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Results from: Answered Bible Questions, Answers, Unanswered Bible Questions, Notes Ordered by Verse | ||||||
Results | Verse | Author | ID# | |||
1 | Elders not a pastor should lead church | Bible general Archive 3 | DocTrinsograce | 176319 | ||
Dear Bereaniam, How do you know that what went on in Paul's day was much different from what you describe as "sitting passively." It rather sounds like what Eutychus was doing before falling asleep. There have been a continuous line of congregations since that time. Don't you think some of what you see today was passed down from the infant church? I'd suggest that you find a good biography of Martin Luther. Discover what he said and did regarding church polity. There has been a lot of discussion on this over the last four centuries. Many Godly men have carefully, prayerfully, and thoughtfully deliberated over this question. In addition, within the latitude afforded by Scripture -- and much latitude has been afforded -- there has been a great deal of experimentation. Some of it succeeded and some of it failed. Have you visited a Plymouth Brethren congregation? How about a Reformed Baptist or Primitive Baptist? Even many Lutheran Missouri Synod churches operate with a plurality of elders. In my own Southern Baptist churches there are very specific and well thought out and historical reasons for a head pastor. You'll need to understand the thinking behind the discipline of Church Administration before painting it with such a broad brush. I am not defending each and every modern church practice. I do, however, disagree that God is not involved in some of the practices that are evident in the corporate church. I also disagree that these practices have no basis in Scripture. Christianity has many transcultural mandates and principles. However, Christianity is practiced by believers who live within a specific cultural context. In Him, Doc PS You might look into Dr. Mark Dever's "Nine Marks of a Healthy Church." It is available online. |
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2 | Elders not a pastor should lead church | Bible general Archive 3 | Bereaniam | 176322 | ||
Thanks Doc, I will try to research if those type of congregations exist in my immediate community. I will also look into Dr. Devers "Nine Marks of a Healthy Church". As for Eutychus...most of us would fall asleep if someone was as "longwinded" as Luke described Paul. Luke said Paul spoke til midnight. You said, "Don't you think some of what you see today was passed down from the infant church?" That's my very point of concern...Paul said the time was going to come when the church would not endure sound doctrine...they would turn their ears from the truth...have itching ears, and accumulate "pastors" after their own desires. As for Martin Luther, I'm just grateful to him for the Protestant Reformation that opened the church's eyes to salvation by grace through faith alone in Jesus Christ. If it weren't for him we might still be paying and working for our salvation. Again, Br. Doc, you are saying of your own congregation, that you have a "pastor" not based on scripture, but man's thoughts and traditions. The carnal mind is enmity against God. Why can't we base church polity on the Word. Why put it on the back burner? You also said "Christianity has many transcultural mandates and principles." So, does that mean the Bible takes a backseat to our culture, or should the Bible shape our culture? We are told not to love the things of this world. As I get older, I don't want to be disobedient to God's Word. I also do not want to support or condone heresy. A few ministers have told me don't expect change...and that there are no perfect assemblies. Grieved in my soul, Bereaniam. |
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3 | Elders not a pastor should lead church | Bible general Archive 3 | CDBJ | 176326 | ||
Greetings Bereaniam, I know exactly where you are coming from. I checked out and found the perfect local church the other day, and then they checked me out and wouldn’t let me join because if I joined they wouldn’t be perfect anymore, with me in the congregation. (Just kidding; well at least about the first part.) I get the same vibes that you are getting from the local church that I attend and I can see it getting further and further away from a concentrated effort to disseminate Bible doctrine. They appear to be more interested in the numbers attending then they are the quality of the message and are doing every thing they can to please the most. They are always expanding their outreach and trying to raise funds for their projects but they aren’t giving the Word out to those they reach. It’s great to help people that need help but what is the sense in helping them with their present problem if aren’t given God’s solution for their bigger problem. Sort of like pulling people out of the frying pan so they can throw them into the fire. 1 Cor. 15:22 For as in Adam all die, even so in Christ shall all be made alive. The way I see it, the biggest problem in the World today is attributed to the fact that people are trying to live without Christ, with out hope and without eternal life and Jesus can fix it all! Romans 10:17 So then faith cometh by hearing, and hearing by the word of God. There’s more room on the top of the soap box, CDBJ |
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