Brian A. Yeager
The Lords church today is divided over many
issues. Most of those issues are simply filed under the subject of Bible
Authority. I spent my first preaching work teaching liberal doctrines
relative to the churchs authority to support things in which the Bible never
authorized. I spent most of my second preaching work studying some of
these issues because of Ed Phillips who was my neighbor, friend, and a fellow
Gospel Preacher. I had studied with others and had seen some of my
inconsistencies but I was not fully convinced that I was a false teacher on
these matters of authority. I then began my third work and during the
beginning of that work I was realizing more and more as I studied. I never
did buy into the fact that we had authority to support orphan homes with the
Lords money, but I did not stand against it either. This article is going
to reveal what finally made me leave the liberal position of Institutionalism
and the things relating to that position. I knew of some like myself who
did not belong in that belief system, but we also had a developed hatred towards
what we termed antis. Of course labels are used to develop
prejudice against a group of people. For example the Christian church
calls faithful members of the Lords church non-instrumentalist. This is
true, for faithful Bible students would be anti instruments or against
instruments used in Christian worship. We must realize that there are
extremists on all sides of every issue. I am not an extremist. I was
listening to a lecture on the subject of anti-ism on the Internet. This
fellow said that anti-ism was people who bind one communion cup, no bible
class, etc. This is the case in some extreme positions, but not
most. Do not allow your mind to be clouded by misrepresentations so that
you will not study these issues. This is what I did, it took me too long
to wake up and see the truth!
Before studying issues such as these there
must be a proper understanding of Bible authority. When we read the Bible
we must note that there are two divisions in it. There is the Old
Testament and the New Testament. The Old Testament is also known as the
Law of Moses. The Old Testament Law was given to the Nation of Israel
(Deuteronomy 5:1ff.). Prior to the Law of Moses there was the Law of the
Patriarchs. The Law of Moses was done away when Christ died on Calvarys
Cross (Colossians 2:14, Romans 7:1-6, Ephesians 2:13-16, and Hebrews
9:15-17). The Law of Christ, or the New Testament then became the binding
law and this law was to all men (Romans 1:16). The New Testament Law is
the final and everlasting Law (Matthew 24:25 and I Peter 1:22-23). The New
Testament was once delivered (Jude verse 3), and is not to be changed in any way
(Galatians 1:8-12 and Revelation 22:18-19). The New Testament Law is best
summed up here: (Hebrews 1:1-2) God, who at sundry times and in divers
manners spake in time past unto the fathers by the prophets, Hath in these last
days spoken unto us by his Son, whom he hath appointed heir of all things, by
whom also he made the worlds. The Bible teaches us that we must do
all things by the authority of Christ (Colossians 3:17). We can apply
Bible Authority in three ways: 1. Direct Command; 2. Approved Example; 3.
Necessary Inference. Lets use the Lords Supper for an example of how we
obtain all three ways of authority. We have the command to partake of the
Lords Supper (I Corinthians 11:23-26). We have an example of the Lords
Supper being taken on the first day of the week (Acts 20:7). From the same
example in Acts 20:7, we can infer that we are to partake of the Lords Supper
every first day of the week. Then of course we have that of
expediencies. Expediencies are those things that help us to carry out
commands. For example, we are to assemble together (Hebrews 10:25).
It is expedient to have a place to assemble. Therefore, it would be
authorized to have a building to meet in. An abuse of this would be the
instrument used during the song worship. The New Testament teaches that
the heart is to be the instrument used in singing to the Lord (Ephesians 5:19
and Colossians 3:16). If something else was used that would be an addition
which would be a sin (Revelation 22:18-19). Some would argue that if God
does not tell us that we cannot do something, His silence permits us to do this
thing. For example some might say that God did not tell us that we cant
use popcorn in the Lords Supper. Yet, when the Lord instituted it he gave
the bread and fruit of the vine as the components (Matthew 26:26-30).
Again, we must realize that we cannot add to nor take from what He tells us
(Deuteronomy 4:2 and Revelation 22:18-19). The same person that would
argue this statement would turn around and expect their children to obey their
silence. For example when a parent tells their child to be home by 8:00
PM, the parent does not say not 9:00, 10:00, 11:00, etc. That parent
expects their child at 8:00 because that was the order given. God expects
us to do what He has said, nothing more and nothing less. As we now have an
understanding of establishing Bible Authority let us talk of some of the issues
in which I had to change my views on. I pray that if you practice these
things this material will help you to study them. I also share the words
of the Apostle Paul: Am I therefore become your enemy, because I tell you
the truth? Galatians 4:16. Our lesson also will deal with what is
commanded, approved, or inferred for the church collectively to do and that
which is to be done by Christians on an individual basis. In this article
when the Lords Money is spoken of we are talking about that which is
collected from the saints on the first day of the week (I Corinthians
16:1-2).
