Thy Kingdom Come - The Truth About the Rapture - The Introduction

Thy Kingdom Come

The Truth About the Rapture

Based Upon the Study Guide of the Same Title by: David R Pharr

Lesson #1 – Introduction – Archdale church of Christ

ANSWER GRID

Thesis: “These studies will show why we are not praying “Thy Kingdom come.”  Instead, we are praying that people will come to the Kingdom.”    From the Introduction, pg. 10

1.    Matthew 4.23 – What did Jesus preach? – The gospel of the Kingdom

2.    Matthew 13.31 – What word does Jesus use for “metaphor?” - Like

3.    Matthew 16.18 – 19; 18.18 – What did Jesus anticipate regarding “the key?” – That it would be specifically implemented to lose and bind.

4.     John 3.1 – 7 – How would one enter Christ’s Kingdom? – Not by being born, but by being “born AGAIN.”

5.    Matthew 18.3 – 4 – Being “born again” is akin to what? – Entering the kingdom of God.

6.    John 18.36 – What did Christ tell Pilate that is central to this study? – “My Kingdom is NOT of this world, or else my disciples would fight.”,

7.    Matthew 4.17 – Christ taught that His Kingdom was what? – At hand

8.    Matthew 3.1 – 2 – Who else had this same message? - John

9.    Matthew 10.7 – Jesus taught His disciples to preach what? – That the Kingdom was at hand.

10.                       Mark 9.1 – Just how soon did Christ anticipate the Kingdom coming? - Imminent

11.                       Matthew 6.10 – What was one thing that Christ’s disciples were to pray for? – The coming of the Kingdom

12.                       Acts 2.30 – 36 – When did the Kingdom come? – The Day of Pentecost, 50 days after the crucifixion.

13.                       Daniel 7.13 – 14 – Who had prophesied this? - Daniel

14.                       John 6.15 – Who did the Jews want to rule over them in an earthly Kingdom and who would have none of it? – Jesus, Jesus

15.                       Luke 17.20 – 21 – Just where is the Kingdom of God located?

“What then is the Kingdom of God?  It is Heavenly rule in the Hearts of men.”

16.                       What passage is often twisted to support a coming earthly kingdom that would last 1,000 years? – Revelation 20

17.                       Titus 2.13 – For what do we look? – “The appearing of the glory of our great God and Savior Jesus Christ”

18.                       Hebrews 9.28 – For what are we assured of? – His 2^nd coming “to save those who are eagerly awaiting Him.”

Material Adapted by:

      Russell H McCullough

No Need of Salvation? - A Sampling of Websites Among churches of Christ

There was a time when nearly every Christian could share the gospel plan of salvation with anyone who would listen,  Not only that, numerous persons in every congregation were "at the ready" to study the Bible with anyone, anywhere, anytime.  Sadly, times may have changed.  For the last twenty years or so most every congregation has posted and maintained a website.  The website is a snapshot of one individual congregation of the churches of Christ (Romans 16.16) and is a reflection of the spiritual health and teaching found there.  

The other day, I viewed three websites of prominent "churches of Christ" (1) in three cities (2) that openly espouse Calvinist / Baptist error on the subject of salvation.  All three state without

equivocation that salvation comes to one without and prior to baptism.(3)  In other words, baptism is simply an "outward sign of an inward grace."  Disturbed, I began to wonder, "Just how prominent is this sectarian error among us?"  "How can we know?"  I needed a sample, a sample that everyone would agree that it was not random on my part.  Where would I find such an objective sample? I decided to list every congregation mentioned in the current issue of the Christian Chronicle for any reason.  Though my count may be off somewhat, I found 42 congregations mentioned by name.  I proceeded to look up the 42 congregations and discover for myself what kind of salvational message each one had on their respective websites.  I then grouped the 42 into 5 separate categories based upon what I discovered.  Here they are:

1. NO - No website
2. N/A - No salvational message of any kind
3. AMB - A salvational message written in ambiguous language that contains some Bible and some Calvinism.  These salvational messages seem to want to have in both ways, "Calvin and Christ"
4. BIB - A salvational message consistent with what the New Testament teaches.
5. BAP - A salvational message clearly Calvinist and clearly anti-biblical.

The results are not encouraging.  Of those 42 congregations:

• 11 congregations have a clearly articulated and biblical salvational message clearly stating that "baptism is for the remission of sins."  This is where the "good news" ends.
• 11 congregations have no websites whatsoever.
• 9 congregations have no salvational message of any kind.  In other words these 9 websites do not answer the question of the ages; "What must I do to be saved?"
• 9 congregations have a salvational message that contains "some Bible" and some "Calvinism."
• 2 congregations have a clearly articulated Baptist / Calvinist salvational message in clear contradiction with Scripture.

