by Mike Benson

QUESTION: "Does God have one church or many?"

ANSWER: We must go to the Scriptures in order to address your question. Please read the following passages carefully and then answer the questions which follow:

1. "And He put all things under His feet, and gave Him to be head over all things to the church, which is His body, the fulness of Him who fills all in all" (Ephesians 1:22,23).

. God made Christ the head of many churches.

. God made Christ the head of one church.

Is it natural for one head to have many bodies?"

2. "Husbands, love your wives, just as Christ also loved the church and gave Himself for it" (Ephesians 5:25).

. The apostle Paul told husbands to love their wives as Christ also loved the churches and gave Himself for THEM.

. The apostle Paul told husbands to love their wives as Christ also loved the church and gave Himself for IT.

How could Christ teach monogamy (Matthew 19:6; Romans 7:2,3) and then be guilty of polygamy? Can Christ (the husband) have 1) one bride/church, or 2) many brides/churches (Ephesians 5:23)?

3. "To the intent that now the manifold wisdom of God might be made know by the church to the principalities and powers in the heavenly places, according to the eternal purposes which He accomplished in Christ Jesus our Lord" (Ephesians 3:10,11).

. Many churches (plural) were in the eternal purpose of God.

. The church (singular) was in the eternal purpose of God.

Since only one church was in the eternal purpose of God, from where did the hundreds of other churches originate? From man or God?

by Don Ruhl

Read Psalms 129--131

They Shall Not Prevail

 The church is in a similar position as ancient Israel, when Psalm 129 was written. 

1 "Many a time they have afflicted me from my youth," Let Israel now say-- 2 "Many a time they have afflicted me from my youth; Yet they have not prevailed against me." (Psa. 129:1, 2, NKJV).

 The Egyptians afflicted Israel after Joseph was gone. God delivered Israel, but several nations confronted her in the wilderness. Israel entered the land of Canaan, but there were wars for centuries during the times of the Judges and the Kings. Israel was oppressed in captivity. Yet, by the first century, those other nations were either gone or humbled greatly and Israel gave to the world the Savior of the world! 

 From the first century until now, various nations and groups have attempted to silence the church. Rome tried, but Rome is no more and the church is alive and well. Secularists in the "modern" nations are attempting to silence the church through various legislative actions, but, as in the past, so will it be now, the secularists will disappear and the church will prevail. 

 Do not grow discouraged, but keep pressing on, knowing that the Lord is fighting for us.

Don Ruhl 3535 Elk Lane Grants Pass, Oregon 97527

by Don Ruhl

Read First Corinthians 11:1--16

Remembering Our Teachers

 There are Christians who never let you know when you are doing what is right or doing well, but they let you know when you are wrong or not doing so well. These Christians generally have a sour disposition and it is unpleasant to be around them. However, let us follow Paul's example and praise people when they are doing well. 

 2 I praise you for remembering me in everything and for holding to the teachings, just as I passed them on to you (1 Cor. 11:2, NIV). 

 Do not be afraid to praise people. If you praise them, even when they are less than perfect, you will not encourage mediocrity in them, but you will endear yourself to them and them to you and they will try harder to please you and to do a better job next time. Paul praised the Corinthian congregation, although they had some serious problems that he discusses earlier in the letter. 

 They did well to remember him, for, after all, he is the one who started the congregation, and they did well to hold on to the teachings that he, as an inspired apostle of Jesus Christ, delivered to them. 

 Who taught you? Did he or she teach you the truth? You can honor that disciple of Christ by adhering to the teachings of Scripture that he passed on to you.

Don Ruhl Church of Christ 220 NE Savage Street Grants Pass, Oregon 97526-1310 541-476-3100