Barnes church of Christ

Is there a greater question? If the God revealed upon the pages of the Bible exists, and he does, then, all humankind is answerable to him! On the other hand, if the God of the Bible does not exist, then mankind is free to do their own will, follow their likes and dislikes, to commit every kind of evil the human mind can conceive. The result would be as Moses wrote of the people just before the great flood: “And GOD saw that the wickedness of man was great in the earth, and that every imagination of the thoughts of his heart was only evil continually” (Gen. 6:5). America has not reached this point yet, but we are on our way!
The above serves as evidence that our question must be answered! When the universe is considered, I have long stated that it is just too big for there not to be, God! Here is how one writer put it: “The universe was born with the Big Bang as an unimaginably hot, dense point. When the universe was just 10-34 of a second or so old — that is, a hundredth of a billionth of a trillionth of a trillionth of a second in age — it experienced an incredible burst of expansion known as inflation, in which space itself expanded faster than the speed of light. During this period, the universe doubled in size at least 90 times, going from subatomic-sized to golf-ball-sized almost instantaneously.” (Charles Q. Choi, June 17, 2017 – Our Expanding Universe: Age, History & Other Facts). It surprises me that writers are still, after all these years, referring to “the Big Bang,” as a simple question puts an end to it; the question: “What went BANG?” There was something before “the Big Bang!” Something must have existed before “the Big Bang,” but just what was it? Answer if you have understanding!
Here is one answer to the question, what existed before “the Big Bang?” Answer: “Approximately 4.5 billion years ago, gravity pulled a cloud of dust and gas together to form our solar system. While scientists aren’t certain of the exact nature of the process, …” (The writer’s name was lost in my search, frw). Did you notice the words, “a cloud of dust and gas?” Just where did and how did this “dust and gas” come from? The total of the efforts to explain the universe’s origin, is an effort to try and prove that the God of the Bible does not exist! Yet, all such efforts must begin with something, and the question remains: “Where did that something come from and how did it exit?” Man, in all his worldly wisdom has no answer to these two simple questions! One spokesman answered the question: How much did that which went Bang weigh; he responded, “About twenty-five pounds!” Which does not tell us where the “twenty-five pounds” came from!
Moses answered the overriding question, where did the universe come from, in these words, the opening statement of the Bible: “In the beginning God created the heaven and the earth” (Gen. 1:1). Give thought to these words: “The fool hath said in his heart, There is no God…” (Psa. 53:1). Now, read the words which followed: “Corrupt are they, and have done abominable iniquity: there is none that doeth good.” Nothing has changed, the person who declares, “there is no God,” is subject to: “Corrupt are they, and have done abominable iniquity!” Remove God, and mankind is free to his own iniquity; so “that every imagination of the thoughts of his heart was only evil continually.” Friends, there is a continuing need to address the question: “Does God exist?” While doing so with scientific facts, not “a leap in the dark,” coupled with the Bible.
In Stephen Hawking’s final book, he wrote: “I think the universe was spontaneously created out of nothing, according to the laws of science, …” (Brief Answers to Big Questions, the under lining is his.). Think of this now, “according to the laws of science” he was trying to scientifically prove, that something came from nothing! How “scientific” is that? He also wrote in answer to the question, what happened before the Big Bang: “there was no time before the Big Bang.” Well, just what was there? According to him, time also started from nothing, but God said: “Let there be lights in the firmament of the heaven to divide the day from the night …” (Gen. 1:14). Friends, “day” and “night” is time! There is another good question, just where did “day” and “night” come from in the “Big Bang” guess?
God gives the best evidence of his own existence! “The heavens declare the glory of God; and the firmament sheweth his handywork” (Psa. 19:1). The Hebrew word used for “declare,” expresses: “to score with a mark as a tally or record, that is, (by implication) to inscribe, and to enumerate” (Strong). God does exist!

