Let’s take a moment to consider the focus of the preaching delivered around the time Christ entered the world. In Luke 1:31-33, Mary was told by an angel that she would bring forth a son and that He would be known as Jesus. Moreover, she was informed He would reign over His kingdom.

This is why we read about the forerunner of Christ (John the Baptist) preaching that the kingdom was at hand (Matt. 3:2). As Jesus began His ministry, He also spoke about the coming of His kingdom (Matt. 4:17). He taught his followers to pray for this kingdom to come (Matt. 6:10). The Savior also stressed the need for everyone to seek that kingdom (Matt. 6:33). Even on the night of His betrayal, Jesus told His apostles that He would not partake of the Lord’s Supper again until His kingdom arrived (Matt. 26:29).

So much of Christ’s teaching about the coming of the kingdom – what should be taught after the kingdom has arrived? The answers to the above question is obvious. If there was to be great anticipation of the Lord’s kingdom, imagine how much more one would talk about the kingdom when arrived!

Is it here though? Yes! Christ stated in Mark 9:1 that the kingdom was going to come with power during the lifetime of some of those standing there listening to Him speak. Logically, we cannot be waiting for the kingdom as none of those people are still alive on the earth.

There are many scriptures that speak of the kingdom being in existence now. Saints were being translated into the kingdom (Col. 1:13). The apostles were given the key to speak the way one can get into the kingdom (Matt. 18:19; John 16:13). But just when did the kingdom come into existence? Remember that Jesus aid the kingdom would come with power (Mark 9:1). The apostles were told to tarry in Jerusalem until they received that power (Luke 24:49). This power comes when the Holy Spirit comes upon them (Acts 1:8). The Holy Spirit came upon the apostles in Acts 2:1-4.

When the Holy Spirit came, the power came. When the power came, the kingdom came. To be clear, this kingdom is spiritual, not physical. Jesus told Pilate that if His kingdom were of this world, His servants would fight (John 18:36). Pilate realized that Jesus and His followers were not a threat to the Roman government. This spiritual kingdom has come, and we need to become citizens of it today (Eph. 2:19).

To more precisely identify when the kingdom came, we need to see the link between it and the church. When Jesus said He was going to build His church, He connected it with the kingdom (Matt. 16:18-19). The promise to build His church is synonymous with the establishing of His kingdom. The two terms are often used interchangeably in the scriptures. Because Jesus purchased the church with His blood (Acts 20:28), both the church and the kingdom both began after His resurrection. Those who obeyed the gospel were added to the church and the kingdom by the Lord (Acts 2:47; Col. 1:13).

Let us now return to the question posed in the article’s title – can we really over-emphasize the church of our Lord? No! Knowing that the prophets of old, John the Baptist, Jesus and His followers spoke about its coming, why would we not also proclaim that the kingdom (church) has come? If anything, Jesus’ blood-bought church is not discussed and respected enough in today’s pulpits. Remember, Jesus is ruling and reigning (Col. 1:18)! Christ is our king (I Tim. 6:15)! Are you emphasizing the need for people to become members of His church and citizens of His kingdom?

                                                                                               Chuck

Although everything in the first article is scripturally correct, it could leave the wrong impression. One might incorrectly conclude that after a person obeys the gospel and is added to the kingdom of our Lord, that is the end. Truthfully, this could not be any farther from the truth – this is only the beginning.

Paul told Timothy (and the same goes for us today) that we need to know how we ought to conduct ourselves in the church (I Tim. 3:15). The same goes for the kingdom as we are to be workers (Col. 4:11).  In other words, if we do not abide in the teachings of Christ as our King and head, then heaven will not be ours (II John 9).

There is another aspect of the kingdom that we need to see. We must understand the need for faithfulness. Although Christians are in the kingdom today (Col. 1:13), they are not in heaven. The apostle Paul, while telling Timothy that his departure was at hand (II Tim. 4:6), uttered these words: “And the Lord will deliver me from every evil work and preserve me for His heavenly kingdom. To Him be the glory forever and ever. Amen!” (verse 18). Was the apostle not already in the kingdom? He was in the kingdom, but his eternal dwelling place was still dependent upon him fighting the good fight, finishing the race and keeping the faith (verses 7-8).

The kingdom is described in spiritual terms, so it makes sense that Christians must remain faithful to inherit the kingdom of our Lord (I Cor. 6:9-10). Being a member of the kingdom today does not guarantee us a place in the kingdom tomorrow – that is dependent on our conduct. Even as we know this to be true, our excitement is not dampened. Being a citizen of the kingdom today puts us in a perfect position to later abide in heaven with Jesus. This is why we need to be zealous in preaching that the kingdom has come and that all need to be faithful (Rev. 2:10).

Those who are part of the God’s spiritual family are enjoying a taste of what heaven will be like. We will be with those of like, precious faith who share a common love of God and are clothed with humility.

                                                                                               Chuck 

A couple of weeks ago we spent some time showing the difference between aids and additions. This was directed to the topic of instrumental music in worship. Those who don’t accept the fact that mechanical instruments are unauthorized, point out the verses in the New Testament that mention the harp. Thus, we shall examine each text to see what it is talking about.

I Corinthians 14:7-8: To save time with each text, I want to point out that none of them have anything to do with Christians gathering together on the first day of the week, to worship God. This passage mentioned, not only a harp, but a flute and trumpet. Why? Paul was dealing with the subject of speaking in tongues. He pointed out that, without understanding what is said, nothing is gained. Just as instruments make distinctive sounds. They were not mentioned as use in worship.

