BUILDING ACCORDING TO THE PATTERN

Bible Class Study

Series

---

Presented at: Spruce Pine Church of Christ

108 McHone Road, Spruce Pine, NC 28777

By: John Cripps

The enclosed series of lessons will be used as a format for the in-class teaching of adults and young people for the next three months. Our teachers have prepared lesson plans for these lessons. This program of teaching is designed as an aid to the parents' personal obligation of home study with their children.

Your part in this study will be to give your children ten to twenty minutes of study each day, five days a week. Each day study one daily study selection from the next Sunday's lesson, thereby covering all five daily studies each week. It is suggested that you use the Memory Work the first day, so it may be learned through repetition the following days.

To assist you in relating the verses to the coming Sunday's class, these lesson outlines are provided to you in advance for the entire 13 weeks.

Do not let your children down . . . . . . Set aside a certain portion of each day for Bible study (such as each evening after supper). Make it a habit and be consistent, and your children will reap the benefits the rest of their lives. The remembrance of these few minutes will cause them to be thankful always.

Each child will be given credit in class each week for memory work and participation in all five daily studies. This recognition is arranged so that he may make up any previous week's work missed when absent.

1. The Old Covenant was taken out of the way.

a. Eph. 2:11-16 -- Old Testament was the "middle wall of division" taken out the way so that Jews and Gentiles might be reconciled to God in one body.

b. Col. 2:14-17 -- Old Testament was "the handwriting of requirements" that was nailed to the cross.

c. Rom. 7:1-6 -- Christians are made dead to the law (Old Testament Law) that they might be married to Christ.

2. Christ is the mediator of a New Covenant. (Hebrews 8:1-13)

Day 2 -- The New Testament Is The Revelation Of The Authority Of Christ.

1. Jesus has all authority. (Matt. 28:18).

2. Jesus promised His apostles the Holy Spirit as a guide and teacher. (John 14:26; 15:26; John 16:13).

a. The Spirit revealed the mind of God to the apostles. (1 Cor. 2:6-16).

b. The Spirit revealed the "mystery" or hidden purpose of God to Apostles and Prophets, who wrote it so that we might know it. (Eph. 3:1-5)

3. The Scriptures are God's complete and final revelation.

a. They furnish us unto every good work. (2 Tim. 3:16,17)

b. We have been given all things that pertain to life and godliness. (2 Pet. 1:3).

c. "The faith" has been once for all delivered to the saints. (Jude 3)

Day 3 -- The Authority Of Christ Must Be Respected In Our Religious Activities.

1. We are to hear Him. (Acts 3:19-23; Mark 9:2-8)

2. We are to do things "in the name of" Christ. (Col. 3:17). The expression "in the name of" means by the authority of, as in "I arrest you in the name of the law".

3. We are not to follow the commandments of men. (Matt. 15:9).

4. It makes a difference where our authority comes from - "from heaven or from men". (Matt. 21:25-26).

Day 4 -- Authority For Religious Activity Is Found In The Scriptures In Three Forms.

1. Direct command, or statement that has the force of a command, is a direct clear statement of what is to be done. "Go into all the world and preach the gospel...." is a command. "He who believes and is baptized will be saved..." is a statement with the force of a command. (Mark 16:15,16).

1. Apostolic Examples are accounts of things early Christians did under the direction and with the approval of the Apostles who were ambassadors sent out by Christ. Paul, an apostle, wrote: "The things whichyou learned and received and heard and SAW IN ME, THESE DO..."(Phil. 4:9).

2. Necessary Inferences are unstated conclusions that necessarily follow when one considers all that is stated on a subject. At the baptism of Jesus, the Bible does not say that Jesus went down into the water, but it is necessarily inferred by what is said: "And Jesus, when he was baptized, went up straightway out of the water..." (Matt. 3:16 - KJV). If he went up out of the water, then he must have gone down into the water. The conclusion is inescapable.

3. All three methods are used in secular law. 1) The statutes on the books 2) Authoritative precedents 3) Logical necessary conclusions.

4. All three methods are used in the Lord's Supper.

(1) The observance itself is established by command: "Do this in remembrance of Me" (1 Cor. 11:24).

(2) The day for observance is establish by example: The disciples at Troas came together to eat it ON THE FIRST DAY OF THE WEEK, with Paul, an apostle, present.

(3) The frequency of observance is established by necessary inference: The language necessarily infers EVERY first day, just as "Remember the sabbath" necessarily inferred EVERY sabbath.

Day 5 -- Authority From The Scriptures Can Be Specific or Generic.

1. Specific authority includes only the thing specified and excludes everything else in its class unless something else in its class is also specified.

a. When God told Noah to build an ark of GOPHER wood. (Gen. 6). That meant ONLY Gopher wood. Pine, Cedar, Oak, etc. were excluded.

b. When God tells us to SING. (Eph. 5:19) That means singing is the only music authorized unless one can find instrumental music authorized for worship in this dispensation somewhere else in the Scriptures. Since nothing is said of instrumental music, then it is excluded.

2. Generic authority includes things within the class authorized, including means and methods of execution.

a. "Go preach ..." (Mark 16:15) includes going by car, going by bus, going by air, etc.

b. "Assemble" (Heb. 10:25) includes a place and facilities to assemble.

1. The Scriptures that mention singing: Matt. 26:30; Acts 16:25; Rom. 15:9; 1 Cor. 14:15; Eph. 5:19; Col. 3:16; Jas. 5:13)

2. What Scripture mentions a mechanical instrument of music in worship to God by Christians?

Day 2 -- The Command To Sing Is Specific And Excludes All Other Kinds Of Music.

1. If one orders someone under his authority to buy a dozen oranges, what is authorized? Any kind of fruit? Or just oranges?

2. God's command for Gopher wood eliminated any other kind of wood. (Gen. 6:14).

3. God's command to Aaron to offer two he goats and a ram in the atonement sacrifices excludes other animals. (Lev. 16).

4. God's command for a priesthood of Levi eliminated a priest from any other tribe. (See Heb. 7:11-18). The law had to be changed before Christ, from Judah (another tribe), could be a lawful priest.

