333 Words
333 WORDS….
Ac.14:23: When they (Barnabas and Paul) had appointed elders in every church, and prayed with fasting, they commended them to the Lord.
The pastor’s strange and self-serving take on this verse: “I get the pulpit, you get the pew.” Magnanimously he gives occasional permission (permission!) to the pew-people to give a short testimony or open/close in prayer.
Tit.1:5: Set in order the things that are lacking, and appoint elders in every city.
The house church elder’s take: “That means I do the talkin’, you do the listenin”. Equally magnanimous, he gives occasional permission (permission!) to the chair-people to ask questions or share an insight.
Evangelical (etcetera), you can learn much about our Lord’s ways by what is written and by what is not.
It is written: How is it then brethren? Whenever you come together, each of you has a psalm, has a teaching, has a tongue, has a revelation, has an interpretation.
It is not written: When you come together listen attentively as the pastor reads a psalm, gives a teaching,…
It is not written: Each of you read a psalm, give a teaching, etc. as the elder gives permission.
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It is written: Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly in all wisdom, teaching and admonishing one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs.
It is not written: Because the word dwells in the elder richly, let him teach and admonish you.
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It is written: As each one has received a gift, minister it to one another.
It is not written: Let the reverends minister their gifts to you.
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It is written: Exhort one another daily.
It is not written: Leave exhorting to the salaried. That’s what they get paid for.
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It is written: The manifestation of the Spirit is given to each one for the profit of all.
It is not written: Holy Spirit prefers to manifest through a select few.
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Evangelical (etcetera), you allowed others to box, stifle, and use you. Talk it over with Jesus.