2/10/14

From Jim McGuiggan... Baptism: Water that divides

Baptism: Water that divides

Not too long ago an author wrote a book on baptism called The Water that Divides. The title is appropriate given today’s religious climate with some people talking as if it were the most important thing in the Bible and others who think it should be carried out but if it isn’t there’s no great loss. Some dismiss it altogether as not worthy of discussion. Some insist that baptism is part of God’s bringing the sinner into saving union with Christ (I am one of those who believe that) and others that it’s an ordinance you attend to after you have entered Christ but if you don’t attend to it there’s no great loss. In light of the New Testament and 2,000 years of church history this is an astonishing stance for believers in the Christ to take.

Some think because salvation is altogether by God’s generous grace (and it certainly is!) that baptism can safely be ignored. They don’t get this from the New Testament, which strenuously and tirelessly proclaims that salvation is altogether of the gracious God and still calls all nations to be baptized into the name of the Father, Son and Holy Spirit (Matthew 29:19 and see Acts 2:38, 19:5 and 22:16).

Some think because salvation is entirely by grace that baptism can’t be part of the coming to Christ to be saved. But the New Testament insists that salvation is entirely by God’s grace and it still says to people who want to be saved, “Be baptized!” for the forgiveness or washing away of sins and it still insists that baptism initiates the trusting and penitent sinner into the Christ (Romans 6:3 and Galatians 3:27).

There is no need to and it is profoundly false to make baptism all-important (only God is all-important) but the New Testament offers no such dilemma. Baptism’s importance is no more and no less than the New Testament shows it to be. Anxious to prove their point some people talk of nothing else but baptism and that’s tragic. The New Testament talks about it easily and often but it doesn’t make it the be-all or end-all of proclamation or even the sinner’s response. It doesn’t apologize for calling people to submit to it who want to belong to Christ but then it didn’t need to. Those who wanted to find peace with Christ asked what to do, they were told and they did it and everyone rejoiced in the saving grace of a generous and forgiving Lord.

Part of the reason there is no heavy argumentation on baptism in the New Testament is because nobody ever dreamed of arguing about it. If people didn’t argue about it today we could talk about it and call for it as part of the coming to Christ as easily and naturally as they did in the New Testament. I confess it irks me more than a little to hear baptism stressed to the point almost of tedium. But it annoys me a bit also to hear people dismiss God’s command and wonder why others talk about it so much. If there was more humble submission to an explicit command of God that the New Testament relates to forgiveness, salvation and union with Christ maybe we’d hear less going on and on about baptism.

It should make us ponder our belief and practice when a gentleman understandably feels the need to write a book on baptism called The Water that Divides when in point of fact Paul saw it in a precisely opposite way. He saw it as water that unites. In Galatians 3:26-27 he assures the Galatians that they were all children of God by faith because (for, the Greek gar) when they were baptized they entered by faith into Christ and clothed themselves with Christ so that there was no longer anything to divide them. The distinctions that were used to keep them apart, sexism, racism, elitism had all been neutralized in Christ Jesus.

So, in Paul’s teaching, and he knew more about grace and God’s generosity than anyone before or since, baptism didn’t divide, it protested everything that did divide us one from another. The man or woman, girl or boy that by faith is baptized into the reconciling Christ defies all those social and ethical differences that work to keep us apart. We can imagine what it felt like to Paul when he personally on one of those perhaps rare occasions baptized someone into Christ. Looking at it with his eyes, God at that moment, via Paul and the person now coming to Christ, was once more denouncing all that keeps humans apart from him and from one another. When he baptized someone into Christ Paul was tearing down partitions and rehearsing the truth that in Christ walls stronger than granite were destroyed.

He could have said that without mentioning baptism (he said it in other places without mentioning baptism) but the fact is that he mentioned baptism here! The Bible and life teaches us that our life with God is inlaid with many rites and actions that we don’t fully understand. And there’s something fearfully high-handed about puny little preachers whose life is a vapor and whose learning is fragmentary at best urging people to pay little or no attention to God’s word on this matter. I’d urge anyone who wants to give their life to Christ or anyone who has loved the Christ always but hasn’t yet been baptized as the New Testament lays it out to prayerfully reflect on the scriptures about this matter of baptism and act accordingly.

