God's Rest

God’s Rest
On a recent day of retreat I took along F. B. Meyer’s, A Castaway and Other Addresses published in 1897. The pages in the old book would crumble and break as I turned each one. The binding would crack and break, yet I had to turn another page as I devoured the book at the expense of losing the integrity and possibly enjoyment of future readings.

How God used Meyer to speak to my heart. In the last sermon recorded in the book, he spoke of God’s Rest. After several months of turmoil and unrest in my life, it was as if God were audibly speaking to ME! How refreshing, how encouraging it was for me to find sermons spoken to preachers over 110 years ago by this man of God, still breathing fresh life into me.

Just a sample,

“The voice that breathed o’er Eden spoke of rest. In Gen. 2:3 we are told of the rest of God, and upon that day there fell no night, because the rest of God has no shadow in it, and never terminates. God has left open the door. It stands wide open, and every heart which He has made may share in it. A rest which is full of work; but like the cyclone, all the atoms of which revolve in turbulent motion around the central cavity of rest, so do all the activities of God revolve around His deepest heart which is tranquil and serene. And it is possible, if you and I learn the lesson amid anxiety and sorrow and trial and pressure of work always to carry a heart so peaceful, so still, so serene as to be like the depth of the Atlantic which is not disturbed by the turbulent winds that sweep the surface.

“Now this rest of God spoken of in Genesis was not exhausted by the Sabbath, or by Canaan; for after each of these had existed for many a century God still spoke of His reset as being unoccupied. And at last in Matt. 11:28, 29, a simple peasant (so He seemed,) stood up amid a number of peasants and fisher-folk and others, and said:
“On this breast of Mine is a pillow for ever heavy heart. My breast is broad enough, My heart is deep enough I offer Myself to all weary ones in every clime and age as Shiloh, the rest-giver”; for Shiloh in Him had come.

One feels that here is the accent of Deity. He says: “I am meek and lowly in heart.”
And yet He assumes to Himself the prerogative of giving rest to all that labor and are heavy-laden. How can you possibly account for the meeting of humility so great with pretentions so enormous in this meekest of men unless He be more than man, the Son of God incarnate? You will notice that as He stands there upon some mountain slope, with Chorazin, Bethsaida and Capernaum on the land-locked lake of Galilee at His feet, He speaks of two kinds of rest which He shows us how to find. “I will give you rest,” He says, and then in a softer undertone He whispers: “Take My yoke and you shall find rest.”

More later on God’s Rest

Elder Rule and Southern Baptist Church Polity

Robert A. Wring has written and excellent article on Elder Rule and Southern Baptist Polity. It is found in the Journal for Baptist Theology and Ministry Vol. 3 No. 1 (Spring 2005): pp 188-212. I suggest reading it. It can be found at http://www.baptistcenter.com/11%20Wring%20Revision.pdf

Biblical Church Polity

Which Governance Is Right?

Church polity simply refers to the structure of church government. What was the form of polity in the New Testament? Dean Stanley asserts that no existing church can find any pattern or platform of its government in the first century.

Historically, the three basic forms of church order are:
• Episcopal—governed by bishops
• congregational—places authority in hands of local congregants
• presbyterial—governed by elders of equal rank
Originally church order was exclusively episcopal, but congregational and presbyterial polities emerged out of the Protestant Reformation.

A member’s relation to the church is a reflection of a member’s relationship to Christ, since the individual members make up the body of the church which is the bride of Christ. In Ephesians 5:32, Paul is careful to tell us that his instructions concerning the relationship of the husband and wife are, in fact, a representation of the relationship of Christ with His Church.

The dominant primacy of the Holy Spirit assumes that God and humanity are in a partnership in the church enterprise. God is operating in and through the church through the Holy Spirit. The Holy Spirit is not subject to human leadership or guidance. There is neither an attempt to preempt Him nor to direct, limit, or regiment His movement within the church. Christ is the Head of the church through the guidance of the Holy Spirit.

As the church emerged, the need for official and appointed leadership developed. Focal congregations needed direction. New Christians required teaching. The world stood waiting for the message of eternal life. As God’s plan unfolded, leaders were selected and placed in positions of responsibility to lead in worship, to minister to the congregations, and to strengthen the witness of the church. The leaders were described with multiple titles which seem to indicate the various functions of the church’s leadership. They were called elders, pastors, teachers, and bishops. In Acts 6 a group emerged which would later be known as deacons or servants. As a result, the New Testament church developed two basic offices or leadership roles. One is the pastor (elder, bishop) and the other is the deacon.

