Welcome To Our Assembly This Evening

November 21, 2010

"God is spirit, and those who worship Him must worship in

spirit and in truth" (Jesus of Nazareth from John 4:24)

This evening's Scripture reading is...

Acts 2:41-47

Title

The Laws of Authority

Chain of Command

Direct Command

Approved Example

Logical Conclusion

Law of Exclusion

Consistent Application

Expediency , Expedients

Topic of Authority Studied in Class

Forsaking the assembling of ourselves together

Women speaking in the assembly

Women Teachers of Baptized Male Children

Sunday evening assembly

The Lord's Supper at Sunday evening assembly

Topics of Authority for Tonight:

Social Halls

What Is A Social Hall?

A place of & for social assemblies/gatherings

wedding, graduation, retirement, holiday, bar- mitzva, birthday, political events, seminar

How is it used by religious groups?"fellowship" meals, activities

Fellowship Hallmany rent out for private gatherings

Original Uses of Fellowship Halls"fellowship" meals for members &

visitorsevangelismnow a catch-all gymnasium style facility

What Is A Social Hall?

Why would a church want/need such a facility?

convenienceedification, hospitality (Ac. 2:46, Ro.

12:13)no over-crowded house (Jesus feeds

5000)charity, catastrophe (Ac. 11:27-30)outreach/evangelism (Lk. 14:12-14)

Are these things, of themselves, unscriptural?

Is It The Church's Role To Pay for or Provide Anyone With Social Activities or Facilities?

Acts 2:41-47fellowship

English: modern usage1. companionship, company2. community of interest, activity, feeling,

or experience the state of being a fellow or associate

3. a company of equals or friends : association

4. the quality or state of being comradely

Is It The Church's Role To Pay for or Provide Anyone With Social Activities or Facilities?

Acts 2:41-47fellowship

English: etymologyfellow: partner; from O.N. felagi, from fe

"money" (fee) + verbal base denoting "lay down" Sense is of "one who puts down money with

another in a joint venture." ship: "state, condition of being,"

Is It The Church's Role To Pay for or Provide Anyone With Social Activities or Facilities?

Acts 2:41-47fellowship

NT Greek: koinonia (from koinos: common)partnership, that is, (literally)

participation, or (social) intercourse (Strong's)

fellowship, association, community, communion, joint participation, intercourse

1) ..., participation1b) intercourse, fellowship, intimacy

(Thayer's)

The Great Commission

"Go, therefore, and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe everything I have commanded you. And remember, I am with you always, to the end of the age." (HCSB)

"And he said to them, "Go into all the world and proclaim the gospel to the whole creation. Whoever believes and is baptized will be saved, but whoever does not believe will be condemned." (ESV)