The Sponsoring Church (Part 1 of 2) by Jim R. Everett (Reprinted from Biblical Insights http://www.biblical-insights.org/)
Like sporadic, intermittent gunfire when a battle is winding down, there is a smattering of periodic arguments made defending particular practices of institutionalism. Most congregations involved in the support of human institutions and sponsoring church arrangements in the 40s, 50s, 60s, and 70s have become so modernistic that little remains to identify them as churches of Christ, except the name - and that is vanishing, even as we write. There are a few "institutional churches of Christ" (for lack of a better way of describing them) that are still trying to hold to conservative positions and are fighting ultra liberalism. It is my conviction that they lost the battle many years ago when they introduced practices that, try as they might, could not be defended by command, example and necessary implication.
However, concepts and practices once introduced into the Lord's church that clearly delineate a separation of fellowship, tend to rise again. Just as in Israel's history, every few years a generation would arise that knew not God and would again pursue idolatry. As a result, an older generation of soldiers who have fought the battle of institutionalism is passing on and a new generation has arisen that knows little about the differences in concepts that caused a breach in fellowship. Lest we repeat history, it is imperative that we ground our generation in correct, scriptural concepts of congregational autonomy and independence and keep stressing the need to do all things by the authority of Christ. Furthermore, it is not only essential that proper concepts be taught, it is also vital that specific applications be made to violation of scripture by the social gospel, congregational supported human institutions, and the sponsoring church arrangement. Because there was a steady spiritual diet of institutional issues during the middle of the last century that required much negative preaching, disciples became dwarfed in spiritual and character growth. We may have swung too far in the opposite direction in seeking to balance our teaching work and neglected doing essential teaching on those issues. Balance in preaching is critical.
Just recently a bulletin came in the mail in which a brother was attempting to make a defense from scripture for the sponsoring church arrangement. For the sake of a generation that is not personally acquainted with those issues and may think that it was all just a big deal over opinions, we set ourselves to exposing the fallacy of his arguments, which necessarily puts us in a negative position.
Acts 11:27-30 Is an Example of a Sponsoring Church Arrangement
He claims that Acts 11:27-30 proves that Jerusalem was a sponsoring
church. He justifies that statement by two arguments. The first
argument is that since money was sent from Antioch to the churches
in Judea and Paul and Barnabas returned from Jerusalem, the funds
must have been delivered to Jerusalem and they distributed the
funds to the other churches in Judea, thus making Jerusalem a
"sponsoring church." He makes an assumption that is
contrary to a logical conclusion: when Paul and Barnabas returned
to Antioch from Jerusalem (Acts 12:25), the only thing known logically
is that Jerusalem was the last place they visited-not the only
place they visited.
Then he seeks to support that argument by saying, "There is nothing in the inspired record that tell us that Paul and Barnabas went personally to all the churches of Judea." That argument has a familiar ring to it. I have heard it in similar forms like: "The Bible is silent about instrumental music; therefore, it is all right." An argument on the silence of scripture - what scripture does not say - proves nothiing. Contrariwise, the information related in Acts 11:27-30, necessitates a logical conclusion that since the money was designed specifically for the "brethren which dwelt in Judea" and it was sent "to the elders by the hands of Barnabas and Saul," Paul and Barnabas delivered it to the elders of each of the churches or they did not comply with what was purposed. Each church has its own elders (Acts 14:23; Acts 20:28; 1 Pet 5:1-2). Based upon this kind of logic, he is not far removed from approving instrumental music in worship.