While churches today differ in their application of these offices as they relate to church government and polity, we can be sure that Jesus is the Lord of the church and that He mediates His rule through the congregation and its chosen leaders. God’s church is therefore dependent upon the right kind of leadership, which fits the biblical pattern and develops healthy Christians within the congregation. Since church leadership is a stewardship having significant impact upon the lives of Christians, it is imperative that qualified leaders be chosen.


Notes:
Schaff, P., & Schaff, D. S. (1997). History of the Christian church. Oak Harbor, WA: Logos Research Systems, Inc.
Kurian, G. T. (2001). Nelson's new Christian dictionary : The authoritative resource on the Christian world. Nashville, Tenn.: Thomas Nelson Pubs.
Tidwell, C. A. (1985). Church administration: Effective leadership for ministry (22). Nashville, TN: Broadman & Holman Publishers.
Believer's Study Bible. 1997 (electronic ed.) (Re 22:17). Nashville: Thomas Nelson.

Biblical Church Polity

The work of the laity

A look at the various main-line denominations reveals that there are many different organizational styles among denominations today. Which one is correct? Should a church be lead by “elders,” “deacons,” "committees,” or by the pastor? In my study I find no case for church leadership to be placed in the hands of any other than the pastor, the under-shepherd who is held responsible for the flock (see previous post).

An Old Testament passage which delineates how specific needs should be handled is Exodus 18:17-27. It is the story of Moses organization to effectively lead the children of Israel. This organizational chart was proposed by his father-in-law and is strikingly similar to the suggestion of the apostles in Acts 6. In Exodus the selection of help is for the purpose of judging. In Acts 6 the purpose of the selection is for taking care of widows who were neglected in the daily ministry.

The dissimilarities are that Moses chooses those who will serve in the Exodus, and in the Acts, the apostles set the requirements for selection, but allows the congregation to choose. Beyond that the similarities are striking. Compare the qualifications listed in each.

In Exodus the leaders are to be:
1. Men (able men). The adjective “able” is important. Not every man is “able” to lead. There are some who cannot lead themselves, let alone others.
2. They are to fear God.
3. Truth
4. They are to hate dishonest gain.

In Acts the requirements are to be:
1. Men
2. Good reputation
3. Full of the Spirit
4. Wise
5. Have authority to accomplish the work

Consideration should be made that this is God’s model for organization. If this be the case, then all of the committees of the church should have the same requirements as above. One may argue that all of the committees of the church should be sub-committees of the deacons who serve to bear the burden of the pastor in order that he may give his time to the work of the Bible Study and prayer.

In Acts, the apostles set the terms for the selection, but allowed the congregation to choose. The assumption is that if the congregation did not choose men who met the qualifications laid down by the apostles, they would not be accepted in that leadership position.

In Exodus, the leader (Moses) chose directly the men who would assist in the area of leadership, but the qualifications were very similar to those of the Apostles in Acts.

Biblical Church Polity

The role of the pastor

Three words are used to refer to the office of the pastor in the New Testament. They are all three used in one passage found in 1 Peter 5:1–3 (NASB)1 THEREFORE, I exhort the elders among you, as your fellow elder and witness of the sufferings of Christ, and a partaker also of the glory that is to be revealed,2 shepherd the flock of God among you, exercising oversight not under compulsion, but voluntarily, according to the will of God; and not for sordid gain, but with eagerness;3 nor yet as lording it over those allotted to your charge, but proving to be examples to the flock.

The role of the undershepherd is described with three words:

• Elders (Gk. presbuteros) is a term that suggests the respect and esteem due a pastor by virtue of his divinely appointed office (v. 1);

• Shepherd (Gk. poimainō), used as a verb in the text, describes a pastor’s spiritual ministries—to feed, protect, guide, and pray for the flock of God (v. 2);

• Overseers (Gk. episkopos) emphasizes administrative responsibilities (v. 2).

These terms are synonymous; yet each has a distinctive nuance of meaning in describing the pastoral office.

