What work did God assign to local churches? Should they focus on spiritual work (teaching God's word, worship, and evangelism) or may they participate in recreation, entertainment, and social activities? What constitutes local church fellowship, edification, and good works?
This material is available as a 3-part series of videos here:
# 1 - https://biblestudylessons.substack.com/p/the-local-church-distinguished-from
https://biblestudylessons.com/powerpoint/church-work.pptx
Introduction:
The church is important to God.
Ephesians 3:10,11 – God planned the church from eternity.
Matthew 16:18 – Jesus promised to build His church.
Acts 20:28; Ephesians 5:23,25 – Jesus purchased the church with His blood. He is the Savior of the body, having given Himself for it.
God would not do this for something unimportant.
The purpose of this lesson is to consider the nature and work of the local church.
We want to understand what the local church is, how it differs from individual Christians, and what important work God intended for the local church to do.
Is church work primarily spiritual or does it include recreation, entertainment, and other social activities (as often done by denominations and some “churches of Christ”)?
Note: We are discussing the work of local churches compared to the work of individuals. We are not discussing the universal church (which has no work since it has no earthly organization).
The Local Church Contrasted to the Individual
When people want to involve the local church in social activities, almost invariably they blur or ignore the distinction between individuals and local churches. They apply verses about individuals to the local church. What is the local church and how does it differ from individuals?
A Local Church Consists of Christians in a Local Area.
Some passages mention local churches, and some distinguish them from individual Christians.
Many passages refer to particular churches in various localities.
Acts 8:1 – The church which was at Jerusalem
1 Corinthians 1:2 – The church of God which is at Corinth.
We will notice many other examples as this study proceeds.
(1 Thessalonians 1:1; Romans 16:1; Colossians 4:16; Acts 11:22; 2 Corinthians 1:1; 2 Thessalonians 1:1)
Many passages distinguish local churches from one another.
Philippians 4:14-16 – No church shared with Paul but only the Philippians. One church did this work, but others did not. (2 Corinthians 11:8,9)
Revelation 1:4 – Jesus addressed the seven churches of Asia one by one, distinguishing each from others. Each had its own lampstand, which would be removed if it became unfaithful (1:20; 2:1,5). (Note 2:7,11,17,23,29; 3:6,13,22; 22:16.)
(Acts 9:31; Romans 16:16; 1 Corinthians 4:17; 7:17; 14:33,34; 16:1,2; 16:19; 2 Corinthians 8:1; Galatians 1:2; 1:22; 1 Thessalonians 2:14; 2 Thessalonians 1:4)
Local churches consisted of individual disciples
Acts 13:1 – Certain men were “in” the church in Antioch (9:26-29).
Local churches were groups consisting of individual Christians. These churches were distinguished from one another, each having its own identity as a group.
Local Churches and Individual Christians Follow Separate Rules.
Some verses describe local church responsibilities, but other verses describe individual duties.
Christ gave rules to guide local churches.
1 Corinthians 16:1,2 – Corinth should do as the churches in Galatia were ordered to do.
Revelation 1:4; chapters 2 & 3 – Jesus addressed instructions to various local churches.
(1 Corinthians 11:17ff; chapter 14)
Other instructions are addressed to individual Christians.
Letters addressed to churches often include instructions to be obeyed by individuals.
1 Corinthians 7 – “Each man” was instructed about conduct toward “his own wife.”
Ephesians 5:22-6:9 – Husbands, wives, parents, children, servants, and masters are all instructed about their personal duties. (Colossians 3:18-4:1)
We can understand that Scripture reveals rules for married people different from those for single people, parents compared to children, masters compared to servants, and elders compared to members. Likewise, some rules for local churches differ from those for individuals.
(See also 1 & 2 Timothy; Titus; Philemon; 1 Corinthians 7:17)
Local Churches and Individuals Have Separate Funds.
Each local church possessed and used a pool of funds (treasury) to do its work.
1 Corinthians 16:1-4 – Churches took collections to care for needy members. Collecting continued for a period of time, resulting in a treasury. (2 Corinthians 8 & 9; Acts 4:32-5:11; 6:1-6; 11:30)
Philippians 4:14-16; 2 Corinthians 11:8,9 – Churches used funds to support preachers. This requires ongoing income to regularly support these men (1 Corinthians 9:1-14).
Churches are authorized to have a treasury of funds belonging to the group to do its work.
(Assembling requires providing a place – Acts 11:26; 1 Corinthians 14; 11:17-34)
The local church obtains funds differently from the individual members.
1 Corinthians 16:1,2; 2 Corinthians 8 & 9 – The local church receives income by taking collections (donations) from the members.
Ephesians 4:28; 1 Thessalonians 4:11; 2 Thessalonians 3:10-12 – Individuals earn income by business or job. Able-bodied individuals sin if they seek donations instead of working. (Acts 20:34)
The church is commanded to obtain money in the very way individuals are forbidden to obtain it. The church is not authorized to operate businesses like individuals do.
The local church controls its funds differently from the individual members.
Acts 4:32-5:11; 6:1-6; 11:30 – Church funds were supervised by leaders in the church.
Acts 5:4 – The Christian has funds that are his “own” and under his “control.” But when he gives to the church, the funds pass into the control of the church. (Matthew 20:15)
2 Corinthians 9:6,7; 1 Corinthians 16:1,2 – Each person “purposes” for himself how much to give to the church. The church may not make that decision for him.
Individual activities are financed by individual funds, and church activities are financed by church funds. The church may not decide how the individual will use the funds God placed in his control, nor may any individual alone decide what the local church will do with its funds.
