PreacherNorm

Abiding In The Doctrine Of Christ (2 John 9)

Home Archives for Bible Q-n-A Bible Q-n-A Questions

A Sorrowful State of Affairs

Posted on Written by 6 Comments

I just had a discussion with a Professor filling the pulpit in a congregation that used to be a faithful congregation of the Lord’s church. It was sad and very revealing about why so many once faithful congregations are no longer so.

I asked a series of questions and let him answer, trying very hard not to debate with him – and it was very hard. Here are my questions and a summation of his answers.

  • Is it your view that there is no Scriptural prohibition to the use of mechanical instruments of music in the worship of the New Testament church?
    • Professor: [After about a 30-minute dissertation] “The argument from [prohibitive silence of the Scriptures] is a fallacious argument [exact quote]. It’s not a fellowship issue.”
  • Do you believe that a person could be Scripturally baptized in a denominational church?
    • Professor: “Yes”
  • Do you believe it is possible to express New Testament Christianity as a member of a denominational church?
    • Professor: “No”
    • Me: [I couldn’t let such a blatant contradiction go] “So a person can be Scripturally baptized in a denomination where it is not possible for them to express New Testament Christianity?”
    • Professor: 😯
  • Do you believe that there is a definite/absolute pattern to be followed in practicing New Testament Christianity?
    • Professor: “Yes”
    • Me: 😯 🙄
  • Do you believe that we are under any obligation to know the boundaries of our fellowship and discern whether someone is within those boundaries before we extend fellowship to them?
    • Professor: [and I kid you not] “WOW!”
    • Me: “So, I should write that down as your answer?”
    • Professor: “Yea, just wow.”
    • Me: [I read 2 John 9-11] “Isn’t that a requirement to determine fellowship based on the doctrine of Christ?”
    • Professor: [after a lot of ranting] “So, you would put me outside the bounds of fellowship?”
    • Me: “Yes, absolutely.”
    • Professor: [storms out in a huff complaining about his treatment by ungodly legalists].

No, I am not happy about the way the conversation went. But, it did go exactly as I expected it to. Is it so sad that, to those like the Professor above, we who are careful to follow the New Testament pattern are always the bad guys? Was Paul the bad guy when he rebuked Peter to his face? (Galatians 2:11). Was Peter the bad guy when he rebuked Simon to his face? (Acts 8:20-22). Was Jesus the bad guy when he rebuked the scribes and Pharisees to their face? (Matt. 23:13-36). Or, were they speaking the truth in love? (Eph. 4:15; Jude 3).

The Professor claimed he was being put through a deposition. Well, if that’s what it was then it was so only in his own mind. To me, it was “speaking the truth in love” on two levels. First, and foremost, in love for the Lord and His word! And, whether he believes it or not, in love for him and those under his influence. I wasn’t so nieve to think that our discussion would end in him repenting and going back to correct the errors of the congregation where he serves. But it would have been wonderful if that were how it ended. I would love nothing more than to be able to express open and full fellowship with them. But I cannot, at this time, because they are not a sound congregation of the Lord’s church; and that is very, very sad.

What’s the difference between “Denomination” and “Non-Denominational”? What are you?

Posted on Written by Leave a Comment

There are many false beliefs where is the true church ?

Thank you for the GREAT question!

It has become somewhat “trendy” for churches to claim that they are “non-denominational.” This is part of the Community Church trend that started several years ago. However, most of those so-called Community Churches are simply denominations that have dropped the denominational name. They are still teaching and practicing, pretty much, the same things they did before they dropped the denominational name. So, really, there isn’t any difference between a denominational church and a non-denominational church, in that sense. If there are any differences it may be that they keep their money “in-house” instead of sending it in to a denominational headquarters. But, as far as teaching and practice, there are no real differences. Manmade, denominational, doctrines are still manmade doctrines whether you put the manmade name on it or not.

As far as what I am, I am not a member of any denomination. I am a member of the New Testament church, as described in the New Testament of Jesus Christ. I know many New Testament Christians have said for a long time that they are “non-denominational.” However, in my opinion, they need to quit using that terminology. In actuality, the true New Testament church is not “non-denominational, it is “anti-denominational.” With the Community Church trend and their use of the term “non-denominational,” non-denominational has actually become a denomination. Someone might respond to the question, “what denomination are you?,” with “non-denominational” in the same way someone would reply, “Baptist,” or “Methodist.” It has become just another sectarian identifier.

