which local denomination and doctrine should one submit to ? Should we just head to the local church and put our faith in the pastor ? And I guess “ submit” to someone who may be preaching anything right or wrong ?
who decides who a pastor is ? How do we know our local church is being led by the word of God ? If denominations all teach pretty key differences , which one then should we believe is the one ?
I’m not sure that submitting to a local church is biblical , but submitting to Christ and believing the gospel is biblical and then finding a church that teaches and can help us grow in the faith .
did you realize that a pastor , according to the biblical design isn’t even supposed to be the one who speaks in church ????? That’s not what scripture taught when they are together to hear Gods word
it came in later as a tradition like the ot folks gathered together and began traditions
Gods design is for two or three prophets to stand and speak to the group . The pastor was the leader and organizer but was never meant to preach every week and have his own disciples like we’ve done in the world the church in scripture was inclusive of everyone each had thier place and roles
prophets , teachers , pastors , and on down the line all had thier place , gift and function in the church . it wasn’t as it is now that design has one man speaking and all the congregation listening and being forced to accept what he’s saying as truth
But what if he’s not called to speak and teach the word of God ? Shouldn’t we want church to look like it does in scripture before we go submitting to a group ?
I think cults get a lot of folks that way Jim jones was a local charismatic pastor who quoted a scripture here and there and then preached his message , people flooded to it.
they over a short time became devoted to thier pastor and their church group . Over a longer period of time listening to his sermons , he began to explain they no Longer needed the scriptures because they had him .
eventually he convinced them to drink poison coolaid first they gave it to thier children , then took it themselves . Those who refused were shot after they had all died he short himself .
they all believed from the beginning this local pastor was to be believed because he preached from a pulpit , in the End 918 children , women and men lay dead and it began at a local Christian church where they all blindly submitted and followed a Well spoken and well versed pastor
true story
Yep. It fits nicely. To rather be allowing for the Holy Spirit to show you where you have to be. Where you can grow. Where it is only Brothers. Assisting one another to be able to do what they can do. Not enjoying you being "unable". Keeping you in your lack of Ability.
Mat. 23
8 But be not ye called Rabbi: for one is your Master, even Christ; and all ye are brethren.
When you have a church where you only have to "submit to someone" but that someone does not submit to you it is of course a Baby Church. Where you will stay a Baby.
1 Peter 5
1 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:
2 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;
3 Neither as being lords over God’s heritage, but being ensamples to the flock.
4 And when the chief Shepherd shall appear, ye shall receive a crown of glory that fadeth not away.
5 Likewise, ye younger, submit yourselves unto the elder. Yea, all of you be subject one to another, and be clothed with humility: for God resisteth the proud, and giveth grace to the humble.
6 Humble yourselves therefore under the mighty hand of God, that he may exalt you in due time:
Because when you are in a Fellowship you have something to Say too. In the Holy Spirit. Which everyone has to submit too. Meaning submiting you your Word too. Every time you get together.
1 Cor. 14
26 How is it then, brethren? when ye come together, every one of you hath a psalm, hath a doctrine, hath a tongue, hath a revelation, hath an interpretation. Let all things be done unto edifying.
Just as Paul said and did too.
Rom. 1
9 For God is my witness, whom I serve with my spirit in the gospel of his Son, that without ceasing I make mention of you always in my prayers;
10 Making request, if by any means now at length I might have a prosperous journey by the will of God to come unto you.
11 For I long to see you, that I may impart unto you some spiritual gift, to the end ye may be established;
12 That is, that I may be comforted together with you by the mutual faith both of you and me.
[/QUOTE]