The New Testament Church
Dub McClish

If the church as God planned it and Christ built it is to exist in any age, there are certain principles to which men must be committed. As surely as any of these principles are abandoned, so surely will the New Testament church cease to exist. Consider these necessary principles:

1. A Commitment to Absolute Authority of Christ. His authority is emphasized each time the New Testament calls Him Lord. His: miracles were for the purpose of establishing His Divine authority and identity (John 20:30-31). This commitment includes the recognition that the church belongs to Him, and He alone has the right to determine every feature of it. Until all men who claim to follow Christ allow Him alone to be the head of the church, religious confusion will reign.

2. A Commitment to the New Testament as the Final Authority in Religion. Christ expresses His authority through the New Testament alone. No alleged latter-day revelations (e.g., The Book of Mormon) nor prophets (e.g., Joseph Smith) can be accepted by people who are serious about the New Testament church. It is inspired history and is necessary for our understanding of God and His plan of redemption through His Son. However, the Law of Moses was no more given to govern men since the cross than was the law of Christ (the gospel) given to govern men before the cross (Colossians 2:14).

3. A Commitment to the New Testament Plan of Salvation. The only plan of salvation in the world is the one made possible by the cross and revealed in the New Testament. It is a plan of grace and faith, but not grace and faith, but not grace and faith only. It requires man's response of repentance, confession, immersion in water, and living a faithful Christian life. Baptism either is or is not necessary for salvation - it cannot be both. The New Testament says it is necessary (Mark 16:16; Acts 2:28; 22:16; Romans 6:3-4; 1 Peter 3:21).

4. A Commitment to the Identity of the New Testament Church. He built according to His own wise plan, He prescribed its terms of entrance, its designations, its worship, its works, and how it is to be organized and financed. If the identity of the church is unimportant, why is anything about it important?

5. A Commitment to Proclaiming the Gospel as the Foremost Task of the Church. Jesus had one great work and purpose - to seek and save the lost (Luke 19: 10). Such is likewise the compelling cause of His church (I Timothy 3:15). ❦

Home Devo
The regular monthly home Bible study and Devotional will be hosted in the home of Matt and Kim Faneuf this coming Saturday evening (15^th). Please put your name on the list in the foyer if you plan to attend.

Pantry Item
This month’s pantry item is canned fruits. Do your part to help keep the pantry well stocked for those times when a need arises.

Take Note....
The ladies will not meet again on Mondays (either devo/luncheon or work group) until August.

Add to your Directory
We welcome new members Ken and Natalie Hirsh. Please add the following information to your directory:

HIRSH, Ken & Natalie. . . . . . . . . . ***-****
 Kendall
*** ******** ** - ******* *****, ** *****

Also add Rose Molander’s phone number:
MOLANDER, Rose. . . . . . . . . . . ***-****

Vacation Bible School

“Taking The Gospel To The World”
JUNE 17-20 – 6:30-8:00pm
FOR CHILDREN 3-12 years
Also Adult Classes
Speakers will talk about the mission field in these countries and how customs and life styles impact the work of the missionary.

       17, 18 - Ted Wheeler - Ghana
       19 - Bob Bauer - Ghana
       20 - Howard Johnson - Turkey

When a man uses profanity to support an argument, it indicates that either the man or the argument is weak -- usually both.

UPCOMING AREA EVENTS:

     • June 17 - 20 - Orange St. VBS
       “Taking The Gospel To The World”

     • Sept 29 - Oct 2 - Gospel Meeting
     Orange Street church of Christ
     Guest Speaker - Jimmy Clark
     Start Making Plans Now