On Church Polity
The Lord was very clear in His Word about how He wishes His church on earth to be organized and managed. First, Christ is the head of the church and its supreme authority (Ephesians 1:22; 4:15; Colossians 1:18). Second, the local church is to be autonomous, free from any external authority or control, with the right of self-government and freedom from the interference of any hierarchy of individuals or organizations (Titus 1:5). Third, the church is to be governed by spiritual leadership consisting of two main offices—elders and deacons.
“Elders” were a leading body among the Israelites since the time of Moses. We find them making political decisions (2 Samuel 5:3; 2 Samuel 17:4, 15), advising the king in later history (1 Kings 20:7), and representing the people concerning spiritual matters (Exodus 7:17; 24:1, 9; Numbers 11:16, 24-25). The early Greek translation of the Old Testament, the Septuagint, used the Greek word presbuteros for “elder.” This is the same Greek word used in the New Testament that is also translated “elder.”
The Church: Fascism’s Ally An Interpretation of Christianity by Capt. J.R. White
I should like to discuss this subject from the standpoint of a Christian Anarchist, which, if I am to have a label at all; and I hate all labels; is the nearest label to fit me. From that standpoint I define my conception of Christianity as perfect Freedom, which coincides with my conception of Anarchy. In my opinion there are two conceptions of spirituality: the one that only in the fullest attainment and expression of his freedom can man attain to the spiritual life, individual and social. And the other that he must seek the high goal of his spirit not by self-expression and freedom, but by self-repression and obedience to external authority.
I believe the first conception to be that of Christ, and the Gospels read with any intelligence, and the second to be so foreign to the whole sprit of Christ that it is not only un-Chrisitian, but positively anti-Christian. It follows that any Church which bases itself on the second, that of obedience to the external authority and denial of the individual’s right to experiment and judge for himself, above all in those realms of faith and morals where his own soul must find its own unique path, is not, in my opinion, a Christian Church, even though it arrogantly claims the monopoly of Christian inspiration.
LASBC EXECOM Associational Meeting for 17th Annual Meeting
Friday, August 7, 2009 I attended the Leyte Association of Southern Baptist Churches Executive Committee associational meeting for the 17th Annual Meeting. It was also attended by several pastors, mostly leaders of different areas in Leyte.
The main agenda of the meeting was about the upcoming LASBC’s Annual Associational Meeting this coming October 28-30, 2009 (Wednesday-Friday). The committee agreed for the following things:
Miraculous Transformation
“There is one glory of the sun and another glory of the moon and another glory of the stars—for one star differs from another star in glory. So also is the resurrection of the dead. It is sown in corruption; it is raised in incorruption. It is sown in dishonor; it is raised in glory. It is sown in weakness; it is raised in power. It is sown a natural body; it is raised a spiritual body. There is a natural body and there is a spiritual body. And so it is written, ‘The first man, Adam, was made a living soul; the last Adam was made a quickening spirit’. . .And as we have borne the image of the earthly, we shall also bear the image of the Heavenly.”
I Corinthians 15:41-45, 49
Only the Resurrection power of God Himself could do this.
Transformed.
That’s the essence of today’s Manna about the miraculous transformation that happens when we’re born from above. The initial change is in one’s heart and mind as one becomes “a new creation” (II Cor. 5:17). But, from that time until the end of our sojourn here on earth we are (or should be) daily being changed from “the image of the earthly to that of the Heavenly.”
What a glorious Promise and assurance! Hallelujah!!
Think of it:
When we’re born, we have but one nature: The nature of Adam. By nature we “walk accordingThere is one glory of the sun and another glory of the moon and another glory of the stars—for one star differs from another star in glory. So also is the resurrection of the dead. It is sown in corruption; it is raised in incorruption. It is sown in dishonor; it is raised in glory. It is sown in weakness; it is raised in power. It is sown a natural body; it is raised a spiritual body. There is a natural body and there is a spiritual body. And so it is written, ‘The first man, Adam, was made a living soul; the last Adam was made a quickening spirit’. . .And as we have borne the image of the earthly, we shall also bear the image of the Heavenly.
to the course of this world” (Eph. 2:2a)—i.e., we think and act like everyone else does. Likewise, from birth, without even thinking about it, we “walk according to the prince of the power of the air” (Eph. 2:2b)—i.e., yielding to the “wiles of the devil” (Eph. 6:11) by automatically giving in to the “lust of the flesh, eyes and pride of life” (I Jn. 2:16; Eph. 2:3).
On Weeping In Hope
“But I would not have you to be ignorant, brethren, concerning them who are asleep, that you sorrow not, even as others who have no hope—for if we believe that Jesus died and rose again, even so them also who sleep in Jesus will God bring with Him. . . Wherefore, comfort one another with these words.”
