BiblicalInsights.net

In the five instances where the word religion occurs in the New Testament, it is always qualified by a modifier.  Three times the word refers to the Jews’ religion (Acts 26:5; Gal. 1:13, Gal. 1:14).  Once it refers to man’s religion (James 1:26).  And, once it refers to “pure religion” (James 1:27).  James 1:27 is the only passage in the New Testament that addresses “pure” religion.  Pure religion is true, genuine, and approved by God.  True religion is set in contrast to false religion.  For some, there is no true religion.  Sigmund Freud thought religion in general was an infantile neurosis or psychological defect.  He believed that religion was an illusion.  For him, it represented a sort of wish fulfillment and was not motivated by rational proofs.  Freud’s view of religion has been adopted by many who believe that personal freedom requires an abandonment of all religion (Carl Trueman, The Rise and Triumph of the Modern Self, p. 223).
There is no doubt that false religion exists (II Peter 2).  False religion gives true religion a bad name because all religion is grouped together as Freud mistakenly has done.  The Bible is much clearer in giving us the essential elements of true religion.  God defines true religion in His holy Word.  In order for a religion to be true, it must exhibit all of the essential elements listed below.  These essential elements contain the word “true” in the various passages cited.  The word “true” indicates that which is genuine or the real thing as opposed to false religion.  False religion stands out when the comparison is made to the true.  False religion is counterfeit religion and consequently is vain religion.  All false religion must be rejected and only true religion accepted.
First, there is one, living and true God. “For they themselves show of us what manner of entering in we had unto you, and how ye turned to God from idols to serve the living and true God” (I Thessalonians 1:9).  Idols are false gods.  Any religion built upon false gods is false religion and vain.  God is the creator of all things and He is the savior of the world.  Paul affirms that there is one God (Eph. 4:6).  The Christian religion is monotheistic.  All polytheistic religions are false.  The Christian religion affirms that God is a Triune God consisting of three distinct persons in one undivided essence (essential Being).  God the Father, God the Son and God the Holy Spirit are affirmed in Matthew 28:19 and I Cor. 13:14 (as well as other passages).  God reveals Himself through creation, miracles, the Scriptures, historical interactions with men, and Jesus Christ.  Paul affirms that there is no excuse for not knowing God (Rom. 1:20).
Second, there is one true Light. “That was the true Light, which lighteth every man that cometh into the world.”  John the baptist was sent to bear witness of the true Light.  The word “light” in the gospel of John always refers to Jesus.  “The next day John Seth Jesus coming unto him, and saith, Behold the Lamb of God which taketh away the sin of the world. This is he of whom I said, After me cometh a man which is preferred before me: for he was before me.  And I kin mew him not: but that he should be made manifest to Israel, there am I come baptizing with water.  And John bare record, saying, I saw the Spirit descending from heaven. like a dove, and it abode upon him.  And I knew him not: but he that sent me to baptize with water, the same said unto me, Upon whom thou shalt see the Spirit descending, and remaining on him, the same is he which baptizeth with the Holy Ghost.  And I saw, and bare record that this is the Son of God” (John 1:29-34).  John the baptist is an eyewitness to the deity of Jesus.  Jesus is the true Light.  Jesus is the light of the world (John 8:12).  The Light dispels darkness and reveals God to men.  The Light enlightens men in the way of truth and righteousness and overcomes ignorance and iniquity.  Any religion that denies the deity of Jesus is a false religion.
Third, there is one Spirit of truth.  “Howbeit when he, the Spirit of truth, is come, he will guide you into all truth: for he shall not speak of himself; but whatsoever he shall hear, that shall he speak: and he will shew you things to come. He shall glorify me: for he shall receive of mine, and shall shew it unto you” (John 16:13-14).  Three times, Jesus refers to the Spirit of truth (see also, John 14:17; 15:26).  There is only one Holy Spirit (Eph. 4:4).  The Holy Spirit is the one true spirit and a part of the godhead (Matt. 28:19; I Cor. 13:14).  The Holy Spirit reveals the body of truth which is the Word of God (John 17:17).  Any religion that teaches that the Holy Spirit is merely an influence and not a member of the godhead is a false religion.
