|
The
Margaret Street Bulletin
Margaret Street Church of Christ
Joliet,
Illinois 60436
815-725-1670
Preacher: Dan Peters (815)729-0323)
www.jolietchurch.org
July 11,
2004
Editor: John Meyer
|
"I'm
Church of Christ!"
By
J S. Smith (Woodmont church, Ft. Worth, TX)
No,
you're not, and please quit saying that.
It has become
increasingly frequent that we hear members of the body of
Christ refer to themselves in that fashion when discussing
religion with members of various denominations. Perhaps
we are trying to accommodate their language and their unscriptural
understanding, but you can accommodate to the point of error
and such is the case here.
"I'm
Baptist." "I'm Methodist." "I'm Presbyterian."
"I'm Catholic." "I'm church of Christ."
One of these
things is not like the other; one of these things just doesn't
fit. The first four descriptions share certain things in
common. They are all denominational identifiers and none
of them has scriptural precedent in the designation of the
church. The last is added so that we can parallel the language
of our denominational neighbors, but the effect condescends
the church of Christ to that same level. Maybe we become
ashamed of the claim altogether.
We are making
some mighty uncertain sounds with language like this (1Cor.
14:8). Why not rather say simply, "I'm a Christian."?
Does that not communicate the truth and perhaps also make
a point about our refusal to create or join any new denomination
(1Cor. 1:10-13)? The phrase "church of Christ"
is no more ours to trifle with than the honorable word "Christian."
Our denominational friends have almost given up calling
themselves "Christians," instead preferring to
emphasize what brand of Christian they are. Do we resist
sectarianism for 1900 years and then surrender because it
is more convenient and less likely to get us in a messy
discussion?
Such has
given religion a bad rap anyway. Sometimes hurt feelings
result and sometimes bloody noses. But every once in a while
conversions result and every once in a while is worth the
risk. Moreover, it demands that we be clear in who we are,
not bowing to the ungodly language of church dividers.
When the
apostles began taking the gospel into all the world, there
was exactly one kind of church in all the world. It was
the one that Christ promised to establish (Matt. 16:16)
and did purchase with his own blood (Acts 20:28). He both
built it and bought it and it was his; it was the church
of Christ (Rom. 16:16). There were zero denominations in
all the world. No church called itself Methodist, Presbyterian,
Baptist or Catholic. But friend, no Christian ever referred
to himself as "I'm church of Christ" either.
Repeat after
me: "I'm a Christian. I'm a Christian."
It's not hard.
|
SMART
GIRL
A
young public school teacher with obvious liberal tendencies
explained to her class of children that she was an atheist.
She asked them if they were atheists, too. Not really
knowing what atheism was, but wanting to be like their
teacher, their hands exploded into the air like fireworks.
There
was, however, one exception. A beautiful girl named Lucy
had not gone along with the crowd. The teacher asked her
why she had decided to be different. "Because I'm
not an atheist," she declared.
Then the
teacher asked, "What are you?"
"I'm
a Christian."
The teacher
was perturbed. Her face flushed red. She asked Lucy why
she was a Christian. Lucy replied, "Well, my mom
is a Christian, and my dad is a Christian, so I am a Christian
too." The teacher was angry by now. "That's
no reason," she said loudly. "What if your mom
was a moron, and your dad was a moron. What would you
be then?"
A pause
and a smile, "Then," said Lucy, "I'd probably
be an atheist."
(Author
unknown, borrowed from a church bulletin)
|
TODAY'S
QUOTE
Now
I exhort you, brethren, by the name of our Lord Jesus
Christ, that you all agree, and that there be no divisions
among you, but that you be made complete in the same
mind and in the same judgment.
For I have been
informed concerning you, my brethren, by Chloe's people,
that there are quarrels among you.
Now I mean this,
that each one of you is saying, "I am of Paul,"
and "I of Apollos" and "I of Cephas,"
and "I of Christ."
Has Christ been
divided? Paul was not crucified for you, was he? Or
were you baptized in the name of Paul?
1
Corinthians 1:10-13
|
Please
pray for all who were mentioned in the announcements
- those who are struggling with physical ailments,
loss of loved ones and those who struggle with spiritual
problems. Visit and find out what we can do to help.
Rejoice with those who rejoice and weep with those
who weep.
Those
with physical ailments include:
Bill & Christine A.
Dorothy
S.
Everta S.
Gene
K.
Mabel H.
Sue S.
|
Directory
Update
Ed K. has studied with Dan Peters
and was baptized into Christ on July 6th. We rejoice
with Ed and welcome him to the Margaret Street
church. Please add his name and address to your
directory.
|
NEWS
AND NOTES
From
The Elders:
We plan to conduct a "Men's Training Class"
sometime in the Fall. Watch for further announcements
concerning dates. More than one session on the
various topics may need to be conducted so that
every man will have the opportunity to
attend.
|
Elders: Joe Bunch (815-725-4951),
John Meyer (815-730-0035)
Deacons: David Bunch (815-729-0817), Dan Peters
(815-729-0323)
|
Please tell others about our
website: www.jolietchurch.org
Church email address: jolietchurch@juno.com
Times
of services:
Sunday - Bible Study at 9:30
Worship
at 10:30
Worship
at 5:30
Wednesday - Bible Study at 7:30
|
|
|
|