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Are Simply Christians
by Dale Smelser
Many are growing disenchanted with present religious forms which
originated in the middle ages and have become meaningless. There is
displeasure with denominational structures and dogma. Some, because
of such views, have even decided that Christianity is not relevant
today. We believe they have made that decision because they are not
sufficiently acquainted with the Scriptures to be able to
distinguish between the relevant gospel of Christ and what men over
the centuries have attempted to add to it.
If some of these things have troubled you and you have felt a
yearning to return to the simple, uncomplicated religion of Christ,
stripping away all the nonessential elements of religion and simply
abiding by the truths of Christ, truths which transform the soul and
bind it to God, let us suggest that it can and has been done.
The Bible, God's word to man, presents Jesus Christ as the Son of
God. He was foreshadowed and predicted in the Old Testament which
God used to govern His people until Christ should come and establish
the New (Jeremiah 31:31-33; Galatians 3:19,23-24). That New
Testament reveals the religion of Christ. By studying it we learn
all there is to know of the way of Christ.
We learn that among the followers of Christ there existed no
denominational organizations whatever. All began at a later time. In
the New Testament we see people hearing the gospel and obeying the
conditions of God's grace. Being thus saved, they were added to the
Lord's people, the church (Acts 2:36-47). As the gospel spread, we
find them assembling together in congregations in various
localities. Each congregation was under its own elders (Acts 14:23)
and no one else on earth. These elders could not make laws and be
masters. They were given the responsibility of tending and caring
for the congregation as shepherds would a flock (Acts 20:17,28; I
Peter 5:1-3). The only headquarters those disciples knew was heaven,
where their head, Jesus Christ, was and is (Ephesians 1:22-23).
Their worship was something in which to participate, not something
to watch. On the first day of the week, for instance, they would eat
the Lord's supper and hear preaching (Acts 20:7; 1 Corinthians
11:23-29), they would all sing (Ephesians 5:19), they would all pray
with various ones leading (1 Corinthians 14:15-16), and they would
share in their mutual responsibilities by sharing their prosperity
(1 Corinthians 16:1-2). We find no contributions being collected on
any other day than the first day of the week and no hierarchy taxing
them or telling them how much to give. They had no organizations
clamoring for their support. They gave as they individually purposed
in their own hearts (2 Corinthians 9:6-7). In all this they were all
necessarily involved for each saved person was a priest (Revelation
1:5-6). No one could perform his service or worship for another.
They lived godly lives. They cared for their poor. They taught
others. They sent out preachers to teach others in far communities.
With simplicity of faith and fervor there was no need of
centralization. Without organized machinery, the gospel was preached
to the whole of civilization in a short time (Colossians 1:23).
These disciples of Christ were known as Christians (Acts 11:26; Acts
26:28; I Peter 4:16). They wore no sectarian names. Their religion
was not materialistic or sensual. They did not seek to impress men
with pious ceremony, rather, they sought to impress God with the
only thing that has ever impressed Him, contrite obedience (2 Samuel
15:22). Their appeal was not social or recreational. They offered
the gospel, for they knew it was God's power to save (Romans 1:16),
and any other appeal was beneath them.
Many sigh, "Oh, if only such could be today." But it is! Free men
and women over the earth have despaired of denominationalism, seeing
in it neither necessity nor relevance but only a cause of division.
They desire the simplicity of what Christ authored, and their number
is increasing. How many have taken such a stand? Who knows! They are
related and connected only in Christ and not in some organization
with machinery to keep a tally. We will not try to number them. What
is important, though, is that a group of such people meet within
minutes of where you live.
They are just Christians. They worship and serve God in the same way
the early disciples did. Christ is their only creed and the
Scriptures their only guide. They are not members of any human
organization, they are simply a congregation, or church, of Christ.
They, in turn, would like to share Christ with you and with all the
world.
You too can be just a Christian and serve God without belonging to
any denomination, bound by denominational laws or obligations. If
such freedom appeals to you, please contact us. ~
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Why Are There So Many Churches?
Rod Rutherford
The following statement is typical of many that we hear: “There is
one God and one Lord Jesus Christ. There is only one Bible. Why are
there so many different churches?” There are literally thousands of
different religious organizations in the world today which claim to
believe in Jesus Christ. The number of these organizations increases
daily. It is not surprising that sincere seekers after truth are
confused. Our Lord prayed for the unity of all who would believe in
Him. In John 17:20-21, Jesus spoke to the Father these words: “I do
not pray for these alone, but also for those who will believe in Me
through their word; that they all may be one, as You, Father, are in
Me, and I in You; that they also may be one in Us, that the world
may believe that You sent me.” Many turn away from Christ in
confusion because of the many different churches which claim to be
following Him today.
There are thousands of different churches in the world, but the
Bible knows only one. Hear the inspired Apostle Paul: “There is one
body and one Spirit, just as you were called in one hope of your
calling; one Lord, one faith, one baptism, one God and Father of
all, who is above all, and through all, and in you all.” (Ephesians
4:4-6).
Please notice that “there is one body.” That one body is the church.
Please note that God “put all things under His feet, and gave Him to
be head over all things to the church, which is His body, the
fullness of Him, who fills all in all” (Ephesians 1:22,23). If the
church is the body and there is one body, that means there is only
one church which is approved by God. If there is but one church,
then no man has any right to start another one. In fact, none of the
churches founded by men have the approval of God. Our Lord Jesus
Christ said: “Every plant, which My heavenly Father has not planted,
will be uprooted” (Matthew 15:13).
When our Lord Jesus Christ lived on this earth, He responded to
Peter’s confession, “You are the Christ, the Son of the living God”
by saying: “And on this rock I will build My church” (Matthew
16:16-18). Please notice that Jesus used the singular. He did not
say, “I will build my churches!” Nor did He promise to build many
churches. He built only one! Because He is the Christ, the Son of
the living God, He has the right to build the church. No one else
can truthfully make the same claim. Therefore, no one else has the
right to start a church or religious organization different from
that one which Jesus built.
The church that Jesus built, the church of Christ, began on the
first Pentecost following the resurrection and ascension of our
Lord. We can read about its beginning in Acts, chapter 2.
Why not be content to become a member of Christ’s church? Follow the
perfect pattern given for the church in the New Testament. Obey the
same gospel which was preached on Pentecost day in the same way it
was obeyed then and the same Lord will add you to the same church,
the church of Christ!
You must believe in Jesus Christ, the Son of God (Mark 16:16; John
8:24). Repent of all your past sins (Acts 2:38; 17:30,31). Confess
your faith in Christ (Romans 10:9-10; Acts 8:37). Be buried with
Christ in baptism for the remission of your sins (Mark 16:16; Romans
6:4; Acts 2:38). You will thereby be added by the Lord to His one
true church: “. . .And the Lord added to the church daily such as
should be saved” (Acts 2: 47).
You must serve the Lord faithfully in His church all the days of
your life. If you do, you can be sure the Lord will reward you with
eternal life in the Last Day (Revelation 2:10; 2 Timothy 4:6-8). ~
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