Volume 31 – 1990 (PDF) - Searching The Scriptures

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he thinks he can increase his opportunities to learn and
contribute to the work of the body of Christ at that
place. And he may seek to be a member of another
congregation. Paul did so. When he came to Jerusalem:
"he assayed to join himself to the disciples" (Acts 9: 26).
But that is a far cry from a preacher or some zealous
member soliciting and seducing some away from the
congregation where they are serving the Lord scripturally.
Some of the highly motivated "personal work" enthusiasts
have a reputation for their ability to teach and
direct their disciples to use any method to increase the
membership of the congregation where they are working.
Some of it is high pressure sales, some of it involves
an unscriptural organization. "Personal work" that
stresses converting sinners to Christ by leading them
out of darkness into the light of the truth of Jesus
Christ, is important and should be a part of every
Christian's life; this is Bible study in homes. But transferring
members from one congregation to another is
not converting anyone to Christ, and it is not increasing
the church of Christ.
I have heard the praise of some preachers for their
great accomplishments in this field. When statistics are
related, I wonder why the many they baptized have not
increased the membership of that congregation. The
answer is that most of those baptized have not really
been taught. They have been pressured to "be baptized"
before they were converted, and they soon fall away
because they have not been taught. That is not enlarging
the kingdom.
If it is a righteous thing to entice members from one
congregation to another, by all means let us all do it.
Open the door for teaching and urging evangelists to
use all their efforts to urge members of other congregations
to leave and become a part of the congregations
where they work. I will guarantee you one thing: the
social side of life will be emphasized far above all other
interests, because that is what entices some members
from one place to another. Youth activities, socials,
food, sports, young people with the dating format and
possible mate matching will be advertised and used as
a means of encouraging people to leave one congregation
to go to another. But the truth, by which men are
made free, will cause one to grow strong in the Lord
where he is. Think about it.