WHERE DOES THE CONGREGATION STAND?

TAKING SOUND GOSPEL PREACHING FOR GRANTED

Sometimes those of us who have been privileged to routinely hear sound gospel preaching come to take it for granted. To those who have had the “other kind” of preaching, the plain unvarnished truth boldly proclaimed and defended is a cool, uplifting, and refreshing draft of essential spiritual nourishment. I assure you that is not what many churches that continue to have church of Christ “above the door” are hearing. Many of the churches that are not openly promoting false doctrines, refrain from dealing with the first principles and fundamentals of Christianity that set the church of our Lord far apart from denominational sectarian churches founded and sustained on the commandments and doctrines of men.

“AS THE PULPIT GOES . . .”

Someone has well said that “as the pulpit goes, so goes the church.” I may also add that “as the eldership goes, so goes the pulpit.” But, that is not the end to “what and when” and “where they go.” If the church members do not respect Bible authority in all things (Colossians 3:17; II Timothy 3:16-17; 2:15; Hebrews 4:12; Luke 8:11,15; Ephesians 6:17; James 1:25; John 12:48), they will not tolerate scriptural elders who superintend the church according to God’s will. Such a rebellious church will raise up elders who are “men pleasers.” When this happens and is not corrected, gone is “the faithful spiritual neighborhood that is the church.”

A FABLE LOVING AND FORGETFUL PEOPLE

As noted, one of the first things to go when such rebellion permeates the bride of Christ is the faithful courageous gospel preacher. “For the time will come when they will not endure sound doctrine; but after their own lusts shall they heap to themselves teachers, having itching ears; And they shall turn away their ears from the truth, and shall be turned unto fables” (II Timothy 4:3-4).

Indeed, today we are in the midst of a “fable” loving people. Furthermore, we are living among “forgetful” people. As good Jeremiah declared of apostate fleshly Israel, so it is with spiritual Israel, the church. “Can a maid forget her ornaments or a bride her attire? yet my people have forgotten me days without number” (Jeremiah 2:32). Because so many in the church love “fables,” they have replaced the truth of the gospel with them. In general brethren have forgotten that…:

1. “God is not man that he should lie” (Numbers 23:19);
2. To rebellious man “it is a fearful thing to fall into the hands of the living God” (Hebrews 10:31);
3. “God is not mocked” (Galatians 6:7)―man shall reap what he sows.
4. “The conclusion of the whole matter…” for man “is to fear God, and keep his commandments: for this is the whole duty of man” (Ecclesiastes 12:13);
5. The love of God always manifests itself in faithful obedience to God’s commandments (John 14:15; I John 2:5; 5:3).
6. Christ saves only those who obey him (John 14:6; Hebrews 5:9; Romans 6:3-4; 17-18; Acts 10:48);
7. There is only one plan of salvation (Romans 10:17; Acts 17:30; Romans 10:10; Acts 22:16);
8. There is only one church acceptable to God and she contains all those who are saved by Christ (Acts 2:38; 47; Ephesians 4:4; 1:22-23; Colossians 1:18; 5:25-27).
9. The Lord’s church exists any time and any where men will obey the gospel and “continue stedfastly in the apostles’ doctrine and fellowship, and in breaking of bread, and in prayers” (Mark 16:15; Romans 1:16; Acts 2:42).
10. The church of Christ is not a denomination; that is, she is not a part of the whole church, but she is the whole church or realm of the saved (Matthew 16:18; Acts 20:28; Ephesians 4:4; Colossians 1:18; Ephesians 5:23);
11. The kingdom of Christ and the church of Christ are one and the same institution (Matthew 16:18-19; Mark 9:1; Luke 24:49; Acts 1:8; 2:4, 41-42, 47; Colossians 1:13; Revelation 1:9; II Corinthians 15:24-28).                                                                         

WE MUST PREACH THE WHOLE COUNSEL OF GOD

While there are other marks of identity of the Lord’s church found on the pages of the New Testament, the above are sufficient to set forth those gospel truths that are not being taught by certain brethren. Yet, to be a faithful gospel preacher one must, with the apostle Paul, be able to declare: “For I have not shunned to declare unto you all the counsel of God” (Acts 20:27).~

with a question. “Why do ye transgress the commandment omind. It was the commandment having to do with honoring father and mother (Matthew 15:4). But how were they reacting to this word?

