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God has Spoken (A Study of Bible Authority). Individual Action and Local Church Action (#1). Extreme Views. “Whatever the Christian may do, the local church may do”
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God has Spoken(A Study of Bible Authority) Individual Action and Local Church Action (#1)
Extreme Views • “Whatever the Christian may do, the local church may do” • Ignores the functional difference between the local church & the individual Christian, 1 Tim. 5:16 • Leads to local church support & sponsor of unscriptural works like recreation, secular education, business endeavors, general benevolence, political actions…
Extreme Views • “Whatever the local church may not do, individual Christians may not do (together)” • Limits Christians’ group actions strictly to collective actions of the local church • Leads to forbidding individuals the liberty of joining together (pooling talents & resources) to do work given individuals (youth camps, colleges, foundations…)
Extreme Views • “Whatever the local church may not do, individual Christians may not do (together)” • Says it is wrong for Christians to join together in any capacity other than local church to teach the gospel & serve God(Acts 13:2; 20:34)
Christianity Embraces Every Area of Life Community ChurchEph. 1:22 2:19-22 3:21; 4:1-16 SocialMatt 5:14-16 1 Pet. 2:12 Ro 13:8 Spiritual CivicRom. 13:1-7 Economic1 Ths 4:11-12 Col 3:22-4:1 Business FamilyCol 3:18-21 Eph 6:1-4 1 Pet 3:1-7 Government Home
Christianity Embraces Every Area of Life Co-existing duties in all these areasGalatians 6:5 Church Social Economic Civic Family
Christian Responsibilities Civic Family Business Social Spiritual Entertain Educate Profit Vote Bear Burdens Cannot funnel individual duties through the local church… NO BIBLE AUTHORITY! ? LOCAL CHURCH Polling Station School Job Center Recreation All Burdens
Matthew 18:15 “Moreover if your brother sins against you, go and tell him his fault between you and him alone. If he hears you, you have gained your brother.” Individual Action & Church Action Matt. 18:15-17 One man is not church action
Matthew 18:16 “But if he will not hear, take with you one or two more, that ‘by the mouth of two or three witnesses every word may be established.’” Individual Action & Church Action Matt. 18:15-17 Two or three is not church action
Matthew 18:17 “And if he refuses to hear them, tell it to the church. But if he refuses even to hear the church, let him be to you like a heathen and a tax collector. Individual Action & Church Action Matt. 18:15-17 The local church doing church action
Honest labor, Eph. 4:28 Individual, Acts 5:4 Contribution, 1 Co. 16:2 Taxes, Ro. 13:7 Provide for family, 1 Ti 5:8 Do good works, Gal. 6:10 Offering, 1 Cor. 16:2 Elders, Ac 11:30; Ti. 1:7 Preach gospel, 2 Co. 11:8 Relieve saints, Ac 4:32-35 Edify saints, 1 Co. 14:26 Two Treasuries Acts 4:34-5:4; 3:1-6 INDIVIDUAL LOCAL CHURCH METHOD OF RAISING OVERSIGHT USE
Other Examples of Difference • Separate reasons & places to eat shows distinction, 1 Cor. 11:18, 20-22, 33-34 • Local church: One place to eat Lord’s supper • Individuals: Houses to eat in…eat at home • Help of needy widows,1 Tim. 5:16, 8, 9-11 • Local church: Enroll widows indeed • Individuals: Relieve own family & do not charge (burden) the local church
Discern the Difference (2 Tim. 2:15) • Individual action, local church action, or both? • Example: Benevolence • Gal. 6:10; Jas. 1:27; 1 Tim. 5:16 • Otherwise, act without Bible authority (Col. 3:17; 1 Cor. 4:6; 2 Jno. 9)