No Right to Change God’s Rule

Proving the Church of Christ

Most troubles in any religious organization originate when mankind usurps the authority of Christ Jesus, substituting their own ideals. God’s wisdom remains unsurpassed and of unmatched authority (Revelation 19:6); therefore, it is not in man that walks to direct his own steps (Jeremiah 10:23). God’s instructions regarding life and godliness began with Adam and Eve (Genesis 1-3). When God commanded they must not eat of the tree of the knowledge of good and evil (Genesis 2:17), He permitted no negotiation in this matter. His commandment was RULE or government. When man changed this rule, man sinned: they rebelled against God’s unchangeable rule! The same is true today in religious matters. Whenever man changes God’s established government (rule) and substitutes his own thinking, man’s thinking will fail! Since the church of Christ is His church, its members have no right to change the government!


The above post is an excerpt from the book, Proving the Church of Christ by Michael J. Davis. Follow the link to learn more about the book and purchase your copy today!

The Complete Body of Christ

Proving the Church of Christ

“And He is the head of the body, the church: who is the beginning, the firstborn from the dead, that in all things He might have the preeminence” (Colossians 1:18). Seven times the word T-H-E appears in the inspired text. According to Jewish custom, the number seven showed completeness. Such is implied when Peter asked Jesus, “Lord, how oft shall my brother sin against me, and I forgive him? ‘til seven times?” (Matthew 18:21). In His answer the Lord says, “I say not unto thee, Until seven times; but, Until seventy times seven” (Matthew 18:22). Paul shows a completeness of the unity of the Spirit when he wrote of seven “ones” in the listing of Ephesians 4:4-6: viz. one body, one Spirit, one hope, one Lord, one faith, one baptism, and one God who is Father of all, above all, and in all who obey Him. Thus our present passage of study shows completeness by saying, THE head of THE body, THE church: who is THE beginning, THE firstborn from THE dead; that in all things He might have THE preeminence. Seven times T-H-E appears. Seven times it means: “this certain one.”

The apostle Paul was specific in his statement of completeness with Christ and THE church. He states “And ye are complete in Him, which is THE head of all principality and power: in whom also ye are circumcised with THE circumcision made without hands, in putting off THE body of THE sins of THE flesh by THE circumcision of Christ: buried with Him in baptism, wherein also ye are risen with Him through THE faith of THE operation of God, who hath raised Him from THE dead” (Colossians 2:10-12). Note again Paul says “ye are complete in Him.” Would it not be eternally tragic to believe that even in Christ Jesus we lacked anything? Peter relieved such fears as by the same inspiring Spirit he wrote, “According as His divine power hath given unto us all things that pertain to life and godliness, through the knowledge of Him that hath called us to glory and virtue” (2 Peter 1:3). In the same chapter, Peter lists seven items (remember, complete number) that when added to our faith, each in succession to the other, bring about completeness. Faith being the foundation (Hebrews 11:1, 6) must have virtue, knowledge, temperance, patience, godliness, brotherly kindness and charity. He continues, “For if these things be in you and abound, they make that ye shall neither be barren nor unfruitful in the knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ” (2 Peter 1:5-6). In verse nine he warns of the danger of being incomplete in faithfulness by saying, “But he that lacketh things is blind, and cannot see afar off, and hath forgotten that he was purged from his old sins.” Paul adds to this thought when he writes, “Beware lest any man spoil you…for in Him (Christ) dwelleth all the fullness of the Godhead bodily” (Colossians 2:8-9). From these and other passages, one learns quickly we do not need the devices of mankind to create completeness in Christ: WE JUST NEED CHRIST!

For many years, man has attempted teaching completeness in Christ without these divine ordinances. One readily sees the incompleteness of religious teaching such a “faith only salvation” or “preachers only need to study” and such like. Sadder still is the fact brethren in Christ Jesus teach either by word or deed we “need more rules: to complete the work and challenge Christ places on His church’s responsibility.” In an attempt to combat such falsehoods, examine this statement: IF IT TAKES MAN-MADE IDEALS TO DO THE WORK CHRIST GAVE TO THE CHURCH, THEN GOD CREATED AN IMPERFECT BODY FOR HIS PERFECT SON! Further, IF IT TAKES MAN’S CREATION TO COMPLETE THE WORK OF CHRIST AND HIS CHURCH, THEN MAN BECOMES THE COMPLETER – a position reserved for Christ only (Colossians 2:10)!

