The New Testament Church – 8 Is there a difference between the individual and the church? Parts I & II

The New Testament Church – 8

Is there a difference between the individual

and the church?Parts I & II

A Christian at all times!

Always a disciple! Acts 11:26 More than mere belief

or being part of a “sound” congregation.More than simply obeying the gospel


It is about submission, obedience and conformity 1 Peter 1:13-16, James 1:21-25

It is a way of life, “24/7”. Being a Christian will influence

every area of your life.

SpiritualEph. 4:1-16

PersonalMatt. 5:8-9

1 Cor. 13

Based on chart, Walking by Faith, pg. 30. Roy E. Cogdill © 1967


Family relationships 1 Peter 3:1-7, Ephesians 5:22-33 Ephesians 6:1-4


Civil relationship – obey your government Romans 13:1-7, 1 Peter 2:13-17, Luke 20:25, 1 Timothy 2:1-4


Social relationships – within your community1 Peter 2:12, Colossians 4:5Social mediaBenevolence - James 1:27,…


Economic relationship – the need to work2 Thess. 3:10, 1 Thess. 4:11-12, 1 Tim. 5:8, Col. 3:22-4:11 Tim. 6:10, Matt. 6:19-21


Spiritual relationships – including the church Ephesians 4:1-16


Personal relationship – be true to yourself – affects all other relationshipsMatt. 5:8-9, 1 Cor. 13:1-3, 2 Pet. 1:5-11, etc.

SpiritualEph. 4:1-16

PersonalMatt. 5:8-9

1 Cor. 13

Based on chart, Walking by Faith, pg. 30. Roy E. Cogdill © 1967


In each of these areas, one must follow God’s instructions

To neglect any of them is to fail to be a Christian.

We cannot pass on our responsibilities to the government

OR the church!


While the individual CAN, the church CANNOT:

Provide secular education Provide recreation and entertainment Tell us how to vote (though Biblical

teaching is done) Provide us with job training Seek to reform society …

NOTE: What you do as a Christian

IS a reflection upon the church!

There is a difference:

Dealing with sinning brethren Matthew 18:15-17 Individual, Go to him, take 2-3 with you Church, vs. 17 only at “step 3” does the church become involved.


Separate treasuries Acts 4:32-5:11 Collective, Land sold and laid at the apostles feet Individual, 5:4 “While it remained, was it not your own? And after it was sold, was it not in your own control?...”


Separate places to eat 1 Corinthians 11:20-32 Church, vs. 20, 33 (Acts 20:7) they came together to partake of the Lord’s Supper Individual, vs. 22, 34 Go to him, take 2-3 with you


Helping needy widows 1 Timothy 5:3-16 Church, vs. 5, 9-10, 16 the church CAN help “widows indeed” Individual, vs. 4, 8, 11-15 (young widows to seek husbands) 16 “Do NOT let the church be burdened”

Some duties to both church and individuals

Teaching - Acts 8:4, Acts 11:19-26Individuals took and preached the gospel in Antioch (11:19-20)Church sent Barnabas to Antioch (11:22-24) Barnabas and Saul (11:25-26)


Benevolence – we have identified both church and individual benevolenceMuch of what the church does depends upon individuals doing their part (Acts 11:29, 1 Cor. 16:1-2)


Discipline – 1 Corinthians 5Church publicly withdraws (6-7)Individual must act properly (5:19-23, cf. James 5:19-20)Consider what is needed for discipline to properly work


Worship – 1 Corinthians 14:26Church collective acts (Lord’s Supper - 1 Cor. 10:16, 11:33, Acts 20:7)Individual proper attitude (1 Cor. 11:27-29)


Growth – Ephesians 4:16Church grows cf. Acts 2:41, 4:4, 5:14, 6:1, etc.) Individual do their share Eph. 4:16, 1 Cor. 12:26-27We need to care about the church!


In these examples we see: While working together the church

collectively and individuals maintained distinctive roles

There is no conflict as they carry out their roles

They cooperate CONCURRENTLY The church does NOT take over

individual responsibilities

Respecting God’s Authority

Context of a passage is important

In studying the work of the church, we have sought to properly apply each text in its context. (1 Cor. 4:6)


What about James 1:27? “Pure and undefiled religion

before God and the Father is this: to visit orphans and widows in their trouble, and to keep oneself unspotted from the world.”

Is this individual or church action? Or

both?


The context of James 1:21-27 Receive with meekness the

implanted word (21) Be doers of the word (22) If ANYONE is a hearer…He is

like a man … (23-25)


The context of James 1:21-27 If anyone thinks HE is religious…

this one’s religion (26) Pure and undefiled religion (27) To keep ONESELF unspotted (27)


What about Galatians 6:10?

“Therefore, as we have opportunity, let us do good to all, especially to those who are of the household of faith.”

Is this individual or church action? Or

both?


The context of Galatians 6:1-10

Receive with meekness the implanted word (21)

Be doers of the word (22) If ANYONE is a hearer…He is

like a man … (23-25)


It is argued that since Galatians was written to churches (Galatians 1:2) then whatever commands are given therein can be carried out collectively.

Faulty reasoning because a letter can be written to a congregation OR congregations and a passage be addressed to the INDIVIDUALS within that congregation. (cf. Gal. 3:26-27, 5:2-4)

LOOK at the context! 1 Cor. 4:6, 2 Peter 3:16


The context of Galatians 6:1-10 If a man is overtaken, “YOU” (pl)

who are spiritual…considering YOURSELF (s) lest YOU (s) be tempted (6:1)

Bear one another’s (pl) burdens (6:2)


The context of Galatians 6:1-10 If “ANYONE” (s) thinks HIMSELF

to be something… (s) (6:3) Let EACH ONE (s) examine HIS

OWN works (s) (6:4) Each one (s) shall bear HIS OWN

(s) load (6:5)


The context of Galatians 6:1-10 Let HIM (s) who is taught share with

HIM (s) who teaches (6:6) Whatever A MAN (s) sows that HE (s)

will also reap…(6:7-8) Let US (pl) not grow weary in doing

good, for in due season WE (pl) shall reap if we do not lose heart (6:9)


The context of Galatians 6:1-10 “Therefore as WE (pl) have opportunity,

let US (pl) do good to ALL (pl), especially those who are of the household of faith.”

NOTE: The plural is dealing with individual Christians (pl). WHO wrote this letter? PAULIs he included in “we” and “us”?WAS he a member of the church anywhere in Galatia as he wrote this?


The context of Galatians 6:1-10

Observation: Is this text dealing specifically with benevolence?

While the instructions might include benevolence, what is the text about? Building each other up spiritually!

There is a distinction between the church and the individual.

Let us respect God’s boundaries even in this!

Are you serving God

faithfully in every aspect of your life?

Documents

The New Testament Church – 8 Is there a difference between the individual and the church? Parts I & II