The Reading Ephesians. 4:11-16

Hello, I have some issues with churches who are trying to divide the brotherhood, over trivial matters. I call food, halls, and other things that are dividing us, trivial matters, instead of concentrating on what is more important. Unity and Love is more important than focusing on coffee and doughnuts. Mercy and Obedience are more important than looking at signs outside the church buildings, that are teaching English as a second language, and having clothes exchanges. I am sending some arguments that many of you use to oppose and condemn, so please be kind enough to address all, if you can. - A Concerned Christian.

Thank you for your question, and for also being very honest. Sadly, I have to tell you, that your feelings and ideas are misguiding you badly. TRIVIAL MATTERS! That is all that they are for you, trivial things… The worst blind person, is the one who closes his eyes to the reality that is in front of his face. You want to have “peace” when there is NO peace! Jer 6:14 When the Word of The Lord has not been followed, any pretense for peace is just that, “PRETENSE”.

You mentioned LOVE AND UNITY You mentioned LOVE AND UNITY. Can we have these two if we do not do what the Lord says? Matthew 7:21-23. You also mentioned “Mercy and Obedience”… Do you really understand what you are advocating for? Those two words are very compromising: OBEDIENCE. Follow the Lord in every aspect! We cannot do what we want, when it comes to pleasing God. Col 3:17

Why No Gymnasium or Fellowship Hall Bible Authority and Churches of Christ

The Current Religious Scene 1 Samuel 8:20 (NKJV) 20 that we also may be like all the nations, and that our king may judge us and go out before us and fight our battles." 1 Samuel 8:5 (NKJV) 5 and said to him, "Look, you are old, and your sons do not walk in your ways. Now make us a king to judge us like all the nations." There is an emphasis in many denominations on the physical and social There is an emphasis in many Churches of Christ on the physical and social (1 Sam. 8:5,20) What about the food, social, gymnasium and fellowship hall among Churches of Christ?

It is not because we cannot afford these facilities What Is Not An Issue It is not because we do not like recreation or eating together (“anti” ___________ ) It is not because we cannot afford these facilities It is not because we do not have anyone to conduct them It is not because we want to be different (Weird)

A Matter of Bible Authority We must have NT authority for all we do (Col. 3:17) Colossians 3:17 (NKJV) 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.

A Matter of Bible Authority We must have NT authority for all we do (Col. 3:17) NT authority is needed for the plan of salvation, worship of the church, organization of the church, work of the church

A Matter of Bible Authority The local church has authority to assemble for worship (Ac 2-6; 20:7; Heb. 10:24-25) Hebrews 10:24-25 (NKJV) 24 And let us consider one another in order to stir up love and good works, 25 not forsaking the assembling of ourselves together, as is the manner of some, but exhorting one another, and so much the more as you see the Day approaching. Acts 2:42 (NKJV) 42 And they continued steadfastly in the apostles' doctrine and fellowship, in the breaking of bread, and in prayers. Acts 20:7 (NKJV) 7 Now on the first day of the week, when the disciples came together to break bread, Paul, ready to depart the next day, spoke to them and continued his message until midnight.

A Matter of Bible Authority The local church has authority for a building to be used for authorized activities The work of the local church is… Evangelism (1 Thess. 1:8) Edification / teaching (Eph. 4:11-16) Benevolence (Acts 2,4,6; 2 Cor. 8-9; etc.)

A Matter of Bible Authority Social meals and recreation do not fit this pattern… It is not evangelism (Jn. 6:26,44; Rom. 1:16) It is not edification (Acts 20:32) It is not benevolence (Acts 11:28-29)

A Matter of Bible Authority Social meals and recreation supported from the church treasury lack NT authority There is no command for them There is no example of them (Ac. 2:46?) There is no necessary implication about them

A Matter of Bible Authority The work of the local church is not physical or social, thus, the building may not be used for these purposes Physical and social activities may be done individually (1 Tim. 4:6; 1 Cor. 11:30), but not as church (treasury) sponsored activities

Argument: “The building is not sacred.” Answering Arguments Argument: “The building is not sacred.” True, but the building must be used for that which is authorized by the NT. Many buildings in this country are not sacred, but they must be used for certain purposes only.

Answering Arguments Argument: “You have a water cooler in the building, why not a f.h. or gym?” The water cooler/ washrooms are expedients to assembling for worship. The f.h. and gym are not.

Answering Arguments Argument: “The meals and recreation are kept separate from the worship service and conducted in a separate place.” This is good, but the meals and recreation are still funded by the church treasury; the Lord’s money is still used for unauthorized practices. Separation is not the issue; authority is.

Argument: “I don’t see anything wrong with it.” Answering Arguments Argument: “I don’t see anything wrong with it.” We do not function as a church based upon what we think or feel, but what is authorized (Col. 3:17)

The local church must provide what it is authorized to provide. Answering Arguments Argument: “If we don’t provided social and recreational activities for our youth, who will? The world? The denominations?” The local church must provide what it is authorized to provide. Individual Christians can provide these things and our youth do not need to turn to the world or denominations.

Answering Arguments Argument: “The local church can do anything Christians can do because the local church is made up of Christians.” No, there are some things Christians do that the local church does not do (1 Thess. 4:11-12; 1 Tim. 5:16). Also, common meals were eaten at home (Acts 2:46; 20:11; 1 Cor. 11:22,34)

Answering Arguments Argument: “There are many things we do without Bible authority: buildings, lights, projectors, song books, fellowship hall, gym, etc.” Something like a building may not appear specifically in the NT, but it is authorized under the expedience of a general command; there is no such command for the f.h. or gym

Answering Arguments Argument: “We provide the common meal in the f.h. by individuals, not the church.” First, individuals provided the common meal at Corinth and they were told to keep it at home. Second, the church f.h. is not provided by individuals, but by the church treasury.

Answering Arguments Argument: “In Acts 2:42,46 the local church ate the Lord’s supper, then had a church social meal together.” There is no evidence that the local church is sponsoring this meal from its treasury. The common meal was taken at home.

Answering Arguments Argument: “In Acts 20:7,11, Paul ate the Lord’s supper, then had a church social meal together.” There is no evidence that the local church is sponsoring this meal from its treasury.

Answering Arguments Argument: “The problem at Corinth was that they did not separate the common meal from the Lord’s supper (1 Cor. 11).” No, the problem was the abuse and misuse of the Lord’s supper. The answer was to the common meal for hunger at home. Paul did not say separate the common meal. He said to eat the common meal at home.

Answering Arguments Argument: “The NT church often met in homes where meals were eaten (Rom. 16:5).” First, there is no evidence that the meals were eaten in connection with the assembly. Second, there is no evidence that the local church sponsored these meals from the treasury. Third, what other home activities can be done by the church?

Answering Arguments Argument: “The love-feast in 2 Peter 2:13 and Jude 12 is authority for a church social meal together.” There is no evidence that the local church is sponsoring this meal from its treasury

Answering Arguments Argument: “The doctrine of ‘fellowship’ in the NT is authority for a church social meal together, or playing together.” “Fellowship,” as used in the NT, refers to sharing in spiritual things, not social or recreational things God, saints in Christ, Lord’s supper, sufferings of Christ, worship, benevolence, preaching

An Appeal to All Christians Let the local church be about the business of doing the Lord’s work in the Lord’s way: evangelism, edification, benevolence Let the individual / home be about the business of social and recreational activities Let the church be the church! Scripture silence, is not permissions for us to do whatever comes to our minds. Please God and NOT MEN!