LectureshipIssue.com

By-Passing the Local Church

by Peter McPherson

THE LOCAL CHURCH

The local church is the only body authorized by God to perform organized spiritual functions to His glory. And those functions, of course, must all be authorized by the New Testament Scriptures. Most of these are actually done when a local church - when "the whole church comes together in one place" (1 Cor. 14:23). Local churches of Christ are to assemble for worship (Heb. 10:25), for preaching and teaching (Acts 20:7), for Bible classes (Mt. 28:20; 1 Cor. 14:40; to hear gospel news and reports (Acts 11:22; 14:27), to be informed about the members (1 Cor. 5:4; James 2:8-9), to partake of the Lord's Supper (Acts 20:7; 1 Cor. 11:20 with 23-26,33), to contribute into a common treasury (1 Cor. 16:1-2), to sing (Eph.5:19; Col. 3:16), and to pray (Acts 12:5,12). It is immaterial exactly where a local church assembles for any of the above (Jn.4:23-24). The above does not limit such things as the elders getting together separately and making plans for the church and its work (Acts 20:17; Gal.2:2). Also, the procedure of corrective discipline usually begins privately and then proceeds to "the church" (in a church where there are appointed elders surely they would be first to know and through them they would "tell it to the church (Mt. 18:15-17). Too, in handling benevolent situations in the church the funds are handled by "the elders" and then distributed those in need (Acts 11:27-30, etc.).

GOD'S PERFECT PLAN

The above, does it not, constitutes all that the Scriptures teach concerning the Lord's local church which is said to be "the pillar and support of the truth (1 Tim.3:1-15). It is a thorough picture. Nothing is left out (2 Tim.3:16-17). What more is there? God has given a perfect plan and He has given us a complete body in which to carry out his plan, the local congregation. To be a "sound" church whether large or small, each congregation needs to be a teaching church, considering the needs and abilities of its members and doing all that it can to fulfill those learning needs. Thus it would acquire teaching aids, class materials, order any special books for any special subject - like on Evolution, The Family, etc.

A CHURCH LIKE ANTIOCH

In some congregations there might be more "teachers" as there were in the church at Antioch (Acts 13:1), therefore a local church that would be able to do more than another local church that has less teachers. Antioch had five qualified teachers: "Barnabas, Simeon who is called Niger, Lucius or Cyrene, Manaen…. And Saul." With such a good number of fine teachers that church "taught many people" (Acts 11:26). We might say that that church was, to borrow modern terminology, "a school of teaching." But notice, it conducted its own work with its own resources. That is to say, it did not attempt to be bigger in operation than what it actually was. There was no super organization established. Antioch was still just a local church with a number of teachers doing its own work. It did not become like many "Schools of Preaching" today that must receive large sums of money from many other churches of Christ to offer the programs that they do. The former is scriptural and in harmony with revealed truth, the latter is not.

A KNOWN ABOUT CHURCH

When a church has a number of qualified teachers or it has the ability to acquire a number of teachers there is nothing unscriptural with that church making known its ability and program for any who might like to take advantage of the classes offered at that congregation. Of course potential dangers are possible with such. As long the teachers are sound, those taught will be sound. Otherwise more are led astray. Too, a sizeable church that is all-sufficient might arrange for a special meeting or a lectureship on a particular topic and invite brethren to come from near and far. Though there are potentials in such for the wider spread or error, if the teachers are sound, it can be faith-building. The idea is not inherently flawed. This kind of lectureship is conducted here and there from time to time. The church at Thayer St., in Akron, Ohio conducted a special Lectureship Program each fall for many years. I see where other congregations have done the same thing or where different churches in an area have rotated hosting such a Lectureship. For a number years now a different congregation hosted a special tent meeting at a park at Burkesville, KY. There was not super organization. It was not done to glorify or to advertise any human organization. It was all done to the glory of God through the church.

WHY DEVISE OTHER WAYS?

As stated above, it is immaterial just where a congregation meets for its authorized activities. But, when a local church has the facilities within its own building or it has the ability to make use of a larger facility to host a Lectureship, why would brethren devise another plan involving a human arrangement. Why not give God the glory through His ordained body?

THE GUARDIAN OF TRUTH LECTURESHIPS

When The Guardian of Truth Foundation or any other human body whether a School or any other Institution, arranges for and conducts the work and worship that God has ordained His organized church to do, such is an alternative, a substitute, an option to God’s arrangement. Thus it by-passes His chosen way. That, I see, as a serious presumption.