450 likes | 570 Views
1 What Standard?. Bible. P T U E R X E T. Inject Human Traditions & Opinions. Polluted Standard. }. 2 The Scriptures Furnish Us With All Truth.
E N D
1 What Standard? Bible P T U E R X E T Inject Human Traditions & Opinions Polluted Standard
} 2 The Scriptures Furnish Us With All Truth John 16:13 “However, when He, the Spirit of truth, has come, He will guide you into all truth; for He will not speak on His own authority, but what-ever He hears He will speak; and He will tell you things to come.” New Testament
3 How We Learn From The Bible Colossians 3:17“And whatsoever ye do Inwordordeed, do all in the name of (by the authority - jts) of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God and the Father by Him.” Philippians 4:9“Those things, which ye have both learned, and received, and heard(statement or command - jts), and seen (example - jts) in me, do: and the God of peace shall be with you.”
4 Authorization Involves Methods and Aids “A method is a means or manner of procedure, especially, a regular and systematic way of accomplishing anything” (American Heritage Dictionary,Page 826) ACTIONMETHOD AID TravelingWalking, Riding Crutches, Matthew 28:18SwimmingAutomobile, Boat, TeachingSpeaking, Writing TV, Radio II Timothy 2:2Sign Language Computer RelievingFood, Clothing Fork, Knife, I Timothy 5:16Shelter, Nursing House, Medicine God authorizes the use of anything that isnecessaryin carrying out His commands, or thataidsin so doing so long assome Scriptural principle is not violated.
5 According To The Pattern • Obeying Christ Hebrews 5:9“And being made perfect, He became the author of eternal salvation unto all them that obey Him.” • Scriptures Furnish Us Unto All Good Works II Timothy 3:16-17“All Scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness:17That the man of God may be perfect, throughly furnished unto all good works.”
6 Work of the Church • Work • 1.Evangelism —I Timothy 3:15 • 2.Edification —Ephesians 4:16 • 3.Benevolence —I Timothy 5:16 Any Work God GaveA Local ChurchTo Do May Be DoneBy That ChurchWithout ItsSetting UpOrWorking ThroughAny Other Organization!
7 The Word “Church” Saint Link Links Saints Church Chain Neither Singular, Nor Plural, But Collective I Corinthians 12:14 Matthew 18:15-17
8 OVERSIGHT LIMITED Independent Equal Local Church - Elders Acts 20:28“Take heed therefore unto yourselves, and to all the flock, over the which the Holy Ghost hath made you overseers, to feed the church of God, which he hath purchased with his own blood.” I Peter 5:2-3“Feed the flock of God which is among you, taking the oversight thereof, not by constraint, but willingly; not for filthy lucre, but of a ready mind;3Neither as being lords over God's heritage, but being ensamples to the flock.” Sufficient Autonomous
9 What Has God Assigned To • The Church In Benevolence? • Saints Acts 2:44-45“Andall that believed were together, and had all things common;45And sold their possessions and goods, and parted them to all men, as every man had need.” Acts 4:32- 37“And the multitude ofthem that believedwere of one heart and of one soul: neither said any of them that ought of the things which he possessed was his own; but they had all things common.33And with great power gave the apostles witness of the resurrection of the Lord Jesus: and great grace was upon them all.
10 What Has God Assigned To • The Church In Benevolence? • Saints 34Neither was thereany among them that lacked: for as many as were possessors of lands or houses sold them, and brought the prices of the things that were sold,35And laid them down at the apostles' feet: anddistri-bution was made unto every man according as he had need.36And Joses, who by the apostles was surnamed Barnabas, (which is, being interpreted, The son of consolation,) a Levite, and of the country of Cyprus,37Having land, sold it, and brought the money, and laid it at the apostles’ feet.”
11 What Has God Assigned To • The Church In Benevolence? • Saints Acts 6:1-3“And in those days, when the number of the disciples was multiplied, there arose a murmuring of the Grecians against the Hebrews, because their widows were negle-cted in the daily ministration.2Then the twelve called the multitude of the disciples unto them, and said, It is not reason that we should leave the word of God, and serve tables.3Wherefore, brethren,look ye out among youseven men of honest report, full of the Holy Spirit and wisdom, whom we may appoint over this business.”
12 What Has God Assigned To • The Church In Benevolence? • Saints Acts 11:27-30“And in these days came prophets from Jerusalem unto Antioch.28And there stood up one of them named Agabus, and signified by the spirit that there should be great dearth throughout all the world: which came to pass in the days of Claudius Caesar.29Then the disciples, every man according to his ability, determined to send reliefunto the brethrenwhich dwelt in Judaea:30Which also they did, andsent it to the eldersby the hands of Barnabas and Saul.”
