International Bible Teaching Ministries
Organization
Question 1: Would you inform me about the organization and the worship of the church?
ANSWER:The church of the Bible may be described as the church(es) of Christ (Romans 16:16). The Head of the church is Jesus Christ (Ephesians 1:22). Each congregation is self-ruling and overseen by a plurality of elders (Acts 14:23; Acts 20:28), independent of all other congregations (I Peter 5:1-2). By this we are given to understand that there is no higher governing body on this earth. Deacons are to serve the congregation under the oversight of the elders (I Timothy 3:8-13). Evangelists are to proclaim the Word (II Timothy 4:1-5). A religious group without this prescribed organization clearly cannot be recognized or acknowledged as the church of the Bible!
Worship services on the first day of the week consist of praying, singing (without playing on instruments), partaking of the Lord's Supper (every first day), preaching, and contributing financially as prospered by God (Acts 2:42; Acts 20:7; I Corinthians 16:1-2; Ephesians 5:19). To be pleasing to God, all of these items must be engaged in, with nothing added.
Terms of entry into the church of the Bible are: believing in Christ as the Son of God; repenting of all past sins; confessing with the mouth belief in Jesus; being immersed in water for the remission of sins (John 8:24; Acts 17:30-31; Romans 10:9-10; Acts 2:38). After having done these things, one must be faithful unto death to receive the crown of life (Revelation 2:10).
Question 2: Are organizations like the Copperbelt Church Development Committee Scriptural?
ANSWER:No! The head of the church is Jesus Christ (Ephesians 1:22). Each congregation is self-ruling and overseen by a plurality of elders, independent of all other congregations (Acts 14:23; Acts 20:28; I Peter 5:1-2). By this we are given to understand that there is no higher governing body on this earth. Deacons are to serve the congregation under the oversight of the elders (I Timothy 3:8-13) and evangelists are to proclaim the Word (II Timothy 4:1-5). A religious group without this prescribed organization cannot be the church of the Bible! A religious group outside of biblical guidelines cannot be affiliated with the church of the Bible! Certainly, the Copperbelt Church Development Committee is an organization over and above that which the Bible authorizes. This group has its own name, its own officers, and its own treasury. It assumes the right to coordinate the outreach activities of multiple local congregations in a particular area. As such, participants and supporters have sinfully usurped the responsibilities that God has given only to the elders of each local congregation. They are guilty of presumptuous sin in establishing that which is not of Heaven (Psalms 19:13). As well, those involved have added to the Word of God and can expect to reap the harvest of that which they have sown unless they repent by disbanding and praying to God for forgiveness (Galatians 6:7-8; Revelation 22:18-19; Acts 8:22). Those involved also suggest by their actions and statements that God didn’t know what He was doing when He gave the oversight to the local elders and that they know better than He about such matters and have, thus, come up with a better arrangement than He has provided. This, indeed, is presumptuous sin! They have concluded by that which they do that the church is insufficient to make known the manifold wisdom of God (Ephesians 3:10) and that they will, therefore, do what God through the church is failing to do! The very idea is based on ignorance, arrogance, and pride!
Neither can they use the council of Acts 15 for their pattern, as some would contend. The Bible was not written at this time and men did not have the fullness of the Gospel, as we have it today. Judaizing teachers (Pharisees-Verse 5), without the authority of the apostles, went down from Jerusalem to Antioch, teaching that in order to be saved one must be circumcised. Paul and Barnabas were preaching there and disputed with those who had come from Jerusalem under the apparent pretense of having the authority of the apostles and inspired elders of Jerusalem. It was necessary then to appeal to those at Jerusalem as to the truth of the matter. As a result the council was held for this purpose. Today we have the Bible, we don’t need to go to Jerusalem or men living today to know the truth on any matter. Truth now is found in His Word (John 17:17). If those of the C.C.D.C. are to use Acts 15 as a pattern, to be ethical and consistent, it would also be necessary for them to claim having inspired apostles and miracle-working elders, guided into all truth (John 16:13) so they could, being led by the Holy Spirit, direct the activities of multiple congregations and establish biblical doctrine! In other words, if a part of the “pattern” is adopted, all of the “pattern” must be adopted! It would be dishonest to do otherwise! If such were a pattern for today, what need would we have of the Bible? We would have but to appeal to the C.C.D.C. in all matters related to truth, not merely relying upon them for purposes of coordination!
What foolishness! The truth is that there is no pattern, precept, command, or inference in all of God’s Word to authorize such an organization. It is not of God! And if not of God, it is of the evil one!
Question 3: If the C.C.D.C. is not scriptural, can we fellowship those who are involved with it?
ANSWER:The first thing that needs to be done is to try to get those involved to repent. After all has been done in this regard that can be done, then there is no recourse but to disfellowship those involved who refuse to repent! Certainly it is right and commanded that a congregation withdraw fellowship from those who have ‘caused divisions and offences contrary to the doctrine of Christ’ (Romans 16:17). Whether individually or as a separate organization, these are to be marked and avoided. The principle is valid in either case! Would the action not have the same saving effect as with the brother of I Corinthians 5:5? Would such action not have the same cleansing effect as the “purging” of I Corinthians 5:7? Do we not want erring brethren to be saved? Do we not want the church of our Lord to be pure? Such brethren, whether near or far, singularly or collectively, being in sin, are engaging in the unfruitful works of darkness and, Paul, in Ephesians 5:11 says, ‘have no fellowship with them, but rather reprove them.’ Does not one remain in fellowship with those whom he refuses to disfellowship? Of course! But Paul says, “have no fellowship! So not only are we directed to sever the relationship (withdraw fellowship), but we are also “commanded” to confront them (reprove) with their sin. Those who refuse to take commanded scriptural action against those who apostatize from the truth are themselves sinning and in violation of the passages mentioned heretofore!
Question 4: If a church today is not organized like the church of the Bible, can it be the church built by Christ?
ANSWER:No! It cannot be the church that Christ built, because it rejects what His word tells us what He wants the organization of His church to be. The “church” about which you write is different from the church of Christ, because it has an earthly headquarters, a president, vice president, etc. It excludes the offices that God directs us to have (ruling elders with deacons to serve) and “adds” offices that He has not authorized. Changing or adding to God’s Word is sinful (Galatians 1:6-9; Revelation 22:18-19). It is not enough to be right in all other matters and to be wrong in one matter. James said, “For whosoever shall keep the whole law, and yet offend in one point, he is guilty of all” (James 2:10).