I’m acquainted with a godly man that has loved the Lord for many years. He has not submitted to a believer’s baptism and in fact has said he doesn’t need to. Speaking of that fine man a writer said, “Can you imagine anyone saying he needed to be baptized?” The writer’s response was that this lovely man didn’t need to do it. I think this is a silly thing to say and I think it is high-handed, especially in light of Matthew 5:19, because Matthew 28:19 gives no one the right to refuse.

I’m acquainted with a godly, prayerful and God-centered man in the New Testament who received God’s personal word of approval. God sent him a preacher who would inform him how he could come to God in and through Jesus Christ. The preacher began to speak and God interrupted the proceedings by sending the Holy Spirit on the man and his whole family. If there was ever a man who didn’t need to be baptized there we have him. But that’s not how Peter saw it. He commanded Cornelius to be baptized in the name of the Christ and he insisted that it was Cornelius’ privilege as well as due response. The whole story’s in Acts 10 and into 11.

How dare we say to God-loving and Christ-believing people that they don’t need to be baptized in his name? Who do we think we are? God?

Many thanks to brother Ed Healy, for allowing me to post from his website, theabidingword.com.

From Mark Copeland... Those Who Resist Authority ( Titus 1:10-16)

                         "THE EPISTLE TO TITUS"

                  Those Who Resist Authority (1:10-16)

INTRODUCTION

1. In his epistle to Titus, Paul's first order of business was to...
   a. Remind Titus why he was left on the island of Crete - Tit 1:5
   b. Provide the qualifications needed for the appointment of elders
      - Tit 1:6-9

2. The need for such elders is described in the rest of the first
   chapter...
   a. Because of those described as insubordinate - Tit 1:10
   b. Who were negatively impacting the churches on Crete - Tit 1:11

3. What does it mean to be an insubordinate...?
   a. Insubordinate:  one who does not submit to authority, mutinous
   b. Insubordination is therefore disobedience and resistance to
      authority

4. In the setting of our text, that would mean the authority of the
   apostles of Christ...
   b. In whose teachings the early church continued steadfastly - e.g.,
      Ac 2:42
   c. Whose teachings were to be considered on par with the Lord's - cf.
      1Co 14:37; 1Th 2:13

[Insubordination can be a problem in churches today, so we do well to
carefully consider text of our study (Tit 1:10-16).  First, notice what
is revealed concerning...]

I. THE CHARACTER OF INSUBORDINATES

   A. IN THE CHURCHES OF CRETE...
      1. They were idle talkers and deceivers - Tit 1:10
         a. "More given to talk than practical religion" - Barnes
         b. Not honest, seeking to deceive others
         c. Such conduct had permeated the character of those living on
            Crete - Tit 1:12-13a
         d. It was also true of those among the circumcision (Judaizers
            who sought to bind the Law on Gentiles - cf. Ac 15:1)
      2. Their minds and consciences were defiled - Tit 1:15
         a. A natural consequence of deceiving others
         b. Their minds and consciences have become corrupted
         c. Notice Paul's description of such people in 1Ti 6:3-5
      3. They had become abominable and disobedient - Tit 1:16
         a. Abominable:  detestable to God
         b. Disobedient:  unwilling to be persuaded and obey
         c. Guilty of six things that are an abomination to God - cf.
            Pr 6:16-19
      4. They were disqualified for every good work - Tit 1:16
         a. Disqualified:  literally, reprobate, worthless
         b. Of no real value to God, who has created us to walk in good
            works - cf. Ep 2:10

   B. IN CHURCHES TODAY...
      1. Those who resist the authority of the Word are more likely to
         be given to talk than doing
      2. We should beware of those prone to be talkers and not doers
      3. They not only deceive others, but themselves as well - cf. Ja
         1:22-26
      4. Following them will make our religion useless - ibid.

[Resisting the authority of God's Word is a serious offense.  It is also
has the potential of great harm...]

