The Difference Between the Church and the Individual

1. “There are those who try to distinguish between the work of the church and the work of Christians, indicating one to be divine, and the other human. This is fallacious reasoning. The church is composed of Christians; what the church does, Christians do; what Christians do, the church does, generally speaking. We cannot separate the Christian’s work from the work of the church.” “Consciously or otherwise we make a distinction between the church and Christians, and much of our reasoning is based upon this unproved assumption.” The Difference Between the Church and the Individual “Actually we may say that whatever is the duty of the Christian is the duty of the congregation of Christians.” 1 Timothy 5:16 Galatians 6:10

2. Questions to Consider • Why has our brethren made such arguments? • Does the Bible teach that there is no difference between the church and the individual?

3. Distinction Between the Church and the Individual • 1 Timothy 5:16 “If any man or woman that believeth have widows, let them relieve them, and let not the church be charged; that it may relieve them that are widows indeed.”

4. Distinction Between the Church and the Individual • 1 Timothy 5:16 “If any man or woman that believeth have widows, let them relieve them, and let not the church be charged; that it may relieve them that are widows indeed.”

5. Distinction Between the Church and the Individual • 1 Timothy 5:16 “If any man or woman that believeth have widows, let them relieve them, and let not the church be charged; that it may relieve them that are widows indeed.”

6. Distinction Between the Church and the Individual Is there a distinction between the church’s responsibility and the individual’s responsibility? • 1 Timothy 5:16 “If any man or woman that believeth have widows, let them relieve them, and let not the church be charged; that it may relieve them that are widows indeed.”

7. Distinction Between the Church and the Individual • 1 Timothy 5:16 “If any man or woman that believeth have widows, let them relieve them, and let not the church be charged; that it may relieve them that are widows indeed.”

8. Distinction Between the Church and the Individual • 1 Timothy 5:16 “If any man or woman that believeth have widows, let them relieve them, and let not the church be charged; that it may relieve them that are widows indeed.”

9. Distinction Between the Church and the Individual • 1 Timothy 5:16 “If any man or woman that believeth have widows, let them relieve them, and let not the church be charged; that it may relieve them that are widows indeed.”

10. Distinction Between the Church and the Individual • Whatever the church does as a collective body, it is the individuals that are doing it. • Whatever a Christian individual can do, the church as a collective body can do. • 1 Timothy 5:16 “If any man or woman that believeth have widows, let them relieve them, and let not the church be charged; that it may relieve them that are widows indeed.” NOT TRUE

11. Clear Distinction • 1 Corinthians 12:14 • For the body is not one member, but many.

12. 3 For if (the local church) think (it)self to be something, when (it) is nothing, (the local church) deceiveth(it)self. 4 But let every (local church) prove (its) own work, and then shall (it) have rejoicing in (it)self alone, and not in another. 5 For every (local church) shall bear (its) own burden. 6 Let (the local church) that is taught in the word communicate unto him that teacheth in all good things. 7 Be not deceived; God is not mocked: for whatsoever a (local church) soweth, that shall (it) also reap. 8 For (the local church) that soweth to (its) flesh shall of the flesh reap corruption; but (the local church) that soweth to the Spirit shall of the Spirit reap life everlasting. 9 And let (local church) not be weary in well doing: for in due season (the local church) shall reap, if (it) faint not. 10 As (the local church has) therefore opportunity, let (it) do good unto all men, especially unto them who are of the household of faith. Church or Individual? Individual Individual Individual

13. Clear Distinction • Matthew 18:15-17 • Moreover if thy brother shall trespass against thee, go and tell him his fault between thee and him alone: if he shall hear thee thou hast gained thy brother. But if he will not hear thee, then take with thee one or two more, that in the mouth of two or three witnesses every word may be established. And if he shall neglect to hear them, tell it unto the church, let him be unto thee as a heathen man and a publican.

14. Clear Distinction • Acts 5:1-4 • But a certain man named Ananias, with Sapphira his wife sold a possession, and kept back part of the price, his wife also being privy to it, and brought a certain part, and laid it at the apostles’ feet. But Peter said, Ananias, why hath Satan filled thine heart to lie to the Holy Ghost, and to keep back part of the price of the land? While it remained, was it not thine own? And after it was sold, was it not in thine own power? Why hast thou conceived this thing in thine heart? Thou hast not lied unto men, but unto God.

15. Duties of Individual Christians 1 Peter 1:13-16 “Wherefore gird up the loins of your mind, be sober, and hope to the end for the grace that is to be brought unto you at the revelation of Jesus Christ; As obedient children, not fashioning yourselves according to the former lusts in your ignorance. But as he which hath called you is holy, so be he holy in all manner of conversation; Because it is written, be ye holy; for I am holy.”

16. The Church is NOT: • Economic business institution • Day-care center • Family crisis clinic • Political agenda • General benevolent society • Orphanage • Social club

17. Shared Duties of the Church and Individual

18. What is the Work of the Church? • Evangelism • Edification • Benevolence

19. Failing to Make a Distinction Between Church and Individual • Changes the pattern • Causes confusion • Causes the body of Christ to be divided

20. Romans 6:1-6 Romans 6:1-7