Look at Paul’s inspired writings: “Unto me, who am less than the least of all saints, is this grace given, that I should preach among the Gentiles the unsearchable riches of Christ; and to make all men see what is THE fellowship of THE mystery, which from THE beginning of THE world hath been hid in God, Who created all things by Jesus Christ: to THE intent that now unto THE principalities and powers in heavenly places might be known by THE church THE manifold wisdom of God, according to THE eternal purpose which He purposed in Christ Jesus our Lord: in whom we have boldness and access with confidence by THE faith of Him” (Ephesians 3:8-12). Paul’s statement is clear: THE (this certain one) church is to make known THE (this certain one) manifold wisdom of God! Man’s wisdom matters not at all. Paul told the churches of Christ in Galatia, “If any many preach any other gospel (wisdom) unto you than that ye have received, let him be accursed” (Galatians 1:9). The gospel is complete and is able to make the man of God complete, thoroughly furnished unto every good work (2 Timothy 3:16-17). It bears repeating: By virtue of the above truth, if it takes man’s device to make known God’s wisdom, then God created an imperfect church over which His perfect Son is the Head. Such simply can not be the case!

What of our lives and teaching of the gospel; is there any other way than word or deed to practice these actions (Colossians 3:17)? What do we command and what do we imply by our practices? While we prove the church complete, do we prove God’s Word complete as well? Or do we imply by our endorsement of various and sundry man-made items that attach themselves to the church and its members, God’s creation is not complete?

Peter’s words of inspiration are plain: “If any man speak, let him speak as THE oracles of God; if any man minister, let him do it as of THE ability which God giveth: that God in all things may be glorified through Jesus Christ, to whom be praise and dominion for ever and ever. Amen” (1 Peter 4:11). God must be glorified in all things including our lives and the practices therein. Such is only accomplished when one speaks or ministers (serves) according to His will. We have already noticed, “All things that pertain unto life and godliness” are contained in the completeness of His divine will. Thus, we rightly conclude man’s ways are not God’s ways (Isaiah 55:8-9). Therefore, endorsement of man’s ways concerning the work of Christ and His church does not glorify God through Jesus Christ our Lord! Be reminded the Lord’s church does not belong to man – obedient souls are simply privileged to be a part of the Lord’s church (1 Peter 2:1-10). If it is man who receives the glory for what we say and do religiously, then it must be for a man’s religion! Name one man-made religion that pleases God!

How sad to note the many persons who have given themselves to the promotion of various man-made creations more than to the promotion of Christ and His church – the complete creation of God known as “THE body of Christ.” From education to entertainment, to training of men for preaching and many other areas of concern, brethren have, at least by implication and some by blatant statement, said, “The church is not doing the job so this or that man-made creation will.” While it is sadly admitted many churches of Christ are not doing what they should in caring for the needs (not desires) of its members, nowhere do we find authorization from God for man’s creations to interfere with the work He gave the church to do! Yet, some still contend their man-made institution must exist for that purpose! Just because the local church is not doing its work does not authorize man’s institutions to take it over! Instead, it shows the members of that local church of Christ need to get busy!

The guilty will be among those saying, “The church is complete,” but by their actions, they say otherwise. Thus, they are pretenders, and all know the eternal fate of the pretender! Do they not care? Are they ever going to change? Do we who endeavor to prove the Lord’s church is complete care enough to challenge these pretenders and correct their souls?

One of the more tragic dangers is the mis-teaching of the gospel to the lost. While we indeed teach truth regarding the salvation of the soul, some teach by implication their souls are added to an incomplete spiritual body. When some contend the “necessity” of camps, colleges, orphanages, old-folks homes, fellowship halls and dinners, etc. to “make their life as a Christian full,” they admit to their believing the church of Christ is incomplete! If truth of the completeness of the church is taught, and then some Christian asks for endorsement to a man-made institution which claims to do the work of the Lord’s church, the hypocrite is noted, a soul entangled, and both are lost! WHY CAN NOT BRETHREN SEE THE COMPLETENESS OF THE CHURCH AND THAT IT DOES NOT NEED MAN’S CREATED INSTITUTIONS?

By the mercies of Christ, we must implore our brethren to THINK before we speak; THINK before we act (Philippians 1:27; 4:8). Colossians 3:17 commands such, and yet we fail to comply. God has no mercy for such willful sin (Hebrews 10:26). Still, many implicitly indulge themselves in false teaching by way of their implications. We must teach THE truth, THE complete truth of THE scriptures to THE church and to THE world.

May we return to the law of Christ and His testimony. May we “prove all things” by the word of His counsel. If our “think-sos” have no proof/validation from God’s word, let us pray God for the courage to avoid such in the very appearance of evil (1 Thessalonians 5:22; Romans 12:9).

