Statement of Faith Changes: Word and Deed
Jeremy Muncy
Words matter. Carrying meaning and information, words are the currency of communication. Currently, the Christian and Missionary Alliance, the denomination in which I serve, is proposing changes to several portions of our Statement of Faith [1]. The goal is to use more precise and modern wording to explain our beliefs. We have been blessed, historically, with a solid statement, and even with the suggested changes, it will remain orthodox. However, when it comes to something this important, the goal should not be acceptability but accuracy. A statement of faith should be sturdy - as clear and exact as possible. Toward that end, I would suggest that we take a closer look before ratifying Section 1.9 on the nature and purpose of the local church. Specifically, the proposed language of proclaiming the gospel “through word and deed.”
Two Key Additions
Originally the statement read,
The local church is a body of believers in Christ who are joined together for the worship of God, for edification through the Word of God, for prayer, fellowship, the proclamation of the gospel, and observance of the ordinances of Baptism and the Lord’s Supper. (Ephesians 1:22–23, Matthew 28:19–20, Acts 2:41–47)
With the changes, the statement will read,
The local church is a body of believers in Christ (Eph. 5:30) who are called to love (1 Thess. 3:12) and joined together for the worship of God, edification through the Word of God, prayer, fellowship, proclamation of the gospel through word and deed (Luke 4:18–19), and observance of the ordinances of Baptism and the Lord’s Supper (Acts 2:41–47) [2].
You will notice, there are two key additions: The first being an emphasis on the believers’ call “to love” and the second regarding their responsibility to “[preach] the gospel through word and deed.” I cannot imagine any Bible-believing Christian denying that we are called to love. Our God is love and calls us to imitate him in all that we do (1 John 4:7-21). However, the problem with the statement lies in the second addition, which is the focus of this article, namely, that believers are called to preach the gospel “in word and deed.” No doubt, Christians are called to practice good deeds. The question is not whether we are called to good deeds. The question is whether the gospel is proclaimed through them.
Why Our Deeds Do Not Proclaim the Gospel
I get the sentiment. This change to our Statement of Faith is meant to highlight the importance of deeds (i.e., walking the walk as we talk the talk). It is far more biblical than the famous dictum “Preach the gospel at all times. Use words if necessary” [3]. This new statement carries a clear emphasis upon using words, and this is to be commended. However, it also communicates something about our deeds that is not necessarily true. They do not proclaim the gospel (at least in any literal sense). Deeds may show the power or effect of the gospel, but the gospel itself is information. It is the “good news” that sinners can be reconciled to God through faith in the perfect life, substitutionary sacrifice, and death-defeating resurrection of Jesus. While certain actions may reflect the spirit of this gospel (namely love), actions are not verbal. This is the crux of the issue because the gospel is intrinsically verbal [4]. It cannot be proclaimed without words.
The Apostle Paul understood this; in his letter to the Romans he asks, “How then will [unbelievers] call on him in whom they have not believed? And how are they to believe in him of whom they have never heard? And how are they to hear without someone preaching?” (Romans 10:14, ESV). Notice the connection between hearing and belief. Paul’s concern is that they hear the information of the gospel. The content of the gospel requires the medium of language. This is not to say that various forms of language cannot be used. Whether it be communicated by symbol, auditory syllable, or visual demonstration, the gospel requires a communication medium that allows for the transmission of information. Deeds, as powerful as they can be, cannot communicate the information of the gospel. This is why preaching was the main focus of not only Paul’s ministry, but Jesus’ as well. Important as Jesus’ signs and wonders were, his preaching took precedence (Mark 1:38; Luke 4:43). No doubt, Jesus commanded his disciples to practice good deeds, but never did he command his followers to preach the gospel through their deeds [5]. To say we must preach the gospel through our deeds is inaccurate.
Further, to say that we must preach through word and deed causes confusion about what the gospel really is. Deeds, if they communicate anything, communicate motive. No one is saved by a motive. The gospel is not merely love, kindness, compassion, or the like. The gospel is the good news of Christ’s perfect life, death, and resurrection. Sinners are saved through faith in the objective work of Jesus, a work that was indeed motivated by love, but necessary nonetheless. In an age where there is so much confusion regarding the person and work of Christ, we must be clear regarding the nature of the gospel.
A Suggested Alternative
If the goal (in the ratification of this statement) is to emphasize both good deeds and the verbalization of the gospel, I think we can do so in a number of ways without having to suggest that our deeds communicate the gospel. I offer the following statement as an example:
The local church is a body of believers in Christ (Eph. 5:30) who are called to love (1 Thess. 3:12) and joined together for the worship of God, edification through the Word of God, prayer, fellowship, good deeds, the proclamation of the gospel, and observance of the ordinances of Baptism and the Lord’s Supper (Acts 2:41–47).
Notice, it includes an emphasis on deeds and the preaching of the gospel. This statement, or a similar one, would create less confusion and be more accurate.
In Closing
Why split hairs over this? Because we must be clear on what the gospel is. It is of first importance. In the words of the Apostle Paul,
Now I would remind you, brothers, of the gospel I preached to you…For I delivered to you as of first importance what I also received: that Christ died for our sins in accordance with the Scriptures, that he was buried, that he was raised on the third day in accordance with the Scriptures” (1 Corinthians 15:1–4).
This precious gospel must be protected. If there is even a hint of ambiguity in our statement regarding the gospel, we should seek to remove it. While most readers will interpret this change to our statement in a healthy way, it could very well be interpreted in an unhealthy way. Why not remove this possibility?
Jeremy Muncy - Westwood Alliance Church - Mansfield, Ohio
[1] https://cmalliance.org/2023-council-minutes_updated/
[2] Emphasis added.
[3] This quote is often attributed to St. Francis of Assisi, but there is debate as to whether or not he is the author. https://www.christianitytoday.com/2012/05/litfin-gospel-deeds/
[4] https://www.christianitytoday.com/2012/05/litfin-gospel-deeds/
[5] Luke 4:18-19, the passage referred to in the proposed statement, seems to be used here to suggest that Jesus’ miracles “proclaimed” the gospel. I do not believe this is a proper interpretation. That’s not what this text says. In no way does this passage suggest that he preached merely with his miracles and not his mouth. Jesus’ ministry was largely centered around preaching and teaching. His deeds validated his preaching.