| JOHN WADDEY, EDITOR
Published by the Church of Christ, 12213 West Bell Road, Surprise, AZ 85374 Volume 1, Number 11
July 1, 2002 |
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Table of Contents: 1. CONGREGATIONAL AUTONOMY
A basic teaching of the New Testament is that every congregation is independent and self-governing under Christ. Thus we read in Acts 14:23, "They...appointed for them elders in every church." These elders are authorized by God to be overseers of the flock which they lead (Acts 20:28).
This they must do according to the will of God as revealed in the Scriptures (I Pet. 5:2). Christ is head over all things to the church (Eph. 1:22).
This then leaves no room for popes, patriarchs, synods, councils and conventions. The utter silence of Scripture as to these various humanly devised church governments shows them to be without Divine authority.
We should daily thank God for giving us local government under His Son. The benefits are numerous. We can choose our own elders as God directs (Tit. 1:5-9). We can select our own preacher and keep him as long as we desire. We can determine our own priorities for our local work as we understand the Scriptures to teach. We can decided how and when to spend our congregational monies without assessments to a denominational hierarchy. We can own our own church property and use it and dispose of it as we wish. We can decide who or what brotherhood project we wish to support or to reject. This a denominational church with its umbrella government cannot do. Witness the treatment of those congregations of the Protestant world who have tried to resist the currents of liberalism in their fellowship.
While we are all committed to the doctrine of "local autonomy" we hear of very little teaching on the subject. Shamefully, we frequently see examples of this principle being violated. Critical statements are heard about what a sister congregation pays her minister. (It is generally more than the critic thinks is right.) Some feel compelled to criticize a neighboring church for their choice in building a new meeting house. (It is always that they have spent too much, never too little." Occasionally we hear of preachers who take
it upon themselves to try to influence the choice of elders in another congregation. We sometimes see an eldership "written up" or rebuked by outsiders for the good works they choose to support. Sometimes a church is verbally attacked or given cool treatment because they elect not to participate in some local or brotherhood project. Churches are sometime blasted for their choice of guest preachers to fill their pulpits. Some brethren have mailed their propaganda or criticisms to the families of a sister congregation in an effort to circumvent the leading of their elders.
I once knew of a large congregation that offered to aid smaller churches in their building programs if the recipients would let the stronger elders approve of any speakers they used.
All of these examples are cases of folks encroaching upon the autonomy of a sister church. In such areas of judgement, even if I am right in point of view, I am wrong for meddling in another congregation's matters (I Pet. 4:15). Self-government means that a congregation has the right to make it own choices even if they are not the right or best choices. They will answer to Christ, not us, for the decisions they make. May we always respect the rights of our sister churches. Do not meddle and do not encourage those who do. Such respect will make us all stronger and help us get along better.
God's way always works best. "Love the brotherhood" (I Pet. 2:17). JHW  |
"They are the weakest-minded and the hardest-hearted men that most love change"
(Ruskin). 2. RADICAL RESTORATION
"Radical Restoration." is the title of a recent book by F. LaGard Smith, sometime professor at Pepperdine and David Lipscomb Universities. It is sub-headed, "A Call for Pure and Simple Christianity." Rather than help elders and preachers navigate through the stormy waters now before us, Bro. Smith's approach to "restoration" would do irreparable harm to any church which chooses to follow his suggestions. He perhaps inadvertently predicts the fruit of his plan by saying, "The very nature of radical restoration is such that the act of demolition is as vital as the act of creation.
Invariably, wrecking crews must raze the old structure before they can begin to build anew" (p. 39). Smith would resurrect the "mutual ministry" practice of the late Carl Ketcherside and Leroy Garrett. To see just how successful that approach to teaching and church building is, one need only consult Mac Lynn's directory of "Churches of Christ in the United States." Those who do will note that congregations identified by a "ME," i.e., a mutual edification symbol, are few in number and often as few as 10 or 15 in membership. That is the result of 75 years of mutual ministry without "located preachers." - He would confound the Lord's Supper with a common fellowship meal. Paul addressed this question in I Cor. 11:20-23. He made it clear that the Lord's Supper is not a meal where hungry appetites are satisfied. For those who wished to dine and commune together, he said, "In this I praise you not." Coziness and intimacy are not ingredients of the Lord's Supper
- He would have our congregations abandon their public meeting houses and resort to private homes. He and others who are enamored with house churches seem to forget that literally hundreds of our congregations began in homes of members. As they grew they eventually secured their own public places of assembly. Generally we build because it is more economical in the long run than renting and provides facilities designed to meet congregational needs.
Also it gives us permanency and presence in a community that a rented hall cannot provide. His recommendation would forever limit the church to small "home" sized congregations that would be endlessly dividing into more small groups. - He would have us consider the possibility of having one set of elders to supervise all the churches in a particular city. Even this concept has been floated before. It has flourished best in the diocesan concept of Catholicism with its city-wide bishop, but it is not biblical. The apostles "appointed for them elders in every church" (Acts 14:23).
