Barnes church of Christ

The story of salvation, on earth, starts with the words of God to “the serpent” in Genesis 3:15: “And I will put enmity between thee and the woman, and between thy seed and her seed; it shall bruise thy head, and thou shalt bruise his heel.” Though this verse is not quoted by any New Testament writer, nevertheless, Jesus did tell the eleven after his death, as recorded by Luke: “And beginning with Moses and all the Prophets, he explained to them what was said in all the Scriptures concerning himself” (Luke 24:27). Genesis; thus, chapter three is at the very beginning of the writing of Moses and though Jesus’ words may not directly point to the Genesis prophesy; Moses is the writer of the book of Genesis and the door is opened for Jesus’ words to include the Genesis’ prophesy.
It also stands to reason, sin having been injected into this world, the first series of sins having been committed, that God would address his plan of salvation; thus, the beginning of the story of salvation on earth. Noticing the words of the text is important, if we are to gain some understanding of the prophesy. God spoke to “the serpent,” telling him, that he would, from this point in time forward, put “enmity between thee and the woman.” This is a bloodline enmity between “the serpent” and the woman, as she would give birth to the “seed,” the bloodline. Her next “seed,” who would be Seth, would be the first in this bloodline. Without naming all those in this bloodline, it reaches Abram (Abraham) to whom God would say: “And I will make of thee a great nation, and I will bless thee, and make thy name great; and thou shalt be a blessing: (3) And I will bless them that bless thee, and curse him that curseth thee: and in thee shall all families of the earth be blessed. (Gen. 12:2-3). The “nation” which God promises Abram would continue the bloodline; as God would say to Abram at a later time: “And I will establish my covenant between me and thee and thy seed after thee in their generations for an everlasting covenant, to be a God unto thee, and to thy seed after thee” (Gen. 17:7). The “seed,” the bloodline would go through Isaac and Jacob, who would be the father of the nation of Israel; his name being changed to Israel. However, this bloodline would not run through the whole of Israel, but through Judah. But, God also promised, that through the seed” of Abram, “shall all families of the earth be blessed” (Gen. 12:3, the same promise is stated elsewhere). The apostle referring to this promise wrote: “Now to Abraham and his seed were the promises made. He saith not, And to seeds, as of many; but as of one, And to thy seed, which is Christ” (Gal. 3:16). Therefore, there is no room for doubt as to the “seed” promise made to Abram; this “seed” is Christ and it reaches back to the “seed” of woman.
Now going back to the Genesis three prophesy, and noting the “enmity” would also be “between thy (serpent, FRW) seed and her seed; it shall bruise thy head, and thou shalt bruise his heel.” This is the conclusion of the bloodline “enmity!” The “seed” of the serpent would “bruise” the “heel” of the woman’s “seed;” while the woman’s “seed” would“bruise his head.” Clearly, there is a great victory on the part of the “seed” of the woman; as bruising one’s “head” is a death blow to his power, while the bruising of the “heel,” through most uncomfortable, it is much less. So, to what do these words point? In order to get at the larger point of the Genesis prophesy; the power of the “serpent” must be clarified. From the first sin committed, satan (the serpent) held mankind in bondage. There was no way of forgiveness! This was even true all the way through the history of the nation of Israel; yes, they offered, beginning with Adam and Eve through the nation of Israel, animal sacrifices, but as the Hebrew letter states: “For it is not possible that the blood of bulls and of goats should take away sins” (Heb. 10:4). The “blood” of all those sacrifices was, in fact, pointing to the blood by which sins could be forgiven! This brings us to the bruising of the “heel” of the “seed” of woman! The language allows us to see what looked like a victory for the “serpent” when the “seed” of woman was nailed to the cross, but it was a victory for the “seed” of the woman; as the power of satan was destroyed in the blood of the “seed” of woman. Through the blood of the sinless Jesus, the means of forgiveness was finally realized! The apostle Paul wrote when speaking of Jesus: “In whom we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of sins, according to the riches of his grace” (Eph. 1:7). Satan’s head had been bruised; a death blow to the long held power of satan was defeated.
The Greek word used by Paul (apolutrōis) expresses “a releasing effected by payment of ransom.” The blood of Jesus is the ransom payment, worthy to free mankind from the bondage of satan; and the story of salvation is realized!

