Expert: Onaga Thomas - 7/26/2006

Question
Hey thanks for responding to my question.
So if the new testament doesn't mention something, then we shouldn't practice it? I don't believe the new testament mentions or paid ministry does it?
Also you say your church is structured just as the primitive church of christ. But where are the prophets and apostles that were a vital part of christs church. (Ephesians 2:19-20, 4:10-13)
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Followup To

Question -
 I understand that the church of christ split off from the Disciples of Christ. Why do you claim to be the true church? And I also learned that before the split the church used musical instruments. Just like in the old testament. I understand that you believe if instruments should be a part of worship then God would've told you to include it. But instruments have always been a part of worship. So can you help me understand a little bit where the belief came from?


Answer -
Thankyou for your question

 The New Testament Church was started on the day of Pentecost in 33 A.D. The Church of Christ is a new testament church, it is mentioned in scripture by Paul (Romans 16:16) meaning it was in existence in that time or else he would not have mentioned it.  As to the claim that the Church of Christ is the one true church comes from the fact that it is named in the Bible and the church only functions out of the Word of God.  The worship, stucture, and nature of the church is rooted in scripture with nothing added to or taken out of the Bible.  As for the music, the new testament gives no command from God to use instruments in the worship service.  We are told to sing (Eph. 5:19)but never commanded that we as Christians have to play instruments in the Lord's service.  Since there is no directive from God in the New Testament to play instruments, but there is a directive to sing, we obey God Word as we sing "making melody in our hearts" unto God.  So the belief in singing is strictly from the new testament because we try our best to follow the Word of God completely.  It gives no instructions for musical instruments, therefore we do not implement them into the worship service. have a blessed week

Onaga

Answer
Thankyou again for your question

Since the New Testament church was birthed in the new testament, it has to follow the instuctions of the new testament or it can not make a claim to be the Church.  If the Church followed the old testament or simply a man-made idea it would fail to be the Church of the new covenant, with is the new testament.  So yes, it needs to follow the new testament in the way it worships God or the church failes to listen to God according to His Word.  All things done in the church should be able to be backed up with scripture in the new testaments to make sure it is following God's Word adn God's word only.  As to the prophets and apostles that were vital to the early church's establishment, it is true they were.  They were needed to confirm the Word of God, since it was not completed.  It was not completed until John the Revelator penned the last book.  When the word of God was completed, there was no need for further revelation about God or His church, since that is what prophets and apostles did (they testified about God, Christ, and secrets God hid until He choose them to reveal it).  The prophets and apostles had to be helping hands in building the Church so early believer would not be carried away with any doctrine (Eph. 4:14)they confirmed the word with miracles following so that those early followers would believe it was truly from God.  God speaks through us now by Chirst only (Hebrews 1:1), no need for apostles or prophets because as stated earlier the Word of God is complete, confirmed, and everlasting with John being the last author.