Corinthian Elders Chapter 5 Ecclesiastical Office

 

I believe I Corinthians and Colossians are teaching that

leaders are misleading. Not because they are not godly

men but because the teaching that Paul prescribed had

more facets than is usually encompassed in an

organized worship service. I certainly want to give

honor to hard working elders, especially those who are

diligent to teach and preach, but I also want to

remember that Christ told us not to have leaders! Do

not be called leaders; for One is your leader, that is Christ.

Matthew 23:10.

So, is the office of elder a governing position?

That is what the Colossian Church thought. The

Presbyterian Book of Church Order or a local church as

at Colossae may give elders certain governmental

authority. But let’s consider whether the New

Testament gives elders governing authority by

examining the Greek passages which discuss a

religious ‘office’ in regards to elders.

Oh, there are none.

Eldership is not an office in the sense of a governing

authority in the Greek New Testament.

The English word translated ‘office’ is from the Greek

word episkope #1984 which has the general meaning of

overseeing or visitation. It occurs one time in the New

Testament as the office of an apostle in Acts 1:20.

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Apostles had authority. They gave us the very words

of Scripture which were canonized. Episkope in the

context of elders is simply not in the New Testament.

Some translations of the New Testament called elder or

overseer an office in one verse, I Timothy 3:1. But in

Interlinear NIV Parallel New Testament the

transliteration says, If anyone aspires to oversight a good

work he desires. That is all. No ‘office.’ In Greek to

English Interlinear of the New King James Version

New Testament it states, if any stretches forward to

overseership a good work he is desirous. Again, no office.

To recap, though the New Testament refers to Roman

offices and Levitical offices it does not refer to an office

of elder in the Greek manuscripts.

Are there Greek texts which mention the authority of

elders? No.

We are not speaking of apostles. Christ was an apostle,

Hebrews 3:1. Apostles had authority as well as an

office, Acts 1:20. They could raise the dead and were

charged to proclaim the gospel directly by Christ. We

are not discussing a believer’s authority over sin or

spirits, or authority of parents in their family. We are

speaking of New Testament elders and whether God

ordained elders to have governmental authority over

His children in the local church.

A few English versions of the New Testament mention

elder authority one time in Hebrews 13:17 Obey your

leaders and submit to their authority. The English

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translation to ‘their authority’ is in neither interlinear

Greek text. Look it up. If ‘to their authority’ was in the

Greek text then Hebrews 13:17 would contradict Luke

22:25-26 where Jesus says, The Kings of the Gentiles lord

it over them; and those who have authority over them are

called ‘Benefactors.’ But it is not this way with you, but the

one who is the greatest among you must become like the

youngest, and the leader like the servant.

Wait, why should we obey elders if they have no

authority?

The word for ‘obey’ as to a military command as

children be obedient to your parents in Colossians 3:20, in

the Greek New Testament is hupakouo, Greek word

#5219. The word translated ‘obey’ in Hebrews 13:17 is

peitho, Greek word #3982 with the general meaning of

trust, be persuaded by or yield to. This is not the same

as to obey an authority. There is no other instance in

the New Testament that asserts we should obey elders.

We should submit to or be subject to elders, but that is

quite different than an elder wielding authority. We

are taught to yield to or be persuaded by them, but not

as to a military command.

In I Peter 5:5 Peter says, younger men, likewise, be subject

to your elders. This is important because by contrasting

‘elder’ with ‘younger’ elder is not an office but rather a

season of the believer’s life. This is not necessarily a

season of physical age, I Timothy 4:12, but a season in

his spiritual life.

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Even though we should be subject to elders we do not

have a ruling class or caste in the church. This can be

seen because we are all commanded to yield to each

other, be subject to one another in the fear of Christ, in

Ephesians 5:21 which completes the cycle of

submission in the church. Certainly we should exercise

discipline for sin. But we should not discipline

someone for disobeying the pastor on an issue

concerning a financial budget or a family decision.

Are these words ‘office’, ‘obey’ and ‘authority’ really

important? Absolutely. These words are only used

one time in translations of the New Testament and not

at all in the Greek, as illustrated above, in regards to

elders and thus can have the effect of expanding or

changing our view of Paul’s teaching on the function of

elders.

Not only is a system of authority over believers not

taught in the New Testament, it is even warned against

in Colossians. Paul was talking about submitting to

religious authorities when he said, Let no one keep

defrauding you of your prize...and not holding fast to the

head (Christ)... Colossians 2:18-19.

The focus on men’s teaching took the Corinthians’ eyes

off Christ and it also took the Colossians’ eyes off of

Him. But Paul was addressing something else at

Colossae. He was concerned about governing

authorities in the church.

In Colossians 2:8 Paul writes, See to it that no one takes

you captive through philosophy and empty deception,

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according to the tradition (teaching) of men, according to

the elementary principles of the world, rather than according

to Christ.

