Institutionalism
NOTE: This sermon was preached by me Jan. 14, 1940 over WRR Radio Station in Dallas, while I was minister of the Sunset Church of Christ. This will show my position on Institutionalism is the same then as now. — J. L. H.
Scripture Reading: "Unto me, who am less than the least of all saints, was this grace given, to preach unto the Gentiles the unsearchable riches of Christ; and to make all men see what is the dispensation of the mystery which for ages hath been hid in God who created all things; to the intent that now unto the principalities and the powers in the heavenly places might be made known through the church, the manifold wisdom of God, according to the eternal purpose which he proposed in Christ Jesus our Lord: in whom we have boldness and access in confidence through our faith in him. ***unto him be glory in the church and in Christ Jesus unto all generations for ever and ever." (Eph. 3:8-12 and 21.)
"But abide thou in the things which thou hast learned and hast been assured of, knowing from whom thou hast learned them; ****Every scripture inspired of God is also profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, for instruction which is in righteousness: that the man of God may be complete, furnished completely unto every good work." (II Tim. 3:14,16,17.)
As a basis of my talk today, I shall use the following questions from my good friend, brother, and elder of the church of Johnson Street in Greenville, Texas, — A. B. Finley. The questions are as follows:
1. "Is the church of Christ large enough to do everything that is authorized by the Bible?"
2. "In the light of God's revealed will, where do we find the scripture to sustain a presiding board over an orphan home which is under the auspices of the church of Christ?"
3. "Is the local church large enough, or do we need a board made up of men from different local churches? And who has the authority to appoint said board?"
Dynamite
These question contain, dynamite, TNT and other high-explosives. Not that they have any inherent power; but because they have inherited power by being associated with a powerful group. Those who attempt to handle these questions, in the light of God's word, have had about as much influence with that powerful block as a penny firecracker in a cyclone. Prejudice, bias and an over-enthusiastic pent to do what the bible teaches leads people to handle unmercifully those who may differ from them. But at the risk of my downfall, being excommunicated from the Sanhedrin, ostracized, minimized, pulverized and jeopardized, I shall attempt an answer to these three questions, submitted by brother A. B. Finley. (Note: Bro. Finley is now deceased — J. L. H.)
Institutionalism
I am of the opinion that the HOME is an institution within the meaning of the word. The CHURCH is also an institution and so is the STATE. These three are conceded to be divine institutions: 1. The home instituted for the propagation of the race. 2. The state instituted for the protection of society. 3. The church instituted to preach the gospel and to care for the poor saints. There is no disagreement about the first and the second, but there seem to be many theories with reference to the third, namely the church. Therefore, I wish to lay down this fundamental fact, which is; God through Christ established the church, through which every Christian should work, individually or/and collectively, and that no individual or group should institute or establish anything (else) for the purpose of carrying out the work of God. This is either true or it is false. If I, as an individual, have the right to establish an institution to do one part of the work which God has commanded, then it follows that any and every other individual has the same right. Again, if one group has the right to establish an institution through which to do the work of God, then it must follow that any and every group may do the same thing; if not why not ? The violation of this principle opens up the way for institutionalism or what some may be pleased to call "institutional Christianity." Institutional Christianity is the hanging together the church, the state, schools, Old Folk Homes, Orphan Homes, Hospitals, Publishing Houses, Missionary Societies, and all like institutions. Now, please understand me; There is nothing sinful in the operation of state, schools, Old Folk Homes, Orphan Homes, Hospitals or Publishing Houses, but they must not be tied onto the church as separate institutions, fully equipped and organized to carry out the work of God.
Now to the questions:
1. "Is the Church of Christ large enough to do everything that is authorized by the bible?"
Answer: I can do everything that the Bible authorizes me to do and belong to and work through no institution except the church, the home and the state. You understand that one cannot keep from belonging to the home and the state; but one belongs to the church by choice and it is through the church that one is a better citizen, a better home man. Yes, the church of Christ is large enough to "visit the widows and orphans in their afflictions," honor father and mother, do good to all men, preach the gospel and keep oneself unspotted from the world and do everything else that God has commanded. In religion we need no other organization, no other institution. Why not just let the church work?
2. "In the light of God's revealed will, where do we find the scripture to sustain a presiding board over an orphan home which is under the auspices of the church of Christ?"
Answer: In the scripture we find nothing about "a presiding board" or any other kind of "board" "over an orphan home," church, Bible school etc; nor do we find anything in the New Testament times "under the auspices of the church of Christ." That whole thing belongs to the Apostasy starting in the second century and finally culminated in the formation of the Roman Catholic Church in the year 606. The church of the 20th century is headed in the same direction, and do not be mislead.
