Seek The Old Paths

Vol. 36   No. 5                   May,   2025

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THE ORIGINAL BOOK OF MORMON
IS FILLED WITH ERRORS

Jon Gary Williams

        The Book of Mormon is the foundation of Mormonism. It is claimed that it was written in 421 A.D. in some ancient language. It is further claimed that between 1827 and 1829 Joseph Smith translated it into the English language. However, this is nothing more than a false, perverted lie, which, in turn, shows Mormonism to be a false religion.
        Not only does the Book of Mormon have false religious ideas, the original printing of it contained many thousands of glaring errors. These errors are seen in misspelled words, faulty grammar, redundant phrases and words, and fabricated words. So the question is this: Would God give an inspired book that is filled with such erroneous language? This clearly shows the Book of Mormon is false.
        Beginning with the second printing and in all later printings, the Mormon church found it necessary to remove or change these errors. (I have a photocopy of the original printing of the Book of Mormon by which these errors can be confirmed.)
        Following are lists of each of these categories.

MISSPELLED WORDS

        The original printing of the Book of Mormon has thousands of misspelled words. This shows the writer had very poor knowledge of the English language. But how could these misspelled words have gotten into a translation that was overseen by the power of God?
        Here are just a few such errors.

  1. “journied” (for journeyed) (I Nephi 4:38; 5:6; 7:6; 18:25; II Nephi 5:7)
  2. “bellowses” (for bellows) (I Nephi 17:11)
  3. “feading” (for feeding) (Enos 1:20)
  4. “sayeth” (for saith) (Mosiah 12:21)
  5. “bablings” (for babblings) (Alma 1:32)
  6. “tempels” (for temples) (Alma 16:13)
  7. “yars” (for years) (Alma 19:16)
  8. “phrensied” (for frenzied) (Alma 30:16)
  9. “eigth” (for eighth) (Alma 53:23)
  10. “adhear” (for adhere) (Alma 60:34)


ERRORS IN GRAMMAR

        There are also thousands of grammatical errors in the original printing of the Book of Mormon —errors that have been gradually changed in later editions. These take the form of such things as double negatives, incorrect adverbs and adjectives and especially incorrect tenses. Note these examples.

  1. “Behold, for none of these I cannot hope.” (II Nephi 33:9)
  2. “Mosiah, nor the people of Mosiah, could not understand them.” (Omni 1:17)
  3. “And behold the Lamanites could not retreat neither way.” (Helaman 1:31)
  4. “Yea, if my days could have been in them days.” (Helaman 7:8)
  5. “That all might see the writing which he had wrote.” (Alma 46:19)
  6. “They did not fight against God no more.” (Alma 23:7)
  7. “I have wrote to them.” (III Nephi 26:8)
  8. “I were about to write to them.” (III Nephi 26:11)


REDUNDANT PHRASES AND WORDS

        In the original Book of Mormon, there are several words and phrases that are often repeated. These appear so frequently they make the reading, to say the least, redundant.

  1. The phrase “and it came to pass” is so common in the Book of Mormon (more than 1,200 times) that it makes the reading monotonous. In I Nephi alone this phrase is used almost two hundred times. Another phrase duplicated beyond reason is “the more part.”
  2. Many words in the Book of Mormon are overused. For example, the word “behold” is used repeatedly with no real need. Likewise the word “thereof” is used to excess as is the word “insomuch.”
  3. Also, colloquial, 1900th century, terms appear in the Book of Mormon. For example, the frequent use of “a” with various participles —“a journeying,” “a preaching,” “a marching,” “a pointing,” “a preparing.” Such terminology is not the language one would expect to find in writings of ancient times.
FABRICATED WORDS Not only did the writer of the Book of Mormon misspell many words, he also had a practice of contriving new words or simply using words incorrectly. Here are a few examples.
  1. “preparator” (for preparer) (I Nephi 15:35) (this still exists in later editions)
  2. “arriven” (for arrived) (Alma 20:30)
  3. “numerority” (for a vast number) (Alma 56:10)
  4. “arrested” (for wrested) (Alma 41:1)
  5. “cimeter” (a sword) (Enos 1:20)
  6. “neas” (a plant) (Mosiah 9:9)
  7. “sheum” (a crop) (Mosiah 9:9)
  8. “repair” (for recompense) (Alma 27:8) (this still exists in later editions)
  9. “curelom” “cummons” (unidentified animals) (Ether 9:19)
  10. “ezrom” “senine” “limnah” (coins) (Alma 11:6; Alma 11:3)

