I received a question this week regarding whether pastors, elders and deacons should continue in their positions if they divorce. The Bible gives us indications on the answer or answers here; but it is important that we define what these positions are. There is a great deal of confusion on the meaning of these words.
In today's world, it is common to call a preacher or minister by the name of "pastor." This is a misnomer from a Bible standpoint. The word comes from the Greek word "poimen" which means "shepherd" or "overseer." A good use of the term can be seen in Acts 20, verses 17 and 28. In this passage we find Paul calling for the elders (poimen) in Ephesus to come meet with him. In this particular passage, there are several different words used for these elders including elders, overseers, bishops and shepherds. They aren't preachers; they are men who have been selected, who have certain qualifications to lead the church in Ephesus, to oversee, to shepherd, to watch over.
We should look closer at the position of elder in the New Testament. In Acts 11, right at the end, we see that Christians in Judea needed help due to a famine. Help was sent: "This they also did, and sent it to the elders..." Later in chapter 14, verse 23, much preaching was going on. Speaking of the preachers, it says, "So when they had appointed elders in every church, and prayed with fasting, they commended them to the Lord in whom they had believed." Elders were being established in the various churches.
One might ask what the qualifications are for being an elder (or pastor--same thing)? This is clearly stated in 1 Timothy chapter 3. "This is a faithful saying; If a man desires the position of bishop, (Greek word Episkopos, simply meaning elder, or overseer; also used in Acts 20 regarding the Ephesian elders) he desires a good work. A bishop then must be blameless, the husband of one wife...." Further clarification is given in Titus 1. Paul is speaking to Timothy: "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.."
Nowhere in the NT is there given any qualification of "preacher." Anyone can preach the teachings of Jesus. But specific qualifications are given for the position of elder (or bishop, overseer, shepherd--all the same). And one of these requirements is that he be the "husband of one wife." This requirement is not put on the preachers but is made for the overseers. And note that the term "bishop" is just another word for elder in the NT.
On a side note, the position of "deacon" is not talked about much in the NT, but qualifications are given in I Timothy 3. Close examination will show that these requirements are not as stringent, that it is an actual position in the church, and that the work is one of servant, worker. The word comes from the Greek, Diakonos, meaning "servant."
Maybe that is enough for now. This kind of study seems a bit legalistic, but the Bible is clear on this and we should take note so that we properly follow the pattern for the organization of the church. Thanks for reading again. See you next week.
Saturday, November 24, 2012
Sunday, November 18, 2012
Heaven
It would be impossible for a mere mortal like me to properly describe heaven. We don't have the mental capacity to fully understand and describe the afterlife; we only know this life. this life on earth. But we can go to the only source for information on heaven, which is the Bible. And we will note that even the Bible doesn't try to bring us to a full understanding of this subject, for the obvious reason that we just can't comprehend it before getting there.
For a detailed description of heaven we go to Revelation 21. The book of Revelation is a vision given by God to a man, John, who then reveals this to Christians. In chapter 21 he talks of heaven and uses a number of names for it, such as new heaven, holy city, New Jerusalem, great city, etc. And beginning in verse 9, there is a good deal of detail given about heaven. But we need to keep in mind that the whole book is a vision, a figurative book that, while giving lots of detail, isn't meant to be taken literally. So when we read of the dimensions of the city, the gold and precious stone construction and all of the special characteristics, we must remember that this detail is given so the we can get some idea of its greatness; physical characteristics are provided, but this is a spiritual place.
In Philippians 3, we read these verses, beginning with verse 20: "..our citizenship is in heaven, from which we also eagerly wait for the Savior, the Lord Jesus Christ, who will transform our lowly body that it may be conformed to His glorious body, according to the working by which He is able to subdue all things to Himself." Just prior to this passage, the writer is discussing those who are committed to sin, "whose end is destruction, whose god is their belly..." and more. The committed Christian is already thinking of heaven, is already a citizen of heaven, in a sense.
Much more can be said of heaven, but it can be summed up in saying that we all want to be there; and all will not be there. The Bible makes it clear that only those who follow Christ will have that opportunity. To some that will sound hard, but it is still true. It is up to each one of us to be a follower and as such, receive the blessings that come through Jesus Christ.
Thanks for reading again. Have a great week!
For a detailed description of heaven we go to Revelation 21. The book of Revelation is a vision given by God to a man, John, who then reveals this to Christians. In chapter 21 he talks of heaven and uses a number of names for it, such as new heaven, holy city, New Jerusalem, great city, etc. And beginning in verse 9, there is a good deal of detail given about heaven. But we need to keep in mind that the whole book is a vision, a figurative book that, while giving lots of detail, isn't meant to be taken literally. So when we read of the dimensions of the city, the gold and precious stone construction and all of the special characteristics, we must remember that this detail is given so the we can get some idea of its greatness; physical characteristics are provided, but this is a spiritual place.