David P. Brown

PREACHING THE GOSPEL . . . WITHOUT MENTIONING BAPTISM

An incident occurred in the Texas country years ago, the story of which I remember. The preachers of a small town proposed a union meeting in which all of the preachers of the town would take alternate turns to preach. There was a certain gospel preacher in the town, who had not been consulted on the arrangement. When he heard about this meeting he called on the other preachers to request his turn to preach, and asked to have a time assigned to him. He was in-formed that an agreement had been made that the subject of baptism would not be mentioned—that they had agreed to preach Christ and say nothing about baptism. To their surprise this preacher promptly accepted the conditions, and agreed to preach without the mention of the word baptism. A night was assigned for his sermon, and he announced in advance the subject: “What Must I Do to Be Saved?”

The people wondered how that kind of preacher could preach on that kind of subject under that kind of agreement to not mention baptism. They came from the necks of the woods and forks of the creeks to hear him preach that kind of a sermon.

He preached with much animation and eloquence on salvation, and the love of God that brought salvation to man through Jesus Christ. Reaching the point of the question—“what must I do to be saved”—he turned to Mark 16:15-16 and read the words of Christ: “Go ye into all the world, and preach the gospel to every creature. He that believeth”—and doeth that thing I promised not to mention—”shall be saved.” He then read Acts 2:38: “Repent, and do that thing I promised not to mention, “for the remission of sins.” And he read every verse in the New Testament on baptism, and called it that thing I promised not to mention!

It is a strange thing that denominational people will detour around such a plain and positive command, so simple to be understood and performed, so easy to accept and obey—and so much emphasized in the New Testament.

When Philip preached Christ, he preached the kingdom of Christ, he preached the all-prevailing name of Christ and he preached baptism into Christ.

“Then Philip went down to the city of Samaria, and preached Christ unto them…. But when they believed Philip preaching the things concerning the kingdom of God, and the name of Jesus Christ, they were baptized, both men and women” (Acts 8:5-12).

Foy E. Wallace, Jr.

Missing Scripture

The trend with many today is to concentrate less on the Holy Scriptures, and more on other things in the pulpit and in Bible classes. Serious listeners are made to wonder: “Where is the Scripture?” In visits to congregations in recent years, I have left saddened because preachers or teachers used very little Scripture in the pulpit or Bible classes. In one instance, the preacher did not read or quote even one Scripture in his Bible class. How could this be called a “Bible class” at all?

We also see this problem when preachers do not give the plan of salvation from the Scriptures when they extend the invitation. Do we assume that everyone knows what to do to be saved? Or, do we think that members no longer need to be put in remembrance of these important truths? This cannot be the case, according to Paul (I Timothy 4:6) and Peter (II Peter 1:13–15; 3:1–2). Do children and youth—and adults as well—not need to be grounded in the “first principles” in this matter? Have some lost confidence in the Gospel to convert and to convict? Paul certainly did not. He said: “For I am not ashamed of the gospel of Christ: for it is the power of God unto salvation to every one that believeth; to the Jew first, and also to the Greek” (Romans 1:16).

Does not God command us to “Preach the word” (II Timothy 4:2a)? Sadly, book, chapter, and verse preaching is rapidly vanishing from many pulpits today. Could it be that some actually think that their words are greater than God’s Word? This sad situation can only be remedied by returning to a “thus saith the Lord.” Precious souls need to frequently hear the plan of salvation preached, because the Word of God is “able to save your souls” (James 1:21b). “The law of the Lord is perfect, converting the soul: the testimony of the Lord is sure, making wise the simple” (Psalm 19:7).

One who thinks so little of the Bible, and so much of himself, that he will fill his lessons with human sentiments, while leaving his audience starving for the Truth, ought to humble himself and repent. When men who have a genuine reverence for God and His Word fill our pulpits and teach our Bible classes, then church members will be encouraged to “Fear God, and keep His commandments” (Ecclesiastes 12:13), but not otherwise. Church leaders (and every member) ought to demand this kind of preaching/teaching. In the long ago, God commanded Jonah: “Arise, go unto Nineveh, that great city, and preach unto it the preaching that I bid thee” (John 3:2). The preaching that God has always demanded is the preaching of His Word, and not man’s: “If any man speak, let him speak as the oracles of God” (I Peter 4:11).