With the Community Church trend and their use of the term “non-denominational,” non-denominational has actually become a denomination. Someone might respond to the question, “what denomination are you?,” with “non-denominational” in the same way someone would reply, “Baptist,” or “Methodist.” It has become just another sectarian identifier. However, if someone asks me what denomination I belong to, I won’t reply that I’m “non-denominational.” I will say that I don’t belong to any denomination because denominationalism is unscriptural. That is, the Bible teaches against sectarian denominationalism. Therefore, I am anti-denominational. It isn’t just that I don’t belong to a denomination. I am AGAINST denominationalism. I am against it because the Bible, and therefore God, is against it. Read 1 Corinthians 1:10-13; 3:3; Philippians 1:27; 1 Peter 3:8; et al.

The only way to know the true church when you see it is to know how the church is described in the New Testament. If a congregation of people today is working and worshipping according to that pattern, or model, then they are the true New Testament church. That’s where you want to be!

Here is a video on the subject that you may find helpful:

Atonement of sins of mankind?

Posted on Written by Leave a Comment

Christians believe that Jesus gave his life for the atonement of the sins of mankind.
a) Does this mean that by his death, he atoned the sins of all people born before his time only or even of people who were born after his time?
b) Does the death of Jesus on the cross mean that the sins of all Christians would be forgiven, even if they continue to sin and disobey God’s commandments?
c) Is there any accountability for Christians for their personal actions (good or bad) on the Day of Judgment, irrespective of the death of Jesus on the cross?

I will answer your questions in the order you asked.

  1. In Hebrews, the sacrifice of Christ for the sins of man is referred to as the “once for all” sacrifice (Heb. 7:27; 9:12; 10:10). This means that all atonement prior to Christ was made possible by looking forward to that “once for all” sacrifice that Christ would make and all atonement since Christ is made possible by looking back to that “once for all” sacrifice (cf. Heb. 9:11-15). As the “once for all” sacrifice for sins, He is the propitiation (the atoning sacrifice) for our sins (Rom. 3:21-26; 1 Jn. 2:2).

  2. The death of Christ on the cross provided the sacrifice necessary to atone for our sins. However, a person has to meet the conditions of that atoning sacrifice. Jesus died on the cross for the sins of the whole world (1 Jn. 2:2), but a person has to obey the gospel in order to receive the benefits of that sacrifice (Rom. 1:16; 2 Thess. 1:8; Mark 16:16; etc.). If you are drowning and I provide you a life raft to get you out of the water, that life raft doesn’t do you any good if you don’t climb on it. The sacrifice of Christ is the life raft, it is up to us to climb on it through hearing His word (Rom. 10:17), believing what it teaches about Him and His kingdom (Acts 8:12), repenting of our sins (Acts 17:30, 31), confessing that we believe Jesus is the Son of God (Rom. 10:9, 10), and being baptized into Christ for the remission of our sins and to be added to His body, the church of Christ (Acts 2:38, 41, 47; 1 Cor. 12:13; Gal. 3:26, 27; et. al.). Once we have obeyed the gospel of Christ for salvation, we must continue to live according to the gospel to stay in a saved condition (Col. 1:23; Gal. 2:20; 2 Pet. 2:20-22).The blood of Christ continues to cleanse us from every sin IF, under the condition that, we walk in the light as He is in the light (1 Jn. 1:7).

  3. Everyone must appear before the judgment seat of Christ on the day of judgment (2 Cor. 5:10), including Christians. The benefit of the Christian is that they will be judged based on their new life in Christ, having been born again (Jn. 3:3; 1 Pet. 1:23). However, having been born again, they will still be judged by the things written in the book (The New Testament) (Rev. 20:12). Yes, there will be many Christian who will be lost because they did not remain faithful to Christ (Matt. 13:47-50; Heb. 3:12-14).

I hope this answers your questions and helps you in your study of God’s word.

Subscribe to PreacherNorm on YouTube

Bible Q-n-A LIVE

Be Friends with PreacherNorm on Facebook

Be Friends with PreacherNorm on Facebook

Follow PreacherNorm on Twitter

Follow PreacherNorm on Twitter