Devoted to the Propagation and Defense of New Testament Christianity
VOLUME 10
November 13, 1958
NUMBER 28, PAGE 3a

The Head Is Dead!

Derrel Starling Phoenix, Arizona

Millions mourn the death of Pope Pius XII. Press dispatches tell of many special masses throughout the world, indicating a people in deep sorrow because of the loss of their spiritual leader.

How utterly hopeless and tragic it is to be a member of a church whose head is dead! How sad to be associated with a church that has a head that is subject to death! But some might say that even though the Pope is dead another will soon be selected. Certainly, but the one that is selected by the college of cardinals to replace the previous one will also die! Had it ever occurred to you that it is possible to be a member of a church that had a head that is not dead and is not subject to death?

Please consider the following verses of scripture. "And hath put all things under his feet, and gave him to be the head over all things to the church." (Eph. 1:22) Also in Col. 1:18; Eph. 4:15; 5:23 we learn that Christ is the head of the church. Jesus Christ is the head of His church and is the head over "all things" to His church. The word of God is as silent as can be regarding Christ having selected anyone to represent Him as head of the church on earth. Jesus Christ has no vicar or personal representative to direct His church. Christ is the head of the church. (Eph. 1:22) He has complete authority in all matters religious. (Matt. 28:18-20) The only possible way that any church can have a head purportedly representing Christ is to assume such. Christ never authorized anyone to be a pope, the church in the days of the apostles never had such. In fact, it was not until 533 A.D. when Justinian decreed that Boniface, the Bishop of Rome, be called "Rector Ecclesiae", or Lord of the Church, that there was ever a universal bishop. This event transpired 500 years too late for Boniface to be the pope of Christ's church.

We plead with you to be a member of the church of which Christ Jesus is the supreme head. The church of the New Testament has a head that is "alive for evermore." (Rev. 1:18) We need not be fearful that he will die and that another will have to be selected. Complete faith we can have that he is the head of the church and King of kings and Lord of lords. (I Tim. 6:15)

You need to be a member of the church in which all spiritual blessings can be found, (Eph. 1:3) and in which you can be complete. (Col. 2:10) Christ wants you to be a member of the church that has no popes, cardinals, decrees, papal bulls or ecumenical councils. Christ's church has no earthly head or earthly headquarters but has a very simple congregational government composed of elders and deacons. (Acts 14:23; Phil. 1:1; 1 Pet. 5:1-4) The church of Christ has a very simple worship made up of a study together of God's word, (Acts 2:42) congregational singing, (Col. 3:16) giving of our means, (I Cor. 16:1,2) praying together, (Acts 2:42 and partaking of the Lord's Supper. (Acts 20:7; I Cor. 11:17-34.) The Lord's church has no masses, no prayer books, no catechisms, no choirs, no business enterprises. It has no recreation department, no kitchens or any other appeal to the earthly. Its appeal is entirely spiritual. (John 6: 44,45) The church Christ built offers salvation (2 Tim. 2:10) and hope (Heb. 6:19), not sorrow and despair.

Terms of entrance into Christ's body are easily understood. The Lord requires you to believe in Him, (John 8:24) and to repent of your sins, (Luke 13:3) and to confess Christ as God's son, (Rom. 10:9,10) and to be buried in baptism, (Rom. 6:3,4; Acts 2:38) making you a member of the saved. (Acts 2:47) The Saviour did not authorize sprinkling, auricular confession, penance or indulgences.

Christ wishes you to be neither Catholic or Protestant, but simply His servant, a Christian. (Gal. 1:10; Acts 11:26; I Pet. 4:16) Will you not obey the gospel of Jesus Christ and thus become a member of the church that has a head that is alive for evermore?