Month: July 2019

by Don Hooton

A major problem in evangelism is a shared problem we all have in communication. And as we began this conversation about the New Testament church in our first article, we want to explore more about who is this  “New Testament church.”

As I said before, with this series I am not trying to evangelize unbelievers, but train believers – namely for the purpose of evangelizing unbelievers. We need to understand how to talk to those in the world to rescue them. If we just talk in our own lingo about what we already understand we will never teach them anything. So remember that this conversation is to equip the Christian to help those who are not.

So, the first point we raised about being a New Testament church is that we must adopt the view that the writings of the New Testament were given to the church so that we could be a New Testament church.  We must be drawn to, directed by, and determined to follow fully what we do from the New Testament because there is no other way to be a Christ follower or a church that follows Christ than to be among a New Testament church because the New Testament points the way of Christ – because – it is His way.

If that is the case, then we move to the question about who belongs to a New Testament church.

When the Bible uses the word ekklesia where church is the English translation, it is a group of people. Peter said these who were ‘added to the number’ (Acts 2:47) were the people who were responding to the preaching he and the Apostles shared. And these people were told to “repent and be baptized for the forgiveness of your sins” (2:38). It was Jesus who told Nicodemus that he “must be born of water and the spirit” (John 3:5). And Paul was told, “Get up and be baptized, and wash away your sins, calling on His name” (Acts 22:16). So those who are “in” this ekklesia are people who have been “baptized” in response to these teachings. A New Testament church is people who have been baptized for the forgiveness of their sins.

Further, the ekklesia are people who aim to “walk in the light as He is in the light” (1John 1:8) and who “walk in a manner worthy of the Lord, to please Him in all respects and increasing in the knowledge of God” (Colossians 1:10). It is not a static relationship where we walk as we want. Instead. Churches are responsible for fulfilling their divine mission and assembling with the same “manner worthy” of the Lord’s cause. Just as we noticed in the last article, the New Testament is the Divinely given spread sheet for our functioning. While it is not a business document, it is given so that Christians and churches would not how to be about the Lord’s business. So, a church that chooses its mission, structure and worship outside of that teaching is not demonstrably trying to walk in the light of that word.

Some challenge this “New Testament” concept by saying then that a truly New Testament church should carry out every practice recorded in the New Testament, right? Like, foot washing or greeting one another with a holy kiss or meeting in a Temple or in private homes? Consider these guidelines for answering this challenge.

First, if the practice was done universally and consistently in the New Testament, it should be followed today. Timothy was sent to remind the Corinthians of things Paul had practiced and preached ‘everywhere in every church’ (1 Corinthians 4:16,17). This was the case with head coverings in 1 Corinthians 11:16 and with women remaining silent in the church meeting (1 Corinthians 14:33,34). The same instruction was shared by Paul to the Timothy and the churches he served (1Timothy 2:8-15). Consequently, the instructed rule of a woman’s role in the church meeting cannot be thrust aside as culturally oriented, no matter how devout, sincere or well-intentioned the followers of the liberation movement may be. On the other hand, foot washing, a lesson of humility and service taught to the disciples by our Lord, is never evidenced in Scripture as a practice the Apostles obligated on the church. We certainly must manifest humble serving in our culture but we don’t need to de-sock at every assembly. And the same thing can be said for meetings. Churches met in various private homes (Romans 16:3-16; Philemon 2, etc.), the Temple (Acts 2) and in various synagogues for a time, and in the school of Tyrannus (Acts 19:9). We must conclude that the church met wherever it was convenient to do so, and that no one kind of meeting place was superior more spiritual than another.

Second, another challenge made is Paul’s practice of refusing financial support at times when he “made tents.” Since Paul ‘made his tents’ does this necessitate – as once was said to me – that we do likewise? The real question was if  Paul was obligated to work or did he choose to work? In 1 Corinthians 9, Paul clearly established the right of every minister of the gospel to be supported by those to whom he ministered. Paul chose to forego the right of personal support in order to preach the gospel so as not to offend or burden the work in which he was engaged. We must not compel others to do what Paul did voluntarily as a matter of Christian liberty. We must look at the context of these items we consider – to determine not only if they were universally obligating – but whether or not the practice of it was to create an example to follow.

