The Auburn Beacon
Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works
and glorify your Father in heaven. (Matthew 5:16)

A Website dedicated to the Restoration of New Testament Christianity
 

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Sermon Series on the Book of 1 John
by Robert Harkrider



The Final Stages of Israel's Apostasy

Adult Bible Class in Progress - Sunday Morning 9:30 - Auditorium Class
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Thoughts To Ponder

In his youth,
everybody believes that the world began to exist only when he was born, and that everything really
exists only for his sake.

 


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University church of Christ

 

Assembly Times

 Sunday

   Bible Classes (9:30)

   AM Worship (10:20)

   PM Worship (6:00 pm)

 Wednesday

   Bible Classes
(7:00 PM)

 

Location

449 North Gay Street

Auburn, AL 36830
Click Here for Specific Directions

 

Evangelist

Larry Rouse
1174 Terrace Acres Drive
Auburn, AL 36830

Cell:    (334) 734-2133
Home:
(334) 209-9165

Contact Us

 University
church of Christ

449 North Gay Street

Auburn, AL 36830

 

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"Authorized By A Well Defined And Clear-Shown Majority Of The Churches Of Christ In Texas"

 

by F. Yater Tant

The title for this editorial is taken verbatim from the restrictive clause in the deed to the new property of a congregation in Henderson, Texas. The Church of Christ in that town has had a most interesting history. Some twenty years ago (December 12, 1939, to be exact) Brother John W. Akin deeded a piece of property to the church there, and safe-guarded it for the faithful brethren by inserting the usual restrictive clause in the deed, to wit:

"As a part of the consideration for the transfer of said described property to said Trustees it is understood and agreed that no innovations, such as mechanical instruments of music in the worship, Church shows, festivals, suppers, or human societies, such as are not authorized by the New Testament . . . shall be tolerated in the church building to be erected on said property, etc"

The church in Henderson grew and prospered. The old building became out-dated and inadequate. Some months ago another plot of land was secured, and a new and more modern meeting-house was erected. But when it came time to write the "restrictive clause" for the new property, a real problem arose. For the Henderson congregation had come under the blighting influence of the "social gospel" craze now sweeping through so many congregations; and their leaders were intelligent enough to realize that the restrictive clause under which they held the original property was far, far too "restrictive" to permit of the ambitious plans and schemes and promotions which they were now engaged in, and which they planned for the future.

Yet, if they held the property with NO restrictive clause at all, this would be too clear and obvious a step toward modernism, and might cause several of the older and more conservative members to leave them and begin worshipping with the conservative group in Henderson. So they worked out this new (and highly revealing!) "restrictive clause":

"And as a part of the consideration for the transfer of said described property, and as a material inducement for the transfer of said property, it is understood and agreed that no innovation such as the use of mechanical instruments of music of any type or form in any kind of worship service by the Church; church shows, festivals, suppers, or human societies, such as are not authorized by a well defined and clear-shown majority of the Churches of Christ in Texas, shall be tolerated in the church building to be erected on said property, etc."

Thus you have the contrast! The original property was to be used only for those things "authorized by the New Testament"; while the new property is to be used for anything authorized by a well defined and clear-shown majority of the Churches of Christ in Texas"!

The Henderson brethren have been honest enough and frank enough to acknowledge, at least by implication, that they are no longer going to be "restricted" to that which the New Testament authorizes; but will feel free to practice anything which is "authorized by a well defined and clear-shown majority of the Churches of Christ in Texas."

There was a time within the memory of thousands of Texans now living when a "well defined and clear-shown majority of the Churches of Christ in Texas" used instrumental music in their worship, supported the Texas Christian Missionary Society, endorsed and supported women preachers, raised money by pie suppers and church socials, called all their preachers "Reverend", and participated fully and enthusiastically in all the "innovations" of digressionism. In fact, that "majority" at the turn of the century was about four to one — for every faithful congregation in Texas there were four digressive "Churches of Christ." Where would the Henderson church have been had her present attitude prevailed at that time? Obviously, she would have gone with "the majority". For it is clearly the conviction of her leaders that the "majority" of Texas churches are to be accepted as the standard of what is, and what is not, pleasing and acceptable in the sight of God.

