or a local church. Which they form, or in what capacity they are acting at any given time, depends on what pattern or arrangement they are following, and what they intend to be acting as at the time.

The local church is an organized or arranged group of Christians with work, funds, and supervision to be a local church.

Conclusion
Denominations are a departure from the pattern of the church.
We have described the church as it was in the New Testament - the universal sense and the local sense. Denominations are a perversion of that pattern.

A denomination is not just a local church, but is an affiliation of many local churches. But neither is it the church universal, since no denomination claims to include all saved people. Each denomination claims to be composed of Christians, but it does not claim to contain all faithful Christians. Denominations are organizations that are more than just local churches, but less than the universal church.

So denominations constitute a change in God's plan that was unknown in the Bible. Those who advocate membership in them are preaching a gospel different from what is revealed in the New Testament (Galatians 1:6-9). Those who join them do not abide in Jesus' doctrine and so do not have God (2 John 9).

[Proverbs 3:5,6; 14:12; Matthew 15:9,13,14; Isaiah 55:8,9; Jeremiah 10:23; Col.3:17; 1 Corinthians 1:18-25; 2:1-5; Revelation 22:18,19]

Denominationalism violates the Bible teaching about unity.
Each denomination has its own peculiar name, doctrine, organization, plan of worship, etc., contradicting the practices of other denominations. Yet they say God will accept all this. "It doesn't matter what you believe as long as you worship God sincerely," etc.

But Jesus prayed for all who believe on Him to be one as He and His Father are one (John 17:20-23).

Paul instructed the Corinthians to have no divisions among them - 1 Corinthians 1:10-13.

We must strive to keep the unity of the Spirit (Ephesians 4:3-6). This requires one true body, the church, and one true faith, just as surely as it requires one true God and Father.

[See also 1 Corinthians 14:33; 3:3; 12:12,13,20; Philippians 1:27; Ephesians 2:16; Galatians 5:19-21; Romans 12:4,5.]

To be saved we must be members of Jesus' one true church.
We must be part of the universal body of all saved people, then we must affiliate ourselves with a faithful local church. We must refuse to be part of any group that claims to be a denomination, or that excuses, justifies, or condones denominationalism. [2 Corinthians 6:17,18; Ephesians 5:11; Romans 16:17; 2 John 9-11; Matthew 15:1-14; Titus 3:10,11.]

Acts 2:38,47 - If you repent and are baptized for remission of sins, God will then add you to His true church.

Obeying Jesus' true gospel made people members of Jesus' one true church in the first century. It did not make them members of any denomination. That gospel can have the same effect in your life as it did in theirs. You can be a member of Jesus' one true church and part of a faithful local congregation of God's people today simply by obeying the teachings of Jesus and avoiding all man-made religious doctrines.
 

Laela

Sidestepping the "lynch mob"
This is from a different site, Christian Apologetics & Research Ministry: https://carm.org/

Roman Catholicism and Christianity the same thing?

by Matt Slick

No, Roman Catholicism and Christianity are not the same thing. Christianity is properly defined by certain doctrines that are revealed in the Bible. It is not defined by simply saying that as long as you believe in Jesus that you're a Christian. Mormons believe in Jesus, but their Jesus is a brother of the devil in the pre-existence. The Jesus of the Jehovah's Witnesses is Michael the Archangel. So, just saying that you believe in Jesus doesn't make you a Christian. This is why the Bible tells us who Jesus really is--God in flesh, creator of the universe. Likewise, there are essential doctrines, and if any of those essential doctrines are violated, then a church would only appear to be Christian but not really be Christian. What are those doctrines? The Bible tells us. Let's take a look.

