BiblicalInsights.net

   The Columbus Dispatch ran an article, Presidency Is Above Obama’s Pay Grade, on August 20, 2008 by Michael Graham. Graham gave an important quote by  Barack Obama concerning abortion.  The quotation occurred during the interview that Obama had with Rick Warren.  
   Obama said, “Well, uh, you know, I think that whether you’re looking at it from a theological perspective or, uh, a scientific perspective, uh, answering that question with specificity, uh, you know, is, is, uh, above my pay grade.”  
   Warren asked an important question, “When does a baby get human rights?”  Obama skirted the question. Now, in the first few days of the Obama presidency, he reversed the Mexico City policy (Jan. 23, 2009) which will promote abortions in other countries.  He did this on Jan. 23, 2009, a day after the anniversary of Roe vs. Wade.  It is not a secret that Obama is pro-abortion.  In order to be pro-abortion, the answer to the above question posed by Warren becomes obvious.  A child in the womb does not have human rights because it is not recognized as a human being.  Obama’s policy advances abortion.  The slaughter of innocent children will continue in order to appease the god of convenience. 
    The Scriptures recognize that a baby in the womb is a human being (Luke 1:41; Jeremiah 1:5; Psa. 139:14-15).  As a human being, the unborn should be protected by those who have the authority and responsiblity to do so.  God ordained government to be a supressor and avenger of the evil doer, not to become the evil doer! (Rom. 13:3-4). 
   Pilate attempted to clear himself of the guilt of putting an innocent man–Jesus Christ– to death by washing his hands.  He said, “I am innocent of the blood of this just person…” (Matt. 27:24).  Was he? What is the verdict of good and just men?  What is the judgment of God?  Didn’t a breach of justice occur?
   That innocent man–Jesus Christ–will one day judge the world in righteousness (Acts 17:31).  When it is His turn to avenge the innocent, you can be sure the guilty will not escape.

     At present, I am aware of three congregations among the churches of Christ that have developed a multi-site arrangement for church government.  The first churches to form this type of governmental arrangement were the Highland Oaks church and the Pitman Creek church.  The Highland Oaks church is located in the northern suburbs of Dallas, Texas and the Pitman Creek church is located about 14 miles away, in Plano, Texas.  The merger will result in a congregation that shares a common staff, eldership, treasury and vision, but be located in two different places (see the Christian Chronicle, One Church, Two Locations, by Erik Tryggestad, February 21, 2008).
     Another multi-site church was developed in the fall of 2008 by the Southwest church in Jonesboro, Arkansas.  The minister at the time was Jimmy Adcox who called the congregation a “hybrid, multi-site, church plant.” The church started a separate worship service on the campus of Arkansas State University, a school of about 12,000 students three miles from the church building (Christian Chronicle).
     The third multi-site church is located in Michigan.  The Rochester church of Christ in Rochester Hills, Michigan launched a multi-site arrangement in March, 2008 when they developed a new site at Mohawk Elementary School in Macomb, Michigan.  The new group is under the oversight of the elders at Rochester and share the same staff, mission, and treasury.  Patrick Mead is the current evangelist at Rochester and does double duty between the two locations (check out the web-site for the Rochester church of Christ–www.rochestercoc.org). 
     Several observations concerning this new development among churches of Christ is in order.  First, we must ask before we implement any type of new organizational structure for the church, “Where is the Scriptural authority for doing this?”  In the apostolic age, each congregation was autonomous (self-governing).  Elders and deacons were appointed in each local congregation (Titus 1:5).  The wisdom of this arrangement is seen in that there is not a concentration of power in a few men who rule over many churches.  Also, it prohibits the rapid spread of error by forcing each congregation to test new doctrines by measuring them against the truth before accepting them.  Listen to the testimony of Mosheim as recorded by J. W. Shepherd in The church, The Falling Away, and the Restoration, page 56, “During a great portion of this century (second) all the churches continued to be, as at first, independent of each other, or were connected by no consociations or confederations.  Each church was a kind of small, independent republic, governing itself by its own laws, enacted or at least sanctioned by the people.  But in the process of time it became customary for all the Christian churches within the same province to unite and form a sort of larger society or commonwealth; and in the manner of confederated republics, to hold their conventions at stated times, and there deliberate for the common advantage of the whole confederation.”  These conventions developed into synods and church councils.  The laws agreed upon in these councils were called “canons” or “rules.”  A marked departure from the truth began by changing the organizational structure of the church which led to the change in the source of doctrine for the church.  Churches were now governed by synods and councils and not the Word of God.  In regards to apostasy, there must always be a first step!  Second, we see the audacity and arrogance of men who believe that they have devised a better organizational system for the church than what God has ordained.   Man’s good intentions do not trump obedience to God. This lesson is clearly taught in I Samuel 15:22-23, “Behold to obey is better than sacrifice, and to hearken than the fat of rams.”  Saul disobeyed God by keeping sheep alive for sacrifice rather than utterly destroying them as God commanded. Saul was rejected by God because he rejected the Word of God.  Will our church leaders reject the Word of God too!   
     A change in church organization without Scriptural authority to do so is a usurpation of the authority of Almighty God.  It can only lead farther away from the truth.
     (Update: 4/23/2009.  The satellite of the Rochester Church of Christ known as Christ Church: Macomb held its last service Jan. 25, 2009.  It continued to meet on the campus of Rochester College through February and then disbanded).

