Distinctions Between The Individual Christian & The Local Church

II. HOW TO DISTINGUISH BETWEEN THE INDIVIDUAL CHRISTIAN AND THE LOCAL CHURCH:

A. Church must follow pattern (Heb.8:1-5; 1 Cor.4:16-17; 2 Thess.2:15)

1. Evangelism (Phil.4:15-16; 1 Cor.9:14; 2 Cor.11:8)

2. Edification (1 Cor.14:26; Eph.4:11-12)

3. Benevolence (Acts 2:44-45; 4:34-35; 6:1; 11:29-30; Rom.15:26; 1 Cor.16:1-2; 2 Cor.8:1-4; 9:1)

a. Limited to saints.

4. Worship (Acts 20:7; 1 Cor.11:18-25; 14:15; Col.3:16)

B. Individual limited by doctrine (2 Jo. 9) but responsibility differs in some areas (1 Tim.5:16)

1. Evangelism (Acts 8:4; Matt.5:16)

2. Edification (Rom.14:19)

3. Benevolence (Gal.6:10; Jas.1:27)

a. To all men: may give to Red Cross, etc.

4. Worship (1 Cor.11:26-29; Jas.5:13; 1 Tim.2:8)

5. Family responsibility (Eph.5:23-6:4; 1 Tim.5:8)

6. Occupation (2 Thess.3:10; Eph.4:28; Col.3:22-24)

7. Government (Rom.13:1-2; Acts 5:29)

8. Recreation (Eccl.3:9-13; Mk.6:30-32)

C. How to determine which verse applies to whom:

1. Same as interpreting any scripture: to whom written? obvious meaning? context? overall Bible doctrine?

2. Three case studies:

a. Galatians 6:1-10

1) To whom written?  Churches of Galatia (1:2)

2) Obvious meaning? Opportunity, "do good" to all, esp. brethren.

3) Context: (vs. 1-9)

4) Overall Bible teaching? (see "A. #3"; Matt.25:31-46)

b. James 1:22-27

1) To whom written? (1:1)

2) Obvious meaning? "look in on" (see to needs) orphans & widows.

4) Overall Bible teaching? (same as before)

3) Context? (vs. 21-26)

a) "All" of a specific group or general group? (c.f. Acts 2:45)

b) Liberality accomplished two things: "supplied needs to saints" & brought glory to God by "thanksgivings to God" (v.12)

4) Overall Bible teaching? (same as before)

3) Context? (9:1, 12-15)

2) Obvious meaning? "Liberal sharing with ... all"

1) To whom written? (1:1)

c. 2 Corinthians 9:13

III. CONCLUSION:

A. Clear distinction made between church & individual.

1. Church not to compete with the family, private enterprise, secular education, etc.

2. Individual should be involved in these within confines of godliness (Tit.2:11-14)

DEFINITION ... "A local church is a group of Christians who agree on what they do collectively, and they have an attitude of subjection and humility toward one another in matters of opinion and expediency. In other words, they agree on what they do collectively, and they agree to treat each other properly in the matters they do not agree on, while they strive to arrive at agreement even in matters of judgment" (Samuel G. Dawson, Fellowship: With God and His People, p. 101).