        Obviously these are contrived and misused words and do not bear marks of inspiration. God would not have allowed such words to be penned.
        A divinely guided book would not contain this kind of grammar. To claim inspiration for such a book is to cast reproach upon God himself! For this reason, the honest, sincere mind must reject the Book of Mormon.
                jongaryw@aol.com
                www.jongarywilliams.com
               


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Editorial Column

GOD FORBIDS WRESTING
THE SCRIPTURES #2

Garland M. Robinson

Peter spoke of those who would twist and distort the Scriptures, not caring about their own soul and where their error would lead them.


GROUNDED AND SETTLED

        God desires that his people be grounded and settled in His word. Paul writes to the church at Ephesus, desiring they be strengthened; i.e. rooted and grounded in the faith. “That he [God] would grant you, according to the riches of his glory, to be strengthened with might by his Spirit in the inner man; That Christ may dwell in your hearts by faith; that ye, being rooted and grounded in love” (Eph. 3:16-17).
        To the church at Colosse he wrote: “If ye continue in the faith grounded and settled, and be not moved away from the hope of the gospel, which ye have heard, and which was preached to every creature which is under heaven...” (Col. 1:23).
        In the early days of the church we read, “...they continued stedfastly in the apostles’ doctrine and fellowship, and in breaking of bread, and in prayers” (Acts 2:42).
        At Antioch in Pisidia, brethren were added to the Lord and were persuaded “...to continue in the grace of God” (Acts 13:43). As Paul and Barnabas visited the churches they had established, they were “confirming the souls of the disciples, and exhorting them to continue in the faith, and that we must through much tribulation enter into the kingdom of God” (Acts 14:22).
        The church at Corinth was told, “...it is required in stewards, that a man be found faithful” (1 Cor. 4:2). They would be saved “...if ye keep in memory what I preached unto you, unless ye have believed in vain” (1 Cor. 15:2). They were exhorted to be “...stedfast, unmoveable, always abounding in the work of the Lord...” (1 Cor. 15:58). “Watch ye, stand fast in the faith, quit you like men, be strong” (1 Cor. 16:13). “We then, as workers together with him, beseech you also that ye receive not the grace of God in vain” (2 Cor. 6:1). ”Examine yourselves, whether ye be in the faith; prove your own selves. Know ye not your own selves, how that Jesus Christ is in you, except ye be reprobates” (2 Cor. 13:5)?
        To those in the church at Rome he wrote, “...To them who by patient continuance in well doing seek for glory and honour and immortality, eternal life” (Rom. 2:7).
        Again, to the churches of Galatia, Paul wrote, “I am afraid of you, lest I have bestowed upon you labour in vain.” ... “Ye did run well; who did hinder you that ye should not obey the truth?” ... “Let us not be weary in well doing: for in due season we shall reap, if we faint not” (Gal. 4:11; 5:7; 6:9).
        To the church at Ephesus he wrote, “In whom ye also trusted, after that ye heard the word of truth, the gospel of your salvation: in whom also after that ye believed, ye were sealed with that holy Spirit of promise” (Eph. 1:13).
        To the Thessalonians, “For now we live, if ye stand fast in the Lord” (1 Thess. 3:8).
        He tells Timothy, “I have fought a good fight, I have finished my course, I have kept the faith” (2 Tim. 4:7).
        To the Hebrews we read, “For we are made partakers of Christ, if we hold the beginning of our confidence stedfast unto the end. ... Seeing then that we have a great high priest, that is passed into the heavens, Jesus the Son of God, let us hold fast our profession. ... And we desire that every one of you do shew the same diligence to the full assurance of hope unto the end” (Heb. 3:14; 4:14; 6:11).
        In James 1:25, “But whoso looketh into the perfect law of liberty, and continueth [therein], he being not a forgetful hearer, but a doer of the work, this man shall be blessed in his deed.”
        In First John 4:1 we read, “Beloved, believe not every spirit, but try the spirits whether they are of God: because many false prophets are gone out into the world.”
        One of the greatest admonitions of the Bible is found in the words of Revelation 2:25, “that which ye have...hold fast till I come.” The same is pointed out in other passages. ”Hold fast the form of sound words, which thou hast heard of me...” (2 Tim. 1:13). ”Holding fast the faithful word as he hath been taught, that he may be able by sound doctrine both to exhort and to convince the gainsayers” (Titus 1:9). These words exhort us to cling to God’s unchanging Word.
        Without the Truth and holding steadfastly to the Truth, there can be no salvation. Jesus made it plain that salvation is inseparably connected to hearing, learning and obeying the inspired Word. Liberals don’t like that, but the Lord said: “It is written in the prophets, And they shall be all taught of God. Every man therefore that hath heard, and hath learned of the Father, cometh unto me” (John 6:45). It is the Truth and only the Truth that makes men free from their sins. “Then said Jesus to those Jews which believed on him, IF ye continue in my word, THEN are ye my disciples indeed; And ye shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free” (John 8:31-32).