Who, then, is a New Testament church? They are a church that looks to the inspired Word of God, not only for their doctrines as they relate to the individual in His relationship with God, but also for the principles by which the collective church is to be governed and to carry on their task in the world. And that church is full of those who have put on Christ in baptism and walk in their lives with the light of His Word.

by Don Hooton

A major problem in evangelism is a shared problem we all have in communication. Just like words my generation uses for a bird’s song is to the younger generation a communication or tweet on Twitter; or just like the fried meat my mom made in a pan is now the same word for what fills our email inboxes with unwanted mail – spam, the word ‘church’ now means many different things to different people in different generations. At the sound of church, some think Sundays, stained glass, robed worship leaders and candles. Even the term ‘New Testament church’ is often lost to and meaningless for an unbeliever like a ‘monkey wrench’ is to most women and a “colander” is to most men.  So where can we begin?

We should begin this conversation about the New Testament in “New Testament church.”

With this series I am not trying to evangelize unbelievers, but train believers. Unbelievers come to faith, not with  the New Testament teaching about church but rather, what the New Testament says about the good news of Jesus. An unbeliever develops faith, indeed by the word of Christ (Romans 10:17) but first by what is declared about God in Creation (Romans 1:19-21). This staging point brings belief there is one God through reasoning much like Paul did in Athens (Acts 17:16-34). Faith builds on the reason for a Creator and the Word builds trust in the Redeemer who Created us. So while the New Testament is indeed the source for this faith building of faith, faith should grow from belief in the Creator and then the Redeemer and then, who believers should be as the church.

So, this series is about what Christians need to understand about what the New Testament church is.

What is a New Testament church? Who is a church like this? How does a church like this operate? What is the worship a New Testament church engages in? And last, what is the work a New Testament church fellowship partners in?

Let’s begin with this idea of the New Testament church. What truly defines a church in the New Testament is the Lord Jesus. The authority of all teaching begins with Him. God has spoken to us in these last days through Him (Hebrews 1:1-3); Christ has brought the message of truth His Father wanted to the Apostles (John 17:17-24) by the power He promised them in the Holy Spirit (John 14:26; 15:13; 16:12-13). That promised Spirit came to them personally and visibly in Acts 2 and as a result, Peter was able to say that they had been given “everything pertaining to life and godliness, through the true knowledge of Him who called” them (2Peter 1:3) and Paul was able to say that “when you read you can understand my insight into the mystery of Christ… as it has been revealed to his holy Apostles and prophets by the Spirit” (Ephesians 3:4, ESV).

These “words,” spoken and written by inspired men, are the once and for all revealed message from Christ – about Christ – and for Christ’s people. Jude said that this “faith was once for all delivered to the saints” (Jude 3) and Peter said that “this word is the good news that was preached to you” (1Peter 1:25). So emphatic was it that John would say that “everyone who goes on ahead and does not abide in the teaching of Christ does not have God” (2John 9) and Paul would say that “even if we are an angel from heaven should preach to you a gospel contrary to the one we preached to you [and] contrary to what you received, let him be accursed” (Galatians 1:6-8).

So, the only writing we have from Christ, about Christ, and for Christ’s people, is the New Testament. If we are aiming to please Him “in every respect” (Colossians 1:10) then, we are to be people who want our lives as individual Christians to radiate His light and as a church committed to serving Him, we are equally obligated to please Him “in every respect.”

Therefore, “church life” is something Christ is sovereign over. He alone speaks how churches should worship, should organize, should work – and frankly – should just “be.” We are His. He is the Head (Ephesians 1:22-23) and we are the body.

Yet, some say that the New Testament sheds no light on the life and practice of the church today. For example, Donald G. Miller stated: “No particular structure of church life is divinely ordained” (The Nature and Mission of the Church, p. 82). And goes on to say that “any form … which the Holy Spirit can inhabit and to which He may impart the life of Christ, must be accepted as valid for the church. As all forms of life adapt themselves to their environment, so does the Life of Christ by His Spirit in the church.”

