Where There Can Be No Debate
For those who accept the New Testament as their guide in religious matters, a thing is scriptural if it is found to be taught (a) by a command, (b) by an approved apostolic example, or (c) by necessary inference. So far as I know these are the only ways of determining whether a thing is taught of the Lord or not. The liberals among us will not deny the following:
1. That each local church has the right to plan its own God-given work of preaching the gospel according to it's ability and opportunity free and independent of any inter-church arrangement, such as the Missionary Society or the so-called "sponsoring church."
2. That it is scriptural for parents and others to provide recreation and amusement for our young people without the church participation in such.
3. That it is scriptural for churches to support those who are "widows indeed" and needy saints in times of distress such as occurred in Judea and Jerusalem.
A refusal on their part to deny the above positions is evidence that such is taught in the New Testament, and to deny them is but to repudiate what the New Testament teaches. Their only recourse is, therefore, to affirm things which have nothing more than their mere assumptions as proof. They that ASSUME that one local church can plan a work which requires the help of many churches to do. They ASSUME that churches may promote and support recreation and amusement centers for the young people. They ASSUME that churches of Christ may engage in general benevolent work, helping all people in need, regardless of the limitations placed upon the churches in the field of benevolence. Thus their ASSUMPTIONS along these lines is that which calls for debate — and not that which conservative brethren teach and practice.
— 304 Glover Dr., Longview, Texas 75601