"The Identifying Marks Of A True Church"
I received recently a letter advertising a book, "New Testament Churches of Today," by brother Batsell Baxter and brother M. Norvel Young. In a paper enclosed in the envelope was a "sample" of the articles in the book. In each write-up was the question: "Do you help to support Orphans' and Old People's Homes?" I am sure they are referring to the Benevolent Institutions among us by the word "home," for ALL believe that the needy must have some kind of "home" or "place" to stay. Of course, all of the examples given answered, "Yes." Another question in most of the examples given was: "Do you engage in congregational cooperation in preaching the gospel?" That question is a little misleading. They should have been more specific in the question and said: "Do you believe in the Herald of Truth?", or in some other centralized control project like we have in so many places today. I am sure that is what they meant, because in the minds of some of these brethren a congregation is not "cooperating in preaching the gospel" unless it is having part in some brotherhood project. These two things (I) church support of benevolent societies, and of (2) the Herald of Truth, are the "standard of faithfulness" in the thinking of far too many brethren in far too many places!
Are the publishers of this book, "New Testament Churches of Today," interested in any congregation or in any preacher that will NOT subscribe to these brotherhood projects which are in the process of dividing the church today? If they are, why is this distinction made? why are these two questions asked? Is it possible for .a congregation to plan and execute its !own work within the confines of the local congregation and still be a "New Testament Church?" What is the purpose of these two questions in the articles unless it be to "mark" those congregations which refuse to go along with human institutions in the budget of the church, or the centralization of power in one congregation to "oversee" some brotherhood project to which all of the churches (or as many as can be persuaded, pressured, or propagandized into submission) are contributing.
Why were there no questions in these articles as to the stand that congregations are taking on the "war question," or on "adultery," on "worldliness in the church," and others? Do not these questions, and others of like nature, enter into the matter? Are the two questions asked by Baxter and Young the ONLY criteria for determining the "soundness" of a church?
It appears beyond question to me that the book, "New Testament Churches of Today," is another means of drawing the line of fellowship, and of marking the congregations and preachers who differ with the "institutional brethren" on the issues facing the church today. According to the brethren promoting these projects, the benevolent societies and Herald of Truth are all in the realm of "opinion" — but they do not hesitate to "mark" all who do not go along with their "opinion," and brand them as "antis," "trouble makers," or "church busters."
Who, then, is responsible for the division which grows ever deeper in the body of Christ today? There can be but one answer: those who will press what they call "opinion" to the point of division!
The supporters of all these brotherhood projects are almost unanimous in saying their institutions and promotions are all in the realm of "opinion" — outside of Divine Revelation — but still they force (and I do mean FORCE) them upon congregations all over the land, regardless of the conscience of many honest and sincere brethren. By-majority rule and pressures both internal and external they compel these good men to seek other places of worship — and then have the monumental gall to accuse these godly men of dividing the church!
(Editor's note: We had noted the same feature in "New Testament Churches of Today" which brother Lewis points out. Whether or not brethren Baxter and Young intended to suggest that only those churches supporting (or favorable to) the benevolent societies and the Herald of Truth are "New Testament Churches" that is certainly the implication of their questionnaire format. The questionnaire shows either a calculated and cynical desire to promote division — or else an innocent stupidity that borders on asininity. It is an unfortunate blunder to say the least (and to be most charitable) which can hardly reflect credit on either the intelligence or the good-will of these brethren when some future historian comes to write the saga of these sad years.)