WHAT THE WORD OF GOD SAYS TO ONE,
IT SAYS TO ALL

        I sat in a room of elders and preachers who were gathered to examine the teaching of a preacher in the area. He was invited to the meeting and came. It was astounding to hear him say that what was taught and practiced in one congregation was not necessarily what was taught and practiced in other congregations. He argued that the first day of the week observance of the Lord’s supper was simply the decision the church at Troas had made (cf. Acts 20:7). He contended that other congregations may have chosen to observe it on a different day of the week. Also, that each congregation can choose how often they would partake of the Lord’s supper —whether every week, month, quarter, year, etc.! Can you believe it?! He also argued the same was true in regards to the use of mechanical instruments of music. He argued that each congregation can choose when and if and how often they might use instruments in their worship. This doctrine makes God’s word optional. Each congregation can pick and choose what passages they will accept and which ones they don’t. Ephesians 5:19, Colossians 3:16 refute this idea.
        Congregations of the Lord’s church do not have the option to observe the Lord’s supper or not. Nor do they have the option to choose which day of the week it will be observed; or, even how often. They don’t have the option as to whether they will use unleaven bread or some other kind of bread —whether they will use the fruit of the vine of grapes or juice from another source. The Lord’s church does not have an option as to whether they will use instruments of music or not. They do not have the option to choose whether they will have elders and deacons or not (providing they meet the qualifications; 1 Tim. 3:1-13; Titus 1:5-11; Phil. 1:1). All aspects of the organization and worship of the church have already been decided. God is the one who made that choice. It is our obligation to do WHAT God says, WHEN he says and HOW he says.
        The Scriptures make clear that what one congregation was taught, all congregations were taught. They were all taught to teach and practice the same thing. How can we say that? Can we prove it from the Scriptures? Yes we can. Notice these passages:
        The epistle written to the church at Colosse was to be circulated among other congregations. “And when this epistle is read among you, cause that it be read also in the church of the Laodiceans; and that ye likewise read the epistle from Laodicea” (Col. 4:16). Colossians 4:13 mentions the brethren in Hierapolis --a city in the same area as Laodicea and Colosse. If these churches were to share the inspired letters they received, would it not be the case that what was said to one, was said to all? They were to all teach and observe the same things as all other congregations.
        In First Thessalonians 5:27 Paul writes, “I charge you by the Lord that this epistle be read unto all the holy brethren.” That would not only include all within the congregation at Thessalonica, but also other congregations wherever they were located. Churches were established all along the way in Paul’s travels. The teaching of the first century by inspired men is the same teaching that we must observe today, as it the case in every generation.
        Other passages make clear that the Gospel preached by the apostles, and all inspired teachers, was the same Gospel preached in every place. For example: A meeting of the apostles and elders was convened at Jerusalem to discuss a question regarding circumcision that was disturbing and disrupting congregations among the Gentiles (Acts 15:1-6). From that inspired meeting the Holy Spirit revealed the will of God regarding the matter (Acts 15:28). Paul, Barnabas, Judas and Silas (chief men among the brethren) were chosen to carry letters and distribute them among all the churches (Acts 15:20,23). The same thing was taught in every place, not only by letters, but by mouth as well (Acts 15:27). The brethren’s decision (inspired by the Holy Spirit) was that every congregation would be informed what to do in their teaching and practice. So, “...as they went through the cities, they delivered them the decrees for to keep, that were ordained of the apostles and elders which were at Jerusalem” (Acts 16:4).
        The church at Corinth was to “keep the ordinances” that were delivered unto them (1 Cor. 11:2). The unity declared there was the same unity to be enjoyed in every place. “Now I beseech you, brethren, by the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, that ye all speak the same thing, and that there be no divisions among you; but that ye be perfectly joined together in the same mind and in the same judgment” (1 Cor. 1:10). There are five great pillars of unity set forth in this verse. How can anyone anywhere go against the Holy Spirit’s instructions? They can’t, and get away with it on judgment day.
        In First Corinthians 4:17 we find these words of Paul, “For this cause have I sent unto you Timotheus, who is my beloved son, and faithful in the Lord, who shall bring you into remembrance of my ways which be in Christ, as I teach every where in every church.”
        The church at Thessalonica was told to “stand fast, and hold the traditions which ye have been taught, whether by word, or our epistle” (2 Thess. 2:15). They were told the same thing a few verses later (3:6): “Now we command you, brethren, in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, that ye withdraw yourselves from every brother that walketh disorderly, and not after the tradition which he received of us.”
        How many times does God have to tell us what he wants before we accept it. How many examples are necessary of congregations heeding the instructions given them? The unity of God and his church is paramount. Congregations were not allowed to make up their own rules or practices when it came to the worship and work of the church!