The Greek word #4747 stoicheion is interpreted

‘elementary principle’ and has the general meaning of

‘rule.’ Read how this word is used in Galatians 4:2-3.

...But he is under guardians and managers until the date set

by the father. So also we, while we were children were held

in bondage under the ‘elemental things’ of the world.

Note the repetition of Paul’s attention on ruling

authorities in the following Colossian verses:

1:16 ...whether thrones or dominions or rulers or

authorities...

1: 18 ...He is also head of the body, the church...

2:8 ...See to it that no one takes you captive...according to

the elementary principles... (rules)

2:10 ...He is the head over all rule and authority...

2:15 ...When He (Christ) had disarmed the rulers and

authorities...

2:16 ...no one is to act as your judge...

2:18 ...let no one give judgment against... in the Greek

from Interlinear NIV Parallel New Testament

2:19 ...not holding fast to the head... (of the church,

Christ)

2:20 ...if you have died with Christ to the elementary

principles... (rules)

2:20 ...why... do you submit...

2:22 ...commandments and teachings of men...

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Paul identifies ecclesiastical authorities in Colossians

2:16, Therefore no one is to act as your judge in regard to

food or drink or in respect to a festival or a new moon or a

Sabbath day.

Do you see from verse 2:16 that Paul is not as

concerned about the Sabbath day as much as he is

concerned the believer will submit to an authority as a

substitute for Christ’s direct lordship? Paul had

already told us in Romans 14:5, One person regards one

day above another, another regards every day alike. Each

person must be fully convinced in his own mind. Paul’s

commandment in verse 16 is no one is to act as your

judge and not whether they should observe a Sabbath

day.

Again in Colossians 2:18, Let no one keep defrauding you

of your prize by delighting in self-abasement (humility) and

the worship of the angels, taking his stand on visions he has

seen, inflated without cause by his fleshly mind. Yes, these

delights in humility and the worship, or religion, of

angels are a problem. Yes, they are actually prideful

and redirect the believer’s attention from God as well.

But Paul’s primary concern was the Colossians were

not holding fast to the Head, Colossians 2:19, because they

were submitting to authorities, Colossians 2:20.

Very definitely our fellowship with one another is

related to our relationship with Christ, ...if we walk in

the Light (Christ),...we have fellowship with one another...

I John 1:7. But by submitting to leaders as a substitute

for our fellowship with one another, we will loosen our

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hold on Christ. We must not trade our relationship

with Him for a religious system.

Corinthian Elders Chapter 4 Teaching One Another

 

‘Let not the vain speeches of any trouble you and draw you aside from the truth...’

From verse 4, of the purported Epistle of Paul the

Apostle to the Laodiceans, Quaker Translation based

on Sixtus Senensis MSS in Sorbonne Library, Paris and

the Library of Joannes a Viridario, Padua and also the

British Museum under Harleian MSS. Cod. 1212 as

described on page 94 of The Lost Books of the Bible,

published 1979, Testament Books, a division of

Random House, Inc., New York.

Well if the preacher doesn’t preach, who will?

Some texts limit the number of teachers in an assembly

or church meeting. James 3:1 commands that not many

of us become teachers. Also, I Corinthians 12:29 asks,

All are not teachers are they? But in order to understand

God’s instruction we should look at all Scripture

dealing with teaching; and, Scripture also commands

that we teach one another.

Let the Word of Christ richly dwell within you, with all

wisdom teaching and admonishing one another...

Colossians 3:16.

...by this time you ought to be teachers... Hebrews 5:12.

...if all prophesy, and an unbeliever or an ungifted man

enters, he is convicted by all... I Corinthians 14:24.

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...when you assemble, each one has a psalm, has a teaching,

has a revelation, has a tongue, has an interpretation...for

edification... I Corinthians 14:26.

...you can all prophesy one by one, so that all may learn and

all may be exhorted... I Corinthians 14:31.

Most of these verses, though applicable anywhere, are

in the context of church meetings.

Also, remember these verses commanding us to teach

one another are written to the church and not just

elders. In fact, elders are rarely directly addressed in

most epistles which emphasizes the one-on-one

relationship we have with our creator. In the case of

the Colossians in 4:16, Paul said, when this letter is read

among you, have it also read in the church of the

Laodiceans....

We rejoice like Paul in I Corinthians 1:4-7 when the

body is gifted with teachers. But when this happens

we are not to abdicate our duties to participate in

teaching one another because God gifted a few. In fact,

God enjoys working through our weaknesses. II

Corinthians 12:9, 10, Judges 7:2.

If we say we are not able to teach one another we deny

God’s Spirit in us. As for you, the anointing which you

received from Him abides in you, and you have no need for

anyone to teach you; but as His anointing teaches you about

all things, and is true and is not a lie, and just as it has

taught you, you abide in Him. I John 2:27.

