A few weeks ago, an article in the church bulletin of one of the churches of Christ in our area asked the question "Why would anyone, especially a member of the Lord's church, drive 100 miles to worship when we have a nice facility here in...?" This is a legitimate question. What circumstances could cause a Christian to feel the need to drive some distance to worship?
Those who wish to worship God, and serve Him acceptably, may be faced with making some difficult decisions. When the apostle Paul wrote to young Timothy he said, "I charge {thee} in the sight of God, and Christ Jesus, and the elect angels, that thou observe these things without prejudice, doing nothing by partiality. Lay hands hastily on no man, neither be partaker of other men's sins: keep thyself pure." (1 Timothy 5:21-22)
Paul clearly stated that Christians cannot have fellowship with things that are wrong. "Let no man deceive you with empty words: for because of these things cometh the wrath of God upon the sons of disobedience. Be not ye therefore partakers with them; For ye were once darkness, but are now light in the Lord: walk as children of light (for the fruit of the light is in all goodness and righteousness and truth), proving what is well-pleasing unto the Lord; and have no fellowship with the unfruitful works of darkness, but rather even reprove them." (Ephesians 5:6-11) Paul used the words "partakers" and "fellowship," to instruct Christians not to partner with others in their sinful practices.
Who will I support? Where will I lend my influence? In which practices will I choose to participate? These three important considerations make the question, "How far will I have to drive?" seem irrelevant. It is reminiscent of the statement Jeroboam made when he set up calf worship in Dan and Bethel. He said, "It is too much for you to go up to Jerusalem." (1 Kings 12:28)
Division over the church's work, nature, and organization is a reality. It certainly has not come about suddenly, but it has come. God desires that there be unity among His people, but this unity must be based on His word. Jesus prayed that all believers would be one, in Him (John 17:20-21). Paul outlined a way to achieve and maintain this goal (Ephesians 4:1-16). But, the Scriptures warn that some would not be content to abide in the "doctrine of Christ" (2 John 9) and that some would "depart from the faith." (1 Timothy 4:1) Paul told the Ephesian elders that some would "speak perverse things to draw away disciples after them." (Acts 20: 29-30) Indeed, division is an ugly thing, but one thing is worse than division, and that one thing is unity in error. Those who follow truth cannot long remain united with those who follow error (Romans 16:17; Titus 3:9-11; 2 John 9-11).
What should we do when issues arise? The following simple rules will help us in such times.
1. Respect the authority of the Scriptures. "Thy word is truth." (John 17:17) "And whatsoever ye do, in word or in deed, {do} all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him."(Colossians 3:17) "If any man speaketh, speaking as it were oracles of God." (1 Peter 4:11). Let no man be honored "above that which is written." (1 Corinthians 4:6) We must also respect God's silence. Where God did not speak, we have no authority to act.
2. Believe that Scripture can be understood. The Lord addressed his word to our understanding. We are commanded to "understand what the will of the Lord is."(Ephesians 5:17) The Scriptures are written by inspiration so that we might "understand" (Ephesians 3:2-4).
3. Handle the word of God correctly. (2 Timothy 2: 15) We must study the Scriptures in context and consider all that the Bible says about a subject. If more than one passage deals with a matter, then honest study requires that we regard all that God says before we reach a conclusion.
4. Resolve to follow whatever course truth demands. Of what benefit is learning the truth about a given subject unless we are determined to accept it. We must be as the man who found the pearl of great price and sold all he had in order to obtain it (Matthew 13:45,46).
5. Stand for truth without bitterness. When brethren become our enemies because we stand for truth, we must accept the Lord's challenge to love our enemies and do good to those who despitefully use us (Matthew 5:43-46).
Unfortunately, when issues arise, some are "dull of hearing, and their eyes they have closed." (Cf. Matthew 13:15) In the time of Ezekiel, some had "set up their idols in their hearts." If one comes to God with such idols in his heart, "the Lord will answer him...according to the multitude of his idols." (Ezekiel 14:1-5) Let us "Prove all things: hold fast that which is good." (1 Thessalonians 5:21)
The bulletin referred to at the beginning of this article is correct in suggesting that problems should be discussed. Let us then consider some questions that must be discussed.
1. Where in the Bible did one church ever send another church money to preach the gospel? Those who participate in the "sponsoring church" arrangement for preaching the gospel are practicing this.
2. Where is the Scriptural authority for a church to donate to any human institution?
3. Where is Bible authority for elders to oversee any work except the work "which is among them?" (Cf. 1 Peter 5:2)
4. Where is the authority for the church to engage in providing suppers, parties, or other entertainment, for anyone? Churches who engage in this aspect of the "social gospel," e.g., fellowship halls and "fun fest" activities, must find supporting Scriptures. And the one who cannot find Scripture for such practices must take a stand against them.
These are not new questions, and they will not go away. They still demand answers. Unfortunately, few have even TRIED to provide Scriptural authority for these things, and those who have tried did not "handle aright the word of truth." Therefore, they who desire to stand for truth must speak out against these innovations and those who espouse them. Remember Paul's words, "Have no fellowship with the unfruitful works of darkness, but rather even reprove them." (Ephesians 5:11) We must do this to please God. If I preach anything not received from God, His curse will rest upon me (Galatians 1:6-9). If I do not abide in the doctrine of Christ, I do not have God (2 John 9).
It is sad indeed to drive 100 miles to worship when there is a church nearby. But we must stand against those things for which we cannot find Bible authority.
Please stand against the aforementioned innovations, or else give Scriptural authority for your practices so that we may stand together.
Brother Galloway's article provides food for thought in our discussions with some of our brethren. God's word is the standard by which all things must be measured. If a practice cannot be found in the Book--I cannot approve it. I, too, love unity and hate division--but not at the price of truth; that's a higher price than I'm willing to pay! (KMG)