I'm currently doing a lot of study on "the church". Specifically, on church structure (or organization). I'm sorting and praying through a great deal of information on this topic and don't have any specific points to make just yet. The reason for this post is to get your input.
How do you feel about church structure (I'd also be interested to know your church background)?
What do you believe the Bible teaches about church structure (specific verses would be great)?
Looking forward to hearing from you.
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/D
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2 comments:
I believe we have to have structure. Father, Son, and Holy Spirit...structure.
Luke 6:12-16 Jesus prayed to his Father all night. Then he called the disciples and chose 12 to be apostles.
Romans 12:4-8
Just as our bodies have many parts and each part has a special function, so it is with Christ's body, and we all belong to each other.
In his grace, God has given us different gifts for doing certain things well. So if God has given you the ability to prophesy, speak out with as much faith as God has given you. If your gift is serving others, serve them well. If you are a teacher, teach well. If your gift is to encourage others, be encouraging. If it is to give, give generously. If God has given you leadership ability, take the responsibility seriously. And if you have a gift for showing kindness to others, do it gladly.
Matthew 18:17
Talks about taking your case to the church. I do not believe this is a popular vote but a decision made by those called to be Elders.
Well I hope this was what you were looking for.
Hey Melissa,
I appreciate your input and you have highlighted some good verses.
Regarding Matt. 19:17, the word translated "church" is "ekklēsia". This word decribes the entire gathering of believers in a location, so I'd probably have to say this is the whole church gathered in that area. This may be why so many churches avoid this instruction - in today's world we fear being sued. Yet, the instruction is for the church (as a whole) to handle these matters. To this same point - this decription of the church is the gathering of BELIEVERS. Much of what we call "church" today includes anyone who shows up at a location, but that's not the biblical definition.
On a bit of a different note, your highlighting Romans 12 did reveal a teaching that differentiats "preaching" from "teaching". I'm also studying the role of preaching, so I'll need to look more cloesly at these verses.
Thanks!!!
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