ABOUT CHURCHES OF CHRIST ASSEMBLING TO PRAY ON THE LAST DAY OF THE YEAR

By Nana Yaw Aidoo

Here are some syllogisms and thoughts to consider.

Syllogism 1.

Premise 1: The Bible authorizes the church of Christ to assemble to pray on any day of the year. (1 Thess.1:1; 5:17).

Premise 2: 31st December is a day.

Conclusion: Therefore the Bible authorizes the church of Christ to assemble to pray on any day of the year including the 31st of December.

Syllogism 2.

Premise 1: When a church of Christ assembles to pray on Tuesday, 9th April, 2019, it has not celebrated the day.

Premise 2: Tuesday, 31st December, 2019 is a day like Tuesday, 9th April, 2019.

Conclusion: Therefore, when a church of Christ assembles to pray on Tuesday, 31st December, 2019, it has not celebrated the day.

The premises being true, the conclusions must necessarily be true.

Some Thoughts.

1. Let us be wary of making laws where God has made none. It is just as sinful to bind where God has not bound as to loosen where God has bound. (1 Tim.4:3; Rev.22:18-19).

2. Denominationalism is evil and all in denominations will be lost. (Matt.15:13). However, we should not be so scared of them that we react to things based on whether or not denominations do them. Should we stop assembling on Sundays because some denominations do? Should we quit praying to God in the name of Christ because some denominations do? Should we enter our church buildings through the window because the denominations enter in by the door?

3. If the consciences of members of a local church of Christ would not allow them to assemble with the church to pray on a certain day, then by all means please they shouldn't. However, let us be careful lest we try to bind our scrupples on all the brethren.

4. An abuse of a thing or activity does not render the thing or activity unauthorized. Only the Scriptures can render a thing or activity authorized or unauthorized. Just as we choose a day to assemble to study God's Word because the Scriptures authorize Bible study (Matt.28:20), so we can choose a day to pray because the Scriptures authorize prayer. (1 Thess.5:17). We cannot proscribe Bible study simply because some misguided brethren abused the class by clapping for the Bible teacher. Likewise we cannot proscribe assembling to pray on a certain day because some misguided brethren abuse the day.

5. We all will render an account of our teachings and practices to God. (Rom.14:9-12). Therefore, "...let not many...become teachers, knowing that we shall receive a stricter judgment. (Jam.3:1).

"In matters of faith, unity. In matters of opinion, liberty. In all things, charity."

God bless.