5. God's command to sing excludes any other kind of music. There are only two kinds - vocal and instrumental. God specified vocal.

6. When one does something more than "sing", God has been disobeyed. (2 John 9-11).

Day 3 -- Our Singing In Worship Has A Dual Purpose.

1. Praise and Thanksgiving to God. (Heb. 13:15; Acts 16:25; Rom. 15:9; Jas. 5:13).

2. Teaching and admonishing one another. (Eph. 5:19; Col. 3:16)

Day 4 -- Congegational Singing Is Authorized By The New Testament.

1. This is admitted by all. No one says that congregational singing is wrong.

2. Solos, Quartets, Choirs and other special singers are questionable to say the least.

a. Many who believe such to be lawful believe them to be highly inexpedient because of their potential for abuse and turning worship into entertainment to appeal to the fleshly side of man. This author knows of no one in the church who believes that they may be lawful, who believes they would be expedient at all. They feel that the dangers far out weighs any benefits that could come from them.

b. Many others believe them to be not only inexpedient but also to be without authority. This author is one of those because such would preclude the reciprocal action required in Eph. 5:19 and Col. 3:16.

3. "One another" in Eph. 5:19 and Col. 3:16 are reciprocal pronouns. Reciprocal in grammar means "expressing mutual action or relation: as, each other is a reciprocal pronoun" (Webster's New World Dictionary Of The American Language).Both Vine and Thayer, in their respective dictionaries and lexicons of New Testament Greek point out the reciprocal nature of heautou, the word translated "one another" or "each other": Vines: "used as a reciprocal pronoun, e.g., Eph. 5:19, RV, `one to another' (KJV, and RV marg., `to yourselves')". Thayer: "It is used frequently in the plural for the reciprocal pronoun allelon, allelois, allelous, reciprocally, mutually, one another: ... Col. 3:13,16".

Day 5 -- The Manner In Which Singing Is To Be Rendered.

1. "Unto God" (Acts 16:25; Rom. 15:9; Eph. 5:19; Col. 3:16). It is not to please the fleshly tastes of men, but to please God. It is not entertainment, but worship.

2. "With the heart". (Eph. 5:19; Col. 3:16). In other words, it must be done sincerely with one's mind in accord with the sentiment of the song sung.

3. "With the understanding" (1 Cor. 14:15). We need to understand the words that we are singing.

4. So as to be understood by all. "Speaking one to another" (Eph. 5:19). "Teaching and admonishing" (Col. 3:16). The tune or melody cannot teach. Words teach. The words must be sung plainly enough for all to understand or else the purpose is lost.

5. The kind of songs to be used. "Psalms and hymns and spiritual songs". " `Psalms and hymns' appear to have been used interchangeably and not only convey the character in general that such compositions are to be `spiritual.' Such could scarcely be descriptive of the `Star Spangled Banner.' `Yankee Doodle,' or `I Washed My Hands This Morning.' Neither could any of the light, trivial, jiggy tunes used today be classified as `Spiritual.' " (Roy Cogdill, in The New Testament Church).

1. Prayer seems to be almost natural for man. It is as old as man himself. During periods of severe stress, especially, man seems to naturally appeal for help from a higher power.

2. Prayer is not merely a desire, but desire expressed to God in words. (cf. Rom. 10:1). We must do more than desire - we must ask for what we would receive. (1 Sam. 1:12-17,27; John 14:13; 1 John 3:22)

3. Prayer has several forms in Bible (See 1 Tim. 2:1): Prayer seems to be the general word for talking to God. Supplication is prayer for special need. Intercession is praying for another. Thanksgiving is, of course, giving thanks to God.

4. Prayer to God should be in the name of Jesus Christ. (John 14:13,14; 15:16; 16:23-26).

5. Prayer should be made intelligently (Lk. 11:1-2), confidently (Heb. 4:16; 1 John 5:14; Jas. 5:16), fervently (Jas. 5:16) and Scripturally (cf. 1 John 5:14-15).

6. Prayer was made in the Bible from a variety of postures. 1) Standing. (Mk. 11:25; Lk. 18:13). 2) Sitting (1 Chron. 17:16). 3) Kneeling (Acts 7:60). 4) Bowed (Neh. 8:6) 5) With lifted hands (1 Tim. 2:8)

Day 2 -- Places And Times For Prayer.

1. Pray always. (1 Thess. 5:17; cf. 2 Pet. 2:14; Acts 12:5). The idea is not continuous unbroken praying 24 hours a day, but regular prayer. "Give us this day our daily bread", suggests one should pray daily.

2. Pray in all places. (1 Tim. 2:8)

a. Privately. Matt. 6:5-6.

b. Publicly - in assembly. (Acts 12:5; 1 Cor. 14:15,16). One leading prayer in assembly should give particular attention to being clearly understood by all present, so that they might add their "Amen" to it.

Day 3 -- Objectives And Benefits of Prayer.

1. Some of the objectives of prayer are to:

a. Obey God. (1 Thess. 5:17)

b. Invoke the providence of God. (Jas. 5:13-18).

c. To relieve disease and distress. (Jas. 5:15; Phil. 4:6-8).

d. To thank God. (1 Tim. 4:4,5).

2. Some of the benefits of prayer are:

a. A quiet and peaceable life. (1 Tim. 2:12).

b. "Sanctified" food. (1 Tim. 4:4,5).

c. Peace of mind. (Phil. 4:5-7).

d. Forgiveness of sins. (Acts 8:22; Matt. 6:12), but not for the alien sinner. He needs to be baptized. (Acts 2:38; 22:16).

