Return To Basic Bible Authority

Transcription

1 Bulletin #1394 January 17, 2016 From The Minister s Pen Return To Basic Bible Authority n Matthew 21:25, in discussing the I baptism of John, our Lord directed this question to the Jewish leaders: The baptism of John, whence was it? from heaven, or of men? This piercing question confounded these leaders in Judaism, and they were uncomfortable in being brought to the critical point of seeing that all religious matters boil down to this: either God authorized it, or it is a thing of man! We, today, need to recognize that there has been no change in this basic truth. A generation or so ago, churches of Christ were known as those who demanded a thus saith the Lord for all religious practice. Many of those who were urged to forsake denominationalism and obey the truth were first impressed with the fact that the Bible was demanded for all things religious, and they were able to see this as the line that separated sectarianism from the Lord s body. That is still true, however we sometimes hear of situations today that in the church, there may not be that same stress on the Word as the only authority. In such a move away from God, we will not, and cannot, bear the fruit demanded of us. If there is a single cry that needs to be made, for all to hear, it would be this: Let us return to the Bible as the basis of all of our actions in religion! There is really no hope for us unless we do this. Below are a few reasons why we must have a return to the Bible: (1) Jesus tells us that His Word will be the basis of judgment (John 12:48). He plainly says that the Word will judge us. If the Bible is to be the basis of our judgment, then it is surely vital that we abide by that volume. (2) The Bible is inspired (God-breathed), and profitable for us. In 2 Timothy 3:16 Paul tells us that God breathed-out the Scriptures, and that for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, and for instruction in righteousness, this is the volume giving us the help we need. That being so, then to refuse to be guided by the Bible is to refuse that which God has said is the profitable course. Man will rely on something, if just his own will and pleasure. In spurning the Bible as authority, whatever man turns to will be that which cannot profit nor deliver (1 Sam. 12:21). (3) In the same context, 1 Timothy 3, the apostle continues and lets us know that the Bible furnishes a man completely unto all good works (3:17). The work of the Christ, in forming us as a people, was to develop a people for God s own possession zealous of good

2 works (Tit. 2:14). God s children labor in the realm of doing that which is good, and behind that is the fact that God Himself has declared unto us that which is the good and right thing. To enable us to work in the area of good, and to remain only in that area, God has provided us with the Bible as the authoritative and infallible Guide. We are thus furnished unto every good work. An honest person can thus know that any given work is not good if it is not authorized by the Bible. (4) Finally, and certainly not the least in importance, is the fact that our Lord will condemn us if we refuse to abide by the Bible as our authority. The warning is given: Whosoever transgresseth, and abideth not in the doctrine of Christ, hath not God (2 John 9). John continues and brands one a false teacher who does not so abide by this doctrine, and calls the works of such a one evil deeds (2 John 11). It is imperative, then, that the people of God remain with the Word of God, and they must if the blessings of God continue to rest upon them. The Lord has made us in Himself, that we might be those who live right and do right. This is possible only if we abide by the right standard the Bible! Present-day apostasy is characterized by a disdain for the Word of God, and by a non-caring attitude regarding Bible authority. The same departures from the Bible standard that has been long seen in sectarianism is now too often witnessed among our own people. Many individuals live their lives, and many congregations conduct their activities, with little regard for what the Bible says. In these lines, we call men back to basic Bible authority in all things, and herein is our only hope! Urging from the apostle Peter is appropriate here: If any man speak, let him speak as the oracles of God (1 Pet. 4:11). The Bible Alone Is The FINAL AUTHORITY. Page 2 To Be In Tuned With God, We Must Not Go Beyond What is Written. (I Cor. 4:6) That means not to add to scripture so-called Sacred Tradition, the writings of the Ante Nicene fathers, the Book of Mormon, Quran or anything else. ALL Christian doctrine, correction, instruction in righteousness and reproof must come from the BIBLE ALONE to be valid (2 Tim. 3:16, 17). IF your spiritual beliefs are not based upon scripture, they are NOT TRUE. IF your salvation isn t based upon scripture, it is NOT REAL!

