welcome

WelcomeWelcomeTimes of AssemblyTimes of Assembly

SundaySunday WednesdayWednesday9:45 am Bible Study9:45 am Bible Study 7:00 pm Bible Study 7:00 pm Bible Study

10:45 am Worship10:45 am Worship

5:00 pm Worship5:00 pm Worship

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-Sermons are available on DVD, VHS & Audio tapes -Sermons are available on DVD, VHS & Audio tapes

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““Behold, how good and how pleasant it is For Behold, how good and how pleasant it is For brethren to dwell together in unity!brethren to dwell together in unity! Psalm 133:1 Psalm 133:1

Middleman-Organizations

&Care for Orphans

Issues of the 50’s & 60’s

So Far We Have Studied…

• Narrowness of Jesus.• Ungodly divisions.• Ecumenical movement (unity in

diversity).• Terms Religious liberalism &

conservatism.

Our Study This Morning Is…

• Middleman-Organizations & Orphans.

– What the Controversy was NOT about.– What The issue was.– Justification used for Middleman-

Organizations.– Shift in the issue to who & how we can

help.

Issue Was NOT…

• Whether orphans should be cared for– James 1:27 (Note individual nature)

• Whether a church can help an orphan

• Over who was more loving and caring– Epithets, slander such as “You hate

orphans!”

The Issue Is…

• “middleman” organization.– Organization between church and work

Middle-Organization

Work To Be Done

Local Local ChurchesChurches

Institutional Board

Other Sources

Scriptural Pattern

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Work To Be Done

Local Local ChurchesChurches

•Evangelize•Edify•Worship•Benevolence





Concurrent Action(Scriptural pattern)

•Benevolence

•Benevolence

•Benevolence•Benevolence

Christians are in need.

Collective Action(Scriptural pattern)

Concepts of Church Government

Denominational Roman Catholic

New Testament

God’s Authority Is Needed

• “Whatever you do in word or deed, do all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks through Him to God the Father.” Col 3:17

• “All Scripture is inspired by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, for training in righteousness; so that the man of God may be adequate, equipped for every good work.” 2 Tim 3:16-17

• Authority does NOT come from:– Emotionalism.– Good Intentions.– The Old Testament.

God’s Authority Is Needed

Premises Used To Justify

• Expedience argument: – Bible doesn’t say how.– View that Bible silence is authorization.– Difference between methods &

organization.

Principles of An Expedience

– Bible must not say how by means of:• Command• Example• Necessary conclusion

– Cannot violate scriptural teaching.– Cannot change method given in Bible.

• In Loco Parentis– “in loco” – in place of.– “parentis” – parents.

• “The orphanage is a ‘restored’ home”– Is it really a “restored” home?– Does it exist in order to create a new

home?

Premises Used To Justify

• A shift way from middleman-organizations.• Many asked, “Just who & how” can we help?• 9 passages describing acts of benevolence

by churches. • Acts 2:44-45, 4:32-35, 6:1-4, 11:27-30;

Rom. 15:25-26; 1 Cor. 16:1-3; 2 Cor. 8:1-4; 2 Cor. 9:1, 12; 1 Tim. 5:3, 5, 9-10, 16

Question Shifted To Whom And How

Churches Gave Directly To Needy Christians

Acts 2:44-45Now all who believed were together, and had all things in common, and sold their possessions and goods, and divided them among all, as anyone had need.

Acts 4:32-35Now the multitude of those who believed were of one heart and one soul; neither did anyone say that any of the things he possessed was his own, but they had all things in common … 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, and laid them at the apostles' feet; and they distributed to each as anyone had need.


Acts 6:1-4Now in those days, when the number of the disciples was multiplying, there arose a complaint against the Hebrews by the Hellenists, because their widows were neglected in the daily distribution. Then the twelve summoned the multitude of the disciples and said, "It is not desirable that we should leave the word of God and serve tables. "Therefore, brethren, seek out from among you seven men of good reputation, full of the Holy Spirit and wisdom, whom we may appoint over this business; "but we will give ourselves continually to prayer and to the ministry of the word."


Acts 11:27-30And in these days prophets came from Jerusalem to Antioch. Then one of them, named Agabus, stood up and showed by the Spirit that there was going to be a great famine throughout all the world, which also happened in the days of Claudius Caesar. Then the disciples, each according to his ability, determined to send relief to the brethren dwelling in Judea. This they also did, and sent it to the elders by the hands of Barnabas and Saul.


