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The Church of the Lord and its Work: Benevolence for the Needy

This thematic study explores the New Testament teachings on the church's role in caring for the needy and the authority for such benevolent work. It addresses the inclusion of orphanages and the organizational structure of the church.

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The Church of the Lord and its Work: Benevolence for the Needy

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

  2. Lesson 9 Ù The Church Of The Lord • TheChurchOfTheLord – ItsWork • BENEVOLENCE Ù Caring for the needy • “Disposition to do good; an act of kindness; a generous gift” [Webster] • The N.T. teaching on who the church can aid benevolently from its treasury is clear • Nine passages address this work

  3. Acts 2:44-45 Acts 4:32-35 Acts 6:1-6 Lesson 9 Ù The Church Of The Lord • TheChurchOfTheLord – ItsWork • BENEVOLENCE Ù Caring for the needy BELIEVERS BELIEVERS DISCIPLES

  4. Acts 11:27-30 SAINTS Rom 15:25-31 (3 times) 1 Cor 16:1-3 Lesson 9 Ù The Church Of The Lord • TheChurchOfTheLord – ItsWork • BENEVOLENCE Ù Caring for the needy BRETHREN SAINTS

  5. 2 Cor 8:4 SAINTS 2 Cor 9:1, 12-13 (2 times) 1 Tim 5:16 Lesson 9 Ù The Church Of The Lord • TheChurchOfTheLord – ItsWork • BENEVOLENCE Ù Caring for the needy SAINTS BELIEVING WIDOWS

  6. Acts 2:44-45 4:32-35 6:1-6 Local church Needy Saint Locally Benevolent Work Authority?

  7. 1 Tim 5:16 Local church Widow Indeed Benevolent Work Authority?

  8. Acts 11:27-30 Local church there Needy Saints Elsewhere Benevolent Work Local church here Authority?

  9. Lesson 9 Ù The Church Of The Lord • TheChurchOfTheLord – ItsWork • BENEVOLENCE Ù Caring for the needy • However, this would prove to be another battleground of division among brethren • Some brethren felt compelled to include in the church’s work caring for the world’s needy… specifically, orphans

  10. Local church Orphan Benevolent Work Authority?

  11. Local church in Columbia, TN ORPHANAGE Tennessee Orphan Home – 1909 Orphan Under elders’ oversight Benevolent Work Authority?

  12. Church A Church B Church Z ORPHANAGE Tennessee Orphan Home – 1910 Under Board of Directors Benevolent Work Authority?

  13. Lesson 9 Ù The Church Of The Lord • TheChurchOfTheLord – ItsWork • BENEVOLENCE Ù Caring for the needy • Our liberally-minded brethren seek to use Gal 6:10 & Jas 1:27 as their “proof texts” to include these institutions in their budgets • The context of each passage reveals such a use is not Biblical…therefore, not authorized

  14. Lesson 9 Ù The Church Of The Lord • TheChurchOfTheLord – ItsOrganization • The church of the New Testament is organized, both universally as well as locally • Denominational churches of men as well as liberally-minded local churches of Christ have departed from the pattern in this area as well • History bears all this out

  15. Roman Catholicism Diocese “Territorial jurisdiction of a bishop.” [Webster] Parish Church Parish Church Parish Church Church Organization

  16. Roman Catholicism Arch Diocese A Diocese B Diocese C Diocese D Diocese “Diocese of an archbishop.” [Webster] Church Organization

  17. Roman Catholicism Arch Diocese A Arch Diocese B Arch Diocese C Arch Diocese D Vatican “Papal headquarters in Rome.” [Webster] Church Organization

  18. Roman Catholicism Diocese Parish Priest Parish Priest Parish Priest Parish Priest “Territorial jurisdiction of a bishop.” [Webster] Church Organization

  19. Roman Catholicism Arch Diocese Bishop Bishop Bishop Bishop Bishop “Diocese of an archbishop.” [Webster] Church Organization

  20. Roman Catholicism Arch Bishop Arch Bishop Arch Bishop Arch Bishop Cardinal Church Organization

  21. Roman Catholicism College of Cardinals POPE Cardinal Cardinal Cardinal (Universal Bishop) Church Organization Authority?

  22. Protestantism Denominational Church Pastor or Reverend Church Organization

  23. Protestantism Denominational Board Denominational Church Denominational Church Denominational Church Earthly Headquarters Church Organization Authority?

  24. ???

  25. Lesson 9 Ù The Church Of The Lord • TheChurchOfTheLord – ItsOrganization • The previous examples all demonstrate DEPENDENT church organization • How those churches are arranged and how they operate is dependent upon something else…namely, centralized government • The New Testament knows nothing about this

  26. Lesson 9 Ù The Church Of The Lord • TheChurchOfTheLord – ItsOrganization • The universal N. T. church of Christ has no earthly headquarters • Its Head, Jesus Christ, is in heaven Heb 9:24 Acts 2:32-35 Eph 1:20-23 • Therefore, “headquarters” are in heaven

  27. Lesson 9 Ù The Church Of The Lord • TheChurchOfTheLord – ItsOrganization • Local N. T. churches of Christ do not answer to any earthly headquarters • Nor are they arranged or grouped together • Each church is autonomous (independent) of other churches, and are self-governing Acts 14:23 Phil 1:1 Titus 1:5

  28. Lesson 9 Ù The Church Of The Lord • TheChurchOfTheLord – ItsOrganization • Local N. T. churches of Christ have qualified shepherds 1 Tim 3:1-7, 8-10 Titus 1:6-9 • Their oversight is limited to the work “…among them” 1 Pet 5:2 • As “under-shepherds,” they are accountable to the “Chief Shepherd” – Jesus 1 Pet 5:4

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