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Which Way? The Church
There are matters that every congregation should consider about the future of the church. Those who are concerned about the welfare, faithfulness, and influence of the church will not take the matters that relate to the future of the church lightly. We approach these remarks making no claim of special insight. We, like Amos, do not profess to be a prophet or the son of a prophet (Amos 7:14), although he became an inspired prophet which none today shall ever be. We know that it is far easier to know what has been, what ought to be, and even what is, than it is to know the future. This is because the future is conditional. It is not locked in. The conditions that will affect the future are partly in our hands, but also partly in the hands of those who will live in the future and compose the church of the future. There are factors which will govern the future over which those of the church today will have no control.
As we consider this subject there are some things of which we can be sure. The church of the future, if God permits time to continue, will be composed of another group of people, another generation, possibly to include some living now but who will be older, of course. We may be faithful and the next generation unfaithful. We may depart from the truth and the next generation follow the truth. But we can learn from the past (Romans 15:4; First Corinthians 10:11), but will we? Someone has said that about all we seem to learn from the past is that we will not learn much at all.
We must consider the unimpeachable law of sowing and reaping (Galatians 6:7-8). This truth gives us misgivings and grave concerns, but at the same time it gives hope.
Direction Matters
Where the church is today is important. But the direction it is going is also important. Whether the church today is faithful or unfaithful, strong or weak, really matters. But where are we headed? We can illustrate the importance of direction by considering two men, both sick. But one Is getting better while the other is getting worse. Direction matters. Is the church a faithful church that is growing stronger, or is It drifting toward digression? Again we say, it matters!
Consider the History of the Church
We also must consider the history of the church as we think of its future. There have been periods of growth, prosperity, and faithfulness. But there have also been times of apostasy, departure, and digression. I know the church can be faithful because God expects It and He does not expect nor command what cannot be. Second Peter 1:10, "...if you do these things, ye shall never fall." We need not fall. The early church did fall as prophesied (First Timothy 4:1; Second Timothy 4:3). Will the future of the church be one of faithfulness or digression?
The Lord's church is an ongoing Institution, a living body. It shall stand forever (Daniel 2:44; Luke 1:33). It will be moving through the pages of history, But which way will it be moving? Will it go to the left, or to the right, backward or forward? Or will it pursue the path of God, moving more toward Him rather than away from Him? Again we say, it matters!
Inevitable Conflict
We can be sure that the future of the church, like its past, will be one of conflict and crisis. There has never been a time when the church was not at war in the spiritual warfare between good and evil. We are the Lord's soldiers (Second Corinthians 10:3,4), and Christ Is the captain of our faith (Hebrews 2:10). We have a spiritual armor (Ephesians 6:10-18). We make a mistake to expect peace in this life. While we have peace with God through Christ (Romans 5:1), we will not be at peace with the sinful world. We have an adversary, the devil (First Peter 5:8), and this very fact causes some to faint and grow weary (Galatians 6:9). conflict Is not what most of us prefer. While we would like all to be In agreement and there be harmony, and for this we labor (Romans 12:11), all people simply are not going to submit to the will of the Lord and permit us to have peace now.
Authority
The direction of the church now and the welfare of the church of the future depends on respect for the right authority. Because this is true, and as we see so much disrespect for Gods authority, this gives us concern for the church. There is a chain of authority. Ultimately all authority belongs to Christ (Matthew 17:5; 28:18; Hebrews 1:1,2; Colossians 1:18; 3:17). Christ has delegated authority to the apostles (John 14,15,16). His will, once embodied in inspired men, is now embodied in inspired Scripture (Second Timothy 3:16,17). Failure to respect authority, to stand within authority, will Inevitably produce apostasy. It always has and always will. Other gospels are condemned (Galatians 1:6 9), and sound doctrine Is commanded (Titus 2:1,8: first 4:11).
The apostles predicted an apostasy that in time resulted in the formation of Romanism It was caused by disrespect for proper authority. Men turned to councils, popes, traditions, superstitions, etc. The same kind of disrespect, although in other directions, produced Protestantism with the creeds, disciplines, manuals, prayer books, confessionals, feelings, etc. It was only by respect for authority that which is called the Restoration Movement could have validity, with emphasis on returning to the oracles of God without addition or subtraction. It was and Is disrespect for authority that created and perpetuates what is called the Christian Church denomination. But there are strong evidences of similar disrespect among many brethren In the church even as I write these words.
