The Omagh Church of Christ

World religious scholars seem to agree that the church was established in Jerusalem, the first Penticost after the ressurection of Christ. Acts 2, gives the record. But what was established when the church was established? Foolish question? Well, read Acts 2 carefully.

Where there any "dedication" services? Chairman appointed? Any of the institutional procedures one would expect if todays common conception of "church" were correct? It just isn't there.

Today the emphasis is upon the party, the church is something like a lodge, or "Royal Order of Saints", a society, somehow related to certain buildings. This conception is missing in God's record of establishment.

Prophecies concerning the establishment of the church invariably refer to the relationship, or the basis for the relationship between God and individuals. Isaiah says, "the mountain of Jehovah's house shall be established on the tops of mountains . . . " refering to the establishment of God's law for all nations (Isa 2:1). The promised kingdom was a promise of peace according to divine government (Isa 9:1). The ransomed of Jehovah would walk in "The way of holiness" (Isa 35:8).

Think of the church in terms of a little red wagon. Established on Penticost, it stood ready to roll, and people could jump in and ride to heaven. But somewhere along the way a side rail got broken, an axle was bent, the tongue came loose, and finally a wheel fell off. Luther tried to put the wheel back on, but further bent the axle in his effort. Others replaced the tongue with a new but different instrument, unsuited to the purpose and function of the original tongue. Alas, the church was broken down and out of service.

Than Alexander Campbell came along and Barton Stone determined to restore the church. They straightened the axle, replaced the tongue with an original model, repaired the side rail and put the wheel back on. Now people could ride home to heaven again.

Have I stretched the picture? Perhaps a little, but only to emphasize what I believe to be an entirely erroneous conception of the church established on Penticost. This is a denominational concept. It glorifies the "party" and does not properly distinguish between faithful and unfaithful people. 

Who is the church? The word "church" is a collective noun, and it "collects" people. But not just any people. Christ's church consists of "saints and faithful bretheren," "a people for God's own posession" (Col 1:2, 1 Peter 2:9). Of all the multitudes gathered in Jerusalem, only those who "gladly received the word" and "were baptized" became members of the church (Acts 2:41).

Members of the church do sin, but they are expected to repent and pray to God for forgiveness. Failing to do this, they are denied the fellowship of Christians (1 Cor 5), a congregation of christians who, collectively, no longer act in keeping with God's will or word is unworthy of a name and place among the churches of Christ (Rev 2). The Lord's church consists of people identified with the truth, not just people identified with a party.

What did God establishe, truth, the New Testement, never changes (1Peter 1:23). But the party, the people could fall away (1Tim 4:1). First, their attitude toward divine authority is altered, than their practices, than, usually many years later their terminology. Because the rule is one thing, and the people another, Paul said we must not measure ourselves by ourselves (2 Cor10:12) but by the rule.

One may "stay with the building," "stay with the preacher," "stay with the elders," "stay with 90% of the people" and yet leave the church which God established. In fact, this is precisely the history of denominationilism with its creed bound people.

Christians today need to restudy their conception of Christ's church. We must rededicate ourselves, not to some "party" but to Christ and his cause. I must know the truth, and obey it, regardless of the actions of others, "in the church" or out of it. I must remember that it is the purified and cleansed church, not the "party", that Christ promised to save eternally (Eph 5:26-27). What god established is firm and sure, and can not be shaken (Heb10:28).

                                                                                                                                                                                                          Steve Corbett

Why Send For Peter?

An angel appeared unto a man named Cornelius. This devout, God fearing, alms giving man was praying to God, as was his custom, when an angel of God appeared to him in a vision. You can read it for yourself in Acts chapter 10.

According to popular notions this could mean hallucinations, latter day revelations, or special divine appointments. An even greater number would say that this proved Cornelius was saved from his sins having experienced a work of grace. I have heard of people "voted" into the church on far less evidence. But the angel did none of these things to or for Cornelius.

The angel told Cornelius to send for Peter, who shall "tell thee what thou oughtest to do." or "tell thee words, whereby thou and thy house shall be saved." (Acts 11:13-f)

Prayers, alms, and devotion not withstanding, this man still needed to be saved. Christianity is far more than good citizenship, moral uprightness, or even respect for God. A Christian has all of these and more; some of these things are found among many who have not become followers of Jesus Christ and do not have salvation from their sins or any hope of heaven.

But why send Peter? Could not the angel tell Cornelius all he needed to know? Or the Holy Spirit? Could not this miraculous out-pouring do all that should be done for him? When Peter began to speak the Holy Spirit was indeed poured out upon these gentiles, truly a marvelous thing for Peter and his companions to behold. Until recently they had only presented the gospel to the Jews. It took this demonstration of divine acceptance to convince Peter and the rest of the Jews that the gospel was for all nations.

Now the gentiles were given the gospel as well, there remained the task of preaching, and urging them to obey, people must be taught of God so that they may hear and come (John 6:45). We draw near to God through His word of reconciliation (2 Cor 5:17).

What the angel or Holy Spirit could do was hedged about by divine regulations. God had placed His gospel in "earthen vessels" (2 Cor 4:7) so that its divine origin might be more apparent. It is not God's will that heavenly messengers deliver the story of salvation to the world. It was "once for all" delivered by inspired men, and through them written down in the form that we find it (Jude 3).

Peter did exactly what God intended that he should do, preach the good news of the gospel of Christ to Cornelius and his household, and baptized those who gladly received the word. Note, he commanded them to be baptized in the name of the Lord (Acts 10:48).

Cornelius was not saved, was not a Christian, until he heard, believed, and obeyed the gospel of Christ.

Steve Corbett