II. THE HARM OF INSUBORDINATES

   A. IN THE CHURCHES OF CRETE...
      1. They were subverting whole households - Tit 1:11
         a. Turning them away from the faith
         b. Not just one member, but entire families!
      2. They were teaching things they ought not, for the sake of
         dishonest gain - Tit 1:11
         a. Motivated more by popularity and monetary gain
         b. Willing therefore to teach things that were not true

   B. IN CHURCHES TODAY...
      1. Insubordinates are also motivated by such things as popularity
         and monetary gain
      2. Who will teach what others want to hear, rather than the Word
         of God
      3. Whose influence will not stop with just one or two, but impact
         entire families!

[Where insubordinates exist, how should they be treated...?]

III. THE TREATMENT OF INSUBORDINATES

   A. IN THE CHURCHES OF CRETE...
      1. Their mouths were to be stopped - Tit 1:11
         a. It means, properly, to check, or curb, as with a bridle; to
            restrain, or bridle in; and then, to put to silence - Barnes
         b. It is, of course, implied here that this was to be done in a
            proper way, and in accordance with the spirit of the gospel
            - ibid.
      2. They were to be rebuked sharply - Tit 1:13
         a. The reproof should be such as would be understood, and would
            show them plainly the wickedness of such traits of character
            - Barnes
         b. He was not to be mealy-mouthed, but he was to call things by
            their right names, and not to spare their faults - ibid.
      3. With the goal of helping them to be sound in the faith - Tit 1:
         13
         a. Confronting error has the objective of saving the one in
            error
         b. Not just stopping the spread of error - cf. 2Ti 2:24-25
      4. This was the duty, not just of Titus, but of the elders - cf.
         Tit 1:9

   B. IN CHURCHES TODAY...
      1. We must take insubordination seriously
      2. We must stop the spread of false teaching by addressing it
         plainly
      3. We must have in view the salvation of those guilty of
         insubordination and error
      4. This is the duty of both evangelists and elders
      5. If the insubordinate fails to repent, then withdrawal is the
         final option
         a. As Paul commanded the church in Rome - Ro 16:17-18
         b. As he commanded the church in Thessalonica - cf. 2Th 3:6,
            14-15

CONCLUSION

1. We have seen that those who resist the authority of God's Word...
   a. Hurt themselves by corrupting their minds and consciences
   b. Harm those whom they influence through their teaching

2. Insubordinates must be stopped...
   a. By rebuking them sharply, hoping they will become sound in the
      faith
   b. If they do not repent, then we must withdraw ourselves from them

Elders and evangelists are especially charged with the responsibility of
dealing with insubordinates.  But every Christian should be on guard
against the harmful influence of those who are disobedient and resistant
to the authority of God's Word...

From Gary... A message for the times (past and present)

If I were the Devil...

https://www.facebook.com/photo.php?v=10200905877993157&set=vb.1351418400&type=2&theater

Paul Harvey, now there is a name I haven't heard in awhile!!! I remember his directness, his insight and the obvious wisdom that comes with years of reflection. The link entitled "If I were the Devil..." was a presentation of his in 1965. Those of us who can remember back that far, will tell you things were very different then; even though the world was generically a gentler place, it was changing- AND NOT FOR THE BETTER!!! Please listen to what he has to say and realize that it has come to pass. Now, I realize that there are MANY, MANY fine people out there, but if you think that you are immune to the influence of evil- think again!!! Consider Job....

Job, Chapter 1

8 Yahweh said to Satan, “Have you considered my servant, Job? For there is no one like him in the earth, a blameless and an upright man, one who fears God, and turns away from evil.”

9 Then Satan answered Yahweh, and said, “Does Job fear God for nothing? 10 Haven’t you made a hedge around him, and around his house, and around all that he has, on every side? You have blessed the work of his hands, and his substance is increased in the land. 11 But stretch out your hand now, and touch all that he has, and he will renounce you to your face.”

12 Yahweh said to Satan, “Behold, all that he has is in your power. Only on himself don’t stretch out your hand.”

Job, Chapter 2

1 Again, on the day when the God’s sons came to present themselves before Yahweh, Satan came also among them to present himself before Yahweh.  2 Yahweh said to Satan, “Where have you come from?”

Satan answered Yahweh, and said, “From going back and forth in the earth, and from walking up and down in it.”

