The Italian Memorandum

“But the hour is coming, and is now here, when the true worshipers will worship the Father in spirit and truth , for the Father is seeking such people to worship him. God is spirit, and those who worship him must worship in spirit and truth”

(John 4:23-24)

Most would agree that it matters how one worships (John 4:23-24). Still, the guidelines for New Testament worship are being challenged today by many would-be followers of the Lord.

Five prominent and seductive areas in which Christian worship is being displaced today include:

1. Non-verifiable worship (“Now, where’s that in the NT?”)
2. Talent -based worship (“Who gets to go to the mic?”)
3. Entertainment based worship (mechanical; clapping; etc.)
4. Validation object (God or Man?)
5. Feedback (Effectiveness is marked by 2,3,4 above)

What is the scriptural source of authority for worship? If it is older than the NT, it is too old (Heb. 8:8-13). If it is newer than the New Testament, it is too modern (Heb.12:28-29). Authority derives from Jesus (Matt. 28:18). So, if worship is not “in Jesus name”—that is, by his authority, it cannot be legitimate (see Col. 3:17).

In contrast, NT worship is scripturally verifiable; privileged not talent based; heart based rather than hearer based; directed to God not man; and feedback comes from the Lord—his word-based will.

– Robert M. Housby

It is not only permissible for Christians in America to participate in the political process (according to the New Testament) it is redemptive and God glorifying.

1. Christian doctrine endorses subjection to the American political process (see Romans 13:1-7). Fortunately, in the American system a citizen of the country may have a voice and a vote. But this voice and vote are to be for “good” (not evil) and as “servants of God”(not servants against God) (see 1 Peter 2:13-17).
2. Christian examples of Paul and his associates models for all time approved apostolic examples of participation in the political process. See Acts 16:35-40 and 26:1,32 for evidence of this both on the local and the imperial level.

3. Christian purpose was, perhaps, never clearer than when Jesus said in Matthew 5:14-16 “You are the light of the world…let your light shine before others that they may see your good works and give glory to your Father who is in heaven.” Notice, here, that privatization of one’s faith is the very opposite of what the Lord meant.

Political issues are often moral issues. When Jesus said, “Judge righteous judgment” (John 7:24) he endorsed for all time that Christians should use their voice and their vote for good not evil. Yes, we are aware that some in America are citing “separation of church and state” as grounds for Christians to hush their mouths. The fact is, however, that Thomas Jefferson uttered those words, January 1, 1802, to reassure the Danbury Baptist Association of Connecticut of their continued and uninterrupted expression of Christian faith. Current attempts to infer that this is a constitutional matter have another agenda in mind.

Secular humanists are not only anti-Bible and anti-Christ, they are against the very Founders of our own Nation. Will you participate in the political process as a Christian?

-Robert M. Housby

Does Observance of the Lord’s Supper
Every Lord’s Day Diminish Its Design?

“Do this in remembrance of me”

(1 Corinthians 11:24)

We recently encountered a view of the Lord’s Supper which essentially tries to justify the denominational practice of observing the emblems less often than weekly. The rationale for this view goes something like this—To take the communion every week is to defeat its purpose as being a special observance.

The above view fails to appreciate the following scriptural information:

(1) The Lord, himself, designed this communion memorial and the apostles by inspiration transmitted these directives to the church (Acts 2:42). It is, therefore, not a matter open to the discretion of a board of deacons or church bishops to negate what is already in place (see 1 Cor. 11:23; 14:37; 4:17).

(2) The frequency of the Lord’s Supper must include the apostolic traditions which have been set forth in the New Testament, not traditions which were super-added hundreds of years later (see 2 Thessalonians 2:15; 1 Thessalonians 2:13; 4:1-2).

(3) The Lord’s Supper coincides with the Lord’s Day; that is a weekly participation (see Rev. 1:10; 1 Cor. 11:17,18,20; 16:1-2; Acts 20:7).

(4) The Acts 20:7 reference is even stronger in Greek than in English, though the English is quite adequate to convey the truth that the reason why they came together was to partake of the communion.

The idea of observing the Lord’s Supper annually; quarterly; or, bi-monthly is a departure from the New Testament. This kind of arbitrary reasoning challenges the Lord’s revelation on the subject. One might as well try to argue that praying done weekly diminishes from its being special; or that singing, scripture reading; or preaching detract from the Lord’s design. So, “pray without ceasing” and remember the Lord as often as you come together.