Day 4 -- Hindrances To Prayer

1. Disobedience. (Prov. 28:9; Psa. 66:18; Jno. 9:31).

2. Doubts. (Jas. 1:6,7)

3. Mistreatment of others. (1 Pet. 3:7)

4. Unforgiving attitude. (Matt. 6:12, 14-15).

5. Selfishness. (Jas. 4:3).

Day 5 -- Prayer Is Not A Substitute For:

1. Bible knowledge. Scriptures make us wise unto salvation. (2 Tim. 3:14-17). Faith comes from hearing the word of God. (Rom. 10:17)

2. Repentance. Aliens must repent. (Acts 2:38). Erring Christians must repent (Acts 8:22). One must repent or God will not hear. (cf. Psa. 66:18).

3. Baptism. It not a substitute for baptism for Saul. (Acts 9:9,11; 22:16). Baptism, not prayer, puts one into Christ. (Rom. 6:4; Gal. 3:27).

4. General Obedience As A Christian. (Luke 6:46; Matt. 7:21)

1. Jesus instituted it at the passover just before His death. (1 Cor. 11:23-25; Luke 22:14-23; Mark 14:17-26; Matt. 26:20-30).

2. It is given as a perpetual reminder of the death of Christ. (1 Cor. 11:24-25) until He comes again.

3. It was not given to satisfy physical hunger and thirst. (1 Cor. 11:20,22,34).

Day 2 -- The Elements Of The Lord's Supper. (Matt. 26:26-29)

1. The Bread. The Supper was instituted in a Jewish house that was observing the Passover or Feast of Unleavened Bread. During this feast, all leaven had to be put out of the house according the Law of Moses. (Exodus 12-13; Deut. 16:1-8). Therefore, though the word for "bread" was the common word for any bread (rather than azumos, the word for unleavened bread), it is necessarily inferred that the bread of the Lord's Supper was unleavened.

2. The Cup or "fruit of the vine". This was fruit of the grape vine liquified so it could be drunk. It is called "cup" by a figure of speech called metonymy: "Use of the name of one thing for that of another associated with or suggested by it. (e.g., `'the White House has decided' for `the President has decided')" (Webster's New World Dictionary). In this case "cup" is used for the contents, the fruit of the vine. "Then He took the cup, and gave thanks, and said, `Take this and divide it among yourselves;". Did they divide the contents or the container? "For as often as you eat this bread and drink this cup". Now, was the cup the contents or the container?

Day 3 -- The Significance Of The Lord's Supper.

1. The elements signify the sacrificed body and blood of Jesus. (Matt. 26:26-28). "This is my body" and "This is by blood" are figures of speech also. It has the force of "This represents my body and blood". When Jesus said, "I am the vine, your are the branches", he was using the same figure of speech. These two elements serve to remind us of the death of Jesus on the cross for the remission of our sins.

2. Our eating the Lord's supper also signifies our fellowship or communion with Christ and His sacrifice. (1 Cor. 10:16-22)

Day 4 -- The Time And Place For The Lord's Supper.

1. The day for observing the Lord's Supper is the "first day of the week" (Acts 20:7). How appropriate! Jesus arose on first day. (Mk. 16:9; Matt. 28:1; John 20:21). Jesus appeared to disciple on first day. (John 20:19,26). Church began on the first day. (Acts 2). Pentecost was on first day. (cf. Lev. 23:11,15).

2. The place for the Lord's supper is in the assembly of the church. Every observance of the Lord's supper by early Christians was when the church was assembled. (See Acts 20:7; 1 Cor. 11:17ff). Where is the authority for "private suppers" away from the assembly?

3. It is in the kingdom. (Matt. 26:29)

Day 5 -- The Corruption Of The Lord's Supper.

1. Sometimes called "Eucharist" which means "good thanks". Called "Sacrament" meaning "an oath". Bible gives it neither of these names nor the significance suggested by them. "Mass" where priests drink cup, others eat bread.

2. Making it an occasion for a common feast. (1 Cor. 11:17-34)

1. God's people have always had a treasury for special purposes. Israel of old had a treasury. (Num. 18:25-32). The Apostles had a treasury during Christ's personal ministry. (John 12:6; 13:29). The treasury of the temple.

2. The New Testament church had a treasury.

a. It was gathered on the first day of the week. (1 Cor. 16:2). The word translated "in store" means to store up or treasure up. It is akin to the word which means "a treasury, or storehouse", according to Vine. Corinth, along with other churches were to gather this money regularly upon the first day of the week. (1 Cor. 16:1-4).

b. It was used for work that the church was to do. In order for members of a congregation to act jointly in a work, there would need to be a common fund or treasury.

Day 2 -- The Individual and His Money.

1. The individual Christian may raise money by any honorable means: wages, trade, investment, gifts, etc. (Eph. 4:28; 2 Thess. 3:10-12; Luke 19:23).

2. The individual Christian's money is under his direct control (in harmony with the will of God). (Acts 5:4).

3. The individual Christian uses his money to fulfill his individual responsibilities: Domestic (1 Tim. 5:8); Civic and civil (Rom. 13:1-8); charitable or humanitarian (Eph. 4:28; Gal. 6:10; Jas. 1:27); hospitality (Matt. 26:7; 1 Pet. 4:9); Spiritual (Gal. 6:6; 1 Cor. 16:2). Money is a mere medium of exchange used as a tool to further the work he is supposed to do.

Day 3 -- The Church and Its Money.

1. The church's (or the Lord's) money is gained by individual Christians' contributions. (1 Cor. 16:2; 2 Cor. 8 and 9).

2. There is a difference in what church is to do with its funds and what an individual Christian is to do with his funds. (1 Tim. 5:16)

3. The church's uses its money to fulfil its responsibilities: To provide things needed for assembly and worship; To provide things needed for its work of preaching (Phil. 4:15-17), benevolence (Acts 6; 11:27; 2 Cor. 8, 9) and edification (Eph. 4:16). Again, money is a mere medium of exchange used as a tool to further the work the church is supposed to do.

Day 4 -- The Principles of Giving.

