Devoted to the Propagation and Defense of New Testament Christianity
VOLUME 8
October 25, 1956
NUMBER 25, PAGE 12a

Would This Be Scriptural?

C. D. Plum, Columbus, Ohio

1. A certain church of Christ in a distant state had "3" elders. These "3" elders appointed "7" men, elders in congregations elsewhere, to compose a board of directors.

2. This seven man board would select a superintendent for an orphan home.

3. The orphan home is "under" the first "3" elders.

4. The orphan home has a hospital, playgrounds, church, and school.

What Would Be Wrong Here?

1. "If any man speak, let him speak as the oracles of God." (1 Peter 4:11.) I am 58 years old, and have been preaching full time 38 years of my life, and part time for more than this, and if there is anything in "the oracles of God" which even remotely resembles this I have failed to find it. If there is a "command," "example," or "necessary inference" for a group of elders to shepherd anything like this I have failed to find it. This may be a zeal for God, "but not according to knowledge."

2. Such an arrangement would put elders over elders ("3" over "7"). Is this speaking as the oracles of God speak?

3. This arrangement would put one group of elders over two congregations. Is this scriptural?

4. This arrangement puts elders of the church, and for the church, in the hospital, school, and playground business (recreation). Is this scriptural?

5. We'll say this orphan home is unique in another way also. We quote this from its own publication: "Almost all our boys above the age of '6' years are able and willing to lead prayers and songs." (One such home put out literature about its "6" year old preacher.) Do the oracles of God want six year old boys leading in reading and singing in church worship? and in prayers? Have these six year old boys who are speaking, praying and singing been baptized? If so, for what were they baptized? Do we believe boys this old are lost? If not, why baptize them? Do we have such in our local congregations, or is this a trait of the orphan home church only? Do these boys commune, as well as preach, and pray, and sing? And if these boys haven't been baptized, is it scriptural to have them taking part in church services? Were these children under condemnation? Had they died at six, would they be lost? How is it we can not decide whether this is right or wrong? Will the cradle roll be next?

6. Relatives first, before the church is charged is the principle set forth in the fifth chapter of first Timothy. James also puts it on this same basis. "But if any provide not for his own," surely includes all his own, whether widows or orphans. And the scriptures declare: "Specially for those of his own house." Surely orphans belong if there are any, as well as widows. If not, why not?

7. If relatives can't or won't, there are Christians locally, and abroad, that are wanting to adopt such. This will put them in a kind of home like God arranged for children to be in, like yours and mine. Could orphans expect more, should they expect less? How long do we need to make up our mind that God's way is right?