Post by pitbull on Oct 4, 2008 5:33:21 GMT -5
DAILY WISDOM
“Wisdom [is] the principal thing; [therefore] get wisdom: and with all thy getting get understanding.” [Proverbs 4:7]
FOOD FOR THOUGHT
BIBLICAL ELDERS
Is it Biblical to have an office in the local congregation known as elders? Do church elders really exist?
“Is any sick among you? let him call for the elders of the church; and let them pray over him, anointing him with oil in the name of the Lord:” [James 5:14]
How can someone call for elders to come if this is not a Biblical position?
How is this position established?
“For this cause left I thee in Crete, that thou shouldest set in order the things that are wanting, and ordain elders in every city, as I had appointed thee:” [Titus 1:5]
Who was Titus? He was the pastor of the church at Crete. He had been ordained by the Apostle Paul to be the pastor of that congregation. What is he being commanded to do? He is being commanded to ordain others just like how he was. What does that mean? He was to train and ordain pastors just like how he was by Paul. Notice how the qualifications in 3rd chapter of 1 Timothy for a bishop and then those in 1st chapter of Titus for an elder are the same. Why? It is the same office.
Consider the example of the Apostle Peter. He considered himself an elder. Why? Because he was a preacher and would pastor local congregations that he planted as he would train up the local pastors.
“The elders which are among you I exhort, who am also an elder, and a witness of the sufferings of Christ, and also a partaker of the glory that shall be revealed:” [1 Peter 5:1]
This is similar to how Paul refered to himself as a preacher and an apostle – two separate offices.
“Whereunto I am ordained a preacher, and an apostle, (I speak the truth in Christ, and lie not;) a teacher of the Gentiles in faith and verity.” [1 Timothy 2:7]
What did God give to the local churches?
“Now ye are the body of Christ, and members in particular. And God hath set some in the church, first apostles, secondarily prophets, thirdly teachers, after that miracles, then gifts of healings, helps, governments, diversities of tongues. Are all apostles? are all prophets? are all teachers? are all workers of miracles?” [1 Corinthians 12:27-29]
“And he gave some, apostles; and some, prophets; and some, evangelists; and some, pastors and teachers; For the perfecting of the saints, for the work of the ministry, for the edifying of the body of Christ:” [Ephesians 4:11-12]
Why doesn’t God mention here in either passage that He gave us elders? Did He forget? No. In 1 Corinthians the offices is known as “teachers” and then in Ephesians it is called “pastors and teachers”. It is the same office or position.
So what is an elder supposed to do in a local church? He is to rule the congregation by teach/preach the Bible by word and example. Consider the commandment given to Timothy by the Apostle Paul in 1 Timothy 4:11-13 as an illustration as this. Also look at the following:
“Let the elders that rule well be counted worthy of double honour, especially they who labour in the word and doctrine.” [1 Timothy 5:17]
Also compare the following verses for the office of the pastor:
“This is a true saying, If a man desire the office of a bishop, he desireth a good work. A bishop then must be … apt to teach;” [1 Timothy 3:1-2]
“Remember them which have the rule over you, who have spoken unto you the word of God: whose faith follow, considering the end of their conversation… Obey them that have the rule over you, and submit yourselves: for they watch for your souls, as they that must give account, that they may do it with joy, and not with grief: for that is unprofitable for you.” [Hebrews 13:7, 17]
RELIGIOUS AWARENESS
Neopaganism
Neopaganism or Neo-Paganism is an umbrella term used to identify a wide variety of new religious movements, particularly those influenced by ancient and pre-Abrahamic Pagan religions.
These movements are extremely diverse. The beliefs of adherents of Neopaganism range widely from monotheism to polytheism as well as other paradigms. See List of Pagan Traditions.
Many Neopagans practice a spirituality that is entirely modern in origin, while others attempt to reconstruct or revive culturally historic Pagan and indigenous belief systems.