FAQS

Q:     SHOULD CHRISTIANS PAY TITHE?

ANS:

The tithe (or ten percent) of one’s income was an Old Testament command for Jews. Abraham gave to Melchizedek a tenth of the spoils of his victory (Genesis 14:20). The law given to Israelites through Moses required a tenth (Leviticus 27:30, 32). But the tithe is never commanded of Christians after the end of the Old Covenant. There is no example or command of tithing after the church was established.

 

Q:     IS TEN PERCENT GIVING BOUND ON CHRISTIANS TODAY?

 

ANS: No Old Testament command is bound upon Christians, as all those ordinances have been nailed to the cross of Christ (Colossians 2:14). We are no longer under the Old Jewish Law (Galatians 3:24, 25). But as Christ requires more in every other New Testament commandment than God did in the Old Testament, the same is true of contributions under the Gospel age. The Old Testament commandments were merely shadows of better commandments under Christ (Colossians 2:14-17). A Christian who gives no more (or even less) than did the Jews does not understand nor appreciate Christianity.

Q:     WHAT IS TRUE WORSHIP?

ANS:

Jesus explained that true worshippers worship God “in spirit and in truth” (1John 4:23, 24). Worship “in spirit” is spiritual worship or worship within the teachings of God’s Word of Truth. True worship id from the worshipper’s spirit and direct from the Word of God. Unless both of these elements are found in worship, that worship is not true worship. For instance, a shouting, dancing, clapping worshippers might be worshipping from his spirit, but he is not worshipping “in truth”. His efforts are not true worship. On the other hand, a worshipper might know the truth about worship and yet not put his heart into it. He would not be worshipping “in spirit”. True worshippers worship God according to both basic requirements of Jesus…”in spirit and in truth”.

 

Q:     HOW IS SINGING TO BE DONE “IN SPIRIT”?

ANS:

1Corinthians 14:15 says singing must be done with the spirit and with the understanding also. It must not be a formality or an empty ritual. It must come from the heart. Ephesians 5:18, 19 says to be filled with the spirit, to sing spiritual songs, and to make melody in one’s hearts to the Lord. Colossians 3:16 says to sing with grace in one’s heart to the Lord. Christians must sing meaningless singing is vain. Our heart and understanding must be in each song, and we must live the truths we sing.

 

 

Q:     HOW OFTEN SHOULD COMMUNION BE TAKEN?

ANS:

The early church had communion as a steadfast or regular part of their worship (Acts 2:42). They broke bread “upon the first day of the week” (Acts 20:7). These verses taken together show that communion was taken weekly or regularly on every first day (Sunday) of every week. The exact same words, “upon the first day of the week,” are used to command the time of Christian giving (1Corinthian 16:2) as to show the example of Christian communion (Acts 20:7). Almost all professed Christians make a regular weekly contribution. But they should likewise observe regular weekly communion for the same reason every first day. 1 Corinthians 11:20-30 shows that the Christians at Corinth took communion as a regular part of their coming together for worship. Prayer books and catechisms written by men teach communion monthly, quarterly or annually; but the teaching and example of the apostles is for communion every first day of the week.   

 

Q:     IS A COMMUNION FEE SCRIPTURAL?

ANS:

A communion fee is another doctrine of men. It is something which catechisms bind, but the apostles did not bind. Never does the Scripture speak of the fee charged to allow person to commune with Christ. It is a money scheme which is an addition to the Bible plan of giving (1 Corinthians 16:2; Revelation 22:18, 19). Every man must examine himself before communion (1 Corinthians 11:28). No man has the right to charge a fee or refuse communion to a Christian.

Q:     CAN A WOMAN BE A PUBLIC LEADER IN THE CHURCH?

ANS:

She cannot, as clearly stated in 1 Corinthians 14:34, 35. When the whole church has come together (verse 23), a woman must keep silent in the church (assembly), never in the Bible were there women evangelists, elders or deacons. No woman led the prayers, led singing, or took any public lead in the worship of the church. They tried to publicly lead in the church in Corinth but were rebuked in the above verses.

 

Q:     WHY CAN'T A WOMAN LEAD PUBLICLY IN THE CHURCH?

ANS:

1 Timothy 2:11,12 explains that the woman must learn in silence with all subjection. A woman leading in public worship is not in subjection. She must not teach in public because this would be seizing (usurping) authority over the man (verse12). A leader of public worship is exercising authority over the audience. This is what women must not do.

Q:     CAN WOMEN PARTICIPATE IN PUBLIC WORSHIP/

ANS:

Christian worship is for all members of the church, but women must follow instead of leading. Women sing, and even teach and admonish by singing (Colossians 3:16). They may confess their faith their publicly (Matthew 10:32). They may answer a question (or ask one) in the presence of men (acts 5:8). But in all these things they participate instead of leading.

