Neal Pollard
There is a passage that can be so disturbing because it is so adamantly clear. That passage is Romans 13:1-7. The early church fathers had a lot to say about this passage. They lived at a time when the government sponsored and led persecution and even execution of Christians simply for being Christians and sharing Christ with others. Nobody living in our country today has any experience with what this is like. Despite the pain and price inflicted by the Roman Empire on them, over and over the early Christians defended Paul’s words in Romans 13.
There is a passage that can be so disturbing because it is so adamantly clear. That passage is Romans 13:1-7. The early church fathers had a lot to say about this passage. They lived at a time when the government sponsored and led persecution and even execution of Christians simply for being Christians and sharing Christ with others. Nobody living in our country today has any experience with what this is like. Despite the pain and price inflicted by the Roman Empire on them, over and over the early Christians defended Paul’s words in Romans 13.
- Basil—It is right to submit to higher authority whenever a command of God is not violated thereby
- Ambrosiaster—Those who believe cannot play fast and loose with the law
- Apollinaris—To disobey rulers is condemned as a mistaken way of thinking
- Chrysostom—There should be rulers and ruled and…that things should not just lapse into anarchy is the work of God’s wisdom (Ancient Christian Commentary, Vol. VI, Oden, ed.).
- The government has a Divine source (1). They are “from God” and “established by God.”
- The government is a divine statute (2). Paul calls their ruling “the ordinance of God” and he warns against opposing such.
- The government is comprised of Divine servants (3-6). The term Paul repeatedly uses of those within such earthly institutions is “ministers of God” (“servants of God,” 6) bearing the sword, bringing wrath, and devoting themselves to maintaining divinely-ordained order on earth.
- The government carries Divine stipulations (7). God calls for Christians to render them what is due to them, namely taxes, customs, fear, and honor.
Placing Membership
Robert Dodson
We sometimes talk about “placing membership”. There
are many who don’t know what this is all about, some who
don’t have any idea how to do it and others who don’t see
the need. Perhaps, we have been negligent in our teaching
concerning this matter. So, let me mention a few points
from the Bible.
First, we are not talking about placing membership in
the church but in a local congregation. God adds the saved
to the church (Acts 2:41, 47). Every Christian is a member
of the one body of Christ, the church (1 Cor. 12:12-14; Rom.
12:4-5). The one church is made up of many different local
churches of Christ (Acts 8:1; 9:31; 13:1; 14:23; Rom. 16:16;
1 Cor. 1:2; 4:17; 14:33; 16:19; Gal. 1:2; Col. 4:15-16; 1 The.
1:1; Rev. 1:11). Placing membership is seeking to become a
member of a local church.
Second, there is no specific method by which we must
place membership but it could be done in several ways.
One brother who is well known by the local brethren may
orally introduce the brother not so well known (Gal. 1:21-
22; Acts 9:26-27). One mutually recognized brother may
write a letter of introduction to brethren about one with
whom they yet may not be familiar (Col. 4:10; Rom. 16:1-
2). Several brethren may write a letter commending the
faith of another (Acts 18:27). One who is a stranger may
present himself before a local congregation and by self commendation
ask to be received into the fellowship of that
group (2 Cor. 3:1-2). Placing membership is accomplished
when a Christian makes known his desire to do so and is
accepted by the congregation.
Third, placing membership is not an option but
important and necessary for the Christian. It is to place
oneself under the rule and care of the local church
leadership (Acts 20:28-30; 1 The. 5:12-13; Heb. 13:17;
1 Pet. 5:1-3). It is to accept and fulfill one’s God given
responsibility to the local church, as well as to be a recipient
of the benefits of being a member of the congregation (Acts
2:42-47; 1 Cor. 5; 11:17-34; 14; 16:1-3; Phi. 4:14-16; Heb.
10:24-25). Placing membership is vital to every member of
the Lord’s church.
If you have been saved by Christ, then you have been
added to His church. You are a member of the church
of Christ, but have you placed membership with a local
congregation?
Robert Dodson
We sometimes talk about “placing membership”. There
are many who don’t know what this is all about, some who
don’t have any idea how to do it and others who don’t see
the need. Perhaps, we have been negligent in our teaching
concerning this matter. So, let me mention a few points
from the Bible.
First, we are not talking about placing membership in
the church but in a local congregation. God adds the saved
to the church (Acts 2:41, 47). Every Christian is a member
of the one body of Christ, the church (1 Cor. 12:12-14; Rom.
12:4-5). The one church is made up of many different local
churches of Christ (Acts 8:1; 9:31; 13:1; 14:23; Rom. 16:16;
1 Cor. 1:2; 4:17; 14:33; 16:19; Gal. 1:2; Col. 4:15-16; 1 The.
1:1; Rev. 1:11). Placing membership is seeking to become a
member of a local church.
