THE CHURCH Looking at the church we must look to the fact that the early Christians certainly OBSERVED the ordinances of the gospel, such as baptism, Lord’s Supper, Lord’s Day (Acts 20:7). There is however, one remarkable fact connected with the existence of the CHURCH OF CHRIST which is an additional factor in the problem. Whenever Christianity has been faithfully proclaimed, no CUMPULSION has been used to lead men to believe in Christ. Indeed, in all ages, for the most part, there has been no earthly advantage for men to become Christians. Not only so, but history will show that the Christian profession has often meant social ostracism, persecution, and even death. Both in regard to individual experience and to corporate life, opposition has had to be faced. Christianity has been checked and thwarted by civil and national authorities in almost every age. Whether in the Roman Empire or among barbaric hordes, attempts have been made to crush and destroy Christianity. But the RESULT has ever been to make the church stronger than before! In the New Testament we find Jews with all their monotheistic passion actually regarding Jesus of Nazareth as equal to God the Father, and this well within twenty-five years of the time at which He was put to death as a criminal. The FACT is so striking and even startling that it is scarcely surprising that attempts should be made to modify or break its force! But it resists all such attempts, and remains one of the most CONVINCING FACTS of early church history. Now if we are to have a real Christ and a real Christianity, back to the Bible and back to the Christ is the watchword of the pulpit in this generation. See ya Sunday, Ralph
Posted on: Mon, 15 Jul 2013 08:35:23 +0000
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