What you don’t know can be a problem to you. Several people in my home town were caught out by a little known by-law which made it illegal to sound your horn in one block of a certain street between the hours of six in the evening and six in the morning. The law was made because the sound of car horns calling for service from food vendors on that block was disturbing the peace of nearby residents. Several people paid fines before the law became the focus of an article in the local paper.
Another law which caught people by surprise and significantly lightened their wallets was one which made it illegal to drive on white lane markers at or near traffic lights and intersections. It wasn’t till a ridiculously narrow traffic lane racked up a huge toll in fines that investigative reporters got into the act and warned the public. The crowning story told how the police looked into complaints and, while making observations at the scene, saw one of their cruisers blatantly violate the law. On measuring the lane markers it was found that the lane was sub-standard in width, the markings were repainted, and a number of fines were refunded.
While ignorance is no defense to accusations that you have broken the law, it is difficult to keep up with all the rules and regulations you’re obliged to keep. Specially with some convoluted city policies. Where would you have to go to find out all the laws that applied to you? Where would you find the time to read all that legislation? Who would you go for understandable explanations without hiring a lawyer?
You don’t have these kinds of problems with the Bible because it is one of the world’s most widely circulated books. It is written in an easily understandable manner (provided you use one of the reliable new translations) and it tells you plainly what God expects of, and promises to, mankind. What’s more, the laws God established for His people have not changed—are not constantly being revised and updated. You know exactly where you stand with the Lord.
At Bell Shoals Church of Christ you don’t have to wonder who to ask: “Is that in the Bible?” There are numerous people waiting to assist you with any question you might have on God’s Word, including preachers and Bible teachers. We have an organized education program to provide you with a full understanding of the Word and our preaching comes straight out of the Bible. Our library provides a wide range of Bible study helps and resources for understanding the nuances of the text. There is, to put it plainly, no excuse for biblical illiteracy, and thus no excuse for theological ignorance.
We encourage you to take advantage of all the resources you have to become knowledgeable about God’s will for you. We specially want you to attend both worship services Sundays and to become a regular attendant at Bible classes on Sunday mornings and Wednesday evenings. If you’re a member of the congregation, the above are expectations of the elders—if you’re not a member, we welcome to join us and become part of a group which is dedicated to learning and obeying God’s will and serving Him faithfully in worship and through godly lives.
Mel