1. 1 Cor. 16:1-2 -- Periodic (upon the first day of the week), Proportionate (as prospered)

2. 2 Cor. 8 and 9 -- Voluntarily, Purposely or planned, liberally, cheerfully.

Day 5 -- The Motivation for Giving.

1. We are not to give to be seen of men. (Matt. 6:1-4). Not wrong to be seen giving, but wrong to give to be seen.

2. We are to give out of love. (1 Cor. 13:3).

3. We need to first give ourselves to the Lord. (2 Cor. 8:5). Once men give themselves totally to the Lord, they are motivated to give. You do not have to beg them to give. They beg to give. (2 Cor. 8:4).

1. In the Universal sense, including all the saved everywhere. (Matt. 16:18; 1 Tim. 3:15; Eph. 1:22,23; Heb. 12:23). In this sense, there is but one church (Eph. 4:4) because there is but one kind of people who are saved -- those who have obeyed the gospel. No organization in this universal sense, just individual Christians under Christ, doing His will. Whoever obeys the gospel is a member of it. (Acts 2:41, 47).

2. In the Local sense, including God's people in a community who have joined themselves together. (1 Cor. 1:2; 16: 1; Rev. 1:11; Rom. 16:16; Acts 5:11; 8:1; 13:1; 14:23; 15:22). In this sense, there are many churches.

Day 2 -- The distinction between Universal Membership and Local Membership.

1. Universal church membership includes all those added together by the Lord. (Acts 2:47); all those enrolled in heaven. (Heb. 12:23) The Ethiopian eunuch was a member of universal church because he was saved, but not yet a member of a local church. (cf. Acts 8:38, 39). It is possible for one to be excluded from a local church and remain in the universal church. (3 John 10).

2. Local church membership includes those who have joined themselves together in that locality. Paul, after some difficulty, joined himself to the disciples in Jerusalem. (Acts 9:26-28). The local church may "receive" and "reject" members. (cf. Rom. 14:1,3; Tit. 3:10). It is possible for one to be included in local church membership that has been excluded from the universal church (the saved) by the Lord (1 Cor. 5:2, 13).

Day 3 -- The Organization of the Local Church.

1. The Universal church has no organizational structure on earth. It is simply each Christian working under Jesus according to His will as revealed by the Apostles and prophets. They have no joint action, no common fund, no meetings.

2. The Local church has organizational structure. Each has a treasury (1 Cor. 16:1-2; Phil. 4:15-17). Each has own oversight. (Phil. 1:1; 1 Tim. 3:1-3; Acts 14:23; 20:17,28; 1 Pet. 5:1-4). Note that their oversight is specifically limited to the "flock of God which is among (them)." May function for a time without overseers (Acts 14:23), but must not substitute man-made overseers. Let them get along the best they can without oversight.

Day 4 -- The Local Congregation -- God's Organization For Church Work.

1. The New Testament mentions no other organization for church work.

2. The early church was able to do its work without any other organization --either smaller than or larger than the local church.

a. Preachers were sent out by the local church into new areas (Acts 13:1-3). They reported back to the local church. (Acts 14:25, 30).

b. Edifying itself. (Eph. 4:11-16).

c. Caring for the needy. In Jerusalem, they looked out men from among themselves men to set over the business of caring for needy widows. (Acts 6). Funds for poor saints in Judea were placed in hands of elders of Judean churches to be administered by them.

3. Various methods may be used in doing the work of the local church, but other organizations either within or without the church were unknown in the New Testament.

Day 5 -- The Organization Of The Church Has Often Been Set Aside And/Or Perverted.

1. The Super-organizational structure of Catholicism and Protestantism.

2. The Christian Church's state, local and national societies that began as simply innocent "cooperation" meetings.

3. The Churches that work through human organizations in benevolence and edification.

4. The Churches that have a centralized "sponsoring church" arrangement. A congregation assumes the oversight of a work, like evangelism, to which all the congregations have an equal relationship and receive contributions from other churches to do the work. This causes many congregations to pool their funds into the treasury of one with that church controlling the work of the contributing churches.

5. Churches that band together to plan and carry out area-wide functions.

6. Preachers and/or Elders becoming organized, meeting, discussing, and coordinating the work of the churches of which they are preachers and elders. This causes the various church to become and act as a unit (organization) other than a local congregation.

1. "Elders" or "presbytery" (1 Tim. 4:14)

a. Used in ordinary sense to denote seniority or older. (Lk. 15:25; Mk. 8:21).

b. Used to refer to Jewish Elders of the Synagogues. (Matt. 16:21; Mark 8:31; Luke 9:22; Acts 4:5)

c. Used of men appointed in Local churches to exercise spiritual oversight over its members. (Acts 14:23; 20:17; Titus 1:5).

2. "Bishop" (Phil. 1:1) or "overseer" (Acts 20:28). Used interchangeably with "Elder". "For this reason I left you in Crete, that you should ... appoint elders in every city ... For a bishop must be blameless..." Titus 1:5-7.

3. "Pastor" (Eph. 4:11) or "Shepherd" (Many other translations). In Acts 20:28 the elders (v. 17) are told to shepherd (King James says "feed"), in other words to pastor, the flock of God over which they had been made "overseers" (Same word as bishop).

Day 2 -- The Nature Of The Office Of Elder.

1. It is not a political office, but a position governed by the Holy Spirit through the word of God. Men are to be appointed who meet God-given qualifications for the work.

2. It is not a one-man office, a plurality of elders in each church. (Acts 14:23; 20:17; Phil. 1:1).

3. It is not a dictatorial position. Peter warns elders not the act as lords (1 Pet. 5:3). Their rule is one of leadership. In fact, the word used for their rule is sometimes translated "lead". They are to "rule well" as a father over his family (1 Tim. 3:5). They are to "take care" of the church as a loving father takes care of his family as he rules well. They are to care for the church as a shepherd cares for his sheep.

4. It is administrative and not legislative. (1 Pet. 5:4) They can make no laws, only administrate those given by the Chief Shepherd, who is the one lawgiver who is able to save and destroy. (Jas. 4:12).

