Institutionalismand “Battles of the Past”

recalling and learning from a previous generation’s work

Introduction

are some “non-institutional” churches falling into the same patterns seen 50-60 years ago? such patterns are common across generations

perhaps a contributing factor is a lack of understanding of what the issues were support of human institutions, sponsoring

churches, fellowship halls, and open benevolence

younger generations may know these are wrong, but do they know why they are wrong?

The Issues at Hand

support of human institutions sponsoring churches fellowship halls (social gospel) open benevolence

many might look at this as list of restrictions (that’s where the term “anti” originated) however, the real issue is in what

context can we do these things, as an individual or as the church?

Establishing Authority

if authority not established, then worship is in vain (Col. 3:17)(Lev. 10:1-3) “by those who come near me, I must be

regarded as holy, and before the people I must be glorified”

“make all things according to the pattern” (Heb. 8:5-6; 2:1-3)

silence can not authorize! (Heb. 7:11-14)

Support of Human Institutionscan a church support wholesome institutions, e.g., orphan’s homes?

Support of Human Institutions

the pattern concerning the local church’s support of efforts of evangelism/edification directly to preachers (Phil. 4:15-16; 2:25)

similar pattern of benevolence directly to local church with saints in

need (Acts 11:27-30)(Rom. 15:25-26)(1 Cor. 16:1-4)

The Biblical Pattern

preacher

local church

local church

$ $$

No Pattern Found

preacher

local church

local church

$ $$

missionary society / preacher school

$$

$

The Biblical Pattern

local church

local church

local church

$ $$

to the elders to distribute to their needy brethren

No Pattern Found

orphan home /

food bank

local church

local church

$ $$

Support of Human Institutions

the pattern concerning the local church’s support of efforts of evangelism/edification directly to preachers (Phil. 4:15-16; 2:25)

similar pattern of benevolence directly to local church with saints in

need (Acts 11:27-30)(Rom. 15:25-26)(1 Cor. 16:1-4)

can we improve upon God’s pattern?

The Sponsoring Churchcan one church improve its abilities by accepting support from others?

The Biblical Pattern

local church

abilitieslocal door-knockinglimited mail-outspart-time preacher

members

$

The Sponsoring Church

local church

sponsoring church

$$$

abilitiescommunity ministriesprofessional marketingfull-time preachersoverseas worketc…

members

$

The Sponsoring Church

local church

large church w/ many

ministries

$

local church

local church

local church

$

$

$

The Sponsoring Church

while being able to do more is a desirable goal, are these means authorized?

violates local church autonomy just as an eldership should not hand

their duty to an institution, they should not hand it to another congregation or eldership (1 Pet. 5:2-3)

God never instructed churches to act outside their means – what they could do was enough (2 Cor. 8:1-5)(2 Tim. 3:16-17)

Fellowship Halls, Social Mealswhat is the authorized purpose of our gathering as a church?

Fellowship Halls & Social Meals

our purpose of coming together as a church sing and pray (1 Cor. 14:15-19) teach and take Lord’s Supper (Acts 20:7) take up the offering (1 Cor. 16:1-2)

do we see saints assembling for common meals? yes, but… not as a church, “from house to house” (Acts

2:46-47) when as a church, it was condemned (1 Cor.

11:17-22)

17 Now in giving these instructions I do not praise you, since you come together not for the better but for the worse. 18 For first of all, when you come together as a church, I hear that there are divisions among you, and in part I believe it. 19 For there must also be factions among you, that those who are approved may be recognized among you. 20 Therefore when you come together in one place, it is not to eat the Lord’s Supper. 21 For in eating, each one takes his own supper ahead of others; and one is hungry and another is drunk. 22 What! Do you not have houses to eat and drink in? Or do you despise the church of God and shame those who have nothing? What shall I say to you? Shall I praise you in this? I do not praise you. (1 Corinthians 11:17-22)

17 Now in giving these instructions I do not praise you, since you come together not for the better but for the worse. 18 For first of all, when you come together as a church, I hear that there are divisions among you, and in part I believe it. 19 For there must also be factions among you, that those who are approved may be recognized among you. 20 Therefore when you come together in one place, it is not to eat the Lord’s Supper. 21 For in eating, each one takes his own supper ahead of others; and one is hungry and another is drunk. 22 What! Do you not have houses to eat and drink in? Or do you despise the church of God and shame those who have nothing? What shall I say to you? Shall I praise you in this? I do not praise you. (1 Corinthians 11:17-22)

17 Now in giving these instructions I do not praise you, since you come together not for the better but for the worse. 18 For first of all, when you come together as a church, I hear that there are divisions among you, and in part I believe it. 19 For there must also be factions among you, that those who are approved may be recognized among you. 20 Therefore when you come together in one place, it is not to eat the Lord’s Supper. 21 For in eating, each one takes his own supper ahead of others; and one is hungry and another is drunk. 22 What! Do you not have houses to eat and drink in? Or do you despise the church of God and shame those who have nothing? What shall I say to you? Shall I praise you in this? I do not praise you. (1 Corinthians 11:17-22)

17 Now in giving these instructions I do not praise you, since you come together not for the better but for the worse. 18 For first of all, when you come together as a church, I hear that there are divisions among you, and in part I believe it. 19 For there must also be factions among you, that those who are approved may be recognized among you. 20 Therefore when you come together in one place, it is not to eat the Lord’s Supper. 21 For in eating, each one takes his own supper ahead of others; and one is hungry and another is drunk. 22 What! Do you not have houses to eat and drink in? Or do you despise the church of God and shame those who have nothing? What shall I say to you? Shall I praise you in this? I do not praise you. (1 Corinthians 11:17-22)

pattern is social meals at home, not at the assemblies

Benevolence from the Church to Non-Christiansif individuals have the right, then does the church?

Open Benevolence

pattern of authority only for aid of needy saints from the birth of the church (Acts 2:44-45; 4:32-

35) care for the widows among disciples (Acts 6:1-4) in response to famine in Judea (Acts 11:27-30) to the poor saints in Jerusalem (Rom. 15:25-26) collection on first day of week (1 Cor. 16:1-2) gave for ministering to saints (2 Cor. 8:3-4; 9:1,

12-13) support only “true widows” (1 Tim. 5:3-16)

Open Benevolence

other verses represent individual action (Gal. 6:10)(James 1:27)

if ok for individuals, isn’t it ok for the church? defies common sense (marriage, business, etc.) biblical distinction as well (1 Tim. 5:3-16)▪ if Christian widow met qualifications and had no family,

then she could be supported by the local church▪ yet if an INDIVIDUAL family member existed, then the

CHURCH DID NOT have the right to support her▪ then, individual’s rights were different from the church’s

Conclusion

if these battles and divisions took place years ago, then why spend time on them now? because the main issue, how to establish

authority, is so fundamental, yet little understood

when your generation are the pillars in the church, will you know how to judge the authorized from the innovation?