 |
 |
Fresh Blog |
Wednesday, 26 May 2010
1st Timothy 3:1 Faithful is the saying, If a man seeketh the office of a bishop, he desireth a good work. A "bishop" is defined by the scriptures as an "overseer", and is one who watches over the "called out ones". The modern church has perverted the term "bishop" into a titled position in an ecclesiastical structure unknown in scripture. We will see the apostles never ordained solo pastors or a priest over the churches.
 In this chapter we will look at who and how God calls and qualifies with the responsibility of an overseer; that is, to watch over and tend the flock of God.
1 Faithful is the saying, If a man seeketh the office of a bishop, he desireth a good work. (bishop means simply "overseer")
2 The bishop therefore must be without reproach, the husband of one wife, temperate, sober-minded, orderly, given to hospitality, apt to teach;
3 no brawler, no striker; but gentle, not contentious, no lover of money;
4 one that ruleth well his own house, having his children in subjection with all gravity;
5 (but if a man knoweth not how to rule his own house, how shall he take care of the church of God?)
6 not a novice, lest being puffed up he fall into the condemnation of the devil.
7 Moreover he must have good testimony from them that are without; lest he fall into reproach and the snare of the devil. 1Tim. 3:1-7
In Titus 1, he wrote a second time regarding elders:
Titus 1:5 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:
The qualifications for those elders that are to be the "overseers" of the churches:
6) if any man is blameless, the husband of one wife, having children that believe, who are not accused of riot or unruly.
7) For the bishop must be blameless, as God`s steward; not self-willed, not soon angry, no brawler, no striker, not greedy of filthy lucre;
8)) but given to hospitality, as lover of good, sober-minded, just, holy, self-controlled;
9) holding to the faithful word which is according to the teaching, that he may be able to exhort in the sound doctrine, and to convict the opposers.
1Peter 5
1) The elders among you I exhort, who am a fellow-elder, and a witness of the sufferings of Christ, who am also a partaker of the glory that shall be revealed:
2) Tend the flock of God which is among you, exercising the oversight, not of constraint, but willingly, according to the will of God; nor yet for filthy lucre, but of a ready mind;
3) neither as lording it over the charge allotted to you, but making yourselves ensamples to the flock.
Although this may upset a few people, the most often repeated qualification begins with the nouns "man" and "he", a total of 14 times. 11 in 1Timothy and 3 more in Titus.
Masculine nouns are used repeatedly in multiple verses and is the first qualification specified and is referenced 14x times. The office itself "bishop", Greek "episkopos", is also a masculine noun. (Strongs 1985). So when the Scriptures speak in terms of the office of an overseer and the elders that rule, it always does so with men. Even the word "pastor" (poimen in Greek), is a masculine noun, and there is no such thing as a wife being "co-pastor" or "pastor" over an assembly.
Having swallowed that "meat" from the Word, let us look at the points Paul gave in 1Timothy 3.
In our 24 years of church involvement and leadership, we never heard these taught or reviewed in regard to the people who were appointed or put in places of leadership.
This is a good example of how the church departs from scriptures as church leaders are usually those who demonstrate loyalty, financial support, natural gifts for speaking, or a willingness to support and volunteer.
We also see that among the elders that minister, no one office such as the pastor, prophet, or apostle, is given pre-eminence above the rest.
Notice that no titles are mentioned for those exercising oversight of the churches in these qualifications which apply equally to all ministries and the elders. In 1Timothy 3
1. without reproach: not open to censure, irreproachable. He is honest and his word and motive is good. He is not hiding any sin.
2. Husband of one wife: He is a "husband" of one wife. He does not divorce and remarry another, unless the first wife committed adultery, or she died.
3. temperate; sober, not given to alcoholic drinks and not a food glutton.
4. sober-minded: curbing one's desires and impulses, self-controlled, temperate, prudent , sensible
5 orderly: well arranged, seemly, modest. This speaks of his life not being disorderly or out of control.
6. given to hospitality: He is hospitable and generous to guests. Their home is made comfortable to others and they are made to feel welcome.
7. able to teach: He is apt and skillful in teaching in order to benefit and spiritualy mature others in the Scriptures.
8. not a brawler: Not ready for a blow, not a pugnacious, contentious, or quarrelsome person. "Not" means not. Contentious means argumentative. He is peaceable.
9. no striker: He does not hit others, nor his wife, nor his children. seemingly, suitable
equitable, fair, mild, gentle
10. gentle: He is reasonable, listens and considers the words of others. He is equitable, fair, mild, and gentle. He is not over-powering, a bully, overbearing, stubborn, or hard.
11. not contentious: Right after "gentle" comes not contentious again.
That is posturing as not to be withstood, acting as invincible, and abstaining from fighting whether it be with WORDS or ACTIONS.
12. not greedy of money: He is free from the love of money, and not given to deals and scams.
