“Would You Invite Me to Your Revival?” Part 3

A Word About Our Gospel Meeting

A popular statement often made in religious circles is “One church is as good as another”.  I have heard this, and related statements, which suggest that it doesn’t matter which church one attends or becomes associated with.  I have asked in the two previous articles, “Do you ever attend a revival at a church other than the one of which you claim membership?  If not, why not?” 

As I observe ‘attendance behaviors’ I find that very few people attend at other church functions, unless it is just a performance that is open to the public in general.  By this I mean, a play, a performance, or concert.  But when the preaching of the gospel alone  is going to be the reason, do you support that effort, by attending? 

I want to address this “phobia” among ‘church-goers’ (as commonly used).  I asked in the earlier articles, “Are you somewhat uncomfortable in visiting a church/denomination different than your ‘home’ church/denomination?  If so, then consider your reasons why, but more importantly, consider whether they are based upon biblical principles.”  Is it because of a disagreement as to what is taught?  Even within local churches of the same denomination, I rarely find that members from one denomination, such as a local Baptist church will attend a revival at a nearby local Baptist church.  One would not think that ‘doctrinal issues’ are the issue in that situation!

As I pointed out from the first article, people are prejudiced against other ‘faiths’ because of statements made about their beliefs.  As I pointed out in Part 2, there is a lot of stereo-typing among church members and this gives birth to prejudice, and prejudice is condemned in the Bible!  Prejudice keeps producing and strengthening division among good-hearted religious people. 

Division is equally condemned among Christians and in churches.  The Lord taught:"Every kingdom divided against itself is laid waste, and no city or house divided against itself will stand.” - Matt. 12:25.  The apostle Paul condemned the division in the church of Christ at Corinth as follows: “I appeal to you, brothers, by the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, that all of you agree, and that there be no divisions among you, but that you be united in the same mind and the same judgment.” - 1 Cor. 1:10; again in chapter 11:18, he would say, “…when you come together as a church, I hear that there are divisions among you.”

To the contrary, Paul would clarify the ONLY type of ‘striving’ that is approved of God, in his epistle to the church of Christ at Philippi.  He wrote, “Only let your manner of life be worthy of the gospel of Christ, so that whether I come and see you or am absent, I may hear of you that you are standing firm in one spirit, with one mind striving side by side for the faith of the gospel…” - Phil. 1:27.

If all denominations were doing as Paul wrote here in the Philippian epistle, then they would be named alike, they would worship alike, and their organization would be alike. They would teach the same on the Bible on all subjects.  The reality and fact is, this is NOT the situation.  The SOLE reason for this sad situation is attributed to what is preached!  I stated earlier that from my personal experiences I have found that the main source of religious prejudice and stereo-typing comes from preacher’s comments about what is believed and practiced elsewhere.  For example a repeated comment I hear while discussing the Bible with people, is that they “heard” that we (in the church of Christ) think/believe that we are, and I quote, “THE ONLY LITTLE GROUP WHO THINKS THEY ARE RIGHT AND GOING TO BE IN HEAVEN”.  I briefly touched on this in Part 2.  Let me address it again.  Do we believe that we are right and going to heaven? Yes, but do we believe we are the ONLY ones going to heaven? NO!  As I have stated previously about the congregation at Mill Street.  “Do we believe we are following the Bible (teaching the truth) here?  Yes indeed, but do you not make the same claim about your church?  Do we believe we are right? Yes indeed, for would we not be fools to continue as we do in our teaching, while believing that we were wrong?  But are we any different from your church in that respect?  Do you not believe your church is right?  Are we not alike in that sense?

The statement about churches of Christ believing that they are the true church of which Jesus spoke of in Matt 16:18 ought to be the aim of ANY church!  However, I submit that this same mindset is held by all who hold membership in a local church.  The fact that you chose or claimed membership in a particular denominational church evidences that you think it is religiously correct, and accurately teaching/following the Bible. 

But the real issue surrounding this prejudice is seen in what you believe about any church OTHER than the church of which you are a member.  Do you believe that ALL churches are OK?  Do you believe that ANY church other than the one to which you claim membership is OK?  I submit that no one does!  If you did, would you not attend their revivals?  Does your church even announce other revivals?  Consider also, during the winter time, when your church’s services are cancelled, do you ever go to any church’s services that are not cancelled?  Have you ever done so?

To any who profess to accept the concept that “one church is as good as another”, let me ask you to consider: does that include the church of Christ?  Do you believe that the church of Christ is “as good as” your church?  If not, then why not?  Is it because of our teaching?  Do we fail to teach the Bible correctly or is it because we simply teach differently from you?  We willingly will discuss our convictions with you, your preacher, or anyone who differs with us.  We ask nothing of anyone that we would not be willing to do, if asked. 

Do we believe that false doctrines have been (and still are), being taught?  YES!  Are these false doctrines the reason that denominational churches exist? YES!  Must there be discussions on these differences?  DEFINITELY!  These differences are hindering those still lost in sin from being converted!  That is the point of the Lord’s words in His prayer of John 17.  In verses 20-21 Jesus prayed, “Neither pray I for these alone, but for them also which shall believe on me through their word; That they all may be one; as thou, Father, art in me, and I in thee, that they also may be one in us: that the world may believe that thou hast sent me.”

How do YOU understand this unity that Jesus said He and His Father had…that they “agreed to disagree?”  No one with an honest heart would say so.  The unity that we are to have as believers is JUST LIKE THE UNITY THAT JESUS AND HIS FATHER HAD!  ALL believers are to be ONE in this way and this way ONLY.  Do we here at this congregation of the church of Christ desire that we work together like the apostle Paul described in Philippians 1:27? Certainly!  The question is, DO YOU?


RDB