Is The church of Christ the one true church?

[Nova]

Distilled Truths

Earl Gieseke

If you should have a discussion with about any member of a denomination, you would probably hear them say,“Well, our ‘pastor’ uses the same Bible your preacher does, and preaches the same truths.” These “pastors” in denominational, or man-made churches, do preach some of the same truths that gospel preachers do, for any truth from the Bible is truth, regardless of who teaches it.

An atheist can teach truth. A Jew can teach truth, just as long as it is from the inspired writings, and it is without additions or subtractions. Anyone who teaches that it is a sin to lie is teaching truth. Any one who says that Jesus Christ is Lord is teaching truth. No religious group has cornered all truth, because all spiritual truth is already fully revealed. Is there any difference in the teachings of a gospel preacher — ignorantly called by some, a “church of Christ preacher”— and the teachings of denominational preachers? Certainly! Else there would be no man-made churches. All would wear the names designated in the New Testament if all preachers taught just what the Bible teaches.

You cannot find the term Methodist, Presbyterian or Baptist ever applied to members of the church of Christ in the New Testament. If so, give me the verse — not ten or five — just one! What is the difference in man-made churches and the church we read about in the New Testament? These preachers and their denominations they are affiliated with, have what may be called,“Distilled Truths.” These man-made churches run the Bible through their own distilleries, and the various filters through which it is run, results in only the truths coming through which is allowed by their man-made creeds. These “Distilled Truths” come from the Catholics’, the Presbyterians’, the Baptists’, the Methodists’ and the Pentecostals’ private distilleries. While all may distill some of the truths, the individual filters in their distilleries result in different truths as the by- product. For example, the filters of the Methodist filter out immersion while the “brew masters” add sprinkling. The Baptist filters let immersion through while filtering out the remission of sins in connection with baptism. Some Pentecostal filters let immersion and remission of sins through, but filter out the three persons of the Godhead. Thus, they baptize in the name of Jesus only!

more to come

[Nova]

"Distilled Truths" Part 2


These “Distilled Truths” are subtly saturated with individual condiments by each man-made religious group from its own creed. This causes those who imbibe these “Distilled Truths” to become Catholics, Methodists, Presbyterians, Baptists, or Pentecostals — depending on which distillery they get their “Distilled Truths” from.

Let us never turn from the source of living waters. Let us reject every man made creed — whether taught by denominational preachers, or those who still profess to be gospel preachers. Let us ever keep in mind that a “Little leaven leaveneth the whole lump.” Let us not be fearful of being called “legalist” by those who are liberals.

As I continue to study the Scriptures, there is nothing more evident to me than the fact that God is a legalist. Every saint needs enough legalism to be sound, but not enough to be silly. Jesus clearly stated,“Not every one that saith unto me, Lord, Lord, shall enter into the kingdom of heaven; but he that doeth the will of my Father which is in heaven”(Mat. 7:21).

Each member of each congregation needs to read and heed the admonitions of Jesus, Paul, John and other inspired writers as they warn us again and again against embracing false teachers and their false doctrines. Jesus became a legalist when He said,“Not every one that saith unto me, Lord, Lord, shall enter into the kingdom of heaven; but he that doeth the will of my Father which is in heaven. Many will say to me in that day, Lord, Lord, have we not prophesied in thy name? and in thy name have cast out devils? and in thy name done many wonderful works? And then will I profess unto them, I never knew you: depart from me, ye that work iniquity.”

When God burned Nadab and Abihu to death for getting their fire from the wrong place (Lev. 10:1-2), God gave His approval to legalism for all times.

When someone accuses me of being a legalist, I reply,“Thank you.”

[Nova]

The Divine Pattern of Acceptable Worship—Part 1

By WAYNE JACKSON

November 10, 2000

http://www.christiancourier.com/articles/286-...



The Divine Pattern of Acceptable Worship—Part 2

http://www.christiancourier.com/articles/290-... -

[Nova]

There is nothing wrong with referring to a lesson by another person as long as that lesson harmonizes with the word of God (2Tim.2:2).

2 And the things that thou hast heard of me among many witnesses, the same commit thou to faithful men, who shall be able to teach others also.

42 And they continued stedfastly in the apostles' doctrine and fellowship, and in breaking of bread, and in prayers.(Acts 2:42)

5 And beside this, giving all diligence, add to your faith virtue; and to virtue knowledge;
6 And to knowledge temperance; and to temperance patience; and to patience godliness;
7 And to godliness brotherly kindness; and to brotherly kindness charity.
8 For if these things be in you, and abound, they make you that ye shall neither be barren nor unfruitful in the knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ.
9 But he that lacketh these things is blind, and cannot see afar off, and hath forgotten that he was purged from his old sins.
10 Wherefore the rather, brethren, give diligence to make your calling and election sure: for if ye do these things, ye shall never fall:(2Peter 1:5-10)


thetruthinlove.com

[Nova]

Distilled Truths By:Earl Gieseke

This lesson and other bible lessons can be found at gospelpreceptor

The christiancourier also has good sound bible lessons.

thetruthinlove.com

[Nova]

POSTMODERNISM AND THE CHURCH

Are you amazed that someone would question the definition of the word “is?” How can someone say they believe baptism is essential to salvation and at the same time accept people who have not been baptized as though they were saved? How can one claim, on the one hand, that Jesus is the Saviour of the world, and on the other hand, say that one may be saved without ever hearing of Jesus and the gospel plan of salvation? The answer to these questions is found in the word postmodernism.

