God

Jesus

Holy Spirit

Apostles

Word

Faith

God And Authority

(2 John 1:9) Whoever transgresses and does not abide in the doctrine of Christ does not have God. He who abides in the doctrine of Christ has both the Father and the Son. (NKJV)

The power to enforce obedience, right to command or act.

To act with authority is to act by the order or instruction of one who has legal or rightful power.

We must recognize the need for authority and have respect for authority once it is established.

Heb 11:6 “Without faith it is impossible to please God…”

Study of Authority Authority in religion is not a luxury.

It is critical to please God. Authority comes from one of two

sources: God or man. God’s silence is not permission. Authority can be established by…

1. Direct Command

2. Approved Apostolic Example

3. Necessary Inference (Forced Conclusion)

The Work of the Church

1. Evangelism– Preaching and teaching of the

gospel

2. Edification– Nurture, build up and encourage

the saints

3. Benevolence– Ministering to the needs of saints

Evangelism1. Evangelism actually means…

– “…Good News”– An evangelist is one who proclaims good

news.

2. Universal Need - (Romans 3:23) for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God, (NKJV)

3. God’s Good News - (Romans 1:16-17) For I am not ashamed of the gospel of Christ, for it is the power of God to salvation for everyone who believes, for the Jew first and also for the Greek. For in it the righteousness of God is revealed from faith to faith; as it is written, "The just shall live by faith." (NKJV)

The Church Is God’s Agency In This Work Of Evangelism

• Authority for such a work:– A direct statement:

• (1 Timothy 3:15) The church is the foundation and support of the Truth; She holds up and displays the gospel to the world. This is the major work of the church.

– An approved apostolic example:• The Jerusalem church sent Barnabas

to Antioch. (Acts 11:22)• Church at Philippi had fellowship with

Paul. (Phil. 1:3)

How the Church did its Work of Evangelism.

• Individuals went out (Acts 8:4; 5:42; 8:5; 9:22,29)– Each Christian has the responsibility to teach the word

to the best of his ability; and to increase his ability to teach.

– The emphasis in the New Testament is upon the individual, but the church as a unit (local church) has a responsibility apart from that of the individual.

– In the local church there should be teaching designed to instruct and encourage personal evangelism.

How the Church did its Work of Evangelism.

• The local church supported a gospel preacher. (1 Cor. 9:14; 2 Cor. 11:8)– He may be supported while he preaches in that

area, since he is worthy of his hire, and should live of the gospel. Though Paul did not allow Corinth to support him while he was there, he later asked them to forgive him this wrong. (2 Cor. 12:13)

– The Jerusalem church sent Barnabas to Antioch. (Acts 11:22)

How the Church did its Work of Evangelism.

• The local church may support a man while he preaches in another area.– Philippi had fellowship in the gospel with Paul (Phil.

1:3-5; 2:25; 4:14-18) They sent to Paul at Thessalonica (4:16) and at Rome.

• Several churches may support the same preacher.– (II Cor. 11:8,9) Brethren in Macedonia supported Paul

while he was at Corinth.– More than one church sent to him. This is church

cooperation in the support of a gospel preacher.

A Study of the Pattern

1. Each church gave as it could.

2. Each church sent directly to the preacher. (Where the need was!)

ChurchPreacher

A Study of the Pattern

Church

PreacherChurch

Church

Several churches may support the same preacher. (2 Cor. 11:8,9)

Things not found in the Pattern (Sponsoring Church)

Preacher

Church

Church

Church

No church ever sent money to or through another church for preaching. Money was always sent directly to the preacher.

Church

What difference does it make? One is in the New Testament and one is not.

This agency destroys equality and brings subordination.

Elders: Oversight Limited to the Local Church.

