2 Corinthians 8-13: Church Cooperation

The PATTERN under Christ's new covenant for local assemblies is autonomy. An "automaton" is a self-operating machine. It contains within itself everything it needs to function. We say something is "automated" when it can do its work by itself. A church is "autonomous" because God has given each assembly what is necessary for it to function properly within itself. God did not set up a system of big churches and little churches (although, if He had, I think money would probably flow from the bigger churches to support the little churches, instead of the opposite systems we see today). Each church, irrespective of size, can and should function independently.

2 Corinthians 8:18-19 is one of the rare occasions (perhaps the only occasion?) where we see a level of church cooperation in a specific task. Brethren in Judea were hungry because of famine, so churches throughout Asia were sending money for their relief. (This is similar to the situation now in Zimbabwe. Many churches and individuals are sending help because of the famine, which affects hundreds of Christians in many areas of that country.) In this verse, we find that the "churches" appointed Titus to carry their money down to Judea.

We can learn each church trusted Titus. What a great vote of confidence that all the churches were comfortable with him as a messenger!

We can learn each church gave money.

We can learn the churches did NOT send money to a "sponsoring church," who then forwarded the money to Judea. No, each church operated independently, though they sent the money through one messenger. The idea of a sponsoring church is not found within the pages of the New Testament.

There is a certain level of church cooperation found in Scripture, but it falls far short of what so many have done today. There was not banding together of groups of churches for some big project. There was no "mother church" which oversaw smaller child churches. There were assemblies, each having their own responsibility to the work God had given.

Do you see that as the pattern?

God bless,
Nathan

Tomorrow's Reading: James