1. Institutionalism
benevolence

2. Institutionalism benevolence “They hate orphans” Said of us
Because we don’t believe the church
is authorized to build or maintain
human benevolent organizations
Believe church’s benevolence is limited

3. Institutionalism benevolence And whatever you do in word or deed,
do all in the name of the Lord Jesus,
giving thanks to God the Father through Him.
- Colossians 3:17

4. Institutionalism benevolence Bible: Saints Only Liberal Objections
Lack of Authority

5. Institutionalism benevolence Bible: Saints Only
Local help to saints in need
Acts 2:44, 45; 4:32-36; 6:1-6

6. Institutionalism benevolence Bible: Saints Only
Help for saints in other churches
Acts 11:27-30; Rom. 15:25-27;
1 Cor. 16:1-4; 2 Cor. 8:1-5; 9:1, 2

7. Institutionalism benevolence Bible: Saints Only
Enrollment of faithful, aged widows
1 Tim. 5:3-16

8. Institutionalism benevolence Liberal Objections
“Saints only” is like “faith only”
Saints “only” scriptures,
Acts 2:44, 45; 4:32-36; 6:1-6…
Scripture for non-saints, ?
Faith only – not by, Jas. 2:24-26; Acts 2:38

9. Institutionalism benevolence Liberal Objections
James 1:27: pure religion is helping widows
Personal pronouns of James 1:21-27
Tongue: church or individual?
Heart: church or individual?

10. Institutionalism benevolence Liberal Objections
2 Cor. 9:13: churches give to all men
Context is saints, 2 Cor. 9:12, 13
Men is italicized – added by translators
Note “all” in Acts 2:44, 45; 4:32-34

11. Institutionalism benevolence Liberal Objections
Gal. 6:10: church to do good to all people
Personal pronouns in Gal. 6:1-10
Parallel: Scout-Master tells boys..
A Scout is kind, honorable, trustworthy…
Therefore, as we have opportunity,
Let us do good to others,
Especially the elderly

12. Institutionalism benevolence Liberal Objections It’s a good work
What Saul thought, Acts 26:9
What denominations think, Mt. 7:21-23
Good work defined by God, 2 Tim. 3:16, 17

13. Institutionalism benevolence Lack of Authority
Institutional-liberalism insists churches
are authorized to build & maintain
benevolent organizations
Church can do what the individual does
Hospitals, Mt. 25:36?
Prisons, Mt. 25:43?
Business, Eph. 4:28?

14. Institutionalism benevolence Lack of Authority
Institutional-liberalism insists churches
are authorized to build & maintain
benevolent organizations
Distinction in church & individual,
1 Cor. 12:12-27; 1 Tim. 5:16
Military VS. member of military
Government VS. member of government

15. Institutionalism benevolence Lack of Authority
God’s design for the local church is sufficient
for everything it must do
Shelter: pay rent…
Without starting a construction company
Electricity: pay bill…
Without starting a power company
Food: pay bill…
Without starting a grocery store