Would assembly-sponsored summer camps be helpful?

Would assembly-sponsored summer camps be helpful?

The New Testament provides us with all the teaching God intended for the functioning and service of the local assembly. One cannot find any teaching or references to assembly-sponsored summer camps in Scripture. The primary activity in summer camps has been recreational, rather than spiritual. A number of such camps do have campfire gospel messages for the young people every evening. The campfire environment tends to have an emotional impact on young people. Unfortunately many children and teenagers, who have vacationed at church-sponsored summer camps, have made campfire professions which have turned out to be false. Such professions have often hindered them from coming to Christ until they have given up their false professions and admitted they were lost. It would be much safer and more profitable to hold daily children's meetings or Gospel meetings for teenagers in a manner that would reach their hearts and consciences rather than their emotions. Summer camps are very common in the evangelical, denominational religious world. God warns His people both in the Old Testament and in the New Testament of the danger of copying the practices of the religious world around us. This has always resulted in a gradual drift from God's plan for His people and eventual discipline from the hand of God.

A. Joyce

Other pages in this section

About this site

What are the "signs of the times" according to the Bible?

How should we evaluate "signs of the times"?

The context of discerning "the signs of the times" (Matthew 6:3)" TARGET="_blank">Matthew 6:3) is Jewish, referring to prophecies of the Messiah. Some prophecies were fulfilled by His incarnation and ministry Others will be fulfilled at His coming to establish His millennial reign. "Signs" and "times ' relate to God's prophetic program for Israel. The church and its hope are not governed by these, although, while awaiting our Deliverer from that coming wrath (1 Thessalonians 1:10)," TARGET="_blank">1 Thessalonians 1:10), we are cognizant of God's preparation for the fulfillment of these prophecies. Rather than causing us to set dates, our awareness of prophecy helps us to live and teach in keeping with the spiritual needs of the declining hour. Knowing God's coming judgments on the world system confirms our need to separate from it. Daily looking for our Deliverer will increase sacrificial loyalty to His Name.

J. Smith

Other pages in this section

About this site

What does worship "in spirit" and "in truth" mean?

What is the Lord contrasting in John 4" TARGET="_blank">John 4: 23-24?

The Samaritan woman mentioned worship, pitting "this mountain" against Jerusalem, essentially saying, "That’s your religion; this is mine." The Lord then contrasted the revelation of God entrusted to the Jews with its absence among the Samaritans. Humanity must be enlightened by God in order to worship Him fittingly. "Ye worship ye know not what: we know what we worship" (verse 22). But the second movement of the Lord’s response addresses a void in both systems. Externalism, formalism, and ritualism must yield to worship from the spirits of men. Since God is spiritual in essence, He has been leading men from formal worship, as instituted under the Law, to the ultimate of His purpose, "true worshipers." In this age, the Father achieves an ultimate purpose in redemption: worshippers who worship in spirit and in truth. Believers now worship in the heavenly sanctuary and, by the power of the Spirit, their redeemed spirits ("in spirit") offer worship in keeping with the full revelation of all God is, as revealed in the Word ("in truth"). This transcends sacrifices and means of worship that are neither rational (able to know God) nor spiritual.

D. Oliver
Other pages in this section

About this site

What is the Oxford Group movement?

OXFORD GROUP
What do you think of the Oxford Group movement?

Much has been written for and against this religious cult. It ought not to be difficult for anyone who has experienced true conversion to God and found peace with Him by faith, on the ground of the precious blood of Christ, to form a correct view of a movement in which, no doubt, as in Freemasonry, Roman Catholicism, Seventh Day Adventism, etc., some true children of God are entangled. But the crucial question is, what place has Christ and His atoning work in it? It is the Sermon on the Mount, vaguely grasped, not the Atonement of Calvary, which is the favourite watch-word. It is “the Spirit” as a sort of “familiar spirit,” whispering in the ear, rather than the Holy Spirit of God testifying to Christ through the Scriptures. As far as we learn, no questions are raised to aspirants as to their doctrinal belief. A Unitarian is just as welcome as a Trinitarian; a Roman Catholic, as a Protestant; an Anglo-Catholic, as an Evangelical. It is as though the prodigal son had staged a homecoming scene, with confession, reconciliation, best garment, shoes, fatted calf, etc., all complete, but remaining the while in the far country. It is Cain offering the fruits of the earth and making himself believe it is he, not Abel, who is accepted. It is a building without foundation, but ‘best hotel accommodation’ provided for all. It is assuming the name and privileges of the family without being born into it. It would indeed be surprising were such a system anything but attractive to decent woridings.