Second, there is no specific method by which we must
place membership but it could be done in several ways.
One brother who is well known by the local brethren may
orally introduce the brother not so well known (Gal. 1:21-
22; Acts 9:26-27). One mutually recognized brother may
write a letter of introduction to brethren about one with
whom they yet may not be familiar (Col. 4:10; Rom. 16:1-
2). Several brethren may write a letter commending the
faith of another (Acts 18:27). One who is a stranger may
present himself before a local congregation and by self commendation
ask to be received into the fellowship of that
group (2 Cor. 3:1-2). Placing membership is accomplished
when a Christian makes known his desire to do so and is
accepted by the congregation.
Third, placing membership is not an option but
important and necessary for the Christian. It is to place
oneself under the rule and care of the local church
leadership (Acts 20:28-30; 1 The. 5:12-13; Heb. 13:17;
1 Pet. 5:1-3). It is to accept and fulfill one’s God given
responsibility to the local church, as well as to be a recipient
of the benefits of being a member of the congregation (Acts
2:42-47; 1 Cor. 5; 11:17-34; 14; 16:1-3; Phi. 4:14-16; Heb.
10:24-25). Placing membership is vital to every member of
the Lord’s church.
If you have been saved by Christ, then you have been
added to His church. You are a member of the church
of Christ, but have you placed membership with a local
congregation?
Just One Book
Bobby Dockery
When sir Walter Scott, the great Scottish author and poet, was dying, he asked his son-in-law John Lockhart to bring “the book” and read to him. Sir Walter possessed one of the great private libraries of the Nineteenth Century, numbering thousands of volumes. With some uncertainty Lockhart inquired, “What book?” cried Sir Walter,
“there is but one Book--the Bible!” It is certainly true that the Bible is a Book unlike any other! So many of the world’s problems would shrink to manageable size if only people would really attempt to make the Bible their basis for life and conduct. In so many of life’s distressing, perplexing situations there is just one book that can really help us! Just One Book on Which to Base a Life Supermarket racks and bookstores are filled with thousand of volumes that claim to teach us how to live richer, fuller, more meaningful lives. Everything is available--from celebrity health and beauty guides to manual for business success and wealth, to quick-fix self-help volumes! Yet, there is only one Book that gives directions on living from the Maker and Sustainer of life (2 Timothy 3:16-17). Many modern authors have a gimmick, but God has the Answer! Just One Book on Which to Build a Faith The religious world is full of books: Creeds, Articles of Faith, Books of Discipline, Standard Manual, etc. The result has been religious division! People are trying to base their practice of Christianity on what they read in their own books instead of what they read in God’s Book The Bible was given as the only creed, blueprint, and rule of faith for the church. We are urged to do “all thing according to the pattern” (Heb. 8:5). We must speak as the Bible speaks (1 Peter 4:11). Division would give way to unity if only men were content to take just one Book. Just One Book on Which to Stake a Soul There is only one book on the face of the earth that will still be there in the Day of Judgment (Matt. 24:35; John 12:48). When the books are opened at the Last Day, we will be judged on the basis of how well we have lived the things that are written in the Word of God (Rev. 20:12- 13). Then the question will be, “Have you obeyed the one Book” (2 Thess. 1:8-9)?
Bobby Dockery
When sir Walter Scott, the great Scottish author and poet, was dying, he asked his son-in-law John Lockhart to bring “the book” and read to him. Sir Walter possessed one of the great private libraries of the Nineteenth Century, numbering thousands of volumes. With some uncertainty Lockhart inquired, “What book?” cried Sir Walter,
“there is but one Book--the Bible!” It is certainly true that the Bible is a Book unlike any other! So many of the world’s problems would shrink to manageable size if only people would really attempt to make the Bible their basis for life and conduct. In so many of life’s distressing, perplexing situations there is just one book that can really help us! Just One Book on Which to Base a Life Supermarket racks and bookstores are filled with thousand of volumes that claim to teach us how to live richer, fuller, more meaningful lives. Everything is available--from celebrity health and beauty guides to manual for business success and wealth, to quick-fix self-help volumes! Yet, there is only one Book that gives directions on living from the Maker and Sustainer of life (2 Timothy 3:16-17). Many modern authors have a gimmick, but God has the Answer! Just One Book on Which to Build a Faith The religious world is full of books: Creeds, Articles of Faith, Books of Discipline, Standard Manual, etc. The result has been religious division! People are trying to base their practice of Christianity on what they read in their own books instead of what they read in God’s Book The Bible was given as the only creed, blueprint, and rule of faith for the church. We are urged to do “all thing according to the pattern” (Heb. 8:5). We must speak as the Bible speaks (1 Peter 4:11). Division would give way to unity if only men were content to take just one Book. Just One Book on Which to Stake a Soul There is only one book on the face of the earth that will still be there in the Day of Judgment (Matt. 24:35; John 12:48). When the books are opened at the Last Day, we will be judged on the basis of how well we have lived the things that are written in the Word of God (Rev. 20:12- 13). Then the question will be, “Have you obeyed the one Book” (2 Thess. 1:8-9)?