WARNED OF FALLING AWAY

        Many other passages give warning about not respecting the Way and Word of Truth. Instead of honoring the “right way of the Lord” (cf. 1 Sam. 12:23; 1 Kings 11:33; Acts 13:10; 2 Peter 2:15), Peter spoke of those who would twist and distort the Scriptures, not caring about their own soul and where their error would lead them. He admitted that some things spoken by Paul were “...hard to be understood, which they that are unlearned and unstable wrest, as they do also the other scriptures, unto their own destruction” (2 Peter 3:16). The word wrest means to “twist, turn awry, to torture, put to the rack, one who tortures language in a false sense.”
        There have always been plenty of people through the ages to pervert the Scriptures in an attempt to make it mean what they want to believe and do instead of what God actually says. Note these words of warning from Paul when he met with the elders from the church at Ephesus: “Take heed therefore unto yourselves, and to all the flock, over the which the Holy Ghost hath made you overseers, to feed the church of God, which he hath purchased with his own blood. For I know this, that after my departing shall grievous wolves enter in among you, not sparing the flock. Also of your own selves shall men arise, speaking perverse things, to draw away disciples after them. Therefore watch, and remember, that by the space of three years I ceased not to warn every one night and day with tears. And now, brethren, I commend you to God, and to the word of his grace, which is able to build you up, and to give you an inheritance among all them which are sanctified” (Acts 20:28-32).
        A major falling away from the “right ways” of the Lord came very early in the history of the church. Why would such occur? It is because men do not love the truth. The truth is the only thing that can make men free from their sins (John 8:31-32). It is tragic that so many never give it a passing thought.
        Jesus told those of his day, “Ye do err, not knowing the scriptures, nor the power of God” (Matt. 22:29). That’s why it’s so urgent that we study to show ourselves approved unto God (2 Tim. 2:15). When we live according to the course of this world, we’re not pleasing God. When we walk after the flesh, we’re not walking after God. As a result we will be condemned. But, when we live according to the Scriptures, “there is...no condemnation to them which are in Christ Jesus, who walk not after the flesh, but after the Spirit” (Rom. 8:1).
        We are warned about being deceived. “Let no man deceive you with vain words: for because of these things cometh the wrath of God upon the children of disobedience” (Eph. 5:6). “Be not deceived; God is not mocked: for whatsoever a man soweth, that shall he also reap” (Gal. 6:7). “Let no man deceive you by any means...” (2 Thess. 2:3).
               