The Henderson brethren also are wise enough to realize that the present little flurry over orphan homes and Herald of Truth are the beginning rather than the end of popular promotions. And they are putting themselves on record early in the game as being anxious to go "with the majority" — right or wrong, scriptural or unscriptural, true or false! Well, as they have it now, they will never have any difficulty over their property just as long as they can determine what "the majority" are doing. Church contributions to colleges will be next in order. Let nobody think for one moment that the liberal brethren have abandoned their plans for such an arrangement. Already they are making their defenses of it, saying only that it is inexpedient "for the present time". Then will come church supported hospitals; medical schools; social agencies; and all the vast accumulation of clubs, organizations, institutions and human promotions which have always developed in human churches, and which are so clearly illustrated in the conglomerate chaos of Roman Catholicism. Indeed, Romanism itself developed from the very attitude of abandoning "New Testament authority" for "authority of the majority".

We quote the words of a well-known gospel preacher of a past generation: "Don't forget, brethren, we are drifting!" – Gospel Guardian, July 23, 1959

  

Other Articles by F. Yater Tant
Going Home

 

 

Should the Lord's Supper be taken like a meal? May women speak during the Lord's Supper as they would at a common meal at a table?
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Student Sunday Night Home Study and Singing

 

When I Survey the Wondrous Cross by Blake Edwards
Sept. 11, 2011
Audio of Lesson
Audio of Singing

"I Press" by Dee Bowman
Aug. 21, 2011
Audio of Lesson
Audio of Singing

When Evolutionist Tell the Truth by David Tant
Outline
PowerPoint
Audio of Lesson
Audio of Singing

Situation Ethics by Caleb George - March 30, 2011
Audio of Lesson
Audio of Singing

God's Principles for Success by David Tant
PowerPoint
Audio of Lesson
Audio of Singing

 

Lessons From a Deck of Cards by Jordan Toombs
Outline
Audio of Lesson
Audio of Singing

 

For Additional Information and Past Audio and Outlines Click Here


Click Here to Hear:

A Friendly Discussion on Mormonism

Held at the University church of Christ -
February 17, 2011


 

Monthly Bible Study in Lagrange
at the Eastside church of Christ in LaGrange, Georgia

Overcoming the Present Apostasy by Larry Rouse

 

Saturday October 9, 2010


9:30 AM
- How do We View the Bible?

Outline
PowerPoint
Audio

 

Saturday December 11, 2010

9:30 AM - How Do We View the World?

Outline
PowerPoint

 

 


University church of Christ

 

Assembly Times

 Sunday

   Bible Classes (9:30)

   AM Worship (10:20)

   PM Worship (6:00 pm)

 Wednesday

   Bible Classes
(7:00 PM)

 

Location

449 North Gay Street

Auburn, AL 36830

Click Here for Specific Directions



 

Overcoming the Present Apostasy

Sermon Series by Larry Rouse

Piscataway, NJ Nov 20-22, 2009

 

 

Friday Night 7:30

Lesson1 - How Do We View the Bible?

Outline
PowerPoint
Audio

Saturday Night 7:30

Lesson 2 - How do we View the World?

Outline
PowerPoint
Audio

Sunday Morning 9:15
Lesson 3 - How do we View God's Order for Leadership?

Outline
PowerPoint
Audio

Sunday Morning 10:00
Lesson 4 - How Do We View the Local Church?

Outline
PowerPoint
Audio

Sunday Morning 11:00
Lesson 5 - How Do We View God's Instruction on Fellowship

Outline
Audio

For Additional Information, Audio and Outlines Click Here

 


Recent Bulletins:

The Auburn Beacon - Dec 26, 2010 Edition

The Auburn Beacon - Dec 19, 2010 Edition

The Auburn Beacon - Dec 12, 2010 Edition

The Auburn Beacon - Dec 5, 2010 Edition

The Auburn Beacon - Nov 28, 2010 Edition


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