What Difference Does It Make?
Dan Jenkins
Have you ever considered what difference it makes to the driver who ignores the signs at the four-way stop? The fact the signs are there makes no difference in his life. The same is true of the laws about speed limits, wearing seat belts, and dimming headlights to oncoming traffic. The laws have no impact on that person who chooses to ignore them. Now think about this. The fact that Jesus came makes no difference in the life of that person who chooses to ignore His presence on the earth. What difference does it make if Jesus was born of a virgin in Bethlehem? To those who are seeking to find God, the birth of Jesus announced the beginning of God’s eternal plan for mankind. But to that person who makes no changes in his life, it makes no difference. Jesus might as well not have been born. What difference does it make if Jesus ever taught any lessons at all? So what if He taught about morality, marriage, self-control, dealing with enemies, prayer, the abundant life and the resurrection? He might as well have never said a single word—if one chooses to ignore Him. What difference does it make if Jesus showed His deity by undeniable miracles? Even if He had healed every sick person on this earth, fed all mankind with loaves and fish and emptied every tomb on planet earth, it would make no difference to that person who chooses to ignore such manifestations of heaven’s power. As far as that person is concerned, Jesus wasted His time in every miracle. What difference does it make if Jesus was raised from the dead? The empty tomb—the ultimate manifestation of His deity—has no meaning to those who ignore Him. His enemies arrested Him, mocked Him, beat Him without mercy, and took His life. So what? Let those accounts of His life close with a lifeless body hanging on a cross—so what? It makes no difference. What difference does it make—look at the real difference the events make. Ignore every event of His life, pretend they did not happen, consciously choose to ignore reality—yet, one truth remains—Jesus lives! He lived, He died, He was raised and He lives eternally! God did not just raise Him, He highly exalted Him above all creation. God gave Him all authority in heaven and on this earth. God has appointed a day when He will judge the world by the one He raised from the dead. All mankind will be raised to give account for the decisions they have made on this earth. You can ignore His birth, His teaching, His miracles and His resurrection—temporarily. On that final day, these things are all that matter. Do not be so foolish as to ignore Him
Dan Jenkins
Have you ever considered what difference it makes to the driver who ignores the signs at the four-way stop? The fact the signs are there makes no difference in his life. The same is true of the laws about speed limits, wearing seat belts, and dimming headlights to oncoming traffic. The laws have no impact on that person who chooses to ignore them. Now think about this. The fact that Jesus came makes no difference in the life of that person who chooses to ignore His presence on the earth. What difference does it make if Jesus was born of a virgin in Bethlehem? To those who are seeking to find God, the birth of Jesus announced the beginning of God’s eternal plan for mankind. But to that person who makes no changes in his life, it makes no difference. Jesus might as well not have been born. What difference does it make if Jesus ever taught any lessons at all? So what if He taught about morality, marriage, self-control, dealing with enemies, prayer, the abundant life and the resurrection? He might as well have never said a single word—if one chooses to ignore Him. What difference does it make if Jesus showed His deity by undeniable miracles? Even if He had healed every sick person on this earth, fed all mankind with loaves and fish and emptied every tomb on planet earth, it would make no difference to that person who chooses to ignore such manifestations of heaven’s power. As far as that person is concerned, Jesus wasted His time in every miracle. What difference does it make if Jesus was raised from the dead? The empty tomb—the ultimate manifestation of His deity—has no meaning to those who ignore Him. His enemies arrested Him, mocked Him, beat Him without mercy, and took His life. So what? Let those accounts of His life close with a lifeless body hanging on a cross—so what? It makes no difference. What difference does it make—look at the real difference the events make. Ignore every event of His life, pretend they did not happen, consciously choose to ignore reality—yet, one truth remains—Jesus lives! He lived, He died, He was raised and He lives eternally! God did not just raise Him, He highly exalted Him above all creation. God gave Him all authority in heaven and on this earth. God has appointed a day when He will judge the world by the one He raised from the dead. All mankind will be raised to give account for the decisions they have made on this earth. You can ignore His birth, His teaching, His miracles and His resurrection—temporarily. On that final day, these things are all that matter. Do not be so foolish as to ignore Him