Minister Murdered, Truth Trampled

1
Minister Murdered, Truth Trampled
Matthew Winkler, Minister of 4th St. Church of
Christ, Selmer, TN found dead Mar. 22, 2006
Tenn. Minister's Wife Charged With Murder
SELMER, Tenn. (AP) Friday, Mar. 24, 2006
2
Nancy Grace (CNN) interviewing Tom Rukala,
Baptist Pastor
Mar. 27, 2006 - 800 PM ET

• NG Ive been researching the Church of Christ. I
  dont know that much about it.
  What can you tell me?
• TR Well, the Church of Christ is a relatively
  new church. It was started about 150 years ago by
  Alexander Campbell.
  And its, unfortunately, a very
  legalistic sect, and they tend to use methods of
  intimidation and pressure tactics. They claim
  that they are the only ones going to
  heaven, and
  all other people are condemned to hell.

3

• TR Well, they claim that if youre not baptized
  by one of their ministers that youre doomed to
  hell, even if youre a believer in Jesus Christ,
  which, of course, breaks completely from the
  traditional Christian view that all those
  who call upon the name of the Lord Jesus Christ
  will be saved because were saved by grace
  through faith in Jesus Christ, who died for our
  sins and rose again. For the Church of Christ
  folks, thats not enough. You have to be a member
  of their narrow sect. Its a very exclusive
  group. And if
  youre not a member of their sect, youre
  condemned.

4

• NG You know, Pastor, you keep saying "sect."
  "Sect." You make it sound like a cult.
• TR It kind of is a borderline cult,
  unfortunately. I dont want to make it out to be
  some kind of Hare Krishna group, but it has
  cult-like characteristics and...
• NG In what sense?
• TR Well, in the sense of the exclusivism,
  the attitude that they are the only ones
  who know the truth. The tactics that
  they use are sometimes just -- not only
  un-biblical but unethical, and they can be very
  ungracious, unfortunately.

5
Acts 28 21 And they said unto him, We neither
received letters out of Judaea concerning thee,
neither any of the brethren that came shewed or
spake any harm of thee. 22 But we desire to hear
of thee what thou thinkest for as concerning
this sect, we know that every where it is spoken
against. 23 And when they had appointed him a
day, there came many to him into his lodging to
whom he expounded and testified the kingdom of
God, persuading them concerning Jesus, both out
of the law of Moses, and out of the prophets,
from morning till evening. 24 And some believed
the things which were spoken, and some believed
not. (KJV)
Minister Murdered, Truth Trampled
Acts 2822
Acts 2822
22 But we desire to hear of thee
what thou thinkest
for as
concerning this sect,
we know that every where
it is spoken against.
6
Truth Trampled

• Church of Christ Started 150 Years Ago

7
Nancy Grace (CNN) interviewing Tom Rukala,
Baptist Pastor
Mar. 27, 2006 - 800 PM ET

• TR Well, the Church of Christ is
  a relatively new
  church.
  It was started about 150 years ago
  by Alexander Campbell.

8
Truth Trampled

• Church of Christ Started 150 Years Ago
• Historical markers and materials refer to
  churches of Christ far back in history
• Remember!!
• Campbell came to U.S. in 1809

9
Rumney Marsh (Chelsea, later Revere), Mass.
10
Truth Trampled

• Church of Christ Started 150 Years Ago
• Historical markers and materials refer to
  churches of Christ far back in history
• What church was established in Acts 2? (Examine
  next slides)

11
Acts 28 21 And they said unto him, We neither
received letters out of Judaea concerning thee,
neither any of the brethren that came shewed or
spake any harm of thee. 22 But we desire to hear
of thee what thou thinkest for as concerning
this sect, we know that every where it is spoken
against. 23 And when they had appointed him a
day, there came many to him into his lodging to
whom he expounded and testified the kingdom of
God, persuading them concerning Jesus, both out
of the law of Moses, and out of the prophets,
from morning till evening. 24 And some believed
the things which were spoken, and some believed
not. (KJV)
Acts 247
47 Praising God, and having favour with all the
people. And the Lord added to the church daily
such as should be saved.
Acts 511
11 And great fear came upon all the church, and
upon as many as heard these things.
12
Acts 28 21 And they said unto him, We neither
received letters out of Judaea concerning thee,
neither any of the brethren that came shewed or
spake any harm of thee. 22 But we desire to hear
of thee what thou thinkest for as concerning
this sect, we know that every where it is spoken
against. 23 And when they had appointed him a
day, there came many to him into his lodging to
whom he expounded and testified the kingdom of
God, persuading them concerning Jesus, both out
of the law of Moses, and out of the prophets,
from morning till evening. 24 And some believed
the things which were spoken, and some believed
not. (KJV)
Acts 81
1 And Saul was consenting unto his death. And
at that time there was a great persecution
against the church which was at Jerusalem
and they were all scattered
abroad throughout the regions of
Judaea and Samaria, except the apostles.
Acts 931
31 Then had the churches rest throughout all
Judaea and Galilee and Samaria,
and were edified and walking in the fear
of the Lord, and in the comfort
of the Holy
Ghost, were multiplied.
13
Truth Trampled