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Paul’s requirement that all participate does not mean

all should teach by expositing Scriptures. In the

assembly we teach each other by singing, by talking

about Christ’s faithfulness and giving testimony to

what God is doing in our lives. We may contribute to

the church meeting by reading Scripture, praying or

encouraging. Paul gave teaching a lower priority than

reading of Scripture or exhortation in I Timothy 4:13,

...give attention to the public reading of Scripture, to

exhortation and teaching.

We all learn in different ways and God’s spirit works in

different ways. Now there are varieties of gifts, but the

same Spirit. And there are varieties of ministries, and the

same Lord. There are varieties of effects, but the same God

who works all things in all persons. But to each one is given

the manifestation of the Spirit for the common good. I

Corinthians 12:4-7. Again, the context of this text is in

the assembly or church meeting of the Corinthians.

When Paul heard the Corinthians were following

teachers to the neglect of other gifts he said in I

Corinthians 4:20: For the Kingdom of God does not consist

in words but in power. Of course we are fed by God’s

Word but Paul was making the point that Corinthian

teachers were incorrect in their prominent role and he

instructed everyone to participate.

The practice of one teacher addressing passive listeners

was characteristic of Hellenistic Jews who adopted

teaching methods from Greek philosophers.

Previously in synagogues Judaizers took turns reading

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and discussing as Jesus did when he read from Isaiah

in Luke 4:16-21. Each believer, including elders,

participated in those meetings of the early church.

Perhaps it is from a guilty conscience or maybe

insecurity about being a workman who does not need to be

ashamed, accurately handling the word of truth II Timothy

2:15, that drives us to rely so heavily on professional

religious teachers, but this is not the relationship Christ

desires for us.

Teachers are integral in New Testament discipleship,

but a danger exists when we begin to choose favorite

teachers and preachers from the body while limiting

our interaction with others, James 2:1. This focus may

lower our zeal for personal interaction with God’s

Spirit as we seek His character and pleasure while

studying Scripture. Focusing on men’s teaching as a

substitute for cultivating a relationship with the Holy

Spirit may make us languid in our duty to grow in

knowledge of Him even though we may be learning

about Him.

This favoritism in the assembly may reveal a lack of

interest in the brother seated in the pew behind us. It

may indicate that we do not desire interaction or

information of how Christ is working in his life. When

looking to our favorite teachers as our service to God

we may minimize the presence of God indwelling

other believers whom we consider immature in faith or

to whom God has given a different path in life.

Conversely, the elimination of favorite teachers will

allow us to love one another as we interact and

recognize our Father’s Spirit in each other.

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As elders we should be aware of the danger Paul

identified in I Corinthians 1-4. We should ensure our

teaching contributions are not protracted or do not

encroach on participation by others. Our role should

include facilitating participation and encouraging those

who are timid.

For decades our society has enjoyed the marvels of

sitting passively and enjoying the technology of

television. But as internet and broadband became

available volumes have been written about the

advantage of internet over television for one reason: it

is interactive. Is this not what Paul told the

Corinthians? Do not passively focus on a few teachers

but interact. When you assemble, each one has a psalm, has

a teaching, has a revelation, has a tongue, has an

interpretation...for edification... I Corinthians 14:26.

But, with untrained elders or laity teaching churches,

will the flock be exposed to heresies which will confuse

the believer or lead them astray?

There is already heresy in the visible church today.

Believers are being misled because they are depending

on men to lead them in His Word instead of the Holy

Spirit. In II Timothy 4:3 Paul writes, The time will come

when they will not endure sound doctrine; but wanting to

have their ears tickled, they will accumulate for themselves

teachers in accordance to their own desires. When we

think of unsound doctrine many things come to mind

but what could be more basic than turning from our

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‘one another’ duties of loving each other to our favorite

leaders as did the Corinthians?

Heresies will exist. At least in Paul’s model for the

church we will have many participating in order to

offset or challenge any teaching that is taking away or

adding to Scripture. We cannot change hearts but we

can follow the traditions Paul installed in churches and

heed his warnings not to follow men but Christ. The

elder who is not seminary trained may not utilize

systematic theologies to teach the flock. I do not

apologize for being too simplistic when reminding us,

All Scripture is inspired by God and profitable for teaching,

for reproof, for correction, for training in righteousness so

that the man of God may be adequate, equipped for every

good work. II Timothy 3:16-17. If the man of God is

equipped by Scripture for every good work, exactly

what is the additional benefit of those initials behind

the name of Reverend such and such?

Jesus, our self-proclaimed jealous God, emphasized He

was the only teacher we should recognize. In Matthew

23:8 He says, Do not be called Rabbi; for One is your

Teacher and you are all brothers. This does not mean we

should not teach one another. That would contradict

other Scripture given by Christ’s Spirit. But it does

mean that while learning from one another we should

not lean toward an Apollos for understanding because

doing so would draw our eyes off our Savior. Notice

this verse puts the duty on the teacher to encourage the

listener to not rely on the teacher, but instead

communicate Jesus is the vine and we are the branches.

