Introduction
A. New Testament
churches of Christ were autonomous, Romans 16:16
1.We
shall discuss autonomy and cooperation among churches of the Lord
2. We
shall learn this from God's words as Jesus said in John 8:32
B. Our approach
in this lesson shall be as follows:
1. Define
autonomy and its three aspects
2. Cooperation
among churches without violating autonomy and some problems
3. Goals and
challenges for the 21st century
Discussion
A. Autonomy is self-rule,
government, also independence and freedom
1.The
Indigenous church must be:
. Self-governing-
with elders and deacons, Philippians 1:1
Self-supporting
(finances its own activities)
Self-propagating
(multiplies/ reproduces itself; after its own kind)
2.Some church
problems today
. Self-supporting
but not self-governing
. Self-supporting
but not self-propagating as the " preacher does most of the work) - this
violates Matthew 28:19-20
B. Cooperation
Without Violating Autonomy
1. Paul asked
financial help from Gentile churches to relieve the poor saints in Jerusalem
a. Romans
15:25- 32
b. I
Corinthians 16:1-4
c. 2
Corinthians 8:9
2. Paul allowed
churches to take care of their own affairs, Titus 1:5
3. In the same
way, visiting evangelists must/should respect local church autonomy by not
dictating on their plans and decisions
4. Paul, even
if he was an apostle with authority from Christ (Matthew 28:18-20; Matthew
16:19; 18:18) did not dictate on churches, but let the elders decide on their
plans/ decisions
Conclusion
A. Churches
should aim to be autonomous and indigenous congregations
1. Self-governing
2. Self-supporting
3. Self-propagating
B. But be a NT
Christian first before anything else
1. Christ
is inviting you now, Matthew 11:28-30
2. Now is
the day of salvation, 2 Corinthians 6:2