Millions of dollars are being spent to build/support student centers, church lodges, swimming pools, fishing ponds, youth retreats, homes for unwed mothers, hospitals, recreation youth centers, gymnasiums; sponsoring talent shows, youth banquets, boy scout troops; or support colleges and other institutions for various reasons from the church treasuries.

Are such things really the work of the church? Where is the Biblical authority for supporting such works? Surely the Lord’s church needs to be hard at work, but at God’s work, not man’s. What is the work of the church?

The apostle Paul revealed the work of the church in writing to the Ephesian brethren: » Continue reading “What Is The Work Of The Church?”

As we continue to explore the avenues of Christian worship, we come to the act of giving. Along with praying, the Lord’s Supper, reading and preaching the Word of God, and singing psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, giving is an act of worship. It is God’s will that Christians return a portion of that which He has given to each and every one of us as a free will offering. God has always asked His people to freely give of their means in the form of an offering:

Tell the sons of Israel to raise a contribution for Me; from every man whose heart moves him you shall raise My contribution. — Exodus 25:2 NAS

The responsibility of giving is still required of God’s people. Paul told the Christians at Corinth: » Continue reading “How Should The Church Raise Money?”

Contributing to the misunderstandings relative to the Lord’s Supper is the doctrine of transubstantiation. This doctrine holds that, when blessed by the priest, the bread becomes the physical body of Christ and the cup becomes the literal blood of our Savior—though the outward appearance of the bread and the fruit of the vine remain unchanged. This is an unobservable change in the substance of the communion elements according to Roman Catholic dogma. Their words “Eucharist” and “sacrament” are terms not found in the New Testament.

The Roman Catholic Church introduced this doctrine of transubstantiation about a thousand years after Christ established His church. In the Canons and Decrees of the Council of Trent, Sess. XIII, this doctrine is set forth: » Continue reading “What Is The Doctrine Of Transubstantiation?”

In recent years, people have been advocating the partaking of the Lord’s Supper on any day of the week. Some churches have partaken of it only three or four times a year. It is only natural that this question would arise by those who sincerely want to know what the Bible teaches regarding this subject.

When one considers everything the Bible has to say about the Lord’s Supper, you will find no statement, example or implication that saints in apostolic times observed the communion on any day other than “the first day of the week” (Acts 20:7). By that same token, you will find no Bible authority for New Testament Christians living to observe the communion on any day other than “the first day of week.”

According to the New Testament, the early Christians met on the first day of each week, the Lord’s Day, and observed the Lord’s Supper. The Holy Spirit, through Luke, stated, » Continue reading “When Is the Lord’s Supper To Be Served?”