|
 A
little old lady, sincere and innocent, asked, “Bro. Turner,
what are “the issues” I hear about now and then?”
Although these things have been repeatedly stated, I will
reprint an analysis of current problems which I wrote in 1961.
(1)
(a) Shall we continue to teach and practice
congregational independence — each local church doing her
God-assigned work to the extent of her own ability and under her
own control; or (b) shall we change our practice to allow
collective activities on the part of a plurality of churches?
(Frequently called the “sponsoring church plan” since one
church usually assumes or is designated the controlling
church with reference to the project considered, and the rest of
the churches are but contributing churches.)
(2)
(a) Shall we continue to teach and practice the all-sufficiency
of the church to do her God-assigned work — the
independent local church being the only God-appointed
organization responsible for this work; or (b) shall we
surrender our own responsibilities to human benevolent,
evangelistic, and educational societies? (May inter-church
bureaus and societies become the organizational means by which
the God-appointed local church functions?)
(3)
(a) Shall we continue to teach and practice
principles relative to the spiritual nature and function
of the church — a divine institution primarily concerned with
the eternal destiny of the soul; or (b) shall we allow social
and temporal welfare activities to dominate our program of work.
(This involves determination, by the scriptures, of the God-
|
|
assigned work of the organized
church; and recognition of the distinction between the social,
domestic, civil, and other responsibilities of the individual
Christian, and their collective activities as an
organized body or church.) (1 Tim. 5:1; Col. 3:17-f)
(4)
(a) Shall we continue to insist upon Bible authority for our
practices — inviting and encouraging open investigation and
Bible study of any differences which may exist; or (b) shall we
accept current “brotherhood practices” as our authority, and
override opposition by majority rule or quarantine tactics?
**********************
I
have so worded the above as to indicate my acceptance of the
principles indicated in “a” of each issue. Emphasis is given
to the word “practice” because men sometimes allow their
practices to contradict the principles they claim to believe. We
must determine principles by the Word of God, and fear not to
alter practices of the past when they are seen to be in conflict
with the Divine Will. Our practices may change from generation
to generation — and usually such changes are so gradual we do
not at first perceive them — but God’s Word remains
steadfast; rebuking and correcting all who will be exercised
thereby. (See 2 Tim. 3:16 –f; 2 Cor. 10: 12-18; Acts 28:
25-28)
“The
issues” may very well be put as ONE ISSUE — acceptance or
rejection of the Divine Standard..
[Previous
Article] [Next
Article]
|