Alexander Campbell’s Study-Bethany, WV
     Could anyone estimate the number of hours Alexander Campbell spent in his study at Bethany, WV?  He would arise about 4 a.m. and go to the study to begin work.  He wrote more than 60 volumes.  He edited two papers: The Christian Baptist and the Millennial Harbinger.  In this study, he prepared for his five major debates.   
     The original study was hexagonal by design.  The only windows were located in the cupola in the center of the study where light would flood in from above.  In 1836, Campbell added a rectangular extension to the study so a fireplace could be added.  Shelves lined the interior of the study and were filled with books.  Many of these books have been catalogued and are on display in the Campbell room of the library at Bethany. 
     The diligent study of God’s Word was an important discipline in the life of Campbell.  Every Christian should heed the instruction of the apostle Paul, “Study to shew thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth” (II Tim. 2:15).   Consider these three steps for Bible study.
      -The first step is to study.  Reading is not study.  Reading devotionally is good and essential.  However, one can read a lifetime devotionally and never acquire an in-depth knowledge of the sacred Scriptures.  Study regularly at least 15 minutes a day at the same hour in the same location.
       -Study under controlled conditions.  Our minds are so constituted that they operate at top efficiency only when they are allowed to do so under conditioned and orderly circumstances.  Every person should have a quiet nook, a study table, and study tools arranged in an orderly fashion. 
       -Study with the proper tools.  Select a good study Bible that is an accurate and trustworthy translation.  I would recommend the King James Version.  It has stood the test of time and criticism.  You will need a collegiate dictionary, a good Bible Dictionary (Smith’s Bible Dictionary or J. D. Douglas’ Bible dictionary called The New Bible Dictionary), a concordance (Strong’s has a numbering system that connects it with other tools for Bible study), and a large loose-leaf notebook for taking notes on your study.
       How do you begin?  Study systematically.  Take a book of the Bible that is of interest to you and begin reading and outlining each chapter.  Ask yourself these questions:  who is speaking?, to whom is he speaking?, who is the author?, what is the topic?, where is this taking place? why is this being written?, when do these events take place?, and how does this text relate to me today?  Let me suggest the books of Luke and Acts.  Bible study that is regular, personal, deliberate, and diligent will pay big dividends in spiritual growth.  The New Year has just begun.  Why not get started with your study of the sacred Scriptures today?