Here are the chilling conclusions:

• In this sample, only about 26% of all the congregations mentioned by name in the current (August, 2018) edition of the Christian Chronicle have communicated the gospel message on their websites.
• An equal amount of about 26% of the 42 congregations mentioned have no kind of website at all!
• Another approx. 21% of the 42 congregations mentioned have no salvational message whatsoever!
• Disturbingly, yet another approx. 21% of the mentioned congregations have an ambiguous salvational message, mixing Christ and Calvin.
• At least honestly, an approx. 5% of mentioned congregations openly admit their Baptist / Calvin error by publishing it on their website in a "salvational message."

What does this say about churches of Christ in America?  Can God be pleased when 75% of these "mentioned congregations" either have no website at all, have no salvational message at all, have mixed "Christ and Calvin" in a synchronistic Yahweh / Baal kind of way, or have apostated completely from the Truth by teaching the "doctrines of men?"

Simply, these say that each and every eldership must monitor and revamp their website to biblically answer the question of the ages; "What must I do to be saved?"  Each and every eldership must purge it's website of all Calvinist teaching.  Each and every congregation must make sure that no elder, no deacon, no preacher, no Bible school teacher, or anyone else openly articulates Calvinistic error.  God help us!

NOTES:

(1)  Though their salvational statements are consistent with the teachings of the Baptist Church and other "evangelical" sectarian bodies, these congregations continue to promote themselves as what they once were but are no longer.... "churches of Christ." 

(2) These 3 are: The Providence Road "church of Christ" in Charlotte, NC, the Williamsburg "church of Christ" in Williamsburg, VA, and the Madison "church of Christ" in Madison (Nashville), TN.  

(3) Here are the specific links to which I refer:

a. http://prcoc.org/new/new-life - "If you have accepted Jesus Christ as your Lord and      Savior, then your are ready to be baptized,  Just like a bride and groom show others their love for one another by a wedding ceremony, your baptism is your opportunity to show others that you trust in Christ and are now walking with Him,,, It is a pronouncement of belief.  It is like preaching a visual sermon.  It is a public way of saying to everyone that you have decided to give your life to Jesus Christ... Baptism doesn't make you a believer it shows that your already believe.  The Bible teaches that faith in Christ is the source of our salvation.  Baptism is the biblical response to saving faith.  It is the visible symbol of the commitment you make in your heart....Does water baptism save me?  No.  Scripture is abundantly clear that only Jesus saves (Acts 4.12).  Faith in His actions is the heart of our salvation.  The work of salvation is a finished work by Christ on the cross (Hebrews 9.23 - 28; 10.10 - 14).  Baptism has no redemptive powers of it's own.  There is nothing special about the water in the river, pond or baptistery."

b. https://www.williamsburgcoc.org/baptism  - A very similar statement to Providence Road's appears on the Williamsburg website as you can see by the link.

c. http://www.madisonchurchtn.org/what-we-believe/- "SALVATION BY GRACE THROUGH FAITH - We believe in the salvation of sinners by grace through repentance and faith in the perfect and sufficient work of the cross of Calvary by which we obtain remission of sins.  (Ephesians 2.8 - 9; Hebrews 9.12, 22; Romans 5.11).  WATER BAPTISM - We believe in the necessity of water baptism by immersion in the Name of the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit in order to fulfill the command of Christ. (Matthew 28.19; Acts 2.37 - 39; 19.1 - 6).

NOTE: Public Domain Image of John Calvin Courtesy of Wikipedia.  "Church of Christ" photograph courtesy of the Archdale church of Christ, Charlotte, NC.

"One or Any?" - How Many Churches Did Christ Establish? - 29 October AM, 2017

Image Courtesy of Murrietacoc.org & Bing Images

https://soundcloud.com/archdale-church-of-christ

Go to the Date 10/29/17 and Click on "One or Any"

“I Am a Member of the church of Christ Because it is Scriptural in Name”

“From Ulster Plantation to the Carolina’s with the Gospel!” *

Russell H. McCullough / Archdale church of Christ, 2525 Archdale Drive, Charlotte, NC 28210

www.archdale.org / gospelcall.blogspot.com - Date: 29 October 2017  

Text: Matthew 16.13 - 20

Thesis: The church of Christ is Her Scriptural Name!

Introduction:

Nearly every Monday at Toastmasters I am encouraged to not be so solemn, so stoic, and so serious.  I am told to “lighten it up!” I am told to “laugh more!”  I am told to “be funny!”  I am told to just “be silly!” once in a while.  I want you to know that I am working on it! 