Revelation 5:8: This figurative vision, speaks of four living creatures and twenty-four elders than fell down, each having a harp, golden bowls of incense. Amidst those mentioned was a Lamb having seven horns and seven eyes. We know these are symbolic and there is a danger in making things literal that are meant figurative. Again, there isn’t the slightest hint of using instruments in worship today for God.

Revelation 14:2: The key to understanding this text is the word “like”. The voice that was heard from heaven sounded like many waters, loud thunder and someone playing harps. That is a rather odd combination, but these were just descriptive terms to try and relate what it sounded like. It wasn’t literally any of them.

Revelation 15:2: This passage, like the others we have looked at, are terms given to help describe what they saw. There were seven angels with seven plagues, something like a sea of glass mingled with fire. There was a beast with a mark and a name, and those standing on the sea of glass, having harps of God. Does this teach the use of instruments in worship? How?

Revelation 18:22: If you carefully read the text, the musicians of harpists, flutists, and trumpeters would not be heard anymore. They are linked with the destruction that will take place due to being destroyed by the power of God. 

We could also go through the New Testament and find the verses that mention other kinds of instrument. The word trumpet is mentioned at least a dozen times. None of which was used to imply that saints today are to gather and use mechanical instruments in worship. It’s important that one understands what God authorizes in worship and what He doesn’t. It isn’t my place to say God hates instrumental music, in and of itself. Sort of like people trying to prove God approves of brethren being hospitable (Rom. 12:13), but doing such in worship doesn’t make sense.

Producing scriptures that show God approves of something, doesn’t mean you can apply that to any situation. That is very dangerous and inconsistent. There is no doubt that our God approved of a faithful sister’s act of making garments for widows (Acts 9:36-39). However, to show this text and say that God would accept, as worship, His people all sitting around and making garments together. I know this is sounding absurd, but I want us to see the principle.

Christians were commanded to sing (Eph. 5:19; Col. 3:16). Not to sing and play. That is adding to the word of God, which was are warned against (Gal. 1:6-9). The reason the early Christians didn’t use instruments, wasn’t because they didn’t have any, or couldn’t afford any. It was because they were not authorized, and didn’t need them to help them sing.  Instruments are no more an aid to singing than taking a drink of soda aids in helping me take the fruit of the vine (I Cor. 11:23-26).

                                                                                               Chuck

Years ago, during a Bible study with a denominational friend of mine, he made an interesting statement. He said to me, “As much as I believe in Christ and all that He has taught and what I do for Him, I can’t see a God in heaven say to me, because I was not dunked in water I have to spend eternity in hell. There is nothing you can show me or tell me to change my mind.”

There it is folks, this is where someone puts their feelings ahead of the word of God. You might be thinking, “Chuck, what verses would you show him?” The fact is, I did show him. And, if I show you the same verses, yet you think like that man did, it won’t help. Why? He said that it would not matter what I showed him – the point is, his mind was made up. He wants to do what he wants to do relying on how he feels.

I have mentioned II Timothy 4:2-5, many times. The reason we bring up here is because Paul was telling Timothy, you preach the word even when they don’t want it. You cannot help someone see the truth if they are wanting something different. Jesus told us the majority of the world do what they want rather than what the Lord wants (Matt. 7:13-14).

This whole discussion brings many past Bible studies to mind. Like when I study with my Jehovah Witness friends. You will be in a Bible study with them and they are running constantly to one subject to another. They would say, answer me this. I would answer. They would say, answer me that. I would answer. The reason they did it, it wasn’t because they wanted a systematic, study of a certain subject. They wanted to keep throwing things out to see if they could stump me on a text. If I couldn’t answer, they would use that as proof in their minds that all the other answer I gave are now worthless.  

My advice to those who want to learn. Deal with one subject at a time. When the person changes, stop and say – oh, now are we in agreement on that? It is dangerous to discuss using how we feel on something as a basis for the subject at hand. Thank about it.

Chuck

Originally published 02/12/17

Is right to eat in a church’s meeting place? This verse often comes up. Paul and the brethren gathered on the first day of the week to take the Lord’s Supper (verse 7). Paul had preached until midnight, and a young man fell out of a window and died (verse 9). After Paul raised him from the dead, they went back up into the upper room. Paul nourished himself with food and then continued speaking until he had to leave that day by ship (verses 11-13).

This is a far cry from the “fellowship meals” people hold at buildings today. The brethren allowed Paul to be refreshed with food as they supported his missionary work. Paul spoke about times he was hungry and full (Phil. 4:12). Brethren gave him support to supply his needs (Phil. 4:16). This would include food. It would seem odd to be able to support a preacher with funds but not food directly.

In religious discussions, the focus is often lost. It is silly to think that a mother giving a bottle to a young child is sinning because one is “eating” in the building. If a brother came to preach and became weak from a lack of food, would it be wrong to feed him? Of course not.

However, using this text to conclude that the brethren can have potlucks at a church-owned building or holding “fellowship meals” in conjunction with worship goes far beyond the text of Acts 20. Paul ate, spoke and then departed that day. To establish a need to organize meals at the building based upon this text would be an abuse. After all, this is the same apostle who rebuked brethren for turning the Lord’s Supper into a meal (I Cor. 11:17-22). They were told they had houses to eat and drink in.

People cannot see the truth (II John 9) if they do establish proper authority for their actions or follow the doctrine of Christ. The key is to search the scriptures when facing questions (Acts 17:11). No one passage of scripture is “greater” than another – instead, we must rightly divide the word by consistently harmonizing them together (II Tim. 2:15). By doing this, we can lead lives with the confidence that we are pleasing the Lord.

                                                                                               Chuck