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how god’s word is changed To suit the desires of men Now It Is Different how god’s word is changed To suit the desires of men Prepared by Chris Reeves * Centralia church of Christ Gospel Meeting * October 27, 2015

“Now It Is Different” Notice Hiscox’s four candid admissions: There was one Lord (Eph. 4:4-6) No differing denominations (Mt. 16:18) Baptism – a church member (Acts 2:41,47) Baptism – a door (1 Cor. 12:13; Gal. 3:27)

“Now It Is Different” Who or what made it “different”? How did it become “different?” When and where did it become “different”? Why is it now “different”?

Why Is It Different? Is it different because God has changed his mind? (Heb. 10:9) Is it different because God’s word is ineffectual? (2 Tim. 3:16-17; 1 Pet. 1:23) Is it different because the needs of men are somehow different? (Rom. 3:23; 6:23)

Why Is It Different? It is different because some men teach tradition as doctrine (Mt. 15:9) It is different because some men speak perverse things (Acts 20:29-30) It is different because some men serve their own selfish interests (Rom. 16:17-18)

Why Is It Different? It is different because some men want a loose lifestyle (1 Cor. 15:12, 32-33) It is different because some men want to be different (Gal. 1:6ff) It is different because some men are crafty “change-agents” (Eph. 4:14)

Why Is It Different? It is different because some men appeal to their own wisdom (Col. 2:8ff) It is different because some men are full of pride (2 Thess. 2:1ff) It is different because some men speak lies (1 Tim. 4:1-3)

Why Is It Different? It is different because some men don’t want truth (2 Tim. 2:18; 4:2-4; 1 Jn. 4:1ff) It is different because some men are carnal- mined (2 Pet. 2:1ff; Jude 4) It is different because some men want to be “progressive” (2 Jn. 9ff)

Why Is It Different? It is different because some men tolerate error and allow it to creep in unchallenged (Rev. 2:14-15, 20-24)

Now It Is Different… Singing only (Eph. 5:19) … instrumental music Local church organization (Phil. 1:1) … missionary societies, then institutions, then sponsoring churches The gospel (Rom. 1:16) … social and recreational facilities, fellowship halls

Now It Is Different… Baptism for remission of sins (Acts 2:38) … baptism is not necessary Faith that works (Jas. 2:24) … faith only L.S. on Sunday (Acts 20:7) … Saturday Male leadership (1 Tim. 2:12) … female leadership

It Is Not Different! We continue in the apostles’ doctrine (Acts 2:42) We do not preach another gospel (Gal. 1:8) We stand & hold fast the apostolic traditions (2 Thess. 2:15) We hold fast the pattern (2 Tim. 1:13)

It Is Not Different! We abide in the doctrine (2 Jn. 9) We contend earnestly for the faith (Jude 3) We do not add to or take from God’s word (Rev. 22:18-19) “Now it is different” … but it does not have to be so! It should not be so!