THERE IS BUT A STEP BETWEEN ME AND DEATH

BEN F. VICK, JR.

        “And David sware moreover, and said, Thy father certainly knoweth that I have found grace in thine eyes; and he saith, Let not Jonathan know this, lest he be grieved: but truly as the Lord liveth, and as thy soul liveth, there is but a step between me and death” (1 Sam. 20:3).

The young man, David, knew that King Saul was out to kill him. He expressed this concern to his friend, Jonathan, Saul’s son. David is on the lam, being hunted as a criminal. He escaped to a cave, perhaps Adullum.  Even though he had a few loyal men, his loneliness like the wet, windy cold, went through his bones. And he cried, “I looked on my right hand, and beheld, But there was no man that would know me: Refuge failed me; No man cared for my soul” (Psa. 142:4;1 Sam. 22:1). 

The Sweet Singer of Israel’s words hit home with us occasionally. Death is a step away for each of us. All must take this step (Psa. 89:48; Heb. 9:27). Like David, we do not know when we shall take it (James 4:14). It is a parting step. We shall part from property and possessions (Luke 12:20). We shall leave family and friends. Our souls will depart from our bodies (Ecc. 12:7; Gen. 35:18; James 2:26). It is a solemn and mysterious step. Job answered his friends, “Are not my days few? cease then, And let me alone, that I may take comfort a little, Before I go whence I shall not return, Even to the land of darkness and the shadow of death; A land of darkness, as darkness itself; And of the shadow of death, without any order, And where the light is as darkness” (Job 10:20-22). We shall take this step alone or with Christ. How shall we take this step?

Shall I take this step in ignorance? The parable of the lost coin describes many today:  They are lost and do not know it (Luke 15:8). Our Lord was killed because of ignorance (Acts 3:13-17). The people of Athens in Paul’s day worshiped in ignorance. Paul said, “For as I passed by, and beheld your devotions, I found an altar with this inscription, TO THE UNKNOWN GOD. Whom therefore ye ignorantly worship, him declare I unto you” (Acts 17:23). Peter warns scattered Christians, “Knowing this first, that there shall come in the last days scoffers, walking after their own lusts, And saying, Where is the promise of his coming? for since the fathers fell asleep, all things continue as they were from the beginning of the creation. For this they willingly are ignorant of, that by the word of God the heavens were of old, and the earth standing out of the water and in the water” (2 Peter 3:3-5). But ignorance will be no excuse:  “And the times of this ignorance God winked at; but now commandeth all men every where to repent: Because he hath appointed a day, in the which he will judge the world in righteousness by that man whom he hath ordained; whereof he hath given assurance unto all men, in that he hath raised him from the dead” (Acts 17:30-31).

Will I take that last step in negligence? The writer of Hebrews said, “Therefore we ought to give the more earnest heed to the things which we have heard, lest at any time we should let them slip. For if the word spoken by angels was stedfast, and every transgression and disobedience received a just recompence of reward; How shall we escape, if we neglect so great salvation; which at the first began to be spoken by the Lord, and was confirmed unto us by them that heard him; God also bearing them witness, both with signs and wonders, and with divers miracles, and gifts of the Holy Ghost, according to his own will?” (Heb. 2:1-4.) “Neglect” is defined as (1) to give little attention or respect to; disregard; (2) to leave undone or unattended through carelessness; to omit, disregard, ignore, overlook, slight, forget. Many out of Christ have neglected him. Neglect also describes many in the church. One does not have to work at losing his salvation. Just neglect it. Do I neglect the worship assembly (Heb. 10:24-25)? Do I neglect Bible study (2 Tim. 2:15)? How much attention do I give to my prayer life (Matt. 7:7-11; Acts 2:42; 1 Thess. 5:17)? Am I careless in visiting the sick or shut-ins, or studying the Bible with individuals (Gal. 6:10; Matt. 25:31-46; Mark 16:15-16)?

