Guyana Missions by Spring Hill Church of Christ

Guyana Missions by Spring Hill Church of Christ This page is to share information concerning the mission efforts in Guyana, South America by the churches of Christ.

Thinking back to the 2004 medical mission effort. It was eye opening!
12/03/2025

Thinking back to the 2004 medical mission effort. It was eye opening!

School in Guyana
08/01/2025

School in Guyana

07/18/2025

“Good Enough” Worship
Tyler King

When you practice an activity long enough, you eventually gain the ability to participate without the effort of the mind.

For instance, I can remember when I used to weld for a profession. At first, it was a daunting task mainly because the risk of death is ever present. If you ground yourself out to the work, you essentially have upwards of 120 amps running through your body. One amp is enough to stop the heart, so there needs to be great caution with such a work. However, as time went on, I gained muscle memory. I eventually got to the point to where I would almost fall asleep when performing certain welds. Time became the enabler for me to place my mind elsewhere.

The Babylonian captivity was a very dark segment in the Jewish timeline. Slavery, labor, abuse, and belittlement occurred for dozens of years with almost no end in sight. When Cyrus the Great conquered Babylon, he inherited the Jewish population. He made a decree and allowed the people to return to Jerusalem in 538BC. As is the case with any liberty, the Jewish people were overwhelmed with joy and relief. However, as time progressed the people got complacent with their worship to God.

Malachi was dealing with the post-captivity people. He states that their offerings in the temple were shameful (1:8; 13). Their worship consisted of offering animals that were sick, lame, blind, or taken by violence. In short, the people got lazy with their worship to God. They grabbed the first animal they saw and promoted a "good enough" worship. God responded, "shall I accept that from your hand?? Cursed be the cheat who has a male in his flock, vows it, and yet sacrifices to the Lord what is blemished."

Christian worship is unique from the Old Testament because we offer the sacrifice of our praise rather than animal offerings (Heb. 13:15). Yet we can still fall victim to what Malachi was describing; a "good enough" worship. As time goes on, it gets easier to remove our mind from what it is that we're doing. When we appear before God on the first day of the week, what is the condition of mind that we're bringing?

A sleepy mind can make us miss the opportunity of engaged worship. A busy mind can distract from the greatness of the One we're worshipping. A negative mind can grumble about the song selection or long-winded prayer.

What about a resentful mind? Perhaps this is the most toxic of them all. Our Lord, in Matthew 5:21-14, commands the individual to be absent from the altar until the wrongs are made right. The experience of pure, proper worship is something that far supersedes time and will last us into eternity.

In just a few days, you have the chance to go before God with an undivided mind and recalibrate your soul.

07/17/2025

Can You Change The Answer?
by R. L. Morrison

There is only one answer to the question, "How much is two and two?" Regardless of where one goes, in every nation, among all people the answer is always the same. Two and two, added together, are four, and regardless of the argument, objection, ridicule, or whatever, the answer remains the same.

Why is this so? Because we have no power whatsoever over the facts or forces that cause two and two to make four. The answer is not of man's making. It was true before man learned it. One may have at one time or another wanted two and two to equal five, or perhaps even more, when counting money, but it will not work that way. It never has, and there is no reason to believe that it ever will.

In the religious realm there are things just as set and immutable as the fact mentioned above. The first time Jesus said "Except a man be born of water and the Spirit he cannot enter into the kingdom of God" (John 3:5), it became a fact, something not changeable. Despite all the complaints, objections, and ridicule, it is still true. It will be that way as long as time continues.

Some people say "water" really doesn't mean water, it means something else. Some, as did Nicodemus, say it refers to physical birth. Others try to figure out some other way of entering the kingdom. But no man can change what the Lord said. No man has control over the power and authority that set the law of entrance into the kingdom of heaven.

Many books and articles as well as many sermons and debates have been written or spoken, in an effort to take baptism for the remission of sins out of the Bible. Many ridicule the very thought that there is a connection between baptism and the remission of sins. Some say those who so believe make water their god. Others ridicule it as water salvation. But when all has been written and the last opposing word has been spoken, Acts 2:38 will still read: "Repent and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins and ye shall receive the gift of the Holy Spirit."

All that men have been able to write and say against there being any connection between baptism and the remission of sins and all the effort made to teach against it, does not, indeed cannot, change the fact that every Bible still reads as it always has: And now why tarriest thou? Arise and be baptized and wash away thy sins, calling on the name of the Lord" (Acts 22:16). The answer is always the same. Man has no power over He who gave the answer.

