Every group of people on earth has a culture or collection of traditions that help that group be bound together as a unit. Traditions are unavoidable, and in fact, serve a useful function. When we talk about traditions, we are not talking about a concept that is evil. However, not all traditions are equally acceptable to God and we need to have a framework for judging the traditions of our own culture first, then the traditions we see among others also.
Tags: Authority
We have already looked at three ways of establishing authority from Christ and noted that these overlap in many ways. As we look at generic and specific authority and expediency, we will find that these concepts overlap in many ways also.
The terms “generic authority,” “specific authority,” and “expediency” are not terms that we find in the Bible, but rather they describe concepts that are true in all areas of life.
Matthew 29:18 (NKJV)
And Jesus came and spoke to them, saying, “All authority has been given to Me in heaven and on earth.
Jesus has all authority. When we talk about establishing authority for something, we are basically asking a simple question: what does Jesus want me to do and how can I be sure that is what He wants?
The way we learn from Jesus is essentially the same way we learn from anyone.
Conclusions: Necessary, Unnecessary, and Impossible
September 13, 2024
Estimated reading time: 12 minutes
This article is based on a class I taught in 2020, which you can watch here.
Necessary Conclusions A necessary conclusion is where you don’t have a direct teaching or direct example of something but because of the evidence that is there, it has to be true. If we are looking at the evidence properly, reading what God taught properly, and using the examples properly then any conclusion that has to be true based on those things is in fact true.
The Effects of Local Congregations Not Having Qualified Elders
May 18, 2023
In the series: Various Topics
In this class, Philip Williamstalks with us about not only the problems of having no elders or having elders who are not qualified, but also about the solution to the problem. It starts with each one of us.
If it says the video is not available, you can go to the video on Youtube here: View on Youtube
In this final class in this series, we take a brief look at what we have found regarding certain ideas found in denominationalism and we look at 1 Corinthians 1:18-2:5 to see the need to put our faith solely in God’s wisdom rather than that of men.
If it says the video is not available, you can go to the video on Youtube here: View on Youtube
In South Africa, denominations tend to have specific uniforms to identify their members when they are going to worship. What does the Bible say about that and what similar ideas might there be in churches of the Lord?
If it says the video is not available, you can go to the video on Youtube here: View on Youtube
How Churches of Christ Fall Into the Trap of Organizations
October 27, 2022
In the series: Denominationalism
When we look at churches that in general are trying to follow Christ, where do they sometimes go wrong in following the examples of denominations? What kind of organizations do these churches find themselves operating or supporting and tying themselves together into denominations without even realizing it?
If it says the video is not available, you can go to the video on Youtube here: View on Youtube
While the local church is an organization, Jesus never set up any other organizational structure in His church. We look in this lesson at some ways in which some attempt to justify the existence of these denominational organizations and see why these justifications do not work.
If it says the video is not available, you can go to the video on Youtube here: View on Youtube
Some insist that Christians must keep the Sabbath Day holy. In this article, we examine many of their arguments and see why they are incorrect.
In God’s church, there are no true creeds. However, in the mind of individuals or groups of Christians, there may be some thinking that is similar to that of creeds (putting faith in some kind of statement of faith rather than in Christ Himself). In this class we look at some ways in which we personally may display this kind of thinking if we are not careful.
If it says the video is not available, you can go to the video on Youtube here: View on Youtube
What is a creed and why are they are a problem? Is the only problem with creeds that they sometimes contain false teaching or is there a deeper problem than that? That is what we look at in this class.
If it says the video is not available, you can go to the video on Youtube here: View on Youtube
Denominationalism: Clergy - How It Creeps Into the Lord's Church
September 29, 2022
In the series: Denominationalism
While the full idea of clergy can never be in the Lord’s church, some of the concepts that go along with it can easily find their way into our own thinking and practices if we are not watchful. In this lesson, we take a look at some ways we can find these wrong ideas coming in.
If it says the video is not available, you can go to the video on Youtube here: View on Youtube
When we look at the idea of clergy, we must notice that there are those who are appointed within the Lord’s church to various work. What is the difference between this and a denomination ordaining someone to a position? How can the church maintain integrity among those in positions of influence without a governing body over them? We look at some of these ideas in this lesson.
If it says the video is not available, you can go to the video on Youtube here: View on Youtube
Is there such a thing as clergy or laity in the Lord’s church? What do these ideas even mean? Who has authority to determine roles within the church and who has authority to appoint them? We begin looking at some of these ideas in this lesson.
If it says the video is not available, you can go to the video on Youtube here: View on Youtube
In this class, we focus on the name of the church and demonstrate that there is no title given by God to the church. We also see that “name” often means something a bit different in biblical usage than in the way we often think about the word.
If it says the video is not available, you can go to the video on Youtube here: View on Youtube
Denominationalism: How Do Men Organize Their Churches?
September 1, 2022
In the series: Denominationalism
In the previous class, we looked at how Jesus organized His church. In this class, we want to contrast this with how men organize their churches or denominations.
If it says the video is not available, you can go to the video on Youtube here: View on Youtube
Denominationalism: How Did Jesus Organize His Church?
August 26, 2022
In the series: Denominationalism
In this introduction to a series on denominationalism, we look at how Christ’s church is supposed to be organized. When we see how Jesus designed it, we can begin seeing the huge problems with denominational structures and thinking.
