Volume  3    Issue   33   June 22nd, 2003

A publication of the:
Butler church of Christ

Our meeting location is:
201 5th Ave.
Butler, PA 16001
724-287-0628 (building) / 724-282-9417 (home/office)

Assembling Times:
Sunday Bible Class - 9:30 AM
Sunday Worship – 10:30 AM
Wednesday Bible Class – 7:00 PM
 

Editor / Preacher –
Brian A. Yeager
 

Check out the web site:

http://www.wordsoftruth.net

     As we continue our study on ways to identify a sound congregation, we come in this article upon a very important part of that discussion.  Any good Bible student will realize that Jesus Christ promised and died to establish one church (Matthew 16:18, Acts 20:28, Ephesians 5:25, Ephesians 1:22-23, and Ephesians 4:4).   Bible students will also realize that the one church Jesus died for was His own body and that which He is head of (Colossians 1:18).  This one church is the church of Christ, which is appropriately named after her founder (Romans 16:16).   However, though a building may bear a sign that may suggest the church of Christ meets within that facility that is not necessarily always the case.

     In Wintersville, OH there is a building that has a sign that indicates a church of Christ is presently meeting in that facility.  Yet, when one walks in the door and is a witness to the worship within those walls they are quick to realize that the singing is accompanied with a piano.  Some may wonder what the big deal is, but those whom have spent some time studying the New Testament would realize that the church of Christ was and is not authorized to use mechanical instruments of music by command, example, or necessary inference.  In reality, that church in Wintersville, OH is Christian Church Denomination with achurch of Christ on their sign.  Signs really can be deceiving.

     The New Testament is very clear in pointing out that the Lord desires vocal music when worshipping Him with singing.  (Ephesians 5:19) “Speaking to yourselves in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing and making melody in your heart to the Lord.”  (Colossians 3:16) “Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly in all wisdom; teaching and admonishing one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing with grace in your hearts to the Lord.”  Notice that the music presented in worship following the institution of the Lord’s Supper was vocal: (Matthew 26:30) “And when they had sung an hymn, they went out into the mount of Olives.”

     Singing is not the only identifying mark of worship a Christian needs to look for when trying to locate a sound congregation with which to worship.  We must always be quick to observe if they are adding or taking from God’s word in all aspects of worship (Deuteronomy 4:2; 12:32, Proverbs 30:5-6, Galatians 1:6-12, and Revelation 22:18-19).  When one observes or begins questioning about the worship of a local congregation, they should find that the assembly on the first day of the week would include:
 

1. Singing, not playing music to God (Ephesians 5:19).
2. Partaking of the Lord Supper with unleavened bread and fruit of the vine every first day of the week (Matthew 26:17; 26-29, I Corinthians 11:23-26 and Acts 20:7).
3. Taking up a collection of the saints upon the first day of the week (I Corinthians 16:1-2).
4. Having preaching about God only from the word of God (Acts 20:7 and II Timothy 4:2).
5. People of prayer whom did that collectively (I Corinthians 14:15 and I Thessalonians 5:17).

 Worship is only one thing in which we should examine when finding a sound congregation with which to serve.  Our series will continue in the bulletin next week to discuss what works a local congregation should and should not be involved in.  The New Testament is clear in what the work of the true New Testament church is.  However, many claiming to be the church of Christ have sought to add or diminish from those things.  The true church of the New Testament will be very specific in their desire and practice to follow only with what Christ has authorized (Colossians 3:17).
 

Quick Notes

Those In Need of Our Prayers:
Joan Croyle, Marie Glunt (a friend of the Papp’s who is suffering from cancer), Brenda Graham (having knee problems), Valarie Johnson, Kathleen Santana, Mike Lockwood (traveling and dealing with a lot of stress with work that is getting to him) Julie Rado (a friend of the Graham’s who has been diagnosed with breast cancer).