The “modern age” was the age of logic, reason and rational thought. The “postmodern age” will have none of that. It has outgrown such old foggyism. This philosophy or world view is much like what we used to do as children playing and making things up as we go along. Things can be simply what we want them to be. Logic and reasoning are not required. In fact, logic and reasoning must not be used or postmodernism will not work

Politically, postmodernism attempts to redesign government to circumvent the guidelines of the constitution and the rule of law. These are based on logic and reason and cannot be trusted according to postmodern thinking. To postmodern politicians, truth is what they say it is. Furthermore, what may be truth one day, may not be truth the next. Words such as truth, family values, tolerance and forgiveness are simply redefined to mean what they want them to mean. This may help to explain how politicians can speak of family values while committing adultery. They can speak of the sanctity of human life while continuing to support partial birth abortion. They can “repent” of immorality while remaining immoral.

Religiously, postmodernism attempts to redesign the church to circumvent the Bible. It attempts to appeal to those who may not feel comfortable with a logical and well reasoned exposition of scripture. Thus, they substitute “user-friendly,”“touchy-feely” sermons designed to make people feel good. While making up the rules as they go along, they preach as if the Bible has nothing to say about worship, differing roles for men and women in the church, congregational organization or the terms of pardon. This is why we hear of “unity in diversity.” For the postmodernist, this is not a contradiction in terms. In reality unity in diversity is simply the age old lie of unity in error! I believe baptism is necessary and you believe it is not and we will both be right. Pay no attention to the logical inconsistency and never mind what the Bible says (Acts 2:38).

Postmodernism is a false philosophy which destroys. It may spell the downfall of our freedom as a republic. Time will tell. As applied to religion, it will spell doom for those who embrace it, but it can never overcome the eternal kingdom of God’s dear son (Dan. 2:44; Matt. 16:18). Postmodernism will destroy the faith of those who espouse it, but it will never destroy those whose faith is in the Word of God which lives and abides forever (1 Peter 1:23).

~~Dan Flournoy

[Nova]

A Response to "Common Sense Questions a 'Church of Christ' Preacher Cannot Clearly Answer"

http://www.deusvitae.com/faith/responses/bapt...

missionprinting.us

click on Publications

[Beautiful Feet]

Are We Wrong? Part 2

Again, he wrote, "Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who hath blessed us with all spiritual blessings in heavenly places in Christ" (Eph. 1:3). And of Christ, Paul said, "In whom we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of sins, according to the riches of his grace" (Eph. 1:7).

Are we wrong to say that the only into Christ is by baptism? There are only two passages of scripture which tell us how to get into Christ. Paul wrote both by the inspiration of the Holy Spirit.

"Know ye not that so many of us as were baptized into Jesus Christ were baptized into his death" (Rom. 6:4), and "For as many of you as have been baptized into Christ have put on Christ" (Gal. 3:27).

The scriptures nowhere teach that there is another way into Christ. As one is out of a coat until he puts the coat on, so one is out of Christ until he puts on Christ — and the only way to do that is in baptism.

Are we wrong to say that there is one body? Inspiration says, "there is one body" (Eph. 4:4). In fact, it says, "but one body" (1 Cor. 12:20). Could language be any plainer?

more to come

[RedRoute]

Everyone knows that the Roman Catholic Church is the one TRUE Christian church. Every other Christian denomination is a splinter, one way or another, off of the Catholic Church.

[Beautiful Feet]

RedRoute wrote:

Everyone knows that the Roman Catholic Church is the one TRUE Christian church. Every other Christian denomination is a splinter, one way or another, off of the Catholic Church.

If what you say is actually true,it should be easy to show us the Catholic Church in the New Testament.

http://missionprinting.us/mp_newindex.html

Click on Publications

I highly recommend the booklet entitled -

"A Reply To A Denominational Preacher

and

"How Can I Find the Right Church?"

[JB Good]

RedRoute wrote:

Everyone knows that the Roman Catholic Church is the one TRUE Christian church. Every other Christian denomination is a splinter, one way or another, off of the Catholic Church.

You mean to tell me that the Lord wrote a book and built His church and did not even mention the Catholic Church once in the book we call the bible? Isn't that amazing.

Look what I found.

"The churches of Christ" (Rom.16:16)

Get your information about the church of Christ here. It will be bible scriptures you will be reading.

http://missionprinting.us/

Click on Publications

A Response to "Common Sense Questions a 'Church of Christ' Preacher Cannot Clearly Answer"

http://www.deusvitae.com/faith/responses/bapt ...

searchingfortruth.org

[JB Good]

Identifying the Church of the New Testament
Is it possible to rediscover the church of the New Testament in today’s world? Many sincere people have never considered this possibility. It is a thrilling thought. In a recent address, Wayne
Jackson spoke of this matter.

http://www.christiancourier.com/articles/470-...