|
The following article was written for the 2005 Bellview Lectureship book "The Blight of Liberalism." The lectureship book maybe ordered from Bellview church of Christ, 4850 Saufley Field Road, Pensacola, FL 32526. E-Mail: bellview@bellviewcoc.comLIBERALISM’S EFFECT ON THE ORGANIZATION OF THE continued from last week The congregations using this unscriptural reevaluating or reaffirming of elders have several different methods for the process. They have different time tables and different criterion to determine if a man may continue to serve. Some have attempted to give this process a different name to make it sound more pleasing. But no matter what it is called, a skunk by any other name still stinks. Some have set the minimum level of confidence for elders at 70%. Brother Marvin L. Weir stated: One valid objection disqualifies a man from serving as an elder. However, where is the scripture or wisdom that necessitates that an elder who has been selected by the congregation and who meets the Holy Spirit’s qualifications can/must be periodically ‘reaffirmed?’ (CFTF, January 2003). Where is the Bible authority for such a practice? The Bible puts forth the authority for the selection and appointment of elders (Acts 14:23; 15:4ff; 16:4; 20:17; 1 Tim. 3:1-7; Titus 1:5-9). The Bible does not give the specifies of how this selection is to take place. Therefore the how of the selection is left to human wisdom. But this must be done in accordance and harmony with scriptural principles. No where in the scriptures does it give authority for a reevaluation or reaffirmation of elders. Tody some liberals are advocating that elders are not appointed but, merely develop into elders and the people will recognize that fact. Charles A. Holt wrote an article in the Examiner (January 1993) in support of this false idea. Today some liberals are advocating that elders simply are ruling by example and have no power whatsoever. While it is true that elders should be examples, it is not the only way they are to lead or rule. The Bible declares how that elders are to rule. The authority of the eldership is limited, there are some things they cannot change. Elders do not have the authority to add to the law of the Lord. They have no authority to set aside any of the commandments of Christ. They do not have the authority to dispense with any of the acts which are necessary for a person to become a Christian. They have no authority to change immersion into sprinkling or pouring, etc. They cannot change the fact that baptism is necessary for salvation. Elders possess no power to dispense with one or more of the acts of worship. They have no authority to bring mechanical instruments of music into the worship. They have no authority to allow people to hum, whistle, or make the sound of instruments and call it singing, or vocal music. They have no authority to set aside the command to partake of the Lord’s Supper the first day of every week. They do not have the authority to put a woman into the pulpit to preach, into the adult class of both men and women to teach, before the Lord’s supper to officiate at the Table, before the congregation as a prayer leader, before the congregation as song director. They do not have the authority to change a single, solitary syllable of the great commission which forms the heartbeat of the mission of the Lord’s church. Relative to the specifics of the gospel their authority is in the word and they must see to it that God’s Word and Work is preached and practiced just as the Bible demands.The authority of the eldership is set forth by the Word of God. Paul said, "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" (Acts 20:28). Peter wrote, "Feed the flock of God which is among you, taking the oversight thereof, not by constraint, but willingly; not for filthy lucre, but of a ready mind" (1 Peter 5:2). Elders are to feed the flock. This word feed (poimai’no) means "to feed, to tend a flock, keep sheep...to rule govern" (Thayer, p. 527). This word is translated "feed" six times (John 21:16; Acts 20:28; 1 Cor. 9:7;1 Peter 5:2; Jude 12; Rev. 7:17), "rule" four times (Matt. 2:6; Rev. 2:27; 12:5; 19:15), and "feed cattle" one time (Luke 17:7). Paul wrote to Timothy and said, "One that ruleth well his own house, having his children in subjection with all gravity; (For if a man know not how to rule his own house, how shall he take care of the church of God?)" (1 Tim. 3:4-5). "Ruleth" means to stand before, to be over, to rule, to superintend, to preside over" (Thayer 539). "Take care of" means precisely that. Its significance for elders means that they are to take care of the church, taking forethought and making provision. Its implied significance for the members means that they are to submit to this rule (in matters of expediency). Paul said, "And we beseech you, brethren, to know them which labour among you, and are over you in the Lord, and admonish you" (1 Thess. 5:12). Admonish is its precise definition and means to put into the mind, instruct, warn, admonish (Zodhiates, p. 1713). Elders have the responsibility of admonishing the church, and seeing that it is done. Larry Powers continued next week
|
|
|