Jesus calls us to join Him in HIS church.
Christians love, honor, and serve Jesus Christ. The Bible is our guide. It's not Mary we worship, but her Son (who is also God's unique Son). Rather than saints, angels, doctrinal systems, or even the Holy Spirit, we worship (by serving) JESUS and His Father!
as of
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2001

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Are We Saved    
Through Law-Keeping?      

     In the first century A.D., the most vicious opposition to the Christian gospel came from legalists (people who love rules and regulations). Legalists still oppose any religion not based on law. Christians realize we are saved by grace through faith in Jesus Christ which leads us to love and serve Him with all our hearts. BELOW are my remarks about legalism and grace, and notes from Jack Bruce, Randy Smelser, and Cecil B. May Jr. Randy hits the nail on the head! Note an e-mail exchange on 9/23/98 which follows --
From: "Jack Bruce"
To: "Ray Downen"

Subject: Re: Fw: When's the baby BORN? Good thoughts on baptism from one of our "instrumental" brothers. (Ray remarks -- Jack means me, which tells us all that he's a member of the non-instrumental-music Church of Christ. Since he's commending my brief remarks about becoming a Christian and refers to me as his "instrumental" brother, this will clue astute readers to realize that I'm not a member of the non-instrumental-music Church of Christ.)

Date sent: Wed, 23 Sep 1998

Never, never, never forget the power of our environment as we grew up. The psychological ties to those who taught us. The thought of condemning the very ones who reared us if we accept something "in addition" to (Ray remarks -- or instead of) what they believed.

I was reared within the Baptist fellowship. I set out to prove a bunch of "hard headed Campbellites" were wrong. What I discovered was that WHAT they were saying was basically true. It was HOW they were saying it that stunk.

After I went back to school at nearly 40 and tried to learn how to preach a little, I fell into the same trap of thinking I had all the answers. I became almost as legalistic as those I detested in my earlier days. Then I moderated and finally became aware that God's grace made it all possible and if that wasn't communicated the person who did all the right things for all the wrong reasons was just as lost as the person who lived a rebellious life altogether. If our obedience is not in response to a loving God's grace -- it is useless.

I appreciate you and your heart. Keep up the good work.

God bless, ~ Jack

Visit our web page often. Look around and take advantage of great prices on great merchandise. <http://www.wimall.com/jrbruce/>
-----Original Message-----
From: Ray Downen Joplin MO 64802-1065 <outreach>
To:Jack Bruce
Date: Tuesday, September 22, 1998
Subject: Re: Fw: When's the baby BORN?

>Jack, -- Thanks. To me it seems so obvious, it's hard to understand why so many are so confused on this subject!

     In Viewpoint Study #1 we present a simple explanation of why Legalism is not the same as the Christian gospel.  In Viewpoint Studies #17-21 is a more scholarly appraisal of the differences between any legalistic system and the Christian system. Additional remarks are in Viewpoint Study #76.

      I grew up in a “Christian Church” congregation in a small midwestern town in the U.S. While there I studied the Bible, and heard sermons about Christian unity and Christian living. I also studied through a simple workbook published by Standard Publishing Company which was named, “New Training For Service.” It had been edited by C. J. Sharp. It promoted Bible study, Bible understanding, and Christian unity.

    My desire to be part of a united Christian body was made stronger by association in Joplin, Missouri with Seth Wilson. Seth was Academic Dean of Ozark Christian College. I also heard other inspiring Christian teachers and preachers, including Carl Ketcherside.

      I’m sure that Jesus wants us who love Him to be in ONE body rather than in separated denominations. Denominationalism is a sin, condemned in the Bible, but practiced and praised by many in our day. Charles Gresham, in Viewpoint Study #37 comments on Bible understanding that will allow all Bible believers to be united. Doug Oakes, in Viewpoint Study #74 points out why we believe unity is possible.

      Unity is not possible if our attitude is wrong. This is the subject in Viewpoint Study #33 and also in Study #64, as well as many other Viewpoint studies where it’s not the main subject.

      We applaud all efforts at achieving real Christian unity. However, Christian unity is based upon shared obedience to, and love of, the Lord Jesus Christ. Unity outside Him is not Christian unity, however pleasant it may be for those who are working together. Creedal statements are designed to separate the good guys from the bad guys. Viewpoint Study #41 looks at a unity effort stalled because the brethren couldn’t agree on an acceptable new creed. Some seek unity more diligently than others do.

      Each of these Viewpoint Studies is aimed at pointing the way to PROPER Bible Understanding, which will cause us to be in unity with all who love and serve Jesus Christ. Christian unity is prevented by lack of love for Jesus and by lack of strong desire to please Him. Obstacles to Christian unity also include “liberalism,” and libertarianism.

What is the “law of Christ”?
VIEWPOINT BIBLE STUDIES
Must CONTRAST Grace and Law

      Randall R. Smelser, in the Christian Standard weekly magazine for 10/19/97 writes on the subject, The Old Testament Empire Strikes Back. He’s writing about law and grace and their differences.
     Randall is located in Germany where he seeks to influence sinners to seek salvation in Jesus, and where he aims to help those who know Jesus to best understand the Word of God. (Jesus, God’s unique Son, is spoken of as the Word. And the revelation sent BY Jesus is also seen as God’s Word).
     In Germany as Randall wrote, the Star Wars Trilogy had just been re-released. Perhaps many U.S. brothers and sisters have also been seeing it. Because we do not have to face a Darth Vader or the Empire, we can enjoy watching this drama presented. We do not feel personally threatened.

