Bulletin Articles

Many in the religious world today fail to submit to the simplistic plan of God, because of biblical assumptions based on tradition or man’s logic. The church of Christ must teach the Bible and the Bible alone so all “members in particular” understand the various roles in the church, past and present.

In this article, let us briefly explore a few definitions in order to better identify these individuals and their roles in the church.

Apostle – These men were (1) commissioned by Christ (Luke 6:13; Acts 9:15; Acts 22:14); (2) were witnesses of our Lord’s resurrection (Acts 1:22; Acts 22:14,15; Acts 26:16; 1 Corinthians 15:5-8; 1 John 1:1); (3) received instructions from the Holy Spirit (Matthew 10:16-20; John 14:26; John 16:13-16; Acts 1:5,8; Romans 16:25; 1 Corinthians 2:4-16), or direct revelation from Christ as in the case of Paul (Galatians 1:11-12; Ephesians 3:1-5); (4) had the miraculous gifts of the Holy Spirit (1 Corinthians 12:1-11; Mark 16:17-18; Mark 16:20).

Prophet – The prophets were inspired to make known God’s will after it had been revealed to them through the apostles. Their service accompanied and supplemented the work of the apostles (1 Corinthians 14:37).

Evangelist – These were inspired men who acted under the direction of the apostles, preaching the “good news” or “glad tidings” of the gospel (Acts 8:5,35; Acts 8:40; Acts 21:8; cf. 2 Timothy 4:5). They were the missionaries of their day.

Pastor – These men were endowed to feed and teach Christian duties and obligations. They were the “shepherds”, “managers”, or “overseers” of the early church (Ephesians 4:11; cf. Acts 20:28; 1 Peter 5:2-4). Note that the following words may be used to apply to the same office: (1) Elder=bishop=pastor (Acts 20:17,28); (2) Elder=bishop (Titus 1:5,7); (3) Elder=pastor=bishop (1 Peter 5:1-2).

Teacher – Christians who undertook the work of teaching, with the special assistance of the Holy Spirit (1 Corinthians 12:4-11). The purpose of these endowed teachers was to instruct the early church in the full and complete will of God (Ephesians 4:11-13).

Conclusion
From the above list, apostles and prophets are no longer needed in the church today because (1) miraculous “gifts” are no longer necessary, and (2) no further prophecy is needed with the completed revelation of God’s word (1 Corinthians 13:8-10; James 1:25; Jude 1:3). The completed and inspired revelation of God’s word is today “profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness, that the man of God may be complete, thoroughly equipped for every good work” (2 Timothy 3:16-17; cf. 1 Peter 1:20-21 – NKJV).

In light of the recent death of the Pope, let us be clear on what the Bible teaches.

God did not authorize the papal office. It was a perversion created by men to serve their purpose of power. God put all things only under Christ’s “feet and gave Him to be head over all things to the church, which is His body” (Ephesians 1:22-23). The pope may be the head of the Catholic Church, but Christ is the only head of His church and no one can substitute for Him on earth in this position. Jesus says, “All authority has been given to Me in heaven and on earth” (Matthew 28:18). Christ has all authority, not the pope. The pope falsely claims to be the “Vicar of God and Christ” on earth and in heaven and that all things are subject to him. “Vicar” means a substitute. How bold is their claim to be a substitute for God. “For Satan himself transforms himself into an angel of light” (2 Corinthians 11:14).

The Bible contradicts the fabricated doctrine of the papacy and exposes its invention in every way. Paul says “the son of perdition, who opposes and exalts himself above all that is called God or that is worshipped, so that he sits as God in the temple of God, showing himself that he is God” (2 Thessalonians 2:3-4). The pope expects his subjects to fall down, kiss his ring, and worship him. During the temptation of Jesus, Satan told Jesus he would give Him all the kingdoms of the world if He would fall down and worship him. Jesus said, “Away with you Satan. For it is written, you shall worship the Lord your God and Him only shall you serve” (Matthew 4:8-10). We can lose our home in heaven by worshipping an angel or the pope. “Let no one cheat you of your reward, taking delight in false humility and worship of angels” (Colossians 2:18). The pope is referred to as the “Holy Father”. But Jesus commands us, “Do not call anyone on earth your father; for one is your Father, He who is in heaven” (Matthew 23:9). Christ is our only go-between to God, not the pope. “For there is one God and one Mediator between God and men, the Man Christ Jesus” (1 Timothy 5:2).

The claim of absolute infallibility of the pope is a fabrication to help support the “claims” of the Catholic Church. It is a false claim that if the Catholics are practicing something not in scripture, the pope can approve it and make it all right. But the Bible says “But even if we, or an angel from heaven, preach any other gospel to you than what we have preached to you, let him be accursed” (Galatians 1:8).