Will I take that last step in rebellion against God? Some live in open rebellion (2 Tim. 3:1-8). In Jeremiah’s day, Judah was living in rebellion against God. Jeremiah challenged them, but they would not listen: “Thus saith the Lord, Stand ye in the ways, and see, and ask for the old paths, where is the good way, and walk therein, and ye shall find rest for your souls. But they said, We will not walk therein. Also I set watchmen over you, saying, Hearken to the sound of the trumpet. But they said, We will not hearken” (Jer. 6:16-17). Forsaking of the Lord’s Day assembly, of which many are guilty, is a willful sin (Heb. 10:24-29). Paul said of one who was once with him: “For Demas hath forsaken me, having loved this present world” (2 Tim. 4:10).

Will that last step taken into eternity be one of procrastination? Paul stood before the governor, “and as he reasoned of righteousness, temperance, and judgment to come, Felix trembled, and answered, Go thy way for this time; when I have a convenient season, I will call for thee” (Acts 24:25). The inspired record does not tell us that Felix ever had “a convenient season” to obey the gospel. John Greenleaf Whittier wrote, “For all sad words of tongue or pen, the saddest of these: It might have been.”  How many have put off what we know is right (James 4:13-15)? Some are convenient season “Christians.” A farmer might say: Wait till the crops come in. A student might excuse himself by saying: Let me first get through school. Another person might say: Let me get my bills paid first. Someone else might say: Wait till I retire. Then, I will do more for Jesus. But death does not always wait for a convenient season. Two young men are out gathering old deer antlers, and a mountain lion mauls them. One of the young men dies. A young father cycling on a Saturday morning is killed instantly by a drunk driver. An elderly lady crossing a busy street is hit by a car and dies. The road to hell is paved with good intentions.

The only way to take that last step is in righteousness. Balaam, though he did not die the way he wished, said, “Who can count the dust of Jacob, And the number of the fourth part of Israel? Let me die the death of the righteous, And let my last end be like his!” (Num. 23:10). John wrote, “And I heard a voice from heaven saying unto me, Write, Blessed are the dead which die in the Lord from henceforth: Yea, saith the Spirit, that they may rest from their labours; and their works do follow them” (Rev. 14:13).

IF ANYONE WILL

BEN F. VICK, JR.

"Now about the midst of the feast Jesus went up into the temple, and taught. And the Jews marvelled, saying, How knoweth this man letters, having never learned? Jesus answered them, and said, My doctrine is not mine, but his that sent me. If any man will do his will, he shall know of the doctrine, whether it be of God, or whether I speak of myself" (John 7:14-17).

About six months before Jesus' death, he was in the temple in Jerusalem. It was the time of the Feast of Tabernacles, which occurred in the seventh month, the 14th through the 21st days of that week. This feast corresponds to our September – October. Jesus was teaching in the temple area, and since he was not a priest, he could not enter the temple proper. The Jews marveled at his knowledge. They said, "How knoweth this man letters…." There are several Greek words for the verb "know." The one used here (οἶδα) is defined as "to be cognizant or aware of a fact or a specific piece of information; possess knowledge or information about." Vine makes this comment:

The difference between γινώσκω (No. 1) and οἶδα demand consideration: (a) ginosko, frequently suggests inception or progress in knowledge, while oida suggests fulness of knowledge, e.g., John 8:55, "ye have not known Him" (ginosko), i.e., begun to know, "but I know Him" (oida), 'know Him perfectly….”

(Expository Dict. of N.T. Words, Vol. II, p. 298).

How could he do that? He had complete knowledge concerning the letters, yet he had not been to their schools. They were amazed.

