Minister Murdered,

Truth Trampled

[David HalbrookRevised Ron Halbrook]

Acts 28:22

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21 And they said unto him, We neither received letters out of Judaea concerning thee, neither any of the brethren that came shewed or spake any harm of thee. 22 But we desire to hear of thee what thou thinkest: for as concerning this sect, we know that every where it is spoken against.

Acts 28:21-24

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23 And when they had appointed him a day, there came many to him into his lodging; to whom he expounded and testified the kingdom of God, persuading them concerning Jesus, both out of the law of Moses, and out of the prophets, from morning till evening. 24 And some believed the things which were spoken, and some believed not.

Acts 28:21-24

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Tenn. Minister's Wife Charged With Murder SELMER, Tenn. (AP)

Friday, Mar. 24, 2006

Tenn. Minister's Wife Charged With Murder SELMER, Tenn. (AP)

Friday, Mar. 24, 2006

Minister Murdered, Truth Trampled

Matthew Winkler, Minister of 4th St. Church of Christ,Selmer, TN found dead Mar. 22, 2006

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NG: I’ve been researching the Church of Christ. I don’t know that much about it. What can you tell me?

TR: Well, the Church of Christ is a relatively new church. It was started about 150 years ago by Alexander Campbell. And it’s, unfortunately, a very legalistic sect, and they tend to use methods of intimidation and pressure tactics. They claim that they are the only ones going to heaven, and all other people are condemned to hell.

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TR: Well, they claim that if you’re not baptized by one of their ministers, that you’re doomed to hell, even if you’re a believer in Jesus Christ, which, of course, breaks completely from the traditional Christian view that all those who call upon the name of the Lord Jesus Christ will be saved because we’re saved by grace through faith in Jesus Christ, who died for our sins and rose again. For the Church of Christ folks, that’s not enough. You have to be a member of their narrow sect. It’s a very exclusive group. And if you’re not a member of their sect, you’re condemned.

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NG: You know, Pastor, you keep saying "sect." "Sect." You make it sound like a cult.

TR: It kind of is a borderline cult, unfortunately. I don’t want to make it out to be some kind of Hare Krishna group, but it has cult-like characteristics and...

NG: In what sense?TR: Well, in the sense of the exclusivism, the

attitude that they are the only ones who know the truth. The tactics that they use are sometimes just -- not only un-biblical but unethical, and they can be very ungracious, unfortunately.”

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22 But we desire to hear of thee what thou thinkest: for as concerning this sect, we know that every where it is spoken against.

Acts 28:22

Minister Murdered, Truth Trampled

Acts 28:22

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1. Church of Christ Started 150 Years Ago

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TR: Well, the Church of Christ is a relatively new church. It was started about 150 years ago by Alexander Campbell.

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1. Church of Christ Started 150 Years Ago

Historical markers and materials refer to churches of Christ far back in history

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Campbell came to U.S. in 1809

Rumney Marsh (Chelsea, later Revere), Mass.

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1. Church of Christ Started 150 Years Ago

Historical markers and materials refer to churches of Christ far back in historyWhat church was established in Acts 2? Acts 2:47; 5:11; 8:1; 9:31

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47 Praising God, and having favour with all the people. And the Lord added to the church daily such as should be saved.

Acts 2:47

Acts 5:11

11 And great fear came upon all the church, and upon as many as heard these things.

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1 And Saul was consenting unto his death. And at that time there was a great persecution against the church which was at Jerusalem; and they were all scattered abroad throughout the regions of Judaea and Samaria, except the apostles.

Acts 8:1

Acts 9:31

31 Then had the churches rest throughout all Judaea and Galilee and Samaria, and were edified; and walking in the fear of the Lord, and in the comfort of the Holy Ghost, were multiplied.

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1. Church of Christ Started 150 Years Ago

Christ promised to build his church in Matt. 16:18— what church did he establish in Acts 2?

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47 Praising God, and having favour with all the people. And the Lord added to the church daily such as should be saved.

Matt. 16:18

Acts 2:47

18 And I say also unto thee, that thou art Peter, and upon this rock I will build my church; and the gates of hell shall not prevail against it.

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1. Church of Christ Started 150 Years Ago

Rom. 16:16 Churches of Christ existed, grew, & spread in the 1st century— long before Alexander Campbell!

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Rom. 16:16

16 Salute one another with an holy kiss. The churches of Christ salute you.

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1. Church of Christ Started 150 Years Ago

Christ built what church in the 1st century?

