Is Public Testimony An Act of Worship?
Scott Perry

I have never understood why anyone would want to rate the glorious
institution of our God, the church of Christ (Eph. 3:21), on par with a
religious organization created by men. Yet this is exactly what some are
doing today who have separated themselves (Prov.18:1, ASV) by their actions
of public testimony in the assembly. This mimicking of the denominations
through the use of words like ³testifying and witnessing² for Christ is in
stark contrast to how these words are used in the New Testament.
The Bible closely relates these two words showing that the apostles
testified to things of which they were eye or ear-witnesses. They heard
truths from and witnessed facts about the life of the Christ and recorded
them for others to believe (1 John 1:1-5; Thayer¹s, p.140). These are the
words which are to be preached in the public assemblies! Paul instructed
Timothy to preach the word, not his experiences! The gospel is God¹s power
unto salvation (Rom. 1:16), not someone¹s personal testimony.
Women are also allowed to stand before the assembly and give their
personal testimony. How can this practice be in keeping with (1 Cor.
14:34-35)? It can¹t. It is a direct violation of Christian doctrine (1 Tim.
2:12).
Christians are to do all things in the name (authority) of the Lord
(Col.3:17) in the public assemblies neither can we bid God¹s speed to this
irreverent behavior (2 John 9-11).


What¹s Wrong With Using the NIV ? (3)
Scott Perry

PERVERSIONS IN THE GOSPEL RECORDS (continued)

Perhaps no portion of Scripture is more detrimental to denominational
³Christianity² and modernism than Mark 16:9-20. And while the NIV
translators did not relegate this passage to footnote status like the RSV
did in 1946, they did leave ³a major question mark hanging over this
inestimable portion of Sacred Scripture by leaving the impression that the
passage¹s genuineness is lacking in the most reliable manuscript authority.²
Immediately before the section the NIV states ³The most reliable MSS omit
Mark 16:9-20.² However, previously in his book brother Taylor cited
reference to the fact that the ordinary conclusion of the gospel of Mark:

. . . is found in more than five hundred Greek manuscripts, in the whole
of the Syriac and Coptic [Versions, sp], and most of the Latin
manuscripts,and even in the Gothic Version² (p. 49, emphasis in original).

Brother Taylor exposed the open door left by the NIV translators in
reference to divorce:

In Matthew 5:32 and 19:9 the NIV says that no one should divorce his
wife³except for marital unfaithfulness.² The KJV and ASV both have
fornication here. The Greek word is porneia and means ³Prostitution,
unchastity, fornication,of every kind of unlawful intercourse.² We have had
no trouble through theyears in understanding the import of fornication here.
Why make the change?There was no justification for this obviously weaker and
less accurate rendering of the Greek original.

PERVERSIONS IN THE EPISTLES

In both the Roman and Galatian epistles they translate the Greek word sarx
as ³sinful mind,² ³sinful man² or ³sinful nature.² This is nothing but a
flareback to the old Calvinism of original or Adamic sin. But what else
should one expect when he learns that one of the leading voices in the
production of the NIV has a volume out on the five cardinal doctrines of
Calvinism one of which is total hereditary depravity or original sin? The
term sarx should have been translated flesh as our reliable Bibles, the KJV
and ASV of 1901, did and still do.

(to be concluded in two weeks)

VOLUME 39 NUMBER 42 OCTOBER 21,
2002

OUR SICK

Shawn Wallace is in Room 344 of Baptist Hospital.
Chester Goodwin¹s sister was taken to the hospital Sunday.
Cleta Morgan¹s son, Ron Green, has a doctor¹s appointment on Tuesday, for
possible surgery.
*********************************
PUMPKIN PARTY

There will be a Pumpkin Party here at the building on Thursday, October 31st
from 7:00 to 9:00 PM. There will be games and goodies for children. Parents
bring refreshments­sweets, snacks and drinks. Grown-ups are invited to bring
treats and park their cars in the back parking lot for ³Trick or Treating.²
*********************************
HISPANIC UPDATE

Our Hispanic Gospel Meeting will be Friday evening, October 25th at 7:00 PM
and Saturday, October 26th at 2:00 PM. You are invited to come: prayers will
be translated, songs can be sung in English, and sermon outlines in English.
Thanks to the ladies who will provide food and serve, also to those hosting
brethren in your homes. The door to door campaign will begin at 9:00 AM on
Saturday, October 26th. Your help will be needed in several areas. Let¹s
take the gospel to the Spanish-speaking people in our area.
*********************************

SERMONS FOR OCTOBER 27

Morning
What Is The Word Of God? (2 Timothy 3:15-17)
Evening
Hosea *********************************
DAYLIGHT SAVING TIME ENDS

Remember to set your clocks back one hour this Saturday night, October 26th.
*********************************
SEARCH
Week of October 27
FAITH OF OUR FATHERS
³Faith of our Fathers² is the title of our National Hymn. We sang and heard
it sung frequently during the observance of the nine eleven services last
month. But, are the youth really devoted to the faith of their fathers? It
is easy for a generation to abandon such faith when they have not examined
it.

EVENTS OF INTEREST

October 25 & 26.......Hispanic Gospel
Meeting at Mabelvale Church of Christ
October 29................All Comers Class Trip
October 31................Pumpkin Party
November 2..............Hobo Stew
November 5..............All Comers Class

OUR RECORD OCTOBER 20, 2002

A.M. WORSHIP 178
SUNDAY BIBLE STUDY 151
P.M. WORSHIP 131
WEDNESDAY BIBLE STUDY 121

CONTRIBUTION 6606
BUDGET 5570
***********************************
MEN TO SERVE
October 27, 2002

Richard Butler Henry Brooks
Phil DePriest Ron Douglas
Keith Golden James Goode
Chuck Farris Wally Davis

Evening Ray Bryan
Alan Caudle
***********************************
WEDNESDAY SONG DIRECTOR

October 30 Michael Wilson
***********************************
USHERS FOR OCTOBER

Morning Gary Poole
Evening Doug Parker
***********************************
GREETERS FOR OCTOBER

Lou Sullivan & Judy Morris
Shawn & Alicia Wallace
***********************************
ELDER CHAIRMAN

October Roger Horton
***********************************