Posts of David Anderson RSSWed, 08 Oct 2025 15:54:35 GMTAllow me to be more specific. Sure, I hold to leadership in the church. But is it the sort which equips the saints to become ministers themselves, according to Ephesian 4 12 or is it akin to Milton's "New presbyter is but old priest writ large?" That is: leaders who practice priestcraft. After the manner of the old covenant priest or the Roman Catholic parish system.Historically, the latter view has been born again in the Reformed churches via "teaching and ruling" elders, supposedly based on 1 Tim 5 17. The real ministers are teaching elders. The ruling elders are "lay elders" or just layman according to this scheme. Or scam, to put it blountly. Even Calvin could not cook it up until his third edition of the Institutes.But wait. All elders are required to teach... 1 Tim 3 2. Consider the following quote from a by-gone day."Nay, by this theory, the very existence of ruling elders at any time, or anywhere, either in apostolic or subsequent times, is seriously endangered. The evidence for a divinely instituted presbyter, that is not by office and ordination qualified to preach and administer sacraments has been called in question on critical and historical grounds by many of our own ablest judges, and best friends. Dr. Miller admits that many of his brethren rejected it. Principal Hill regards the evidence for it as very slender. Dr. Wilson of Philadelphia seached in vain to find such mute presbyters during the first three centuries. Professor Jamieson of Scotland, one of the ablest and most learned champions of presbytery, after having published in favour of such presbyters, renounced it. He quotes Blondel as of the same opinion, and many Presbyterians. The Westminster Assembly rejected the name ruling elder, which had evenly voted upon 1 Tim. v.17, as a proof-text for any such presbyter. Baxter says this was the prevalent opinion among Presbyterians in his day. It was also, as we have seen, among the French Presbyterian churches and those of the Remonstrants. M... Read more

]]>Wed, 08 Oct 2025 15:54:35 GMTAll things being ready, Mr. John Robinson observed a day of fasting and prayer with his congregation, and took his leave of the adventurers with the following truly generous and Christian exhortation:“Brethren, we are now quickly to part from one another, and whether I may ever live to see your faces on earth any more, the God of heaven only knows; but whether the Lord has appointed that or no, I charge you before God and his blessed angels, that you follow me no farther than you have seen me follow the Lord Jesus Christ.“If God reveal any thing to you, by any other instrument of his, be as ready to receive it as ever you were to receive any truth by my ministry; for I am verily persuaded, the Lord has more truth yet to break forth out of his holy word. For my part, I cannot sufficiently bewail the condition of the reformed churches, who are come to a period in religion,* and will go art present no farther than the instruments of their reformation. The Lutherans cannot be drawn to go beyond what Luther saw; whatever part of his will our God has revealed to Calvin, they will rather die than embrace it; and the Calvinists, you see, stick fast where they were left by that great man of God, who yet saw not all things..."

]]>Sun, 13 Jul 2025 15:45:43 GMTWhy is there no precise list of church officers in the New Testament which is elsewhere repeated in the New Testament?In Titus, there is a long list of requirements for elders. In Timothy, there are long lists of requirements together for elders and for deacons.In Philippians, there are overseers and servants mentioned together. Bishops and deacons, they're called. But the word for deacon is the same word for servant - a name referring to any service. So, Paul could be addressing the elder/overseers and everyone else besides them.Here are three comprehensive "leadership" lists. Though similar, they are not the same.So we, being many, are one body in Christ, and every one members one of another. Having then gifts differing according to the grace that is given to us, whether prophecy, let us prophesy according to the proportion of faith; Or ministry, let us wait on our ministering: or he that teacheth, on teaching; Or he that exhorteth, on exhortation: he that giveth, let him do it with simplicity; he that ruleth, with diligence; he that sheweth mercy, with cheerfulness. Romans 12:5-8 Now there are diversities of gifts, but the same Spirit. And there are differences of administrations, but the same Lord. And there are diversities of operations, but it is the same God which worketh all in all. But the manifestation of the Spirit is given to every man to profit withal. For to one is given by the Spirit the word of wisdom; to another the word of knowledge by the same Spirit; To another faith by the same Spirit; to another the gifts of healing by the same Spirit; To another the working of miracles; to another prophecy; to another discerning of spirits; to another divers kinds of tongues; to another the interpretation of tongues: 1 Cor. 12:4-10 One Lord, one faith, one baptism, One God and Father of all, who is above all, and through all, and in you all. But unto every one of us is given grace according to the measure of the gift of Christ. Wherefore he saith, Wh... Read more