Church of Christ Matt. 16:18; Acts 2:47; Rom. 16:16Catholic? 606 (first pope)Lutheran? 1520 Presbyterian? 1536 Baptist? 1607 Methodist? 1739

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1. Church of Christ Started 150 Years Ago

Christ built what church in the 1st century?

Church of Christ Matt. 16:18; Acts 2:47; Rom. 16:16Mormon? 1830 7th Day Adventists? 1860 Christian Science? 1866 Jehovah’s Witnesses? 1872

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2. Legalistic and Narrow Sect

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TR: “And it’s, unfortunately, a very legalistic sect, . . . You have to be a member of their narrow sect.”

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2. Legalistic and Narrow Sect Define Sect

a religious denomination, especially a small group that has broken away from an established church (Webster's 20th Century Dictionary Unabr.)

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2. Legalistic and Narrow Sect Was Paul in a sect when he left Judaism & obeyed the gospel of Christ, or was he in the true church of Christ? Acts 24:14

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Acts 24:14

14 But this I confess unto thee, that after the way which they call heresy, so worship I the God of my fathers, believing all things which are written in the law and in the prophets:

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2. Legalistic and Narrow Sect Legalistic

strict, often too strict and literal, adherence to law (Webster's 20th Century Dictionary Unabr.)

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2. Legalistic and Narrow Sect Legalistic

strict, often too strict and literal, adherence to law (Webster's 20th Century Dictionary Unabr.)

2 Thess. 3:6 God requires strict obedience— is He legalistic?

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2 Thess. 3:6

6 Now we command you, brethren, in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, that ye withdraw yourselves from every brother that walketh disorderly, and not after the tradition which he received of us.

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2. Legalistic and Narrow Sect Legalistic 2 Thess. 3:6 God requires strict obedience— is He legalistic?

Disorderly: “The proper idea of the word used here (atakton), is that of soldiers who do not keep the ranks; who are regardless of order; and then who are irregular in any way. The word would include any violation of the rules of Christ on any subject.” (Barnes, Notes on the N.T.)

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2. Legalistic and Narrow Sect Legalistic

strict, often too strict and literal, adherence to law (Webster's 20th Century Dictionary Unabr.)

1 Tim. 4:11; 2 Tim. 1:13; Tit. 2:15; Phil. 4:9 God requires strict obedience— is He legalistic?

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1 Tim. 4:11

11 These things command and teach.

13 Hold fast the form of sound words, which thou hast heard of me, in faith and love which is in Christ Jesus.

2 Tim. 1:13

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Tit. 2:15

15 These things speak, and exhort, and rebuke with all authority. Let no man despise thee.

9 Those things, which ye have both learned, and received, and heard, and seen in me, do: and the God of peace shall be with you.

Phil. 4:9

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2. Legalistic and Narrow Sect Narrow: The church of Christ as narrow as the teaching of Christ Matt. 7:13-14; 19:23; Eph. 4:4-6

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Matt. 7:13-14

13 Enter ye in at the strait gate: for wide is the gate, and broad is the way, that leadeth to destruction, and many there be which go in thereat: 14 Because strait is the gate, and narrow is the way, which leadeth unto life, and few there be that find it.

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Matt. 19:23

23 Then said Jesus unto his disciples, Verily I say unto you, That a rich man shall hardly enter into the kingdom of heaven.

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Eph. 4:4-6

4 There is one body, and one Spirit, even as ye are called in one hope of your calling; 5 One Lord, one faith, one baptism, 6 One God and Father of all, who is above all, and through all, and in you all.

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3. Borderline-cult, Cult-like Characteristics, Exclusivism (Only One Truth, One Right Way)

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NG: You know, Pastor, you keep saying "sect." "Sect." You make it sound like a cult.

TR: It kind of is a borderline cult, unfortunately. I don’t want to make it out to be some kind of Hare Krishna group, but it has cult-like characteristics and...

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NG: In what sense?TR: Well, in the sense of the exclusivism,

the attitude that they are the only ones who know the truth. The tactics that they use are sometimes just -- not only un-biblical but unethical, and they can be very ungracious, unfortunately.”

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3. Borderline-cult, Cult-like Characteristics, Exclusivism (Only One Truth, One Right Way)

Jesus cult-like, exclusive?Jn. 8:31-32; 14:6 One truth, one way!

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Jn. 8:31-32

31 Then said Jesus to those Jews which believed on him, If ye continue in my word, then are ye my disciples indeed; 32 And ye shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free.

6 Jesus saith unto him, I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by me.

Jn. 14:6

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3. Borderline-cult, Cult-like Characteristics, Exclusivism (Only One Truth, One Right Way)

Jesus cult-like, exclusive?Matt. 7:13-14 Must choose: only one way right!