Fourth, there is one, true gospel.  “But though we, or an angel from heaven, preach any other gospel unto you than that which we have preached unto you, let him be accursed.  As we said before, so say I now again, If any man preach any other gospel unto you than that ye have received, let him be accursed” (Gal. 1:8-9).  There is only one faith (Eph. 4:5). The gospel consists of facts to be believed, promises to be received and commandments to be obeyed.  The gospel is the good news of salvation through Jesus Christ (Rom. 1:16).  The gospel answers the question, “what must I do to be saved?”  In Acts 2:38, Peter said, “…Repent, and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins, and ye shall receive the gift of the Holy Ghost.” Paul declares, “That we should be to the praise of his glory, who first trusted in Christ.  In whom ye also trusted, after that ye heard the word of truth, the gospel of your salvation: in whom also after that ye believed, ye were sealed with that Holy Spirit of promise” (Eph. 1:13).  The word of truth is the gospel.  The facts of the gospel center upon the life of Jesus Christ and focus on His death, burial and resurrection (I Cor. 15:1-4).  The promises of the gospel involve our salvation and all spiritual blessings (Mark 16:16; Eph. 1:3).  The commands of the gospel are that we hear God’s word, believe God, love God, repent of our sins, confess Jesus as Lord and be baptized into Christ for the remission of sins.  Any religion that teaches another gospel (faith only for instance or the sinner’s prayer) is a false religion.
Fifth, there is true worship.  “Jesus saith unto her, Woman, believe me, the hour cometh, when ye shall neither in this mountain, nor yet at Jerusalem worship the Father.  Ye worship ye know not what: we know what we worship: for salvation is of the Jews.  But the hour cometh, and now is, when the true worshippers shall worship the Father in spirit and in truth: for the Father seeketh such to worship him. God is a Spirit: and they that worship him must worship him in spirit and in truth” John 4:21-24).  Worship involves the right object–God.  Worship involves the right attitudes and the right actions.  In worship, we must respect who God is and what He has ordained as worship.  The Samaritan woman worshipped in ignorance.  Such worship is vain.  Her ignorance was attributable to the fact that the Samaritans did not embrace the writings of the prophets. They only accepted the Pentateuch.  There was much about God that they did not know.  Everything that we do in matters that pertain to religion require biblical authority (Col. 3:17).  We have authority in the New Testament to:  sing (Eph. 5:19); pray (I Thess. 5:17); preach the word (Acts 20:7); read Scripture (Rev. 1:3; Col. 4:16); partake of the Lord’s Supper (I Cor. 11:23-27; Acts 20:7); and give (I Cor. 16:1-2).  We must engage in worship with our whole heart, mind, and spirit (Heb. 12:28).  You cannot worship by proxy!  Any religion that adds to or takes away from these statutes regarding worship is a false religion.
Sixth, there is true holiness.  “And that ye put on the new man, which after God is created in righteousness and true holiness” (Eph. 4:24). Holiness in us reflects the holiness that characterizes the nature of God.  “As obedient children, not fashioning yourselves according to the former lusts in your ignorance: But as he which hath called you is holy, so be ye holy in all manner of conversation; Because it is written, Be ye holy; for I am holy” (I Pet. 1:14-16).  The true gospel calls us to holiness (I Thess. 4:7).  To be holy is to be righteous.  To be holy involves our sanctification in Christ and necessitates putting of the old man of sin and putting on the new man created in Christ Jesus.  Paul elaborates on this spiritual transformation in Eph. 4:20-32.  Put away: lying, uncontrolled anger, stealing, corrupt communication, and any sin that would grieve the Holy Spirit.  Eliminate all bitterness, wrath, clamour, evil speaking and malice.  Put on: truthfulness, controlled anger, honest labor, good communication that edifies and administers grace to the hearer, kindness, tenderheartedness, forgiveness, and love.  The contrast between the old man and the new man is stark.  Holiness involves the pursuit of right conduct before God and in harmony with His perfect, sinless, nature.
