In the church at Corinth there were those who had disagreements among themselves, and instead of settling their differences peaceably, they hailed each other before the city courts. The Apostle Paul says in 1 Corinthians 6:7, “Now, therefore, there is utterly a fault among you, because ye go to law one with another. Why do …
Human life is sacred. One of the Ten Commandments says, “Thou shalt not kill (Exodus 20:13). God is the author of life. He formed man’s body out of the dust of the ground and breathed into his nostrils the breath of life, and “man became a living soul” (Genesis 2:7). And because God has given …
One of the clear statements included on “The Brethren Card” is related to outward apparel. It says that the Church of the Brethren “opposes on Scriptural grounds . . . . extravagant and immodest dress (1 Timothy 2:8-10; 1 Peter 3:1-6).” The faithful Christian needs to be concerned about his wardrobe. Worldly dress is often extravagant. The …
The first article in the present series on New Testament Practices stated that during the Reformation in Europe, both the Roman Catholics and the Protestant Reformers had largely ignored the parts of the Bible that were not palatable to most people, but that the churches with an Anabaptist and Pietist heritage have maintained a number …
The climaxing part of the Lovefeast as the New Testament describes it and as the Brethren have practiced it, is the Communion of the bread and the cup. It is the high point of the Lovefeast service because it symbolizes the central fact of the Gospel. The New Testament Basis: Jesus took a piece of bread …
The Lovefeast service consists of the ordinances of feet washing, the fellowship meal, and the communion of the bread and cup. In this article, we examine the fellowship meal. The New Testament Basis: It was from supper (John 13:4) that Jesus arose to wash the disciple’s feet. The word supper is translated from deipnon, a …
The “kiss of charity” (or the “holy kiss” as it is sometimes called) is one of the forms of Christian greeting taught in the New Testament. There are three forms for greeting brothers and sisters in Christ. There was greeting by name (3 John 4); greeting by right hand of fellowship (Galatians 2: 9); and …
In Brethren practice, the Lovefeast has been regarded as a service consisting of three parts — the preparatory ordinance of feet washing, the central ordinance of a fellowship meal, and the climaxing ordinance of the communion of the bread and cup. Today we look at the feet-washing service. The Scripture is altogether clear in stating …
The sixth ordinance is that of attending the services of the assembled church. The Bible says we should be careful not to neglect this duty (Hebrews 10:25). Jesus himself, while here on earth, made regular attendance at the meetings of God’s people His custom (Luke 4:16). In Old Testament days, those who loved and feared …
