I Have Changed

Along with a number of my friends of past years I would like to make a statement of a change in my convictions. For fifteen years I preached and encouraged churches to send financial support to the orphan homes, homes for the aged, sponsoring churches, and to the Herald of Truth, after it was established. My attention was called to the fact that this practice was not in harmony with New Testament teachings. I called these brethren, anti, trouble makers, church splitters and other things unbecoming to a Christian. I could not see how anyone could teach, much less believe that it was wrong to preach the Gospel, support missionaries, or help homeless children or to help the aged.

The first thing I learned was that these brethren were not opposed to any good work. They were not opposed to preaching on radio or television, churches supporting missionaries, or to proper care of the aged and dependent children.

It was next pointed out to me that there is a difference between an individual's responsibility and that of the church. The individual is to work to secure his own support and to be able to give to others. (Eph. 4:28) The church is to depend on its members to give for its support. (1 Cor. 16:1-3) The individual is to care for their own kin, while the church is to care for its own who have no one to care for them. (1 Tim.5:16)

Next it was pointed out that the church never sent a contribution to any organization other than another church. (Acts 11:27-30; Rom, 15:25-27) At first I did not believe this teaching. I searched the scriptures to see if it was so. Finding that they were in harmony with ALL New Testament teaching, I had to change my conviction.

It is my plea that we go back to the Bible for all we do and teach. "For whatsoever is not of faith is sin." (Rom. 14:23) These human institutions of man's devising are making shipwreck of the faith of many Christians and destroying the church for which Christ died. Therefore, I must contend earnestly for Christians not to embezzle funds given to the Lord for his work, in order to build and maintain institutions of their own making. Let the church do all the work the Lord gave it to do and support that work well. Let us do all we can as individuals to help the needy and to spread the word of God to all nations. Leave institutions that are good in their place, out of the church budget. It is not good to take money, without any authority from the Lord, from his work to serve a lesser cause.

Roy S. Fudge 103 Linden Drive

Lafayette, La., 70503 Dear Editor:

I am sending a copy of this to the Gospel Advocate and one to the Gospel Guardian. I hope both papers will be good enough to print this statement of conviction. Other statements that I have seen have been very noticeable for the lack of scripture. It is my belief that conviction comes by hearing what the Holy Spirit has revealed. (John 16:8)

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