The church and the individual obtain and control their funds differently. We will see they also should use their funds for different things. Church funds are distinct from individual funds.
Local Churches Act Under Different Supervision from Individuals.
A fully organized local church is overseen by elders (bishops/pastors).
A plurality of elders should be appointed in each church.
Acts 14:23; Titus 1:5 – A plurality of qualified men should be “appointed” or “ordained” in each church. (Philippians 1:1; Acts 20:17,28; 15:2-6; Titus 1:5-9; 1 Timothy 3:1-7.)
They are responsible to lead, supervise, or oversee the local church.
1 Peter 5:2,3; Acts 20:28 – They “take the oversight” or “exercise the oversight” (ASV).
1 Timothy 5:17 – They “rule” or “have charge over you.” (Hebrews 13:17)
So elders exercise “oversight” (leadership, supervision) in a local church, but their authority is limited to the local church. They have no right to make decisions for individual members.
Individuals are responsible to make decisions for themselves.
Note some decisions that the church or elders cannot make for the individual.
The choice to obey and follow Christ
Matthew 7:21-28 – “Whoever” does the will of the Father enters the kingdom.
James 1:23-25 – He who looks into the perfect law of liberty and continues doing the work, this one will be blessed in what he does (in contrast to anyone who does not do it).
The choice to meet the conditions of forgiveness
Mark 16:15,16 – The gospel should be preached to every creature in the whole world. “He who” believes and is baptized will be saved. (Hebrews 11:6; Romans 10:9-11)
Acts 2:38 – “Every one of you” should repent and be baptized for remission of sins.
Preparation for judgment
2 Corinthians 5:10 – At judgment each one will receive the things done in the body, according to what he has done, whether good or bad.
Galatians 6:7,8 – Whatever a man sows that he will also reap. He who sows to the flesh will reap corruption. He who sows to the spirit will reap everlasting life.
The church may teach what decisions individuals should make but cannot decide for the individual, nor may one individual alone independently supervise church activities.
Local Churches and Individuals Have Distinct Work to Do.
We plan to study the work of the church in detail later. But note here some examples of works of individual members that are not authorized as local church group activities.
Individuals may operate businesses to make money.
Christians work for an income (Ephesians 4:28; Acts 18:2,3; 20:34; 2 Thessalonians 3:7-12; 1 Thessalonians 4:11; 1 Corinthians 9:7), but churches take collections (1 Corinthians 16:1,2).
Individuals control their funds to fulfill individual responsibilities.
Acts 5:4; 2 Corinthians 9:6,7 – The local church accepts what gifts the members give, but individuals decide for themselves how much to give.
Individuals care for needy relatives; churches care for members with no relatives.
1 Timothy 5:4,8,16 – When individuals do as they should, there will be a distinction between how individuals use their money and how the church uses its money.
In resolving personal differences, individual responsibility differs from the church.
Matthew 18:15-17 – When sinned against by a brother, one must first act as an individual (verse 15), then several individuals act (verse 16), then the church acts (verse 17). By Jesus’ command, the duty of one or several individuals differs from local church action.
Individuals may marry, have a physical relationship, bear children, and raise them.
Ephesians 5:22-6:4; Hebrews 13:4; Genesis 1:28; 2:18-24; 1 Corinthians 7:2-5 – These responsibilities are fulfilled individually and as family members, not as a local church.
Ephesians 5:22-25 – As Jesus’ bride, the church does not bear or raise children physically.
Individuals may eat common meals
1 Corinthians 11:22,34 – The church should eat a meal as a memorial to Jesus’ death, but individuals eat to satisfy hunger. Individuals are permitted to do what the church should not do.
Individuals may wear human names.
Matthew 3:1; 10:2-4; Acts 18:24 – Men may be named Peter, Paul, Alexander Campbell, etc.
1 Corinthians 1:10-13 – Local churches may not wear the names of men.
Individuals may play instrumental music (with secular songs).
1 Corinthians 14:7,8 – This is legitimate for individuals.
Hebrews 2:12 – Local churches sing spiritual songs (no instruments).
Church work and individual work may overlap yet are often different. Individual works are financed and supervised by the individuals, whereas church works are financed and supervised by the local church. We must not assume the local church may do a work just because individuals are authorized to do it.
Local Churches and Individuals Have Distinct Roles in Deciding Church Membership.
Individuals choose to request membership; the church decides to receive members.
Acts 9:26-29 – Paul sought to join the disciples in Jerusalem. The church determined he was a faithful Christian, then he was “with them,” working and teaching among them.
Acts 18:27,28 – The church in Ephesus sent a letter to Achaia to receive Apollos.
The individual determines whether or not to request membership in a faithful local church, but the church decides whether or not to receive the individual as a faithful member.
(2 Corinthians 3:1; Acts 11:22-26)
The church excludes unruly members.
1 Corinthians chapter 5; 2 Thessalonians 3:6-15 – Because of member’s conduct, the church may determine to refuse to keep company with them, so they are no longer part of the group.
(Romans 16:17; Matthew 18:15-17)
A local church is not just any group of Christians. It has defined limits as to who is and is not included in the group. The role of the individual differs from that of the church in deciding this.
The Local Church Intends to Be a Local Church (Not Just Individuals)
A group of Christians constitutes a local church only by deliberate choice, by common consent, by mutual intent and purpose. They understand that they are not just acting as individuals.
This follows as a necessary conclusion from all the previous points.
* A local church intentionally qualifies and appoints men to serve as elders.
* It intentionally establishes a treasury of church funds.
* It deliberately does the works and only the works of a local church.
* Every individual member must make a deliberate choice to become part of the local church.
