Re-Defining “Local Autonomy”

Re-Defining “Local Autonomy” • Roy Cogdill in response to the “sponsoring church arrangement” practiced by the liberal Brethren of his day pointed out the error of one local church surrendering it’s authority over its treasury to another local church. 1 Cor. 16:1-3

Re-Defining “Local Autonomy” • Roy Cogdill correctly used 1 Peter 5:1-3, to prove that those Brethren who practiced such things were going far beyond what was written, when local elders began ruling over other congregations. He rightly called this practice the violation of “local autonomy.”

The redefining of the term “local autonomy” • Brethren should be made aware of the new definition of congregational autonomy, being used by those teachingan “Open Fellowship” standard. • 2 Peter 3:16-18* (Does the Bible teach the church is to be Self Ruled in “matters of faith”?) Ephesians 1:15-23; 4:11-15*

“Autonomous Churches”Are they Christ Ruled? If you ask some Brethren worshipping in local congregations why they refuse to mark false teachers, withdraw or withhold fellowship from those that continue to walk disorderly, their answer is found in their practice, just as it was in the church at Corinth. 1 Corinthians 5:1-2

“Autonomous Churches” can they be unscriptural in their “Self Rule”? • Is it right to maintain fellowship with the disorderly, false teachers, or factious Christians just because they were not marked in another congregation? Galatians 2:1-5*

“Autonomous Churches” can they be unscriptural in their “Self Rule”? “Well, we can’t mark them or call them into question, because that would cross lines of local autonomy in local churches.” Ephesians 5:11; 2 John 9-11 Unity based on? 6

“Self Ruled” congregations? • Many teach that Local Autonomy must be observed and honored by all regardless of who or what it hides. • Are we hiding behind the invisible (lines) walls of false “local autonomy” that continues to protect the wicked or the false teacher? Paul didn’t! 1 Cor.5

The Perversion of Matthew 18:15-17 • “Open Fellowship” Brethren use the false argument that the exposing of error must be done in accordance with Matthew 18:15-17, yet these passages in their context are speaking of a personal sin between two people. (What about Titus 3:10-11, two steps versus three steps?) Which Bible pattern shall we use?

The Perversion of Matthew 18:15-17 Dealing with a False Teacher does not belong in the: “restorations” of Galatians 6:1-3 nor the “patience” of 1 Thessalonians 5:14 nor “with all longsuffering” of 2 Timothy 4:2 note Philippians 3:17-19; Romans 16:17-18; 1 Timothy 6:3-5; Titus 3:10-11 9

Local Autonomy = Self Ruled? • Today the promoters of the “Open Fellowship” movement have twisted Brother Cogdill’s words using “Autonomous Church” arguments to cloak the practice of a new age of “Open Fellowship.” (Union is not Unity) • We can see this “Autonomous Church Argument” is used to cover up error. It is calculated to deceive the hearts of the simple. The aim is to sooth the nerves of Brethren and establish a “Unity in Diversity in the Brotherhood” 1 Peter 5:8-9

Behold the “Self Ruled” Churches • When Brethren use such arguments to defend their concealing of the “unfruitful works of darkness” recorded in Ephesians 5:11, they establish an “Autonomous (Self Ruled) Church” in the place of a “Christ Ruled” church. (Churches ruled by “Church rules, are not governed by the Law of Christ)1 Cor.2:16

Behold the “Self Ruled” Churches Churches of Christ become “self ruled” when Brethren in local churches think of the church as their own and seek a democracy. “My church!” “I have rights!” “I have my vote!” “My Way or the Highway!” They pervert Romans 14 & 15, when teaching that “matters of faith” belong in these two chapters dedicated to Christian liberty in “matters of opinion”. 12

Is This Church “Christ Ruled?” • Matthew 16:18, ever stands to describe the local church belonging to Christ to be ruled in accordance with His teachings, not by the local consensus of the local group. Acts 2:40-42, 47 • The “Christ Ruled” local church is just that, ruled by Christ’s teachings, by Christ Jesus’ authority Matthew 28:18-20, not by Brethren following their own “called out” plans and purposes!

Behold, the “Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell” Churches of Christ! • The False “Autonomous Church” concept gained great popularity because Brethren thought of the local church as being a democracy not a monarchy in accordance with Christ’s will for His church. John 8:31; Col. 1:17-18*

“Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell” Churches of Christ! Remember the Old 50’s show “Dragnet”-“The names have been changed to protect the innocent.” But in these churches we find our Brethren concealing the names and deeds of factious Christians and false teachers in the name of love & tolerance, and thereby protecting the guilty and slaying the innocent! Rom.16:18* “We know he teaches that, but we didn’t ask him to speak on that this week!” 15

1 Peter 5:8-9 • If the Brotherhood exists (and it does exist) how can we “Love our neighbor as ourselves” when we remain silent in regard to the danger of a false teacher, a factious man, or a fornicator?

1 Peter 5:8-9 Do you know of congregations that have let evil men and women go out from them and never marked or gave a warning to other Brethren about these that would destroy the souls of young people and adults? (Unity in Diversity) What is wrong with this picture? Is God pleased with those that tolerate sin in the name of peace or in the name of unity? NO! Revelation 21:7-8 17

Re-Defining “Local Autonomy”