  3 Yahweh said to Satan, “Have you considered my servant Job? For there is no one like him in the earth, a blameless and an upright man, one who fears God, and turns away from evil. He still maintains his integrity, although you incited me against him, to ruin him without cause.”

  4 Satan answered Yahweh, and said, “Skin for skin. Yes, all that a man has he will give for his life. 5 But stretch out your hand now, and touch his bone and his flesh, and he will renounce you to your face.”

  6 Yahweh said to Satan, “Behold, he is in your hand. Only spare his life.”

  7 So Satan went out from the presence of Yahweh, and struck Job with painful sores from the sole of his foot to his head.

We live in a world at war and the forces of evil (with the dreaded Satan leading them on) are doing their best to harm YOU!!! No one can change what has occurred since Paul Harvey outlined Satan's efforts at our destruction. But the Bible teaches us that we can come to grips with whatever situation comes our way and seek God- then move on with our life. This is the message of the book of Job. The United States of America was once a very great nation and it can be so again. However, to achieve that lofty goal, we need to do what Job did- accept God for who HE is and acknowledge that we have fallen short of what we should do to follow HIM!!! Those who have listened to the audio message have a good start already- they know the enemies plan. Now, go out there and oppose it!!!!!

2/9/14

From Ben Fronczek... Giving That Feels Good

Giving That Feels Good

By: Ben Fronczek

2 Corinthians 9:6-15 (Click on verse to read)

Opening Story: The Giving Tree by: Shel Siverstein

Once there was a tree and she love a little boy. And almost everyday the boy would come and he would gather her leaves and make them into a crown and play king of the forest. He would climb up her trunk and swing from her branches and eat her apples. And they would play hide-and-go- seek. And when he was tired, he would sleep in her shade. But time went by and the boy grew older and the tree was often left alone.

Then one day the boy came to the tree and the tree said, “Come boy, come and climb up my trunk and swing from my branches, eat some apples, play in my shade and be happy.”

“I am too big to climb and play,” said the boy. “I want to buy things and have fun. I want some money. Can you give me some money?”

“I’m sorry,” said the tree, “I have not money. I have only leaves and apples. Take my apples boy, and sell them in the city. Then you will have money and you will be happy.”

And so the boy climbed up in the tree and gathered her apples and carried them away. And the tree was happy.

But the boy stayed away for a long time…. And the tree was sad.

And then one day the boy came back and the tree shook with joy and she said, “Come boy, climb up my trunk and swing from my branches and be happy.”

“I am too busy to climb trees,” I want a house to keep me warm.” He said. “I want a wife and I want children, and so I need a house. Can you give me a house?”

“I have no house,” said the tree, “The forest is my house, but you may cut off my branches to help build a house. Then you will be happy.”

And so the boy cut off her branches and carried them away to build his house. And the tree was happy.

The boy stayed away for a long time. And when he came back, the tree was so happy she could hardly speak. “Come boy,” she whispered, “come and play.”

“I am too old and sad to play,” said the boy. “I want a boat that will take me far away from here. Can you give me a boat?”

“I have no boat but you can cut down my trunk and make a boat,” said the tree. “Then you can sail away… and be happy.”

And so the boy cut down her trunk and made a boat and sailed away. And the tree was happy… but not really.

And after a long time the boy came back again. “I am sorry boy,” said the tree,“I have nothing left to give you…my apples are gone.”

“My teeth are too weak for apples,” said the boy.

“My branches are gone,” said the tree. “You cannot swing from them.”

“I am too old to swing on branches,” said the boy.

“My trunk is gone,” said the tree, “you cannot climb…”

“I am too tired to climb,” said the boy.

“I am sorry,” sighed the tree. “I wish that I could give you something… but I have nothing left. I am just an old stump. I am sorry.”

“I don’t need very much now,” said the boy, “just a quiet place to sit and rest. I am very tired.”

“Well,” said the tree straightening herself up as much as she could, “well, an old stump is good for sitting and resting. Come boy, sit down and rest.”

And the boy did. And the tree was happy. (THE END)

The lesson I have for you today is entitles, “GIVING THAT FEELS GOOD.” Giving that feels good is much different than giving that doesn’t feel good.

