Are some overseers entitled to more spiritual weight than others?

Are some overseers entitled to more spiritual weight than others?

This questions requires particular balance in its answer, because the answer is both "yes" and "no." The consistent character, experience, and Biblical understanding of some overseers gives them greater "moral authority." The insights of such men deserve particular consideration. That consideration is afforded by others. If a man demands or obviously expects that consideration, he loses moral authority. Neither personality nor manipulative skill gives spiritual weight, not even age alone (Pro 16:31)." TARGET="_blank">Pro 16:31).

While each overseer is personally accountable to the Lord (Acts 20:28;" TARGET="_blank">Acts 20:28; Heb 13:17)," TARGET="_blank">Heb 13:17), the oversight functions as a unit (1Ti 4:14)" TARGET="_blank">1Ti 4:14) in which each elder is essential to the working of the whole. Spiritual weight will influence the decisions of the overseers only to the extent it addresses the issue at hand with the truth of the Word of God. Oversight decisions are not by majority vote, by weighted votes, or by a poll of all in the assembly, but through a consensus that considers all the overseers. Only such consideration fulfills the servant-leadership role the Lord described and exemplified (Mark 10:42-45;" TARGET="_blank">Mark 10:42-45; Phi 2:3-8)." TARGET="_blank">Phi 2:3-8).

The suggested answer then is "yes," because the character and Biblical insights of some will have greater influence on the oversight’s deliberations, and "no," because each overseer has equal responsibility for the decisions made by the oversight.

D. Oliver
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Binding Satan

Ministers who try to deliver people from problems often speak of binding Satan or binding a sickness or binding poverty or binding some other problem. A prayer to “bind” Satan usually takes the form of something like this:

“In the name of Jesus of Nazareth, the Son of God, I come against you, Satan, the Prince of Darkness to bind you, paralyzing your power, forbidding you to come near this person and influencing her thinking. I demand that you leave her immediately!”

By “binding” Satan, claims are made to be able to paralyze Satan or silence him or forbid him from influencing a person. As powerful as this commanding prayer may sound, it is unscriptural. Nobody in the history of the Bible ever spoke to Satan this way, nor are we commanded to speak to him like this. We resist Satan by teaching and obeying the truth of the Bible.

For a more detailed answer see the question:

Do Christians have the ability or the authority to bind Satan?

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My friend has doubts about his salvation. How can I help?

How can we help a person when we doubt his profession of salvation?

The Lord seems to have dealt with people on the basis of what they claimed to be, even when He knew their claim was false. He addressed the Samaritan woman as a worshiper (John 4:20-24)," TARGET="_blank">John 4:20-24), the lawyer as an honest questioner (Luke 10:29-37)," TARGET="_blank">Luke 10:29-37), and the womans accusers as defenders of the law (John 8:6-9)." TARGET="_blank">John 8:6-9). He kept the channel of communication open, but immediately, graciously, and wisely used that open channel to convey truth that worked effectively to expose their position. By limiting our ability to communicate further with individuals, we can no longer help them. When we maintain a channel of communication, we can effectively communicate Gods living, powerful Word (Heb. 4:12)." TARGET="_blank">Heb. 4:12).

Allowing for the possibility that our assessment is mistaken, we can pray for him, take a genuine interest in him, and act on his claim to be saved: feed him with Gods Word and talk often about the Savior and salvation with him. A lack of response to Gods Word, transformation in the life, and appreciation for the value of the cross indicates a lack of spiritual life.

If he is not saved, the channel of communication remains open for seeing him saved. If he is saved, cultivating spiritual growth fulfils the responsibility to "disciple all nations" (Matthew 28:19)." TARGET="_blank">Matthew 28:19).

D. Oliver
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Should Christians fast?

Be the first to give an answer to this question. Write an answer in the comment section below. Please provide your name and if you have a website or blog, be sure to include the URL and email address in your answer.

Answers will be reviewed.

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Is the rapture found in the Bible?

Does the Bible teach there will be no rapture or millennium?

