Topic(s): Bible Infallibility, God's Sovereignty, Worship

“...By what authority doest thou these things? and who gave thee this authority?” (Mt. 21:23).

By what authority do you and I practice the things we do in religion? Let us observe the following questions: Is the majority the correct standard of authority? Surely not. Through time the majority has been wrong. Where was the majority in the flood? What about Sodom and Gomorrah? Jesus said many travel the broad way that leads to destruction (Mt. 7:13, 14).

Are kinsmen the correct standard of authority? Surely not. If they were, then every religion, even those that deny the divinity of Christ and reject the Bible as the infallible guide in matters of religion, would be all right if such was accepted by kinsmen.

Are the creeds of men the correct standard of authority? Surely not. They are contradictory to the inspired and infallible Word of God. They contain the doctrines and commandments of men, concerning which Jesus said, “But in vain do they worship me, teaching for doctrine the commandments of men” (Mt. 15:9).

Is “I think” the correct standard of authority? Surely not. Jeremiah wrote, “O Lord, I know that the way of man is not in himself: it is not in man that walketh to direct his steps” (10:23). Also observe: “There is a way which seemeth right unto a man, but the end thereof are the ways of death” (Prov. 14:12).

Christ and His testament is the correct standard of authority. All authority in heaven and in earth has been given unto Christ (Mt. 28:18). His testament is complete, final, and all-sufficient (Jn. 16:13; Jude 3). Religious practices are to be based on His Word. Peter wrote, “If any man speak, let him speak as the oracles of God” (1 Pet. 4:11). In view of this, can you give book, chapter, and verse for what you practice in religion?

—Wendell Winkler

Things About the Church of Christ that Surprise People: Part 4

THE CHURCH OF CHRIST HAS NO EARTHLY HEADQUARTERS.

Topic(s): Church, Worship

On a number of occasions people ask, “Where are the headquarters of the church of Christ?” They mean by that in what city are your central offices, etc. They are surprised when we say, “We have no headquarters. Each congregation makes its own decisions based on the Bible.” Since the head of the church is Christ, and since Christ is in heaven, then heaven must be the location of the headquarters (Col. 1:18, 24; 1 Pet. 3:22; Phil. 3:20). No board hands down controversial decisions; no dues have to be sent in each month; no one decides (or has to approve) preacher relocations.