How can we help visitors understand New Testament teaching about assembly reception?

How can we help visitors understand New Testament teaching about assembly reception?

Society’s creed is tolerance. Evangelicals generally see no distinction between the Church, the Body, and the Church of God. These two factors combined make it likely that visitors not familiar with an assembly’s practices will question why they cannot enjoy the privileges of an assembly. Sometimes on short notice and with little time, overseers will have to give a Biblical answer to those questions. Wherever possible, when bringing a visitor to the Breaking of Bread, help him understand what will happen and why. Be prepared to answer with grace and truth. We would all like to effectively answer such questions, but can be assured that a perfect answer won’t persuade every questioner. We have a responsibility to wisely, patiently, considerately help others understand God’s ways. Help is available through prayer and dependence on the Spirit of God.

D. Oliver
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Can an elder’s wife receive a "crown of glory" (1 Peter 5:2-4)" TARGET="_blank">1 Peter 5:2-4)?

That crown is apparently for "under-shepherds" who are taking care of the Chief Shepherd’s sheep. The context of the book may explain why Peter (by the Spirit’s inspiration) calls it a crown of glory. Peter reminds believers of the sufferings of the Lord Jesus and of His subsequent glory (1 Peter 1:11)." TARGET="_blank">1 Peter 1:11). He encourages believers in their trials that their suffering likewise precedes glory (1:7; 4:13). In two ways, elders may have special sufferings. When enemies persecute believers, leaders are special targets. In addition, the burden of caring for the flock often causes them much grief and suffering of soul. Glory follows suffering, so in a unique way the Lord has reserved for them a crown of glory.

Another crown, the crown of life, is offered to those who "endure temptation" (James 1:12)." TARGET="_blank">James 1:12). An elder’s wife may receive this crown for suffering with her husband (in whatever way you may wish to apply that!).

D. Oliver
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What jobs do angels do?

What jobs do angels do?

The Bible says that angels serve Christians.

Hebrews 1:13-14" TARGET="_blank">Hebrews 1:13-14 And to which of the angels has he ever said, "Sit at my right hand until I make your enemies a footstool for your feet"? (14) Are they not all ministering spirits sent out to serve for the sake of those who are to inherit salvation?

But specifically, what are some of the jobs that angels perform?

They protect God's people from physical harm

Psalms 91:9-13" TARGET="_blank">Psalms 91:9-13 Because you have made the LORD your dwelling place-- the Most High, who is my refuge-- (10) no evil shall be allowed to befall you, no plague come near your tent. (11) For he will command his angels concerning you to guard you in all your ways. (12) On their hands they will bear you up, lest you strike your foot against a stone. (13) You will tread on the lion and the adder; the young lion and the serpent you will trample underfoot.

This beautiful psalm tells us that God has assigned the angels the job of physically following and carefully watching over the Lord's people. Perhaps the psalmist was writing about an upcoming battle as one of "the evils" that could befall him. But the terrors of evil are not specifically mentioned, leaving the interpretation open to a great variety of situations where God's protection is needed. Nothing can harm a believer without God permitting it to occur in his sovereign control over all things. When things occur that we put into "Category Bad", God uses these mishaps for our good (Romans 8:28-29)." TARGET="_blank">Romans 8:28-29).

Recall the angels that were working to protect Elisha and his servant…

2 Kings 6:15-17" TARGET="_blank">2 Kings 6:15-17 When the servant of the man of God rose early in the morning and went out, behold, an army with horses and chariots was all around the city. And the servant said, "Alas, my master! What shall we do?" (16) He said, "Do not be afraid, for those who are with us are more than those who are with them." (17) Then Elisha prayed and said, "O LORD, please open his eyes that he may see." So the LORD opened the eyes of the young man, and he saw, and behold, the mountain was full of horses and chariots of fire all around Elisha.

The Lord has assigned angels to watch over his children as well. He doesn't say that there is a one-to-one relationship with each believer having exactly one guardian angel, but rather that, in general, the angels are always attentive to the needs and cries of God's children.

