WHAT WOULD IT TAKE TO CONVINCE YOU?

Many brethren are like the man from Missouri: They won't believe a report until they have seen with their own eyes. When we warn brethren that apostasy is sweeping our brotherhood under the guise of changing us, many folks just can't believe it.  I sometimes wonder just what it would take to persuade them. You who doubt the report, I ask to consider the following:

• If you knew for a fact that some preachers are teaching that sinners can be saved by grace before and even without baptism for forgiveness of sins;

• If you visited congregations of our people who are using women to lead in public worship, teach adult classes with men present and even preach from their pulpits;

• If you observed congregations of the Church of Christ participating Billy Graham Crusades;

• If you could see congregations mixing the Lord's Supper with a common meal;

• If you visited a sister congregation engaged in special  Easter and Christmas services;

• If you attended a class or service in a church of Christ where instrumental music accompanied the singing of hymns;

• If you heard with your own ears gospel preachers teaching that the Churches of Christ are really just another denominational body, that we were founded by Alexander Campbell;

• If you could read the words of Christian teachers advocating that we should fellowship denominational churches since they are acceptable to Christ;

• If you heard preachers ridicule and reproach the deceased great heroes of our brotherhood and downplay their achievements:

• If you saw with your own eyes congregations torn asunder by promoters of change and houses of worship built and paid for by brethren who opposed all of the above stealthily taken by false brethren;

• If you knew that some Christian Universities founded and funded by our people are now promoting all of the above; Would you be convinced that great and serious problems have befallen the Lord's Church in our day? With deep regret I must tell you that such is in fact the case. Furthermore unless we act quickly and decisively the tidal wave of error may well sweep everything before it. I implore you not to stop your ears and close your eyes to the dangers we face.  Every faithful man and woman is needed to help preserve the blessed church of our Lord Jesus.