There Have Always Been Questions, Issues, & Problems Among Brethren Is circumcision essential to salvation (Acts 15)? Is circumcision essential to salvation (Acts 15)? From among “yourselves” – perverse things (Acts 20:30) From among “yourselves” – perverse things (Acts 20:30) Doctrine of no resurrection (1 Cor. 15:12) Doctrine of no resurrection (1 Cor. 15:12) Colossian Heresy (Col. 2) Colossian Heresy (Col. 2) Some will depart giving heed to error (1 Tim. 4:1-3) Some will depart giving heed to error (1 Tim. 4:1-3) Doctrine that 2 nd Coming is imminent (1 Thess) Doctrine that 2 nd Coming is imminent (1 Thess) Judaism (Hebrews, etc.) Judaism (Hebrews, etc.)

During The Restoration Movement Pointing men back to the Bible: “Where the Bible speaks, we speak; where it is silent, we are silent.” Pointing men back to the Bible: “Where the Bible speaks, we speak; where it is silent, we are silent.” Called for men to lay aside opinions and unite upon the Scriptures Called for men to lay aside opinions and unite upon the Scriptures Soon two major mindsets developed: Soon two major mindsets developed: 1.Church can do only what is positively authorized 2.Church can do anything not specifically forbidden Division was inevitable! Division was inevitable!

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

Churches of Christ Divided In mid 1900s  Issues: Sponsoring Church (Hearld of Truth) Sponsoring Church (Hearld of Truth) Orphan Homes Orphan Homes Colleges in Church Budget Colleges in Church Budget Social Gospel (Recreation) Social Gospel (Recreation)  Result: Split among churches Split among churches Institutional churches of Christ Institutional churches of Christ

Divisions Within The Church of Christ 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 Within The Church of Christ The Missionary Society

I.History Behind It

A. Born out of desire to evangelize the world 1.Great motive (Mark 16:15) 2.Crying need in America & foreign soil 3.Not enough was being done

I.History Behind It A. Born out of desire to evangelize the world B. Alexander Campbell - responsible

Alexander Campbell 1831 – Wrote a series in Millennial Harbinger – Argued that church can do what individual can’t, so a group of churches can do what a local church cannot “A Church can do what an individual disciple cannot, and so can a district of churches do what a single congregation cannot.” “The New Testament furnishes the principles which call forth our energies, but suggest no plan…”

Alexander Campbell 1831 – Wrote a series in Millennial Harbinger – Argued that church can do what individual can’t, so a group of churches can do what a local church cannot Not much said for 10 years 1841 – Pushed stronger for an organization to help “I am so deeply penetrated with the necessity of a more intimate organization, union and cooperation than at present existing among us, that I feel myself in duty bound again to invite the attention of the brotherhood…to a more thorough and profound consideration of the subject than they have ever given to it.”

Alexander Campbell 1831 – Wrote a series in Millennial Harbinger – Argued that church can do what individual can’t, so a group of churches can do what a local church cannot Not much said for 10 years 1841 – Pushed stronger for an organization to help Clear: Campbell wants brotherhood wide organizations through which churches may cooperate to preach the gospel – 1948 wrote another series on “church organizations”

Campbell’s Six Reasons 1.We can do comparatively nothing in distributing the Bible abroad without cooperation. 2.We can do comparatively but little in the great missionary field of the world either at home or abroad without cooperation 3.We can do little or nothing to improve and elevate the Christian ministry without cooperation 4.We can do but little to check, restrain, and remove the flood of imposture and fraud committed upon the benevolence of the brethren by irresponsible, plausible, and deceptious persons, without cooperation 5.We cannot concentrate the action of the tens of thousands of Israel, in any great Christian effort, but by cooperation 6.We can have no through cooperation without a more ample, extensive, and through church organization.

I.History Behind It A. Born out of desire to evangelize the world B. Alexander Campbell – responsible C. First Missionary Society 1.October 23, 1849 – 2.Cincinnati, OH 3.American Christian Missionary Society 4.Campbell was first president

I.History Behind It A. Born out of desire to evangelize the world B. Alexander Campbell – responsible C. First Missionary Society D. Opposition from the conservatives 1.Campbell had opposed such organizations in 1820’s –but changed! Gospel Advocate started

Gospel Advocate 1855 Objective: To oppose the Missionary Society Tolbert Fanning David Lipscomb William Lipscomb

The Missionary Society I.History Behind It II.What It Is

Missionary Society Missionary Society Local Church Local Church Local Church Local Church $ $ $ $ Support Preachers A Separate Organization Between The Church And The Work A Separate Organization Between The Church And The Work

The Issue At Hand Not: The preaching of the Gospel Not: The preaching of the Gospel Not: The churches responsibility to evangelize the world Not: The churches responsibility to evangelize the world Not: How little is being done Not: How little is being done Not: How much good could be done by Missionary Society Not: How much good could be done by Missionary Society IS: Where is the scripture for the organization between the church and the work being done? IS: Where is the scripture for the organization between the church and the work being done?

The Missionary Society I.History Behind It II.What It Is III.Objections To It

A. No Bible Authority

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

Illustrated with Lord’s Supper Authority Command / Statement Approved Example Necessary Inference Observance (1 Cor. 11:23-24) Time of Observance (Acts 20:7) Frequency of Observance (Acts 20:7)

Command / Statement Approved Example Necessary Inference Missionary Society None None None

There Is A Difference Radio Station Newspaper Internet Host TV Station Sign Company Radio Station Newspaper Internet Host TV Station Sign Company Buying A Service Contribution Radio Station Newspaper Internet Host TV Station Sign Company Radio Station Newspaper Internet Host TV Station Sign Company

III.Objections To It A. No Bible Authority B. Denies the All Sufficiency of the Church 1.Church can do its own work (1 Tim. 3:15; Eph. 4:12) 2.Church can send men to preach (Acts 13) 3.Church can support men to preach (2 Cor. 11:8; Phil. 4:15) 4.Man is trying to “improve” God’s plan with organizations

III.Objections To It A. No Bible Authority B. Denies the All Sufficiency of the Church C. Seeks to Activate the Church Universal 1.Church (Universal): Made up of individual Christians (Acts 2:47) Made up of individual Christians (Acts 2:47) No officers, work, or organization No officers, work, or organization No treasury No treasury 2.No organization larger than the local church (1 Tim. 3:15) 3.Campbell viewed the universal church as a group of local churches. (“…a district of churches…”)

The Missionary Society I.History Behind It II.What It Is III.Objections To It IV.Arguments to Justify It

A. Expedient 1.Campbell: Told what, but not given a plan 2.Briney (Otey – Briney Debate1908): Method is not prescribed 3.An expedient must first be lawful (1 Cor. 6:12) 4.God told us which organization: the Church (1 Tim. 3:15)

IV.Arguments to Justify It A. Expedient B. Good that is Done 1.“The end justifies the means” 2. This way – more work being done – gospel is preached! 3. End does not justify the means – Uzzah (2 Sam. 6:1-11) 4. Cannot go beyond the word (2 John 9)

IV.Arguments to Justify It A. Expedient B. Good that is Done C. Those that Object – Oppose Missionary Work 1.False charge 2.Those that opposed the ACMS did not oppose preaching 3. Interesting that it is an “expedient”, but if you object – against the work itself!

IV.Arguments to Justify It A. Expedient B. Good that is Done C. Those that Object – Oppose Missionary Work D. Way for church to cooperate 1.Real question is one of Authority 2.Where does Bible say churches must cooperate?

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

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

The Missionary Society I.History Behind It II.What It Is III.Objections To It IV.Arguments to Justify It