  1. There is only one God, and you are to serve no other gods (Exodus 20:3, Isaiah 43:10, 44:6, 8).
  2. Jesus is both God and man (John 1:1, 14, 8:24, Col. 2:9, 1 John 4:1-4).
  3. Jesus rose from the dead physically (John 2:19-21, 1 Cor. 15:14).
  4. Salvation is by grace through faith (Rom. 5:1, Eph. 2:8-9, Gal. 3:1-2, 5:1-4).
  5. The gospel is the death, burial, and resurrection of Jesus according to the Scriptures (1 Cor. 15:1-4, Gal. 1:8-9).
  6. God is a Trinity (Matt. 28:19, 1 Cor. 12:4-6, 2 Cor. 13:14).
  7. Jesus was born of the virgin Mary (Matt. 1:25).
So, someone who is a true Christian will believe these things and not violate them. Roman Catholicism violates two of them (#1 and #4). First of all, by its practice of promoting Mary (and the Saints) to the level of God-like capabilities, they break the commandment to have no other gods before the true and living God. In Roman Catholicism, they say that Mary is the mediatrix (Catechism of the Catholic Church paragraph 969), Mary made atonement for the sins of man (Fundamentals of Catholic Dogma, page 213), and Mary is the subject of preaching and worship (Vatican Council II, p. 420), etc.

Also, Catholicism violates the Biblical doctrine of salvation by grace through faith alone. Paul the apostle, for example, tells us in Romans 4:5, "But to the one who does not work, but believes in Him who justifies the ungodly, his faith is reckoned as righteousness." But Roman Catholicism denies that and says, " . . . so that all men may attain salvation through faith, Baptism and the observance of the Commandments," (CCC, par 2068). Also, consider this:

"If any one saith, that by faith alone the impious is justified; in such wise as to mean, that nothing else is required to co-operate in order to the obtaining the grace of Justification, and that it is not in any way necessary, that he be prepared and disposed by the movement of his own will; let him be anathema," (Council of Trent, Canons on Justification, Canon 9).

So, even though Roman Catholicism claims to be Christian and that it is the one true church, it violates the essentials of the Christian faith. It goes beyond what is written in God's Word (1 Cor. 4:6). It denies the sole and true sovereignty of the living God by promoting prayer to and the worship of Mary. Also, it denies justification by faith alone in Christ alone. It is not a Christian church.

This article is available in Português
 

kanozas

se ven las caras pero nunca el corazón
:nono2: We are not catholic by cultic practices...anyone who wishes to convert must do so through months of study and personal conviction. Everything is in the open, including doctrine. We don't condemn anyone to hell who chooses not to enter...although, I wouldn't fool with coming to knowledge of and deny Jesus to His face. That is also in the catechism and scripturally based. But if anyone would like the entire page to that, in context, complete with references, here it is:

http://www.scborromeo.org/ccc/p3s2.htm#2068


PART THREE
LIFE IN CHRIST


SECTION TWO
THE TEN COMMANDMENTS


"Teacher, what must I do . . .?"

2052 "Teacher, what good deed must I do, to have eternal life?" To the young man who asked this question, Jesus answers first by invoking the necessity to recognize God as the "One there is who is good," as the supreme Good and the source of all good. Then Jesus tells him: "If you would enter life, keep the commandments." And he cites for his questioner the precepts that concern love of neighbor: "You shall not kill, You shall not commit adultery, You shall not steal, You shall not bear false witness, Honor your father and mother." Finally Jesus sums up these commandments positively: "You shall love your neighbor as yourself."1

2053 To this first reply Jesus adds a second: "If you would be perfect, go, sell what you possess and give to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven; and come, follow me."2 This reply does not do away with the first: following Jesus Christ involves keeping the Commandments. The Law has not been abolished,3 but rather man is invited to rediscover it in the person of his Master who is its perfect fulfillment. In the three synoptic Gospels, Jesus' call to the rich young man to follow him, in the obedience of a disciple and in the observance of the Commandments, is joined to the call to poverty and chastity.4 The evangelical counsels are inseparable from the Commandments.

2054 Jesus acknowledged the Ten Commandments, but he also showed the power of the Spirit at work in their letter. He preached a "righteousness [which] exceeds that of the scribes and Pharisees"5 as well as that of the Gentiles.6 He unfolded all the demands of the Commandments. "You have heard that it was said to the men of old, 'You shall not kill.' . . . But I say to you that every one who is angry with his brother shall be liable to judgment."7

2055 When someone asks him, "Which commandment in the Law is the greatest?"8 Jesus replies: "You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, and with all your soul, and with all your mind. This is the greatest and first commandment. And a second is like it: You shall love your neighbor as yourself. On these two commandments hang all the Law and the prophets."9 The Decalogue must be interpreted in light of this twofold yet single commandment of love, the fullness of the Law:



The commandments: "You shall not commit adultery, You shall not kill, You shall not steal, You shall not covet," and any other commandment, are summed up in this sentence: "You shall love your neighbor as yourself." Love does no wrong to a neighbor; therefore love is the fulfilling of the law.10
The Decalogue in Sacred Scripture

2056 The word "Decalogue" means literally "ten words."11 God revealed these "ten words" to his people on the holy mountain. They were written "with the finger of God,"12 unlike the other commandments written by Moses.13 They are pre-eminently the words of God. They are handed on to us in the books of Exodus14 and Deuteronomy.15 Beginning with the Old Testament, the sacred books refer to the "ten words,"16 but it is in the New Covenant in Jesus Christ that their full meaning will be revealed.

2057 The Decalogue must first be understood in the context of the Exodus, God's great liberating event at the center of the Old Covenant. Whether formulated as negative commandments, prohibitions, or as positive precepts such as: "Honor your father and mother," the "ten words" point out the conditions of a life freed from the slavery of sin. The Decalogue is a path of life:



If you love the LORD your God, by walking in his ways, and by keeping his commandments and his statutes and his ordinances, then you shall live and multiply.17
This liberating power of the Decalogue appears, for example, in the commandment about the sabbath rest, directed also to foreigners and slaves:



You shall remember that you were a servant in the land of Egypt, and the LORD your God brought you out thence with a mighty hand and an outstretched arm.18
2058 The "ten words" sum up and proclaim God's law: "These words the Lord spoke to all your assembly at the mountain out of the midst of the fire, the cloud, and the thick darkness, with a loud voice; and he added no more. And he wrote them upon two tables of stone, and gave them to me."19 For this reason these two tables are called "the Testimony." In fact, they contain the terms of the covenant concluded between God and his people. These "tables of the Testimony" were to be deposited in "the ark."20

2059 The "ten words" are pronounced by God in the midst of a theophany ("The LORD spoke with you face to face at the mountain, out of the midst of the fire."21). They belong to God's revelation of himself and his glory. The gift of the Commandments is the gift of God himself and his holy will. In making his will known, God reveals himself to his people.

2060 The gift of the commandments and of the Law is part of the covenant God sealed with his own. In Exodus, the revelation of the "ten words" is granted between the proposal of the covenant22 and its conclusion - after the people had committed themselves to "do" all that the Lord had said, and to "obey" it.23 The Decalogue is never handed on without first recalling the covenant ("The LORD our God made a covenant with us in Horeb.").24

2061 The Commandments take on their full meaning within the covenant. According to Scripture, man's moral life has all its meaning in and through the covenant. The first of the "ten words" recalls that God loved his people first:



Since there was a passing from the paradise of freedom to the slavery of this world, in punishment for sin, the first phrase of the Decalogue, the first word of God's commandments, bears on freedom "I am the LORD your God, who brought you out of the land of Egypt, out of the house of slavery."25
2062 The Commandments properly so-called come in the second place: they express the implications of belonging to God through the establishment of the covenant. Moral existence is a response to the Lord's loving initiative. It is the acknowledgement and homage given to God and a worship of thanksgiving. It is cooperation with the plan God pursues in history.