 

Q:     CAN A WOMAN TEACH IN PRIVATE?

ANS:

Titus 2:3-5 commands older women to teach younger women. This is to be in the home or in a separate women class. Priscila even taught a preacher, Apollos, the way of God more perfectly (Acts 18:26). But she did this together with her husband, Aquila and in private, not in public. Women labored with Paul in the gospel (Philippians 4:3), but their part was not public leadership.

 

Q:     WHEN DOES A PERSON BECOME A “MEMBER” OF THE LORD’S CHURCH?

ANS:

Acts 2:47 shows that the Lord adds to the church those who are saved when they are baptized. Before becoming a true member of the Lord’s church a person is an unforgiven sinner (Acts 2:38; 22:16). Baptism is part of the new birth which adds one to God’s family or kingdom (John 3:35). One who has not been of water and the spirit is not a child of God. He is still in darkness in the devil’s family (Colossians 1:13). No non-member should be allowed any leadership in the church or any voice in the church’s decisions. Let us speak as God’s word speaks (1Peter 4:11).

 

Q:     IS HOLY SPIRIT BAPTISM PERFORMED TODAY?

ANS: some denominations teach both Holy Spirit baptism and water baptism today. But Ephesus 4:5 says there is “one baptism.” Holy Spirit baptism was a special miraculous gift given to the apostles ON THE Day of Pentecost (Acts 2:1-4) and to the house Cornelius (Acts 1:44, 45). In the days before New Testament was completed, the Holy Spirit was given miraculously to guide men (John 16:13). But when the perfect revelation of the Holy Spirit (the Bible) was completed, the partial or miraculous gifts ceased (1 Corinthians 13:8-10). The Holy Spirit instructs men today only through the Bible, which is the “sword of the Spirit” (Ephesians 6:17). Holy Spirit baptism was necessary to begin the church, but it was temporary and ceased with all other miracles.

 

Q:     WHAT IS THE GIFT OF THE HOLY SPIRIT WHICH COMES AFTER BAPTISM?

ANS: Acts 2:38 says that those who repent and are baptized in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins also receive the gift of the Holy Spirit (or Holy Ghost). This promise is for all whom God shall call (verse 39), which includes Christians today. Galatians 4:6 says that God sends forth Spirit of His Son in the heart of those who are His sons or children. Acts 5:32 says that God gives the Holy Spirit to those that obey Him. These and other verses clearly tell us that the Holy Spirit is given to those who become Christians. But the gift of the Holy Spirit is not a miraculous gift, for the giving of miracle-working gifts of the Spirit was done by the laying of the apostle’s hands (Acts 8:18, 2 Timothy 1:6). When the last apostle died, miraculous gifts could no longer be given. The gift of the Spirit to every Christian is not a feeling or emotion in one’s heart. Pagans feel happy and save in their heathen practices, but the emotional feelings are not the Spirit of God. The gift of the Holy Spirit is simply God’s spirit dwelling in a Christian. Christ dwells in our hearts by faith (Ephesians 3:17). God also makes His abode in a Christian (John 14:23). There is no mysterious feeling or sensation. But we are merely assured that God, Christ and Holy Spirit live within us as we abide within them and their teachings.

 

 

Q:     WHERE IS THE HEADQUARTERS OF THE LORD’S CHURCH?

ANS:

A “headquarters” is “the quarters of the head.” Jesus is the only head of His church (Colossians 1:18; Ephesians 4:5). Jesus is in heaven (Hebrews 12:2). Therefore, heaven is the only headquarters of Christ’s church. No school, hospital, or compound is headquarters. The church has no headquarters on earth. Each congregation is free and independent under Christ, the head.

 

Q:     WHAT IS THE NAME OF THE LORD’S CHURCH?

ANS:
Whether one has a denominational or undenominational idea of the church is often indicated by his use of the term “Church of Christ.” The Lord’s church has no single name in the bible. It is called “the church” (Colossians 1:18), “church of God” (1 Corinthians 1:2), “church of the living God” (1 Timothy 3:15), “churches of the saints” (1 Corinthians 14:33), “churches of Christ” (Romans 16:16), etc. We should acknowledge and wear all Bible names for the church. To wear only one is a narrow, unscriptural idea. We should think of the church as we think of God in the Bible. God has many names, and we do not limit him with only one. A god with only one name is not the God of the Bible. Likewise, a church with only one name is not a church of the Bible. We must have an understanding of the true nature of the undenominational church as it is in the Bible. Unless we do, we cannot teach others of undenominational Christianity.