Even respected church leader, Dr. Gene Getz, wrote: “He (Paul) was ‘a free man’—not locked into patterns and structures, either in communication or in organization and administration” (Sharpening the Focus of the Church (Chicago: Moody Press, 1974), p. 109). He added that “Paul was not consistent in the instruction he gave regarding the appointment of elders and deacons. … It is impossible, of course, to arrive at conclusive reasons as to why there is a disparity in Paul’s approach to church leadership from church to church. But, is this not part of the genius of the New Testament? Once again, we see freedom in form and structure, means and methods, patterns and programs.”

This may sound good to today’s world except for the painful fact that Paul equated his practices with the principles that he taught: “I exhort you therefore, be imitators of me. For this reason I have sent to you Timothy, who is my beloved and faithful child in the Lord, and he will remind you of my ways which are in Christ, just as I teach everywhere in every church” (1 Corinthians 4:16,17). Paul said the practice came from his teaching after reminding them that “you may learn by us not to go beyond what is written that none of you may be puffed up against one another” (1Corinthians 4:6). Paul instructed his readers to imitate his ways because they conformed with what he had taught and urged them to follow in what was also “written.”

Therefore, to be a New Testament church, we must adopt this Pauline view that the writings of the New Testament were given to the church to be a New Testament church.  We must be drawn to, directed by, and determined to follow fully what we do from the New Testament.

You see there is no other way to be a Christ follower or a church that follows Christ than to be among a New Testament church because the New Testament points the way of Christ – because – it is His way.

by Don Hooton

Well, it’s Summer again.  Stores across America have racks full of the itsy-bitsy, teeny-weeny, yellow polka-dot bikinis – and much much… less. In fact, American women spend more than eight billion dollars a year on bikinis alone (statisticbrain.com). And according to Bethany Baird’s blog Lies Young Women Believe, girls are obsessed with the bikini because:

“The world says they’re cute! You get the opportunity to showcase your entire body, and it’s totally acceptable. You can get some serious attention from guys…” She traces her mothering from her own upbringing when she wore them and said, “As I grew up and got a little bit older, my parents started talking to me about the concept of modesty. My perspective on bikinis slowly started to change. I came to the conclusion that a bikini is basically like a bra and underwear but designed for water. I realized that just because the bikini is culturally acceptable, that doesn’t make it a wise wardrobe choice. I would NEVER go anywhere in my bra and underwear, so why would I go swimming in something that covered the same amount of body? I’ve decided that I have to be consistent. I can’t uphold one standard for the dry world and another for the wet world.”

Even though culture may call bikinis the better fashion choice, it has no idea of what Christians should view as the better choice.  In fact, Paul tells Christians to see themselves as non-conformists and as a result, transform their behavior this way: “Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewal of your mind, that by testing you may discern what is the will of God, what is good and acceptable and perfect” (Romans 12:2).  You see, Christians want their choices to reflect the will of God – not the will of Macy’s or Target.

Please understand I am not advocating some kind of “prudiness” or full body flapper sets with bright orange flowers all over them. What I am suggesting is that if your summer choices are determined by cultural standards, by what’s popular, or what makes you feel sexy, your choice is not to glorify God. But what should Christians do?

Paul says, “Likewise, I want women to adorn themselves with proper clothing, modestly and discreetly, not with braided hair and gold or pearls or costly garments; but rather by means of good works, as befits women making a claim to godliness” (1Timothy 2:9-10).

Did you hear that?  What we choose to wear should be dictated by professing godliness.  While the context here is first to women, and second, to an impropriety of lavish extravagance rather than of a lack of clothes (unheard of in that age in the first place), it contrasts godly women from those women of sensual and worldly excess who aim to draw all eyes to them. Notice these two commentary notes:

1. “These terms stress not so much the absence of sexual suggestiveness, though it is included, but rather an appearance that is simple, moderate, judicious, and free from ostentation.” [Walvoord, John F., and Roy B. Zuck, The Bible Knowledge Commentary, Wheaton, IL: Scripture Press Publications, 1985].
2. “Those that profess godliness should, in their dress, as well as other things, act as becomes their profession; instead of laying out their money on fine clothes, they must lay it out in works of piety and charity, which are properly called good works.” [Henry, Matthew, Matthew Henry’s Commentary on the Bible, Peabody, MA: Hendrickson Publishers, 1997]

Professing godliness, then, must mean a greater attention to the display of godly character than sun kissed skin and glamorous attire. Godly women will want to impress their man with godliness rather than displaying her body to entice him to sensual transgression.  