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By following Paul’s model we will continue to be

blessed with godly, gifted men but we will also see

God at work in every believer. This is important

because from the backdrop of ordinary men and

women God may be more clearly seen by more people

than from the backdrop of a clergy robe.

II Timothy 2:2 states, the things which you have heard from

me in the presence of many witnesses, entrust these to

faithful men who will be able to teach others also.

Sometimes we use this verse to hand pick young

candidates for seminary but when Paul said, faithful

men who will be able, he is simply saying men who

believe will be able by the empowerment of God’s

Spirit to teach others. Emphasize the promise as you

read that verse. Remember what Jesus said in John

16:13, But when He, the Spirit of Truth, comes, He will

guide you into all the truth.

The Holy Spirit will guide converts into all truth. Not

that their grammar will improve or their

communication skills will change overnight; but God’s

Spirit will give them a heart to serve and the truth of

Christ to share. How to teach one another and

accurately handle the word is very important but our

relationship with Christ, the vine, is even more

important. We will make mistakes, it is not as if

professional preachers do not, and guess what? God

will perfect those mistakes in us and in those listening.

Christ will be faithful if we hold to Him. He promised

us.

Corinthian Elders Chapter 3 To Preach or not to Preach

 

The assembling of saints in the New Testament was not about sermons as much as it was enjoying the Lord’s Supper together (Acts 20:7, I Corinthians 11:20) seeing God in their midst and encouraging one another in the faith.

So what is the point of this essay? Well, the point is

simply that we are guilty of not loving each other as

were those brothers in Corinth which indicates we are

not looking to Christ. Because our joy will only be

fulfilled in Him, John 15:11, it would be helpful for us

to look less to eloquent and mighty teachers, as Apollos

is described in Acts 18:24, for our understanding and

knowledge of Jesus and more to God’s Word. In this

manner, our relationship with God would be enhanced

by His Spirit and demonstrated by a new found love

for one another.

Think of yourself as being in an ocean but not quite

able to swim. Jesus is there within your reach but also

Peter, Paul and Apollos. As Peter, Paul and Apollos

describe to you how and why you should reach out to

Jesus, you look to one of them and reach to him. In

doing so, by necessity, you turn away from Jesus. You

know what happens when you do that.

The Apostle John warned that jealousy and strife, as in

I Corinthians 1-4, are symptomatic of not walking with

Christ. ...If we walk in the Light as He Himself is in the

Light, we have fellowship with one another. I John 1:7.

If we, as believers, did have the same need as those

brethren in Corinth or Colossae, then we might

reevaluate our use of the pulpit. We would learn

everything we could of Christ’s person and endeavor

to interact with Him. While prayerfully studying our

Corinthian Elders Page 18

Bibles and remembering He is with us always, we

would renew our efforts to love one another starting

with our family and those with whom we assemble

each week.

As elders we might place less emphasis on our own

teaching or gift and put more emphasis on the nurture

and development of the flock. Recognizing the Holy

Spirit within each believer, we should point them again

and again toward Christ until they are filled with

confidence of God’s presence within them.

Since looking less to pastors or elders might be

considered a sin by many, let’s read what the Bible says

about the elder’s function. Applying the elder’s role

that is prescribed in the Bible will enable us to please

God and better serve the kingdom. We need to read

what the Bible says because in today’s organized

church the elder’s role is not always the same as

outlined in the New Testament nor the traditional role

before Constantine.

For instance, should we have one or two elders who we

charge with preaching because of their call or gift?

How else should we do this? Did not God ordain by

‘called’ men preaching the word that His Kingdom

would be advanced? How then will they call on Him in

whom they have not believed? How will they believe in Him

whom they have not heard? And how will they hear without

a preacher? Romans 10:14. And with such a ‘calling’

should not gifted and trained men in our assemblies

teach our lesser trained or ‘un-called’ men?

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Well, certainly God did call believers to proclaim the

gospel and teach, but let us not fulfill our duty by

hiring out this obligation to professional preachers.

Acts 8:4 indicates all of us should be ‘preaching’ not

just a few gifted teachers, Therefore, those who had been

scattered went about preaching the word.

Giftedness, as some consider oratory skills in

professional preachers, may in fact be detrimental to a

demonstration of the Spirit’s working as indicated by

Paul in I Corinthians 2:4, my message and my preaching

were not in persuasive words of wisdom. This is not to say

God does not expect us to be industrious in our study

and use of Scripture. Certainly that is not the case as in

II Timothy 2:15.