               
               


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THE UNDENOMINATIONAL CHURCH OF CHRIST

Charles Box

        The church of the New Testament is not denominational. In the beginning there was only one church —no denominations. In the first century, denominations did not exist, but the church of Christ did exist. The undenominational church of Christ is produced when the Gospel of Christ is obeyed (Rom. 6:17-18). The New Testament church and denominational churches are far different from one another in origin, purpose, mission, and destiny.
        Denominations were planned by men, the church of Christ was planned by God. God planned the church in such a way as to have unity (Eph. 3:10-11). Unity is possible when, “all speak the same thing” (1 Cor. 1:10). Denominations promote division, while the church of Christ promotes unity!
        Denominations exist without blood, the church of Christ was purchased with Christ’s blood. To the elders of the church in Ephesus Paul said: “...feed [tend, shepherd] the church of God, which he hath purchased with his own blood” (Acts 20:28). Christ and His church cannot be separated because the church was purchased with His blood. His church is as valuable as His blood. Those who reject the church of Christ do not recognize the connection between the church of Christ and the blood of Christ. “Husbands, love your wives, just as Christ also loved the church and gave Himself for her” (Eph. 5:25).
        Denominations do not teach God’s plan of salvation. The church of Christ teaches the Gospel plan of salvation. Denominations teach people to go to an altar and pray for salvation, pray the sinners prayer, or to just accept Jesus as Lord and Savior. They do not tell sinners to hear the Gospel (Rom. 10:17), believe in Jesus (John 8:24), repent of sins (Acts 17:30), confess Jesus as the Son of God (Rom. 10:9-10), and be baptized into Christ (Rom. 6:3-5). Denominations never tell people what Peter told the people on Pentecost. ”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). The church of Christ encourages Gospel obedience (Acts 2:36-41). Denominationalism does not.
        God has blessed us with the great privilege of being a part of the blood-bought, God planned, Heaven promised church. Jesus gave the world His church before and without denominationalism.
        Let’s go back to the Bible, back to New Testament Christianity, back to the Bible church. You can be just a Christian! It is a great blessing to be a member of the undenominational church of Christ.
                PO Box 551
                Greenville, AL 36037
               


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THE RELIGION OF MAN OR THE RELIGION OF GOD?

