2. Church Social Meals & Recreation.

3. CHURCH SOCIAL MEALS & RECREATION.
MANY OF OUR BRETHREN BELIEVE AND TEACH THAT ACTS 2:42 IS SCRIPTURAL AUTHORITY FOR SOCIAL MEALS AND RECREATION.
MAY THE LORD’S CHURCH DO THIS AS AN ACT OF ENTERTAINMENT ?
IS THIS PART OF THE WORK OF THE LORD’S CHURCH ?
WHAT BRETHREN NEED IS AN COMMAND,DIRECT STATEMENT, EXAMPLE OR NECESSARY IMPLICATION FROM THE NEW TESTAMENT THAT THIS CAN BE DONE BIBLICALLY

4. THE WORK OF THE CHURCH IS CLEARLY OUTLINED IN THE SCIRIPTURES.
II TIMOTHY 3:16,17
II JOHN 9
I PETER 4:11
COLOSSIANS 3:17
REVELATION 22:18,19
II PETER 1:3

5. WHAT IS THE WORK AND MISSION OF THE CHURCH ?

6. MANY GOOD HEARTED BRETHREN DON’T FULLY UNDERSTAND WHAT THE WORK OF THE CHURCH IS ALL ABOUT.
MANY HAVE A TERRIBLE UNDERSTANDING OF

7. Edification.
AN EDIFICE IS A HOUSE, AND THE WORD “EDIFICATION” ORIGINALLY MEANT “BUILDING A HOUSE”. HERE IT IS USED OF BUILDING A HOUSE WITHIN OR BUILDING UP THE CHRISTIAN’S SPIRITUAL HOUSE; OF PROMOTING GROWTH. HEB. 5:12-14

8. EDIFICATION IS ONE OF THE MAJOR PURPOSES FOR THE CHURCH ASSEMBLING REGULARLY I COR. 14:26; HEB. 10:25
EDIFICATION IS THE WORK OF MATURING SPIRITUAL BABES SO THAT THEY MAY “COME TO THE UNITY OF THE FAITH; THAT THEY “NO LONGER BE CHILDREN TOSSED TO AND FRO AND CARRIED…WIND OF DOCTRINE.” EPH. 4:11; ACTS 2:41;
GOD WANTS HIS CHILDREN TO BE STRONG I COR. 16:13; EPH. 6:10
ARE YOU GETTING EDIFIED WHERE YOU ATTEND ?

9. Evangelizing. ACTS 8:1-5; MATTHEW 28:19-20 II TIMOTHY 2:2
WE SHOULD BE CONCERN FOR THE LOST.
POINT : THE CHURCH IS THE PILLAR AND GROUND OF THE TRUTH !! NOT A COLLEGE, OR A MISSIONARY SOCIETY, OR A ENTERTAINMENT CENTER. I TIM.3:15

10. Benevolence For The Members of The Church.

11. HELPING THE NEEDY SAINTS. ACTS 2:44-46; 4:32; 6:1-8; 11:27-30; ROM
HELPING THE NEEDY SAINTS. ACTS 2:44-46; 4:32; 6:1-8; 11:27-30; ROM. 15:26; I COR. 16:1,2; II COR. 8:4; 9:1,12; I TIM. 5:16
THE CHURCH OF THE NEW TESTAMENT DID NOT RENDER BENEVEVOLENCE TO EVERYBODY.
THE “DEARTH” WAS THROUGHOUT THE WORLD, BUT RELIEL WAS SENT TO THE “BRETHREN.”
INDIVDUAL CHRISTIANS HOWEVER, SHOULD RENDER AID TO ANY AND EVERTBODY TO THE EACH ONE HAS OPPORTUNITY AND ABILITY GAL. 6:10

12. THE SOCIAL MEALS IS NOT EVANGELISM BECAUSE JESUS CONDEMNED THE USE OF FOOD AS A MEANS OF ATTRACTING “DISCIPLES” ( JN.6:25-35, 48-63).
IT IS NOT EDIFICATION BECAUSE PAUL SAID THE CHURCH WAS NOT EDIFIED THROUGH MEAT OR DRINK (ROM.14:17-19), BUT RATHER THROUGH “THE WORD OF HIS GRACE.” (ACTS 29:32).
NEITHER IS BENEVOLENCE SINCE THOSE PARTICIPATING IN IT ARE NOT IN NEED OR HAVING ANY NEEDS SUPPLIED (ACTS 2:44-46; ROM.15:26).

