Differences Among Churches of Christ

Genesis 13:8 So Abram said to Lot, “Please let there be no strife between you and me, and between my herdsmen and your herdsmen; for we are brethren.

1 Corinthians 1:10 Now I plead with you, brethren, by the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, that you all speak the same thing, and that there be no divisions among you, but that you be perfectly joined together in the same mind and in the same judgment.

What is at Stake?

Recent conversation, fellow says: “If my biggest sin at judgment is that I helped people, I think I’ll be okay.”

What about Nadab and Abihu? Leviticus 10:1-2

“If my biggest sin at judgment is that I used a different fire, I think I’ll be okay.”

What about Saul? 1 Samuel 13:8-14; 15:1-3,9-35

“If my biggest sin at judgment is that I offered a sacrifice when I didn’t have permission, I think I’ll be okay.”

“If my biggest sin at judgment is that I didn’t kill some people when God commanded me to, I think I’ll be okay.”

Any action we take as individuals or as a collective must be authorized. For the sake of this discussion, focus on the collective.

Songbooks?

We are supposed to sing (Eph. 5:19; Col. 3:16), therefore songbooks are authorized.

Church building?

We are supposed to assemble (Acts 20:7), therefore church buildings (and any place we choose to assemble) are authorized.

Other objections?

We have to be willing to change if we find something we are doing is against what God has revealed. This willingness to listen and adapt is core to what it means to be a disciple of Jesus.

Our very souls are at stake when we discuss God’s Authority on any matter.

Background

Terms of Use

We often label some congregations as “liberal” or “conservative”, which is a misuse of those terms.

We are shown in the Scriptures to be “liberal” with our giving, time, effort, etc.

We are shown in the Scriptures to be “conservative” with our fulfillments, desires, entertainment, etc.

Generally, labels such as this are not valid and do more harm than good.

We must know what we are discussing and what it means. Thus, “institutional” and “non-institutional” seem to be appropriate ways of describing the division among churches of Christ.

Looking up “institutionalism” on Google will not find any references (at least not immediately) concerning the Church.

It can be difficult for people to find the meaning of this term in a religious context, but a simple definition can be used.

Institution: an organization, establishment, foundation, society, or the like, devoted to the promotion of a particular cause or program, especially one of a public, educational, or charitable character

Thus, when we say a congregation is “institutional”, we simply mean that the congregation supports institutions outside of the institution of the church itself.

Why does this matter?

We see a major divide that stretches back to the trials that brethren faced in the 50s and 60s.

Brethren began to raise objections to many practices that were forming during and after World War 2.

Congregations began organizing missionary societies, giving to orphanages from the treasury, supporting colleges from the treasury.

According to those who objected, the work itself was NOT the issue; it all comes down to HOW one accomplished the work.

Preachers offering to give individually to orphan homes were FIRED.

Brethren who sought a peaceful resolution by imploring their brethren to give up their “liberty” for the sake of fellowship were slandered and withdrawn from, or ignored.

Some say that the divisions of the 50s and 60s were “just because some conservative preachers wanted to have their way”.

This shows a lack of understanding concerning what truly happened. Brethren on BOTH sides of this issue were treated terribly (preachers fired, meetings cancelled, families divided, locks on the building changed, etc.)

Bragwell - “No one has a monopoly on attitudes”.

Just because many had a bad attitude about this issue does NOT change that there was a RIGHT and WRONG!

Some say that “this was an issue for white folks, and has nothing to do with people of color”.

No matter of Biblical truth is a “white” or “black” issue.

Some say that “it’s so far in the past, it doesn’t matter now anyway”

It matters because if we fail to learn the lessons of the past, we will make the same mistakes.

The divisions that are happening TODAY - the brethren we are losing to Progressive Christianity/Grace-Unity/Calvinism TODAY - they ALL stem from the same bitter root that fuels the institutional mindset - a rejection of the authority of God as communicated within the Scriptures.

The Bible warns us in many instances to avoid divisions that are unnecessary.

2 Corinthians 11:1-4 NKJV - Oh, that you would bear with me in a little folly--and indeed you do bear with me. For I am jealous for you with godly jealousy. For I have betrothed you to one husband, that I may present you as a chaste virgin to Christ. But I fear, lest somehow, as the serpent deceived Eve by his craftiness, so your minds may be corrupted from the simplicity that is in Christ. For if he who comes preaches another Jesus whom we have not preached, or if you receive a different spirit which you have not received, or a different gospel which you have not accepted--you may well put up with it!

The brethren at Corinth were “divided” among themselves because they were putting up with different spirits and different gospels.

Titus 3:9-11 NKJV - But avoid foolish disputes, genealogies, contentions, and strivings about the law; for they are unprofitable and useless. Reject a divisive man after the first and second admonition, knowing that such a person is warped and sinning, being self-condemned.

Sometimes we focus on “reject”, which is needed, but we must also learn and understand the context of “foolish disputes, genealogies, contentions, and strivings about the law”!

Sometimes as a result of the truth, division IS necessary.

Jesus’ teachings divided people.

Luke 12:51 NKJV - "Do you suppose that I came to give peace on earth? I tell you, not at all, but rather division.

John 7:43 NKJV - So there was a division among the people because of Him.

John 9:16 NKJV - Therefore some of the Pharisees said, "This Man is not from God, because He does not keep the Sabbath." Others said, "How can a man who is a sinner do such signs?" And there was a division among them.

John 10:19 NKJV - Therefore there was a division again among the Jews because of these sayings.

1 Corinthians 11:18-19 NKJV - 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. For there must also be factions among you, that those who are approved may be recognized among you.

Reject as Paul’s sarcasm? Not so sure. At least part of the application seems to be that there is a positive outcome to divisions concerning truth - those who are approved can be recognized.

Some brethren simply do not view the Bible and the Church in the same ways.

What is the purpose of the Church and its work on earth?

Is the Church a literal collection of physical congregations or simply all believers everywhere?

Is error only defined when God explicitly identifies a sin, or must we rightly divide the truth and judge our actions upon that standard?

The answers we provide to these questions are determined by how we view the Scriptures and God’s Authority.

Should a local congregation financially support Colleges and other institutions?

Our answer to THIS question will show us what we think of a multitude of doctrinal errors our institutional brethren uphold.

As we will see, this issue (while having no scriptural authority) was conflated with the issue of orphan homes (concerning which we have commands as individuals to fulfill).

Satan will often blend bits of truth with dishonesty in order to achieve his purposes.

The Bible is silent on this issue. Does silence permit or restrict?

John 5:19, 30 NKJV - Then Jesus answered and said to them, "Most assuredly, I say to you, the Son can do nothing of Himself, but what He sees the Father do; for whatever He does, the Son also does in like manner. ... "I can of Myself do nothing. As I hear, I judge; and My judgment is righteous, because I do not seek My own will but the will of the Father who sent Me.

John 8:28 NKJV - Then Jesus said to them, "When you lift up the Son of Man, then you will know that I am He, and that I do nothing of Myself; but as My Father taught Me, I speak these things.

When Jesus did not have authority, He did NOTHING!

This is a powerful reminder, and should be our foundation concerning Biblical Authority.

If we do not understand the Authority of God, we cannot understand the Bible.

NOTE: Silence does not, within itself, PERMIT OR RESTRICT an action. Silence is nothing. Thus, we should be very careful in application, and let the context of Scripture show us the truth in these situations.

Noah (Gen. 6)

Instructions God gave Noah (14-16)

Gopher wood; specific dimensions

“God didn’t say not to use oak! Maple!”

Did Noah follow the command? Was silence permissive?

Genesis 6:22 Thus did Noah; according to all that God commanded him, so did he.

Nadab & Abihu

The problem was not that God has specifically forbidden the fire they used, but rather He had specified what fire He wanted them to use

Leviticus 16:12a And he shall take a censer full of burning coals of fire from off the altar before the LORD…

Numbers 16:46a And Moses said unto Aaron, Take a censer, and put fire therein from off the altar…

God did not have to go down a list of other sources of fire, specifically forbidding each.

They failed to adhere to what God said, respect His silence and showed disrespect for Him (10:3)

Transportation of the ark (Deut. 10:8)

Levites authorized to bear the ark. Transported on poles (Ex. 25:12-14)

Num. 4:15—holy things not to be touched

Was silence permissive? Uzzah was killed because transported the wrong way and touched it!

1 Chronicles 15:13 For because ye did it not at the first, the LORD our God made a breach upon us, for that we sought him not after the due order.

Authority is NOT about defining what sin is; rather, it is about defining what RIGHTEOUSNESS is.

Acts 2:42a - “And they continued stedfastly…” – a desire to know the apostles’ doctrine. The positive declarations. What to DO and be sure they were pleasing to God.

Acts 15:22-24

“We”—James and the leaders of the church in Jerusalem had told no one to teach this.

“But, you didn’t say we could not teach it! It didn’t take away from faith in Christ, simply added something.”

Emphasis on “no such commandment.” Nothing expressed.

Hebrews 7:11-14

The whole point of this passage is that the silence of the OT regarding anyone other than the tribe of Levi serving as a priest expressly forbade that from happening.

As a result, if Christ was a priest, the Old Law had to be abolished. Silence did not permit the Law of Moses to continue - AND it permitted for Christ to be our High Priest.

2 John 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.

Teachings are positive declarations. We are expected to abide in what has been declared—not what has not been declared.

Balaam’s words - Numbers 24:13 If Balak would give me his house full of silver and gold, I cannot go beyond the commandment of the LORD, to do either good or bad of mine own mind; but what the LORD saith, that will I speak?

What do supporters of this practice say?

These days, next to nothing. It is nearly universally accepted for colleges like Harding University, Faulkner University, Freed-Hardeman University, Pepperdine University, etc. to depend upon income from the treasuries of multiple churches.