And then he seeks to prop up that argument by saying that Paul was "unknown by face to the churches of Judea" (Gal 1:22); therefore, the church at Jerusalem distributed the funds to the churches of Judea. This argument is based on ignorance of the time factor involved in Paul's tracing of events recorded in Galatians 1-2. The argument necessitates that Paul was unknown by face after he and Barnabas returned to Antioch from their trip recorded in Acts 11:27-12:25. In comparing the accounts of Luke about Paul's travelings with those of Paul's account in Galatians 1-2, you will find that it was after three years, dating from his conversion, that Paul went back to Jerusalem for the first time (Gal 1:17-20). When he left Jerusalem at that time, he went to the regions of Syria and Cilicia (Gal 1:21). It was at Tarsus in Cilicia that Barnabas found Saul and took him to Antioch (Acts 11:23). This is when he says that he was "unknown by face unto the churches of Judea" (1:22). Barnabas and Saul assembled with the Christians there "a whole year" (Acts 11:26) before the drought and the sending of relief to the brethren in Judea. Paul does not record the trip he and Barnabas made into Judea for the relief of the brethren nor his return from Jerusalem as recorded in Galatians 1-2, since it does not appear to be a factor in the argument that he could not have received his revelation by man. But Paul refers to the later trip made to Jerusalem some 14 years after his conversion (Gal 2:1) when he took Barnabas and Titus with him to resolve the issue about circumcision and keeping the law as recorded by Luke in Acts 15:1ff.
Take a Seat on the Throne by Jon Quinn (Reprinted from
The Expository Files, http://www.geocities.com/Athens/4051/)
"He who overcomes, I will grant to him to sit down with
Me on My throne, as I also overcame and sat down with My Father
on His throne. " (Revelation 3:21).
When it comes to pleasing God with our lives, those who failed
did so for a reason. Those that succeeded did so for a reason.
Success or failure does not happen in a vacuum. Neither "just
happens."
The problems are often caused by a lack of dedication or love
as some try to simply do as little as possible. Others simply
put off needful changes or obligations. Sometimes it is a matter
of ego. Some have failed because they have allowed themselves
to be deceived by others into believing something false. Some
have simply not taken the time to prepare for a successful life
of true faith.
There are actually seven statements made by Jesus in Revelation
2 and 3 concerning overcoming. We have quoted the seventh and
final statement above. The message of the book is that the enemies
of the cross would fall, and the faithful overcomer would endure
forever.
First note that Jesus overcame first. We have good reason to have
confidence in His ability and promises. Jesus was victorious over
temptation and sin and even death. As a result of Jesus' overcoming,
He is seated on the throne of God, next to the Father with His
eternal glory restored. He invites us to overcome through Him
and join Him there!
We need to be honoring the King today! Sometimes it is disheartening
to see the evils which plague the world. It seems so powerful
and pervasive. Do not be despondent or hopeless even when the
time seems dark. It seemed that way when these words in Revelation
were first written too. In fact, that is why they were written;
to encourage faithfulness during dark times. We are assured that
victory belongs to our king (Revelation 17:14). We honor the king
by submitting to Him (1 Timothy 6:13-16). There is no other way
to honor the Lord than to do with diligence what He bids us do.
Jesus invites us to join Him. Our exaltation will come after we have trusted the Lord. He is at the door inviting you to come join Him on the throne (Revelation 3:20). "What do you need? A personal invitation?" OK... you have one! Paul said, "I can do all things through Him who strengthens me." Jesus has shown us the way. But this is not something to be casual about. Overcoming by faith means being steadfast, diligent and dedicated. Faithful Christians today live in hope. It is to those who overcome that Jesus promises access to the tree of life and that the second death will not hurt them. He also promises hidden manna and a white stone. And He promises authority over the nations, and the morning star. He promises white garments to those who's names remain in the book of life and that He will speak for us in that final hour when no other friend will do. What a privilege it is to wear His name today, and to be a pillar in the heavenly dwelling of God. And, finally, we will be permitted to sit down with Him on His throne. What wonderful hope these things symbolize! It is the hope that belongs to those who "overcome"!
IN THE WORLD… (Selected from The Beacon)
46% of the adult population gives to charitable organizations
42% of the adult population both give and volunteer with charitable
organizations
89% of households gave charitable contributions in 2000 the average
contributing household gave $1,620 or 3.2 percent of household
income.
- via Independent Sector
2 Corinthians 9:7 ". . . God loveth a cheerful giver."
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Our weekly services are held at 1318 Griffin Road, Leesburg, Florida
34748.
Phone: (352) 365-9946 for times of services.
Web site: http://www.careydillinger.com/cocbs/cocbshp.htm
MONTHLY BIBLE READING: Lessons from the Sermon on the Mount. Matthew 5-7
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