ANSWERS IN THE BIBLE TO PROBLEMS IN THE CHURCH.  # 1.

     In the next few issues of this bulletin, I will be writing articles
under the above heading.  Much of the material
will be taken from a booklet of the same name as above.  This booklet was
written by Jim Massey.  Jim is a
personal friend of mine.  (He passed away a few years ago. JWS). I knew him
when I was in college.  He taught
me Greek for five quarters.  I learned to appreciate him.  ( I disagreed
with him on many things in his latter years, JWS).  He has spent four years
in the Eastern Region of Nigeria, West Africa.  It was during his stay in
Nigeria that he wrote the above mentioned booklet.  This particular booklet
was widely used and distributed in
Nigeria to teach the pitfalls or problems that arise in the church of the
Lord.  I have been granted permission by
Jim himself to reprint this book.   I had a thousand copies of it printed
while I was in Nigeria 1964-1966.

     As this book was used in teaching how to cope with problems in a
scriptural way in Nigeria, I feel assured
that is can also be used effectively for the same purpose in the USA and
other parts of the world.  A few phrases will be adapted to our use here
where heretofore they had special reference to the native Nigerian.  It
will be very profitable to you if you will study along with us and then keep
the information for future reference and
use.  We will be covering a multitude of problems.  Now, we will enter into
the study itself.  My own comments
will be set forth in brackets; [ ].  JWS.

     May I preface this study with the following scriptures:  2 Tim.
3:16,17; 2:15; Jno. 17:3; 1 Pet. 2:21.

INTRODUCTION:  This study booklet on church problems is not a book of
authority.  It is not a catechism or creed.  it has no official power behind
it.  It must not be used as a rule of faith and practice among churches of
Christ.  It has a human author.

     Churches of Christ have no book of suthority except the Bible.  The
Bible is the only book which is inspired of God, and which will thoroughly
furnish the man of God unto all good works (2 Tim. 3:16,17).  Man's
commandments make worship vain (Mt. 15:9).

     The following booklet, "Answers in the Bible to Problems in the
Church", is the study of common problems
in the church.  Its purpose is not to be a book of authority, but to point
the reader to the Bible as God's only source of authority.  This booklet may
be properly used only if its purpose is well understood.

     Treat this booklet as you would treat its author if he were answering
your Bible questions.  Do not trust his
words, but turn to your own Bible to see if these things are true (Acts
17:11).  Do not believe every teacher, but
prove the spirits whether they be of God, for many false prophets have gone
out into the world (1 Jno. 4:1).

     Every Christian is commanded to study to show himself approved unto God
(2 Tim. 2:15).  No teacher can
do your personal study for yu.  A teacher can guide you in your study (Acts
8:30,31).  But he can also misguide
you if he is wrong (Mt. 15:14).  You must examine for yourself every teacher
and every teaching by the Word of
God.  Man's words may err but God's Word is safe and sure.

THE BIBLE, THE CHURCH, AND PROBLEMS.

     The church of the Lord Jesus Christ has always had problems.  This has
been due to two basic reasons: (1)
The church is made  up of human beings, and human nature itself is a
many-sided problem.  To change selfish sinners into self-sacrificing
imitators of Jesus Christ brings a multitude of continual problems.
Furthermore, (2)
the church is "in" the world but not  "of" the world.  This means that the
principles of Christianity will constantly conflict with the worldly ideals
of non-Christians.  Weak members will try to bring the world into the church
with
them and to live like worldly people.  Problems, then, have always been in
the church because of what is "within" and what is "without".  Human
selfishness on the inside and worldly temptation on the outside are the main
sources of problems in the church.

     But the church's problems are not hopeless.  Christianity is not an
impossible life.  In the Book of First Corin-
thians we read of many serious problems in the Lords church at Corinth in
the first century.  This was almost
two thousand years ago.  Every church mentioned in the New Testament had
problems.

     Yet all problems, old and new, are able to be overcome.  The apostle
Paul said, "I can do all things through
Christ which strengtheneth me" (Phil. 4:13).  In Christ Jesus are "hid all
the treasures of wisdom and knowledge
" (Col. 2:3).  The Lord told Paul, "My grace is sufficient for thee: for my
strength is made perfect in weakness"
(2 Cor. 12:9).  The grace of God is more than sufficient for all our
weaknesses and problems.  In Christ Jesus
is found the answers and the wisdom for every difficulty.

     This wisdom and these answers are to be found in the Bible (2 Tim.
3:16,17).  The Bible thoroughly or com-
pletely furnishes the man of God unto all good works.  It provides
instruction for all his needs.  It supplies the
answers for all his problems.  The purpose of this booklet, "Answers in the
Bible to Problems in the Church", is
to show that the Word of God can answer all problems of all ages in the
Lord's church.  ---to be continued.