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


1 Corinthians 16:1-3Now concerning the collection for the saints, as I have given orders to the churches of Galatia, so you must do also: On the first day of the week let each one of you lay something aside, storing up as he may prosper, that there be no collections when I come. And when I come, whomever you approve by your letters I will send to bear your gift to Jerusalem.


2 Corinthians 8:1-4 Moreover, brethren, we make known to you the grace of God bestowed on the churches of Macedonia: that in a great trial of affliction the abundance of their joy and their deep poverty abounded in the riches of their liberality. For I bear witness that according to their ability, yes, and beyond their ability, they were freely willing, imploring us with much urgency that we would receive the gift and the fellowship of the ministering to the saints.


2 Corinthians 9:1 Now concerning the ministering to the saintsministering to the saints, it is superfluous for me to write to you;


2 Corinthians 9:12 For the administration of this service not only supplies the needs of the saints, but also is abounding through many thanksgivings to God,


1 Timothy 5:3 Honor widows who are really widows.

1 Timothy 5:5Now she who is really a widow, and left alone, trusts in God and continues in supplications and prayers night and day.


1 Timothy 5:9-10Do not let a widow under sixty years old be taken into the number, and not unless she has been the wife of one man, well reported for good works: if she has brought up children, if she has lodged strangers, if she has washed the saints' feet, if she has relieved the afflicted, if she has diligently followed every good work.


1 Timothy 5:16 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.


N.T. Teaching of Benevolence N.T. Teaching of Benevolence

IndividualIndividualChurch To It’s Own

Church toChurch (es)

Church ToBenevolent InstitutionMt. 5:43-48; 25:35-

40; Lk.10:30-36; Acts 4:36-37; 9:36,39; 1 Cor. 16:15; Gal. 6:10Eph. 4:28; 1 Tim. 5:16; 1 Tim. 6:18; Heb. 13:15-16; Jas. 1:26-27; Jas. 2:15-16; 1 John 3:17-18


IndividualChurch Church

To It’s To It’s OwnOwn


Church ToBenevolent InstitutionActs 2:44-

45; 4:32-34; 6:1-6; 1 Tim.5:16

Mt. 5:43-48; 25:35-40; Lk.10:30-36; Acts 4:36-37; 9:36,39; 1 Cor. 16:15; Gal. 6:10Eph. 4:28; 1 Tim. 5:16; 1 Tim. 6:18; Heb. 13:15-16; Jas. 1:26-27; Jas. 2:15-16; 1 John 3:17-18


IndividualChurch To It’s Own

Church Church toto

Church Church (es)(es)

Church ToBenevolent InstitutionMt. 5:43-48; 25:35-


Acts 2:44-45; 4:32-34; 6:1-6; 1 Tim.5:16

Acts 11:27; Rom 15:25-26; 1Cor.16:1-2 2 Cor.8-9


IndividualChurch To It’s Own


Church Church ToTo

BenevoleBenevolent nt InstitutionInstitutionMt. 5:43-48; 25:35-


Acts 2:44-45; 4:32-34; 6:1-6; 1 Tim.5:16

Acts 11:27; Rom 15:25-26; 1Cor.16:1-2 2 Cor.8-9

• Each instance Local church gave only to Christians.

• No organization other than the local church doing the local church’s work.

• Context of James 1:27 is to the individual.• Context of Galatians 6:10 and 2 Cor.9:13

– Local churches providing help to Christians.

Question Shifted To Whom And How

Batsell Barret Baxter

“Some who will agree that the church can contribute to an orphan’s home are not convinced that the church can contribute to a Christian school. It is difficult to see a significant difference. As far as the principle is concerned, the orphan’s home and the Christian school must stand or fall together.”

Richard HughesRichard Hughes Pepperdine University ProfessorPepperdine University Professor

“The mainstream churches of Christ, time and time again, characterized those who opposed institutionalism as unfaithful to the heritage. The truth is that the dissenters stood squarely in one set of the footprints in the 19th century churches of Christ. And by the time the battle over institutions was complete, it was the mainstream, not the dissenters, that had removed itself almost entirely from its 19th century roots.”

Now the God of peace be with you Now the God of peace be with you all. Amen.all. Amen. Romans 15:33Romans 15:33

welcome

Documents

bible silence

bible doesnt

issue ismiddleman organization

pm bible study10

needy christians acts

good intentions

acts of benevolence

good work