Seventh, there is true grace. “By Silvanus, a faithful brother unto you, as I suppose, I have written briefly, exhorting, and testifying that this is the true grace of God wherein ye stand” (I Pet. 5:12).  One of the best definitions of God’s grace or lovingkindness is, “when a person from whom you have no right to expect anything gives you everything.”  Grace is God’s unmerited favor.  God’s grace is actively involved in our salvation (Eph. 2:8-9).  However, God’s grace is appropriated through the right attitudes and obedience to His holy Word.  Peter makes the conditional aspect of God’s grace plain when he states, “Likewise, ye younger, submit yourselves unto the elder, Yea, all of you be subject one to another, and be clothed with humility: for God resisteth the proud, and giveth grace to the humble” (I Pet. 5:5).  God’s grace is appropriated through a humble heart.  If God’s grace were not conditional, we would have to accept universal salvation.  While God’s grace is available to all men, all men do not believe on Him nor obey Him.  “Seeing ye have purified your souls in obeying the truth through the Spirit unto unfeigned love of the brethren, see that ye love one another with a pure heart fervently” (I Pet. 1:22).  Peter did not believe that God’s true grace and man’s obedience were mutually exclusive.  Some believe that grace is a license to sin.  Paul refutes this notion in Rom. 6:1-2, “What shall we say then? Shall we continue in sin, that grace may abound? God forbid.  How shall we, that are dead to sin, live any longer therein?”  True grace does not permit us to multiply sinful conduct.  Grace teaches us to live soberly, righteously and godly in this present world (Titus 2:11-12).  Grace can be multiplied (I Pet. 1:2; II Pet. 1:2). Where God’s grace is multiplied, peace is multiplied.  God’s grace is multiplied to His people by His providential care, answered prayers, multiple blessings in Christ and fulfillment of His precious promises.  Count your many blessings and multiply the peace that passeth understanding!
Eighth, there is true unity.  “And I intreat thee also, true yokefellow, help those women which labored with me in the gospel, with Clement also, and with other my fellowlaboureres, whose names are in the book of life” (Phil. 4:3).  A yokefellow is one who is yoked together in Christ.  Jesus invites us to take His yoke upon us and learn of him (Matt. 11:28-30).  Discipleship yokes us to Christ and to all others who follow Him.  We are yoked together in spiritual union with Christ and one another.  This is a beautiful description of Christian unity.  We must endeavor to keep the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace (Eph. 4:1-6).  In this passage, Paul lists seven dispositional aspects of unity and seven doctrinal aspects of unity.  If we integrate his instructions into our lives, we will be bound together by our common faith and love for the Lord that will manifest itself in a synergy that will multiply our productivity in His kingdom.  A true yokefellow is one whose description is matched by his actions.  This is a fellow-laborer in the kingdom of God.  Paul relied on such to accomplish the work he was committed to doing in the name of the Lord.  Without them, Paul could not have had the success that he did in the spread of the gospel.
Ninth, there is true justice.  “And I heard another out of the altar say, Even so, Lord God Almighty, true and righteous are thy judgments” (Rev. 16:7; 19:2).  The justice of God stems from His holiness, His omniscience, His omnibenevolence, and His omnipotence.  God’s judgments are based upon a righteous standard which He has revealed in His holy Word.  God’s judgments are true because the standard is true and His discernment is impeccable.  God cannot make a mistake in the administration of His justice.  God’s justice is both retributive (punitive) and distributive (merciful).  God has the power to punish the evil doer and the power to save the righteous who have been redeemed by the blood of Jesus Christ.  “And to you who are troubled rest with us, when the Lord Jesus shall be revealed from heaven with his mighty angels, In flaming fire taking vengeance on them that know not God, and that obey not the gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ. Who shall be punished with everlasting destruction from the presence of the Lord, and from the glory of his power” (II Thess. 1:7-9).  “But God commendeth his love toward us, in that, while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us.  Much more then, being now justified by his blood, we shall be saved from wrath through him” (Rom. 5:8-9).  Jesus is the propitiation for our sins (I John 4:10).  Propitiation involves both expiation and appeasement.  In expiation, we have forgiveness of our sins through the atoning power of the blood of Jesus.  In appeasement, Jesus’s death satisfies the penalty for our sins through substitutionary atonement whereby He takes our place and suffers death.  We deserve death.  Jesus did not, but He dies in our behalf.  Consequently, we are saved from wrath through Him!
We have considered nine elements of true religion.  Each of these elements are essential to true religion.  If we omit, change, or alter any one of them, we falsify the religion produced.  We end up with a paste-up of a religion that God will not accept.  All false religion is exposed by a comparison of the religious doctrine and practice to the genuine religion revealed in God’s Word.  Such exposure results in the revelation of a counterfeit religion which must be rejected by us because it will be rejected by God.

When we examine the questions that Jesus’ asks in the New Testament, we find that He asks three hundred seven questions in the books of Matthew, Mark, Luke, and John.  He is asked one hundred eighty-three questions and of those, He answers  fewer than ten directly. (The information given here was gathered from: Martin Copenhaver, Jesus Is The Question, Israel Wayne, Questions Jesus Asks, and Butch Entrekin, The Questions Jesus Asked).