Frank R. Williams

The question is far from being new, but it still needs continually to be addressed! However, never in my lifetime has there been a greater need that attention be given to it. Once the gospel was taken from the Jews of the first century, in that, the Jews having rejected it; the apostles turned their attention to the Gentiles (Acts 13:46). The Gentile world was mostly pagan, having many so-called gods. Luke describes Paul’s reaction: “Now while Paul waited for them at Athens, his spirit was stirred in him, when he saw the city wholly given to idolatry” (Acts 17:16). Our spirit should/must be “stirred” within us as we see America today; they too are “wholly given to idolatry!”
What was Paul to do seeing such? Before answering the question, allow me to point out just a few things. First, Paul fully believed in the power of the gospel; as he wrote: “For I am not ashamed of the gospel of Christ: for it is the power of God unto salvation to every one that believeth; to the Jew first, and also to the Greek” (Rom. 1:16). Second, Paul viewed himself as “debtor” to all; as he wrote: “I am debtor both to the Greeks, and to the Barbarians; both to the wise, and to the unwise” (Rom. 1:14). That covered the whole of humanity in his time! Third, there was not a place that Paul was not willing to go, as he wrote: “So, as much as in me is, I am ready to preach the gospel to you that are at Rome also” (Rom. 1:15). If every Christian had this same attitude; working through local congregations in which they are members; then, the churches of Christ would be able to say: “Which (the gospel, frw) is come unto you, as it is in all the world; and bringeth forth fruit, as it doth also in you, since the day ye heard of it, and knew the grace of God in truth” (Col. 1:6).
Now, let us return to Athens and see what Paul did, his “his spirit” being “stirred” within him. First, let us notice that we might be prone to conclude, there is no need to preach the gospel in such a place as no one will be ready to receive it! Isn’t this what we so often think? Years ago, I was preaching a gospel meeting in a small area of Arkansas; where there was a man, who with his wife had given land so a building for the local church of Christ could worship. This man was not a Christian, he saw no reason to obey the gospel, even though he was in every worship. In this meeting, I used an old type of preaching with a flannel board to aid my preaching. One night I preached on the first steps of obeying the gospel and how it worked. The man, who was eighty years old, came forward at the end of the sermon and humbly obeyed the gospel to the saving of his soul. There was total silence, his wife could not speak a word; as no one could believe that this man, after nearly twenty years of being present for worship, hearing sermon after sermon but he never gave any indication of obeying the gospel but on this night he did. Afterward, when the good folks had gotten themselves together, asked him why he now had obeyed the gospel. His answer was one of simplicity: “I never saw the need before!” By using the physical aid of the flannel board, he was able to see clearly what baptism did! What he had never seen before was the purpose of baptism! Question: after all the sermons, all the efforts before, that had gone by, this man showing no interest in obeying the gospel, would you have thought that he was a good person to study with? Be honest now!
Well, the above was a man who did believe in God, but we are addressing the subject of those who do not believe in the existence of God. The Gentile world of Paul’s day was just such a word! Yet, this fact, never stopped the apostle from preaching the gospel to them. Let us return to Athens and see a little of what Paul said. Luke wrote: “Then Paul stood in the midst of Mars’ hill, and said, Ye men of Athens, I perceive that in all things ye are too superstitious” (Acts 17:22). He addressed right where they were, spiritually speaking. They were without God and had no hope of life in the hereafter! They were not without “religion,” as Paul said, “ye are too superstitious,” and this word is the Greek, “deisidaimonesteros” and means “more religious than others” (Strong). Like those of today, they are not without “religion,” as our English word expresses the idea of “beliefs.” Get this now, even the person who says that he does not believe in the existence of God, has a “religion.” His “religious” beliefs are largely self-formulated. Many such people stand ready to individually debate you. He/she will stand by their self-made “religion” while laughing at you for being “religious!”
Question: What is the “god” of the America? It is largely the “god” of materialism; the “god” without mind, having no rights and no wrongs, other than what they believe today and is subject to change tomorrow. Paul’s answer to such, is right even for today: “For as I passed by, and beheld your devotions, I found an altar with this inscription, TO THE UNKNOWN GOD. Whom therefore ye ignorantly worship, him declare I unto you” (Acts 17:23).

Frank R. Williams

Today, the question under which we write needs to be answered! Facts, no “leap in the dark,” will do here, as those who are known as, “the Millennials,” who were born between the years of 1981 – 2000, need to hear and read true scientific answers! These scientific answers need to be coupled with biblical proofs! Not being the most learned scientific person, I generally like to keep it simple. That is not to say, that with a little “deep” study, that I cannot go “deep in the well” to get information and to write about such.
One of the things I like to do is look up at the stars at night. I can remember as a young boy, 8-10, looking at the stars. It does seem that I could see more stars then, than now. However, before the seafarers headed out into the far seas, the unknown waters, they kept close to the land. This was the first navigation, as it followed landmarks. It might be a large rock near the coastline, or they might use other things along the sea-land areas.
As the sea farers determined to venture out beyond the coastline and into the unknown waters of the deep; they needed other means of navigating. But what would it be? It was here that the North Star became so important. You might think the most famous star in the night sky is the brightest, but it isn’t. It is but about the 50th brightest! It sits almost directly above the North Pole; therefore, it is a very reliable gauge of North. Question: “How did the North Star find its way nearly above the North Pole?” Did it, with all the other thousand upon thousands of stars, just one day appear in the heavens so navigators could use it? Or does it fit within the words of which Moses wrote: “And God said, Let there be lights in the firmament of the heaven to divide the day from the night; and let them be for signs, and for seasons, and for days, and years: And let them be for lights in the firmament of the heaven to give light upon the earth: and it was so” (Gen. 1:14-15). Speak if thou hasn’t understanding!
One of the questions that comes to mind, just here, is how do you locate the North Star (Polaris)? Here is the answer; all you must do is find the Big Dipper pointer stars, Dubhe and Merak. These two stars outline the outer part of the Big Dipper’s bowl. Then, draw a line from Merak through Dubhe (as seen below), and just continue this line and it will take you right to the North Star. Did it just happen this way, or did God make it this way, knowing that navigators would need it?
You can measure latitude where you are:
1. Use a string and weight (plumb line) to put a vertical stick in the ground (A in drawing);
2. Align a second vertical stick with the first stick and the North Star (B in drawing);
3. Use your thumb to sight down stick “B” until the North Star is aligned with the top of stick “A;”
4. Mark the spot (C in the drawing) and stretch the string between “A” and “C,” and then, back to stick “A” in a level line (As seen in the drawing);
5. Measure the angle – that’s the degree of latitude (not to be confused with longitude).

