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Re: Bulletin Board [message #11579 is a reply to message #11576]

Sun, 03 May 2015 19:44

william
Messages: 1451
Registered: January 2006

Senior Member
Administrator

Quote:

I keep thinking the problem is that many are not being taught the Bible correctly and they have not a clue of what Jesus told His disciples.

I think you are right here but the question that remains is why aren't they being taught?

Each one of us has been given the ministry of reconciliation --2Cor 5:18-19. BTW, Paul says this twice, in both verses:

Quote:

[2Co 5:18-19 KJV] 18 And all things [are] of God, who hath reconciled us to himself by Jesus Christ, and hath given to us the ministry of reconciliation; 19 To wit, that God was in Christ, reconciling the world unto himself, not imputing their trespasses unto them; and hath committed unto us the word of reconciliation.

One thing that I've noticed over the years that I've been a Christian is that when truth is proclaimed it might take a while but eventually, over time, there is a sea-change in people's thinking.

One of the most recent things that I've seen, for example, is the gradual attitude shift concerning authoritarianism. You don't have to look back too far to the time where the Church was governed by a hierarchical clergy hell-bent on making sure its rules were followed. It matters not whether we are talking about so-called biblical 'rules' or simply religious rules that stem from the traditions of men.

Of course authoritarianism, I'm convinced, is one of the characteristics of the gentiles who "love to exercise authority" as Jesus said:

Quote:

[Mat 20:25-26 KJV] 25 But Jesus called them [unto him], and said, Ye know that the princes of the Gentiles exercise dominion over them, and they that are great exercise authority upon them. 26 But it shall not be so among you: but whosoever will be great among you, let him be your minister;

[Mar 10:42-45 KJV] 42 But Jesus called them [to him], and saith unto them, Ye know that they which are accounted to rule over the Gentiles exercise lordship over them; and their great ones exercise authority upon them. 43 But so shall it not be among you: but whosoever will be great among you, shall be your minister: 44 And whosoever of you will be the chiefest, shall be servant of all. 45 For even the Son of man came not to be ministered unto, but to minister, and to give his life a ransom for many.

[Luk 22:25-27 KJV] 25 And he said unto them, The kings of the Gentiles exercise lordship over them; and they that exercise authority upon them are called benefactors. 26 But ye [shall] not [be] so: but he that is greatest among you, let him be as the younger; and he that is chief, as he that doth serve. 27 For whether [is] greater, he that sitteth at meat, or he that serveth? [is] not he that sitteth at meat? but I am among you as he that serveth.

Now these verses have always been there and to some extent have been taught but, and this is only my opinion based upon a rather limited exposure to Christian circles... but it seems to me that folks are beginning to grasp the significance of what Jesus said.

Specifically I'm thinking about a recent case where there was a minister who was for all intents and purposes very sound in his biblical teaching yet the ministry organization he founded was recently crippled because of his heavy-handed administrative style.

As it turns out it was the people who had been taught the Word under his ministry who finally said --ENOUGH! (Goggle Mars Hill if you are interested in the details). Now this is just one example and it might not be the best but it does show what can happen over time when the Word of God is taught. Eventually it will produce fruit.

Which brings me back to the original question that was raised by your comment --Why aren't they being taught?

God sets teachers into Church but we know that they aren't always shining examples of the servants that Jesus mentions in the above verses. But if I'm right, there will come a time when this misguided authoritarianism will be stamped out once and for all, and it just might usher us all into a better understanding of Christianity. Then maybe your statement can be reversed: They won't be clueless any more!

Blessings,
William

I want to believe!

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