]]>Sun, 08 Sep 2024 19:38:28 GMTAs you would lay the foundations for your own church at home, remember that you are acting upon an ancient Biblical and a historical precedent. A practical one, too. You are acting upon the Word of God - not reacting or overreacting to something or someone else. You are building upon the foundation of Jesus Christ, the solid rock.Do not however expect too much nor too little from your initial endeavors. Thunder and lightning won't occur. Christian meetings, although essential, are not and were not meant to be an end in themselves. Their purpose is to equip, edify, encourage, and excite the saints for something else - ministry or service. The popular view that spirituality is essentially measured by the number of "services" that one attends is quite erroneous. We are recreated in Christ for good works. Ephesians. 2:10, Titus 2:14, Hebrews 10:24. Too many Christians seem to be living for the sole purpose of attending another meeting. This is living to eat instead of eating to live. This is buying an automobile in order to drive back and forth to the filling station.What about yourself, dear reader? How is your progress in this new direction? Have you yet decided what to call your own meetings as you consider what ministries you will undertake and whom you would invite? Simply call it a Christian meeting, gathering, home fellowship, home church, house church, small group, or just church. Is someone suggesting that you are being too seperatistic? Simply invite that someone to your meeting! Did someone say that you have insufficient accountability? Invite this person to enter into a personal accountability relationship with you. Do you feel that you're not qualified to initiate a meeting? Wrong. Do you feel uncomfortable to lead in prayer? Pray silently then. Your confidence in this area will come later.Do you feel that it would be improper to eat the Lord's Supper in your own home or even outdoors? Really? For what reason?Did you ever notice that Scripture is compl... Read more

]]>Mon, 26 Jul 2021 23:37:45 GMTThis is the one minute elevator version... The story begins and ends with the glory of God, past, present and future. The Creator extends his love to us through Christ for his own glory. His name is love and love is what he does. His love motivates us to deny ourselves and to love others. So true it is that the Scriptures can say: "Whoever is born of God loves the brethren." What could be more natural? Love always desires the company or fellowship of it's object, be it one or more persons.And what could be more natural and instinctive than to eat with and meet with other Christians in a domestic setting? Thus house church - a simple, scriptural, time-proven, low-cost arrangement for young and old.But remember, house church is not an end in itself but rather a means the end that Jesus will have the pre-eminence in all things in both the spiritual and physical realms.These remarks are in the context of one true, universal church, regardless of where it meets. The beautiful family of God!Every day they continued to meet together in the temple courts. They broke bread in their homes and ate together with glad and sincere hearts. Acts 2:46Going up?

]]>Thu, 27 May 2021 21:31:33 GMTRegardless of what sort of Christian music you listen to, if you are blessed then I will also rejoice. To each his own. Or her own.Some of us can only make a joyful noise... Me, for example.Franky Schaeffer had strong words for the Christian Music Industry way back in the 80's.Today Christian endeavor in the arts is typified by the contents of your local Christian book store, accessories, paraphernalia shop. For the coffee table, we have a set of praying hands made out of some sort of pressed muck. Christian posters are ready to adorn your walls with suitable Christian graffiti to sanctify them and make them a justifiable expense. Perhaps a little plastic cube with a mustard seed entombed to boost your understanding of faith. If this were not enough, a toothbrush with a Bible verse stamped on its plastic handle, and a comb with a Christian slogan or two impressed on it. On a flimsy rack are stacked a pile of records; you may choose them at random, blindfolded, for most of them will be the same idle rehash of acceptable spiritual slogans, endlessly recycled as pablum for the tone deaf, television softened brains of our present day Christian.

