Topic(s): Church, Unity

Universally, the church of our Lord has no earthly organization. There is no earthly head of the church, no pope, no presiding bishop, no ecclesiastical synod, council or convention which formulates and legislates for the Lord’s church. Christ, who is in heaven, is the sole head of the church. He is all and in all (Colossians 3:11). He is Lord of Lords and King of Kings, with all the authority in heaven and earth being His (Matthew 28:18-20; Acts 2:36; 17:7; Ephesians 1:22, 23; 4:5; Philippians 2:5-11; 1 Peter 3:22).

Locally, the Lord has organized His church. Such consists of elders (Acts 15:4; 20:28; 1 Timothy 3:1-7; Titus 1:5-9; Hebrews 13:7, 17; 1 Peter 5:1-4), deacons (Acts 6:1-8; 1 Timothy 3:8-13), evangelists (2 Timothy 4:5; Ephesians 4:11; Romans 10:13-17), and members (Romans 12:4, 5; 1 Corinthians 12:13-27). Philippians 1:1 presents this simple, but oh, so beautiful, organization: “Paul and Timotheus, servants of Jesus Christ (evangelists) to all the saints in Christ Jesus which are at Philippi (members), with the bishops (elders) and deacons (special servants).”

With this organization in place, and each fulfilling his responsibilities, (a) the elders will lead, guide, oversee, rule and direct (Acts 20:28-30; 1 Peter 5:1, 2; 1 Timothy 5:17; 1 Thessalonians 5:12; Hebrews 13:17), with the entire work of the local congregation being under their direct supervision and guidance (Acts 11:27-30), (b) all the members will be in subjection to them (Hebrews 13:17; 1 Timothy 5:17), working and supplying (Romans 12:4-8; Ephesians 4:15,16), (c) deacons, as special servants in the local congregation, will admirably serve (Acts 6:1-8), and (d) evangelists will preach (2 Timothy 4:1-8).

The adequacy of the Lord’s plan of organization. Employing various ways and means which did not violate the local congregation’s autonomy or some other Biblical principles, this simple organization is adequate to take care of every responsibility and challenge the early church had: (a) local benevolence (Acts 6:1ff), (b) away-from-home benevolence (Acts 11:27-30), (c) evangelism (1 Timothy 3:15; Colossians 1:23; Acts 8:4), (d) doctrinal questions (Acts 15:1ff), and (e) edification (Ephesians 4:15, 16). And since God (a) intended for this church to stand as long as the earth stands (Ephesians 3:21; Hebrews 12:28; Daniel 2:44), (b) taught that the truth of the first century was to be maintained throughout the centuries (2 Timothy 2:2), (c) warned against any departure from truth (1 Timothy 4:1-3; 2 Timothy 4:1-3; 2 Thessalonians 2:3; Acts 20:28-32), (d) we conclude that this organization—the organization of the first century church—is adequate for the church in this century, and, not only adequate, but the one we must have!
                                                  —Wendell Winkler, Tuscaloosa, Alabama

Smile

Topic(s): Humor, Unity

Preacher, on the phone: “Bad news, deacon. Our church-planting team is divided on whether to call the new congregation ‘First United Church’ or ‘United First Church.’”
                                                                —Cartoonist Ed Koehler

Jesus the Great

Topic(s): Jesus

The world has called a number of men “great,” such as Alexander the Great and Herod the Great. They were great in power, in courage, in military or political skill, but they were not great in any spiritual sense. Jesus is by far the greatest man who ever lived. None less than an angel from heaven announced: “He shall be great,” in foretelling His birth (Luke 1:32). Of only one other man is it said in the Bible that he was “great,” and that was John the Baptist (Luke 1:15), and he felt unworthy to even unlatch Jesus’ sandal (Luke 3:16). Of Jesus it was said, “For unto us a child is born, unto us a son is given: and the government shall be upon his shoulder: and his name shall be called Wonderful, Counselor, The mighty God, The everlasting Father, The Prince of Peace” (Isaiah 9:6). He truly is “wonderful.”

His birth was the greatest of any man (Isaiah 7:14; Matthew 1:18-23; John 2:10, 11; Hebrews 1:6).

• His life was the greatest ever lived (Hebrews 4:15; 1 Peter 2:22; 2 Corinthians 5:20; Hebrews 5:8; Philippians 2:8).
• His teaching was the greatest of any (Matthew 7:28, 29; John 7:46; Colossians 2:3).
• His death was the greatest of any (John 15:13; Galatians 2:20; Ephesians 5:25-27). It caused a thief to repent (Luke 23:42) and a hardened pagan soldier to marvel (Mark 15:39).

The question remains, “What think ye of Christ?” Who is Jesus to you? What roles does He fulfill in your life? Is He making a real difference? Does His Word rule your heart? Do your actions reflect your love for Him? Do you sacrifice for His cause? The Lamb of God now invites; the Lion of Judah will one day return.                                                               --Allen Webster

His Hands

Topic(s): Jesus

A baby’s hands in Bethlehem were small and softly curled,
But held within their dimpled grasp—the hope of all the world.
A carpenter’s hands in Nazareth were skilled with tool and wood;
They laid the beams of simple homes and found their labor good.

A healer’s hands in Galilee were stretched to all who came
For Him to cleanse their hidden wounds or cure the blind and lame.
Long, long ago the hands of Christ were nailed upon a tree,
But still their holy touch redeems the hearts of you and me!