-
WHY I LEFT THE CONSERVATIVE CHRISTIAN CHURCH
I write this article to encourage us all to be better students and soldiers of the Lord. Now, as to why I left:
- THE INSTRUMENT.
Of course the number one reason would be because of the instrument. I had been taught all of my life that "a lifeless piano" would not and could not condemn one to the fires of hell. Paul taught that we were to "psallo" in Eph. 5:19, but we failed to study this completely and took our Greek professor's word for it. Since that time I have reminded people that it is not worship if it is not "in truth" and according to "the authority of Christ" (Jno. 4:24; Col. 3:17).
- SPECIAL MUSIC.
Closely akin to the instrument are choirs, chorales, quartets, rock bands, etc. in the worship service. If Eph. 5:19 teaches me that we are to each other, how can this be done by the groups listed above?
- WOMEN USED IN WORSHIP SERVICES.
As a preacher in the Christian Church in the past, I have called on women to lead congregational prayers. After a study of such, I concluded that this was wrong. We also had women choir directors, women elders, women on the church board, women teaching mixed Bible classes, women educational directors and women youth ministers. I Cor. 14:34; I Tim. 2:11-12.
- PARTAKING OF THE LORDS SUPPER ON DAYS NOT AUTHORIZED.
From time to time we would partake of the Lord's Supper on Wednesday night or Thursday night or any night a group might gather for some religious service. The logic would be: The Lord is here and near--so let's acknowledge this by the partaking of the Lord's Supper. Where is the Bible authority for such? Our Lord authorized the first day of the week (Acts 20:7; I Cor. 11:23-28).
- OBSERVANCE OF SPECIAL DAYS.
Christmas and Easter were observed as religious holidays. In every congregation that I preached for in the Christian church we had Santa Claus and the Easter Bunny. Just about every holiday the world observed--we observed it in some way. Paul warned about this in Gal. 4:9-11 and Col. 2:16-17.
- FELLOWSHIP WITH DENOMINATIONS.
I exchanged pulpits with denominational preachers on a number of occasions. We would exchange church choirs or some other singing group. I was a member of the local ministerial society. I accepted denominational baptism--if it water baptism by immersion. I supported denominational revivals, conventions, so on.
- CHRISTIANS, BUT NOT THE ONLY CHRISTIANS.
There are many roads to heaven. You're on one and I am on another. We may differ doctrinally, but we both believe in Jesus Christ as the Son of God. I am a Christian and you are a Christian. I believed that denominational church members were my brothers in Christ. Therefore, there was no effort put forth to change them religiously. But doctrine does make a difference. -Tit. 1:9.
- CONSTITUTION AND BY-LAWS TAKING THE PLACE OF THE SCRIPTURES.
The length of the office of elders and deacons was determined by what the by-laws said. 2 Tim. 3:16-17; Acts 20:32; Col.1:18.
- NO SCRIPTURAL AUTHORITY FOR SUPPORTING DENOMINATIONAL MISSIONARIES.
In one congregation I preached for, we supported a Baptist missionary.
- NO SCRIPTURAL AUTHORITY FOR CONGREGATIONAL VOTING.
Elders, deacons and preachers were voted on. I Pet. 5:1-4.
- NO SCRIPTURAL AUTHORITY FOR AN OFFICIAL OFFICE OF DEACONESS.
Every congregation I preached for had this office. It was a voting office. There was a head deaconess. There are examples of women doing good works (Acts 9:36-43), but no office.
- UNAUTHORIZED FUND RAISING.
We had our car washes, bake sales, yard sales, rummage sales all in the name of the church. I Cor. 16:1-2.
OBSERVATION: How many of the things listed above are now practiced in the churches of Christ? I left the Conservative Christian Church because of these unscriptural practices. How we like to be like the people round about us!!!
- THE INSTRUMENT.