13. IT IS NOT THE MISSION OF THE LORD’S CHURCH TO BE A SOCIAL CLUB, WHERE ITS MEMBERS COME TOGETHER SIMPLY FOR ENTERTAINMENT OR SOCIALIZING. WE CAN DO THAT AT HOME OR ANY OTHER PLACE.
IT IS NOT THE MISSION OF THE CHURCH TO PROVIDE RECREATION FOR ITS MEMBERS (YOUNG PEOPLE).
IT IS NOT THE PURPOSE OR MISSION OF THE CHURCH TO PROVIDE RALLIES FOR POLITICIANS.
OUR DUTY IS TO BRING LOST SOULS TO CHRIST THROUGHT THE PREACHING OF THE GOSPEL OF CHRIST.

14. The Work of the New Testament Church is not :

15. Family life centers.
Orphan homes. Hosp.
Sports teams.
Sisters leading in worship services (ann., leading in Prayer, L.S.,Deaconness, Preaching, etc.).
Women’s day.
Social meals.
Entertainment.
Singing groups.
Recreation.
Drama (Play & Skits).
Handclapping in Worship.
Praise teams.
Daycare centers.
Secular education.

16. WHY THE CHURCH CAN’T PROVIDE ENTERTAINMENT FOR ITS MEMBERS.

17. IT IS NOT A GOOD WORK. II TIM.3:16,17
IT DOES NOT PERTAIN TO LIFE AND GODLINESS II PETER 1:3
IT CAN’T BE DONE “IN THE NAME OF THE LORD.” COL. 3:17; II JOHN 9
IT IS A TRANSGRESSION OF THE DOCTRINE OF CHRIST.

18. IT IS GOING ABOVE THAT WHICH IS WRITTEN. I COR. 4:6
IT IS A DOCTRINE THAT ORIGINATED WITH MEN, NOT GOD. MATT. 15:8,9
IT CAN’T BE DONE BY FAITH. ROM.10:17; II COR. 5:7
IT IS AN ADDITION TO GOD’S WORD REV. 22:18,19. PROV. 30:6; DEUT. 4:2

20. THE CHURCH IS TO ENGAGED IN EVANGELISM. I TIM. 3:15; I THESS
THE CHURCH IS TO ENGAGED IN EVANGELISM I TIM.3:15; I THESS. 1:3-8; ACTS 13:2; ACTS 8:4
EDIFICATION. EPH. 4:11; ACTS 2:41; I COR.14:26; 10:23; HEB.5:12-14
BENEVOLENCE. ACTS 2:42-44; 4:32-37; 6:1-7; 11:28-30; II COR.8:14,15
NOW, WHERE DO THE SOCIAL MEALS AND FAMILY FUN NIGHTS, SPORT EVENTS FIT INTO THIS PATTERN FOR THE WORK OF THE LOCAL CHURCH ??

21. ANSWERING THE ARGUMENTS.
THESE ARE ARGUMENTS MADE TO JUSTIFY WHY THE CHURCH CAN PARTICIPATE IN SOCIAL AND RECREATIONAL ACTIVITIES.
WHAT THESE ARGUMENT DO IS TRY BROADEN THE WORK OF THE LORD’S CHURCH.

22. “BREAKING OF BREAD IN ACTS 2:42 IS A SOCIAL MEAL.” READ THE TEXT.
NOTICE THAT WITH WHICH THIS “BREAKING BREAD” IS CLOSELY ASSOCIATED, ITEMS OF WORSHIP.
YET, MY BRETHREN WHO ENGAGE IN THE CHURCH SOCIAL MEAL ARE CAREFUL TO POINT OUT THAT “IT IS NOT A PART OF THE WORSHIP.”

23. THE “BREAKING OF BREAD” IN THIS TEXT IS THE LORD’S SUPPER.
BY A FIGURE OF SPEECH KNOWN AS SYNECDOCHE, ONE ELEMENT OF THE SUPPER STANDS TO INDICATE THE WHOLE SUPPER.
EXAMPLE – I COR.11:33; 10:16; 11:23-29
IT IS APPARENT THAT THE “BREAKING OF BREAD” IN ACTS 2:42 IS THE LORD’S SUPPER AND NOT A CHURCH SOCIAL MEAL.

