Tuesday, March 3, 2009

Update

It's been a while since I've written on the blog. I find myself very busy teaching Sunday bible study at my congregation, teaching the authority class at my house and monthly preaching. This is, of course, in addition to the raising a large family and traveling every week.

Our authority class most recently spent a couple of weeks talking about authority and edification. The book concentrated on edification through teaching and the church's role. We discussed the pattern and role of the church. We also showed that congregations have the right to separate individuals according to many criteria to allow maximum spiritual growth. We briefly digressed and studied elders and deacons and their roles. All of our attendees belong to congregations that do not have elders.

We need to ensure that we don't get complacent by not seeking elders and deacons. To be properly organized IAW scripture is to have these leadership positions. However, we don't appoint unqualified men to fulfill the role just to have them.

Next week we will be studying authority and benevolence. We will see that this is one of the most misunderstood concepts and brings about many emotional arguments from people when discussing this issue.

2 comments:

Ewell said...

Does your New Testament not contain Matthew 5:44,Romans 12:20, and Galatians 6:10? "But I say unto you, Love your enemies, bless them that curse you, do good to them that hate you, and pray for them which despitefully use you, and persecute you." Is it Christians that curse, hate, and despitefully use you?" No, it is non-Christians. Christians are to FEED them FOOD! "Therefore 'If your enemy is hungry, feed him; If he is thirsty, give him a drink; For in so doing you will heap coals of fire on his head'." Are members of the church our enemies? Maybe "antis" are? We, as the church, are to feed them!
"As we have therefore opportunity, let us DO GOOD UNTO ALL MEN, especially unto them who are of the household of faith." (KJV)Doing GOOD to ALL men is to feed them! Paul was writing to the CHURCH at Galatia. Christians are the church. Why do you make the collection plate SACRED! We can do benevolence out of our pockets, but once it goes through the collection plate, we CANNOT do benevolence with it! Are you REALLY that irrational, illogical, and just plain stupid?
You need to repent, brother, for causing division and strife among Christians. You are binding where the Lord has not BOUND!

Cary said...

I sense bit of hostility and anger in your comment. Yes, I will post your comment even if you call me stupid and illogical. If you read all of my posts, you will see that I address these issues and arguments that you make hidden in your caustic attacks.

Nowhere in the New Testament can we find a passage that provides an example of the early church feeding the community. Period. The church is never commanded to feed the community with food. We cannot even infer that we are do use church funds to do so.

However, we as individuals have this responsibility and obligation to feed and house and visit the fatherless. You left out James 1:27 in your argument. These all address our individual responsibilities.

Yes Christians make up the church but there are differing duties of each. Using your argument, we could partake of the Lord's Supper as individuals since we make up the church. The collective body has certain responsibilities separate and apart from the individual.

Yes we can be benevolent with the Lord's money. Look at Romans 15 and see how Paul was delivering funds to the Saints in Jerusalem who were in need. All of the examples of church benevolence is to fellow brethren.

Who's causing the division? The ones' adhering to Scripture or those not trusting the Holy Spirit and adding to His Word.

Rev 22:18: For I testify unto every man that heareth the words of the prophecy of this book, If any man shall add unto these things, God shall add unto him the plagues that are written in this book....

I appreciate your taking the time to write me. And I ask that you approach this subject with an open heart and get over your angst towards those you call names.