– Robert M. Housby

Sometimes people in the hard sciences such as physics have said daring and even spiritually applicable things. Such is the case in the following observation-quote from the great German physicist, Albert Einstein.

Not everything that counts can be counted,
and not everything that can be counted counts.

We think that Einstein was making a statement here, not only about materially quantifiable data (including star-light), but also about a sociology of valuing people above things. As Christians, we trace our religion back to the patriarch Abraham (Romans 4:16). And, the promise of Genesis 22:17 inevitably comes to mind—“I will surely bless you, and I will surely multiply your offspring as the stars of heaven…” (see Hebrews 11:12).

The French mathematician Blaise Pascal also said something about the counting of the stars. In his Pensees, he wrote, On Man’s Disproportion to the Universe…
marvel at the fact that Earth is merely a tiny point compared to the stars which roll through the firmament. But if our gaze stops there…it will grow tired…For
finally, what is man in nature? He is nothing in comparison with the infinite, and everything in comparison with nothingness, a middle term between all and nothing…we are something, and we are not everything. Listen to Pascal’s breathtaking conclusion—“Man is but a reed, the most feeble thing in nature; but he is a thinking reed…the universe knows nothing of this.”

Yes, man is immensely disproportionate to the stars! But, man can comprehend the stars; the stars will never reciprocally ponder man! May we learn to count again—to learn; to live; to love—the things which truly matter (John 17:3).

– Robert M. Housby

(This article appeared in the Shady Acres Church of Christ Bulletin,
September 2, 2007, and was composed by D. Slingluff.  It has been condensed and adapted)

Someone has said, “God must really love ordinary people—He made so many of them.” In this day of superstars and specialists, experts and authorities, it is reassuring to know that there is one place where the ordinary man (or woman) will always be loved and needed–in the church!

General Eisenhower once rebuked one of his officers for referring to a soldier as “just a private.” He reminded him that the army could function far better without generals than it could without its foot-soldiers. “If this war is won,” he said, “it will be won by privates.” In the same way, the common, ordinary, one talent, Christians are the very backbone of the church…If the work of the Lord is to be done, it will be ordinary Christians who do it.

In thinking back over the years, we can think of some tremendous examples of ordinary Christians serving God in extraordinary ways. The work that has been done by these brothers and sisters is known by few. Their names do not typically appear in church bulletins, though their works are precious and priceless. There is no shame in having limited talents. But there is shame in not using the talents that God has given.

Thank God for ordinary Christians!

(The original article, “Americans Are Being Lied To,” by Tom Moore (Bulletin Briefs,
Crossville, TN Church of Christ: Vol. 10, No. 11, Nov. 2007) has been adapted and
revised herein, Robert M. Housby)

“Righteousness exalts a nation, but sin is a reproach to any people”

(Proverbs 14:34)

The dismantling of America’s Christian Heritage is taking place before our very eyes. American culture had for 185 years been friendly toward Christianity—but no longer…For the past 50 years, the forces of humanism, atheism, evolution, liberalism, pluralism, and political correctness have been aggressive in their assault on all forms of the Christian religion.

This conspiracy parades itself under the guise that our Founding Fathers and the Constitution advocated the “separation between church and state.” Adolph Hitler said, “By means of shrewd lies unremittingly repeated, it is possible to make people believe that heaven is hell and hell is heaven.” Even George Washington’s Farewell Address reads: “Of all the dispositions and habits which lead to political prosperity, religion and morality are indispensable supports. In vain would that man claim tribute of patriotism, who should labor to subvert these great pillars…” (See Exodus 18:21; 2 Chron. 19:2; Prov. 29:2,4; Eph. 6:10-12; 1 Tim. 2:1-2).

Instead of being Turkeys in Wonderland—uninformed and unengaged—let us live what we profess and walk what we talk.

– Robert M. Housby

“An athlete is not crowned unless he competes
according to the rules”

(2 Timothy 2:5)

The Associated Press reports, “Jones surrenders five medals from 2000 Olympics. Her reputation is gone now so are Marion Jones’ Olympic medals. Jones gave back five medals she won at Sydney Olympics…further punishment for her admission that she was a drug cheat…She will be sentenced on Jan. 11, and prosecutors had suggested to Jones the prison term would be a maximum of six months” (Southeast Missourian, Oct. 9, 2007, B).

We were saddened to learn of Marion Jones’ recent admission that she had used illegal steroids prior to the Sydney Olympics. We want to think the best of our heroes. Unfortunately, even the best among us take a fall. Paul’s statement in 2 Timothy 2:5 appears as relevant as this week’s newspaper, despite a time lapse of several thousand years.

