Institutionalism institutionalism 1 a belief in the usefulness

Institutionalism in·sti·tu·tion·al·ism 1. a belief in the usefulness or sanctity of established institutions 2. the care of the poor, homeless, or others needing assistance by or in public institutions 3. the nature of such care, regarded as impersonal, standardized, etc. 4. use of public institutions for the care of people who are physically or mentally disabled, criminally delinquent, or incapable of independent living.

Institutions: Hospitals Colleges, Universities, Schools Orphan Homes, Children’s Homes, Foster Child Agencies Homes for unwed mothers, the elderly… Homeless shelters The government Sponsoring churches Churches (even THE CHURCH)

Institutionalism and the Church An institutional church – Uses an institution to do the work God gave it to do. Many churches have added works that go beyond the doctrine of Christ -- liberalism Church suppers Field trips for young & old Entertainment, recreation Drama presentations Secular education Institutionalism • An institutional church is a liberal church. • Not all liberal churches are institutional.

Institutionalism and the Church The work of the church Preach the gospel (1 Tim. 3: 15; 1 Thess. 1: 8) Edify the saints (Eph. 4: 12) Care for needy saints (1 Cor. 16: 1; Rom. 15: 2526) Church fully equipped – all-sufficient to do the work God gave it to do (Eph. 4: 11 -16; 3: 10, 21) An institutional church – Uses an institution to do these works and their added works. College to teach gospel Orphan home to care for needy Home for the Aged to care for elderly Sponsoring church to evangelize

Institutionalism and the Church Institution Work Church Missionary Society Preach Church Sponsoring Church Preach Church Orphan Home Care of Needy

Institutionalism and the Church What’s wrong with using these institutions? No Scriptural Authority! No New Testament Pattern! Church Institution Church Sponsoring Church Orphan Home Work Preach Care of Needy

What’s Wrong With Institutionalism? Calls into question the all-sufficiency of the church… Is the church able to do the work God gave it? If man-made institutions can do it better than the divine institution, then why didn’t God include them in the pattern given in the NT? Goes beyond the Doctrine of Christ (2 Jn. 9). NT churches carried out their work without the use of institutions. Jerusalem (Acts 6: 1 -7) Antioch (Acts 11: 27 -30) Philippi (Phil. 4: 15 -16) Corinth (1 Cor. 16: 1 -4)

What’s Wrong With Institutionalism? The works they are doing (though viewed by men as “good”) are lawless. “Not everyone who says to Me, 'Lord, ' shall enter the kingdom of heaven, but he who does the will of My Father in heaven. "Many will say to Me in that day, 'Lord, have we not prophesied in Your name, cast out demons in Your name, and done many wonders in Your name? ' "And then I will declare to them, 'I never knew you; depart from Me, you who practice lawlessness!’ (Matt. 7: 21 -23).