Author: Bryan Gibson

Weekly Bulletin
September 1, 2019

Walking By The Same Rule
“Let us walk by the same rule, let us mind the same things” (Philippians. 3:16)
The religious world is sadly divided by a failure to observe and follow the same rule. In religious matters it is common knowledge that people are divided over creeds, types of organization, doctrinal differences, and ways and means of doing the work of the Lord. The basic reason for all religious division is the rejection of ultimate authority, the refusal to accept one standard of authority. We all need to “walk by one rule,” the same source of authority in religion.
Just suppose every merchant was left free to select and use his own individual yardstick. How would you like for each merchant to use his own scales or measuring devices when he was selling you his products? Imagine the confusion in a world where every criminal could be his own judge. In the absence of an accepted, standard authority—when there is no established rule of right conduct, there will always be chaos, division and strife.
Biblical authority must be respected and obeyed if we are ever to obtain the unity for which our Savior prayed (John 17:20-23). We must determine to walk by the same rule in religion and all speak the same thing (1 Corinthians 1:10).
Many pay lip service to the Bible’s authority and profess to follow it, but in actual practice they have other rules and other standards of authority in which they abide. For example, some people take human reasoning for their authority. They, therefore, reject every practice that does not conform to their own ideas and logic. Some allow emotions to rule their lives. Some say that they allow their conscience to be their guide. Others appeal to traditions that have been handed down from generation to generation.
Very few people down through the ages have ever actually honored and respected the complete and final authority of the word of God. But this is the only basis for true unity and harmony among the followers of Christ (2 Timothy 3:16-17) God speed the day when we all shall desire to “walk by the same rule.”

One body, one Spirit, one hope, one Lord, one faith, one baptism, one God and Father of all—we can’t turn “ones” into “severals” or “manys” and still have unity.

We Can Have Unity
by Jim Sasser
I took a package to the post office at Murfreesboro and had the clerk weigh it. He consulted his map to find the zone to which it was going. He turned to his guidebook and told me the amount of postage. I took the same package to a neighboring town called Woodbury and went into the post office. The clerk there gave me the amount of the postage…and it was the same. I then took this same package to a little country post office in the back of a store in one of the rural districts. There the postmaster weighed it. With some degree of slowness, for he was an uneducated man, he consulted his postal rate book and came up with the same answer.
These postal employees had not met in convention and decided to charge me a certain amount for mailing this package. They probably did not know one another. They all had one official guidebook and went by it. They had unity. As long as men insist on using their own creeds and opinions in religion, we will have division. When we are willing to use the official guidebook—the Bible—we too will have unity.

Jesus broke down the wall of separation between Jew and Gentile (Eph. 2:14). Why would we create different religious bodies, with different names and different doctrines, and thus create new walls of separation? Is God pleased with that?

Contact Information
	P.O. Box 680872 / Prattville, AL 36067
	(334) 365-5887 / (334) 868-0801
	prattmont@gmail.com / prattmontchurchofchrist.org

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The Prattmont Church of Christ is just what the name suggests, a church that belongs to Christ. We are not a denomination; we are simply a group of Christians trying very hard to practice the teachings of our Head, Jesus Christ. The New Testament offers a complete pattern for what each local church should be like—its organization, its worship, its work, etc. We are committed to following that pattern. We cordially invite you to attend our services. We would also welcome any comments or questions about this bulletin.

TIMES OF SERVICES:
Sunday
Bible Study 9:00 A.M.
Worship 10:00 A.M.
Training Class 5:00 P.M.
Worship 6:00 P.M.
Wednesday:
Bible Study 7:00 P.M.