"It is my conviction that the schools need to be dependent upon the churches for their financial life blood in order for the schools to remain permanently loyal to the goals and principles the Bible teaches" - Batsell Baxter, Questions and Issues of the Day, pg. 30, ca. 1964

Has this worked out practically? How many of these universities are currently “loyal to the goals and principles the Bible teaches”?

Many of these schools either do not exist anymore, or have progressed far beyond their original intent, to the point that most of them do not hold professors who teach that the Bible is the inerrant word of God.

Florida College in Temple Terrace, FL is the only “holdout” in this (in terms of never accepting funding from church treasuries), but there are many informal ties that can be made in this atmosphere. Risky.

There are no scriptures specifically used that I know of that were used by the brethren who supported this practice in the midst of the innovations and digressions that took place among churches of Christ in the 50s and 60s.

Cecil Willis’ point in Truth Magazine in 1958 was that the Orphan Home issue (churches supporting orphan homes financially) was a gateway issue in order to allow churches to support schools and other institutions as well.

“They are trying to prove it to be right for churches to support institutional orphans' homes in order to prove it to be right for churches to support colleges. And do not forget, that when the orphan home issue quiets down a little, or when the GA feels confident it has established it's point, that the same old church-supported college question will be staring us in the face, to be fought again. Next time we fight church-supported-colleges we may not be so successful in stopping this unscriptural and dangerous trend.” - Cecil Willis, Truth Magazine, 1958

Another quote by Baxter makes this clear:

"The orphan home and the Christian school must stand or fall together" - Baxter, Questions and Issues of the Day, pg. 29

Regardless of how well-intentioned these considerations might have been, it is important for us to recognize two things:

Supporters of the concept of using the treasury to support colleges had no scripture to prove that their position was authorized. This is still the case today, as we have the same Bible they had.

Those who objected to the practice were labeled “anti-school” or “anti-college” and, as with their opposition to much of the innovations going on in the day, were marginalized at every turn.

This and other subjects resulted in the “yellow tag of quarantine” being advised and even stressed upon those who opposed practices such as using funds from the local church treasury to support schools and colleges.

“If the advice of the Advocate editorial is followed then N. B. Hardeman, G. C. Brewer, Sterl Watson and all who think it is scriptural for churches to give money from their treasuries to Bible colleges must hang the yellow tag of quarantine on James Cope, Cecil Douthitt, L. R Wilson, Rex Turner, E. R. Harper and all who teach that it is unscriptural for churches to contribute to Bible colleges. Then we must hang the quarantine tag on Hardeman, Brewer and all who teach as they do on this question Then we all will be duly tagged, branded, labeled and quarantined, and brethren everywhere can tell at a glance to which faction each belongs.” - Cecil B. Douthitt, Gospel Guardian, 1955

What does the Bible say?

Children must be taught the ways of the Lord.

Deuteronomy 11:19 NKJV - "You shall teach them to your children, speaking of them when you sit in your house, when you walk by the way, when you lie down, and when you rise up.

Ephesians 6:4 NKJV - And you, fathers, do not provoke your children to wrath, but bring them up in the training and admonition of the Lord.

Teaching requires a remembrance on OUR part.

Psalm 78:4-6 NKJV - We will not hide them from their children, Telling to the generation to come the praises of the LORD, And His strength and His wonderful works that He has done. For He established a testimony in Jacob, And appointed a law in Israel, Which He commanded our fathers, That they should make them known to their children; That the generation to come might know them, The children who would be born, That they may arise and declare them to their children,

The responsibility of TRUE educators rests upon individual purity.

Ephesians 4:29 NKJV - Let no corrupt word proceed out of your mouth, but what is good for necessary edification, that it may impart grace to the hearers.

Readiness of knowing the truth and being able to express it is required.

1 Peter 3:15 NKJV - But sanctify the Lord God in your hearts, and always be ready to give a defense to everyone who asks you a reason for the hope that is in you, with meekness and fear;

It is precisely BECAUSE of these Scriptures that churches supporting colleges from their treasuries is wrong.

It does not fit the PATTERN.

Are children to be taught the ways of God? YES! Individuals are to teach individuals. That is how the truth is shared.

But now, brethren have created an institution, a THING (the college/school) to do the job for them.

Brethren need not worry themselves about individual application of the truths of the Scriptures. Just drop your money in the collection plate and be done with it!

NOTE: I know that many who support these practices do not think of it in this fashion. But for all practical purposes, that is how it irons out.

Now that we have created the THING, it takes precedence. We must FEED this THING that does the work that we as individuals are commanded to do.

This applies to everything - colleges, orphan homes, daycare services, common meals in the church building, etc.

Do we believe that God has given us everything we need to do His work?

Many of our brethren do not believe this.

Ephesians 4:11-16 - We have not secured this yet! Thus, there is always more work to be done!

God has given us all that we need. Can we not accept and believe that?

What do YOU believe and practice?