12 What Has God Assigned To • The Church In Benevolence? • Saints Romans 15:25-27 “But now I am going to Jerusalem to minister to the saints. 26 For it pleased those from Macedonia and Achaia to make a certain contribution for the poor among the saints who are in Jerusalem. 27 It pleased them indeed, and they are their debtors. For if the Gentiles have been par-takers of their spiritual things, their duty is also to minister to them in material things.”
12 What Has God Assigned To • The Church In Benevolence? • Saints I Corinthians 16:1-2 “Now concerning the collection for the saints, as I have given order to the churches of Galatia, even so do ye. 2 Upon the first day of the week let every one of you lay by him in store, as God hath prospered him, that there be no gatherings when I come.”
13 What Has God Assigned To • The Church In Benevolence? • Saints II Corinthians 8:1-4“Moreover,brethren, we do you to wit of the grace of God bestowed on the churches of Macedonia;2How that in a great trial of affliction the abundance of their joy and their deep poverty abounded unto the riches of their liberality.3For to their power, I bear record, yea, and beyond their power they were willing of themselves;4Praying us with much intreaty that we would receive the gift, and take upon us the fellowship of theministering to the saints.
14 What Has God Assigned To • The Church In Benevolence? • Saints II Corinthians 9:1-5“For as touching theministering to the saints, it is superfluous for me to write to you:2For I know the forwardness of your mind, for which I boast of you to them of Macedonia, that Achaia was ready a year ago; and your zeal hath provoked very many.3 Yet have I sent the brethren, lest our boasting of you should be in vain in this behalf; that, as I said, ye may be ready:4 Lest haply if they of Macedonia come with me, and find you unprepared, we (that we say not, ye) should be ashamed in this same confident boasting.
15 What Has God Assigned To • The Church In Benevolence? • Saints II Corinthians 9:12-14“For the adminis-tration of this service not only supplieth thewant of the saints, but is abundant also by many thanksgivings unto God;13Whiles by the experiment of this ministration they glorify God for your professed subjection into the gospel of Christ, and for your liberal distribution unto them, and unto all men.” 14 And by their prayer for you, which long after you for the exceeding grace of God in you.”
15 What Has God Assigned To • The Church In Benevolence? • Saints I Timothy 5:16If any man or woman that believeth have widows, let them relieve them, and let not thechurchbe charged; thatitmay relieve them that are widows indeed.
Church of Christ God’s Treasury 16 What Has God Assigned The Church In Benevolence? Saints Acts 2:44-45……...…Needy Believers Acts 4:32-37………. Needy Believers Acts 6:1-3……… .Needy Widows Acts 11:26-30…… Needy Brethren Romans 15:25-31…… .Poor Saints I Corinthians 16:1-2 . . . . . Poor Saints II Corinthians 8:1-4…. . Poor Saints II Corinthians 9:1-5, 12…Poor Saints I Timothy 5:16………. Widow Indeed Scripture? Authority for Aliens and others ? ?
This Church 17 Christ Ephesians 1:22-23 Elders Deacons Members Philippians 1:1 May Provide House, Food, Clothing, Medicine, Care Or This Church Christ Ephesians 1:22-23 Elders Deacons Members Philippians 1:1 $$$$$$ Mount Dorah Children’s Home Board of Directors Supt. and Helpers May Provide
18 No Scriptural Authority Mid-Western Children’s Home Church Build House Christ Ephesians 1:22-23 Elders Deacons Members Philippians 1:1 Board of Directors Supt. and Helpers Buy House Rent House $ Buy Clothes Pay for Services Buy Medicine Pay Helpers
Some History of Orphan Homes “Tennessee Children’s Home serving children since 1909 Sharing Faith, Hope and Love Supported by Churches of Christ” Individuals: Gather Food and Clothing – Truck Will Pick them up once a month. Congregations: Send fifty Sunday Contribution to Tennessee Orphan Home
35 Orphans Home - Divine or Human Institution N B Hardeman - Then President of Freed-Hardeman College wrote in The Firm Foundation, October 28, 1947 trying to justify churches sending funds to Freed-Hardeman College: “Note the parallel: 1. The school is a human institution; it has a board of directors; it teaches secular branches in connection with the Bible. 2. An orphan home is a human institution; it has a board of directors; it teaches secular branches in connection with the Bible. The same principle that permits one, must also permit the other.”
