1. 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)

2. 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 ( )
Institutional churches of Christ

3. 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)

4. Divisions of the Lord’s Church
The Sponsoring Church

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

6. Sponsoring Church $ $ $ $ Sponsoring Church Preach Gospel Local Church

7. Sponsoring Church
I. History Behind It

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

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

10. 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

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

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

13. Sponsoring Church
I. History Behind It
II. The Issue

14. 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?

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

16. A. No Authority

17. How Authority Is Established
Acts 15
VV – 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 – Peter appealed to events at Cornelius’ house – infers…
Necessary Inference

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

19. 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

20. 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.

21. 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.

22. 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?

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

24. 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

25. 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”

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

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

28. 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

29. 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

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

31. 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

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

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

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

35. 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

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

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

38. 1 Cor. 16:1-2; 2 Cor. 8-9 Thess. Philippi Galatia Corinth Antioch
Paul, Titus & others - Messengers
Jerusalem

39. 1 Cor. 16:1-2; 2 Cor. 8-9 NOT: Thess. Galatia Philippi Antioch Corinth
Paul, Titus & others - Messengers
Jerusalem

40. 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

41. 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”

42. 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

43. 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

44. 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

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