13. one that rules well his own house: He manages over, superintends, presides over, provides for, and is a protector or guardian
14. children in subjection with all gravity: His (not adult) children are under control, obedient, in subjection, submissive. With dignity: the characteristic of a thing or person which entitles to reverence and respect, dignity, majesty, sanctity,honour, purity.
15. not a novice: He is not newly planted, a new convert, or neophyte (one who has recently become a Christian. -No matter how gifted they are, sincere, or giving of financial support.
16. Lest he be puffed up. An imature overseer will try to meet his ego needs through the church. he will imagine himself to be above others, he will think those who disagree are going over his head, he will feel threatened easily. He will see himself as being something he is not and entitled to things by reason of his position or title.
17. having a good testimony from outsiders: His bills are paid, his word is known to be good, he has a good name and reputation for honesty.
In Titus 1:
18. blameless: He cannot be called into account, unreproveable, unaccused, blameless. What if he sins? If he is walking in repentence and forgiveness, he is blameless. Except from the devil.
19. husband of one wife: He is once married unless widowed, and did not divorce for any cause other than adultery by his ex-wife.
20. children that believe and are not riotous: His children believe in the Lord and are not those that cannot be subjected to control, disobedient, unruly. His children are not in rebellion.
21. not self-willed: He is not self-pleasing, self-willed, arrogant.
22. not quickly angry: He is not prone to anger, irascible, hot-headed, fiery, hot tempered.
23. not given to wine: He is not a drunkard, given to wine, or drunken.
24. no striker: Not ready for a blow, not a pugnacious, contentious, or quarrelsome person. "Not" means not. Contentious means argumentative. He is peacable.
25. not greedy of lucre: He is free from the love of gain, desire for wealth and substance, eager for base gain, or greedy for money.
26. given to hospitality: He is hospitable and generous to guests.
27. as lover of good, He is of a sound mind, sane, in one's senses,
curbing one's desires and impulses, self-controlled, temperate.
28. sober-minded: He is safe (sound) in mind, that is, self controlled (moderate as to opinion or passion): - discreet, sober, temperate.
29. just: In a wide sense, upright, righteous, virtuous, keeping the commands of God
of those who seem to themselves to be righteous, who pride themselves to be righteous, who pride themselves in their virtues, whether real or imagined
innocent, faultless, guiltless
30. holy: undefiled by sin, free from wickedness, religiously observing every moral obligation, pure holy, pious.
30.self-controlled: strong, robust, having power over, possessed of (a thing) mastering, controlling, curbing, restraining, controlling one's self, temperate. He can control his apetite.
31. holding to the faithful word which is according to the teaching: He cleaves hard to the Word, the sayings of God, not just in head knowledge, but in action. He speaks as an oracle of God.
32. able to exhort in the sound doctrine: To refute, comfort, establish, correct, reprove, to console, to encourage and strengthen by consolation, to comfort
In 1Peter 5:1
"The elders among you I exhort, who am a fellow-elder", the elders are to:
33. tend the flock: to feed, to tend a flock, to rule, govern, shepherd
of rulers (overseers)
to furnish pasture for food
to nourish
to cherish one's body, to serve the body
to supply the requisites for the soul's need
34. exercising the oversight:
to look upon, inspect, oversee, look after, take care of the church which rested upon the elders, to look carefully after, beware in regard to protect
35. not by constraint: not to shepherd and tend by using compulsion or force of title or position. (carnal authority)
36. willingly: of one's own accord, voluntarily. -not as a hireling, but as a volunteer.
37. according to the will of God. As a man sent from God, according to and from the Will of God, not by men or a Bible College Certificate.
38. nor yet for filthy lucre. To do so NOT for gain, i.e. money. How plain that is. No tithes or salary
39. of a ready mind. eagerness, willingly. Ready to help, work, and of the faith, fully persuaded.
40. neither as lording it. Not as to lord against, that is, control, subjugate: - exercise dominion over (lordship), be lord over, overcome.
41. ensamples to the flock an example to be imitated, of men worthy of imitation.
In 1Tim 3, Paul also brings up deacon qualifications and likens them to those of the elders.
8 Deacons in like manner must be grave, not double-tongued, not given to much wine, not greedy of filthy lucre;
9 holding the mystery of the faith in a pure conscience.
10 And let these also first be proved; then let them serve as deacons, if they be blameless.
11 Women in like manner must be grave, not slanderers, temperate, faithful in all things.
12 Let deacons be husbands of one wife, ruling their children and their own houses well.
13 For they that have served well as deacons gain to themselves a good standing, and great boldness in the faith which is in Christ Jesus.
Can you imagine the typical church reading these scriptures from the pulpit?
Deacons were not the titled, name tagged folks with offering plates in the original church. They were more typically the hosts of the people who met in their homes and they were servants to the church.
Do you want to see a deacon's role model? You have the church selecting seven of them in Acts 6, one of whom was Stephen.
