Posts Tagged ‘organization of the church’
The Beginning of Apostasy
by Andy Sochor via Unmasking Sophistry, January-March 2023 As we noticed in “Early Persecution,” the early Christians openly faced severe persecution for the cause of Christ. While many abandoned their faith in order to avoid these persecutions, there were others who remained faithful even to the point of death. Because of this, the enemies of…
Read MoreIs Sincerity Enough?
by Jefferson David Tant A popular idea among many people when questioned about their religious beliefs is that sincerity is the final judge of what is right and wrong. So long as a person believes in Christ, whatever his practices or beliefs may be in regard to that faith, so long as he is sincere,…
Read MoreDo churches have boards of directors?
Question: My congregation is considering closing and dispersing due to a continued decrease in attendance and the inability to draw new members or visitors. Now I hear we have to have approval from our “board of directors”? Does each church of Christ have a board of directors? Thank you very much for your help. Answer:…
Read MoreMy preacher oversees several congregations. What do I do?
Question: God bless you for your detailed explanation of congregational cooperation. However, I’m still confused. My preacher is an overseer of many local congregations in our community. He appoints the preachers of such congregations, takes their offerings, sets up their church buildings, and makes decisions and policies for them. Unfortunately, we don’t have elders in…
Read MoreThe Legacy of Campbell’s Error
by Steve Dewhirst Sentry Magazine, December 2000 Alexander Campbell Alexander Campbell (1788-1866) was a remarkable man, but he was just a man, subject to error even as the rest. for all of his great learning, teaching, and writing over many years, he was profoundly wrong in his understanding of one vital aspect of the New…
Read MoreGod’s Distribution Plan
https://www.lavistachurchofchrist.org/cms/wp-content/uploads/2021/01/Gods-Distribution-Plan.mp3 Text: I Corinthians 1:18-31 I. God promised a kingdom that would never fall A. Daniel 7:13-14 – One that would never be destroyed B. Not so with human kingdoms 1. Every empire of the past has collapsed at some point 2. It has been noted that democracies tend not to last more than 200 years or so 3. People…
Read MoreIdentifying a New Testament Church
by Steve Dewhirst Sentry Magazine, December 2002 Traditionally, we gospel preachers have spoken of “identifying the New Testament church” in an effort to distinguish it from the sects roundabout. But in so doing, we have sometimes obscured the true nature of the body of Christ. We begin to preach about the church Jesus said He…
Read MoreTo Equip the Saints for Service
by Jeffrey W. Hamilton The Organization of the Church The Apostles Prophets What Are Elders Responsible For? Servants of the Church The Purpose of Preaching What Is Teaching?
Read MoreWho is in charge, the preacher or the elders?
Question: Hi Jeff, I’m forced to ask this question: between the ministers and the elders, who is in charge of a local congregation? Where that I am, there is a serious power tussle between the two. The ministers say, since they teach the men to become elders and also ordain them as elders, they are…
Read MoreWhat Is Teaching?
https://www.lavistachurchofchrist.org/cms/wp-content/uploads/2020/07/What-Is-Teaching.mp3 Text: Hebrews 5:6-6:3 I. Teaching is a duty within the church A. Ephesians 4:11 – Listed with apostles, prophets, evangelists, and pastors. B. Acts 13:1 – Antioch had prophets and teachers C. I Corinthians 12:28-29 – Listed among apostles and prophets. D. Romans 12:6-8 – Teaching is a gift to be exercised to our best ability E. Paul performed…
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