William Hoste

Other pages in this section

About this site

Is it wrong to exclude a believer from fellowship because of doctrinal differences?

SEPARATION
Is sectarianism sin? I am In an assembly of so called “open brethren” who invite “Reverend” gentlemen from the sects, also a sister, to address them. Is this right?.

Sectarianism wherever found, is a work of the flesh (Galatians 5:20)." TARGET="_blank">Galatians 5:20). To whom but God Himself should confession be made? The beginnings of it were seen at Corinth—”I am of Paul, and I of Apollos and I of Cephas; and I of Christ” (1 Corinthians 1:12).

In the first three cases men were attaching themselves to human leaders, instead of to Christ alone; in the last case, while attaching themselves to Christ, they were detaching from Him true members of His Body and pretending to belong to Him in some peculiar sense, in which others did not. This is also sectarianism against which we must watch. The whole idea of dividing up the Body of Christ is condemned by the Holy Spirit (see 1 Corinthians 3:3-4" TARGET="_blank">1 Corinthians 3:3-4 ). It is condoned to-day and we are told that the different sects are only regiments in God’s army, as though regiments recruited from one another and were sometimes found fighting against one another. The only true Christian position is to know no other centre than Christ, and to recognise all believers as equally belonging to Him, though lamenting the broken-up condition of things around.

No doubt there are men truly gifted of Christ, who occupy sectarian positions, but that does not make those positions right, and to invite such to teach the Saints a complete anomaly and certainly not calculated to “build these up on their most holy faith,” but rather to break down the land-marks between truth and error and lead the Lord’s people back on to sectarian ground. This is especially dangerous when the invited brethren are men who were once in the simple assemblies themselves, but have become popular preachers or even “Reverends,” wearing all the insignia of their declension. They are often strongly opposed to the truth they once professed. It is not for us to judge their conscience, nor should we put a salve to their conscience by inviting them to teach or preach, thus approving of their position, or be present, when they officiate, as is apparently the case in some places. As for inviting a sister to teach the gathered saints, it is so clearly contrary to our Lord’s express prohibition, through His apostle: “I suffer not a woman to teach, nor to usurp authority* over the man, but to be in silence” (1 Timothy 2:12;" TARGET="_blank">1 Timothy 2:12; see also 1 Corinthians 14:34-35)," TARGET="_blank">1 Corinthians 14:34-35), that comment is needless.

W.H.

Other pages in this section

About this site

Should the Scriptures be read at the meeting to remember the Lord?

Should the Scriptures be read at the meeting to remember the Lord?

The Scriptures should be prominent and opened in all assembly gatherings (I Tim 4:13" TARGET="_blank">I Tim 4:13 – "public reading"). The Spirit will dictate what is appropriate on Lord's Day morning, whether continued thoughts about His Person, work, or coming, or a devotional or practical Word. The nature of Paul's discourse after the Breaking of Bread in Troas is not recorded (Acts 20:7)." TARGET="_blank">Acts 20:7). When would we be more likely to respond to ministry that challenges our lives than after being occupied with His body given and blood outpoured? The Lord "expounded unto them in all the scriptures the things concerning Himself" (Luke 24:27)." TARGET="_blank">Luke 24:27). What an exposition that Lord's Day by the greatest Teacher! He found them with hearts broken and left them with hearts burning! We too need our hearts warmed and zeal renewed to face a hostile world.

Opening the Scriptures before the bread is broken needs qualification: the remembrance of our Lord is preeminently occupation with Christ, especially His death (1 Corinthians 11:26;" TARGET="_blank">1 Corinthians 11:26; Luke 22:19, 20)." TARGET="_blank">Luke 22:19, 20). It is NOT for teaching. Reading the Scriptures about the Lord Jesus with a few brief comments can lead the saints to worship our Lord. As appropriate hymns lead us in worship so likewise do appropriate Scriptures.