So a local church is not just any group of Christians, but a group of Christians that are so ordered, arranged, or organized to work and worship together as a local church.
An illustration of the difference between individuals and a local church
Compare a group of Christians to a disorganized pile of bricks. The bricks might become organized to form a hospital, store, or school. But as long as it is just a pile of bricks it is none of these. The building results from the structure or organization established among the bricks.
Likewise, people may be unorganized with no group responsibilities. Or they may be organized in different ways. What rules or work apply depends on how they are organized.
Some people may form a family, some a government, and some a local church. Each organization has a God-given pattern for its rules, leadership, and work. These are in addition to, and in some ways different from, what God expects of each individual.
In particular, a local church exists when Christians follow the pattern God has given for the rules, leadership, work, etc., for a local church. We must not assume the local church may do a work just because individuals may do it. The local church must follow the pattern of organization, funding, and work authorized in Scripture for the local church.
When teachers blur the distinction between individuals and local churches, you can expect them to defend involving the local church in social functions, recreation, entertainment, etc.
The Nature of Local Church Work
A Summary of the Work of Local Churches
God has assigned certain works for a local church to do as a group, not just as individuals.
Local churches should preach the gospel to those who are not God’s children.
Acts 11:22-26 – Churches arranged for preachers to teach the lost. (13:1-3; 14:26,27)
Philippians 4:14-18 – Churches supported preachers financially. (2 Corinthians 11:8,9)
1 Timothy 3:15 – The church is the pillar and ground of the truth. (1 Thessalonians 1:8)
Local churches should instruct and edify Christians.
1 Corinthians 14:19,23-26 – Churches conducted assemblies to edify the members.
Ephesians 4:15,16 – All the members work as part of the body to build it up.
1 Corinthians 5 – This includes disciplining erring members (Matthew 18:15-17).
(Hebrews 10:24,25; Colossians 4:16; Acts 11:26; 2 Thessalonians 3:6-15)
Local churches should provide opportunities to praise God.
Studying God’s word (see above)
Prayer (1 Corinthians 14:15; Acts 2:42)
Lord’s Supper (1 Corinthians 11:17-34; Acts 20:7; 2:42)
Singing (1 Corinthians 14:15; Hebrews 2:12)
Collection (1 Corinthians 16:1,2; 2 Corinthians 8 & 9)
Local churches should care for certain destitute members.
1 Corinthians 16:1,2; 2 Corinthians 8 & 9; Acts 4:32-35 – Collections were taken to aid needy saints (2:44,45; 6:1-6; Acts 11:27-30).
This is the total pattern of work God has given local churches. Churches may supervise these activities or finance them or do both. But to change the work of the local church is just as wrong as it is to change its worship, organization, or plan of salvation.
Spiritual Emphasis in the Work of the Church
Observe that the work of the local church (as listed above) is fundamentally spiritual, pertaining to man’s eternal salvation, relationship to God, and eternal destiny. Only one area is physical in nature, and we will see that Scripture highly limits church involvement in that area.
The work of the church must harmonize with its nature and purpose. The work is spiritual, because the church is fundamentally spiritual in nature. Notice the spiritual emphasis in God’s plan for the church. (Much of this information pertains to the church in general, but it helps explain the spiritual emphasis in local church work.)
* The Founder, Owner, and Head of the church came to meet man’s spiritual needs.
Jesus came to shed His blood to save men from sin (Ephesians 1:7; Luke 19:10; 5:32; Matthew 20:28; 26:28). But while on earth He planned to establish the church over which He would be the Head (Matthew 16:18; Ephesians 1:22,23). The church exists to help achieve Jesus’ purpose for man’s salvation.
* The church was purchased with a spiritual price.
Acts 20:28; Ephesians 5:23-25 – Jesus shed His blood to save us eternally, but His blood purchased the church.
* The church consists of people who have been spiritually saved and seek eternal life.
Acts 2:47 – The Lord adds people to the church as they are being saved. (Acts 20:28; Ephesians 5:23,25; Colossians 1:12-14)
* The church is entered by a spiritual birth in which people receive forgiveness of sins.
John 3:3,5 – To enter the kingdom one must be born of the water and Spirit (Romans 6:3,4; 1 Corinthians 12:13; Acts 2:38,47).
* The primary work of the highest leaders in the church is spiritual.
Acts 6:2-4; 20:28-30; Hebrews 13:7,17 – The apostles and the local church elders have the highest leadership positions in the church, but their work is primarily spiritual.
* The church is a spiritual house, a kingdom not of this world
1 Peter 2:5 – We are a spiritual house, a holy priesthood to offer spiritual sacrifices.
John 18:36 – Jesus’ kingdom is not of this world.
(Romans 14:17; 2 Corinthians 10:3-5; Luke 17:20,21.)
The church is fundamentally spiritual in nature. It is the only institution God established to meet man’s spiritual needs. Everything we can now do to help people physically, we could have done had Jesus never died and established the church. But none of man’s spiritual needs can be met without Jesus’ death or outside the church He purchased.
The Danger of Changing the Work of the Church
We Must Not Practice What the Lord Did Not Authorize.
The Bible completely reveals ALL God’s will for us: all good works.
John 16:13 (14:26) – The Holy Spirit revealed all truth to the apostles.
Acts 20:20,27 – Paul preached the whole counsel of God, keeping back nothing profitable.
2 Timothy 3:16,17 – All good works are recorded in the Scriptures.
2 Peter 1:3 – Inspiration revealed all things that pertain to life and godliness.
It follows that any practice of the local church that is not found in the gospel is not true, not a good work, and does not pertain to life or godliness.
