Why we are differentWhy we are differentfrom other Churches of Christfrom other Churches of Christ

Churches of Christ Are Different

• BeliefBelief: We don’t all believe same thing

• TeachingTeaching: We don’t all teach same thing

• PracticePractice: We don’t all practice same thing

At The Center: Respect for Bible

Respectfor

Authority

Church Organization

Church WorkSocial Gospel

Divorce / Rem.

Church Recreation Preaching

How To Determine What IsHow To Determine What IsAuthorizedAuthorized

Command/Direct

Statement

ApprovedExample

NecessaryInference

vv. 13-21

v. 12

vv. 7-11

Acts 15Circumcision

Observance1 Cor. 11:23-24

Time of Ob.Acts 20:7

FrequencyActs 20:7

IllustractedLord’s Supper

History of the Division

1800's 1950's - 1960's

1849 - Missionary Society

1859-1860 - InstrumentalMusic

Real Issue: Authority

Result: Christian Church &Disciples of Christ

1900 - 1930 - OH formed1930's - stronger push

1940's - renewed interest1950's - well under way1960's - division is clear

Real Issue: Authority

Result: “Conservative” &“Liberal” churches

The Problem:

“Conservative”

“Liberal”

Different approaches toBible Authority

Symptoms of theProblem:

! Orphan Home! Sponsoring Church! Colleges in budget! Social Gospel

Why we are differentWhy we are differentfrom other Churches of Christfrom other Churches of Christ

I. No Authority for Church Support of Human Institutions

I. No Authority for Church Support of Human Institutions

Orphan

Home

The Orphan Home Is -

An Organization Between The Church AndThe Work Of Benevolence

Is Not:• Should orphans and others in need be helped?• Should the church help those who are in need?• A matter of “how” – i.e. modes, means or methods.• Should a “place” be maintained?• Would we let an orphan starve to death?

It Is:• A Question of a separate organization between the

church and the work of benevolence.

The Church Can Do Its Own Work

Acts 6:1-61 Tim. 5:16

There Is NoThere Is No

CommandCommand

ExampleExample

NecessaryNecessaryInferenceInference

} To authorize the church to send money

to a human organization to care for

the needy.

If there is, where is the passage?If there is, where is the passage?

Why we are differentWhy we are differentfrom other Churches of Christfrom other Churches of Christ

I. No Authority for Church Support of Human Institutions

II. No Authority for Sponsoring Churches

II. No Authority for Sponsoring Churches

Preachthe

Gospel

$

$

$

$

Sponsoring

Church

$

Is Not: Should the gospel be preached? Do we have a responsibility to the whole creation? The “good” being done by “great” programs. What is being done or not done by churches that oppose the

sponsoring church arrangement? Can churches cooperate? A matter of methods

It Is: Can a church become a sponsoring church? Can one church send money to another church so it can

preach the gospel? Can one church oversee the work of another church?

! What the church can do in evangelism Send a preacher (Acts 11:22; 13:1-ff). Send to a preacher (Phil. 4:15).

! One church can send to another in thework of benevolence (Acts 11:27-ff)

! Can’t change God’s pattern (Heb.8:5)

! There is no Bible authority for asponsoring church

God’sPattern

ForTheNT

Church

Elders’ Oversight Limited(1 Pet. 5:1-3; Acts 20:28)

Elders

CannotOversee

Church

AnotherChurch

There Is NoThere Is No

CommandCommand

ExampleExample

NecessaryNecessaryInferenceInference

}To authorize the one church to send money to another church to preach the gospel

If there is, where is the passage?If there is, where is the passage?

Why we are differentWhy we are differentfrom other Churches of Christfrom other Churches of Christ

I. No Authority for Church Support of Human Institutions

II. No Authority for Sponsoring ChurchesIII. No Authority For Social Gospel

The Social Gospel:

• Church Kitchen• Fellowship Hall• Ball Teams• Recreation Programs• Day Care Centers• Gimmicks To Draw Crowds• Etc…

The Church Is NotA Social Order

Rom. 14:17John 18:361 Pet. 2:5

The Gospel Is NotA Social Gospel

John 6:26-27Rom. 1:16-17

1 Cor. 1:18, 21;2:2-5

Eating In The BuildingEating In The BuildingThe Issue:

Was Not:

Is the bld sacred?

Can one eat insidethe Building?

Can one eat onchurch property?

Was & Is:

Can the churchhave a commonmeal for social

and recreationalpurposes?

Work of the Local ChurchWork of the Local Church

Evangelism (1 Tim. 3:15)

Edification (Eph. 4:16)

Benevolence (1 Tim. 5:16)

Social / Recreation (?? Where is the passage ??)

There Is NoThere Is No

CommandCommand

ExampleExample

NecessaryNecessaryInferenceInference

} To authorize the church to arrange / support a common meal for social and

recreational purposes.

If there is, where is the passage?If there is, where is the passage?

Why we are differentWhy we are differentfrom other Churches of Christfrom other Churches of Christ

I. No Authority for Church Support of Human Institutions

II. No Authority for Sponsoring ChurchesIII. No Authority For Social GospelIV. Tolerant Spirit is Unscriptural

Churches Must Deal With Sin In Their Midst

• 2 Tim. 4:1-5 • Rom. 16:17-18• 1 Cor. 5:1-13• 2 Thess. 3:6-15

IV. Tolerant Spirit is Unscriptural

Tolerated in Some Churches of Christ:

•Immodesty•Dancing•Adultery

•Divorce & Remarriage•Denominations

Why we are differentWhy we are differentfrom other Churches of Christfrom other Churches of Christ

I. No Authority for Church Support of Human Institutions

II. No Authority for Sponsoring ChurchesIII. No Authority For Social GospelIV. Tolerant Spirit is Unscriptural