CHRISTIAN LIBERTY IN THE CHURCH

CHRISTIAN LIBERTY IN THE CHURCH

Last month’s article contained the following: "There is an aspect of Christian liberty that we enjoy and that we allow our brethren to enjoy free of censor. It is in areas where no specific commandment is given and where no violation of biblical principles are involved."

Just because specifics are not always given about some necessary matters does not mean that the scriptures are deficient in any respect. They are sufficient "that the man of God may be perfect, throughly furnished unto all good works." {2 Timothy 3:17} Our confession of faith states: "We believe the scriptures of the Old and the New Testament are the word of God, and the only rule of faith and practice."

Every activity that a child of God or a church should or should not be doing is covered in the scriptures in principle, either by commandment or example. If there is no scriptural warrant for an action or practice, it should be omitted. If there is one, it should be practiced. However, details of how to go about many things are not listed in scripture, because there is no need to do so. In fact, if specific details were given for every activity, the Bible would contain tens of thousands of pages. To illustrate the point let’s be a little ridiculous. The Bible does not tell us where the church must meet. It could be outside, a building, a home, a public building, a dedicated meeting house, etc. The building used for worship may or may not have carpet, air conditioning, padded pews, etc. But, we can find in the Old Testament, where special care was taken in regard to the Lord’s house (building). The love of God should cause us to want to make our church building nice and comfortable.

There are many areas where a local church has Christian liberty to act according to its own judgment. This does not mean in every case that its doesn’t matter. It must answer to the Lord for every action and should prayerfully consider what is best in every situation. However, outsiders have no right to lord over how the church handles nonessential things. In the following matters we can all have and express our opinions about what we feel to be the best practice; but we have no right to force our view on others:

Each church has the liberty to set its meeting times. It can meet once a month, three times each week, etc. It can hold communion once each year, twice each year, or as often as it wishes. The church can schedule a meeting for as many consecutive days as it thinks expedient. A church can hold a business conference as often as it thinks best, but should follow its own rules and do things decently and in order. It can call a pastor for one year, one month, or indefinitely. Regardless of the term a pastor has been called, the church can dismiss him from his services if it has good cause to do so. A church can serve the communion wine in individual containers, or in a common cup or glass. The wine and the bread can be served by a deacon, a minister or a lay member. Most Primitive Baptist churches feel very strongly that feet-washing should be a part of the communion service. But many churches (some of them very old) on the East coast area do not practice feet-washing. Both sides have historically granted Christian liberty and maintained fellowship with one another. The offering may be taken in whatever manner the church thinks best. Money may be given to a deacon, laid on the table, placed in boxes, or an offering plate may be passed through the congregation. We may like or dislike the way another church handles this matter, but we have no business trying to make them do it our way. The Bible gives no specific instructions in this as none is needed. The manner in which a church goes about supporting its pastor is between it, the Lord, and the pastor. It seems that those who are the most negligent in following the clear teachings of1 Corinthians 9:1-27, are the most outspoken against those who are attempting to follow the biblical pattern! A church should be commended when to the best of its ability, it frees its pastor from the demands of the market place so that he can give of himself more fully to the study of the word and ministry to the saints. A young minister with a family must provide for that family, or else he has "denied the faith, and is worse than an infidel." {1 Timothy 5:8} Should the church and he agree that he will be given full support, there must be some mutual understanding regarding the minimal amount that will be needed to support his family. The method that is used to carry this out is the church’s business. In my opinion, if signed contracts are made between a church and its pastor, this is a salaried ministry and violates the principles of the New Testament. I hope this is not being practiced by any. But, even if it should be, I do not think the practice should be made a test of fellowship.

There are many other areas that could be discussed in regard to an individual church’s Christian liberty. In closing, I believe that in all areas where clear violations of scripture are not involved, it is best that Christian liberty be granted and breach of fellowship avoided.