(James 1:25; Matthew 28:20; Colossians 4:12; Jude 3; Hebrews. 13:20,31; John 20:30,31; 1 John 1:1-4; 2:1-6)
Practices not included in God’s word are unacceptable.
When a practice differs from what God revealed is it wrong or just a matter of "judgment"?
Matthew 15:9,13,14 – Worship is vain when based on precepts of human origin. Any work of the local church that differs from what the gospel reveals is human in origin and unacceptable.
Isaiah 55:8,9; Luke 16:15 – God’s thoughts and ways are different from ours. What men highly esteem is an abomination to God. We have no right to decide for ourselves what is “good” without Divine revelation. (Revelation 22:18,19; Deuteronomy 4:2; 12:32)
Jeremiah 10:23; Proverbs 14:12; 2 Corinthians 10:18 – The way of man is not in himself. It is not in man who walks to direct his steps. There is a way that seems right to man, but the end is death. Not he who commends himself is approved, but he whom the Lord approves.
Proverbs 3:5,6 – Trust in the Lord and do not lean on your own understanding.
Colossians 3:17 – All we do, in word or deed, should be done in Jesus’ name.
Galatians 1:6-9 – A man is accursed if he preaches a different gospel.
2 John 9 – Whoever does not abide in Jesus’ teaching, does not have God.
If Scripture does not teach the local church to do a work, we should refuse to participate in it. We must restrict ourselves to works that God has authorized.
(See also 1 Peter 4:11; 1 Corinthians 4:6; Romans 10:1-3; Colossians 2:8)
Applications of these principles
To please God, we must do only those things that are included, fit the definition, or fall within the meaning of God’s instructions. Consider some examples.
2 Kings 5:10-14 – Naaman and dipping in the Jordan River
God said Naaman should dip in the Jordan, but he wanted other rivers. God did not expressly say not to dip in other rivers, but when He named the Jordan, others were eliminated. Had God not specified a river, Naaman would have had his choice. But when God specified the Jordan, that left no other choice.
Romans 6:4; Mark 16:16; Acts 2:38 – Baptism a burial of penitent believers
God said baptism is a burial. Sprinkling and pouring do not fit. Had God just said, “Apply water,” we could sprinkle, pour, or immerse. But when He said to bury, He eliminated sprinkling and pouring.
Likewise, when Jesus said to baptize penitent believers, He eliminated babies and animals.
Matthew 26:26ff – Bread and fruit of the vine in the Lord’s Supper
Jesus said to use unleavened bread and fruit of the vine in the Lord’s Supper. Milk and lamb are different kinds of food. Had God simply said to eat and drink, we could choose any foods. But when He named particular foods. other kinds of foods are forbidden.
Ephesians 5:19; Colossians 3:16; etc. – Musical praise
Every New Testament passage that mentions music in worship says to sing, speak, teach, etc. But playing instruments is a different kind of musical praise. Had God simply said to make music, we could sing and/or play. But when He named singing, playing instruments does not fit.
Work of the church
Likewise, God revealed the work of local churches: teaching the lost, edifying the members, providing opportunities to worship God, and caring for destitute members.
The church may plan, organize, and supervise these works. It may provide funds and arrange workers. It may provide tools, facilities, and legitimate aids such as a building, printed materials, pews, lights, electricity, etc.
But churches that practice other acts cannot consistently oppose instrumental music, infant baptism, sprinkling or pouring, hamburger on the Lord’s Supper, etc. All are eliminated because they differ from what God says.
However, like instrumental music, infant baptism, sprinkling or pouring, hamburger on the Lord’s Supper etc., when churches practice works other than those Scripturally authorized, they practice error, not just matters of judgment.
We Must Not Change Spiritual Church Emphasis to Physical Emphasis.
Involving the church in unauthorized physical acts perverts the spiritual nature of the church.
Jesus’ gospel says spiritual things in general are more important than physical.
Matthew 16:26,27 – If one gains the whole world but loses his soul, what has he profited?
John 6:27,63 – Do not work for food which perishes, but for that which abides to eternal life. The flesh profits nothing; the Spirit gives life.
Romans 8:6 – To be carnally minded is death, but to be spiritually minded is life and peace.
Meeting physical needs has temporary benefits; meeting spiritual needs has eternal benefits.
(Colossians 3:1,2; Luke 12:15-21; Mattheew 4:4; 10:28; 6:1-18,19-34)
So the church must maintain its spiritual emphasis.
Matthew 6:19-21,33 – Do not lay up treasure on earth, but lay up treasure in heaven. Seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness. So the kingdom (church) pertains to spiritual things (righteousness) in contrast to physical things.
John 4:23,24 – We worship a spiritual God, so we must worship in spirit and in truth. Likewise, the church is spiritual because it serves a spiritual God; so its work must fit its spiritual nature.
(Matthew 15:8,9; Philippians 3:3; Romans 1:9)
This spiritual emphasis must reflect itself in the work the church does.
1 Peter 2:5,9 – We are a spiritual house, a holy priesthood, a holy nation. So we offer spiritual sacrifices. The work we do is spiritual, because the nature of the church is spiritual.
John 18:36 – Jesus’ kingdom is not of this world, so His servants did not fight. Physical fighting does not harmonize with a spiritual kingdom. The work of the kingdom must fit its spiritual nature.
Spiritual-minded people, who serve the spiritual King in His spiritual kingdom, will not allow the work of local churches to be turned into carnal, fleshly emphasis.
