First Affirmative: Proposition 1, by Kurt G. Jones, Section 2
Continued from Section 1…
Incidentals
Also, closely related to expedients are things which are incidental to the work of the church. These things may happen regardless of whether or not the person is engaged in the work of church. For instance, during the assembly, a mother may need to change her baby’s diaper. This could happen at any time, whether or not she is in the assembly. However she did not
PAGE 7
come to the assembly for the purpose of changing the child’s diaper, but rather it was incidental to her purpose of fulfilling God’s command. Another example would be a diabetic eating some crackers during a Bible study or assembly in order that their internal milieu may be maintained. The person’s blood sugar could go awry regardless of whether or not they are at the assembly or in the Bible study. The reason the person came was to study and fulfill the command of God, and not to eat the crackers. Further, a preacher may eat his lunch in his study while he is working. This also is incidental to his work. He did not come to the building for the purpose of eating lunch, but rather to study, and the eating was incidental to that work.
Now consider another example. Often before or after the assembly the members of the local church may socialize. They may talk about sports, recipes, politics, family matters, etc., but notice again purpose is considered. They did not come together for the purpose of discussing these things and socializing, but they came together to assemble and the socializing was incidental to that purpose. Consider this biblical example. In Acts 20:7-12 there were some things incidental to this assembly. For instance, there were “many lamps.” These lamps were expedient and incidental. The brethren did not come together to have the light of the lamps, they came together to “break bread” (v.7). The ability to see by the light was incidental to the purpose for which they assembled. Also, they met in an “upper room (v.8). The fact that the assembly took place in an upper room is incidental to the purpose for which they came together. They had to walk up steps to get to the upper room, and perhaps may have received some health benefit from going up and down those stairs. But the purpose for which they came together was not to walk up and down stairs. It was to assemble. The walking up and down stairs was incidental. Those meeting in the “upper room” may have received some health benefit from walking up and down the stairs, but this does not give the church the right to build and maintain a health club or gymnasium. In addition because a person may change a diaper as an incidental, this does not give the church the authority to start a “diaper changing ministry.” Because Christians may socialize before and after the assembly, this does not give the church the right to implement social programs such as the meals being discussed
Application
It should be clear that God requires that we have authority for all that we do religiously. We also should understand the nature of the local church’s work. I submit that the Bible divides the
PAGE 8
local church’s work into three categories. These are: 1) evangelism, 2) spiritual edification, and 3) benevolence. Worship also is a work of the local church, but is present in each aspect of the church’s work. Thus it may be said worship is a fourth area, and I acknowledge this is true. However I am convinced it is contained within the three areas noted, and this is the reason I did not include it as a separate category. I will not disagree, however, if some brethren define it as such.
Evangelism is one area of the local church’s work. Evangelism is the taking of the gospel to a lost and dying world; preaching to and teaching the lost, that their souls might be saved. The church is God’s agent in teaching and preaching the gospel. The church is to be taught by the apostles, to “observe all things I have commanded you [The apostles]…” (Matthew 28:20), which would include “go therefore and make disciples of all nations” (Matthew 28:19). Further, the church is the “pillar and ground of the truth” (1 Timothy 3:14-15). We see that the church at Thessalonica served as an example to other churches as it pertained to its work in evangelism. The apostle Paul writes, “And you became followers of us and of the Lord, having received the word in much affliction, with joy of the Holy Spirit, so that you became examples to all in Macedonia and Achaia who believe. For from you the word of the Lord has sounded forth, not only in Macedonia and Achaia, but also in every place. Your faith toward God has gone out, so that we do not need to say anything” (1 Thessalonians 1:6-8). Further, the church at Philppi was noted in the scriptures for its work of evangelism in supporting the preaching of the gospel (Philippians 1:3-5; 2:25-30; 4:14-20). Thus there is no denying that evangelism is part of the work of the church of Christ.