Jesus explained to them, "My doctrine is not mine, but his that sent me." Jesus was the Father's prophet, a spokesman for his Father.   It was understood that Jesus would be a prophet (Deut. 18:18-19). After Jesus' resurrection, he joined two men who were walking to Emmaus. Luke records:

And he said unto them, What manner of communications are these that ye have one to another, as ye walk, and are sad? And the one of them, whose name was Cleopas, answering said unto him, Art thou only a stranger in Jerusalem, and hast not known the things which are come to pass there in these days? And he said unto them, What things? And they said unto him, Concerning Jesus of Nazareth, which was a prophet mighty in deed and word before God and all the people (Luke 24:17-19).

Jesus said, "If any man will do his will, he shall know of the doctrine…." The word "if" indicates a probable future. "It expresses that which is not really taking place but which probably will take place in the future" (Summers, Essentials of N.T. Greek), p. 109). "Any man" has rightfully been translated as "anyone." The verb "will" connotes "purpose, resolve, will, want, be ready.” "Do" translates from a Greek word from which we get our English words "poem" or "poetry." Thus, anyone – man or woman, girl or boy who resolves to do the will of God the Father shall know of the teaching of Christ. If he determines to follow the will of the Father, he can know his will.

There is no reason today for not knowing God's word. There are so many more tools now than ever before to aid one's understanding of the Bible. There are Bible apps, online courses, lectures to view, etc. The problem is not a lack of tools but a lack of desire to learn. Peter wrote, "Wherefore laying aside all malice, and all guile, and hypocrisies, and envies, and all evil speakings, As newborn babes, desire the sincere milk of the word, that ye may grow thereby" (1 Pet.2:1-2). Some Bible apps have concordances, Bible dictionaries, commentaries, etc., which can be helpful. The more one reads the Bible, the more he concentrates on what he is reading, the more he will learn. The Psalmist wrote, "The entrance of thy words giveth light; It giveth understanding unto the simple" (Psa. 119:130).

A.T. Robertson said on the word "know" in John 7:17:

Experimental knowledge from willingness to do God's will…. There must be moral knowledge between man's purpose and God's will. 'If there be no sympathy there can be no understanding' (Westcott). Atheists of all types have no point of contact for approach to the knowledge of Christ. This fact does not prove the non-existence of God, but simply their own isolation. They are out of tune with the Infinite. For those who love God it is also true that obedience to God's will brings richer knowledge of God. Agnostic and atheistic critics are disqualified by Jesus as witnesses to his claims (Word Pictures in New Testament, Vol. V, p 123).

  Later, Jesus said, "Then said Jesus to those Jews which believed on him, If ye continue in my word, then are ye my disciples indeed; And ye shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free" (John 8:31-32). One may not know the difference between a Greek theta and a chicken's claw, but he can understand what the Bible teaches.

Jesus said one can know of the doctrine, whether it be of God, or whether he spoke of himself. The origin of the teaching came from the Father. It did not originate with Christ. In speaking to the apostles about his going away and sending the Comforter, he said:

 Howbeit when he, the Spirit of truth, is come, he will guide you into all truth: for he shall not speak of himself; but whatsoever he shall hear, that shall he speak: and he will shew you things to come. He shall glorify me: for he shall receive of mine, and shall shew it unto you. All things that the Father hath are mine: therefore said I, that he shall take of mine, and shall shew it unto you" (John 16:13-15).

Observe the Spirit of truth is the Comforter (John 15:26); the Comforter is the Holy Spirit (John 14:26). Jesus said that the Comforter "will glorify me." He will not glorify himself. Do some want to emphasize the Holy Spirit over Christ? The Holy Spirit glorified the Son. Further, Jesus said that he (the Holy Spirit) would receive of mine. And Jesus said all that the Father hath are mine. Gathering what we have:  The apostles received the message from the Holy Spirit; the Holy Spirit received the message from Christ; Christ received it from the Father.

In the first century, when revelation was being given, it was first in oral form, then oral and written form, and finally in written form (2 Thess. 2:2). It has, through God's providence, been passed down to us. It is complete. Paul wrote to Timothy, "All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness: That the man of God may be perfect, throughly furnished unto all good works" (2 Tim. 3:16-17).

