|
|
Disclaimer
The Seed of Abraham or the author, are not responsible for any ads that
appear above this space (And might not agree with some of the content). Views and comments
in the book "Outlaw" Christianity are of the author only, and do not reflect on
the policies, goals or beliefs of the Seed of Abraham in any way.
Chapter #6
HANDCUFFED
Another thing that is never taught in
Church, or spoken about.
"And he gave some, apostles; and some, prophets; and some evangelists; and some, pastors and teachers; For the perfecting of the saints, for the work of the ministry, for the edifying of the body of Christ:" Ephesians 3:11,12
Well now you’ve become a Pastor, and this is your first Church. Your real excited and on fire for the Lord. You have been invited to preach at a Church, the pulpit committee likes your resume. You meet with the committee, you’re amazed at the questions they ask. You walked into the meeting anxious to meet your brothers and sisters in the Lord. After a few minutes you feel like your being interrogated by the Gestapo. Slowly you realize that these people are your Lords and Masters, at least they act like they are.
Cheer up, they may hire you and it could get worst, a lot worst. You think back on the years you spent in youth group, Sunday school and Church Service. You think of the Crusades that you have been involved with, all the faithful time spent in personal evangelism. The years spent in study at divinity school, all the prayer and financial support you have received from your Church. Then you ask yourself what’s wrong with these people. Boy am I glad that most Churches aren't like this one, wanna make a bet on that!
Along the way I have seen Pastors handcuffed by their board of Deacons or their pulpit committee. Sometimes it’s the denomination itself that handcuffs the Pastor, with its own brand of Church Theology, instead of Bible theology. That's why I started this chapter with the Scripture verse from Ephesians. Please read this passage again, now, then think of the order of authority.
"And he gave some, apostles; and some, prophets; and some evangelists; and some, pastors and teachers; For the perfecting of the saints, for the work of the ministry, for the edifying of the body of Christ:" Ephesians 3:11,12
Jesus is the Chief Shepherd he established classes of shepherds under Him. Shepherds are in charge of sheep (The Church). We as sheep are to follow our shepherds. The shepherds have dogs to assist them in their work. Please note that the Sheep don’t order the dogs around, the dogs don't order around the assistant shepherds and the assistants don't order around the Head Shepherd. God in His infinite wisdom established a pecking order in the body of Christ. Please note that I'm not against examining a candidate for a position. What I am against is a board or a committee telling a pastor how and what to preach. God's Word is the ultimate authority, it comes from the Head Shepherd. When a pastor is a man of God, he receives his orders from a messenger (Holy Ghost), sent by the Head Shepherd. Are some of our Church leaders interfering with this Divine plan, YES!
If you are an evangelist, prophet or apostle and are instructed by the Holy Ghost to correct a pastor, do so. If you want to correct a Pastor because your Church always had the collection before the sermon not after, or your Pastor preaches from the whole Bible instead of just the Book of Acts, you had better examine YOURSELF instead of him.
1 Cor. 12:28 And God hath set some in the church, first apostles, secondarily prophets, thirdly teachers, after that miracles, then gifts of healings, helps, governments, diversities of tongues.
Please read Paul's words very carefully below, and then tell me what is wrong with this picture?
1 Cor. 4:9 For I think that God hath set forth us
the apostles last, as it were appointed to death: for we are made a spectacle unto the
world, and to angels, and to men.
10 We are fools for Christ's sake, but ye are wise in Christ; we
are weak, but ye are strong; ye are honourable, but we are despised.
11 Even unto this present hour we both hunger, and thirst, and are naked, and are
buffeted, and have no certain dwellingplace;
12 And labour, working with our own hands: being reviled, we bless; being persecuted, we
suffer it:
13 Being defamed, we entreat: we are made as the filth of the world, and are
the offscouring of all things unto this day.
14 I write not these things to shame you, but as my beloved sons I warn you.
1 Thes 2:14 For ye, brethren, became followers of the
churches of God which in Judaea are in Christ Jesus: for ye also have suffered like things
of your own countrymen, even as they have of the Jews:
15 Who both killed the Lord Jesus, and their own prophets, and have persecuted us;
and they please not God, and are contrary to all men:
Many of the so-called Protestant denominations were started over splits within a particular Church body on important issues that were controversial. Like for example ordination of women. I think women shouldn’t be in a leadership position over men, and here is some reasons why.
1 Cor. 14: 34 Let your women keep
silence in the churches: for it is not permitted unto them to speak; but they are
commanded to be under obedience, as also saith the law.
35 And if they will learn any thing, let them ask their husbands
at home: for it is a shame for women to speak in the church.
Titus 2:5 To be discreet, chaste, keepers at home, good, obedient to their own husbands, that the word of God be not blasphemed.
1 Peter 3:5 For after this manner in the old time the holy women also, who trusted in God, adorned themselves, being in subjection unto their own husbands: (Note it doesn’t say that the husbands should be subject.)
Now to put it simply, if your Pastor is on target with what he is teaching from the WORD. You, any boards, overseers, or anyone else, hasn't the right to tell him he is out of line with your Church! Or its agenda! Who are you? GOD? The only thing that matters is God’s Word PERIOD!
If your Church has chained up the Pastor
Set him free to follow the Spirit.
Please 
Vote!
Return to "Outlaw" Christianity Book Index Read Next Chapter
Click Icon above for
S.O.A. Club's Home Page
LE FastCounter
View
My Guestbook 
Sign
My Guestbook