(Hebrews 13:15; 1 Corinthians 14:15; Ephesians 6:10-19; Colossians 3:16; 2 Corinthians 10:3-5; Romans 14:17)
Some inspired examples of spiritual emphasis in the church
The work of the highest leaders in the church
The apostles and elders were the highest church leaders. Their work was primarily spiritual in nature, pertaining to the salvation of souls (Acts 20:28-30; Hebrews 13:7,17).
Acts 6:1-4 – When caring for needy members distracted apostles from spiritual work (prayer and ministry of the word), they put others in charge of it. Even the authorized work of caring for needy members must not distract from the primarily spiritual work of the church. So surely we must not allow unauthorized works to distract from the spiritual emphasis of the church.
Cleansing the temple
Matthew 21:12,13 – Because the temple was “a house of prayer,” Jesus removed those who engaged in secular business. He opposed unauthorized practices that perverted spiritual purpose.
Jesus’ church is now a spiritual temple (1 Peter 2:5; Ephesians 2:21,22; 1 Corinthians 3:16). We should cast out of the church unauthorized works that satisfy physical, material desires.
1 Corinthians 11:17-34
Paul rebuked Corinth for turning the Lord’s Supper into a physical feast. Their act was unauthorized and turned a spiritual act into a secular meal, losing the spiritual meaning.
Today many local churches practice unauthorized works that emphasize satisfying physical, fleshly desires instead of the spiritual work God authorized. When we understand why Paul rebuked Corinth, we will understand why we should oppose involving the church in secular works.
Common Examples of Improper Church Work
Consider activities that are unauthorized and emphasize physical instead of spiritual work.
The Use of Carnal Attractions
God has specified the power we should use to attract people to serve Jesus.
Romans 1:16 – The gospel is God’s power to save all men.
2 Thessalonians 2:14 – Men are called by the gospel.
John 12:32; Matthew 11:28-30 – Jesus draws men to Himself by inviting and teaching.
Acts 17:2,17; 18:4,11,19; 19:8,9; 24:24,25 – Apostles used the gospel not carnal promotions.
The greatest motivating power we have is the story of Jesus’ death and eternal life.
(Acts 20:32; 1 Corinthians 1:18-24; John 6:44,45; Luke 5:32; Hebrews 4:12,13; James 1:21; Romans 10:14-17; 1 Peter 1:22,23; Mark 16:15,16; Luke 24:47; Acts 5:42; 8:4,5,25,35; 13:5,16; 14:1,7,21; 16:13)
Those who trust the power of the gospel will not appeal to carnal, physical desires.
Many churches offer fun, food, entertainment, parties, banquets, carnivals, and other gimmicks. If this is acceptable, why not just offer $25 to all who would come?
2 Corinthians 10:3-5 – Our weapons are not fleshly, but have power to lead men to Jesus.
Ephesians 6:10-18 – Because we fight a spiritual enemy, we have spiritual armor. This includes God’s word, the sword of the Spirit, but no carnal methods are included. (Romans 14:17)
1 Corinthians 2:1-5 – We preach Jesus’ death so faith stands in God’s power, not man’s wisdom. (1:18-25)
John 6:44,45,63,68 – People can come to Jesus only by hearing and learning. His words are spirit and life, but the flesh profits nothing. (verses 26,27)
God is spirit. His kingdom is spiritual. Man’s greatest need is spiritual. Our enemy is spiritual. Our eternal reward is spiritual. So God gave us spiritual drawing power: the gospel. To use carnal attractions is to act without Divine authority and to secularize the spiritual nature of the church.
(Acts 13:44-45; John 8:47; Matthew 13:13-15)
Unauthorized Secular Activities
Businesses, hospitals, secular education, and politics
Some churches supervise and/or donate to businesses, hospitals, colleges, schools, day-care centers, or political campaigns. But where is the authority for involvement in such secular works?
Ephesians 4:28; 1 Timothy 5:8 – Men as individuals should work in a business to provide for their families. The Bible contains many examples of men doing such. (2 Thessalonians 3:7ff; 1 Thessalonians 4:11,12; Acts 18:2,3; 7:22; 19:9; Matthew 20:1-16; Colossians; Mark 6:3; 1 Corinthians 9:7)
Secular education may help prepare an individual for the secular work God authorizes. Hospitals offer a useful service in which one might work as a business. (Luke 10:33-35)
Voting uses the liberties the government gives citizens. (Acts 22:25-29; 25:10-12; Matthew 22:21)
Individuals may participate in such activities to care for themselves and their families. But for local churches to supervise or donate to such would be unauthorized, and would divert the church from its spiritual emphasis into secular or physical works. This is error, not just judgment.
Recreation, entertainment, and social activities
Some churches organize and/or finance ball teams, gymnasiums, scouts, camps, parties, carnivals, stage productions, concerts, kitchens, dining facilities, and common meals. Again, individuals may be involved in these, but what passage authorizes local churches to be involved?
1 Timothy 4:8 – Bodily exercise profits a little, but godliness has promise of this life and that which is to come. The Bible mentions sports and entertainment but never as a work of the church. Individuals may provide rest and recreation for themselves and their families, but what passage authorizes these as church work? (Mark 6:31; 1 Timothy 5:8; 1 Corinthians 9:25; 2 Timothy 2:5; Luke 15:23)
1 Corinthians 11:22,34; 10:27; Acts 27:33-36 – Common meals and other upright social events are authorized for individuals, but not for churches. If common meals should be eaten as individuals not as church work, surely recreation, entertainment, and other social activities are likewise not authorized church works.
The Lord’s church preaches the spiritual gospel that leads to salvation (Romans 1:16). Social emphasis is another gospel that appeals to physical desires (Galatians 1:8,9). This is error, not just judgment. Churches must avoid unauthorized activities that lead them away from their God-given spiritual emphasis.
