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Heretical Hierarchies

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Jesus built the church (Matthew 16:18). He is the head over it (Ephesians 1:22; 5:23; Colossians 1:18). The church is to be organized according to His will, the New Testament, ratified by His blood (Hebrews 9:15-18). Jesus shed His blood for the church, so it must be precious; it must matter to Him (Acts 20:28). This is the point Paul made to the overseers of the church at Ephesus so that they would follow his example in caring for the church with all the effort they could muster since people from within the church would try to lead people away from the Lord’s precepts (Acts 20:17-32).

Today many churches exist with differing doctrines, headquarters, and hierarchies. However, when we consult the New Testament, we find that a plurality of men possessing certain godly qualities supervised the local congregation among which they labored (Acts 14:23; 1 Thessalonians 5:12; 1 Timothy 3:1-7; Titus 1:5-9). No example exists in the New Testament of an archbishop who ruled over multiple congregations, legislating from afar what individuals in various regions were to teach and practice. God delivered once and for all the entirety of truth we are to follow today through the apostles in the first century (John 16:13; Jude 3). Elders labor among their local congregation, set an example to their flock, and by their authority enforce only that which is in harmony with the Bible, the revealed will of God (Acts 20:28, 32; 1 Peter 5:1-4; Hebrews 13:7).

 

No committee has the right to veto or overturn what God has clearly revealed in His word. Many man-made hierarchies found throughout the religious world have often plagued their adherents spiritually by usurping Christ and legislating where they have no authority. Let us beware of such departures from the genuine faith to the doctrines and commandments of men (Mark 7:1-13; 1 Timothy 4:1-5; Colossians 2:22). Let us abandon any form of church government that has no basis in Scripture.

Within the boundaries of God’s word, we must remember admonitions given to those in leadership positions and the souls entrusted to their care. Elders, remember that you are stewards of souls which belong to God (Titus 1:7). Remember what Peter wrote:

The elders who are among you I exhort, I who am a fellow elder and a witness of the sufferings of Christ, and also a partaker of the glory that will be revealed: Shepherd the flock of God which is among you, serving as overseers, not by compulsion but willingly, not for dishonest gain but eagerly; nor as being lords over those entrusted to you, but being examples to the flock; and when the Chief Shepherd appears, you will receive the crown of glory that does not fade away. (1 Peter 5:1-4.)

Those of us who are members of flock should remember the injunction of Hebrews 13:17, “Obey them that have the rule over you, and submit yourselves: for they watch for your souls, as they that must give account, that they may do it with joy, and not with grief: for that is unprofitable for you.” Remember Jesus is Lord (Philippians 2:9-11; 1 Timothy 6:14-16), and we are all trying to help one another obey Him (Hebrews 5:9).

-Mark Day

Difficulties for the Disciple

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Trials come to Christians testing our faith as a refiner’s fire tests gold (1 Pt. 1:7). We often do not look forward to trials of our faith; however, knowing they can produce steadfast endurance which brings us closer to maturity means they are often necessary for growth (Jas. 1:2-4). We can rejoice in our trials when we look to what suffering can produce in us (Rom. 5:3-5).

We often seek the easiest way and the most convenient environment in which to maintain Christianity; yet, if we are followers of Christ, as the name Christian indicates (Acts 11:26), then we must be willing to suffer with Him (Rom. 8:17). Jesus told any would-be disciple to deny self, take up his cross daily, and follow Him (Lk. 9:23). Jesus changed the world, but it was not because His life was easy. Doing the Father’s will was not convenient for Him. The devil tempted Him (Mk. 1:14). Hypocrites tried to entrap Him (Mk. 12:15). The multitudes left Him (Jn. 6:10, 66). Friends betrayed Him (Jn. 13:18-30; Mt. 27:3-5) and denied Him (Mt. 26:69-74; Mk. 14:27-31). Enemies interrogated Him (Mt. 26:57-68). Soldiers mocked (Lk. 23:11, 36), scourged (Mk. 15:15), and crucified Him (Jn. 19:23). Yet, He still did the Father’s will (Mt. 26:39; Jn. 6:38; 8:29). Christ suffered for us, leaving us an example that we should follow His steps (1 Pet. 2:21).

This means that when we follow Jesus, difficulties will arise to try to discourage us from continuing to do the Lord’s will. All that live godly in Christ Jesus will suffer persecution (2 Tim. 3:12). We must through many tribulations enter the kingdom of God (Acts 14:22). Consider the contrast in the words Jesus had for the church at Philadelphia who were keeping His word while enduring trials (Rev. 3:8-13) to those He had for Laodicea who because of their earthly wealth were self-satisfied, complacent, and blind to their own spiritual destitution (Rev. 3:15-22).

Obviously, this does not mean that we should seek the path of temptation (Mt. 6:13). We need daily encouragement from one another lest we are deceived into sin and depart from the living God (Heb. 3:12-14). A righteous man is tortured by what he sees and hears when he dwells among immoral people (2 Pet. 2:8). What this does mean is that we should not expect a great multitude of friends if we walk the path of truth (Mt. 7:13, 14). Some who once walked with us have forsaken the narrow way because they love this present world (2 Tim. 4:10). We should not expect all to speak well of us if we stand for truth (Lk. 6:26). The word of truth sets the disciples of Jesus apart from the world (Jn. 17:17-19). The church, as the pillar and ground of the truth, upholds the truth (1 Tim. 3:15). We are not often going to be mainstream. Let’s be on guard about compromising with the world (both secular and denominational) for numbers. When the multitudes leave the teachings of the Lord, we must stick with Him who is the way, the truth, and the life (Jn. 14:6), as Peter said after the crowd left, “Lord, to whom shall we go? You have the words of eternal life” (Jn. 6:68).