• Take heed unto yourselves, and to all the flock, in which the Holy Spirit hath made you bishops, to feed the church of the Lord which he purchased with his own blood. (Acts 20:28)

• 1 Peter 5:2,3  Tend the flock of God which is among you, exercising the oversight, not of constraint, but willingly, according to the will of God; nor yet for filthy lucre, but of a ready mind; neither as lording it over the charge allotted to you, but making yourselves ensamples to the flock.

Independent

Autonomous

Equal

Sufficient

When Does it Become Wrong?

Can 1 Church ?

Can 500 ?

Can 1,000 ?

Can 2,000 ?

Can 5,000 ?

Can All Churches ?

Sponsoring Church

(Elders)

EvangelismHerald of Truth

World Bible School

Radio and TV

One Nation Under God

What is wrong with this arrangement? How many churches can participate before it becomes wrong?

Things not found in the Pattern (Missionary Society)

• It is an organization apart from the church which exists without divine authority.

• “Brotherhood preaching programs” such as the Herald of Truth are nothing more than “Missionary Societies”.

• These things violate the principle of congregational autonomy.

• These are unlawful to begin with and so cannot be an expedient.

Things Learned

• The church in the apostolic days engaged in the work of evangelism.– The local church may support a preacher.– The local church may send out a man to preach in

another city.– Many churches may send to the same preacher.– NOTE: In the New Testament the church sent directly to

the one in need. There was never another organization standing between the church and the preacher: there was never another church standing between the church that sent and the preacher who was supported.

Who is Causing Division?Is it those who oppose human inventions or those who introduce them?

Missionary Society

Mechanical Music

Benevolent Society

Centralized Elderships

Not One in Existence 170 Years Ago!

Church of Christ

Who is driving the Wedge?

WE Must Follow the N.T. Pattern.

• Each church bears the same responsibility in preaching the gospel to the best of its ability. The church with 500 members would preach the gospel to the best of its ability, but so should the church of 50 members.

• Whosoever goeth onward and abideth not in the teaching of Christ, hath not God: he that abideth in the teaching, the same hath both the Father and the Son. (2 John 9)

• Whatever you do, in word or deed, do everything in the name of the Lord Jesus, thanking God the Father through him. (Colossians 3:17)

• 1 Peter 4:11 “Speak as the Oracles of God”

“We must speak where the Bible speaks, and be silent where the Bible is silent.”

This is the only way to truly glorify God in all we do!

The Work Of Evangelism

1. (1 Timothy 3:15) but if I am delayed, I write so that you may know how you ought to conduct yourself in the house of God, which is the church of the living God, the pillar and ground of the truth. (NKJV)

2. (Ephesians 3:10) to the intent that now the manifold wisdom of God might be made known by the church to the principalities and powers in the heavenly places, (NKJV)

3. (Ephesians 3:21) to Him be glory in the church by Christ Jesus to all generations, forever and ever. Amen. (NKJV)

In Order For Something To Be Expedient:

1. Expedients (or Aids) must be LAWFUL (1 Cor. 10:23)

2. Cannot be SPECIFIC.

3. Must EDIFY (1 Cor. 10:23-33; 14:26)

4. Must not OFFEND (cause to stumble) conscience of a brother. (1 Cor. 10:32; 8:7-13)

Resources

• Charts by Ferrell Jenkins• Charts by James P. Needham• Outline by Ben Holt• Outline by Donnie Rader• Outline by Jim Deason• Outline by Gary Henry• Outline by Mark Copeland

Key Passages About Authority

• (Colossians 3:17) And whatever you do in word or deed, do all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through Him. (NKJV)

• (1 Corinthians 10:31-33) Therefore, whether you eat or drink, or whatever you do, do all to the glory of God. Give no offense, either to the Jews or to the Greeks or to the church of God, just as I also please all men in all things, not seeking my own profit, but the profit of many, that they may be saved. (NKJV)

• (1 Corinthians 4:6) Now these things, brethren, I have figuratively transferred to myself and Apollos for your sakes, that you may learn in us not to think beyond what is written, that none of you may be puffed up on behalf of one against the other. (NKJV)