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 Antioch sent relief to the brethren in Judea and sent it by Barnabas and Paul “to the elders” of the churches in Judea (Acts 11:27-30). In Acts 13:1 the prophets and teachers “in the church that was at Antioch are mentioned and this included Barnabas and Paul. They are sent out by the church at Antioch and the results of their preaching is that more churches are established in Lystra ( in Asia Minor), Iconium (in Asia Minor), and Antioch in Pisidia, and they “ordained elders in every church,” Luke says (Acts 14:22-23).

 

     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

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