Authority

The concept of authority as something that causes another person to “do what you want him to do” is reflected in most definitions. For instance, the Random House Dictionary of the English Language speaks of authority as “a power or right to direct the actions or thoughts of others. Authority is a power or right, usually because of rank or office, to issue commands and to punish for violations.” Again the root idea seems to be control or direction of the actions of others.

We see this same idea even in sophisticated examinations of authority. For instance, William Oncken, Jr., in a 1970 Colorado Institute of Technology Journal, gives an analysis of authority that suggests it is comprised of four elements:

1. The Authority of Competence: the more competent the other fellow knows you are, the more confident he will be that you know what you are talking about and the more likely he will be to follow your orders, requests, or suggestions. He will think of you as an authority in the matter under consideration and will feel it risky to ignore your wishes.

2. The Authority of Position: This component gives you the right to tell someone, “Do it or else.” It has teeth. “The boss wants it” is a bugle call that can snap many an office or shop into action.

3. The Authority of Personality: The easier it is for the other fellow to talk to you, to listen to you, or to work with you, the easier he will find it to respond to your wishes.

4. The Authority of Character: This component is your “credit rating” with other people as to your integrity, reliability, honesty, loyalty, sincerity, personal morals, and ethics. Obviously you will get more and better from a man who has respect for your character than from one who hasn’t.

Quotes

• Dwight Eisenhower described leadership as “The act of getting somebody else to do what you want done because he wants to      do it.”
• Give your decision, never your reasons; your decisions may be right, your reasons are sure to be wrong. – Lord Mansfield
• When it is not necessary to make a decision, it is necessary not to make a decision. – Lucius, Second Lord Falkland
• Leadership is the ability to hide your panic from others. – Quoted in MSC Newsletter
• Look over your shoulder now and then to be sure someone’s following you. – Henry Gilmer
• Effective leadership is the willingness to sacrifice for the sake of predetermined objectives. – Ted Engstrom
• When a general gets too far ahead of his troops, he’s often mistaken for the enemy. – Anon
• Leadership is the discipline of deliberately exerting special influence within a group to move it towards goals of beneficial permanence that fulfills the group’s real needs. – Dr. John      Haggai, Lead On!
• Experts know what should be done; leaders know what should be done and how to get people to do it. – Quoted in C. Barber,      Nehemiah and the Dynamics of Leadership, p. 72.
• You can judge leaders by the size of the problems they tackle—people nearly always pick a problem their own size, and ignore      or leave to others the bigger or smaller ones. – Anthony Jay, in Bits and Pieces, Sept., 1989
• Effective leadership is the willingness to sacrifice for the sake of predetermined objectives. – Ted Engstrom, in Erwin Lutzer, Pastor to Pastor, p. 117.
• A leader who keeps his ear to the ground allows his rear end to become a target. – Angie Papadakis
• You cannot paint the “Mona Lisa” by assigning one dab each to a thousand painters. – William F. Buckley, Jr.
• Do not follow where the path may lead, go instead where there is no path and leave a trail. – Anon
• A leader is one who knows the way, goes the way and shows the way. – John Maxwell
• A leader is a person with a magnet in his heart and a compass in his head. – Vance Havner
• Leadership in the local church should be determined by spirituality, not notoriety. – Tony Evans
• The hardest thing to learn in life is which bridge to cross and which to burn. – David Russell
• It is small wonder where the shepherds hesitate and stumble, that the sheep draw back affrighted. – Scott Nearing.
• The captain of a floundering ship does little good by criticizing the crew to the passengers.
• In order to give the illusion of authority, one must make immediate changes. – loose paraphrase of Douglas McArthur
• The trouble with being a leader today is that you can’t be sure whether people are following you or chasing you.
• One of the tests of leadership is the ability to recognize a problem before it becomes an emergency.

Attention has been called to the divine pattern for the church as it is revealed on the pages of the New Testament. The church as we see it in the New Testament was just as God wanted it. It was characterized by unity of doctrine, organization, worship and work. Various New Testament writers sounded a note of warning that a great apostasy would take place-men would depart from the faith, speaking perverse things.

We now turn to secular history and begin the arduous task of tracing the development of various circumstances and ideas which presented themselves after the close of the New Testament period. The particular period of church history in which we are interested in this lesson is what is known as “The Ante-Nicene Period.” By “Ante-Nicene period” is meant the period between the close of the New Testament and the Council of Nicea (325 A.D.) at which the Nicene Creed was adopted.

THE CONDITION OF THE ROMAN WORLD

At the time that Christianity had its beginning, the Roman Empire was ruled by men placed at its head by the army. The population consisted of three classes: the wealthy, the slaves, and the middle class of free-citizens. The wealthy lolled in luxury, being served by their salves.

The poorer classes only lived for bread and circuses. The circuses were brutal, debasing, and bloody;… The nation groaned under heavy taxation that went for such a waste and extravagance… The state came first, the home had little place in Paganism. Women were considered as chattel property : and little children were often cruelly mistreated : and if born deformed, or their parents did not want them, they were exposed to die, or killed.¹

Most of the emperors were cruel, wicked and extravagant. “It was into such a morally degenerate, sensual and cruel world that Christianity was thrust, to conquer and raise to a fit place in which to live.”²

PERSECUTIONS AGAINST THE EARLY CHURCH

During the New Testament period of the church its members were subjected to various attacks by the enemies of Christianity. At the first, the source of persecution was the Jews. But, when the Roman government began to recognise Christianity as a religion separate from Judaism, it was regarded as an illegal religion. Christians then came under the fire of heathen persecutors.

In the life-time of the apostles, the two main waves of persecution which swept over the church at the hands of heathen rulers were waged by Nero (A.D.89-96).

Of the persecution by Nero, Fisher says, The first marked instance of heathen enmity on record was the persecution under Nero. It is described by the Roman historian Tacitus. From his account we see that the Christians were then well known as a distinct sect. Nero, who was justly detested for his brutal tyranny, in order to avert form himself what was, perhaps, a groundless suspicion of having set Rome on fire, accused the Christians of having kindled the flames which had laid in ashes a great part of the city.³ Fisher quotes form Tacitus who tells how a “vast multitude were convicted…. And in their death they were made the subjects of sport, for they were convered with hides of wild beasts, and worried to death by dogs, or nailed to crosses, or set fire to, and when day declined were burned to serve for nocturnal lights.”⁴

The persecution of the emperor Domitian reached its height about A.D.95. Domitian is described by historians as a cruel and worthless ruler with a jealous temper. He caused hundreds of believers to be put to death. Among those who perished was his own cousin. Many were banished and the property of others was confiscated.

SOME PRINCIPAL PERSECUTORS AND SOME PROMINENT MARTRYS AFTER THE CLOSE OF THE NEW TESTAMENT PERIOD

It will be impossible to mention and discuss all heathen rulers who had a part in persecuting the follower of Christ during this period. Reference will be made to some of the principal ones.

About 111 A.D. Pliny, governor of Bithynia, wrote letters to the emperor Trajan calling his attention to a problem that had been created in his district by the increasing number of Christians. He called Christianity a “superstition” and expressed concern because so many had become Christians that the temples of the heathen gods were almost forsaken. Those who made their living by selling animals to be sacrificed to heathen gods had suffered great loss in business.

Pliny desired instructions as to how to treat these Christians. Trajan replied that they were to be left alone unless they were prosecuted by accusers who would given their names. If convicted, they were to be given an opportunity to renounce their faith in Christ. If they refused, they were to be punished. While this appeared to be lenient in a way, at the same time it laid the way open for wholesale persecutions by unscrupulous men who were willing to accuse and testify against the Christian falsely.

One of the most prominent martyrs under the reign of Trajan was Ignatius of Antioch. While being taken to Roman he exhorted Christians on the way and prayed that he might have the honor of dying for Christ. He was thrown to the wild beasts in the Roman amphitheatre about 108 A.D. Fox’s Book of Martyrs says that as Ignatius heard the roaring of the lions, he shouted: “I am the wheat of Christ: I am going to be ground with the teeth of wild beasts, that I may be found pure bread.”⁵

Marcus Aurelius, who reigned from 161 to 180 A.D., is described as a just and virtuous ruler, and yet he poured out bitter persecutions upon the followers of Christ. He was determined to restore the ancient religious practices and the old Roman way of life. He regarded the Christians as innovators and, therefore, sought to suppress them by force. He used many cruel means in putting believers to death.