"seven men of good report, full of the Spirit and of wisdom",
And the saying pleased the whole multitude: and they chose Stephen, a man full of faith and of the Holy Spirit, and Philip, and Prochorus, and Nicanor, and Timon, and Parmenas, and Nicolaus a proselyte of Antioch;
And Stephen, full of grace and power, wrought great wonders and signs among the people.
Now there's some real deacons, full of FAITH and the Holy Ghost. No wonder the early church did not go to doctors.
In Summary: we have given the direct instructions and meanings from the scriptures for those holding "positions" in the church. It is very convicting to realize how far our old churches had departed from God's Word on this. Do you realize a pastor is not above correction? Pastors were only one ministry among God's people, they were not singled out as the head of the church.
What is presented here should make it obvious that the church structure around us is hopelessly departed from the Word of God. It is as it was at the time of Christ when Jesus called His sheep out from the sheepfolds of the false shepherds..
Does this list sound like what any elders do that you know?
This is not a life of managing, giving orders, adjusting the thermostat, making annoucements, governing, CEO'ing ... as some of the language experts have said and as many of my brothers practice today.
If we set aside the traditions we learned and look just at scripture, we can see an elder as a vigilant, self-sacrificing, humble, giving, working servant of the flock. He might be an apostle, he might be a prophet, he might be a teacher, he might be a pastor. He might just be an older seasoned veteran in life and spiritual experience.
These older ones could recognize a wolf even when it looked like another shepherd. These older ones knew how to love, to care for and to feed God's sheep. It was not a job for the power-hungry or for those who like to manage others nor those who crave the pre-eminence.
The church at Ephesus Paul spoke to in Acts 20, was overseen by elders, not "kings". The pre-eminent pastors and Nicolaitanes Paul warned about would come later.
He called them "wolves", they would do the very things Paul told them not to do.
If the church did not follow the scriptures, a wolf could come right in and explain why the scriptural qualifications did not mean what they said. It happpens every day.
Friday, 21 May 2010
The Black Wave
Resurge and Crash Again - Rory -a dream given 3/11/09
In light of the CATASTROPHIC disaster unfolding in the Gulf, we wonder... Is This IT?
A dream Linda and I were on a white sand beach, like I recently visited at Gulf Shores, Alabama (that was in Feb 2009).
We were relaxing and I looked up to see the waves of water quickly rising, and then about 150 yards out from the beach a much larger BLACK wave with whitecaps was coming. With alarm, I jumped up and yelled, "RUN!"
Before this large black wave came, the first wave surge hit me as I ran toward higher ground. As it withdrew back toward the sea, I fought to keep from being pulled out toward the sea and managed to hold my ground.
The second wave came but I got to shallower water and felt safer. I looked around for Linda but could not see her; I was very concerned and wanted to help her.
The beach gear (towels, chairs, toys, etc.) of others was all caught up by the waves and tossed about; I could see their stuff carried about in the water that now covered the beach.
The third wave, the big black one, was coming and I wanted the safety of the high ground, but did not want to lose Linda. Then I woke up.
Our thoughts on this in light of the ecological, economic, and implications of what is taking place right now in the Gulf:
On a personal level, we got out of debt and what has been taking place in the economy has not been difficult for us, although we could feel the "pull" of the economic judgment on the USA.
I believe this was where "I held my ground" in the revelation.
150 yards out, could that be an approximate time of 15 months?, meaning in June 2010 we will be overtaken by serious events and darkness?
Where I was looking for Linda (my bride) reminds me of our search for remnant-minded people who have left the church world in their search for God.
However, the impact of the black wave will bring economic judgment that will wash away the toys of our society: boats, RV's, Harleys, cars, credit card vacations... everything built on debt.
Life as we knew it might be one way to say it.
Is the oil disaster in the Gulf a sign for what is about to hit our country?
Revelation 8:9 and there died the third part of the creatures which were in the sea, even they that had life; and the third part of the ships was destroyed.
The unfolding of this before our eyes I believe, is a harbinger for the economic woes about to hit America and the world. We have had a number of other dreams (our currency turning in to Monopoly money), and prophetic warnings.
THE GULF OIL DISASTER IS OF BIBLICAL PROPORTIONS
This oil disaster may be the trigger, we will update this as needed and or God directs.
5-20-10 AUDIO update. Stewart Best, Larry Taylor
Viewzone Nuclear option? HUMAN health emergency from benzene natural gas.
Evacuations? and more updated info
In the meantime, get out of debt, downsize, and pray for God's Will and direction in your life, including location.
Our freedom to maneuver time is short. The more "stuff" you HAVE, the harder it will be to leave. "Remember Lot's wife" .
