LET THE BIBLE SPEAK.

The Independent Work and Autonomy of the Local Church by Keith Sharp Introduction Several years ago, I spoke by phone to a preacher who works with a large congregation in South Texas. As we conversed, he asked if I was “anti-cooperation.” I told him I knew what he was talking about, but that I advocated scriptural cooperation between churches of Christ that was “concurrent” (each maintaining independence while working together in the same work) but not “collective (one centralized church overseeing and directing others). He changed the subject. The issue of how local congregations may scripturally cooperate with one another has been from early days of the “Restoration Movement” in the USA and continues to be today a live issue among brethren all over the world.  We must establish the scriptural principle of independent, autonomous local churches of Christ (Rom. 16:16, Phil. 1:1) that "strives together for the faith of the gospel" (Phil. 1:27). The Lord did not set up any cent

MARRIAGE, DIVORCE, AND REMARRIAGE. Calvary greetings to all the children of God. MARRIAGE. Marriage instituted by God has suffered serious casualties in the hand of humans. Each generation if men are desperately attempting to recodify its rules, and re-modify its cardinal principles. Marriage ordained by God, did not evolve from social civilization, but human civilizations grow out of Marriage institution! However, there are various STAGES IN MARRIAGE: A.      QUALIFICATION STAGE: KNOWING THE NATURE OF CHRISTIAN MARRIAGE, GENESIS 2:18-25. a. Marriage is a Union of Male and Female (union: knit together- Judges 20:11; Isaiah 18:1; 1Chro. 12:17; Act 10:11; Col. 2:2, 19). b. Marriage ordained by God, did not evolve from social civilization, but civilization grows out of Marriage, Matt. 19:4-6. c. Marriage is a Union, and not a contract. d. Oath/Affirmation, Covenant of Marriage is taken before God, not before Man, Prov. 2:17; Mal. 2; 14-15; Ezek. 16: 8, 59. e. Marriage is the