Noteworthy News

(Current events in the light of Scripture)

Church collapse blamed on termites, mold

SAO PAULO (Reuters) - A Brazilian church collapse that killed 26 people and injured 500 in September was caused by termites and mold that weakened wooden ceiling supports, an investigator said Thursday.

"The roof collapse was caused by deterioration of support beams due to termites, mold and water damage," said Waldir Santoro, chief investigator at the Sao Paulo state Criminal Institute.

Some 1,300 worshipers were packed inside the Church of the Universal Kingdom of God in Osasco, a working class suburb south of Sao Paulo, when the roof came crashing down Sept. 5.

Many people managed to flee the building moments before the collapse when they heard loud creaking from the structure's enormous wooden support beams.

The report also found that church doors were too small for a structure of its size and that obstacles blocked some exits, making it difficult for many worshipers to flee the building.

Santoro said the institute's 38-page report would be sent to police, who would then decide whether to prosecute the Universal Kingdom of God. The evangelical church claims 2,000 branches in several countries.

Commentary (Joe Price)

Such loss of life is always regrettable, in part, because it was preventable. Termites can be exterminated, rotten wood can be replaced. But through neglect or other factors, innocent people paid the price.

We know that the Lord’s church is not build with wood and stone, but with “living stones” - Christians, saved in Christ (1 Pet. 2:5). It is time we inspect ourselves to make sure the church is strong in Christ (Rev. 3:1-3; 2 Cor. 13:5).

The local church can deteriorate and collapse. If we neglect to grow in faith and be diligent in obedient service, we cannot expect our congregation to remain strong (1 Tim. 3:15). If worldliness infects the lives of our members the local church will surely cave in (1 Cor. 5:6; Rev. 2:14-15). If false doctrine is coddled and rationalized it will turn the grace of God into the lascivious desires of man (Jude 3-4; 2 Tim. 4:3-4).

“Do you not know that you are the temple of God and that the Spirit of God dwells in you? If anyone defiles the temple of God, God will destroy him. For the temple of God is holy, which temple you are.” (1 Cor. 3:16-17)

Assignments - November 15, 1998

Announcements: Gary Bass

Opening Prayer: Gary Bass / Willie G.

Closing Prayer: Keith A. / Shane Bass

Song Leader: Clarence G. / Morris Bass

Scripture Reading: Ray H. / Wesley Holt

Lord’s Supper:Rick H. / Aaron B. / Jeremy P.

Building Cleanup: Gardner

T HE SPIRIT’S SWORD

“And take...the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God” (Eph. 6:17)

The Northside church of Christ

Meeting at the North Bellingham Grange Hall · 5201 Northwest Road · Bellingham, WA

Visit our Web Sites: http://www.davisinet.com/northsidecofc

http://www2.fortunecity.com/millennium/zebedee/348

Volume II, No. 39 November 15, 1998

ARE WE A CULT?!

Joe R. Price

The horror stories of the Branch Davidians in Waco, TX, Heaven’s Gate in southern California and The People’s Temple (Jim Jones) in Guyana are enough to cause anyone to shudder at the thought of a cult masquerading in the form of a church. So, when I heard recently that some have said that we are a cult (this is not the first time I’ve heard such descriptions), it caused me to wonder how these folks define a cult.

I did some investigation (to find out if we are a cult and don’t know it!). I discovered that those who make such accusations are selective and arbitrary in how they define and apply the term. The following quotation is representative of the what is meant by those who would describe churches of Christ as a “cult”:

“Today we will take a look at the question, What is a cult?....Webster's Dictionary say's "A CULT is a quasi-religious group, often living in a colony, with a charismatic leader who indoctrinates members with unorthodox or extremist views, practices, or beliefs. But there are groups that are classified as cults that may seem to many, to be Christian denominations. The way to determine if a group is a cult is solely by their teachings, and if those doctrines conform to the teachings of the Bible and historic Christianity. There are many doctrines which differ among Christian denominations, but they all share teachings that are essential to the Christian faith. In those areas, all Christian churches are in agreement. Some of those doctrines are: that there is only one true and living God and that the one God is manifest in three persons, the Father, Son and Holy Spirit; that the Bible is the infallible word of God; and that salvation is a gift of God, by grace through faith in the Lord Jesus Christ. When a group differs in these areas from historic, Biblical Christian doctrine, then it falls into the area of being classified as a cult. Non Christian cults will always deny that Jesus Christ is truly God. They will also claim to be the only true church and add their writings and place them above the Bible in authority. When examining any group, be sure that what they are teaching is in harmony with the Bible. Be sure also that the scriptures they are using to support their doctrines are being read within their context. As the late Dr. Walter Martin said, ‘A text taken from it's context becomes a pretext, and most often a pretext for error.’” (Something To Consider, Proclaiming The Message Ministries, P.O. Box 500, Grand River, OH 44045-0500)

It is enlightening that according to the foregoing definition, the church we read about in the New Testament would have been considered a cult! It had:

(1) A charismatic leader. Jesus certainly was that (Matt. 21:6-11).

