Does God's true NT body have one man that rules and leads it?
This topic comes up from time to time and it needs to be addressed in a direct way so we are not deceived by man made ways vs God's Holy Word.
In the past I have preached and written against the modern pastor role that is virtually used all over denominational evangelical religion today. It is NOT the model God gave to His body in the first century so it is sin to do otherwise. (Does man know better then God?) See this article link that documents why is it unbiblical and should be rejected.
http://spiritandtruthdiscernment.blogspot.com/2017/05/offer-to-modern-pastors-to-come-and.html
For this article I want to focus on the role of one man acting as a Bishop over a entire body of claimed followers of Jesus Christ. This is a dangerous unbiblical practice as it leads to men rising up in power, unaccountable with no equals, puffed up with pride and usurping authority over a body that God's Word does not ever give them. If you want to see a sad example of that and what it can lead to ( perverted gospels claiming you need a Bishop to have hope of salvation ) go to this thread and read about a man and his body that practices this ill way:
http://bewareoffalse-unbiblicalteachers.blogspot.com/2017/07/living-faith-christian-fellowship.html
As always we will go to God's Word as our source for truth and practices in the body of Christ.
The Apostle Paul said this in 2 Thessalonians 2:15
Therefore, brethren, stand fast, and hold the traditions which ye have been taught, whether by word, or our epistle.
We are commanded to keep those ways NOT mans made up ways, amen?
Question:
Does God's Word teach or give a example in ANY way that the biblical body of Christ in the first century had one lone man acting as Bishop that ruled over others in a body?
The answer is NO!
So where does this practice come from you may ask?
If you look at history you will clearly see it was later in the second to third centuries (after the true Apostles died off ) that men started appointing lone men to rule over bodies and then regions called Bishops. This man made practice was taken up by the apostate and pagan religion called roman catholicism and it became its lording over pope system that took the world into the dark ages for 1000 years.
When I lovingly challenge this lone Bishop ruling over others, I get NO direct scripture to back it up and I get scripture twisting to try and prove it is the biblical model to follow. Lets examine the evidence they give to say it is biblical:
In Acts 15 we have a counsel called to deal with error and sin injected in the body of Christ.
Men today (lording over Bishops) try to tell me that James was the lone Bishop in charge in Jerusalem. Is that true? No and here is why:
Lets look at the entire text of Acts 15
*James was PART of a godly counsel of men not THE lone Bishop in charge.
*Paul was also part of that counsel and he called the meeting to address the issues.
*Peter spoke as did Barnabus.
Then James confirms what they all agreed with and says this:
For it seemed good to the Holy Ghost, and to us, to lay upon you no greater burden than these necessary things
Note: In verse 19 the word used in KJV is judgement. This Greek Word Krino can also mean: to think or decide. James was NOT the lone Judge that day he was part of a group of elders.
Where in this text can you come to the conclusion that James was a ruling Bishop that had special authority above all the others? It is not there and you need to TWIST scripture to make it so. James was a important leader in Jeruasalem yes, so his speaking last was him adding his agreement with the others, not a Bishop ruling over them all.
Rather then adding to God's Word ask yourself; what is the model we see all thru scripture on how God's body was over seen? A lone Bishop or multiple elders?
Fact:
The example given time after time in scripture is the first century body was multiple elders that oversee the body NOT to lord over it. Even in the text they try to use to make a lone Bishop ruling true, it says multiple elders 4 times ( I put them in bold for you. )
Here are verses that prove Paul ( called by Christ ) taught multiple elders in the bodies of Christ:
And from Miletus he sent to Ephesus, and called the elders of the church.
Acts 20:17
And when they had ordained them elders in every church, and had prayed with fasting, they commended them to the Lord, on whom they believed.
Acts 14:23
For this cause left I thee in Crete, that thou shouldest set in order the things that are wanting, and ordain elders in every city, as I had appointed thee:
Titus 1:5
Let the elders that rule well be counted worthy of double honour, especially they who labour in the word and doctrine.