— Frank R. Willams

Where did it start? Did it start with man, or did it start with God? To answer these questions, here is another question: “Who was in need of salvation?” An easy question to answer, it is not God, but man who is in need of salvation. Of course, this brings to mind yet another question, “Why is man in need of being saved?”
Asking questions is a good way to get at the truth, whatever the area of truth one is dealing with. Understanding it is man that is in need of being saved (Which will be addressed later in this article.); it brings us to the question above, “Why is man in need of being saved?” It is easy to see that one question may in fact lead to any number of questions that need answers. Of course, if there is no God, the God who is not made of gold, or silver, or stone, graven by art and man’s device (Acts 17:29), then, there is no story of salvation.
While looking at the subject of God, it will serve the reader well to look briefly at what it would mean if there is no God. If there is no God, then, there is no such thing as right and wrong, good and evil; other than what one thinks within himself; and cannot be binding on any other. Therefore, everyone would be free to do whatever seems right to him at the moment. True, a group of people, such as a nation, or state, could by the majority vote and make rules, laws, of right and wrong, but it would always be subject to change at the whim of the next majority! Therefore, it must be confessed that there would be no absolute standard! On the other hand, if God exists, and he does, then the very nature of being God necessitates a moral standard!
This truth will help us see why man is in need of salvation and with this the story of salvation has its beginning. Let us take a trip back in time to the Garden of Eden. God having created man and woman, male and female created he them (Gen. 1:27), gave to the man certain responsibilities. Before doing so, the story of how God created the man is told; “And the LORD God formed man of the dust of the ground, and breathed into his nostrils the breath of life; and man became a living soul” (Gen. 2:7). He then said to the man in regard to the garden: “dress it and to keep it” (Gen. 2:15), but this was not all; God also said to him: “Of every tree of the garden thou mayest freely eat: (17) But of the tree of the knowledge of good and evil, thou shalt not eat of it: for in the day that thou eatest thereof thou shalt surely die” (Gen. 2:16-17). There was nothing difficult about these commandments; as they were clearly stated! God even stated the consequences for eating of “the tree of the knowledge of good and evil” as he said, “in the day that thou eatest thereof thou shalt surely die.” There was no ambiguity, but clear and unmistakable truth.
Man was created innocent and without sin in the world! He was not in need of being saved, for he was not lost. It is here that God looked upon the man whom he had created and said: “It is not good that the man should be alone; I will make him an help meet for him” (Gen. 2:18). With this, God made the woman: “he took one of his ribs, and closed up the flesh instead thereof; (22) And the rib, which the LORD God had taken from man, made he a woman, and brought her unto the man” (Gen. 2:21-22). In this, marriage had its beginning and the first family was created. At this point, mankind was still not in need of salvation, for no sin existed! But this would change as the day arrived when the tempter came upon the scene. It is here the story of salvation has its beginning; the one thing which the man and woman were forbidden to eat, which had the penalty of death was before them, “And the serpent said unto the woman, Ye shall not surely die” (Gen. 3:4). In this series of events, the woman “being deceived was in the transgression” (1 Tim. 2:14), yielded and ate of “the tree of the knowledge of good and evil;” and she gave unto her husband and he did eat. In this series of events sin entered into the world.
Now mankind was in need of salvation and the story of salvation begins. God wasted no time, knowing the need of salvation! God said to the satan: “And I will put enmity between thee and the woman, and between thy seed and her seed; it shall bruise thy head, and thou shalt bruise his heel” (Gen. 3:15). This is the beginning of what has been called, the Protevangelium. Justin Martyr (160 AD) and Irenaeus (180 AD) called this verse the Protevangelium; the first messianic prophecy in the Old Testament. In our time, Frank Derek Kidner describes it as “the first glimmer of the gospel.” However man may describe it, the story of salvation has its earthly beginning!
However, it would be incorrect if we concluded that this is the real beginning of the story of salvation. We learn in the New Testament that if first began in the eternal mind of God which he proposed in Christ (Eph. 3:11)!