1. 2 Timothy 2:5 teaches that rules count.

2. 2 Timothy 2:5 teaches also that competing is necessary for a reward.

3. And, taken together, if there is going to be a crown received, then the competing must be according to the rules.

Marion Jones is not unique in her transgression (Rom. 3:23). But, when it comes to receiving the crown of the Christian reward, we want to be aware of the possibility of disqualification (2 Tim. 3:8). So, “let us run with endurance..”

-Robert M. Housby

“…God prepared a worm…”

(Jonah 4:7)

“But I am a worm and not a man”

(Psalm 22:6; Job 25:6)

In Henry Morris’ Bible and Science Series, Morris says of the scarlet worm (coccus ilicus)—“This is a scarlet worm and the reason it was called that was because it had the ability to secrete a scarlet fluid which was used in making scarlet dye that they used in ancient days…The worm was identified with the scarlet color. The life cycle of that worm is something like this: when the mother worm was ready to give birth to the baby worms, she would find the trunk of a tree, a post or a stick somewhere and then she would plant her body in that wood …so firmly in it that she could never leave it again. Then, the young would be brought forth and the mother would die, and in the process, the scarlet fluid would stain her body and the body of the young and the tree and so on…”

This we do know about Jesus the Christ and his New Covenant—

(1) Jesus identified, in a Messianic way, with the “worm” of Psalm 22:6; Isa. 41:14; Lk. 24:44
(2) Jesus was a sin-sacrifice of scarlet specifications (Isaiah 1:18; Numb. 19:6; Hebrews 9:13,14)
(3) The blood of the covenant also involved scarlet (Heb. 9:19)
(4) The Jesus of the gospel accounts appears in the role of fulfillment as a scarlet robed priest (purple=mixture of blue and scarlet Ex. 28:6,33; Matt. 27:28).

We thank God for the scarlet worm (see Gal. 3:27)!

Robert M. Housby

“For we are the real circumcision who worship by the Spirit of God”

(Philippians 3:3)

Due to the vast amount of published bologna in the field of devotional literature about the Holy Spirit, not to mention all of the popular pastoral pulpit theatrics, we submit the following fundamentals to guide our thinking about the Holy Spirit.

1. The Holy Spirit is not a silent partner in the Godhead today (see Heb. 3:7; 4:12; 10:15,29 Eph. 6:17).

2. Neither emotionalism nor religious experiences are positive proofs of the Spirit’s presence (Matt. 7:21-23; Col. 2:18-19; 1 Ki. 18).

3. Speaking in tongues ( + miraculous) was a temporary and non-normative feature of the early church (Heb. 2:3-4; 1 Cor. 12:29-31).

4. Evidence of the Holy Spirit in one’s life should reflect the New Testament pattern of Acts 2:38-39; 5:32 (initially at conversion) and Galatians 5:16-25 (subsequent to conversion).

Anymore, the Holy Spirit has come to mean practically everything or virtually nothing. When the New Testament documents are superseded by the subjective experiences of men, the will of the Lord via the word of the Lord is certainly marginalized (1 John 4:6; 2 Timothy 3:16,17; 2 Peter 1:3).

– Robert M. Housby

“…I write so that you may know how you ought to conduct yourselves in the
house of God, which is the church of the living God, the pillar and ground of
the truth”

(1 Timothy 3:15)

Some popular slogans about church (2007)

“It doesn’t matter what church you attend—just as long as you attend some church.”

“Church isn’t the important thing;
having a relationship with the Lord is the important thing.”

“We’re non-denominational! [unity for unity’s sake]”

The New Testament Church –

A. Has the right builder (Matt. 16:18)
B. Was established at the right time (Dan. 2:44; Mic. 4:2; Acts 2:16)
C. Was established in the right place (Isa. 2:2-3; Acts 2:5)
D. Has the right standard of authority (2 Tim. 3;16-17; Acts 20:32)
E. Has the right organizational structure (Phil. 1:1; Tit. 1:5)
F. Has the right plan of salvation (1 Cor. 15:1-4)
G. And, has the right worship and service (Jn. 4:24; Matt. 15:9; Heb. 12:28)

Next time that someone tries to tell you that the church doesn’t matter, ask them why they prefer the wrong—founder; time; place; standard; organization; plan; and worship. Of course, maybe these relativistic followers know something that the Lord does not know. “But as for me and my house, we will serve the Lord” (Josh. 24:15).

-Robert M. Housby