Sullivan church of Christ – Sullivan, MO
Date: August 5, 2007
“EATING IN THE CHURCH BUILDING”
A Review of a Study on Fellowship (Part 5)
Ben Justice
We must remember that this series of articles is a review of a study on
fellowship written by a person who didn’t give his name. We have dealt with
the erroneous doctrine that says it is sinful for church members to eat in the
same building or location the church meets in to worship. It is unfortunate that
brethren have twisted and perverted the scriptures to teach something they do
not teach. It is even more unfortunate that this issue has divided brethren.
Now, we turn our attention to something that this writer agrees with and that is
what the review said concerning fellowship. In fact, the author spends a
considerable amount of time discussing the Biblical doctrine of fellowship. There
are many good things written about this important NT doctrine. Concerning
“fellowship,” the author makes this important observation: “With the redefinition
of this term (i.e., fellowship — BJ) has come a redefinition of the work of the
church. It has turned many churches, even churches of Christ, into virtual
social clubs.” I agree with his assessment whole heartedly. It is truly
unfortunate that many today in the church see fellowship as having pot-lucks
and other get-togethers. While such get-togethers imply a familial fellowship
between those of like precious faith, the fact is, “fellowship” is used throughout
the NT of things pertaining to the spiritual — not the physical or social. On page
7, the author asks, “Is there New Testament authority for the local church to
plan and provide materially (stove, utensils, etc.) for social activities in its
work?” The answer is clearly, “NO.” If so, then where is the scripture or
combination of scriptures that would authorize the church, from out the church
treasury to plan and provide materially for social activities in its work? This is
not the same thing as “eating-in-the-church-building.” While the church can
come together to eat in the church building, this doesn’t mean that the church
can provide for the church’s social needs and pleasures.
The work of the church is saving souls. This is accomplished through three
authorized avenues: (1) Evangelism, (2) Edification, and (3) Benevolence. We
simply have no NT authority for the church to carry out the work of the church by
providing pleasure, entertainment, or social needs. Liberal congregations have
been doing this for years. Unfortunately, this has had an influence on those
who are more conservative. Their argument is that by building recreational halls,
family life centers, etc., we can reach out to more people. But, WHERE IS THE
AUTHORITY? Since there is no NT authority, then any expedient that may be
needed to carry out such activities of the church is also unauthorized. For
example, utensils would be an expedient to carrying out eating a common, social
meal, but since providing a common, social meal is not a work of the church,
then it necessarily follows that providing the expedients for eating that common,
social meal is likewise not a work of the church — hence not authorized.
Now, let’s define exactly what a common meal is from the scriptures. First, as
was noted, the work of the church is purely spiritual. Rom. 14:17 tells us, “For
the kingdom of God is not meat and drink; but righteousness, and peace, and joy in the
Holy Ghost.” This doesn’t mean we can’t use physical things to carry out the
work of the church, for that would be an impossibility; it means that the mission
of the kingdom is not physically oriented, but spiritually oriented. Jesus said,
“My kingdom is not of this world . . .” (John 18:36). Eating together, generally
speaking, is socialization. This is clearly proven in I Cor. 5:11, where Paul wrote,
“But now I have written unto you not to keep company, if any man that is called a
brother be a fornicator, or covetous, or an idolater, or a railer, or a drunkard, or an
extortioner; with such a one, no, not to eat.” Eating together therefore involves
keeping company. The phrase “keep company” is from a word literally meaning,
“to mix up together.” It thus refers to association. Some translations even have
“associate.” Paul was not referring to spiritual fellowship specifically, but to
socialization. When the church comes together to enjoy a common meal (and
such is authorized, per Acts 2:46; 20:11; 2 Pet. 2:13; Jude 12), it is a social
thing. Note these quotations from other brethren:
Her mission is not social nor political but divinely ordained or appointed to be spiritual. Her God
given mission is threefold — evangelism, edification, and benevolence.
We must be careful that [the] church does not use its resources for recreational or social purposes
for which we have neither justification nor authority. In fact, we find that such is minimized and
even condemned by God’s word. Let us not be guilty of “adding to” the work of the church in an
effort to please ourselves, follow man’s opinion, or maintain traditions.
We must be careful not to confuse the responsibilities of the individual with those of the local
church. Either of these pitfalls could cause us to misinterpret God’s work for the church and the
manner in which He wants it to be accomplished.
It is the business of the church to work in the interest of the souls of men, and that alone through
the teaching and preaching of the gospel of Christ. When the church begins to serve political and
social purposes, it has been prostituted from its high and holy mission given by the will of the God
of heaven.
This writer is convinced that the work of the church and fellowship is grossly
misunderstood by many in the church. May God help us to get back to the
authority of the scriptures in all that we do!