It is time and effort wasted for men to try to change the answer God has given to the question, "Can a person be saved outside the church?" This is not an uncommon question. Many people think about it, and no small number yet ask it. Peter, directed by the Holy Spirit, gave God's answer to this question also.

"The Lord added to the church daily such as should be saved" (Acts 2:47). Some, who disagree, apparently think one can be saved and the Lord has no knowledge of it. But the answer is the same as it has always been. Those saved are added by the Lord to the church.

Another statement heard quite often: "One church is just as good as another. Or a church is a church. There is no difference." But Jesus dealt with this situation almost two thousand years ago. Hear him: "Every plant my heavenly Father hath not planted shall be rooted up; let them alone, they are blind guides, and if the blind guide the blind they shall both fall into the ditch" (Matthew 15:14).

Although many people may thank God for so many churches so one can choose the church of his own choice, or many preachers proclaim that all churches are of God, and all are leading people to heaven, what Jesus said is still found in the Bible. And regardless of the sincerity and number of men who claim otherwise, the answer is the same. Those churches not established by the Father's plan and design will be rooted up and destroyed.

But why should one go to a preacher and ask a question to which the Bible gives a clear, easily understood answer? The preacher cannot change the answer. He has neither the power nor the right to try.

He is not the author of the Bible answer. He may or may not try to give an answer, some will not. But if his answer differs from the Bible answer, does it make his answer true? Suppose he should take your Bible and remove from certain passages of scripture that he cannot or will not explain, because they are not in harmony with what he believes. Would that really change the facts? Not at all, the true answers remain the same. No man can change them.

When the Bible tells you that "we are buried with him in baptism" (Colossians 2:12), or "Therefore we are buried with him in baptism" (Romans 6:4), does it really change the truth, these scriptures, when some preacher tells you that just sprinkling a few drops of water on one, or pouring a few more, is acceptable baptism? Not at all! After he has said all he can say, the Bible answer to what is the mode of baptism remains unmoved: "We are buried with him in baptism." No man has the power to change the answer.

Men can and do declare there is nothing in a name. Some quote Shakespeare in an effort to prove it: "A rose by any other name would smell just as sweet". But then it wouldn't be a rose, would it? And the Bible still says of the name of Christ: "Neither is there salvation in any other: for there is none name under heaven given among men, whereby we must be saved" (Acts 4:12). No man or group of men can change what the inspired writer has revealed.

Why try to change these facts? Jesus said, "Why call ye me, Lord, Lord and do not the things which I say?" (Luke 6:46). These facts (truth) cannot be changed by any man, regardless of his sincerity.

Have you ever heard one ask, "How many churches are there?" It is a question heard quite frequently among some people. And there are different answers given. If by "churches" is meant different religious organizations, the question is difficult to answer. For years it has been stated there are at least 350 different churches in America. It is not known if this number includes the different groups in many of them. For example, at one time there were nine different kinds of Methodists., nine kinds of Baptists, and at least twelve kinds of Presbyterians. Most of the major denominations are or have been divided. And new churches are coming into existence very frequently. So to state a number under such circumstances would be a difficult thing to do.

But IF one wants to know the number of churches revealed in the New Testament, the answer is easy. There is only ONE.

In Mathew 16:16-18, Jesus told the disciples that "He would build His church." You will notice the word is singular, not plural. This does not mean "congregation." There were many different congregations: Jerusalem, Antioch, Corinth, Ephesus etc. All of them had come into existence the same way, through the preaching of the gospel, which Jesus also said, was the seed of the kingdom When the Word was preached, people heard it, believed it and obeyed it. When they did so, they were saved and added to the church. And so, it was in the early church. There was but one church, but different congregation in many places.

Although some people thank God for many churches, giving each person the power of choice, the New Testament says nothing on this matter. You cannot read in the word of God of any of these modern denominations.

You cannot find a Baptist, Methodist, Presbyterian, Lutheran or Roman Catholic church named or even mentioned by any apostle. But the apostles did teach all things that pertain to life and godliness. (2 Peter 1:3) The only answer that can be given is that these groups have nothing to do with life and godliness. Jesus built but ONE church. This, the New Testament clearly teaches. No man has the ability, power or authority to change it.

You have sinned, for all have sinned (Romans 3:23). You, indeed, all sinners, MUST obey the gospel of Christ to escape eternal damnation (Mark 16:16; Hebrews 5:8-9). You may not want to obey. You may not believe that you need to obey. But the things which have been presented are facts (truth), which are not subject to change. Think about it! Are two plus two still four?

Do you believe?

10/31/2024

A person is made free from feelings of guilt when they experience forgiveness, often through repentance and faith. For the Christian this freedom comes from accepting Jesus' sacrifice, which removes the burden of sin and guilt, allowing for a renewed relationship with God.