Spiritual Edification also falls into the realm of the responsibility of the church. The Lord’s church is a self-edifying body. Paul made this point in his letter to the church of Christ at Ephesus (Ephesians 4:11-16). Christians are to grow spiritually. Paul shows in the same context that Christians are to be “no longer…tossed to and fro and carried about with every wind of doctrine…” (v. 14). The Hebrew writer rebuked some for not growing. He writes, “For though by this time you ought to be teachers, you need someone to teach you again the first principles of the oracles of God; and you have come to need milk and not solid food” ( Hebrews 5:12). Much of this edification will take place on an individual basis. However, the local church also has the responsibility in the scope of its work to provide avenues through which to edify the saints. The
PAGE 9
church will edify itself through worship (Hebrews 10:25; Hebrews 4:14-16; Colossians 3:16-17; Ephesians 5:19). Edification is to be found through faithful teaching of God’s word. As Paul spoke to the Ephesian elders, he said, “So now, brethren, I commend you to God and to the word of His grace, which is able to build you up and give you an inheritance among all those who are sanctified” (Acts 20:32). Christians are edified by the teaching of God’s word, by proper discipline, and by maintaining a program of good works.
Benevolence is the final area in which the local church has been given authority to operate. We notice local churches in the scriptures engaged in benevolence. We see the church in Jerusalem engaged in benevolence to relieve its own needy (Acts 4:32-35; 2:44-45). We see the church in Antioch sending benevolent relief to the churches of Judea during time of need (Acts 11:27-30). Also, we see churches cooperating to relieve the church in Jerusalem during time of need (1 Corinthians 16:1-4; 2 Corinthians 8:1-23; Romans 15:26-27). Thus, we see from the scriptures that the local church has authority to engage in the benevolent relief of Christians.
There is no command, example, or necessary implication, which would suggest that the local church is authorized to operate in providing for social activities. There is not a single scripture that shows the local church planning, setting up, providing for, or otherwise supporting from its collection and under the oversight of its elders a pot luck lunch, a pizza feed, or any other function for social and recreational purposes. We enter into this discussion without a single verse of scripture to show the church sponsoring such an event, and we shall close this same discussion in the weeks to come, without a single passage of scripture being presented that will support the practice. You can mark that down with the date next to it. Brethren and friends, there are just as many scriptures to support the church sponsored social meal as there are to support instrumental music in worship to God, not a one! There are just as many scriptures to support sprinkling as baptism as there are for recreation and social functions sponsored by the church, not a one!
There are a few scriptures which show Christians eating, but we readily affirm that children of God may eat together. We do not deny it! What we affirm is that there is not any authority, in all of God’s divine word, which allows the church to sponsor from its treasury, a meal for social purposes. It does not exist, and it will not exist when this world is on fire! So, I defy brother
PAGE 10
Garner to produce the scripture. Which one shows the church sponsoring a social meal? If brother Garner can produce the scripture this debate will be over, and my proposition will fall. But as I said, mark it down, it will not happen in the next negative, nor the one following that, nor the one following it. It will not happen in his affirmative articles either. The reason for this is simple. In order for Brother Garner to deny my proposition, he must affirm that the church’s work also includes a social area. Oh, he may try to plug his social meal into one of these areas and say “its edification” or “its evangelism” (I do not wish to put words in his mouth). But the fact is, it no more belongs in one of those areas than does instrumental music belong in worship, or sprinkling belong in baptism.
I can show from the scriptures that there is authority for every area of work the 9th and Bliss church of Christ (with which I work) oversees and supports financially. I can show authority for its evangelism program. I can show authority for its work in the realm of edification. I can show authority for the benevolent efforts it has made in relieving needy saints both in the U.S., and in other countries. I wonder if brother Garner can do the same with the social programs he believes the local church can support? We shall see.
