Local churches are authorized to provide for worship and edification (continued)
The local church is a group designed for mutual encouragement as we serve God together (continued)
Authority is specified to a certain degree
Example 1: Transporting the arkExodus 25:14; Numbers 4:5-6; 4:15; 7:6-9I Chronicles 13:7-14; 15:2, 12-15Example 2: Strange fireLeviticus 10:1-2Example 3: PriesthoodHebrews 7:11-16; 8:4Examples of authority in the Old Covenant“Make for yourself an ark of gopher wood” (Genesis 6:14)Passover: “an unblemished male a year old … sheep or … goats” (Exodus 12:5)“You shall anoint Aaron and his sons … as priests to Me” (Exodus 30:30)Korah did not have authority to be a priest (Numbers 16)Hebrews 7:14God doesn’t have to say all of the things He does NOT want.He simply reveals what He wants, and it’s our obligation to do those things.The principle of authority is certainly still relevant in the New Covenant.II John 1:9; Colossians 3:17; I Corinthians 4:6“continually devoting themselves to … prayer” (Acts 2:42)“eat this bread and drink the cup” (I Corinthians 11:26)“each of you is to put aside and save” (I Corinthians 16:1-2)“the word of God has sounded forth from you” (I Thessalonians 1:8)”… psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing” (Colossians 3:16)Matthew 26:30Mark 14:26Acts 16:25Romans 15:9I Corinthians 14:15Ephesians 5:19Colossians 3:16Hebrews 2:12Hebrews 13:15James 5:13“When you assemble, each one has a psalm … teaching …” (I Corinthians 14:26)What about “Fellowship Halls?”
It’s NOT that worship and eating can’t occur at the same location.It’s also NOT that we don’t have good cooks.It’s certainly NOT that we don’t like getting together and socializing.There is no passage that gives a church authority to provide facilities for regular meals.A church can provide for needy Christians. (Acts 6:1-6)A church can provide for the Lord’s Supper. (I Corinthians 11:20-34)Can’t the church practice FELLOWSHIP?Yes, a church should practice fellowship.Are we talking about the same thing?Philippians 4:15Luke 5:10I Corinthians 10:16I Timothy 5:22I John 1:7