Whether it is bikinis or swim trunks, jeans or Tshirts, a Christian woman will make the good choice (as should a Christian man) of wearing what really professes godliness. Be modest for the Son.

by Don Hooton

Imagine the early church as they saw new congregations popping up all over the Mediterranean world. Charismatic Apostle Paul revisited those churches to “strengthen the souls of the disciples, encouraging them to continue in the faith” and after “appointing elders in every church,” told the them, “Through many tribulations we must enter the kingdom of God” (Acts 14:21-23). He told the church to forge ahead in the work they had in spite of the reception and the retribution they may face as believers in a world of unbelief. Perhaps this last meeting was a power packed emotional rally of sorts or the resolved and stately exhortation of man who knew the path ahead of his spiritual children. Whatever its passion, it purpose was to keep Christians with their eyes ahead. Where will the work we do for Christ take us?

Ahead of modern churches is the present reality of mainstream churches caving further to societal pressure to change the moral restraints and human standards God has put in place. Even with the Methodist Church’s decision to keep a “traditional” stance on marriage, which is between two heterosexuals rather than homosexuals, it is still faced with future departures based upon its present practices ignoring congregational autonomy (1Peter 5:2) and male pastors (1Timothy 3:2) – just to name a few. And Christians who shout loudly that we should “go back to the Bible” is a pluralistic approach to Christianity would only experience the ridicule and shaming that such reforms have still not gone far enough.

So, what’s ahead?

According to Thom Rainer (of Lifeway fame), “between 6,000 and 10,000 churches in the U.S. are dying each year. That means around 100-200 churches will close this week. The pace will accelerate unless our congregations make some dramatic changes” (Jan 2018, www.factsandtrends.com). The future is bleak in many ways – but not lost.  Still the things that lead to the demise of the churches are self-evident: declining attendance, dwindling funds, disinterested worshippers, disenchanted youth and disobedient believers.

Disobedient Believers. Hard to believe it is so – but it is (c.f. Hebrews 4:11). When Christians disobey what God wants, even if there is even a generation of apparent growth, those churches will eventually die. Ahead of us will be choice after choice – as an individual Christian and as a collective body of Christians as a church – that we will have to obey God. We can’t rely on our past successes to dismiss our rebellion of not doing what God has clearly said. As a church, we must obey the Lord in everything. Is that what you want to be – with us – obedient to the Lord in everything.  “Do not merely listen to the word, and so deceive yourselves. Do what it says” (James 1:22). Churches across the land – including ours – need to obey Him.

Disenchanted Youth. Barna Group’s president David Kinnaman, wrote You Lost Me: Why Young Christians are Leaving Church…and Rethinking Faith with some reasons why “nearly three out of every five young Christians (59%) disconnect permanently or for an extended period of time from church life after age 15:” He said some teens’ and 20-somethings’ experience of Christianity is shallow – leading them to say “church” is irrelevant to their daily lives, that there isn’t enough in-depth study of the Bible and a real/in-depth relationship/experience with God. They also said churches come across as antagonistic to science and as unwilling to help assist in conversation with their often “simplistic or judgmental” tone in issues of sexuality.  “Younger Americans have been shaped by a culture that esteems open-mindedness, tolerance and acceptance” and so when the church appears unfriendly to those who struggle with doubts, the road to relationship is crowded with (often) mutual distrust.

Disinterested Worshippers. This ever present problem was present in Jesus’ day (Mark 7:6) and Isaiah’s day. It is a human problem. Yet, as churches, what are we proactively engaged in doing to remedy the epidemic of such lethargy? Preachers who preach long, dry sermons? Song Leaders who lead every verse with no regard to the time or momentum of the worship? Scripture Readers who stumble across their reading? Communion Leaders who make their comments as far away from the Cross as west is to east? Prayers leaders who recite the same prayer as “faithful” brother so and so said before World War II? Are we engaging in the worship of God as a visible testimony to what really matters to us? Worshippers will only be as interested in what you find interesting.