Do you want to do the will of the Father? Then you can know his word.  Paul wrote, “Study to shew thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth” (2 Tim. 2:15).

I AM RESOLVED

BEN F. VICK, JR.

       "And it came to pass, when the time was come that he should be received up, he stedfastly set his face to go to Jerusalem, And sent messengers before his face: and they went, and entered into a village of the Samaritans, to make ready for him. And they did not receive him, because his face was as though he would go to Jerusalem. And when his disciples James and John saw this, they said, Lord, wilt thou that we command fire to come down from heaven, and consume them, even as Elias did? But he turned, and rebuked them, and said, Ye know not what manner of spirit ye are of. For the Son of man is not come to destroy men's lives, but to save them. And they went to another village" (Luke 9:51-56).

Jesus was going up to Jerusalem from Galilee to celebrate the Feast of Tabernacles. It was also known as Feast of Booths or Feast of Ingathering. It was the time of the fruit harvest, the seventh month of the Jewish Calendar, corresponding with our September-October. Jewish men were required to go up to Jerusalem to observe three principal feasts:  Passover, Weeks, and this one, Tabernacles. The Feast of Tabernacles was observed by offerings and sacrifices and living a week in booths or tents made from branches of trees. Too, the book of the law was read. This seventh-month feast from the 15th to the 21st was a time of remembrance. They were reminded of their ancestors having lived in tents for forty years. It was also educational because the younger generation needed to be taught. As we read of their observance of this feast, it reminds us that our time here is transient. Life is like a bridge; we must cross over it, not build our houses on it. Read Leviticus 23: 33-41; Neh. 8:13-18.

Jesus had steadfastly set his face to go up to Jerusalem. He was determined. He had firmness of purpose; he was resolute. He was focused on what lay ahead for him. We, too, must be unwavering in our purpose of going to heaven. Paul exhorted the saints in Colosse, "If ye then be risen with Christ, seek those things which are above, where Christ sitteth on the right hand of God. Set your affection on things above, not on things on the earth" (Col. 3:1-2).

Jesus' time had come. When he had been at the wedding feast in Cana of Galilee, he told his mother his hour had yet not come (John 2:4). In Galilee, Jesus told his brothers, "My time is not yet come." But as Jesus neared the time of the cross, he prayed to his Father, "Father, the hour is come: glorify thy Son, that thy Son also may glorify thee" (John 17:1). In the garden of Gethsemane after He had prayed the third time, "O my Father, if this cup may not pass away from me, except I drink it, thy will be done" (Matt. 26:42). Matthew records, "Then cometh he to his disciples, and saith unto them, Sleep on now, and take your rest: behold, the hour is at hand, and the Son of man is betrayed into the hands of sinners" (Matt. 26:45).

Jesus sent messengers to a village of the Samaritans to prepare for his coming. The Samaritans did not want a Jew passing through their area, and the Jews had no dealings with the Samaritans. So, because Jesus had determined to go to Jerusalem, they did not welcome him into their village. The most excellent character, whoever walked this earth, was the sinless Son of God, and they did not welcome him into their town. In the country of the Gergesenes, an entire city begged Jesus to depart from their coasts (Matt. 8:28-34). Did not Isaiah prophesy seven hundred years before: "He is despised and rejected of men; A man of sorrows, and acquainted with grief: And we hid as it were our faces from him; He was despised, and we esteemed him not" (Isa. 53:3). Years after Jesus' death, John wrote of him: "He came unto his own, and his own received him not" (John 1:11).  Even his brothers did not believe on him as he had set his face to go to Jerusalem. To their credit, they later became believers (Acts 1:14; 1 Cor. 9:5; James 1:1; Jude 1:1).