A prominent martyr during his reign was Polycarp. He was brought before the governor and called upon to curse the name of Jesus Christ. His reply was: “Six and eighty years have I served him, and he has done me nothing but good; and how could I curse him, my Lord and Saviour!”⁶ Whereupon, he was burned to death (155 A.D).

The followers of Christ were persecuted by emperor after emperor through the years, some fierce, others mild. A period of peace from persecutions was introduced by the reign of Gallineus in 260 A.D. which lasted for about forty years. During this period, large expensive church buildings were erected and the church became rich, its members worldly and contentious.

The most formidable and systematic of all the persecutions of this period was the last one which was waged by Diocletian in 303. He was a man of great talents as a statesman and was a conservative Roman. He “determined to exterminate Christianity and to reinstate the ancient system of worship.”⁷

Hurlbut describes the drastic measures of Diocletian in the following statement:

In a series of edicts it was ordered that every copy of the Bible should be burned; that all churches-which had arisen throughout the empire during the half-century of comparative rest from persecutions-should be torn down; that all who would not renounce the Christian religion should lose their citizenship and be outside the protection of the law. In some places the Christians were assembled in their churches, which were set on fire, and burned with all the worshipers within their wall.⁸

Rest came to the church from persecution by heathen emperor in 313 A.D. When Constantine issued his Edict of Toleration. “By this law Christianity was sanctioned, its worship was made lawful, and all persecution ceased, not to be renewed while the Roman Empire endured.”⁹

REASONS FOR THESE PERSECUTIONS

Upon first thought it might be regarded as strange that a body of religious believers so harmless as the followers of Christ should be the object of such bitter wrath as that which was poured out by these heathen rulers. But a reflection upon certain facts and circumstances will help one to see why this occurred.

1. Heathenism welcomed many gods. The Romans were noted for their multiplicity of gods. Christianity, however, opposed all worship except to the one God, Jehovah.
2. Idol worship was interwoven with all phases of life among the Roman citizens. Christians refused to offer sacrifices to these false gods. Consequently, they were branded as atheists and enemies of their fellowmen.
3. Emperor worship was required of all, Christians refused to “bow down” before the emperor’s image. For this reason they failed to pass the chief test of loyalty to the State.
4. After the destruction of Jerusalem, Christianity came to be regarded as an offspring of Jewish fanaticism.
5. The secret meetings of the Christians, a they assembled in the caves and catacombs for worship, aroused suspicion. Wild rumors spread abroad as to the real purpose of these meetings.
6. Christianity looked upon all as equals. It made no distinction between masters and slaves. This, of course was contrary to the spirit of the Roman world.
7. Business interests often caused Christians to be persecuted. When those who made and sold images saw their business hindered because multitudes were turning from idol gods to serve the living God, they sought to suppress Christianity.
8. Another cause of persecution against believers was superstition. They were charged with causing famines. Pestilences, and plagues in the land.
9. The influence of pagan philosophies which were propagated by the Stoics and Epicureans caused men to look down upon Christianity because it was accepted by the common and unlettered class, and because it preached a system of faith and did not prove anything on philosophical grounds. Modernists object to Christianity on the same ground today-that it is a system of blind faith.

Those who reject Christ as the Son of God may profess great learning and depth of thought as they talk glibly of the blindness of Christianity. But, it should be remembered that this idea is not a new discovery with them; they borrowed it from pagan philosophers!

BEHAVIOUR OF CHRISTIANS UNDER  PERSECUTION

Under the terrors of persecution, there were many who lacked the courage to endure and so renounced their faith in Christ to save their lives. Thousands, however, held their faith as dearer than their lives and all earthly things. These suffered untold agony, and many died rather than to deny Christ who died for them. The meekness and undaunted faith and courage of those Christians under persecution became more than a match for all the armed power of Rome. Their example is an inspiration to Christians in all ages to stand firm in the faith. Persecutions of today may be in different forms from those suffered by early Christians, but regardless of whether it comes in the form of bodily harm, ridicule, or slander we must endure. Christ suffered for us; Why should we not be willing to suffer for him?

References

• Homer Hailey, “The Church In The Ante-Nicene Period,” Abilene Christian College Lectures (Abilene, Texas, 1934), 18.
• Ibid. 1, 19.
• George P. Fisher, History of the Christian Church (New York, 1945), 31.
• Ibid.
• Fox’s Book of Martyrs, William B. Forbush, ed. (Philadelphia, 1926), 8.
• Fisher, History of the Christian Church, 48.
• Ibid. 50.
• Jesse Lyman Hurlbut, The Story of the Christian Church (Philadelphia 1933), 56.
• Ibid. 57.

  

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What kind of person is best able to involve others and himself in good decision making? 

1. The ability to look ahead and see what’s coming—foresight.

2. Steadiness, with patience and persistence and courage.

3. A buoyant spirit that in spite of cares generates confidence.

4. Ingeniousness, the ability to solve problems soundly yet creatively.

5. The ability to help others.

6. Righteousness, the willingness to do the right thing and speak the truth.

7. Personal morality of a quality that commands the respect of others.

Charles W.L. Foreman, “Managing a Decision Into Being,” from the Management Course for Presidents, pp. 3-4.

http://www.radicallychristian.com/what-does-it-mean-to-restore-the-new-testament-church

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Is it possible to read your Bible, and from your reading, see that in the New Testament there is a Church that Jesus established? Is it possible to see in the Bible, that God set forth His standard of acceptance in salvation, worship, church organization and daily living? Is it possible to follow the teachings of God, revealed in the New Testament, to direct our lives in the same way as He did first century Christians?

The answer to all the questions above is a resounding, yes! For since the writing of the New Testament, men and women of all walks of life have studied their Bibles, and seen how one, even to this day, can become a Christian the way those in New Testament times became Christians.

They have seen how one can establish the Church of the New Testament and emulate its structure, worship, and activity.

Someone has rightfully expressed that we should always remember to stop and show appreciation for the bridges we have crossed. For the Christian this is especially true! Not only are we to be thankful for the work of the apostles and early church workers in the 1st century A.D., but we should also remember the value of all those since who have directed others to give up the shackles of religious error, only to take on the truth revealed in God’s Word.

Someone has said, “We are standing on the shoulders of giants.” We often take the church for granted. An example is found in Lexington, Kentucky; in 1900 it was grounded having many faithful congregations. Had a college “College of the Bible” etc. In the 1960’s Basil and Margie Overton went back into this area once again having to establish N.T. Christianity. In less than 60 years the area went from faithful to non-existent. The church today can do this if we take it for granted.

We need to study Church History for several reasons.

1. Help us learn from the mistakes of the past and avoid them.
2. To build upon their successes, so we can grow from them.
3. Help us to appreciate God’s Church.

“Restoration” Defined

When one speaks of a “restoration” plea, several things are implied. First, there is the suggestion that there is a divine “pattern” for human conduct. Second, God expects conformity to that pattern. Third, in the nature of things, rebellious and frail men will digress from that heavenly way. Fourth, it is the responsibility of those who revere the Lord’s will to restore, the primitive order, and call their fellows back to the “old paths” (cf. Jer. 6:16).

There are numerous New Testament passages which stress these truths. Let us consider a few.

