The Great Search

Bible Drama

~ Act Seven ~

NARRATOR: All during that week, Mr. Vance had questions to arise concerning how one should worship God. He jotted these down, along with many others, and felt confident that the last Book 4 that represented the last section of the Bible would provide the answers. The time had not passed by as quickly as the previous weeks, and when the day finally came for the three to meet, it was a most welcome occasion for all.

As the session began, Mr. Vance read his long list of questions. Some answers had been given in Book 3, Acts, but he felt that more details were needed. Now that he had been saved from his sins, he wanted to grow strong and to find these answers. Surely such answers would help.

The wise preacher handed him the fourth and last section of the Bible, which contained the letters and the Book of Revelation. He was instructed, as before, to spend a week of study and later return to report.

He was so anxious to get going on this that he excused himself immediately. It was a thrill for the preacher to see a man hungering and thirsting for the word. As Mr. Vance and Mr. Goldston rushed away and the office became quite, the preacher decided to take a few moments and listen to a tape of the beautiful song, “Our God Is Alive.”

This week seemed to be the shortest of all to Mr. Vance since so many questions were being answered about Christ’s church. It was such an honor for Mr. Vance to read from the life and writings of such men as Peter, James, John, Jude, and Paul. In fact, he was overflowing with joy when the three assembled for their last meeting. Suppose we join them for Mr. Vance’s final report:

MR. VANCE: Gentlemen, it is now complete, and my questions have been answered. I have found the name that God’s children are to wear—that all-important name is CHRISTIAN.

The Apostle Peter wrote: “Yet if anyone suffers as a Christian, let him not be ashamed, but let him glorify God in this matter” 1 Peter 4:16.

Again I read: “And the disciples were first called Christians in Antioch,” Acts 11:26.

Paul wanted King Agrippa to be persuaded to become a Christian, Acts 26:29.

This forever settles the question about the name for individual followers—we must be called CHRISTIANS, and since the Lord bought the church with His own blood, and adds the saved to His church, I am content to be just a Christian, and a member of Christ’s church!

Now, as to worship, I found an example in this book where Christians met on the first day of the week, Sunday, to remember the Lord’s death by breaking bread or taking of the Lord’s Supper with the bread representing His body, and the fruit of the vine His blood:

“Now on the first day of the week, when the disciples came together to break bread, Paul, ready to depart the next day, spoke to them and continued his message until midnight,” Acts 20:7.

I found likewise where they sang hymns and spiritual songs in their worship, as they made melody in their hearts to the Lord, Ephesians 5:19.

PREACHER: Did you find a single example of any Christians using mechanical instruments of music in their worship?

MR. VANCE: No Sir, I did not. I read in the first book you gave me, the Old Testament, about David and his harp, but not a single one in the New Testament church.

Then I studied about them praying, giving of their money to the Lord as they were prospered.

“On the first day of the week let each one of you lay something aside, storing up as he may prosper, that there be no collections when I come” 1 Corinthians 16:2.” It was thrilling to learn how they had compassion on their fellow men and especially on those who were in trouble.

Most of all, they felt a responsibility of carrying the saving message of Christ to the world that others might be saved. May I add here, this is exactly what I intend to do for my people back home.

In short, I learned how saved people came together to worship God. The stranger I met last week mentioned that many people live by a man-made creed book, but I ask, why? Haven’t they read where Paul wrote: “But even if we, or an angel from heaven, preach any other gospel to you than what we have preached to you, let him be accursed,” (Galatians 1:8). Why would they want anything other than this divine creed book—the BIBLE!

This last part of my report is also very thrilling to me. It comes from the book of Revelation. This is a book of figures, and there were many things that I did not understand, but all through this book I received HOPE—hope of a beautiful place being prepared called heaven. It is made plain that only those whose names will be found in the Book of Life will enjoy heaven (Revelation 20:15). The same book tells of a Lake of fire for the evil.

So, fellows, this is why I want to tell others of Christ—I want to go to heaven and I want them to do the same. This completes my report on the letters and the book of Revelation.

PREACHER:

Thank you again, Mr. Vance. You are a very honest and sincere man, and I know you will spend the rest of your life doing a great job for your Lord. Just remember, wherever you go, preach only the word of God.

When men come to Christ in obedience from their hearts, He will save them by His blood and the Lord will add them to His church. When they meet together to worship, they will be a congregation of the Lord’s church.

Mr. Goldston, I want to again thank you for making all this possible. There are thousands of other people who, like us, claim to be Christians only. Before Mr. Vance returns home, I would like for us all to worship with some of these people this Lord’s day. These people refer to themselves as being members of the church of Christ, and individually as Christians. Their only aim is to return to the Bible, and to encourage all men and women everywhere to do the same. Suppose I come over and get both of you fellows this coming Sunday?

NARRATOR:

They both agreed, and without a doubt, Mr. Vance and the millionaire were ready to show the world a great change. They were happy with their religion, because, what they were doing could be found in the Bible.

What about your religion? Does man or God guide it? Does a human creed or only the Bible guide it? Have you added to, or taken from the Bible? Or have you done exactly what Christians did in the early days of the Lord’s church? All should think seriously on these questions! You could choose to obey NOW—don’t set aside something so important!

The Bible does not divide men religiously, but men divide themselves by NOT letting the Bible be the only source of religious authority. If we are ever tempted to leave the path of the Bible, let us remember the preacher, the millionaire, and Mr. Vance. If we stay true to the Bible, a great blessing from God will be ours NOW, and FOREVER!