Being the time of year when we think most about giving gifts, I would like to consider a few different attitudes or things that motivate us to give.

As a Christian I believe it is important to have a healthy positive attitude toward giving, but that’s not always the case…..

i) Some giving is generated by feelings of guilt. There is no way to know how much money has been poured out over the years because feeling guilt prompted us to do so.

In our reading from 2 Cor. 9, the Apostle Paul wrote that,

“each of you must give as you have made up in your mind, not reluctantly or under compulsion, for God love a cheerful giver.”

Even though giving prompted by guilt can provide nice gifts or even funding for many good causes, it is not the kind of giving that God is please with. Nor is it the kind of giving we are looking for here in this church as you make your contributions each week. Why? Because

#1) It is unbiblical.

#2) It bring no joy when you give out of guilt.

#3) Giving out of guilt does not generate a proper or healthy Christian attitude in members.

In many ways it is counterproductive creating negative feelings like sadness, doubt, sometimes even anger when we are guilt-ed into giving.

ii) Some giving can come or grow out of sense of responsibility. This may be referred to as “ought to giving.” Over and over the Bible instructs the people of God to be generous givers. In 2 Cor. 8:7 Paul instructs his readers to “excel” in their giving. And so there is no doubt that we have a Biblical responsibility to be generous givers and to take care of others.

Frankly I think many people need to wake up to this Biblical mandate. You may have heard of the “20-80 rule.” The “20-80 rule” refers to studies on congregational giving stating that 20% of the church membership gives 80% of the funds, 30% gives 20%, and 50% give nothing at all. This is not true of all congregations, but this is a surveyed average. What is seen in our churches can also be seen in society in general. My wife works for H&R Block and prepares income taxes. As she fills out tax forms for individuals she is shocked how many make absolutely no charitable contributions at all.

Even though this kind of giving (‘ought to giving,’) is better than ‘guilt-driven giving,’ this kind of giving often lacks the joy that God desires for us. Giving that is motivated by a sense of responsibility is not sinful or evil, but isn’t always giving that feels good; and God wants you to feel good about your giving! He wants you to be a ‘cheerful giver.’

iii. Another thing that may prompt us to give is ‘giving that come when we see a need and the desire to help with that need.’ This is more of the “want to” kind of giving. In 2 Cor. 8 & 9, Paul makes it clear that God wants us to respond to needs of others. In that context, the Christians in Jerusalem were experiencing hardships and Paul asked his readers to respond to their need. Sometimes our church is made aware of a special need, and we talk about helping, and many respond. We understand the need and ‘want to’ help. I believe when we give because it’s something we want to do we begin to feel joy and good about giving.

iv. And then there is giving and the spirit of giving that grows out of feeling blessed and feeling abundantly thankful to God. It is the ‘can’t help it kind of giving.’ It’s when we want to give because we feel so blessed and so grateful our self. It’s like our cup of blessing has been filled to the brim and then pours it out onto others. It’s when and where the more we recognize, see, and experience God’s blessings being poured out on us the more we can’t help but want to give more our self.

Listed to what Paul wrote about people of Macedonia, a people who despite their own afflictions needed to give back in return.

In 2 Cor. 8 Paul wrote,

“And now, brothers and sisters, we want you to know about the grace that God has given the Macedonian churches. ²In the midst of a very severe trial, their overflowing joy and their extreme poverty welled up in rich generosity. ³For I testify that they gave as much as they were able, and even beyond their ability. Entirely on their own, ⁴they urgently pleaded with us for the privilege of sharing …”

This is an example of the, ‘Can’t help it kind of Giving.’

Here within this verse we also see one of the primary reasons why they could be so generous, and why many times we fall short. He said, They gave themselves first to the Lord, and then it was just natural to give to others.

I’m not so sure we can fully understand God, or fully appreciate the prompting of His Spirit until we first give our self to Him. When the Macedonian church heard about the need of their brethren in Jerusalem their hearts welled up with the love of God and they just had to help despite their own poverty.

First and foremost God wants our hearts, not our money. If we are going to find peace and joy that is promised to believers, we must first give our self and our heart to the Lord. And if we are His, everything we own is His including our very life.