1. The early church is clearly a model for us in that it “continued steadfastly in the apostles’ teaching” (Acts 2:42). Why was that an important point for Luke to make if the pattern of the “apostles’ teaching” is irrelevant? Moreover, the multitude of believers “were of one heart and soul” (Acts 4:32), suggesting a unity of practice in their Christian decorum.
2. Paul reminded the saints in Rome that they had been made free from sin due to the fact that they had been obedient to a certain “form” [pattern] of teaching (Rom. 6:17,18). Can such a passage yield any sense if there is no pattern?
3. The Christians in Rome were admonished to “mark” (be on the look-out for) and turn away from those who were causing divisions “contrary to the teaching” which they had learned (Rom. 16:17). If there is no pattern of New Testament doctrine, how could one ever be required to “turn away” from those who do not conform to it?
4. The inspired Paul instructed the brethren in Corinth not to go “beyond the things which are written” (1 Cor. 4:6 – ASV). This clearly demonstrates that spiritual activity is regulated by the Scriptures.
5. The primitive Christians were warned repeatedly about “falling away” from “the faith” (cf. 2 Thes. 2:3; 1 Tim. 4:1ff; 2 Tim. 4:1ff). The expression “the faith” has to do with a body of doctrinal truth. If there is no doctrinal “pattern,” how could one ever “fall away” from the faith? Note also that identifying marks of apostasy went beyond so-called “core” matters, such as the deity of Christ. They concerned things like the forbidding marriage and prohibiting certain foods (1 Tim. 4:1ff).
6. Paul spoke of the “pattern of sound words” (2 Tim. 1:13) which the early Christians were being taught and in which they were to “abide” (2 Tim. 3:14). These truths were to be passed on to others (2 Tim. 2:2), and men were to be charged not to teach a “different doctrine” (1 Tim. 1:3). How in the name of common sense can men read these passages and not know that there is a body of sacred truth with which we must not tamper?
7. The writer of Hebrews affirmed that Moses, in constructing the tabernacle, was warned by God that he must “make all things according to the pattern,” which was shown to him at Horeb (Heb. 8:5). Do we, as recipients of the “better covenant” (Heb. 7:22; 8:6), sustain a lesser responsibility as we minister to God in his church—of which the tabernacle was but an inferior type (cf. Heb. 9:1-10)? It is unbelievable that anyone would dare to argue such.
8. John unequivocally states that those who go beyond the “teaching of Christ” have no fellowship with God (2 John 9).

We may also associate the term with the pleas of the Restoration Movement such as:

1. “Speak where the Bible speaks, be silent where it is silent.”
2. “Do Bible things in Bible ways and call Bible things by Bible names.”
3. “In matters of doctrine unity, in matters of opinion liberty, and in all matters, love.”

God has been working toward restoration ever since the garden. Paul was involved in restoration  hundreds of years before Alexander Campbell was even born. As we discuss restoration, we mean as much the restoration of the law under Josiah, as we do the restoration of the walls of Jerusalem under Nehemiah. Our concept of restoration must be expanded far beyond an American movement of the last two hundred years.

Ungodly men are always the enemies of the faith and of the peace of the church:

(Jude 1:3-4)  “Dear friends, although I was very eager to write to you about the salvation we share, I felt I had to write and urge you to contend for the faith that was once for all entrusted to the saints. {4} For certain men whose condemnation was written about long ago have secretly slipped in among you. They are godless men, who change the grace of our God into a license for immorality and deny Jesus Christ our only Sovereign and Lord.”

(Jude 1:17-18)  “But, dear friends, remember what the apostles of our Lord Jesus Christ foretold. {18} They said to you, “In the last times there will be scoffers who will follow their own ungodly desires.””

The 18^th, 19^th, and 20^th centuries have been preeminently an age of denominations. We need to be clear about what God and the Bible say about the church.

The Reality of the Church

In the city of Jerusalem on the first Pentecost after His ascension, Jesus established the church. Acts 2 records the activities that took place on that day and the prophecies which those activities fulfilled.

Being originally designed by Jesus, the church is, therefore, divinely organized and constituted.

Since Jesus is its head ((Ephesians 1:22)  “And God placed all things under his feet and appointed him to be head over everything for the church,”) and chief cornerstone ((Ephesians 2:9-10)  “not by works, so that no one can boast. {10} For we are God’s workmanship, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do.”)

…only the characteristics He has set forth for it in His supreme authority are approved of God. No authority has been given to any man, body of men, or ecclesiastical body to change any of its features:

(Matthew 28:18)  “Then Jesus came to them and said, “All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me.”

Identifying Christ’s church: Designations.

House of God

(1 Timothy 3:15)  “if I am delayed, you will know how people ought to conduct themselves in God’s household, which is the church of the living God, the pillar and foundation of the truth.”

The body of Christ

(Colossians 1:18)  “And he is the head of the body, the church; he is the beginning and the firstborn from among the dead, so that in everything he might have the supremacy.”

(Colossians 1:24)  “Now I rejoice in what was suffered for you, and I fill up in my flesh what is still lacking in regard to Christ’s afflictions, for the sake of his body, which is the church.”

The “called out”

(Matthew 16:18)  “And I tell you that you are Peter, and on this rock I will build my church, and the gates of Hades will not overcome it.”

(Ephesians 5:23-25)  “For the husband is the head of the wife as Christ is the head of the church, his body, of which he is the Savior. {24} Now as the church submits to Christ, so also wives should submit to their husbands in everything. {25} Husbands, love your wives, just as Christ loved the church and gave himself up for her”

The temple of God

(1 Corinthians 3:9)  “For we are God’s fellow workers; you are God’s field, God’s building.”

(1 Corinthians 3:16-17)  “Don’t you know that you yourselves are God’s temple and that God’s Spirit lives in you? {17} If anyone destroys God’s temple, God will destroy him; for God’s temple is sacred, and you are that temple.”

(Ephesians 2:19-22)  “Consequently, you are no longer foreigners and aliens, but fellow citizens with God’s people and members of God’s household, {20} built on the foundation of the apostles and prophets, with Christ Jesus himself as the chief cornerstone. {21} In him the whole building is joined together and rises to become a holy temple in the Lord. {22} And in him you too are being built together to become a dwelling in which God lives by his Spirit.”

Government and organization.

Jesus is the supreme ruler:

(Colossians 1:18)  “And he is the head of the body, the church; he is the beginning and the firstborn from among the dead, so that in everything he might have the supremacy.”

Serving under Jesus were the apostles whose ministry was perpertual through the inspired writings. Since that revelation is complete, they have no successors.

(1 Corinthians 13:10)  “but when perfection comes, the imperfect disappears.”

(2 Peter 1:3)  “His divine power has given us everything we need for life and godliness through our knowledge of him who called us by his own glory and goodness.”

 (2 Timothy 3:16)  “All Scripture is God-breathed and is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting and training in righteousness,”

(Ephesians 4:11-16)  “It was he who gave some to be apostles, some to be prophets, some to be evangelists, and some to be pastors and teachers, {12} to prepare God’s people for works of service, so that the body of Christ may be built up {13} until we all reach unity in the faith and in the knowledge of the Son of God and become mature, attaining to the whole measure of the fullness of Christ. {14} Then we will no longer be infants, tossed back and forth by the waves, and blown here and there by every wind of teaching and by the cunning and craftiness of men in their deceitful scheming. {15} Instead, speaking the truth in love, we will in all things grow up into him who is the Head, that is, Christ. {16} From him the whole body, joined and held together by every supporting ligament, grows and builds itself up in love, as each part does its work.”

The sole collective functioning unit is the local congregation. Each congregation is free from ecclesiasticism, synods and councils and is independent and autonomous. The authority of the local congregation is vested in a plurality of elders (bishops, pastors, overseers, shepherds).

(Acts 14:23)  “Paul and Barnabas appointed elders for them in each church and, with prayer and fasting, committed them to the Lord, in whom they had put their trust.”

Deacons are servants within the congregation who work in conjunction with the elders.

 (Philippians 1:1)  “Paul and Timothy, servants of Christ Jesus, To all the saints in Christ Jesus at Philippi, together with the overseers and deacons:”

The only creed is Christ. Its sole rule of faith and practice is the New Testament. Its terms of admission are the same as in the book of Acts: obedience to those things which put one into Christ and grant remission of sins: faith, repentance, confession, and baptism, and faithful living.

The Importance of knowing when the church began

It is a matter of identity so that one may be able to distinguish it from Old Testament agencies and from religious institutions of modern human origin.

It is also in order to identify its laws so that one may see when the law governing the church of God went into effect.

The church was foreshadowed in the Old Testament

The Old Testament spoke of those things in the Old Law which were “copies” and “shadows” of “the good things to come”

(Hebrews 9:11)  “When Christ came as high priest of the good things that are already here, he went through the greater and more perfect tabernacle that is not man-made, that is to say, not a part of this creation.”

(Hebrews 9:23)  “It was necessary, then, for the copies of the heavenly things to be purified with these sacrifices, but the heavenly things themselves with better sacrifices than these.”

(Hebrews 10:1)  “The law is only a shadow of the good things that are coming–not the realities themselves. For this reason it can never, by the same sacrifices repeated endlessly year after year, make perfect those who draw near to worship.”

The church was not in existence in Old Testament days. Acts 7:38 refers to the host of Jews who were in the wilderness not to the church of Jesus Christ.

(Matthew 16:18)  “And I tell you that you are Peter, and on this rock I will build my church, and the gates of Hades will not overcome it.” 

