Sullivan church of Christ – Sullivan, MO
Date: August 10, 2008
HOW LIBERALISM GETS INTO THE CHURCH
1.) Through preachers who have not been trained to stand firmly for “the faith” and who have been
brought under the influence of liberal professors.
2.) Through elders who have been influenced to subscribe to the liberal philosophy and who therefore
teach liberalism or allow it to be taught.
3.) Through Bible class teachers in the local congregation — teachers who have been influenced by
liberalism, and who do not stand firmly for the gospel.
4.) Through liberal professors in Christian colleges, who obtain their higher degrees in hotbeds of
infidelity, and who were influenced — often more than they realized — by their professors.
5.) Through certain Bible Chairs of Christian Student Centers whose directors have subscribed to the
philosophy of liberalism.
6.) Through certain liberal publications devoted to “restructuring” the church, e.g. Mission, Integrity,
Mission Messenger and Restoration Review.
7.) Through special youth activities — youth directors and young people who are quick to do what seems
to be good, but who are not rooted and grounded in the faith.
8.) Through an indifference on the part of those who know the truth, but, who won’t stand against the
doctrines of liberal preachers, teachers, or others in their local churches.
— Selected — Max R. Miller
CHURCH POLICIES
Ben Justice
Elders (in the absence of elders, the godly men of the congregation) have been charged with the God-given
responsibilities of making sure the church remains pure and that the church is carrying out its mission.
Note the following:
1.) Elders are to “take heed to all the flock” (Acts 20:28). The phrase “take heed” literally means “to turn
to.” It involves the mind. Elders, therefore, must turn to all the flock (i.e. the church).
2.) Elders are “overseers” (Acts 20:28). The Greek word is episkopos. This word is also translated
“bishop” in the NT (Phil. 1:1; I Tim. 3:2; Titus 1:7). Inherent in this word is that of authority and the
exercise thereof.
3.) Elders are “to feed the church of God” (Acts 20:28). “Feed” is from poimaino, which denotes more than
just feeding food, but everything that is involved in being a shepherd, including that of caring, protecting,
disciplining, and feeding. Elders are spiritual shepherds.
4.) Elders are to “watch” out for false teachers from within and without (Acts 20:31).
5.) Elders “labor” among us and “are over” us and “admonish” us (I Thess. 5:12).
6.) Elders have the responsibility to “rule well” (I Tim. 5:17).
7.) Elders have the “rule over” the local church, and the church must submit to this authority (Heb. 13:
17).
8.) Elders must take the “oversight” (I Pet. 5:2). This again implies their inherent authority.
Just where does the authority of elders lie? Certainly, elders do not have the authority to formulate their
own doctrine. Doctrine has already been set by God (2 John 9). Elders have the responsibility to make
sure the local church is abiding in the doctrine of Christ (2 John 9). The authority of elders is in matters
of expediency, that is, how best to carry out the commands of God. Elders must see to it that proper
“behavior” is present in the worship assemblies, for God demands such (I Tim. 3:15). Elders have the
authority to make sure that things are done “decently and in order” in every assembly (I Cor. 14:40). Let
it be stressed that if elders had no rule, then why would Paul say, “Let the elders that rule well be
counted worthy of double honor (I Tim. 5:17)? Every member has the God-given obligation to obey the rule
of the elders (Heb. 13:17) and when members do not, it amounts to rebellion — not just against the
authority of elders, but against God.
There have been some who have objected to making church policy for the local congregation. It is claimed
that this is making a law where God has made none. However, this is false as can be, for elders have the
right and authority and even the duty to make policy (rules of conduct) for the local church. Elders have
the authority to ask certain things of the membership. These things are for the protection of the church,
to make sure proper behavior is present in the church, and to make sure all things are done decently and
in order. Elders have the authority to make sure proper reverence for God in the worship is present,
especially in areas of public service. Making policy for the local church is simply carrying out and
expediting the commands of God. Sadly, many elders are at a total loss concerning how to do this. Now,
with these things in mind, what kind of policies (rules of conduct) should be in place? It is common for
congregations in which the elders have set a policy concerning what Bible version can be read and used in
the classrooms or in the pulpit. It is common for congregations in which the elders have required
potential teachers to answer certain questions before being allowed to teach. It is common for
congregations in which the elders have required new members desiring to place membership to answer
certain questions. It is common for congregations in which the elders have set in a place a dress code for
those serving in public worship. What about a policy concerning who and how is to count the funds that
were collected? What about a policy concerning those who are delinquent in attendance or who have left
the church and what can be expected in so far as the approach is concerned? If the elders require certain
members to attend a certain class (e.g. a new converts class), then those members are obligated to
attend. If elders implement a new work for the entire church, then the entire church should be a part of
the work (e.g. “Faith In Action” teams). Elders should have the knowledge and wisdom to set in place
these policies for the good of the church. Shame on elders who do not. They will give account (Heb. 13:
17). Likewise, every member must abide by these rules of conduct for the church. Again, not to do so
amounts to rebellion. Elders must always be on guard; they must always seek to promote the purity of
the church; they must always make sure the church is operating as God would have it. These things
require certain policies. Here is a very important point: THESE POLICIES MUST BE WRITTEN OUT AND
GIVEN TO EVERY MEMBER OF THE CHURCH. Verbal, unwritten policies will simply not work. No one
needs to be left in the dark concerning these things. It should also be noted that in the absence of
qualified elders, the godly men of the congregation must carry out these same responsibilities in striving
to make sure the church is what God would have it to be.
YOU CANNOT GET AN OUGHT FROM AN IS
God’s nature is unchanging. “I change not” is what God said (Mal. 3:6). This simply reflects the nature of
God as unchanging. What God requires of man today is simply a reflection of the nature of God. “Be ye
holy; for I am holy” (I Pet. 2:16). God’s moral goodness, therefore, is to be reflected in man, especially
that of Christians today. Since God’s moral character never changes, it is also true that his moral code
never changes. What is morally right today has always been morally right and will always be morally
right. What is immoral today has always been immoral and will always be immoral. This is why there can
be absolutely no compromise when it comes to issues of morality and immorality. The Christian must
never compromise when it comes to abortion, embryonic stem cell research, homosexuality, euthanasia,
immodesty, lying, cheating, etc.
A very common misconception and practice today is that if the majority is doing it, then it must be okay.
In fact, the Humanist Manifesto says that morality and ethics are based on human experience. However,
every intelligent, honest ethical teacher knows: “You cannot get an ought from an is.” If a poll revealed
that 99.9% of Americans were doing such and such, that doesn’t mean that people ought to do such and
such. If 100% of the American people are practicing a certain immoral sin, that doesn’t mean we ought to
do it. Just because someone (even a majority) is doing something doesn’t mean they ought to do it.
What the majority does or does not do is not the standard by which to gauge conduct (cf. Ex. 23:2). God
is! YOU CANNOT GET AN “OUGHT” FROM AN “IS.” — Ben Justice