WHY I LEFT THE CONSERVATIVE CHRISTIAN CHURCH
I write this article to encourage us all to be better students and soldiers of the Lord. Now, as to
why I left:
1. THE INSTRUMENT.
Of course the number one reason would be because of the instrument. I had been taught all
of my life that "a lifeless piano" would not and could not condemn one to the fires of hell. Paul
taught that we were to "psallo-I in Eph. 5:19, but we failed to study this completely and took our
Greek professor's word for it. Since that time I have reminded people that it is not worship if it
is not "in truth' and according to "the authority of Christ" (Jno. 4:24; Col. 3:17).
II. SPECIAL MUSIC.
Closely akin to the instrument are choirs, chorales, quartets, rock bands, etc. in the worship
service. If Eph. 5:19 teaches me that we are to each other, how can this be done by
the groups listed above?
III. WOMEN USED IN WORSHIP SERVICES.
As a preacher in the Christian Church in the past, I have called on women to lead
congregational prayers. After a study of such, I concluded that this was wrong. We also had
women choir directors, women elders, women on the church board, women teaching mixed
Bible classes, women educational directors and women youth ministers. I Cor. 14:34; I Tim.
2:11-12.
IV. PARTAKING OF THE LORDS SUPPER ON DAYS NOT AUTHORIZED.
From time to time we would partake of the Lord's Supper on Wednesday night or Thursday
night or any night a group might gather for some religious service. The logic would be: The
Lord is here and near--so let's acknowledge this by the partaking of the Lord's Supper. Where
is the Bible authority for such? Our Lord authorized -the f irst day of the week (Acts 20:7; I
Cor. 11:23-28).
V. OBSERVANCE OF SPECIAL DAYS.
Christmas and Easter were observed as religious holidays. In every congregation that I
preached for in the Christian church we had Santa Claus and the Easter Bunny. Just about
every holiday the world observed--we observed it in some way. Paul warned about this in Gal.
4:9-11 and Col. 2:16-17.
VI. FELLOWSHIP WITH DENOMINATIONS.
I exchanged pulpits with denominational preachers on a number of occasions. We would
exchange church choirs or some other singing group. I was a member of the local ministerial
society. I accepted denominational baptism--if it water baptism by immersion. I supported
denominational revivals, conventions, so on.
VII. CHRISTIANS, BUT NOT THE ONLY CHRISTIANS.
There are many roads to heaven. You're on one and I am on another. We may differ
doctrinally, but we both believe in Jesus Christ as the Son of God. I am a Christian and you are
a Christian. I believed that denominational church members were my brothers in Christ.
Therefore, there was no effort put forth to change them religiously. But doctrine does make
a difference. -Tit. 1:9.
VIII. CONSTITUTION AND BY-LAWS TAKING THE PLACE OF TIRE SCRIPTURES.
The length of the office of elders and deacons was determined by what the by-laws said. 2
Tim. 3:16-17; Acts 20:32; Col.1:18.
IX. NO SCRIPTURAL AUTHORITY FOR SUPPORTING DENOMINATIONAL
MISSIONARIES.
In one congregation I preached for, we supported a Baptist missionary.
X. NO SCRIPTURAL AUTHORITY FOR CONGREGATIONAL VOTING.
Elders, deacons and preachers were voted on. I Pet. !5:1-4.
XI. NO SCRIPTURAL AUTHORITY FOR AN OFFICIAL OFFICE OF DEACONESS.
Every congregation I preached for had this office. It was a voting office. There was a head
deaconess. There are examples of women doing good works (Acts 9:36-43), but no office.
XII. UNAUTHORIZED FUND RAISING.
We had our car washes, bake sales, yard sales, rummage sales all in the name of the
church. I Cor. 16:1-2.
OBSERVATION: How many of the things listed above are now practiced in the churches of
Christ? I left the Conservative Christian Church because of these unscriptural practices. How
we like to be like the people round about us!!!
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