Black, Oily Judgment
Warren Edwards - 12/18/09
Note from David: There is no doubt of the spiritual aspect of coming darkness overcoming the earth in this dream. I was also struck with a more physical aspect: the black, oily coating on everything. The oil disaster in the Gulf has left oil above and below the waters all along the coast just waiting for a hurricane to stir it up and drop it on the Gulf coast. Warren’s symptoms in his stomach and tiredness in his body are those that the people are having who are living near the Louisiana coast and the people working to clean up the mess on land and ships. These symptoms are also side effects of both benzene and hydrogen sulfide, which are in the oil and have been made aromatic by the dispersants sprayed on it. See health effects of hydrogen sulfide and benzene.
I found myself in the Spirit and in a large, black storm. The storm covered everything that I could see all around. The storm was pure evil and I could feel it, and almost taste it; it made my stomach upset. There was a blackness rolling across everything in its path. Thick, dark, rough, and almost oily, a kind of ooze that covered everything and swallowed up everything in its path.
The Spirit and I were traveling around the landscape at a very high rate of speed and I could see nothing that was not being overcome by this storm. I could feel the terror and anger of the people being overcome as theycarried what little they had (belongings) and no matter what they did they just could not escape the waves of blackness that were descending on everything in sight.
The Spirit was bringing me all across the landscape, up and down, and it seemed at times that even we would be overcome by this blackness. Just when I thought I could not stand the sight and feeling of the horror all around me for even one more minute, the Spirit took me to a place where there were people (not many) who were coming through the devastation. Three over there (all holding hands), two over there (also holding hands) and one person by herself. We went over to her. She looked frightened but resolved; she knew we were there and she turned her head and looked right at us. These people carried no burden; they were completely surrounded by a bright, white light and were all traveling together (near each other) and in the same direction. The ground in front of them was flat and a kind of bright grey. The ground was being cleared for them as they walked but the black and rough ooze would fill right back in behind them as they went forward.
I awoke feeling sick several times through the night and prayed to be spared seeing more of this dream. But each time I went back to sleep we returned to the exact point that I awoke from. I was tired for two days and ate little. A feeling of sadness surrounded me for the whole of the next day. I could not forget or get it out of my mind.
I think people will be coming out of the judgment storm until the very last minute; they will have all things in common and will be surrounded by the Spirit and will carry no burden (they will carry faith only). They will be focused on one thing only: finding the people of God and going home to them.
Update: 5-26-10
Wow I kind of forgot this dream. When I re-read it I had a flash vision of the storm again and could feel the oily terror all over. Funny, I remember when I had the dream that the oil-like ooze was the thing that stuck in my mind(waves of darkness overcoming everything in their path) and also the only thing I could not get my head around. You, knowing my physical state, would be able to understand just how sick this black ooze made me; it was so real that I remained sick for a few days after. Not many people were making it through that nightmare; they were overcome with a speed that also made my stomach twist and turn. The people carrying a burden were overcome so fast (the Spirit would lead me right up close to them and I could see the look of horror and utter defeat on their faces as they slipped below the blackness) that the only ones who were able to travel in the darkness were the ones who carried nothing except love for each other and faith (this stuck out as well). I remember looking at the angel or the Spirit, whomever it may have been who brought me through the storm, and expecting him to feel sympathy for my heartache from what I was witnessing and I did not so much see as "feel" from him that this was not negotiable -- this was going to happen.
(Exo.10:21) And the Lord said unto Moses, Stretch out thy hand toward heaven, that there may be darkness over the land of Egypt, even darkness which may be felt.
(Isa.8:22) and they shall look unto the earth, and behold, distress and darkness, the gloom of anguish; and into thick darkness they shall be driven away.
(60:2) For, behold, darkness shall cover the earth, and gross darkness the peoples; but Jehovah will arise upon thee, and his glory shall be seen upon thee.
+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
other voices:
Beginning of the Fall of America?
David Eells - 6/04/10
In A.A. Allen’s first vision of judgment on America, the Statue of Liberty was smitten with God’s sword in the Gulf of Mexico, of all places! What’s it doing there? Could this oil that is covering the Gulf more and more every day be that sword? It is certainly destroying the liberty of millions through physical and economic catastrophe, soon to come martial law and evacuations with a nation of refugees. You will notice that the sword was a threat to the whole world, also. This oil will continue to travel the Gulf Stream to the world as it changes the weather and kills the sea creatures.
Wikipedia: The Gulf Stream, together with its northern extension towards Europe, the North Atlantic Drift, is a powerful, warm, and swift Atlantic ocean current that originates in the Gulf of Mexico, exits through the Strait of Florida, and follows the eastern coastlines of the United States and Newfoundland before crossing the Atlantic Ocean.
Here is a portion of Allen’s vision:
And instead of the Statue of Liberty standing there in the bay on her small island, I saw her standing far out in the Gulf of Mexico. She was between me and the United States ...