2063 The covenant and dialogue between God and man are also attested to by the fact that all the obligations are stated in the first person ("I am the Lord.") and addressed by God to another personal subject ("you"). In all God's commandments, the singular personal pronoun designates the recipient. God makes his will known to each person in particular, at the same time as he makes it known to the whole people:



The Lord prescribed love towards God and taught justice towards neighbor, so that man would be neither unjust, nor unworthy of God. Thus, through the Decalogue, God prepared man to become his friend and to live in harmony with his neighbor. . . . The words of the Decalogue remain likewise for us Christians. Far from being abolished, they have received amplification and development from the fact of the coming of the Lord in the flesh.26
The Decalogue in the Church's Tradition

2064 In fidelity to Scripture and in conformity with the example of Jesus, the tradition of the Church has acknowledged the primordial importance and significance of the Decalogue.

2065 Ever since St. Augustine, the Ten Commandments have occupied a predominant place in the catechesis of baptismal candidates and the faithful. In the fifteenth century, the custom arose of expressing the commandments of the Decalogue in rhymed formulae, easy to memorize and in positive form. They are still in use today. The catechisms of the Church have often expounded Christian morality by following the order of the Ten Commandments.

2066 The division and numbering of the Commandments have varied in the course of history. The present catechism follows the division of the Commandments established by St. Augustine, which has become traditional in the Catholic Church. It is also that of the Lutheran confessions. The Greek Fathers worked out a slightly different division, which is found in the Orthodox Churches and Reformed communities.

2067 The Ten Commandments state what is required in the love of God and love of neighbor. The first three concern love of God, and the other seven love of neighbor.



As charity comprises the two commandments to which the Lord related the whole Law and the prophets . . . so the Ten Commandments were themselves given on two tablets. Three were written on one tablet and seven on the other.27
2068 The Council of Trent teaches that the Ten Commandments are obligatory for Christians and that the justified man is still bound to keep them;28 the Second Vatican Council confirms: "The bishops, successors of the apostles, receive from the Lord . . . the mission of teaching all peoples, and of preaching the Gospel to every creature, so that all men may attain salvation through faith, Baptism and the observance of the Commandments."29

The unity of the Decalogue

2069 The Decalogue forms a coherent whole. Each "word" refers to each of the others and to all of them; they reciprocally condition one another. The two tables shed light on one another; they form an organic unity. To transgress one commandment is to infringe all the others.30 One cannot honor another person without blessing God his Creator. One cannot adore God without loving all men, his creatures. The Decalogue brings man's religious and social life into unity.

The Decalogue and the natural law

2070 The Ten Commandments belong to God's revelation. At the same time they teach us the true humanity of man. They bring to light the essential duties, and therefore, indirectly, the fundamental rights inherent in the nature of the human person. The Decalogue contains a privileged expression of the natural law:



From the beginning, God had implanted in the heart of man the precepts of the natural law. Then he was content to remind him of them. This was the Decalogue.31
2071 The commandments of the Decalogue, although accessible to reason alone, have been revealed. To attain a complete and certain understanding of the requirements of the natural law, sinful humanity needed this revelation:



A full explanation of the commandments of the Decalogue became necessary in the state of sin because the light of reason was obscured and the will had gone astray.32
We know God's commandments through the divine revelation proposed to us in the Church, and through the voice of moral conscience.

The obligation of the Decalogue

2072 Since they express man's fundamental duties towards God and towards his neighbor, the Ten Commandments reveal, in their primordial content, grave obligations. They are fundamentally immutable, and they oblige always and everywhere. No one can dispense from them. The Ten Commandments are engraved by God in the human heart.

2073 Obedience to the Commandments also implies obligations in matter which is, in itself, light. Thus abusive language is forbidden by the fifth commandment, but would be a grave offense only as a result of circumstances or the offender's intention.

