The
Truth in Print Vol. 28 Issue 1, Feb. 2022
A
Publication of the Valley church of Christ,
2375
W. 8th Street, Yuma, AZ 85364 (928-782-5058)
Website
Address ~ http://yumavalleychurchofchrist.com
Many
and Few by Contrast
Here is a quote from a recent article: “Nearly
all our churches today are small, and brethren often mention the number they once
had by comparison. Size doesn’t determine soundness. Brethren need to be
certain that those who want to merger and become one congregation agree based on
sound doctrine. Should an individual come from a church endorsing the support
of human organizations and other errors (of course some come and learn because
they realize something is missing and they do desire the truth) and be accepted
as a member, and then another, and yet another without them acknowledging the
prior errors the church will be torn or changed eventually.
And even from
among our brotherhood those endorsing and supporting individually supported
societies built by our brethren that intrude into the work Christ gave the
churches to do --- should they come and want to identify without acknowledging
their error the church will be torn or changed.”
Often what is said is not
stated to please but to warn and strengthen a few willing to listen. Jesus
said, "Strive to enter through the
narrow gate, for many, I say to you, will seek to enter and will not be able”
(Luk 13:24). The question that preceded this was, “Lord, are there few who are
saved?" (Luk 13:23) --- Jesus emphasized each one should be concerned
about striving to enter the narrow gate. He gave this warning so they would not
have to hear Him say “I never knew you…” (Matt. 7:23). Those who will hear this
are among many, He says, “Many will say to Me in that day, 'Lord, Lord, have we
not prophesied in Your name, cast out demons in Your name, and done many
wonders in Your name?' (Matt. 7:22) And then I will declare to them, 'I never
knew you; depart from Me, you who practice lawlessness!' (Matt. 7:23) ---“lawlessness”
[G458 anomia] Thayer: 1. prop. the condition of one without law, --- either
because ignorant of it, or because violating it.
People often object to baptism
being for the remission of sins – they feel better about many being without it,
or they think of someone they know who never was baptized. I have been told,
“Scholars in town told me I didn’t need to be baptized to be saved” –- compare
that with what Jesus did say that I can know in Mark 16:15-16. Paul wrote to
the church at Corinth: 1Co 1:26 “For ye see your calling, brethren, how
that not many wise men after the flesh, not many mighty, not many noble, are
called:” Luke recorded their conversions with: Act 18:8 “And Crispus, the
chief ruler of the synagogue, believed on the Lord with all his house; and many
of the Corinthians hearing believed, and were baptized.” Baptism is for the
remission of one’s sins (Acts 2:38).
Today we hear of churches with few members. We had a visitor from
California when covid19 first hit who said her church only had 8 members; she
said she’d missed being able to assemble because of covid19 and was delighted
to be with us on the Lord’s Day. She had business here and had brought another
member with her --- so ¼ of their church visited with us.
Young members of the church today should be told that they may find
themselves at some point in their lives worshipping with few to have sound
doctrine. It is your responsibility to contend earnestly for the faith once
delivered! (Jude 3). When a preacher gets up and the title of the sermon
includes “few” and the church consists of a few -- immediately you know what
everyone is thinking.
If you
reduce numbers downwards what would be the minimum required to do the work of a
local church? Do some just quit if there are only a few to do the work? I have
heard of churches which being used to larger numbers in the past could not be
satisfied with what they considered too few, thus they disbanded --- today that
number they consider too few would be consider quite a lot.
Christians
striving together for the faith of the gospel (Phil. 1:27) make up a “church” as
they assemble (Heb. 10:24-25). This includes on the Lord’s Day and for the
Supper (Acts 20:7; I Cor. 11:17-34). There will be opportunities to edify, sing
and receive edification through the scriptures (I Cor. 14, 14:26). Of course,
pray (I Cor. 14:15). And give (Acts 4:34-35; I Cor. 16:1-4) – including giving to
support preaching of the gospel (I Cor. 9:14; Phil. 4:15-16). They can do this if
they do not have a supported preacher— they can still be the pillar and support
of the truth (I Tim. 3:15) -- they must recognize that brethren’s human organizations
are “another unauthorized way” and avoid becoming discouraged and turning to
support them.
Perhaps fewer
numbers today have made the human organizations brethren are building and
asking church members to support and work through more appealing.
I know this,
the Christian who goes on feelings alone will leave.
Those
remaining will do as commanded -- “comfort yourselves together and edify one
another” (I Th. 5:11). They will do this because they desire to worship in
truth (Jude 3, Jo. 4:24) -– their strength will be in sound doctrine (2 Tim.
4:2-3). The New Testament patterns for the worship, organization (begins with
agreement to worship and work together), and work of the church will be
maintained by faith in the New Testament scripture (Phil 1:27; 2 Tim. 3:16-17;
Rom. 10:17; Jo. 4:24).
If few they
will have nothing to be ashamed of -– they certainly will not go by “I feel
like it’s right” or “I don’t have any scripture BUT…” They haven’t cast away
their confidence which has great reward (Heb 10:35). Could it come down to just
TWO?