In Mark 3:31-35, Jesus asks, “Who is my mother or my brethren?”  The question probes the value of our physical family giving us history, connection, identity, and even influencing character. It also probes the value of our spiritual family.  Our spiritual relationship with the Triune God, blesses us with salvation and sonship.  We not only have fellowship with Deity, but we have fellowship with all of those who are redeemed by the blood of the Lamb. The spiritual relationship that we have with Jesus Christ through the gospel is totally absent in the lives of unbelievers.  It is marginal in the lives of some Christians who are not authentically connected to Christ.  It is authentic and essential for many New Testament Christians who realize the value of spiritual relationships not only with God, Christ and the Holy Spirit, but also with those of like precious faith.
Jesus had a physical family and a spiritual family.  The spiritual relationships were more significant to Him.  The most meaningful experience that we can have in this life is when our physical family is also a part of God’s family–the church of Christ.  When this occurs, we have a double blessing.  The physical ties which are intimate and real and the spiritual ties that transcend the physical and continue into eternity combine in significant, lasting relationships.
Jesus’ Physical Family
In Mark 6:3 and Matt. 13:55-56, Jesus’ physical family is mentioned.  Jesus was the oldest child born to Mary (and the Holy Spirit–Luke 1:30-35).  Joseph was not the physical father of Jesus (Luke 3:23), but he was Mary’s husband and the acting father of Jesus on earth.  Then, there were James, Joseph (Joses), Judas (Jude) and Simon.  Jesus also had sisters who are not named. Jesus’ younger siblings were all the natural children of Joseph and Mary. At some point after Jesus turned twelve, Joseph died. Jospeh is mentioned in Luke 2, but after that he not mentioned as an active part of Jesus’ life. Jospeh was not a part of Jesus’ public ministry which began when He turned thirty (Luke 3:23).  Whenever Jesus died on the cross, He entrusted the care of Mary to John (John 19:26,27). These and other references indicate that Jospeh was no longer a part of the family of Jesus.
Before the age of thirty, Jesus’ physical family grew.  Jesus Himself grew in wisdom, stature and favor with God and man (Luke 2:52).  However, Jesus’ brethren did not believe that He was the Son of God and savior of the world (John 7:5).  While Jesus had natural familial connections, His family was not close due to their lack of a shared faith.  This is a common experience for many people.  There is a powerful disconnect in families when faith in Jesus Christ is not a shared experience and a common love for God and knowledge of His purposes is not shared by family members.  Jesus’ family was antagonistic to Him (Mark 3:20-21).  It’s one thing not to have our family share our faith and values, and quite another to have your family think you are mad or crazy.  We seldom think of the many ways that Jesus experienced life just as we do. He was faced with a divided family over religious views.  This part of Jesus’ experience identified Him with the human experience (Heb. 2:17).  He was tempted in all points just as we are (Heb. 4:15). Would He renounce His true identity and mission to please His family? Of course, He did not.  Would you?
Jesus’ family attempted to rescue Him from Himself!  Mark 3:31-35 records when His mother and brothers came to Him and asked Him to come outside. A crowd was sitting around and said, “your mother and brothers are outside, seeking you.”  Jesus said, “Who are my mother and my brothers?”  The answer seems obvious.  The physical family of Jesus was known. But, Jesus is now going to define His family in a different way.  Whenever Jesus was twelve, He identified His Father as God (Luke 2:49).  Now, He identifies His brothers as those who are true disciples, “For whosoever does the will of God, he is my brother and sister and mother.”  The spiritual relationship defines the true family of Jesus Christ. This spiritual bond is greater than the physical bond because it is more important involving the salvation of the soul.  It transcends the earthly ties.  It is eternal!
The spiritual relationship to Christ and each other does not depend on any earthly connection. It depends on the New Birth (John 3:3-5).  The New Birth (baptism into Christ) puts us into the family of God (Gal. 3:26-29).  In Christ, we are brothers and sisters or brethren.
Jesus’ Spiritual Brethren
In Heb. 2:10-12, “For it became him, for whom are all things, and by whom are all things, in bringing many sons unto glory, to make the captain of their salvation perfect through sufferings. For both he that sanctifieth and they who are sanctified are all of one: for which cause he is to ashamed to call them brethren.”  Jesus saves and sanctifies. He purchases His disciples with His own blood (Acts 20:28).  Salvation establishes a unique relationship with the Lord that we do not have with any other person.  This relationship is why we are heirs of God and joint-heirs with Christ (Rom. 8:16-17).  If we belong to God, then, everything that God possesses belongs to us.
