BECAUSE OF ITS OPPOSITION TO INNOVATIONS IN RELIGION

We believe you should investigate the Church of Christ because of its opposition to innovations in religion. Many people do not understand why we approve of innovations in material matters but oppose them in divine matters. Perhaps it will be easier to see the difference if we understand what the word "innovation" means. According to the dictionary, an innovation is "something newly introduced; new method, custom, device, etc., a change in the way of doing things" (Webster). 

There are two kinds of innovations:

With the first, we have no objection but with the second we do. Many innovations have been introduced into our way of life during the past few years. Our mode of travel, work, recreation, and business all have changed, and usually for the better. The great industrial revolution has affected practically every living human being and every thing. Religion is no exception. Man has added his touch to things divine, causing trouble to arise. The following scriptures will help us understand why we should not change the divine pattern. Jeremiah 6:16, "Thus says the Lord: 'Stand in the ways and see, And ask for the old paths, where the good way [is], And walk in it; Then you will find rest for your souls.' But they said, 'We will not walk [in] [it].' " Today we have much the same situation. We need the "old way," but man with all his modernism and innovations says, "we will not walk in it. It is too old fashioned." Note again Isaiah 55:8-9, " 'For My thoughts [are] not your thoughts, Nor [are] your ways My ways,' says the Lord. 'For [as] the heavens are higher than the earth, So are My ways higher than your ways, And My thoughts than your thoughts.' " Again, we can see the folly of trying to inject human devices into divine schemes. Because man does not think and act like God, it is impossible for him to know what God wants and does not want without going to the Bible. Proverbs 14:12, "There is a way [that] [seems] right to a man, But its end [is] the way of death." Many times man will say "I don't see anything wrong with this" or "Why would it be wrong to do it this way?" These statements show that "the way," whatever it is, seems right. But, this does not make it right.

A good example of what we are talking about is recorded in 1 Samuel 15:1-22. The gist of the incident goes like this. Saul was commanded to go over to the land of Amalek and utterly destroy the people and all that they possessed. After reaching the land, instead of doing exactly as told, Saul spared the best of the flocks and oxen, and even the king. Behind his actions was a noble purpose, at least it would appear that way to many people, for he intended to offer these animals as a sacrifice to God. Now, man could reason that this was wise planning and that it showed a good and sincere heart. But, let us not forget that God commanded this man to do something; and, regardless of the motives behind his actions, he still has failed to do what God commanded. Will he be held responsible? Let us see. "And Saul said to Samuel, 'But I have obeyed the voice of the Lord, and gone on the mission on which the Lord sent me, and brought back Agag king of Amalek; I have utterly destroyed the Amalekites. But the people took of the plunder, sheep and oxen, the best of the things which should have been utterly destroyed, to sacrifice to the Lord your God in Gilgal.' Then Samuel said: 'Has the Lord [as] [great] delight in burnt offerings and sacrifices, As in obeying the voice of the Lord? Behold, to obey is better than sacrifice, [And] to heed than the fat of rams.' " 1 Samuel 15:20-22. We can see from this situation that we are not to change in any way the commandments of God.

THE CHURCH IS A DIVINE INSTITUTION

In Matthew 16:18, we hear Jesus as he says, "And I also say to you that you are Peter, and on this rock I will build My Church, and the gates of Hades shall not prevail against it." The Church is divine because Jesus the Son of God built it. Notice again in Ephesians 1:20-23, "which He worked in Christ when He raised Him from the dead and seated [Him] at His right hand in the heavenly [places], far above all principality and power and might and dominion, and every name that is named, not only in this age but also in that which is to come. And He put all [things] under His feet, and gave Him [to] [be] head over all [things] to the Church, which is His body, the fullness of Him who fills all in all."

From this scripture it may be seen that Christ is the head of the Church. This is further testimony to the fact that it is a divine institution. Since the Church is a divine institution, man is prohibited from adding to, or taking from, or changing any feature of the divine standard. Thus, the Church must use only divine names, and teach only approved doctrine. We are forbidden to change its worship or alter its ordinances.

