Bulletins
Bulletin September 13, 2020
Vol. 13, No. 6 September 13, 2020 2020,20202020 |
Church Autonomy
"Autonomy" is a compound word, composed of autos, meaning "self," and nomos, meaning "law." An ordinary dictionary will tell us the word means "self-ruled," so that an autonomous church is "self-governed, without outside control."
There are those who reject the concept of God and revelation, saying ultimate authority is in man. To them there would be no limitations placed upon self-rule. Of course most of our readers accept Christ as King, and know that a church which wishes to exercise "self- rule" in all things is not the church of Christ. But our brethren are far from clear on the legitimate (scriptural) field of self-rule, and how this affects the relation of one church to another. Some seem to think "autonomy" means the right to devise organizational arrangements for which there is no N.T. authority; while others think calling attention to such error violates the "autonomy" of the erring brethren.
A church cannot "rule" on the importance of Christ' death, the necessity of faith, the meaning and purpose of baptism; for these are legacies of truth which Christ gave the world and by which we are called. The church is the product of the gospel, not its author. One would not violate some church's autonomy by teaching along these lines, for no church as a legitimate "say" in such things. Does God give a local church the right to decide the day of worship? May they "rule" on the need for assembling, or the so-called "items" of acceptable worship? It is not clear that even in those things assigned as church (team) activity, a distinction must be made in that which is part of "the faith, once for all delivered unto the saints" (over which the congregation has no rule), and such details as are left to human judgement. The field of church autonomy is that of human judgement, and that only.
As an example: God's word indicates the day on which saints are to partake of the Lord's Supper---but it does not specify the time of day. The time is left to human judgement, and therefore to the "rule" of brethren. A church exercises autonomy when it sets its own time of assembling---and we might add, that time rests upon human authority, not upon divine mandate. Each church has this same right and may choose different times. If one sought to unduly influence or alter another's time of meeting, this would be interfering with "autonomy."
But if one church should declare Thursday the Lord's Day, others could seek to teach them more perfectly the way of the Lord---and violate no legitimate "autonomy" in doing so---for no church has the scriptural right to "rule" in matters God has settled.
When brethren have honest differences in their understanding of what God has said, one church may believe their "ruling" is done in matters of judgement, while another may believe they violate plain teachings of God. If both parties are equally interested in serving God, neither will rest the case in "our rights," but will be happy to study God's word together so that God can rule supremely in all – - Robert Turner
News/Quotes
THE SICK. … Ronald and Kathryn Dunman’s daughter, Amy Scott, was admitted to the hospital last week with a really high blood count but is doing better at this time…Jerry Spencer was admitted to the hospital last week with a reaction to his medicine but is now back home…Rhea Vines was taken to the ER Friday. As we go to print we haven’t received any more information… Priscilla Cullison is now on oxygen fulltime. Remember her and Phil in your prayers… … Ryan Lands continues to recover from hip and knee surgery…
Shutins: Margie Horton ((mother of Teddy and Freddy) is at the Flo and Phil Jones Hospice house…Charles Bradsher is at St. Elizabeth’s Place…Beverly Allen is confined at home… Editha Kern is at Liberty Park Assisted Living and so are Bob and Jean Evans…Shirley Coots is confined at Walnut Ridge Nursing Home… Norma Carr at Randolph County Nursing Home in Pocahontas…Fran Ramsey is confined at home.
BEREAVED. We extend our sincere sympathy to the family of Helen Smith who passed away a few days ago. No arrangements have been made.
GOSPEL MEETINGS
Oct 4-9 – StoneRidge! - Meeting With Men We Support
Oct 12-14 – New Madrid MO – D. Blackford
April 4-9, 2021 – StoneRidge! – Mickey Galloway
If you have nothing to be thankful for, make up your mind
that there is something wrong with you.
There is no greater obstacle in the way of success in life than trusting for
something to turn up, instead of going to work and turning up something.
It is not the greatness of my faith that moves mountains,
but by my faith in the greatness of God.