Marvin L. Weir

        The Bible makes it very clear that there are only two religions from which man can choose: the religion of man or the religion of God! The statement Jesus made in Matthew 12:30 will haunt many people in the Day of Judgment. Jesus warned, “He that is not with me is against me; and he that gathereth not with me scattereth abroad.” To choose a man-made religion (any denomination) over the church of Christ (Christ’s church), places one in direct opposition to the Lord. The reason it is the church of Christ is because the church belongs to Christ. He promised to build His church (Matt. 16:18) which is His body of which He is head (Eph. 1:22-23).
        Man’s religion has always been attractive and pleasing to men, but it has never been pleasing to God. Churches founded by men lack the authority that comes from Heaven and are thus of no benefit to one seeking to be a worshipper of God. Let us apply some principles found in 1 Kings 18 that will be of benefit to us today. The religion of man comes in many forms and has many followers. Elijah was “one” man seeking to serve God, but Baal’s false prophets numbered 450. The odds always seem to be in favor of Satan and the world. One reason this is true is because a depraved religion will always attract and pacify an immoral and depraved humanity. It was Barabbas, the notorious murderer and insurrectionist, that the morally corrupt Jews wanted released instead of the Christ (Matt. 27:21). Today, Christ is crucified afresh (repeatedly) as people pledge their allegiance to man-made churches and scoff at the Lord’s church.
        The false prophets of Baal were zealous to their religion as they “cried aloud, and cut themselves after their manner with knives and lances, till the blood gushed out upon them” (1 Kings 18:28). Today, many are zealous to their religion as they devoutly defend worship that is not authorized by the Scriptures. The apostle Paul rightly describes those who refuse to be guided by a thus saith the Lord as those who “...have a zeal of God, but not according to knowledge. For they being ignorant of God’s righteousness, and going about to establish their own righteousness, have not submitted themselves unto the righteousness of God” (Rom. 10:2-3). Earnestness is in vain when it is without humble submission and obedience to the Word of God.
        Followers of Baal were deceived, and so are those today who follow men instead of Christ. The disciples of Baal cried out, “but there was neither voice, nor any to answer, nor any that regarded” (1 Kings 18:29). The Lord will not answer those today who are worshipping in religious error. Christ said, “Every plant, which my heavenly Father hath not planted, shall be rooted up. Let them alone: they be blind leaders of the blind. And if the blind lead the blind, both shall fall into the ditch” (Matt. 15:13-14).
        The religion God authorizes is unique and has few followers. Elijah thought he was all alone in seeking to do the will of God. It was revealed to him, however, that there were still seven thousand in Israel who had not bowed down to Baal (2 Kings 19:18; cf. Rom. 11:4). Elijah was not alone in his struggle to worship according to God’s will, and neither are we alone today in our struggle to worship “in spirit and in truth” (John 4:24). Compared to the followers of false teachers, however, followers of righteousness are indeed few in number. Being unpopular and in the minority must never deter those who value their souls from doing what is godly and right. Victory does not belong to the multitudes who choose to follow the creeds of men and worldly philosophy, but to those who choose to follow the Lord and are guided by His Word!
        Every person, while in this life, must decide who he will follow. There are two opinions to choose between: God’s or man’s. The Bible tells us these two opinions are as wide apart as daylight and darkness. The Scriptures declare that God’s “thoughts are not your [men’s] thoughts, neither are your ways my ways, saith Jehovah. For as the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways, and my thoughts than your thoughts” (Isa. 55:8-9). How much more clearly can God state that what man “thinks” and “feels” doesn’t matter when it comes to acceptable worship and service? It is tragic that so many people value and trust their feelings more than they value and trust the inspired Word of God. The Scriptures do not teach one to cling to his feelings and never part with them, but God’s Word does instruct one to “Buy the truth, and sell it not” (Prov. 23:23). The Word of God and His Son is such truth (John 17:17).
        The question of 1 Kings 18:21 is appropriate to ask of people today: “How long halt [limp] ye between two opinions? if the LORD be God, follow him: but if Baal, then follow him. And the people answered him not a word.” The principle today is this: “If Christ be the founder of the church, follow Him; but if men are the legitimate and scriptural founders of the church, then follow them.”
        God’s Word emphatically teaches that salvation is IN Christ Jesus (2 Tim. 2:10) —not some man! All will be judged by the Word of Christ and not by the word of men. Most people today have seemingly decided that John 12:48 reads like this: “It does not matter if one rejects Christ and receives not his sayings, he will be judged by the creeds, opinions, and feelings of men.” What a contrast with what the Bible teaches! Jesus says, “He that rejecteth me, and receiveth not my sayings, hath one that judgeth him: the word that I spake, the same shall judge him in the last day.”
        The question pertaining to saving one’s soul is this: “Will you choose the religion of man or the religion of God?” The eternal destiny of your soul depends on the choice you make!
                484 CR 44700
                Blossom, TX 75416
                countryboy357@hughes.net


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ONE CHURCH IS AS GOOD AS ANOTHER

