Quote:
Originally Posted by Tithesmeister
In answer to the question of authority. I would like to post a scripture. Is that permissible? I hope it doesn’t anger you, because it doesn’t seem to support your doctrine. Sorry.
Eph.5
[23] For the husband is the head of the wife, even as Christ is the head of the church: and he is the saviour of the body.
Do you understand this headship to represent authority?
Just for good measure.
1Cor.11
[1] Be ye followers of me, even as I also am of Christ.
[2] Now I praise you, brethren, that ye remember me in all things, and keep the ordinances, as I delivered them to you.
[3] But I would have you know, that the head of every man is Christ; and the head of the woman is the man; and the head of Christ is God.
Paul says follow me as I follow Christ. Then Paul praises them for all of the consideration they have shown him in verse two.
Verse three begins with but.
But what? BUT I WOULD HAVE YOU TO KNOW, that the head of every man is Christ. Paul is describing the order of authority here.
I’m not sure if you know this, but I am a man. As such I am a part of the group he references as “every man”. So my head, (the one in authority over me) is Jesus. This seems to be in conflict with your doctrine.
Odd that Paul didn’t take the opportunity to remind them that he, or their current pastor/s were in authority over them.
Maybe he forgot?
Twice?
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What’s the role of the Pastor? From what you post now and what you have posted in the past, the Pastor...
Isn’t the authority of the local assembly
Should not accept tithe
Should have a job (full time) outside the church
Should be spending his time ministering to widows, orphans, and strangers
Giving monetary (tithe) donations to the widows, orphans, and strangers
Should introduce multiple Pastors to the congregation
Should have a Bishop or another to make sure he is not out of line
Is not a prophet
Is not a messenger of God
You posted there is a divide between the pulpit and the pew, and in some instances there is, Ive seen this first hand in my life. Yet, I believe the proof is in the pudding, I said for you to do this before and Ill say it again. You come on here and you post with “I’m not serious, I just want to prove you wrong with my knowledge” whether you mean to or not that’s how I take it. I’m not saying leave or stop posting, maybe tone back your cockiness just a bit.
Now, the church structure the way it is today has worked for several decades, I’m saved today by having one Pastor as the authority of the local congregation. I have paid tithe, offering, been submitted to the office of a Pastor while other offices have came through, I have received counsel from the Pastor, and was placed in the ministry with the understanding of authority. Has everything been roses and flowers, no sir but it worked. The Bible says....
Acts 5:39
But if it be of God, ye cannot overthrow it; lest haply ye be found even to fight against God.
You can take this verse and say thats its only meaning is this certain way, I dont look at the word that way, there are meanings and things in this word that we haven’t scratched the service of. Anyways, If the current way of Pastors is not the will of God, God will step in and stop it. If saints are hurt by a Pastor having too much authority it will stop in its tracks, I can say this I know this from first hand experience. You come against tithing, Pastors in a rebellion type way, if its right your fighting against God. It has worked for many years, could there changes yes sir, Ill be the first to pray for God to change me so I can become a better leader.
Now, if your assembly operates like you post, fine Ive never seen a congregation operate like that. But if it doesn’t, then go and ask God to give you burden for a city and show the rest of us how to build a church for God, using what you believe to be true. If its of God, I will not fight against it, if its not, there will not be anything to fight against.