• Remember! Tom Rukala said the Church of Christ
  Started 150 Years Ago
• The truth
• Christ promised to build his church
  in Matt. 1618
• Again, I ask, What church did the Lord build?

14
Acts 28 21 And they said unto him, We neither
received letters out of Judaea concerning thee,
neither any of the brethren that came shewed or
spake any harm of thee. 22 But we desire to hear
of thee what thou thinkest for as concerning
this sect, we know that every where it is spoken
against. 23 And when they had appointed him a
day, there came many to him into his lodging to
whom he expounded and testified the kingdom of
God, persuading them concerning Jesus, both out
of the law of Moses, and out of the prophets,
from morning till evening. 24 And some believed
the things which were spoken, and some believed
not. (KJV)
Matt. 1618
18 And I say also unto thee, that thou art Peter,

and upon this rock I will build my church
and the gates
of hell shall not prevail against it.
Acts 247
47 Praising God, and having favour with all the
people. And the Lord added to the church daily
such as should be saved.
15
Truth Trampled

• Truth!!!
• Rom. 1616 Churches of Christ existed, grew,
  spread in the 1st century
  long before Alexander Campbell!

16
Acts 28 21 And they said unto him, We neither
received letters out of Judaea concerning thee,
neither any of the brethren that came shewed or
spake any harm of thee. 22 But we desire to hear
of thee what thou thinkest for as concerning
this sect, we know that every where it is spoken
against. 23 And when they had appointed him a
day, there came many to him into his lodging to
whom he expounded and testified the kingdom of
God, persuading them concerning Jesus, both out
of the law of Moses, and out of the prophets,
from morning till evening. 24 And some believed
the things which were spoken, and some believed
not. (KJV)
Rom. 1616
16 Salute one another with an holy kiss.
The churches of Christ salute you.
17
Truth Trampled

• Church of Christ Started 150 Years Ago???
• Christ built what church in the 1st century?
• Church of Christ Matt. 1618 Acts 247
  Rom. 1616
• Catholic? 606 (first pope)
• Lutheran? 1520
• Presbyterian? 1536
• Baptist? 1607
• Methodist? 1739

18
Truth Trampled

• Church of Christ Started 150 Years Ago
• Christ built what church in the 1st century?
• Church of Christ Matt. 1618 Acts 247
  Rom. 1616
• Mormon? 1830
• 7th Day Adventists? 1860
• Christian Science? 1866
• Jehovahs Witnesses? 1872

19
Truth Trampled

• 2. Tom Rukala said we are legalistic and Narrow
  Sect.

20
Nancy Grace (CNN) interviewing Tom Rukala,
Baptist Pastor
Mar. 27, 2006 - 800 PM ET

• TR And its, unfortunately, a very legalistic
  sect, . . . You have to be a member of their
  narrow sect.

21
Truth Trampled

• 2. Legalistic and Narrow Sect
• Define Sect
• a religious denomination,
  especially a small group that has broken away
  from an established church
  (Webster's 20th Century Dictionary
  Unabr.)

22
Truth Trampled

• 2. Legalistic and Narrow Sect
• Was Paul in a sect when he left Judaism
  obeyed the gospel of Christ,
  or was he in the true
  church of Christ?

23
Acts 28 21 And they said unto him, We neither
received letters out of Judaea concerning thee,
neither any of the brethren that came shewed or
spake any harm of thee. 22 But we desire to hear
of thee what thou thinkest for as concerning
this sect, we know that every where it is spoken
against. 23 And when they had appointed him a
day, there came many to him into his lodging to
whom he expounded and testified the kingdom of
God, persuading them concerning Jesus, both out
of the law of Moses, and out of the prophets,
from morning till evening. 24 And some believed
the things which were spoken, and some believed
not. (KJV)
Acts 2414
14 But this I confess unto thee, that after the
way which they call heresy, so worship I the God
of my fathers, believing all things which are
written in the law and in the prophets
24
Truth Trampled

• 2. Legalistic and Narrow Sect
• Legalistic
• strict, often too strict and literal,
  adherence to law
  (Webster's 20th Century Dictionary Unabr.)

25
Truth Trampled

• 2. Legalistic and Narrow Sect
• Legalistic
• strict, often too strict and literal,
  adherence to law
  (Webster's 20th Century Dictionary Unabr.)
• God requires strict obedience is He legalistic?

26
Acts 28 21 And they said unto him, We neither
received letters out of Judaea concerning thee,
neither any of the brethren that came shewed or
spake any harm of thee. 22 But we desire to hear
of thee what thou thinkest for as concerning
this sect, we know that every where it is spoken
against. 23 And when they had appointed him a
day, there came many to him into his lodging to
whom he expounded and testified the kingdom of
God, persuading them concerning Jesus, both out
of the law of Moses, and out of the prophets,
from morning till evening. 24 And some believed
the things which were spoken, and some believed
not. (KJV)
2 Thess. 36
6 Now we command you, brethren,
in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, that ye
withdraw yourselves
from every brother that walketh disorderly, and
not after the tradition
which he received of us.
27
Truth Trampled

• 2. Legalistic and Narrow Sect
• Legalistic
• 2 Thess. 36 God requires strict obedience is
  He legalistic?
• Disorderly The proper idea of the word used
  here (atakton), is that of soldiers who
  do not keep the ranks who are regardless of
  order and then who are irregular in any way. The
  word would include any violation of the rules of
  Christ on any
  subject. (Barnes Notes on the N.T.)

28
Acts 28 21 And they said unto him, We neither
received letters out of Judaea concerning thee,
neither any of the brethren that came shewed or
spake any harm of thee. 22 But we desire to hear
of thee what thou thinkest for as concerning
this sect, we know that every where it is spoken
against. 23 And when they had appointed him a
day, there came many to him into his lodging to
whom he expounded and testified the kingdom of
God, persuading them concerning Jesus, both out
of the law of Moses, and out of the prophets,
from morning till evening. 24 And some believed
the things which were spoken, and some believed
not. (KJV)
1 Tim. 411
11 These things command and teach.
2 Tim. 113
13 Hold fast the form of sound words, which thou
hast heard of me,
in faith and love which is in Christ Jesus.
29
Acts 28 21 And they said unto him, We neither
received letters out of Judaea concerning thee,
neither any of the brethren that came shewed or
spake any harm of thee. 22 But we desire to hear
of thee what thou thinkest for as concerning
this sect, we know that every where it is spoken
against. 23 And when they had appointed him a
day, there came many to him into his lodging to
whom he expounded and testified the kingdom of
God, persuading them concerning Jesus, both out
of the law of Moses, and out of the prophets,
from morning till evening. 24 And some believed
the things which were spoken, and some believed
not. (KJV)
Tit. 215
15 These things speak, and exhort, and rebuke
with all authority. Let no man despise thee.
Phil. 49
9 Those things, which ye have both learned, and
received, and heard, and seen in me, do and the
God of peace shall be with you.
30
Truth Trampled

• 2. Legalistic and Narrow Sect???
• Narrow The church of Christ is to be
  as narrow as the teaching of
  Christ

31
Acts 28 21 And they said unto him, We neither
received letters out of Judaea concerning thee,
neither any of the brethren that came shewed or
spake any harm of thee. 22 But we desire to hear
of thee what thou thinkest for as concerning
this sect, we know that every where it is spoken
against. 23 And when they had appointed him a
day, there came many to him into his lodging to
whom he expounded and testified the kingdom of
God, persuading them concerning Jesus, both out
of the law of Moses, and out of the prophets,
from morning till evening. 24 And some believed
the things which were spoken, and some believed
not. (KJV)
Matt. 713-14
13 Enter ye in at the strait gate
for wide is the gate,
and broad is the
way,
that leadeth to destruction,
and many there be which go in thereat
14 Because strait is the gate,
and narrow is the way,
which leadeth unto
life,
and few there be that find it.
32
Acts 28 21 And they said unto him, We neither
received letters out of Judaea concerning thee,
neither any of the brethren that came shewed or
spake any harm of thee. 22 But we desire to hear
of thee what thou thinkest for as concerning
this sect, we know that every where it is spoken
against. 23 And when they had appointed him a
day, there came many to him into his lodging to
whom he expounded and testified the kingdom of
God, persuading them concerning Jesus, both out
of the law of Moses, and out of the prophets,
from morning till evening. 24 And some believed
the things which were spoken, and some believed
not. (KJV)
Matt. 1923
23 Then said Jesus unto his disciples, Verily I
say unto you,
That a rich man shall hardly enter
into the kingdom of heaven.
33
Acts 28 21 And they said unto him, We neither
received letters out of Judaea concerning thee,
neither any of the brethren that came shewed or
spake any harm of thee. 22 But we desire to hear
of thee what thou thinkest for as concerning
this sect, we know that every where it is spoken
against. 23 And when they had appointed him a
day, there came many to him into his lodging to
whom he expounded and testified the kingdom of
God, persuading them concerning Jesus, both out
of the law of Moses, and out of the prophets,
from morning till evening. 24 And some believed
the things which were spoken, and some believed
not. (KJV)
Eph. 44-6
4 There is one body,
and one Spirit,
even as ye are called
in one hope of your calling 5
One Lord, one faith, one baptism, 6 One God and
Father of all, who is above
all, and through all, and
in you all.
34
Nancy Grace (CNN) interviewing Tom Rukala,
Baptist Pastor
Mar. 27, 2006 - 800 PM ET