1 Timothy 5
James himself says this:
Is any sick among you? let him call for the elders of the church; and let them pray over him, anointing him with oil in the name of the Lord:
James 5:14
And Peter this:
The elders which are among you I exhort, who am also an elder, and a witness of the sufferings of Christ, and also a partaker of the glory that shall be revealed: Feed the flock of God which is among you, taking the oversight thereof, not by constraint, but willingly; not for filthy lucre, but of a ready mind; Neither as being lords over God's heritage, but being examples to the flock. ...
1 Peter 5
As my article on modern pastors showed, Jesus was not fond of men who lord over others in lone leadership and this Bishop rule does just that. It is sinful, prideful, arrogant and it needs to be rejected!
Go look up the sinful man in 3 John who tried to be a lording over leader. The bible speaks ILL of him.
Over and over we see the body of Christ is over seen by multiple elders as evidenced by Holy scripture. You should know that is it the false system of roman catholicism that also fights hard to maintain a single man in charge of Gods body ( Peter in their case) and it is more evidence of this as false and heretical!
Now lets look at the scriptures that teach and lift up one man acting as a Bishop over the body of Christ?
Well, after looking and searching there is NOT ONE verse that teaches or models this to us. (If you know of one please call me will you?)
You must go to the men after Holy scripture was penned and they started assigning men as lording over Bishops and thus leaving Gods plan. It is a practice of man, NOT God. If you are in a body that has this type of leadership you're united to sin. Time and time again we have seen it leads to more leaven ( sin ) in a body as a man who is given total unbiblical control over others, will often go deeper into apostasy leading others far astray. The man in the example we gave above calls himself the CHAIRMAN OF THE BOARD in that body. It is shameful!
We want better for others so we speak out in love.
Multiple elders who over see and lead by example, yes!
A lone man usurping power and twisting God's Word and model to get there, NEVER!
Let God be true and every man a liar
Listen to the biblical gospel here:
http://www.dontperish.com/the-gospel.html
And we have a 10 point test you can use on your own religious body and yourself to see if you are being deceived in other ways.
http://www.dontperish.com/10-point-biblical-test.html
Let us know if we can help you.
God be praised!
www.dontperish.com
This topic comes up from time to time and it needs to be addressed in a direct way so we are not deceived by man made ways vs God's Holy Word.
In the past I have preached and written against the modern pastor role that is virtually used all over denominational evangelical religion today. It is NOT the model God gave to His body in the first century so it is sin to do otherwise. (Does man know better then God?) See this article link that documents why is it unbiblical and should be rejected.
http://spiritandtruthdiscernment.blogspot.com/2017/05/offer-to-modern-pastors-to-come-and.html
For this article I want to focus on the role of one man acting as a Bishop over a entire body of claimed followers of Jesus Christ. This is a dangerous unbiblical practice as it leads to men rising up in power, unaccountable with no equals, puffed up with pride and usurping authority over a body that God's Word does not ever give them. If you want to see a sad example of that and what it can lead to ( perverted gospels claiming you need a Bishop to have hope of salvation ) go to this thread and read about a man and his body that practices this ill way:
http://bewareoffalse-unbiblicalteachers.blogspot.com/2017/07/living-faith-christian-fellowship.html
As always we will go to God's Word as our source for truth and practices in the body of Christ.
The Apostle Paul said this in 2 Thessalonians 2:15
Therefore, brethren, stand fast, and hold the traditions which ye have been taught, whether by word, or our epistle.
We are commanded to keep those ways NOT mans made up ways, amen?
Question:
Does God's Word teach or give a example in ANY way that the biblical body of Christ in the first century had one lone man acting as Bishop that ruled over others in a body?
The answer is NO!
So where does this practice come from you may ask?
If you look at history you will clearly see it was later in the second to third centuries (after the true Apostles died off ) that men started appointing lone men to rule over bodies and then regions called Bishops. This man made practice was taken up by the apostate and pagan religion called roman catholicism and it became its lording over pope system that took the world into the dark ages for 1000 years.