Present Influence
The church of today can and will Influence the church of tomorrow. The church of today is faced with making some tremendous decisions. While the church has many problems and confrontations from without, the worst problems, and the most deadly ones, come from within. The church must decide whether to follow pseudo scholarship or plain Scripture. Will our concern he for colleges or shall we have compassion for the church? Will the emphasis be on methods or the message? Shall we he ruled by editors or overseen by elders? Will we listen to professors and presidents or to godly pastors? Will the preaching be Pentecostal or the preaching of Pentecost? Shall we subscribe to the nickels, numbers, noise, food, fun, and frolic fellowship with gymnasiums and gimmicks, or "preach the word"?
We see bulletins almost entirely devoted to Opryland Six Flags over Georgia, ball teams, flashy dressed preachers, jive talk, helicopter rides, free bicycles, hurrahs, and handclaps. Shall we pursue social outings or sacrificial offerings? Will our assemblies be genuine worship in spirit and truth or hyped emotionalism? We see all around the acceptance of perverted Bibles which have been promoted and defended more by the colleges and their Bible departments than most any other source of acceptance. But so have book stores and the "up to date" preachers. The church must decide whether it be versions or perversions!
Shall we instigate programs with entertainment, public relations so everybody in the community will accept us, have, our cheerleaders, promotional boosters that make us feel good, or shall we be guilty of preaching the only message of salvation there is? To whom do we turn? Shall It be the charismatic clergyman type, or to teachers of truth? Which shall it be, the money makers with promotions or the soul savers with gospel preaching? Will we adopt a religion of convenience and compromise, or one of conviction and conscience? Shall we convert the world or conform to the world?
Some seem more concerned about rugs in the aisle than repentance in the heart. They seek responses rather than sincere conversions. I once preached a gospel meeting at a church that claimed in a campaign the previous year that they had baptized ninety-six people. Yet, less than one full year later, only one of the ninety-six was meeting with them. Many they dunked in water never assembled with the saints one time because they thought they could still remain in their denominations. They were never taught about the kingdom. That event got headlines in some brotherhood papers, but most were merely wetted, not wedded to the Lord. They are now thoroughly confident of salvation even though they are apart from the body of Christ.
Modernism and Liberalism
We must decide what to do about modernism, liberalism, and the seminary trained professors. What we ought to do is clear. Crossroad cultism, playground evangelism, family life centers (for which we have no authority) dominate some programs. Shall we continue to wink at the doctrine of evolution in colleges, even colleges and universities conducted by those who claim to be Christians?
To my mind these issues are critical. But what may be more deadly is the "go along" attitude so many have concerning error. We find too few who will stand up and be counted for truth. They determine fellowship on the basis of friendship, fame, finances, fun, family, and foolishness rather than "the faith." They Ignore the prohibition to fellowship works of darkness (Ephesians 5:11). They plead for whatever Is not specifically forbidden even though Scriptures teach we must have authority for what is said and done (Colossians 3:17; First Peter 4:11). Some even fellowship the denominations in their holy days, ministerial associations, joint services, etc. This disrespect for God's authority breeds certain apostasy In large measures, feeding upon Biblical Ignorance, a misconception of love, a lack of study, and a catering to feelings. Some contend there are Christians In all denominations, that baptism Is acceptable even If one does not know it Is to be saved or for the remission of sins. They uphold and participate in the so called unity meetings that advance unity-in-diversity, which is nothing more or less than to agree to disagree. Unity-in-diversity is not unity, but heresy. The vicious cycle must be broken if the future of the church is to be beneficial to man and a glory to God.
Shall We Learn
Are we really learning from the past as we ought? Are we even listening enough to be on guard? This remains to be seen. But we are sure there are many sources from which digression Is pouring. Probably as much or more than any other single source is the Influence of the colleges. A close second is the larger, financially secure, metropolitan, socially interested churches which emphasize big operations that are not even Scriptural. These churches are often guided by elders who prefer peace to truth and do not wish to disturb the devil If it would disturb their treasury.
This was the path that was trod that produced digression and the Christian Church just a few years back. Some preachers seem to be more of a professional clergy. In fact, many have been taught and trained with such a concept of preaching. Many are nothing more than overpaid ear scratches and entertainers who have sacrificed soundness for statistics, faithfulness for filthy lucre, gain for gospel. They lust for community acceptance and prominence. Can you Imagine any place where the apostle Paul might have been chosen "The Young Man of the Year"?
It Took a Break of Shackles
The pioneers of the Restoration Movement broke from the shackles of denominations and moved away from error toward truth. This "movement" was simply to return to the original pattern. While not authority, nor perfect, these men made the Biblical plea that called for unity founded on truth. They preached rejection of all except what was of God. their direction was right. Today, we perceive the drift Is away from truth toward apostasy in many churches. Men call for union, teaching that doctrinal differences make no difference, creating union through compromise, negotiation, friendships, and summits rather than unity through obedience to the truth revealed in Scripture. For shame!
