Green Box


A Prayer, Purpose And Plea


Albert E. Farley



Our prayer, as members of the churches of Christ is the prayer our Lord prayed for His disciples when He was somewhere between the upper room and the Garden of Gethsemane. John 14:31; 18:1. Jesus’ prayer fills the entire seventeenth chapter of the gospel of John. How long has it been since we have read the Lord’s prayer? In His prayer, Jesus prayed, “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.” 17:20, 21. Jesus knew where he was going and what was going to happen to Him. His prayer was that all who would believe in Him through the words of the apostles would be ONE – as He was one with His Father. Why? So that the world may believe that God has sent His Son. Today, the world lies in growing unbelief. Why?

 

Our purpose is to fulfill the Lord’s prayer. From the days of the apostles, when the church was one, until today, man has caused many divisions in the church by teaching for doctrines the commandments of men. As the above article teaches, a river is purest at its source. Just so, the church of Christ is pure at its source. Our purpose is to go back to the church, as revealed in the New Testament, and be that church in faith, practice, and in teaching. We endeavor to keep the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace (Ephesians 4:1-6); we contend earnestly for the faith, which was once (for all time) delivered unto the saints. Jude 3. We condemn division; it is sin. 1 Corinthians 1:10-13. We desire to throw away everything that has been added to the Word and to restore everything that has been taken from the Word. We desire to “speak where the Bible speaks and to be silent where the Bible is silent.” 1 Peter 4:11.


Our plea is for you to come and join with us in this great and noble work. Why believe anything that is not taught in the gospel of Christ? Romans 10:17. Why be a member of any church that is not the church built by our Lord Jesus Christ, as recorded in Acts 2? Why wear any religious name other than the name of Christ (Christian)? Why worship in any other way than the early church worshipped - in spirit and in truth? John 4:24. Why teach any other doctrine than that which was taught by the apostles and recorded in the books of the New Testament? 2 John 9-11.


If our prayer, our purpose, and our plea appeal to you, please contact the local church of Christ or me at West Virginia Christian. We will be more than happy to speak with you.


Our circulation last month was 2,710 copies. We are thankful for all of our readers and the encouraging comments we receive from you. If you have comments, suggestions, or questions, send them to us. Thank you for your faithful prayers, subscriptions, and renewals. “The churches of Christ greet you.” –Albert.


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