The church should do the work God gave it, and individuals should do the work God gave them. Jesus did not die for a glorified entertainment, recreational, and social club!
Caring for Needy Non-Members
The gospel highly limits local church involvement in helping physically needy people.
Men should work to provide for their own needs.
Ephesians 4:28; 2 Thessalonians 3:10 – Men are commanded to work. (1 Thessalonians 4:11,12)
Local churches should not care for able-bodied people who are able to care for themselves.
Individuals should care for needy relatives.
1 Timothy 5:4,8,16 – Primary responsibility for caring for needy people falls on their relatives.
Here is another limit on local church benevolence. (Matthew 15:4-6; Esther 2:7)
Individuals should care for all kinds of destitute people.
Luke 10:25-37; Matthew 25:31-46 – Love for neighbor teaches us to help needy people as we have opportunity. (Ephesians 4:28; Acts 9:36-39; 20:34,35; 1 Timothy 6:18; James 2:14-16; 1 John 3:17,18)
Local churches should care for certain needy members.
Every verse about church benevolence shows the church should care for members.
Acts 2:44,45 – “all that believed”
Acts 4:32-5:11 – “them that believed” (4:32)
Acts 6:1-6 – “number of the disciples (verse 1)
Acts 11:27-30 – “unto the brethren” (verse 29)
Romans 15:25-27 – “unto the saints…saints”
1 Corinthians 16:1-4 – “for the saints”
2 Corinthians 8:4; 9:1,12 – “to the saints”
1 Timothy 5:16 – “widows indeed” (who trust in God and pray daily – verses 5,9,10).
Just as the gospel limits who should be baptized and what kind of music to use in worship, so it restricts church involvement in caring for needy people. Benevolent work is primarily an individual responsibility which leaves the church free to fulfill its spiritual responsibilities.
If the local church is so limited in caring for needy people, why should it provide entertainment, recreation, and social activities for people who are not in need?
An illustration
Suppose a man asks hospital emergency room doctors to fix his car brakes. The hospital should refuse because: (1) Hospitals do not exist to fix cars. And (2) fixing cars diverts the hospital from the essential work hospitals are supposed to do.
So, the local church should avoid these social activities, recreation, etc., because it does not exist for that purpose and because they divert the church from its spiritual work.
Note that, once they begin, unauthorized works almost invariably grow. Regardless of intent, they start small and grow like weeds in a garden unless they are weeded out.
Answers to Defenses of Other Church Works
In the mid-1900s, many churches divided when loose-thinking people urged local churches toward social activities. Some of the same defenses are being used today. Consider some of them.
Fellowship
Acts 2:42 says the church practiced “fellowship” (sharing), so some define fellowship as including social activities, recreation, etc.
This is like saying the church practiced worship, then defining worship to include instrumental music or annual communion. Or it is like saying the church had “pastors,” then defining pastor to mean a preacher even if he does not meet the qualifications of bishops.
The question is: How does the gospel describe “fellowship” as practiced by local churches?
The slippery slope: What Scripture do you use to draw the line?
What else may be justified as church “fellowship”? May the church “share” in entertainment, parties, fun and games, recreation, sports, political campaigns, schools or day-care centers, colleges, businesses, hospitals? Such reasoning is a slippery slope with no logical end.
The gospel specifies that local churches had fellowship in its authorized works.
2 John 9-11 – Not all “fellowship” is acceptable. We must not fellowship any work that is not included in the doctrine of Christ. (1 Timothy 5:22; Ephesians 5:11; 2 Corinthians 6:14-18)
Local church fellowship is primarily spiritual and is specifically limited to the works we studied.
* Fellowship in worship and edification – Acts 2:42; 1 Corinthians 10:16,17
* Fellowship in supporting gospel preachers – Philippians 4:14-18
* Fellowship with needy saints – Acts 4:32,34,35; 2 Corinthians 8:4.
Observe:
Acts 2:42 shows fellowship was part of a list of spiritual worship acts. All these acts may be done in church worship assemblies. But 1 Corinthians 11:34 shows social activities, etc., should not be done in such assemblies. So local church fellowship does not include social activities, recreation, etc. |
What verse authorizes church fellowship in recreation, entertainment, or social activities? Such activities change God’s pattern like adding a different kind of music, sprinkling, etc. Local church participation diverts the church’s spiritual emphasis into that which is carnal. This is error, not just judgment.
Evangelism and Edification
Some claim recreation, entertainment, etc., attract people to be taught and strengthened.
The slippery slope: What Scripture do you use to draw the line?
Some use this reasoning to justify church involvement in entertainment, parties, fun and games, recreation, sports, political campaigns, businesses, schools, day-care centers, hospitals, health clinics, missionary societies, etc. Such reasoning is a slippery slope with no logical end.
This is the same error as using carnal attractions.
Review our study of carnal attractions. We learned that God specified the drawing power the church should use: the gospel. The gospel warns against using carnal methods to save souls.
As with evangelism, the gospel specifies the church should edify by spiritual teaching.
Ephesians 4:11-16 – Speaking the truth in love
The church should equip members for service, including edifying the body for growth (verses 12,16). Some assume without proof that this authorizes use of social activities, etc.
Observe that the growth being discussed is spiritual growth: unity of the faith and knowledge of the Son of God to the stature of the fullness of Christ (verse 13), avoiding deceitful doctrines (verse 14), but growing up to the head, Christ (verse 15). How is this growth done?
Verse 15 – The body edifies itself to cause growth by speaking the truth in love.