10/29/2024

The doctrine of “Saved by Faith Only (or Faith Alone)”

The doctrine of salvation by faith only or faith alone teaches that a sinner receives forgiveness simply by belief in Jesus without obedience or works of any kind. In particular, it is taught that water baptism isn’t necessary for forgiveness of sin.

But, what does the gospel of Jesus Christ teach? Are we saved just by believing or must we obey some commands?

The issue then is: What kind of faith saves, and what does that saving faith include? Does it include repentance, confession, obedience to Divine commands, and even baptism? What does the bible actually teach on this subject?
There is a commonly taught religious doctrine that says salvation is by “faith only” or “faith alone.” This doctrine can be stated as follows:

1. Sin is believed to be forgiven “the moment the sinner trusts Christ as his Savior,” and faith is the only condition one must meet. Obedience to any command isn’t required, especially not water baptism; it is believed that baptism comes after one has been forgiven.

2. Stated in a sermon by a teacher of “faith only.”
“...faith is the sole condition to experiencing the new birth ... Water baptism is administered only to those who have already been saved. ...faith alone, without the added step of baptism, assures the forgiveness of sin, the promise of the indwelling Holy Spirit and the gift of everlasting life ... baptism ... has nothing to do with washing away sin or with a person’s justification” –

Is this doctrine true? What does the Bible say about the conditions for salvation, and what difference does it really make?
Passages which some use to teach we are saved by faith [only]
John 3:16 – Whoever believes on Jesus should have eternal life.
Romans 1:16 – The gospel is God’s power to save all who believe.
Romans 5:1,2 – By faith we are justified and have access to grace.
Ephesians 2:8 – By grace are you saved through faith.

We can confidently conclude that faith is essential to salvation, and without faith no man can be saved.

But No Passage Says We Are Saved by Faith ALONE!

We are told that verses like those above prove that faith is necessary but not baptism, since faith is mentioned but baptism isn’t. But which passage says we are saved by “faith only,” or that faith is the only condition for salvation, or that we are saved without baptism or without obedience? None of them say this. These scriptures teach we are saved by faith, but they don’t teach we are saved by faith alone without our obedience.

By the same reasoning, many verses mention faith but don’t mention repentance or confession. Should we then conclude these too aren’t necessary?

Someone may say, “It’s just understood that, to have saving faith, you must repent and confess.”
Yes, this is true, but how do you understand this? We know repentance and confession are essential, because other passages say so. But if there are also other verses that say baptism is essential, should we not likewise recognize the necessity of baptism?

We will soon see that there are many things are essential to salvation. Sometimes people misuse Scripture when they conclude some things are essential because some verses mention them, but they ignore other verses that say other things are essential.

Other Verses Show That, by Itself, a Person’s Inward Faith Will Not Save Him.

John 12:42,43 – People “believed” in Jesus but would not confess Him, because they loved the praises of men more than the praises of God. Were they saved?

Romans 10:9-10 because, if you confess with your mouth that Jesus is Lord and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved. (10) For with the heart one believes and is justified, and with the mouth one confesses and is saved.

Belief AND confession are required for salvation

Matthew 10:32-33 So everyone who acknowledges me before men, I also will acknowledge before my Father who is in heaven, (33) but whoever denies me before men, I also will deny before my Father who is in heaven.

Confession of Jesus as the Christ is necessary for salvation

James 2:19 You believe that God is one; you do well. Even the demons believe—and shudder! – Even devils believe. Are they saved?

James 2:14,24 – What good is it, my brothers, if someone says he has faith but does not have works? Can that faith save him? . . . You see that a person is justified by works and not by faith alone.

Can faith save without obedience? No, that is a dead faith (v17,20,26).

Scripture plainly says that a person is not justified by “faith only.” This is the only passage that mentions “faith only,” and it says we are not justified by it!

Men say justification by faith only is a very comforting doctrine; but the Bible flatly says we are not justified by faith only!

Some say these people weren’t saved because they have the wrong kind of faith: They have an intellectual conviction, but they don’t really trust Jesus to save them.

QUESTION: If one truly trusts Jesus to save them, wouldn’t they obey what He says?