(Acts 7:38)  “He was in the assembly in the desert, with the angel who spoke to him on Mount Sinai, and with our fathers; and he received living words to pass on to us.”

Old Testament worthies desired to see its time.

(1 Peter 1:10-12)  “Concerning this salvation, the prophets, who spoke of the grace that was to come to you, searched intently and with the greatest care, {11} trying to find out the time and circumstances to which the Spirit of Christ in them was pointing when he predicted the sufferings of Christ and the glories that would follow. {12} It was revealed to them that they were not serving themselves but you, when they spoke of the things that have now been told you by those who have preached the gospel to you by the Holy Spirit sent from heaven. Even angels long to look into these things.”

The Establishment of the Church is a subject of prophecy

Isaiah 2:1-4 and Micah 4:1-2 both prophesy of its beginning.

(Isaiah 2:1-4)  “This is what Isaiah son of Amoz saw concerning Judah and Jerusalem: {2} In the last days the mountain of the Lord’s temple will be established as chief among the mountains; it will be raised above the hills, and all nations will stream to it. {3} Many peoples will come and say, “Come, let us go up to the mountain of the LORD, to the house of the God of Jacob. He will teach us his ways, so that we may walk in his paths.” The law will go out from Zion, the word of the LORD from Jerusalem. {4} He will judge between the nations and will settle disputes for many peoples. They will beat their swords into plowshares and their spears into pruning hooks. Nation will not take up sword against nation, nor will they train for war anymore.”

(Micah 4:1-2)  “In the last days the mountain of the Lord’s temple will be established as chief among the mountains; it will be raised above the hills, and peoples will stream to it. {2} Many nations will come and say, “Come, let us go up to the mountain of the LORD, to the house of the God of Jacob. He will teach us his ways, so that we may walk in his paths.” The law will go out from Zion, the word of the LORD from Jerusalem.”

It was to be established:

• In Jerusalem
• In the “last days” (the age ushered in by the New Testament is the “last days.” (Acts 2:16-17)  “No, this is what was spoken by the prophet Joel: {17} “‘In the last days, God says, I will pour out my Spirit on all people. Your sons and daughters will prophesy, your young men will see visions, your old men will dream dreams.”

(Acts 2:16-17)  “No, this is what was spoken by the prophet Joel: {17} “‘In the last days, God says, I will pour out my Spirit on all people. Your sons and daughters will prophesy, your young men will see visions, your old men will dream dreams.”

(Hebrews 1:1-2)  “In the past God spoke to our forefathers through the prophets at many times and in various ways, {2} but in these last days he has spoken to us by his Son, whom he appointed heir of all things, and through whom he made the universe.”

The prophetic dream of Nebuchadnezzar, king of Babylon (604-562 B.C.) indicated the time of its establishment:

(Daniel 2:31-35)  “”You looked, O king, and there before you stood a large statue–an enormous, dazzling statue, awesome in appearance. {32} The head of the statue was made of pure gold, its chest and arms of silver, its belly and thighs of bronze, {33} its legs of iron, its feet partly of iron and partly of baked clay. {34} While you were watching, a rock was cut out, but not by human hands. It struck the statue on its feet of iron and clay and smashed them. {35} Then the iron, the clay, the bronze, the silver and the gold were broken to pieces at the same time and became like chaff on a threshing floor in the summer. The wind swept them away without leaving a trace. But the rock that struck the statue became a huge mountain and filled the whole earth.”

The four kingdoms of the vision

1. Babylonian, the head of gold. The Babylonian Empire fell in 536 B.C.
2. Medo-Persian, the breasts and arms of silver. Established by Cyrus, king of Persia (538-530 B.C.); it fell in 330 B.C.
3. Greek or Macedonian, the torso and thighs of brass. Formed by Alexander the Great in 336 B.C. after his father, Philip of Macedon, had laid the foundations for it. It was divided among Alexander’s generals after his death in 323 B.C.
4. Roman, the legs of iron and feet of iron and clay. It was established as a world power by Octavius Caesar in 30 B.C.

“In the days of these kings” (vs. 44), therefore, refers to the time of universal empires and “struck the image upon its feet” signifies the establishment of God’s eternal kingdom which would take place after the beginning of the Roman empire and during its existence.

The New Testament begins its accounts while the Caesars still ruled the world. “In those days John the Baptist came preaching”

(Matthew 3:11-12)  “”I baptize you with water for repentance. But after me will come one who is more powerful than I, whose sandals I am not fit to carry. He will baptize you with the Holy Spirit and with fire. {12} His winnowing fork is in his hand, and he will clear his threshing floor, gathering his wheat into the barn and burning up the chaff with unquenchable fire.””

(Luke 3:1-3)  “In the fifteenth year of the reign of Tiberius Caesar–when Pontius Pilate was governor of Judea, Herod tetrarch of Galilee, his brother Philip tetrarch of Iturea and Traconitis, and Lysanias tetrarch of Abilene– {2} during the high priesthood of Annas and Caiaphas, the word of God came to John son of Zechariah in the desert. {3} He went into all the country around the Jordan, preaching a baptism of repentance for the forgiveness of sins.”

The church was not established by John. He preached that the kingdom was “at hand” or approaching (Matt. 3:1-2). He was not in the kingdom: (Matthew 11:11)  “I tell you the truth: Among those born of women there has not risen anyone greater than John the Baptist; yet he who is least in the kingdom of heaven is greater than he.”

The church was not established during the personal ministry of Jesus.

The church was yet in the future while Jesus was upon the earth.The kingdom was “at hand.”

(Matthew 10:7)  “As you go, preach this message: ‘The kingdom of heaven is near.'”

(Mark 1:15)  “”The time has come,” he said. “The kingdom of God is near. Repent and believe the good news!””

The kingdom had “come near.”

(Luke 10:9)  “Heal the sick who are there and tell them, ‘The kingdom of God is near you.'”

He  taught His disciples to pray for the coming of the kingdom.

(Matthew 6:9-10)  “”This, then, is how you should pray: “‘Our Father in heaven, hallowed be your name, {10} your kingdom come, your will be done on earth as it is in heaven.”

He promised to build His church.

(Matthew 16:18)  “And I tell you that you are Peter, and on this rock I will build my church, and the gates of Hades will not overcome it.”

His disciples were not in the kingdom.

(Matthew 18:1-3)  “At that time the disciples came to Jesus and asked, “Who is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven?” {2} He called a little child and had him stand among them. {3} And he said: “I tell you the truth, unless you change and become like little children, you will never enter the kingdom of heaven.”

He promised the kingdom would come in that generation.

(Mark 9:1)  “And he said to them, “I tell you the truth, some who are standing here will not taste death before they see the kingdom of God come with power.””

The beginning? On the Pentecost following the ascension of Jesus.

The kingdom was to begin and the law go forth from Jerusalem.

(Isaiah 2:1-3)  “This is what Isaiah son of Amoz saw concerning Judah and Jerusalem: {2} In the last days the mountain of the Lord’s temple will be established as chief among the mountains; it will be raised above the hills, and all nations will stream to it. {3} Many peoples will come and say, “Come, let us go up to the mountain of the LORD, to the house of the God of Jacob. He will teach us his ways, so that we may walk in his paths.” The law will go out from Zion, the word of the LORD from Jerusalem.”

(Luke 24:47)  “and repentance and forgiveness of sins will be preached in his name to all nations, beginning at Jerusalem.”

The law went forth from Jerusalem on the Pentecost following the death, burial, resurrection, and ascension of Jesus Christ:

(Acts 2:37-38)  “When the people heard this, they were cut to the heart and said to Peter and the other apostles, “Brothers, what shall we do?” {38} Peter replied, “Repent and be baptized, every one of you, in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins. And you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit.”

That day of  Pentecost was the beginning of Christ’s kingdom and church:

(Acts 2:1-4)  “When the day of Pentecost came, they were all together in one place. {2} Suddenly a sound like the blowing of a violent wind came from heaven and filled the whole house where they were sitting. {3} They saw what seemed to be tongues of fire that separated and came to rest on each of them. {4} All of them were filled with the Holy Spirit and began to speak in other tongues as the Spirit enabled them.”

(Acts 11:15)  “”As I began to speak, the Holy Spirit came on them as he had come on us at the beginning.”

The “power” is evidence the kingdom came on Pentecost. The kingdom came with power.