Danny Douglas

Scriptural Worship

• Preaching the Word of God – Acts 2:42
• Giving of Your Means – I Corinthians 16:1-2
• Observing the Lord’s Supper – Acts 20:7
• A Cappella Singing – Ephesians 5:19; Colossians 3:16
• Praying – Acts 2:42

THE KIND OF PREACHING NEEDED TODAY

Bible Preaching. “Preach the word” is Paul’s command (II Timothy 4:2). The Bible must be the content and focus of our preaching, for such alone can be rightly called “sound [i.e., healthy, health-giving] doctrine” (v. 3). If people hear only jokes, amusing anecdotes, personal experiences, stories, and “nice little talks” instead of God’s Truth, their souls will die from spiritual malnutrition. So much of what is being heard in our pulpits currently is not at all distinctive, as true Gospel preaching always is. Instead, many pulpits are platforms for brief popular psychology lectures or religious “pep rallies” based on pop-psychology.

Sadly, many members refuse to listen to anyone who is determined to preach the whole counsel of God (Acts 20:27). Such debunk Bible preaching that cites book, chapter, and verse, labeling it “concordance” preaching. Even if some reject Bible preaching (as Paul prophesied, II Timothy 4:3–4), the preacher who is more serious about helping people get to Heaven than he is about keeping his job will pay the price to keep on preaching it (v. 5). Listeners who are more interested in going to Heaven than in satisfying their own selfish, carnal desires will support, encourage, yea, demand such preaching and will refuse any other kind as so much pulpit waste material. If one is not going to preach (or listen to) the Bible, why preach (or listen) at all?

Powerful Preaching. Preachers need to take Paul’s words to heart: “Be strong in the Lord, and in the strength of his might” (Ephesians 6:10). The devil, not the Lord, makes us weak and cowardly: “For God gave us not a spirit of fearfulness; but of power and love and discipline” (II Timothy 1:7). The late R.N. Hogan was right: “Brethren have heard so much sweet-talk preaching that most of them have spiritual sugar diabetes.” If the Gospel teaches it, preachers must not be afraid to preach it with authority (Titus 2:15). The world and the church are in great need of men who will courageously preach against sin and error (both  “in general” and specifically) and uphold righteousness and Truth.

Emphatic Preaching. Many a pew-sitter has been sung to sleep by the perfectly-rounded, golden tones of the man in the pulpit. Preachers at times need to raise the voice and shout, lower the voice and whisper, slap the hands together, pound the pulpit, stamp the feet—emphasize appropriately what you are preaching. I’m not suggesting artificial theatrics, but preachers need to drive the point home.

Persuasive Preaching. Preaching that does not challenge us to deeper service, move us to greater faithfulness and prompt self-searching and rededication misses its mark. Preaching should stir up and touch our hearts. Paul was constantly beseeching, persuading the brethren, and so will God’s preachers in every age be ever seeking to do.

Dub McClish

Gospel and Doctrine

For some the Gospel of the New Testament is completely different from the doctrine of the New Testament. Because of this supposed difference some have concluded such things as: fellowship is to be based on Gospel but not doctrine; the Gospel is for non-Christians and doctrine is for Christians; preachers are to preach the Gospel, and therefore a preacher cannot be hired by a congregation of the church for him to preach in that place regularly; a preacher is to preach the Gospel and “leave everyone else alone” by staying away from doctrines upon which men differ; withdrawing fellowship should not be done because of doctrinal differences, etc. We have all seen these ideas advocated and practiced. Because of the importance of understanding these terms, I want to briefly consider the legitimacy of this distinction.

Gospel

First, the facts and foundation of the Gospel is the death, burial and resurrection of Christ (I Corinthians 15:1-2). These facts must be believed in order for a person to be saved. Without believing that Jesus died for our sins, was buried, and rose again the third day, man will remain lost because he will die in his sins (John 8:24). But the Gospel is not just those facts. In describing the second coming of Christ (when He comes to judge all humanity), Paul indicated that those who “obey not the gospel” will be lost (II Thessalonians 1:9). The Gospel facts cannot be obeyed, but the commands of the Gospel must be obeyed. The commands to be obeyed in the Gospel are revealed in Romans 6:3-6, “Know ye not, that so many of us as were baptized into Jesus Christ were baptized into his death? Therefore we are buried with him by baptism into death: that like as Christ was raised up from the dead by the glory of the Father, even so we also should walk in newness of life…Knowing this, that our old man is crucified with him, that the body of sin might be destroyed, that henceforth we should not serve sin.” The process of a believer repenting of sins (Acts 17:30) and being baptized for the forgiveness of sins portrays the death and burial of Christ. When that person rises from the watery grave of baptism, the resurrection of Christ is portrayed in symbol. Rising to walk in newness of life indicates continued faithful obedience. The Gospel includes facts, but the Gospel is also something which must be obeyed by man in order to be saved!

