“Silver and gold have I none; but such as I have give I thee” Acts 3:6

When Peter uttered these words to the lame man that sat begging at the beautiful gate of the Temple, he and John did not have any money to give him. However, they did not use their lack of silver and gold as an excuse for just doing nothing. Unfortunately, many Christians feel that since they are not able to do much, either for the poor or for the church of the Lord, they end up just doing nothing. This world would be a far different and better place if all gave of such as they have. Let us look at some of the things that we can give in service to the Lord:

Time

One of the most valuable things that each of us has is time. It is also something that each of us has an equal amount of. We all have 24 hours each day and seven days each week. If you have the idea that you can spend all of your time, from morning to night, in business, work, or even pleasure and just give a little time on Sunday mornings to the Lord, and that be pleasing to God, you are sadly mistaken. Much can be accomplished in the helping of others and in the growth of the church of the Lord if we will just put time into it. What is more important that it will keep you away from the work of the Lord?

Talents

There is not a one in the Lord’s kingdom that does not have a talent, or talents that can be used for the Lord for each of us has been given according to our several ability (Matthew 25:15). Those who use their talents for the glory of God will find an eternal reward, those who act as unprofitable servants will be cast into “outer darkness: there shall be weeping and gnashing of teeth” (Matthew 25:30).

A Godly Life

A more powerful influence for good cannot be found than the example that is given by a godly life (Titus 2:11-12; I Peter 1:15). Paul said, “Only let your conversation be as it becometh the gospel of Christ” (Philippians 1:27).

Worship

Oftentimes we look upon worship as a duty, but it is more than a duty, or should be to the child of God. Offering a sacrifice of praise and adoration to God should be a high and holy privilege for every Christian. We should, like David (Psalms 122:1), be glad for opportunities to worship. This should be equally true not only Sunday morning but whenever the church meets. May we give to our fellow man and to God such as we have.

Ken Chumbley

The Bible

Is God’s own letter to man. Is the source of our information concerning eternal life. Is our guide for daily living. Is the final word in matters of religion. Tells of the truth which will set you free from sin. Gives me strength and comfort. Tells me how to live happily. Is the center of our education. With such a book as this available to us, we certainly need to be diligent to know its contents. Are you studying the Bible regularly?

Author Unknown

“The Churches of Christ Salute You”

Romans 16:16 

We are Seeking to Restore New Testament Christianity: 
To have no creed but Christ; no book but the Bible; no name  but Christian.
To speak where the Bible speaks; to be silent where the Bible is silent. 

Facts about the church of Christ:
Christ is Founder and Head (Matthew 16:18; Ephesians  1:22-23).
It is not a denomination or a group of denominations (Colossians 1:18; Ephesians 5:23).
It pleads for the unity of all believers in Christ (John 17:20-21;  Ephesians 4:1-6). 

We Know That: 
“It is not what the Bible teaches that divides the world into religious groups.”
“It is what the Bible does not teach that divides the world.” 

We Are Striving To: 
Present the first century message to a twenty-first century  society.

The message is plain and simple:
The Word of God to a lost and dying world! 

Author Unknown

Mark 16:9-20 – Inspired or Not Inspired?

Satan has always been the number one opponent of the inspired Word of God! From the moment he dared to add the word not to God’s Word in Genesis 3:4, until the present, he has sought to vilify the Word of God through any means. He even attacks the authority of the Word of God in versions and perversions, by means of footnotes, alternate readings, and appendixes. For multiplied centuries after the formation of manmade denominations, the overwhelming majority understood that baptism was essential to one’s salvation. With the passing of time Satan has convinced the vast majority of men that baptism is not essential to the subject of salvation. Mark 16:16 cannot be refuted by the religious opponents of the words of Christ Satan decided it was time to deceive!

