Introduction

  • Colossians 3:17
  • Hebrews 10:25
  • I Corinthians 14:23
  • Acts 20:7
  • We have authority to assemble and need a place to do so.
  • John 4:21

Classrooms for Biblical teaching

In the New Testament, we find authority for churches to be involved in the teaching of God’s word.

  • Acts 15:35
  • Acts 13:1
  • Acts 18:4, 8, 11
  • I Corinthians 4:17
  • I Corinthians 14:26
  • Acts 20:28, 32 – Arranging Bible classes is one way that elders can shepherd the flock.

As far as I know, there are two main arguments against classes:

  • First, some object to classes by saying that it divides the assembly, and we have no authority to divide the assembly (Hebrews 10:25; Acts 15:30; 11:26).
  • Another objection to Bible classes is that it involves women in an unscriptural way.
    • I Corinthians 14:34-35
    • I Timothy 2:11-12

No kitchen or fellowship hall

The church building is not sacred like the temple was.

As a local church, we need to abide by what the New Testament authorizes us to do as a church.

  • Provide for needy Christians
    • Help needy saints in the local church (Acts 6:1-6)
    • Help needy saints in other churches (Romans 15:26)
  • Preaching the gospel
    • Sound forth the word (I Thessalonians 1:8)
    • Support preachings in other places (Philippians 4:15-16)
  • Worship and edification
    • Add/subtract members (Acts 9:26-28; I Corinthians 5:13)
    • Assemble to worship God and edify each other (I Corinthians 14:23-26)
    • Have elders (Acts 20:28)
    • Have deacons (I Timothy 3:8-13)
    • Make decisions (I Corinthians 16:3)
    • Help sinners repent (Matthew 18:17)
    • Partake of the Lord’s Supper (I Corinthians 11:17-24)
    • Sing spiritual songs (I Corinthians 14:26)
    • Pray (I Corinthians 14:15)
    • Teach God’s word (I Corinthians 14:26)
    • Collect money (I Corinthians 16:2)

There is no passage that gives a church authority to provide facilities for regular meals.

  • Churches can provide for needy Christians
    • Acts 6:1
  • Churches can provide for the Lord’s Supper
    • I Corinthians 11:17-22, 34

The difference between an individual and the church

  • Matthew 18:15-17
  • Philippians 4:15 – Sometimes the church acts via money.
  • Acts 4:32-5:4
  • I Timothy 5:16
  • Matthew 9:10
  • Acts 16:34
  • Acts 2:46-47

Can’t the church practice fellowship?

  • (share, contribute, participate)
  • Philippians 4:15
  • Luke 5:19
  • I Corinthians 10:16
  • I Timothy 5:22
  • I John 1:7
  • Acts 2:42

We can make the same point about edification

  • Acts 20:32; I Corinthians 14:26; Ephesians 4:11-12