Calling a rabbit an elephant does not make it so. Calling a church the "church of God" or "church of Christ" does not make It so. While It is right and proper to identify the church with Scriptural terms (Romans 16:16), today, some churches use the term "churches of Christ" that never have been "churches of Christ," and some continue to use that designation that are no longer deserving of it because they have left the faith.
Apostasy is never more than one generation away. This Is because the religion of Christ is a taught religion (John 6:44,45). What if a generation is not taught correctly, or refuses to abide with the teaching? Does honesty, sincerity, activity, enthusiasm, or numerical growth assure faithfulness? It never has and never will. With many. apostasy does not have to wait until the next generation. They have already produced it.
Progress or Digress?
Whether the church In the future will progress or digress is largely the responsibility of today's elderships. Over the years I have been blessed to work with many wonderful men who were elders. I respect the work of the eldership, and I respect their authority. There can be no question among those who keep up with what goes on that too many elderships have abdicated their duties and through their ignorance and indifference the churches have languished toward digression. Some elders are so negative about keeping alert and knowing what Is taking place that I wonder If they know Roosevelt is no longer President. Thank God for those who take their duties seriously! There are too many of the other kind!
Preachers have a prominent role in determining the future of the church also. While some seek headlines, popularity, acceptance by everybody, money, power, notoriety, security, they wander Into being pious playboys, emotional entertainers, preaching whatever suits the people rather than what God has authorized. They dare not cross friends, power structures, papers, schools, lest it retard their "advancement in the brotherhood." Their messages are all positive and no negative, making others feel good as they gain glory for themselves. They shall have their reward!
You may think this is harsh and it is. But the sad part of It, it Is so often true. I have not just started taking notice yesterday of what Is going on. These things are now more outstanding, but I have been warning of them long before most of the brotherhood even considered it possible. How many times have I been scraped and raked because I warned of such things, things that are now so dominant that nobody in their right mind can deny it!
While I make no claim of knowing everything, I do know something. I have not worked among brethren for over four decades with my eyes shut!
A Brighter View
Some may complain, "You paint a dark picture." No, I paint no picture at all. I am looking at the picture already painted and additional paint being added daily. The current drift may not end until It ends tragically as it did a century ago in total division, apostasy, and the creation of another denomination from the ruins of an apostate brotherhood brought on by those who have gone out from the truth. I am neither pessimistic nor optimistic as much as realistic. Many in the church must either repent of sin (a decision sinful digressives must make). or there must be the separation from the sinners (the divine formula that will be followed by the faithful).
The fact is, all Is not well, the law of sowing and reaping is very much alive. We are lacking in teaching in areas that are urgent.
But we would not have one think all is dark. There are now and again encouraging straws In the wind. It could be that after decades of digressive drift we may be turning a corner. The church entered this period of departure with growing numbers and may well go out with ranks depleted or greatly reduced. Error extracts a deadly toll,
But smaller churches are not always aping the larger liberal ones, but some are standing up and speaking out. We see many preachers who are not intimidated by the elite, the collegiate, the big names, big money, big splashes, big numbers, nor who are seeking their own before they seek the cause of Christ. Churches are conducting preacher training schools where sound doctrine is the essential Ingredient. Many brethren, In and out of leadership, are more and more aware how the devil has infiltrated to destroy, change, and divide the church and lead captive fallen brethren. More and more false brethren are being marked and identified as they promote their digressive ways and doctrines. Elderships have taken more seriously the necessity of preserving a remnant and the remnant is becoming more and more identifiable and solidified.
But no faithful congregation can or will be led astray when Its membership loves and knows the Book. They must know It, believe It, love It, teach It, apply It, live It, and defend it. The seed of the kingdom Is the Word of God (Luke 8:11). The Word will endure forever (Second Peter 1:25). Ignorance and lack of love for the truth Is at the tap root of digression. We can Influence the future of the church by faithfully conforming to the Word.
Ultimate Future
We can know the ultimate future of those who are faithful In the church. We shall be delivered to God (First Corinthians 15:24). Christ saves the church (Ephesians 5:23). The devil could not prevail against its beginning, nor shall he prevail against Its existence and ultimate victory. The Individual question we each face is whether we will be among the faithful! We shall not be Judged as a group, brotherhood, congregation, family, but as individuals before God. Therefore, the future of the church depends on the direction you take, and that I take. We know what has been, and we can learn from It. We can know from Scripture what ought to be, and we ought to conform to It. We can know through observation what now is, and there is both good and bad to be seen. But what the church will be in the days to come depends on whether we, and those that come after us, are determined to obey the commandments of God and respect His authority or go the way of destruction, the only alternative. We know that salvation is in the body, the church, in Christ.