Some Other Things that are Also Essential to Salvation

God’s grace (Ephesians 2:4-10; 1:7; Titus 2:11,12; Acts 15:11)
Learning God’s will (Acts 11:14; John 6:44,45; Romans 10:17; 1:16; 1 Corinthians 1:21)
Faith (see the verses listed above)
Love (1 Corinthians 16:22; 13:1-3; Galatians 5:6; 1 John 4:7,8)
Repentance (2 Corinthians 7:10; Acts 2:38; 3:19; 17:30; Luke 13:3,5; 2 Peter 3:9)
Obedience (Hebrews 5:9; Romans 6:17,18; 1 Peter 1:22; Acts 10:34,35; 2 Thess1:8,9; Gal 5:6; James 2:14-26 (Salvation by Faith Only (alone) vs Obedience/Works/Baptism)
Confession of Christ (Romans 10:9,10; Matthew 10:32)
Baptism (Mark 16:16; Acts 2:38; 22:16; 1 Peter 3:21; Rom 6:3-7; Gal 3:26,27; Col 2:12,13)
Faithfulness (Matthew 10:22; Revelation 2:10; 1 Corinthians 15:58; Matthew 28:20; Titus 2:11,12; 1 John 2:1-6)
Church membership (Acts 2:47; 20:28; Ephesians 5:23,25)

We Must Accept ALL that the Bible Requires.

Accepting some requirements, while ignoring others, leads to errors and contradictions.

If a verse requires faith, that doesn’t eliminate the other things that are required elsewhere. Likewise, many passages mention grace, blood, repentance, etc., but don’t mention faith. Should we then conclude that this proves faith is unneeded?

No, but that would be as reasonable as concluding we can be saved without obedience or without baptism, just because these are not mentioned in some passages about faith.

Salvation by “faith only” (excluding baptism and obedience) is as unreasonable and unscriptural as salvation by repentance only, hearing only, or baptism only. We aren’t saved by any one thing alone, to the exclusion of other things required elsewhere.

Instead, we should accept everything the Bible requires under the new covenant of Christ.

Acts 3:22,23 – We must hear all Jesus says, or we will be destroyed. (Peter speaks) Moses said, 'The Lord God will raise up for you a prophet like me from your brothers. You shall listen to him in whatever he tells you. (23) And it shall be that every soul who does not listen to that prophet shall be destroyed from the people.'

Revelation 22:18,19 – If we take away part of God’s word, He takes away our reward.
Matthew 4:4,7 – We are to live by every word God speaks, not just part of it.

We must NEVER isolate a passage from the overall teaching of the Bible

Acts 20:20,27 Paul said, I did not shrink from declaring to you anything that was profitable, and teaching you in public and from house to house, . . . for I did not shrink from declaring to you the whole counsel of God.

James 2:10 For whoever keeps the whole law but fails in one point has become accountable for all of it.

Mat 28:19-20 Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, (20) teaching them to observe all that I have commanded you. And behold, I am with you always, to the end of the age.”

If we follow only one part of a set of instructions, we won’t get the result we want.

Suppose, for example, a driver’s manual says, “To drive a car, you must have the key.”
If we get a key, but ignore the rest of the instructions, will we automatically be driving the car? No.
So faith is a “key” to salvation – it gives us power to become children of God (John 1:12).
But we aren’t automatically and immediately God’s children just because we have the key or the power to become God’s child. We must consider all the requirements that God’s word teaches.

The “Faith Only” doctrine says that faith is the ONLY requirement to forgiveness. It teaches that all acts (works) of obedience come AFTER forgiveness, and non are necessary to receive forgiveness. BUT consider the following.

Many Passages Say Obedience Is Necessary.

1. 1 Peter 1:22,23 – We purify our souls in obeying the truth

2. Romans 6:17,18 – Servants of sin must obey from the heart in order to be made free from sin.

3. Hebrews 5:9 – Jesus is the author of eternal salvation to all who obey Him.

4. James 2:24 – Man is justified by works, not by “faith only.”

5. Acts 11:14; 10:34,35 – Peter told Cornelius words whereby he would be saved.
But the first words He said were that, to be accepted by God, people must work righteousness.
This is true for all people, for God shows no partiality!

6. Matthew 7:21-27; Luke 6:46 – To accept Jesus as Lord (ruler, master) and enter the kingdom of heaven, we must do what He says. We may believe and confess Him yet be rejected,
because we did not obey Him.

7. 2 Thessalonians 1:8,9; Romans 2:6-10 – Receiving eternal life requires us to do good. Those who do not obey will be destroyed.

8. 1 John 5:3; John 14:15,21-24 – Loving God requires us to keep His commands.

If we don’t obey, we don’t love Him.

Can one be saved if he doesn’t love God (cf. 1 Corinthians 16:22; Matthew 22:37-39)?

John 12:48-49 The one who rejects me and does not receive my words has a judge; the word that I have spoken will judge him on the last day. (49) For I have not spoken on my own authority, but the Father who sent me has himself given me a commandment—what to say and what to speak.

