Walking By the Same Rule

WALKING BY THE SAME RULE
Philippians 3:16
I heard a gospel preacher remark one time that during one of his many missionary trips to India; he spoke to a denominational body of believers who had discarded the use of instrumental music during their periods of worship. Also, they were partaking of the Lord’s Supper on the first day of each week. He instructed them more accurately of the way and immersed the preacher and most of the members into Christ. A few years ago, I read in a brotherhood publication (Restoration Quarterly) that a congregation of the Lord was in existence in Canada during the early to middle part of the 19th century that was not comprised of brethren who had moved there from the United States. For many years we have known of congregations existing in various parts of Europe and Asia that were not in any way connected with the Campbell-Stone movement in this country during the 19th century. In the study of the Restoration Movement, there is concrete evidence that New Testament churches were in existence before the Campbells became influential in different states (Examples: the Rocky Springs church, Bridgeport, AL was established in 1807 and the Oak Grove church, Rincon, GA was started in 1819).
Why am I drawing your attention to these matters? Because there are numerous brethren who are saying that the church of Jesus Christ is so aligned with the Campbells and to culture (mostly southern), that we are merely a denominational body like the rest of the Protestant world. This I deny. While much credit is to be given to Thomas and Alexander Campbell, the fact is, the church of the Lord existed before and after them in this country and in other parts of the world separate and apart from their influence.
How was this possible? It was by honest seekers of truth who decided to adhere to the teaching of Paul as found in Philippians 3:15,16: “Let us therefore, as many as are perfect, be thus minded: and, if in anything, ye are otherwise minded, this also shall God reveal unto you: only, whereunto we have attained, by that same rule let us walk.” Surely, God would not condemn division among believers and neither would Christ have prayed for unity if this could not have been achieved. Remember that the fault lies not in the guide but rather in frail humanity.

While it is admitted that there are some passages of Scriptures that are more difficult to understand and that we should ever be striving to increase our biblical knowledge and making corrections when we reach a better understanding; there is no real reason why we all cannot grasp the simple truths regarding the way of salvation, the worship to God, the scriptural concept of the organization of the body of Jesus and the purpose of the kingdom of God. Often, it is not our inability to grasp these truths, but rather our unwillingness to submit to the authority of the Lord Jesus Christ.

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