“Do I need organized religion?”

1. “Do I needorganized religion?” What is the local church, and why should I be a member?

2. The need for organized worship • Do the scriptures require “organized religion”? • Group worship, attendance • Common “creed” • Accountability • Treasury • What is the local church’s responsibility • To other churches? • To the acceptance or rejection of “new” members • To the behavior of its own members?

3. Relationship between local churches? • As last week, there ought to be a common doctrine • Paul taught the same doctrine to all the churches • 1 Cor 7:17 –“Only, as the Lord has assigned to each one, as God has called each, in this manner let him walk. And so I direct in all the churches.” • Col 4:16-17 –“When this letter is read among you, have it also read in the church of the Laodiceans; and you, for your part read my letter that is coming from Laodicea.”

4. Relationship between local churches? • Are there distinctions between local, “scriptural” churches? • The church has general authorization, specific authorization • General – authority to care for “widows indeed”, I Tim. 5:16 • Specific – take into individual homes? Pay expenses for assisted living? Other approaches? • If differences fall within general authority, local churches may have different “customs” or “procedures”

5. Relationship between local churches? • Who decides those local “customs”? • Elders • “all the flock, among which the Holy Spirit has made you overseers, to shepherd the church of God”, Acts 20:28 • 1 Peter 5:2-5 –“shepherd the flock of God among you, exercising oversight not under compulsion, but voluntarily, according to the will of God; and not for sordid gain, but with eagerness; nor yet as lording it over those allotted to your charge, but proving to be examples to the flock. … You younger men, likewise, be subject to your elders.” • 1 Tim 5:17 –“The elders who rule well…”

6. Relationship between local churches? • Who decides those local “customs”? • Brethren (in absence of an eldership) • No mention of elders in Antioch • Elders were appointed in numerous churches upon Paul’s return visits, not initially, Acts 14:21-23 • Elders are given specific qualifications, are to be appointed based on them • Titus 1:5-6 –“For this reason I left you in Crete, that you would set in order what remains and appoint elders in every city as I directed you, namely, if any man is above reproach....” • If none fit the qualifications, do the dangers disappear? • Acts 20:28-31, Titus 2:9-14 – not just false doctrine, but destructive ideas, which must be dealt with through sound judgment!

7. Relationship between local churches? • Room for diversity once “general, specific authority” have been met, ex. Lord’s Supper • Specific authority: taken in the assembly on the first day of the week, emblems, attitude • Variations • Some only take once, some multiple times • Order in services may vary • Time of meeting • Utensils used • General presentation (I.e. scripture, song, time devoted) • Two “scriptural” observances might look markedly different!

8. Relationship between local churches? • What influence should one church have on another? • No examples of “sponsoring churches”, elderships over multiple congregations • There is influence from group to group • I Cor. 11:13-16 – If we’re different, WHY are we different? • 1 Cor 14:33 –“for God is not a God of confusion but of peace, as in all the churches of the saints.” • Ought to be “imitators”, I Thes. 2:14, II Cor. 8:7, 23-24 • We share in the joy of our brethren, wherever they may be located

9. Relationship between local churches? • Interaction between churches • Congregations shouldn’t be “on an island” • Sharing of “sound doctrine”, Col. 4:16-17 • Warning of common concerns, Gal. 1:22-24 • May support the same evangelist in the work of the gospel, II Cor. 11:8, 12:13 • Aid sent from the churches to the individual, no “middle man” • May share in a common effort to aid needy saints, Acts 11:27-30, Rom. 15:25-27 • Collected by selected individual(s), delivered to the leadership of that church • No church-managed “central fund” or pool

10. Relationship between local churches? • Ultimately, our authority comes from scripture, not from other congregations • We are responsible to resemble the church of the first century, not the church down the road • Decisions on doctrine, teachings to be made locally in accordance with scripture • Local eldership, brethren decide most appropriate application provided it falls under general authority and does not violate specific authority • We can look to other faithful congregations for examples in these areas

11. Integrity of the local church • What is the church’s responsibility in safeguarding itself? • From worldly influences from outside the church, II Cor. 6:14-18 • From those seeking to join the local church who do not properly regard the word of truth, Acts 15:1, 24 • From those who disrupt the church from within by their words or deeds, Acts 20:30

12. Integrity of the local church • How do we guard against external influences from the outside world? • 1 John 2:15-17 –“Do not love the world nor the things in the world. If anyone loves the world, the love of the Father is not in him. For all that is in the world, the lust of the flesh and the lust of the eyes and the boastful pride of life, is not from the Father, but is from the world. The world is passing away, and also its lusts; but the one who does the will of God lives forever.” • II Peter 1:4-8, 12-14 • When our brethren stumble, Gal. 6:1-2 • Jude 21-23, different situations, approaches

13. Integrity of the local church • How do we receive “new members”? • Review – Paul at Jerusalem, Acts 9:26-28 • Obligation to the church’s safety, integrity in allowing unknown brethren –“a little leaven”, I Cor. 5:6 • Balance with the opportunity to teach, Acts 18:24-28 • If doubts present, seek a witness • No specific pattern –judgment, application of principle • If a teacher, there is a greater responsibility • 1 John 4:1 –“Beloved, do not believe every spirit, but test the spirits to see whether they are from God, because many false prophets have gone out into the world.” • 2 John 7-12 – what is the doctrine in question? • No pattern other than application of scripture, Acts 17:11

14. Next week: Does the local church have the right to disciple?