Does 1 Timothy suggest a paid pastor position?

Does 1 Timothy 5:17," TARGET="_blank">1 Timothy 5:17, 18 suggest a paid pastorate?

A few obvious details in 1 Timothy make it clear that neither Timothy nor any Ephesian elder was the paid pastor. No New Testament passage supports such a practice, no matter how convenient or prevalent it may be.

All the overseers in Ephesus, where Timothy was, were to assist in teaching the saints (1 Timothy 3:2)." TARGET="_blank">1 Timothy 3:2). Paul had taught these men to labor with their hands in doing their work with the flock (Acts 20:34, 35)." TARGET="_blank">Acts 20:34, 35). In addition, in 1 Timothy 5:17," TARGET="_blank">1 Timothy 5:17, Paul is not speaking about one man, but about "elders that rule well." These elders received honor for the responsibility entrusted to them. They were also to be honored in another way. The law taught that an ox was allowed to eat in order to satisfy the necessity (his hunger) caused by his work. Thus, elders that ruled well were to receive financial assistance in cases where their labors caused them to lack the necessities of life. This is quite different from a contractual arrangement where one man is paid to do the preaching.

D. Oliver
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Is the Lord’s Supper a shadow of things to come?

In other words, does it portray His heavenly feast in which we shall participate with Himself?

We do not think so. The Bible rather limits it to the present—”ye proclaim the Lord’s death, till He come” (1 Corinthians 11:26)." TARGET="_blank">1 Corinthians 11:26). In 1 Corinthians 5" TARGET="_blank">1 Corinthians 5: we read the words, “therefore let us keep the feast,” but this follows the statement, “Christ our Passover is sacrificed for us,” and the reference would be to the feast of unleavened bread which followed the passover, to which should correspond the holy life which befits the child of God.

W.H.

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Should I buy clients alcoholic drinks through a business expense account?

My business expects me to entertain clients for meals. At times they order alcoholic drinks. I feel as though I am paying for this although it comes out of an expense account. What should I do?

As a representative of your employer, you cannot dictate what a person may order from the menu in a restaurant unless your employer has made limitations. Your abstinence and your manner of conduct can often open an opportunity to explain why you do not take alcoholic beverages. Your paying - as a representative of your employer - is not an indication that you condone the practice. If, however, your work requires you to take clients out for the express purpose of visiting bars, clubs, or places of entertainment characterized by drinking or betting, you would be well advised to request to be relieved of this responsibility or to look for another job. You cannot maintain a clear testimony with this practice. "Let ours also learn to maintain good works for necessary uses, that I they be not unfruitful" (Titus 3:14)." TARGET="_blank">Titus 3:14).

W. Oliver

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What do I do if my Christian friends have different standards for their children?

Is there a way for believing parents to have standards for their children that differ from the standards of other assembly believers without belittling those other believers?

If joy really depends on obedience to Christ (John 13:17)," TARGET="_blank">John 13:17), then Christian parents will want to model and teach their children submission to Gods Word. "The fear of man bringeth a snare" (Proverbs 29:25)," TARGET="_blank">Proverbs 29:25), so obeying truth because of what others think confuses the crucial lesson of personal accountability to God. Parents set the standard for their child and explain in a manner appropriate to the childs maturity the Christian truths that influence this decision. If the child points out that another assembly family doesnt do the same thing, the parents have at least two truths to model: personal accountability to God; personal responsibility to others. Modestly, a Christian parent must uphold what He understands from Gods Word. Thats personal accountability to God. Personal responsibility to others includes showing respect for them. This may mean recognizing that they too want to please the Lord, want the best for their family, or are perhaps dealing with circumstances of which others are not aware. It may mean simply expressing respect, yet admitting an inability to understand their decision. By responding in a way that makes his children feel superior to the children of "that other bunch" or makes the other parents seem less spiritual, a parent has not "honored others" (1 Peter 2:17)" TARGET="_blank">1 Peter 2:17) or modeled biblical standards.

D. Oliver
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Is a head covering and woman

Is a head covering and woman’s silence appropriate for every gathering in the assembly’s building?

While many aspects of the assembly’s testimony centers in its place of meeting, the building is not a church nor is it sacred. The building doesn’t sanctify the gatherings in it. If the believers use the building to met when they plan conference meals or discuss building plans or mail tracts, this is not an assembly meeting. On occasion, such gatherings may take place after an assembly meeting. If the ladies choose to retain their head coverings, that doesn’t make it an assembly meeting. In fact, being without a head covering in that circumstance is as appropriate as it is when a sister is walking down the street.

Biblical injunctions requiring a sister’s silence do not apply to such gatherings, because the Christians have not "come together in assembly" (1 Corinthians 11:18," TARGET="_blank">1 Corinthians 11:18, JND). In such a case, a woman’s wearing a head covering is optional and is in no way at variance with her entering into the discussions.

D. Oliver
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Who partakes at the Lord

Who partakes at the Lord’s supper?

Those who "break bread" together express a unique oneness: "For we being many are one bread, and one body: for we are all partakers of that one bread" (1 Corinthians 10:17)." TARGET="_blank">1 Corinthians 10:17). When the apostle deals with gifts (12:1), he shows that their functioning must be regulated by the truth that "ye are [the] body of Christ" (12:27). They expressed in breaking bread that they were like a body (10:17), which takes its character from the one Body of which all believers form a part (Ephesians 4:4;" TARGET="_blank">Ephesians 4:4;1 Corinthians 12:12, 13)." TARGET="_blank">1 Corinthians 12:12, 13). Obviously, for those who break bread together to function as a unified body, they must be part of the assembly. This is consistent with the Christians’ practice in Acts. Established churches of God "broke bread" (Acts 2:42; 20:7)." TARGET="_blank">Acts 2:42; 20:7). Partaking at the Lord’s Supper is not the right of individuals, but the responsibility of a church of God.

