LectureshipIssue.com

Who Has God Authorized to Preach the Gospel to the World?

by Peter McPherson

The following is what I have found in studying my New Testament:

1. We can go individually without church support (Acts 8:4; 18:3; 1 Thess.2:9; Mt. 5:13-16).
2. We can go and be supported in preaching by individuals (Gal.6:6).
3. We can be sent out to preach by a single local church from its treasury (Acts 13:1-3; 1 Cor. 9:14; Phil.4:15-16). 
4. We can be supported by a plurality of churches each sending support direct to a preacher where he is located in preaching (2 Cor. 11:8-9).

The above information constitutes "the sum" of what I see that the Bible teaches on going into the world with the gospel (Ps.119:160; Mk.16:15-16).

It can be seen that when it comes to the special collective "organization" (points 3 and 4 above) involved in sending forth the gospel to a lost and dying world it is only and specifically the blood-bought church of the Living God that has been chosen and authorized for this great work. (1 Tim.3:15; Acts 20:28; Phil.1:1).

Question to all. What organized unit in the New Testament do you see for preaching the gospel, either permanently or temporarily? All I see is the local Church of Christ. That is good enough for me. Is that all you see? Then beware of human Institutions and Foundations that rival (intentionally of Unintentionally) the work and worship of the only organized collective that the New Testament reveals, namely, the local church (Acts 13:1-3; 14:27).

May God help us to see clearly the above truth. That whether "in the church" universally (no collective action revealed; thus we do not have the right to assume any such collective action) or "in the church" locally (in its local organizational sense, Phil1:1, etc.), it is "to Him be glory in the church by Christ Jesus to all generations, forever and ever. Amen" (Eph.3:21)