And as l looked, suddenly from the sky I saw a giant hand reach down… toward the Statue of Liberty. In a moment, her gleaming torch was torn from her hand and in it instead was placed a cup. And I saw protruding from that great cup, a giant sword, shining as if a great light had been turned upon its glistening edge. … lt seemed to threaten all the world. … I heard these words: "Thus saith the Lord of hosts, Drink ye and be drunken, spew and fall, and rise no more, because of the sword which I will send …"
I was amazed to hear the Statue of Liberty speak out in reply, "I WILL NOT DRINK!" Then, as the voice of the thunder, I heard again the voice of the Lord, saying, "Thus saith the Lord of Hosts, YE SHALL CERTAINLY DRINK." (Jeremiah 25:28) Then, suddenly, the giant hand forced the cup to the lips of the Statue of Liberty and she became powerless to defend herself. The mighty hand of God forced her to drink every drop from the cup. … When the cup was withdrawn from the lips of the Statue of Liberty, I noticed the sword was missing from the cup, which could mean but one thing: THE CONTENTS OF THE CUP HAD BEEN COMPLETELY CONSUMED! I knew that the sword merely typified war, death and destruction, which is no doubt on the way.
Then, as one drunken on too much wine, I saw the Statue of Liberty become unsteady on her feet and begin to stagger … I saw her splashing in the Gulf, trying to regain her balance. I saw her stagger again and again, and fall to her knees. As I saw her desperate attempts to regain her balance and rise to her feet again, my heart was moved as never before with compassion for her struggles. But as she staggered there in the Gulf, once again I heard these words: "Ye shall drink and be drunken, and spew, and fall, and rise no more because of the sword that I shall send among you."
As I watched, I wondered if the Statue of Liberty would ever be able to regain her feet, if she would ever stand again. And as I watched, it seemed that with all her power she struggled to rise and finally staggered to her feet again, and stood there swaying drunkenly. I felt sure that at any moment she would fall again, possibly never to rise. I seemed overwhelmed with a desire to reach out my hand to keep her head above water, for I knew that if she ever fell again she would drown there in the Gulf.
This vision left the Statue of Liberty staggering and weak. From here, A.A. Allen went on to relate three more tragic attacks on America: one biological, one nuclear and an invasion. By that time, the Lord will have gotten all who are His and the day of the Lord’s wrath will be in full force.
Future of the Gulf Oil Disaster?
Anonymous - 5/30/10
May 30, 2010 at 11:00 PM, as I went to bed and just before I fell asleep, a clear voice told me that later that night I would be awakened by a loud lightning strike. I saw the weather on the local news and it showed a cold front passing through our area creating thunderstorms and rain, so I didn't question or had to think about the loud lightning strike. The voice went on to say, "The dream-vision you would have just received as this lightning strike occurs and awakens you will become reality." I took this as certain to happen. I have received ever so many dreams and visions that were exact details of future events throughout my life that I take it as a given when I receive one; that it is normal for me to receive them. However, I must stress that this was the first time "ever" that I was given advance warning or notice that I was about to receive one. That stood out most of all. I fell asleep with just what I had been given to hear and the thought, once again, that this was the first time I had ever received advance notice so as to pay close attention. At 2:00 AM, then May 31st, I was awakened by the loud lightning strike that I was expecting. The vision I had just received is as follows:
It was as though I was watching a TV post event news wrap-up being narrated in a man’s voice. The view I had was of the Gulf Coast looking south, below New Orleans. All was very dark, as in shades of dark reddish-brown to black -- the sea at first, then a clear picture in the very same colors of the sea floor beneath.
The voice stated, "It is now clear that what we were told from the very beginning about the Gulf well disaster was not all there was to know. There was more than a well blowout, as we were first led to believe. It is now very clear that not only the well but the reservoir the well was drilling into also blown out.
The initial problem was not just a leaking damaged well, but the reservoir being fractured and leaking crude oil and natural gas, as well. This particular reservoir was extremely large in size, containing an untold number of barrels of crude oil and natural gas.
All was contained safely beneath the sediment cap that covered this reservoir, as long as the pressure upon this cap was equal within and upon this reservoir. Due to the well being drilled into this reservoir exploding and blowing out, the sediment cap was also damaged, as in fractured.
The combination of both the well and the damaged sediment cap leaking crude oil and natural gas has cause further damage to the sediment cap of this reservoir, weakening it to the point of causing this reservoir to burst open and releasing its contents into the Gulf waters." (The view was initially from above the surface of the water; it was now of the sea floor where a massive canyon could now be seen.
This massive canyon was what once was this reservoir of crude oil and natural gas, now open to see the size of it as the sediment cap had been removed.
It is far larger than the Grand Canyon in area, once again all seen in dark reddish brown to black.) The narrator's voice when on to say, "The only way to save the Gulf now would be to seal it off and drain it of this toxic mix." End of vision and narration.