2 Peter 3:18 – We grow in the grace and knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.
1 Peter 2:2 – �desire the milk of the word, that you may grow thereby.
Colossians 1:28 – Him we preach, warning every man and teaching every man in all wisdom, that we may present every man perfect in Christ Jesus. (1 Thessalonians 4:1)
Spiritual growth requires edification by spiritual methods, especially teaching, not physical methods.
What verse shows spiritual growth is caused by social activities, recreation, or entertainment?
1 Corinthians 14 includes guidelines about church edification.
We edify (verse 26) by teaching (verse 3) so all can learn (verse 31). This requires an understandable message, avoiding what lacks an understandable message (verses 6-10, 15-19).
Recreation and entertainment give no inherently understandable message. They could be used to promote all kinds of things, so they are not an authorized form of church edification.
All legitimate forms of church edification may be used in its assemblies. If entertainment, recreation, etc., were authorized forms of edification, then the church could practice them in their assemblies! But 1 Corinthians 11:34 forbids such acts in assemblies. Therefore, they are not a legitimate form of church edification. |
Edification by the church is spiritual in nature, instructing and exhorting men to serve God. To use recreation, etc., as “edification” perverts the work and spiritual nature of the church. This is error, not just judgment.
Hospitality
Some say the church should practice hospitality for the members in general, including recreation, entertainment, and social activities. The church may meet the needs of preachers and some needy members, it is true, but the issue here is providing social acts, etc., for the members in general.
Hospitality involves providing food, lodging, health care, and washing feet.
Genesis 18:1-8 – Hospitality involved providing food and a place to prepare and eat the food. If this is authorized church work, then the church can provide food, kitchen, and a room to eat the meal for the members in general (so a church-sponsored kitchen and hospitality hall).
Genesis 19:2,3; Hebrews 13:2; Matthew 25:35,36; 1 Timothy 5:9,10 – Hospitality involved providing lodging. If this is authorized church work, then the church can provide lodging for the members in general.
Matthew 25:34-36 – The same passage that says to lodge strangers (hospitality) also says to care for the sick and prisoners. Does this authorize the church to provide a hospital or prison?
Genesis 18:4; 19:2; 1 Timothy 5:9,10; John 13:3-17 – Hospitality in Bible times often involved washing people’s feet. Is foot washing an authorized church work?
Scriptural hospitality involves using property and finances to help people’s needs. If this authorizes church recreation, etc. then the local church may use its building and funds to provide entertainment, recreation, lodging, health care, and footwashing for members in general.
Hospitality toward people in general is always individual, not local church activity.
Genesis 18:1-8; 19:1-3; Matthew 25:34-36,40 – Examples already discussed were individual.
1 Timothy 3:2 – Each elder must be hospitable. This is not a church work but an individual quality (“a bishop must be”) like “husband of one wife” and “one who rules his own house well.”
1 Timothy 5:9,10 – A widow indeed should have lodged strangers (hospitality). But this refers to individual activity the same as “the wife of one man” and “she has brought up children.”
1 Peter 4:9 – Be hospitable to one another without grumbling. Verse 10 shows “one another” refers to “each one” ministering as a good steward of his God-given gifts.
Romans 12:13 – “Given to hospitality” – The context shows Paul is describing individual characteristics: “present your bodies” (verse 1), “your mind” (verse 2), “everyone … each one” (verse 3), “he who” (5 times – verses 7,8), “your mind … your own opinion” (verse 16).
(Is Acts 2:43-47 church hospitality? Verses 44,45 refer to caring for needy brethren, not recreation and entertainment for members in general. Verse 46 contrasts the church assembling to common meals eaten at home, which is individual activity as taught in 1 Corinthians 11:34.)
Passages about individual hospitality prove nothing about the work of the church.
Scriptural hospitality always refers to caring for needs, not recreation/entertainment.
See the examples listed above (Genesis 18,19; Matthew 25; 1 Timothy 5:9,10; etc.).
As with “fellowship,” loose thinking first says the church is authorized to practice fellowship or hospitality, then it defines fellowship or hospitality to include anything they enjoy doing.
What verse says local churches practiced hospitality providing recreation/entertainment for members in general? The misuse of “hospitality” would involve the local church in practicing entertainment and recreation without Biblical authority and would change the church emphasis from spiritual to physical. This is error, not just judgment.
(“Hospitality” (philoxenia)– “love to strangers, hospitality” – Grimm-Wilke-Thayer. “love of strangers” – Vine. “Hospitality” does not mean entertain in the sense of fun and games as today. “Entertain” in Hebrews 13:2 simply refers to hospitality – NASB, ESV, etc. ASV says “show love to strangers.”)
(The church may care for physical needs of preachers and some needy members but not members in general.)
Good Works
Loose-thinking churches have long claimed the church should practice good works, then they assume without Scriptural proof that recreation, entertainment, and social activities are good works the church may provide. But this approach could justify anything anyone claims is a good work!
Good works must be authorized in Scripture.
We have showed that God rejects practices that differ from Scripture (see our study of authority). We are not free to decide for ourselves what is good.
2 Timothy 3:16,17 – Scripture provides to all good works.
Matthew 15:9,13,14 – Worship is vain when based on precepts of human origin.
Galatians 1:6-9 – A man is accursed if he preaches a different gospel.
2 John 9 – Whoever does not abide in Jesus’ teaching, does not have God.
Matthew 7:21-23 – These people thought they did good works, but Jesus rejected them for lawlessness because their works did not harmonize with the will of the Father.
Whether we are considering salvation from sin, worship, or church work and organization, practices that differ from what the Scriptures teach are error, not matters of judgment.