As members of the church of Christ, we celebrate the resurrection of Christ every Sunday, not just an annual observance.

1. “Easter” does appear in the King James Version of the New Testament. (Acts 12:1-4)
   1. This is the only place in the English translation of the Bible that the word “Easter” appears.
   2. This same Greek word is used in Matthew 26:2; Mark 14:1 and many others passages and in every instance it is translated, “Passover.”
   3. The New English versions (NASV, NKJV) have the word “Passover” in Acts 12:4.
   4. The context shows that what was being done could not correspond to our modern-day Easter.
      1. Herod was not celebrating the resurrection of Christ, but was trying to please the Jews by persecuting Christians.

   
   Jesus, the Lamb of God…
   The lamb the children of Israel slew was to be dedicated to God. It was to be separated from the other animals. They were to care for it for four days. It was to be given to God. It was the Lord’s Passover (Exodus 12:11). Jesus is God’s dedicated Lamb today.

   Because He is the only begotten of the Father.

   John 1:14 “And the Word was made flesh, and dwelt among us, (and we beheld his glory, the glory as of the only begotten of the Father,) full of grace and truth.”st like Christmas, instrumental music in worship, baptizing infants, and many other things.

2. Let us continue to celebrate and rejoice in the resurrection as we partake of the Lord’s Supper on every first day of the week as the Lord ordained.
   1. Let us continue to live in preparation for His coming, which His resurrection assures.
   2. May God be with us in our efforts to serve Him in truth and sincerity.

As we continue to see the divorce rate increasing, we strongly encourage and plead with individuals to seek Godly counsel BEFORE they marry. Marriage is a beautiful, yet serious institution created by God (Genesis 2:21-24).

The world and even peer pressure from others can cause people (young and old) to make a foolish decision. Here are some practical reasons NOT to get married:

1. “One should never marry for financial reasons.” Sound advice! It is a grave mistake to marry someone for money. Despite what our society may convey, money cannot buy happiness. “For the love of money is the root of all evil: which while some coveted after, they have erred from the faith, and pierced themselves through with many sorrows” (1 Timothy 6:10).
2. “Do not marry for fear of getting too old.” It is troubling to see people panic due to age and grab the first prospect that comes along. Then they find themselves “stuck” in an unhappy marriage.
3. “Don’t get married simply to get away from home.” Troubles between teenagers and their parents are certainly not uncommon. But to hastily marry just to get away from one’s parents can be like going “from the frying pan into the fire!”
4. “Never marry to punish someone.” Marrying to prove a point, or to spite someone will only lead to a miserable state of affairs. And might I add it can be very costly.
5. “Don’t marry because all your friends are doing it.” When friends and classmates start tying the knot, pressure is felt to do the same. Running off to get married as a neat thing to do may turn out to not be so neat as one may think.
6. “Don’t get married just to cover a mistake.” When a marriage is formed simply out of guilt, fear, or panic, it is off to a very shaky start.
7. “Do not marry solely on the basis of physical attraction.” If a marriage is based on nothing more than physical attraction and sexual desire, it is not founded upon a foundation that will endure.

There is nothing more beautiful than to see two children of God commit to God and each other (Ephesians 5:21). Marriage is not to be taken lightly.

Count the cost before you build….and remember, there is no better foundation to build upon than Christ (1 Corinthians 3:11).

As we continue to study leadership here at Miami Gardens, we must teach our children and the single adults about God’s plan for marriage. Whether someone becomes an elder or deacon has become many people’s only reference to marriage. If we look to God’s Word about this sacred institution, we will see that it is not to be taken lightly, but reverently.

Marriage was the first institution, which God established in the beginning for all mankind. Since God is its author, God has given the regulations to govern it. Concerning marriage, Jesus said in Matthew 19:5-6, “For this reason a man shall leave his father and mother and be joined to his wife, and the two shall become one flesh. So then they are no longer two but one flesh. Therefore what God has joined together, let not man separate.” Marriage is a lifelong commitment. Marriage is one man, for one wife, for life.

A proper observance of the principle of “shall be one flesh” will solve most every problem in the marriage relationship. Each will treat their spouse, as they would treat their own flesh. When a man and woman marry the union is spoken of as “what God has joined together.” Marriage is a covenant made with both one’s spouse and with God. What should the husband and wife relationship be? In Ephesians 5:24-25 we read, “Therefore, just as the church is subject to Christ, so let the wives be to their own husbands in everything. Husbands, love your wives, just as Christ also loved the church and gave Himself for her.” Love causes us to be kind. Love knows no limit to its endurance and no end in its trust.