My first thoughts: This is not an event that marks the beginning of the time of testing and trials known as the tribulation. This is just another surprise of a manmade disaster, the likes of the first A-bomb and Chernobyl. This is something one and all are just going to have to learn how to live with. The solution to the problem the narrator had given was not going to happen as well, though the disaster is certain to happen. What I just viewed was the end result. Just how this reservoir ruptures, explosive-like or slow motion collapse, I don't know. All I know is what I was given to see: a reddish-brown to black toxic mix now filling the Gulf region. From initial reports on this particular reservoir, it is believed to be 25,000 square miles in size. The Grand Canyon is less than 2000 square miles in area, which I have only seen parts of. What I was given to see was indeed a very massive canyon all across the sea floor of the Gulf, knowing the depth of the water to be one mile in the Gulf where this drilling disaster has now occurred. This sea floor canyon that is yet to be revealed is as deep as that, if not even deeper.
I had made past requests to God not to show me all the horrific details in regard to the loss of life when sending me visions of coming reality. It was most plain to me that God had honored my personal request in this matter. I sense a great loss of life is to be expected, as this will be a surprise, as the truth is not out there for one and all to prepare for this to happen, especially along the Gulf coast.
Peace and love always, in Christ Jesus I pray.
David’s notes: The night before receiving this revelation by email, I said on our broadcast that I hoped they would not be forced by public opinion into the nuclear option to seal the well, which every other option has failed to do. I mentioned that the Russians have had success in doing this but in much shallower depths than a mile below the surface. From what I remember, the time they failed they were using about a five-kiloton nuclear bomb, which proved to be insufficient. When they used a 35-kiloton there was success. Although relatively unknowledgeable about these things, I postulated that a mile of water is extremely heavy and would certainly not compress. The force of a bomb at that depth would certainly go downward much more. Since they always drill where the oil is closest to the surface, they were probably drilling into a dome, which could possibly be cracked by the force of a nuke or by the escaping pressure and volume of gas and oil. (Anyone know if there is an earthquake fault that is close to this well and going north?) This would make the problem much worse and totally unfixable from then on. This would be to the destruction of the world’s waters and economy. I pray we are all wrong about this but God is showing His wrath toward sin, even in man’s ignorance. I believe the dreams and visions of the saints have shown there will be an evacuation of the Gulf coast, which seems to show there will be no near fix, also.
++++++++++
+++++++++++
Tuesday, 11 May 2010
Is it a One Man Show? or are elders pastors?
After many years of functioning as an "elder", but NOT as an "Elder" , we have at last realized that we are pastors. Not a Pastor, but a shepherd and elder with the responsibility to tend and feed God's people. -Not as a sole authority, but as one among others with various ministries, gifts, and callings in God's kingdom. All of the "five-fold" gifts of ministries are elders, but not all elders are five-fold ministers.
How did all this become evident?
For the past weeks, I have been reading, studying, and re-reading the book of Acts, in order to learn and understand what form of church government was observed, and what was preached, taught, and ministered, and the manner in which the disciples carried out the commands of Jesus.
In doing so, the Lord gave revelation from Acts 20:28 in which Paul told the elders, the "overseers" (bishops) of the church at Ephesus, to "take heed to yourselves, and all the flock, over which the Holy Ghost has made you (plural) overseers, to feed (other versions read "tend") the flock of God which he has purchased with His own blood".
Let's notice the Holy Ghost made them overseers, not an ordination certificate, voting them in, Bible College or Semitary (spelled that way on purpose), a denominational franchise, or a home missions board.
Whoops!, right there you just wiped off the organizational flow-chart, church hierarchy, and staff diagram from the Power Point screen with the Pastor at the top of the pyramid..
You mean the Holy Spirit calls people, qualifies them, and puts them in as overseers WITHOUT sending them to Bible School?
How in the name of the Nicolaitane clergy can that be?
When the Holy Spirit does so, He does not put ONE man in charge over the rest of the ministries like the Nicolaitanes do. (If you do not know what a Nicolaitane is, please refer to the articles on this site. Your pastor may not know, the Denominational President may not know, but God knew when He put that term in the scripture and said He "hates" it.)
What about those apostles, prophets, teachers, pastors, and evangelists?
They were all there too at the church at Ephesus and not a one was painted with a title, salaried, collected tithes, or in charge of a building program. No robed "Bishop", pope, Superintendent, Board, or frocked cardinal was seen in the entire church. -Quite a contrast to the local church scene, isn't it?
So we have found ourselves as functioning elders and helpers of the faith for many, feeding others from the Word itself, tending and caring for them, encouraging them, and even doing the work of an evangelist as we sow the seed of God's Word in many places. We are untitled servants of the Lord, who are not building their own kingdom nor looking with expectation of financial gain from those we minister to. God will see to it that our needs are met as He always has done as He told us in His Word.
We also find ourselves in the company of many others who have left Institutionalized Christianity which is quickly becoming an abominable apostate kingdom under the rule of men and women that no longer abide in scripture, and make merchandise of God's people.
These other elders function in their giftings and ministries as teachers, prophets, etc., and there are even a few apostles found, but the real ones don't sport titles, take tithes, or promote themselves.
