YOU WANT TO PUT WHAT IN THE CHURCH?
by Harrell
Davidson
Many years ago the late brother G.
K. Wallace and his good wife Lillian were guests in our home. We were honored with their presence in every
way. They invited us to their home in
Some today still need this kind of lesson. No, It Is not about eating in the building, but what some have brought over into the Lord’s church or at least have tried. No faithful congregation would permit such things as we have today. There are many congregations who are having every kind of seminar that one could imagine. We have noticed that some are having financial seminars. Among some of the speakers that we have noticed is Dave Ramsey. I do not know Mr. Ramsey. I have never met him. I have not been to one of these seminars, but I know this; there is no Scripture to justify such! Basketball courts, walking tracks and physical fitness centers seem to be popular among many. The list is almost endless with more being thought of almost daily. All these trappings are “feel good” type of things—totally subjective. The idea being that if it feels good do it! Yes, these are feel good religionists and their number is increasing. Gymnastics for Christ, yea, yeal
Read with me Hebrews 8:2: “A minister of the sanctuary, and of the true tabernacle, which the Lord pitched, and not man.” Compare the old tabernacle under the law of Moses to the new. Note, in doing so, that God ordered what should be in the tabernacle of old. So it is that He has also ordered for the new. “Who serve unto the example and shadow of heavenly things, as Moses was admonished of God when he was about to make the tabernacle: for, See, saith he, that thou make all things according to the pat tern shewed to thee in the mount” (Hebrews 8:5). There was an attempt by the judaizers to put circumcision in the church (cf. Acts 15). It was not needed nor authorized and thus refused by Inspiration. There was no authority for such. What God put in the church is totally sufficient. He put Himself along with Christ and the Holy Spirit (cf. Matthew 28:18-20). All of which play a prominent role in the church to this very day. It Is God’s Word that the Son spoke and has been handed down to us through the agency of the Holy Spirit. This is Inspiration.
Redeemed, forgiven souls were
placed in the church. The saved were
added (Acts
The Lord put elders to rule and
deacons to serve in the church not out of the church (1 Timothy 3:1-7; Titus 1:5-11). God put a Book to be used and it is
thoroughly sufficient for all that we need in life and godliness (2 Timothy
The Lord, not man, put His table in
the church. It is a memorial to the
cruel death that our Savior suffered in our stead and His pure blood that was
shed for us to have the remission of sins as well as to purchase the church
with His blood.( 1 Corinthians 11:23-25;
1 Corinthians 10:16,21; Acts 20:28). It is a communion that requires examination,
separation, consecration, meditation and confession (1 John 1:9). The table is one of anticipation. “For as often as ye eat this bread, and drink
this cup, ye do shew the Lord’s death till he come” (1 Corinthians 11:26 emp.
added by HDD). For the alien sinner our
Lord has put in the church a glorious invitation. “And the Spirit and the bride say, Come. And let him that heareth
say, Come. And let him that is athlrst come. And whosoever will, let him take
the water of life freely” (Revelation
Now, what was it that you want to put in the church?