The Great Search

Bible Drama

~ Act Six ~

NARRATOR: For the first two days, Mr. Vance relaxed in his room without any study, but his mind continued to rejoice in his new life that he had found in Christ Jesus. He was already making plans to take this great book, the Bible, back to his homeland and teach it every minute possible. On the third day, Mr. Vance decided to go downtown and look around.

After visiting many places of business, he found himself walking out into the park. He discovered a cool shade and sat for a while on a park bench to rest. A few minutes later, a stranger greeted him:

STRANGER: Looks like we are going to have some spring weather.

MR. VANCE: Yes Sir, it is truly beautiful today, and I couldn’t be any happier.

STRANGER: May I ask the reason why you are so happy, or is that a personal question?

MR. VANCE: Oh no, it’s certainly not a secret. You see, I just studied a Book that told me how to become a Christian. I obeyed it, and I’m very happy!

STRANGER: You must be referring to the Bible.

MR. VANCE: That’s right!

STRANGER: May I ask which church did you join?

MR. VANCE: I beg your pardon?

STRANGER:    Well, there more than 300 different churches in this country; so I’m asking which of these 300 churches did you join?

MR. VANCE: Well Sir, I’m from another country, and know nothing of these different churches. In fact, I know of only one church.

STRANGER: And which one’s that?

MR. VANCE: The one promised and built by Christ, and found recorded in the Bible.

STRANGER: Well, you see, all these 300 churches claim to be the one in the Bible, and they each have a Creed Book or Articles of Faith manual that tells them what name to wear, what teaching to follow, and how to worship.

MR. VANCE: Sir, since I have read only the Bible, I know nothing about these churches you mentioned. I’ve not seen or read any of their creed books.

STRANGER: Well, let me ask you something else. What did you do to be saved? Maybe this will give me a clue as to which church you joined.

MR. VANCE: First of all, I studied and received FAITH. Do you think I did right?

STRANGER: Oh yes, most all religions require you to believe or to have faith, but what else did you do?

MR. VANCE: I decided in my heart to turn from my old sinful life and follow Jesus. This is called repentance in the Bible. Do you feel that I was right in repenting?

STRANGER: Well, I don’t know much about that word, but if you say it’s in the Bible, then I suppose you did right. What else did you do?

MR. VANCE: Sir, I CONFESSED that I believe Jesus Christ is the Son of God!

STRANGER: Is that all you confessed?

MR. VANCE: Why yes, this was what the apostle Peter confessed in Matthew 16:18,19. This is what the Ethiopian eunuch confessed in his conversion, Acts 8:37. Yes, this is all that I confessed.

STRANGER: I see! Well, we usually confess a lot of things in my church. But, maybe that was all right. Is this all that you did?

MR. VANCE: No Sir, I was then BAPTIZED by immersion for the remission of my sins, just like Peter told the sinners to do in Acts 2.

STRANGER: That’s it! Now I know! You are a member of the Church of Christ. You are one of those who believe that you have to follow only the Bible without adding anything to it or taking anything from it. You don’t need to say any more, because my neighbor feels that way and he’s always after me to follow ONLY the Bible!

MR. VANCE: But Sir, how can one ever be wrong in God’s sight by simply following His word?

STRANGER: Man, that’s too narrow! This is modern times, not the first Century! I enjoy my church because we are broad-minded. I’ve got to be going, but remember, you have accepted a religion that is narrow!

MR. VANCE: As the stranger walked away, Mr. Vance thought, “That man doesn’t appreciate God’s word. If wanting to do what God’s word says makes me narrow minded, then I’m glad that I am narrow minded. That man paid me a compliment.” —BBBristow

(Please conclude this drama by clicking on Act 7)