Let’s give it a shot, why don’t we?

Since it’s soon to be Thanksgiving, let’s try some “Pilgrim humor!”

“Why did the Pilgrims pants fall down?  Answer: His belt was around his hat!”

Well…It’s hard for me to be funny, to be humorous, for me to stand her and tell jokes.  Why?  It’s hard because 5 or more times a week I speak for God.  I don’t speak for me.  I don’t speak for the congregation.  I speak, teach, and preach the gospel.  People will go to heaven…or to hell…based upon their acceptance or rejection of the Word of God, the Word that I have been entrusted to preach! 

Today, I will speak on a text that has every atheist, every agnostic, every denominationalist, and MANY members of even the Lord’s church MAD enough to spit nails!

Today, I proclaim to you the most un-popular message in the World today:  But…DO NOT take my word for it!  Read for yourself John 14.6. 

·       The Lord Jesus Christ is the ONLY way to God! 

·       The Lord Jesus Christ is the ONLY truth of God! 

·       The Lord Jesus Christ is the ONLY one who can bring us eternal LIFE!

·       No one else can do ANY of these! 

·       In light of this, the Lord Jesus Christ established but ONE church!

·       When the church of Christ was established on the Day of Pentecost, Jesus got out of the church establishment business. 

·       HE HAS YET TO ESTABLISH CHURCH NUMBER 2!

·       What I say today is not my opinion

·       What I say today is not even my conviction

·       What I say today is not mine in any way, form or fashion

·       What I say today IS 100% Bible

·       Hear the Word of the Lord!

DISCLAIMER; Much of this material is not of my authorship, it is found in chapter six of Leo Brownlow’s book; WHY I AM A MEMBER OF THE CHURCH OF CHRIST.

Brother Brownloe says; “The idea that there is nothing in a name is a prevalent and popular doctrine, in keeping with neither Scripture nor reason.”

I There IS Something in a Name!

1.   Genesis 5.2

a.   Adam & Eve

b.   Not Number 1 and Number 2

c.   Not He and She

d.   Not Unit A and Unit B

e.   Adam & Eve!

2.   Genesis 17.5, 15

a.   God changed Abram’s name

b.   God changed Sarai’s name

c.   The names Abraham and Sarah were important to God!

3.   I Corinthians 1

a.   Read I Corinthians 1.13

b.   Paul condemned the first 4 denominations ever recorded!

c.   If there is “nothing in a name,” why did Paul condemn them all?

4.   If there is nothing in a name, why do we bristle when called that hated nick name…whatever that is.

a.   My blood pressure used to go up at Walmart when someone would come up behind me and yell; “EXCUSE ME!”

5.   If there is nothing in a name just refer to your husband as “Judas.”  Just refer to your wife as “Jezebel.”

6.   There IS something in a name!

II What Was the Church Called in the New Testament?

1.   Matthew 16.18 – “My church”

2.   Acts 2.47 and Acts 8.1 – “The church”

3.   Acts 9.2 – “The Way”

4.   I Corinthians 1.2 – “The church of God”

5.   Romans 16.16 – “churches of Christ”

6.   Ephesians 4.12 – “The Body of Christ”

7.   I Timothy 3.15 – “The church of the Living God”

8.   Hebrews 12.23 – “the church of the Firstborn”

9.   These are ALL biblical names for the church of Christ.

III What Were the Members of the Lord’s church Called in the NT?

1.   Acts 20.7 – “Disciples”

2.   I Corinthians 1.2 – “Saints”

3.   Romans 1.7 – “Beloved of God”

4.   I Corinthians 15.6 – “Brethren”

5.   Romans 8.4 – “Sons of God”

6.   I John 3.1 – “Children of God”

7.   Romans 8.17 – “Heirs of God”

8.   I Peter 2.9 – “Royal Priesthood”

9.   Acts 11.26 – “Christians”

IV The Testimony of Charles Spurgeon:

1.   “I say of the Baptist name, let it perish, but let Christ’s Name last forever.  I look forward with pleasure, to the day when there will not be a Baptist living.  I hope they will soon be gone.  I hope the Baptist name will soon perish; but let Christ’s name endure forever.” – Spurgeon Memorial Library, Vol. 1, page 168.

