Prior Book | Prior Chapter | Prior Verse | Next Verse | Next Chapter | Next Book | Viewing NASB and Amplified 2015 | |
NASB | Matthew 15:9 'BUT IN VAIN DO THEY WORSHIP ME, TEACHING AS DOCTRINES THE PRECEPTS OF MEN.'" |
AMPLIFIED 2015 | Matthew 15:9 'BUT IN VAIN DO THEY WORSHIP ME, FOR THEY TEACH AS DOCTRINES THE PRECEPTS OF MEN.'" [Is 29:13] |
Subject: Offices today? |
Bible Note: Dear Charis, I apologize for seeming to limit the responsibilities of the offices that I mentioned to only administration of man-made institutions. I was merely trying to define the positions based on the structure they are a part of. In practicality, I believe that these positions are very important to fulfilling God's will and sheparding the flock. I mentioned that the lower office of "Deacon" was to be held by people within a church that can be looked to as examples. This is very important for a church. It is important for people who attend any church to be able to not only learn about God in sermons or Sunday School, but to also see how the Christian life is to be put into practice. It is also important for there to be people in a church who can be sought after for spiritual counsel and advice. This is an important "service to the faithful". As for the office of "Bishop" (or what we now call pastor), I believe that they too have an important role. I Timothy 3:5 speaks of them "taking care of God's church". Titus 1:7 calls them "God's steward", which seems to say that they are responsible for the faithful in thier congregation. This is such an important "ministry to the Lord" that it can be overwhelming at times to many of these people. I would like to also mention the third category of higher denominational administrations (what we now call Superintendants, etc.). I do not know of a Biblical precedent for such positions, and many denominations are consistently attacked for being merely man-made instituions. However, I believe that there is value to having a connectional body of Christ (although that should be a seperate thread). I also believe that these higher administrators are being of service to the faithful by setting a vision of how they can effectively accomplish the will of God here on earth. Of course I believe that God can give individuals direction for how to follow His plan, but often much more can be accomplished when a large number of people are working together for the same goal. |