Authority

The theme of authority is a controversial and emotional topic because so many people have been mistreated or even abused by someone with authority. This has led to a growing cultural consensus that any authority is either illegitimate or used in an illegitimate way. This seems to be particularly true of the generation currently in their twenties and thirties. How should Christians respond to this? Most Christians will agree in theory that God has authority as seen in Psalm 24:1, “The earth is the Lord's and the fullness thereof, the world and all who live in it,” a clear statement of ownership by the Creator. Romans 9:19-23 illustrates the same truth by comparing God with His creation to a potter who can make whatever he wishes with the clay.
Jesus states that He has been given “all authority in heaven and on earth.” (Matt 28:18) His authority is expressed in the concept of Lordship, problematic for Americans because it is not a cultural concept. Jesus says it very clearly in Luke 6:46. “Why do you call me Lord, Lord but do not do what I say?” This is the difference between theory and practice. How do His Lordship and authority leave theory and become practice in our lives? By obedience to the Word of God. ( John 14:15)
Some people claim that Jesus is their Lord and that they do what He or the Holy Spirit tells them to do but reject any other authority. Is this a Biblical position? Does it reflect spiritual pride or humility? It is God who establishes governing authority. “ Let every soul be subject to the governing authorities. For there is no authority except from God, and the authorities that exist are appointed by God.” Most of these people are not believers. In the Church, the Holy Spirit writes through Paul that the apostle has “authority which the Lord has given me...” (2 Cor. 13:10 cf. 2 Cor. 10:8) Hebrews 13:17 extends this beyond the apostolic to church leaders in general. “Obey those who rule (or lead) over you and be submissive, for they watch out for your souls, as those who must give account. Let them do so with joy and not with grief, for that would be unprofitable for you.” Now people whom I respect teach that the Greek word which translates to obey should be translated “be persuaded by”. There are hundreds of English language versions, and I have certainly not read them all, but I have read quite a few, and I have never seen it translated that way. One would think it would have appeared in at least one major version if that interpretation were correct.
The Thessalonians are urged “to recognize those who labor among you, and are over you in the Lord and admonish (instruct or warn) you, and to esteem them very highly in love for their work's sake.” ( 1 Thess 5:12) What is the nature and purpose of this authority that God delegates to men?
I believe the authority is to be persuasive in nature.
a) a godly life ( 1 Cor. 4:16)
b) proper use of the Word of God (2 Tim 2:24)
c)the internal witness of the indwelling Holy Spirit (Rom. 8:16)
The primary purpose of authority delegated to church leaders (elders) , as indicated by the word “shepherd” is to protect the flock. Titus 1:9ff says that elders are to combat false teachers. Acts 20:28-29 brings this out clearly as well. “Therefore take heed to yourselves and to all the flock, among which the Holy Spirit has made you overseers, to shepherd the church of God which he purchased with His own blood. For I know this, that after my departure savage wolves will come in among you, not sparing the flock.” Combating false teachers is an ongoing theme in the epistles. Some examples include Galatians, 2 Peter 2, and Jude. Timothy is expressly left in Ephesus “to charge some that they teach no other doctrine.” ( 1 Tim. 1:3) Some of this false teaching is detailed in chapter 4, verses 1-5. In 4:11 Timothy is told to “command and teach these things.” In 6:2 he is to teach and exhort. In verse 17 he is to command the rich.
What safeguards or boundaries are there to help insure the Scriptural use, rather than the misuse of authority delegated by God? Let me suggest several below.
Humility- the first qualification for a leader. (Acts 20:19, 1 Peter 5:1-6)
Plurality of leadership- Acts 14:23, Titus 1:5, James 5:14, 1 Peter 5:1, Acts 20:17 etc.
Mutual Accountability- Prov. 11:14, 15:22, 20:18, 24:6, and the fifty odd “one another” verses
Brotherhood- eternal not temporary Matt 23:8, Rom. 8:29, John 20:17, Heb. 2:11-12
Priesthood of all Believers- 1 Peter 2:5,9 Rev. 1:6
Consensus Government- illustrated in Matt 18: 15-18, Acts 6:1-7, Acts 15 note the agreement of the whole church in verses 22,23,25
All verses above are from the New King James Version. I anticipate disagreement.

God our Father

When Mary Magdalene encounters the risen Christ after His resurrection, He tells her, “Go to my brothers and say to them, I am ascending to my Father and your Father...” (John 20:17 partial) Jesus refers to the first Person of the Trinity as His Father continually, by far His most common term of address for God. Thie verse cited reveals that God is not only Jesus' Father but also our Father. He does this through adoption into His eternal family. Ephesians 1:5 states that “In love he predestined us for adoption as sons through Jesus Christ, according to the purpose of his will.” Glorious truth! Galatians 4:4-7 amplifies on this theme. “But when the fullness of time had come, God sent forth his Son, born of woman, born under the law, to redeem those under the law so that we might receive adoption as sons. And because you are sons, God has sent the Spirit of his Son into our hearts, crying, Abba! Father! So you are no longer a slave, but a son, and if a son, then an heir through God.” Many have had problematic relations with their earthly fathers. There is a strong, common tendency to project this onto our heavenly Father. But we must separate and distinguish between the two. To God those He has adopted into His family are “beloved children.” (Eph. 5:1 ESV)
Am thankful to God for recent opportunities to work together towards consensus with the brethren in Cambridge in issues large and small. May we continue to seek His will for us as a group. I also thank Him for introducing our brother Vinny to us.