THE ORPHAN HOME
ISSUE
While I did not support many of my brethren
and their stand that it was authorized to support orphan homes with the Lords
money, I did not stand against it either. I heard the arguments and the
usage of James chapter one and the twenty-seventh verse. I did not feel
that this verse authorized sending the Lords money to orphan homes. I
heard the frequent argument that antis were heartless and that they were
stingy with their money. I believed that argument. I looked at the
word visit in James 1:27 and found that it meant to inspect. I wondered
where my fellow brethren got send money from the Lords treasury from a word
that meant inspect. Looking further into this verse one must also look at
the subject of the widows, and by studying that much is also revealed about
supporting the orphan homes. I realized that the church is to care for
widows. Yet, there are limitations and restrictions on how the church is
to care for widows. (I Timothy 5:16) If any man or woman that
believeth have widows, let them relieve them, and let not the church be charged;
that it may relieve them that are widows indeed. Then after looking
into the context of this verse it was impossible for me to say the James was
saying something that contradicted what the Apostle Paul wrote to Timothy.
I realize there is a limitation on these things.
I have taught from every pulpit that I teach
from that the way to find someone using a verse out of context is to back up 5
verses and go forward 5 verses to get an idea of the context of a verse.
Lets do that with James 1:27. (James 1:22-27) 22. But be
ye doers of the word, and not hearers only, deceiving your own
selves. 23. For if any be a hearer of the word, and not a doer,
he is like unto a man beholding his natural face in
a glass: 24. For he beholdeth himself, and goeth
his way, and straightway forgetteth what manner of man he
was. 25. But whoso looketh into the perfect law of liberty,
and continueth therein, he being not a forgetful hearer, but a
doer of the work, this man shall be blessed in his
deed. 26. If any man among you seem to be religious,
and bridleth not his tongue, but deceiveth his own
heart, this man's religion is vain. 27. Pure
religion and undefiled before God and the Father is this, To visit the
fatherless and widows in their affliction, and to keep himself
unspotted from the world. Notice all the underlined terms
that also are in bold print. How many times do you see the church
mentioned collectively? James here, regardless of what is to be done, is
speaking to the individual.
BENEVOLENCE
Benevolence is the subject that I had the
hardest time with. I read debates, spoke with conservative brethren, and
debated it with myself and also discussed it with my wife. I believed that
the church was to help all people including the alien sinners with the Lords
money. I had read many non-institutional publications that taught that
the work of the individual was to help the alien sinner and that the church was
limited to Christians only. I could not see this from my study of the
scriptures. I used logical arguments like: If I die the church can help
my wife who is a Christian, but not my children who are not. I fought it
with those things. Just like a denominational person might argue against
the truth by saying: The Lord loves all and would not judge those who were not
baptized. The scriptures clearly teach that baptism is commanded (Acts
2:38, John 3:3-5, Acts 22:16, Romans 6:3-5, and I Peter 3:20-21). Using
emotional arguments does not change the truth. I realized this. Then
of course the only way to prove that the church can help the alien sinner is to
do so with Bible (I Thessalonians 5:21). I sought out to do so. Yet,
every time I found a passage where the Lords money was used it was given to
Christians such as in Romans 15:25-26.