New International Version — A footnote: [The most reliable early manuscripts and other ancient witnesses do not have Mark 16:9-20].
Revised Standard Version — These words are not found in the text at all, but are relegated to a footnote with this statement: “Other texts and versions add as 16:9-20 the following passage” (16:9-20).
The Amplified Bible — A brief footnote: “Verses 9-20 not in the 2 earliest manuscripts.”
The Berkley Version – A brief footnote: [Verses 9-20, are not found in the majority of the most reliable manuscripts]
Simple English Bible — A footnote “Verses 9-20 do not appear in 2 important Greek manuscripts.”  
McCord’s New Testament — Satan has even sought to deceive our own brethren. Brother Hugo McCord was a sore disappointment when he failed to correctly translate monogenes as meaning, “only begotten” (cf. John 1:14, 18; 3:16, 18; I John 4:9). Also, Brother McCord enclosed Mark 16:9-20 in brackets. He does devote pages 516-518 in the appendix to a detailed study of the controversy — He does conclude, “verses 9-20 are the only possible candidate to be the end of Mark.” Why leave the question in the minds of readers by the use of brackets? Many will never read the appendix!
American Standard Version (1901) — Even here, verses 9-20 are set apart from the text by this footnote: “The 2 oldest Greek manuscripts, and some other authorities, omit from verse 9 to the end. Some other authorities have a different ending to the Gospel.”

This is not an exhaustive list. Did you note the misleading statements such as: “The 2 oldest Greek manuscripts…omit verses 9-20”? Friend of mine, the two oldest Greek manuscripts are not available. These mis-translators should have said the two oldest Greek manuscripts available, i.e., Aleph and B of the fourth century do not contain these verses. If you reject Mark 16:9-20 on the basis of the Vaticanus, will you be consistent and omit I Timothy, II Timothy, Titus, the last half of Hebrews, and all of Revelation?

If not, why not? As to the Sinaiticus manuscript, this work contains passages that we know to be apocryphal. Will you consistently accept those apocryphal writings? If not, why not? When you look at the manuscripts and versions: 22 favor Mark 16:9-20 and only two are opposed to Mark 16:9-20! How is Satan doing? (I Peter 5:8: John 8:44; II Corinthians 4:4; 11:3). The “god of this world” is doing well!

Jess Whitlock

Just Some Logical Answers to Some Very Unusual Questions: What Saith...?

Because people are often looking for a way into something without having to do what is actually required for entrance, many have asked me the question: “Can you be taught wrong and baptized right?” In response, I have thought (and sometimes asked), “Can you be taught wrong and hear right?” “Can you be taught wrong and believe right?” “Can you be taught wrong and repent right?” “Can you be taught wrong and confess right?” If we cannot do these things, then what makes us think that we can be taught wrong and baptized right? The bottom line is that God has clearly identified the purity of purpose for baptism. There is no reason for someone not to know what the purpose of baptism is when they are baptized, and if they are not following the purpose that God has clearly set forth, they are just getting wet.

When we really get down to the truth of the matter baptism is an act of faith. When a person is baptized, they must believe that baptism is for the remission of their sins—that is the act of faith. In Colossians 2:12 the Bible says, “Buried with him in baptism, wherein also ye are risen with him through the faith of the operation of God, who hath raised him from the dead.” Without that act of faith involved in baptism, one is merely getting wet. If a person is just baptized “to obey God,” what is the act of faith? Where are you putting your trust when you are baptized “to obey God?” One might say, “I am putting my trust in God.” Great! So what are you putting your trust in God to do? When faith trusts God, it trusts God to do something (Romans 4:20-22; Hebrews 11). Baptism does not need to show that one merely believes God; confession accomplishes that. Baptism is not just a restatement of one’s confession. It is much more than that.

Notice what Peter says on the matter of baptism. “The like figure whereunto even baptism doth also now save us (not the putting away of the filth of the flesh, but the answer of a good conscience toward God,) by the resurrection of Jesus Christ.”Please notice what is said in that (1 Peter 3:21) passage: (1) Baptism saves us. (2) Baptism is not merely taking a bath. (3) Baptism is the response to God of a good conscience. (4) Baptism saves by the resurrection of Jesus. Notice item number three. When we are baptized, we have to have a good conscience about it — we must do it with the right purposes in mind. The good conscience when taught properly is going to understand that baptism is necessary for salvation and is going to motivate the individual to take the appropriate action. To say that one can be baptized correctly without understanding the purpose of baptism denies the role of the conscience in baptism.

