The New Testament Church – 8 Is there a difference between the individual and the church? Parts I & II

A Christian at all times! Always a disciple! Acts 11:26 More than mere belief or being part of a “sound” congregation. More than simply obeying the gospel

A Christian at all times! It is about submission, obedience and conformity 1 Peter 1:13-16, James 1:21-25 It is a way of life, “24/7”. Being a Christian will influence every area of your life.

Spiritual Eph. 4:1-16 Personal Matt. 5:8-9 1 Cor. 13 Based on chart, Walking by Faith, pg. 30. Roy E. Cogdill © 1967

A Christian at all times! Family relationships 1 Peter 3:1-7, Ephesians 5:22-33 Ephesians 6:1-4

A Christian at all times! Civil relationship – obey your government Romans 13:1-7, 1 Peter 2:13-17, Luke 20:25, 1 Timothy 2:1-4

A Christian at all times! Social relationships – within your community 1 Peter 2:12, Colossians 4:5 Social media Benevolence - James 1:27,…

A Christian at all times! Economic relationship – the need to work 2 Thess. 3:10, 1 Thess. 4:11-12, 1 Tim. 5:8, Col. 3:22-4:1 1 Tim. 6:10, Matt. 6:19- 21

A Christian at all times! Spiritual relationships – including the church Ephesians 4:1-16

A Christian at all times! Personal relationship – be true to yourself – affects all other relationships Matt. 5:8-9, 1 Cor. 13:1- 3, 2 Pet. 1:5-11, etc.

Spiritual Eph. 4:1-16 Personal Matt. 5:8-9 1 Cor. 13 Based on chart, Walking by Faith, pg. 30. Roy E. Cogdill © 1967

A Christian at all times! In each of these areas, one must follow God’s instructions To neglect any of them is to fail to be a Christian. We cannot pass on our responsibilities to the government OR the church!

A Christian at all times! While the individual CAN, the church CANNOT: Provide secular education Provide recreation and entertainment Tell us how to vote (though Biblical teaching is done) Provide us with job training Seek to reform society … NOTE: What you do as a Christian IS a reflection upon the church!

There is a difference: Dealing with sinning brethren Matthew 18:15-17 Individual, Go to him, take 2-3 with you Church, vs. 17 only at “step 3” does the church become involved.

There is a difference: Separate treasuries Acts 4:32-5:11 Collective, Land sold and laid at the apostles feet Individual, 5:4 “While it remained, was it not your own? And after it was sold, was it not in your own control?...”

There is a difference: Separate places to eat 1 Corinthians 11:20-32 Church, vs. 20, 33 (Acts 20:7) they came together to partake of the Lord’s Supper Individual, vs. 22, 34 Go to him, take 2-3 with you

There is a difference: Helping needy widows 1 Timothy 5:3-16 Church, vs. 5, 9-10, 16 the church CAN help “widows indeed” Individual, vs. 4, 8, (young widows to seek husbands) 16 “Do NOT let the church be burdened”

Some duties to both church and individuals Teaching - Acts 8:4, Acts 11:19-26 Individuals took and preached the gospel in Antioch (11:19- 20) Church sent Barnabas to Antioch ( 11:22-24 ) Barnabas and Saul ( 11:25-26 )

Some duties to both church and individuals Benevolence – we have identified both church and individual benevolence Much of what the church does depends upon individuals doing their part (Acts 11:29, 1 Cor. 16:1-2)

Some duties to both church and individuals Discipline – 1 Corinthians 5 Church publicly withdraws (6-7) Individual must act properly (5:19-23, cf. James 5:19- 20) Consider what is needed for discipline to properly work

Some duties to both church and individuals Worship – 1 Corinthians 14:26 Church collective acts (Lord’s Supper - 1 Cor. 10:16, 11:33, Acts 20:7) Individual proper attitude (1 Cor. 11:27-29)

Some duties to both church and individuals Growth – Ephesians 4:16 Church grows cf. Acts 2:41, 4:4, 5:14, 6:1, etc.) Individual do their share Eph. 4:16, 1 Cor. 12:26-27 We need to care about the church!

Some duties to both church and individuals In these examples we see: While working together the church collectively and individuals maintained distinctive roles There is no conflict as they carry out their roles They cooperate CONCURRENTLY The church does NOT take over individual responsibilities

Respecting God’s Authority Context of a passage is important In studying the work of the church, we have sought to properly apply each text in its context. ( 1 Cor. 4:6 )

Respecting God’s Authority What about James 1:27? “Pure and undefiled religion before God and the Father is this: to visit orphans and widows in their trouble, and to keep oneself unspotted from the world.” Is this individual or church action? Or both?

Respecting God’s Authority The context of James 1:21-27 Receive with meekness the implanted word ( 21 ) Be doers of the word ( 22 ) If ANYONE is a hearer…He is like a man … ( )

Respecting God’s Authority The context of James 1:21-27 If anyone thinks HE is religious… this one’s religion ( 26 ) Pure and undefiled religion ( 27 ) To keep ONESELF unspotted ( 27 )

Respecting God’s Authority What about Galatians 6:10? “Therefore, as we have opportunity, let us do good to all, especially to those who are of the household of faith.” Is this individual or church action? Or both?

Respecting God’s Authority The context of Galatians 6:1- 10 Receive with meekness the implanted word ( 21 ) Be doers of the word ( 22 ) If ANYONE is a hearer…He is like a man … ( )

Respecting God’s Authority It is argued that since Galatians was written to churches ( Galatians 1:2 ) then whatever commands are given therein can be carried out collectively. Faulty reasoning because a letter can be written to a congregation OR congregations and a passage be addressed to the INDIVIDUALS within that congregation. ( cf. Gal. 3:26-27, 5:2-4 ) LOOK at the context! 1 Cor. 4:6, 2 Peter 3:16

Respecting God’s Authority The context of Galatians 6:1-10 If a man is overtaken, “YOU” (pl) who are spiritual…considering YOURSELF (s) lest YOU (s) be tempted ( 6:1 ) Bear one another’s (pl) burdens ( 6:2 )

Respecting God’s Authority The context of Galatians 6:1-10 If “ANYONE” (s) thinks HIMSELF to be something… (s) ( 6:3 ) Let EACH ONE (s) examine HIS OWN works (s) ( 6:4 ) Each one (s) shall bear HIS OWN (s) load ( 6:5 )

Respecting God’s Authority The context of Galatians 6:1-10 Let HIM (s) who is taught share with HIM (s) who teaches ( 6:6 ) Whatever A MAN (s) sows that HE (s) will also reap…( 6:7-8 ) Let US (pl) not grow weary in doing good, for in due season WE (pl) shall reap if we do not lose heart ( 6:9 )

Respecting God’s Authority The context of Galatians 6:1-10 “Therefore as WE (pl) have opportunity, let US (pl) do good to ALL (pl), especially those who are of the household of faith.” NOTE: The plural is dealing with individual Christians (pl). WHO wrote this letter? PAUL Is he included in “we” and “us”? WAS he a member of the church anywhere in Galatia as he wrote this?

Respecting God’s Authority The context of Galatians 6:1- 10 Observation: Is this text dealing specifically with benevolence? While the instructions might include benevolence, what is the text about? Building each other up spiritually!

There is a distinction between the church and the individual. Let us respect God’s boundaries even in this!

Are you serving God faithfully in every aspect of your life?