1Peter 5:1
The elders among you I exhort, who am a fellow-elder (Peter), and a witness of the sufferings of Christ, who am also a partaker of the glory that shall be revealed:
2 Tend the flock of God which is among you, exercising the oversight, not of constraint (by controlling), but willingly, according to the will of God; nor yet for filthy lucre, but of a ready mind;
3 neither as lording it over the charge allotted to you, but making yourselves ensamples to the flock.
Maybe you should pray for God to assemble you with others according to His Will, and if you are walking in the "bond of love", seeking His righteousness in overcoming the world and sin, our prayer and desire is to help equip you to be a Holy Spirit sent minister and equipping others to do likewise.
We are not about owning a bigger church barn, taking ownership of people, or being a "lord" over God's heritage. (1Peter 5:4)
We are no-name, no-bodies, called of God to feed, tend, and care for others that God has allotted us. Some of us work hard to get other sheep out of the mouths (words) of the wolves behind many a pulpit. Jesus is Chief Shepherd according to 1st Peter 5:4, and Psalm 23. "The Lord is my Shepherd (PASTOR) I shall not want".
If the Lord is your Shepherd, you will recognize His shepherdship in those untitled, unpaid servants He is raising up.
Pray for us elders that His love and tenderness will flow through us as we die to self and become vessels through which He manifests His Shepherdship.
Scripture Summary:
Elders:
Acts 15:2 ... Paul and Barnabas, and certain other of them, should go up to Jerusalem unto the apostles and elders about this question.
Acts 15:4 ... they were received of the church, and of the apostles and elders, and they declared all things that God had done with them.
Acts 15:6 And the apostles and elders came together for to consider of this matter.
Acts 15:22 Then pleased it the apostles and elders with the whole church, to send chosen men of their own company to Antioch with Paul and Barnabas; namely, Judas surnamed Barsabas and Silas, chief men among the brethren:
Acts 15:23 ... The apostles and elders and brethren send greeting unto the brethren of the Gentiles in Antioch and Syria and Cilicia.
Acts 16:4 ...they delivered them the decrees for to keep, that were ordained of the apostles and elders which were at Jerusalem.
Acts 20:17 And from Miletus he sent to Ephesus, and called the elders of the church.
"feed the flock of God over which the Holy Ghost has made you overseers"
1 Tim 5:17 Let the elders that rule well be counted worthy of double honour, especially they who labour in the word and doctrine.
Titus 1:5 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:
Today we were emailed another article on this, here is a witness. Leadership in the Early Church
1 Peter 5:1 The elders which are among you I exhort, who am also an elder, and a witness
"elder":
presbeteros Strongs 4245
elder, of age,
the elder of two people
advanced in life, an elder, a senior
forefathers
a term of rank or office
among the Jews
members of the great council or Sanhedrin (because in early times the rulers of the people, judges, etc., were selected from elderly men)
of those who in separate cities managed public affairs and administered justice
among the Christians, those who presided over the assemblies (or churches) The NT uses the term bishop, elders, and presbyters interchangeably
the twenty four members of the heavenly Sanhedrin or court seated on thrones around the throne of God
Tuesday, 04 May 2010
Government in the Local church.
First, a bit of de-churching and deprogramming from what we all grew up with..
In order to understand what the local church government is, or should be, we must first step outside the "box" of what all of us experienced inside the buildings we erroneously called "churches".
The common "local" church is a false imitation of what we find in the book of Acts.
The churches met mostly in homes and not a single building program is mentioned.
That immediately strips away most of the tradition and need for things like a church checking account, pulpit, church name, signs, advertising, staff, insurance, mortgages, departments, electronics, choirs, fund-raisers, robes, titles, and, God forbid, a hired Nicolaitane pastor.
Here is what the early church established for the "local" assemblies:
Acts 14:23 And when they had appointed for them elders in every church, and had prayed with fasting, they commended them to the Lord, on whom they had believed.
Titus 1:5 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:
Let's point out a few things.
1. Pastors are not singled out and given sole authority.
2. "Elders" is plural, and there are elders (plural) appointed for "every church", and "every city".
3. No one is "voted in" or hired.
4. No one minstry is given pre-eminence over the others.
5. The church prayed and fasted in regard to knowing God's Will.
6. You will not read anywhere a pastor had charge over the other ministries.
7. You will not read where a man put his wife in a postion of oversight of an assembly.
8. You will see a warning not to put a novice (newly planted, that is, (figuratively) a young convert) into a role of oversight.
In the last study on church government we wrote of the church found in Acts. The disciples who were of Jesus and the apostles, made church government decisions for the early church concerning doctrine and sending forth apostles.
Acts 16:4 And as they went through the cities, they delivered them the decrees for to keep, that were ordained of the apostles and elders which were at Jerusalem.
The church "government" in Jerusalem gave the correct instructions to the churches scattered abroad what they were to observe and what they were no longer to keep.
Who did the church apostles and elders address these "decrees" to?
