____________________________________________________ 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). ____________________________________________________ October 5, 1997 ____________________________________________________ Denominationalizing The Church (Part Three) by Roy E. Cogdill When the doctrine of Christ is adulterated with human doctrines and traditions by the people of God; when the mission and work of the church of the Lord is prostituted to serve human pleasure and will; when the worship of the church is corrupted; when the name and speech of God's people becomes unscriptural; and when the government God has established over his people is forsaken by the effort to remodel and modernize the church in its organization, the church is no longer undenominational. The church of Christ, God's dwelling place among his people (Eph. 2:19-22) can be defiled by bringing in any of these unholy things. Profane things cannot be mixed with those things made holy by the blood of the New Covenant without bringing upon ourselves God's judgment (I Cor. 1:19-25, 27-31; Rom. 1:16-18; Eph. 5:6). Many churches of Christ today are being corrupted by federating themselves into ``inter'' congregational arrangements under the guise of ``co-operation.'' No one likes the charge of being ``non-cooperative.'' That is an ugly spirit and has become a dirty word in our vocabulary. We want to avoid it and sometimes we are willing to ``co-operate'' with that which is contrary to God's will rather than be given such a stigmatized label. We need to remember that it is possible to ``co-operate'' with Satan and fellowship him. We cannot do so and enjoy fellowship with God, however (I Cor. 10:20,21). In this passage, Paul was writing to Corinthian Christians who were trying to be ``co-operative'' by attending the idolatrous feasts of the heathen people of that city. But one cannot partake of the cup of devils and the cup of the Lord! When any movement transcends congregational limitations and boundaries, it becomes ``inter'' congregational instead of ``intra'' congregational and is thereby federated into an unscriptural arrangement. There is no such thing as an ``inter-congregational'' function of the church in New Testament scriptures. The man does not live who can find it. We have seen some of the experts try to justify such -- and always it has been by perversion, sophistry, and human reasoning and wisdom. God has authorized nothing of the sort and to engage in it is to corrupt the government of God's church, rebel against divine authority, depart from God's ways, and denominationalize the church. The church cannot remain undenominational when its government is corrupted and human arrangements set aside divine authority. The ``sponsoring church'' method of federating the efforts of the churches is but an example of such ``intercongregational'' arrangements. The Herald of Truth radio and television broadcast by the Highland Church of Abilene is such an arrangement. There are many others but this is an outstanding one. Brother Harper in the debates with Brother Tant tried to defend it as a scriptural organization. He tried to make out of it a local church organization. But his defense was of the form of organization of the Highland Church and not of the Herald of Truth. The Highland Church has elders, deacons, and saints in it. He argued that this made the Herald of Truth scriptural. But in order to make this contention it was necessary that he contend that the work of the Herald of Truth was exclusively the work of the Highland Church and this he did contend. Such a position, however, he and they found to be indefensible and they abandoned it. In the debate at Birmingham on this issue Guy N. Woods threw this contention out of the window in his first speech on the Herald of Truth and argued that the work of the Herald of Truth was the work of many churches and that one church had undertaken to take care of the details or manage it. This, of course, is the truth of the matter. The Herald of Truth transgresses congregational boundaries. It has a brotherhood treasury; a brotherhood work; a brotherhood eldership. It is not a local church! It has its own treasury, its own name, its own address, its own employees, its own contracts, its own mailing permit, and its own program of work which cannot in any sense be identified as the program of a local church. This is so evident that it needs no argument to support it in the minds of the honest informed. The very fact that such a work is ``inter-congregational'' in its scope, financing, promotion, and nature makes it an unscriptural undertaking. All of the propaganda in the world cannot change that fact. If it were doing all of the good that they claim for it (and it is not!), it would not justify such a denominational organization. Mr. A. T. DeGroot of Texas Christian University refers to it as the Church of Christ Million Dollar Missionary Society. And he is right! That is exactly what it is! When any work or promotion crosses congregational boundaries it is a denominational affair. This same thing is true of such promotions as the ``World's Fair'' advertising and evangelistic campaign. Under the direction of one group of elders, to whom God gave the right to govern and oversee only the program of work carried on by one congregation, they have amalgamated workers and money from many churches. Many congregations have become very enthusiastic over such a program and have sent their preachers and other workers to have a part in this ``inter-congregational'' promotion. It is bigger in every aspect than a local church. The fact that the eldership of a local church in New York City is directing it does not do away with the fact that it crosses congregational boundaries with abandon. In their zeal, without knowledge or respect for divine authority, those participating have become ``workers of