In the course of this discussion we will discuss passages which show Christians eating and sometimes even together. But you watch, and do not be fooled by faulty reasoning. Though you may see Christians eating, what you will fail to see is the church sponsoring from its collection the meal that they ate, unless it was for benevolent relief. We will talk about what Jesus did while he was on the earth, and how he fed 5,000 and 4,000. But again, do not be fooled! Jesus had a purpose for feeding them, and it was not social. We will talk about the “love feasts” Jude references. But again, do not be fooled by rhetoric and what these things might be. Rather, base your belief on what is revealed in the scriptures, and not on the surmising of some scholars, regardless of how scholarly they may be. We should always base our belief and practice on the scriptures, and what they reveal.
Brethren and friends, this is the whole point of this discussion and the whole fact of this debate. There is not a single scripture in the entire Bible that shows the local church, under the oversight of its elders planning, providing, or overseeing any function for social purposes. Whether it is a meal or a ball team, whether it is a pizza party or a golf tournament, the scriptures simply do not support such. These things stand or fall together. If the church can provide for one type of
PAGE 11
social function, it can provide for all other practices for social purposes. If the church can support a meal, the church can support a golf tournament. If the church can support a meal, it can send the young people to Disney World. They stand or fall together.
Brother Garner’s Questions
1. T OR F: The Bible is very specific concerning everything the church treasury may be used for.
This is false. While the Bible does not specify everything the church may use its treasury for, it is clear on what areas in which the church may function. Those areas as noted by the article, are benevolence, edification, and evangelism. If a thing does not fall into one of those areas (by command, example, or necessary implication including being expedient to the fulfillment of the Lord’s command), the church may not provide for it from the treasury.
2. T OR F: The church is obligated to pay all her bills (such as gas, water, electricity, etc.)
This is true. The church must pay all bills that it is incurs. However, it is only authorized to incur bills which relate to the carrying out of its authorized work.
3. T OR F: In light of Proverbs 12:26; 13:20, and 1 Corinthians 15:33, God wants Christian to socialize with other Christians.
This is true. However, the Lord also wants Christians to pay their taxes, and subject themselves to the governing authority (Romans 13:1-ff; Matthew 22:21). This does not, in turn, authorize the church to operate a CPA business, or a driving school.
4. T OR F: It would be sinful for the local congregation to let a group of people use the church building for a social function if they agreed to pay for the electricity, gas, and water they used while occupying the church building.
There are many assumptions inherent in this question that are not revealed. But I will say on the surface without knowing all of your assumptions, that this is true. Here is why. The church may meet in a home, but what the owner of that home does with the house when the church is not meeting there is not a matter of the church’s concern. The church may rent a space to meet, and what the landlord does with the property when the church is not in control of it is up to the landlord. I know of a church that meets in a borrowed building. On the first day of the week, and during their mid-week assembly,
PAGE 12
they meet in a funeral home. Embalming, visitations, meetings, and other business activities take place in the building. If the owners of the funeral home choose to itemize their invoices to include the portion of water, gas, and electricity, that would be their choice.
5. T OR F: It is sinful to hold any social gathering (besides those that take place before and after worship and Bible class; and the frequent meeting s that a preacher may have with those who stop by the building during the week) at the church Building.
Again, see points above. There are many assumptions here and I have no idea what they are. But given the circumstance I noted above, I will say false.
But the fact is both questions 4&5 miss the point of my opposition. The reason the church may have a building is to aid in carrying out the work the Lord gave the church. The building itself is expedient to evangelism, benevolence, and edification. The command to assemble necessitates a place. The building while in the control of the local church, may only be used to expedite the commands of the Lord to the church. While it is true some things are incidental to that work, the focus of what the building is used for must be the purpose of carrying out the work God has given the church.
Concluding Statements
I look forward to this discussion; I believe with all my heart that the scriptures are clear on the work the Lord has given the church. Brethren and friends I plead with you, “search the scriptures…to see whether these things are so” (Acts 17:11). It is easy to come into a discussion with preconceived notions. I beg you put those aside and let the scriptures speak. For “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” (2 John 9). We must be sure that all we do is within the doctrine of Christ. To reiterate the old restoration plea, let us “speak where the Bible speaks, and be silent where the Bible is silent.”
We look forward to David’s article.
