I’d like to continue to reason with you concerning 1 Peter 5:2. That which is described as being “among him” were souls that were God’s heritage and his responsibility to shepherd. I use to make a big point of using 1 Peter 5:2 where Peter tells the overseers to “feed the flock of God which…
Given the description of the individual responsibility of Shepherds and the saints, there is no violation of local autonomy because there were no local churches in these towns (Remember the ekklesia is always in the singular in each town). But, even though brethren met in a variety of homes and not necessarily all together in…
Consider the following passages. 1. 1 Peter 5:5 reads, Likewise, ye younger, submit yourselves unto the elder. Yea, all of you be subject one to another, and be clothed with humility: for God resists the proud, and gives grace to the humble. In the same vein, Paul tells wives to submit to their husbands in…
These men, like the rest that are mentioned in Ephesians 4:11-ff were appointed by God to be teachers. They were no more a less a part of the church organizations than apostles, prophets, and evangelists. Because they had a household with children who were subject to them, they were living in a city that knew…
Today, we have preachers filling the pulpit of local churches for hire. It is their profession. The alternative to this arrangement is the on-going studies of saints from house to house. I suppose no harm would be done if someone wanted to prepare a presentation, but it is altogether unnecessary. Even if living in the…
As we examine the text of Galatians 6 and 1 Timothy 5, we might confuse the action taken to the work of the local church organization. Let’s think about it, more. Galatians 6:1-3. It reads, Brethren, if a man be overtaken in a fault, ye which are spiritual, restore such an one in the spirit…
This same principle in Galatians 6 is taught in Matthew 18:15-17. It reads, “Moreover, if thy brother shall trespass against thee, go and tell him his fault between thee and him alone: if he shall hear thee, thou hast gained thy brother. But if he will not hear thee, then take with thee one or…
Galatians 6:4-5 reads, “But let every man prove his own work, and then shall he have rejoicing in himself alone, and not in another. For every man shall bear his own burden.” An individual saint with family responsibilities was expected to bear the burdens and care associated with that relationship. Paul warned about those who…
One of the complaints that I have had in response to my writing is that there is no gathering or assembling with Christians if you do away with the church and scheduled religious services. This cannot be further from the truth. It is true that there is no neat cookie-cutter religion that allows for the…
Now concerning the times and the seasons, brothers,[a] you have no need to have anything written to you. For you, yourselves are fully aware that the day of the Lord will come like a thief in the night. While people are saying, “There is peace and security” then sudden destruction will come upon them as…