The church meeting prescribed by Paul was very

different from what many believers experience in

churches across the United States. Whereas

contemporary church services are usually led by one or

two professionally trained pastors or elders with a

scripted program of hymns, prayers and a sermon, I

Corinthians 14:26-31 describes interactive meetings of

believers with no professional speaker, no script and

many sermons by both new and old believers.

Everyone was encouraged to participate without

emphasizing any gifts over others.

Perhaps this interactive participation by everyone was

especially commanded in Corinth because of their

intellectual interest in teaching. But Corinth was not an

isolated case because the Ephesians were given the

same instructions for everyone to participate,

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Ephesians 5:19, as well as the Colossians, Colossians

3:16.

In I Timothy 5:17, elders who worked hard at

preaching and teaching were honored but in context of

the church assembly, no individual’s teaching was

emphasized more than others nor was the teaching gift

more important than other gifts. In I Corinthians 14:26

Paul commanded, ....when you assemble, each one has a

psalm, has a teaching, has a revelation, has a tongue, has an

interpretation. Let all things be done for edification.

This does not violate James’ command in James 3:1

when he says, Let not many of you become teachers, my

brethren, knowing that as such we will incur a stricter

judgment. Scripture does not contradict itself. James

3:1 simply elaborates on I Corinthians 14:26. Teaching

is integral, but participating by bringing a psalm, a

hymn, a praise, a revelation of what our Father has

taught us is wonderful and commanded.

When we assemble, some may need to be encouraged

by Paul to participate, whereas, others may need

encouragement from James to be more disciplined and

refrain from teaching as often or too long. It may not

be edifying for the entire body to spend time on

protracted lessons during our assembly together.

Whatever the reason, this is the commandment from

Scripture if for no other purpose than to not focus on

teachers as at Corinth.

But didn’t Paul preach until midnight in Acts 20:7?

Some versions did use the English word ‘preach’ but

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the Greek word #1256, dialegomai, indicates this was a

two-way dialogue. Paul interacted and talked with

those at Troas.

That interactive meeting at Troas could serve as an

example for us today. If a meeting of believers

becomes too large for orderly interaction and

shepherding, then a church split should be considered

and not a larger temple. These church splits should be

encouraging and not the result of jealousy or strife.

Why did we change how the church met? One

possibility is that assemblies chose gifted speakers to

eliminate divisions that occurred in interactive

meetings. This could have been similar to the adoption

of confessions by churches in order to avoid disputes.

Maybe other groups preferred ‘good preaching’ to

interaction between believers and thus succumbed to

‘tickling of ears’ in spite of the warning by Paul in II

Timothy 4:3. But from all evidence the biblical pattern

was dropped when Constantine moved assemblies of

believers into huge temples of pagan deities and the

pure size of these mega churches precluded interactive

meetings.

An objection might be that many church members are

not trained. Don’t we need seminary trained men in

order to teach accurately?

Certainly seminary training is a blessing. The original

Hebrew and Greek which believers learn is great and

the theology may be helpful, but nothing satisfies the

child of God like God’s Word. By God’s Word I mean

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Scripture. Ecclesiology, church history, homiletics, and

contrived applications may tickle our ears but they will

not satisfy the thirsty child of God. Jesus says: My

sheep hear My voice, and I know them, and they follow Me

in John 10:27. My experience with interactive meetings

is that more Scripture is covered than with expository

sermons. We simply have to trust Paul in this regard.

He told the Colossians in 3:16 all should participate in

these meetings.

By training or giftedness some brothers may bless us,

as Apollos blessed Corinth, with their handling of

Scripture, illustrations or theology. But if we ask other

brethren to be quiet so we might listen to Apollos all

morning, what an imbalance that is. To correct this

imbalance at Corinth, Paul reminded them, Love never

fails; But if there are gifts of prophecy, they will be done

away; if there are tongues, they will cease; if there is

knowledge, it will be done away. I Corinthians 13:8.

The assembling of saints in the New Testament was not

about sermons as much as it was enjoying the Lord’s

Supper together (Acts 20:7, I Corinthians 11:20) seeing

God in their midst and encouraging one another in the

faith. We see God in the lives of other believers. We

see God when believers express their love for us and

others. Listening to a sermon or lecture may be

helpful, interesting and even entertaining, but Paul did

not want the assembly of saints focused on a sermon or

a teacher.

Should not the church be a growing, evolving entity as

we grow wiser and are faced with new situations? For

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instance, is not the church more efficient with one or

two preachers and a set order of service? No. Paul

was very specific when he commanded, ...stand firm and

hold to the traditions which you were taught, whether by

word of mouth or by letter from us. II Thessalonians 2:15.

In I Corinthians 11:16 he was emphatic when some

wanted to change the pattern of the church, If one is

inclined to be contentious, we have no other practice, nor

have the churches of God. Paul gave the church clear

instructions and examples of how to function and he

chastised the believers when they did not follow his

teaching. Paul did this because he wanted them to

hold to Christ.