And when we reach that point in our walk with Him we will become a conduit for His blessings to others; He will use us to bless others with blessings that He pours out on us.

In 2 Cor. 9:11 Paul wrote;

“You will be enriched in every way so that you can be generous on every occasion, and through us your generosity will result in thanksgiving to God.”

In the story of The Giving Tree, she found peace and joy as she gave to the boy. Why? Because her giving was motivated by her love. Because of that love she was able to give every part of herself. God did the same for us. He gave the best gift He could ever give us over 2000 years ago –His one and only Son. Why? Because He loves us that much and it pleased Him to do so.

I encourage you to recognize how richly you are blessed by God. As you give more and more of yourself to Him you will find your heart and motivation for doing things will become less about self. I challenge you to purposely find a way to give something away everyday; a word of encouragement, a complement, a note, a phone call, maybe even a gift or money. If you do believe a feeling of enthusiasm and joy will grow in you as you give. You will just have to share and give because you feel so blessed. This will please and Glorify our Heavenly Father, and you find peace you like The Giving Tree, you will be happy.

For more lessons click on the following link: http://granvillenychurchofchrist.org/?page_id=566

From Jim McGuiggan... Christ's Baptism and ours

Christ's Baptism and ours

In the NT, when people were called to be baptized into the name of Christ it was to have their sins forgiven (Acts 2:37-38 and 22:16). But there was much more to it than that. Peter’s central affirmation in Acts 2:38 is not that baptism brings remission of sins but that baptism is “in the name of” Jesus Christ. A faith-baptism in the NT is a confession of and identification with Jesus Christ and all he means and stands for. They wanted forgiveness—as a nation and as individuals they had foundationally sinned against God and wanted it made right. How are they to make it right (2:37)?

[It’s silly at this point to say that they asked the wrong question—“What must we do?” Peter wasn’t offended by the question and those of us that verge on having a seizure every time we get a whiff of what we think is “legalism” are simply off base. See Acts 2:40-41.]

How are they to make things right with God? They must accept Jesus Christ as the one God marks him out to be (2:22-33). And how was this to be done? In trusting repentance they were to be baptized in his name, that is, acknowledging him as God’s, Lord and Messiah (2:36).

But while this is true it isn’t enough. Clear teaching on baptism in the NT (setting aside some texts that may be mused over as indecisive) is a conscious and trusting response by repentant people to identify themselves with Jesus Christ and what that name means.

I mean more than that baptism does identify them with Jesus Christ; I’m saying that in clear NT teaching people who came to be baptized meant to and were called to identify themselves with Jesus Christ. As in the case of Israel with the baptism of John the Baptist so it is with all who are called together from the nations of the world by God through the gospel concerning Jesus Christ. Baptism for Israel was a turning to God, a conscious acceptance of God’s judgement on the nation and a turning to him. So it is with all who are called into the body of Christ by the gospel—it is more than a gift they are being offered (and it mostly certainly is sheer gift), it is a call to responsive commitment. Baptism is not a simple request for forgiveness—it is a commitment to God’s agenda in Christ and his method of gaining his purposes in Christ. Baptism is a God-induced and free response from the sinner by which he commits himself to God and all God’s purposes in and for the world.

And certainly while Jesus Christ is uniquely God’s Son and was the sinless one by holy righteousness, he was called by God to commit himself to God’s creative and redemptive enterprise by being baptized by John. Though sinless and in no need of personal repentance, Jesus justified God’s judgment on a nation that needed to repent—a nation of which Christ was a part—by joining them in a baptism of repentance for the remission of sins.

In being baptized Jesus not only accepted the Father’s assessment of Israel’s state, he not only identified himself with his sinful family, he also saw that identification as having its place in God’s redeeming action and so he insisted on fulfilling all righteousness.

For the best reasons John might have wanted to debate the matter of Christ needing to be baptized but Jesus saw it as a matter of humble and holy obedience and not something to be debated. For the best reasons John would have turned Jesus from baptism (Matthew 3:13-15) but the sinless One saw it as the will of his Holy Father.

[And in the face of plain and consistent NT teaching why would we turn sinful ones away from baptism?]

What if Jesus had refused to be baptized? Would he even have debated it within himself?