Johnny O. Trail

        Have you ever invited someone to church only to hear them say that “one church is just as good as another?” This creates much frustration in doing evangelism with people from denominations or even with those who have no church affiliation. The Bible teaches that there is one body or church (Eph. 4:4), and this stands in stark contrast to what the world teaches about the topic of church affiliation.
        On the surface, this sounds like a reasonable argument, but when it is examined more closely one finds that it is fraught with error. If division was frowned upon in the church at Corinth, why do people in our age believe God stands in approval of such segregation. First Corinthians 1:10 says, “Now I beseech you, brethren, by the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, that ye all speak the same thing, and that there be no divisions among you; but that ye be perfectly joined together in the same mind and in the same judgment.” Is one church just as good as another one?
        Most people who make this statement are already attending a church that they have chosen to attend. The implication of choosing one church over another indicates that, by their own decision, one church is not just as good as another one. If not, why are they currently attending the church they have chosen to attend? Why not attend all the different churches in the area if one is in fact just as good a as another?
        If one church is just as good as another, why are there so many divisions in the religious world? In consideration of the Lord’s prayer in John chapter seventeen, one would not conceivably argue that God likes division. John 17:20-21 says, “Neither pray I for these alone, but for them also which shall believe on me through their word; That they all may be one; as thou, Father, art in me, and I in thee, that they also may be one in us: that the world may believe that thou hast sent me.” Christ prayed for the unity of all believers. This cannot be obtained in denominational division.
        Some of the divisions that exist in religion are about more than just opinions. Romans 16:17 says, “Now I beseech you, brethren, mark them which cause divisions and offences contrary to the doctrine which ye have learned; and avoid them.” Some churches have split, and some have chosen to leave churches over doctrinal issues. If there are in fact divisions over real doctrinal issues, one church cannot be as good as another one.
        If one church is just as good as another, why is there so much disparity between churches over otherwise simple doctrinal issues? Take for example the Bible’s teaching regarding the Godhead. Most would be shocked to learn that there are those who teach that Jesus is not an equal part of the Godhead. Scripture teaches differently in Colossians 2:9. “For in him [Christ] dwelleth all the fulness of the Godhead bodily.”
        There are those who disagree about whether baptism is essential for salvation. While the Bible makes is abundantly clear that one cannot be saved without baptism (cf. Acts 2:38; Acts 22:16; et al.), certain manmade religions deny the importance of being baptized. First Peter 3:21 says, “The like figure whereunto even baptism doth also now save us (not the putting away of the filth of the flesh, but the answer of a good conscience toward God,) by the resurrection of Jesus Christ.”
        Surely, dear reader, you can think of several doctrinal issues between denominational groups that are diametrically opposed to one another. If doctrinal differences exist between churches, one church cannot be as good as another one.
        If one church is as good as another, why are there so many differences in worship practices? One could make a long list of the differences that exist in what some view as being acceptable worship before Jehovah God. As a matter of fact, there are religious groups which have multiple worship “types” under one roof. Some will have a “traditional” worship assembly and then a “contemporary” assembly on the same day. These groups are apparently divided on how to worship God. God is the author of worship, and He determines appropriate devotion towards Him. It is not to be left up to man to decide what is acceptable. John 4:23-24 says, “But the hour cometh, and now is, when the true worshippers shall worship the Father in spirit and in truth: for the Father seeketh such to worship him. God is a Spirit: and they that worship him must worship him in spirit and in truth.”
        Surely, one can see the folly of saying that “one church is just as good as another.” When the logic behind such reasoning is rendered invalid, it could very well be that some are left asking, “How can one choose a church that is acceptable in God’s eyes?”
        The simple answer is we must choose to be a part of the blood-bought body of Christ (Acts 20:28; cf. Eph. 4:4) that seeks to practice the things revealed in God’s Holy Writ (John 17:17) by not “adding to” nor “taking away” from things revealed in His word (Rev. 22:18-19). If we want to have the type of unity Christ prayed for (John 17:20-23), we must return to God’s word and practice simple New Testament Christianity.
        Instead of attending the “church of your choice” this next Sunday, attend the one of God’s design and practice. Matthew 16:18 says, “And I say also unto thee, That thou art Peter, and upon this rock I will build my church; and the gates of hell shall not prevail against it.”
        One church is not just as good as another one.
                2698 Old Clarksville Pike
                Ashland City, TN 37015
               


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OF WHAT DOES WORSHIP CONSIST?

Guy N. Woods (1908-1993)