(Mark 9:1)  “And he said to them, “I tell you the truth, some who are standing here will not taste death before they see the kingdom of God come with power.””

The power was to come with the Holy Spirit.

(Acts 1:8)  “But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes on you; and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth.””

The Holy Spirit came on Pentecost. Therefore, the kingdom came on  Pentecost.

 (Acts 2:1-4)  “When the day of Pentecost came, they were all together in one place. {2} Suddenly a sound like the blowing of a violent wind came from heaven and filled the whole house where they were sitting. {3} They saw what seemed to be tongues of fire that separated and came to rest on each of them. {4} All of them were filled with the Holy Spirit and began to speak in other tongues as the Spirit enabled them.”

The law going forth from Jerusalem is evidence the kingdom came on Pentecost. The law was to go forth from Jerusalem.

(Isaiah 2:1-3)  “This is what Isaiah son of Amoz saw concerning Judah and Jerusalem: {2} In the last days the mountain of the Lord’s temple will be established as chief among the mountains; it will be raised above the hills, and all nations will stream to it. {3} Many peoples will come and say, “Come, let us go up to the mountain of the LORD, to the house of the God of Jacob. He will teach us his ways, so that we may walk in his paths.” The law will go out from Zion, the word of the LORD from Jerusalem.”

The apostles were commissioned to preach

(Matthew 28:18-20)  “Then Jesus came to them and said, “All authority in heaven and on earth has been

given to me. {19} Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, {20} and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age.””

(Mark 16:15-16)  “He said to them, “Go into all the world and preach the good news to all creation. {16} Whoever believes and is baptized will be saved, but whoever does not believe will be condemned.”

But they had been instructed to wait in Jerusalem for the Holy Spirit to come and guide them before beginning:

(Luke 24:49)  “I am going to send you what my Father has promised; but stay in the city until you have been clothed with power from on high.””

The  Spirit came on Pentecost and the preaching of the Gospel, the law of the kingdom, began on Pentecost:

(Acts 2:31-38)  “Seeing what was ahead, he spoke of the resurrection of the Christ, that he was not abandoned to the grave, nor did his body see decay. {32} God has raised this Jesus to life, and we are all witnesses of the fact. {33} Exalted to the right hand of God, he has received from the Father the promised Holy Spirit and has poured out what you now see and hear. {34} For David did not ascend to heaven, and yet he said, “‘The Lord said to my Lord: “Sit at my right hand {35} until I make your enemies a footstool for your feet.”‘ {36} “Therefore let all Israel be assured of this: God has made this Jesus, whom you crucified, both Lord and Christ.” {37} When the people heard this, they were cut to the heart and said to Peter and the other apostles, “Brothers, what shall we do?” {38} Peter replied, “Repent and be baptized, every one of you, in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins. And you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit.”

After that Pentecost, both the church and kingdom were always spoken of as in existence:

(Acts 2:47)  “praising God and enjoying the favor of all the people. And the Lord added to their number daily those who were being saved.”

(Acts 5:11)  “Great fear seized the whole church and all who heard about these events.”

(Acts 8:1)  “And Saul was there, giving approval to his death. On that day a great persecution broke out against the church at Jerusalem, and all except the apostles were scattered throughout Judea and Samaria.”

(Acts 11:22)  “News of this reached the ears of the church at Jerusalem, and they sent Barnabas to Antioch.”

(Acts 13:1)  “In the church at Antioch there were prophets and teachers: Barnabas, Simeon called Niger, Lucius of Cyrene, Manaen (who had been brought up with Herod the tetrarch) and Saul.”

(Acts 14:27)  “On arriving there, they gathered the church together and reported all that God had done through them and how he had opened the door of faith to the Gentiles.”

(Colossians 1:13)  “For he has rescued us from the dominion of darkness and brought us into the kingdom of the Son he loves,”

(Revelation 1:9)  “I, John, your brother and companion in the suffering and kingdom and patient endurance that are ours in Jesus, was on the island of Patmos because of the word of God and the testimony of Jesus.”

There are Christians today who are part of a great religious movement launched on the North American Continent in the early 1800s, to restore the pure Christianity of the first century. The pioneers of this movement made it their aim to go back to the Bible for their faith, worship and practice. To maintain the Restoration commitment in our day, we must remind ourselves of what it was. To properly appreciate it, we must know wherein it was great.

The first clearly discernible call here, in America, to go back to Bible was heard among the Methodists. Jams O’Kelly led a revolt against bishop Francis Asbury’s autocratic rule.  At a meeting at the old Lebanon Church in Surry County, VA, on August 4, 1794, Rice Haggard, with Bible in hand, challenged his brethren his brethren thusly: “Brethren, this is a sufficient rule of faith and practice.  By it we are told that the disciples were called Christians, and I move that henceforth and forever the followers of Christ be known as Christians simply.” A Brother Hafferty then moved that they take the Bible as their only creed. From that meeting came, “Five Cardinal Principles of the Christian Church:”

	The Lord Jesus Christ as the only Head of the Church.
	The name Christian to the exclusion of all party and sectarian names.
	The Holy Bible…our only creed, and a sufficient rule of faith and practice.
	Christian character…the only test of church fellowship and membership.
	The right of private judgment and liberty of conscience the privilege and duty of all. (W. E. McClenny, Life of Rev. James O’Kelly, p.  111)

Shortly thereafter in 1803, a similar back to the Bible movement emerged among the Baptists of New England.  The principal leaders were Drs. Abner Jones and Elias Smith. Smith wrote:

“When our number was some short of twenty, we agreed to consider ourselves a Church of Christ, owning him as our only Master, Lord and Lawgiver, and we agreed to consider ourselves Christians, without the addition of any unscriptural name” (Elias Smith, Life and Conversion of Elias Smith, pp. 313-314).

About the same time, in Century Kentucky a group of dissident preachers broke with the Presbyterian Church.  They first organized themselves as the Springfield Presbytery of the Presbyterian Church. After further study of the Scriptures they met and resolved to dissolve their presbytery. They framed a document entitled, “Last Will and Testament.”  Among its remarkable items are the following:

	“We will, that this body die, be dissolved, and sink into union with the Body of Christ at large; for there is but one Body…”
	“We will, that our power of making laws for the government of the church and executing them by delegated authority forever cease; that the people may have free course to the Bible…”
	“We will, that the Church of Christ resume her native right of internal government…”
	We will, that the people henceforth take the Bible as the only sure guide to heaven…”On June 28, 1804, the Will was signed by Robert Marshall, John Dunlavy, Richard McNemar, John Thompson, David Purviance, and B. W. Stone.
	In 1809 Thomas Campbell, a Presbyterian immigrant preacher from Northern Ireland, broke with his church and issued a Declaration and Address of the Christian Association of Washington, Pennsylvania. Among Campbell’s declarations were the following:
	“That the Church of Christ is essentially, intentionally and constitutionally one.”
	“That the Bible is the only rule of faith and practice for Christians.”
	“That the Old and New Testaments alone contain the authoritative constitution of the Church of Christ.”
	“That no human authority has power to amend or change the original constitution and laws of the church.”
	“That faith in Jesus Christ as the Son of God is a sufficient profession to entitle a man or woman to become a member of the Church of Christ.”
	“That division among Christians is anti-Christian, anti-scriptural, unnatural, and to be abhorred.”
	“That neglect of the revealed will of God and the introduction of human innovations are and have been the causes of all the corruptions and divisions that have ever taken place in the church…”
	“That all that is necessary to secure the highest state of purity and perfection in the church is to restore the original ordinances and constitution as exhibited in the New Testament.”

These men thought not to found a new denomination, rather they worked to restore the original church of the Bible to its pristine purity.

Is it possible to read your Bible, and from your reading, see that in the New Testament there is a Church that Jesus established? Is it possible to see in the Bible, that God set forth His standard of acceptance in salvation, worship, church organization and daily living? Is it possible to follow the teachings of God, revealed in the New Testament, to direct our lives in the same way as He did first century Christians?

The answer to all the questions above is a resounding, yes! For since the writing of the New Testament, men and women of all walks of life have studied their Bibles, and seen how one, even to this day, can become a Christian the way those in New Testament times became Christians.

They have seen how one can establish the church of the New Testament and emulate its structure, worship, and activity.

Someone has rightfully expressed that we should always remember to stop and show appreciation for the bridges we have crossed. For the Christian this is especially true! Not only are we to be thankful for the work of the apostles and early church workers in the 1st century A.D., but we should also remember the value of all those since who have directed others to give up the shackles of religious error, only to take on the truth revealed in God’s Word. 

The goal of the Restoration Movement has always been a commitment to reproduce the original Christianity of the first century. God designed and Jesus built the church exactly as they wanted it (Matt. 16:18). When changes were imposed on the church they were always destructive, never beneficial.  Like a masterpiece of art, we should restore the Lords’s church to its original state of existence. In the words of the prophet, “thou shalt be called the repairer of the breach, The restorer of paths to dwell in” (Is. 58:12).

 

The Restoration Movement is a non-denominational effort, dedicated to serving do in a nonsectarian way.  Jesus built but one church (Matt. 16:18; I Cor. 12:13).  It was his dying prayer that his followers be one as were He and His father (John 17:20-21). 

Denominational division is soundly condemned in Scripture.  Paul besought the Corinthians “that there be no divisions among them” (I Cor. 1:10). He labeled as immature and carnal those who denominated themselves as followers of Peter, Apollos and Paul (I Cor. 3:1-4). Even those most deeply involved in denominationalism concede the undesirable nature of that system.

 

It is a “back to the Bible “ movement. Catholicism has elevated tradition, the decisions of councils and declarations of popes above the Bible.  Liberal Protestantism has attacked the Bible as unreliable and irrelevant.  Evangelical churches give lip service to believing the Scripture, while placing their creeds and subjective experiences about it in practice.

We should exalt God’s Word above all creeds and philosophies of men.  We should speak as the oracles of God (I Pet. 4:11). “The God-breathed Word is profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, for instruction which is in righteousness: that the man of God may be complete…” (II Tim. 3:16-17). 

Furthermore we should properly distinguish between the two great covenants. While the entire Bible is from God, the words which Christ spoke will judge us in the last day (John 12:48). Because of this truth we do not look to Moses or David’s writings for instructions on salvation, worship or practice of our faith.

 

It is also a doctrinal movement. Our message is not one of human theology, philosophy, speculation, or experience.  We should seek always to abide in “the doctrine of Christ” (2 John 9). 

We should advocate strong, clear Bible preaching. Preachers are urged to cite chapters and verses so their hearers can verify for themselves the lesson taught.  We expect our spokesmen to “preach the Word” (II Tim. 4:2). We demand “sound doctrine” from our pulpits (Tit. 2:1).  Our preachers can generally be distinguished from their denominational counterparts by the “Biblical ring” of their lessons.

A modern generation must be reminded that all the social activities, marriage enrichment seminars and self-improvement courses will not save a single soul. Only by preaching the gospel will sinners be brought to the Savior (Mk. 16:15; Rom. 1:16).

 

Because it offers a reasonable, common sense approach to religion, the Restoration Movement is great.  God expects a person to use his head, to think rationally if he would be a Christian. 

Faith comes by hearing the Word of Christ (Rom. 10:17). Christianity is not a fuzzy, emotional response to some vague religious impulse; rather it is reasonable.  It is logical and sensible. 

The emotionalism of the old mourner’s bench system, the irrational behavior of the charismatics and the mysticism of the ritualistic churches all give way before the simple truth of our plea (John 8:32). Faith is not foolishness.

The Restoration plea is also universal both in nature and appeal. It alone can bring religious unity to a world torn by sectarian confusion and division.  Can any man who sincerely loves Christ object to being called a Christian?  Visit any minister in your community and inquire of him, “Are you Christian?”  I can safely predict a favorable reply.

 

But ask the Methodist parson is he is a Baptist and he will quickly deny it.  Call him a Baptist and you will insult him.

Ours is a universally accepted name. Who will oppose calling Bible things by Bible names? This in itself would eliminate most of the confusion in the religious word.

Who would criticize doing Bible things in Bible ways?  Who would condemn preaching the Bible, only the Bible and all of the Bible?  Can anyone conceive a better way to serve God than his own divinely appointed way?

 

The plea to restore the ancient faith and practice of the first Christian is great because it is thoroughly Biblical.  Jeremiah exhorts the people of his day to ask for the “ the old paths” and walk therein (Jere. 6:16). 

King Josiah labored to restore the true worship of Jehovah in Israel (II Kings 22:8; 23:5). Paul exhorts us to hold the pattern of sound words (II Tim.  1:13).  The author of Hebrews reminds us to build according to the revealed pattern (Heb. 8:5).  The New Testament is our pattern, and we must conform to its divine standard.

 

May we never neglect, forsake or betray that is noble movement of which we are part. Let us always labor to restore the ancient church, her doctrine, worship and practice.  May we pass it on safely to those who come after us.

God placed leaders in the church for the purpose of preparing and equipping disciples of Jesus to be engaged in the work of the ministry:

Ephesians 4:11-12 (ESV)
¹¹  And he gave the apostles, the prophets, the evangelists, the shepherds and teachers,
¹²  to equip the saints for the work of ministry, for building up the body of Christ..

God does not intend for leaders in his church to be involved in everything that the local church does. Too many preachers, elders and deacons (and their wives) become burned out in doing the work of the kingdom because they try to be involved in everything.

God’s design is for leaders in the church to oversee, supervise, delegate, and equip disciples in the congregation to be involved in works of ministry that are specifically matched to their individual talents and abilities.

 Unfortunately, some members of the church think that the leaders should be involved in everything. This unreasonable expectation is communicated by looks, verbal jabs, and even masked in jokes. Sometimes this makes leaders feel guilty and so they overload their schedules in the church’s work to the detriment of their marriages, families, and personal relationship with God.

The unrealistic expectations placed upon leaders in the church can be the murder weapon unwittingly used by members that kills the spirituality of their leaders.

Based upon Paul’s teaching in Ephesians, I am convinced that a sign of a successful church is when its leaders are not personally involved in every activity and work of the local church.

The apostles realized this when they wisely delegated the responsibility of helping widows to other men so that the study and teaching of God’s word would not be neglected:

Acts 6:1-4 (ESV)
¹  Now in these days when the disciples were increasing in number, a complaint by the Hellenists arose against the Hebrews because their widows were being neglected in the daily distribution.
²  And the twelve summoned the full number of the disciples and said, “It is not right that we should give up preaching the word of God to serve tables.
³  Therefore, brothers, pick out from among you seven men of good repute, full of the Spirit and of wisdom, whom we will appoint to this duty.
⁴  But we will devote ourselves to prayer and to the ministry of the word.”

Elders are responsible for overseeing the ministries of the local church, but they should not be personally involved in all of them.

Preachers should encourage and equip members for involvement in ministry, but they should not be involved in all these works.

Deacons should not be involved in all the works in the church, but they should focus on their specific assigned tasks given them by the elders. By the way, this goes for their wives also.

God purposely gave you the abilities and talents that you possess for the purpose of advancing His kingdom. Every person has different abilities and God means for us to find what we do best and focus on that.

Remember the teaching of Paul in Romans 12:4-8 (ESV): 
⁴  For as in one body we have many members, and the members do not all have the same function,
⁵  so we, though many, are one body in Christ, and individually members one of another.
⁶  Having gifts that differ according to the grace given to us, let us use them: if prophecy, in proportion to our faith;
⁷  if service, in our serving; the one who teaches, in his teaching;
⁸  the one who exhorts, in his exhortation; the one who contributes, in generosity; the one who leads, with zeal; the one who does acts of mercy, with cheerfulness.

Too many of us try to be involved in everything in the church, we become burned out, and then we are involved in nothing. This is extremely unwise. Find what you do best and make it your ministry in the church.

Eric/Wendy’s December 2015 newsletter from Rwanda

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Letter to Diognetus (AD 125): “Although they live in Greek and barbarian cities alike, as each man’s lot has been cast, and follow the customs of the country in clothing and food and other matters of daily living, at the same time (Christians) give proof of the remarkable and admittedly extraordinary constitution of their own commonwealth. They live in their own countries, but only as aliens…they busy themselves on earth, but their citizenship is in heaven. They obey the established laws, but in their own lives they go beyond what the laws require. They love all man, and by all men are persecuted…

Letter to Hadrian (AD 125): “The Christians know and trust their God…If any of them have bondwomen or children, they persuade them to become Christians for the love they have toward them; and when they become so, they call them “brother” without distinction. They love one another…If they see a stranger, they take him into their dwellings and rejoice over him as a real brother; for they do not call each other brother after the flesh, but after the Spirit of “”God. If any among them is poor and needy, and they do not have food to spare, they fast two or three days that they may supply him with necessary food. But, the deeds which they do, they do not proclaim to the ears of the multitude, but they take care that no man shall perceive them. Thus they labor to become righteous. Truly, this is a new people and there is something divine in them.”