20 Passages Describing Individual - Not Church Action James 1:25-27 “But whoso looketh into the perfect law of liberty, and continueth therein, he being not a forgetful hearer, but a doer of the work, this man shall be blessed in his deed. 26 If any man among you seem to be religious, and bridleth not his tongue, but deceiveth his own heart, this man’s religion is vain. 27 Pure religion and undefiled before God and the Father is this, To visit the fatherless and widows in their affliction, and to keep himself unspotted from the world.”
“Individual” Passages 19 Passage Context Shows James 1:27 Individual Action Church Action Perversion
20 Passages Describing Individual - Not Church Action Galatians 6:7-10 “Be not deceived; God is not mocked: for whatsoever a man soweth, that shall he also reap. 8 For he that soweth to his flesh shall of the flesh reap corruption; but he that soweth to the Spirit shall of the Spirit reap life everlasting. 9 And let us not be weary in well doing: for in due season we shall reap, if we faint not. 10 As we have therefore opportunity, let usdo good unto all men, especially unto them who are of the household of faith.”
“Individual” Passages 19 Passage Context Shows James 1:27 Individual Action Church Action Perversion Galatians 6:10 Individual Action Church Action Perversion
22 Passages Describing Individual - Not Church Action Matthew 5:43-48 “Ye have heard that it hath been said, Thou shalt love thy neighbour, and hate thine enemy. 44 But I say unto you, Love your enemies, bless them that curse you, do good to them that hate you, and pray for them which despitefully use you, and persecute you; 45 That ye may be the children of your Father which is in heaven: for He maketh His sun to rise on the evil and on the good, and sendeth rain on the just and on the unjust. 46 For if ye love them which love you, what reward have ye? do not even the publicans the same? 47 And if ye salute your brethren only, what do ye more than others? do not even the publicans so? 48 Be ye therefore perfect, even as your Father which is in heaven is perfect.”
21 “Individual” Passages Passage Context ShowsPerversion James 1:27 Individual ActionChurch Action Galatians 6:10 Individual Action Church Action Matthew 5:43-48 Individual ActionChurch Action
24 Passages Describing Individual - Not Church Action Matthew 25:34-36 “Then the King will say to those on His right hand, ‘Come, you blessed of My Father, inherit the kingdom prepared for you from the foundation of the world: 35 for I was hungry and you gave Me food; I was thirsty and you gave Me drink; I was a stranger and you took Me in; 36 I was naked and you clothed Me; I was sick and you visited Me; I was in prison and you came to Me’.”
23 “Individual” Passages Passage Context Shows Perversion James 1:27 Individual ActionChurch Action Galatians 6:10 Individual ActionChurch Action Matthew 5:43-48 Individual ActionChurch Action Matthew 25:31-36Individual ActionChurch Action
26 Passages Describing Individual - Not Church Action Luke 10:29-37 “But he, wanting to justify himself, said to Jesus, ‘And who is my neighbor?’ 30 Then Jesus answered and said: ‘A certain man went down from Jerusalem to Jericho, and fell among thieves, who stripped him of his clothing, wounded him, and departed, leaving him half dead.31 Now by chance acertain priestcame down that road. And when he saw him,hepassed by on the other side. 32Likewise aLevite, whenhearrived at the place, came and looked, and passed by on the other side. 33 But a certainSamaritan, ashejourneyed, came where he was. And whenhesaw him,hehad compassion.
27 Passages Describing Individual - Not Church Action 34 Sohewent to him and bandaged his wounds, pouring on oil and wine; andheset him onhis own animal, brought him to an inn, and took care of him.35 On the next day, whenhe departed, hetook out two denarii, gave them to the innkeeper, and said to him, 'Take care of him; and whatever more you spend, whenIcome again,Iwill repay you.' 36 So which of these three do you think was neighbor to him who fell among the thieves? 37 And he said, ‘Hewho showed mercy on him.’ Then Jesus said to him, ‘Go and do likewise’.”
25 “Individual” Passages Passage Context ShowsPerversion James 1:27 Individual Action Church Action Galatians 6:10 Individual Action Church Action Matthew 5:43-48 Individual Action Church Action Matthew 25:31-36Individual Action Church Action Luke 10:25-37 Individual Action Church Action
29 If Individual Passages Prove Church Action: John 15:1-5 “I am the true vine, and My Father is the vinedresser. 2 Every branch in Me that does not bear fruit He takes away; and every branch that bears fruit He prunes, that it may bear more fruit.3 You are already clean because of the word which I have spoken to you. 4 Abide in Me, and I in you. As the branch cannot bear fruit of itself, unless it abides in the vine, neither can you, unless you abide in Me. 5 I am the vine, you are the branches. He who abides in Me, and I in him, bears much fruit; for without Me you can do nothing.”