Frank R. Williams

In this last article under the above title the subject of authority will be addressed. In the first place, no “search for the ancient order of things” can truthfully be made if the authority for “ancient order of things” is unknown! For an example of what happens when the authority is lost, the following is given.
“And it came to pass in the eighteenth year of king Josiah that the king sent Shaphan the son of Azaliah, the son of Meshullam, the scribe, to the house of the LORD, saying, (4) Go up to Hilkiah the high priest, that he may sum the silver which is brought into the house of the LORD, which the keepers of the door have gathered of the people: (5) And let them deliver it into the hand of the doers of the work, that have the oversight of the house of the LORD: and let them give it to the doers of the work which is in the house of the LORD, to repair the breaches of the house, (6) Unto carpenters, and builders, and masons, and to buy timber and hewn stone to repair the house. (7) Howbeit there was no reckoning made with them of the money that was delivered into their hand, because they dealt faithfully. (8) And Hilkiah the high priest said unto Shaphan the scribe, I have found the book of the law in the house of the LORD. And Hilkiah gave the book to Shaphan, and he read it. (9) And Shaphan the scribe came to the king, and brought the king word again, and said, Thy servants have gathered the money that was found in the house, and have delivered it into the hand of them that do the work, that have the oversight of the house of the LORD. (10) And Shaphan the scribe shewed the king, saying, Hilkiah the priest hath delivered me a book. And Shaphan read it before the king. (11) And it came to pass, when the king had heard the words of the book of the law, that he rent his clothes. And the king commanded Hilkiah the priest, and Ahikam the son of Shaphan, and Achbor the son of Michaiah, and Shaphan the scribe, and Asahiah a servant of the king’s, saying, (13) Go ye, enquire of the LORD for me, and for the people, and for all Judah, concerning the words of this book that is found: for great is the wrath of the LORD that is kindled against us, because our fathers have not hearkened unto the words of this book, to do according unto all that which is written concerning us” (2 Kings 22:3-13).
The point being, you cannot obey the law if the book of the law is lost! Notice the last words from the above text: “the wrath of the LORD that is kindled against us, because our fathers have not hearkened unto the words of this book, to do according unto all that which is written concerning us!” It should be clear to all, that when we have 1,200 (or more) religious bodies, denominational churches, all claiming to be following and obeying the the one Book, that “the words of the book” have been lost! In Josiah’s time, the book had been literally lost, while in our time we all have “the book,” but its authority has been lost. For example, in the denominational churches it cannot even be agreed upon as to “what baptism” is: is it sprinkling, pouring, or is it a burial? Never mind the following words appear in the inspired text with the word “baptism;” “buried with him by baptism” (Rom. 6:4), and “Buried with him in baptism” (Col. 2:12). Then, with these words a resurrection from the water is expressed: “baptism into death: that like as Christ was raised up from the dead by the glory of the Father, even so we also should walk in newness of life” (Rom. 6:4) and “wherein also ye are risen” (Col. 2:12). Baptism is, according to the authority of Christ, a burial and resurrection. It should be clear the authority of Christ has been lost in some denominational churches who teach that baptism is sprinkling or pouring!
Then, it appears that most denominational churches are unable to agree that baptism is necessary in order to be saved. This is in spite of the following inspired words: “Which sometime were disobedient, when once the longsuffering of God waited in the days of Noah, while the ark was a preparing, wherein few, that is, eight souls were saved by water. (21) The like figure whereunto even baptism doth also now save us (not the putting away of the filth of the flesh, but the answer of a good conscience toward God,) by the resurrection of Jesus Christ” (1 Pet. 3:20-21). Was Noah and family saved by water? Yes, if one accepts the authority of the New Testament! Does baptism now save us? Yes, if one accepts the authority of the New Testament! Yet, very few denominational churches believe this.
Now, one must read the above with the understanding that in the case of Noah and in the case of those who are saved today, that Peter is not teaching that Noah was saved by water alone. Was the ark necessary? Yes, of course the ark was necessary to Noah and his family being saved. The same is true with baptism today. Peter was not teaching baptism only, nor baptism of regeneration. But, as in the case of Noah, other things were necessary; such as the building of the ark, the taking of the animals on board, getting the family onto the ark, were all necessary! Yet, these other necessary things do not change the fact that Noah was saved by water! So, in the case of baptism, it is absolutely necessary, but it is not the only thing necessary. Peter fully understood that belief (faith), repentance, and confession, are necessary before one is saved. He himself, by the Holy Spirit, on the great Pentecost day, said to those believing Jews: “… Repent, and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins, and ye shall receive the gift of the Holy Spirit” (Acts 2:38).
Friends, every time you put a New Testament verse against another New Testament verse, you are wrong every time! The authority of Christ must be found and put into the heart/mind, if “the ancient order of things” is to be restored among religious people of today!

