1 What Standard? Bible P T U E R X E T Inject Human Traditions & Opinions Polluted Standard

2 The Scriptures Furnish Us With All Truth John 16:13 “However, when He, the Spirit of truth, has come, He will guide you into all truth; for He will not speak on His own authority, but what- ever He hears He will speak; and He will tell you things to come.” New Testa ment }

3 Division Arose A problem arose among brethren over instrumental music in worship as well as the Missionary Society. They challenged the scripturalness of both these items. In 1906, (just about 100 years after men were pleading for people to return to the Bible and do away with division), the division among these same people was complete. Now the call from men “Back to the Bible” was a hollow sound in the ears of many. The division that came brought into being Christian Churches and Churches of Christ. Would that be the end of division?

Abiding IN The Doctrine of Christ “Whoever transgresses and does not abide IN the doctrine of Christ does not have God. He who abides IN the doctrine of Christ hath both the Father and the Son” (II John 9). IN The Doctrine of Christ 1. God’s Plan of Salvation 2. Church Organization 3. Acts of Worship 4. Work of the Church New Testament 4

5 Work of the Church Work 1. Evangelism — I Timothy 3:15 2. Edification — Ephesians 4:16 3. Benevolence — I Timothy 5:16 Any Work God Gave A Local Church To Do May Be Done By That Church Without Its Setting Up Or Working Through Any Other Organization!

6 Work of the Church The Sponsoring Church Arrangement Sponsor — “One who binds himself to answer for another’s fault; a surety. Hence, one who assumes, or one to whom is delegated, responsibility for some other person or thing. To be or stand sponsor for; to accept responsibility for.” — Webster

7 Work of the Church The Sponsoring Church Arrangement What Is A Sponsoring Church? 1. It is a congregation which assumes the oversight and control of some activity in the general field of evangelism, edification, or benevolence. 2. Being general, the work involved is not the exclusive responsibility of one congregation, but, proportionate to their ability, is the work of all the churches.

8 Work of the Church The Sponsoring Church Arrangement What Is A Sponsoring Church? 3. The congregation assuming the oversight of and control cannot sustain the work undertaken alone. 4. Many congregations delegate their funds and responsibilities to the overseeing and controlling congregation for their fulfillment and application or expenditure.

9 Work of the Church The Sponsoring Church Arrangement What Is A Sponsoring Church? 5. The elders of the sponsoring church thus become the official board of a “church cooperation” vested with the authority of overseeing, controlling, and prosecuting the work involved. It Is A Violation of Autonomy - Autonomous: “Independent in government; self-governing; also, without outside control. Existing independently.” — Webster

10 OVERSIGHT LIMITED Local Church - Elders Indepen dent Equa l Autonom ous Sufficie nt Acts 20:28 “Take heed therefore unto yourselves, and to all the flock, over the which the Holy Ghost hath made you overseers, to feed the church of God, which He hath purchased with His own blood.” I Peter 5:2-3 “Feed the flock of God which is among you, taking the oversight thereof, not by constraint, but willingly; not for filthy lucre, but of a ready mind; 3 Neither as being lords over God's heritage, but being ensamples to the flock.”

11 Work of the Church Radio Programs The Herald of Truth “In the late 1940s two young men preaching in the Middle West — James W. Nichols in Cedar Rapids, Iowa and James D. Willeford of Madison, Wisconsin — began working together in the production of a regional radio program known as the Herald of Truth. The program had wide acceptance throughout five states; and as the church began to grow throughout that whole region, these young men began to realize the

12 Work of the Church Radio Programs The Herald of Truth great impact the airwaves could have for Christ. In 1951, the Mutual radio network made an offer to broadcast this program — if sufficient funds could be made available....When the network opportunity was presented to the elders of the Highland Church of Christ in Abilene, Texas, in September 1951, the experience could best be described as ‘staggering and unforgettable’. What a great opportunity... and if the brethren would help…” (The Herald of Truth Story - page 1)

13 What Is A Sponsoring Church? Sponsoring Church Arrangement $ $ $ $ $ $ $ $ Herald of Truth Radio and TV Programs Highland church of Christ

Sponsoring Church Board Made Up of Elders Herald of Truth Radio Human Institution C C C C Controls 1. Appoints, 2. Fixes Wages, 3. Selects Fields of Labor $ $ $ $

