“A Changing Church”
By Charles Blair

The church which we read of in the New Testament needed to change. An important question to consider is, “Why?” Today many are calling for the church of our Lord to change. It is as if the church cannot keep up with the modern times and she must be changed in order to fit in with the culture.

The call for change in the New Testament was because the church was beginning to be affected by the culture and this was displeasing to God. The church by God’s design, was to be glorious, holy and without blemish (Ephesians 5:27). The church which seeks partnership with the culture is a church which needs to be changed. Let us remind ourselves we are to reprove the works of darkness (Ephesians 5:11).

Churches which offer another gospel are called by God to change (Galatians 1:7-8). Those who seek for women to have a greater role in public worship are preaching another gospel. The church which falls prey to this foolishness needs to change.

When a church leaves its first love, God wants them to change back (Revelation 2:4-5). Since love is keeping the commands of God, leaving our first love is walking away from the command of God (1 John 5:3). Do we hear anyone saying today that obedience is not important any more? Have we come so far in understanding about grace that we no longer need to consider the command of God?

The reality is the church in the New Testament needed to change. The change called for was a return to God’s original purpose and plan. God’s law had not changed. The requirements were the same. Some churches departed from God’s way and pursued their own way. These were the churches which needed to change.

Every individual, as well as every church, should be led by the Spirit of the Lord (Romans 8:14). If I am led by the Spirit I will do what the Spirit tells me. How then does the Spirit speak to us in order to lead us? He does so by the Word which He inspired men to write (2 Timothy 3:16). If I study the Word which the Spirit provided, I give Him access to my heart (2 Timothy 2:15). If I ignore that Word, the Spirit does not lead me.

Where in that Word, which the Spirit provided, is a church which used mechanical instruments in public worship? Where in that Word do we read of special singing groups or solos? Where in that Word do we read of women taking an active part in the role of leadership in public worship? Since whatever we do is to be in faith, churches which practice these things must go somewhere else for their authority. If they go somewhere else, they are not led by the Spirit.

Churches which are lukewarm, not evangelistic, indifferent, and such like NEED TO CHANGE. The truth which governs the church SHOULD NEVER CHANGE!

Hurricane Relief
Anyone wishing to donate toward the hurricane relief efforts in the Gulf Coast may give those funds to the elders or put them in the plate. Make sure to mark these special donations as “Hurricane Relief”.

Baptized Into Christ
We ar very pleased to announce that in response to the gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ, Ashley Callender was baptized for the remission of sins this past Wednesday evening (Sept. 14). Keep our new sister in your daily prayers.

New Members
We are also pleased to announce that Florence Lindsey (Carlton Hyde’s mother) and Romane Hyde have asked to be identified with the saints that worship here at Orange Street. Their address is listed in the directory [click here].

Moved
Carlton and Jacqueline Hyde have moved. Their new address is listed in the directory [click here].

The Ghana Fund
Just a reminder: Everyone is encouraged to continue filling your Ghana Fund Jars with loose change, so that we will have a sizeable amount available for next years campaign.