In Philippians 3, we read these verses, beginning with verse 20: "..our citizenship is in heaven, from which we also eagerly wait for the Savior, the Lord Jesus Christ, who will transform our lowly body that it may be conformed to His glorious body, according to the working by which He is able to subdue all things to Himself." Just prior to this passage, the writer is discussing those who are committed to sin, "whose end is destruction, whose god is their belly..." and more. The committed Christian is already thinking of heaven, is already a citizen of heaven, in a sense.
Much more can be said of heaven, but it can be summed up in saying that we all want to be there; and all will not be there. The Bible makes it clear that only those who follow Christ will have that opportunity. To some that will sound hard, but it is still true. It is up to each one of us to be a follower and as such, receive the blessings that come through Jesus Christ.
Thanks for reading again. Have a great week!
Saturday, November 10, 2012
Jesus and the Government
It is interesting that Jesus never got involved in governmental matters. In this posting we will look at a few verses that show what the Bible teaching is regarding following governmental laws.
First, we might note that Jesus had no interest in pursuing the rich and powerful; certainly not to the exclusion of the poor man. Jesus showed over and over that He came to save people, anyone who would follow Him. When He picked the 12 apostles, He went to just regular working men; men not particularly educated or who would stand out in any special way. When He taught, He sought out sinners, people who were rejected by society, people who needed to change their lives. We see all of this as we read the books of Matthew, Mark, Luke and John.
But the Jewish leaders were not satisfied with this. They pursued Him further. Note Matthew 22:15+: "Then the Pharisees went and plotted how they might entangle Him in His talk. And they sent to Him their disciple with the Herodians, saying, 'Teacher, we know that You are true, and teach the way of God in truth; nor do You care about anyone, for You do not regard the person of men. Tell us, therefore, what do You think? Is it lawful to pay taxes to Caesar, or not?' But Jesus perceived their wickedness, and said, 'Why do you test Me, you hypocrites? Show Me the tax money.' So they brought Him a denarius. And He said to them, 'Whose image and inscription is this?' They said to Him, 'Caesar's.' And he said to them, 'Render therefore to Caesar the things that are Caesar's, and to God the things that are God's.' When they heard these words, they marveled, and left Him and went their way." Jesus made it clear that laws are to be followed, taxes paid.
But we also note in Acts 4, well after Jesus has left the earth to return to heaven, the Jewish leaders, not the Roman government, pressed the apostles to stop speaking of Jesus. The answer (Acts 4:20) was, "..we cannot but speak the things which we have seen and heard." Then in the next chapter, Acts 5, when commanded by the Jewish leaders to not teach, the answer was, "We ought to obey God rather than men." The truth needed to be taught....and these men were going to do it.
We can keep in mind that the government at the time of Jesus, and even after for awhile, was quite corrupt. It was run by the Romans. They were brutal, unfair, and dominating. Still, Jesus was not concerned with the government, was not a reactionary. He came to bring "change" but it was only in the spiritual lives of people.
And it can change us....if we let it.
Thanks for reading. Feel the love.
First, we might note that Jesus had no interest in pursuing the rich and powerful; certainly not to the exclusion of the poor man. Jesus showed over and over that He came to save people, anyone who would follow Him. When He picked the 12 apostles, He went to just regular working men; men not particularly educated or who would stand out in any special way. When He taught, He sought out sinners, people who were rejected by society, people who needed to change their lives. We see all of this as we read the books of Matthew, Mark, Luke and John.
But the Jewish leaders were not satisfied with this. They pursued Him further. Note Matthew 22:15+: "Then the Pharisees went and plotted how they might entangle Him in His talk. And they sent to Him their disciple with the Herodians, saying, 'Teacher, we know that You are true, and teach the way of God in truth; nor do You care about anyone, for You do not regard the person of men. Tell us, therefore, what do You think? Is it lawful to pay taxes to Caesar, or not?' But Jesus perceived their wickedness, and said, 'Why do you test Me, you hypocrites? Show Me the tax money.' So they brought Him a denarius. And He said to them, 'Whose image and inscription is this?' They said to Him, 'Caesar's.' And he said to them, 'Render therefore to Caesar the things that are Caesar's, and to God the things that are God's.' When they heard these words, they marveled, and left Him and went their way." Jesus made it clear that laws are to be followed, taxes paid.
