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Author
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Topic: New Testament model for Christian organization
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scythewieldor
unregistered
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posted
Dear friends,
I have already received agreements from some across the country to pray into oversight of the churches of the cities around the country, elders who will train deacons (apostles, prophets, evangelists, pastor/teachers, and others) to recognize the traditions and ordinances of the New Covenant as they labor to bring flocks and individual sheep to fruitfulness.
The problems of deaconries arising which are led by men who call themselves pastor or bishop but which have no accountability is manifest in the covetousness (which is idolatry)of those "ministries".
Paul said that men such as he and Timothy should be content with food and raiment. He told Timothy and Titus to teach things like:
- Let the woman learn in silence with all subjection. But I suffer not a woman to teach, nor to usurp authority over the man, but to be in silence.
- The aged women likewise, that they be in behaviour as becometh holiness, not false accusers, not given to much wine, teachers of good things; That they may teach the young women to be sober, to love their husbands, to love their children, To be discreet, chaste, keepers at home, good, obedient to their own husbands, that the word of God be not blasphemed.
- Teaching us that, denying ungodliness and worldly lusts, we should live soberly, righteously, and godly, in this present world;
- Likewise must the deacons be grave, not doubletongued, not given to much wine, not greedy of filthy lucre; Holding the mystery of the faith in a pure conscience. And let these also first be proved; then let them use the office of a deacon, being found blameless.
- These things command and teach.
- A man that is an heretick after the first and second admonition reject
- And let ours also learn to maintain good works for necessary uses, that they be not unfruitful.
It is past time that we, by faith, undertake to clean up the house of God where judgement begins. It is time to forsake the world-friendly business processes which have compromised the orderly governing process of the Kingdom of God, and, consequentially, removed barriers that had stopped the invasive wiles of the devil.
quote:
Ro 5:17 For if by one man’s offence death reigned by one; much more they which receive abundance of grace and of the gift of righteousness shall reign in life by one, Jesus Christ.)
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scythewieldor
unregistered
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posted
Dear ones,
I am hoping to provoke inquiry into and building according to the New Testament model of Christian organization. Starting with primitive stuff that I see left undefined and set aside in a lot of places.
Jesus told us how to recognize His mother and His brethren.
Lu 8:21 And he answered and said unto them, My mother and my brethren are these which hear the word of God, and do it.
Paul, also, told us how to identify the shepherd that was worthwhile.
1 Tim 6:2 And they that have believing masters, let them not despise them, because they are brethren; but rather do them service, because they are faithful and beloved, partakers of the benefit. These things teach and exhort.
3 If any man teach otherwise, and consent not to wholesome words, even the words of our Lord Jesus Christ, and to the doctrine which is according to godliness;
4 He is proud, knowing nothing, but doting about questions and strifes of words, whereof cometh envy, strife, railings, evil surmisings,
5 Perverse disputings of men of corrupt minds, and destitute of the truth, supposing that gain is godliness: from such withdraw thyself.
Peter, too, told us how to regard the words of Paul as scripture.
2 Pet 3:15 And account that the longsuffering of our Lord is salvation; even as our beloved brother Paul also according to the wisdom given unto him hath written unto you;
16 As also in all his epistles, speaking in them of these things; in which are some things hard to be understood, which they that are unlearned and unstable wrest, as they do also the other scriptures, unto their own destruction.
If Peter and Paul were the first members of the Catholic Church, then it is obvious that members which followed either corrupted or created a false Catholic Church the same way they did Protestant and Evangelical churches. Let me show you an example of the rebellion that has been supported in the name of "church".
Mat 23:1 ¶ Then spake Jesus to the multitude, and to his disciples,
2 Saying, The scribes and the Pharisees sit in Moses' seat:
3 All therefore whatsoever they bid you observe, that observe and do; but do not ye after their works: for they say, and do not.
4 For they bind heavy burdens and grievous to be borne, and lay them on men's shoulders; but they themselves will not move them with one of their fingers.
5 But all their works they do for to be seen of men: they make broad their phylacteries, and enlarge the borders of their garments,
6 And love the uppermost rooms at feasts, and the chief seats in the synagogues,
7 And greetings in the markets, and to be called of men, Rabbi, Rabbi.
8 But be not ye called Rabbi: for one is your Master, even Christ; and all ye are brethren.
9 And call no man your father upon the earth: for one is your Father, which is in heaven.
10 Neither be ye called masters: for one is your Master, even Christ.
11 But he that is greatest among you shall be your servant.
12 And whosoever shall exalt himself shall be abased; and he that shall humble himself shall be exalted.
The appetite of men to be higher up in hierarchy is a corrupting influence that has effected the church in all earthly places. Few want to serve. All want to enjoy the benefits produced by service.
