The Work Of An Individual Christian
The modern heresy "Whatever the individual Christian can do, the church of the Lord can do!" only dates back a few years to my knowledge. However, from statements being made and published today, it appears that some brethren no longer adhere to the Scriptures but are catering to the feelings and emotions of their hearers and readers.
We copy part of the first paragraph of an editorial carried in one of the papers published by members of the church ... or is it now a `church-paper'? It reads as follows:
"What meaneth all the noise some are trying to make about a distinction between what work is required of an individual that is not required of a congregation of individuals? Is not the church universal made up of individuals? Is not Christ the supreme head of the universal church' Is the same not true of the local congregation? And, is it not equally true of individuals?..." (February 20, 1958, issue.)
In the above quotation, the Editor asks FIVE questions! We will answer each question ... but we will begin with the Second question.
QUESTION: "Is not the church universal made up of individuals?" Answer: Yes. "And the Lord added to the church daily such as should be saved." (Acts 2:47.)
QUESTION: "Is not Christ the supreme head of the universal church?" Answer: Yes. "And gave Him to be the head over all things to the church, which is His body." (Eph. 1:22-23.)
QUESTION: "Is the same not true of the local congregation?" Answer: Yes. "For where two or three are gathered together in my name, there am I in the midst of them." Matt. 18:20.)
QUESTION: "And, is it not equally true of individuals?" Answer: No! Individuals must Gather Together in the Name of Christ, and in accord with his word, before they are 'a church'! "And when they were come, and had gathered the church together..." (Acts. 14:27.) A congregation must first congregate! An assembly must first assemble, in accord with the right motive, authority, and attitude, before they become a congregation of the Lord! "When ye come together in the church (assembly) . . .
(I Cor. 11:18.) "When ye come together therefore into one place, this is not to eat the Lord's supper. For in eating every one taketh before others his own supper: and one is hungry, and another is drunken. What? have ye not houses to eat and to drink in? or despise ye the church of God, and shame them that have not ? What shall I say to you? shall I praise you in this? I praise you not." (I Cor. 11:20-22.)
That the Corinthians were abusing the observance of the Lord's supper, we readily admit. Nevertheless, by his very argument, the Apostle Paul teaches that individual Christians may eat and drink in their own houses, but that as the Church they cannot do so!!
An Analysis Of The Editor's First Question!
QUESTION: "What meaneth all the noise some are trying to make about a distinction between what work is required of an individual that is not required of a congregation of individuals?" Does the editor of the questions now teach that there is NO difference or distinction between the work of an individual Christian and the work of the Lord's church? He has certainly left such an inference or implication. If that is what he now believes, then let him please openly admit it!
IF he now espouses the heresy that 'whatever a Christian can do, the Lord's church can do' ... we have some Scripture for him to consider!
When the Lord's church assembles for worship, should 'foot-washing' be engaged in as an act of worship? (John 13:14-15.) The disciples were assembled together upon this occasion, but generally my brethren have studied and concluded that this lesson was one which dealt with the attitude of mind of the individual Christians, wherein they are required to show hospitality and humility (as individuals) in their own homes. "If she have washed the saints' feet ...' (I Tim. 5:10.)
Individual Christians have the duty and responsibility of caring for their own families, including widows. (I Tim 5:8.) In fact, the individual who fails to care for his own is worse than an infidel!! Yet, there are SOME widows for whom the church must provide care. (Read I Tim. 5:3-16.) The 16th verse concludes; "If any man or woman that believeth have widows let them relieve them, and let not the church be charged; that it may relieve them that are widows indeed." Certainly, there is a definite line between the work of the church, and the work of the individual child of God!
Sectarian Doctrine Founded Upon Similar Mis-Use Of Scripture!
Denominational churches base their claims (false claims) upon the mis-use of John 15th Chapter, wherein Christ teaches that He is the true vine and "YE ARE THE BRANCHES." The sectarian's say, that the branches' are the various sectarian religious groups. But by studying the context, Bible students can determine that the branches are the Individual Disciples!
Similarly, my own brethren may wrest the Scriptures to their own destruction, by failing to consider WHETHER THE INSTRUCTION IS DIRECTED TO INDIVIDUALS OR TO THE ENTIRE CHURCH!
As an individual I can own and operate a business enterprise, and through this means, support my own family, etc. 'However, it is un-scriptural and anti-scriptural for the CHURCH to go into business, in order to earn money with which to expand its operations!!!