Churches of Christ Divided Churches of Christ Divided In mid 1800sIn mid 1800s

Issues:Issues: Missionary Society (1849)Missionary Society (1849) Instrumental Music (1859)Instrumental Music (1859)

Result:Result: Formation of Christian Church (1900)Formation of Christian Church (1900) Later: Disciples of Christ (liberal)Later: Disciples of Christ (liberal)

Churches of Christ Divided Churches of Christ Divided In mid 1900sIn mid 1900s

Issues:Issues: Sponsoring Church (Herald of Truth)Sponsoring Church (Herald of Truth) Orphan HomesOrphan Homes Colleges in Church BudgetColleges in Church Budget Social Gospel (Recreation)Social Gospel (Recreation)

Result:Result: Split among churches 1955-1965Split among churches 1955-1965 Institutional churches of Christ Institutional churches of Christ

Divisions WithinThe Church of

Christ1. Missionary Society (1849)2. Instrumental Music (1859)3. Colleges in Church Budget (1938)4. Orphan Homes (1950’s)5. Sponsoring Church (1950’s)6. Social Gospel (1960’s)

DivisionsDivisionsWithinWithin

The Church of The Church of ChristChrist

Sponsoring ChurchSponsoring Church

Sponsoring Sponsoring ChurchChurch

• 22ndnd major issue major issue• Referred to as:Referred to as:

““Church cooperation”Church cooperation” ““Sponsoring church”Sponsoring church” ““Centralization”Centralization” ““Herald of Truth”Herald of Truth”

Sponsoring Sponsoring ChurchChurchLocal

Church

LocalChurch

LocalChurch

LocalChurch

$$

$$

$$

$$

PreachPreachGospelGospel

SponsoringChurch

Sponsoring Sponsoring ChurchChurch

A.A. Push for greater evangelism after WWIIPush for greater evangelism after WWII1.1. Broadway (Lubbock, TX) – GermanyBroadway (Lubbock, TX) – Germany2.2. Union Street (Memphis, TN) – Japan Union Street (Memphis, TN) – Japan

A.A. Push for greater evangelism after WWIIPush for greater evangelism after WWIIB.B. Herald of TruthHerald of Truth

1.1. 1947 in Cedar Rapids, Iowa – James W. Nichols1947 in Cedar Rapids, Iowa – James W. Nichols2.2. 1950 Joint effort of Nichols & James. D. Willeford1950 Joint effort of Nichols & James. D. Willeford3.3. 1951 offered to Broadway Church (Lubbock, TX)1951 offered to Broadway Church (Lubbock, TX)4.4. 1951 offered to Fifth & Highland (Abilene, TX)1951 offered to Fifth & Highland (Abilene, TX)5.5. First nationwide Radio – then TV programFirst nationwide Radio – then TV program6.6. Batsell Barrett Baxter – speakerBatsell Barrett Baxter – speaker7.7. Over 2000 churches supportedOver 2000 churches supported

Herald of TruthHerald of TruthLocal

Church

LocalChurch

LocalChurch

LocalChurch

$$

$$

$$

$$

RadioRadio&&

TVTV

Fifth & HighlandChurch

Abilene, TX

H.O.T.

A.A. Push for greater evangelism after WWIIPush for greater evangelism after WWIIB.B. Herald of TruthHerald of TruthC.C. One Nation Under GodOne Nation Under God

1.1. 199119912.2. Sycamore Church of Christ (Cookeville, TN)Sycamore Church of Christ (Cookeville, TN)3.3. Solicited 10 Million (first 17 Million) – mailing to every Solicited 10 Million (first 17 Million) – mailing to every

home in UShome in US

A.A. Push for greater evangelism after WWIIPush for greater evangelism after WWIIB.B. Herald of TruthHerald of TruthC.C. One Nation Under GodOne Nation Under GodD. Multiple sponsoring churches – small scaleMultiple sponsoring churches – small scale

Sponsoring Sponsoring ChurchChurch

A.A. Is Not:Is Not:1.1. Preaching the gospelPreaching the gospel2.2. The use of a radio or TV programThe use of a radio or TV program3.3. Is good being done?Is good being done?4.4. Can churches ever cooperate?Can churches ever cooperate?5.5. A matter of methodsA matter of methods

B.B. Is:Is:1.1. Can church “A” send money to church “B” to preach Can church “A” send money to church “B” to preach

the gospel?the gospel?2.2. Can multiple churches work through one eldership?Can multiple churches work through one eldership?