— Frank R. Williams

If you do not know everything the New Testament teaches, then you should “search for the ancient order of things!” By “ancient order” is meant the New Testament. Nothing later than the New Testament is old enough; so all “articles of faith” and such like are too late to be part of the “ancient order of things!” “The ancient order of things” is what God through Christ has authorized his people to do in the age of Christ. Who would desire to do anything else, more or less?
In this article the subject will answer the question: “What is the church authorized to do?” As a person looking at churches throughout the land, it will be noticed that they are engaged in many activities. Many churches have become very “social” in their activities; others have become very family oriented; then, some churches have put more importance in some area than in other areas. Thus, the question: “What did the apostles of Christ authorize the church of the New Testament to do?”
In a “search for the ancient order of things,” the honest “searcher” will allow God to speak through the inspired writers of the New Testament and begin and stop where they authorized works and activities of the church of the New Testament. By the words, “the church of the New Testament,” is meant the church revealed with approval under the oversight of the apostles of Christ. It must be understood, written on the pages of the New Testament, are things approved and disapproved; as the inspired writers wrote of what must be and what was being done by the churches and individuals to whom they wrote. In these writings they both praised in words of approval and wrote words of condemnation of things disapproved. Therefore, in any “search for the ancient order of things,” the honest “searcher” must be prepared to exclude all works and or activities disapproved and prepared to accept and to put into action all approved works and activities!
Through the years, it has been found that “the churches of Christ” (Rom. 16:16) were authorized to engage in three areas. These three areas are: 1) worship, where the worshipper is edified, 2) helping those in need of things necessary to daily life, and 3) evangelism, teaching the gospel to the lost. In this “search,” it is also important to distinguish between personal activities and collective, church activities. The local church is not authorized to do everything the individual is allowed to do. The individual Christian is authorized to own and engage in business activities; while the local church has no such authority! In other words, the individual Christian may own and operate a Ford dealership, but the local church has no such authority. At the same time, the individual Christian has authority to engage in every work and activity the local church does. The individual Christian may worship, help the needy, and teach the lost; and the individual Christian does not need authority from the local church to do such! The authority for this individual is the New Testament itself!
If a group of Christians determine to form themselves into a local congregation, approved of God, there must be a total commitment to “the ancient order of things!” Otherwise, they should form themselves into a social club, a political group, a benevolent organization, or whatever they desire to be. The church of the New Testament may not do anything more or less than there is authority for, as found in “the search for the ancient order of things!”
The New Testament knows nothing of anything else, other than the one universal body of Christ which is organized in local autonomous congregations. These congregations have no authority to work and have activities other than the three named above: 1) worship, 2) helping those in need, and 3) evangelism.
If we are not bringing people to the church approved by the apostle of Christ, just what are we bringing people to? More importantly, why are we making the effort to bring people to something not approved by the apostles of Christ?