There is nothing magical in the waters of baptism. The water is just water. So dunking a person under the water just for the sake of dunking someone under the water is not going to cut it. If the proper motive and purpose is not present, it is meaningless, just like all the other steps of salvation. If a person is not baptized for the proper motives and purposes, he is just getting wet. The Bible clearly teaches that the purpose of baptism is for the remission of sins (Acts 2:38; 22:16).

This is why we must insure that those we teach clearly understand the purpose of baptism. One cannot feel safe just because they went through the motions, and we should not feel that this has somehow relieved us of the need for more thorough and detailed teaching before baptism. We do no one any favors by putting them in the baptistery if they have no real appreciation for the fact that their sins are being forgiven.

Johnny Oxendine

FAITH AND WORKS

Faith without works is withered and dead (James 2:26).
Faith without works only gives rebels dread (James 2:19).
Faith without hope offers trembling despair (Acts 24:25).
Faith without courage is fruitless and bare (James 2:26).
Faith with obedience is active and strong (James 2:18).
Faith joined with works changes sigh to a song (John 14:1).
Faith that looks upward and asks for God’s Will (Acts 9:6).
Faith now submissive to that will will fulfil (Acts 18:8).
Faith is companion to hope and to love (I Thessalonians 1:3).
Faith loathes to be lonely, asks help from above (Acts 9:11).
Faith’s heart-throbs make handclasps in fellowship true (James 2:22).
Faith, hope and love faithfully see the task through (I Corinthians 13:13).

Author Unknown

Yesterday

Have you ever noticed how much today is influenced by yesterday? The close observer of history is familiar with the repetitive nature of man and world events. Lessons that were learned the hard way generations ago often have to be learned again today by the current generation. Experience is a great teacher, but often man is a poor student. For purposes of this writing, we shall look at the world in terms of three days: yesterday, today, and tomorrow. I shall too briefly discuss the idea that yesterday should serve as our guide for today and our map for the future as well as to bemoan the failures of men today to profit from the experiences of yesterday.

For example, look at the Middle East. Modern Israel hates the Palestinians and the Palestinians in turn hate Israel and we scarcely see a day pass without some news coverage about the violence that continues to destroy lives in that part of the world. Why is that? The answer is well known: yesterday. The Palestinians consider themselves the descendants of the ancient Canaanites and the Israelites of today consider themselves the descendants of David’s Israel of Old Testament fame. The Palestinians, like their forerunners, look at the Israelite occupation of “their” land as illegitimate and long to drive them out. Israel feels compelled to do now what God told their forefathers to do long ago—rid the Promised Land of the heathen. These things have their roots in yesterday, we deal today with them, and we fully expect that they will still be here tomorrow. The politics of yesterday are still with us today.

The religion of yesterday is still working today also. Of course, Truth should so operate, as it was fully delivered yesterday (cf. Jude 3), but sadly truth is not the only thing in religion to find its way from yesterday to today. Religious error is alive and well today. About three hundred years after the time of Jesus and the Apostles, men, with no authority from heaven, took it upon themselves to introduce the mechanical instrument of music into the worship of the church. As they had no authority yesterday when they introduced it, so they have no authority to allow it to stay today, but still it is there. The Bible was (and continues to be) clear: “But in vain they do worship me, teaching for doctrines the commandments of men” (Matthew 15:9). If the teaching does not come from the Bible then it comes from men, and if our teaching comes from men and not God that teaching renders our worship vain. Still, we are dealing today with the religious error of yesterday and it would appear that we shall still be contending with it tomorrow.

Morals are not immune from such influence. Take the infamous Roe v. Wade decision of the Supreme Court. The Justices held that the “rights” of the woman over her own body are paramount—even if that means killing the life within the womb. The Bible recognizes no difference between the life that is in the womb and the young child. Our laws (or at least our courts) do see a difference. It is quite a difference—kill a two-year-old child and you will go to jail or maybe even get the death penalty; kill an unborn child and, provided you are a doctor and file the right papers, the government will pay you! A few men with lifetime appointments yesterday made a law forcing God-fearing American citizens to pay for the systematic murder of thousands of babies today and there is little hope for a better tomorrow.

I hope that some today we will learn the lessons from yesterday and thus work to make a better tomorrow.

Tim Smith