Articles
Who Is The Lord That I Should Obey His Voice? / What Is The Church Of Christ?
Who Is The Lord That I Should Obey His Voice?
(Kent Heaton)
When Moses came to Pharaoh the first time and pleaded for the release of the people of God, Pharaoh said, “Who is the Lord that I should obey His voice to let Israel go? I do not know the Lord, nor will I let Israel go” (Exodus 5:2). Pharaoh would eventually let the people go after the Lord God brought pestilence upon the Egyptians and finally the death of the firstborn (Exodus 7-12). The pagan worship of Egypt was polytheistic with gods to the sun (Re), the earth (Yeb), the moon (Thoth), the Nile (Hapi), and the god of hidden powers (Amon). The King of Egypt would not acknowledge the Creator and thus rejected Him.
The spirit of Pharaoh continues today. Even among religious groups obedience to the Lord is questioned. Man has the view of self-worth and self-exaltation that hinders him from seeing the one true God. Two views exist in the world: the view of man and the view of God. When men begin to examine the view of God they learn that man is not the center of the universe but God. The scriptures demand obedience to God’s will and rejects the whims of men. Generations question who God is and seek their own ways. The root of the problem is the rejection of the knowledge of God.
Pharaoh said, “I do not know the Lord.” The apostle Paul described this spirit in his letter to the Roman church. “For even though they knew God, they did not honor Him as God or give thanks, but they became futile in their speculations, and their foolish heart was darkened … For they exchanged the truth of God for a lie, and worshipped and served the creature rather than the Creator … they did not see fit to acknowledge God any longer” (Romans 1:21, 25, 28). Many today can know the Lord through the things that are seen but refuse to give honor to Creator. The philosophies of men are sought after instead of the wisdom of God. The truth is evident but exchanged for the lie that man is his own god. God is no longer acknowledged.
This is evident in our society today that continues to break down all of the pillars of morality with the refusal to acknowledge God. Homosexuality is the norm, adultery is common, divorce is expected, greed is the fuel driving our financial markets, murder of the innocent continues unabated and the true religion of the one God is ridiculed into abandonment. Jehovah God destroyed Egypt and made them a base nation (Ezekiel 29:14-15). They stand as testimony today of that fulfillment. Our nation will suffer the same destruction.
When the Son of God returns, He will bring judgment upon those “that do not know God” (2 Thessalonians 1:8). The majority of people will reject the knowledge of God and be lost (Matthew 7:13, 14). “For since the creation of the world His invisible attributes, His eternal power and divine nature, have been clearly seen, being understood through what has been made, so that they are without excuse” (Romans 1:20). Pharaoh rejected the one true God because he did not know Him. He was without excuse. We can reject God through our ignorance but we will be without excuse. Every evidence of God has been given to man (Psalm 19).
Satan began his temptation of Eve by saying, “Has God indeed said?” (Genesis 3:1). The deceiver of this world continues to work his deception today. As men reject God, He rejects them. Do you believe in the one true God? Will you be obedient to the one true God? There is only one way to eternal life. That is Jesus Christ (John 14:6).
What Is The Church Of Christ?
(Selected)
We are often asked: “What particular denomination do you worship with, and what doctrine do you follow?” We take a non-sectarian approach to the Bible with a desire only to let the Scriptures speak for themselves. We can honestly say that we do not advocate any denominational creed or any systematic theology. Our doctrine is simply the result of our own personal studies of God’s Word, and is offered with a plea for you to apply “The Berean Test” (Acts 17:11) as you examine our words.
We are simply Christians, disciples of Jesus Christ, and members of the Lord’s body, the church, as one reads about in the New Testament. In view of our Lord’s prayer for unity (John 17:20-21), and Paul’s condemnation of division (1 Corinthians 1:10-13), we disdain denominational distinctions and all forms of sectarianism. We are blessed to worship with individuals who are likewise trying to be simply Christians. Using the New Testament as our authority in matters pertaining to the work, worship, and organization of the local church, we are an independent, self-governing church, and are totally non-denominational.
We have no written creed (other than the Bible), and are constantly engaging in Bible study, fine-tuning our understanding and practice to what we learn from the Scriptures. Frequently referred to as “churches of Christ” (Romans 16:16), we are not to be confused with any denomination that might be known as the “Church of Christ” (especially those that identify themselves as the “International Church of Christ,” United Churches of Christ, or Independent Christian Churches). With the religiously divided state of our society, we know many may find it hard to believe that one can be “a Christian only.” It is not easy, but we believe it is possible and, from the Lord’s viewpoint, desirable. Therefore, we say that we are neither Jewish, Catholic, nor Protestant; we are Christians only. We are not Mormons, Jehovah’s Witnesses, or members of any cult that believes in latter day revelations. We believe that God has spoken fully and completely through His Son Jesus Christ and His apostles and prophets whose words are contained in the Bible. This statement reflects our faith. We hope this helps to answer any question you may have.
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