When two of the apostles of the Lord, James and John, saw that the village would not welcome Jesus, they said to Jesus, "Lord, wilt thou that we command fire to come down from heaven, and consume them as Elijah did? But he turned, and rebuked them, and said, Ye know not what manner of spirit ye are of. For the Son of man is not come to destroy men's lives, but to save them. And they went to another village" (Luke 9:54–56). So, they went to another village.

Jesus did not go or stay when people wanted him to leave. He just went to another village. When people are unwilling to hear the truth of Jesus, one need not push, press, and prod them. Just move on to better fields and fairer clime. Our Lord's first coming was not to destroy men but to seek and save souls. His second coming will be with his mighty angels in flaming fire, taking vengeance on them who know not God and obey not the gospel (2 Thess. 1:6-10).

Interestingly, Jesus, having been unwelcomed and rejected, did not cloud his focus. He set his face steadfastly to go to Jerusalem to be received up; that is, to be lifted up on the cross and then forty days after his resurrection to be received back into heaven. How many souls have become discouraged because of someone's ill-advised words or actions or some besetting sin which caused them to lose focus and turn away from the goal of heaven? To follow in the footsteps of Jesus is to press on despite opposition, persecution, or hindrances. Jesus is our example. The writer of Hebrews exhorted, "Wherefore seeing we also are compassed about with so great a cloud of witnesses, let us lay aside every weight, and the sin which doth so easily beset us, and let us run with patience the race that is set before us, Looking unto Jesus the author and finisher of our faith; who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is set down at the right hand of the throne of God. For consider him that endured such contradiction of sinners against himself, lest ye be wearied and faint in your minds" (Heb.12:1-3).

Let us press toward the mark of the prize of God's high calling in Christ Jesus.   

THE THIRSTY INVITED

BEN F. VICK, JR.

       If you were traveling a hot, sultry dirt road one afternoon and were to hear behind you a voice that said, “Ho, every one that thirsteth, come ye to the waters, And he that hath no money; Come ye, buy, and eat; Yea, come, buy wine and milk without money and without price” (Isa. 55:1), what would be your reaction? Three questions might come to your mind: (1) Who is speaking? (2) To whom does the voice speak? (3) What is the voice saying?

Who is speaking? The prophet Isaiah was speaking for God. Today, we hear the voice of God through his word, just as Paul referred to the Jews, who had heard the voices of the prophets as they were read every sabbath; so, we can hear the voice of God through the Bible today. We hear the Creator and Sustainer of life through the word of life today. At one time, God spoke in several ways to man. The writer of Hebrews said:

God, who at sundry times and in divers manners spake in time past unto the fathers by the prophets, Hath in these last days spoken unto us by his Son, whom he hath appointed heir of all things, by whom also he made the worlds; Who being the brightness of his glory, and the express image of his person, and upholding all things by the word of his power, when he had by himself purged our sins, sat down on the right hand of the Majesty on high (Heb. 1:1-3).

God does not speak to us through dreams, a burning bush, or handwriting on the wall today, but through his precious word, he reveals his will (2 Tim. 3:16-17). Do we take His word for granted? Having heard it all our lives, do we forget that it is God’s speaking to us? A visitor to Niagara Falls is in awe of the mighty cataract, but those who have lived beside it all their lives perhaps fail to be impressed with its majestic power. Jesus is tenderly calling us through his word (Matt. 11:28-30).

To whom is the voice speaking? God is inviting the world – “every one that thirsteth.” Though spoken to the world, the invitation is personal and individual. Christianity is personal. The jailor said, “What must I do to be saved?” We shall appear before the judgment seat of Christ individually (2 Cor. 5:10).

“Ho” indicates those far off. One does not say “Ho” to those near or beside him but to those at a distance. The distance, though, is not geographical but spiritual. Because of his sin, man is separated from God (Isa. 59:1-2). Man needs to be reconciled to God. Thus, he must return to God (2 Cor. 5:18-21; Eph. 2:11-17).

