furtaker
Senior Member
If you see anything that resembles an organization like the SBC or UMC in Acts 15, then you see something in the passage that I certainly don't see.then, could you please explain Acts 15:23 and following?
If you see anything that resembles an organization like the SBC or UMC in Acts 15, then you see something in the passage that I certainly don't see.then, could you please explain Acts 15:23 and following?
I don't see any similarity between the Southern Baptist Convention and the Apostle Paul sending instructions and corrections to believers. And I certainly don't put the leader of the SBC, the UMC, or some other organization in the same class as the Apostle Paul who wrote half of the New Testament.You must have completely glossed over the book of Acts where Paul after he met the risen Savior on the road to Damascus and initial instruction by Ananias returned to Jerusalem and placed what he had been taught before James and the disciples. Or further as Paul sends epistles to churches all over asia minor with instructions and corrections.
Maybe you meant a worldly hierarchy but each local church and pastor must submit to others the same as the individual follower for instruction and correction that they stay true to the gospel. As the word says iron sharpens iron. Or to use my pastor's term accountability partners.
The churches in the Bible times were independent groups of people governed by the pastor, deacons, and people, not some convention group with offices 500 miles away who told them what to do.
And I certainly don't put the leader of the SBC, the UMC, or some other organization in the same class as the Apostle Paul who wrote half of the New Testament.
At the risk of being a simpleton, if one loves Jesus and follows Him and lives for Him, taking time to acquaint themselves with His word and learn of Him and walk with Him, the problem is solved. Jesus is lifted up and lives are changed for Him.
So the problem, if we have one, is actually in each mirror!
Google “southern Baptist convention drama”If anyone has a story linky, feel free to PM it to me.
Is this it??? Found a story dated today, where one is bringing a lawsuit against another (man)Google “southern Baptist convention drama”
they were held accountable by the leaders of the church. At first it was Peter, Barnabas and others. That is why Acts 15 records them asking of the leadership, and the leadership responding as to how a situation should be handled. Even Paul went back to Jerusalem to ask about traveling to minister.
I agree there wasn't a formal convention, but there was a leadership oversight of those churches, and Syria is a good distance out from Jerusalem.
Rome is even farther
Amen!!!There is one church as there is one Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ.
Let the members recognize one another.
Whether they accurately display the role or not, those in true Apostolic succession are supposed to be those men.Is there an organization today that can be defined as being the role that Paul, Silas, and Timothy played in the Church's leadership?
and are they all of one mind as Christ prayed?There is one church as there is one Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ.
Let the members recognize one another.
That's a great question over which I have sought understanding; at least in terms of that (and my particular) recognition mentioned. That one body of Christ (as Christ is One) of which each individual believer is a member. The question is reduced for me to "how does it/she appear?" vs "how does it/she appear to me?"
Response in this recognition...and to this recognition, affects in ways barely understood but profoundly addressed as in:
Wherefore whosoever shall eat this bread, and drink this cup of the Lord, unworthily, shall be guilty of the body and blood of the Lord. But let a man examine himself, and so let him eat of that bread, and drink of that cup. For he that eateth and drinketh unworthily, eateth and drinketh ****ation to himself, not discerning the Lord's body.
If there be any unGodly attitude at work in our taking in (as the Lord would rid us of those) they will come up hard against the Father's response to Jesus' prayer...an eternal yes and amen always at work against all lies. And lies in corrupted thinking. This is where the friction between truth and falsehood must take place...creating a heat for which we seek relief. Out of darkness we are called, and such darkness is to be made light, even to be manifest in us though we know in deepest part this work is not "of us" as we might think we even know ourselves...but of Spirit.
The Lord in His body is given to us and for us, and each particular member no less so, that if there be any casual dismissal of any...it is casual dismissal of all. Thanks be to God He is relentless in His instructions, rebukes as needed, and scourgings as necessary. And we learn this is all to His glory and our eternal benefit...recognizing the Lord as He comes.
Do not misunderstand, it was a thoughtful and spot on observation you made.That's interesting because I thought it far too brief in taking in both matters of one church (of necessity)...and being of one mind.
But as to your response (above) I find no grounds for disagreement.
Nevertheless I also do not find that any presentation of disagreement with things as stated above worthy of immediate dismissal or calling for cessation of dialogue/communication.
It would be a continuance of our conversation if I ask for clarity in regards to the matter mentioned of "correct intention"...is it the administrator...the recipient, or both?
And taking the particular matter of intention as delivered by/informed of, faith. Faith in good faith practice I would think.