The church teaches many good works that are practiced only individually.
Hebrews 10:24,25 – Provoke one another to love and good works. Titus 3:14 – And let our people also learn to maintain good works.
The church teaches men to love their wives and children to obey parents. It teaches servants to submit to masters and teaches the government should punish evildoers. Does this authorize the local church as such to practice all these activities under the oversight of the elders? The church teaches these things, but they are practiced by individuals, not as a church.
The church provokes love and good works in its assemblies (Hebrews 10:24,25). The fact that the church teaches a good work does not mean it is authorized to practice that work as a church. |
Using the good works argument to justify entertainment, recreation, and social activities is to act without Biblical authority and to pervert the work of the church from spiritual to physical. This is error, not just judgment.
“No Church Funds Were Used” or “Just Call It Individual Activity”
Some justify church involvement in individual activity by saying, “No church funds were used” or “Just call it individual activity,” even though it is part of a program supervised by the elders. May elders supervise individual activities?
A local church may supervise and/or finance only authorized church works.
A local church may scripturally involve itself in authorized works in the following ways:
The local church may finance authorized church works.
See 1 Corinthians 16:1-4; 2 Corinthians 8 & 9; 11:8,9; Acts 4:32-5:11; Philippians 4:14-16.
It follows that, if a work is not authorized, the church should not finance it.
The local church may supervise authorized church works.
1 Peter 5:2,3; Acts 20:28 – The elders in a local church oversee or shepherd the “flock” (local church). They should take or exercise oversight (1 Peter 5:2 – KJV, ASV, NASB, ESV).
Scripture authorizes elders to supervise only the local church but nothing beyond that. Since the church may practice only authorized works, it follows that elders may supervise only authorized church works. They have no right as elders to supervise individual works.
So if an activity is an individual work, not an authorized church work, elders have no right to arrange it, organize it, or supervise it, nor may they appoint others under their supervision (such as deacons or other members) to supervise it. (Acts 6:1-6; 11:30)
A local church may supervise and/or finance only authorized church works. It must not supervise or finance works that are not authorized by Scripture for the local church.
What works may the elders supervise so long as no church funds are used or they call it individual work?
When people think the local church may supervise works as long as it does not finance them or as long as they call it an individual work, consider where this reasoning would lead. A local church could do all the following:
* Arrange, organize, or supervise ball teams, track meets, exercise programs, boy scouts, or other forms of recreation or exercise as long no church funds were used or it is called individual work.
* Arrange, organize, or supervise church dinners, banquets, kitchens, or ice cream socials
* Arrange, organize, or supervise parties, plays, magic shows, dramatic productions, carnivals, circuses, or other forms of moral entertainment as long as no church funds were used or it is called individual work.
* Arrange, organize, or supervise summer camps as long as no church funds were used or it is called individual work.
* Arrange, organize, or supervise businesses (bookstore, grocery store, gas station)
* Arrange, organize, or supervise hospitals or health clinics
* Arrange, organize, or supervise daycare centers, kindergartens, elementary or secondary schools, or colleges as long as no church funds were used or it is called individual work.
* Arrange, organize, or supervise campaign rallies for political candidates or parties
* Arrange, organize, or supervise centralized institutions such as missionary, orphan, or widow institutions as long as no church funds were used or it is called individual work.
If the church supervises an activity, calling it individual work does not make it individual.
(Note: if it is straining at gnats to be concerned about who promotes, plans, and coordinates potlucks, is it also straining at gnats to be concerned about who arranges and supervises colleges, camps, hospitals, businesses, and all the items listed above?)
Just Trust the Elders to Make Proper Judgments?
Some claim we should just trust the elders’ judgment not to allow the church to go too far.
This approach has repeatedly led to apostasy.
* In Jesus’ day, the elders led the people into error.
Matthew 15:1-9 – Jesus refused to follow the traditions of the elders because they transgressed God’s law.
Matthew 16:21; 27:20 – Elders opposed Jesus’ teaching and led the people to demand His death.
* In the second and third centuries AD, elders led the apostasy that developed the Catholic church.
* In the mid-1800s elders led to division over the missionary society and instrumental music.
* In the mid-1900s one of the main arguments used to lead churches to support benevolent institutions and social activities was the church should just follow the elders.
Elders must not lead the flock to practice unauthorized activities.
Acts 20:28-30 – Paul warned that some elders would lead disciples astray into error.
Acts 5:29 – We must obey God rather than man.
Titus 1:9 – Elders must hold fast the faithful word and sound doctrine.
Matthew 15:14 – If the blind leads the blind, both will fall into a ditch.
1 Thessalonians 5:21,22; Acts 17:11 – We must study for ourselves, not accept others’ word.
Unauthorized practices are error regardless of who initiates, sponsors, or supervises them.
We can show by Scripture that local churches should teach the lost, edify members, worship God, and have a limited role in helping needy people. If recreation, entertainment, and social activities for members in general are authorized works of the local church, why do people not simply provide Scripture showing local churches involved in those practices?
Conclusion
Regardless of intent, church involvement in unauthorized activities constitutes a slippery slope. Unless they repent, churches that enter this path will invariably practice more and more such activities as years pass. The church will increasingly emphasize physical activities taking it away from the spiritual role God gave it. This is error, not just judgment.
To involve the local church in activities that God never authorized – whether by financing those activities or by arranging, organizing, or supervising them – is to act without Divine authority. It leads the church away from spiritual emphasis into physical emphasis. The inevitable result causes a local church to cease to be a church of Christ.
(c) Copyright David E. Pratte, 2025; gospelway.com
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