6. The two stars, Merak and Dubhe, outline the outer part of the Big Dipper’s bowl. Thus, all you must do is draw a line from Merak through Dubhe, and just continue this line and it will take you right to the North Star. Thus, if you have trouble seeing the North Star, here is a way to locate it! Was it God or did it just happen? No “leap in the dark” here!

So, what is this all about? It is about the words of the Psalm: “The heavens declare the glory of God; and the firmament sheweth his handywork” (Psa. 19:1). These simple words reveal the perfections of God, and that God is; God does exist! Therefore, look up into the heavens and believe! The heavens are scientific!

Frank R. Williams

A follow up article about the word “sound” is in order, as it relates to the articles: “Are you looking for a sound church, don’t go to Corinth.” The churches of Christ have the solemn duty to be one of soundness. After all, what is a local church of Christ, if not sound but unsound? Somewhere along the way, of becoming unsound, and staying unsound, the Lord removes the “candlestick” that is the relationship between Christ and the local church! It is like, Christ saying to the local church, you are no longer my people!
The word “sound” means several things, depending on the area of study. For instance, a congregation may be “healthy,” as not have any spiritual “disease;” free from error, as in adhering to the teaching; and this is to identify the three areas of soundness. We could also address the structural soundness, referring to the spiritual structure of a congregation. In the New Testament there are but three areas addressed in what might be called the “spiritual structure” of a congregation. They are: 1) worship, is the worship of the congregation in line with authorized worship revealed in the New Testament for “the churches of Christ; 2) benevolence, as in helping those in need of the basic things of life; and 3) is the local church evangelic, as teaching the lost? If a congregation is doing more than these three, then, there is no way that such a congregation can, according to “the teaching of Christ,” be viewed as sound! At the same time, if the local church is doing less, than, any of these three things, can it be said that she is “structurally sound?”
Then, what about the spirituality of a congregation? This is an area that is not addressed very much but should be! Just how would you go about to measure the “spirituality” of a congregation? What would you hold up as the standard? It would surely not be the church in Corinth! Once more, let me use the words of John, “the teaching of Christ.” If spirituality is missing from “the teaching of Christ,” then, this teaching is incomplete; yet, Paul wrote of the word of God: “All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness: That the man of God may be perfect, throughly furnished unto all good works” (2 Tim. 3:16-17). Is spirituality to be found in Paul’s words? If not, then Paul by the Holy Spirit wrote an untruth! For the “scripture” is incomplete; if it is not capable of making “perfect,” as Paul used the word, as complete! If spirituality is not in “the teaching of Christ,” just where would we go to find “spirituality?” Speak, if thou hast understanding!
If the churches of Christ, have authority to act outside “the teaching of Christ,” then, just what is that body of teaching? While you are thinking on this, just what is the purpose of “the teaching of Christ?” Oh, let us not forget, the soul shanking words, “Whosoever transgresseth, and abideth not in the doctrine of Christ, hath not God” (2 John 9). Do you know what the word “abideth” means? Well, if comes from the Greek, “meno” and it is “A primary verb; to stay (in a given place, state, relation or expectancy)” but this is not the end, as Strong went on to say: “abide, continue, dwell, endure, be present, remain, stand, tarry.” If these words do not describe a congregation’s relationship to “the teaching of Christ,” then, she does not “abideth” “in the teaching of Christ!” Why is this so important? Hear John once more: “hath not God!” On the other hand, he continued to write: “He that abideth in the doctrine of Christ, he hath both the Father and the Son.” A congregation’s relationship to the Father and the Son, depends on her “abiding” in “the teaching of Christ!” There are no second or third ways to “hath both the Father and the Son,” but to stay within the limitations of “the teaching of Christ!” It is to be sound to abide in “the teaching of Christ!” It is to be unsound to not abide within “the teaching of Christ!”
Let it be known, that behind all of this, “If you are looking for a sound church don’t go to Corinth,” is that we cannot really understand “the teaching of Christ;” therefore, we do not really have a way of knowing when a congregation is sound or not! Can we understand “the teaching of Christ?” If not, then, John gave us no way of “abiding,” in fact, John gave us no way of even starting to abide in “the teaching of Christ;” for no one is sure just what “the teaching of Christ” really is!
It is more than amazing to this writer, that old false doctrines/teaching never die they just fade away for a time but wait for such a time as brethren are weak in their knowledge of the word of God to arise once again. Hosea wrote in the long ago, speaking of the priest: “My people are destroyed for lack of knowledge: because thou hast rejected knowledge, I will also reject thee, that thou shalt be no priest to me: seeing thou hast forgotten the law of thy God, I will also forget thy children” Hosea 4:6). If not for ourselves, then, for our children, be sound in the faith once for all time delivered unto the saints (Jude 3)!

