Some churches offer entertainment, recreation, social activities, banquets, parties, and other fun and games. This is the Social Gospel philosophy. Churches seek to help people spiritually by satisfying them physically. Is this the gospel of the New Testament?
I was recently handed a promotional advertisement that read as follows:
|
What is significant about this? The part of the ad that I did not list says it was sponsored by an area church. Nothing else in the ad is spiritual. Nothing indicates it has anything to do with a church: nothing about God, Jesus, the Bible, worship, salvation, or heaven.
This is a typical example of the Social Gospel in which churches attract people by appealing to social, secular, and physical desires: recreation, meals, and entertainment. Does this harmonize with Jesus’ plan for His church?
Notice the Spiritual Emphasis in God’s Plan for the Church.
* The Founder, Owner, and Head of the church came to meet our spiritual needs.
Jesus came to earth to shed His blood to save men from sin (Ephesians 1:7; Luke 19:10; 5:32; Matthew 20:28; 26:28). But on earth he planned to establish the church (Matthew 16:18; Ephesians 1:22,23).
* Jesus purchased the church with a spiritual price.
Acts 20:28; Ephesians 5:23-25 – Jesus purchased the church with His blood.
* The church consists of people who have been saved from sin and seek eternal life.
Acts 2:47 – The Lord adds people to the church as they are being saved.
* The church is entered by baptism: a spiritual birth for forgiveness of sins.
John 3:3,5 – One must be born of the water and Spirit in order to enter the kingdom.
* The primary work of the highest church leaders (apostles and elders) is spiritual.
Acts 6:2-4; 20:28-30; Hebrews 13:7,17.
* The church is a spiritual house, a kingdom not of this world.
1 Peter 2:5 – We are a spiritual house, holy priesthood to offer spiritual sacrifices.
John 18:36 – Jesus’ kingdom is not of this world.
The church is fundamentally spiritual in nature.
The Work of the Church Must Harmonize with Its Nature and Purpose.
The gospel reveals what work local churches should do. That work is limited and should emphasize man’s salvation and eternal life.
The church should use the power of the gospel to attract people.
Romans 1:16 – The gospel is God’s power to save all men.
2 Thessalonians 2:14 – Men are called by the gospel.
If we trust the power of the gospel, we will not appeal to fleshly, physical desires.
2 Corinthians 10:3-5 – Our weapons are not fleshly, but have power to lead men to Jesus.
Ephesians 6:10-18 – God provides us with spiritual armor. This includes God’s word, the sword of the Spirit, but no carnal methods are included.
1 Corinthians 1:18-25; 2:1-5 – We save men by preaching Jesus’ death so their faith stands in God’s power, not in man’s wisdom.
Acts 17:2,17; 18:4,11,19; 19:8,9; 24:24,25 – The early Christians converted the lost by preaching the gospel. They never offered physical attractions or carnal promotions to get people to listen. They just told people about Jesus. We should do the same.
When churches offer fun, food, entertainment, and excitement to attract people, they demonstrate a lack of faith in the gospel and a lack of respect for the authority of the Head of the church. Churches that seek to please God will follow God’s plan for the church.
(c) Copyright David E. Pratte, 2025; gospelway.com
