Role of God’s Family

Every family has its role.

Roles are defined by the charter of the household

Organization of the Church

Jesus Christ is head (Eph. 1:22 - 23)Jesus ordained other servants (Eph.4:11)

-- Apostles (To speak for Him) Matt. 16:18; 18:18; John 16:12-

15-- Prophets (These together with the

apostles gave us the charter—the New Testament.)

-- Evangelists to preach the gospel.-- Pastors and Teachers All working

together to change those who are saved into the image of Christ (Eph. 4:12--16).

Two Uses of “church”

“Universal”Christ over all

Each individual is “added to the church” as he is saved by obeying Christ (Acts 2:47).

The total number of these saved individuals is the church universal.

The universal church has no organization by which all of the saved can act together.

The universal church is not to be thought of as composed of all the local churches, but of all the saved individuals.

“Local”Elders Acts 20:28; Ph’p.1:1

When a number of the saved in any locality agree to work and worship together in a scripturally organized way, a local church exists in that place.

The only organization of the church in the New Testament is the local church with its elders, deacons and saints.

Each church was a separate entity with its own adequate, all-sufficient arrangement.

Characteristics of the church“Universal Usage”

Has only One Shepherd (1 Peter 5:4)Satan cannot prevail against (Mt. 16:18)Has no earthly assembly (Heb. 12:23)Has no earthly oversightHas no earthly treasury It has no earthly collective work to do.

Characteristics of the church“Local Usage”

Has earthly shepherds (1 Peter 5:2-3)Satan can prevail against (Rev. 2 & 3)Has an earthly assembly (1 Cor. 11:18)Has earthly oversight (Acts 14:23)Has an earthly treasury (1 Cor. 16:1-3) It has earthly collective work (Rev. 2:5)

What does the charter authorize?

Assembly (Hebrews 10:25; I Cor. 14:23)Worship together (Acts 20:7)Edification of Saints (Eph. 4:12-16)Support of Gospel Preaching

(1 Cor. 9:6-14; Phil.1:5; 4:15-16; 3 Jn. 5-8)

Care for its own needy (Acts 4:34-35) -- Not Salvation Army or Red Cross.

-- A family responsible for its own

Scriptures Authorizing Relief

Acts 4:34 Nor was there anyone among them who lacked; for all who were possessors of lands or houses sold them, and brought the proceeds of the things that were sold, 35 and laid them at the apostles’ feet; and they distributed to each as anyone had need.

Acts 11:29 Then the disciples, each according to his ability, determined to send relief to the brethren dwelling in Judea.

Scriptures Authorizing Relief

1 Corinthians 16:1 “Now concerning the collection for the saints, as I have given orders to the churches of Galatia, so you must do also: 2 On the first day of the week…

Romans 15:25 “But now I am going to Jerusalem to minister to the saints. 26 For it pleased those from Macedonia and Achaia to make a certain contribution for the poor among the saints who are in Jerusalem.”

Some Observations

Illustration: A hospital (Role: Medical)-- Must be prepared for fires in

hospital.-- But not throughout the

neighborhood.Christians individually can help anyone

considered worthy (Gal. 6:10; Acts 5:4)-- Hospital employees could join volunteer fire department.-- Church members can help

individuals the church cannot help (1 Tim. 5:16)

1 Timothy 5:16

16 If any believing man or woman has widows, let them relieve them, and do not let the church be burdened, that it may relieve those who are really widows.

Note: If the church relieves widows with families, it limits its ability to help helpless widows. Like a hospital fighting fires.

Many Churches Do Much More

Mega-churches have “Family Life Centers” that offer social, recreational, and entertainment programs of all kinds.

A local church advertises that their “fitness center is one of the 15 best in the city.”

Many have schools for secular instruction.Some “Churches of Christ” are competing

with the denominations in such activities.See Piloting the Strait, by Dave Miller

Changes of Roles are Recent

Many changes among churches of Christ have taken place in the last 60 years.

