The Work of the Church - Evangelism (1) The New Testament Church 2017

What is the church? Ephesians 3:10-11 – the church, is a part of God’s eternal plan It is also a manifestation of God’s wisdom. We MUST respect His pattern!

What is the church? From the Greek, ἐκκλησία, ekklēsia – to call out, as in an assembly. In the NT, it is reference to an assembly of God’s people (the saved) – we are called out of the world and into relationship with Him and with one another. Used in 2 senses – universal and local

What is the church? Universal – all who are in saved relationship with God (registered in heaven). Has no earthly organization or function. Matthew 16:18, Acts 2:47, Hebrews 12:23, Ephesians 1:22-23, etc.

What is the church? Local – a congregation. A group of the saved who join together in an orderly & organized fashion to do the work God has given us to do together. There are MANY local congregations (churches) 1 Corinthians 1:2, Galatians 1:2, 1 Timothy 3:15, Romans 16:16, Ephesians 1:22-23, etc.

What is the church? WHICH one is part of God’s plan? Both the universal church and local congregations are a part of His plan! Much of the NT pattern is directed toward local congregations. His plan WILL work and if all respect and follow it, we CAN achieve unity!

What is the church? Every local church is independent and autonomous Independent – free from attachment to another Autonomous – self-governing. Each local church exists as if it were the only one on earth

What is the work of the church? Evangelism – seeking the lost Edification – building up the saints Benevolence – relieving material needs of the saints Worship – praising God together as He prescribes

What is the work of the church? Every work done by the local church respected and maintained their independence and autonomy Elders respected their boundaries

What is the church? Churches DID cooperate… It was always concurrent – working toward a common goal while maintaining their autonomy and independence It was NOT collective – pooling resources together with oversight surrendered to another congregation or organization

What is the church? Acts 20:28; 1 Peter 5:2-3 Elders are entrusted with shepherding the local work over which they serve Acts 20:28; 1 Peter 5:2-3 There is NO example of elders overseeing a work greater than their local congregation.

Evangelize Evangelize – to convert one to another religion (Webster) to convert one to Christianity (Random House) While “evangelize” is not used in the NT, the concept is. And it is a from of a Greek word.

Evangelize εὐαγγέλιον (euangelion) Gospel, “to tell the good news” (L&N, 33.217) “God’s good news to humans, good news as proclamation” (BDAG) Some 77 times in NT

Evangelize Evangelist – A proclaimer of the “good news” or gospel Acts 21:8, Ephesians 4:11, 2 Timothy 4:5

Evangelism A primary function of the church The church of the first century continually grew through evangelism

Evangelism It is through the preaching of the gospel that man is saved – Romans 1:16,17, 10:14-17 James 1:21 1 Corinthians 1:21

Evangelism The Great Commission – Matthew 28:18-20, Mark 16:15-16 Cf. Acts 1:8, 8:4, 5-13, 2 Timothy 2:2 Evangelism is important

Evangelism Christians are to evangelize – Acts 8:4 1 Peter 3:15 2 Corinthians 5:10-11 Philippians 2:14-16 1 Peter 2:9 Every example of conversion!

Evangelism Churches and evangelism 1 Thessalonians 1:8 Acts 11:22-23 1 Timothy 3:14-15 The survival of the church depends upon this!

How Churches Evangelized They edified the saints – built them up spiritually to teach Ephesians 4:11-16

How Churches Evangelized They supported efforts to preach the gospel - locally 1 Thessalonians 1:8 Paul – Ephesus, Acts 19:10, 20:31 Jerusalem and its growth

How Churches Evangelized They supported efforts to preach the gospel - abroad Philippians 1:3-5, 2:25-30, 4:14-20 They supported Paul in Thessalonica and perhaps elsewhere

How Churches Evangelized The support of Phillipi No human organizations (i.e. missionary societies) or sponsoring churches. Funds sent directly to Paul (not to a local church) They maintained independence and autonomy Paul at Thessalonica Phil. 4:15-16 Philippi Paul in Thessalonica $

How Churches Evangelized Philippi was NOT a sponsoring church! Consider Phil. 4:15, “shared” and Phil. 1:4, “fellowship” BOTH words are from the Greek κοινωνία, (koinonia) which means “fellowship”.

How Churches Evangelized IF Phillip was a Sponsoring Church Phil. 4:15-16 Philippi Paul in Thessalonica $ Church 1 Church 2 Fellowship NO Fellowship Philippi was NOT a sponsoring church! IF Philippi was a SC, then other congregations had NO “fellowship” with their resources which defeats the arguments being made.

How Churches Evangelized Paul at Corinth 2 Corinthians 11:7-8 Ephesus Paul in Corinth $ Thess. Philippi They supported efforts to preach the gospel - abroad 2 Corinthians 11:7-8 While in Corinth, more than one church supported Paul

Examples today In this electronic age there are churches that are doing good works with websites, television and radio programs, social media, etc. as well as more conventional ways of reaching the lost IF a local work takes on such an effort by itself, it is authorized.

Examples today BUT, there are also churches that have chosen to “sponsor” works larger than itself Truth in love Broadcast (ttil.tv, Bedford, TX) In Search (searchtv.org, Edmond, OK) gbntv.org (Southaven, MS) Such violates scriptural examples of autonomy! Sponsoring Church Elders of Southaven Church of Christ Southaven, MS GBNTV.ORG Brown Trail, Bedford, TX Centergrove Church of Christ, Gainesboro, TN $ Where in Scripture?

Examples today Other examples: Sometimes churches might “sponsor” the evangelism of a particular country. They hire and send preachers. They solicit funds from individuals and other churches. WHERE is the Biblical example?

Examples today NOTE: That what these churches are doing is good works is NOT disputed! They may even be teaching the truth! BUT WHERE is the authority?

Is It A Big Deal? Respect authority – such are additions, NOT aids It is NOT the pattern of NT! Such things tamper with autonomy of the local church Often, when we disregard God’s pattern in one area, it will lead to the same attitude in other areas

Is It A Big Deal? Respect for authority Such gives one congregation too much power. Example – all support a preacher needs sent by one congregation. WHAT if error is involved? Costs of running programs often huge. Solicitation for funds

Is It A Big Deal? Respect for authority In time, the truth is often sanitized with the works Such works divide brethren They denominationalize the church Where does it end?

Thoughts: NOTE: There are churches that are failing to carry out their responsibilities in evangelism! They do not encourage members, or engage in what efforts they can! But such is no excuse for going outside of God’s boundaries (1 Cor. 4:6)

Final note ANYTHING a church does that is authorized in scripture… IS no substitute for each of us carrying our own load!

Will we respect His pattern in what we do? God’s way WILL work! Will we respect His pattern in what we do?