- To further complicate our survival, he would have us to exist without specific identity in a world of competing and confusing religious organizations. Although he cannot fault the Bible name "church of Christ" he would have us discard it for other, less distinctive, names that would not help the most diligent searcher find in which private home we are meeting.
Also he evidently would have us discontinue placing our addresses and phone numbers in the yellow pages of the phone directories lest we by so doing join the ranks of denominations. - He would have us operate without funds except those gathered for occasional emergency benevolent situations.
Granted, Bro. Smith is a learned man of the law and he is currently riding a crest of popularity on the campus scene. He would have been more convincing if he had first launched just such a congregation as he proposes and after ten years reported back to us with a progress report. One need not have a PhD to perceive that his "Radical Restoration" will only result in radical decline and ultimate demise for those who follow his program. His suggestions are indeed radical but they have nothing to do with the restoration of New Testament Christianity. They might however eventuate in a new kind of church...one looking back to Smith as its originator. JHW "Nothing is more noble, nothing more venerable than fidelity. Faithfulness
and truth are the most sacred excellences and endowments of the human mind"
(Cicero). 3. THE CHURCH AND DENOMINATIONALISM
The denominationalism prevailing in contemporary Christendom is in sharp contrast with the church which Christ established. Consider the following: - Christ founded his church (Matt. 16:18), but mortal men and women founded denominations.
- Christ's church was founded in Jerusalem in 33 A.D. but all denominations were founded long afterwards, in other places.
- Christ's church wears his holy name. Paul wrote, "All the churches of
Christ salute you" (Rom. 16:16). Denominations wear their own distinguishing names that honor men, doctrines or practices. - Christ is the only head of his church (Eph. 1:22), but men are chosen to head denominations.
- Each congregation of Christ's church is overseen by its own elders (Acts 14:23). Denominations are ruled by governing bodies.
- Christ's church follows only the Bible (Matt. 28:20). Denominations are guided by creedal books written by uninspired men.
- The church that Christ built worships as he ordered in his word (John
4:24). Denominations change worship to suit the wishes of the members and leaders. - Christ's church teaches people to be saved as Christ ordained. They must hear the gospel preached, believe it and be baptized to be saved (Mark 16:15-16). Denominations teach other ways of salvation. Some offer salvation by faith alone which Scripture clearly denies (Jas. 2:24). Others demand a Holy Spirit baptism, but the Bible knows only "one baptism" (Eph. 4:5). Some posit salvation on works of human merit. Paul plainly declares, that it is "not by works of righteous which we have done" (Eph. 2:8-9).
Christ loves, blesses and saves his church (Eph. 5:22-25). But denominationalism is contrary to his will (I Cor. 1:10-13). Those who promote denominationalism stand condemned by Him. We are told to "mark them that are causing the divisions and occasions of stumbling, contrary to the doctrine which ye learned: and turn away from them. For they that are such serve not our Lord Christ..."(Rom.16:17-18). Denominational division thwarts the dying prayer of Jesus for the unity of his people (John 17:11). JHW |
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4. SOME THINGS ARE NOT FOR SALE
A worldly businessman once commented that anyone or anything could be bought if the right amount of money were put on the table. It is a sad truth that many politicians can be bought if enough money or power is offered. Even some churches have been bought and sold. I speak not of church property, but of religious institutions whose announced purpose is the worship and service of God. Simon, the Samaritan Sorcerer, incurred the wrath of heaven when he thought to obtain the gift of God with money (Acts 8:19-21). As Christians struggle to survive in a secular, materialistic society they must be resolved that they will never allow themselves to be bought nor sold.
- Our faith is not for sale. Our faith is codified in the New Testament of Christ.. He has warned us against adding to or taking away from it (Rev. 22:18-19). If someone dangles a million dollars before us on condition that we abandon just one of our Lord's commandments we must reject it with scorn. To compromise would be to "make ship wreck concerning the faith" (I Tim. 1:19).
- Our standards are not for sale. Christ has set forth basic standards of Christian conduct and behavior for his people. Those Christian virtues and values stand in stark contrast with those of contemporary America. Pressure is felt on every side for us to compromise our standards and lower them so that impenitent sinners of the world will feel comfortable while they camp in our midst. The church in Corinth tried this and was rebuked by Paul (I Cor. 5:1-13). This we cannot do. Anyone who wishes to be a Christian must repent and be baptized (Acts 2:38). Without repentance his baptism is no more effective than a swim in the river. Every member, great or small is expected to "live soberly, righteously and godly in this present world" (Tit. 2:12).
- Our integrity is not for sale. Congregations, like individuals, have or have not integrity. Integrity means "Adherence to a code of moral... or other values: utter sincerity, honesty and candor: avoidance of deception, expediency, artificiality or shallowness of any kind" (Webster's New International Dict.). Some folks will pretend to be what they are not if there is the prospect of gaining money or recognition. That a faithful congregation can never do. We must be faithful to our Lord and our calling if we must stand totally alone. With Job we must declare, "Till I die, I will not put away mine integrity from me" (Job. 27:5).
