BEN F. VICK, JR.
The church in Jerusalem in the early days “continued stedfastly in the apostles’ doctrine and fellowship, and in breaking of bread, and in prayers” (Acts 2:42). Any congregation which continues in the word of God, as did those early saints, will be worthy of following in that realm. Too many today who claim to be the church of which one reads in the New Testament are not true to their claims. We are hearing strange and uncertain sounds from many directions within the church.
It would be in order to list some of these uncertain sounds which are being heard today: (1) a rejection of pattern theology, or the New Testament, as our blue print; (2) clapping in worship; (3) being saved by grace alone; (4) instrumental music placed into a category of expediency by some; (5) advocating fellowship with the Christian Church; (6) choirs, quartets, and solos in worship; (7) women preachers; (8) women leading prayers; (9) not needing to know that baptism is for the remission of sins in order for it to be a valid baptism; (10) errors being taught on marriage, divorce and remarriage; (11) silence is not prohibitive; (12) German rationalists and other modernists being held in high esteem; whereas the apostles and inspired men, along with other faithful brethren of the past and present being put down; (13) the New International Version, along with other modern perversions being used; (14) denial, either explicitly or implicitly, that we have an inspired Bible today; and (15) that there are no approved examples which are binding on us today.
A model congregation is one which will not stand for error to be taught in her midst and will rebuke it everywhere. Paul wrote to the church at Rome, “Now I beseech you, brethren, mark them which cause divisions and offenses contrary to the doctrine which ye have learned; and avoid them. For they that are such serve not our Lord Jesus Christ, but their own belly; and by good words and fair speeches deceive the hearts of the simple.” (Rom. 16:17-18). To the congregations in the region of Galatia the Holy Spirit said, “And that because of false brethren unawares brought in, who came in privily to spy out our liberty which we have in Christ Jesus, that they might bring us into bondage: To whom we gave place by subjection, no, not for an hour; that the truth of the gospel might continue with you.” (Gal. 2:4-5). There was a time when it would take a fine-toothed comb to locate a liberal, but now one can take a hay baler to gather them. As Samson smote the enemies of Israel “hip and thigh,” so must we wage war against those who trouble spiritual Israel today.
Evangelistic in Work
A model church is one that also is evangelistic in work. The word “evangelize” means “to carry glad tidings.” The great commission to the apostles (Matt. 28:18-20; Mk. 16:15-16; Lk 24:46-47) is the marching orders for the church. Every Christian has a debt to pay. Paul realized this and by inspiration stated so: “I am a debtor both to the Greeks, and to the Barbarians; both to the wise, and to the unwise. So, as much as in me is, I am ready to preach the gospel to you that are at Rome also. For I am not ashamed of the gospel of Christ: for it is the power of God unto salvation to every one that believeth; to the Jew first, and also to the Greek.” (Rom. 1:14-16).
As one reads the account of the early church in the book of Acts, they began in Jerusalem and radiated the gospel of the Sun of Righteousness to Judea, Samaria, and the uttermost parts of the earth. Brother Marshall Keeble said:
“I understand the language of the Lord better when I learned that the word we translate ‘uttermost’ in the Bible is the Aramaic word for ‘speck.’ I see more clearly what the Lord meant when He said the Gospel was to begin in Jerusalem, then to Judea and Samaria and to the uttermost parts of the earth. As long as there is one little speck of the world which has not heard about our Lord, we have work to do. Sadly I realized more fully how negligent we have been in doing this command of our Lord, to carry the gospel to every speck of the earth.” (From Mule Back to Super Jet with the Gospel, pp. 1516).
These were the words of a brother who perhaps baptized more people than any other man in the 20th century. He was a great preacher and a fervent worker in the Lord’s vineyard. We need to use every method which is right (tracts, radio, television, newspapers, etc.) to reach others with the pure gospel of Christ. We have used all of these methods to some degree or another.
But methods which are good and right within themselves cannot take the place of workers. One of the best ways to reach others with the gospel is one on one. Jesus knew the value of one-on-one conversations. He spoke to Nicodemus one on one. He spoke privately to the Samaritan woman. He knew the value of one soul. There are people that you personally know with whom you have more influence than the preacher or any elder. If you invite them to study with you or to come to services, they might be more likely to come than if someone else invited them.
People in America are not flocking to the meetinghouses as they once did. They are going to the ball parks, arenas, stadiums, malls, etc. They are busy here and there, concerning themselves with trivial matters instead of seeking eternal truth. Is is not ironic and a sad state of affairs that other countries are hungering for God’s word because they have not had it for many years; but, for the most part, America has had the Bible for many years but does not want it? This should not discourage us. Did not Jesus say to some in his day, “Say not ye, There are yet four months, and then cometh the harvest? Behold, I say unto you, Lift up your eyes, and look on the fields; for they are white already to harvest” (Jn. 4:35)?
We need to each pray for workers, soul winners, in the Lord’s church. Jesus said to his disciples, “The harvest truly is plenteous, but the labourers are few; Pray ye therefore the Lord of the harvest, that he will send forth labourers into his harvest” (Matt. 9:37-38). Then, we need to work as we pray. Isaiah wrote, “Also I heard the voice of the Lord, saying, Whom shall I send, and who will go for us? Then said I, Here am I; send me” (Isa. 6:8).
In teaching the gospel to others, do what you can. Suppose you cannot teach a home Bible study? Get someone who can. Invite your friends and ask the preacher to teach them. Invite your friends and relatives to come to the services of the church. Remember Jesus came to seek and save the lost. As his spiritual body, we still are to be seeking and saving the lost.
(To Be Continued)