Posts Tagged ‘individual vs. church’
How do I teach someone about the proper way to do benevolence?
Question: Hello, I am a newer Christian and love your site. Thanks so much for making it available. While I have much growth spiritually, know that you are helping me to grow. My cousin and I do not agree on the benevolence work of an individual Christian vs. the Local Church. He wants to study…
Read MoreYour sermon shed light on an issue we were facing
Question: Good day brother Jeffrey, Thank you for helping me clarify some issues which I faced. I read the sermon, Who Is Responsible? It shed some light for us here, together with an explanation of the Individual-Group distinction. I thank our God Almighty for your website. It helps so many people and Christians who need some…
Read MoreIndividual or Church?
by Jimmy R. Mickells I was recently given a bulletin with an article in it that asked this question: “Where does the Bible make a distinction between the individual member and the church in the work of the Lord?” May we notice together that the word of God answers this question very clearly? The reason…
Read MoreIndividual Duty or Local Church Duty?
by Howard Justice During the past half-century, there has been a serious amount of confusion as to how a member of God’s family relates to his role in the family of God and how this service involves the local unit known as the local church. It has presented problems in understanding what a Christian may…
Read MoreThe Difference Between Individuals and the Church
by Greg Gwin In a recent discussion of church benevolence, the point was made that the church has a limited benevolent role (only to needy saints), while individual Christians can and should help all who are legitimately in need (Galatians 6:10). Someone offered this rebuttal: “Why maintain a division in the church over money when…
Read MoreWho Is Responsible?
https://www.lavistachurchofchrist.org/cms/wp-content/uploads/2017/05/WhoIsResponsible.mp3 by Jeffrey W. Hamilton Text: Galatians 6:1-10 I. One of the issues that has divided brethren is that of doing good. A. The question is who is responsible? B. One side argues that it doesn’t matter, so long as the good is done. The other side argues that you cannot give away a responsibility God has…
Read MoreAre you saying that only individuals can do things?
Question: It appears that you are saying that only individuals do things and not the body (church), is this what you mean? Thank you. Answer: It depends on what “things” you are referring to. There are things commanded of the church and there are things commanded of the individual Christian. A few of them overlap, but…
Read MoreShouldn’t the church be a social organization to draw people to Christ?
Question: I say all this with the utmost respect. I read your opening statement about all the things you don’t have. I very much appreciate a church (a body) that wishes to follow the pattern of the first-century church. I agree with your purpose and what God has to offer us is so much more than…
Read MoreHow can Christians gather and not be the church?
Question: We have addressed several people on the subject and I went to the computer and found different ones saying the same thing. My problem was I just couldn’t figure out how we could not leave the building and still not be assembled. The church is the called out and when we are gathered in…
Read MoreIndividual-Group Distinctions
by Bryan Sharp I Timothy 5:16 tells us, “If any believing woman has relatives who are widows, let her care for them. Let the church not be burdened, so that it may care for those who are truly widows.” (ESV) This one verse is a gold mine of practical application because, in this one verse,…
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