• NG You know, Pastor, you keep saying "sect."
  "Sect." You make it sound like a cult.
• TR It kind of is a borderline cult,
  unfortunately. I dont want to make it out
  to be some kind of Hare Krishna group,
  but it has cult-like
  characteristics and...

35
Nancy Grace (CNN) interviewing Tom Rukala,
Baptist Pastor
Mar. 27, 2006 - 800 PM ET

• NG In what sense?
• TR Well, in the sense of the exclusivism, the
  attitude that they are the only ones
  who know the truth. The tactics that they
  use are sometimes just --
  not only un-biblical but
  unethical, and they
  can be very ungracious, unfortunately.

36
Truth Trampled

• 3. Borderline-cult, Cult-like Characteristics,
  Exclusivism (Only One Truth, One Right Way)

37
Acts 28 21 And they said unto him, We neither
received letters out of Judaea concerning thee,
neither any of the brethren that came shewed or
spake any harm of thee. 22 But we desire to hear
of thee what thou thinkest for as concerning
this sect, we know that every where it is spoken
against. 23 And when they had appointed him a
day, there came many to him into his lodging to
whom he expounded and testified the kingdom of
God, persuading them concerning Jesus, both out
of the law of Moses, and out of the prophets,
from morning till evening. 24 And some believed
the things which were spoken, and some believed
not. (KJV)
Jn. 831-32
31 Then said Jesus to those Jews which
believed on him,
If ye continue in my word,
then are ye
my disciples indeed 32 And ye shall know the
truth, and
the truth shall make you free.
Jn. 146
6 Jesus saith unto him, I am the way, the truth,
and the life no man cometh unto the Father, but
by me.
38
Acts 28 21 And they said unto him, We neither
received letters out of Judaea concerning thee,
neither any of the brethren that came shewed or
spake any harm of thee. 22 But we desire to hear
of thee what thou thinkest for as concerning
this sect, we know that every where it is spoken
against. 23 And when they had appointed him a
day, there came many to him into his lodging to
whom he expounded and testified the kingdom of
God, persuading them concerning Jesus, both out
of the law of Moses, and out of the prophets,
from morning till evening. 24 And some believed
the things which were spoken, and some believed
not. (KJV)
Matt. 713-14
13 Enter ye in at the strait gate
for wide is the gate,
and broad is the
way,
that leadeth to destruction,
and many there be which go in thereat
14 Because strait is the gate,
and narrow is the way,
which leadeth unto
life,
and few there be that find it.
39
Acts 28 21 And they said unto him, We neither
received letters out of Judaea concerning thee,
neither any of the brethren that came shewed or
spake any harm of thee. 22 But we desire to hear
of thee what thou thinkest for as concerning
this sect, we know that every where it is spoken
against. 23 And when they had appointed him a
day, there came many to him into his lodging to
whom he expounded and testified the kingdom of
God, persuading them concerning Jesus, both out
of the law of Moses, and out of the prophets,
from morning till evening. 24 And some believed
the things which were spoken, and some believed
not. (KJV)
Acts 412
12 Neither is there salvation in any other for
there is none other name
under heaven given among men, whereby we must be
saved.
40
Acts 28 21 And they said unto him, We neither
received letters out of Judaea concerning thee,
neither any of the brethren that came shewed or
spake any harm of thee. 22 But we desire to hear
of thee what thou thinkest for as concerning
this sect, we know that every where it is spoken
against. 23 And when they had appointed him a
day, there came many to him into his lodging to
whom he expounded and testified the kingdom of
God, persuading them concerning Jesus, both out
of the law of Moses, and out of the prophets,
from morning till evening. 24 And some believed
the things which were spoken, and some believed
not. (KJV)
Eph. 44-6
4 There is one body,
and one Spirit,
even as ye are called
in one hope of your calling 5
One Lord, one faith, one baptism, 6 One God and
Father of all, who is above
all, and through all, and
in you all.
41
Acts 28 21 And they said unto him, We neither
received letters out of Judaea concerning thee,
neither any of the brethren that came shewed or
spake any harm of thee. 22 But we desire to hear
of thee what thou thinkest for as concerning
this sect, we know that every where it is spoken
against. 23 And when they had appointed him a
day, there came many to him into his lodging to
whom he expounded and testified the kingdom of
God, persuading them concerning Jesus, both out
of the law of Moses, and out of the prophets,
from morning till evening. 24 And some believed
the things which were spoken, and some believed
not. (KJV)
1 Tim. 13
3 As I besought thee to abide still at Ephesus,
when I went into Macedonia, that thou mightest
charge some that they teach no other doctrine
42
Nancy Grace (CNN) interviewing Tom Rukala,
Baptist Pastor
Mar. 27, 2006 - 800 PM ET