24. “BREAKING BREAD IN ACTS 2:46 IS CHURCH SOCIAL MEAL.
THE TERM “BREAKING BREAD” IS USED IN SCIPTURE BOTH COMMON MEAL AND LORD’S SUPPER.
WE KNOW THIS MEAL NOT THE LORD’S SUPPER BECAUSE IT WAS EATEN “HOUSE TO HOUSE.”
THE LORD’S SUPPER MUST BE EATEN WHEN SAINTS “COME TOGETHER IN ONE PLACE” (I COR.11:20,26).

25. ACTS 2: INDICATES THE BRETHREN WERE INDIVIDUALLY SARICING AND GIVING TO THEIR NEEDY BROTHERS AND SISTERS.
THESE MEALS EATEN TOGETHER WERE EXPRESSIONS OF HOSPITALITY RATHER THAN ENTERAINMENT AND RECREATION. LK.14:12-14

26. “PAUL PARTICIPATED IN A CHURCH SOCIAL MEAL AT TROAS IN ACTS CHAPTER TWENTY.”
THE PHRASE “BREAK BREAD” IS USED TWICE IN THIS CHAPTER (20:7,11).
AS IN ACTS 2:42,46 THE SEQUENCE OF EVENTS DETERMINES THE SIGNIFICANCE OF THE PHRASE IN EACH CASE.

27. “BREAK BREAD” IN VERSE SEVEN IS A REFERENCE TO THE LORD’S SUPPER
“BREAK BREAD” IN VERSE SEVEN IS A REFERENCE TO THE LORD’S SUPPER. THIS IS INDICATED BY THE FACT THAT THE SAINTS COME TOGETHER IN ONE PLACE TO DO IT (I COR.11:20, 33). AND THAT THEY CAME TOGETHER ON THE FIRST DAY OF THE WEEK TO DO IT (ACTS 2:42; I COR.16:1,2).
THUS, AS IN ACTS 2:42, THE ASSOCIATION OF THIS “BREAKING BREAD” WITH PREACHING, THE CONTRIBUTION AND AN ASSEMBLY OF SAINTS TOGETHER IN ONE PLACE INDICATES IT IS THE LORD’S SUPPER THAT THE DISCIPLES ATE.

28. ANSWERING THE ARGUMENTS.
THERE IS A SECOND EATING IN ACTS 20:11.
PLEASE OBSERVE THAT IT OCCURRED AFTER MIDNIGHT (20:7), “ON THE MORROW,” “THAT IS, THE SECOND DAY OF THE WEEK.
THE ONLY ONE SAID TO HAVE EATEN AT THIS TIME IS PAUL, THE ENTIRE ASSEMBLY DID NOT EAT.

29. PAUL’S EATING WAS JUSTIFIED IN THAT HE WAS HASTENING TO JERUSALEM (20:16) HAVING PREACHED ALL NIGHT (20:11).
THERE IS NO AUTHORITY HERE FOR A LOCAL SOCIAL CHURCH BASEBALL, FOOTBALL, BASKETBALL TEAM , A GYMNASIUM FOR SPORTS WORK-OUTS.
THE LORD’S WORK DOES NOT INVOLVE RECREATION ( I TIM.4:8). WHILE BODILY EXERCISE IS NEEDED; EVEN NECESSARY TO CONTINUED GOOD PHYSICAL HEALTH, IT IS OF LITTLE VALUE COMPARED TO GODLINESS.

30. “THE CHURCH AT CORINTH ENGAGED IN SOCIAL MEALS.”
THAT IN WHICH THE CHURCH AT CORINTH ENGAGED WAS AN ABUSE OF AN AUTHORIZED PRACTICE.
WHAT THESE BRETHREN WERE ABUSING WAS THE LORD’S SUPPER (I COR.11:20,22,34).
THEREFORE, ALL THAT WAS AUTHORIZED WAS THE LORD’S SUPPER PROPERLY OBSERVED.