I began the argument from what seemed to be
two of the liberal positions strongest arguments. The first is found in II
Corinthians 9:13 which reads: Whiles by the experiment of this ministration
they glorify God for your professed subjection unto the gospel of Christ, and
for your liberal distribution unto them, and unto all men. This
seemed to clear the subject in my mind. I stopped my search. Then
one day I was doing a word study on fellowship as I was preparing a sermon on
the subject. I found that the word distribution found in II Corinthians
9:13 was the same Greek word as the word translated as communion in II
Corinthians 6:14. I asked myself the same question Paul asked the
Corinthian brethren in II Corinthians 6:14: Be ye not unequally yoked
together with unbelievers: for what fellowship hath righteousness with
unrighteousness? and what communion hath light with
darkness? I did further research, not being a Greek scholar
just using Strongs number 2842. I found that every time this Greek word
appeared it had to do with joint participation between Christians and Christians
or Christians and God. Not once does it appear Christians to
non-Christians. For example this is where that word appears and what
English word is used for it:
Act 2:42
fellowship [2842], Romans 15:26 contribution [2842], I Corinthians 1:9
fellowship [2842], I Corinthians 10:16 communion [2842], II Corinthians 6:14
communion, [2842] II Corinthians 8:4 fellowship [2842], II Corinthians
9:13 distribution [2842], II Corinthians 13:14 communion [2842], Galatians 2:9
fellowship [2842], Ephesians 3:9 fellowship [2842], Philippians 1:5 fellowship
[2842], Philippians 2:1 fellowship [2842], Philippians 3:10 fellowship [2842],
Philemon 1:6 communication [2842], Hebrews 13:16 communicate [2842], 1 John
1:3 (TWICE) fellowship [2842], fellowship [2842], 1 John 1:6 fellowship [2842
, and 1 John 1:7 fellowship [2842].
I asked myself the next logical
question. If in all these passages the only time non-Christians are
referenced is a time in which Paul asked what Christians were doing in
fellowship with non-Christians, why would he turn around and use the same word
authorizing the church to give to non-Christians? As a matter of fact God
demands that we have NO fellowship with darkness (Ephesians 5:11). Another
example of what this word study has done is that it let me see this all men
argument in a new light. In Ephesians 3:9 the statement all men is
mentioned. The passage reads And to make all men see
what is the fellowship of the mystery, which from the beginning of the world
hath been hid in God, who created all things by Jesus Christ. Now, if
the Gospel is hid, it is hid from whom? That answer is found in II
Corinthians 4:3, it is hid from the lost. How can those who have been
blinded have fellowship in the mystery? Obviously Paul did not mean that
in an unrestricted sense. Those that reject the Gospel, the lost, cannot
share in the Gospel and the benefits of being in the church. Obviously not
all times we see the statement all men includes every kind with no
exclusions. A note should also be made that the word men in II
Corinthians 9:13 has been added to the text which the King James makes us aware
of by putting it in italics. Also, you can look to verse fourteen for
further clarification. (II Corinthians 9:14) And by their prayer for
you
. Let me ask, is that the non-Christians praying for the
Christians? I thought sin separates men from God (Isaiah 59:1-2), and that
God does not hear the prayer of the alien sinner (I Peter 3:12). There is
also contextual proof that Christians are the only ones supported here by the
church. Read the whole context of chapters eight and nine. Notice
the beginning passages of each chapter. (II Corinthians 8:1;4) 1.
Moreover, brethren, we do you to wit of the grace of God bestowed on the
churches of Macedonia. 4. Praying us with much intreaty that we would
receive the gift, and take upon us the fellowship of the ministering to the
saints. (II Corinthians 9:1) For as touching the ministering to
the saints, it is superfluous for me to write to you. Why would Paul
write two chapters about providing for the saints then, in one verse talk about
non-Christians?
The only other passage that I could argue from
stating that the church has authority to give to non-Christians from the Lords
money was in Galatians 6:10. Again, let us look at this passage and
determine if the passage means for Christians or the church to do good unto all
men. (Galatians 6:5-10) 5. For every man shall bear
his own burden. 6. Let him that is taught in
the word communicate unto him that teacheth in all good
things. 7. Be not deceived; God is not mocked: for whatsoever a
man soweth, that shall he also reap. 8. For
he that soweth to his flesh shall of the flesh reap
corruption; but he that soweth to the Spirit shall
of the Spirit reap life everlasting. 9. And let us not be
weary in well doing: for in due season we shall reap, if we faint
not. 10. As we have therefore opportunity, let
us do good unto all men, especially unto them who are of the household
of faith. Again, as we did in James 1:27, the underlined words should
point out to the honest person to whom Galatians 6:10 applies which is the
individual Christian. Paul is talking to the individuals telling them that
which they sow they will reap. Giving them instructions for their
works. This points to passages such as (II Corinthians 9:6). We will
be judged on OUR works (II Corinthians 5:10). The argument then given in
response to this is: whatever the individual can do the church can do
collectively. Some would say that the book of Galatians is written to the
church and it is addressed to the church (Galatians 1:1-2). They then add
to that statement the thought that this Epistle is for the church collectively
and they are to do those things told to them collectively. Let me ask, was
the church baptized into the church (Galatians 3:27)? Surely we can see
that the individuals there were baptized into the church. Thus, this
Epistle is addressed to the members of those congregations meeting in the area
of Galatia. There will be those who will say: Non-Institutional brethren
are stingy with their money, they just do not want to spend it. Think
about this for a moment, the Pro-Institutional position states it is the work of
the church with the Lords money. The Non-Institutional position says this
support must come from your own pockets without taking what we give to God it is
in addition to what we give to the Lord. I must now ask, who is stingy
with their money?