Dwindling Funds. The churches of today live in more affluence than probably Christians have ever lived. Yet, Paul praised the Macedonian churches because “in their deep poverty

[that]

overflowed in the wealth of their liberality” because they “first gave themselves to the Lord” (2Corinthians 8:1-3). Some churches falter because people fail to give or because they fail to give themselves to the Lord. Again, it is not a new problem. The prophet Haggai rebuked a generation for exhausting their resourced on their “paneled houses” while God’s temple was left untouched (Haggai 1:4). What Christians should see is that they work together for the betterment of every aspect of the work they do. Sometimes church buildings fall into disrepair not merely because of dwindling funds but instead, on dwindling interest in the spiritual evidenced by the lack of joyful giving. So ahead of us is the task of every working to elevate to our fellow brother the everpresent need of the gospel in our community and abroad.

Declining Attendance. And if churches are closing in larger numbers – and there are suggestions that the numbers are more of a natural attrition rate – it is certainly because the attendance rates in all those churches reflected decline. Even in the first century, the ongoing habit of neglecting “assembling of yourselves together” was indicative of a forsaking that could eventuate in a hardened heart of unbelief (Hebrews 10:25; 3:12). Your attendance anyway indicates your interest in the thing – no matter what it is. Your attendance elsewhere when you attendance is needed is indicative of what is valued more. So when attendance numbers drop in churches, if could be the attrition of a changing community – or it could be the decline of the value of worship.

So, what’s ahead for American churches (and for that matter – any church anywhere)? If we are unwilling to exert the needed effort to stop the decline, our date with destiny is death. Churches will continue to close. Young people will continue to leave. And we will find ourselves alone.

So, what can we do about it? What can we do together about it?

First, you and I need to attend more (read again Hebrews 10:24-25). The fiery zeal that warms us in the winter’s bleak of our faithless culture will be Christians that we see, we love and with whom we worship. God did not make you to do this alone. We were framed to be people, who are with people, when we praise the people’s True God. So, if you want to save the church and save your culture, make the attendance of church services a priority. Quit the excuses. Stop the replacing of this Divine Good with the alternative good you see in traveling, unwinding, community service and other things. You need to assembly because we do. It’s that important to what we are facing. If you don’t want to choose me and other saints now when things are on an even temper, what will do when things get hard?

Second, you and I need to give more. We all could use this exhortation. While there are many ways you give to good things for the Lord (private support of evangelism in other places, benevolence to help other Christians – and non-Christians) that serve well our sharing of the Light in this dark world, there is still the obligation we have together to provide for the needs of our local family: facility needs will never decrease, teaching supplies will always grow and requests for preaching in other places will always arrive (sometimes everyday). So as we face the future, we have to decide if we are investing enough in the Lord’s work today to make the Lord’s work tomorrow grounded.

Third, you have to worship. Song Leaders, you have to lead songs that lift people. Prayer leaders, you have to pray to make the Lord’s presence real to you – so it can be real to those who will say AMEN with you. Scripture Readers, you have to read with prepared clarity that you deliver to that captive audience the authoritative word from God – not the ramblings of poor preparation. Communion Leaders, you have to make your words about the Cross – and stay out of the way. Make people see Jesus. And preachers, we have to make our message relevant, encouraging and compelling – because it is about the truth of God – and again – not the ramblings of our own self interests. And all of us, when we come to worship, should do more than say “we will set aside of the cares of this world,” we need to bring to God all of our cares, fall down at the alter of His mercy and grace and surrender our will, our passions and our very heart to the One who made for us – in the sacrifice of His Son – the only way out of our decaying existence.

Fourth, we need to listen to why people leave. If it is the truth that they do not love, we cannot stop them. But even the hardened sinner – when spoken to with love by the believing heart – will soon love to truth he has hated. So, when young people have been influenced by the culture in which we live, be patient with them. Lead them by love. With kind mercies, guide them to the truth. Do not despise them for being young and misguided. Love them for being young and guide them to truth. If our young people cannot find in us a place to ask questions, to challenge what they have always been taught, to wonder our loud what is really true, then we have misunderstood what it means that we are the family of God.

