Note:  It is my prayer that all institutional brethren would repent and do that which is right (Acts 26:20, Luke 13:3;5, and I John 1:7-10).  Anything written here is not intended to be "mean spirited" but to point out the errors of these brethren with hopes of helping us all to examine the things that we do and to see if they are in accordance with God's will.

Understanding the Pro-Institutional / Non-Institutional Division
In the Lord’s Church Today

BASIC DISAGREEMENT = BIBLE AUTHORITY and APPLICATION OF BIBLE AUTHORITY RELATIVE TO THE USAGE OF THE LORD’S MONEY AND THE AUTONOMY OF THE LORD’S CHURCH.  THE “SOCIAL GOSPEL” ISSUES COME TO PLAY IN THIS DIVISION AS WELL.

Primary questions:
1.  What is “Bible Authority”?
2.  How is “Bible Authority” properly applied?
3.  How is autonomy an issue in this division?
4.  What is the work of the Church?
5.  How does the church raise it’s money?
6.  What is the “Social Gospel” and how has it caused division?

Copyright 2001 Brian A. Yeager – May be copied and used at no charge as long as no money is made from this material.

WHAT IS BIBLE AUTHORITY?

1.  The Bible is inspired [God breathed] II Timothy 3:16-17.

a.  Through the Holy Spirit John 16:13, II Peter 1:20-21 and John 6:63.
b.  The N.T. is the word of Christ Hebrews 1:1-2 and John 12:48.
c.  The O.T. has been put away by the death of Christ (Colossians 2:14, Romans 7:1-6 and Hebrews 9:15-17).  The O.T. was never to the Gentile but was to the nation of Israel, those brought out of Egyptian bondage (Deuteronomy 6:1-6 and Ephesians 2:11-16).
2.  The Bible provides all things we need to know Deuteronomy 29:29, II Peter 1:3 and John 20:30-31.

3.  Adding to it or taking away from it is sinful Deuteronomy 4:2 and Revelation 22:18-19.

a.  No man or angel can change it Galatians 1:6-12.
b.  The word has been once delivered Jude 3 and I Peter 1:23ff.
4.  We must have the authority for whatsoever we do or say Colossians 3:17!

Examples and Application of Bible Authority

1.  Noah was commanded to build an ark of Gopher wood Genesis 6:14.

300x50x30 Genesis 6:15.

a.  If Noah decided to make the ark of Pine, Cherry, Oak, or any other wood he would have violated God’s word.


2.  Applying Bible Authority using the Lord’s Supper –

a.  Direct Command I Corinthians 11:23-28 This do… in remembrance.
b.  Approved Example Acts 20:7 First day of the week.
c.  Necessary inference (implication) Acts 20:7 every first day of the week.
3.  Singing – not playing (Matt. 26:30, Eph. 5:19 & Col. 3:16)

4.  Violation of Bible Authority – Leviticus 10:1-2.

The Issue of Autonomy

Example – Sponsoring Church Arrangement:
1.  Jim and Judy O'Connor "overseen" by the 39th Street church of Christ.
"Jim and Judy do extensive work in such places as India, Philippines, Estonia, Romania, Costa Rica and more. While in the United States they are involved with the local congregation in Oak Grove, Missouri and also do a great deal of correpondence course work as well as other work with the International Bible Studies work. Their evangelistic work is overseen by the elders of the39th Street Church of Christ in Independence, Missouri."
http://www.kc-cofc.org/39th/WorksSupported.htm
SOME SPONSORING CONGREGATIONS OVERSEE WHOLE CONGREGATIONS

Can elders really oversee works where they are not present?  (I Peter 5:1-2)  “AMONG”

WHAT IS THE WORK OF THE CHURCH?

1.  Preach the Gospel to all Matthew 28:19 and I Thessalonians 1:8.
2.  Edify the saints I Thessalonians 5:11.
3.  Benevolence for the saints Romans 12:13.

Evangelism and the missionary societies

CHURCH A, CHURCH B, and CHURCH C >>>>>$$$>>>>>MISSIONARY SOCIETY >>>>$$$>>>> PREACHER
 
 
 

Scripture authorizing_______NONE_____
Result = Adding to God’s word (Revelation 22:18-19)
 
 

Supporting Preachers

CHURCH A, CHURCH B, and CHURCH C>>>>>$$$>>>>>Sponsoring Church>>>>$$$>>>> PREACHER
 
 

Scripture authorizing_____________NONE_____
Result = Adding to God’s word (Revelation 22:18-19).

HOW DID CONGREGATIONS SUPPORT PREACHERS IN THE FIRST CENTURY?

Philippians 4:14-16

II Corinthians 11:8 “I robbed other churches, taking wages of them, to do you service.”
 
 
 

THEY HAD NO SPONSORING CONGREGATION
 
 

EVANGELISM AND ERRING SCHOOLS

1.  It is not the work of the church to educate.

2.  Congregations could train preachers on a LOCAL level II Timothy 2:2!

a.  Does this authorize building expensive buildings, libraries, salaries of teachers, etc.?

Preaching school's promised land grows in Germantown
Scott Shepard

MEMPHIS SCHOOL OF PREACHING
“…And with a new $1.1 million library and student housing on the way, they figure they've reached the promised land.”

“…The school shares a campus with Forest Hill Church of Christ, which puts $400,000 a year into the school. The rest of the $2 million annual budget is covered by other congregations.”

“The big project now is the expected completion in late July of the N.B. Hardeman Library, named for the founder of Freed-Hardeman University in Henderson, Tenn.”

“…The school now has a northern campus. Northern Russia, that is, in the icy town of Murmansk. The school uses essentially the same curriculum, and has enrolled seven students in its first year.   Both schools are under the authority of the board of elders of Forest Hill Church of Christ.”
“…The school building looks as though it were plucked from anywhere in Eastern Shelby County, and stands out like a bright light in a city of concrete and Soviet architecture.”

http://memphis.bcentral.com/memphis/stories/2001/06/25/story7.html

1.  Elders oversee LOCAL works I Peter 5:1-2
2.  Buildings built with the Lord’s money to the glory of man????  John 12:43 “For they loved the praise of men more than the praise of God.”
3.  Where is the authority?  II Jude 5:1!

NEXT CHART (HARDEMAN LIBRARY)

1.  By whose authority (Matthew 15:7-9, Acts 5:29, and Galatians 1:10).
2.  Who get’s the glory??  John 12:43 and I Corinthians 10:31!
 
 

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