The Family of God
When we enter God’s family, we automatically have a whole new set of siblings.  We become “one body but many members.”  God’s children are unique.  They have different personalities, character traits, strengths and weaknesses, talents and material assets. But, they are all one in Christ (Gal. 3:26-29).  The family of God is bound by love (John 13:34-35).
God’s Family and Ours
When our physical family is also a part of God’s family, we experience a double blessing.  A marriage is significantly blessed when this double blessing is present. A physical family is blessed when this double blessing is present.  The ties we experience in this life, in the flesh, are even greater through the Spirit and last into eternity.  Every Christian should work and pray that the members of his/her physical family would also be a part of God’s family where all spiritual blessings are found.
Jesus’ Family After the Resurrection
Jesus’ resurrection from the dead convinced His family that He truly was the Son of God and savior of the world.  They came to believe in Him (Acts 1:14).  On the Day of Pentecost, Mary and Jesus’ brethren were gathered together, along with other disciples, in the city of Jerusalem waiting for the promise of the Father (Acts 1:4-5).  Jesus’ half brother James wrote the book of James.  His half-brother Jude, wrote the book of Jude.  At last, Jesus was able to unite His family in the faith.  When this happened, Jesus was doubly blessed.

In the Spiritual Sword, July, 1988, Thomas Warren was concerned about the Ecumenical Movement’s influences on the churches of Christ.  What is the Ecumenical Movement?  Why should we be concerned?
A Definition of Ecumenism
The word “ecumenical” is derived from the Greek word oikoumene which means “the whole inhabited world.”  The word was historically used of the Roman Empire.  The ecumenical vision comprises both the search for the visible unity of the Church (Eph. 4:3) and the “whole inhabited earth” (Matthew 24:14) as the concern of all Christians.  The word “Christian” is used in a very broad sense of anyone who claims to be a follower of Jesus Christ.  This is different from the Scriptural use of the word.  The name Christian is always used as a noun in the New Testament.  The word describes a person who is a disciple of Jesus Christ (Acts 11:26).  It denotes a person who is redeemed by the blood of Jesus Christ (Acts 26:28) and a person who will suffer persecution for righteousness sake (I Peter 4:16).  A Christian is a person who has obeyed the Gospel (Rom. 10:16-17).  Not everyone who says Lord, Lord, obeys the Lord (Matt. 7:21-23; Luke 6:46).
Ecumenism refers to initiatives aimed at greater Christian unity or cooperation.  The word is used primarily by and with reference to Christian denominations and Christian churches who may be separated by doctrine, history and practice, but who seek to work together despite these differences.  These churches consider themselves to be in fellowship with each other as long as faith in Jesus Christ is expressed.  This distinguishes Ecumenism from interfaith pluralism that embraces all religions and approves of all religions as different pathways to God.
The Ecumenical Movement was initiated among Protestant denominations with the attempt to unify diverse religious bodies.  The World Council of Churches met for the first time in 1948.  The Council took place in Amsterdam.  The World Council of Churches is a fellowship of churches which confess the Lord Jesus Christ as God and Savior according to the Scriptures and seek to fulfill together their common calling to the glory of the one God: Father, Son and Holy Spirit.  The WCC brings together 349 churches, denominations, and church fellowships in more than 110 countries and territories throughout the world, representing over 560 million Christians (broad sense of the term Christian).  These churches include most of the world’s Orthodox churches, scores of Anglican, Baptist, Lutheran, Methodist, and Reformed churches, as well as many United and Independent churches.
Fundamental Errors of Ecumenism
First, Ecumenists practice “unity in diversity.”  They claim to be united in Christ even though they do not believe the same doctrines, have the same history, or practice the same things (practice is driven by doctrine).  One of the main problems is the basic understanding of what is required in obeying the Gospel.  Many Ecumenists believe that one is saved by grace alone through faith alone.  Consequently, they do not teach that baptism into Christ is essential for salvation.  Jesus taught, “He that believeth and is baptized shall be saved, he that believeth not shall be damned” (Mark 16:16; Matt. 28:18-20).  Jesus taught that baptism is essential for salvation because of the design of baptism.  In baptism, a person dies to sin, is buried in water, and raised to walk in newness of life (Rom. 6:3-4).  When one is immersed into Christ, his/her sins are washed away (forgiven) (Acts 2:38, Acts 22:16).  Most individuals in the Ecumenical Movement do not believe this truth.  The reality emerges that two different “gospels” are proclaimed which of course is an impossibility because there is only one gospel (Gal. 1:8-9).
