[Biblemat] S) CONGREGATIONAL INDEPENDENCE (1)

[J5827Sasser at wmconnect.com]

Brethren and Friends, Jim Sasser here.  Here is a study from my
ancient files.  Use to the glory of God.

CONGREGATIONAL INDEPENDENCE

(Note:  The following was electrically recorded when delivered
as a sermon by the author at the Chapel Avenue Church of
Christ in Nashville, Tennessee in the spring of 1950 and is re-
produced here as originally preached).

     In a generation or two past the question of congregational
independence, sometimes called congregational autonomy,
came up for much discussion.  It was one of the focal points
in what is known as the restoration movement, a high point
of which occurred at old Cane Ridge, Ky., when a group of 
brethren met and wrote what they called "The Last Will and
Testament of the Springfield Presbytery."  Having become
convinced that it was wrong, unscriptural, for the congregat-
ions to be bound together as they then were by this "presby-
tery," they dissolved it by writing its last will and testament.

     After the battle for congregational independence had been
fought and won, the brethren quit talking about it so much.
In recent decades we've been taking it for granted.  I doubt
that you've heard a sermon on congregational independence
in the last twenty-five years.  We've assumed that everybody
understood it, that everybody believed it, and that everybody
was acquainted with it's significance.  But it may be that we
have taken too much for granted.  Durint that time there can
grow up a generation whose attention has not been called to
this Bible doctrine.  There are many evidences that this sub-
ject needs further study.

     For instance, one prominent leader in Nashville said last
week he believed that we ought to have a general organizat-
ion, tying the churches together, and that he had nothing to
say against the missionary society of the so-called Christian
Church.  Surely with such straws in the wind we need to open
our eyes to the facts that exist.

     Over-confidence has lost many a battle.  "Let him that 
thinketh he standeth take heed lest he fall" (1 Cor. 10:12).
Whenever individuals or groups of individuals assume that
they cannot err, they are in great danger.

     Recently, on several different occasions, I have been chal-
lenged to prove that the Bible teaches congregational inde-
pendence.  To tell you the truth I'd never thought about prov-
ing it.  I just assumed tht  everybody with whom I associate
religiously already believed it.  Tonight I want to give you some of the 
reasons for believing that the Bible teaches con-
gregational independence.

IT IS SCRIPTURAL: -- In the beginning I shall incidentally ans-
wer a question which I have been requested to answer tonight, namely, "What 
is the origin of the church of Christ?"
The answer is found in Acts 2:47 where the Bible says, "And
the Lord added to the church daily such as should be saved."
Christ had previously said, "He that believeth and is baptized
shall be saved."  On the day of Pentecost there were about 
three thousand who believed and were baptized, many others
in the days which followed believed and were baptized, and
the Lord added to the church daily all those that were saved.
Since the church of the Lord is composed of the people who
have been saved, which means those who have believed and 
have been Scripturally baptized, the church was begun on
this earth by that method.  And consisted of all that believed
and were baptized into the body of Christ.

     After people had thus obeyed the Gospel they were taught
to meet together regularly and to worship God.  The disciples
came together at Troas on the first day of the week to break
bread (partake of the Lord's Supper) Acts 20:7.  The church
at Jerusalem "...continued steadfastly in the apostles' doctri-
ne and fellowship, and in breaking of bread, and in prayers"
(Acts 2:42).  In Heb. 10:25 we are admonished not to forsake
the assembling of ourselves together as the manner of some
is.  Wherever there are people then, two or more, who have
been baptized into Jesus Christ, it is their duty to meet toget-
her at a convenient place for the purpose of worshiping God.
This practice naturally assumed some sort of organization.
Such was necessary to their functioning efficiently as a church.

     According to the Bible, the organization developed as the
need for it arose.  When the Grecians murmured against the
Hebrew brethren, because their widows were being neglected
in the daily administration of needs, men were appointed from
among them to see to this matter.  They were not appointed
to "perfect the organization of the New Testament church," 
but they were appointed to meet a need, to do a work that
was not being satisfactorily performed.  This was done so that the apostles 
could continue to give their full time to the
preaching and teaching of the Word of God.  Likewise, in the
future, when qualified men were available, elders were appoin-ted to look 
after the spiritual needs and interests of the mem-
bers of the church.  And so we have the simple organization
of the New Testament congregation of the Lord's people, con-
sisting of elders, deacons, and members, there were preach-
ers from among the members of the congregation that taught
the Word of God to them on a regular basis.

     Right here the New Testament stops.  That's as far as it
goes in giving information on the organization of the church.
In the New Testament there is not a single word about two or
more congregations being bound together by any sort of an
organization whatsoever; there is not a word about any kind
of a mass meeting of the churches of Christ in any area for
any purpose.  There's nothing said about representatives 
appointed to attend any sort of a conference of the churches.
The New Testament absolutely stops with the congregation
as far as organizaiton is concerned.

     Someone recently asked me what verse of Scripture I would use to prove 
that we ought not to have inter-congregat-
ional organizations?  I said, "The same one that tells us not to
have mechanical instruments of music in the worship."  Both
are forbidden by the principle of exclusion, by the limitations
of God's law.  We truthfully contend that in reference to the
worship we must be confined to what is written.  The Bible
teaches that it is a sin to go beyond what is written (Rev. 22:
18).  Paul said "These things brethren, I have in a figure trans-
ferred to myself and Apollos for your sakes; that ye might
learn in us not to go beyond what is written..." (1 Cor. 4:6).
No doubt, you have heard many sermons on the point that 
the Bible is complete and that it furnishes us completely with
all things that we need for our salvation, and that we are not
to add anything to it nor take anything from it (2 Tim. 3:16,17)
(More will be posted on this subject tomorrow the Lord will-
ing, JWS).   </HTML>
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