Paul told the elders in Acts 20:28 (NASB)
28 “Be on guard for yourselves and for all the flock, among which the Holy Spirit has made you overseers, to shepherd the church of God which He purchased with His own blood.

Speaking to Timothy in 2 Timothy 4:2 (NASB) he said,
2 preach the word; be ready in season and out of season; reprove, rebuke, exhort with great patience and instruction.

Explaining the gift of God to the Church at Ephesus Paul wrote in Ephesians 4:11–12 (NASB)
11 And He gave some as apostles, and some as prophets, and some as evangelists, and some as pastors and teachers,12 for the equipping of the saints for the work of service, to the building up of the body of Christ;

These verses concerning the role of the pastor clearly delineate the responsibility for church leadership does not lie with the office of deacons or with committees, but with the Pastor who has been placed in the local church by the Holy Spirit. The three words used describe the distinctive nuances of the same office—that of a man called by God to equip the saints for the work of ministry.

In response the congregants are to Hebrews 13:17 (NASB)
17 Obey your leaders, and submit to them; for they keep watch over your souls, as those who will give an account. Let them do this with joy and not with grief, for this would be unprofitable for you.

The shepherd of the sheep is not led by the sheep, but leads the sheep according to the directions of the owner of the sheep. In too many churches today the sheep lead the shepherd and do not allow him to fulfill the calling which God has made on his life.

I realize that this post does not address the issue of a pastor abusing the office and how to deal with that situation. That will be a later post.

Biblical Church Polity

The Pattern of the Early Church

The description of the early church in Acts 2:42-47 gives a basic outline of what God intends the church to be:
42 And they [the early church] continued stedfastly in the apostles’ doctrine and fellowship, and in breaking of bread, and in prayers. 43 And fear came upon every soul: and many wonders and signs were done by the apostles. 44 And all that believed were together, and had all things common; 45 And sold their possessions and goods, and parted them to all men, as every man had need. 46 And they, continuing daily with one accord in the temple, and breaking bread from house to house, did eat their meat with gladness and singleness of heart, 47 Praising God, and having favour with all the people. And the Lord added to the church daily such as should be saved.

The church is made up of people called by God to be His children. The Lord intended for there to be a visible church for a testimony to the world. An organization’s structure is determined by its purpose. For example each position on the football team has a particular job. It is structured to meet the needs of the purpose of the team—offensively to score, defensively to keep the other team from scoring.

The church has basically a two-fold purpose that is stated in many different ways by different churches. Purpose statements usually include something along these lines, “To glorify God by knowing Him and making Him known.” A more expanded version would be “to make disciples by growing in our relationship to God and teaching others in keeping with Bible instruction.” Whatever the purpose of the church, the organizational structure should be to undergird and facilitate that purpose.

Acts 2:42 delineates the basic ingredients of church life in the first church. 42 And they continued stedfastly in the apostles’ doctrine and fellowship, and in breaking of bread, and in prayers. The only other thing you can add to that was preaching the good news of Jesus Christ. Everywhere they went as they had opportunity they provided witness to the gospel of Jesus Christ. As a result “the Lord added to the church daily such as should be saved” (v. 47).
Don’t think that evangelism wasn’t important to the early church because it was not delineated. It was a “given” that each would person would share his/her faith. The purpose of the church was plainly given by Christ in what is known as “The Great Commission” (Matthew 28:18-20). Unfortunately in many churches it is “The Great Omission.”

The basic functions are:
Bible Study
Fellowship
Prayer
Preaching
Witnessing

We find that the first expansion of the church organization took place in response to a particular need in the church. Most are familiar with the passage in Acts 6. The need arose because the task of ministry was too great for the Apostles. Church organizational growth should be in response to the needs of ministry. Often these needs are not perceived early, resulting in conflict which will always focus attention on the need.

The twelve apostles led the early church until needs demanded the organizational structure develop and elders and deacons were trained to lead and serve. One must be careful that the church not become bureaucratic rather than functioning as a body with each member fulfilling a particular task or role. Often the pitfall of organization is that the church operates like the government rather than as a body. What are the purposes of committees and councils and are they the most efficient way to accomplish the work God has given the church to do? Are they good stewardship of His resources?

Questions that are essential for the church to ask are:
1. What is the basic task of the church?
2. Is the leadership biblical?
3. Is the church organized to efficiently carry out that task in a biblical, efficient way that is good stewardship of God’s resources?

