Regarding the performing of spiritual works, some brethren speak of individual action and church action. That is, the spiritual works of evangelism and edification are either done through the local church or as individuals. While this idea may seem completely harmless, if we move past the sophistry, we find that the acceptance of this idea opens the door for various errors, some of which even the proponents of this idea would not want to allow.
When one uses the language of individual action and church action, it is implied that these are the two possible types of action. Meaning, if a work is not done by the local church, it falls into the realm of individual action. This has been a convenient way for brethren to defend the practice of using their human organizations to preach the gospel (such as the Guardian of Truth Foundation sponsoring their annual lectureship). Since a local church is not involved, it is alleged that this is individual action even though a human institution is the mechanism through which the gospel is being preached. I questioned one brother about this and he described a situation like this as “a human organization acting in the realm of individual responsibility.” So it is admitted that an organization is being used, but claimed that this falls in the realm of individual responsibility.
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