3 Bulletin #1394 January 17, 2016 Church News and Views Powerful Gospel Preaching Vesper Services Nightly Women s Conference Workshops Daily Visit us on our website at

4 MIC Banquet The annual MIC Banquet is fast approaching. On Wednesday, January 20 th, from 7:00PM to 10:00PM, MIC will be having its 40 th MIC Banquet at the Renaissance Plantation Hotel. Immediately following today s church services, tickets will be available in the lobby for a donation of $ Below are the banquet door prizes. 1. Professional Ninja 900 Watts 2. Michael Kors Ladies Black Purse 3. Dooney & Bourke Ladies Tan Purse 4. Lineage Men s Grey Suit with White Shirt and Tie and Cuff Links 5. Ladies Black/Gold Floral Print Coat Dress 6. Ladies Black/Royal Blue Two-Piece Suit 7. Men s Camel Colored Suit by Falcone with Blue Shirt and Striped Tie 8. 8-Sheet Cross Cut Paper Shredder 9. HP Office Jet Printer Westinghouse 32 Television 11. Week-end Stay 3 days and 2 nights at Hampton Inn 12. Week-end Stay 3 days and 2 nights at Renaissance Hotel 13. Oster Toaster Oven 14. Keurig K-Cup 1 Single 15. HP Photosmart Premium Printer 16. Toshiba Chrome Book Laptop 17. KJV Personal Size Giant Print Bible 18. Linea Uomo Men s 3-Piece Tie Set 19. Linea Uomo Men s 3-Piece Tie Set 20. George Foreman 15-Serving Indoor/Outdoor Electric Grill 21. Beats Solo 2-Ear Head Phones 22. Three-Piece Luggage Set 23. LG Tone Pro Wireless Stereo Headset (Bluetooth) Page 4 CDs and DVDs Available Dr. Washington s four-part sermon, Chained to the Chariot is available for purchase in the Evangelism Office, including Wednesday night!!! Recordings of all MIC sessions and vesper services also will be available on CD and DVD. Purchases may be made at the hotel during sessions or in Room 22 of the church building. Lord, He Whom Thou Lovest Is Sick (John 11:3) Shut-In: Charles Davis, Camille Ewers, Paul Frances, Martha Moore, Ermine Mullins, Joyce Parrish, Marion Williams, Lillie Jackson Prayer Requests: Deloris Washington, Bobby Ace, Ethel Bess, Laura Blidge, Louise Bowman, Richard Brazil, Raf Campbell, Arnetta Cross, Ron Cullingford, Sydnee Crow, Brooklyn Delancy, Aletha Denmark, Felisha Downer, Donna Eacho, Sharon Eason, Nelzene Edwards, Loerine Ellis, Bessie Everitt, Hanley Freeman, Dudley Hill, Arbie Humphrey, Lois Hutchison, Jacquelyn Irvin, Veanna Irvin, Becky Johnson, Gloria Johnson, Annie Lee, Kevin Larkins, Nancy Logan, Suzanna Middleton, George & Sharon Monroe, Willie Mae Morris, Jennifer Neita, Jimmy Newson, Rosie Newson, Dianjalo Parrish, Johnny Richardson, Shay Roache, Akiko Robinson, Shirley Seays, Richard & Jean Sherman, Maxine Smith, Frances Smoot, Yvonne Stokes, Linda Stokes, Brandi Stroman, Alexander (Joe) Sutton, Ernest & Mae Thomas, Samantha Tobias, Rolinne Trompe, Roosevelt Tukes, Lewis & Jean Truttling, Johnnie P. Walker, Johnny Walker, Lillie Walker, Lucille Walker, Michael Ward, Joshua Webb, Marie Webb, Annie Williams, Betty Williams, Charles Williams, Jackie Williams, Rosa Williams