28 “Individual” Passages Passage Context ShowsPerversion James 1:27Individual ActionChurch Action Galatians 6:10Individual Action Church Action Matthew 5:43-48Individual ActionChurch Action Matthew 25:31-36Individual ActionChurch Action Luke 10:25-37Individual ActionChurch Action Proves: { John 15:1-6 Denominationalism Right Consequences
31 If Individual Passages Prove Church Action: I Timothy 5:10 “Well reported for good works: if she has brought up children, if she has lodged strangers, if she has washed the saints’ feet, if she has relieved the afflicted, if she has diligently followed every good work.” Ephesians 4:28 “Let him who stole steal no longer, but rather let him labor, working with his hands what is good, that he may have something to give him who has need.”
30 “Individual” Passages Passage Context ShowsPerversion James 1:27Individual ActionChurch Action Galatians 6:10Individual ActionChurch Action Matthew 5:43-48Individual ActionChurch Action Matthew 25:31-36Individual ActionChurch Action Luke 10:25-37Individual ActionChurch Action { Proves: John 15:1-6 - Denominationalism I Timothy 5:10 - Church Feet Washing Church Hotels Church Hospitals Red Cross Ephesians 4:28 - Church Car Washes Consequences
33 The Term “Home” Defined Corporate Body Dwelling Place Family Relationship (Home) # 1 (Home) # 2 (Home) # 3 “En Loco Parentis” Board of Directors who establish a corporation to provide a home One’s own dwelling place - the house in which one lives An organized center of family life
34 James 1:27 “Pure religion and undefiled before God and the Father is this: to visit fatherless and widows in their afflictions, and to keep himself unspotted from the world.” Corporate Body (Home) # 1 “En Loco Parentis” $$$$$$$$$$ According to some brethren, even though this passagespecifiesthework(visiting the orphans and widows in their affliction)of an individual(himself) it can also be applied to thechurch. CHURCH D E D E Church Church can’t actually oversee the work
35 Orphans Home - Divine or Human Institution N B Hardeman - Then President of Freed-Hardeman College said: “Note the parallel: 1. The school is a human institution; it has a board of directors; it teaches secular branches in connection with the Bible. 2. An orphan home is a human institution; it has a board of directors; it teaches secular branches in connection with the Bible. The same principle that permits one, must also permit the other.” (The Firm Foundation, October 28, 1947).
36 Orphans Home - Divine or Human Institution In Torch, Volume 1, Number 2, Foy E. Wallace, Jr. wrote an article on “Secular Institutions.” He said in part: “No one has claimed that these man-made organizations are divine institutions; no one denies that they are secular enterprises in human affairs…” In November and December of 1963, Batsell Barrett Baxter, head of the Bible Department at David Lipscomb College and speaker for the TV and radio programs “Herald of Truth,” preached a
37 Orphans - Divine or Human Institution Christian school. It is difficult to see a significant difference so far as principle is concerned. The orphan’s home and the Christian school must stand or fall together.” “I urge elders of the church to contribute to the ongoing of the Christian schools in order that the God-given obligation to train our young people may be discharged.”
38 What God Authorizes We May Provide For God Authorizes Options AidsAdditions Lord’s SupperTime, Method ContainersCoffee & Cake Luke 22:19-20(Pass or Pass by) Table, PlatesCommon Meal TeachingAssembly TV, RadioSponsoring & EdifyingBible Classes Projector, BoardChurch Ephesians 4:16Home Studies SpeakersArrangement Relieving Food, Clothing Fork, Knife,Human Institution I Timothy 5:16Shelter, NursingHouse, Medicinefor Children & Aged
39 God’s Plan For Saving Man By God’s Mercy, Grace and Loving Kindness, He Sent Christ toDie on The Cross- Thus Showing His Love For Us(John 3:16). Christ said, “If you love me you will keep my commandments” (John 14:15). Those in the New Testament who kept the commandments for salvation: Heardthe Word (Romans 10:17);Believedthe word(Hebrews 11:6);Repentedat the command of God (Acts 17:30);Confessedtheir faith in Christ (Romans 10:10); and werebaptizedfor the remission of sins (Acts 2:38) When a Christian sinned, he was told torepentandpray(Acts 8:22).They were also told inI John 1:9toconfesstheir sins.