CAN THE CHURCH DO EVERYTHING
THE INDIVIDUAL CHRISTIAN CAN DO?
Part of the Liberal doctrine teaches that the
church can do everything the individual can do. We must realize that the
individual Christian as pointed out in Galatians 6:10 does have a role of
benevolence to the non-Christian and is also pointed out in passages such as
(Matthew 25:31ff.). Yet, the argument that the individual Christian must
do it and the church has authority to do anything the individual Christian must
do is not biblical. For example, in Matthew chapter 18 verses fifteen
through seventeen we are told how two Christians can handle a problem between
each other. The text reads: 15. Moreover if thy brother shall trespass
against thee, go and tell him his fault between thee and him alone: if he shall
hear thee, thou hast gained thy brother. 16. But if he will not hear thee,
then take with thee one or two more, that in the mouth of two or three witnesses
every word may be established. 17. And if he shall neglect to hear them,
tell it unto the church: but if he neglect to hear the church, let him be unto
thee as an heathen man and a publican. Notice that the church was not
involved even when a plurality of brethren were involved. The church
became involved when the issue was brought before them, not until then.
You also have a difference of the work of the church and individuals shown in I
Timothy 5:16.
CHURCHES BREAKING
AUTONOMY
Another practice that helped open my eyes to
the error of Institutionalism was churches breaking autonomy. You have
elders of congregations overseeing the work and funds of others. This is
nothing more or less than Catholicism. Elders only have authority to
oversee the flock among them (I Peter 5:1-2). There is no authority for
this practice.
Then you have the formation of missionary
societies. Congregations get involved in works that are too large for them
and they need to draw funds from others. When we look to the New
Testament pattern the only time we find Christians getting help is in time of
need. Not in time of starting a work to big for the local congregation to
handle.
THE SOCIAL
GOSPEL
When I was a teenager I loved Vacation Bible
School. We had cookies, a puppet show, and yes also a bible class.
I never thought about what we were doing. The way it was set up is that on
Friday night the children would perform a little show after the puppets taught
their little thought for the night. What was our goal for VBS? It
was to get to the parents by letting the children have a good time. We
even admitted that to be the case. We even had a Friday night graduation
show followed by a cookout that drew in the parents. I look back and I am
sorry that I was not wise enough to see that error. We would never allow
the children to perform songs in front of us at any other service, and this was
the assembled service of the saints. We would have called that a choir
anywhere else. We would never allow a puppet show on Wednesday nights or
any other time. Then we used a cookout to draw the parents. Of
course this practice was not mentioned in the Bible. The only method of
evangelism employed in the first century was preaching the truth (Matthew 28:19,
Acts 5:42, Acts 8:4, and Romans 1:16).
CONCLUSION
This article did not give every argument
against institutionalism. It did give why I left my former positions. The
Bible teaches us that if we do not teach the truth we do not have God and that
faithful Christians should not fellowship us. (II John 9-11) 9.
Whosoever transgresseth, and abideth not in the doctrine of Christ, hath not
God. He that abideth in the doctrine of Christ, he hath both the Father and the
Son. 10. If there come any unto you, and bring not this doctrine, receive
him not into your house, neither bid him God speed: 11. For he that biddeth him
God speed is partaker of his evil deeds. I have and will continue to
repent of the error of my past practices. We must strive always to speak
as the oracles of God (I Peter 4:11). We must not employ tactics to grow
that are beyond or short of the New Testaments teaching. The only way to
come out of error is to realize what it is. Studying the Bible, as did the
Bereans (Acts 17:10-11), is what brought me away from Liberalism. Dear
reader, study your Bible and if there is a need of repentance on your part
please do so before it is too late (Luke 13:3-5).
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