If it says the video is not available, you can go to the video on Youtube here: View on Youtube
Church History: An Abridged Overview from the Restoration Movement to Today
November 12, 2020
In the series: Various Topics
Today, we continue our look at the history of some departures from the way of Christ and attempts to return to His way. We are looking at much more modern history that more directly affects some of us and our thinking today. We will pay special attention to what has caused division among those who on some level agree about the need to follow Christ rather than men.
If it says the video is not available, you can go to the video on Youtube here: View on Youtube
Church History: An Abridged Overview from the Apostles to the 1850s
November 10, 2020
In the series: Various Topics
We are looking at history of “the church” in the sense of those who claim to be following Christ but there are many departures from the way of Christ as well as some attempts to get back to His way. This history shapes the thinking of the world regarding the church and also affects our thinking, so it is useful to know.
If it says the video is not available, you can go to the video on Youtube here: View on Youtube
So-called “main-line churches of Christ” band together as organisations of churches through sponsoring churches or separate organisations that the churches operate or support. In this class we look at how to view these things and apply some principles we have seen about necessary conclusions and the difference between what Christ expects from a local church and an individual Christian.
If it says the video is not available, you can go to the video on Youtube here: View on Youtube
Difference Between the Church and the Individual (or Family)
October 13, 2020
In the series: Various Topics
Sometimes the argument is made that since the church is the people, anything Christ wants the people to do, the church can do. We want to examine the different uses of the word “church” in the Bible and then focus on a particular usage (the local church) in seeing that it is not just the sum of the people that are its members.
If it says the video is not available, you can go to the video on Youtube here: View on Youtube
In this class, we examine some arguments that are made to justify fellowship meals–common meals eaten as a church.
If it says the video is not available, you can go to the video on Youtube here: View on Youtube
In this class, we look at how to properly use necessary conclusions (also known as necessary inference) and see the difference between this and how we sometimes draw conclusions that are not necessary and even some that are impossible to be true. We spend most of the time applying this to the question of who must do the baptising for someone to be saved.
If it says the video is not available, you can go to the video on Youtube here: View on Youtube
In this class, Robert Buchanan again joins me and we discuss the remaining questions we could not get to last time. What should be the individual Christian’s relationship with music in relation to worship and entertainment?
Robert Buchanan from White River, South Africa, helps us understand God’s will in relation to some questions that have been asked about music connected with worship–especially the authority or lack of authority for certain practices.
Complete To Stand In Him: Set Your Mind: Put On...
July 28, 2020
In the series: Complete To Stand In Him
This time we look at Colossians 3:12-17 and see what those who have been raised with Christ are to put on.
What does the law and culture regarding the firstborn in the Old Testament have to do with Christ and His people? Let’s look at that together.
In this article, we examine the questions of why do we give, can we give things to the church for it to sell, and is it right to give anything other than money?
We examine the problems of denominationalism and whether or not it is approved by Christ.
One of the biggest criticisms of Christendom today is the division that is clearly evident through the thousands of denominations. We can see that there should be unity.
One of the biggest criticisms of Christendom today is the division that is clearly evident through the thousands of denominations. We can see that there should be unity.
Something we must do every day, no matter how old we are, what our social position is, or where we live is make decisions. Some of these decisions are more important than others. Deciding what to eat for supper is usually not as important as deciding what job to take. But no matter how important the decision or what the decision is about, we should make it in the same way - with the same goal in mind.
How the Church is to Multiply
August 11, 2006
In the series: Work and Worship of the Church
Estimated reading time: 3 minutes
While edification is for the purpose of growing the church spiritually, evangelism is how the church grows numerically. How can the church evangelize?
Obviously, to evangelize, the church must be preaching and teaching the gospel. But there are some factors that influence the response of those hearing the gospel.
How the Church is to Supply the Needs of Its Members
August 10, 2006
In the series: Work and Worship of the Church
How is a church to supply the needs of its members? We already have discussed much of it in the previous section on giving. But in cases where the church is supplying the needs in another church or supplying the needs of an evangelist working somewhere else, how should they do that after they have collected the money?
How the Church is to Glorify
August 9, 2006
In the series: Work and Worship of the Church
Estimated reading time: 13 minutes
Going through the “5 acts of worship” is not the same thing as actually glorifying God. What does it take to glorify God?
How the Church is to Edify
August 8, 2006
In the series: Work and Worship of the Church
Estimated reading time: 3 minutes
How can a congregation work to edify its members? Romans 15:1-7 shows that edification is something that is done by each member, working together in one church. This is very connected with what we talked about under unity — we don’t do what we want, we do what our brethren want when we see that it will edify them. The end result of that edification is unity and glorifying God. 1 Corinthians 8:1 tells us that it takes love to edify. We have to focus on other people, not ourselves.
What About the Church Doing Its Work Through Organizations?
August 6, 2006
In the series: Work and Worship of the Church
Estimated reading time: 5 minutes
Organizations like World Bible School are based on the pride of men thinking that they can create a better system than Christ created in His church. How did Jesus really design His church do its work? In this article, we examine this idea in contrast man's designs.
What Is the Work of the Church?
August 1, 2006
In the series: Work and Worship of the Church
Estimated reading time: 2 minutes
Determining what is the work of the church is not a simple task. First, one has to read through the whole New Testament and look at the commands and examples that are given. Usually an attempt is made to categorize each command or example to simplify understanding the basic end results and group specifics under those categories.