B.C. Goodpasture in 1948“For the church to turn aside from its divine work to furnish amusement and recreation is to pervert its mission. Amusement and recreation should stem from the home rather than the church. The church, like Nehemiah, has a great work to do; and it should not come down on the plains of Ono to amuse and entertain. As the church turns its attention to amusement and recreation, it will be shorn of its power as Samson was when his hair was cut.. . . Imagine Paul selecting and training a group of brethren to compete in the Isthmian games! Of his work at Corinth he said: ‘For I determined not to know anything among you, save Jesus Christ, and Him crucified.’”

Gospel Advocate Annual Commentary, 1951, p. 229

“Be sure to get a clear conception of the duties of the home as contrasted with the duties of the church in the matter of recreation."

“Building recreation rooms and providing recreational activities at the expense of the church is a departure from the simple gospel plan as revealed in the New Testament. The church might as well relieve the parents of feeding and disciplining all the young people at church expense as to take over the job of entertaining and supervising their recreation at church expense.”

Changes of Roles are Recent

Many changes among churches of Christ have taken place in the last 60 years.

Even among denominations, most major changes are relatively recent.

Two philosophies account for changes:

-- The Social Gospel

-- The Church Growth Movement

The Social GospelThe Social Gospel movement is a Protestant Christian intellectual movement that was most prominent in the late 19th century and early 20th century. The movement applied Christian ethics to social problems, especially justice, inequality, liquor, crime, racial tensions, slums, bad hygiene, child labor, weak labor unions, poor schools, and the danger of war. . . .Social Gospel leaders were predominantly associated with the liberal wing of the Progressive Movement and most were theologically liberal. . . . Important leaders include Richard T. Ely, Washington Gladden, and Walter Rauschenbusch. -- Wikipedia

Some Basic Questions

Sin

Forgiveness

Gospel

Teaching

Disease, Poverty, Social Injustice

Health, prosperity, peace, jobs, etc.

Better government, Equality for all

Political activism, Education

Greatest Problem?

Greatest Need?Solution?

Means of Attaining

Scripture Social Gospel

All about man! All about here & now!

All about God! All about heaven.

ClarificationHave all churches involved in such activities

lost faith in God, the Bible, sin, etc.?

NO!The social gospel opened the door for other

changes in the traditional role of churches. Some evangelicals adopted new roles for

the purpose of “church growth.”Their plan is to “church” the “unchurched” by

offering what they are seeking.

The Church Growth MovementChurch Growth is a movement within evangelical Christianity which emphasizes missionary work combined with sociological awareness of the target population. The "seeker sensitive" label for this approach characterizes the would-be converts as "seekers".The "seeker sensitive" label is associated with some megachurches in the United States where Christian messages are often imparted by means of elaborate spectacles with elements drawn from secular popular culture, such as rock music, which may appeal to teenagers and other groups less drawn to traditional "stuffy" forms of worship. Such churches also develop a wide range of activities to draw in families at different stages in their lives.” Contemporary vs.

Traditional WorshipDay-care. Education, Scouts, Sports, Bus trips, Senior Services 1 Corinthians 1:22-23; 2:1-5

Changes among churches of ChristNot so much the result of liberal theology.

We still believe in God, the Bible, sin, the gospel, and hope for heaven.

Not the result of a study of the scriptures. Most are motivated by a desire for growth.

-- They imitate what others do for growth.

-- Eliminate what may hinder growth. Scripture warns against seeking growth for

growth’s sake (1 Corinthians 3:10-13)

“The Role of the Church in Today’s World” is the same as it was then!

Assemble (Hebrews 10:25; I Cor. 14:23)Worship together (Acts 20:7)Edification of Saints (Eph. 4:12-16)Support Gospel Preaching

(1 Cor. 9:6-14; Phil.1:5; 4:15-16; 3 Jn. 5-8)Care for its own needy (Acts 4:34-35)

The charter has not and will not change!

“It is more important to save one individual made in God’s image than to

save a whole species that is not.” -- Jack Cottrell

How can lost souls be saved and sanctified?

“And you shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free.”

John 8:32

“God our Savior. . . desires all men to come to the knowledge of the truth

1 Timothy 2:3-4

Sanctify them by your truth” John 17:17

Who is Responsible for seeing that God’s Will is done?

“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.”

(1 Tim. 3:14-15)

The local church is the only organization God has ordained to be the “pillar and

ground of the truth.”

Shall we use our resources for any other purpose?