BIBLICAL CHURCH POLITY

The fundamentals

No body is complete without a head. There is an old saying, “Anything with no head is dead, and anything with more than one head is a freak.” The Bible plainly teaches that there is structure to all relationships. The ultimate head in all relationships whether social or governmental is God. He is the one who places all heads of government in office (Romans 13:1) and He is the one who is to be the head of the family (Ephesians 5:22-26). Ultimately man must give account to God for all of his activities.

Even though Jesus and God are equal, the Scripture teaches that Christ submits to the authority of the Father. Various passages give account of Christ’s submission to the Father. One of the references is 1 Corinthians 11:3
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.

The head of the church is the Lord Jesus Christ. In Ephesians Paul says, Ephesians 4:15-16 15 But speaking the truth in love, may grow up into him in all things, which is the head, even Christ: 16 From whom the whole body fitly joined together and compacted by that which every joint supplieth, according to the effectual working in the measure of every part, maketh increase of the body unto the edifying of itself in love. Although we are to do everything we can in the church, it is the power of Christ that makes everything everlasting work.

Just a Word

I have not posted since last fall. I will start again and see how it goes.

Biblical Church Polity

A look at what the Bible says about local church organization
Introduction

The other day a person asked how we determined our church organizational structure. As most other pastors, my initial response was, “from the Bible.” It does not, however, take a thorough examination of the Scripture to find that much of the organizational structure as well as the polity of the typical late 20th Century church is not directly derived from Scripture. It is easy to understand how so many denominations came into being when you understand the different organizational and leadership styles.

Many believe that the church is to be a Theocracy rather than a democracy in the way it is governed. Does God’s Word give us direction as to how the church should be organized and structured? Are the instructions in Scripture sufficient for the staffing and operation of the mega-churches of our day?

I believe that there is room given for various leadership styles in the Bible. While God has given some basic guidelines for the structure of the church, there is room for creativity and variety in the organizational structure as long as the foundational principles of God’s Word are not violated.

thoughts on tattoos

Leviticus 19:26-28
26 ‘You shall not eat anything with the blood, nor shall you practice divination or soothsaying. 27 You shall not shave around the sides of your head, nor shall you disfigure the edges of your beard. 28 You shall not make any cuttings in your flesh for the dead, nor tattoo any marks on you: I am the LORD.

Please be sure to read and get the entire context of these verses. In biblical days, tattoos and piercings were used to mark slaves. Often they were used to identify with pagan gods.

These verses clearly speak to how God’s people are to be different from surrounding culture, and especially idol worship. They prohibit cutting the hair on the side of the head or the beard and cutting the body either for the dead or with tattoo marks. These activities were practiced by pagans especially during times of mourning for the land. The Israelites were not to emulate pagan practices in this regard since they maintained a sacredness for life and for the human body.

The body is a marvelous creation of God. Its wholeness represents the beauty and perfection of holiness. Thus the body is to be kept whole. It is not to be intentionally harmed or marred in any way.

However, we must be careful that we do not fall to the fault of applying part of the Scripture if we do not follow all of it. We DO trim our beards, and we Do trim our sideburns. If you notice the Orthodox Jews and the curls that flow down the sides from the sideburns, that is what it refers to. So, if we enforce one, why do we not enforce both.

While I do not like tattoos, the biblical prohibition was because it was an outward show of pagan belief and God’s people were not to be identified as being “conformed to that lifestyle” but different—set apart. It is probably a stretch to make the same application today. Our problem is that often we look at the letter of the law rather than the spirit of the law. Many other areas of lifestyle identify us with the “world” rather than with God, from places we go, things we do, etc.

The bottom line for me is the question, “Does it honor Christ?” The Scripture is very clear, “Whatever you do, do all the glory of God (1 Cor 10:31).” If God cannot be glorified in it, we should not do it.

Both of my boys have chosen not to listen to their Dad. Their tattoos do not blaspheme or mark them to idols, but they do in my mind disfigure their bodies and I personally believe they will one day regret them. Their tattoos honor their Country, but I am not sure they honor their God. But I don’t think religious tattoos would either. It is not what is on the outside in profession. It is what is on the inside as possession that causes the outside to be what it ought to be. It is from the inside out—not outside in.

jkp