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?”

One of the first impressions obtained by a visitor to our services today is the fact that mechanical instruments are conspicuous by their absence. Being so commonly used in churches of today, the fact that we do not use mechanical instruments of music causes surprise and wonder on the part of many and not infrequently the question is raised, “Why do churches of Christ refuse the use of instruments of music in worship?”

Essential to a proper understanding of this matter are two very important questions: First, “What is the purpose of our worship anyway?” The Scriptures are crystal clear that our worship must be for the purpose of pleasing our Heavenly Father, inasmuch as that is the design and end of all of our worship. Jesus said, “But an hour is coming, and now is, when the true worshipers shall worship the Father in spirit and » Continue reading “Did The First Century Church Use Instrumental Music In Worship?”

The church of the New Testament assembled on the first day of the week (Sunday) to worship as Luke records, “And on the first day of the week, when we were gathered together to break bread, Paul {began} talking to them, intending to depart the next day, and he prolonged his message until midnight” (Acts 20:7 NAS). The Lord’s church met for worship on Sundays for some very special reasons.

First, churches met on Sunday because some very important events happened on that day: » Continue reading “Why Did New Testament Churches Worship On Sunday?”

When Jesus promised, “I will build my church” (Matt. 16:18), He intended to make very important changes in the way people worshiped God. He established a new temple in which a new priesthood served. The assemblies, ceremonies, and offerings of the Israelite heritage ceased. Even the age-long argument between Jews and Samaritans as to the proper place of worship became irrelevant because both were now wrong (John 4:20-24).

In the place of perpetual animal sacrifices, the Messiah offered His blood once for all time (Heb. 10:12). In this act of laying down His life for the sins of the world He laid the foundation for a new temple—a structure composed not of lifeless stones, as in the old Temple, but of living souls. » Continue reading “How Did The Church Of The New Testament Worship?”

The local churches of the New Testament were independent and autonomous, i.e., self-governing. They were not dependent upon a hierarchy, a denominational headquarters, or a “mother” church. Each church was responsible for its own leadership, its own business, its own discipline, and its own affairs.

When Paul and Barnabas visited the newly established churches of their first missionary journey, they appointed elders for them in every church. “And when they had appointed elders for them in every church, having prayed with fasting, they commended them to the Lord in whom they had believed” (Acts 14:23 NAS). When Paul called for the elders of the church in Ephesus (Acts 20:17), he urged them to “Be on guard for yourselves and for all the flock, among which the Holy Spirit has » Continue reading “How Is The New Testament Church Governed?”

In fulfillment of God’s eternal plan (Eph. 3:10-11) the church was born. Jesus fulfilled His promise to build the church (Matt. 16:18) on the first day of Pentecost after His resurrection. From Acts chapter two on the church that Jesus built almost becomes the center of focus. Churches belonging to the Lord began to spring up in city after city throughout the Roman Empire. How was this church designated in the Scriptures?

A careful reading of the New Testament will reveal designations that can be divided into three groups. These designations were used with real meaning, expressing function, ownership, and relationship. These designations were given by divine direction and fulfill a divine purpose. Let’s take note of them. » Continue reading “Does God Care How The Church Is Designated?”

Can we today be identical to the New Testament church in all essential matters? This question is often asked when we point out that the church of Christ is identical to the church of the New Testament. It must be remembered that restoration is at the very heart and soul of God’s work in human history.

Man has the tendency to drift away from our Creator (Rom. 1:18-32). While this was spoken of the Gentiles, Paul continues in the second chapter of Romans to show that the Jews likewise had drifted away from God and then concluded that none is exempt because “All have sinned, and come short of the glory of God” (Rom 3:23 KJV). Solomon wrote, “Indeed, there is not a righteous man on earth who {continually} does good and who never sins” (Eccl 7:20 NAS). Solomon continued by saying, » Continue reading “Can The New Testament Church Be Restored Today?”