Church hurts

Many of us know people who have gone through "church hurts;" those injuries that are inflicted by others at church either intentionally or unintentionally. Church hurts are the worst, because we expect to find love at church, not judgement or condemnation. Sadly, we often find just that, and worse.

In my new church, I've found love and acceptance. I guess such has not always been the case. Several years back, my church suffered a "split," where those who were "pure" (never divorced; both man and wife attending; ostensibly sinless, etc) went to a new church and those who were not invited stayed at my church. Now, let's get one thing straight. Those who stayed behind were not necessarily guilty of "blasphemy against the Holy Spirit" or whatever; they simply didn't fit the "perfect" mold of those who were not left behind. Perhaps a man or his wife were unequally yoked and only one or the other actually attended services. Perhaps a couple had been divorced and remarried. Perhaps someone had actually suffered a backslidden condition and come back seeking forgiveness. Whatever. These were NOT asked to move. In any case, I have found that this bunch of people actually know what Christianity is all about; forgiveness and acceptance. The bible is pretty clear about what to do with someone who isn't living an acceptable lifestyle. My new church seems to be pretty clear about it as well.

Anyway, some of the folks from the "new" church seem to be spreading the rumor that those who attend my (ACoC) church don't believe in baptism. Not only that, but we're all going to hell because we clap our hands while singing praises to God. Apparently, clapping while singing isn't scriptural. Well, maybe the folks from the new church got a different version of the bible than the one I've been reading. Psalms 47 is pretty clear: "1 Clap your hands, all you nations; shout to God with cries of joy." Maybe they skipped that chapter when they were reading, but I don't know. I do know that I pray that God will open ALL of His scripture to them that they may understand His Word. Then there's that thing about baptism. Apparently, you have to be baptised to be saved. Now, I'm not going to say that baptism isn't important, quite the contrary. The Lord Jesus Himself went to the River Jordan to be baptised by John the Baptist. Why? Because baptism is symbolic of the death of the old man and the birth of the new one. Jesus thought it was important, so should we! Consequently, when we accept Jesus as Lord and Savior, we should follow His example and be baptised! Is it absolutely neccessary for salvation? I don't really think so! There's exactly one scripture that I can find that says "believe and be baptised" in order to be saved (Mark 16:16). On the other hand, there's a TON of them that say that belief itself is all it takes! (John 3:15; John 3:16; John 3:18; John 3:36; John 5:24; John 6:35; John 6:40; John 6:47; John 11:25; John 11:26; John 12:46, etc.). So what do we make of this? Do we believe Mark 16:16 and rely on belief AND baptism, or do we go with John and believe that belief alone is sufficient? Frankly, I think that belief is all it takes, but we should follow the example of Jesus and be baptised when we come to believe. If we do that, we are aligned with the scripture regardless of whether you believe that Mark 16:16 is genuine or not! This, by the way, is what Alvin Church of Christ practices - new believers are baptised!

So why would someone lie about all this? Who knows why satan does what he does? Does he want to divide Christ's church and cause His people to mistrust one another? Well, I guess so! John 8:44 "You belong to your father, the devil, and you want to carry out your father's desire. He was a murderer from the beginning, not holding to the truth, for there is no truth in him. When he lies, he speaks his native language, for he is a liar and the father of lies." All I can say is, do not give place to the devil! (Ephesians 4:26/27 - 26"In your anger do not sin": Do not let the sun go down while you are still angry, 27and do not give the devil a foothold.) How does it benefit one person, or one congregation of people for that matter, to denegrate the work or the people of another? The answer is, it does not! All it does its give the devil satisfaction!

One last thought. Jesus was pretty clear about how we should figure out who believes and who does not:

Matthew 7:15"Watch out for false prophets. They come to you in sheep's clothing, but inwardly they are ferocious wolves. 16By their fruit you will recognize them. Do people pick grapes from thornbushes, or figs from thistles? 17Likewise every good tree bears good fruit, but a bad tree bears bad fruit. 18A good tree cannot bear bad fruit, and a bad tree cannot bear good fruit. 19Every tree that does not bear good fruit is cut down and thrown into the fire. 20Thus, by their fruit you will recognize them."

So, the question is pretty clear. Does ACOC bear good fruit or not? I'd have to say, from what I've seen so far, the fruit is pretty good. The fruit I see from detractors has been falsehood and inuendo. Perhaps they are raising thornbushes, but it is not for me to judge, but for God alone. Matthew 7:1 "Do not judge, or you too will be judged. 2For in the same way you judge others, you will be judged, and with the measure you use, it will be measured to you." I will not judge those who detract from the work of ACoC and I would quote the above and caution others to do likewise. - Dan