31. THERE IS NO AUTHORITY FOR THE CHURCH SOCIAL MEALS.
TWICE IN THIS CONTEXT PAUL TELLS THESE CHRISTIANS TO GO HOME AND EAT THEIR SOCIAL MEALS.
“WHAT? HAVE YE NOT HOUSES TO EAT AND TO DRINK IN ? OR DESPISE YE THE CHURCH OF GOD, AND SHAME THEM THAT HAVE NOT? WHAT SHALL I SAY TO YOU? SHALL I PRAISE YOU IN THIS? I PRAISE YOU NOT… AND IF ANY HUNGER, LET HIM EAT AT HOME; THAT YE COME TOGETHER UNTO CONDEMNATION” ( I COR.11:22,34).

32. SOME ARGUE, “WELL, OUR SOCIAL MEALS AND ENTERTAINMENT ARE DONE AFTER THE WORSHIP AND AWAY FROM THE PLACE THE SAINTS ASSEMBLED.”
WHERE IS THE AUTHORITY FOR THE LOCAL CHURCH TO BUILD, MAINTAIN OR SUPPORT KITCHENS, GYMNASIUMS, TENNIS AND RACQUETBALL COURTS, COACHES, BASEBALL AND BASKETBALL TEAMS, ATHLETIC EQUIPMENT, MEN AND WOMEN WORKOUT EQUIPMENT ?
THIS IS NOT PART OF NOR THE BUSINESS OF THE LORD’S CHURCH.

33. THE FIRST DAY OF THE WEEK CONTRIBUTION HAS A PURPOSE, THE FUNDING OF THE AUTHORIZED WORK OF THE CHURCH. EVANGELISM, EDIFICATION AND BENEVOLENCE.
THIS IS A INDIVIDUAL RESPONSIBITY NOT THE CHURCH.
WHEN THE ELDERS OR BRETHREN OF THE CHURCH EXPEND THOSE DEDICATED FUNDS FOR NON-AUTHORIZED WORKS THEY VIOLATE THE WORD OF GOD.

34. THE BIBLE SPEAKS OF A DISTINCTION BETWEEN INDIVIDUAL ACTION AND CHURCH ACTION.
SHOWN IN EATING, I CORINTHIANS 11:22,33,34 – “HAVE YE NOT HOUSES TO EAT AND DRINK IN ?”
SHOWN IN CHURCH DISCIPLINE, MATTHEW 18:15-17 – “IF HE SHALL NEGLECT TO HEAR THEM, TELL IT TO THE CHURCH…”
SHOWN IN BENEVOLENCE, I TIMOTHY 5:16 – “…AND LET NOT THE CHURCH BE CHARGED.”

35. SOME INDIVIDUAL CHRISTIAN DUTIES THAT CANNOT BE PERFORMED BY THE CHURCH.
A CHRISTIAN IS UNDER OBLIGATION TO MAKE A LIVING FOR HIS FAMILY. I TIM.5:8,16
HE CANNOT SHUN THIS OBLIGATION AND PUT IT ON THE CHURCH.

36. A CHRISTIAN IS UNDER OBLIGATION TO BRING HIS CHILDREN UP IN THE NURTURE AND ADMONITION OF THE LORD. WHILE IT IS CERTAINLY RIGHT FOR THE CHURCH TO TEACH ANYBODY, CHILD OR ADULT, WHENEVER IT HAS THE OPPORTUNITY, THE CHURCH CANNOT TAKE OVER THE WORK OF REARING OUR CHILDREN FOR US. EPH. 6:1-4
SEND THEM TO COLLEGE.

37. THE CHRISTIAN INDIVIDUAL IS TO ENGAGE IN SOME SORT OF GAINFUL OCCUPATION TO PROVIDE FOR HIMSELF, THOSE WHO HAVE THE RIGHT TO DEPEND UPON HIM, AND IN ORDER TO BE ABLE TO GIVE, BUT THE CHURCH CANNOT ENGAGE IN BUSINESS OR ECONOMIC ENTERPRISE I THESS.4:11; I TIM.5:8; II THESS.3:10
THE CHRISTIAN PARENT CAN WHIP THEIR CHILDREN, NOT THE CHURCH !! PROV. 22:6 ; EPH.6:1-4
THE CHRISTIAN PARENT CAN PROVIDE SOCIAL AND RECREATIONAL ENTERTAINMENT (SPORTS, RECREATION, CAMPING, KARATE CLASSES, ETC.).

38. ANSWERING THE ARGUMENTS.