Corinthian Elders - Ch.2 Leading is Misleading

My optimism in the painted picture comes from a

belief that God is continuing to work in His church by

moving us toward a more biblical role for elders. As

the body of Christ trusts Him by following New

Testament examples, the bright beam of the Gospel

will intensify.

Jesus told us in John 15:3-5:

Abide in Me, and I in you. As the branch cannot bear fruit of

itself unless it abides in the vine, so neither can you unless

you abide in Me. I am the vine, you are the branches; he who

abides in Me and I in him, he bears much fruit, for apart

from Me you can do nothing.

These verses tell us that only by abiding in Christ may

we glorify and enjoy Him. We admire and thank those

from whom we have heard God’s Word both for

salvation and edification, but is it possible our attention

may actually be diverted from Christ when we look to

gifted Christian preachers and teachers? Was this not

the situation in I Corinthians 1-4? Consider Paul’s

instruction to the Corinthians that their ...faith would

not rest on the wisdom of men but on the power of God. I

Corinthians 2:5.

Corinth

For if you were to have countless tutors in Christ... I

Corinthians 4:15.

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As wise men debated their interpretations of apostolic

teaching they drew followings of Corinthian believers

who zealously desired solid food. At least some were

drawn believing they were correctly following Pauline

or Petrine theology. These members of the body

compared words of Paul, Peter and Apollos.

Divisions appeared among the believers who were

attracted to various teachings of men. These were

doctrinally solid men being followed! An almost

imperceptible diversion from their relationship with

Christ to men caused jealousy and strife instead of

encouragement to love one another in that assembly.

...Since there is jealousy and strife among you, are you not

fleshly, and are you not walking like mere men? For when

one says, ‘I am of Paul,’ and another, ‘I am of Apollos,’ are

you not mere men? I Corinthians 3:3-4.

Paul responded by reminding those believers they

possessed the very Spirit of God. In I Corinthians 3:16

Paul says, Do you not know that you are a temple of God

and that the Spirit of God dwells in you? In 3:21-23 he

explains, So then let no one boast in men. For all things

belong to you, whether Paul or Apollos or Cephas or the

world or life or death or things present or things to come; all

things belong to you, and you belong to Christ; and Christ

belongs to God.

Notice Paul was not rebuking their lack of loving each

other, although that is implicit. The rebuke was the

assembly’s focus on teachers, So then let no one boast in

Corinthian Elders Page 12

men. Paul reminded the Corinthians of their personal

relationship with God through his Word. When the

Corinthians turned their eyes from Christ to men the

branches were girded and the connection to the vine

impaired. Jealousy and strife ensued.

To discourage the Corinthians from focusing on men,

Paul instructed them to teach themselves, ...when you

assemble, each one has a psalm, has a teaching, has a

revelation, has a tongue, has an interpretation...for

edification... I Corinthians 14:26.

For the church to present one or a few preachers to a

passive audience who attend services because they

enjoy the sermons or preaching style is a violation of

Paul’s commandment to the Corinthians when he

redirected them from men to Christ. Why do we

persist in disregarding this commandment? Do we

know better than Paul?

Colossae

Another example of Paul’s concern for believers

turning from their Head to leaders of the church is in

the Book of Colossians. In the context of ecclesiastical

‘authorities’ in Colossians 1:18; 2:8, 10, 15, 19 and 20,

Paul expresses his apprehension for the two house

churches at Colossae and Laodicea, For I want you to

know how great a struggle I have on your behalf and for

those who are at Laodicea. Colossians 2:1.

See to it that no one takes you captive through philosophy

and empty deception, according to the tradition (teaching)

Corinthian Elders Page 13

of men, according to the elementary principles (rules) of the

world, rather than according to Christ. Colossians 2:8.

Whether the Colossians were holding to teachers or

men in authority, Paul was disturbed that they were

disconnected from their Head, Colossians 2:19.

In Colossians 2:18 he said, Let no one keep defrauding you

of your prize and he pointed the Colossians back to

Christ in 3:1, if you have been raised up with Christ, keep

seeking the things above, where Christ is seated at the right

hand of God.

To redirect the believers from looking to men and

facilitate them in seeking the things above in 3:16 Paul

again commanded, Let the Word of Christ richly dwell

within you, with all wisdom teaching and admonishing one

another.

The point once again was if the Colossians had the

Spirit of God dwelling in them why were they looking

to men’s teachings or authorities? They had God’s law

written in their hearts.

Two churches, same problem, same solution.

Corinthian Elders Page 14

God’s revelation through His Word

...after those days, says the LORD: I will put My laws into

their minds, and I will write them on their hearts. And I

will be their God, and they shall be My people. And they

shall not teach everyone his fellow citizen, and everyone his

brother, saying, ‘Know the LORD’, for all will know me,

from the least to the greatest... Hebrews 8:10-11.