“Confidence” [G3954 parrhēsia, n.f.] Thayer
Definition:
1) freedom in speaking, unreservedness in speech
1a) openly, frankly, i.e. without concealment
1b) without ambiguity or circumlocution
2) free and fearless confidence, cheerful courage,
boldness, assurance
When some
forsake assembling and fall away their speech changes. They lose the spirit of
faith -- 2Co 4:13 But having the same spirit of faith, according to what is
written, "I BELIEVED, THEREFORE I SPOKE," we also believe, therefore
we also speak,
The church
at Corinth had an adulterer and that had to be corrected (I Cor. 5:1-2, 6-7).
There can
be an “unfaithful group” within the membership of a local church – even before
some leave having already endorsed error and seeking to persuade others:
I Co 11:19 “For there must be also heresies among
you, that they which are approved may be made manifest among you” --- here
“approved” means accepted or pleasing, and “manifest” means to be plainly
recognized.
I know this,
when members leave to join an unfaithful church if they have been taught the New
Testament properly, they had many warnings.
Paul warns
of teachers who followed their own lusts speaking perverse things to draw away
disciples after them (Cf. Acts 20:27-30). He also states plainly that members
who follow their own lusts will heap to themselves teachers who allow them to
do such (2 Tim 4:3-4).
I know
this, those remaining when taught properly can have the right scriptural
perspective:
Paul had
confidence in brethren to stand against the bad leaven of the Judiazers in the
churches teaching one must keep the Mosaic law to be saved (Gal. 5:10). In Gal.
5:12 he said, “I would they were even cut off which trouble you.” I was asked
once if Paul really meant to say that. Paul really meant that! Compare that
with his warning even concerning himself should he teach a false doctrine, Gal.
1:7-8. The faithful can have the right perspective even if they are forced out
and the unfaithful maintain control of the building and church assets (3 Jo.
9).
Various
things will cut your numbers down.
Some may
leave because they relocate, and this is usually work related. Aquila and
Priscilla left Corinth and came to Ephesus in Acts 18:1,18-19. But
could you even imagine these two
quietly slipping away? How many times have faithful brethren made efforts to contact
members who haven’t been coming just to learn they had gone elsewhere?
Those continuing in immoralities not repented
of are to be withdrawn from -- thus protecting the flock while hoping to shame
them and bring them to repentance (I Cor. 5:1-5; 2 Thes 3:6,14). Others are
marked and shunned for having endorsed false doctrine – such overthrow the
faith of some (I Tim 1:18-20; 2 Tim. 2:17-18). And some leave having been
exposed for their error -- knowing they will be opposed and defeated should
they continue to believe error and seek to persuade the weak (2 Tim. 3:1-9; I
Jo. 2:18-19).
When a
brother goes against sound doctrine with, “My wife is not happy here” – there’s
a husband’s lack of headship manifesting itself in not standing for the truth
(Eph. 5:23). That will cut your numbers down! Brethren will declare when
leaving that where they are going next is A-OK – even when they know better.
Husbands sometimes hear from their wives, “We’re
going and that’s it!” – now there is a lack of submission as required by wives
when the head of the family stands for truth (Eph. 5:22). That will cut your
numbers down!
At times
brethren hear, “Our children are not happy” – seeking to please children above a
love of the truth will cut your numbers down! Do not kid yourself, the seeking
of entertainment for the children belongs with parents who love the things of
the world (I Jo. 2:15-17).
Jesus spoke
of those who “in time of persecution” because of the word fall away (Mk 4:17);
for others the word is “choked” because of the worries of the age,
deceitfulness of riches and the lusts for other things entered in (Mk. 4:19)
--- several choices can cause one to lose that confidence to speak boldly (Heb
10:35; 2 Cor 4:13).
One of the
good things that edifies is for small churches to allow the younger Christians
(males) to do readings and give short lessons. You begin with the reading, and
it will grow into the lessons with application, as you help them, and they work
to improve themselves. Take a fourth Wednesday evening and fourth Sunday
evening, for example, and have the men in the church lead songs, bring short
lessons or read scriptures ---and don’t begrudge your preacher or teacher getting
a rest. This can be part of the continuous, attentive care for one another that
provokes to love and good works (Heb 10:24-25). The young man with shaking
knees and his first lesson can become the man who teaches and preaches the
Gospel of our Lord.
We certainly
can’t get around the responsibility stated in “one another” --- this makes the
person who says they’ve got nothing to contribute look foolish --- that’s like
saying I gave nothing even though attendance is required, and we are expected
to be there and participate in the capacity assigned to us. You come for others,
not just for yourself, to sing together, pray together, and proclaim His death
in the Supper. You come for others even if it means you must be there to rebuke
and reprove to strengthen the body.
1Co 14:26 “How is it then, brethren? Whenever you
come together, each of you has a psalm, has a teaching, has a tongue, has a
revelation, has an interpretation. Let all things be done for edification.”
Churches are
doing these without substantial numbers; these are spiritual blessings. It is
better to have few than to have the human organizations our brethren have
formed that intrude into the work God gave the local churches to do. God’s blessings
come for the few as well as many who are willing to respect scriptural
authority.
Valley Church of Christ
2375 W. 8th Street, Yuma, AZ
85364
(928) 782-5058 ~
http://yumavalleychurchofchrist.com
Sunday Services – Classes ~10:00;
Assembly 10:50 am; Evening: 6:00 pm.
Wednesday evening – 7:00 pm
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learn more call, visit or visit our website at: