Watchman Magazine

In the July 3rd issue of The Christian Chronicle, coverage was given to a recent “international symposium of sacred a cappella music, involv[-ing] members of Churches of Christ as well as Mennonites, Eastern Orthodox, Reformed Presbyterians, Episcopalians and Roman Catholics.”

The symposium was a sequel to a previous effort which took place in 2007.  Concerning that event, the article notes “‘The Ascending Voice’ debuted at Pepperdine in 2007 — the brainchild of [Darryl] Tippens, who saw it as a way to celebrate and promote a cappella worship in a world of praise bands and recorded music.”

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This article is the first of two that shall examine the subject of establishing Bible Authority.  A study of both the first and second covenants will yield a greater understanding of how authority works.  There are members of the body of Christ who continue to be confused about various questions such as whether or not there should be Bible classes or have a water fountain in the church building.  Others seem destined to be confused over the marriage, divorce, and remarriage issue.  Some have no idea how to answer the question of whether missing a Wednesday service is sinful or not.  The two covenants, who is a false teacher, and more recently the A. D. 70 Doctrine are other issues.  While confusion runs rampant our Bible tell us that God is not the author of confusion (1 Corinthians 14:33).  The objective of this study will not be to answer all your Bible questions and solve all the “brotherhood issues.”  The objective is rather to remind us all of the initial direction we must take when seeking out answers to Bible questions. 

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This question should not be difficult to answer but unfortunately due to the will and whim of man some have a hard time in answering this.

Let me say clearly from the beginning that there is biblical example for elders.  In Paul’s letter to Titus Paul wrote, For this reason I left you in Crete, that you should set in order the things that are lacking, and appoint elders in every city as I commanded you (Titus 1:5).  The indication here is that one of the things that was lacking was the absence of elders.  This is also an indication that a church can function without elders; it is just lacking.  In Titus 1:6-9 and 1 Timothy 3:1-7 Paul gives the young preachers the qualifications for elders.

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One of the grandest facts about the ongoing findings of archaeology is that it never fails to produce unique and interesting finds that open up new proofs for conclusions previously unknown. One such find was the law code of Hammurabi.

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Although this nation that we live in is considered by most of the public as a Christian nation, the actual numbers and facts to those who really believe in the Bible and its teachings would prove otherwise. Our nation would reflect a vast number of people who make the claim that they believe in the scriptures, but their works and lifestyles would reveal a totally different focus.  We have in our nation the majority of people who live out a buffet religion, rather than the true faith that God longs for us to have. By using the phrase buffet religion, I simply mean that there are those who pick and choose certain things out of the scriptures in which they want to follow, and leave the rest, much like we do at a food buffet. We even have a certain select few who have taken scissors to the pages of their bibles and cut out sections that they disagree with!!!

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The British have a strange form of government. They have a queen, but she does not exercise any real power. Her authority is only ceremonial and her crown is worth nothing more than the gold and jewels that compose it. The real power was stripped away from her family by the people and one of them, the prime minister, is now the head of English government.

Modern Christianity has done much the same thing to its king, Jesus Christ. While people still recognize his crown, they do not attach much significance to his exercise of authority in all matters of faith. Hence, various denominations proudly boast doctrines and missions growing out of their own interpretation of the Bible, most generally not a literal interpretation at all.

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The following video is the second of a series uploaded to YouTube.    To view the YouTube page containing all videos I have produced, click here .  Enjoy the video!

Most people are familiar with the GPS, a global navigation satellite system developed by the Department of Defense which transmits precise signals allowing receivers to calculate and display accurate location, speed, and time information to the user. These global positioning systems work in most weather conditions, day or night, 24 hours a day, around the globe, and we can use them to help us get to our destinations. You simply put in your destination address, and it will tell you turn by turn directions for the roads you need to travel to get you there. Some models will even alert you to traffic and construction delays that you might encounter and will allow you to avoid them. Using the acronym GPS, let us consider a few comparisons between this man made GPS and God, and how we should use our spiritual GPS.

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In other articles, we have noted the definition of the word pattern and that God indeed has always had a pattern for what He wants His people to do.  We examined the pattern God has for financial support to those who preach the Gospel. In this one we shall examine the pattern God has established in the area of benevolence, that is the caring for the material needs of men by the church. To begin with, we must recognize that the Lord never intended for the church to care for all of the physical needs of men all over the world. Please take note that I said for the church to take care of the needs of all men. The responsibility of helping all men, as we have opportunity is one of an individual nature. The Bible story of the good Samaritan shows this clearly (Luke 10:30-37). The question we must address here is, “Is the church, out of the Lord’s treasury, to take funds and provide for the physical  needs of those who are not Christians?” We must not allow our emotions to  lead us in answering this question. Certainly, the needs of suffering humanity are to be met and we, as individual Christians are directed to help anyone in need. Again, the story of the Good Samaritan is a good Bible example. That does not answer our question, though, as to whether the church can take from the Lord’s treasury and do this. We must look into the pages of Divine inspiration at the pattern God has established for the church regarding those in physical need. Remember that the pattern is set up by Jehovah God and it matters not whether we may understand why it is so but, instead, do it as God has directed.

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As previously noted in this short series about Bible Patterns, we must follow scripture in establishing authority for our religious practices.  Paul wrote, “In all things showing yourself to be a pattern of good works; in doctrine showing integrity, reverence, incorruptibility” (Titus 2:7).

There are three areas of work, commissioned by God for the church.  The church is to preach the gospel to the lost in the world (evangelism), to engage in works of physical and material charity toward needy saints (benevolence), and to encourage and build up those of the household of faith (edification).

As with all things, we must let the scriptures define for us the work of edification, and the extent of that work, as authorized by God for the church.  The Bible is clear on this matter, and we can be sure of our standing before God by adhering to the Bible pattern in the work we do in building up the body of Christ.

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In an earlier article we took note of the fact that God has a pattern for what we are to do. We noted that when His patten is ignored or changed we bring down the wrath of God upon ourselves.

One example of this is found in the Israelites disregard for God’s pattern for transporting the ark of the covenant. God had directed only the house of Kohath was to carry the ark of the covenant, (cf. Numbers 4:15), but no one was to touch it. When the Israelites decided to move it on one occasion and did not follow the pattern God had set up, they were cursed in their efforts.  When Uzza reached out to keep the ark from falling, God struck him dead (1 Chronicles 13:7-10). Later, King David recognized his error (1 Chronicles 15:1-2), and corrected it. David also acknowledged his wrong. “For because you did not do it the first time, the LORD our God broke out against us, because we did not consult Him about the proper order.”  So the priests and the Levites sanctified themselves to bring up the ark of the LORD God of Israel.   And the children of the Levites bore the ark of God on their shoulders, by its poles, as Moses had commanded according to the word of the LORD” (1 Chronicles 15:13-15).

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“In all things showing yourself to be a pattern of good works; in doctrine showing integrity, reverence, incorruptibility” (Titus 2:7).

“Who serve the copy and shadow of the heavenly things, as Moses was divinely instructed when he was about to make the tabernacle. For He said, ‘See that you make all things according to the pattern shown you on the mountain’” (Hebrews 8:5).

It is clear from the reading of these verses that God has a pattern He expects to be observed. What does the word pattern mean then? It is defined by Mr. Henry Thayer’s Greek Lexicon, in the following manner. “…an example… the pattern in conformity to which a thing must be made…” (pg. 632).  In our every day language that simply means that God has a way in which He wants things done and demands of us to follow the pattern He has given in His Word. The Lord says to follow the pattern! He has not only given patterns in both Old Testament and New Testament, but has also shown that His wrath comes upon those who do not follow it.  It does not matter whether we may understand why the Lord has instructed something to be done! It is His pattern and without question must be followed or we suffer His wrath upon us. Please note the following regarding the thinking of man and that of God.  “For My thoughts are not your thoughts, Nor are your ways My ways,” says the LORD.  For as the heavens are higher than the earth, So are My ways higher than your ways, And My thoughts than your thoughts” (Isaiah 55:8-9).  Let us study.

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In our last article on authority, we documented several “digressions” which resulted from a lack of understanding of how Bible authority is established.  The three general apostasies we mentioned were: 1) The establishment of the apostate church (Catholicism); 2) The embracing of human creeds in the Protestant Reformation; and 3) The apostasy in the late 1800′s which led to the establishment of the Christian Church denomination.

In the more recent past God’s people have been troubled by digression.  In the 1940′s and 1950′s issues arose in the church, which led to division among God’s people.  The digression again came because men either lacked respect for or understanding of the authority of Christ.  In this case the digression surrounded the work and organization of the local congregation, and the sufficiency of the church to do the work assigned it by God.

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Proposition 2: The Scriptures teach that the elders of a local church are authorized to assemble privately to make decisions in matters of judgment for the local church before and without calling together the whole congregation.

Root of the Problem: Eph 4 says elders bring people to "the unity of the faith." But many see elders as a board of directors whose job is balancing a check-book, buying supplies, and managing property. Nothing to do with "faith" at all. If you had to work a full-time job and then run a business after-hours, you wouldn’t have time to teach, study, pray or visit much either. This is why you hear so many complaints about preachers doing the work of elders. What a sad waste of the talents of many good men, and what a loss to a congregation.

The work of elders is much more important. They can make the difference between saints falling away or getting to heaven. They are too busy teaching, studying, praying, visiting, rebuking, encouraging, and counseling to privately decide all matters of judgment. The spiritual leaders (apostles, prophets, evangelists, pastors, teachers) in Eph 4:11 lead in "the faith." Do they "make decisions" as they lead? In some limited ways. Evangelists decide how to present a lesson to convert the sinner. Teachers decide what topics to present in class. Do evangelists and teachers privately decide matters of judgment for the church? No, leadership in the faith isn’t private decision-making in collective judgment. Why can’t we see the same for elders?

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Proposition 2: The Scriptures teach that the elders of a local church are authorized to assemble privately to make decisions in matters of judgment for the local church before and without calling together the whole congregation.

With this affirmative, my part of the debate comes to a close and judgment is passed to the readers. Please consider all the material carefully in the light of the scriptures and render a verdict on the evidence. The full debate, without additional material, is to be printed in book form as per our agreement. No new material should be introduced in the final negative.

My Third Affirmative will establish from Generic Authority that the scriptures permit elders to make decisions in the realm of unstated options (judgments), arising from specific commands.

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Proposition 2: The Scriptures teach that the elders of a local church are authorized to assemble privately to make decisions in matters of judgment for the local church before and without calling together the whole congregation.

The Problem Grows: When elders privately decide all matters of collective and individual judgment for others (2A, ¶ 19), the plane has landed in Boston. We’re told elders may decide whether a member needs circumcision (1st Debate, 2N, ¶ 7). If the saint disagrees, they cite Heb 13:17 and decide for him (2A, ¶ 19). Folks, where does it stop? Compared to involuntary genital surgery, deciding what house you may buy is trivial. But there is no scripture to stop such things once you accept the Affirmative position.

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Proposition 2: The Scriptures teach that the elders of a local church are authorized to assemble privately to make decisions in matters of judgment for the local church before and without calling together the whole congregation.

My first affirmative showed that the definitions of scriptural terms (bishops, elders, etc.) permitted elders to "exercise the oversight" (1 Pet. 5:3), thereby empowering them to make private decisions on behalf of the congregation. Now we will prove in a scripture study that elders actually did make decisions "before and without" calling together the whole congregation.

Arguments: 1) Acts 4:34-37. From the beginning, decisions were made privately (not secretly, as Vance charges): this is not "new" doctrine. Disciples brought gifts to the apostles "and they distributed to each as anyone had need." This "apostolic example" showed male leadership making private decisions about who the needy were, how much each received and how long they were to receive it, without congregational meetings. Vance says they sinned!

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Proposition 2: The Scriptures teach that the elders of a local church are authorized to assemble privately to make decisions in matters of judgment for the local church before and without calling together the whole congregation.

Introduction. As before, my articles represent my own views and not those of any church, eldership, or other saints. Quotes from Tom’s material are italicized, as are Greek words.

The Problem. Many are stuck between the false choice that elders either privately decide all matters of judgment, or else they have no authority or function at all. Since the latter is wrong, many are driven to the former. But there is a third way — the Bible way. In the Bible, elders perform authoritative spiritual leadership by calling and presiding over assemblies, teaching the flock, rebuking sinners, convicting false teachers, correcting the erring, counseling, visiting and lifting up the weak, leading in prayer, admonishing (warning), and showing less mature saints how to get to heaven. Both of the extremes described above have bad consequences. The first ("elders privately decide everything") led to many of the disastrous consequences of the Boston Movement. The latter ("elders are just older saints with no leadership authority") is associated with a breakdown of the meaning and purpose of the local church. The Affirmative position accepts the first extreme in its zeal to avoid the second. The Negative denies both extremes in favor of the Bible pattern.

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Proposition 2: The Scriptures teach that the elders of a local church are authorized to assemble privately to make decisions in matters of judgment for the local church before and without calling together the whole congregation.

Proposition: "Resolved: The scriptures teach that the elders of a local church are authorized to assemble privately to make decisions in matters of judgment for the local church before and without calling together the whole congregation."

Definitions: "The scriptures," the 66 books of the Bible. "Teach," instruct by commands, approved examples or divine implications. "Elders," men who are scripturally authorized and appointed (1 Tim. 3; Tit. 1) over each local church (Acts 14:23; 1 Pet. 5:2). "Local church," the congregation in a given locality in its corporate entity (Phil. 1:1). "Authorized," empowered, permitted. "To assemble," meet in their eldership capacity (Acts 20:17). "Privately," (Gk: idios) "pertaining to one’s own; to do one’s own business (1 Thes. 4:11), apart (Mt. 24:3)" (Thayer, p. 296-7). "To make decisions," come to a conclusion. "In matters of judgment," distinct from matters of faith. "For the local church," represent, act on behalf of, in the interest of the local congregation. "Before," in advance of. "And without," lacking, in the absence of. "Calling together," summoning, requesting. "The whole congregation," the ekklesia.

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