Results 1 - 7 of 7
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Results from: Answered Bible Questions, Answers, Unanswered Bible Questions, Notes Ordered by Verse | ||||||
Results | Verse | Author | ID# | |||
1 | Function of the Church? | Eph 4:12 | Thomas8 | 202081 | ||
Ephesians 4:11-12 (Amplified) And His gifts were [varied; He Himself appointed and gave men to us] some to be apostles (special messengers), some prophets (inspired preachers and expounders), some evangelists (preachers of the Gospel, traveling missionaries), some pastors (shepherds of His flock) and teachers. His intention was the perfecting and the full equipping of the saints (His consecrated people), [that they should do] the work of ministering toward building up Christ's body (the church), In this passage who are to be the ministers? By that I mean, should the church be a Seminary? How do you understand 'equipping'? It is for what purpose/ministry? |
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2 | Function of the Church? | Eph 4:12 | srbaegon | 202083 | ||
Hello Thomas8, Who are to be ministers? The plain sense of the passage says that God's people do the work of ministry, however that's not what is normally seen in Christendom. Should the church be a seminary? Ideally, yes, and because of that, I do not fear to teach difficult doctrine or Biblical/systematic theology. Just use simple language to teach deep truths. What is equipping? Teaching someone how to do something. For instance, an evangelist teaches how to share the gospel, a pastor-teacher (for so it should read) teaches how to care for god's people. For what purpose? Any that builds up the body of Christ. Steve |
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3 | Are they pastor/teachers? | Eph 4:12 | Thomas8 | 202092 | ||
Hi Steve, So, the next question would be 'why' or 'how' did the church change from educators to entertainers? It is not a new situation... Heb 5:12-13 KJVR (12) For when for the time ye ought to be teachers, ye have need that one teach you again which be the first principles of the oracles of God; and are become such as have need of milk, and not of strong meat. (13) For every one that useth milk is unskillfull in the word of righteousness: for he is a babe. Please speak to the lack of growth with regards to pastor/teachers. |
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4 | Are they pastor/teachers? | Eph 4:12 | BMyers | 202093 | ||
Hi Thomas8, I don't think all churches have the problem of being 'entertainers'. There are many churches out there that have hard working ministers that have a deep love and passion for Christ, who are doing the best they can with their God-given skills to feed the flock. I'm not sure that it is always the Pastor that is lacking growth, more so it is the members. HEB 5:11 Concerning him we have much to say, and it is hard to explain, since you have become dull of hearing. Matthew Henry Commentary: II. He assigns the reason why he did not say all those things concerning Christ, our Melchisedec, that he had to say, and what it was that made it so difficult for him to utter them, namely, the dulness of the Hebrews to whom he wrote: You are dull of hearing. There is a difficulty in the things themselves, and there may be a weakness in the ministers of the gospel to speak clearly about these things; but generally the fault is in the hearers. Dull hearers make the preaching of the gospel a difficult thing, and even many who have some faith are but dull hearers, dull of understanding and slow to believe; the understanding is weak, and does not apprehend these spiritual things; the memory is weak, and does not retain them. Instead of looking at the pastors, we need to look at the members. How many of them spend time in God's Word outside of Sunday? How many spend time in prayer, besides dinner? How many spend time contemplating and hiding God's Word in their heart? Brad |
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5 | How important is growth? | Eph 4:12 | Thomas8 | 202096 | ||
Hi Brad, I was just trying to distinguish or contrast when using 'educator' and 'entertainer.' It is like we have in the school system where some careless teachers (burned out teachers that do not care) are seen as 'baby sitters' rather than instructors. A teacher needs zeal and purpose; an entertainer just needs to amuse. So, Heb 5:12-13 KJVR (12) For when for the time ye ought to be teachers... I agree we need to look at the members. We should also look at the proportion of time spent on the Word 'in' church vrs other interests. What is their example? Is the service filled with expository preaching and study? Do you think that maybe there is a relationship between the kind of church/preacher one choses and how much daily study is done? Thank you for your reply |
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6 | How important is growth? | Eph 4:12 | BMyers | 202098 | ||
"Do you think that maybe there is a relationship between the kind of church/preacher one choses and how much daily study is done?" YES! People that want to go to church just to be 'entertained' will search until they find a church that meets that desire. I think many people forget that the church isn't all about them. The church is meeting place for believers to come together, build up one another, and worship/praise God. All these involve you putting other things in front of yourself with the primary focus being on God. It is hard concept in today's society when we live in a 'me' world. The only 'me' in a Christian relationship is the willingness of 'me' to submit to God's divine will and purpose for 'me'. I'm not sure how I got off on the 'me' thing, but if a person doesn't study the Word of God, how can he/she know if what is being taught in church is correct? Don't misunderstand me; I think churches with different ministries are vital. I don't want to give the impression that every church should be sitting around 24/7 doing nothing but in depth Bible studies. The teaching/preaching at churches need to be in accordance with the level the congregation is at and include additional activities/ministries that will help the body grow. An example would be a Saturday car wash put on by the Youth group to help raise funds for missions or to send kids to camp. Directly, this activity isn't a Bible study, but indirectly you are teaching the kids about concepts and principals from the Word. I think 1 Peter 4:11 sums this up: 1PE 4:11 Whoever speaks, is to do so as one who is speaking the utterances of God; whoever serves is to do so as one who is serving by the strength which God supplies; so that in all things God may be glorified through Jesus Christ, to whom belongs the glory and dominion forever and ever. Amen. We need to as a church, as a member, and as a teacher/pastor make sure that we are to doing all things so God may be glorified. Don't see nothing in that scripture about making little old Brad happy or entertained. Yet as we do as the Word states, we will have joy. GAL 5:22 But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, GAL 5:23 gentleness, self-control; against such things there is no law. Brad |
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7 | How important is growth? | Eph 4:12 | skccab | 202100 | ||
Shalom y'all, I'd just like to Amen! Brad's observation. And I would like to add something my own pastor said once, and I've never forgotten the analogy: He said that he's our earthly shepherd and shepherds don't give birth to lambs. Lambs beget lambs. He's there to feed and nourish us that we may have strength to go through the birthing processes. So many times you see someone right on the verge of giving "birth" to a new believer, and what do they do? They haul that almost birthed lamb to their church expecting their "shepherd" to finish the process!! As Brad stated, car-washes, bake or garage sales are not bible studies but things like those are very good places to bring "almost persuaded" folks. I know of a few churches that even have a day set aside 2-4 times a month for stay-at-home moms (and Mr. Moms!!) to get together for fellowship at their local mall while their kids are looked after at the church - another great place to take "almost believers." The church service should not be for entertainment but for equipping the saints to go out and do what the Lord told us to do! Mt. 28:19 "Go therefore and make disciples of all the nations..." Just my 2cents worth :-) Cheri |
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