10250 North Freeway @ West Road
Houston, Texas 77037
Tel: (281) 447-8484

What We Believe and Why
Written by Dr. Lester Hutson

Copyright - Lester Hutson - 1986
This material is copyrighted and may not be copied or reproduced without the express written permission of Dr. Lester Hutson.

CHAPTER FIFTY

THE SIN OF FAILING TO FOLLOW EXACTLY GOD's PATTERN IN CHURCH ORGANIZATION
EXODUS 25:40 / ACTS 7:42-45

We last examined the scriptures which show how God requires that we follow His pattern of example. Our argument is that we should obey God and follow His example in all things, even in determining what kind of relations one church can have with another. Our argument simply is that we are independent because our pattern churches were.

V. The majority of today's churches do not think it is important to take a strict interpretation of the scriptures and follow carefully His patterns:

A. We've already presented a large amount of evidence proving that God thinks it is very important.

B. But many modern church people rationalize:

1. They rationalize that the good accomplished by big organizations far offsets the evils and shortcomings of the organization:

a. This in effect is saying that the end justifies the means.

b. If this line of argument is sound, then why can't we rob banks to feed the hungry? And, why don't we take the blood of whole men to save those in need of blood?

2. They rationalize that the organization method is the only really effective way to accomplish the Lord's work in this 20th century:

a. That is in effect saying that the old-fashioned Bible methods won't work any more.

b. The fact is that God never has given us reason to believe His methods will become outdated and unworkable.

3. They also rationalize that variations are all right as long as a person is sincere in what he is doing:

a. I've already shown you that God expects far more than sincerity, Jn. 4:24.

b. Prov. 14:12 says, "There is away which seemeth right unto a man, but the end thereof are the ways of death."

4. Men and churches cannot accurately guide their lives by the map of human reasoning (rationalization). God says through Jeremiah, "O Lord, I know that the way of man is not in himself: it is not in man that walketh to direct his steps. " Jer. 10:23.

C. Yet, inspite of this, churches by the thousands have felt at complete liberty to change up God's plan for local church independence by bringing themselves into organizations of churches:

1. Well, if a church would be so brazen and unscriptural as to change or vary from God's plan concerning the structure of the church; then why not alter God's pattern for any other thing they wish also?

a. Why tithe; why not just give as you please: a fifteenth or 25th?

b. Why have church on Sunday; why not Thursday? And,why not drop all services on holidays and meet just once a month?

c. And, why not just drop preaching and giving, and just have a singing convention?

d. And, why obey God's laws about marriage? (why not have 5 or 6 wives? Why marry at all? Why not just live together?)

e. After all, if you can change God's plan on one point, why not on all? Would it be any worse in one area than another?

f. The truth is that those who violate church order, yet claim to hold to the truth are inconsistent.

2. No church has any right to rationalize away God's methods as being outdated or unimportant. When they do, they are wrong:

a. When they do, they are guilty of practicing heresy, which can be practiced as well as preached.

b. Eph. 2:10 says we should "walk" in truth.

D. The result of walking in error is corruption and trouble just as Saul, David, and Moses found out:

1. All of the organizations run into inequities and corruptions:

a. Most all of them provide a political ladder for their young preachers to climb, which diverts attention from God and appeals to pride, self-exhaltation, and vain-glory.

b. Men and women in the churches of the organization find themselves having to take and be silent on a lot they don't like, and supporting teachers and missionaries they don't approve of in order to uphold and support what they do like.

c. Churches find themselves not really approving of how the organization handled a thing; but not disgusted enough to quit.

d. Many of the organizations produce dentists, accountants, etc. on the Lord's money, and invest in the stock market and even send money to subversive organizations.

2. The reason so many inequities arise is because the whole system is an unholy alliance. The Bible says, "If the root be holy, so are the branches," Rom. 11:16.

3. The church departing from God's pattern of church structure will have to answer to God for it:

a. Heb. 2:2 says, "Every transgression and disobedience received a just recommence of reward."

b. And, that church that refuses to align itself with God's methods will perish under God's chastening hand.

VI. So, in light of scriptural argument, we conclude that if a church is going to be scriptural, then it must be independent as were the pattern churches.

"It Does Make a Difference What You Believe"