D. Oliver
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Printable Word Search Puzzles

Printable Word Search Puzzles is a program that allows you to turn a phrase, such as a verse from the Bible or a quote from a famous speech into a printable word search puzzle worksheet.

Click here to go to step one of the printable word search puzzle page.

Instructions for the Printable Word Search Puzzle maker

1. Type in a famous phrase or select a verse from the Bible to make into a word search puzzle.
2. The Word Search Puzzle maker will automatically place as many words as possible in the puzzle area.

3. The third step is simply to view the printable word search puzzle and print it or play it online if you wish.

Hints:

If your phrase does not make a very good printable word scramble, try adding a few more words to the sentence. The word search puzzle program needs between 5 and 15 words. Words with 4 to 10 letters generally work well.

In addition to the printable word search puzzles, you can make

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How is the Lord Jesus Christ a priest like Melchisedec?

What is the significance of "Thou art a priest for ever after the order of Melchisedec" (Psalm 110:4)" TARGET="_blank">Psalm 110:4)?

Aaronic priests served in an earthly sanctuary with repeated sacrifices under an old covenant. By comparison and contrast, Christ’s priesthood is linked with a heavenly sanctuary, a final sacrifice, and an eternal covenant (Hebrews 7-10)." TARGET="_blank">Hebrews 7-10). Israel’s high priest transferred his office to his son. Our Great High Priest (4:14) is unique. Melchisedec, like the Son of God, did not derive His office from ancestors nor delivered it to successors, since his genealogy and posterity are not recorded (Genesis 14:18;" TARGET="_blank">Genesis 14:18; Hebrews 7:3)." TARGET="_blank">Hebrews 7:3). The Bible’s first priest, Melchisedec, is from a mold into which no one else fits. The original (the mold), in God’s purpose, is His Son.

Melchisedec was both a priest and king. The meaning of his name and title, King of Righteousness, King of Peace (7:2) is significant (Psalm 72:3;" TARGET="_blank">Psalm 72:3; Isaiah 60:17)." TARGET="_blank">Isaiah 60:17). He appears after the Bible’s first war and battle, involving a confederacy of kings (Genesis 14;" TARGET="_blank">Genesis 14; Psalm 2:2)." TARGET="_blank">Psalm 2:2). He assures Abram of God’s ability to give him the land of promise. All of this reminds us of a coming day when our Lord will be a priest on His throne (Zechariah 6:13)." TARGET="_blank">Zechariah 6:13). Until then, we enjoy the benefit of His priesthood.

The single, defining act of Melchisedec’s priesthood was blessing Abram (Hebrews 7:1)." TARGET="_blank">Hebrews 7:1). By lifting Abram’s vision to "the most high God, possessor of heaven and earth," he strengthened the pilgrim’s faith to withstand the coming trial.

Assured by an oath of the immutable God (Hebrews 7:21)," TARGET="_blank">Hebrews 7:21), our Lord’s priesthood "after the order of Melchisedec" is non-transferable, eternal, millennial, and spiritual, strengthening faith in the Unseen.

D. Oliver
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Is confidence of value in the service of God?

Is confidence of value in the service of God?

Self-confidence is a plague in divine service (Jeremiah 17:5)." TARGET="_blank">Jeremiah 17:5). When a believer relies on his presumed ability, his service for God can produce nothing (John 15:5)." TARGET="_blank">John 15:5). When a believer, because He feels inadequate, does not serve in a work God has given him, he too is a liability and equally self-reliant.

Confidence in God is indispensable. When a believer - parent, preacher, spouse, or elder - knows that God has given him a responsibility, he should have confidence that God will provide the grace and ability to accomplish the divine intention for that work (Judges 6:14)." TARGET="_blank">Judges 6:14). Could a believer wish for more, or less, than that?

D. Oliver
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Why did Michael have a dispute with Satan about the body of Moses?

THE BODY OF MOSES
What do you understand is intended to be conveyed to us by the dispute of the archangel Michael with Satan over the body of Moses?

Jude 1" TARGET="_blank">Jude 1:

We have the full account of the death of Moses in Deuteronomy 34," TARGET="_blank">Deuteronomy 34, but no account of his public funeral, for he had none, but, as is expressly stated, “He (i.e., the Lord) buried him in a valley in the land of Moab, over against Beth-peor, but no man knoweth of his sepulchre unto this day.” There must be a reason for this. I think it is that were it possible to examine the grave of Moses to-day it would be found empty. But someone will say, “How could Moses have been raised from the dead seeing that our Lord Jesus Christ is in 1 Corinthians 15" TARGET="_blank">1 Corinthians 15 called ‘the first-fruits’ of the resurrection, and in Colossians r, ‘the first-born from the dead’?” This is an important question.

It was impossible for anyone to be raised on to true resurrection ground till our Lord rose. Then if Moses was raised, it could only have been back on to the death plane, as the various cases of resurrection of the Old and New Testaments prior to our Lord’s resurrection, such as the son of the widow of Sarepta, that of the Shunammite, Lazarus, and the widow of Nain’s son, etc. All came back on to the death plane and died subsequently. I think the incident narrated in Jude refers to the raising of Moses back on the earth plane. If he is one of the witnesses he will die again. No man can die physically after true resurrection. This gives an added completeness to the scene on the Holy Mount: The Lord the centre, Elijah representing them who will never pass in death, Moses the raised one. Satan might legally contest a premature resurrection of Moses in the true sense, while he could not possibly urge any legal objection to Moses being temporarily delivered from the state of death. “It is appointed unto men once to die.” If Moses is to be one of the witnesses, his death will be true death.

W.H.

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