— Frank R. Williams

Each year the “Oklahoma City School of Biblical Studies” and the Barnes church of Christ has its annual lectures. These lectures take place the last weekend in April. A theme is chosen, then twelve subjects are chosen; finally, twelve speakers are picked to cover the subjects. Sometimes, due to events in the lives of the speakers, changes have to be made; some are unable to speak and this means that other speakers have to be found. Finally, all speakers are committed and outlines are prepared. It is here that the work on the Lectureship Book starts. Each lesson must be arranged, but these outlines/manuscripts do not all come in on time. This means, printing of the book must wait until the last moment. Finally, all outlines/manuscripts are sent in and the printing starts. If you have ever tried to print, you know printing does not always go as planned. Generally, part of the book is printed, followed with other parts until it is all done. Sixty copies are printed, put into a spiral binding and the book is ready for the lectureship. The books are sold at no profit, as the school and the Barnes congregation are not in the money making business!
The “Oklahoma City School of Biblical Studies” and the Barnes congregation are most grateful for each speaker and their willingness to give the time it takes in preparing the outlines/manuscripts and arriving at the Barnes church building and delivering their lessons. The lectureship books through the years, have been used in teaching Bible classes by some congregations. The outlines/manuscripts are also put on the school webpage, and the lessons are also made available so they can be seen. This means these lessons may be read and seen around the world! Work has been done and is still being done, to improve the quality of our recording abilities. This will means that even more will use them!
This year’s theme, “The churches of Christ are not growing at the same rate as in earlier years,” is a reality check! It is a proven fact; the churches of Christ are not growing at the same rate as in earlier years! Reasons for this reality must be identified, and answers given. This year’s lectureship has tried to identify ten reasons the growth rate has declined and how it may be reversed. One of the facts the churches of Christ must face is that the world has changed over the last ten to fifteen years. For many years the people we were teaching, believed in God and the Bible as the word of God. Sadly, this is not the case anymore. More teaching must be done to prove, with evidence that God exists! Then, we must do a lot more teaching proving the Bible is the inspired word of God! This being the case, the tentative theme of next year’s “26th Annual Oklahoma City Lectures” will be: “Can we trust the Bible?” If the Bible is to be seen, as it is in truth, the inspired word of God; then, it appears that some of the lessons must address the subject of proving God exists! Therefore, unless plans are changed, both subjects will be covered in our next lectureship!
It is a fact that the education system of our nation has for many years seen it as part of its requirement in teaching to convince the young of this nation that God does not exist. The Bible has been made nothing more than a subject of laughter! It is the firm opinion of this writer; the churches of Christ have failed to a very large degree, in addressing these two subjects! The number of atheists has grown over the last number of years; the number of agnostics has grown at a faster rate. Agnostics are created when little to no evidence is given proving the existence of God. Though my personal experience is limited in this area, I have seen enough to form the opinion that many agnostics just repeat what they have been taught, or heard. It is not that they have examined these two subjects personally, or to any degree!
As these subjects are addressed, it needs to be understood, many of these people are “egotistic;” in other words, they are stuck on themselves! God and the Bible just get in their way of living according to their dictates! Therefore, more teaching is needed on these two subjects: the existence of God and can we trust the Bible?

— Frank R. Williams

In any honest “search for the ancient order of things,” it must include a search in the book of authority: the New Testament. It answers to the question: “What does the New Testament authorize a church to do?” Authority is not a popular subject in religion! As so many are looking for a church that suits them. They are looking for a church that serves them. Many are just searching for a church that meets their needs.
The thought of pleasing God, never enters the mind of a large segment of the population today. These folks say, “Jesus is Lord,” but never appear to understand that in the word “Lord,” is authority. “Authority” authorizes, it allows a person, a church, to do certain things. In the “search for the ancient order of things,” there is a search for what is authorized! Jesus as Lord has given his church authority to worship; but not to worship in just any manner. Worship is a bowing before God; it is a pouring out of the spirit of the worshiper in thanksgiving for all the blessings received. Yet, the worshipper is not free to determine the acts of worship. Only God, the one being worshipped, has the right to accept and reject the acts of worship. God, desiring mankind to worship him, has revealed in the New Testament every act of worship which he authorizes and only these acts please him. Therefore, in the “search for the ancient order of things,” the honest “searcher” will read, study, and obey, what God has revealed in the New Testament in the area of worship.
Let it be understood, God desires that mankind worship him! Jesus said, “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” (John 4:23). In the words of Jesus, he said “the Father seeketh such to worship him!” To what does the word “such” refer? It refers back to these words, “when the true worshippers shall worship the Father in spirit and in truth.” Then, Jesus restated this truth: “God is a Spirit: and they that worship him must worship him in spirit and in truth” (John 4:24). Without doubt, all acceptable worship of God must be done “in spirit and in truth.” The word “spirit” as used here, expresses the right disposition of mind, a humble bowing before God. It yields to the pleasure of God, with no thought of pleasing self.
The word “truth” in Jesus’ words refers to what is authorized in “the teaching of Christ” (2 John 9). In the “search of the ancient order of things,” the “searcher” is seeking what pleases God, what is authorized in the authority of Christ. It would appear, that a “searcher” for “the ancient order of things,” that it would be impossible to worship God “in spirit,” while worshipping God in an act, in a manner, that has not been authorized in the authority of Christ. In other words, how can a person worship “in spirit,” a humble spirit bowing before the pleasure of God, while doing what is not pleasing to God? Thus, only acts of worship that are within the authority of Christ are acts of worship acceptable and pleasing to God.
Therefore, the “searcher” of “the ancient order of things,” will read, study, with an attitude of obeying what is found in the New Testament. Five things are revealed in the New Testament which the local church did under the guidance of the apostles of Christ. They are: 1) praying, 2) singing, 3) giving, 4) teaching, and 5) taking the Lord’s Supper. These five acts were all done on the “first day of the week,” known to us as Sunday. It was the day of the Lord’s triumphant resurrection. A day of new life, as Jesus came forth from the tomb. Here is what Jesus meant when he said worship of God is to be done “in spirit and in truth.” It is true, one can do the right things in the wrong “spirit,” and maybe, it is true, one can do the wrong things in the right “spirit.” But, acceptable worship must be done “in spirit and in truth!”
Friends, what passage would you have another read that authorizes any other manner of worship; other than “in spirit and in truth?” What passage would you have another read, that authorizes any other act of worship?