V  The Testimony of Martin Luther:

1.   “I pray you to leave my name alone, and call not yourselves Lutherans, but Christians.  Who is Luther?  My doctrine is not mine.  I have not been crucified for anyone.  St. Paul would not let any call themselves after Paul, nor of Peter, but of Christ.  How then, does it befit me, a miserable bag of dust and ashes, to give my name to the children of God?  Cease, my dear friends, to cling to these party names and distinctions: away with all; and let us call ourselves only Christians after Him from whom our doctrine comes.” – The Life of Luther, by Stork, page 289

CONCLUSION:  

The Meaning of the Text in It’s Theological, Historical & Cultural Context:

No matter what the church is called in the NT, no matter how the people in Her are characterized in the NT, the church of Christ is always a singular entity and never, ever, plural.  Jesus has yet to establish church #2.

The Challenge of the Text for Christians Today: Our challenge is to preach the singular gospel and the singular church is an ever-increasing plural society.

“The Gospel Call” “Repent and be baptized, everyone of you, in the Name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins and you will receive the Gift of the Holy Spirit.”

·         My fifth great uncle was Hugh Gaston who was rector at the Ballywillan Presbyterian Church (pictured above left) in County Antrim, Ulster Plantation (Northern Ireland) and wrote the most dangerous book of his time; Gaston’s Collections.  It allowed “the ploughman to know more Bible than his clergyman.”  Hugh fled to South Carolina where he died prematurely of the measles.  He is buried just one hour south of Charlotte in Chester County, S.C. in “Burnt Meeting House Cemetery.”   Uncle Hugh continues to inspire my ministry to this very day.  You can read more about Uncle Hugh here: http://www.ballywillanpci.org/rev-hugh-gaston

Ruins photo courtesy of: ballywillanpci.org.

I Am A Member of the church of Christ because She was Founded in Jerusalem - Part 3 of a Series

What Church Has The Authority to be a Church?

“I’m A Member of the church of Christ for She is the Only Church with Authority”

“From Ulster Plantation to the Carolina’s with the Gospel!” *

Russell H. McCullough / Archdale church of Christ, 2525 Archdale Drive, Charlotte, NC 28210

www.archdale.org / gospelcall.blogspot.com - Date:  19 March 2017

Text: Mark 11.27 - 33

Thesis: ALL Authority Belongs to Christ!

1           Introduction

A.   We are in the middle of the 500^th Anniversary of the Reformation – the bloodiest event in history fought over religious authority.

1.      Ultimately, ALL religious division has authority as it’s root cause. 

2.     Luther and Leo

3.    Henry VIII and Clement VIII

a.    BTW if you have $61,946.00 you can buy from the Vatican a replica of the letter Henry sent Clement!

4.    Elizabeth and Mary, Queen of Scots

5.    Calvin and Geneva

6.    John Knox and Mary, Queen of Scots

7.     Right here in the Carolina’s – Presbyterian Lowlanders and Anglican Highlanders battled it out at Kings Mountain on October 6, 1780 just south of here.

8.    Jesus Christ and the “chief priests, scribes and elders”

9.    WHO has the authority to dispense and proclaim truth?

10.            IN this case, Christ exercised authority over the Jewish priests, scribes and elders.

2          “By What Authority are You Doing These Things?  Who Gave You This Authority to Do Them?”

A.   On this occasion He did not tell them.

B.   He did disclose the answer to His disciples:

1.      Matthew 28.16 - 20

3          To What End Did He Exercise This Authority?

A.   Matthew 16.13 - 19

4         To Whom Did He Delegate His Authority?

A.   Acts 1.4 – 9

B.   Acts 2.37 – 47

C.    John 5.25 - 35

5          The Meaning of the Text in It’s Theological, Historical & Cultural Context:

A.   To whom did Christ give authority to establish the 2^nd church?

B.   I AM A MEMBER OF THE CHURCH OF CHRIST FOR SHE IS THE ONLY CHURCH EVER ESTABLISHED BY THE AUTHORITY OF JESUS CHRSIT!   All other churches since have been established outside of this authority.

6         The Challenge of the Text for Christians Today

A.   To preach and teach the singularity of the One True Church and the One True Way to Salvation!

7          “The Gospel Call”

·         My fifth great uncle was Hugh Gaston who was rector at the Ballywillan Presbyterian Church (pictured above left) in County Antrim, Ulster Plantation (Northern Ireland) and wrote the most dangerous book of his time; Gaston’s Collections.  It allowed “the ploughman to know more Bible than his clergyman.”  Hugh fled to South Carolina where he died prematurely of the measles.  He is buried just one hour south of Charlotte in Chester County, S.C. in “Burnt Meeting House Cemetery.”   Uncle Hugh continues to inspire my ministry to this very day.  You can read more about Uncle Hugh here: http://www.ballywillanpci.org/rev-hugh-gaston

Ruins photo courtesy of: ballywillanpci.org.