The third question is, “What is the voice saying?” What is this all about? The Voice of God invites all to drink the water of life, salvation. All the world is thirsty for salvation. They may not realize it, but they are dehydrated spiritually. Isaiah, in another place, wrote, “Behold, God is my salvation; I will trust, and not be afraid: For the Lord JEHOVAH is my strength and my song; He also is become my salvation. Therefore with joy shall ye draw water out of the wells of salvation” (Isaiah 12:2-3). Jesus said, “If any man thirst, let him come unto me and drink” (John 7:37). John wrote, “And the Spirit and the bride say, Come. And let him that heareth say, Come. And let him that is athirst come. And whosoever will, let him take the water of life freely” (Rev. 22:17).

The waters of salvation are offered freely. The prophet Isaiah said, “…he that hath no money; come ye, buy, and eat; Yea, come, buy wine and milk without money and without price.” However, this does not mean there is nothing for one to do. Three days after Israel had crossed the Red, they came to Marah but could not drink because the waters were bitter. They murmured to Moses. Moses cried to the Lord, who told him to cast a tree into the waters, and they became sweet. The people were able to drink. However, if they had stood there after sweet waters were provided and did nothing, they would have died of thirst. They had to drink that which God had provided. It was the same at Horeb when Moses smote the rock, and the waters gushed out. If one is thirsty and does not drink, he will die. Then, whose fault is it?

Water is vital for the body, and salvation is essential for the soul. Destruction happens to a garden if there is no water (Isa. 1:30). Fish will die without water (Isa. 50:2). Hagar and Ishmael needed water, and God provided it (Gen.21:12-19). After slaying a thousand Philistines with the jawbone of an ass, Samson was exceedingly thirsty and called upon the Lord, who provided him with water (Judges 15:14-19).

Water has cleansing properties. Man has been defiled by his sins. He needs cleansing. Money, status, education, philosophy, or politics cannot save one’s soul. But obedience to the gospel of Jesus Christ, including baptism, can save one. Oh, there’s nothing magical in the water. In baptism, one contacts the precious blood of Christ (Acts 22:16; Rev. 1:5; Rom. 6:3-4). Saul of Tarsus was told: “And now why tarriest thou? arise, and be baptized, and wash away thy sins, calling on the name of the Lord” (Acts 22:16). Paul told the saints in Ephesus: “That he might sanctify and cleanse it with the washing of water by the word” (Eph. 5:26). To Titus he wrote, “Not by works of righteousness which we have done, but according to his mercy he saved us, by the washing of regeneration, and renewing of the Holy Ghost” (Titus 3:5).

The Lord’s invitation is for all, but each must accept it to have the forgiveness of sins and the hope of eternal life.

THE NAME “CHURCH OF CHRIST”

Ben F. Vick, Jr.

       There seems to be a small minority among us who has the odd notion that the name “church of Christ” evokes a sectarian spirit. Thus, in order to dispel such an attitude, the words “of Christ” are deleted and supposedly counted “but loss for the excellency of the knowledge of Christ Jesus.”  But is the appellation “church of Christ” unscriptural? Is the usage a portrayal of a sectarian attitude, or simply good judgement in harmony with God’s holy word?

Some who think that there is nothing in a name would consider this article a waste of time, paper and ink. But those who have this opinion do not follow such reasoning in any other realm but in religion. When it comes to receiving their pay check, they recognize the importance in a name. In giving their children their names, they recognize a difference. The change in names at the marriage altar also emphasizes the importance of a name. The New Testament tells us there is something in a name (Acts 4:12).

There are a number of scriptural names by which the church is called. It is called simply “the church” (Acts 2:47). It is referred to as “the kingdom of heaven” (Matt. 3:2; 4:17). Paul called it “the church of God” (I Cor. 1:2). The same also refers to it as “the body of Christ” (I Cor. 12:27). It is called the “temple” or “house of God” (I Cor. 3:16; I Tim. 3:15). The Hebrew writer speaks of the “church of the first born” (Heb. 12:23). The beloved John calls the church “the bride of Christ” (Rev. 22:17). The apostle Paul says, “The churches of Christ salute you” (Rom. 16:16).