5. It is local and not diocesan or universal. (1 Pet. 5:4). "The flock of God among you."

Day 3 -- The Qualifications Of Elders.

1. 1 Tim. 3:2-7 -- Desire the office, Blameless, husband of one wife, temperate, sober-minded, of good behavior, hospitable, able to teach, not given to wine, not violent, not greedy for money, gentle, not quarrelsome, not covetous, rules house well - children in subjection, not a novice, not puffed up with pride, good testimony among outsiders.

2. Titus 1:6-9 -- Blameless, husband of one wife, faithful children, not self-willed, not quick-tempered, not given to wine, not violent, not greedy for money, hospitable, lover of what is good, sober-minded, just, holy, self-controlled, holding fast the faithful word, able to convict those who contradict.

Day 4 -- The Responsibilities Of Elders.

1. To feed, tend or shepherd the church. (Acts 20:28; 1 Pet. 5:2-3).

2. To Guard the flock from false teachers. (Acts 20:29-31).

3. To Rule the church (Rom. 12:8; 1 Tim. 5:17) - "Not as lords, but as examples" (1 Pet. 5:3).

4. To oversee or superintend the church.

5. To Watch on behalf of souls. (Heb. 13:17).

Day 5 -- The Duty Of Other Members To The Elders.

1. Honor them. (1 Tim. 5:17). Financially support those who labor in word or doctrine if need be. (1 Tim. 5:17,18).

2. Do not hear accusations against them except at the mouth of two or three witnesses. (1 Tim. 5:19).

3. Obey and respect them. (Heb. 13:17).

a. General usage of the word. "Deacon" means waiter, attendant, servant, minister. From "diako" which means to run or hasten. The radical idea of the word is active service. In its ordinary sense it includes:

b. Preachers. (Eph. 6:21; Col. 1:7; 1 Tim. 4:6). In these passage it is translated "minister".

c. Any servant of Christ. (John 12:26).

1. Special usage of the word. Because it so closely associated with the office and work of elders, it is evident that the word is used in a special or official sense.

a. Phil. 1:1 -- Here deacons are associated with elders and distinguished from the saints in general.

b. 1 Tim. 3:8-13. Deacons are given special qualifications following the special qualifications of elders. This indicates a special office along with that of elders.

Day 2 -- The Office Of A Deacon.

The office of a deacon is one of special service. This is seen from the meaning of diakonos and diakonia:

"The other Greek word, "Diakonos, is defined as: `one who executes the commands of another, esp. of a master,; a servant, attendant, minister; I. univ.: of the servant of a king, Mt. xxii.13; with gen. of the pers. served, Mt. xx.26; xxiii.11; Mk. ix.35; x.43 ... those through whom God carries on his administration on earth, as magistrates, Rom. xiii.4; teachers of the Christian religion, 1 Cor. iii.5; 2 Cor. iv.4; I Th. iii.2 ....

2. a deacon, one who, by virtue of the office assigned him by the church, cares for the poor and has charge and distributes the money collected for their use ... Phil. i.1; I Tim. iii.8, 12, cf. Acts vi.3 sqq.....

3. a waiter, one who serves food and drink: Jn. ii.5,9.' "

"The Greek Diakonia is defined: `Service, ministering, esp. of those who execute the commands of others; 1 univ.: 2 Tim. iv.11; Heb. i.14. 2. of those who by the command of God proclaim and promote religion among men; a. of the office of Moses: ... b. Of the office of the apostles and its administration: Acts i.17,25; xx.24; xxi.19; Ro. xi.13; 2 Co. iv.1; vi.3; 1 Tim. i.12... 3. the ministration of those who render to others the offices of Christian affection: ... esp. of those who succor needy by either collecting of bestowing benefactions (Acts xii.25); the care of the poor, the supplying or distributing charities ... Acts vi.1; 2 Co. ix. 13 ... 4. the office of deacon in the primitive church ... 5. service of those who prepare and present food: Lk. x.40.' " (Both quotes from Scriptural Elders and Deacons by H. E. Phillips.

Day 3 -- The Qualifications Of Deacons.

1. 1 Tim. 3:8-13 -- Reverent, not double-tongued, not given to much wine, not greedy for money, holding the mystery of the faith with a pure conscience, blameless, husband of one wife, ruling children and homes well.

2. Acts 6:1-6. Of honest report, full of the Spirit, Full of wisdom.

Day 4 -- The Duties Of Deacons.

1. "The meaning of the word `helper', `minister'. In contrast to the word bishop which means `overseer', the deacon is a helper or servant of the Church, working as does every other member of the congregation, under the oversight and in assistance to the bishops of the Church."

2. "Acts 6:1-6. From this passage we observe:

"(1) These men were selected to relieve the apostles of secular duties and responsibilities in order that they might give themselves to spiritual matters.

"(2) These men were selected by the congregation and then appointed by the apostles.

"(3) The performance of the work for which they were selected constituted the full measure of special responsibility."

(Both quotes from The New Testament Church by Roy Cogdill.)

Day 5 -- The Duties Of The Church To Deacons.

1. These are just common sense things based on general principles of being Christians, nothing specifically spelled out in the Scriptures.

2. Like any other worker, they should be esteemed highly for their works sake. They do a great deal of work on behalf of the church.

3. Elders should not shift their own responsibilities off on the deacons.

4. Like any good worker, we should express our appreciation to them when they do a good job.

5. Not go about picking at every little thing to find fault with the great service they are performing for the church.

6. Set them over the business they are supposed to do and let them do it, even offering to assist them any way we can.

a. The church is here by special planning. (Eph. 3:10,11). The church is no accident or after thought, but the result of the eternal purpose of God.

b. The church is here by a special purchase. (Eph. 5:25, Acts 20:28). One sense in which the church is purchased by blood of Christ is that each individual member of it has been so purchased. Another sense is that the very arrangement of the church itself was purchased by the blood. The New Covenant was dedicated by the blood of Christ. (Heb. 9).

c. The church is given special care. (Eph. 4:11; I Cor. 12:18). God equipped it with what is needed to fulfill its purpose.

d. The church has a special character. (1 Tim. 3:15). It is a spiritual institution, "the pillar and ground of the truth".

