____________________________________________________ THE GOSPEL OBSERVER "Go therefore and make disciples of all the nations...teaching them to observe all that I commanded you; and lo, I am with you always even to the end of the age" (Matthew 28:19,20). ____________________________________________________ May 5, 1996 ____________________________________________________ Why "Liberal" and "Conservative" by Greg Gwin References are often made to ``liberal'' and ``conservative'' churches of Christ. Sometimes the terms ``institutional'' or ``anti-cooperation'' are used to describe various congregations. What do these terms mean, and where did they come from? For several decades there has been a terrible division among churches of Christ. This division has resulted because brethren have differed over two important aspects concerning the work of the church. There has been disagreement about WHAT the work of the church is, and there has been dissension about HOW the work of the church is to be done. WHAT IS THE WORK OF THE CHURCH? We are interested to know what work God has authorized the church to do. Men may engage the church in a wide variety of different activities, but we need to know what God has said (Col. 3:17). There are three authorized realms of activity for the church. They are: 1) Evangelism: The church is to be the ``pillar and ground of the truth'' (1 Tim. 3:15). This was part of God's plan from eternity (Eph. 3:10,11). There are many examples in the New Testament of churches supporting the preaching of the gospel (Phil. 1:3-5; 1 Thess. 1:8). 2) Edification: This word literally means ``to build up,'' and is used in this connection to mean that which promotes spiritual growth. The church is authorized to do those things which are appropriate to edify those who are already Christians. This is an important part of God's design for the church (Eph. 4:11-16; Heb. 10:24,25). 3) Benevolence: This refers to assisting those in physical need of food, clothing, shelter, etc. The church is commanded to act in this area (1 Cor. 16:1-2; 1 Tim. 5:16). There are many examples of such action by churches of the first century (e.g. Rom. 15:25,26). In every case of the church acting as collective body in the realm of benevolence, the relief was always directed towards needy saints. While individual Christians are commanded to help all men, there is NO authority for the church (as a collective body) to provide benevolence to anyone except needy saints. These are the only authorized realms of activity for local churches. Efforts to expand the church's role into social and recreational activities, general benevolence, etc., have been the basis of much of the division that exists among churches of Christ today. HOW SHOULD THE CHURCH DO ITS WORK? Even more division has come concerning HOW the church is to do its authorized work. In each of the previously mentioned areas (evangelism, edification and benevolence) there is a clearly specified pattern that the church should follow. Consider each of these: 1) How to do Evangelism: The pattern for evangelism shown in the New Testament is this: a) The local church may financially support a gospel preacher working in that locality (1 Cor. 9:14). b) A congregation may support a man while he preaches in some other place (Phil. 1:3-5; 4:15-18). c) Several churches may send support to the same man as he preaches the gospel (2 Cor. 11:8) In every case, observe that each church sent directly to the preacher. There was no evangelistic ``middle-man'' or intervening agency. It is for this reason that churches of Christ have historically opposed missionary societies. These constitute an unauthorized human institution (with a board of directors, etc.) usurping the work and making the decisions about evangelism that God has assigned to the church (Eph. 3:10,11). In an effort to avoid the obviously unauthorized ``missionary society'' approach to evangelism some churches of Christ have adopted the ``Sponsoring Church'' method of evangelism. This affords the opportunity to organize and centralize evangelistic work among churches--putting the oversight of the work under the eldership of the ``sponsoring'' church, rather than under a missionary society board of directors. The problem with the ``sponsoring church'' plan for church evangelism is that it violates the pattern set forth in the New Testament (as stated above). There is simply no authority for this. Further, it abuses the concept of local church autonomy. The ``sponsoring'' church and its eldership assume a work larger than God allows (1 Pet. 5:2), while the ``sending'' churches surrender a part of their oversight and work. 2) How to do Edification: There is also explicit information concerning how the work of edification should be done. It is important to remember that true edification involves things which promote spiritual growth. This is not