(Mark 3:32-35)  “A crowd was sitting around him, and they told him, “Your mother and brothers are outside looking for you.” {33} “Who are my mother and my brothers?” he asked. {34} Then he looked at those seated in a circle around him and said, “Here are my mother and my brothers! {35} Whoever does God’s will is my brother and sister and mother.””

When the first Christians were made part of the New Testament church, begun on the day of Pentecost in Acts 2, they knew hardly anything of Jesus and nothing at all of the “church.” Yet, immediately, they were thrust into a fellowship of other believers – a radical, consuming community which supplanted every other loyalty.

What did the church look like? They “devoted themselves” to meeting with a relative strangers (Acts 2:42). They sold their possessions to support one another (Acts 4). They met daily with their new friends to worship and commune in each other’s homes (Acts 2:46). They even rejoiced together when suffering persecution and ridicule!

All this had a revolutionary impact on the families, businesses, and friendships of these first Christians. Old loyalties were exchanged for new ones. The church became almost overnight the primary “reference group” for its members. In the New Testament, the church commanded the primary allegiance of disciples. No other group of people was allowed to take precedence over God’s people.

Even family ties were subordinated to the family of God. Families of origin were put at risk and even broken:

(Mark 10:29-30)  “”I tell you the truth,” Jesus replied, “no one who has left home or brothers or sisters or mother or father or children or fields for me and the gospel {30} will fail to receive a hundred times as much in this present age (homes, brothers, sisters, mothers, children and fields–and with them, persecutions) and in the age to come, eternal life.”

This radical sense of community was true of the first century church. Is it true of the church today? Is it true that many other loyalties compete with our devotion to the body of Christ?

All that mattered in the 1^st century was being in Christ. (Gal. 3:26-29)  “You are all sons of God through faith in Christ Jesus, {27} for all of you who were baptized into Christ have clothed yourselves with Christ. {28} There is neither Jew nor Greek, slave nor free, male nor female, for you are all one in Christ Jesus. {29} If you belong to Christ, then you are Abraham’s seed, and heirs according to the promise.”

We have an opportunity in this place at this time to rediscover what a radical community the church of Jesus can be. Are we willing to place as much importance on being together and serving each other as the early church? Can we adopt a new ethic for living life in this community? Perhaps we need to realize that the church is God’s means of saving us, and that we cannot make it alone!

Unity was demanded at Corinth by Paul. Read 1 Cor. 1:10-16 and 3:1-3.

Some evils of division. 1. Division among believers is wrong because it is directly opposed to the prayer of Jesus.

2. Division among believers is wrong because it is contrary to the Scriptures.
3. Division among God’s people is wrong because it results in a waste of time, means, and energy. Just imagine how powerful God’s cause would be if all believers worked in harmony!
4. Division is wrong because it retards the salvation of lost souls. Several have told me that they are going to “try” every church until they find the right one.“ Sinners are confused by the conflicting doctrines and practices of various religious groups. Unity an individual obligation to Christians. (Eph 4:3) “Make every effort to keep the unity of the Spirit through the bond of peace.” Close by reading of the divine standard of unity. Eph 4:4-6.

How divisions can be avoided?  2 Timothy 2:14-23 (ESV)
¹⁴  Remind them of these things, and charge them before God not to quarrel about words, which does no good, but only ruins the hearers.

²³  Have nothing to do with foolish, ignorant controversies; you know that they breed quarrels.

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Eric/Wendy’s November 2015 newsletter from Kigali, Rwanda

# 1 Materialism

Matthew 19:16-22: “And someone came to Him and said, “Teacher, what good thing shall I do that I may obtain eternal life?” {17} And He said to him, “Why are you asking Me about what is good? There is only One who is good; but if you wish to enter into life, keep the commandments.” {18} Then he said^ to Him, “Which ones?” And Jesus said, “YOU SHALL NOT COMMIT MURDER; YOU SHALL NOT COMMIT ADULTERY; YOU SHALL NOT STEAL; YOU SHALL NOT BEAR FALSE WITNESS; {19} HONOR YOUR FATHER AND MOTHER; and YOU SHALL LOVE YOUR NEIGHBOR AS YOURSELF.” {20} The young man said^ to Him, “All these things I have kept; what am I still lacking?” {21} Jesus said to him, “If you wish to be complete, go and sell your possessions and give to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven; and come, follow Me.” {22} But when the young man heard this statement, he went away grieving; for he was one who owned much property.”

In Matt.19:16-22, we are told about a young man who turned away from the Lord rather than part with his wealth. We may not know how to define materialism exactly, but we know it when we see it — and we know this young man had it.

The American Heritage Dictionary defines materialism as “a great or excessive regard for worldly concerns.”

The person who would follow Christ faces no greater problem than the problem of wrong attitudes about money and material things. To see the magnitude of the problem we need only consider the sheer bulk of teaching devoted to it in the New Testament.

Someone has calculated that nearly ½ of Jesus’ sayings have to do with problems related to money in one way or another. Today, a preacher who taught on the subject as often as the Lord did would be accused of riding a hobbyhorse.

There is a sense in which materialism is truly a “first principles” subject. Judging from the Lord’s own teaching, one of the most basic, fundamental choices a human being ever makes is whether to serve God or money.

“No one can serve two masters; for either he will hate the one and love the other, or else he will be loyal to the one and despise the other. You cannot serve God and mammon” (Mt. 6:24).

Of the various weapons the devil can use against the Lord’s people, none does any more damage than materialism. Perhaps this has always been so, but it is an especially critical problem for us in present-day America.

Clarifying the Nature of the Problem

First, let it be admitted and emphasized that there is no inherent virtue or spiritual value in being poor. To warn against the sin of materialism is not to advocate a “theology of poverty.” The poor may be very wicked. Indeed, they may be very materialistic.

An ascetic is a “person who renounces the comforts of society and leads a life of austere self-discipline, especially as an act of religious devotion” (American Heritage Dictionary). Ascetic religions are those in which the most serious participants are expected to follow a life of poverty.

Christianity is not an ascetic religion. Being a deeply spiritual Christian does not necessarily involve renouncing worldly goods and taking a vow of poverty, although it may be God’s will for us to make great sacrifices sometimes. But neither is there any inherent virtue or spiritual value in being wealthy.

The rich have no advantage or special relationship with God because of their wealth. In Job, Elihu correctly observed that God “is not partial to princes, nor does He regard the rich more than the poor; for they are all the work of His hands” (Job 34:19).

Riches are not necessarily a sign of virtue or evidence that God approves of one’s character. The rich man who assumes that the riches God has given him are a reward for his own personal righteousness makes a big assumption. More often than not, the riches have not come because of one’s righteousness, but in spite of one’s unrighteousness.

Asaph noted the wickedness of many of the wealthy: “Behold, these are the ungodly, who are always at ease; they increase in riches” (Psa. 73:12).

Also, it is worth considering that riches may be as much a curse as a blessing. It is quite accurate in some situations to speak of a person’s having been “stricken” with wealth. (Some of God’s greatest blessings happen to be requests that are not granted!)

The term materialism actually encompasses several related problems.

For one thing, there is the problem of discontent in regard to what we ourselves do not have. “Let your conduct be without covetousness, and be content with such things as you have. For He Himself has said, ‘I will never leave you nor forsake you'” (Hb. 13:5).

But also, there is the problem of envy or jealousy in regard to what other people have. We may wish we had what others have. Or we may — and this is worse — wish others did not have what they have, begrudging them anything that appears to make them happy, whether we ourselves would want what they have or not.

The desire to work hard and better one’s “station” in life is not in itself materialistic. The sinfulness of materialism has to do with two characteristics that distinguish it from an honorable work ethic:

1. Selfishness. The primary motivation of the materialistic person is to satisfy self.
2. Excessiveness. The materialistic person pursues material ends at the expense of spiritual priorities, upsetting the proper balance and proportion God intends our lives to have.

Being objective about self is the difficult thing, of course. Nobody ever thinks his own material pursuits are either selfish or excessive. Actually, the term materialism comes fairly close to the biblical term covetousness — and covetousness is a sin much talked about in the Scriptures.