Believers in Corinth and Colossae shared a desire to

pursue Christ but they lost their connection to the vine

by not trusting His love and indwelling. They looked

from Christ for their solid food to spiritual leaders.

In John 16:13-14 Christ gave us this promise, ...when

He, the Spirit of truth, comes, He will guide you into all the

truth; .....He will glorify Me, for He will take of Mine and

will disclose it to you. Try reading this passage with

emphasis on the word ‘will’ to understand the

certainty of that truth.

This promise of God to personally teach his children is

yet more proof of his amazing grace. How glorious is

this thought that each of us, if regenerate, can know the

joy of His personal teaching from His Word. How

worldly we are if after experiencing the revelation of

His character and the veracity of His Word we rely on

men to lead us into spiritual truth.

Now we have received, not the spirit of the world, but the

Spirit who is from God, so that we may know the things

Corinthian Elders Page 15

freely given to us by God...not in words taught by human

wisdom. I Corinthians 2:12-13.

But doesn’t the Spirit work through gifted men,

eloquent and mighty, like Apollos, Acts 18:24? Certainly!

But back to the danger of which Paul warned us. Our

duty is, yes, to learn from them, while testing their

teaching with a Berean spirit, but ‘job one’ is to keep

our eyes on our Savior and His personal teaching

through His Word. Perhaps a barometer of how well

we are doing is to examine ourselves. Would our

relationship with other believers be described as in

unity? If not, perhaps disunity, or even apathy, is

evidence our eyes are not on Christ alone for salvation

and edification. The one who loves his brother abides in the

Light (Christ) and there is no cause for stumbling in him. I

John 2:10.

Does a noticeable shift in membership when a gifted

preacher moves to another church reflect relationships

that are more man-centered than Christ-centered?

Where was the love among those members previously

assembled who had shared the Lord’s Table? Was this

division like the historical events in Corinth? Using I

John 2:10 as a barometer to ascertain the congregation’s

relationship with Christ those church members did not

have a close relationship to Him even though they felt

very close to their departed leader. Even an

imperceptible reliance on the strength or knowledge of

leaders as occurred in Corinth may harm our

relationship with Jesus.

Corinthian Elders Page 16

Paul would have pointed that congregation back to

Christ: So then let no one boast in men. For all things

belong to you, whether Paul or Apollos or Cephas or the

world or life or death or things present or things to come; all

things belong to you, and you belong to Christ; and Christ

belongs to God. I Corinthians 3:21-23.

Corinthian Elders by Jack Fortenberry - Prologue and Chapter 1

 

Index

Prologue ............................................................. page 5

A Painted Picture .............................................. page 8

Leading or Misleading ..................................... page 11

To Preach or Not to Preach .............................. page 18

Teaching One Another ..................................... page 25

Ecclesiastical Office ........................................... page 32

Consensus Governance .................................... page 39

Adding to God’s Word ..................................... page 46

The Money .......................................................... page 53

A Warning .......................................................... page 59

Complete in Christ ............................................ page 65

Should We Follow Paul’s Model ..................... page 71

Appendixes ........................................................ page 76

Recommended Sites .......................................... page 86

Author Bio .......................................................... page 87

Credits

Scripture taken from the New American Standard Bible ®, copyright ©

1960, 1962, 1963, 1968, 1971, 1972, 1973, 1975, 1977, 1995 by the Lockman

Foundation used by permission.

When Greek words in this essay are defined, definitions come either from

New Analytical Greek Lexicon by Wesley J. Pershbacker copyright © 1990

from Hendrickson Publishers or New American Standard Exhaustive

Concordance copyright © 1981 from Holman Publishing.

Greek texts were taken either from Interlinear NIV Parallel New

Testament by Alfred Marshall copyright © 1976 from Zondervan

Publishing House or Greek to English Interlinear New King James

Version New Testament by George Ricker Berry copyright © 1981 Baker

Books from World Bible Publishers, Inc. There were no variances of

Greek texts in the above mentioned references pertaining to any of the

Greek words discussed in the following pages.

Underscores added to Scripture for emphasis were not part of the original

Scripture text.

Bridgepointe Publishing Company

1929 Spillway Road, Suite B

Brandon, MS 39047

Published 2008

Revised 2011

Library of Congress Control Number: 2009901013

ISBN 978-0-615-26282-6

ISBN 0-615-26282-1


Jack Fortenberry left his book as a free PDF for the Body of Christ, but it's getting quite hard to find.
So I feel to put up the whole book to remind everybody what the Bible actually says about ministry rather than what is practiced by ecclesiastical ministries , Pastor synagogues / evangelical churches, or charismatic pastor synagogues with worship bands.
Because it used to be easier to download I only put up Chapter one  before as a taster.
Here is the prologue and then a link to chapter one.

