Introduction

• Jesse Jenkins requested a sermon on the division in the 1950s-1960s.
• Why is this important?
  • Old Testament apostasy from the beginning came from within.
  • New Testament division and fall always came from within.
    • Acts 20:28
    • I Timothy 4:1
    • Hebrews 3:12
    • II Timothy 4:2-4
    • This fall was already starting during Paul’s lifetime. Elders started leading more than one congregation, leading to Eastern Orthodoxy, Roman Catholicism, then the Protestant Reformation and more division.

History repeating

• In the 19th century, the organization of the church was again corrupted, and instrumental music was introduced.
• In the 20th century, there were only about twelve full-time conservative preachers, but they taught thousands, and the church grew enormously.
  • The sponsoring church arrangement came about, along with institutionalism (organizations set up to do benevolent work), recreation, and entertainment.
  • Churches came to be known as either liberal or conservative churches of Christ, depending on if they supported these institutions or not.
  • Churches split, even to the point of taking members to court as troublemakers.
  • II John 1:9
• The division in the late 19th century eventually produced three groups:
  • The conservative church were generally known as churches of Christ.
  • The more liberal group was usually known as the Christian Church.
  • In time an ultra-liberal group spawned, known as disciples of Christ.
• The division of the late 20th century had the same results:
  • The conservative churches hold to Biblical infallibility and insistent on having a “thus saith the Lord” for teaching and practice.
  • There are the “main-line” institutional churches that insist we do NOT have to have authority for all that we do.
  • There are the ultra-liberal folks who are determined to have the church take its place among the denominations.
• This emphasizes the need for each generation to be taught the basic principles over and over again.
  • II Peter 1:12-13
  • When Israel came to the promised land, there were certain instructions that were given along these very lines.
    • Deuteronomy 6:1-2, 6-8

What about the Benchley church of Christ?

• We are reputed to be a big strong congregation!
• How can we avoid this same cycle?
• By learning from the mistakes of the past.
• By following God’s instructions to Israel: Keep my commandments, walk in my ways, teach my children.
• And doing as the Holy Spirit directed: II Timothy 4:2-4