The Sin of Covetousness

In the Bible, covetousness is a very serious matter. It keeps extremely unsavory company, frequently appearing in contexts where sins of an obviously serious nature are being discussed. “But fornication and all uncleanness or covetousness, let it not even be named among you, as is fitting for saints” (Eph. 5:3). It is a form of idolatry.

“For this you know, that no fornicator, unclean person, nor covetous man, who is an idolater, has any inheritance in the kingdom of Christ and God” (Eph. 5:5).

“Therefore put to death your members which are on the earth: fornication, uncleanness, passion, evil desire, and covetousness, which is idolatry” (Col. 3:5).

It will keep us out of heaven and send us to hell. “Do you not know that the unrighteous will not inherit the kingdom of God? Do not be deceived. Neither fornicators, nor idolaters, nor adulterers, nor homosexuals, nor sodomites, nor thieves, nor covetous, nor drunkards, nor revilers, nor extortioners will inherit the kingdom of God” (1 Cor. 6:9,10).

Yet despite heavy emphasis on the topic in the Bible, we tend to dismiss the whole idea. We say “Well, where do you draw the line?” as if covetousness were such a totally subjective concept that it would be wrong to make an actual charge of covetousness against any particular person.

In any matter where a line has to be drawn, however, we need to draw the line where the Lord draws it, knowing that failure to do so is serious business and that one day we shall give an account.

Covetousness is one of the few specific sins singled out as grounds for withdrawal of fellowship. “But now I have written to you not to keep company with anyone named a brother, who is a fornicator, or covetous, or an idolater, or a reviler, or a drunkard, or an extortioner — not even to eat with such a person” (1 Cor. 5:11).

The instruction to withdraw from the covetous would be pointless if it were not possible to know objectively when a person is guilty of it. And yet, how many instances do any of us know of where someone has been withdrawn from for covetousness?

With respect to the covetous, what are the reasons why congregational discipline is so rarely exercised? Do we think that, in one of the most materialistic societies in the history of the world, the sin of covetousness is just not committed as much as it was in New Testament times?

Covetousness is one of the most talked about problems in the New Testament. How likely is it that it has ceased to be a problem in our society? Is it not more probable that we fail to exhort and discipline the covetous because we would appear to be somewhat hypocritical if we did so?

One irony is that, as dangerous as it is, covetousness is an exceedingly hard sin to detect in ourselves. It is among the most insidious of Satan’s weapons.

When it comes to the desire for money and material things, it appears to be difficult for any of us to see and admit that our own desires have become selfish or excessive. There is an urgent need for us to “get real” about the sin of covetousness, to own up to it if we are guilty, and to repent of it.

Our Materialistic Addiction

Our pattern of behavior in regard to money and material things very often fits the pattern of an addiction. Certain elements are common to all addictive experiences.

The following is a list of widely acknowledged characteristics of an addiction. Consider this list in relation to the problem that many people have with money and material things. An addictive experience:

• Creates predictable, reliable sensations.
• Becomes the primary focus and absorbs attention.
• Temporarily eradicates pain and other negative sensations.
• Provides artificial sense of self-worth, power, control, security, intimacy, accomplishment.
• Exacerbates the problems and feelings it is sought to remedy.
• Worsens functioning, creates loss of relationships.

This list is from Steven R. Covey, A. Roger Merrill, and Rebecca R. Merrill, First Things First: To Live, To Learn, To Leave a Legacy (New York: Simon & Schuster, 1994), p. 35. The list is adapted from S. Peele, Diseasing of America: Addiction Treatment Out of Control (Lexington, Massachusetts: Lexington Books, 1989), p. 147.

Can it be denied that millions of Americans display these very same addictive traits in their behavior with regard to material things? Unlike the addictions which our society frowns on, however, materialism is an addiction that America applauds. See Robert Hemfelt, Frank Minirth, and Paul Meier, We Are Driven: The Compulsive Behaviors America Applauds (Nashville: Thomas Nelson, 1991), pp. 1-114.

We praise the person driven by materialism for pursuing “the American Dream.” We buy millions of books, tapes, and videos that exalt the pursuit of wealth. We flock to financial seminars, workshops, and rallies that inflame our materialistic tendencies, giving loud ovations to motivational speakers who specialize in the dream of wealth.

With materialism, as with any addiction, the fix never lasts — though we always think it will. If the money and the things were really the objects of our need, then having them would be satisfying. But having them is not satisfying in any lasting way; we have no sooner made one acquisition than we are craving another.

It is not having the money and the things that we get high on; it is acquiring them. Once we get what we so desperately “need,” the fix wears off quickly and we are off in search of a new high.

“He who loves silver will not be satisfied with silver; nor he who loves abundance, with increase. This also is vanity” (Eccl. 5:10).

Materialism is not a problem limited to the wealthy (any more than drug addiction is a problem limited to those who can get an ample supply of their drug). Materialism is a problem of attitude. It is just as much a sin for those who have little as it is for those who have much.

The rich man may be materialistic. He may trust in his treasure more than he trusts in God. He may neglect spiritual priorities for material ones. But the poor man may also be materialistic. He may envy the rich. He may go into debt over his head to have the things he wants. A person’s outward standard of living, whether high or low, is not always an accurate indicator of whether he is materialistic.

The fact that Sam Walton, for example, drove an old pickup truck does not guarantee that he was not materialistic. He may have simply been too miserly to buy a better truck or just preferred to invest his fortune in securities rather than vehicles!

Whether we are rich or poor, it is a sin to have excessive, selfish desires for money or material things. The problem of consumer debt among the Lord’s people is a disgrace. Not being able to say no to what we want is more than just a childish bad habit — it is a grown-up sin.

Many of us are living beyond our means. We are proof of the adage that when a person’s outgo exceeds his income, then his upkeep will be his downfall. In typical cases, we had parents who wanted to give us “all the things they never had” and never taught us how to do without anything we really want.

As adults, our buying habits are undisciplined. Our desires are not restrained by common sense, income, or anything else.

We simply will not be held back from having whatever we want. We are at the mercy of our impulses. It is simply too easy to charge what we want on credit cards, indulging our desires immediately with no need to pay until later.

We buy too many Zoogles (materialistic gadgets we want, but have little, if any, need for) — and we compound the problem by buying them with credit cards. Not many of us have escaped the dangers of living in an economy based on the principle of consumerism: the economic theory that a progressively greater consumption of goods is beneficial. Consequently, we are plagued by two different kinds of pressure, both of which destroy our peace of mind. See Patrick M. Morley, The Man in the Mirror (Brentwood, Tennessee: Wolgemuth & Hyatt, 1989), p. 16.

First, the advertisers and the entertainment media generate a standard of living pressure by portraying as the norm a standard of living that is above what all but a few will ever have, implying that if we do not live at this level we are missing out on something that is the birthright of every American.

Second, we generate a harmful debt pressure by spending more than we make trying to achieve the standard of living “norm” we have been led to believe is our right.

Our entertainment and recreation alone require vast amounts of money. See chapter on Our Fascination with Fun.

Distinguishing between needs and wants may sometimes be hard, but it is not a totally subjective exercise. Whether we are objective about it or not, God knows precisely what it is we need!

“Your Father knows the things you have need of before you ask Him” (Mt. 6:8).

Do we draw the line between needs and wants where God draws it? It is to Him that we will one day give account.

Another aspect of our materialistic addiction is the competitive aspect of it. We get so caught up in standard-of-living comparisons that our enjoyment of what we have often depends on how few other people have the same thing.

Consider the marketing problems of a company like American Express, the success of whose products depends on a perception that very few people have them.

Young married couples are especially prone to materialistic competition among themselves. There is an unspoken pressure to have what other couples have, and denying the tendency only makes the problem more difficult.

Our materialism is one thing that has made us a nation of neurotics. How ironic it is that the higher the standard of living in a society, the higher the incidence of worry, anxiety, and neurosis. Is contentment in inverse proportion to affluence? Does contentment go down as affluence goes up?

Most of us would have more peace if we had less money and fewer things. Solomon said, “The sleep of a laboring man is sweet, whether he eats little or much; but the abundance of the rich will not permit him to sleep” (Eccl. 5:12).

We need to meditate on the wisdom contained in this saying: we can have anything we want, but we cannot have everything we want. Some choices have to be made, some possibilities have to be let go.