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Matt. 7:13-14

13 Enter ye in at the strait gate: for wide is the gate, and broad is the way, that leadeth to destruction, and many there be which go in thereat: 14 Because strait is the gate, and narrow is the way, which leadeth unto life, and few there be that find it.

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3. Borderline-cult, Cult-like Characteristics, Exclusivism (Only One Truth, One Right Way)

Peter cult-like, exclusive?Acts 4:12 Only one Savior!

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Acts 4:12

12 Neither is there salvation in any other: for there is none other name under heaven given among men, whereby we must be saved.

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3. Borderline-cult, Cult-like Characteristics, Exclusivism (Only One Truth, One Right Way)

Paul cult-like, exclusive?Eph. 4:4-6 Emphasize ONE seven times!

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Eph. 4:4-6

4 There is one body, and one Spirit, even as ye are called in one hope of your calling; 5 One Lord, one faith, one baptism, 6 One God and Father of all, who is above all, and through all, and in you all.

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3. Borderline-cult, Cult-like Characteristics, Exclusivism (Only One Truth, One Right Way)

Paul cult-like, exclusive?1 Tim. 1:3 No other truth!

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1 Tim. 1:3

3 As I besought thee to abide still at Ephesus, when I went into Macedonia, that thou mightest charge some that they teach no other doctrine

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4. Intimidation, Pressure— Un-biblical, Unethical, Ungracious Tactics

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TR: . . . And it’s, unfortunately, a very legalistic sect, and they tend to use methods of intimidation and pressure tactics.

TR: . . . The tactics that they use are sometimes just -- not only un-biblical but unethical, and they can be very ungracious, unfortunately.”

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4. Intimidation, Pressure— Un-biblical, Unethical, Ungracious Tactics

Similar serious charges against Christ & first Christians

Lk. 23:2 Jesus perverting the nationActs 21:28 Paul desecrating the temple Acts 25:7 Many serious complaints against Paul, “which they could not prove”

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4. Intimidation, Pressure— Un-biblical, Unethical, Ungracious Tactics

Biblical approach not intimidation, pressure—not unethical, ungracious

Matt. 21:12-13 Jesus cleansed the temple

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Matt. 21:12-13

12 And Jesus went into the temple of God, and cast out all them that sold and bought in the temple, and overthrew the tables of the moneychangers, and the seats of them that sold doves, 13 And said unto them, It is written, My house shall be called the house of prayer; but ye have made it a den of thieves.

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4. Intimidation, Pressure— Un-biblical, Unethical, Ungracious Tactics

Biblical approach not intimidation, pressure—not unethical, ungracious

Acts 13:9-10 Paul exposed Elymas

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Acts 13:9-10

9 Then Saul, (who also is called Paul,) filled with the Holy Ghost, set his eyes on him, 10 And said, O full of all subtilty and all mischief, thou child of the devil, thou enemy of all righteousness, wilt thou not cease to pervert the right ways of the Lord?

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4. Intimidation, Pressure— Un-biblical, Unethical, Ungracious Tactics

Biblical approach not intimidation, pressure—not unethical, ungracious

Acts 22:16 Ananias urged Saul to obey now

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Acts 22:16

16 And now why tarriest thou? arise, and be baptized, and wash away thy sins, calling on the name of the Lord.

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4. Intimidation, Pressure— Un-biblical, Unethical, Ungracious Tactics

Biblical approach not intimidation, pressure—not unethical, ungracious

Acts 24:25 Paul preached, Felix trembled

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Acts 24:25

25 And as he reasoned of righteousness, temperance, and judgment to come, Felix trembled, and answered, Go thy way for this time; when I have a convenient season, I will call for thee.

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Name honors Christ Rom.16:16; Acts 11:26Christians worship Heb. 10:25; Acts 2:42Apostles’ tradition 2 Thess. 2:15; 3:6Leadership 1 Tim. 3; Titus 1Slander of doctrine Rom. 3:8Slanderous charges Acts 17:6

Name honor others jChurch sponsored social gatheringsChanging traditions

“Pastor” “Rev.” “Father” Matt. 23:9“Must be baptized by one of their ministers”“Un- biblical, unethical, ungracious tactics ”

5. Research the Church of Christ!

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22 But we desire to hear of thee what thou thinkest: for as concerning this sect, we know that every where it is spoken against.

Acts 28:22

Minister Murdered, Truth Trampled

Acts 28:22

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Acts 22:16

16 And now why tarriest thou? arise, and be baptized, and wash away thy sins, calling on the name of the Lord. Baptized into Christ

Baptized into the blood of Christ Baptized into the church of Christ