- The leadership of our congregations is not for sale. It is not unusual for worldly churches to bestow offices upon those with wealth, influence or power. A Texas church appointed the late President Lyndon Johnson to its eldership; flagrant, calloused sinner though he was. Paul reminds us that in Christ there is neither Jew nor Greek, bond nor free, male nor female (Gal. 3:28) and we could add that there is neither banker nor borrower, nor president nor pauper, nor chief nor Indian. We are all one in Christ. Only those should asked to lead whose lives and spiritual commitment are worthy. Jude blasted those who showed respect of persons for the sake of advantage (Jude 16).
- Our souls are not for sale. In literature, there are numerous stories of those who sold their souls for fame, fortune, wealth or romance. Most of us have known people who have made this tragic mistake. Churches can do the same. To have worldly respect, prominent members, large numbers, a great income, a fine house of worship, some lower their standards and forsake their Lord's paths. They do not blush to do so. For that they will pay a fearful price. That we cannot and must not do!
If being true to the Savior means that the church will remain a small band of humble disciples, forever meeting in a rented hall, so let it be. Far better is it to be little in the eyes of sinful men and to be blessed in the eyes of the heavenly Father. When Satan comes inquiring, may he always find posted on the door of every church, in large, bright letters, a sign reading, NOT FOR SALE. JHW 5. GETTING RIGHT WITH GOD
Man's biggest problem is alienation from God. Our sins and iniquities have separated us from our God (Is. 59:2). Man's biggest need is to be reconciled to God (Col. 1:21-22). The problem is, there is vast confusion abroad as to what we must do to get right with God.
- We are not reconciled by our race or national origin. All nations, whether Jew or Gentile, are under God's condemnation (Rom.3:9). God has no "chosen race or nation" today. Birth in a "Christian nation" is no assurance of salvation. It is not where you were born, but have you been born again, born of water and spirit and entered into the kingdom of God (John 3:3-5)?
- We are not saved by family descent or relations. It matters not that your ancestors or parents were Christians. Each person must decide to accept and follow Jesus (Matt. 16:24).
- We are not saved by personal goodness or morality. None are righteous, no not one (Rom.3:10). All of us have sinned and fallen short of God's glory
(Rom. 3:23). That sin, unforgiven, stands as a barrier between us and God (Is. 59:2). Thus we are lost. - We are not saved by good works that we have done. Paul makes it clear that works of our own righteousness cannot save us (Tit. 3:5). They have no power to wash away the guilt of sin and the punishment it deserves.
- We are not saved by sincerity alone. True, one cannot be saved if insincere, but one can be sincerely wrong. Hindus, Buddhists, Muslims, even atheists can be sincere in their personal beliefs. But unless we believe in Christ as the Son of God we cannot be saved (John 8:24).
- We are not saved by going to church. God adds all the saved to Christ's church (Acts 2:47), but not all who attend church services are saved. A farmer once said, "Sitting in a church house won't make you a Christian anymore than sitting in a chicken house will make you a chicken." Anyone can attend church, but only those who obey Christ receive eternal salvation (Heb. 5:8-9).
I can only get right with God by the saving power of Jesus (Acts 4:11-12).
He is God's appointed savior for humanity (Matt. 1:21). We are saved by God's grace, his undeserved favor (Eph. 2:8-9). We are saved by faith in Jesus, God's only begotten Son (John 3:16). We are saved when we through faith are baptized in the name of Jesus for remission of our sins (Acts 2:38). Faithful obedience to Christ for the rest of our days is essential to salvation (Heb. 5:8-9). Are you right with God? Would you like to be? We can help you. We want to do so. JHW |
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6. BOOKS YOU NEED TO READ
To understand the challenges currently facing the church we must understand our past. The history of Christianity is like a flowing stream. Problems of the past reappear from time to time. Every elder and preacher should read Search for the Ancient Order, the monumental history of the Churches of Christ by Dr. Earl West. These four volumes plus his biographies of David Lipscomb and Elder Benjamin Franklin will throw light on our current "new ideas and practices " and put them in an understandable context.
They may be ordered from the Firm Foundation Publishing House P. O. Box 69, Damon, TX 77430 or the Gospel Advocate, P. O. Box 150, Nashville, TN 37202 7. A NOTE FROM THE EDITOR This eleventh issue of Christianity: Then and Now will go to elders and preachers of each congregation in 16 states. Our purpose is to provide brief biblical studies of the fundamentals of New Testament Christianity, many of which are currently being attacked as unreasonable and unworkable in our modern age. We also include articles addressing the erroneous teaching that has surfaced among some of our brethren in the last decade. Our intent is to provide helpful materials for preachers and elders as they lead their flocks in these troublesome times. If you find any or all of the lessons useful, please feel free to reproduce them in your own bulletins or for handouts. If you would like to see the paper go to more church leaders, your financial assistance would be welcomed and appreciated.. Pray with us that God will bless our efforts and that churches of Christ across the nation will stand faithful on the Word of Christ. For more biblical lessons visit our website @ www.christianity-then-and-now.com E-mail may be sent to johnwaddey@aol.com JHW |