5 Bulletin #1394 January 17, 2016 We Come Into This House To Worship Him (John 4:24) MORNING EVENING Announcements Reginald Johnson Reginald Johnson Song Leader Jason Walker (Brooklyn, NY) Jason Walker (Brooklyn, NY) Prayer Curtis Pittman (Jackson, MS) Samuel Garner (Seattle, WA) Scripture Reading Rickey Williams (Marshall, TX) Cornelius Heyward (Far Rockaway, NY) Song Sermons Jack Evans, Jr. (Terrell, TX) Call To Obedience Counselors: R. Thompson / W. Hamilton / C. Jean / B. Bess / T. Hugley Alternate: James West Confessions /Prayer Petitions Keith Hutchison (Officiating) Keith Hutchison (Officiating) Offering (1 Cor. 16:1,2) AM Officiating: Keith Hutchison / Raymond Thompson Lord s Supper (Acts 20:7) (1) Left, J. Franklin (2) Left, J. Thomas (3) Left, T. Harris (4) Left, E. Holcombe (1) Right, B. Byrd (2) Right, L. Frazier (3) Right, C. Jean (4) Right, D. Edwards Alternate: G. Barbee Ministerial Announcements PM Officiating: Keith Hutchison / Raymond Thompson E. Thompson M. Hughes J. Franklin E. Holcombe C. Jean D. Stokes Alternates: J. Thomas, M. Strong Doxology Dr. W. F. Washington Dr. W. F. Washington Dismissal Worship and Praise Leaders Ushers Hospitality Desk / Concierge Keith Hutchison, Reginald Johnson Head Ushers: Tony Hugley, Booker Bess Auditorium: Bros. T. Hugley, B. Bess, F. Williams, D. Adams, E. Thompson, R. Johnson, J. Outler, M. Jeanty, D. Gray, S. Wilson, D. Freeman, R. Rouse, C. Rouse Lobby: I. Johnson, H. Penn Alice George, Sharon Evans Back Hall: D. Brooks, J. West

6 Bible School Attendance Report More News and Views Page 6 FROM: The Education Department January 11, 2015 CLASS ATTENDANCE COLLECTION GOAL NUMBER GOAL AMOUNT Vesper Services Church Nursery 4 #1 CLASSES Nursery (2 & 3) 10 3 $ Tomorrow $ 5.00 and Tuesday OF evening s THE WEEK vesper Kindergarten (4 & 50) Grades 1 and services 7.05 will begin at 6:00PM. ATTENDANCE Three gospel Grades 3 and January , messages 7.00 will be preached ADULT: each Sound evening Doctrine by Grades 5 and some 35.00* of the brotherhood s YOUTH: Grades greatest 5 & gospel 6 The Grades and 8 Ministers Institute 15 Conference Grades 11 & 12 Grades 9 and preachers COME to hear great gospel will incorporate a Women s Conference Grades 11 and * COLLECTION for ladies in the brotherhood. Women from preaching and to give praise the Lord! Ladies Class ADULT: Sound Doctrine across Men s Class the United States have 30 come 19 to hear YOUTH: Grades 5 & 6 dynamic Sound Doctrine and Class informative 80 women 80* of like faith. The women s conference will convene MIC Program Guides *GOAL MET Total: 206 $ tomorrow through Wednesday from 8:30AM until 12:00PM at the Fort Lauderdale-Plantation Renaissance Hotel. All ules and speakers with a program. Pro- Stay informed about our daily MIC sched- Golden Heights ladies, as well as ladies grams for the 2016 Ministers Institute Conference are provided free to all registered throughout South Florida, should make every effort to attend. This will be a wonderful opportunity for learning and fellow- guests. Unregistered guests may purchase a program guide for $2.00 each. ship! The Record Speaks GOAL ACTUAL 01/10/16 Wednesday PM Bible Study Bible School Worship Baptisms (2015) Placed Membership 10 Visitors 6