Matthew 18:10" TARGET="_blank">Matthew 18:10 "See that you do not despise one of these little ones. For I tell you that in heaven their angels always see the face of my Father who is in heaven.

Peter was rescued by an angel from prison (Acts 5:19)." TARGET="_blank">Acts 5:19). Daniel was preserved from physical harm in the Lion's Den by an angel (Daniel 6:22)." TARGET="_blank">Daniel 6:22). Hagar was given food when near death (Genesis 21:17-20)." TARGET="_blank">Genesis 21:17-20).

Angels also carry messages from God

Paul was comforted by an angel on the night before his shipwreck (Acts 27:23-24)." TARGET="_blank">Acts 27:23-24). An angel directed Joseph to flee to Egypt (Matthew 2:13-20)." TARGET="_blank">Matthew 2:13-20). Daniel and John each received their revelations from angels that come to us today in the Book of Daniel and The Revelation of Jesus Christ.

Angels carry believers to heaven

Luke 16:22" TARGET="_blank">Luke 16:22 says that Lazarus, the beggar, was carried by the angels to Abraham's bosom. The angels will gather God's elect from the four corners of the earth when Christ returns to set up his kingdom (Matthew 24:31)." TARGET="_blank">Matthew 24:31).

Shad David Sluiter

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Will believers reign on the earth in the Millennium?

To whom does "us" and "we" refer in Revelation 5:10," TARGET="_blank">Revelation 5:10, "And hast made us unto our God kings and priests: and we shall reign on the earth"?

The manuscripts used in Darby’s translation, for instance, change "we" to "them" and omit "us." The sense of the passage, therefore, is that the Lamb has made those He redeemed with His blood (verse 9) kings and priests to God; those redeemed ones will reign on the earth. We need not be upset to learn that, in subsequent years, scholars found more reliable manuscripts than those used for our beloved Authorized Version. God’s truth stands immutable: "For ever, 0 Lord, Thy word is settled in heaven" (Psalm 119:89)." TARGET="_blank">Psalm 119:89). The manuscript changes are very minor and, as in this passage, affect no doctrine, but only our understanding of the passage.

D. Oliver
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When will Jesus drink of the wine in his father's kingdom?

What did our Lord mean in Matthew 26:29," TARGET="_blank">Matthew 26:29, "when I drink it new with you in My Father's kingdom?"

The context is clear. The Lord is partaking of the last Passover supper and will soon be separated from them. He leaves them with the assurance that in the millennial day He will have the new joy (symbolized in the fruit of the vine) of celebration with them in that Messianic kingdom. The emphasis is on spiritual joy. "My Father's kingdom" expresses the intimacy of that kingdom suggested by the singular "My." These related terms are suggestive: "kingdom of God," the source of the kingdom; "kingdom of heaven," the sphere of the kingdom; "My Father's kingdom," the secrets of the kingdom; "the kingdom of their Father," the sharers of the kingdom. That last Passover anticipated the day when He would share His fullness of joy with His own in His Father's kingdom. What took place in embryo before His death will have universal fulfillment.

A. Hull

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Is the living bread from heaven, the same as the bread of the church communion?

Is Paul’s reference to the body and blood of Christ related to John 6:53-56" TARGET="_blank">John 6:53-56?

In John 6:53" TARGET="_blank">John 6:53 and 54, eating the flesh of the Son of Man and drinking His blood are necessary and sufficient conditions for having eternal life. That is describing what took place once; at the moment of conversion, we took the death of Christ to ourselves and received all its benefits. In verse 56, feeding on Christ and His death is characteristic of all who are saved. This, linked by some to Israel’s initial and continued eating of the Passover, is individual. "Christ our Passover is sacrificed for us" (1 Corinthians 5:7)." TARGET="_blank">1 Corinthians 5:7). Our redemption is individual, as is our appropriation of the Lamb. The annual Passover shares the feature of remembrance with the Lord’s Supper, but, although instituted at the Passover, it does not replace the Passover or fulfill it.