        The American Standard Version, at Matthew 2:8, has a reference to a footnote defining worship as follows: “The Greek word denotes an act of reverence whether paid to a creature (see chapters 4:9; 18:26), or to the creator (see chapter 4:10).”
        1. Worship, then, involves an act. It is incorrect to say that worship is simply and solely an attitude of heart. Since worship consists of acts, such acts are as involved in worship and as essential to it as the attitude which prompts them.
        2. The Greek word for worship denotes an act ... paid. Worship involves an attitude that expresses itself in acts that find acceptance in the will of another. Worship, therefore, necessitates acts. The effort to disassociate acts from attitudes in worship was born of the desire to escape the opprobrium of adding unauthorized practices to the worship of God. Knowledgeable people who use instrumental music in worship know there is no authority in the New Testament for its use, and they seek to avoid the charge of adding to the divine will by the allegation that, after all, worship does not involve acts but attitudes. Therefore, the instrument is not part of worship.
        The effort fails for at least two reasons: (1) We have seen that it is based on the erroneous concept of what worship is; (2) it does not elude but merely postpones the fatal dilemma. This worship, which is alleged to be solely a matter of the heart and expresses itself not by divine law but by the will of the worshiper, is either restrained or unrestrained. If unrestrained, the will of the worshiper becomes the sole arbiter of the suitability of the act, thus leaving the one who worships free to resort to whatever expression they desire. The pompous worshiper behind stained glass windows in a grand cathedral, the Salvation Army lass with her tambourine, and the religious snake handler may all properly claim justification for their choices of expression. Acts 2:42 may be disregarded as the expression of the divine pattern, and thenceforth, we may be governed by our wishes and preferences in our worship of God.
        If, however, no will worship is acceptable, but proper worship is restrained (as is the case, Col. 2:20-23), we may inquire, what is the restraining influence? We are thus brought back to where we should have started in any matter involving our duty to God: What does the New Testament authorize us to do in worship? Under the guidance of inspired men, the early church continued stedfastly in the apostles’ teaching, which included singing, the Lord’s supper, the contribution, and prayers. These divinely given items are specifically said to have been how the first Christians worshiped (Acts 2:42; 20:7; 1 Cor. 16:1-2). Less than these, we cannot offer Him and be in conformity to His will; more than these, it is an unwarranted and officious intermeddling with the will of God.
        It follows, therefore, that in the Christian age, instrumental music is unauthorized and unacceptable in worshiping God. It was used in the Old Testament. Yes, along with the burning of incense, the offering of animal sacrifices, and the practice of polygamy. These are not patterns we may properly follow today. The shadows of the old order have given way to the substance of the better way, and under the clear light of Christianity, such matters are conspicuous by their absence (Heb. 8:6-13). Let it be remembered and never forgotten that our Lord never commanded the use of instrumental music in worship, no apostle ever sanctioned it, no New Testament writer ever authorized it, and no apostolic church ever used it!
               
               
               


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“If ye then be risen with Christ, seek those things which are above, where Christ sitteth on the right hand of God. Set your affection on things above, not on things on the earth. For ye are dead, and your life is hid with Christ in God. When Christ, [who is] our life, shall appear, then shall ye also appear with him in glory. Mortify therefore your members which are upon the earth; fornication, uncleanness, inordinate affection, evil concupiscence, and covetousness, which is idolatry: For which things’ sake the wrath of God cometh on the children of disobedience.” Col. 3:1-6
               
               
               


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HEAVEN, OUR FOREVER HOME

        “There remains therefore a rest for the people of God” (Heb. 4:9). With these words the Hebrews writer reminds us of our forever home —Heaven. Unlike the Israelites who were heading toward the physical home of Canaan, Christians are journeying toward our final destination of Heaven. As we think about that forever home each of us are probably made to ask, “What will Heaven really be like?” Notice how the Bible describes the beauty of Heaven.
        Our forever home will be a wonderful place of rest after the struggles of this life have ended. Each one of us gets tired after a long hard day of work. We enjoy putting up our feet at the end of a long day and relaxing. While earthly rest will not begin to compare to heavenly rest, what a joy it is to know that Heaven is a place of rest. There will be no more labor, toil, and striving against sin. The writer of Hebrews describes it in this way. “There remains a rest for the people of God” (Heb. 4:9). This rest contrasted with, and was greater than, the promised rest Joshua had given the people of Israel in Canaan (Heb. 4:1ff).
        Our forever home will be great because it will be a place where we can worship God fully. Someone has said, “If you don’t enjoy worship here on earth, you probably won’t enjoy Heaven either.” Why? Because much of what we see going on in Heaven is worship to Almighty God. For example, in Revelation chapters 4-5, those in Heaven are throwing down their crowns and worshipping God in song. This gives us insight as to what will happen in Heaven (Rev. 4:9-10).
        Our forever home will be amazing because it is described as a place of endless joy. One of the great things about Heaven will be the absolute joy that God’s people possess. All of us will admit that one of the worst things about this life is sadness. Isn’t it wonderful to know that Heaven is a place of infinite joy? To the servant who used his talents to the glory of God, Jesus said, “enter into the joy of thy Lord” (Matt. 25:21).
        How wonderful it is to know that when the toils and struggles of this life are over and we hear the Words, “Well done, good and faithful servant; thou hast been faithful over a few things, I will make thee ruler over many things: enter thou into the joy of thy lord” (Matt. 25:23).
        We can partake in all the wonder and beauty of our Heavenly Home. May God help each of us to live in such a way that Heaven will be our forever home!
                Ben Bailey
                Hazel Green, AL
               


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