THE church is complete. THE gospel is complete. THE man of God can be complete (2 Timothy 3:16-17) if he continues in THE gospel, “grounded and settled, and be not moved away from THE hope of THE gospel…” (Colossians 1:23). May we be just that way; neither adding to nor taking from His commandments (Revelation 22:18-19).


The above post is an excerpt from the book, Proving the Church of Christ by Michael J. Davis. Follow the link to learn more about the book and purchase your copy today!

NEW RELEASE: Proving the Church of Christ

We are happy to announce that our newest book – Proving the Church of Christ by Michael J. Davis – is now available!

Proving the Church of Christ (cover)Download a sample of the book!

Are all churches basically alike? Or is there something different about the church of Christ? Is it the only right church, or is it just one among many? This study searches the Scriptures to find out the answers to these questions. This book contains questions at the end of each chapter, making it helpful for both personal and group Bible studies.

Read more about this new book and purchase your copy today!

If you would like to place a bulk order, please contact us.

Special Offer

For a limited time, when you place in order through the Gospel Armory Store, you can get $1 off the price of this new book PLUS free shipping on your entire order.

The offer of free shipping is also good for two books that are already on sale – To Sum the Whole Thing Up by J.C. Roady ($12.00 through the end of April) and The Root of the Problem by Andy Sochor ($3.59 while supplies last). As long as your order includes a copy of our new book – Proving the Church of Christ – you can get free shipping.

To take advantage of this discount, order from the Gospel Armory Store and enter coupon code church1 at checkout. This coupon code will be good through May 8, 2018.

Some Things the Whole Church Needs to Remember

To Sum the Whole Thing Up: A Collection of Writings by J. C. Roady

We, as a body of people under the leadership of Christ the Son of God, need to remember that Christ is the head of this body, Col. 1:18, and that we are just members of it; that the Church does not belong to us but that we are members of the Church; that Christ is the Lawgiver over that body of people known as Christians and that there is not one thing we can bring into that body; that everything that is in that body must be placed there by the authority of that Lawgiver which is Christ (James 4:12). In Matt. 17:5, the voice from heaven said, This is my beloved Son hear ye him. That voice still says for us to hear Him. Paul said in Heb. 1:2: …hath spoken unto us by his Son. We need to keep in mind that it is the way He still speaks to the church. He doesn’t reveal something to me one way and to you, another. Our instructions come through that voice which speaks from heaven and which is recorded in the Bible. Christ has never set up any person or institution or body of men to speak for Him.

It is our duty to find out what He has already spoken and then for us to reproclaim it to those with whom we come in contact. We need to remember that when Christ built the church, He was able to see the wisdom of placing things in the Church that would meet the need of all future generations. Therefore He told the Church at Ephesus what He did in Eph. 3:21: Unto him be glory in the church by Christ Jesus throughout all ages, world without end.

The Lord does what He wants to do, He says what He knows to be right, and there is no way to add to it. Solomon said in Ecc. 3:14: What so ever God doeth it shall be forever; nothing can be put to it, nor anything taken from it. We need to keep in mind that the Church has no right to follow and endorse things just because others have them. We must speak as by the oracles of God (1 Peter 4:11).

We need to know that institutions started and governed by man have no place in the Church of the New Testament. We should have it impressed on our mind daily, that the best defense man can put up is the one that the Saviour used in Matt. 4:4, when he met the devil and defeated him. His defense was, It is written…, and there He stood to the last and showed that no man need to be afraid of the wicked as long as he has what is written with which to defend his position. We need to know that in the Church alone we move. Personally owned enterprises have no place in the Church. They are fine in their place and it is possible to accomplish good with them, but they are not a part of the Church of the New Testament.

We need to know that Christ prayed for unity in John 17:21, that Paul taught and commanded it in 1 Cor. 1:10: Be perfectly joined together. We need to know that it is our duty to work for what Christ prayed for and what Paul commanded (Phil. 2:1-2).

At the same time we need to know what an awful sin it is to cause division in the Body among God’s people and when we do, we come under the condemnation the Lord has pronounced upon us and also are marked by the people of the Lord (Rom. 16:17-18). The body of Christ is divided into many different congregations and each congregation is a unit in itself. We should know that it is our duty to place over each one of these congregations the proper kind of an eldership—men who are able to lead the flock in the right way; men who are really examples to the flock. But we must keep in mind that the elder’s authority ends where it begins which is with the flock over which he has been appointed. As Peter explains in 1 Peter 5:1-2-3-4-5: Feed the flock of God which is among you. He has no authority over any other.

