"Exercise, Recreation And Social Activities"
In replying to my article, "The Law of The Lord" which appeared in the March 19 issue of the Gospel Guardian, Brother Johnnie B. Gibbs of Seattle, Washington had this to say, "It is true, that exercise, recreation and social activities cannot convert the soul. But can they not be used correctly in gaining people's attention in order that they might hear "the soul saving message of Christ? I certainly believe so."
I am happy that Brother Gibbs agrees with me that these things "cannot convert the soul". That is the very point that I made in the above mentioned article. I also pointed out that "the church" was using "church-kitchens, social centers, recreational programs, mountain-camps" to draw people. I suggested that to use the law of the Lord in support of such was a perversion of scripture. I believe for the church to provide and employ such things is sinful. I do not believe it to be wrong for Christians to enjoy "social fellowship" or "social relationship". I have a perfect right to sit down and eat with my brethren or with the alien sinner. I can even use an invitation to such a dinner as an occasion to urge some one to go with me to a meeting where they can hear the gospel. I may go to the mountains if I desire. I could even preach to any who might be there or who may have followed me as they did Christ. And if they get hungry, I could feed them. And we could all enjoy a game of baseball or some other type of recreation.
But this is a far cry from "the church providing and employing such in her program of work". When the church spends thousands of dollars out of the "church treasury" for "kitchens, banquet halls, dining rooms, social halls, or recreational rooms" she is placing the emphasis on the WRONG things. Such is not to be the drawing power. Brother Gibbs cites Acts 6:1-7 and 1 Cor. 11:17-22 and Matt. 15:29-39 as proof that the church may provide "exercise, recreation and social activities" "in gaining people's attention in order that they might hear" the gospel of Christ. These passages do not touch the subject under consideration at all. Acts 6 reveals that there was a neglect of the Grecian widows. The apostles corrected the matter by appointing some men to see after the business. This furnishes the church authority to take care of those widows which are the responsibility of the church. It certainly does not authorize the church to spend thousands of dollars for a "church kitchen, social hall and recreational facilities". There is a great deal of difference between the church doing this and taking care of the needy saints. It seems that Brother Gibbs thinks that Acts 6 teaches that the great multitude of saints all gathered in a public meeting and ate their meals. It teaches the opposite. "Distribution was made unto every man according as he had need." (Acts 4:35.) It seems that the widows were being overlooked. One is hard-pushed for an argument to use this passage to prove that the church can provide facilities for "church-dinners" "socials" etc.
I Cor. 11 is mis-applied by our brother. True they were mis-using the meeting in which they were supposed to eat the Lord's Supper. They were eating a common meal. This Paul condemned. Verse 22 "What? have ye not houses to eat and to drink in?" The kind of eating they were doing should have been done in their own houses. That, my brother, is exactly what I believe about the matter. The kind of eating and drinking done in the "church-kitchen or social hall" should be done at home in our own houses.
Matt. 15 is simply the case of Jesus going up into the mountain and a group of people following him. He taught them and then performed a miracle in feeding them, which was to prove that he was a compassionate teacher. Brother Gibbs says, "I haven't run across any 'social centers' or recreational programs in the New Testament, yet, but if you want to read about a real, good, and 'scriptural' mountain camp meeting," just turn and read Matt. 15:29-39."
He gives up on the "social centers" and "recreational programs" but thinks he has found the "church" engaged in a "real, good, mountain camp meeting". No, this is just another case of Jesus teaching and performing miracles which are recorded "that ye might believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God;" I remember that Jesus said, "Ye seek me, not because ye saw the miracles, but because ye did eat of the loaves, and were filled." (John 6:26.) Jesus then began to tell them about the "bread from heaven". "From that time many of his disciples went back, and walked no more with him." (John 6:66.) To use that which appeals to the appetites of the physical man to draw people to services is placing the emphasis on the wrong thing. Brother Gibbs mentioned, "If one is acquainted with the New Testament, he knows that the church kitchens are as scriptural as church buildings, drinking fountains, bathrooms, (I think he meant rest-rooms. L. M.) baptistries, etc. They all have their scripturalness from the same verse". No sir, I know no such thing and I think I am "acquainted with the New Testament". Such reasoning is most juvenile indeed. The command to "assemble" authorizes the building. The command to baptize authorizes the baptistry. Natural functions of the body authorizes the restrooms. (I Cor. 14:40.) However, if the emphasis be placed on these as drawing power, I say that pride in earthly things is the motivating influence in that church. There is quite a difference in a church providing the things necessary for an orderly assembly and its providing things for "social" and "recreational" activities.
Yes, Brother Gibbs, Christians may "gather together" and eat and enjoy "social relationship". Christians may go to the mountains and engage in recreational activities. But when you put the church of our Lord in such business you violate the law of the Lord as surely as you do when you bring mechanical instruments of music into the worship. II John 9.) "Instead of doing so much bickering and fighting, I believe the church would be far better off if we'd follow a 'thus saith the Lord' in all that we do in WORSHIP AND WORK. I plead with you my brother, do not be wedded to this 'social' idol. Give it up and 'Stand ye in the ways, and see, and ask for the old paths, where is the good way, and walk therein, and ye shall find rest for your souls." (Jer. 6:16.)