Doctrine

Secondly, doctrine simply means teaching and is sometimes s translated. We read of the early Christians continuing steadfastly in the “apostles’ doctrine” (Acts 2:42). The apostles’ doctrine would be a reference to what the apostles taught. The apostles were given their message by the Holy Spirit (John 14:26; 16:13).        

During the first century that message (the apostles’ doctrine) was spoken orally; now the New Testament is that same message (the apostles’ doctrine) in written form (Ephesians 3:3-5). Christians today must continue in the apostles’ doctrine. We must teach what they taught. What they taught had to do with the obligations of Christians and non-Christians. The apostles’ doctrine is not just about the responsibilities of Christians in remaining faithful, but also about non-Christians and their obligations in order to be saved. The apostles’ doctrine is the entirety of the New Testament. The New Testament speaks of “sound doctrine” (Titus 2:1). Sound (healthy) doctrine is the New Testament without alterations of any kind.

Gospel and Doctrine

Thirdly, in the New Testament the Gospel is not only directed toward non-Christians and in the New Testament Doctrine is not exclusively for Christians. The Gospel is preached to Christians according to Romans 1:15-16; the Gospel in Mark 16:15-16 is to be taught to non-Christians. The Christian must obey the Gospel or be lost (II Thessalonians 1:8-9); so must non-Christians. In the New Testament Doctrine is directed toward Christians (Titus 1:9) and Doctrine is directed toward non-Christians (Acts 5:25; 13:12). The non-Christian will be lost without obeying the Doctrine (Romans 6:16-17); the Christian who rejects the Doctrine will also be lost (II John 9-11; Titus 1:9-11). Christians will be saved by the Doctrine (II Timothy 3:16-17). Clearly there is no difference in the New Testament between the Gospel of Christ and the Doctrine of Christ! No legitimate distinction can be made. Both terms refer to the same body of teaching. This same body of information is also called the Faith, the Truth, the Way, the Law of Christ, the Word.

It Does Matter

There is only one Gospel that saves (Galatians 1:6-9; Romans 1:16); it is the same as the Doctrine of Christ (II John 9-11). Deviations from that Doctrine (the Gospel) break our fellowship with God. We must not fellowship those who are not in fellowship with God. It does matter what we teach and practice on doctrinal matters! The message of Jesus, the apostles’ doctrine, must be taught to others in its purity (II Timothy 2:2). We will all ultimately give an account to God of our lives based on the standard of the Gospel, the Word (John 12:48). The doctrine that we believe and practice must be the Doctrine of Christ, the Gospel of Christ!

Lester Kamp

"A Sad Day"

Israel was the chosen nation. They had the special watch-care of the God of heaven. Yet ingratitude seemed to characterize their relationship to Jehovah. As one reads the story of the nation of Israel, he is caused to wonder how anyone could have departed from God so many times. Even when they had been delivered from Egyptian bondage, they murmured against their deliverer in the very sight of the Red Sea. The period of Judges saw no improvement. When the kingdom divided so did their allegiance, and Israel went awhoring after other gods. Isaiah 9:16 reads, “For they that lead this people cause them to err; and they that are led of them are destroyed.” It is a sad day when leaders lead their people into apostasy, but such was the case in Israel. They forgot their God and their salvation. They became a rebellious people bowing down to gods that had been made with human hands.

The prophet Hosea penned the words of God when he wrote, “My people are destroyed for lack of knowledge: because thou hast rejected knowledge, I will also reject thee” (Hosea 4:6). God later said through that prophet, “my people are bent on backsliding from me” (11:7). What sadder day ever dawned in Israel of old than that day when God had rejected them because of a lack of knowledge?

Spiritual Israel

Just as the nation of Israel went away from God in the long ago, Spiritual Israel, the church, can depart from God today. The Israelites were destroyed because of a “lack of knowledge.” And one untaught generation is all that is needed today for the church to be destroyed for the same reason. Christians are charged to study the Word (II Timothy 2:15), elders are enjoined to feed the flock (Acts 20:28), and preachers are commanded to preach the Word (II Timothy 4:2). When Christians, elders, and preachers fail to fulfill their God-given responsibilities, then a sad day for spiritual Israel is on the horizon. God’s people will apostatize because of a lack of knowledge.