Second, Ecumenists affirm that one church is just as good as another, but this doctrine contradicts the teaching of the apostle Paul that there is one body (Eph. 4:4).  The one body is the church of our Lord Jesus Christ (Eph. 1:22-23; Col. 1:18).  Jesus built only one church (Matt. 16:18).  He is the head of the body (Eph. 5:23).  He is the savior of the body (Eph. 5:23).  Jesus saves those individuals who obey Him (Heb. 5:8-9).  He adds these individuals to His church (Acts 2:41, 47).  Modern denominations exist without biblical authority.  They arose as a result of the Reformation Movement and are now 500 years old or less.  The church of the New Testament was begun in the city of Jerusalem in the year 30 A.D.  just ten days after the ascension of Jesus into heaven (Acts 1 and 2).  Anyone can become a part of the New Testament church by obeying the one, true, Gospel of Christ (Rom. 1:16).
The Ecumenical Movement obscures two important truths concerning the true gospel of Jesus Christ and the true church of Jesus Christ.  On these two grounds, it must be rejected.

F. LaGard Smith in his book, Fallen Spiritual Leaders, has a chapter dealing with parachurch organizations.  Some of the thoughts he conveys in that chapter are given below.

Definition of parachurch organizations.  “Parachurch includes the hundreds of independent religious organizations throughout the country–sometimes involved in radio and television programs–and other church-related, yet church-distinct organizaions.  The parachurch phenomenon is a hungry beast which never stops being hungry.  Over and over again it demands to be fed.  It growls and threatens disaster if you ignore it. And even when you feed it, it can turn on you.  It can devour its superstar trainers and often bites the hands that feed it” (p. 84).

Distinction between parachurch organizations and the church.  “The very word “parachurch” ought to be a clue.  “Parachurch” is not the church (church of Christ-DS).  “Parachurch is something other than the church, something beyond the church.  It is the church Christ died for, not the “parachurch.”  It is the church that is the bride of Christ, not the “parachurch.”  It is the church to which the saved are added, not the “parachurch.” It is through the church that the manifold wisdom of God is made known, not through the “parachurch” (p. 84).  “There are essential and functional differences between the church and parachurch organizations.  For the church, there is a scriptural pattern of work and worship.  For parachurch organizations, human creativity is the limit of all possibilities.  For the church, financial solvency follows from biblical principles of cheerful giving.  For parachurch organizations, there is too much evidence of giving done from emotinoal coercion, guilt, and gimmickry.  For the church, financial accountability is the responsibility of grassroots spiritual oversight.  For parachurch organizations, financial accountability may be the sole responsibility of next of kin” (pp. 84-85).  “Parachurch means like the church, but not the same.  Similar but different.  And, just as with dangerous frauds, the greater the similarity, the greater the deception” (p. 85).

Dangers of parachurch organizations.  Speaking of Christian colleges, Smith remarks, “By virtue of sheer visibility, fiscal superiority, and scope of influence, Christian colleges can actually dwarf the churches with which they are tied.  It can happen when highly respected university leaders are perceived to speak on behalf of the church itself; when what is taught at Christian colleges influences the thinking of the church in the next generation; and when Christian college campuses become the “Mars Hills” of doctrinal discussion” (p. 87).  “The risks of parachurch organizatons, in whatever form they might exist, always seem the same.  When we look in every respect like the church, but are in fact different from the church, we are bound to confuse a lot of people, often even ourselves” (p. 87).  Speaking of various scandals found among parachurch organizations, Smith states, “The plain fact is that church-related organizations are far more susceptible to this kind of disgrace than is the church itself.  It’s a timely reminder that God set up the church as he intended it, in order to carry out his work on earth.  We have no reason to tamper with his divine plan” (p. 90).
Think on these things!