Day 2 -- The Individual Christian's Relationships.

a. The individual Christian sustains several kinds of relationships and responsibilities in the world. Thus, he may be a part of and/or contributor to various institutions in the world in which he lives. Each area of responsibility and activity may exist and function somewhat independent of the other areas. No area should be allowed to usurp or supplant another.

b. Some of the areas of a Christian's responsibilities and activities:

i. Civil responsibilities and activities. (Rom. 13:1-5). Governmental and political (in the better sense of the word) agencies and institutions.

ii. Social, civic, and humanitarian responsibilities and activities. (Jas. 1:27; Gal. 6:10). There are many institutions and activities in this area of which a Christian may be a part.

iii. Economic responsibilities and activities. (Eph. 4:28; 2 Thess. 3:10). Business organizations and activities, either profit or non-profit have a place in the Christian's life.

iv. Domestic responsibilities and activities, (Eph. 5:23-25; Eph. 6:1). The home and various agencies that may assist the home in carrying out its responsibilities.

v. Spiritual responsibilities and activities. (1 Tim. 3:15). The church.

Day 3 -- The Church's Work and The Individual's Work.

a. These are not identical. (1 Tim. 5:16). There is a difference between one's "own supper" and the "Lord's Supper" (1 Cor. 11:20-22,34). A difference in common (church's) fund and own funds. (Acts 5:4). A difference in how church and individuals raise funds. Churches depend on contributions (1 Cor. 16:1,2), while individuals must work for a living in some kind of business arrangement. (Eph. 4:28)

b. These are parallel in some respects. We are to support preachers both individually (Gal. 6:6) and collectively as the church. (Phil. 4:15-17). We are to support needy saints both individually (Rom. 12:13) and collectively as the church. (1 Cor. 16:1,2). We are to edify Christians both individually (Matt. 18:15-18) and collectively as the church (Eph. 4:16).

c. These are not parallel in all respects. (1 Tim. 5:16; 1 Cor. 11:22, 34).

Day 4 -- The Church's Work More Restricted Than The Individual's Work.

a. It is limited to a spiritual mission. 1) To making saints (Phil 4:15-17), 3) To caring for needs of saints (2 Cor. 8,9), 3) To edifying saints (Eph. 4:16). Although caring for saints is supplying their material needs, the work has spiritual overtones. (cf. Rom. 15:27). The contribution is a token of the spiritual fellowship that exists between the giver and receiver. Hence, such contributing is called "fellowship" because is a token of the fellowship that exists between the giver and receiver. "Contribution" in Rom. 15:26 is from same original word as "fellowship".

b. It leaves other "good works" to individual action. Social, recreational, secular educational, political and labor relations and activities require individual action, not church action.

Day 5 -- The Church provides the Means and Methods For Its Work.

a. The authority to do a thing includes the means and methods of doing it. For example, when Abraham was commanded to go offer his son on a mountain, the means of going to the mountain and the means to carry the things needed for such a sacrifice was included in the command, though not specifically mentioned in the command itself. Hence, Abraham used a donkey and two men to aid in carrying out the command. (Read Gen. 22:2-3). Verse 2 gives the command itself as stated by God. Verse 3 gives the record of the means Abraham used to carry out the command.

b. Meeting houses, baptisteries, song books, chalk boards, religious broadcasts, computers, copy machines, comfort facilities, etc. are some of the means and methods used by church to fulfill its mission. When the church uses them as tools in its work, it is still just doing its work and nothing more.

c. Kitchens and rooms to provide and serve social meals, gyms, wedding chapels, etc. are means that individuals sometimes use to do their work. But since it is not the church's work to engage in such social, recreational and domestic activities the church has no business providing such facilities. Sometimes when we tell our friends that there is no authority for the church to provide such facilities, it is replied that there is as much authority for a gym or kitchen as there is for a song book or a radio program --since none of them are specifically mentioned in the Scriptures. But, we are not asking for specific authority for the gym or kitchens but the authority for the area of activity that these facilities are designed to facilitate. If one could find the authority for the church to provide recreation for its members and/or others then it would have the authority for a gym and other recreational equipment.

1. "Evangelism", "Evangelist", "gospel", "preach the gospel" all come from the same root word and idea.

a. "Gospel" is from EUANGELION, meaning good news.

b. "Preach the gospel" is from EUANGELIZO, meaning to carry good news -- to evangelize. Hence evangelism is the act of evangelizing or preaching the good news. (1 Cor. 9:16; Gal 1:8)

c. "Evangelist" is from EUANGELISTES, meaning a messenger of good news, hence a preacher of the gospel.

d. Hence, evangelism is the act of preaching the gospel (good news). An evangelist is one who preaches the gospel (good news).

2. "Evangelism" and "edification" overlap somewhat.

a. In the doing the "work of an evangelist", Timothy was to preach the word to edify the church. (2 Tim. 4:1-5). A careful reading shows that Timothy's preaching was to build up brethren, while they would endure his preaching, lest they should fall away.

b. Evangelists were given to early church for edification. (Eph. 4:11-16).

Day 2 -- The Importance Of Evangelism.

1. There is a universal need for salvation, because all are under sin. (Rom. 3:9-10, 23; Gal. 3:22; Eph. 2:1-5, 12).

2. The gospel is the power to God to save sinners. (Rom. 1:16-17; 1 Cor. 1:21; 1 Cor. 15:1-4; Mark 16:15,16)

Day 3 -- The Responsibility For Evangelism.