— Frank R. Williams

If you honestly open up the New Testament and “search for the ancient order of things,” as it relates to the organization of the church which Jesus said, “I will build” (Matt. 16:18), the church which he purchased with his own blood (Acts 20:28), the church over which Christ is the head (Eph. 1:22-23), and the church which wears the name of Christ, (Rom. 16:16), what kind of organization would you find?
Turning through the pages of the New Testament, would you read of a Pope? If so, what passage would you direct an honest “searcher” “for the ancient order of things?” Would you ever find one “pastor” in a local congregation? If so, what passage would you point an honest “searcher” “for the ancient order of things?” Would you ever read of an organization larger than local congregations? If so, what passage would you direct the “searcher” “for the ancient order of things?” Would you ever read in the New Testament of a state organization of churches? If so, what passage would take the “searcher” “for the ancient order of things?”
The New Testament knows nothing larger than the one universal church, called the “house of God which is the church of the living” (1 Tim. 3:15), but this “one body” (Eph, 4:4) is revealed only in local congregations. These local congregations, are never larger or smaller, than, one congregation overseen by her own elders (Acts 14:23). No congregation was ever overseen by another congregation, or by any number of congregations. Never in the New Testament did the elders of one congregation oversee another congregation. Thus, each congregation was autonomous! Totally unknown to the church of the New Testament was a district, state, or national organization! In the “ancient order of things,” it was one congregation, under Christ, overseen and led by her own elders, served by her own deacons (Phil. 1:1)!
The one universal church, serves under the headship of Christ, as he sits at the right hand of God in heaven! There is no earthly headquarters; you cannot write a letter to the headquarters of the “churches of Christ,” as no such place exist! If you can write a letter to the headquarters of the church to which you belong; friends, it is not the church of the New Testament! If the church, to which you belong, has an organization larger than the local church, it is not the church of the New Testament.
These thoughts all relate to the “search for the ancient order of things,” for as an honest “searcher,” one must also have an honest desire to locate “the ancient order of things!” This means the “searcher,” must love the truth; knowing that only the truth has the ability to make one free!
Friends, do you have the courage to honestly “search for the ancient order of things?” Are you honest enough to study the word of God which is able to save your soul (Acts 20:32)? Are you courageous enough to the throw off, all things not of “the ancient order of things?” If not, what kind of person are you?