The eldership is the highest office there is in the church here on earth and the men who are appointed to that office should be respected by the members and should also show his respect to the church over which he is appointed. He is to feed the flock over which he is appointed, but none other. There are times when a man unworthy of that office has been appointed, but while we are opposed to the man who is guilty of wrong doing, yet we must respect the office and do every thing we can for it. The Lord placed that office in His Church and to reject the office is to reject the Lord.

We, as members of the Church need to know that it must be a divine institution. To be divine it must be fashioned after the model that is found in the New Testament. It must have a divine head, it must be governed by divine authority, and it must wear a divine name. To do that it must acknowledge the name that was placed upon it by divine authority (Rom. 16:16 and 1 Tim. 3:15). All names that God gave to His people and to His Church were not placed there by accident, but they had a meaning.

In closing this lesson may we remind you that the Church needs to know that it must have converted members (Matt. 13:15, John 12:40, Acts 3:19); faithful members (Rev. 2:10, 1 Cor 15:58); lively members (1 Peter 2:5); Bible readers (John 5:39, Acts 17:11, 2 Tim. 2:15); Church goers (Acts 2:42, Acts 20:7, Heb. 10:25); workers (1 Cor. 3:9, James 2:14, Phil. 2:12); humility (Matt. 23:12, James 4:6, 1 Peter 5:6); thankfulness (Col. 3:15; 1 Cor. 15:57, Eph. 5:20); forgiveness (Matt. 18:35; Col. 3:13; Eph. 4:32); watchful overseers (1 Peter 5:1-3); preachers of the word (2 Tim. 4:1-4; 2 Tim. 2:2-15); competent teachers (Titus 2:3, Heb. 5:12, Titus 2:1-5).

Israel perished because the Israelites did not have the knowledge they should have (Hosea 4:6). We face the same danger. Israel became a byword among the other nations, because they would not obey what the Lord commanded them to do. Don’t forget that we need to profit by their mistake and that the Church can ruin her influence by not doing the Lord’s will just as easily as Israel did under the old law.


The above post is an excerpt from the book, To Sum the Whole Thing Up: A Collection of Writings by J. C. Roady. Follow the link to learn more about the book and purchase your copy today!

Mission Work

To Sum the Whole Thing Up: A Collection of Writings by J. C. Roady

We are often asked if the Church of Christ believes and practices mission work. We wish to make it very plain that we do. We believe that it is a command of God and that it must be obeyed if we are to be the Church that Christ built. But we do want to say that we do not believe in a missionary society. There is not a thing the Lord has commanded to be done that can’t be done through the Church. God does not intend for His work to be done through a human institution. When we do that then that institution takes the glory that belongs to the Church. The Church is the only institution that was bought with the blood of Christ (Eph. 5:25-26-27). The Church is the only institution that has Christ as its head (Col. 1:18). The Church is the only institution through which we are to give glory to God (Eph. 3:21). Mission work is to be done through the Church. Please read this statement from the pen of Apostle Paul in 1 Thess. 1:8: For from you sounded out the word not only in Macedonia and Achaia, but also in every place your faith to God-ward is spread abroad; so that we need not to speak any thing. It is the duty of the Church to sound out the word. It is the duty of the Church to see that people have a chance to hear and believe the gospel. We often hear some one say, “That preacher is not doing much mission work.” That belongs to the church and for the preacher to take that upon himself has only helped to encourage the Church in her neglect of duty along that line. I read again in Eph. 3:10: To the intent that now unto the principalities and powers in heavenly places might be known by the church the manifold wisdom of God. It is the Church’s place to make that known.

But some might ask why be opposed to a missionary society? For more than one reason. In the first place, a missionary society robs the Church of the glory that belongs to it. They stand up and say, “Look at what we have done,” and the result is the Church is kept out of it. Another reason is why is it necessary to keep up the middle-man? The Church of Christ sends money to do mission work, every cent of which goes to the place where the work is to be done. There is no middle-man to be paid. That is not true where the money is placed into a human organization. Everyone knows that the organization has to be taken care of, and knows that it takes money to do that. Therefore, part of the money paid in for mission work stays with the organization to keep it going. The Church sends out the word. The Church does the mission work. The Church gets the glory for it, and every cent that starts out to do missionary work gets there. That is the Lord’s plan, and there is none better. The money is raised for mission work as we raise it for other purposes: give as we have been prospered on the first day of the week (1 Cor. 16:1-2-3). If the Lord’s plan fails, then we are not to blame. But we are to blame if we put up a plan of our own and use it and put the Lord’s plan into the background. Mission work is plainly taught in the Bible and we must carry it out as taught.


The above post is an excerpt from the book, To Sum the Whole Thing Up: A Collection of Writings by J. C. Roady. Follow the link to learn more about the book and purchase your copy today!