accomplished by parties, food, entertainment, etc. The Lord has provided the things necessary ``for the edifying of the body of Christ'' (Eph. 4:11-16). The elders--who have the responsibility to ``feed the flock'' (1 Peter 5:2)--must make appropriate decisions about how these goals can be achieved. Bible classes, special lesson series, home studies and other means may be employed. It is certain, however, that the church is not to be in the recreation business, and that other ``institutions'' such as colleges, camps (and the like) are not authorized in the Word. 3) How to do Benevolence: In the matter of benevolence, it must be remembered that the church's role is limited. The church only has authority to relieve needy saints, while individual Christians are to ``do good unto all men'' (Gal. 6:10). A local church may do its work of benevolence by: a) Caring for the necessities of its own needy saints (Acts 6:1-8). b) Sending to other churches in order to relieve needy saints (Acts 11:27-30). c) Sending (at the same time that other churches are also sending) to a congregation that has a great need (1 Cor. 16:1-3; 2 Cor. 8:1-5; 9:1,2; Romans 15:25-32). Note that there was no central collecting/distributing ``institution,'' and that no ``sponsoring church'' arrangement was employed. Following this New Testament pattern preserves the autonomy of local churches. In Summary: The ``liberal/conservative'' problems among churches of Christ are rooted in the basic areas of what the work of the church is, and how the work is to be done. If all would humbly ``speak where the Bible speaks, and be silent where the Bible is silent,'' these problems would disappear. ___________________________________________ `Drive' A Mile In His Shoes! by Greg Gwin We were talking about drivers on the interstate highways, and this fella said: ``You can't believe the crazy stunts they pull. They think they're the only ones on the highway. You'd think they own the road!'' I've said the very same things myself. When I made the remarks, I was talking about some of the truck drivers with their `18 wheelers'. But these comments were made by a truck driver talking about people who drive cars! Clearly, it is all a matter of perspective. This set me to thinking about some of the problems, fusses and misunderstandings that sometimes trouble the Lord's church. Could it be that these might also be attributed to one's perspective? ``They're not friendly over there.'' ``No one seems to care about me, or my problems.'' ``The preacher is too . . .'' ``The elders don't . . .'' ``Sister Soandso never . . .'' Wait! Did you ever stop to analyze the problem from the other person's perspective? Often if we take the time to look at the situation from the other man's point of view we can gain some valuable insights that might help us work through the problem, resolve the fuss and clear up the misunderstanding. God's word encourages us about such things: ``Fulfil ye my joy, that ye be likeminded, having the same love, being of one accord, of one mind. Let nothing be done through strife or vainglory; but in lowliness of mind let each esteem other better than themselves. Look not every man on his own things, but every man also on the things of others. Let this mind be in you, which was also in Christ Jesus:'' (Philippians 2:2-5) There are issues of right and wrong, truth and error, that demand that we take a firm stand--no matter what the consequences may be. But too often brethren have fought and divided--suffered bad feelings and alienation--over things that could have been settled peacefully by simply ``walking (driving!?!) a mile in the other man's shoes.'' Think! ___________________________________________ A NOTE FROM THE EDITOR: We thank Greg Gwin for these fine articles he wrote in today's bulletin. Thanks, too, to "Gary's List," from where I was able to download these. ___________________________________________ Four Versions of Mark 16:16 by Roy E. Foutz The Universalist says, "He that believeth not and is not baptized shall be saved." All are going to be saved. The Roman Catholic says, "He that believeth not and is baptized shall be saved." Whether it be a newborn baby or an adult at the point of death, the "Sacrament" of baptism has validity to take away sin. The Protestant says, "He that believeth and is not baptized shall be saved." Salvation is by faith only, without baptism or anything else. Jesus Christ said, "He that believeth and is baptized shall be saved." Which of these versions are you willing to accept? -- Via The Old Path II (April 21, 1996) ________________________________________ Tri-State CHURCH OF CHRIST 713 13th Street, Ashland, Kentucky 41101 Sunday: 10:00 A.M. Bible class 10:50 A.M. Worship 6:30 P.M. Worship Wednesday: 7:30 P.M. Bible study evangelist/editor: Tom Edwards (606) 325-9742 e-mail: tedwards@wwd.net ________________________________________