Thematic Studies In Bible Basics

2. FIRST PRINCIPLES OF THE ORACLES OF GOD Thematic Studies In Bible Basics

3. Lesson 9 Ù The Church Of The Lord • TheChurchOfTheLord – ItsWork • This is where many churches go astray • They involve themselves in works for which there is no Biblical authority cp. Mt 7:23 • Succinctly put, the church’s work is 3-fold • The work & how it is to be done can be identified from the Scripture

4. Lesson 9 Ù The Church Of The Lord • TheChurchOfTheLord – ItsWork • EVANGELISM Ù The church’s primary work • How the church supports the gospel – • By supporting a preacher who works locally 1 Cor 9:3-18 cp. Acts 18:1-3 • By supporting a preacher who labors elsewhere 2 Cor 11:7-9 Phil 4:10-16

5. Lesson 9 Ù The Church Of The Lord • TheChurchOfTheLord – ItsWork • EVANGELISM Ù The church’s primary work • How the church supports the gospel – • The pattern for how the 1st century church supported the gospel is important to see • The money was sent directly to the preacher • No intermediary agency was sought, used

6. Lesson 9 Ù The Church Of The Lord • TheChurchOfTheLord – ItsWork • EVANGELISM Ù The church’s primary work • 1st century churches cooperated in supporting gospel preaching 2 Cor 11:8 • “Cooperation” is not “coordination” • It is on this point man-made churches and the Lord’s church have gone astray

7. Lesson 9 Ù The Church Of The Lord • TheChurchOfTheLord – ItsWork • EVANGELISM Ù The church’s primary work • Departures from the revealed pattern… • Mid 1800’s ÙThe Missionary Society

8. 2 Cor 11 Phil 4 Preacher In Foreign Work Church A Church B The Missionary Society COOPERATION Authority?

9. Church A Church B Church Z Preacher In Foreign Work MISSIONARY SOCIETY The Missionary Society Authority? COORDINATION

10. Lesson 9 Ù The Church Of The Lord • TheChurchOfTheLord – ItsWork • EVANGELISM Ù The church’s primary work • Departures from the revealed pattern… • Mid 1800’s ÙThe Missionary Society • Faithful brethren opposed this work • A split occurred…brethren who advocated this left & eventually formed the Christian Church

11. Church A Church B Church Z Gospel Work THE HERALD OF TRUTH Originated by Highland church of Christ in Abilene, TX in 1952 The Missionary Society

12. Radio Television Internet The Herald Of Truth Information courtesy of www.heraldoftruth.org

13. The Herald Of Truth Our Vision Allowing every person on earth multiple opportunities to hear, see & experience the gospel of Jesus Christ, in their native language – every nation – every moment – every day. Our Strategy Reaching out to individuals through media, the internet and events, doing what the local church can’t. Our goal is to lead the lost to Christ, disciple and integrate new believers in the local church. Information courtesy of www.heraldoftruth.org

14. Lesson 9 Ù The Church Of The Lord • TheChurchOfTheLord – ItsWork • EVANGELISM Ù The church’s primary work • Departures from the revealed pattern… • Mid 1800’s ÙThe Missionary Society • Mid 1900’s ÙThe Sponsoring Church

15. Church A Church B Church Z GospelWork (support of a preacher, some teaching program, etc.) Sponsoring Church The Sponsoring Church Authority?

16. Publication originates from the Jacksonville church of Christ, Jacksonville, AL 2.5 million copies are distributed to over 800 churches bi-monthly Churches send contributions to purchase mailing lists for their respective mailing areas

17. One Nation Under God is an evangelistic project under the oversight of the elders of the Sycamore Church of Christ in Cookeville, Tennessee. By means of direct mail, the gospel is made known to population groups in various countries. Original solicitation from churches of Christ to evangelize the United States Ù $17 million

18. Lesson 9 Ù The Church Of The Lord • TheChurchOfTheLord – ItsWork • EVANGELISM Ù The church’s primary work • Departures from the revealed pattern… • Mid 1800’s ÙThe Missionary Society • Mid 1900’s ÙThe Sponsoring Church • The principle from 1 Pet 5:2 is violated by these arrangements