HOLDING TO THE TRADITIONS
(2 Thessalonians 2:15)
Judsonia Church of Christ
(February 28, 2004)
9:15 am. WELCOME & INTRODUCTION
SPEAKERS and SUBJECTS:
9:30 am. George Shirley
“The Borders of God's Kingdom”
9:50 am. Bill Golden
“Winds of Doctrine”
10:20 am. BREAK
10:40 am. Bill Boyd
“The Bad News and The Good News”
11:00 am. QUESTIONS and ANSWERS
PANEL MEMBERS:
Tom Moore ~ Malvern, AR.
Zack Krug ~ Hattiesburg, MS.
Jimmie B. Hill ~ Duluth, GA.
Kerry King ~ Tom Bean, TX.
John Kackelman ~ Judsonia, AR.
Dale Morris ~ Little Rock, AR
1:15 pm. “MEETING”
Elders × Deacons & Ministers
“Halting the Erosion of the Truth”.
“NONESSENTIALS,” OR COMPROMISE?
Dennis Gulledge
History, especially church history, always makes for interesting reading. One thing about history – it has a tendency to repeat itself. Sometimes we think that our problems and issues are unique to our times, but if we will just look into the past we will usually see our day all over again. For instance, isn't it interesting how that some of the issues presently troubling the church were the same issues that brethren were dealing with in the latter part of the 19th century and early 20th century. Yes, its déjà vu all over again!
Interesting parallels can be seen even among the Reformers of several centuries ago. Philip Melanchthon (1497-1560) was a schoolman, having studied at Heidelberg (from 1509) and Tubingen (from 1512), and was Greek professor at Wittenberg. His was one of the most influential voices of the Reformation Movement, along side Martin Luther and John Calvin. Melanchthon was “the quiet reformer” who was often conciliatory, sometimes to a fault.
A chapter in the life of the German Reformer Philip Melanchthon rings all too familiar of current controversies in the Lord's church. The conflict between Protestantism and Catholicism raged until the Augsburg Interim was drawn up on May 15, 1548. The Interim was a truce between the warring sides expressing “non-essentials” in an effort to secure peace. Certain Catholic rites were accepted by Melanchthon as “nonessentials” (called, adiaphora ), among these being regulations on mass observance, pictures of Jesus and the saints were allowed in the churches, special days were celebrated, penance was practiced with confession, absolution and works of satisfaction were allowed. He would not go so far as to accept auricular confession, supererogation, transubstantiation, masses for the dead, and prayer to saints. Melanchthon held on to what he considered essentials in worship to God, such as justification by faith, prayer and a pious life. He felt that the physical existence of churches depended upon his giving ground to adiaphora. Critics maintained that Catholic ceremonies couldn't be accepted because they reflected Roman doctrines.
I could not help but to see some parallels between Melanchthon's day and ours. There are some in the church today who have adopted an adiaphora of their own. Some among us are now accepting denominational beliefs and practices as nonessentials, that is, “non-salvation” issues, such as fellowship with denominations, introducing instrumental music into the worship, denying baptism as a condition of salvation, and treating the church as just another sect. Liberals have their “core” doctrines, which to them is the “crux” of the matter, such as belief in the death, burial and resurrection of Christ. We are correct to charge them with departing from the truth in their pursuit of such “non-essential” issues as they aver. There is nothing new under the sun.
VOLUME 41 NUMBER 2 JANUARY 12, 2004
OUR SICK
Continue to remember Richard Lowe in your prayers.
Pauline Berry, Brenda Henson's mother, is in St. Joseph's Hospital in Hot Springs.
Debbie DelCampo, daughter of Butch & Nora Harris had brain surgery on Friday. She is in ICU of Baptist Hospital in North Little Rock.
Jim Holmes, brother of Glyn Holmes, is in Fort Roots VA Hospital, D1.
Arthur Blackshear, brother of Retha Priest is in Baptist Hospital.
Helen Epton, Cleta Morgan's sister, had a heart attack on Friday. She is in Sparks Hospital in Ft. Smith.
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EVENING LADIES CLASS
The Tuesday night Ladies Bible Class will resume on Tuesday, January 27th at 6:30 p.m. The meal will be provided. Our five lessons will be centered on Proverbs 31, and we will have different speakers and a panel discussion. The schedule will be January 27th, February 24th, March 23rd, April 27th, and May 18th. Please make plans to attend and bring a friend with you. Remember, there is a direct correlation between the effort we put forth and what we receive in return.
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TEEN SING
The Teen Sing will be after the evening service on Sunday, January 18th at the home of Wayne & Susan Brewer. Girls bring chips and boys bring drinks.
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SERMONS FOR JANUARY 18
Morning
Prayer For The Sick (James 5:13-16)
Evening
The Hard Lessons Of The Prodigal Son (Luke 15:11-24)
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VISITATION REORGANIZATION
There will be a Visitation Reorganization Meeting following the evening service on Sunday, January 18th. This will be for all members of teams from August through November and also anyone else interested in being on a team for February thru May. Please bring finger foods.
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ALL COMERS CLASS
The Tuesday morning Bible Class will resume on February 10th at 10:00 AM in the Adult 4 Classroom. The study will continue in the book of Joshua.
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The Ladies Food Team for January is: Nita Boyd, Martha Franklin, Mary Tucker, Mary Cohrt, Karla Bates.
CALENDAR OF EVENTS
January 18……Visitation Reorganization
January 18…………………….Teen Sing
January 25……….New Members Dinner
February 6……....Bible Bowl Pizza Party
February 7……..Bible Bowl Competition
February 10…All Comers Class Resumes
OUR RECORD JANUARY 11, 2003
A.M. WORSHIP 210
SUNDAY BIBLE STUDY 171
P.M. WORSHIP 138
WEDNESDAY BIBLE STUDY 154
CONTRIBUTION 8938
BUDGET 6845
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MEN TO SERVE
January 18, 2004
Harold Pigue Stan Smith
Ken Sullivan Gene Sullivan
Gary Poole Blake Poole
Scott Perry Doug Parker
Evening Doyce Tarkington
Wendell Thompson
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WEDNESDAY SONG DIRECTOR
January 21 Doug Parker
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USHERS FOR JANUARY
Morning Mike & Nathan Moore
Evening Ray Wehunt & David Gulledge
Wednesday Jim & Shawn Wallace
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GREETERS FOR JANUARY
Jim & Charlene Mauldin
Anita & Jason Griffin
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ELDER CHAIRMAN
January Gene Sullivan
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