Churches of Christ Divided in mid 1800’s Issues: Missionary Society (1849) Instrumental Music (1855) Result: Formation of Christian Church (1900) Later: Disciples of Christ (liberal)

Churches of Christ Divided in mid 1900’s Issues: Sponsoring Church (Herald of Truth) Orphan Homes Colleges in the Church Budget Social Gospel (Recreation) Result: Split among churches (1955-1965) Institutional churches of Christ

Divisions Within The Church of Christ Issues: 1. Missionary Society (1849) 2. Instrumental Music (1859) 3. Colleges in Church Budget (1938) 4. Orphan Homes (1950’s) 5. Sponsoring Church (1950’s) 6. Social Gospel (1960’s)

Divisions of the Lord’s Church The Sponsoring Church

Sponsoring Church 2nd major issue Referred to as: “Church cooperation” “Centralization” “Herald of Truth”

Sponsoring Church $ $ $ $ Sponsoring Church Preach Gospel Local Church

Sponsoring Church I. History Behind It

A. Push for greater evangelism after WWII 1. Broadway(Lubbock, TX)—Germany 2.Union Street (Memphis, TN)--Japan

A. Push for greater evangelism after WWII Herald of Truth 1. 1947 in Cedar Rapids, Iowa – James W. Nichols 2. 1950 Joint effort of Nichols & James. D. Willeford 3. 1951 offered to Broadway Church (Lubbock, TX) 4. 1951 offered to Fifth & Highland (Abilene, TX) 5. First nationwide Radio – then TV program 6. Batsell Barrett Baxter – speaker 7. Over 2000 churches supported

Herald of Truth $ $ $ $ H. O. T. Fifth & Highland Church Radio & TV Local Church $ Fifth & Highland Church Abilene, TX H. O. T. Local Church $ Radio & TV $ Local Church $ Local Church

A. Push for greater evangelism after WWII Herald of Truth One Nation Under God 1. 1991 2. Sycamore Church of Christ (Cookeville, TN) 3. Solicited 10 million (first 17 million)—mailing to every home in US 4. Comic strip

A. Push for greater evangelism after WWII Herald of Truth One Nation Under God Multiple sponsoring churches—small scale

Sponsoring Church I. History Behind It II. The Issue

A. Is Not: B. Is: 1. Preaching the gospel 2. The use of radio or TV program 3. Is good being done? 4. Can churches ever cooperate? 5. A matter of methods B. Is: 1. Can church “A” send money to church “B” to preach the gospel? 2. Can multiple churches work through one eldership?

Sponsoring Church I. History Behind It II. The Issue III. Problems With Sponsoring Church

A. No Authority

How Authority Is Established Acts 15 VV. 13-21 – James appealed to direct statement from Amos 9 Command / Statement V. 12 – Paul & Barnabas appealed to example of their work and miracles Approved Example VV. 7-11 – Peter appealed to events at Cornelius’ house – infers… Necessary Inference

Sponsoring Church Arrangement None Command / Statement None Approved Example None Necessary Inference

Problems With Sponsoring Church No authority Violates the limitation of elders’ authority Local Church No Authority Elders Local Church Oversight Limited To This 1 Peter 5:1-4 Acts 20:28

B. Violates the limitation of elders’ authority A. No Authority B. Violates the limitation of elders’ authority C. Destroys congregational autonomy 1. Each congregation is autonomous and independent (1 Peter 5:1-4; Acts 14:23) 2. The sponsoring church oversees a “brotherhood” work.

Herald of Truth—”Brotherhood” Work Meeting of brethren across the country In Memphis, TN September 10, 1973 Brethren from other churches— confronted the Abilene elders: 1. Things their preacher was teaching 2. Direction they were taking the H.O.T.

B. Violates the limitation of elders’ authority A. No Authority B. Violates the limitation of elders’ authority C. Destroys congregational autonomy 1. Each congregation is autonomous and independent (1 Peter 5:1-4; Acts 14:23) 2. The sponsoring church oversees a “brotherhood” work. 3. If another church can oversee part of another church’s work—why not all?

? What Part of Work Can be Delegated? Sponsoring Church Local Church Elders Sponsoring Church Elders Members Resources Discipline Worship Work ?