— Frank R. Williams

This being the third article written under the above title, it might be good to address the words themselves. Just what is this, “ancient order of things?” The word “ancient” refers to the time of the apostles of Christ; the words “order of things,” refers to the spiritual order of things delivered by the inspired apostles of Christ. There was perfect harmony in what the apostles taught and what Christ had taught personally; so much so that Luke called “the teaching of Christ,” the “apostle’s doctrine” (Acts 2:42). Therefore, “the ancient order of things,” simply refers back to the inspired teaching done by the apostles of Christ. They did not “search for the ancient order of things,” they delivered it!
The word “search,” refers to the early years of America; when men turned from denominationalism back to the Bible. First, their efforts were to throw off all man-written creeds; such as confessions of faith, articles of faith, and all such material. They desired to “speak where God had spoken, and to be silent where God was silent.” They also desired to call Bible things by Bible names and terms! In doing so, they desired to be in harmony with the inspired scriptures. Therefore, they went in “search for the ancient order of things,” in the “ancient” Book of books!
Their plea was simple; it was a call to go back to the Bible! In this they called on all mankind to give up their creeds, confessions of faith, and articles of faith; and to place their faith in Christ, in “the teaching of Christ!” This took them, and they hoped to take others, out of denominationalism and into the one body of Christ. It was not easy for these “searchers;” they did not know just what would be required of them, but they understood their “search for the ancient order of things” would take them to Christ, to his blood, to his teaching; thus, when obeyed, to salvation! Their first desire was to simply please God; and they understood only God knew what pleased him; so they looked to the word of God. Little did they know they would have to give up their finite sprinkling and be immersed, buried into Christ in order to have their sins forgiven. Little did they know they would have to rightly divide the word of truth, which required them to give up “paying tithes” and start giving: “Upon the first day of the week…, as God hath prospered him, …” (1 Cor. 16:2). For they would learn, “Every man according as he purposeth in his heart, so let him give; not grudgingly, or of necessity: for God loveth a cheerful giver” (2 Cor. 9:7). They would learn that the music acceptable to God is singing and “making melody in your heart to the Lord” (Eph. 5:19). These and other things would separate them from family and friends; but they loved the Lord more than all. (Luke 14:26) Finally, this led them to understand “the churches of Christ” could have no part in denominationalism and total separation was required. It was not enough to just “search,” but they had to find and obey!
It was not easy to see “the churches of Christ” which was so unlike what they had known all their lives! The apostles of Christ never revealed any spiritual institution larger than the local church; nor did they reveal any spiritual institution smaller than the local church. Their “search for the ancient order of things” led them to the church revealed, to the church built by Christ; though it was one body universally, the only organization was totally local; with elders, deacons, and saints (Phil. 1:1). Fellowship was established and maintained in believing and obeying “the teaching of Christ.” Therefore, dear to their hearts was the saying: “In faith, unity; in opinion, liberty; and in all things, charity.” Here they simply stood upon the words of Peter: “And above all things have fervent charity among yourselves: for charity shall cover the multitude of sins” (1 Pet. 4:8).
These men of earlier years in America: opened the Bible with an honest heart; their heart being set upon truth; their desire was to worship God, to serve Christ, to love each other, and bring the lost to Christ through the gospel of Christ. What a novel idea!

— Frank R. Williams

The plea for today needs to be, “search for the ancient order of things,” for all who are, or would be religious. The need to be religious is seen in the many churches throughout the land. New church buildings are springing up and old buildings are being restored and turned into places of worship. Such places of worship are seen in strip malls and main streets in small-town America. The desire of some is to be “undenominational,” the names on the building betray the claim of truly being “undenominational” as the name simply identifies another denomination!
If you were to ask, what is the authority for the church identified on the building, the answer is generally, “The Bible.” Second question, did they “search for the ancient order of things” before starting this new church; to which is replied, “No! We already knew what we believed.” Third question, did they look around to learn if another church in the area believes the same thing they do, before putting the sign with the new name on it? The answer is heard, “No, But we have been members of a number of these churches and we desired something different.” So, in such cases, what about “the search for the ancient order of things?” Was there a true desire to be the church established by Jesus?
Churches of Christ today, as in by-gone years, must send a clear and unmistakable sound; understanding: “for if the trumpet give an uncertain sound, who shall prepare himself to the battle?” (1 Cor. 14:8). If there are people who desire to be religious, and there are, then the churches of Christ must sound the trumpet of truth; inspire in the hearts of men and women a desire to “search for the ancient order of things.” If not the churches of Christ, then who will sound the trumpet? James questioned, as he reached into the spirit of the churches of Christ: “Therefore to him that knoweth to do good, and doeth it not, to him it is sin” (James 4:17). Does this apply to the churches of Christ? “Good” being understood in the mission of the church, as Paul said in another place: “… the church, Which is his body, the fulness of him that filleth all in all” (Eph. 1:22-23). Can the churches of Christ be “the fullness of him that filleth all in all” and fail to do good? The greatest good on earth is teaching the soul saving gospel of Christ to the lost!
Yet, the question keeps returning, how do the churches of Christ build a desire in others for a true “search for the ancient order of things?” It must be made known, being religious is not sufficient; as Jesus condemned religious people! Religious people are driving others away from Christianity! There are by implying that salvation is whatever one desires it to be; by building church buildings wherein is taught that whatever their hearts desire them to do is all right with the “King of kings and Lord of lords,” that it is not true! Taking one verse and building a religion on it is far from “the teaching of Christ,” and does not involve “the search for the ancient order of things!” These folks gladly preach there is one God, one Lord, one Spirit, 2,000 bodies, 3,000 faiths, any number of ways to be baptized and for just as many reasons, and yet, all will give you the one hope. Where is the honest seeker of truth, who will “search for the ancient order of things” and who will not stop the search until it is found?
Is heaven nothing more than a trip to the store to purchase a candy bar? Yes, even a candy bar of your choice! Heaven is the end location of the church Jesus built, not for any other church! Truth is more than a candy bar! Just buy one that is suited to your taste! So, just go out and join the church of your choice; and if you cannot locate one, then, just start another one. Put in it only things of your choice!
Friends, has it never occurred to you, even though Jesus gave you the freedom of will, he keeps saying, it must be the church of my choice if you are to be saved? You see, the Lord adds to his church those who are being saved (Acts 2:47). It was with his efforts that she was built, his blood that purchased her (Acts 20:28), his teaching that feeds her, and his words that will invite her into heaven. Who said, “Church of your choice?” Do you not have enough interest in your own salvation to “search for the ancient order of things?”