Last, we need to show how believers obey. Obedience is, by its very definition, the yielding of our will to another. It is acting the way we are told to act. We obey Christ – and that means we yield to Him – not to the rancorous traditions of the brotherhood, not to the boasting of the arrogant, and not to the impulses of our hearts. If we believe, we obey.

And if we do these things – the future will care for itself. We cannot undo the act of others – but we can be certain to make our contribution of what lies ahead of us all – a pleasant aroma to God – a sacrifice that pleases Him in every way.

by Don Hooton

There’s something illuminating and empowering when you see who you really are. When the prodigal “came to himself,” he “went to his father” to be restored. The NASB says, “he came to his senses” (Luke 15:17).  When he saw who he had become he “got up” and “went” to be who he really was – the son of his father. While he came humbly and wanting only to be a servant in his house, his father would give him shoes and the family regalia. But it only happened because the son knew he “had to” be who he was supposed to be.

The letters Paul wrote to Christians equally compel believers to see who they are.  Paul said to the Colossians that in Christ they “have been made complete” and in Him, they are “attaining to all the wealth that comes from the full assurance of understanding” (2:10,2). As Christians we should see how full, how complete, and how blessed God has made us in Christ. And when we see clearly who we are in Christ, it is Paul who reasons that we then should “walk in Him, having been firmly rooted and now being built up in Him and established in your faith, just as you were instructed, and overflowing with gratitude” (2:6-7).

If the adage that “fish gotta’ swim and birds gotta’ fly” is right, then it is also true that Christians “gotta’ walk.” Fish swim because that is what they do. Birds fly because that is what birds do. And Christians? They don’t sleep, shuffle or keep a static existence. They walk. Their feet are swift to do good. They busy themselves in their Father’s kingdom. Because, that is what Christians do.

First, as Paul reminds us, we walk this way because we have been “firmly rooted” in Christ (2.7). You see, we are busy with the business of the King because he gave us reason. What Jesus did for us on the cross and in the Resurrection transforms the heart of every believer – who plants it deep.  Forgiveness and Hope help us move by empowering us to put one foot in front of the other – even when we feel a burden like no other. Being firmly rooted lifts us from the drudgery of guilt and despair into the path of the abundant life.  Jesus us that first step, the vitality that gives us new life (c.f. Romans 6:3-4).

Second, as Paul says, we walk this way because we are being “built up” in Him (2:7). Like a home structured on a solid foundation, this walk as a Christian shows a progression of maturity. We walk because we have laid the foundation and we are growing and even more “established in the faith” (2:7). This “once for all delivered to the saints” (Jude 3) faith is the structural integrity of what we build and the direction of our walk – but if the building halts or slows down, so does the walk. It is a present tense in the Greek and we must keep building if we want to keep walking with Christ.  It is an ever growing, progressive increase in religion by union with Him.

So, we need to plant ourselves firmly in the Christ and we need to keep building our life in the Christ’s way. And this walk, or way of living, is described many ways.  It begins as a walk “in newness of life” (Romans 6:4) – a brisk beginning to jump start the blood flow. And it is a walk for the inner man and “not according to the flesh” (Romans 8:4). If we walk “by faith and not by sight” (2Corinthians 5:7), we will walk “no longer as Gentiles” (Ephesians 4:17) but as “children of light” (Ephesians 5:8) who follow in the steps of Jesus (1Peter 2:21).  That means we will walk “in love” (Ephesians 5:2) and in a “manner worthy of the Lord” (Colossians 1:10). It will be a well purposed lifestyle because people, grounded in Him, and being built up in Him, would want to walk in a way that really is “pleasing God” (1Thessalonians 4:1) and not themselves.  That is why we should always aim to be “careful in our walk” (Ephesians 5:15).

You see Christians “gotta’ walk.”  It is what we do – because that is who we are. 

So, when you think there is nothing to do, get walking. So, when you think you have nothing more to do, get walking. Because without the walk, it’s all talk. And just as sure as fish gotta’ swim, when you have been planted and built up in Christ, you gotta’ walk.