Tyngsboro church of Christ

When Jesus was asked by Pilate if He was "the king of the Jews" (John 18:33), He went on to say, ". . . My kingdom is not of this world. If My kingdom were of this world, then My servants would be fighting, that I might not be delivered up to the Jews; but as it is, My kingdom is not of this realm." Pilate therefore said to Him, 'So You are a king?' Jesus answered, 'You say {correctly} that I am a king. For this I have been born, and for this I have come into the world, to bear witness to the truth. Everyone who is of the truth hears My voice" (vv.36,37). It is evident from this response of Jesus that there is a clear connection between (1) His authority as King over His kingdom and (2) the truth to which He bore witness. This relationship is fundamental in our understanding of, and attitude toward, Divine revelation of truth. Jesus said to His disciples after the resurrection, "All authority has been given to me in heaven and on earth. Go . . . make disciples . . . baptizing them . . . teaching them to observe all that I have commanded you . . ." (Matt. 28:18-20). That authority is the basis of the New Testament revelation. "God . . . in these last days has spoken to us through His Son" (Heb. 1:1,2). REIGN THROUGH THE TRUTH Christ reigns as King through His teaching of revealed truth from heaven. One becomes subject to Him in response to the truth of redemption -- a response of obedient faith, climaxed in baptism into Christ (Gal. 3:26,27). The new Christian maintains his subsequent faithfulness to the will of Jesus Christ by submission to the teaching of the New Testament pattern of revealed truth -- expressed by commandment, statement of truth, example, and necessary inference. This is the reason that we must be careful in all matters of doctrine; of congregational worship, organization, work and disciple; and of individual life and service. THE PROBLEMS OF DISRESPECT Question: If submission to the rule of Christ does not include the detailed teaching of the New Testament, then how would one show submission to Christ? Liberalism continues to disrespectfully undermine the authority of Christ by ignoring, twisting, or denying His revealed truth. Denominationalism continues to "respect" only parts of Divine truth -- the parts which they prefer to follow (which is not respect at all). They claim a faith (only) in the person of Jesus, while rejecting much of His revealed will. Revealed truth is the only source of what is right before God. It must be given precedence over all human opinions, preferences, traditions, and philosophies.

Glen Barnhart

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