SOS Monthly Newsletter - March 2005

Do We Need The Local Church

Dear Christian friends,

A few years ago, I read an article titled, "Why I am not a member of a "local church." The editor prefaced the article: "We would like to have been able to print letters from readers in defense of the traditional church norms, if such can be done biblically. However, thus far, no champion has yet arisen to vindicate the institutional churches from the biblical challenges raised."

The writer of the article basically argued that the various local churches he has seen have all been unbiblical in their structure, run by unbiblical leaders, and not holding to a biblical standard. Therefore, he should not join himself to them. He began with elders, noting that the Bible says that elders must be blameless, the husband of one wife, self-controlled, hospitable, etc. He does not believe the elders of the various churches he has visited meet these requirements.

Next he went into the order of church services in light of 1 Corin. 14:26. "Where is it to be found that one man is to dominate a gathering of saints?” His conclusion is that the various churches he has visited are not true New Testament churches but worldly religious clubs. "You wish me to become a part of a local church? Gladly! A local religious group? No!"

There is much truth in this author's critique of local church fellowships. Often, elders are ordained who do not meet biblical standards. Often, there are unbiblical practices. But what does the New Testament say about our involvement in an organized Church fellowship? Hebrews 10:24-25 says "Let us consider one another to provoke unto love and to good works; Not forsaking the assembling of ourselves together, as the manner of some is; but exhorting one another; and so much the more, as you see the day approaching." Later we read, "obey them that have the rule over you, and submit yourselves; for they watch for your soul" (Heb. 13:17). If I am not part of local church, there is nobody who has rule over me, watching for my soul. Therefore, I cannot obey this command.

How does the New Testament describe the "assembling of ourselves together" which some have forsook? In Acts 1 we see 120 believers gathered in an upper room. At the end of Acts 2, we read "they, continuing daily with one accord in the temple, and breaking bread from house to house...." In Acts 5 we read "and they were all with one accord in Solomon's porch" and "daily in the temple, and in every house, they ceased not to teach and preach Jesus Christ.” In Acts 6 they appointed seven deacons.

I don't have space to go into everything the New Testament has to say about church life, but it is clear that the "assembling of ourselves together" described in Acts and the epistles involved organized meetings, ordaining of elders and deacons, and church discipline.

What should we do if we see things that are unbiblical in our fellowship? There was plenty wrong with the Corinthian church. They argued about whether they should follow Paul or Apollos. One of their members was involved in fornication. They were suing one another in court. They used spiritual gifts improperly. They took communion improperly. Paul wrote the church to correct them. But he never suggested that people should leave the church.

What are we to do about unbiblical practices in our fellowship? We can, in humility, bring these matters to our church elders. We must pray for them. Other than that, you can either stay or find a different fellowship that is more biblical. Most cities in the U.S. have at least one biblical fellowship. But you might live in a small town or rural area where there is no fellowship that can truly be called Christian.

Stay away from fellowships whose leaders deny the basic tenets of the faith, are not walking right with God, or are abusing their authority (1 Peter 5:3). If God has called you to live in a place where there is no true "church," He probably wants you to help start one by gathering together the true believers in your area and bringing others to Christ.

ON THE STREETS

On January 22, we witnessed in Berkeley. Eleven Christians from Calvary Chapel, Grass Valley, joined us. Paul and Noreen Coca and Mark Whitehead played music. On January 28, we witnessed on Castro Street, the center of militant homosexuality. When we arrived, hardly anyone would take a gospel tract. By the end of the night, a lot of people were taking tracts. Five Christians from Promised Land Fellowship, San Francisco, were also witnessing on Castro that night. Mike ministered to Yates, a young believer who needed encouragement. After the outreach, eight of us, including Yates, went to a coffee shop for fellowship.

On January 29, we witnessed at Fisherman’s Wharf. I was concerned that the police would try to shut down our outreach. Half a block away, I saw a police officer giving a citation to a street musician. It turned out that he was being cited for selling CD’s without a permit, not for amplified music. We ministered for over 5 hours with no problems that afternoon.

	People drawn by worship in Berkeley
	Andy passes out tracts on Valencia St.
	Eric ministers to Russell, a homeless man at Wharf
	Larry witnesses to Hindu man in Berkeley

Coming Events

Note: Outreaches are subject to change. Call (510) 531-5325 or 541-9903 (cell phone) to confirm outreaches or for more information.

Friday March 11, 18, 25 7:30-10 PM Witnessing in San Francisco neighborhoods. (Call for location).

Sat. March 12 12:30-4:30 PM Telegraph and Haste St. Berkeley Outreach.

Sat. March 19, 26 12-5 PM San Francisco Outreach. (Call for location).

July 15-23 SOS-San Francisco 26th year. We will again be meeting at Temple Baptist Church, 3355 19th Ave., SF. Please consider taking time off work so you can attend this important outreach.

Ministry News and Needs

In Ephesians 4, we are told that God gave us evangelists for the purpose of equipping the church to do the work of ministry. This month, we have had several opportunities to equip the church. I am teaching evangelism three Sunday nights at my home church, New Life Christian Church in Castro Valley. Brandon Matz taught one night at New Life. I also taught at a home fellowship affiliated with Good News Family Fellowship, Dublin. Today I received a call from the Yorba Linda Friends Church in Southern California. Their high school group has ministered with us several times, and now they want to bring 40-50 junior high students to witness with us at the end of March. I also received a call from First Presbyterian Church in Boulder, CO. They want to bring a group of 15-20 college-age youth to witness with us at the end of March.

Thank you again for your prayers and financial support for this ministry. Our SOS advisors will be meeting for a two-day retreat March 21-22. Please pray for us as we seek God’s direction for this ministry.

We still have several rooms in our ministry house for mature Christians who want to be involved in evangelism. Our Tape of the Month is Motivating Others to Win Souls by Scott Hinkle. Scott organizes evangelism conferences and outreaches throughout the country.

Yours in His love,

Larry Rosenbaum