]]>Fri, 14 Aug 2020 12:38:31 GMTOh my, what a sheltered life I have lived! When I was a small child and would encounter the few Bible stories of bad women, I was completely unable to associate any woman in my own world with their strange behavior. In fact, in my Senior class in High School, I was not aware of a single broken home among my friends. My neighborhood was no different. Of course, this does not mean that they were all happy homes. And later, some divorces did occur.I am the sixth child myself so I am thankful to have lived in a time when children were perceived as blessings. Like your Mom, mine was the best. 'Brother Mother' we called her. She was fun but very saintly in all her ways. As for ever witnessing her arguing with my Dad, it never happened. Of course they would disagree. But they kept it to themselves. Knowing that no child wants to be in the middle of an argument.Dad saw Europe flattened in WW2. So in his mind, nothing left in this life was big enough to be upset for long. Both Mom and Dad were consistent peacemakers. Because they lived their lives before the eye of the Almighty.Tell us about your Mom, if you would...Thank you, Lord, for all the faithful moms who quietly do their work for You each day. Of all your blessings, they are near the top of the list.

]]>Sun, 10 May 2020 17:49:48 GMTAs you would consider a church in your home, remember that you are acting upon an ancient Biblical and a historical precedent. A practical one, too. You are acting upon the Word of God - not reacting or overreacting to something or someone else. You are building upon the foundation of Jesus Christ, the solid rock.Do not however expect too much nor too little from your initial endeavors. Thunder and lightning won't occur. Christian meetings, although essential, are not and were not meant to be an end in themselves. Their purpose is to equip, edify, encourage, and excite the saints for something else - ministry or service. The popular view that spirituality is essentially measured by the number of "services" that one attends is quite erroneous. We are recreated in Christ for good works. Ephesians. 2:10, Titus 2:14, Hebrews 10:24. Too many Christians seem to be living for the sole purpose of attending another meeting. This is living to eat instead of eating to live. This is buying an automobile in order to drive back and forth to the filling station.What about yourself, dear reader? How is your progress in this new direction? Have you yet decided what to call your own meetings as you consider what ministries you will undertake and whom you would invite? Simply call it a Christian meeting, gathering, home fellowship, home church, house church, small group, or just church. Is someone suggesting that you are being too seperatistic? Simply invite that someone to your meeting! Did someone say that you have insufficient accountability? Invite this person to enter into a personal accountability relationship with you. Do you feel that you're not qualified to initiate a meeting? Wrong. Do you feel uncomfortable to lead in prayer? Pray silently then. Your confidence in this area will come later.Do you feel that it would be improper to eat the Lord's Supper in your own home or even outdoors? Really? For what reason?Did you ever notice that Scripture is completely silent abou... Read more

]]>Thu, 13 Feb 2020 19:50:03 GMTby Henry Wadsworth LongfellowWhat The Heart Of The Young Man Said To The Psalmist.Tell me not, in mournful numbers,Life is but an empty dream!For the soul is dead that slumbers,And things are not what they seem.Life is real! Life is earnest!And the grave is not its goal;Dust thou art, to dust returnest,Was not spoken of the soul.Not enjoyment, and not sorrow,Is our destined end or way;But to act, that each to-morrowFind us farther than to-day.Art is long, and Time is fleeting,And our hearts, though stout and brave,Still, like muffled drums, are beatingFuneral marches to the grave.In the world’s broad field of battle,In the bivouac of Life,Be not like dumb, driven cattle!Be a hero in the strife!Trust no Future, howe’er pleasant!Let the dead Past bury its dead!Act,— act in the living Present!Heart within, and God o’erhead!Lives of great men all remind usWe can make our lives sublime,And, departing, leave behind usFootprints on the sands of time;Footprints, that perhaps another,Sailing o’er life’s solemn main,A forlorn and shipwrecked brother,Seeing, shall take heart again.Let us, then, be up and doing,With a heart for any fate;Still achieving, still pursuing,Learn to labor and to wait.

]]>Sat, 30 Nov 2019 22:14:30 GMTThere's A Church In Your HouseAnd it meets ev'ry day.Our lives make the textAs we live them each day.While you do the small tasksWhich my fall to your lot,You perform them for Christ,And not one is forgot!When a fam'ly is comeThen the Lord will be there;For it pleases Him wellWhen you meet Him in prayer.Once a fam'ly is saved,And the Scripture is read,You soon know you are one,And that Christ is the Head!As you pray, as you sing,You don't wish then to roamFor the joy of your faithAnd of sharing at home!Every word that you sayShows the faith that's inside-There's a church in your houseWhen in Christ you abide.     Katherine Ballard Anderson

]]>Mon, 25 Feb 2019 17:59:34 GMT