Frank R. Williams

One of the greater dangers in reading the Bible is taking a “text out of context!” A text out of context” is nothing more than a pretext; that is, making a text teach what it never taught and was never intended to teach! This means that it is now a false teaching.
One such text is: “I can do all things through Christ which strengtheneth me” (Phil. 4:13). We have been taught, and correctly so, when studying the Bible to ask certain questions as a starting place. Such as: 1) who is talking or writing; 2) to whom are the words addressed; and 3) when was it said? Why, even some of the best among us, fail to apply these simple rules is unknown to this writer!
Using the three rules above, let us look at the text of Philippians, four verse thirteen. The word is “I.” Just who is this pronoun referring? The apostle Paul is the writer; therefore, the pronoun refers to him! This one fact changes the whole meaning of the verse, as it is so often used today. You see, so many take the “I” and apply it to themselves, or someone elses like themselves; meaning they themselves or others, “can do all things through Christ which strengtheneth” them. Missing applying the pronoun, makes this text into a pretext. Meaning, the text has been used to teach what Paul was never teaching! Does it surprise you, that you are not the apostle and that words applied to the apostle do not mean that we, you, can do what he could do!
On one occasion Paul was stoned. Here is the report made by Luke: “And there came thither certain Jews from Antioch and Iconium, who persuaded the people, and, having stoned Paul, drew him out of the city, supposing he had been dead” (Acts 14:19). More than likely, not one of us has been stoned, just take this to start with. But, notice that those who stoned Paul, “supposing he had been dead,” as in no life in him! At least generally speaking, stoning was for the purpose of putting one to death! It was not just to put bruising on a person! What would happen to you today, if you were stoned, to the point that those doing so, thought you were dead? Would you just get up and walk away as did Paul? No!
Well, what did Paul do? Luke continued to write: “Howbeit, as the disciples stood round about him, he rose up, and came into the city: and the next day he departed with Barnabas to Derbe” (verse 20). Is this what you would do after being stoned to death? Of course, not! You would be dead, or so near death, that you would not be able to get up and go into the city. You and I would have to be carried to the doctor, who might be able to bring us back to health; but more than likely, we would just die! Say, what happened to that, “I can do all things through Christ which strengtheneth me?” Paul needed no doctor or anyone else to help him; “he rose up, and came into the city.” Not only so, but Luke wrote: “the next day he departed with Barnabas to Derbe.” In all honesty, if you were stoned, as Paul was, would you be able to get up and go into the city, then, travel to another city, and this without ever seeing a doctor! No, of course, not!
Looking at another event in the life of Paul, we see Paul on a ship. Here is what Luke wrote as Paul was in the midst of a shipwreck: “But after long abstinence Paul stood forth in the midst of them, and said, Sirs, ye should have hearkened unto me, and not have loosed from Crete, and to have gained this harm and loss” (Acts 27:21). Is there any reason for me to believe that I should give ear to what you would say as the ship we were on is nearing a shipwreck? No! What power to you have? Oh, I forgot, you “can do all things through Christ which strengtheneth” you! Let us continue with the text in Acts as Luke wrote of Paul: “And now I exhort you to be of good cheer: for there shall be no loss of any man’s life among you, but of the ship” (verse 22). Amid a shipwreck, is there any reason that I should hear your words? Would you have the power, to say in honesty, “I exhort you to be of good cheer?” Next, Paul said: “For there stood by me this night the angel of God, whose I am, and whom I serve” (verse 23). Should I believe you, if you were to tell me, in the midst of a shipwreck, “there stood by me this night the angel of God?” No!
Friends, I am not Paul and you are not Paul; and neither of us can do what Paul did and say what Paul said! Therefore, when Paul writes: “I can do all things through Christ which strengtheneth me.” The pronouns, “I” and “me” in this verse do not refer to me and you! We must be oh so careful to keep a text in its own context and please, notice the pronouns!

