2 The Spirit's Sword

August 3, 1997 Volume 1.25

The Spirit's Sword

The Church of Christ

_The church of Christ is not a denomination within “Christendom.” It was built by Jesus, purchased with His shed blood (Matt. 16:18; Acts 20:28). It and it alone is the bride of Christ (Eph. 5:22-32). It is the kingdom of Christ (Matt. 16:18-19; Mk. 9:1; Col. 1:13; Rev. 1:9). Under another figure, the church of Christ is the house of God, His temple in which His people worship and serve Him (Eph. 2:19-22; 1 Pet. 2:5).

But, back to the first statement of this article. The church is generally thought of as subdivided into many different churches or denominations, all of which have merit and approval before God. This idea is expressed in the common phrase, “choose the church of your choice.”

Our questions are these: (1) Where in the scriptures did Christ or His apostles ever endorse denominationalism? (2) Where in the Bible did God give man the right to choose the church to which he would belong? (3) If there is no Bible teaching for such things, are you willing to give them up in order to be right with God?

In order, the Bible answers to these questions are these: (1) Christ never taught denominationalism. It is the division of believers along doctrinal and organizational lines. Christ condemns such division (Jn. 17:20-21; 1 Cor. 1:10; Eph. 4:1-6). (2) Man is added by the Lord to His church, not offered the right to choose for himself the church which suits him (Acts 2:41, 47). Christianity is not a multiple choice exam. (3) Jesus said we must give up all things in order to follow Him (Matt. 10:34-39; Lk. 9:23; 14:25-35). Are you ready to do that?

The false teachings of men cannot be a refuge against sin or our hope of an eternal inheritance. Christ is our only hope and His truth must be our only guide (Acts 4:12; Jn. 8:12; 12:48). -Joe Price

Assignments: Sunday, Aug. 3

Announcements: Ed DeWispelaere

Opening Prayer: Ed DeWispelaere/G. Bass

Closing Prayer: L. Parker / W. Golightly

Song Leader: Gary Bass / Rusty McGrew

Scripture: Shane Bass / Jason Holt

Lord’s Supper: C. Gardner/Walt H./A. Bass

Bldg. Clean (Aug.9): DeWispelaere & Parker

· Out of town: Keith Alsobrook, Connie Golightly, Debbie Price, Rusty & Roberta McGrew are going to Texas this Friday, the Gary Bass family is vacationing at St. Helens this week.

· Safe returns: Tina, Branden & Jason Haith, Charles and Mavis Fair, Gardners returning this weekend.

· Sick getting better: Terry Haith, Barbara Melton, Jordan Head

· Dan and Shirley Torres safely arrived in Wichita, KS last Monday night. Their new address is: 7714 Champions CIR, Wichita, KS 67226. Phone: (316) 630-0307

Near-Death Experiences........

Many who expect heaven will not enter it (Matt. 7:21-23). Those who “do the will of the Father” will enter the warmth and glory of heaven (Matt. 7:21). Find the narrow way. Live in truth. Then you will be prepared for life after death (Heb. 9:27). -Joe Price

SCHEDULE OF SERVICES

Sunday: 9:30 & 10:30 AM; 6:00 PM

Wednesday: 7:00 PM

Near-Death Experiences

The stories are intriguing and amazing. Shivers run up the spine as one listens to the tales people tell of "out-of-body" episodes. Near-death experiences are currently the rage. Several books telling incredible stories are being circulated as more and more people claim to have had this experience. The current interest in such phenomena seems to say that there are many people who want to believe in life after death. They hear these fantastic stories of warm, white lights, family and friends greeting them, the feelings of freedom from the body, etc., and are caught up in their own emotional expectations of the afterlife. Some have reported that they were given a choice whether to return to their body and continue life on earth. One woman said her life has been forever changed. Among the changes is a high rate of divorce among married people claiming near-death experiences (their spouses think they are now fanatical about life after death).

While we cannot say with certainty what these people have experi­enced, there are some things these reports bring to mind which can be known with certainty from the word of God.

Let it be noted that there is life after death. Jesus Christ's resurrection from the dead ever stands as verification of this fact (1 Cor. 15:12-22). Let no one think that this life is all there is. While our body will decay once we die, our spirit will return to the control of God (Eccl. 12:7; 2 Cor. 4:16-18).

Our future existence is determined by how we live now. Both the rich man and Lazarus received in the next life according as they had lived in this one (Lk. 16:25). We may have desires about what the next life will be like, but our reward or punishment will agree with our conduct in the flesh (2 Cor. 5:10).

Unfortunately, many people will not receive what they anticipate. Practically everyone who believes there is a heaven also believes they will go there. In truth, few find the way to life (Matt. 7:13-14).

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