Sponsoring Sponsoring ChurchChurch

A.A. No authorityNo authority

Command / StatementCommand / Statement

Approved ExampleApproved Example

Necessary InferenceNecessary Inference

Acts 15

VV. 13-21 – James appealed to direct statement from Amos 9

V. 12 – Paul & Barnabas appealed to example of their work & miracles

VV. 7-11 – Peter appealed to events at Cornelius’ house – infers…

How Authority Is EstablishedHow Authority Is Established

Command / StatementCommand / Statement

Approved ExampleApproved Example

Necessary InferenceNecessary Inference

Sponsoring Church ArrangementSponsoring Church Arrangement

NoneNone

NoneNone

NoneNone

LocalChurch

LocalChurch

LocalChurch

A.A. No authorityNo authorityB.B. Violates the limitation of elders’ authorityViolates the limitation of elders’ authority

Elders

Local ChurchOversight Limited To

This

1 Pet. 5:1-4

1 Pet. 5:1-4

Acts 20:28

Acts 20:28

A.A. No authorityNo authorityB.B. Violates the limitation of elders’ authorityViolates the limitation of elders’ authorityC.C. Destroys congregational autonomyDestroys congregational autonomy

1.1. Each congregation is autonomous & independent (1 Each congregation is autonomous & independent (1 Pet. 5:1-4; Acts 14:23)Pet. 5:1-4; Acts 14:23)

2.2. The sponsoring church oversees a “brotherhood” The sponsoring church oversees a “brotherhood” work.work.

Herald of Truth – “Brotherhood” WorkHerald of Truth – “Brotherhood” Work

Meeting of brethren from across the countryMeeting of brethren from across the country

In Memphis, TNIn Memphis, TN

September 10, 1973September 10, 1973

Brethren from other churches – confronted the Brethren from other churches – confronted the Abilene elders:Abilene elders:1.1. Things their preacher was teachingThings their preacher was teaching2.2. Direction they were taking the H.O.T.Direction they were taking the H.O.T.

A.A. No authorityNo authorityB.B. Violates the limitation of elders’ authorityViolates the limitation of elders’ authorityC.C. Destroys congregational autonomyDestroys congregational autonomy

1.1. Each congregation is autonomous & independent (1 Each congregation is autonomous & independent (1 Pet. 5:1-4; Acts 14:23)Pet. 5:1-4; Acts 14:23)

2.2. The sponsoring church oversees a “brotherhood” The sponsoring church oversees a “brotherhood” work.work.

3.3. If another church can oversee part of another If another church can oversee part of another churches work – why not all?churches work – why not all?

Local Church

Elders

1. Members2. Resources3. Discipline4. Worship5. Work

Sponsoring Church

Elders

??

A.A. No authorityNo authorityB.B. Violates the limitation of elders’ authorityViolates the limitation of elders’ authorityC.C. Destroys congregational autonomyDestroys congregational autonomyD.D. Activates the church universalActivates the church universal

1.1. Universal churchUniversal churcha.a. No organizationNo organizationb.b. No treasuryNo treasuryc.c. No workNo workd.d. No officersNo officers

2.2. Sponsoring church – larger than local church!Sponsoring church – larger than local church!

Broadway Church

Elders

James NicholsJames Willeford

Work of the “Churches of Christ”Work of the “Churches of Christ”

Offered H.O.T.

• Not mention “Broadway”Not mention “Broadway”• Not the work of “Broadway”Not the work of “Broadway”• Mention: “Churches of Christ”Mention: “Churches of Christ”

A.A. No authorityNo authority

B.B. Violates the limitation of elders’ authorityViolates the limitation of elders’ authority

C.C. Destroys congregational autonomyDestroys congregational autonomy

D.D. Activates the church universalActivates the church universal

Sponsoring Sponsoring ChurchChurch

A.A. ““Churches sent to other churches in Churches sent to other churches in benevolence in NT times”benevolence in NT times”

Acts 11:27-30Acts 11:27-30

1 Cor. 16:1-21 Cor. 16:1-22 Cor. 8-92 Cor. 8-9

Acts 11:27-30; 1 Cor. 16:1-2; 2 Cor. 8-9Acts 11:27-30; 1 Cor. 16:1-2; 2 Cor. 8-9

1.1. Funds received – used for benevolence, not Funds received – used for benevolence, not evangelismevangelism

Did Not ApproveDid Not Approve

EvangelismEvangelism

ApprovedApproved

BenevolenceBenevolence

Those making the argument see a difference

Acts 11:27-30; 1 Cor. 16:1-2; 2 Cor. 8-9Acts 11:27-30; 1 Cor. 16:1-2; 2 Cor. 8-9

1.1. Funds received – used for benevolence, not Funds received – used for benevolence, not evangelismevangelism

2.2. Receiving church was in “need” – not a creation Receiving church was in “need” – not a creation of their own makingof their own making

3.3. Cannot “crisscross” in God’s planCannot “crisscross” in God’s plan

Cannot “Crisscross” in God’s PlanCannot “Crisscross” in God’s Plan

Plan for Forgiveness

Repent & Baptized (Acts 2:38)Repent & Baptized (Acts 2:38)