Frank R. Williams

No, I did not make the word up, under which I write, but it really is a word. Have you ever seen it, or used it? Do you have any idea what it means? Before continuing, allow me to give you a quote, as it relates to this word, as one writer put it. Here is the quote: “I’ve learned that yes, pigs can fly!” Well, in real life, I am not willing to go that far! You maybe!
The word itself is a good word. It looks at what may appear to be impossible and sees that it may in fact be possible. In life, this is a good and necessary thing! How many inventions have come about, when someone looked the “impossible” right in the eye and did it anyway! Well, yes, a pig can fly! Just put one on an airplane and watch it take off; then, look up and see it soar overhead! With all the rain the Houston area has gotten over the last few months, it may have been seen that a pig was flying overhead, as it hung from a helicopter. Yes, there goes another pig flying overhead! If those who invent things, had not been “possibilitarian,” where would we be day?
Laurie Hunt wrote this: “Being a possibilitarian is an attitude. Being open to possibility allows the space for opportunities to show up.” There are those who never look up, they only look down at what they have done; never at what might be done! You remember the parable of the talents; wherein Jesus said: “For the kingdom of heaven is as a man travelling into a far country, who called his own servants, and delivered unto them his goods” (Matt. 25:14). These are the words of introduction to what follows. So, just what did Jesus say next? Here are his words: “And unto one he gave five talents, to another two, and to another one; to every man according to his several ability; and straightway took his journey.” (verse 15). As the “man” is preparing to travel into a far county, he desired that his goods be taken care of; therefore, in wisdom, he divided his “talents” up between three men. Knowing that they had “several ability,” he divided the “talents” accordingly. No man was given more than he was able to handle. But, the question before us, could each man see the possibilities of the “talents?” In other words, were they “possibilitarians?” Let us read on and see!
Jesus next reveals what each of the three did with the “talents” given him. The words are: “Then he that had received the five talents went and traded with the same, and made them other five talents” (verse 16). Here is a “possibilitarian!” He looked and saw the possibilities of the “five talents” he had been given. They could make more “talents!” The same thing is true of the second man, as the records reads: “And likewise he that had received two, he also gained other two” (verse 17). Here we have a “possibilitarian!” He was not fearful! But, what about the third man? Let us read of him, as he said: “Lord, I knew thee that thou art an hard man, reaping where thou hast not sown, and gathering where thou hast not strawed” (verse 24). Did this man have more wisdom than the other two? No! He is fact had less wisdom! His head only looked down and could not see the possibilities that were before him! Shame on him and all others of the mindset! Just what did this man do with the “talent” given him? Let the Lord speak for himself: “And I was afraid, and went and hid thy talent in the earth: lo, there thou hast that is thine” (verse 25). Here is this depth of fear; the epitome of no vision; and here is the revelation of a man who was not a “possibilitarian!”
Now, what was the end result of each when their lord returned? Jesus will tell us, as the man’s lord speaks to him: “Well done, thou 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” (verse 21). To the second man, his lord said unto him: “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” (verse 23). But, what was said to the third man? Once more, we will let Jesus answer: “Thou wicked and slothful servant, …” (verse 26); but this is not the end, his lord continued: “Take therefore the talent from him, and give it unto him which hath ten talents” (verse 28)!
Have you changed your mind? Do you now desire to be a “possibilitarian?” If not, you should have! By not desiring to be a “possibilitarian,” you are seeing things as impossible! Lift your eyes and see the possible! See the “pig flying!”