A new book, Why They Left, by Flavil Yeakley Jr., was recently published by Gospel Advocate, Nashville, TN.  The book has some good information in it regarding the church of Christ.  However, it also contains some troubling doctrinal statements.  For example, the author states, “The instrumental music question is not as important as many other doctrines, but no doctrine or practice is really a “salvation issue” (p. 175).  II John 9 plainly states that if one does not abide in the doctrine of Christ he does not have (is not in fellowship with) God.  Sound doctrine is to be preferred over false doctrine!  Both do not accomplish the same thing or end.  I have written a thorough review of this book and posted it under book reviews.  Please read it.  I could not recommend this book without warning concerning the many weaknesses and false statements it contains.  Why would Gospel Advocate publish it??  Whenever I took theological library research, the instructor told us many times to get our “sifter” out when we read a book and separate the chaff from the wheat.  You will have to get your “sifter” out for this book!

     Would you pay 1.7 million dollars for a penny?  Well, you might if it was rare enough.  What if it was the only penny of its kind known to be in existence?  In September, 2010, Bob R. Simpson (founder of XTO Energy, based in Fort Worth, Texas leader in producing natural gas) purchased a 1943-D Lincoln cent mistakenly struck in bronze for 1.7 million dollars–a record.  It is graded: PCGS Secure Plus, MS-64 brown.  The purchase enabled Simpson to complete the 1943 set he had begun to assemble six years ago.  He now owns the only 1943 PDS set in bronze known to be in existence.  These coins are known as off-metal coins because they are made from bronze-planchets instead of copper. (Coin World, Jan. 3, 2011, p. 20).
     It is certainly no surprise to learn that these coins have been faked by many people throughout the years.  A fraudulent coin, however, is worthless. 
     A one-of-a-kind find such as this certainly affected the price or value of the coin.  It is special, unique and worth more because of it.  Consider the following Scriptural thoughts:  “Endeavoring to keep the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace.  There is one body, and one Spirit, even as ye are called in one hope of your calling; One Lord, one faith, one baptism, One God and Father of all, who is above all, and through all, and in you all” (Eph. 4:3-6).  Paul gives us a collection of one-of-a-kind entities.  The one body is the church of Christ.  In Eph. 1:22-23, Paul uses the words “body” and “church” interchangeably.  In Matthew 13, Jesus relates two parables that emphasize the value of the kingdom of God.  The first is the Parable of the Hid Treasure.  “Again, the kingdom of heaven is like unto treasure hid in a field; the which when a man hath found, he hideth, and for joy thereof goeth and selleth all that he hath, and buyeth that field” (Matt. 13:44).  The second is the Parable of the Pearl of Great Price.  “Again, the kingdom of heaven is like unto a merchant man, seeking goodly pearls: Who, when he had found one pearl of great price, went and sold all that he had, and bought it” (Matt. 13:45-46).  The value of the kingdom  of God (the church of Christ) is so great that it is worth sacrificing all to obtain it. 
     There is one Spirit.  This is a reference to the Holy Spirit.  The Holy Spirit is the third person of the godhead.  His value is self-evident.  His worth to mankind is priceless.
     There is one hope.  This hope is everlasting life.  Everlasting life comes through Jesus Christ (John 3:16; I John 5:11-12).  “And this is the record, that God hath given to us eternal life, and this life is in his Son.  He that hath the Son hath life; and he that hath not the Son of God hath not life.”  Eternal life is the gift of God.  “For the wages of sin is death; but the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord” (Rom. 6:23).
    There is one Lord.  Paul is referring to the Lord Jesus Christ.  Jesus is our savior and redeemer.  He is the way, the truth and the life (John 14:6).  He is the only way to the Father!  His value is unspeakable (II Cor. 9:15).  He is a gift from God.
     There is one faith.  The one faith is the Gospel of Jesus Christ.  Paul speaks of the objective faith which is the Word of God.  How valuable is the truth?  Priceless.  “Buy the truth and sell it not” (Proverbs 23:23).
     There is one baptism.  The baptism of which Paul speaks is the “new birth” (John 3:3-5).  “Except a man be born of water and of the Spirit, he cannot enter into the kingdom of God.”  The force of the word “except” is “if and only if.”  Baptism into Christ for remission of sins is essential to salvation (Gal. 3:26-27, Rom. 6:3-4; Acts 2:38).  Baptism results in sonship and salvation–priceless!
     There is one God.  This is the absolute, supreme Being. 
     Any one of these seven entities would exceed the value of the entire world.  All of them together constitute an inestimable spiritual treasure which is freely accessed by men through love for God and faith in God.  Yet, many rob themselves by rejecting these treasures.