At the Lord’s Supper, the assembly unitedly blesses and partakes of the cup and bread, thus expressing the blessings they share. Being a corporate act, it is therefore distinct from what the Passover expresses and from the personal communion of which the Lord speaks in John 6:56." TARGET="_blank">John 6:56.

In addition, John 6" TARGET="_blank">John 6 speaks of eating in a spiritual sense, 1 Corinthians 10" TARGET="_blank">1 Corinthians 10 of eating physically.

D. Oliver
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Should the discipline of one assembly be made known in another?

Should the discipline of one assembly be made known in another, if the disciplined person may socialize with others from that assembly?

Discipline, whether internal or requiring excommunication (as in 1 Corinthians 5)" TARGET="_blank">1 Corinthians 5) is to maintain the holiness of God's assembly (verses 4,5,13). Although believers grieve over a disciplined person, their social fellowship is restricted to preserve the assembly from ongoing sin (verse 6). Shepherds dealing with the erring person will encourage his restoration and instruct him to express his submission to God regarding this discipline (Matthew 18:15-20)" TARGET="_blank">Matthew 18:15-20) by refraining from socializing with believers (1 Corinthians 5:11)." TARGET="_blank">1 Corinthians 5:11). If the overseers sense a lack of repentance and therefore feel he will maintain social fellowship, perhaps with believers from another assembly, it is wise to advise the other assembly's oversight. The other overseers will privately advise those involved not to undermine the discipline imposed upon their friend. This action is to preserve the purity of and fellowship between the two assemblies.

Discipline in any assembly should be kept as private as possible in the hope of restoration to God and the saints (2 Corinthians 2:3-9)." TARGET="_blank">2 Corinthians 2:3-9). "Tell it not in Gath" (2 Samuel 1:20)" TARGET="_blank">2 Samuel 1:20) is one principle, suggesting that some news is too sad or shameful to spread. "The churches of Asia salute you" (1 Corinthians 16:19)" TARGET="_blank">1 Corinthians 16:19) is another principle, expressing unhindered fellowship among assemblies. Both principles must be maintained.

J. Smith

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What is binding Satan?

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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How should a man prepare for overseership?

How should a man prepare for overseership?

"Lord, what wilt Thou have me to do?" is his concern. Love for Christ, His Word, and His people are his hallmarks. As God’s Spirit has His way in his life, His purpose and calling blends with the individual’s native capabilities. That man and his wife (or girlfriend, if he is courting) visit the sick or the widows, leaving some suitable Bible passage with them. He "naturally cares for" (Philippians 3:20)" TARGET="_blank">Philippians 3:20) the state of other believers. He prepares for and participates in the meetings, developing a deeper understanding of God’s Word. As he realizes how important the assembly and the spiritual welfare of the Lord’s people are to the Lord, a weight of responsibility settles in his soul. All of these interests integrate with his prayer life and he begins to ask the Lord specifically for the prosperity and preservation of the assembly. Overseers observe his consistency and encourage his interests. At some point, they may ask him to help them in their work.

Especially if he has a competitive spirit (is any man free of this?), he should confront this before the Lord and seek grace to be delivered from a desire for office, advancement, or recognition and to be motivated by a desire to serve.

When the overseers recognize that God has called this brother to the responsibilities of an overseer, he should be willing to serve with these overseers only if he is convinced that God has entrusted this work to him.

D. Oliver
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Does the assembly have a say in the decision of commending a full-time evangelist?

Does the assembly have a say in the decision of commending a full-time evangelist?

An assembly is not a democracy. Elders guide the assembly in its decisions; they are guides (Hebrews 13:7," TARGET="_blank">Hebrews 13:7, mg.) they "stand before" (1Ti 5:17," TARGET="_blank">1Ti 5:17, "rule") the flock as examples and leaders. Not having omniscience, either individually or collectively, they will benefit by input from the flock. For that reason, those in the assembly ought to respectfully and honestly communicate to the elders any concerns they may have about a person whom the assembly plans to commend. Having communicated that concern, the matter must be left with the Lord and with the overseers, who are responsible to fairly assess what has been said.

D. Oliver
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