Preachers

Paul told Timothy, “I charge thee in the sight of God, and of Christ Jesus, who shall judge the living and the dead, and by his appearing and his kingdom: preach the word; be urgent in season, out of season; reprove, rebuke, exhort, with all longsuffering and teaching. For the time will come when they will not endure the sound doctrine; but, having itching ears, will heap to themselves teachers after their own lusts; and will turn away their ears from the truth, and turn aside unto fables” (II Timothy 4:1-4). In the next sentence Paul said, “do the work of an evangelist, fulfill thy ministry.” Earlier he had written, “Till I come, give heed to reading, to exhortation, to teaching.... Be diligent in these things; give thyself wholly to them; that thy progress may be manifest unto all” (I Timothy 4:13, 15).

The day that preachers cease to do the will of God and begin to please the members and “pastor” the congregation, is the day the church will cease being as strong as it could be, and it will be a sad day in Israel. Heaven knows we have enough of this among us today! We have preachers that are more concerned with the image they present than the Word they preach. We have preachers that know more about politics, social injustices, and the book of etiquette than they know about the Word of God. Pulpits are filled with “How to win friends and influence people” and stories from the leading magazines of the day while people are starving to death, spiritually, for the preaching of the Bible.

Congregations are generally no stronger than their pulpits. Note the congregation that is staying within the “old paths” and then note the kind of preaching they hear. You will find that the preacher they have is a student of the Word. You can listen to him preach or read what he writes and tell where he stands. There is no ambiguity in what he teaches. He stands solidly on God’s Word. He is a student of the Book and seeks to fulfill his God-given responsibility to preach the Word.

We are concerned that too many pulpits (one would be too many for that matter) are not being filled with the kind of preaching that God wants. We firmly believe that churches are being led into apostasy by men who are supposed to be preachers of the Bible.

Elders

Elders are supposed to “feed the flock” (Acts 20:28). Among the responsibilities that are en-joined in that statement would be to see that the pulpit and the classroom have the right kind of teaching. It is sad indeed when preachers rebel against the command to preach the Word, how-ever, it is sadder yet when elders refuse to demand that the Bible be taught by the preacher and classroom teacher. Elders need to tell the preacher that the Bible is going to be taught from the pulpit under their oversight or they are going to know the reason why. They then need to carry out their word. An eldership recently remarked that they were not hearing any Bible preaching from the pulpit at all. They had talked it over with the preacher, but it had done no good. And, they hated to replace him because he was so well liked in the congregation. How ridiculous can one eldership be? Any preacher that refuses to preach the Bible does not need to be replaced, he needs to be removed! (II Thessalonians 3:6).

This writer recently saw a list of responsibilities that an eldership was using in the securing of the services of a preacher. That list demanded of him that he be the perfect “denominational pastor,” however, not a one of the more than a dozen requirements even hinted at his responsibility to study and preach the Word. Several Gospel preachers who have seen the list, some are known brotherhood wide, remarked in unison that the list was ridiculous. Brethren, do all elderships want the Bible in its entirety, taught in the pulpit?

If the church had preachers that would preach the Word and elders that would demand that the Word be taught, widespread apostasy would cease to be a problem. There is nothing that will cure going away from God like a well taught, rooted and grounded in the truth, brotherhood. Elders are going to lose their souls because they failed to feed the flock that was given under their oversight.

Christians

Even if preachers failed to preach God’s Word and elders failed to demand that the Word be taught, all would not be lost if Christians would fulfill their responsibility. They should see to it that the church is fed the Word of God. When a congregation becomes satisfied with the social gospel that never reproves or rebukes it becomes a sad day indeed. What more could you expect than full-scale apostasy? Nothing but destruction could come if preachers did not preach the Bible, elders did not feed the flock, and members no longer cared for the teaching of God’s Word.

An Admonition

We see the church in many areas of the brotherhood drifting away from the ancient landmarks. New sounds and uncertain sounds are coming from their ranks. At the tap root of this digression is the failure—either intentional or unintentional—to teach the Word of God in its purity, simplicity, and entirety. The Bible needs to be preached and its message must be proclaimed without fear or favor. It comes to an attitude that many hold toward the Bible. It is sad but true—some no longer have respect for its teachings. May we awaken before it becomes too late! Preachers, preach the Word. Be a student of the Bible. Spend your time doing what God has commanded you to do! Elders, demand that the Word be taught. See to it that the flock over which you are overseers are fed. And when the Word is taught, stand behind it with all of your support. Christians, see to it that your preacher and elders know that you want, appreciate, and stand behind the preaching of God’s Word. And if you are in a congregation where the Bible is not taught, let your disapproval be noted. The day the church fails to preach the Word is the day the church will begin its journey away from God. Remember Hosea quoted God as saying, “My people are destroyed for the lack of knowledge.”

William S. Cline

Defender - May 1972