Let’s examine the work of evangelism identified as a work of the church organization and explore how it is performed in Scripture. The pattern of evangelism was carried out individually. The preaching of the cross was the responsibility, yea, the privilege of every child of God. That this was accomplished without a pulpit by those who were scattered from Jerusalem is clear from Acts 8:1-4. They went everywhere preaching the Word.
There were, also, men chosen of God to the work he had called them to do. Acts 13:2 reads, ”And as they ministered to the Lord, and fasted, the Holy Spirit said, Separate me Barnabas and Saul for the work whereunto I have called them.” Among those chosen by God were “apostles” (1 Tim. 2:7, 2 Tim. 1:11), “evangelists” (2 Tim. 4:2) “teachers” and “pastors. The called-out (ekklesia) does the work of evangelism as individual Christians proclaim the good news. Just like the illustration of people in a weightloss program, as other men commit to the work whereunto they have been called, they may become traveling companions and assist each other in their common needs.
For example, other brethren can be “fellow-workers for the truth” (3 John 8) as they give aid and lodging to the traveling preachers. In this way, they are given to hospitality (love of strangers, 3 John 5). Many examples can be cited where Christians took others into their homes. As individuals support the work in this way, the church is working. Individuals may cooperate in this work without forming a Motel 6 to do the work for them. Philippi sent “once and again to Paul’s necessities (Phil. 4:15). This work could also fall in the category of meeting a benevolent need. We see that performing a spiritual service may involve supporting those leading men who taught them and thereby, share in that work (Gal. 6:6). Once again, this was the work of individuals, not a corporate church institution.
That apostles, evangelists, pastors, and teachers are worthy of support is not questioned. That they receive a stipulated salary from the employment of a church organization is questioned. 1 Corinthians 9:6-14 reads,
“Or I only and Barnabas, have we not a right to forbear working? What soldier ever serveth at his own charges? who planteth a vineyard, and eateth not the fruit thereof? Or who feedeth a flock, and eateth not of the milk of the flock? Do I speak these things after the manner of men? or saith not the law also the same? For it is written in the law of Moses, Thou shalt not muzzle the ox when he treadeth out the corn. Is it for the oxen that God careth, or saith he it assuredly for our sake? Yea, for our sake it was written: because he that ploweth ought to plow in hope, and he that thresheth, to thresh in hope of partaking. If we sowed unto you spiritual things, is it a great matter if we shall reap your carnal things? If others partake of this right over you, do not we yet more? Nevertheless, we did not use this right; but we bear all things, that we may cause no hindrance to the gospel of Christ. Know ye not that they that minister about sacred things eat of the things of the temple, and they that wait upon the altar have their portion with the altar? Even so did the Lord ordain that they that proclaim the gospel should live of the gospel. When we were come into Macedonia, our flesh had no rest, but we were troubled on every side; without were fightings, within were fears. Nevertheless, God, that comforteth those that are cast down, comforted us by the coming of Titus; And not by his coming only, but by the consolation wherewith he was comforted in you when he told us your earnest desire, your mourning, your fervent mind toward me; so that I rejoiced the more.”
Still, the right was the right of brethren to receive support in their work from others who desired to share in it. Despite every effort to justify the men and women who enter the ministry, there is no support in these scriptures to form an organization to which saints join a membership and contribute into the coffers so it may hire a man to preach for them, visit for them, and evangelize their township. There was no employment as Paul robbed other townships like Philippi to provide a service to Corinth. Imagine the response of a modern church of our day hiring a preacher and the first Sunday hear that he showed up in a nearby county to preach. Where do you suppose that supporting church expected him to be that Sunday? He is expected to show up where he was hired to preach.
I have written at length on this subject and will continue to present similar blogs in the future. It is my understanding that the preaching of the cross is the responsibility of every child of God, today.