It is sad that the “Contributors to the Study Aids” in regard to the New King James Version assert that “in Acts 11:26, we have the inspired record of the Antiochians coining the word Christian,” and that the “Antiochians were witty, worldly, and rather wicked.” On the other hand, as Moses was the mouthpiece of God for divine revelations (Exo. 19:17-25; Heb. 12:25), so were Barnabas and Saul (Paul) mouthpieces of a divine revelation first predicted as “from the mouth of the LORD” (Isa. 62:2). God used Barnabas (a prophet, Acts 13:1) and Saul (an apostle, Gal. 1:1) to teach [didazai, active voice] a large multitude a whole year in Antioch, and to call [chrematisai, active voice] the disciples “Christians” (Acts 11:26).
The “Contributors” do not believe that the name “Christian” came “from the mouth of the LORD,” but that it “was no doubt…a term of reproach.” On the contrary, the inspired James wrote that the “name” by which Jesus’ disciples were called was kalon [honorable, good, worthy, beautiful] (Jas. 2:7).
The “Contributors” in 1 Peter 4:16 failed to follow the majority of Greek manuscripts in removing the word “name” in favor of “matter”: “Yet if anyone suffers as a Christian, let him not be ashamed, but let him glorify God in this matter.” Why they changed the reading in the old KJV “behalf” to “matter” they do not say. But thank God the new KJV, as well as the old KJV, preserves the word “Christian.”

LANGUAGE OF ASHDOD

Dennis Gulledge

In the days when Judah returned to Jerusalem after the Babylonian captivity, Ezra and Nehemiah worked together to improve the conditions then prevailing. The problems they encountered were many, not the least of which was the fact that Jewish men had married women of Ashdod, Ammon and Moab (Neh. 13:23). A consequence of these illegal alliances was seen a generation later, in that their children could not speak the Jews’ language: “And their children spake half in the speech of Ashdod, and could not speak in the Jews’ language, but according to the language of each people” (Neh. 13:24).
Interesting parallels have been drawn from this passage to illustrate how our language can betray us. Our words will reveal the sources of our spiritual learning, whether it is of man or God. When people refer to a gospel preacher as “pastor,” or “reverend”; when people say, “I am a Church of Christ,” or, “He’s a Church of Christ preacher”; when people speak of how they “got saved,” or, how they accepted Jesus Christ as their “personal Savior”; when people wish to “witness” before others; when people call worship a “celebration,” we know that they have been drinking at sectarian wells. As a remedy, time spent in studying the Bible will refine their speech, and reveal a purer source of knowledge. They will learn to “call Bible things by Bible names.”
Sometimes people employ well-intended expressions that form an Ashdodic language. For example, we hear of being “baptized by immersion.” In reality baptism is immersion. Nothing else qualifies. It is redundant to speak of the “modes” of baptism. Baptism is its own mode (Col. 2:12). Again, we hear people speak of being a “born again Christian.” Are there Christians who are not born again? (1 Pet. 1:23). Of course not!
Sometimes in our effort to avoid Ashdodic language we may be guilty of it ourselves. In this case certain expressions that are intended to reveal a distinctive stance may indeed be redundant, and therefore Ashdodic. For example, we often hear of “undenominational Christianity.” Is the way of Christ really anything else? There were Christians who denominated themselves as being “of Paul…of Apollos…of Cephas…of Christ” in the church at Corinth (1 Cor. 1:1-2, 12). Paul straightened them out, urging them to unity (Vs. 10), and asked, “Is Christ divided? Was Paul crucified for you? or were ye baptized in the name of Paul? (Vs.13). “Christianity” itself is not a New Testament word, but the name “Christian” is, and it appears consistently in undenominational contexts (Acts 11:26; 26:28; 1 Pet. 4:16). Christianity predates Catholicism by 600 years, and Protestant denominationalism by 1,500 years. This expression may not have come into use because of false doctrine, and we should be careful that we do not wrongly judge those who use such extra-biblical phrases, as though they do not believe the truth. It is always a good idea to check our speech, and refine it as necessary, lest we drift from “speaking as the oracles of God.”

VOLUME 40 NUMBER 25 JUNE 23, 2003

OUR SICK

Geraldine Chambers is now at home.
Ruth Hamilton is in Southwest Hospital but is expected to go home today (Monday).
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RESPONSE

Requesting Prayers on June 22: Krystal Chapman.
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THANK YOU

I would like to thank my church family at Mabelvale for all the calls, cards, visits and prayers. A special thanks to Scott & Laura for visiting at the hospital. Eleanor White.
Thanks so much for the prayers, cards and concern shown to us at the loss of James sister. Thanks for the flowers from the elders and preachers and the delicious food from the food team. As we have said before there are no people like God’s family at Mabelvale. James & Marvie Smith.
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FIFTH SUNDAY POTLUCK

There will be a fifth Sunday potluck after morning service on Sunday, June 29th.
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BIBLE BOWL PRACTICE

There will be a Bible Bowl practice at 3:30 PM on Sunday, June 29th.
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SERMONS FOR JUNE 29

Morning
Heaven: The Reward of The Righteous (Matthew 5:11-12)
Evening
Freedom In Christ (Romans 6:17-18) [Devin Long, David Gulledge & Dennis Gulledge will speak]
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VBS

Assignments for VBS are on the bulletin board and materials are on Scott’s desk.
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SEARCH

Week of June 29
JESUS’ STORY OF THE LOST SON
Jesus has been recognized by both believer and unbeliever as “the master teacher.” Some say it is His masterful use of parables. One of the favorites in all generations is the one recorded in Luke 15 of the lost son. It’s been awhile since we’ve studied it on this program and we thought it was time to do it again.
EVENTS OF INTEREST

June 27…Oak Grove Youth Meeting
June 29……… Fifth Sunday Potluck
June 29...Bible Bowl Practice at 3:30
June 29………...Young men conduct
evening service
July 13-16………………...Our VBS
July 20..Audrey Oliver Baby Shower
August 1-8...Mission Trip to Arizona

OUR RECORD JUNE 22, 2003

A.M. WORSHIP 210
SUNDAY BIBLE STUDY 161
P.M. WORSHIP 137
WEDNESDAY BIBLE STUDY 142

CONTRIBUTION 5789
BUDGET 6351
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MEN TO SERVE
June 29, 2003

Eddie Black Danny Wooldridge
Rick Wooldridge Wayne Brewer
Bill Boyd Cliff Boyd
John Boyd Ken Bittle

Evening Wendell Thompson
Brian Brewer
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WEDNESDAY SONG DIRECTOR

July 2 Doug Parker
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USHERS FOR JUNE

Morning Doug Parker & Darren Gowen
Evening Michael Wilson & James Goode
Wednesday Ken Sullivan & Nathan Moore
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GREETERS FOR JUNE

Doyce & Lana Tarkington
Audrey Oliver
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ELDER CHAIRMAN

June Harold Pigue
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