Clear, literal teaching of the Word of God is convincing on this subject. The rapture, meaning "snatched away," is taught clearly in the New Testament. The Lord Jesus mentioned it in John 14:1-3." TARGET="_blank">John 14:1-3. In 1 Corinthians 15:51-57," TARGET="_blank">1 Corinthians 15:51-57, Paul teaches that the dead in Christ will be raised with incorruptible bodies and the living (mortal) will put on immortality and be caught up together (1 Thessalonians 4:13-17)." TARGET="_blank">1 Thessalonians 4:13-17).

Seven terrible years, when God's wrath will be poured out upon the earth (Matthew 24:21)," TARGET="_blank">Matthew 24:21), follow the rapture. This concludes when the Lord descends to earth in power and great glory (Revelation 19:11- 21)." TARGET="_blank">Revelation 19:11- 21). He will banish Satan to the bottomless pit for a thousand years (Revelation 20:2)." TARGET="_blank">Revelation 20:2). This millennial reign of Christ on earth is described in the Old Testament (Isaiah 11;" TARGET="_blank">Isaiah 11; Jeremiah 31:31; 40;" TARGET="_blank">Jeremiah 31:31; 40; Ezekiel 40-48;" TARGET="_blank">Ezekiel 40-48; Zechariah 8-14)." TARGET="_blank">Zechariah 8-14). In Revelation 20:4-7," TARGET="_blank">Revelation 20:4-7, the 1000 years are mentioned six times. After the 1000 years, God will create the New Heaven and the New Earth (2 Peter 3:10-13)" TARGET="_blank">2 Peter 3:10-13) for His eternal kingdom.

A. Joyce

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About this site

About this site

Who manages this web site?

Gospel Hall dot org is managed by Shad Sluiter. He and his family have been part of the assembly that meets at the Marion Gospel Hall, Marion, IA (USA). Currently they are serving as missionaries in Hermosillo, Mexico. Jim Garvin at www.SiteAction.com provides the web server hosting.

Is this an Official Site?

The nature of assemblies who are represented on this site is that each congregation is an independent entity. No official headquarters for the "brethren" exist. However, the materials published represent the beliefs of these assemblies very well.

Why does this site exist?

Gospel Hall dot org began in 1997 as a way to share information about assemblies, to raise awareness of the gospel message and teaching about Christian living in a New Testament Church.

How can I contact you?

Please see the "contact us" section of the main menu.

Where can I find the Gospel Hall Forum?

The ghf is managed at www.gospelhall.org.uk.

Where is the discussion page?

The online forum has been removed. Unfortunately, some of the discussions were counter-productive to the goals of this site.

Do you accept new materials?

Yes. If you have material suitable for publishing on this site, please contact me for details. I am seeking full-text books, mp3 files and other media content that is suitable for helping people grow in their christian life. Look around the site to see what materials have been published to get an idea of what is needed. There is no pay offered for any work submitted. Editorial blogs or opinions are not needed at this time.

If you are a php or Flash programmer, there are unfished projects that also need expertise.

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How can I help a new believer who has little experience in spiritual matters?

In general, how should we help new believers who have no assembly background?

Accept the new believers as a brother or sister in Christ, regardless of class, culture, economic status, intelligence, social graces, fashion preference, or Bible knowledge. We are their family. Pray for these new believers. They face opposition from their relatives; they struggle with many serious temptations which before salvation were no problem to them. Pray for those who have been used by the Spirit in their salvation; they need wisdom to help the new believer get a good spiritual start.

If the new believer asks your advice, give it gently; you don’t know his load limit. If you feel the new believer needs your correction, don’t assume you know how best to speak to him. Instead, go to the person God has used in his salvation; tell this believer your concerns and trust him to know how to most effectively communicate to the new believer the truth that concerns you.

That believer may have worked long and hard for years to see this person saved. It is patently unfair to destroy that believer’s work by stumbling the new believer. Those who assume that their winsome charm and superior knowledge will enable them to correct a new believer are the most likely to stumble him.

D. Oliver
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Did the Lord Jesus bear our sins only during the three hours of darkness?

Did the Lord Jesus bear our sins only during the three hours of darkness?