A.Hull
Other pages in this section

About this site

If the cup is not a type, must we use wine and not simply "the fruit of the vine"?

If the cup is not a type, must we use wine and not simply "the fruit of the vine"?

"Fruit of the vine" (Luke 22:18)" TARGET="_blank">Luke 22:18) is the only description we have of the contents of the cup. The grape harvest was in the Fall. The Passover came in the Spring. Without refrigeration or canning, "the fruit of the vine" began to ferment by Passover. This makes it impossible to insist that that contents of the cup cannot be fermented.

The contents are not typical, so we cannot prescribe the degree of fermentation for the contents of the cup. In fact, because it isnt typical, we cannot require that the contents must be fermented.

D. Oliver

Other pages in this section

About this site

Printable Nativity Scenes

A printable manger scene for your Sunday school craft. This Christmas, create a creche with the baby Jesus, Mary, Joseph, the wise men and the shepherds at the stable in Bethlehem the first Christmas night.

This printable nativity scene can be printed, cut and taped in less than one hour.

Click here or the picture to download the printable PDF file.

Other Printable Resources

If you are a Bible class teacher, you may also be interested in the items in the Sunday School section of this site.

- Word puzzle creators to create your own crossword puzzles and word games.

- Sunday school worksheets ready made for almost every story in the Bible.

- Other printable activities such as a printable 3D model of the Tabernacle or a 3D printable model of Noah's ark .

- Subscribe to The Encourager, a monthly newsletter for Sunday school teachers.

Other pages in this section

About this site

Does Christ Jesus still have marks on his body from the cross?

CHRIST’S GLORIFIED BODY
Does the Lord still bear in His glorified body the marks of the Cross?

Most certainly. In Revelation 5:6" TARGET="_blank">Revelation 5:6 John was granted a vision of the Lord in ascension on the throne of God, and He was seen as a living Lamb, standing, and yet as having been slain, that is, as plainly bearing in His body the sacrificial marks, or in other words, the scars, of Calvary. Besides, how could we admit for a moment that the marks in His resurrection body to which He made appeal again and again to prove His identity, have been removed since? How, moreover, could such appeal be real, unless the marks were something more than temporary and indeed an essential part of His spiritual body? It would be like some one appealing to imitation scars, to prove identity with someone who had received real wounds. We should lose, too, antitypically in a very serious way were we to admit the possibility hinted at in the question. For then how explain the blood on the live bird let loose into the open field in the day of the leper’s cleansing? (Lev 14:7)." TARGET="_blank">Lev 14:7). Or what would there be in the Heavenly temple to correspond to the blood on the earthly mercy seat, if the One on the throne no longer bore the marks of Calvary? When the Lord arose He had the same body that was crucified and slain, but under new conditions, that is, it was now a spiritual body. Again in ascension He had the same body as before, but once more under new conditions, for it was a glorified body, but still bearing as its highest glory the scars of Calvary.
It is indeed the presence of the Lord on the throne, which gives it its character as a throne of grace, and how appropriate then that He should retain His scars of atonement!

W.H.

Other pages in this section

About this site

Should a Christian buy raffle tickets?

What should I do at work, at school, or in the neighborhood when I am asked to buy a raffle ticket or a lottery ticket to fund a good cause such as an injured child or a family who is out of work?

A Christian can answer, "I want to cheerfully help any good cause, but I don't feel free before God to buy a raffle ticket or a lottery ticket. I will give you the price of the ticket for the good cause without getting the ticket."

We read in Galatians 6:10," TARGET="_blank">Galatians 6:10, "As we therefore have opportunity, let us do good unto all men, especially unto those who are of the household of faith." Titus 3:1" TARGET="_blank">Titus 3:1 teaches that we are to be "to be ready to every good work." Doing good to others when we can, we will be a little like our Lord Jesus, "Who went about doing good" (Acts 10:38)." TARGET="_blank">Acts 10:38). One of the reasons why our Lord Jesus gave Himself for us is that we might be zealous of good works" (Titus 2:14)." TARGET="_blank">Titus 2:14).

W. Gustafson

Other pages in this section

About this site

Main Menu

Printable Nativity Scenes

Other Printable Resources