Prologue

The inhabits of earth said, let us make for ourselves a

name, Genesis 11:4, as they purposed and built the

Babylonian tower. But Jesus says, I am the vine, you are

the branches; he who abides in Me and I in him, he bears

much fruit.

The purpose of this essay is to encourage a biblical

examination of the role of Christian preacher and

teacher in order that we may enjoy the one-on-one

relationship with our Savior that He designed.

The absence of a New Testament model for the present

role of preachers or leaders has not slowed the

prevalence of the current model of one or two elders

leading a congregation of followers since the time of

Constantine. But Scripture warns us of being

defrauded of our prize by following leaders in the

church. Not just bad leaders but leaders.

By eliminating our use of a favorite teacher and turning

to New Testament commands in order to grow in the

knowledge of our Father, we will have an unobstructed

view of Christ. By our progress in understanding and

trusting the person and character of Jesus Christ, God

will grow us into conformity with His joy, holiness and

loving kindness.

But we all, with unveiled face, beholding as in a mirror the

glory of the Lord, are being transformed into the same image

Page 5

from glory to glory, just as from the Lord, the Spirit. II

Corinthians 3:18

Seeing that His divine power has granted to us everything

pertaining to life and godliness, through the true knowledge

of Him who called us by His own glory and excellence. II

Peter 1:3

Sometimes in zeal for sanctification and to find favor

with God my attention has been on teachings and

regimens of prayer or bible readings and even church

duties. But II Corinthians 3:18 and II Peter 1:3 tell us

that our transformation is being accomplished through

the revelation of the character of Christ. The character

of our Lord is revealed by the truths of Scripture and

also in the application of our knowing and trusting

Him. This is where I hope to stay.

I believe the result of this one-on-one relationship of

trusting and loving Jesus will then be evident in our joy

and fellowship with God’s children. The one who loves

his brother abides in the Light and there is no cause for

stumbling in him. I John 2:10.

A Painted Picture - LINK

Roseanne Barr and Jessie Czebotar extract from 2021

 

Who is not connected? The Madeleine McCann saga deepens.

 Caroline Stephens  of Seeking the Truth on Telegram, had already dug as deep finding some of the links to the Richmond Corporations, and she made it clear this all implicated the Government.
Then she publicised the ex policeman Gary Waterman  here pretty much as soon as he came on the scene with  his investigations into the management company for his own block of flats. Then all of a sudden people started to jump ship and resign.

Witney Webb's books One Nation under Blackmail vol 1 &2 dive very deep as well, already linking Maxwell father and son, Mossad, Epstein, monarchy , British Government, and even Trump's name gets far too much mention in both of her books.

Tracking one man's life story gives a window on Kenya

 

Link to Dr Malone's Talk at Mises Institute

 

 

 This video serves to underline my Briers series - see the lefthand column for the link to the first Briers post. 

Also I have been writing about the susceptibility of the very Luke type (Matthew Mark Luke John) to be totally or partly seduced, when both we and they assume them to be more astute. I have often presented Germany and the Nazi takeover as great evidence for this. A German friend of our family  called Hannelore Noack investigated the way this occurred and her books are used in University educarion

Ekklesia Has A Job to do and this is the Context

Ekklesia , Kingdom and Homeostasis

 

Do Not Fear the Melchizedek Order

Diverse Ministries

 

Window on my life - Wickham Festival 2024

 Sometimes people want to see a face and life behind these blogs.
I have been a self employed piano tuner and restorer since 1981.
I was the tuner for Curtis Stigers ,one of the two closing acts  of this year's Wickham Music Festival.
The Festival hired a Steinway Grand from Musiq, Kent.
I also included  some sections from folk band Rura, although this was in the folk tent ,where if they used keys it was on digital keyboards.

World Community Standards

Under the Guise of " Community Standards " Facebook and YouTube have been acting criminally in suppressing national statistical facts as shared by John Campbell and the recent apologies from the Japanese Government to their people . "Japan Declares State of Emergency After 'Nanobots' Found in 96 Million Citizens Japan has issued an apology to its citizens for the disastrous consequences of the COVID-19 mRNA vaccines and has launched far-reaching scientific inquiries and criminal investigations to establish the truth and punish the perpetrators. Having watched Facebook and YouTube suppress quite legitimate published facts from newspapers and corporations , in particular Russell Brand and Dr Campbell , if the latest findings by Japan are true , and being suppressed then the whole legitimacy ( they were never voted for ) of WEF, UN, WHO, BILL GATES , DR FAUCI are called into question as are the fitness of FACEBOOK and YOUTUBE to have any semblance of care for the citizens of the world . In short these are either facts , in which case their legitimacy falls like a house of cards , or they are but malicious lies to weaken the public's trust in UN , WHO , WEF , and EU . This question hangs on the legitimacy of the government health statistics across the nations of the Earth , and the findings of the Nanobots in 96 million citizen's blood vessels .

Different Angles On Culture Wars