OceanSide church of Christ

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Anti-ism
by: Dalton Gilreath

I.              Introduction

A.   “Anti” is not a derogatory term when we use it

                                          i.    It simply refers to those strict groups who are anti many things the Lord’s church participates in

                                        ii.    We must name it something in order to differentiate between the Lord’s body and the stricter groups

B.   While there are many tenants of anti-ism we want to discuss four of them

                                          i.    Anti-ism says only use one cup for the Lord’s supper

                                        ii.    Anti-ism says you can’t have a located preacher

                                       iii.    Anti-ism says you can’t use the church funds to support orphan homes

                                       iv.    Anti-ism says you can’t have a fellowship hall

II.            One cup

A.   The argument comes from Jesus only using one cup (Matthew 26:27)

                                          i.    While Jesus makes reference to the cup He is not speaking of the literal cup but the contents

                                        ii.    Plus, if Jesus meant the literal cup we would need to use that same cup (1 Cor 11:26)

B.   Jesus is using what is called metonymy, that is, using something in place of another related thing

                                          i.    I might say I like Dr. Pepper so much I drank a whole can

                                        ii.    Obviously, I mean the contents of the can not the can itself

                                       iii.    We see this in other passages as well

1.    The earth is not violent but the people (Gen 6:11)

2.    The world is meaning the people not the land (John 3:16)

III.           No located preacher

A.   The argument is that we do not have authority to have a local paid preacher (Rom 10:14)

                                          i.    Yet, Paul was in Ephesus for 3 years (Acts 20:31)

                                        ii.    Paul was in Corinth a year and a half (18:11)

                                       iii.    At what point is a preacher local?

B.   The Bible does authorize paying a local preacher as well

                                          i.    Paul said preachers have authority to live on the gospel (1 Cor 9:7-14)

                                        ii.    Paul says it again in reference to elders who also teach/preach (1 Tim 5:17-18)

IV.          No church funding

A.   The argument is that James 1:27 is for individuals not the church

                                          i.    The problem is James wrote to the church (1:1)

                                        ii.    James 1:26, and 2:1 show the church not individuals being addressed

B.   We see another passage commanding the church to do good to others whenever we can (Gal 6:10)

                                          i.    Paul was writing to the church in Galatia (1:2)

                                        ii.    He references the plurality of people here as well (6:9, 6:11)

C.   Consider Paul’s statement for individuals in 1 Corinthians 11:28

                                          i.    We as individuals must examine ourselves during the Lord’s Supper

                                        ii.    Does this mean the church doesn’t partake of the Lord’s Supper?

V.           No fellowship hall

A.   The argument is that Paul commanded we not eat in the church (1 Cor 11:22)

                                          i.    For one, we place too much emphasis on the building

                                        ii.    Secondly, Paul was addressing their making the Lord’s Supper a common meal not where they were eating

B.   Paul ate in the “church building” (Acts 20:7-11)

                                          i.    Paul ate a meal after raising Eutychus from the dead and then continued preaching

                                        ii.    Did Paul sin?

C.   We also see brethren eating meals together where they also worshipped immediately after Pentecost (Acts 2:46)

                                          i.    Having a fellowship hall does not violate 1 Corinthians 11:22

                                        ii.    Interestingly, many of the “anti” groups have water fountains in their buildings