Over the last few weeks I have been writing about church history, the restoration plea, and the concept of going back to the New Testament and being what the followers of Christ were then—Christians only, without denominational affiliation—people who constituted themselves into autonomous (self-governing) churches of God/Christ (I Corinthians 11:16; Romans 16:16). It is freely admitted by all church historians that there were no different denominations in New Testament times, or for several centuries thereafter. Faithful churches of Christ today are pleading for a return to that same state of spiritual affairs.
Strangely, it is believed by many that it is impossible in the 21st century for people to be what the followers of Christ were in the first century. It has never dawned on some that undenominational Christianity is possible today. It reminds me of the story of a young schoolboy whose given name was Dammit (a family sir name). His class was participating in a spelling bee, and the teacher was going down the roll, giving out the words to be spelled. It came Dammit's turn. The teacher gave out the word—"Eucalyptus"—then quickly added, "But, Dammit, I know you can't spell it." Unknown to the teacher, the principal was standing just outside the door. Momentarily forgetting about the boy's name, and not realizing what he was saying, he stepped inside the room and exclaimed, "Well, (bleep), I think you ought to at least let him try!"
I do not approve of profanity and I certainly mean no offense or disrespect toward anyone, but the principal had a point: if there are those who think we cannot be Christians only, members of the body/church of Christ only, without also being members of a denomination, and if there are those who no longer accept the premise of the restoration principle and the restoration plea, so be it. But, please...at least let the rest of us try! I find it passing strange that in our post-modern culture of pluralism in which it is asserted that we have many viable religious options, the ONE thing that some say is NOT possible is to be simply a New Testament Christian without denominational affiliation!
On another humorous note: One of the great old preachers of the ancient gospel was Joe H. Blue (1875-1954) whose labors were confined primarily toArkansas, Missouri, Oklahoma, and Texas. The story is told of the preacher of a black church who ran off with all the church's money. Some of the leaders contacted brother Blue and asked him what he thought they ought to do. Brother Blue said, "Go after him, bring him back, and prosecute him."
A few weeks passed and one day brother Blue ran into one of the members and asked if they had found the prodigal preacher. "Yes, sir," the brother replied, "we found him and brought him back. He done spent all the money, but we gonna let him preach it out!"
Another of the grand old heralds of the restoration plea was Jefferson Davis Tant (1861-1941). Fanning Yater Tant, in the biography of his father—J. D.TANT: TEXAS PREACHER—tells the story of his father being in a debate with a particular denominational preacher who denied that baptism is essential to salvation. When brother Tant introduced I Peter 3:21, his opponent ridiculed it by saying, "Baptism is just a picture of salvation, but it doesn't have anything to do with actually being saved. One is saved, and then is baptized to 'picture' his salvation."
Brother Tant responded, "Well, it's a pity Peter did not know that on the day of Pentecost. Otherwise, he would have said to those inquiring sinners, 'Repent, and get your picture taken...in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins' "(Acts 2:38).
Sometimes a little humor can disarm the cavils of those who wish to take issue with plain gospel facts and simple gospel truths.
Speaking Schedule:
July 29: Oak Grove Church of Christ, Red Boiling Springs, TN
August 1: Green Hill Church of Christ, Mount Juliet,TN
August 5: Madison Street Church of Christ,Clarksville, TN ("Family & Friends" Day) (morning and afternoon)
August 5: Neely's Bend Church of Christ, Madison,TN (P.M. only)
August 8: Meades Chapel Church of Christ,Nashville, TN
August 12: Science Hill Church of Christ, Readyville,TN (P.M. only)
Hugh Fulford
July 24, 2012
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