Author: Wallace, Steve

May we all be careful and honest in both reporting our work and seeking support. Let us concentrate on the blessings God has promised the faithful and let nothing deter us from living in such a way as to reach our heavenly home (Col. 3:2; 2 Tim. 4:7-8).

Some conservative preachers have moved freely between conservative and liberal churches, even having institutional preachers in for gospel meetings because it’s “different” in Europe than in the U.S. Non-institutional churches in the U.S. have financially supported so-called “conservative” preachers who labor in Europe who practice such blurring of lines as we have described in the preceding sentence because ‘it is not the same over there; they have not divided over these issues.’

The gospel is yet sufficient today in meeting all the needs of all who seek the Lord (2 Timothy 3:16-17; 2 Peter 1:3). As preachers of the gospel let us cast all our cares upon the Lord and make his ways our ways (1 Timothy 4:16). The examples reviewed in this article of first-century preachers helping Christians to both overcome mistaken ideas and repent of error are lessons for us today. May they encourage us as we seek to serve God no matter where we may find ourselves today.

The gospel has in itself innate power much like a seed. Let it be sown in the hearts of men and God will give the increase (1 Cor. 3:6). Let it be followed and changes will result in the lives of men. Let it be kept in a good and honest heart and much fruit will be born to the glory of God. Let it be followed through the uneven journeys of life and eternal glory will be the result. May all who preach, whether at home or in foreign lands, preach the gospel to those who hear them!

The churches of Christ are probably taught all they can receive about mission work already; what they need is for more preachers to ‘lead out’ by going to some needy field and practicing what has been preached. If, now, these Western opportunities are to be slighted, how are we to frame an answer to our judge for not having embraced them? They are waiting, they are calling, they are dying – unheeded!”

Let us pause to appreciate the conviction, however misplaced, possessed by these people and their efforts to live consistently with their beliefs. Their mistaken and/or false beliefs and the lengths to which they went to live consistently with them stand as both an example and warning to us today.

Just as there are men who need to go out preaching the gospel, there are others who should not. May we all recognize what a serious matter preaching the truth is and make sure we do not encourage an unworthy or unprepared preacher to enter the mission field. Further, may all who desire to do mission work soberly consider what we say herein. If we will be fit for the master’s use there are things of which we must purge ourselves (2 Tim. 2:21-22).

This article is not intended to imply that one cannot be a faithful Christian unless he goes to work in some foreign field. Nor should one infer from it the message that, unless he goes to a foreign land to preach, he is fearful. However, if fear is the only hindrance to a brother’s doing mission work it would be our hope that our words herein would lead such a one to think further on the matter. Let us put the great commission above our own emotions (Mk. 16:15-16)

Much damage has already been done to the Lord’s cause by preachers who have become known for being overly friendly with women or, worse, for being immoral. Let us all love God and the souls of others above ourselves and be resolute in this matter. The dangers we discuss in this article are real and understandable. Therefore, there is good reason to be wise and understanding with regards to them.

The application of unity-in-doctrinal-diversity has no logical end. Yes, there will be brethren who will be inconsistent and arbitrarily refuse to fellowship certain errors. However, many of us have noted this same phenomena among our institutional brethren who violate the silence of the Scripture with regards to the work of the church, but will not countenance other violations of the silence of God like instrumental music in worship.

Gone are the days when going to the mission field meant leaving most of the information found in your library behind. While computer accessed data may never replace the book in the hearts of many of us, it does allow for a far more normal “office life” for one far from his library than has ever been possible.

Because the poor will always be with us, we will come into contact with them from time to time. Good judgment should govern our conduct towards them. If it does not, there is a very real danger that any given preaching effort might be detoured away from its true purpose.

We are to, as much as possibly, be at peace with all men (Romans 12:18). But when the Lord’s will and work conflicts with man’s law we must “obey God rather than men” (Acts 5:29). We should not allow the edicts of men to prevent us from doing the work of God.

Many brethren today are involved in carrying out the Great Commission. Their work reflects their simple faith in the commission our Savior gave so long ago. Jesus yet calls us to this work today. Are you doing your part? Does the church where you are have the capability to support men in this work? Is there some way you can help logistically, perhaps by getting tracts in a foreign language printed? Let us answer Jesus’ call to teach all nations.

Christmas, in truth, represents much of what is wrong with efforts to serve God today. Good but uninformed people seek to serve God in a manner that seems acceptable to them and/or to those around them (Romans 10:1-3). God’s word, if consulted at all, is studied for the purpose of authorizing practice or general relevant information, rather than to seek his will (1 Kings 22:4-8). The joint participation in events that please man warms the heart, giving joy and a sense of belonging to what are thought to be “fellow Christians” (1 Thessalonians 2:12). The continuance in error over a long period of time hardens the heart to any dissenting voice (Acts 7:51-52). By contrast, religious figures that agree with the ways one has chosen are gladly heard (Jeremiah 5:31-32). It all results in efforts, often massive, intended to bring glory to God that are an abomination in his sight and work to the damnation of souls involved (Isaiah 1:10-15; Micah 6:6-8; 1 Thessalonians 2:11-12).

If we are going to take it upon ourselves to convert those in places far from other Christians, we ought to also consider how we are going to “service” such converts.

Let us all remember as we go forth to teach others the gospel that many religions are preaching their own teaching on salvation in Christ. Stories of conversion, like that of the Ethiopian Eunuch, help us to show the lost the way of salvation in truth.

Does the Bible really teach that there is no difference between the church and the individual? Where does such reasoning lead? Our study of this matter seeks to both answer these questions and introduce helpful facts relevant to this discussion.

As we seek to convert the lost today, both at home and abroad, let us learn the lesson Jesus taught so long ago. He is the source of “meat for all this people.” In preaching his word, we preach the message he ordained. In so doing, we use the one method he ordained for calling men to him (Jno. 6:44-45; 18″37). The spiritual needs of man are as great today as ever (Rom. 3:23). Let us go forth seeking to meet those needs with the bread of life the Father has given us (Jno. 6:48-51).

While this brief review does not do justice to the debate, hopefully it has helped contribute to the study of marriage, divorce and remarriage by furthering the material it contains. We are thankful for the willingness of these men to discuss their convictions and for their good deportment during the debate. Debates can do good.