B. Violates the limitation of elders’ authority A. No Authority B. Violates the limitation of elders’ authority C. Destroys congregational autonomy D. Activates the church universal 1. Universal church a. No organization b. No treasury c. No work d. No officers 2. Sponsoring church—larger than local church

Work of the “Churches of Christ” Broadway Church Elders Offered H.O.T. James Nichols James Willeford Not mention “Broadway” Not the work of “Broadway” Mention: “Churches of Christ”

A. No Authority B. Violates the limitation of elders’ authority C. Destroys congregational autonomy D. Activates the church universal

Sponsoring Church I. History Behind It II. The Issue III. Problems With Sponsoring Church IV. Arguments Made to Justify

IV. Arguments Made to Justify A. “Churches sent to other churches in benevolence in New Testament times.” Acts 11:27-30 1 Corinthians 16:1,2 2 Corinthians 8,9

Acts 11:27-30; 1 Corinthians 16:1-2; Funds received – used for benevolence, not evangelism Those making the argument see a difference Did Not Approve Evangelism Approved Benevolence

Acts 11:27-30; 1 Corinthians 16:1,2; 1. Funds received—used for benevolence, not evangelism 2. Receiving church was in “need”— not a creation of their own making 3. Cannot “crisscross” in God’s plan

Cannot “Crisscross” in God’s Plan Plan for Forgiveness Repent and Be Baptized (Acts 2:38) Repent & Pray (Acts 8:22) Alien Sinner Erring Christian

Cannot “Crisscross” in God’s Plan Worship Only First Day Anytime Lord’s Supper (Acts 20:7) Singing (Acts 16:25)

Cannot “Crisscross” in God’s Plan Officers in the Church Elders (1 Timothy 3:1-7) Deacons 1Timothy 3:8-13) Qualifications

Cannot “Crisscross” in God’s Plan Work of Church Send to Evangelist Church to Church Evangelism (Philippians 4:15) Benevolence (Acts 11:27-30)

Acts 11:27-30; 1 Corinthians 16:1,2; 1. Funds received—used for benevolence, not evangelism 2. Receiving church was in “need”— not a creation of their own making 3. Cannot “crisscross” in God’s plan 4. What actually happened in those texts

Paul & Barnabas - Messengers Acts 11:27-30 Antioch Elders Jer. Elders Bethany Paul & Barnabas - Messengers Elders Joppa Elders Lydda Elders Emmaus

Acts 11:27-30 NOT: Antioch Paul & Barnabas Messengers Elders Jer. Bethany Elders Joppa Elders Lydda Elders Emmaus

1 Cor. 16:1-2; 2 Cor. 8-9 Thess. Philippi Galatia Corinth Antioch Paul, Titus & others - Messengers Jerusalem

1 Cor. 16:1-2; 2 Cor. 8-9 NOT: Thess. Galatia Philippi Antioch Corinth Paul, Titus & others - Messengers Jerusalem

IV. Arguments Made to Justify A. “Churches sent to other churches in benevolence in New Testament times.” B. “Philippi was a sponsoring church” (Philippians 4:15; 2 Corinthians 11:8) 1. Logically: “No church” – would mean none of those that sent to Philippi had fellowship! 2. Chronologically: “When I departed” – not after I got to Corinth 3. Geographically: Sent money 100 miles north to Phil. So they can send it 200 miles south to Corinth

IV. Arguments Made to Justify A. “Churches sent to other churches in benevolence in New Testament times.” B. “Philippi was a sponsoring church” (Philippians 4:15; 2 Corinthians 11:8) C. “Don’t believe in Cooperation”

Cooperation Are Cooperating Are Cooperating Doing Same Work Accomplishing Same Goal NOT TIED TOGETHER Are Cooperating Doing Same Work Accomplishing Same Goal ARE TIED TOGETHER

Cooperation Are Cooperating Are Cooperating Doing Same Work $$ Are Cooperating Doing Same Work Accomplishing Same Goal ARE TIED TOGETHER Are Cooperating Doing Same Work Accomplishing Same Goal NOT TIED TOGETHER

Cooperation Local Church Local Church Local Church Are Cooperating Spon. Are Cooperating Doing Same Work Accomplishing Same Goal NOT TIED TOGETHER Are Cooperating Doing Same Work Accomplishing Same Goal ARE TIED TOGETHER

Sponsoring Church I. History Behind It II. The Issue III. Problems With Sponsoring Church IV. Arguments Made to Justify