Repent & Pray (Acts 8:22)Repent & Pray (Acts 8:22)

Alien SinnerAlien Sinner

Erring ChristianErring Christian

Cannot “Crisscross” in God’s PlanCannot “Crisscross” in God’s Plan

Worship

Lord’s Supper (Acts 20:7)Lord’s Supper (Acts 20:7)

Singing (Acts 16:25)Singing (Acts 16:25)

Only First DayOnly First Day

AnytimeAnytime

Cannot “Crisscross” in God’s PlanCannot “Crisscross” in God’s Plan

Officers

Elders (1 Tim. 3:1-7)Elders (1 Tim. 3:1-7)

Deacons (1 Tim. 3:8-13)Deacons (1 Tim. 3:8-13)

QualificationsQualifications

QualificationsQualifications

Cannot “Crisscross” in God’s PlanCannot “Crisscross” in God’s Plan

Work of Church

Evangelism (Phil. 4:15)Evangelism (Phil. 4:15)

Benevolence (Acts 11:27-30)Benevolence (Acts 11:27-30)

Send to Evang.Send to Evang.

Church to ChurchChurch to Church

Acts 11:27-30; 1 Cor. 16:1-2; 2 Cor. 8-9Acts 11:27-30; 1 Cor. 16:1-2; 2 Cor. 8-9

1.1. Funds received – used for benevolence, not Funds received – used for benevolence, not evangelismevangelism

2.2. Receiving church was in “need” – not a creation Receiving church was in “need” – not a creation of their own makingof their own making

3.3. Cannot “crisscross” in God’s planCannot “crisscross” in God’s plan

4.4. What actually happened in these textsWhat actually happened in these texts

Antioch

Elders

Jer.

Elders

Joppa

Elders

Lydda

EldersEmmaus

EldersBethany

Paul & Barnabas - Messengers

Antioch

Elders

Jer.

Elders

Joppa

Elders

Lydda

EldersEmmaus

EldersBethany

NOT:NOT:

Paul & Barnabas

Messengers

Jerusalem

Thess.

Corinth

Philippi Galatia

Antioch

Paul, Titus & others - Messengers

Jerusalem

Thess.

Corinth

Philippi Galatia

AntiochPaul, Titus & others - Messengers

NOT:NOT:

A.A. ““Churches sent to other churches in Churches sent to other churches in benevolence in NT times”benevolence in NT times”

B.B. ““Philippi was a sponsoring church (Phil. 4:15 & Philippi was a sponsoring church (Phil. 4:15 & 2 Cor. 11:8)”2 Cor. 11:8)”1.1. Logically:Logically: “No church” – would mean none of those “No church” – would mean none of those

that sent to Philippi had fellowship!”that sent to Philippi had fellowship!”2.2. ChronologicallyChronologically: “When I departed” – not after I got to : “When I departed” – not after I got to

CorinthCorinth3.3. Geographically:Geographically: Sent money 100 miles north to Phil. Sent money 100 miles north to Phil.

So they can send it 200 miles south to CorinthSo they can send it 200 miles south to Corinth

A.A. ““Churches sent to other churches in Churches sent to other churches in benevolence in NT times”benevolence in NT times”

B.B. ““Philippi was a sponsoring church (Phil. 4:15 & Philippi was a sponsoring church (Phil. 4:15 & 2 Cor. 11:8)”2 Cor. 11:8)”

C.C. ““Don’t believe in Cooperation”Don’t believe in Cooperation”

CooperationCooperation

Are CooperatingAre Cooperating

Doing Same WorkDoing Same Work

Accomplishing Same GoalAccomplishing Same Goal

NOT TIED TOGETHERNOT TIED TOGETHER

Are CooperatingAre Cooperating

Doing Same WorkDoing Same Work

Accomplishing Same GoalAccomplishing Same Goal

ARE TIED TOGETHERARE TIED TOGETHER

CooperationCooperation

Are CooperatingAre Cooperating

Doing Same WorkDoing Same Work

Accomplishing Same GoalAccomplishing Same Goal

NOT TIED TOGETHERNOT TIED TOGETHER

Are CooperatingAre Cooperating

Doing Same WorkDoing Same Work

Accomplishing Same GoalAccomplishing Same Goal

ARE TIED TOGETHERARE TIED TOGETHER

$$

CooperationCooperation

Are CooperatingAre Cooperating

Doing Same WorkDoing Same Work

Accomplishing Same GoalAccomplishing Same Goal

NOT TIED TOGETHERNOT TIED TOGETHER

Are CooperatingAre Cooperating

Doing Same WorkDoing Same Work

Accomplishing Same GoalAccomplishing Same Goal

ARE TIED TOGETHERARE TIED TOGETHER

LocalChurch

LocalChurch

LocalChurch

LocalChurch

SponCh.

Sponsoring Sponsoring ChurchChurch