I wonder who first asked the question, "Yes, but do I have to be baptized?"

Many thanks to brother Ed Healy, for allowing me to post from his website, theabidingword.com.

From Mark Copeland... Elders And Their Qualifications ( Titus 1:5-9)

                         "THE EPISTLE TO TITUS"

                Elders And Their Qualifications (1:5-9)

INTRODUCTION

1. In writing Titus, Paul reminds him why he was left in Crete...
   a. To set in order the things the things that are lacking - Tit 1:5
   b. To appoint elders in every city - ibid.

2. The word 'elder' comes from the Greek word presbuteros...
   a. Lit., an older person
   b. Often used to describe "persons of ripe age and experience who
      were called to take part in the management of public affairs."
      - The Complete WordStudy Dictionary
   c. Applied to certain members of the Jewish Council (the Sanhedrin)
      - e.g., Mt 26:57
   d. Also applied to men appointed to positions in the church - cf. Ti
      1:5; Ac 14:27

[What service did the elders render in the church? What qualifications
were necessary to be appointed as an elder?  Let's first review...]

I. THE OFFICE OF ELDERS

   A. IN THE ORGANIZATION OF NEW TESTAMENT CHURCHES...
      1. The elders were also known as:
         a. Bishops (Grk., episkopos, overseer) - for their duty was
            to oversee the local congregation - cf. Ac 20:17; 1Pe 5:1-2
         b. Pastors (Grk. poimen, shepherd) - for their task was to
            shepherd and feed the flock of God - cf. Ac 20:17,28; 1 Pe 5:1-2
      2. Elder, bishop, and pastor were not three distinct offices, but
         different ways to describe the men and their work - cf.
         Easton's Bible Dictionary, Moody Handbook of Theology
      3. A congregation that was completely and scripturally
         organized...
         a. Contained a plurality of qualified men serving as bishops
            - e.g., Php 1:1
         b. They were assisted by qualified men serving as deacons
            - ibid.
      4. Their authority was limited to their local congregation
         a. They were to take heed to the flock of God "among which" the
            Holy Spirit made them overseers - Ac 20:28
         b. They were to shepherd the flock "among them", serving as
            overseers - 1Pe 5:1-2
         c. The elders of one congregation did not have oversight of
            Christians in other churches

   B. IN THE SERVICE OF NEW TESTAMENT CHURCHES...
      1. Elders were 'shepherds' (pastors) and 'overseers' (bishops) of
         the congregation
         a. Taking heed to themselves - Ac 20:28a
         b. Taking heed to the flock of God among them - Ac 20:28b; 1 Pe 5:2
         c. Leading by example - 1Pe 5:3
         d. Watching out for trouble - Ac 20:29-31
         e. Depending upon God and His Word - Ac 20:32
      2. Elders were to be 'teachers' and 'rulers' of the flock
         a. Able to teach - 1Ti 3:2
         b. Able to rule others well - 1Ti 3:4-5; 5:17
         c. Holding fast what they were taught - Tit 1:9
         d. Able to use the word to exhort and convict - Tit 1:9

[The work of elders (bishops, pastors) was to oversee the flock, leading
and guarding the sheep. Paul called it 'a good work' (1Ti 3:1).  Such a
work required qualified men.  The qualifications are found in two places
(Tit 1:5-9;1Ti 3:1-7)...]

II. THE QUALIFICATIONS OF ELDERS

   A. GENERAL QUALIFICATIONS...
      1. They describe what an elder 'must be' - Tit 1:7; 1Ti 3:2
      2. A bishop must be 'a man' - Tit 1:6; 1Ti 3:1-2; cf. 1Ti 2:11,
         12; 1Co 14:34-37
      3. A bishop must be 'blameless'- Tit 1:6-7; 1Ti 3:2
         a. One against whom no evil charge can be sustained
         b. Free from accusations that can be rightly proven - cf. 1 Ti 5:19-20
      4. As a 'steward of God' - Tit 1:7
         a. A steward was a servant entrusted with that which belongs to
            another
         b. A steward must be faithful, that is, trustworthy - cf. 1Co 4:1-2

