Author: Bryan Gibson

Weekly Bulletin
July 11, 2021

“You…Them…The Church”
by Steve Fontenot
And if your brother sins, go and reprove him in private; if he listens to you, you have won your brother. But if he does not listen to you, take one or two more with you, so that by the mouth of two or three witnesses every fact may be confirmed. And if he refuses to listen to them, tell it to the church; and if he refuses to listen even to the church, let him be to you as a Gentile and a tax-gatherer” (Matt. 18:17).
Observe: (1) One Christian is not a church, and when one Christian does something we cannot conclude it is the “church” doing it (“listens to you”...versus...“listens even to the church”). (2) Even a plurality of Christians does not necessarily comprise a “church,” and we cannot conclude that when Christians do something the “church” has done it (“listen to them”—these Christians together confirmed this man’s guilt and reproved him; “listen even to the church”—a later and separate reproof by the “church”).
“Church” is a collective noun, like “army” or “herd.” An “army” collects soldiers, a “herd” collects cows, and a “church of Christ” collects Christians. You cannot have a herd of cattle without a cow, but for the same reason one cow does not make a herd, one Christian does not make a church. You can’t have an army without soldiers, but just as three soldiers eating together (e.g., one Russian, one Iranian, one American) do not constitute an army eating lunch, so a number of Christians doing something together does not necessarily mean a “church” has done something.
So what? To find scriptures that state what Christians did or were authorized to do does not prove churches did those things or that churches of Christ were authorized to do those things. To say that the church is composed of Christians and therefore, “What I do the church does,” or, “What I am authorized to do the church is authorized to do,” is not so. The people who comprise the church have individual responsibilities as family members, citizens, and neighbors that do not fall into the realm of work God assigned the church “of Christ.”
Individuals can form, coach, and support baseball teams for their children—but there is no authority for “church of Christ baseball teams.” Individuals can work for a business to support themselves or establish a hospital to provide services for their neighbors—but these are not the work of a “church of Christ.”
Individuals can campaign for political office and organize political organizations for the furtherance of civic goals—but the Lord’s church has no business in politics. When you kiss your wife, the church has not kissed your wife! When Christians have a picnic at the park, it does not justify calling it or making it a “church picnic”—organized and supported by the church. While some duties (as “reproving” the offender) may be performed individually (as “you” and “them”) or as “the church,” even then when the individuals act it does not follow the church has acted—the Lord’s language demands a difference.
We must, brethren, learn and maintain the difference in individuals viewed and acting individually or in individuals acting collectively in secular pursuits, and in individuals viewed and acting together as a “church of Christ.” Failure to do so will insure confusion and pave the road for apostasy in the work of the Lord’s church.
Who Really Gets It?
by Bryan Gibson
“Who is wise and understanding among you? Let him SHOW by good CONDUCT that his works are done in the meekness of wisdom” (James 3:13).
The one who really “gets it” is the one who understands how to apply it. The one who “gets it” is the one who lives it!

Contact Information
	P.O. Box 680872 / Prattville, AL 36067
	(334) 365-5887 / (334) 868-0801
	prattmont@gmail.com / prattmontchurchofchrist.org

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The Prattmont Church of Christ is just what the name suggests, a church that belongs to Christ. We are not a denomination; we are simply a group of Christians trying very hard to practice the teachings of our Head, Jesus Christ. The New Testament offers a complete pattern for what each local church should be like—its organization, its worship, its work, etc. We are committed to following that pattern. We cordially invite you to attend our services. We would also welcome any comments or questions about this bulletin.

TIMES OF SERVICES:
Sunday
Bible Classes………...9 A.M.
Worship 10:00 A.M.
Worship/Bible Study..5 P.M.
Wednesday:
Bible Study 7:00 P.M.