The basic point and answer to this question is this-be faithful to the Lord with all your ability, regardless of what others do; and, regardless of the circumstances.

When the leadership (elders) of a congregation are as they should be, they will take the lead in following the Scriptures to work on and correct whatever problems that arise. The members of such a congregation can rest easier knowing that the elders will handle the problem and will do so in a right, sensible and Scriptural manner.

On the other hand, when men in the eldership are not qualified to be elders, they will not take care of the problem as they should. This causes even more disturbance and problem because they are not acting in accordance with the Scriptures. The membership of that congregation is going to be very uneasy because the leadership is not providing the direction and help they should.

So, what can or should the membership do when the elders are not doing their job?

1. They must do right themselves, regardless of what the elders or others do. It is never right to do wrong. Or, as the saying goes, two wrongs don't make a right.

2. The membership should look among themselves to see if there are men qualified to be elders and appoint them. (The qualifications for elders are found in 1 Timothy 3:1-7 and Titus 1:5-11.)

3. When a qualified eldership does not exist, the membership must take corrective action against any wrong doing or wickedness in the congregation, even if it includes an elder (1 Corinthians 5:13).

4. By all means, do not give up serving the Lord. Don't say that since others are not doing right that you will not do right either.

First Corinthians 15:58 has great words of admonition: "Therefore, my beloved brethren, be ye stedfast, unmoveable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, forasmuch as ye know that your labour is not in vain in the Lord."

--Garland M. Robinson

Preaching the Word of God is an important part of the work of the church. It is the way whereby men are made believers (Rom. 10:14). It is the "power of God unto salvation" (Rom. 1:16). It is therein that we are "purified" from sins (1 Peter 1:22). It is by the Word that we are born again (1 Peter 1:23). The events of the second chapter of Acts are highlighted by the preaching of the first sermon in the name of the risen savior (Acts 2:14-36). The remainder of Acts tells us of the many times apostles and Christians preached the Word to various people.

Paul commanded Timothy, "Preach the word..." (2 Tim. 4:2). He had just told him that the Word of God is perfect, having been inspired (breathed out) of God (2 Tim. 3:16). He had also told him that the word of God would make men complete or perfect (2 Tim. 3:17). He had told him that what he had heard Paul preach he was to give to other faithful men who would in turn give it on to others and so on (2 Tim. 2:1-2).

Before his ascension Jesus said, "Go and teach all nations...Go ye into all the world, and preach the gospel to every creature..." (Matt. 28:19; Mark 16:15). We seek to do this very thing in our day. We have the example of Paul preaching to the assembled body of saints (Acts 20:7) to follow. When you attend a worship service of the church of Christ in your community, you will find on the Lord's Day some form of public instruction from the Lord's word. Usually you will see one stand before the audience and for a period of time (usually 25-45 minutes) declare the Word to the people. That man will refer often to and read often from the Bible. He will reason from the things written therein in an effort to explain a truth, prove a point, and/or encourage you to alter your life by bringing it into compliance with the demands of God's Word. The reason for such an effort is in order to prepare those listening for the coming judgment. We know that it will be by the Word that we are judged, for Jesus said so (John 12:48). We know that everyone will be so judged, for again Jesus said so (Matt. 25:31-46). This is why it is so important for preaching to be done, and for you to hear it.

When you attend the services of the church of Christ you will not find anyone preaching but men. There are no women preachers in the New Testament church. Paul, by inspiration, wrote, "Let your women keep silence in the churches: for it is not permitted for them to speak; but they are commanded to be under obedience, as also saith the law" (1 Cor. 14:34). He also wrote, "Let the woman learn in silence, with all subjection. But I suffer not a woman to teach, nor to usurp authority over the man, but to be in silence" (1 Tim. 2:11-12). It is wrong and sinful for women to exercise the authority of teaching or preaching in the presence of Christian men. It is wrong on the part of the woman to usurp the authority, and it wrong on the part of the man to surrender his authority without the approval of God.

Are you a Christian? Have you believed (Heb. 11:6), repented (Luke 13:3), confessed (Acts 8:37) and been baptized (Acts 22:16)? Are you being faithful (Rev. 2:10)?

--Tim Smith

It should come as no surprise that we have become a nation of skeptics. After all, we have been lied to repeatedly by those to whom we looked for guidance and instruction.

Those in whom we have placed our trust have cast it down and danced on it. Former President Clinton looked the nation in the face and lied, "I did not have sexual relations with that woman." A generation before, President Nixon was guilty of the same thing. Our best and brightest educators have spoon fed us for decades the lie that man just happened as the result of an ancient evolutionary accident. Our medical "experts" have told us the lies that homosexuals were "born that way," murderers suffer from a chemical imbalance, and drunks and drug addicts are victims of society. Parents have said their children are the most important things in their lives while proving themselves to be liars as they put careers first. Even leaders in the religious community have preached morality and righteousness while practicing adultery and embezzlement. So why would we be surprised that "educated" people view the Bible as a "good book," but essentially consider it a myth, a fable, a fantastic story, a lie? Why would they believe that God became a man, lived sinlessly, was crucified and then came back from the dead? Because the Bible says so? Why would they believe the Bible? After all, they have been taught in every facet of their lives that there are no absolutes, there is no set standard of truth. This is, however, nothing new. "For the preaching of the cross is to them that perish foolishness...we preach Christ crucified, unto the Jews a stumblingblock, and unto the Greeks foolishness" (1 Cor. 1:18, 23).

The solution is twofold. 1) We must make sure we speak the truth in all areas of our lives. Nothing can gain the respect and trust of nonbelievers like honesty, especially in a world full of liars. On three different occasions Paul emphasized he was speaking the truth and not lying (Rom. 9:1; 2 Cor. 11:31; Gal. 1:20). Evidently he understood the importance of gaining the trust of those to whom he was speaking. 2) We must prove what we believe, not expecting people who are skeptical, because they have been deceived, to accept what we say at face value. Paul didn't expect that when he told those in Thessalonica to, "prove all things, hold fast that which is good" (1 Thess. 5:21). He also said he was "set for the defense of the gospel" (Phil. 1:17), indicating that he could prove what he claimed. I don't think I need to elaborate on the success that Paul had as he traveled the world seeking to save the lost. What a breath of fresh air it is in a world full of lies to hear Jesus say, "I am the way the way, the TRUTH and the life" (John 14:6); "ye shall know the TRUTH and the TRUTH shall make you free" (John 8:32), and "sanctify them through thy TRUTH, thy word is TRUTH" (John 17:17). In a world full of skeptics, our dedication to proving what we preach may be the difference between people accepting the death, burial and resurrection of Christ or their dismissal of God's Word as "crucifixion."

--Brandon Britton

S.T.O.P. LECTURESHIP: July 22-26, Tradition of Men - Vain Religion.

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TAPE 75: Gospel Meeting - David Paden, Feb. - March 2001: "The Christian Graces," "How to Make a Strong Church," "A Formula for Success," "What It Means to Be a Christian," "Can I Know I Am Saved?" "Is It Possible to Live a Faithful Christian Life?" "Why I Cannot Give Up as a Christian," "Why Christians Stop Being Faithful," "Enemies of the Cross" - G. Robinson.

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