When two people marry they are bound together by God for as long as the other shall live. As we read in 1 Corinthians 7:39, “A wife is bound by law as long as her husband lives; but if her husband dies, she is at liberty to be married to whom she wishes, only in the Lord.” God placed strong protective laws around the home. Also notice that she is to marry only a Christian. Marriage is sacred and holy, because God instituted marriage, not man. In our permissive age, let us hold fast to the sacredness of marriage and the home. Our wedding vows must be “for better, for worse, till death us do part”. The Bible clearly spells out exactly what our Lord expects of us in marriage. Man cannot put marriage asunder except at the risk of his own soul.

Count the cost BEFORE you build…..

The Bible indicates that we were created for the purpose of glorifying our Maker (Isaiah 43:7). The whole purpose of man’s existence is to have reverence for God and obey his commandments (Ecclesiastes 12:13). We ought to want to honor our Creator and lovingly serve him.

Any person who does not acknowledge this truth lives as a rebel and flaunts the very reason for his existence. How tragic it is, though, that many use their lives in a vain, egotistical fashion. Too many entertain the views of the infidel poet William E. Henley, as expressed in his haughty composition “Invictus”: “…I am the master of my fate; I am the captain of my soul.”

A wise person once said: “For we must needs die, and are as water spilt upon the ground, which cannot be gathered up again” (2 Samuel 14:14). Life is a period of preparation for eternity. Abraham recognized that life is but a sojourn that eventually leads to the eternal beyond, and so he cast his eyes toward the city that hath foundations, whose builder and maker is God (Hebrews 11:9-10). We would be wise ourselves to “walk in the steps of that faith” which characterized Abraham (Romans 4:12).

In the Lord’s parable of the wise and foolish virgins, the key element that separated the two groups was that of preparation. Those prepared were received into the wedding feast; those unprepared were not (Matthew 25:1-13). There is no reincarnation whereby one can return to this planet to “get it right.” There is no purgatory in which one can expiate his sins. There is no baptism-for-the-dead by which the reward of obedience can be transferred.

Now – in this life – is the time for preparation. What is your life?

Are you a faithful steward?

A sincere Christian posed this question: “Why don’t we use instruments of music in our worship?”

Tragically, so many members of the Lord’s church appear to be untaught as to exactly why churches of Christ refrain from instrumental accompaniment in their worship. The simplest, most concise answer is this: It is a matter of authority. There is no authority for the use of a mechanical instrument in Christian worship. We are not concerned with how the ancient pagan worshipped his gods. Nor is the Hebrew method of worship germane, since that system was abrogated by the death of Christ (Romans 7:4; Galatians 3:24-25; Colossians 2:14).

For this age, the crucial question is: How is the Christian authorized to worship? In his letter to the Colossians, Paul wrote: “And whatsoever you do, in word or in deed, do all in the name of the Lord Jesus…” (3:17). The expression “word or deed” encompasses two realms – teaching and practice. Our teaching and practice must be “in the name of the Lord.”

The Greek expression en onoma, signifies “in the power of” or “by the authority of” (J.T. Mueller, Wycliffe Dictionary of Theology, 371). Too, the designation “Lord” emphasizes the Savior’s authority (cf. Matthew 28:18) in matters of faith and practice. The child of God must operate only within the bounds of Christ’s authority (see John 4:24; 17:17; 1 Corinthians 4:6 ASV; 2 John 9).

If the auto mechanic is instructed to do a “tune-up,” that does not mean he is authorized to rebuild the transmission. If a physician authorizes a certain medication, the pharmacist is not at liberty to improvise otherwise. The “wheel chair” symbol authorizes a handicapped person to park in a certain place; there are heavy fines for ignoring this authority designation. Each day, in different ways, we are required to respect the limitations of authority.

So it is with worship; we are authorized to sing (Ephesians 5:19; Colossians 3:16). We are not authorized to “play.” It is a matter of authority. Some folks respect the authority of the New Testament; others do not. They yield to the impulse of “will-worship” – the practice of which embraces both that which is “forbidden” and “unbidden” (W.E. Vine, Expository Dictionary). Such disobedience brings only condemnation. This term “will-worship” condemns the use of mechanical instruments in Christian worship. The devout Christian, who wishes to respect the Lord’s authority, will worship in song (Ephesians 5:19; Colossians 3:16) – without the encumbrance of mechanical instruments.

Miami Gardens, let us be thankful to have the opportunity to worship the Lord in spirit and in truth (John 4:24).

Keep the faith!