We Preach Christ

WE PREACH CHRIST!!!

        Gospel Meetings used to be called Protracted Meetings in the 1940s, and were called Revivals by many.  These are times of evangelistic outreach, lifting up and honoring Christ Jesus and letting His Light of Truth shine. “That was the true Light, which lighteth every man that cometh into the world. He was in the world, and the world was made by him, and the world knew him not.”  John 1:9-10 (KJV)

        “For unto us a child is born, unto us a son is given: and the government shall be upon his shoulder: and his name shall be called Wonderful, Counsellor, The mighty God, The everlasting Father, The Prince of Peace.  Of the increase of his government and peace there shall be no end, upon the throne of David, and upon his kingdom, to order it, and to establish it with judgment and with justice from henceforth even for ever. The zeal of the LORD of hosts will perform this.”  Isaiah 9:6-7 (KJV)

        “For unto which of the angels said he at any time, Thou art my Son, this day have I begotten thee? And again, I will be to him a Father, and he shall be to me a Son?  And again, when he bringeth in the firstbegotten into the world, he saith, And let all the angels of God worship him.”  Heb 1:5-6 (KJV)

        “According to the grace of God which is given unto me, as a wise masterbuilder, I have laid the foundation, and another buildeth thereon.  But let every man take heed how he buildeth thereupon.  For other foundation can no man lay than that is laid, which is Jesus Christ. “  1 Cor 3:10-11 (KJV)

      In the year of 1794, on August 4th, Rice Haggard stood in the meeting at Old Lebanon Church, Surry County, Virginia, with a New Testament in his hand, and said: "Brethren, this [New Testament] is a sufficient rule of faith and practice.  And by it we are told that the disciples were called Christians. And I move that henceforth and forever the followers of Christ be known as Christians simply."  This proved to be the beginning of the "Stone-Campbell Movement" in America.  [The Lord's Church dates from Pentecost.]

        Salvation unites the believer with Christ.  Said Stone: "We urged upon the sinner to believe now, and receive salvation...No previous qualification was required, or necessary, in order to believe in Jesus, and come to Him - that if they were sinners, this was their divine warrant to believe in Him and to come to Him for salvation...When we first began to preach these things, the people appeared as just awakened from the sleep of ages - they seemed to see for the first time that they were responsible beings, and that a refusal to use the means appointed [for salvation] was a damning sin.”

        Walter Scott, who came to be thought of as The Evangelist  used the "five-finger exercise" to help people remember: Faith, Repentance, Baptism, Remission of sins, Gift of the Holy Spirit."  These were man's response to God's offer of salvation.  Christ is preached: His Death and Resurrection. Sinners are to believe in Christ, repent of sins, and be baptized into Christ for remission of sins and the gift of the Holy Spirit [Acts 2:38].  With this message, Scott led thousands each year [in the 1800's] to "obey the gospel." 

        Unity  is a command of Christ. 

      “Neither pray I for these alone, but for them also which shall believe on me through their word;  That they all may be one; as thou, Father, art in me, and I in thee, that they also may be one in us: that the world may believe that thou hast sent me.  And the glory which thou gavest me I have given them; that they may be one, even as we are one:  I in them, and thou in me, that they may be made perfect in one; and that the world may know that thou hast sent me, and hast loved them, as thou hast loved me.”  John 17:20-23 (KJV)

        In 1832, Stone and Campbell joined the right hand of fellowship. Stone wrote in 1833: "How vain are all human attempts to unite a bundle of twigs together, so as to make them grow together and bear fruit.  They must first be united with the living stock, and receive its sap and spirit, before they can ever be united with one another.  The members of the body cannot live unless by union with its head - nor can members of the church live united, unless first united with Christ The Living Head.  His Spirit is the bond of union.  Men have devised many plans to unite Christians - all in vain.  There is but one effectual plan, which is, that all be united with Christ and walk in Him."

        We "stand on the shoulders" of those who have gone before us.  Their work of faith is very important to us.  Read Paul's teaching in 1 Cor. 15:1-8; Titus 2:11-14; 3:3-8; Col. 2:11-14.