When I lovingly challenge this lone Bishop ruling over others, I get NO direct scripture to back it up and I get scripture twisting to try and prove it is the biblical model to follow. Lets examine the evidence they give to say it is biblical:
In Acts 15 we have a counsel called to deal with error and sin injected in the body of Christ.
Men today (lording over Bishops) try to tell me that James was the lone Bishop in charge in Jerusalem. Is that true? No and here is why:
Lets look at the entire text of Acts 15
And certain men which came down from Judaea taught the brethren, and said, Except ye be circumcised after the manner of Moses, ye cannot be saved.
2 When therefore Paul and Barnabas had no small dissension and disputation with them, they determined that Paul and Barnabas, and certain other of them, should go up to Jerusalem unto the apostles and elders about this question.
3 And being brought on their way by the church, they passed through Phenice and Samaria, declaring the conversion of the Gentiles: and they caused great joy unto all the brethren.
4 And when they were come to Jerusalem, they were received of the church, and of the apostles and elders, and they declared all things that God had done with them.
5 But there rose up certain of the sect of the Pharisees which believed, saying, That it was needful to circumcise them, and to command them to keep the law of Moses.
6 And the apostles and elders came together for to consider of this matter.
7 And when there had been much disputing, Peter rose up, and said unto them, Men and brethren, ye know how that a good while ago God made choice among us, that the Gentiles by my mouth should hear the word of the gospel, and believe.
8 And God, which knoweth the hearts, bare them witness, giving them the Holy Ghost, even as he did unto us;
9 And put no difference between us and them, purifying their hearts by faith.
10 Now therefore why tempt ye God, to put a yoke upon the neck of the disciples, which neither our fathers nor we were able to bear?
11 But we believe that through the grace of the Lord Jesus Christ we shall be saved, even as they.
12 Then all the multitude kept silence, and gave audience to Barnabas and Paul, declaring what miracles and wonders God had wrought among the Gentiles by them.
13 And after they had held their peace, James answered, saying, Men and brethren, hearken unto me:
14 Simeon hath declared how God at the first did visit the Gentiles, to take out of them a people for his name.
15 And to this agree the words of the prophets; as it is written,
16 After this I will return, and will build again the tabernacle of David, which is fallen down; and I will build again the ruins thereof, and I will set it up:
17 That the residue of men might seek after the Lord, and all the Gentiles, upon whom my name is called, saith the Lord, who doeth all these things.
18 Known unto God are all his works from the beginning of the world.
19 Wherefore my sentence is, that we trouble not them, which from among the Gentiles are turned to God:
20 But that we write unto them, that they abstain from pollutions of idols, and from fornication, and from things strangled, and from blood.
21 For Moses of old time hath in every city them that preach him, being read in the synagogues every sabbath day.
22 Then pleased it the apostles and elders with the whole church, to send chosen men of their own company to Antioch with Paul and Barnabas; namely, Judas surnamed Barsabas and Silas, chief men among the brethren:
23 And they wrote letters by them after this manner; The apostles and elders and brethren send greeting unto the brethren which are of the Gentiles in Antioch and Syria and Cilicia.
24 Forasmuch as we have heard, that certain which went out from us have troubled you with words, subverting your souls, saying, Ye must be circumcised, and keep the law: to whom we gave no such commandment:
25 It seemed good unto us, being assembled with one accord, to send chosen men unto you with our beloved Barnabas and Paul,
26 Men that have hazarded their lives for the name of our Lord Jesus Christ.
27 We have sent therefore Judas and Silas, who shall also tell you the same things by mouth.
28 For it seemed good to the Holy Ghost, and to us, to lay upon you no greater burden than these necessary things;
Some facts we must embrace:*James was PART of a godly counsel of men not THE lone Bishop in charge.
*Paul was also part of that counsel and he called the meeting to address the issues.
*Peter spoke as did Barnabus.
