Over the Door of Your Church

Over the door! There is a song named, “It’s Not What’s Over the Door.” This song is pointing out that it’s not what’s over the door of the Christian Church that counts, but what is in your heart. This is the way it seems that it should be for a “unified” Christian Church, but that impression is hard to see in reality. What’s over the door seems to matter a great deal.

I intend no criticism of anyone or any church in the following presentation. However, since I was very young, and began considering the various aspects of religion as I was being exposed to it in Baptist Sunday School, Training Union, Royal Ambassadors, Sanctuary Sermons, and tent revival meetings, I didn’t understand why there were so many denominations. Is there so much disagreement in what is given us in the Holy Bible that the Church cannot be united? All the denominations appeared to be using the same Holy Bible as their guide to righteous living and salvation. However, as I have traveled through life and attended various churches, other denominations as well as the denomination I was reared in, I noticed practices that didn’t seem to be in accordance with the Bibles that I read. How could interpretations of what God intended for righteous living and salvation be so different to the many learned Bible Scholars?

Why would instruction so important to our salvation be so vague or obscure? How many in the Christian Church critically assess the doctrine of the church to which they belong? Do they just accept the one of their childhood, which was selected by their parents? I have noted changes that have been made, apparently after assessments were made. Perhaps some of these changes were made for factors other than doctrine.

The translations, or interpretations, are massaged through many Bible versions and evolvement of languages over the many years, with paraphrasing and verse adjustments. There has also been much disagreement among the Bible Scholars as they prepared the various versions. It seems that all these aspects of evolvement of and presentation of the Holy Bible present many dangers of Heresy (The American Heritage Dictionary of the English Language, 1976). It seems, when considering various aspects of practice among the churches and denominations, that there is an element of “cafeteria religion” in picking those practices to be followed. What are the justifications for selections?

The roles of women in the Church have changed in ways that appear to be prohibited by the Bible. Dress of Church officials vary from elaborate to indistinguishable. Prayer to God and prayer through intermediaries to God.  Forgiveness from God and forgiveness by intermediaries.  Music in the Church varies from no instruments to full orchestras. Communion is conducted in a variety of way using various utensils and serving methods. Baptism is viewed and conducted differently by denomination and church. The Bible instructs on the folly of debt, but churches accumulate large amounts of debt to build facilities and do other things in the hope that “they will come” to fill the voids.

I am sure that I am not the only one that has made observations and had reservations concerning various aspects of Christian Church life and teachings. There are many publications offering further explanations of the Bible. This even extends into the realm of fiction, such as the “Left Behind” series of books. Who could not imagine the events and consequences described in these books without the benefit of the books? Why are these “supplemental” publications needed in order to teach and understand the words of God and His Messenger, Jesus Christ, our Lord and Savior.

I will not attempt to explain any of these issues, they are far beyond my knowledge and ability. I only have questions! Below are some of the Bible verses and issues that I have considered for a very long time. 

The Role of Women in the Church

Many Christian churches now have women pastors with various roles (children’s ministers, ministers of music, etc.) and Deacons. Does this participation by women in the church constitute sin and heresy? The Bible speaks of how women are to conduct themselves in worship.

God’s word is very clear. Some things are not permitted. They are forbidden. Things done, but forbidden by God, are sinful and separates us from God, and the sin will cause eternal loss.

1 Corinthians 14:33-35 (Quest Study Bible, 1994).

1 Timothy 2:11-15 (Quest Study Bible, 1994).”

 

The Role and Conduct of Communion in the Church

Communion in the Church is conducted differently by denomination, and even within denomination. Some conduct Communion at each worship event, some appear to conduct it randomly, and some by schedule. They also vary in the way it is administered.

1 Corinthians 11:26-27 (Quest Study Bible, 1994).

John 6:53-58 (Quest Study Bible, 1994).”

The Role and Conduct of Baptism in the Church

The question: is baptism required for salvation?

John 3:5 – ⁵Jesus answered, “I tell you the truth, no one can enter the kingdom of God unless he is born of water and the Spirit (Quest Study Bible, 1994).”

John 3:16 (Quest Study Bible, 1994).

Acts 2:38-39 (Quest Study Bible, 1994).”

Acts 22:16 (Quest Study Bible, 1994).

1 Peter. 3:20-22 (Quest Study Bible, 1994).

“The problem with baptismal regeneration (the belief that baptism is part of salvation and necessary for it) is that it contradicts other Scriptures that state we are justified by faith. Justification is God’s declaration upon a sinner that the person is declared righteous in God’s sight. In other words, only Christians are justified. Only Christians are saved (Matt Slick; Christian Apologetics and Research Ministry; September 15, 2015; https://carm.org/dictionary-baptismal-regeneration).” The following verses below provide additional insight.

Romans 4:3 (Quest Study Bible, 1994).”

Romans 5:1-2 (Quest Study Bible, 1994).

Galatians 3:8-9 (Quest Study Bible, 1994).

Ephesians 2:8-9 (Quest Study Bible, 1994).

“There are other verses, but these are sufficient to show that we are made right in God’s eyes–justified, forgiven–by faith, not by faith and baptism. If baptism were necessary for salvation, then these verses would state that we are justified by faith and baptism, but they don’t. In fact, that is not what Paul says that the Gospel is, and it is the Gospel that saves us (Matt Slick; Christian Apologetics and Research Ministry; September 15, 2015; https://carm.org/dictionary-baptismal-regeneration).”

Further study by the readers of this article is encouraged to make your own decisions and develop your own conclusions from the many sources of study available. 

The Role and Forms of Clothing in the Church

Deuteronomy 22:5 (Quest Study Bible, 1994).

1 Timothy 2:9-10 (Quest Study Bible, 1994).

1 Corinthians 11:6-10 (Quest Study Bible, 1994).

God and Man Mediation

1 Timothy 2:5-6 

Scripture taken from the Holy Bible, Quest Study Bible, New International Version (NIV), Copyright 1973, 1978, 1984, 1994 by International Bible Society, published by the Zondervan Corporation, All rights reserved.

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