But we also note in Acts 4, well after Jesus has left the earth to return to heaven, the Jewish leaders, not the Roman government, pressed the apostles to stop speaking of Jesus. The answer (Acts 4:20) was, "..we cannot but speak the things which we have seen and heard." Then in the next chapter, Acts 5, when commanded by the Jewish leaders to not teach, the answer was, "We ought to obey God rather than men." The truth needed to be taught....and these men were going to do it.
We can keep in mind that the government at the time of Jesus, and even after for awhile, was quite corrupt. It was run by the Romans. They were brutal, unfair, and dominating. Still, Jesus was not concerned with the government, was not a reactionary. He came to bring "change" but it was only in the spiritual lives of people.
And it can change us....if we let it.
Thanks for reading. Feel the love.
Saturday, November 3, 2012
Here I Am
One of the most emotional stories of the Bible is found in Genesis 22. "Now it came to pass after these things that God tested Abraham, and said to him, 'Abraham!' And he said, 'Here I am.' Then he said, 'Take now your son, your only son Isaac, whom you love, and go to the land of Moriah, and offer him there as a burnt offering on one of the mountains of which I will tell you.' So Abraham rose early in the morning......"
This story has a heartbreaking beginning. Imagine the pain that Abraham was feeling. He had to travel a long ways, then climb a mountain and sacrifice his beloved son. There are many points to be noted here, but the most significant will be left for last. Notice that after being told to do this, Abraham starts early in the morning of the next day. He didn't wait around to follow God's command. And imagine how difficult it must have been for Abraham to get any sleep that night!
Another fact to be noticed is that the mountain that God sent Abraham on was the very same mountain on which Solomon built the temple. This is the mountain upon which Jerusalem was built, the mountain from which king David reigned, and the mountain where Jesus was crucified. Much of the Bible history revolves around this key spot, where modern day Jerusalem still stands.
And going back to the beginning of the story, it can be noted that when God called Abraham, he replied, "Here I am." Abraham was not a shirker. I'm sure that he would like to have hidden, or run; but that was not Abraham's way.
And then there is the most significant point of the story: There is a direct correlation between this story and the story of God sacrificing His Son, Jesus. Just as Abraham was asked to sacrifice his only and beloved son, God would generations later offer his Son to be sacrificed. The key difference here is that God spares Abraham's son, Isaac, and lets a ram be sacrificed instead; but Jesus is not spared and gives His life to bring salvation to all....to all who would give their lives in service to Jesus.
The story of Abraham and Isaac in Genesis 22 had a great ending. But the story of the death of Jesus, the sacrifice of His life, is quite painful. And yet the ending is great here, too. Jesus overcomes death by rising from the dead, walks on the earth for 40 days (Acts 1), and ascends to heaven to reign on the throne of God.
We can learn from Abraham and try to imitate his great faith in following God. And we can be ready to say, "Here I am" whenever God calls us to His service.
Thanks for reading. See you next week.
This story has a heartbreaking beginning. Imagine the pain that Abraham was feeling. He had to travel a long ways, then climb a mountain and sacrifice his beloved son. There are many points to be noted here, but the most significant will be left for last. Notice that after being told to do this, Abraham starts early in the morning of the next day. He didn't wait around to follow God's command. And imagine how difficult it must have been for Abraham to get any sleep that night!
Another fact to be noticed is that the mountain that God sent Abraham on was the very same mountain on which Solomon built the temple. This is the mountain upon which Jerusalem was built, the mountain from which king David reigned, and the mountain where Jesus was crucified. Much of the Bible history revolves around this key spot, where modern day Jerusalem still stands.
And going back to the beginning of the story, it can be noted that when God called Abraham, he replied, "Here I am." Abraham was not a shirker. I'm sure that he would like to have hidden, or run; but that was not Abraham's way.
And then there is the most significant point of the story: There is a direct correlation between this story and the story of God sacrificing His Son, Jesus. Just as Abraham was asked to sacrifice his only and beloved son, God would generations later offer his Son to be sacrificed. The key difference here is that God spares Abraham's son, Isaac, and lets a ram be sacrificed instead; but Jesus is not spared and gives His life to bring salvation to all....to all who would give their lives in service to Jesus.
The story of Abraham and Isaac in Genesis 22 had a great ending. But the story of the death of Jesus, the sacrifice of His life, is quite painful. And yet the ending is great here, too. Jesus overcomes death by rising from the dead, walks on the earth for 40 days (Acts 1), and ascends to heaven to reign on the throne of God.
We can learn from Abraham and try to imitate his great faith in following God. And we can be ready to say, "Here I am" whenever God calls us to His service.
Thanks for reading. See you next week.
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