A Way That Is Right And Cannot Be Wrong
No Book But The Bible
It will furnish us completely unto all good works. (1 Tim. 3:16, 17) It contains all things that pertain to life and godliness. (2 Peter 1:3) Holy men of God wrote being moved by the Holy Spirit. (V. 21) If it is obeyed from the heart, it will "make free." (John 8:32) It will sanctify or set apart for service to God. (John 17:17) If we look therein and be not a forgetful hearer but a doer, we shall be blessed. (James 1:21, 25) Creeds and disciplines of men are not safe because they contradict each other and the Bible. They are not worthy to follow. Let us thank God for the Perfect Guide!
No Creed But Christ
The word creed means "I believe," hence our only belief is in Jesus Christ. This faith has come by hearing God's word. (Rom. 10:17) The things of the book of John, and all the New Testament are written for our learning that we might have life through his name. (John 20:30, 31) Accepting him (Heb. 12:25), we accept all that we find in the sixty-six books of the Bible, because he is the central figure of it all. Put him in the middle and we see the prophets pointing to him and the apostles pointing back to him. He is our "All in all" He is our "High Priest," King of Kings, Lord, Ruler, Advocate, Intercessor, Shepherd, Master, and will be our Judge at the last great day. He is now ruling on his throne in heaven. He is "Head over all things to the church." (Eph. 1:22, 23) We have no earthly head. He is our resurrected Conqueror, Prince of peace, and to us his name is Precious, Wonderful, Counselor, Mighty God. (Is. 9:6) Being the Captain of our salvation, we strive to follow him only in religion. Thank God for Jesus, His Son!
No Organization But The Church Of Christ
To do the work assigned us, we need no societies arranged by men. The church is the institution or "channel" through which we are to give God glory. (Eph. 8:21) God reaches the lost or needy by our hands. The gospel is his power to save. (Rom. 1:16) Thank God that on earth we can be in His family. (Eph. 3:14, 15) Are we allowing God the use of our bodies in His service? (Rom. 12:1, 2)
No Worship But That Found In The New Testament
Worship "In spirit and in truth" is the only worship God will accept. (Jn. 4:24) Early disciples continued steadfastly in the apostles doctrine, fellowship, breaking bread, and prayers. (Acts 2:42) We cannot possibly be apostolic, or be what they were and use modern innovations such as instrumental music, counting beads, etc. Our music is vocal. The only instrument accompanying our singing is the heart. (Eph. 5:19; Col. 3:16) We cannot follow David in our worship. Psalms 150 cannot be used to prove instrumental music for us today. If advocates of instrumental music in worship can use this passage, then they would be compelled, for consistency, to use Psalms 149. And if one will read this chapter, he will find that while praising God, one is to take a two-edged sword to execute vengeance. In the early church they would gather and (1) Sing (Eph. 5:19), (2) Pray to God (Acts 2:42; 20:8), (8) Teach the word (Acts 2:42), (4) Eat the Lord's Supper (Acts 20:7), (5) and give of their money or means to support the truth. (1 Cor. 16:1, 2; 2 Cor. 9:6, 7) When we do this, without addition, we have worshipped God in spirit and truth. Let us thank God for the simple way of worship.
No Name But Christian
The church of Christ is simply a group of Christian men and women who have obeyed the gospel. They have been added to the Lord's church (Acts 2:47) hence, they can truthfully be called Christians. As Christians they are all the other names in the Bible imply. They are Saints of God, (Rom. 1:7) Disciples (learners, followers). (Matt. 5:1; Acts 11:26) They are sheep in the great fold. (John 10:16) As the name Israel had the name of God in it, so the name of Christian has the name of Christ in it. Does the name you wear in religion have the name of Christ in it or does it glorify Smith, Luther, Wesley, or some man or ordinance? Why not thank God for the New Name Christian? (Is. 62:1, 2; Acts 11)
Remember, there are many ways of men. Jesus said there would be a broad way and a narrow way (Matt. 7:13, 14), and if one is in something not in the New Testament, he cannot be in the narrow way. Jesus is the Way, Truth, and Life, and no man can come to God except by Him. But to come by Him is to come by His teachings in the New Testament. How else would we know what to do or what to be in religion? Solomon said that a way may seem right but be one of the ways of death. (Pro. 14:12)
No Plan Of Salvation But The Bible Plan
God does not have three or four plans to save the sinner by. He does not have a plan for one and a plan for another that differs. If one is an alien sinner—one who has never been born again or baptized into Christ, that one must obey the truth to be made free. In Acts 2 the three thousand were told to "Repent and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins, and ye shall receive the gift of the Holy Ghost." (Acts 2:38) Many will read this and twist it to mean that one must repent and be saved and later be baptized. But the conjunction ties repentance and baptism together (the word AND) and no amount of sophistry of men can separate them. That which God hath joined let no man put asunder. Why not obey the gospel today. Be warned dear soul. Read 2 Thes. 1:5-9; 1 Pet. 4:15; Heb. 5:8, 9. "Now is the accepted time!