The Truth In Print, July 2006 Vol. 12 Issue 6
“Oh yes, what do you mean by collective
responsibilities?”
The following brief reply was written to
one whom we had not seen for many years. At the time that this individual became
acquainted with my wife and I we did have a few bible studies in our home. We
had hoped that she would come to a knowledge of the truth. But as is often the
case she felt that she had to relocate and thus we lost complete contact.
Having returned to Yuma she made the initial effort to contact me hoping, she
said, that I was the person whom she had called and studied with before.
Hello _________,
Yes, I am that Bob Lovelace. You know, I
can’t remember how many years back that was, but the number was quite a few.
Friend, I would like to see you get this
“right” at last, because I remember that you had no inclination towards
“collective responsibilities.” ____, many times people start out wrong and
never come to a knowledge of the truth.
Christianity is a simple matter of the right
baptism, and then identifying and worshipping with a local church for growth
and mutual edification and correction (read carefully Mk. 16:15-16,
Acts 2:42, 44-46, 4:34-37, 9:26-28, 14:23, I Cor. 11:18-34, Acts 20:7, I Cor.
14:19-40, Heb. 10:24-26, I Cor. 5:1-13, I Th. 5:14, 2 Th. 3:6-15, Titus 2:14,
3:1, Ja. 5:14, etc. My friend, it is a very simple pattern for those like
myself who are not “rocket scientists.”
Should you be interested in the simplicity of the Gospel of Christ unto
salvation, then let me know. We are not on an emotional roller coaster here,
but I know that today a lot of people are.
In her reply, and before
meeting her personally once again, she stated, “Oh yes what do you mean
‘collective responsibilities’?” She explained
that she understood her responsibilities to be to love her neighbor,
enemies, and fellow man as she loves
herself. That she was to follow God’s commandments and hold to the testimony of
Jesus Christ. And not to love life so
much as to shrink from death. Having stated such she said, “That’s what I
thought. Am I wrong?”
Since my reply Wanda and I have made one
brief contact. After certain physical matters are dealt with this individual
has agreed to let me answer some questions she had concerning service rendered
to God. We were glad that she did. The very mention of the above related
information may turn out to be beneficial to others. Why? Because there are
many I’m convinced who have not been taught properly concerning “collective
responsibility” belonging to children of God. A quick perusal of the passages
mentioned above should begin to open their eyes. Consider them from the standpoint that one is not
acting “individually” and you will see that indeed she has missed something
that is essential to being a Christian.
Not Missing Collective Responsibility
Dear reader, at the beginning of the
church and thereafter Christians functioned collectively as members of the
local church. After the beginning of the church in Jerusalem (Acts 2-8)
churches were established in Judea (Cf. Gal. 1:22). In Acts 8 we read about
Philip the evangelist converting souls in the city of Samaria just north of
Jerusalem. After that account, and the conversion of the Ethiopian eunuch (Acts
8:26-39), we are told that he went to Azotus, and then preached to all the
cities till he came to Caesarea (Acts 8:40; 21:8). Paul after his conversion
joined himself for a while with the disciples at Jerusalem (Acts 8:26-30). In
Acts 9:31 Luke tells us, “Then the churches throughout all Judea, Galilee, and
Samaria had peace and were edified. And walking in the fear of the Lord and in
the comfort of the Holy Spirit, they were multiplied.” In Acts 11 after the persecution of Christians in Jerusalem the Word spread to
Phoenicia, Cyprus, and Antioch in Syria (Acts 11:19). A church was established
in Antioch and Paul and Barnabas “assembled
with the church” (Acts 11:20-26). The members of the church at
What is the “pattern” that is established
throughout the book of Acts? The pattern is that Christians agreed to worship
and work together in a local body (church) in order to do the work that God
gave the church to do. The local church assembled on the first day of the week
to partake of the Lord’s Supper (Acts 20:7; I Cor. chapter 11). Paul addressed
the elders or bishops of the church at Ephesus stating “take heed to yourselves and to all the
flock,” telling them “to shepherd the church of God which He purchased with His
own blood” (Acts 20:28). Thus God put “oversight” of collective action among Christians in the
Local church organization that He ordained (Cf. Phil. 1:1). Shepherds had a flock,
thus local church membership! Local churches had assemblies for edification and
instruction (I Cor. chapter 14). The local church is the pillar and support of
the truth in the community (I Tim. 3:15). Before his death the apostle Peter
wrote two epistles for the purpose of Christians always being mindful of the
commandments of the Lord (2 Pet. 3:1-2). Writing to Christian scattered abroad
he addressed “elders” who were among Christians where ever they might be. He
told them to “Shepherd the flock of God which is among you, serving as
overseers...” (I Pet. 5:1-3). The word
“flock” is singular and “elders” is plural, thus Christians understood the
important matter of functioning as members of local churches.
The Hebrew writer addressed the matter of
assembling together. He instructed, “Let us hold fast the profession of our
faith without wavering; (for he is faithful that promised;) [24] And let us
consider one another to provoke unto love and to good works: [25] Not forsaking
the assembling of ourselves together, as the manner of some is; but exhorting
one another: and so much the more, as ye see the day approaching. [26] For if we sin
wilfully after that we have received the knowledge of the truth, there
remaineth no more sacrifice for sins, [27] But a certain fearful looking for of
judgment and fiery indignation, which shall devour the adversaries” (Heb.
10:23-27; Cf. Heb. 10:39)
Having Practiced Collective Responsibility But Now
Denying It
There are Christians who having once
practiced “collective responsibility” by being a member of a local church have
now decided that they don’t have to. Such a decision cannot be justified by
Hebrews 10:23-27 above. This is willful sin! When one quits assembling there is
always a spiritual problem. At times it is just being too caught up in the
world’s activities to render proper service to the Lord (Cf. Lk. 14:15-24). The
passages already given make it all too obvious that Christians need one another
to maintain faithfulness to the Lord.
Those Hypocrites In The Churches Are To Be Blamed!
Throughout my lifetime I have met Christians who blame
the hypocrites in the churches for their no longer fulfilling their obligation
to belong to a local church. Dear reader, the Lord gave the local church for
Christians and He established rules for its work and function that when
followed will correct hypocrisy among members (Cf. 2 Tim. 4:2; I Cor. 5:9-13; I
Th. 5:14; 2 Th. 3, etc. ).
The idea that
all “institutionalized” religion produces only hypocritical self serving
evangelists, elders, teachers and members is an old ploy of Satan (read
carefully I Sam. 12:3;
Acts 20:33; 2 Cor. 2:17, 4:2, 12:16-18; I Th. 2:1-6, 11; 4:1-2; 2 Pet. 1:16).
Brethren beware of this ploy! Wasn’t it Marxism that could not get the evil out
of the “individual” although the “institution” was so very corrupted and evil?
Do away with the “institution” and you still have to deal with the evil in
individuals. The same is true of the church Christ built. Not all preachers are
peddling the Word to serve their own bellies! There are yet elders, teachers
and faithful brethren who instruct and encourage faithfully because they
treasure the Word and have a true desire to save themselves and others (read
carefully Prov.
3:18; Dn. 12:3; Jo. 4:36; I Cor. 9:19-23; I Th. 2:19; Ja.
5:20). When one chooses to walk away from the church they do not become a
“better” person or example. Nor do they save others! And what do they do when
talking to others about Christ? Do they tell them the truth? Do they tell them
of their obligation to join themselves to a local church? Let’s face it, where
would the church be if everyone quit assembling like some have?
By Bob W.
Lovelace,
evangelist