“But He answered and said, ‘Every plant which My heavenly Father has not planted will be uprooted’” (Matt. 15:13)

INSTITUTIONALISM & THE CHURCH (4)

Must Hold Fast The Pattern!

HEBREWS 8:5 (Acts 7:44)“who serve the copy and shadow of the heavenly things, as Moses was divinely instructed when he was about to make the tabernacle. For He said, ‘See that you make all things according to the pattern shown you on the mountain.’”

2 TIMOTHY 1:13“Hold fast the pattern of sound words which you have heard from me, in faith and love which are in Christ Jesus.”

The WORK God Has Given TO THE CHURCH

1. Preach the gospel - 1 Thess. 1:8; Acts 11:22-24; Phil. 1:5-7

2. Edify the saints - 1 Cor. 14:26; Eph. 4:11-12; Acts 11:22f; 13:1-2

3. Relieve needy saints – Acts 6:1-6; 1 Cor. 16:1; 2 Cor. 8-9; 1 Tim. 5:16

Excludes non-ChristiansExcludes rich saints

IS THE CHURCH LIMITED TO GIVING CHARITY TO NEEDY SAINTS?

5

Parallel: Gopherwood Only?

Gopherwood•Genesis 6:14

The Scripture is silent on any other

kind of wood.

6

Parallel: Levi Only?

Levi•Hebrews 7:11-14

Moses was silent

regarding any other

tribe.

7

Parallel: Immersion Only?

Immersion•John 3:23•Acts 8:35-39•Romans 6:3, 4•Colossians 2:12

The Scripture is silent on any other

mode.

8

Parallel: A Cappella Only

Singing•Eph. 5:19•Col. 3:16•1 Cor. 14:15•Matt. 26:30•Jas. 5:13•Acts 16:25•Heb. 2:12

The Scripture is silent on any other

kind of music.

9

Benevolence: Saints ONLY

Saints•Acts 2:44-45•Acts 6:1-6•Acts 11:27-30•Rom. 15:26-27•1 Cor. 16:1•2 Cor. 8-9

The Scripture is silent regarding church charity to anyone but needy saints.

10

“Whatever the individual

CHRISTIAN can do, the CHURCH

can do!”

The Argument:

See Lesson 3

“If any believing man or woman has widows, let them relieve them, and do not let the church be burdened, that it may relieve those who are really widows” (1 Tim. 5:16)

• To Relieve Widows? • To Relieve Those Who Are Really Widows?

WHO is CHARGED?

THEINDIVIDUAL

THECHURC

H

12

The Argument:

•2 Cor. 9:13: ALL MEN•Are told that churches relieved the needs of all men•Are told that churches sent funds to relieve all men in Jerusalem, not just needy saints

13

Defending the Indefensible•Translation – “men” supplied by translators of KJV & NKJV

14

The Context:•Saints (Jerusalem & all others)•1 Cor. 16:1, 2 – for the saints•2 Cor. 8:4 – to the saints•2 Cor. 9:1 – to the saints•2 Cor. 9:12 – needs of saints•2 Cor. 9:13 (Rom. 15:27) – Sharing (fellowship) (Eph. 5:11; 2 Jno. 10-11)•2 Cor. 9:14 – Recipients prayed and longed for sending churches

Fellowship of Giving (2 Cor. 9:12-14)

CORINTH

“THEM” “ALL”

GOD

fellowship fellowship$$

Glory For ObedienceThanksgivingPrayers

Glory For ObedienceThanksgivingPrayers

- 2 Cor. 9:13 -

16

2 Corinthians 9:13• Money RAISED for saints, 1 Cor.

16:1; Rom. 15:26• Money SENT to saints, Rom. 15:25• Money RECEIVED by saints, Rom.

15:31• Money SUPPLIED NEEDS of saints,

2 Cor. 9:12DID PAUL MISAPPLY THESE FUNDS?!