Frank R. Williams

The reader might be wondering why we are spending so much time gathering for worship on “the first day of the week,” well, it is because most denominational churches and the churches of Christ all gather to worship on “the first day of the week.” This would appear to make this a settled question. However, the question we are addressing is one of authority; where is the authority to gather to worship on “the first day of the week?” This is not a settled question!
Seeing that there is no commandment for God’s children to gather on “the first day of the week,” just how does God establish authority, that is binding upon his children today? How does God, through Jesus Christ, establish authority for something, when there is no commandment authorizing it? I submit to the reader, that the denominational folks do not have a clue! Other than, it just has always been this way! Well, tradition is good, when there is authority for it! But, just because denominational churches have always done it, and they do it because those before them get it, as in the Roman Catholic Church did it! Get this now, there is no authority in the fact that the Roman Catholic Church did/does something! They are not, the church the Lord Jesus Christ said, “… I will build my church; …” (Matt. 16:18). So, this being true, where is and how do we get authority for “the first of week” assembly of worship?
Friends, it is by implication! The church of the first century, under the oversight of the apostles of Christ, did in fact, gather to worship God “in spirit and in truth,” upon “the first day of the week!” Luke wrote this: “And upon the first day of the week, when the disciples came together to break bread, Paul preached unto them, ready to depart on the morrow; and continued his speech until midnight” (Acts 20:7). But this is not the only place such evidence is seen. Paul wrote to the church in Corinth: “Now concerning the collection for the saints, even so as I have given order to the churches of Galatia do ye. Upon the first day of the week let every one of you lay by him in store, as God hath prospered him, that there be no gatherings when I come” (1 Cor. 16:1-2). Here Paul gave a commandment concerning the collection and it was to be done on “the first day of the week.” The Greek words used here should be translated, “on each first day of the week” (Meyer, New Testament commentary) and the Expositor’s Greek New Testament also reads, “the rule previously laid down for Galatia: “On every first (day) of the week.” Then, there is this: “Κατα has a distributive force, every first day” (Vincent’s Word Study). Thus, the church in Corinth had a commandment but notice that Paul wrote: “even so as I have given order to the churches of Galatia do ye.” Therefore, the commandment was not limited to the church in Corinth! However, this is not all!
We must not forget the action of those who first obeyed the gospel on the first Pentecost after the death, burial, and resurrection of Jesus! What did they do? Luke wrote: “And they continued stedfastly in the apostles’ doctrine and fellowship, and in breaking of bread, and in prayers” (Acts 2:42). Taking the words, “breaking of bread” and putting it with the action of the church in Troas; as Luke wrote: “And upon the first day of the week, when the disciples came together to break bread, Paul preached unto them, ready to depart on the morrow; and continued his speech until midnight” (Acts 20:7).
There we have one of the ways authority is seen by implication. Let it be known, and attention is here called, we as children of God, do not establish authority! No church on earth has the right to “establish” authority! No, we simply recognize it as God’s established authority! As to his children gathering to worship “upon the first day of the week,” we submit to his authority! Yes, it is true, that such authority in the case of what day God’s children are to gather for worship, God has established that his children gather to worship him today, do so “upon the first day of the week!” He did this, not because he gave them a commandment, but he did so by implication, approved action of the first century church, under the oversight of the apostles of Christ!
If this is not so, then by what authority do we gather to worship God “upon the first day of the week?” Seeing there is no commandment, the authority must be seen by some other means! Keep in mind, the authority must come from the New Testament, of which Jesus said: “For this is my blood of the new testament;” as he gave the fruit of the vine to the disciples, introducing unto them the Lord’s Supper (Matt. 26:28).
In conclusion, keep in mind this old saying: “If the church under the oversight of the apostles did it, then, the church today can also do it by the same authority!” This being true, it means that this is also true: “If the church under the oversight of the apostles did not do it, then, the church of today may not do it!” This is not addressing method! As that is a totally different subject! Finally, let it be understood, that any implication found in a New Testament statement; being implied by the inspired writer, is just as true, as the statement that implies it!

Frank R. Williams

Where in the New Testament is the authority to take of the “Lord’s Supper” on “the first day of the week,” Sunday? It is not in any commandment, as there is no such commandment in the New Testament. Clearly, Jesus intended his supper to be eaten in his “Father’s kingdom,” for he said: “But I say unto you, I will not drink henceforth of this fruit of the vine, until that day when I drink it new with you in my Father’s kingdom” (Matt. 26:29). When was the first time it was done?
Luke reveals the answer to the question, in these words: “And they (Those of verse 41) continued stedfastly in the apostles’ doctrine and fellowship, and in breaking of bread, and in prayers” (Acts 2:42). Were these acts of worship done by the authority of Christ? Yes! As the apostles of Christ did none other! Is it right for the churches of Christ today to do the same thing? Yes! And in doing so, the churches of Christ today are doing so by the authority of Christ! Yet, it remains that there is no commandment for such action in the New Testament! This brings us to this question: Is there authority in action, that is done without a commandment?
Search the New Testament from beginning to end, and there is no commandment to take the Lord’s Supper upon “the first day of the week!” There is authority to take the Lord’s Supper, as Jesus himself gave such authority in his words to the disciples in Matthew 26:26-29. But when this was to be done, by way of commandment, is never found. However, we do read: “And upon the first day of the week, when the disciples came together to break bread, …” (Act 20:7). That the “Lord’s Supper” was taken on “the first day of the week” cannot be assailed in honesty! Yes, there are some who do teach, that these words do not refer to the Lord’s Supper, but they are only trying to “muddy the water,” as they have no other authority for when the saved of the first century took of the Supper!
Paul’s words to the Corinthians, uses the words “Lord’s Supper” in chapter eleven: “When ye come together therefore into one place, this is not to (as they were abusing the Lord’s Supper) eat the Lord’s supper” (1 Cor. 11:20). He then continues to write about how it is to be taken, (1 Corinthians eleven, verses 23-29). However, the apostle never reveals a day, upon which it is to be done! He refers back the Lord’s actions of Matthew twenty-six, verses twenty-six through twenty-nine but Jesus never gave a day! Therefore, the question continues: Upon what day of the week is the Lord’s Supper to be taken by the authority of Christ! Upon what day of the week do we take of it with our fellows who are in his Father’s kingdom?
You may be getting tried of reading about this subject, but it is so important to the Christian, that it must be covered, the day must be questioned. If the day cannot be identified, upon which the Lord’s Supper is to be taken, by the authority of Christ, then we are left with no authority on the subject and we are free to take of it upon the day of our choice; be it Sunday through Saturday! All debate is removed as to what day, as any day is acceptable! So, is there a way to determine what day the Lord’s Supper is to be taken? Is their authority for what day the Supper is to be taken? To the child of God these questions are important and needs answers!
Is there any authority in the words of Luke: “And upon the first day of the week, when the disciples came together to break bread, …” (Acts 20:7)? Is the phrase “break bread” the only reason for the disciples to come together? No, but it is certainly one reason but I dare not put one act of worship above another! (a synecdoche) Question: Did “the disciples,” which included Paul, come “together” to sing, to pray, teach, to give of their means; as Paul wrote to the Corinthians: “Upon the first day of the week let every one of you lay by him in store, as God hath prospered him, that there be no gatherings when I come” (1 Cor. 16:2)? Of course, they did just so!
Is there authority without a commandment? If so, and there is, how is it determined? This question remains unanswered to this point in our writings. To answer the question, when is the Lord’s Supper to be taken, is to be answered by implication! Remembering, no writing of the New Testament is directly addressed to us today but reaches us through impliction!
We are using the Lord’s Supper as our example, as nearly all denominational churches and all churches of Christ, to my knowledge, take the Lord’s Supper in their worship.