— Frank R. Williams

Many people are seeking “religious” fulfillment today, but they are looking in the wrong place to find it. Many of these folks are seeking for personal satisfaction. Just being religious is not the answer, as people have always been religious. Two simple questions will help us understand the point: 1) Were people religious in the time of Jesus? and 2)  Was their religion acceptable to Jesus? Of course, people were religious in the time of Jesus and throughout Matthew, Mark, Luke, and John; it is made most clear that Jesus was not happy with their religion!
Just before the year 1800 arrived, there was a desire within the hearts of a few people in early America for the religion established by Jesus. We know this religion as Christianity! Before going further, there is a need to understand and identify what the word “Christianity” means. It is the religion based on the person and teachings of Jesus of Nazareth; believed and obeyed. You really do not have “Christianity” without belief in and obedience to the teaching of Christ! It is generally called New Testament Christianity, as it is in the New Testament that we find the person of Jesus revealed and his teaching recorded. It is of divine origin; meaning the teaching came from God, not man. It does not come in “brands;” it is either “the teaching of Christ,” or it is not Christianity!
This brings our study to the words: “the search for the ancient order of things!” It may be most comforting, pleasing to the heart, and emotionally satisfying, to become part of what is today called, “undenominational” Christianity, but each of these bodies have designed their religion after their own desires. They are for the most part, a feel good religion! Here it is good to recall the words of Jesus in the first century: “This people draweth nigh unto me with their mouth, and honoureth me with their lips; but their heart is far from me. But in vain they do worship me, teaching for doctrines the commandments of men” (Matt. 15:8-9). Clearly, people may appear to honor Jesus with their lips, in what they teach, pray, and sing, while their heart is far from Jesus. No, these folks do not “feel” that their hearts are far from him; they feel comforted, happy; they are sure in their own hearts that they are near God! So, when does this happen? It happens when the teaching being followed is of man, when believed and obeyed, it is vain! It must be understood, the only way to draw near to God, to enjoy being saved, and having hope of heaven, is to believe and obey “the teaching of Christ!” Therefore, it is incumbent upon all to go in “search for the ancient order of things!”
The words, “the search for the ancient order of things,” refer to an honest search of “Christianity” as revealed in the New Testament. Remember, “Christianity” is nothing more and it is nothing less than “the teaching of Christ!” Salvation can only be found in “the ancient order,” the “order” revealed by the inspired writers of the New Testament. Salvation cannot be found in the teaching of men; no matter how comforting, pleasing, and emotionally satisfying such teaching may be. To all who desire to be saved, now and eternally, a fire must burn within the heart for “the search of the ancient order of things!” Paul said to those in Athens, “I perceive that in all things ye are too superstitious” (Acts 17:22). The words, “too superstitious,” (the Greek, deisidaimonesteros) means, they were more religious than others. They were religiously wrong, but religious! They desired to hear something new, maybe even something that brought comfort to their itching ears! But, they were not in “search for the ancient order of things!”
As Peter said: “Neither is there salvation in any other: for there is none other name under heaven given among men, whereby we must be saved” (Acts 4:12). There is no real difference, if we were to change the word “name” to “the teaching of Christ.” Therefore, let us do so: “Neither is there salvation in any other (teaching): for there is none other teaching under heaven given among men, whereby we must be saved.” Friends, you cannot separate Jesus from his teaching! Remember what Christianity is: “It is the religion based on the person and teachings of Jesus of Nazareth; believed and obeyed.” Therefore, religious people need to “the search for the ancient order of things,” as this is the need of the day!

— Frank  R. Williams