     Think about a similar conflict that DOES involve each of us. The Old Testament “empire” (in which men based their words and acts on a code of law and a way of life which was good for God’s people in O.T. Times) was canceled on the cross. A New Way replaced the Old. Some preferred the old. They didn’t want to change allegiance from law to grace. They acted vigorously to show their preference. Paul (then called Saul) was an outstanding example of one who at that time chose law over grace.
      It was not just in those first days of change that conflict came between those who chose law and we who know we are saved by grace. Several times throughout church history this O.T. empire looked dead, only to revive and strike back. Men and women of Stone-Campbell heritage have sought to fully restore the N.T. church again in the world. Yet, even in OUR scattered congregations, the O.T. empire continues to strive to dominate.
     The N.T. church is far superior to the O.T. empire. Yet we observe tendencies to slide backwards into the inferior ways of the O.T. Why? Because humans are used to earthly ways, and most of us are human. The new Way is spiritual, not of this world.
     We often are unaware of our slide. The switch back to legalism has happened several times over the years since the church of Christ was built. Each time rebuilding on the good foundation has been possible, and each time it has been done only with great difficulty.
     In what areas shall we say that there is conflict between the O.T. empire and the church of Christ? In particular, it is seen in membership, in meeting places, and in how public meetings are conducted.

Membership Methods
    
The O.T. empire observed the “nation” principle -- those born into the families were considered members of the empire. They weren’t asked their preference. Boys born just were circumcised to make them members of the O.T. empire, inheritors of the promises God made to Abraham. Later, the child was taught the meanings of what had been done, and was expected to appreciate and accept membership.
     Membership in Christ’s church is by mature choice. It is not conferred upon unthinking, unbelieving infants. Nor are small children to be encouraged to “join the church” until they have reached an age appropriate for making fully-informed choices. Only those who deliberately choose to live AS JESUS DID should ever be on the membership roll of any church which claims to belong to Christ. The O.T. empire strikes at us!
Meeting Places.
   
Buildings for Christian meetings are not necessarily wrong, but their use often becomes inimical to spirituality rather than helpful. Christians are promised that wherever they go, God is with them, living in their hearts and spirits. This is no more true in a “church building” than in any Christian’s place of work or in his dwelling place.
     In the O.T. system, worship and sacrifices were centralized, organized, corporate. One went to the tabernacle, the altar, or the temple to worship. God lived in the holy place. It became important to have a beautiful, impressive, God-honoring place of worship. In the Christian age, as the centuries went by, the practice of their meeting in a functional, simple place changed into a felt necessity of glorifying God by meeting in big, beautiful (and seldom-used) buildings. Europe is filled with such sanctuaries which glorify those whose money built them. And is the U.S. quite different?
     Jesus respected the temple for Jewish worship. He taught that Christians were the temples for Christian worship. His followers have been won over by the Empire so that now many think their oh-so-expensive buildings are where God lives!
Worship Practices.
     
O.T. “worship” was based on a priestly system and a central location for public praise to God. Christians experience God’s presence wherever we may be, and each Christian is a priest. No inspired guide tells us there is to be a special class of Christian priests in the Way of Christ.
     A Christian can worship God anywhere. If only one Christian is in that particular location, his or her worship can be every bit as effective and restorative as if there had been 5,000 met together. Our worship is not dependent on some highly-qualified “worship leader.” It doesn’t need someone with lots of talent and training. It only needs persons who know Jesus as Lord, and who love Him.
     The European churches have normally operated by the O.T. system rather than the Way of Christ. And today most European churches are museums to the spirituality of their forefathers. Who will say that many U.S. churches are not heading in the same direction?
     What was the primary purpose revealed in the Bible for which believers then came together? The assembly of believers in Christ was to encourage one another (Hebrews 10:23-25). Group worship was a natural by-product of individual daily walk with God rather than an organized service (please read thoughtfully Acts 2:42-47; Colossians 3:16; 1 Corinthians 11:17-34; 14:17,23,26). Their purpose for meeting was to edify one another! There may be danger when some imagine their purpose for coming together is “worship.” That’s not what the Bible calls us to do!
     We can quickly become very “self” oriented instead of “other” oriented (as we should be). Is that making us better Christians, or is it converting us to followers of the O.T. empire?

Sunday Or Everyday Religion?
Christianity is a way of LIFE, not for a Sunday show, but for a daily walk. A religion where the many watch a few “perform” staged rituals in a designated “holy place” is something other than the Way of life to which Jesus calls us.
     Your progress in the Christian Way is not judged by how you help spend the money you and others give to “the church,” but by how you invest (“give”) your life and money to others in the name of Christ. Christ’s church grows and thrives when individuals give themselves to His service. Relying on “government” to nourish and protect the church is not at all what God invites us to do. We are HIS people. We need to walk with Him each day in every way.
     Thousands may be baptized while very few are added to the number of the faithful who are in Christ. Let’s walk with Christ and resist every appeal to rejoin the O.T. empire!

-- And consider this word From CECIL MAY (in Preacher Talk from Faulkner University, 5345 Atlanta Hwy, Montgomery, AL 36109, issue dated June, 1998)

No They Don't!

Sometimes it is said by some, "Most denominational preachers understand God's grace better than we of the Restoration Movement do." Whoever says that does not understand most denominational preachers, does not understand grace, or maybe both.

Preachers for most denominations are, to some degree at least, Calvinists. This affects their understanding of grace. To Calvinists, election is unconditional, atonement is limited to the elect, and grace is irrestible.

In the Bible, grace is not something the Spirit irresistibly imposes on those God has unconditionally chosen. Grace (and salvation) is received by faith, and faith comes by hearing the word of God (Romans 10:17). Faith is man's voluntary, free-will response to God's gracious offer of salvation. Saving faith is living, active, obedient faith.

"For by grace you have been saved through faith, and that not of yourselves; it is the gift of God, not of works, so that no one can boast" (Ephesians 2:8,9). Not faith but grace is the gift of God.