Differences Among Churches of Christ

Regarding the Work of the Church

Authority & Fellowship

Christ’s authority is expressed through His apostles & prophets in three ways:

• Command 2 Peter 3:1-2; 1 Corinthians 14:37

• Example1 Thess. 1:6; Phil. 3:17; 4:9; 1 Cor. 4:16; 11:1

• Necessary conclusion 1 Corinthians 1:11-12; Galatians 3:2, 5

Four Key Principles of Authority

• Silence Prohibits2 John 9; Acts 15:24; Hebrews 7:14

• General VS. Specific• Aids VS. Additions• Every church is to do the same things

1 Corinthians 4:17; 16:1; 14:33

What work is the church authorized to do?

The Church is authorized to work in three areas:• Evangelism (1 Thess. 1:8; Philippians 4:15-16;

2 Corinthians 11:8)• Edifying itself through assembled worship and

teaching (1 Corinthians 14:26)

• Helping needy Christians (1 Corinthians 16:1; 1 Timothy 5:16)

Since silence prohibits, if a church is doing something other than or in addition to these things it is prohibited!

Unauthorized Work• Church funding of human institutions to do

its work.• Church sponsored recreation &

entertainment (Acts 2:46; 1 Corinthians 11:34, 22; Romans 14:17)• Church benevolence to non-saints (Romans

15:25-26; Acts 4:32-35; 6:1; 11:29-30; 2 Cor. 8 & 9)• Sponsoring church arrangements

(Acts 14:23; 20:28; Titus 1:5; 1 Peter 5:2)

Unauthorized Work

David Pharr wrote the following the Spiritual Sword: “The fundamental error of the missionary society in the eighteen hundreds was not that churches wanted to cooperate in evangelism but that an organization was formed which presumed to speak for the brotherhood.” (Spiritual Sword, 2010, p. 23)In the same article he says, “We believe in the scripturalness of congregational cooperation and the right of churches to financially support and endorse programs which are under the auspices of other congregations...” (Ibid., p. 22).If one church can govern some of the work of some of the congregations, why can’t one church govern all the work of all the congregations?

When brethren disagree over authorized doctrine and practice…

• They are still brethren.• One must not partake of another man’s sins

(1 Timothy 5:22)• One can be a member of a church which has

erring members and not defile his garments (Revelation 3:4)• Individuals are credited with the

COLLECTIVE ACTION of a church whether it is good or bad (Philippians 4:15-17)