Mark, by inspiration, tells us that the Lord cried, "My God, My God, why didst Thou forsake Me?" (Newberry) at the ninth hour, when the darkness ended (15:33, 34). Mr. Newberry’s alteration indicates that the Lord was no longer forsaken during the remainder of His time on the cross. Coming at the close of the darkness, this question seems to imply that He was forsaken either during all the darkness or at some time during the darkness. Those three hours were a special time of God’s dealing with Him for our sins.

At least one other passage shows that His bearing our sins was not limited to those three hours. "Cursed is every one that hangeth on a tree" (Galatians 3:13)." TARGET="_blank">Galatians 3:13). 1 Peter 2:24" TARGET="_blank">1 Peter 2:24 seems to support this view, since He bore "our sins in His own body on the tree."

In Deuteronomy 21:23," TARGET="_blank">Deuteronomy 21:23, from which Paul quotes in Galatians 3," TARGET="_blank">Galatians 3, a rebellious, incorrigible son was to be stoned. Along with anyone who died because of disobedience to the law, this son’s body was to then hang on a tree, "accursed of God." The message was, "This is the drastic price of disobedience to God’s law." This was the message to Israel when God’s submissive, impeccable Son hung on a tree. No wonder they esteemed "Him stricken, smitten of God, and afflicted" (Isaiah 53:4)" TARGET="_blank">Isaiah 53:4)! The price was drastic, but the disobedience was theirs and by extension ours (Romans 3:19)." TARGET="_blank">Romans 3:19). During the first three hours God graphically displayed to man what sin cost, as Christ hung in shame, accursed of God. During the next three hours, God veiled from man the full cost of sin, for none but Divine Persons could measure such agony.

With unshod feet, we conclude that our Lord was bearing sins from the moment He was nailed to the cross until the moment He dismissed His spirit.

D. Oliver
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Should I help match my friend with a girl friendl?

Is matchmaking helpful, wise, and Scriptural?

No. Cultural means of bringing a man and woman together differ widely. Our Western ways wouldn’t countenance a father’s sending his servant to find a wife for his son, as Abraham did for Isaac. As different as that scenario was, the common denominator is in the servant’s words, "I being in the way, the Lord led me" (Genesis 24: 27)." TARGET="_blank">Genesis 24: 27). The most important factor in bringing believers together is God’s leading. Matchmaking is God’s work. He is much wiser and more able in this work than we. Better than parents and closest friends, He knows what matching personality will most effectively contribute to His plans for each one.

Well-intentioned matchmakers may injure one or both of the "matched" individuals. The more God-honoring approach is to pray faithfully for both the man and woman involved.

D. Oliver
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When the behavior of some in the assembly is disrespectful or irreverent, how can I be helpful to th

When the behavior of some in the assembly is disrespectful or irreverent, how can I be helpful to them?

Drinking coffee or talking on cell phones during meetings (as reported by the questioner) is a discretionary matter. To be fair, though, I don't think any elders in any assemblies I have visited would consider either of these behaviors appropriate during an assembly meeting.

In part, those who do these things may be trying to create an accepting atmosphere in which visitors will feel welcome. While this has value, a clear principle from Scripture has a prior claim: "Holiness becometh Thine house, O Lord, forever" (Psa 93:5). "Holy and reverend (revered, awesome [ESV], terrible [JND]) is His name" (111:9b). Since His name is associated with His assembly (Mat 18:20)," TARGET="_blank">Mat 18:20), its character regulates the gatherings. "God is not the author of confusion (disorder, unruliness)" (1Co 14:33)," TARGET="_blank">1Co 14:33), therefore "Let all things be done decently and in order" (dignity, see Strong's) (v 40). Behavior that lacks propriety and orderliness becoming to the presence of the Lord has no place in God's assembly.

Three suggestions, then, may enable a believer to be helpful in such circumstances. First, do not let the behavior of others either shape your behavior (Rom 12:2" TARGET="_blank">Rom 12:2a) or distract you from honoring the Lord (Psa 71:14, despite circumstances). Second, keep a right spirit, not becoming bitter against those whose behavior concerns you (Ephesians 4:31, 32)." TARGET="_blank">Ephesians 4:31, 32). Third, communicate your concerns in a way that is positive and edifying (v 29b). If your communication is not likely to be helpful, say nothing, but find a way through prayer and waiting on the Lord to express your thoughts.

D. Oliver
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