   B. FAMILIAL QUALIFICATIONS...
      1. The husband of one wife (i.e., married) - Tit 1:6; 1Ti 3:1
      2. Having faithful children, not accused of dissipation or
         insubordination - Tit 1:6
      3. Ruling his own house well - 1Ti 3:4-5

   C. SPECIFIC NEGATIVE QUALIFICATIONS...
      1. Not self-willed (must not be arrogant) - Tit 1:7
      2. Not quick-tempered (not soon angry) - Tit 1:7
      3. Not given to wine (not a brawler) - Tit 1:7; 1Ti 3:3
      4. Not violent (no striker, not pugnacious) - Tit 1:7; 1Ti 3:3
      5. Not greedy for money (not fond of sordid gain) - Tit 1:7; 1 Ti 3:3
      6. Not quarrelsome (not contentious) - 1Ti 3:3
      7. Not covetous (no lover of money) - 1Ti 3:3
      8. Not a novice (not a new convert) - 1Ti 3:6

   D. SPECIFIC POSITIVE QUALIFICATIONS...
      1. Hospitable (given to hospitality) - Tit 1:8; 1Ti 3:2
      2. Lover of what is good (of good men, of goodness) - Tit 1:8
      3. Sober-minded (prudent, sensible) - Tit 1:8; 1Ti 3:2
      4. Just (upright) - Tit 1:8
      5. Holy (devout) - Tit 1:8
      6. Self-controlled (temperate) - Tit 1:8
      7. Holding fast the faithful Word as taught - Tit 1:9
      8. Able to teach, exhort, convict - Tit 1:9; 1Ti 3:2
      9. Temperate (vigilant) - 1Ti 3:2
     10. Good behavior (orderly, respectable) - 1Ti 3:2
     11. Gentle (patient) - 1Ti 3:3
     12. Good testimony from without (well thought of) - 1Ti 3:7

CONCLUSION

1. The list of qualifications can be revealing about the work of
   elders...
   a. It involves teaching, patiently guiding and leading the family of
      God
   b. It tests one's patience (when there is murmuring, discontent, or
      apathy among brethren)
   c. It can place one in volatile situations (e.g., that faced by the
      apostles, cf. Ac 6:1-2)
   d. It can be tempting for those attracted by money (e.g., Judas, the
      Pharisees)

2. For the flock of God to be well-fed and well-led, it requires men who
   meet both...
   a. The positive qualifications (what an elder must be)
   b. The negative qualifications (what an elder must not be)

3. For those qualified to serve as elders...
   a. It is a good work - 1Ti 3:1
   b. It is an awesome work - He 13:17
   c. It is a rewarding work - 1Pe 5:4
   d. It is a much needed work - Tit 1:5

May the Lord raise up men to serve His flock in this way; for the need
is certainly great...!

Note:  For a detailed series of outlines on the work and qualifications
of elders (bishops, pastors), please see my series entitled "Shepherds
Of The Flock".

From Gary... Need help... its snow problem

Recently, my good friend Bruce Arnold sent me this picture of the snow they received in New Jersey. Even though it has been cold and rainy here, our weather is nothing compared to this. Having lived in Jersey, I can appreciate what all this snow means in terms of traffic, but in Florida we have different problems- namely the congestion caused by the recent influx of "snow-birds". Now, this picture did evoke a sense of solidarity with Bruce and when I looked at it today, I thought of Paul's relationship with other Christians....

Galatians, chapter 6

1 Brothers, even if a man is caught in some fault, you who are spiritual must restore such a one in a spirit of gentleness; looking to yourself so that you also aren’t tempted. 2 Bear one another’s burdens, and so fulfil the law of Christ. 3 For if a man thinks himself to be something when he is nothing, he deceives himself. 4 But let each man test his own work, and then he will take pride in himself and not in his neighbor. 5 For each man will bear his own burden.

Like it or not, we all have problems. When it comes to spiritual things, we need help from others who are spiritual. Oh, we still have to solve our own matters, BUT both we and they should be willing to seek and give guidance. So- Bruce: enough your snow and know that my heart goes out to you. If the weather gets you down, know that my door in Florida is always open to both you and your lovely wife. By the way, what a nice picture!!!!