• TR . . . And its, unfortunately,
  a very legalistic
  sect, and
  they tend to use methods of intimidation
  and
  pressure tactics.
• TR . . . The tactics that they use are sometimes
  just -- not only un-biblical but unethical, and
  they can be very ungracious, unfortunately.

43
Acts 28 21 And they said unto him, We neither
received letters out of Judaea concerning thee,
neither any of the brethren that came shewed or
spake any harm of thee. 22 But we desire to hear
of thee what thou thinkest for as concerning
this sect, we know that every where it is spoken
against. 23 And when they had appointed him a
day, there came many to him into his lodging to
whom he expounded and testified the kingdom of
God, persuading them concerning Jesus, both out
of the law of Moses, and out of the prophets,
from morning till evening. 24 And some believed
the things which were spoken, and some believed
not. (KJV)
Matt. 2112-13
12 And Jesus went into the temple of God, and
cast out all them that sold and bought in the
temple, and overthrew the tables of the
moneychangers, and the seats of
them that sold doves, 13 And said unto them, It
is written, My house shall be
called the house of prayer but ye have made it a
den of thieves.
44
Acts 28 21 And they said unto him, We neither
received letters out of Judaea concerning thee,
neither any of the brethren that came shewed or
spake any harm of thee. 22 But we desire to hear
of thee what thou thinkest for as concerning
this sect, we know that every where it is spoken
against. 23 And when they had appointed him a
day, there came many to him into his lodging to
whom he expounded and testified the kingdom of
God, persuading them concerning Jesus, both out
of the law of Moses, and out of the prophets,
from morning till evening. 24 And some believed
the things which were spoken, and some believed
not. (KJV)
Acts 2425
25 And as he reasoned of righteousness,
temperance, and judgment to come,
Felix trembled, and answered,
Go thy way for this time
when I
have a convenient season,
I will call for thee.
45
Acts 28 21 And they said unto him, We neither
received letters out of Judaea concerning thee,
neither any of the brethren that came shewed or
spake any harm of thee. 22 But we desire to hear
of thee what thou thinkest for as concerning
this sect, we know that every where it is spoken
against. 23 And when they had appointed him a
day, there came many to him into his lodging to
whom he expounded and testified the kingdom of
God, persuading them concerning Jesus, both out
of the law of Moses, and out of the prophets,
from morning till evening. 24 And some believed
the things which were spoken, and some believed
not. (KJV)
Minister Murdered, Truth Trampled
Acts 2822
Acts 2822
22 But we desire to hear of thee
what thou thinkest
for as
concerning this sect,
we know that every where
it is spoken against.
46
Acts 28 21 And they said unto him, We neither
received letters out of Judaea concerning thee,
neither any of the brethren that came shewed or
spake any harm of thee. 22 But we desire to hear
of thee what thou thinkest for as concerning
this sect, we know that every where it is spoken
against. 23 And when they had appointed him a
day, there came many to him into his lodging to
whom he expounded and testified the kingdom of
God, persuading them concerning Jesus, both out
of the law of Moses, and out of the prophets,
from morning till evening. 24 And some believed
the things which were spoken, and some believed
not. (KJV)
Acts 2216
16 And now why tarriest thou?
arise, and be baptized,
and wash away
thy sins,
calling on the name of the Lord.

• Baptized into Christ
• Baptized into the blood of Christ
• Added to the church of Christ