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Standing For New Testament Christianity

By William J. Stewart

On my business cards, and almost all other materials which come from my desk, one of two phrases appears: "Standing for New Testament Christianity" or "just Christians, nothing more, nothing less". What does that mean? What is New Testament Christianity? Why do we seek to be nothing more or less than Christians?

We live in a day when what people refer to as "Christianity" has become quite diverse. So much so, that there are estimated to be approximately 22,000 different varieties of denominational groups in existence. That is baffling to the mind, that there can be that many distinct groups, all teaching a somewhat different flavour of what they are calling "Christianity". In the claim to stand for "New Testament Christianity", we desire to do nothing more or less than what the Lord has commanded us to do in His word. We want to be just Christians.

We have no creed books. We do not allow human tradition to supplant Bible command. If a practice is to be practiced, it requires Biblical support by way of command or example. If a doctrine is to be preached, we demand that book, chapter and verse be supplied. If either a practice or teaching cannot be found in the Bible, then it should not be found in the church either.

Such a stand may seem rather restrictive to the general populous. After all, isn't it a marvelous thing that we can go and choose from among thousands of options available, and find the particular religion which appeals to us? Isn't it great that we can seek out a group that teaches doctrines we feel comfortable with, and that carries on activities which we enjoy?

If Christianity were all about us, then certainly, that would be wonderful. But understand, Christianity is not about us - it is about the Lord. The church is not a social club, it is the assembly of the saved. It's doctrines are not open to human preference, but come from the author of Scripture, the Lord. Recall the words of Jesus, "Why do you call Me, 'Lord, Lord', and do not do the things which I say?" (Luke 6:46). Men have come to treat the church as though it belongs to them, and thus, they have created it as they desire. Shame!!

“...we desire to do nothing more or less than what the Lord has commanded...”

Hear the words of David with regard to the construction of the temple in the days of Solomon:

My son Solomon, whom alone God has chosen, is young and inexperienced; and the work is great, because the temple is not for man but for the LORD God. (1 Chronicles 29:1)

What a wonderful perspective - the correct perspective. David understood, that the temple, though it would be used by men for worship, was not for man, but for God. It was God's house, nto man's house. It's design was according to God's blueprint, not man's blueprint.

Friend, we might equally say of the church, "...the work is great, because the church is not for man but for the LORD God." It is NOT our church, it is the Lord's church. It is not designed according to our liking, but according to God's plan.

Jesus of Nazareth died to purchase the church (Acts 20:28). It is His possession, He is Lord or Master. If we are members of His church, we will acknowledge that He is the builder, and we are His servants - servants of the most High God. We have in no way become commissioned as co-designers for the kingdom of God. There is a God-given pattern for the church, and if we are to be the Lord's church - the New Testament Church, then we must remain within the pattern.

BIBLE PATTERN BASICS

For more on the pattern of the New Testament church, see the following articles:

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06.01.2008 | Decision Making For The Work Of The Church
06.22.2008 | Get Wisdom!

Answering The Atheist

By William J. Stewart

The Atheist's Complaint:
Who was the father of Kish? 1 Samuel 9:1 says it was Abiel, but 1 Chronicles 8:33 and 1 Chronicles 9:39 say it was Ner. Is there a contradiction?

Response:
Indeed, the names given in 1 Chronicles 8:33 and 1 Chronicles 9:39 for the father of Kish does not agree with the name given for the father of Kish in 1 Samuel 9:1. He is called Ner in the one place, but Abiel in the other.

There are several instances in the Bible where the same individual is referred to with more than one name. In the New Testament, one of Jesus' apostles was known by the name Peter, but also known as Cephas and Simon. Another knwon as Nathaniel, also appears to be called Bartholomew.

There are instances of this in the Old Testament too, the father of Kish perhaps beong one.

Even today, there are people who are known by more than one name. I have a good friend whose given name is William, but he is known to almost everyone as Tom. His name is "William Thomas _________". Another friend is known as Keith, but his legal name is Louis. He is "Louis Keith _____".

There is no contradiction.

This article is in response to Skeptic's Annotated Bible.