To neutralize that impulse, Jesus said, "Call no man father"- or, rabbi (doctor/teacher), or, master. If we really believe that we are brothers, the firstborn of which is Jesus, while our Father in heaven is still alive, each of us is a special vessel of His grace. That means all of us must be careful not to make the burden of living heavier than Jesus or the Holy Ghost did.
We must not change the ordinances or traditions that were given to us by the writers of the New Testament. By the end of that writing, the order of our fellowship was eternally settled. Any one who adds to or takes away from that order must be refused fellowship.
2Th 2:15 Therefore, brethren, stand fast, and hold the traditions which ye have been taught, whether by word, or our epistle.
2Th 3:14 And if any man obey not our word by this epistle, note that man, and have no company with him, that he may be ashamed.
Does your church require you to recognize a man by title? If he is anything other than a brother, you must not have fellowship with him.
Does your "bishop" get to avoid working with his hands? Is there only one bishop in your city? Look at how Paul directed all the bishops of Ephesus to live? (The word translated bishop is, also, translated overseer.)
Acts 20:28 Take heed therefore unto yourselves, and to all the flock, over the which the Holy Ghost hath made you overseers, to feed the church of God, which he hath purchased with his own blood.
29 For I know this, that after my departing shall grievous wolves enter in among you, not sparing the flock.
30 Also of your own selves shall men arise, speaking perverse things, to draw away disciples after them.
31 Therefore watch, and remember, that by the space of three years I ceased not to warn every one night and day with tears.
32 And now, brethren, I commend you to God, and to the word of his grace, which is able to build you up, and to give you an inheritance among all them which are sanctified.
33 I have coveted no man's silver, or gold, or apparel.
34 Yea, ye yourselves know, that these hands have ministered unto my necessities, and to them that were with me.
35 I have shewed you all things, how that so labouring ye ought to support the weak, and to remember the words of the Lord Jesus, how he said, It is more blessed to give than to receive.
The Kingdom of God should express the kind of community for which Jesus prayed.
Joh 17:22 And the glory which thou gavest me I have given them; that they may be one, even as we are one:
Like what did the unity between the Father and the Son look?
Jon 17:10 And all mine are thine, and thine are mine; and I am glorified in them.
Thus, the first, and only good, expression of the church was communal as described in Acts 2 and Acts 4.
Here, we see that the Christians were steadfast in the way they lived out the teaching of the apostles. Therefore, their unity was a reflection of the apostolic teaching. Keep in mind that the word corresponding to Strong's number <2839> is koinov koinos koy-nos'
Act 2:40 And with many other words did he testify and exhort, saying, Save yourselves from this untoward generation.
41 Then they that gladly received his word were baptized: and the same day there were added unto them about three thousand souls.
42 ¶ And they continued stedfastly in the apostles' doctrine and fellowship, and in breaking of bread, and in prayers.
43 And fear came upon every soul: and many wonders and signs were done by the apostles.
44 And all that believed were together, and had all things common <2839>;
45 And sold their possessions and goods, and parted them to all men, as every man had need.
46 And they, continuing daily with one accord in the temple, and breaking bread from house to house, did eat their meat with gladness and singleness of heart,
47 Praising God, and having favour with all the people. And the Lord added to the church daily such as should be saved.
Act 4:32 ¶ And the multitude of them that believed were of one heart and of one soul: neither said any of them that ought of the things which he possessed was his own; but they had all things common <2839>.
33 And with great power gave the apostles witness of the resurrection of the Lord Jesus: and great grace was upon them all.
34 Neither was there any among them that lacked: for as many as were possessors of lands or houses sold them, and brought the prices of the things that were sold,
35 And laid them down at the apostles' feet: and distribution was made unto every man according as he had need.
In short, believers have all things in common.
That this is carried over to the Christians that came from among the gentiles is clear from several references. Remember, that the word that is translated from Strong's number <2841> is koinwnew koinoneo koy-no-neh'-o. It comes from the word, <2839> koinov koinos koy-nos, and means "communize".
2 Cor 8:13 For I mean not that other men be eased, and ye burdened:
14 But by an equality, that now at this time your abundance may be a supply for their want, that their abundance also may be a supply for your want: that there may be equality:
15 As it is written, He that had gathered much had nothing over; and he that had gathered little had no lack.
Ro 12:13 Distributing <2841> to the necessity of saints; given to hospitality.
Ga 6:6 Let him that is taught in the word communicate <2841> unto him that teacheth in all good things.
So, real Christians, at least, want to live close together. They all work with their hands (except, possibly, some deacons which are chosen by the congregation at the request, and according to the promotion, of the elders for certain community maintenance). They have all things in common. They are brothers.
Have you ever seen a church like that?
When we get that kind of fellowship, we might be able to work on clarifying other elements according to the New Testament.
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