Then James confirms what they all agreed with and says this:
For it seemed good to the Holy Ghost, and to us, to lay upon you no greater burden than these necessary things
Note: In verse 19 the word used in KJV is judgement. This Greek Word Krino can also mean: to think or decide. James was NOT the lone Judge that day he was part of a group of elders.
Where in this text can you come to the conclusion that James was a ruling Bishop that had special authority above all the others? It is not there and you need to TWIST scripture to make it so. James was a important leader in Jeruasalem yes, so his speaking last was him adding his agreement with the others, not a Bishop ruling over them all.
Rather then adding to God's Word ask yourself; what is the model we see all thru scripture on how God's body was over seen? A lone Bishop or multiple elders?
Fact:
The example given time after time in scripture is the first century body was multiple elders that oversee the body NOT to lord over it. Even in the text they try to use to make a lone Bishop ruling true, it says multiple elders 4 times ( I put them in bold for you. )
Here are verses that prove Paul ( called by Christ ) taught multiple elders in the bodies of Christ:
And from Miletus he sent to Ephesus, and called the elders of the church.
Acts 20:17
And when they had ordained them elders in every church, and had prayed with fasting, they commended them to the Lord, on whom they believed.
Acts 14:23
For this cause left I thee in Crete, that thou shouldest set in order the things that are wanting, and ordain elders in every city, as I had appointed thee:
Titus 1:5
Let the elders that rule well be counted worthy of double honour, especially they who labour in the word and doctrine.
1 Timothy 5
James himself says this:
Is any sick among you? let him call for the elders of the church; and let them pray over him, anointing him with oil in the name of the Lord:
James 5:14
And Peter this:
The elders which are among you I exhort, who am also an elder, and a witness of the sufferings of Christ, and also a partaker of the glory that shall be revealed: Feed the flock of God which is among you, taking the oversight thereof, not by constraint, but willingly; not for filthy lucre, but of a ready mind; Neither as being lords over God's heritage, but being examples to the flock. ...
1 Peter 5
As my article on modern pastors showed, Jesus was not fond of men who lord over others in lone leadership and this Bishop rule does just that. It is sinful, prideful, arrogant and it needs to be rejected!
Go look up the sinful man in 3 John who tried to be a lording over leader. The bible speaks ILL of him.
I wrote unto the church: but Diotrephes, who loveth to have the preeminence among them, receiveth us not.
10 Wherefore, if I come, I will remember his deeds which he doeth, prating against us with malicious words: and not content therewith, neither doth he himself receive the brethren, and forbiddeth them that would, and casteth them out of the church.
11 Beloved, follow not that which is evil, but that which is good. He that doeth good is of God: but he that doeth evil hath not seen God.
Over and over we see the body of Christ is over seen by multiple elders as evidenced by Holy scripture. You should know that is it the false system of roman catholicism that also fights hard to maintain a single man in charge of Gods body ( Peter in their case) and it is more evidence of this as false and heretical!
Now lets look at the scriptures that teach and lift up one man acting as a Bishop over the body of Christ?
Well, after looking and searching there is NOT ONE verse that teaches or models this to us. (If you know of one please call me will you?)
You must go to the men after Holy scripture was penned and they started assigning men as lording over Bishops and thus leaving Gods plan. It is a practice of man, NOT God. If you are in a body that has this type of leadership you're united to sin. Time and time again we have seen it leads to more leaven ( sin ) in a body as a man who is given total unbiblical control over others, will often go deeper into apostasy leading others far astray. The man in the example we gave above calls himself the CHAIRMAN OF THE BOARD in that body. It is shameful!
We want better for others so we speak out in love.
Multiple elders who over see and lead by example, yes!
A lone man usurping power and twisting God's Word and model to get there, NEVER!
Let God be true and every man a liar
Listen to the biblical gospel here:
http://www.dontperish.com/the-gospel.html
And we have a 10 point test you can use on your own religious body and yourself to see if you are being deceived in other ways.
http://www.dontperish.com/10-point-biblical-test.html
Let us know if we can help you.
God be praised!
www.dontperish.com