LectureshipIssue.comSpiritual Work & Worshipby Chris PeltzFrom the day I first heard the gospel preached a continual plea has gone forth, to study the Bible for yourself, assuming nothing, testing everything. Be as the Bereaans, search the scriptures daily, and what God has authorized, apply, practice, never waiver, fight the good fight in the midst of a world that would rather do things it’s own way. Over and over the admonition to call Bible things by Bible names and do Bible things in Bible ways has been promoted. Yet, some of the same men who sound forth these very words have turned from the good fight and are now battling diligently for what they call a “right” to do the Lord’s work the way they determine rather than how God has authorized. What has changed? We know the word of God has not changed (…..). We know that God has revealed his will that we can be equipped unto every good work (2 Tim 3:16-17; 2 Peter 1:3). What has changed is the respect for Jesus’ authority. The same men who had once demanded “Bible names” and “Bible ways” are worshiping under the “Foundation name”, doing things the “Foundation way”. The adage “speak where the Bible speaks and be silent where the Bible is silent” has become “speak where the Foundation speaks and be silent if you disagree with the Foundation”. Make no mistake, the “Truth Foundation” is trying to
intimidate and prejudice brethren not to listen to anyone who opposes them.
Again, I think back to the time when I obeyed the gospel, examining and
testing denominational error as well as institutional error was promoted because
brethren were not afraid of the truth and knew those with honest hearts would
see through the error. But now, when
it is the Foundation being examined, the same tactics used by Baptists, calling
names like “Campbelites”, the Foundation is using by calling names like “Sommerites”.
Rather than encouraging brethren to look for authority, the character of
those who would challenge the Foundation is brought to question.
With the Foundation, there is no straightforward, book, chapter and
verse, only personal attacks brutal, mean spirited smoke screens to keep people
from objectively looking at the subject of man-made organizations conducting
worship services. (I would refer you to www.truthmagazine.com
for Mike Willis’ article aimed at Bob Dickey and the Some have asked, “Is this issue really that important?”
Let me ask you this; is Bible authority really that important?
Is God’s pattern really that important?
Is divisive behavior really that important?
Is man’s way the acceptable way? (Matt 28:18; Brethren, let’s approach this issue, not trying to prove something right, but seeking God’s will, God’s way, God’s pattern, God’s authority. Think about this; by NOT engaging in worship services conducted by man-made institutions, we have NOT changed. In contrast; by engaging in man-made Institutional worship services, there has been a change. Folks, God has not changed, neither should we. |