I Thessalonians 4:13-14, 18
Weeping belongs to every person of every generation—but only the redeemed know how to “weep in hope.”
The grave.
It seems so final. Whether the lifeless corpse is lowered into the ground, slid into an above-ground crypt or incinerated through cremation, those who live without hope always “sorrow as those who have no hope.” It’s impossible for them to do otherwise.
Why is that?
Because “their sins are ever before them” (Ps. 51:3). Even when they try to focus on Christ’s forgiveness and pardon, it’s not long before their minds return to their dismal estate, leaving them down and forlorn. While they may muster up enough courage to be joyful on Sunday morning, soon a melancholy mist will set in upon them, clouding the Son from view.
The Most Miserable Person in the World
hose who live in hopeless despair or wishful thinking are living in “Life’s Worst Nightmare.”
Dear Pilgrim, what is it that separates a believer from a non-believer? Is it theological doctrines or Biblical orthodoxy? Is it one’s morality and his/her refraining from worldly attitudes and vices? Is it one’s good works/benevolent deeds or number of sacrificial acts?
If so, there really is no difference with regards to inner peace and assurance—even though the non-believer may, in reality, be less burdened than the “professor,” who’s constantly trying to tow-the-mark or make it up to God. Who of us at times has not almost secretly envied the carefree demeanor of the “happy pagan,” who shows no remorse over doing wrong (Ps. 73:1-15)?
No wonder such a person is “of all men most miserable” or, lit., “of all men to be pitied.”
The Prayer Meeting Is Dead! by Greg Gordon
APOSTOLIC PRAYING
As we look to the biblical account of the book of Acts we see the striking theme of prayer throughout its testimony. We see in it apostolic prayer that depends on God that is desperate before God. The Church was founded in prayer, it began at a prayer meeting in the upper room in Jerusalem. The Church began in prayer was sustained in prayer and continues in prayer to this day. If a people are not praying they are straying. If prayer is not paramount and prominent then we are paralyzed and powerlessness. “We live move and have our being in God”, in communion and prayer with God. When we begin to see a drift from the success of the book of Acts in our modern day Church attempts we will also see a straying from this foundational principle of prayer.
There was prayer with unity, “these all continued with one accord.” There was praying with the Spirit, “they were all fined with the Holy Ghost.” There was praying with godly fear, “fear came upon every soul.” They prayed daily, “they continued daily with one accord.” They prayed with thanksgiving, “Praising God.” Their prayers were answered, “the Lord added to the church daily such as should be saved.” They prayed with authority, “but such as I have I give thee: In the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth rise up and walk.” They prayed in unison, “they lifted up their voice to God with one accord.” They prayed with expectation, “grant unto thy servants.” They prayed with belief, “and the multitude of them that believed were of one heart and one soul.” They prayed continually, “we will give ourselves continually to prayer.” They prayed desperately, “as they stoned Stephen, calling upon God.”
Confessions Of A Proud Church by Greg Gordon
A confessional of the church age that “needs nothing”
THE GREATEST DANGER
Do we have a broken heart for the state for the Church? There are so many dangers in a Church age that is content, prosperous, fat, and “having need of nothing!” Christ’s last words to the Church was “repent” in the letters of Revelation because he said “I know thy works.” Christ knows your works nothing is hid from His eyes. Many Christians are living in utter sinful lifestyles that grieve the heart of God. Francis Frangipane said: “The greatest danger facing the Church today is exhaustion because God is resisting us as a proud Church.” The scriptures say plainly: “God resists the proud, but giveth grace unto the humble.” If you do not humble yourselves now then there will be a “day” of humbling to come. We must relent and humble ourselves while it is still called “today.” The time is short. Leonard Ravenhill stated it is “either Pentecost or Holocaust.” These are our choices! We must either humble ourselves and allow God to revive His Church or continue in our proud self-confident Christianity and send the multitudes to hell.
14 “WE HAVE” CONFESSIONS…
Hear the heart searching words of Horatius Bonar as he openly confesses to the ministers of his day the short-comings of the Church of Jesus Christ and calls for a introspection of our hearts:
Bible Stories: Not Only For Kids, But For Adults Too
It has been almost a year now since I attended the seminar-workshop called “STS” Simply the Story. The workshop teaches about how Bible stories can be used effectively in our ministries. I already have made a post about the process of telling Bible Stories and you can see it HERE.
I know and I believe some of you have been my classmate in this workshop and we can all agree that it is indeed effective. But I am a type of person who really wants something beyond that, something that fits my context, something that also can be understood by my people.
So I reviewed the process and tried to work on it and think on some ways where I can use these stories. Then I just found out that I can even use it in my personal devotions. I can use it in edifying myself and in the process edify and encourage others as well. Not to mention that I will become an expert Bible Story Teller.