#200

This post marks number two hundred since the inception of the blog in the middle of 2009. Following in the footsteps of Tychicus has taken me to thirty odd states and the visiting of over thirty different groups, some a number of times. God has graciously provided for both material and spiritual needs. In recent times He has provided an idyllic semi-permanent residence, and an upcoming opportunity to travel to another continent. The Holy Spirit has inspired me to write on numerous topics from mutual accountability to our brotherhood in Christ to eldership to encouraging one another. I am thankful for the opportunity to do so. I also thank God for the many saints that I have met along the way, some that I hadn't seen for thirty or more years. I also thank Him for the ongoing relationships that I enjoy with fellow citizens of the kingdom of heaven. ( Phil 3:20) He has shown me the diversity of His Body to a greater extent than ever before. I even thank Him for the occasional person whose comments to this blog have resembled the launching of missiles. May it help in making me humble. As I look forward I trust that the Holy Spirit continues to sanctify me, that I walk in a God given balance between love and truth, so that I may glorify Him and be pleasing in His sight. God be praised. Amen.

Father

When Mary Magdalene encounters the risen Christ after His resurrection He tells her, "Go to my brothers and say to them, 'I am ascending to my Father and your Father

Home School Debate Championships

"Children, obey your parents in the Lord, for this is right. Honor your father and mother (this is the first commandment with a promise) that it may go well with you and that you may live long in the land. Fathers, do not provoke your children to anger, but bring them up in the discipline and instruction of the Lord." (Eph. 6:1-4 ESV) Yesterday I had the privilege of participating as a community judge at the national debating championships of the N. C. F. C. A., an association of home schoolers. Approximately five hundred students of high school age from around the country had made it through lower rounds of competition to come to Gordon College for the week. Although I did not have the opportunity to do homeschooling myself, I have interacted with many home school families over the years. (Many people involved in house church begin by home schooling.) The debaters whom I judged, three separate matches involving a total of ten participants, were all poised, prepared, effective speakers, even when cross-examined. It was very difficult to decide between them.
Also impressive was the long hours, courtesy, and dedication of the many volunteers who put the event on. From registration to ballot procurement and reception to a continual stream of food- the oxen treading out the corn were certainly not muzzled- hard work was evident everywhere. Thanks, Bud, for the invitation.

Home Schooling

"Children, obey your parents in the Lord, for this is right. Honor your father and mother

Ghana

Over four years ago I had the opportunity to visit some indigenous house church planters in Ghana, who work among the Ewe people group, numbering several million believers with a Bible in their own language. These brethren took me to villages in the interior that did not have electricity or potable water. Most of the people are unreached voodoo worshippers but God is faithful, and we saw conversions among them, and a level of joy I have rarely experienced among groups of believers in the U.S. Africa as a continent is one vast need, and it is easy to experience compassion fatigue when attempting to minister to physical needs. Recently the brethren there began a micro finance program to attempt to minister to the poverty of their people. Simply stated, the micro finance principle involves loaning small sums of money to budding entrepreneurs with strict, gradual pay back schedules reinforced by peer pressure. Once the initial loan is repaid it can be loaned out to another person. This idea is catching on in the more affluent parts of the world but there is a "food chain" concept. The big international groups work through progressively smaller groups before they get down to the individual level. God has led me to give to the brethren in Ghana to jump start the process so they can build up a track record and attract the attention of one of the larger organizations. If God should lead you in this direction leave a comment for me. Thanks.
I am grieved to say that I can no longer endorse the ministry of Ross & Trina, whom I have often commended in these posts.

Trust

"Whoever gives thought to the word will discover good, and blessed is he who trusts in the Lord." (Prov. 16:20 ESV)"Put your trust in the Lord," (Ps. 4:5b ESV) "O Lord of hosts, blessed is the one who trusts in you." (Ps. 84:12) Trust lies at the heart of any good relationship, whether with God Himself, a spouse or other relative, a friend or a person with whom we have a business transaction. Without it, genuine relationship, especially the kind we should have with our brothers and sisters in Christ, seems impossible. Without trust, suspicion reigns, and everything said or done, or not said or done, can constitute an offense. Sadly, it seems very difficult to recover from a violation of trust. Forgiveness is crucial; receiving the love of God for ourselves personally will help us to love others. Sometimes we have to establish boundaries for people who are unable or unwilling to do this for themselves.
Enjoyed my time in Rhode Island recently, fellow shipping with John & Danielle, watching their sons prepare for their baseball game, good interaction with brother Daniel from India, and a feast at Ron & Marianne's. Also thankful for time with Josh, the Thursday evening bros, and the Saturday morning bros.

Veranda

While the word "veranda (h)" is probably a little grandiose for the little, screened in porch off the back of the "Mexico" suite that i occupy in the little hobbit house in the woods where I reside, I am very thankful to God for it. It is seasonal but I am enjoying the serenity of sitting there- praying, reading the Word, or reflecting on the glory of God's creation in the midst of the storms of life, both literally and figuratively. A rare tornado smashed through the little town where I live last night, uprooting huge trees, knocking down buildings, and making the places where it touched down look like a war zone. By the grace of God we were unaffected, except for the loss of electricity, still out. Paul refers in 2 Corinthians 11:28 of his concern for all the churches. I thank God that He sustains and loves me as I feebly attempt to follow in Paul's footsteps in caring for brethren in New England small churches. How easy it seems for years of painstaking efforts towards developing trust and relationship to go down the drain. God forbid. I am thankful for those who contacted me to see if I was all right following the tornado, which put our little town on the TV news.
"Finally, brothers, rejoice. Aim for restoration, comfort one another, agree with one another, live in peace, and the God of love and peace will be with you." (2 Corinthians 13:11 ESV)