WE DO NOT NEED CHANGES IN THE DIVINE PLAN

The idea that we need innovations today in order for the Church to be successful is totally unfounded. The plan of God is adapted to the needs of all men in every age. It has worked under the most trying circumstances and proved successful. It would be difficult, if not impossible, to envision a situation where the plain simple Bible way has not been tried and come forth triumphant. Why should we think, then, that we need a new gospel or creed or ordinances or other forms of organizations? What is the matter with the old tried and true? Every now and then, I hear the cry, "We need a new approach." May I ask why? The old Bible approach will do more good than all the manmade modern schemes put together. May God help us to capture the tenor of the following verses, "Then Jesus said to them, 'When you lift up the Son of Man, then you will know that I am [He], and [that] I do nothing of Myself; but as My Father taught Me, I speak these things. And He who sent Me is with Me. The Father has not left Me alone, for I always do those things that please Him.' " John 8:28-29.

THE RESULTS OF INNOVATIONS

Innovations bring about a gradual change, so gradual, in fact, that it seems harmless at the time. But soon, with the passing of time and over a long period of years, one can see the harmful results. Take a look at some of the religious organizations in the world today. Compare their present status with that of 25 years ago. You will then be able to see the tremendous effect innovations have had on them.

Every change of a feature in the New Testament Church affects the structure as it was designed by God. A continuation of such would lead eventually to its complete destruction. The Jews furnish us a good example in Mark 7:7-9, "And in vain they worship Me, Teaching [as] doctrines the commandments of men. For laying aside the commandment of God, you hold the tradition of men--the washing of pitchers and cups, and many other such things you do. He said to them, [All] [too] well you reject the commandment of God, that you may keep your tradition."

The early Christians made the same mistake. They established customs, appointed seasons, and changed the government of the Church. The eventual result was the Dark Ages; however, this situation did not happen overnight. It was a gradual thing. Finally, at the end of this long period of apostasy, such men as Alexander Campbell, Barton W. Stone, and others came crying "Back to the Bible." And with the help of God, they began an historic journey back to spiritual Jerusalem. Today, however, the trend again is away from that which is written. Innovations are rife on every hand. They must be opposed and rejected if we hope to please the living God.

THE DANGERS OF INNOVATIONS

Innovations are dangerous. They cause a loss of respect for God and reverence for His Word. People think if they can change one feature of the divine plan they can change another. This process continues until all respect for the Bible is lost, and men change it at will. Innovations also increase human authority and decrease divine authority. They place a premium on what man says, and what God says is pushed to the background. Innovations also cause division. They divide brethren who for years worked together. They cause father to turn against son, and vice versa. Congregations that for years worked in peace are disrupted because man's devices are injected into them. Heaven only knows all the woe, heartaches, tears, and harm done by these human innovations in the past few centuries. The reason we feel so keenly about this is because of the:

LAW OF LIMITATION

The law is expressed in the following passages: 2 Timothy 3:16-17; 1 Peter 4:11; and Galatians 1:6-9. The gist of this teaching is simply that we must accept all scripture as being given by inspiration of God; that we must speak only as the oracles of God; and that even though an angel from heaven teaches another gospel, we must reject it. No wonder the Bible opposes innovations in matters divine. 

The story in 1 Kings 13 is a perfect example of how man, while thinking he is correct, can foolishly disobey God. It tells of the man of God who was instructed to go to Bethel and advise the king that he was worshipping false gods. The king offered him something to eat and drink but the man of God refused saying he had been instructed by God to stick to his job and not eat or drink while in Bethel. But there was a certain old prophet living in Bethel who invited him to stay at his house and to eat and drink with him. The man of God properly refused, but the old prophet said that he too was a prophet and an angel had told him that the Lord said it was okay to eat and drink at his house. He was lying, but the man of God listened to him. Later, while returning home, he was attacked and killed by a lion.

The lesson here is clear.  We should accept no unauthorized version of the word of God. 

A New Testament example of people who have followed false teachers and doctrine can be found in Matthew 7:21-23, "Not every one that saith unto me, Lord, Lord, shall enter into the kingdom of heaven; but he that doeth the will of my Father which is in heaven.  Many will say to me in that day, Lord, Lord, have we not prophesied in thy name? and in thy name have cast out devils? and in thy name done many wonderful works?  And then will I profess unto them, I never knew you: depart from me, ye that work iniquity."

The Bible is the word of God.  When the Bible speaks, we need to know that it applies to us today as well as to all the Christians who served in the last 2000 years.  Apparently, there will be people who think they are serving the Lord and consider themselves saved, but they will be turned away.  We can't imagine anything more sad!

We close with the words of the poet who said:

"Where is thy Church, 
O Savior, where?" 
I heard the cry, and then I heard:
"Here is my Church, 
where men still dare to take me at my word."

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