1. Both churches and individuals have a responsibility in evangelism.

a. Individuals should preach it to extent of ability and opportunity. (Acts 8:4). Preachers should preach it whether or not supported by the church. (1 Cor. 9:15-16).

b. Churches should see that the gospel is preached by: 1) having assemblies in which it is preached (Acts 20:7; 1 Cor. 14), 2) giving moral support those to go out to preach (Acts 13:1-5), 3) giving financial support (wages) to gospel preachers. (2 Cor. 11:8; Phil. 4:15-16).

2. Evangelists have a responsibility to preach the gospel to sinners as in the case of Philip the evangelist (Acts 8; 21:8) and to saints as in the case of Timothy the evangelist (2 Tim. 4:1-4) and others (Eph. 4:11) regardless of financial support, but they have every right to financial support. (1 Cor. 9).

Day 4 -- New Testament Cooperation In Evangelism.

1. There are two kinds of cooperation possible in a work: Joint action and Concurrent action. Joint action is when the work is pooled together and placed under a common control. Concurrent actions is when each act independently, under separate control, yet working toward the common goal. For example, three farmers have a common project in supplying a store with produce. They may cooperate in this effort in either of the above ways.They could act concurrently by each maintaining his own truck, setting his own schedule, buying his own fuel, setting his own prices, etc. yet still cooperating in seeing that the store does not run out of produce. Or, they could act jointly by two of them turning the maintenance, scheduling, fuel buying, and price setting over to the third one and let him manage the whole affair with the two others merely driving the trucks.

2. In the New Testament churches did cooperate in evangelism, but only concurrently. Several churches sent to Paul. (2 Cor. 11:8), but they did not act jointly. They did not pool their resources. Each sent directly to the preacher. They did not send the funds to a central church which in turn sent funds to Paul. There was no church that gathered funds from other churches to send out evangelists. There was no missionary society to gather funds from the churches to send out evangelists.

Day 5 -- Modern Cooperation In Evangelism.

1. One of the issues that divided the church is the last century that resulted in a separation of the Christian Church from churches of Christ was the issue of a missionary societies been set up to gather funds from many churches and using them to send out and support evangelists. This arrangement took the work out of the hands of independent churches and placed it in the hands of institutions not found in the Scriptures. No such arrangement could be found in the Scriptures.

2. One of the issues that has divided churches in this century has been the practice of a sponsoring church gathering funds from many churches and using them to preach the gospel in various places and by various means. This arrangement takes the work away from independent churches and puts it in the hands of a central church. No such arrangement as this is found in the Scriptures.

3. Another fundamental principle that is violated by such a practice as described above is that in the New Testament every time you find one church sending funds to another church, the receiving church always had a need that was peculiar to it that it was unable to meet. The responsibility to preach the gospel to the world to the extent of their ability is shared by all the churches alike. Each does what it can do to the extent of its ability. There is just no passage in the New Testament that authorizes a church to send funds to another church in the work of evangelism.

1. "Benevolence" is not used in the Bible in reference to the poor, but the idea is there. As we commonly use the word, it means a charitable activity to benefit the poor and needy.

2. Benevolent work is important (Matt. 25:34-46, but it was not given top priority by Jesus. (cf. Mark 14:3-9). Jesus did not declare a "war on poverty", but rather a "war on sin". He did not preach social nor economic equality, but spiritual equality.

3. The "Social Gospel" concept that has become so popular since World War II has shifted the emphasis from the spiritual to the material needs of man.

a. The poor is given top billing by the social gospel. It is find and feed the hungry and relieve the poor and then as you have opportunity attend to his spiritual needs.

b. The lost get top billing in the gospel of Christ. It is to seek and save the lost and then as you have opportunity attend to the needs of the poor. (cf. John 6:27; Mark 16:15,16).

Day 2 -- Benevolence And Our Personal Duty.

1. A Christian must be willing to work to avoid personal poverty. (1 Tim. 5:8, 13; 2 Thess. 3:8-11). Note that 2 Thess. 3:10 says that "If anyone will not work, neither shall he eat." It does say, "If anyone cannot work ...". If one cannot work because he cannot physically do it, or if he cannot find any work, then he is not condemned by this passage.

2. A Christian must help the poor (both saint and sinner) as he has time and opportunity. (Gal. 6:10; Jas. 1:27; 2:6,15,16; Rom. 12:20; Matt. 25:31-46; Eph. 4:28; Luke 10:25-37).

Day 3 -- Benevolence And The Church.

1. The church is to relieve the poor.

a. But, there is a difference in individual responsibility and church responsibility to the poor. (1 Tim. 5:16).

b. There is no authority for the church helping the needy of the world.

2 Cor. 9:13 is sometimes cited as proof that the church helped "all men" meaning both saint and sinner. But, a closer examination of the passage in the light of its context shows such was not the case. Often "all men" is limited to the context meaning all men of the class being discussed. (See Acts 2:44,45). The obvious meaning is that those helped (the saints in Jerusalem) would glorify God because of their liberal sharing with them (saints in Jerusalem) and all (other saints with which they might also share). If this passage means that the contribution for the poor saints in Jerusalem went to poor non-saints in Jerusalem as well, this raises many difficulties with other passages. All else that is said about the contribution shows that it went to saints and saints only. Rom. 15:26,27; 1 Cor. 16:1-4; and 2 Cor. 8 and 9 all say it was for the saints.

The Gentile Christians (of Macedonia and Achaia) were debtors to the Jewish Christians (of Jerusalem) because they (Gentile Christians) had become partakers of their (Jewish Christians) spiritual things, now they were in turn ministering to them (Jewish Christians) in material things. Non-Christians had no spiritual things of which these Gentile Christians could be partakers. The ones to whom these Gentile Christians were ministering carnal or material things were those with whom they had become partakers of spiritual things -- saints, not non-saints.

2. So, the church helped poor SAINTS. (Acts 2:42; 4:34; 6:1; Rom. 15:26; 1 Cor. 16:1; 2 Cor. 8:4; 1 Tim. 5:16.

Day 4 -- Benevolence and Church Cooperation.