(2) Unorthodox and extremist views, practices, or beliefs. Some of the beliefs and practices of Jesus and His disciples were viewed in this way by the religious leaders of their day. These included:

a. Eating with unwashed hands (Matt. 15:1-14; Mk. 7:1-5).

b. Letting known sinners touch them (Lk. 7:36-50).

c. Eating with sinners and Gentiles (Matt. 11:19; Acts 11:2-3).

d. They claimed their leader came from heaven and went back to heaven (Jno. 8:23-24)

e. They claimed their leader (Jesus) is the Son of God and one with God (Jno. 10:30-36; Rom. 1:4).

f. They claimed their leader (Jesus) was raised from the dead and will one day raise all men from the dead (Jno. 11:25-26; 1 Cor. 15:20-22).

(3) They will also claim to be the only true church. Jesus claimed He would build one church (Matt. 16:18). His apostles taught that He is the head over His body, the church (Eph. 1:22-23). And, they taught that just as the church has one head (Christ), Christ has one body (one church) which He saves (Eph. 4:4; 5:23).

Indeed, many in the first century spoke against Christianity (Acts 28:22). Do you suppose some said it was cult?! The apostle Paul was accused of being “...a ringleader of the sect of the Nazarenes” (Acts 24:5). (I guess that made it so, right?!)

Could it be that people are throwing around the term “cult” without properly defining it? Truly, it is. By their own definition, Christianity is a cult and Jesus Christ a cult leader!!

It has always been easier and safer for folks (including some brethren) to attach prejudicial labels and biased epithets upon those with whom we disagree than it is to examine what one is saying, believing and practicing in the light of God’s word. Why? Because men love the darkness of error and evil more than they love the light of truth (Jno. 3:19-20). Satan blinds their unbelieving minds (2 Cor. 4:3-4). Kill the messenger and one does not have to listen to the message!

Do not be surprised when you are labeled, attacked, discounted, made fun of and otherwise mistreated for your faith in Christ. You are not being treated any differently from how your Master was treated by unbelievers (cf. Jno. 15:18-20; 1 Pet. 3:13-18).

Is the church of Christ a cult? No. Regardless of what men say, we serve the King of kings! (1 Tim. 6:13-16)

Life In The Son Notes

(Scripture Reading: 1 John 5:11-13)

· The New And Living Way (Heb. 10:19-20; Jno. 14:6)

Þ Sacrifice for sin - 2 Cor. 5:21; 1 Pet. 2:24; Heb. 10:10

Þ High Priest - Heb. 8:1-3; 10:11-14

Þ Mediator & Intercessor - Heb. 9:15; Rom. 8:34; Heb. 7:25

· The Way To Spiritual Life (Rom. 1:16-17; 3:21-26)

ÞSin causes spiritual death - (Gen. 2:17) Isa. 59:1-2; Eph. 2:1-3

ÞThe gospel has power over sin & death (Rom. 1:17; 8:3; 7:7-8)

· The New Way To Live (Rom. 6:4ff )

Þ Newness of life (2 Cor. 5:17)

Þ Put on the new man (Eph. 4:20-24)

Þ Under grace (Rom. 6:14):

Conclusion - 1 Jno. 5:12-13; Rom. 6:23

Jesus of Nazareth: Messianic Prophecies (Part 1)

(Scripture Reading: Luke 24:44-49)

1. Biblical prophecy was beyond the power of man to foresee. It was not a guess,

conjecture, vague generalization or an educated analysis of what might happen.

2. Jesus claimed to fulfill OT prophecy - Matt. 5:17; Jno. 5:39, 46; Lk. 24:44-45.

3. Odds of one person fulfilling them all: 1 in 84 x 10¹²³! - Isa. 46:10

I. PROPHECIES OF THE MESSIAH’S BIRTH .

A. The Place Of The Messiah’s Birth - Micah 5:2 Þ Matt. 2:1-6. (735-700 BC)

B. Virgin Birth - Isa. 7:14 Þ Matt. 1:20-25.

C. Lineage Prophecies: Seed of woman (Gen. 3:15 Þ Gal. 4:4); Seed of Abraham

(Gen. 12:3 Þ Gal. 3:16 & Lk. 3:34); Seed of David (2 Sam. 7:12-13 Þ Rom. 1:3).

II. MAJOR EVENTS IN THE LIFE OF THE MESSIAH WERE PROPHESIED.

A. His Coming Was Announced - Isa. 40:3; Mal. 3:1; 4:5-6 Þ Matt. 3:1-3; Matt. 11:10

B. Anointed With The Holy Spirit - Isa. 42:1 Þ Matt. 3:16-17; Acts 10:38

C. He Was Despised, Rejected Of Men, A Man Of Sorrows & Acquainted With Grief

- Isa. 53:3 Þ Jno. 1:11; 12:37.

III. PROPHECIES OF THE BETRAYAL, TRIAL & CRUCIFIXION OF THE MESSIAH

FIND THEIR FULFILLMENT IN JESUS.

IV.THE RESURRECTION PROPHESIED (Psa. 16:10 Þ Jno. 20:9; Acts 2:24-32).