Frank R. Williams

The first thing those who were saved under the authority of Christ, under the oversight of the apostles of Christ, and under the teaching of the apostles of Christ, did was expressed by Luke in these words: “Then they that gladly received his word were baptized: and the same day there were added unto them about three thousand souls. And they continued stedfastly in the apostles’ doctrine and fellowship, and in breaking of bread, and in prayers” (Acts 2:41-42). Now, what day was this? It was on the first Pentecost after the death, burial, and resurrection of Jesus Christ on the first day of the week!
Question: Would the apostles of Christ, of whom Luke wrote: “And they were all filled with the Holy Spirit, and began to speak with other tongues, as the Spirit gave them utterance” (Acts 2:4); allow those who were the first to be saved under the authority of Christ, have as their first act, do that which was unauthorized by the authority of Christ? God forbid! God forbid that any person who has any respect for Christ and his authority, answer this question, yes! It is true, that no recorded command was given but those who were the first to be forgiven of their sins, by means of the gospel of Christ; thus, the first ones to be saved under the authority of Christ, and under the oversight of his apostles, would never be allowed as their first act after being saved, to be one not authorized by Christ!
Could it be said, that those who do likewise today, are doing so by implication? Remembering there is no command to worship on the first day of the week. Therefore, how is it that churches of Christ gather to worship God on the first day of the week today? We do so by implication! With this in mind, let us here recall the words of Jesus to the woman at the well: “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” (John 4:23-24). Just when do you think, that time came of which Jesus spoke? Is it not true, that the first time, those who were saved in Acts 2:41, gathered to worship God “in spirit and in truth” did so as written by Luke? Here are his words once more: “Then they that gladly received his word were baptized: and the same day there were added unto them about three thousand souls. And they continued stedfastly in the apostles’ doctrine and fellowship, and in breaking of bread, and in prayers” (Acts 2:41-42). Notice the phrase, “and in breaking of bread.”
Before continuing with our subject, it is necessary that we note, there are some in the denominational churches who regard the words, “and in breaking of bread,” as referring to nothing more than a common meal! And yes, it is so sad to write, that there are some even within the churches of Christ today who have come to believe the same thing! When Jesus instituted this “supper,” Matthew wrote: “And as they were eating, Jesus took bread, and blessed it, and brake it, and gave it to the disciples, and said, Take, eat; this is my body. And he took the cup, and gave thanks, and gave it to them, saying, Drink ye all of it; For this is my blood of the new testament, which is shed for many for the remission of sins” (Matt. 26;26-28). Jesus took the occasion of the “Passover meal,” to introduce to his disciples what would be in his Father’s kingdom; once it came to be under his authority! Now, let us notice Jesus’ concluding words: “But I say unto you, I will not drink henceforth of this fruit of the vine, until that day when I drink it new with you in my Father’s kingdom” (Matt. 26:29). Question: Just when did Jesus, for the first time, “drink” “of this fruit of the vine” in the “Father’s kingdom?” Would it not be when those who were the first to obey the gospel and were “translated” “into the kingdom of his dear Son” (Col. 1:13)? Would not this be those who: “Then they that gladly received his word were baptized: and the same day there were added unto them about three thousand souls. And they continued stedfastly in the apostles’ doctrine and fellowship, and in breaking of bread, and in prayers” (Acts 2:41-42). Yes! Just who else would be in the right place, to do so, other than, those who were saved on that Pentecost day?
If you have not noticed, this is all teaching by implication! We are taking the parts and putting them where the apostles of Christ put them! Remembering, there is no command to gather and worship, wherein the Lord’s Supper is taken on “the first day of the week.” Luke, as he wrote “The Acts of the Apostles,” revealed worship, “in spirit and in truth,” wherein Jesus did in fact, drink with the saved “of this fruit of the vine” in his “Father’s kingdom!”
What day was it? It was “the first day of the week;” it is as David wrote in the long ago: “This is the day which the LORD hath made; we will rejoice and be glad in it.” (Psa. 118:24).
No command in the New Testament is directly given to us today; those all reach us by implication!

