By: Mike Riley

During a terrible storm on the ocean, a small passenger ship rolled precariously in the roaring tempest. The furniture and anything else that could move were tied down, and the passengers were confined to their bunks for their safety. Many on board thought the vessel was doomed.

Finally, a passenger who was determined to find out if there was any hope for survival, set out to see the one who was in command. Clinging to the walls and handrails, he made his way to the wave-lashed deck, up a ladder, and into the wheelhouse. He noticed that the ship was nearing land and was between some jagged rocks. It became apparent that the captain was trying to reach the safety of a calm bay up ahead. Knowing he could not make himself heard above the roar of the wind and waves, the captain just turned wordlessly to the worried passenger and smiled. Reassured, the man returned to the others and said, “Don’t be afraid. All is well. I’ve seen the captain’s face, and he smiled!”

When we are battered by the storms of life, we may be tempted to give in to feelings of hopelessness. But if we will look to our sovereign Captain (Hebrews 2:10 KJV) and commit our way to Him (Psalm 37:5), we will find peace even in the midst of great turmoil. We can trust Him to bring us through the storm (Mark 4:36-41).

Master, with anguish of spirit

I bow in my grief today.

The depths of my sad heart are troubled.

O waken and save, I pray!

Torrents of sin and of anguish

Sweep o’er my sinking soul!

And I perish! I perish, dear Master.

O hasten and take control!

The winds and the waves shall

obey Thy will, Peace be still!

Whether the wrath of the storm-tossed sea,

Or demons, or men, or whatever it be,

No water can swallow the ship where lies,

The Master of ocean and earth and skies.

They all shall sweetly obey Thy will,

Peace be still! Peace be still!

By: Kevin Cauley

So how should one go about naming a church? We have already discussed that the name should reflect what is in scripture. The name should be something that honors Christ, as it is His church (Matthew 16:18). The name should honor the Husband of the church just as a bride in our society seeks to honor her husband by taking his name (Ephesians 5:23).

The name of the church should honor her King and Creator (Revelation 17:14). The name of the church should honor her Lord and God (Acts 20:28). For these reasons, we have the name “church of Christ.” This is not exclusive of any other scriptural name.

One last point regarding the name; just because you have a name found in the Bible that honors our Lord and God, does not necessarily mean that what the church is DOING is scriptural. To be the church found in the New Testament other identifying features must be observed as well.

The church must have scriptural organization; the church must have scriptural worship; the church must have a scriptural mission; and the church must preach scriptural terms of salvation and the proper way to live the Christian life. This is what truly identifies the New Testament church.

  Does the name of the church you are a member of reflect and honor our one Lord and God Jesus the Christ? I hope so. I also hope that the church of which you are a member reflects the identity of the New Testament church. If your church does not reflect that then I suggest you find a church that does.

  At the church of Christ, we strive to do just that, and we invite you to come and judge us in this regard. We invite constructive criticism. We want to know if we are not. We want to be transformed into the identity of Christ.

By: Kevin Cauley

Many don’t believe that the “name” of the church matters. In years past, some have rhetorically asked, “What’s in a name?” as if it does not matter. Does the church have a name? “Yes” and “No.” The New Testament never says, “You must name the church this ________.” However, it provides an adequate description of the church so that we may have scriptural authority to distinguish the Lord’s church from other institutions claiming the same identity. So, while there is no clear passage of scripture that says specifically, “This is what the name of the church should be,” there are clear scriptures that authorize a name.

There is no one name to call the church, but there are scriptural and unscriptural names to refer to the church. The apostles and writers of the New Testament referred to the church as the “church of God” eight times in the New Testament (1 Corinthians 1:2; 2 Corinthians 1:1; Galatians 1:13, etc.). It is interesting to note that at least one of these references refers not to God the Father, but to God the Son (Acts 20:28). Local congregations are called “the churches of Christ” in Romans 16:16. The Holy Spirit names individual congregations in the scriptures such as the church of the Thessalonians and the church of Ephesus (1 Thessalonians 1:1; Revelation 2:1). Jesus said in Matthew 16:18, “I will build my church.” It is right, therefore, to call the church the church of Christ! In contrast to these descriptive names, some are condemned as divisive in 1 Corinthians 1:10-12. It is a sin to name a church after men such as Paul, Apollos, Peter, or any other man’s name. It is also sinful to name a church to perpetuate a sectarian spirit. Hence, employing any names that do so are wrong.

By: Kevin Cauley

Last night we watched The Fiddler on the Roof, again. I think I have watched it four or five times, maybe more. I don’t know. This time, however, I had a thought about the movie that I had never had before, and that thought is that the Fiddler on the Roof represents God. Could that be?