     Fakes of any of these spiritual entities prove worthless.  A fake God is a false god and pure vanity.  A pseudo religious book will not take anyone to heaven.  There are many “lords” and “saviors” claimed by men but only one that is genuine as affirmed by Paul.  Many deny that there is only one church.  All but the true church are fakes to be discarded as worthless. 
     There is one God who has revealed His truth that salvation is only through His Son-Jesus Christ.  Faith in His name and baptism into His name will bring salvation and hope of eternal life.

     Are there any advantages to being a small church?  Bigger is better, right?  According to the Hartford Institute for Religion Research, there are 177,000 churches in America with fewer than 100 weekly worshipers and another 105,000 churches between 100 and 500 in attendance each week.  On the other hand, there are only 19,000 churches–or 6 percent of the total–with more than 500 attendees.  That means that if there were 100 churches in your town, 94 of them would have 500 or fewer attendees, and only 6 would have more than 500.  Mega-churches (regular attendance over 2,000) make up less than one half of one percent of churches in America.  “We have allowed the ministry experience of 6 percent of pastors to become the standard by which the remaining 94 percent of us judge ourselves” (Brandon J. O’Brien, The Strategically Small Church, p. 25). 
     Sociologist Rodney Stark estimates that at the end of the first century there may have been only twenty-five thousand Christians in the entire known world.  By the fourth century, before the Roman Emperor Constantine legalized the practice of Christianity, there may have been as many as 20 million (O’Brien, p. 30).  This growth occurred primarily through the combined efforts of small churches.
     Many of the megachurches have swelled in size due to transfer growth (members from other denominations) rather than conversions (new converts to Christianity).  The flagship church of the evangelical movement during the late 1980’s and early 1990’s was the Evangelical Free Church of Fullerton, California.  Over five thousand people made their way to the worship service each Sunday.  Chuck Swindoll was the preacher.  They had become a church growth success story.  However, Swindoll admitted that 80 to 85 percent of attendees were from other churches (William Chadwick, Steeling Sheep, pp. 70-71). Megachurches often have a crippling effect upon small churches much like a Walmart store does to a mom and pop grocery store in a small town. 
     Are there any advantages to small churches?   Since small churches make up the majority of churches among churches of Christ, this question seems pertinent to us.  Here are some things to consider.
     1.     Small churches are better at building intimacy.  In a small congregation, individuals come to know one another more intimately.  Megachurches are forced to find ways to break down into smaller groups.  In effect, they attempt to copy the intimacy and fellowship present in small churches by doing this.  In a smaller church, all of the members get to know the preacher serving them.  In a megachurch, most members only see the preacher on a big screen!  The level of fellowship and intimacy in small churches can provide strength through a sense of connectedness and unity.  Small churches are better at meeting relational needs.
     2.     Small churches are better at allowing ministry opportunities.  Most megachurches are run by staffers.  In a small church, the various gifts/talents of the members are put to more significant use.  This leads to a sense of  real meaning and purpose in serving the Lord and others.
     3.     Small churches are better at financial efficiency and consequently are better stewards of God’s money.  Smaller churches are generally more frugal with the money given into the church treasury.  They look for ways to cut costs and get the most value for every dollar spent in the Lord’s work.  Larger churches have more overhead, administrative costs, and tend to splurge to give the appearance of success.  After all, success is what attracts people to them in the first place. 
     4.     Small churches are better at evangelism.  There is a greater evangelistic energy on the part of the individual member.  In large churches, evangelism is left up to the experts.  In small churches, more individual members become involved in evangelism through the outreach of the church.  Members are involved in visitation programs, advertising church events, and inviting friends and neighbors to worship assemblies.  
      The size of a church does not necessarily mean that it is or is not more faithful to the truth of God’s Word.  Bigger doesn’t mean “more faithful.”  Sometimes “bigger” means less faithful as church leaders attempt to compromise the truth in order to have more people in attendance on Sunday morning.  Smaller churches may not be as appealing to the masses as they attempt to hold to the moral and doctrinal distinctiveness of the New Testament church.  Faithfulness to God should be the real measure of success in the work of the kingdom.  Jesus described two different “ways” in the Sermon on the Mount.  A “broad way” that leads to destruction and a “narrow way” that leads to life.  Many are on the broad way.  Few are on the narrow way (Matthew 7:13-14).  We must give diligence to be found on the “narrow way” that leads to life.