3. "Is the local church large enough, or do we need a board made up of men from different local churches? And who has the authority to appoint said board?"
Answer: There is no organism, or organization, if you please, known to the New Testament larger nor smaller than the local church, through which to work as God's children. The authority over the churches is Christ is the King, and the apostles the ambassadors. The authority over a local church is Christ and the apostles, who by their word, provide for elders who are the overseers, shepherds, pastors to lead the local church. The New Testament is final. Christ nor the apostles give authority to any local church nor to elders of local churches, nor to the "Big Boys" of the church or brotherhood, to "appoint boards" over churches.
Now, what Brother Finley wants to know is, — should Orphan Homes be managed by a Board of Directors, who are members of several local churches; if so, who has the authority to appoint said board; or should the home be under the supervision of the elders of a church? My answer to this is:
1. The New Testament says; "visit the-fatherless and widows in their affliction. (James 1:27.) That is "pure religion."
2. Who is to do this? Answer: Every member of the church, otherwise he is void of "pure religion."
3. How is this "visiting" to he done? Does the New Testament say anything about an Old Folk Home or an Orphan Home? Answer: No, the New Testament says nothing about Orphan Homes or Old Folk Homes; but we have an example as to how this work was done in the first century with reference to widows and poor saints; therefore we must conclude that the same plan should be scriptural, when applied to Orphans.
Now for the PLAN: How the church at Jerusalem cared for the widows and poor saints: "Now in these days, when the number of the disciples was multiplying, there arose a murmuring of the Grecian Jews against the Hebrews, because their widows were neglected in the daily ministration. And the twelve called the multitude of the disciples unto them, and said, It is not fit that we should forsake the word of God, and serve tables. Look ye out therefore, brethren, from among you, seven men of good report, full of the Spirit and of wisdom, whom we may appoint over this business." (Acts 6:1-3.) The Jerusalem church selected seven men, who were qualified and the apostles appointed them. That local church did it, and all by the authority of the apostles. Contribution from other churches: "And the disciples, every man according to his ability, determined to send relief unto the brethren that dwelt in Judaea: which also they did, sending it to the elders by the hand of Barnabas and Saul." (Acts 11:29.30.) Now you can read 1 Cor. 16:1,2; II Cor. 8 and 9th chapters and you will see that such contributions were for the "brethren," "poor saints" "widows" in Judaea, and that the Elders received the fund; therefore, the work was under the supervision of the church by her elders. Therefore, all the organization the brethren had in the first century for caring for the poor saints, widows was the local church, which was under leadership of her elders. Other congregations could and did cooperate in this matter, by sending funds to the elders of the needy church. That is scriptural and of course has the approval of Christ, the head of the church.
As To Orphan Homes: A local congregation may elect to care for Orphans; even in a Province, state, or nation, but there is to be no separate institution set up to do this, for the work must be under the supervision of the local eldership. If elders of another church should be elected to take over the supervision of a work, where there is a church, you would have an eldership over two churches, so that would be unscriptural. So, an Orphan Home, located where there is a church, in order to keep from being an unscriptural institution, must be under the supervision of the elders of the church where it is located; then the funds etc. of other churches may be sent to the elders, who have the supervision, as was the case at Jerusalem. Orphan Homes, which are being managed by boards, self appointed or appointed by a few brethren or otherwise, are separate and distinct institutions from the church and are therefore unscriptural. Brethren, lets stay with the Divine Pattern. Christ has set up an institution, through which to care for the Orphans, Widows, the poor saints and to preach the gospel, and that institution is the church and even local churches may not organize; but they may cooperate as II Cor. 8 and 9th chapters show.
Brethren, lets stay away from institutionalism and stay with the church, the New Testament, Christ, God and the Holy Spirit. Unscriptural institutions become powerful organizations, which in the process of time, dominate the independent churches; and their elderships become mere figure-heads to act when the institutionalized demand. The Catholic Church is the leading example of institutionalized Religion; and today if her institutions should cease to function, she would lose her power; for her power is in institutions, which are built into the church. So, in conclusion, if this dynamite blows me to bits, it will be because institutionalism is already at the excommunication business and attempts to throttle free expression of thought and rid the pulpits of those who dare to speak the truth. But as for me, I shall stay with Christ and the New Testament — regardless of the bull of excommunication delivered by the popish freaks of Christianity, burn the same, and challenge the powerful block to a contest upon the field of battle, the weapon to be the sword of the spirit!