Video Blog: Communion in the Bible

Baptism in the Bible from Defiance Christian Church on Vimeo.

For this week's FAQ, Bill talks about the second sacrament: communion. Answering the most frequently asked answers at DCC, he breaks down the Bible's answers for: How we take communion, Why we take communion, Who can take communion, When/How often we take communion.

The Bible is a Gift

Tonight a friend directed me to a video with more power than any video I've seen in a long time.  This includes The Lord of the Rings, so you know I'm serious.


In the American church, where we are spoon-fed God's Word and have more translations than heaven has unicorns, the Kimyal church provides a breath of fresh air.  After going a lifetime without a New Testament in their own language, the Kimyal Tribe of Papua sobs with joy (sobs: as in crying tears of happiness) when a plane arrives carrying the Word of God in their native tongue.


Seeing our foreign brothers and sisters in Christ rejoice to the point of building an ark! (don't miss the 7-minute mark on this video) convicts me to: (1) Read my Bible more everyday, and (2) Call to repentance all those who have forgotten the power, wisdom, and ultimate supremacy of The Bible.
  
May we never attempt to do life without it!


-pastor bill

What if I disagree...?

The Elders recently read a good little book on the biblical basis for church leadership.  What I liked most about the book was the constant reminder that the church is a Spirit-led, Bible-based family rather than a state-regulated corporation.  Every page was dripping with Scripture.
The author humbly closed the book by answering the simple question, “What if I disagree?”  I couldn’t add to or improve his advice in any way, so I’ve plagiarized it in its entirety.
For the Kingdom,
-bill

The following is taken from: A Book You’ll Actually Read: On Church Leadership, by Mark Driscoll (pp. 85-86)

What Should I Do if I Disagree with How My Church is Led and Organized?

You need to begin by searching the Scriptures to make sure that your convictions are true, searching your heart to make sure that your attitude is humble, and searching your motives to make sure that they are to lovingly build up your church.
If you still disagree with how your church is organized and governed, you should humbly speak with one of the senior leaders in a way that is respectful, not demanding, and not divisive.  You should lovingly articulate your concerns and desire to see everything done in a way that honors Jesus according to Scripture, including the organizational structure of the church government.
At this point your church leader may agree and bring your thoughts for the consideration of the other senior leaders.  Or, they may disagree with you.  In the case that your church is unwilling or unable (because of something such as a legal denominational obligation) to operate in a certain manner to change, then you are left with two options.
First, you can stay in your church and lovingly submit to the leaders and structures that are in place, seeking as best as you are able to build your church up and see it grow in its ability to seek the transformation of your city.  Second, you can kindly and lovingly leave your church in a way that is not divisive or disrespectful and attend another church where you can submit to both the church leaders and their form of church government in good conscience.
I offer one final word of caution for the idealistic neatniks who may read this: every church is filled with imperfect people like you who are led by imperfect leaders like me and governed by imperfect systems like the ones outlined in this book.  The goal for yourself, your church, and its leaders must be faithfulness and not perfection, so it behooves you to start drinking decaf and to lighten up a bit in Jesus’ name.

Video Blog: Baptism in the Bible

Baptism in the Bible from Defiance Christian Church on Vimeo.

Those wanting the assurance of salvation must follow ALL of the Bible’s guidance on how the assurance of salvation is given. There are multiple pieces of Scripture in the Bible that describe how one is saved. None of them contradict each other, but they do all complement each other. We often run into disagreement or confusion when we emphasize one verse over another rather than reading them both as equally authoritative.

After reading all of the verses regarding salvation and noticing how many of them had clear statements about the central role of baptism, our church adopted this as our stance:

“We believe salvation from sin comes from a right relationship with Jesus Christ. That relationship comes by grace through faith, produces repentance, and begins with the immersion of Christian baptism.”

Here is a link to an article I wrote on the topic some time back: http://www.billmesaeh.com/2010/09/baptism-by-book.html

Here is a link to an article written by a highly respected seminary professor: https://www.facebook.com/note.php?note_id=10150208643265617