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NASB | Hebrews 11:8 ¶ By faith Abraham, when he was called, obeyed by going out to a place which he was to receive for an inheritance; and he went out, not knowing where he was going. |
AMPLIFIED 2015 | Hebrews 11:8 ¶ By faith Abraham, when he was called [by God], obeyed by going to a place which he was to receive as an inheritance; and he went, not knowing where he was going. |
Subject: How many local churches have you tried? |
Bible Note: Brian: You wrote: "How do you feel a local church can satisfy both, those needing milk, as well as those needing solid food?" That is the kind of question local congregations should be asking. One way that our church does it is by means of intro classes for prospective members, which basically delineate the basics of the evangelical Christian faith along with the distinctives of the Christian tradition to which it belongs. To become a member, one must only subscribe to the evangelical distinctives and have received a Trinitarian baptism (which will be administered to those who have not yet been baptized). Sunday school classes can go a long way in meeting this need for recent converts or those who have simply never looked beyond the basics of their faith. Catechism is another good method for accomplishing this goal. Our church employs the Westminster Shorter and Larger Catechisms as instructional tools, and they benefit children, new converts, and mature believers alike in teaching and re-affirming the central doctrines of the Christian faith. The sermons preached every Sunday can serve this purpose as well to some extent, but I find it is much better to feed the flock with solid food rather than serve mush just in case there are any non-Christians in attendance. Our ministers do a very good job of both challenging mature, knowledgeable Christians and explaining theological truth as well. And let's face it: a lot of the "new stuff" we learn as believers generally spin out from the very basics of the gospel in any case. It is merely deeper exploration of the many facets of God's redemptive work in human history. In any case, it would do churches well to remember that the church is primarily for BELIEVERS. While the services should absolutely welcome visitors who may or may not be Christians, the service should not "target" them. There are undoubtedly the unregenerate in just about any church today, and ministers should make note of that as they preach law and gospel in every message. Both serve the believer and unbeliever alike. For Christians, the law demonstrates God's holy standards for our lives, and the gospel reminds us of how God both has provided satisfaction for those requirements and as well as His Spirit so that we will in thought, word, and deed approach a more holy life in keeping with that law. For non-Christians, law demonstrates their own inability to attain the righteousness of God, and gospel points out to them that the only way we will be able to stand before God is if we are clothed in the righteousness of Christ. So law and gospel, in the same message, is sufficient both for evangelism and training in righteousness. The elders of a church, however, should make every effort to see that true Christian education in the faith is taking place for all who affiliate themselves with the church, at whatever level they are. --Joe! |