Contrary to the reasoning of a few, the name “church of Christ” does not denote a sectarian attitude. If so, then, Paul was guilty of expressing the same when he wrote, “The churches of Christ salute you.” He used the same term but only in the plural.

The institution which Jesus built is the church of Christ. He said, “...upon this rock I will build my church,…” (Matt. 16:18). He paid the purchase price for it by shedding his blood. “Take heed therefore unto yourselves, and to all the flock, over the which the Holy Ghost hath made you overseers, to feed the church of God, which he hath purchased with his own blood” (Acts 20:28). “Forasmuch as ye know that ye were not redeemed with corruptible things, as silver and gold…; But with the precious blood of Christ, as of a lamb without blemish and without spot.” (I Pet. 1:18-19). 

No husband in his right mind wants his wife near another’s name. The church belongs to Christ. She is “his wife” (Rev. 19:7).

Someone might retort, “Well, in the first century the term ‘the church’ was used.” Yes, but there was only one at that time. Now, all claim to be the church or a part of the church which Jesus built. To simply and only refer to the institution which Jesus built as “the church” on our signs and stationary does not distinguish us from the denominational world. The view the world has of the word “church” could be any of ten definitions with none giving the true meaning. For instance, today it is defined as: (1) “an edifice consecrated for public worship, especially one for Christian worship”;  (2) “the collective body of Christians, composed of three great branches, the Roman Catholic, Protestant and Orthodox Eastern”; (3) “a particular body of Christians united under one form of ecclesiastical government, in one creed, and using the same ritual and  ceremonies; as, the Greek Church; the Anglican Church; the Roman Catholic Church”; and (7) “any group of worshippers.” (Webster’s New 20th Century Dictionary, p. 324.)

Certainly, it is agreed that the name “church of Christ” alone may not distinguish us from the denominational world. There are a number of Christian Churches in this neck of the woods which refer to themselves as churches of Christ. They ought to change their name, because they have a name that livest and art dead. But the same can be said of the name “the church.” I received a paper called Mailbox Minister from “The Church at Mt. Gilead” from Mooresville, Indiana. It is a conservative Christian Church.

In the words “the churches of Christ” in Romans 16:16, the phrase “of Christ” (τοῦ χριστοῦ) is in the genitive case in the Greek language. “The genitive case,” according to Machen, “expresses possession.” (New Testament Greek for Beginners, p. 25.) The English Sentence by Jonathan Rigdon, Ph.D., states, “The idea of possession may be denoted by the possessive sign, ‘s, or by the objective case following the preposition of; as,—The history of America (America’s history) is interesting.” Rigdon continues by saying, “Which method is used is merely a matter of euphony.” (p. 205.)

On the matter of which of the two is the better, brother N. B. Hardeman says, “Someone asks, ‘Why don’t you call it Christ’s church?’ There wouldn’t be a thing in the world wrong with that, except in English that’s rather hard to say. Many people just can’t say ‘Christ’s church.’ They want to say ‘Christes.’ If they were to see one fence post on the ground, they could easily say ‘one post.’ Put three more down and what have they? ‘Four post-es.’ They can hardly say ‘posts.’...So instead of saying ‘Christ’s church,’ we just change the form and we have the ‘church of Christ,’ which is exactly the same.” (One Dozen Sermons, p. 105.) Maybe that is one reason the translators of the King James Version and the American Standard Version translated it “churches of Christ” in Romans 16:16.

Brethren, we must not fear using the name “church of Christ” due to the fact that a few have odd notions. It is both scriptural and in good judgement. Jesus said, “Whosoever therefore will confess me before men, him will I confess also before my Father which is in heaven. But whosoever shall deny me before men, him will I also deny before my Father which is in heaven” (Matt. 10:32-33).