1. Acts 11:27-30 -- The church at Antioch sent relief for poor saints to the churches in Judea. They sent it to the elders.

2. Rom. 15:26,27; 1 Cor. 16:1,2; 2 Cor. 8 & 9. -- The churches of Galatia, Macedonia and Achaia sent relief for poor saints to the church at Jerusalem.

3. So, one church sent relief to several churches and several churches sent relief to one church.

Day 5 -- Benevolence and Human Organizations.

1. The New Testament church took care of their own needy and cooperated with other churches in taking care of their needy without building and/or maintaining a single organization separate from the church for such work.

2. The church at Jerusalem took care of its needy without another organization (Acts 6).

3. The church at Antioch helped the poor in Judea without another organization. They sent to the elders in Judea.

4. The churches throughout the Gentile world helped the poor in Jerusalem without another organization.

5. When the church turns its work over to other organizations, it is, in effect, saying that God gave the church a work to do, but did not equip it with the organization needed to do it. But, God did give it adequate organization, namely, the local congregation.

6. If the church can turn its benevolent work over to another organization and become merely a organization to raise and furnish funds to the other organization, then why can it not work the same arrangement for its evangelistic and edification work. This would reduce the church to a mere fund raising organization for human institutions.

1. The word, Edify, means to build up. Edifice, a building, is from the same root word. When you are talking about the edification of the church we are talking building it up in the faith or causing it grow spiritually. (Eph. 4:16).

2. Christians need to grow in many respects, for example:

a. In grace and knowledge (2 Pet. 3:18)

b. In love, knowledge, and discernment. (Phil. 1:9).

c. Quiet, industrious characters. (1 Thess. 4:9-12).

d. As a spiritual house to offer spiritual sacrifices. (1 Pet. 2:5).

e. In adding "Christian graces" (2 Pet. 1:4-13).

f. In the Lord and in the power of His might. (Eph. 6:10-18).

g. In faith and love. (2 Thess. 1:3; 1 Thess. 3:12-13).

h. In ability to resist temptation. (Jude 17-23; Jas. 4:7; 1 Pet. 5:8-10)

i. In ability to serve and sacrifice. (Rom. 12:1-2).

Day 2 -- Equipment for Edification. (Eph. 4:11-16

1. Apostles and prophets taught and continue the teach the church through the Scriptures they wrote. (cf. Eph. 2:20 - 3:5).

2. Evangelists teach and admonish the church. (2 Tim. 4:1-4).

3. Pastors or elders teach and admonish the church. (1 Tim. 3:2; 5:17; Tit. 1:9).

4. Teachers also teach and admonish the church.

5. Church is equipped to edify itself. Needs no other organization. (Eph. 4:16)

Day 3 -- Helps to Edification.

1. Spiritual appetite. (1 Pet. 2:2)

2. Spiritual exercise. (Heb. 5:13-14; 1 Tim. 4:7-8)

3. Heeding what we hear. (Heb. 2:1-3)

4. Diligence and active service. (1 Tim. 4:13-16)

5. The right spiritual diet. (1 Tim. 4:5-6; 6:3; Titus 2:1; 2 Tim. 2:14-16, 22-23)

6. Purity of heart and mind. (Tit. 1:11-14).

7. Prayer and communion with the Lord. (Phil. 4:5-7; James 1:2-6; Heb. 7:25; Heb. 4:14-16).

8. Peace. (Acts 9:31; Rom. 14:19)

Day 4 -- Hindrances to Edification

1. Malice, guile, hypocrisy, envy, and all evil speaking. (1 Pet. 2:1,2).

2. Dullness of hearing. (Heb. 5:11).

3. Foolish and ignorant questions or disputes. (2 Tim. 2:23; 2 Tim. 1:13).

4. Love of money (1 Tim. 6:10).

5. False teaching. (Gal. 2:5).

Day 5 -- Avenues of Edification.

1. By the assemblies of the church. (Eph. 5:19; Col. 3:16; 1 Cor. 14; Heb. 10:24-25)

2. By a good teaching program to "feed the church of God" (Acts 20:28; 2 Tim. 2:2; Tit. 2:1-8) -- good classes with good, qualified teachers.

3. Elders watching for souls. (Acts 20:28-31; Heb. 13:7-17).

4. Encouragement, support, warning, long-suffering. (1 Thess. 5:12-14).

5. Proper corrective discipline. (1 Cor. 5; 2 Thess. 3:6-14; Rom. 16:17).

1. Explain "Generic" and "Specific" authority. Week 1, Day 5

2. List some differences between the church's work and the individual's work. Week 9, Days 1-5

3. How may the church raise money for its purposes? Week 5, Day 3

Day 2 A. Who may the church help in benevolence? Week 11, Day 3

1. What is a deacon? Week 8, Days 1-5

2. List some avenues for edifying the church? Week 12, Day 5

3. How may an individual raise money for his purposes? Week 5, Day 2

Day 3 A. Explain why it is wrong to us a piano in our worship today. Week 2, Days 1-5

1. When should Christians observe the Lord's supper? Where? Week 4, Day 4

2. What are some of the benefits of prayer? Week 3, Day 3

3. What are some of the responsibilities of elders? Week 7, Day 4

Day 4 A. What are the other words used for an elder in the New Testament? What do they mean? Week 7, Day 1

1. Why should our prayers in the assembly be clearly understood? Week 3, Day 2

2. What is the purpose of the Lord's Supper? Week 4, Day 1

3. Show some ways that the organization of the church has been perverted? Week 6, Day 5

Day 5 A. What wrong with the church turning it benevolent work over to another institution? Week 11, Day 5

1. What are the three ways to establish authority from the Scriptures? Week 1, Day 4

2. Explain the two ways that the word "church" is used in the New Testament. Week 6, Day 1

3. What is evangelism? Week 10, Day 1

4. What is wrong with the "sponsoring church" arrangement in evangelism? Week 10, Days 4 & 5