The doctrine of “faith only” denies the necessity for all obedience to God’s commands. All the passages we have just studied show that the “faith only” is false doctrine.

Consider this:

Blessings Received “by Faith”

Noah built the ark then his house was saved
Abraham obeyed to go then received inheritance
Israel marched then the walls of Jericho fell
We obey God’s conditions then receive forgiveness

Obedience comes first, then comes the blessing!

Salvation by “faith alone” is not the true gospel of Jesus. It is a perverted gospel of human invention (Galatians 1:8,9; Revelation 22:18,19).

Matthew 15:9 in vain do they worship me, teaching as doctrines the commandments of men.'"
2Jn 1:9-11 Everyone who goes on ahead and does not abide in the teaching of Christ, does not have God. Whoever abides in the teaching has both the Father and the Son. (10) If anyone comes to you and does not bring this teaching, do not receive him into your house or give him any greeting, (11) for whoever greets him takes part in his wicked works.

What should you do if you were baptized believing you were saved before baptism or believing baptism isn’t necessary? You should do like the men in Acts 19:2-6, when they learned their baptism wasn’t Scriptural. They were baptized correctly with the right understanding of their baptism for forgiveness of their sins.

You should be baptized Scripturally (with the right understanding)
Then refuse to be part of any church that teaches the false doctrine of “faith only”

2 John 9-11 Remain (abide) in the teaching of Christ

Look at what the Apostle Paul told the Christians in Corinth. . . 2Corinthians 6:17-18 Therefore go out from their midst, and be separate from them, says the Lord, and touch no unclean thing; then I will welcome you, (18) and I will be a father to you, and you shall be sons and daughters to me, says the Lord Almighty."

But, if Obedience Isn’t essential, Think about the consequences of that belief.

Matthew 22:37-39 – Love is the greatest of all commands.

If obeying commands isn’t necessary to salvation, then love is not necessary! But note 1Corinthians 16:22 If anyone has no love for the Lord, let him be accursed. Our Lord, come!

Acts 17:30 – Repentance is a command by Jesus Himself (Lk 13:3)

If keeping commands is not necessary, then repentance also isn’t necessary to be saved!

Peter, by the power of the Holy Spirit told the people when they realized they had killed the Messiah . . . Act 2:38 "Repent and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins, and you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit.

Act 3:19 Repent therefore, and turn back, that your sins may be blotted out,

2 Pet 3:9 The Lord is not slow to fulfill his promise as some count slowness, but is patient toward you, not wishing that any should perish, but that all should reach repentance.

Romans 10:9,10 – Confession with the mouth is a command.

If obeying commands isn’t essential to salvation, then confession isn’t essential! Yet the Bible says it is essential. And it isn’t just an inner act; it is an outward act done with the mouth, in contrast to simple faith in the heart. Like baptism, here is an outward, physical action that is essential to salvation. (Matthew 10:32,33.)

1 John 3:23; John 6:28,29 – Faith itself is a command; it is a work God tells people to do.

If works and obedience aren’t necessary, then faith itself isn’t necessary! But if faith is essential, then we must abandon the view that obedience and works aren’t necessary!

Some claim that John 6:29 says faith is a work God does for us, not something we do. However:

1 John 3:23 still says believing is a command to us (cf. Mark 16:15,16).

John 6:29 answers the question asked in v28: “What shall we do, that we might work the works of God?”

So “works of God” here means works men do in obedience to God’s commands.

1 Corinthians 15:58 is parallel – the “work of the Lord” is work we abound in – our labor in the Lord (cf. “love of God” in 1 John 5:3).

If faith is entirely a work God does for us, then God is responsible for unbelievers. He causes some people to believe, but not others. This makes God a respecter of persons in contradiction to Acts 10:34,35 and Romans 2:11.

So, John 6:29 says faith is something we do, which is necessary to salvation.

Clearly, obedience is essential to forgiveness. So, we need to ask what commands we must obey, and is baptism one of them?

Jesus commanded in Mark 16:15-16 “Go into all the world and proclaim the gospel to the whole creation. Whoever believes and is baptized will be saved, but whoever does not believe will be condemned.

He also commanded in Matthew 28:18-20 “All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all that I have commanded you. And behold, I am with you always, to the end of the age.”

He also told His disciples in Joh 14:15 “If you love me, you will keep my commandments.

SO. . . If we confess that Jesus is Lord, will we obey Him in humble obedience, or will we reject his commands and disobey His commands?

Will we be like the ones Jesus spoke of in Mat 15:8-9 “’This people honors me with their lips, but their heart is far from me; in vain do they worship me, teaching as doctrines the commandments of men.’”

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