Acts 15:23 And they wrote letters by them after this manner; The apostles and elders and brethren send greeting unto the brethren which are of the Gentiles in Antioch and Syria and Cilicia.
This was consistent with what Jesus had instructed the apostles in Mat. 23:8 when rather than having titles and position, He told them they were simply "brethren".
As the apostle Paul concluded his direct ministry to the Ephesian church, he prepared to depart from the region. He had worked and lived among the brethren for 3 years when at Ephesus. Knowing he would be leaving, he gives charge to an independent assembly.
Acts 20:17 And from Miletus he sent to Ephesus, and called the elders of the church.
Who were these "elders" and what were they to do?
NLT: Feed and shepherd God’s flock—his church, purchased with his own blood—over which the Holy Spirit has appointed you as elders
ASV: Take heed unto yourselves, and to all the flock, in which the Holy Spirit hath made you bishops, to feed the church of the Lord
NIV: the Holy Spirit has made you overseers. Be shepherds of the church of God,
NKJ: among which the Holy Spirit has made you overseers, to shepherd the church of God
Notice, the elders had oversight of the church at Ephesus.
The apostles obviously planted and ministered. In no translation are "pastors" mentioned as having sole authority. In Ephesus, "elders" are shown to be the "overseers", "bishops", and "elders" in synonymous terms.
This is the direct link to the epistle to the Ephesian church. Let's see what Paul said to these men later when he wrote the church an epistle.
Eph.1:1 Paul, an apostle of Christ Jesus through the will of God, to the saints that are at Ephesus, and the faithful in Christ Jesus (notice the lack of titles, and distinctions as he continued...
Eph. 4:11 And he gave some to be apostles; and some, prophets; and some, evangelists; and some, pastors and teachers; 12 for the perfecting of the saints, unto the work of ministering, unto the building up of the body of Christ:
We see the five major ministry gifts are a part of the "ministering" of the elders who had the oversight of the Ephesian church.
These "elders", the overseers, as ministering brethren, were ALL responsible for feeding, shepherding, defending, and building up the "flock", not just one man, or a man and his staff.
1 Timothy 5:17 Let the elders that rule well be counted worthy of double honour, especially they who labour in the word and doctrine.
Titus 1:5 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
1 Peter 5:1 The elders which are among you I exhort, who am also an elder, and a witness
Notice also that Peter called himself "an elder" (not a Bishop, Pope, Leader, or a capitalized A-postle..)
Now let's look at the Greek word for "elder":
presbeteros Strongs 4245 elder,
of age, the elder of two people advanced in life, an elder,
a senior forefathers a term of rank or office among the Jews members of the great council or Sanhedrin (because in early times the rulers of the people, judges, etc., were selected from elderly men) of those who in separate cities managed public affairs and administered justice among the Christians, those who presided over the assemblies (or churches)
The NT uses the term bishop, elders, and presbyters interchangeably the twenty four members of the heavenly Sanhedrin or court seated on thrones around the throne of God
(plural) Elders exercise oversight in many churches:
Acts 15:23 And they wrote letters by them after this manner; The apostles and elders and brethren send greeting unto the brethren which are of the Gentiles in Antioch and Syria and Cilicia.
Acts 16:4 And as they went through the cities, they delivered them the decrees for to keep, that were ordained of the apostles and elders which were at Jerusalem.
1 Peter 5:1 The elders which are among you I exhort, who am also an elder, and a witness
2) Tend the flock of God which is among you, exercising the oversight, not of constraint, but willingly, according to the will of God; nor yet for filthy lucre, but of a ready mind;
3) neither as lording it over the charge allotted to you, but making yourselves ensamples to the flock.
Eph. 4:11 And he gave some to be apostles; and some, prophets; and some, evangelists; and some, pastors and teachers; 12 for the perfecting of the saints, unto the work of ministering, unto the building up of the body of Christ:
ALL of the ministering elders had and shared a responsibility for shepherding, feeding, protecting, providing for when needed, maturing in the faith, and equipping the people to go minister likewise. In a sense, all of the elders are shepherds, or "pastors", each one brings his own gifting to the body, without which, the body suffers.
So who runs the local church?
If it is truly an assembly gathering in the Presence of the Lord, Jesus is the Head and Chief Shepherd. Submitted to Him are the "elders" and "overseers" which include the five-fold ministers, deacons, and elders of the church. -without a "pecking order" or "king", (also known as The Pastor).
The scriptural local church will have multiple overseers who are chosen of God, revealed by prayer and fasting, who do not take the oversight for a tithe or paycheck, are sacrificial servants of the gospel, who speak God's Word, and whose faith is worth imitating because it is confirmed by signs following.
All of the ministering elders and the five-fold ministry exercise oversight under the headship of Jesus Christ, if the church is made up of a Spirit-filled, obedient to the scriptures, "ekklesia".
Next post: The SCRIPTURAL qualifications for the elders...
 |
| |