Frank R. Williams

Have you ever wondered, or questioned why denominational churches gather to worship on Sunday, the first day of the week? Let’s take this one more step, have you ever wondered or questioned why churches of Christ gather to worship on Sunday, the first day of the week? It is so natural, no one appears to question the gathering of churches on Sunday, the first day of the week.
Before looking into the above questions, the subject of implication, needs to be addressed first. There are some who rejected the idea that Jesus taught by implication, or that other inspired writers of the New Testament taught by implication. This is a very important subject, if we are to understand the subject of authority as revealed in the New Testament. If we, understand first, that no part of the New Testament was written to us, directly! This idea is horrifying to many, as they do not understand how New Testament authority reaches us in the 21st century! Yet, the subject of gathering to worship on Sunday, the first day of the week, falls within this subject.
Did Jesus teach by implication? Yes, he did! Here is a case in point. Here is the question that started the subject, were Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob, alive at the time Jesus walked upon the face of the earth? Are Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob, alive today? Before reading the text, the over all question started with the Sadducees coming to Jesus with what they thought was an unanswerable question. Keep in mind, the Sadducees did not believe in the resurrection. Therefore, after giving their story of a woman, who had married seven brothers, as each did and according to the law of Moses, the next bother was to marry the woman upon the death of her husband (Matt. 22:23-28). With this, here is their question: “Therefore in the resurrection whose wife shall she be of the seven? for they all had her” (Matt. 22:28). How could Jesus possibly answer their question? Jesus would teach more than one thing; first he said: “Ye do err, not knowing the scriptures, nor the power of God” (verse 29). Do not over look these words, as they apply to so many today; as they “do err, not knowing the scriptures, nor the power of God!” Second, Jesus said: “For in the resurrection they neither marry, nor are given in marriage, but are as the angels of God in heaven” (verse 29). In the resurrection we will not have flesh and blood bodies, by which marriage takes place, but we shall all be as “the angels of God in heaven!” Spiritual bodies, not physical. Third, Jesus said: “But as touching the resurrection of the dead, have ye not read that which was spoken unto you by God, saying, I am the God of Abraham, and the God of Isaac, and the God of Jacob? God is not the God of the dead, but of the living” (verse 31 – 32). It is here that Jesus teaches by implication! Did you get it? Answer this question: Did Jesus say that Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob, were alive at the time he spoke? Read it again, God had said in the past, after these three were dead: “I am the God of Abraham, and the God of Isaac, and the God of Jacob?” No, Jesus never said that these three were alive as he spoke! But, he did teach that Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob, were very much alive as he spoke, for Jesus did say: “God is not the God of the dead, but of the living;” therefore, Abraham, Isaac and Jacob were alive when Jesus spoke. Jesus was teaching by implication. Jesus expected his hearers to reach the correct conclusion on their own, with the information he gave them implication!
Now, why do denominational churches gather on Sunday, the first day of the week to worship; why do churches of Christ gather on Sunday, the first day of the week to worship? First, this question: Is there a command to gather and worship God upon Sunday, the first day of the week? No! Nowhere in the New Testament did any writer every command that the church gather to worship God on Sunday, the first day of the week! This may be a total surprise to some; but nevertheless, it is true! There is no such command!
It is a total surprise to some, yes, even to some members of the churches of Christ, that the reason churches of Christ gather to worship God on Sunday, the first day of the week, is by implication: the church under the oversight of the apostles of Christ gathered to worship God, on “the first day of the week (Acts 20:7).
First, the first act that those who were saved did, is written by Luke in these words: “Then they that gladly received his word were baptized: and the same day there were added unto them about three thousand souls. And they continued stedfastly in the apostles’ doctrine and fellowship, and in breaking of bread, and in prayers” (Acts 2:41-42). Is this good enough for you, to gather to worship God on the first day of the week?

Frank R. Williams