House Church Talk - Alexander Strauch on Biblical Eldership

[Gary]

Hi Dan,

I greatly appreciate the scriptural focus that your note provided. One of my
present goals, which is normally important to a blind man, is to remember
where things are, or at least their general location!

At the time of Paul's writing, there were few Christians much more than
twenty years old in the Lord. This is what we call an accident in Scripture,
in that it was not a product of a specific action (that we can tell) - some
might call it a coincidence. Yet with the God who knows the end from the
beginning and doesn't just control things so they don't get out of hand,
there is no such thing. I tend to favor the spiritual maturity view as being
what the Bible means, but I know that this is a conclusion of convenience,
not complusion.

God can do anything that is holy. We can have the fun of trying to figure it
out, but the moment that it ceases to build the joy of our salvation, we
need to arrest our activities and examine them to see if we are trying (with
or without our awareness) to write new scriptures. Sola Scriptura is there
for a very good reason.

Please forgive me, I went off on a bit of a tangent. That is normally a sign
that I must get back to writing.

Earnestly contending,

Gary

(Written using WindowEyes, the premier screenreading program from GW Micro
that makes PCs accessible to the blind and visually impaired.  Contact:
www.gwmicro.com)

"Preach not only so that the people can understand, but so that they cannot
misunderstand if they wish."  CH.Spurgeon

"Finally, be strong in the Lord and in the strength of His might. Put on the
full armor of God, so that you will be able to stand firm against the
schemes of the devil. For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but
against the rulers, against the powers, against the world forces of this
darkness, against the spiritual forces of wickedness in the heavenly places.
Therefore, take up the full armor of God, so that you will be able to resist
in the evil day, and having done everything, to stand firm."  Ephesians
6:10-13
----- Original Message ----- 
From: "Dan Beaty" <dlbeaty at copper.net>
To: <House Church Talk  at housechurch.org>
Sent: Wednesday, October 13, 2004 10:20 AM
Subject: Re: House Church Talk -  Alexander Strauch on Biblical Eldership


> Gary,
>
> Your post reminded me of this passage in Job:
>
> Job 32:6  So Elihu son of Barakel the Buzite said: "I am young in years,
and
> you are old; that is why I was fearful, not daring to tell you what I
know.
> Job 32:7  I thought, 'Age should speak; advanced years should teach
wisdom.'
> Job 32:8  But it is the spirit in a man, the breath of the Almighty, that
> gives him understanding.
> Job 32:9  It is not only the old who are wise, not only the aged who
> understand what is right.
>
> KJV: Job 32:9  Great men are not always wise: neither do the aged
understand
> judgment.
>
> I have heard the comparison made between spiritually mature and physically
> mature. I am wondering if the NT church was mostly referring to those who
> were both spiritually and physically mature. It seems that elders were
> usually married men, able to manage a household well.
>
> As you say, there is no guarantee that the older ones will not mislead. In
> fact, this often happens. Our civil governments that were ordained by God
> also fail.
>
> The concept of leadership as taught by Christ and the apostles, if honored
> would protect us much better than other systems. When the mature ones
truly
> seek to serve all, to be examples of humility and godliness, and when the
> church at large and younger ones recognize those godly examples and
emulate
> them, Christ is truly glorified.
>
> Errors arise usually from pride in our hearts. That is why Peter
instructed
> the elders to be clothed with humility. I believe those who are truly
humble
> before the Lord will find the necessary wisdom and understanding to
correct
> the more serious errors. And that very wisdom can come at times from the
> younger ones.
>
> Dan Beaty
> Columbus, Ohio USA
> www.livingtruth.com
>
>
>
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