Do not love the world, but rather seek God’s will (1 Jn. 2:15-17). False teaching can infiltrate the church to lead Christians to conform to the world’s practices (Rev. 2:14-16; 20-23). We should greatly rejoice when the children of God continue to walk in truth and abide in the teaching of Christ (2 Jn. 2, 6, 9). Those who are young in the faith can learn to mature, be strong, have the word of God abide in them, and overcome the wicked one (1 Jn. 2:14).

-Mark Day

Without God

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Paul described the past state of Gentiles who did not know the true God back before they had become Christians in Ephesians 2:12: “that at that time you were without Christ, being aliens from the commonwealth of Israel and strangers from the covenants of promise, having no hope and without God in the world.” What would it be like to be without God? These Gentiles were blessed to have the opportunity to obey the gospel. When they did they were brought near to God by the blood of Christ (Eph. 2:13) and reconciled to God (Eph. 2:16).

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However, the New Testament does reveal the sobering reality of a time to come when those who are lost will be without God forever. Jesus described Hell as a place of “outer darkness” (Mt. 8:12; 22:13; 25:30). God is light (1 Jn. 1:5) and is called the Father of lights (Jas. 1:17). Revelation 21:23 says, “The city had no need of the sun or of the moon to shine in it, for the glory of God illuminated it. The Lamb is its light.” However, to be separated from God forever would mean no light.

Jesus said that the wicked who are cast into this place of outer darkness suffer with weeping and gnashing of teeth (Mt. 8:12; 22:13; 24:51; 25:30). The rich man was so tormented in flames, he wanted Lazarus to dip the tip of his finger in water to bring just a drop to him. However, he is told this is not possible (Lk. 16:26). God is the God of all comfort (2 Cor. 1:3). The promise of Revelation 21:4 is: “And God will wipe away every tear from their eyes; there shall be no more death, nor sorrow, nor crying. There shall be no more pain, for the former things have passed away.” But to be separated from God means no comfort. He who wipes away tears will not be there to comfort.

God is the God of hope (Rom. 15:13) and the God of peace (Rom. 15:33). However, if I am lost in Hell, then I will have no hope and no peace forever. When you stand before the Lord on the last day, what words will you hear? Will He say to you, “I never knew you; depart from Me, you who practice lawlessness!” (Mt. 7:23)? Will He say, “Depart from Me, you cursed, into the everlasting fire prepared for the devil and his angels” (Mt. 25:41)? How sad that would be! God has done everything for us to be with Him for eternity. Will you respond to His love by obeying the gospel and serving Him faithfully the rest of your days? If you do, then you will hear, “Well done, good and faithful servant; you have been faithful over a few things, I will make you ruler over many things. Enter into the joy of your lord” (Mt. 25:21, 23),  and “Come, you blessed of My Father, inherit the kingdom prepared for you from the foundation of the world”  (Mt. 25:34).

-Mark Day

An Example to Imitate

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The apostle Paul urged the Christians in Corinth to follow him as he followed Christ (1 Cor. 11:1). It is only his imitation of Christ the apostle desired others duplicate. Christ is the ultimate example. Paul formerly persecuted the church, but his powerful conversion shows how one who was the chief of sinners could be saved by God’s mercy (1 Tim. 1:13-16). Paul’s life then became a pattern others could imitate (1 Tim. 1:16). Paul did not want others to commit the same sins of his former life; instead, he wanted others to adopt this mindset, “For to me, to live is Christ, and to die is gain” (Phil. 1:21).

Paul preached Christ crucified (1 Cor. 1:23), even though others thought the message was foolishness (1 Cor. 1:18). Festus called him crazy (Acts 26:24). But Paul spoke words of truth and reason (Acts 26:25). Paul knew that the gospel he preached was the power to salvation (Rom. 1:16; 1 Cor. 15:1-4). He spoke the truth in love for the souls of men (Eph. 4:15) even if those men responded by treating him as an enemy (Gal. 4:16).

In this way, Paul was like Christ and is an example to us. Paul’s life as a messenger of the gospel is one of sacrifice. He said, “I have been crucified with Christ; it is no longer I who live, but Christ lives in me; and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave Himself for me” (Gal. 2:20).

Paul did not just talk a good talk. He lived it. He could point to his own work ethic when he corrected those in Thessalonica who would not work (1 Thess. 2:9; 2 Thess. 3:8). When he encouraged the Ephesian elders in Acts 20, he spoke from experience (Acts 20:17-27). Acts 19 shows how he had much concern and sorrow when he began work in Ephesus. He “fought with beasts” there (1 Cor. 15:32). Yet, Paul served the Lord with all humility of mind (Acts 20:19). Paul again pointed to his own example in his final commission to those elders in Acts 20:32-35:

So now, brethren, I commend you to God and to the word of His grace, which is able to build you up and give you an inheritance among all those who are sanctified. I have coveted no one’s silver or gold or apparel. Yes, you yourselves know that these hands have provided for my necessities, and for those who were with me. I have shown you in every way, by laboring like this, that you must support the weak. And remember the words of the Lord Jesus, that He said, “It is more blessed to give than to receive.”

What about you and me? Do we live a life that we would recommend others imitating? I’m not suggesting that we try to draw as much attention to ourselves as possible to get the praise of men (Mt. 6:1-7), but that we let our light shine (Mt. 5:16). Paul did not preach himself (2 Cor. 4:5). He did, however, truly live the Christian life. Those around him saw the genuineness of his faith by his life. If Paul were to talk to you today, he could likely encourage you to be an example as well, as he said to Timothy, “Let no one despise your youth, but be an example to the believers in word, in conduct, in love, in spirit, in faith, in purity” (1 Tim. 4:12).