Missionary Society Executive Board Delegat es Send Out Missionari es Send Out Missionarie s Human Institution C C C C Controls 1. Appoints, 2. Fixes Wages, 3. Selects Fields of Labor $ $$ $ 1515

Sponsoring Church Board Made Up of Elders Herald of Truth Radio Human Institution C C C C Controls 1. Appoints, 2. Fixes Wages, 3. Selects Fields of Labor $ $ $ $ 1616

Missionary Society Executive Board Delegate s Send Out Missionari es Send Out Missionarie s Human Institution C C C C Controls 1. Appoints, 2. Fixes Wages, 3. Selects Fields of Labor $ $$ $ 1717

18 What Has God Assigned To The Church In Evangelism? Local Churches Received Report From The Preacher Acts 14:26-27 Local Churches Sent Directly To The Preacher II Corinthians 11:8-9 Local Church Paid the Preacher Philippines 4:15-16 I Corinthians 9:12; II Corinthians 12:13 Local Church Selected A Preacher Local Church Defined Territory of Labor Local Church Sent Out Preacher Acts 11:22-24

19 A Divine Example of Evangelism “Other Churches Sent Directly to Paul” II Corinthians 11:8 $ $ $ $ $ $ $ $ Philippi Sent Directly to Paul - Phil 4:15-17 $ $

20 Where Is The Scriptural Authority? (Command - Statement, Example or Necessary Implication) For a church (or churches) to send funds to another church to preach the gospel. $$$ $$

21 Are We Anti-Church Cooperation? Two Kinds Of Cooperation Sponsoring Church Concurrent $ $ $ $ $ $ $ $ $ $ $ $ $ $$ Work To Be Done

22 Local Church ONLY Organization In N.T. Missionary Society (Sponsoring Church) Nothing Larger Sunday School Organization Nothing Smaller

23 A Plea For All Times Back to the Bible Our Plea: “Let’s speak where the Bible speaks, and be silent where the Bible is silent. Let’s do Bible things in Bible ways and call Bible things by Bible names.” This plea is based on Bible teaching: I Peter 4:11 “If anyone speaks, let him speak as the oracles of God...” Colossians 3:17 “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.”

24 A Plea For All Times Back to the Bible Colossians 3:17 “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.” onoma — 1) name: universally, used of proper names; 2) the name is used for everything which the name covers, everything the thought or feeling of which is aroused in the mind by mentioning, hearing, remembering, the name, that is, for one's rank, authority, interests, pleasure, command, excellencies, deeds etc. (from Thayer's Greek Lexicon).

25 Where Is The Scriptural Authority For: Practice Approved Example Paying A I Cor. 9:4,14 II Cor.11:8-9 I Tim.4:12,15 Preacher Direct Support to Preacher Command Necessary Implication Phil. 4:15 II Cor. 11:8 Elders Over- seeing only one church I Peter 5:1- 3 Acts 20: I Timothy 3:5 Elders Planning a work beyond their financial ability ? ? ? Several Churches Working Through One Church ? ? ? Have We Given Up The Demand For A “THUS SAITH THE LORD”

26 New Testament Plan Vs. Modern Plan New Testament Plan Sponsoring Church Plan 1. Local Church Selected A Preacher Acts 11: Local Church Defined Territory of Labor Acts 11:22-24 Sponsoring Church Defines Territory of Labor 3. Local Church Sent Out Preacher Acts 11:22-24 Sponsoring Church Sends Out Preacher 4. Local Church Paid the Preacher Philippians 4:15-16 Church Pays the Sponsoring Ch & Sponsoring Church Pays Preacher 5. Local Church Sent Directly To Preacher II Corinthians 11:8-9 Churches Sends to Sp. Church & Sponsoring Ch Sends to Preacher Let’s Follow The New Testament Plan! Sponsoring Church Selects A Preacher. 6. Local Church Received Report from Preacher Acts 14:26-27 Sponsoring Church Receives Report and Reports to Churches

God’s Conditions of Salvation For The Alien Sinner Believe - Hebrews 11:6; John 8:21, 24 Repent - Luke 13:3; Acts 17:30 Confess - Romans 10:10 Be Baptized - Acts 2:38; Romans 6:3-4 God’s Conditions of Salvation for the Christian Remain Faithful - Matthew 10:22; Revelation 2:10 If A Christian Sins Repent - Acts 8:22 Confess - I John 1:9 Pray - Acts 8:22