iniquity'' which the Lord will not own in the last day unless they repent. Iniquity comes from ``amonia'' which means without authority or contempt for Divine law. This they are guilty of and they cannot successfully deny it. They have even lost the courage to try to defend it by the scriptures. The modern projects called ``Campaigns For Christ'' is another setup that claims to be accomplishing great things. But, suppose it is, does that establish the scripturalness of it? Does the end justify the means? Shall we do evil that good may come? Some brethren evidently think so. One congregation, and there are several engaged in the business, through their preacher or some other promoter solicits money from many churches in order that they might engage a preacher of the ``Billy Graham'' type, take charge of the advertising and promotion, engage workers from many congregations in a ``personal work'' high pressure campaign and hold an evangelistic meeting for another ``church of Christ.'' This is happening all around us. Of course, the faithful of the Lord are not counted in nor would they participate. But a high-pressure campaign is promoted and it crosses congregational boundaries. It is purely and simply a missionary society, and putting it supposedly under the direction of a local preacher and a local eldership does not change its complexion one whit. These are just a few of the modern day promotions that are leading the churches of Christ, many of them, into denominationalism. Their identity is being lost and complete apostasy ensues. Out of these unscriptural practices a new denominational body is emerging just as certainly as the missionary society and instrumental music gave birth to one (The Christian Church movement) more than a hundred years ago! Deny it if you can, and give us a chance and we will prove that you can't do so successfully. Ugly epithets and a bad spirit will not answer the truth! -- December 16, 1965 ___________________________________________ NEWS & NOTES I am sorry to say that Mavis Davis, who was mentioned in last week's bulletin, passed away Saturday morning. We extend our sympathies to her family and friends. Let us be praying for them. Leon Mauldin reports of Ina Fanning who also departed this life last Wednesday at 92 years of age. Leon writes, ``For those who have known of the work in Hanceville AL, Lewis and Ina Fanning have always been a vital part of it...Bro. Fanning is still living and doing well.'' Ron Capps writes: ``We now have a 23 year old man, baptized 5 months ago, who was in a car wreck, still in a coma for 24 days now. We have another lady, baptized 3 months ago, just came out of the hospital. She is having marital problems also. Yesterday one of the men here had a heart attack and is now in the hospital....'' Let us be praying for all these people. We welcome those of you who are visiting with us today. If you have any questions about our services, feel free to ask. We look forward to seeing you again -- soon! Free Bible correspondence courses are available upon request. We had 13 different visitors last month. ___________________________________________ Selected Sentence Sermons An atheist is a man who has no invisible means of support. If you want to be near to God in prayer, don't get far away in between times. Don't count your years; make your years count! Faults are thick where love is thin. We usually admire the other fellow more, after we have tried to do his job. ___________________________________________ TODAY I WILL MAKE A DIFFERENCE Today I will make a difference. I will begin by controlling my thoughts. A person is the product of his thoughts. I want to be happy and hopeful; therefore, I will have thoughts that are happy and hopeful. I refuse to be victimized by my circumstances. I will not let petty inconveniences such as stoplights, long lines, and traffic jams be my masters. I will avoid negativism and gossip. Optimism will be my companion, and victory will be my hallmark. Today I will make a difference. I will be grateful for the twenty-four hours that are before me. Time is a precious commodity. I refuse to allow what little time I have to be contaminated by self-pity, anxiety, or boredom. I will face this day with the joy of a child and courage of a giant. I will drink each minute as though it is my last. When tomorrow comes, today will be gone forever. While it is here, I will use it for loving and giving. Today I will make a difference. I will not let past failures haunt me. Even though my life is scarred with mistakes, I refuse to rummage through my trash heap of failures. I will admit them. I will correct them. I will pass on. Victoriously. No failure is fatal. With God's help I will rise again. Today I will make a difference. I will spend time with those I love. My spouse, my children, my family. A man can own the world but be poor for the lack of love. A man can own nothing and yet be wealthy in relationships. Today I will spend time with the significant people in my world -- quality time -- talking or hugging or thanking or listening. Today I will make a difference. -- Selected via Good News (Electronic Edition, 9/9/97) ___________________________________________ How Would We Feel? If God gave us the same amount of time and attention that we devote to Him? If God put as many things ahead of us as we put ahead of Him? If God offered as many excuses as we do? And if the excuses were no more justifiable than ours? If God's promises were no more certain than ours? If God withheld His blessings from us as we withhold our offerings from Him? If God loved Himself as much as we love ourselves and gave as little thought to us as we give to Him? -- Selected ________________________________________ 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@zoomnet.net Gospel Observer web site: http://www.zoomnet.net/~tedwards/go ________________________________________