"Apart from me you can do nothing"

2074 Jesus says: "I am the vine, you are the branches. He who abides in me, and I in him, he it is that bears much fruit, for apart from me you can do nothing."33 The fruit referred to in this saying is the holiness of a life made fruitful by union with Christ. When we believe in Jesus Christ, partake of his mysteries, and keep his commandments, the Savior himself comes to love, in us, his Father and his brethren, our Father and our brethren. His person becomes, through the Spirit, the living and interior rule of our activity. "This is my commandment, that you love one another as I have loved you."34

IN BRIEF

2075 "What good deed must I do, to have eternal life?" - "If you would enter into life, keep the commandments" (Mt 19:16-17).

2076 By his life and by his preaching Jesus attested to the permanent validity of the Decalogue.

2077 The gift of the Decalogue is bestowed from within the covenant concluded by God with his people. God's commandments take on their true meaning in and through this covenant.

2078 In fidelity to Scripture and in conformity with Jesus' example, the tradition of the Church has always acknowledged the primordial importance and significance of the Decalogue.

2079 The Decalogue forms an organic unity in which each "word" or "commandment" refers to all the others taken together. To transgress one commandment is to infringe the whole Law (cf. Jas 2:10-11).

2080 The Decalogue contains a privileged expression of the natural law. It is made known to us by divine revelation and by human reason.

2081 The Ten Commandments, in their fundamental content, state grave obligations. However, obedience to these precepts also implies obligations in matter which is, in itself, light.

2082 What God commands he makes possible by his grace.



1 Mt 19:16-19.
2 Mt 19:21.
3 Cf. Mt 5:17.
4 Cf. Mt 19:6-12,21,23-29.
5 Mt 5:20.
6 Cf. Mt 5:46-47.
7 Mt 5:21-22.
8 Mt 22:36.
9 Mt 22:37-40; cf. Deut 6:5; Lev 19:18.
10 Rom 13:9-10.
11 Ex 34:28; Deut 4:13; 10:4.
12 Ex 31:18; Deut 5:22.
13 Cf. Deut 31:9-24.
14 Cf. 20:1-17.
15 Cf. Deut 5:6-22.
16 Cf. for example Hos 4:2; Jer 7:9; Ezek 18:5-9.
17 Deut 30:16.
18 Deut 5:15.
19 Deut 5:22.
20 Ex 25:16; 31:18; 32:15; 34:29; 40:1-2.
21 Deut 5:4.
22 Cf. Ex 19.
23 Cf. Ex 24:7.
24 Deut 5:2.
25 Origen, Hom. in Ex. 8,1:pG 12,350; cf. Ex 20:2; Deut 5:6.
26 St. Irenaeus, Adv. haeres., 4,16, 3-4:pG 7/1,1017-1018.
27 St. Augustine, Sermo 33,2,2:pL 38,208.
28 Cf. DS 1569-1570.
29 LG 24.
30 Cf. Jas 2:10-11.
31 St. Irenaeus, Adv. haeres. 4,15,1:pG 7/l,1012.
32 St. Bonaventure, Comm. sent. 4,37,1,3.
33 Jn 15:5.
34 Jn 15:12.
 

kanozas

se ven las caras pero nunca el corazón
In fact, here's another complete page from the catechism on why baptism is necessary for salvation, including scriptural references and discourse from the Doctors of the Church and the Councils. Again, taking things within context and not separately and incomplete as to prove a counterpoint as NOTHING is hidden from any of us regarding our faith in Christ and His Church:

http://www.vatican.va/archive/ccc_css/archive/catechism/p2s2c1a1.htm


As for Jesus' Mother, whom He loves tremendously, complete with scriptural references and not taken out of context to prove some counterpoint:
http://www.vatican.va/archive/ccc_css/archive/catechism/p123a9p6.htm


As for "legions of demons," we are not it, neither am I, though, I've weathered those indirect and "veiled" insults from you and a few others for years now lol.
 
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