This is my comment to Grant’s blog of:
The Christianity of Christ - Shepherdless Sheep
I thought I’d put it on my own site since I know that some do not like long comments on their sites. I do not mind long comments at all. To me, it shows that one really read the post and comments and has something of value and importance to add to the blog. So, here is my comment to the blog and the other comments made on it.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
I too am picking on a Point and NOT any person in particular. Actually two points.
Yes, the scattering and the abusiveness is prophesied in the OT. Those that do not know true doctrine or know it but don’t want to teach it, or obey it, make up their own traditions or doctrines that are not of God. That scatters the sheep. That is why it is very important for all Christians to read the bible for themselves to know the truth, then they will be able to spot the deceivers and the deception. Some leaders may not even know they are deceived and are deceiving for the bible says that even the elect will be deceived.
Some leaders today do not know the bible truth, they may only go by what is taught at a Seminary or Bible college when getting their degree to be a pastor (which no where in the bible does it say that is a requirement). Today’s leaders only want their own followers. If they wanted people to follow Jesus, then they’d teach and practice the teachings and doctrine of Jesus. But they do not. They follow and teach traditions over true bible doctrine. Even if Jesus came again in the flesh and spoke at a church about the truths of His doctrine, he would probably get kicked out for He would be teaching against their tradition. What if he did not address anyone as Pastor or practice tithing? For those both are not NT doctrines, but traditions of man. Many Christians do not know that for they do not read their bibles, they only go by what is told to them from the ‘Pastor’ at the pulpit in the church. Of course they are going to teach an unbiblical principle and false teaching of Tithing, they need it for their salary and the expenses of their church. But if one really had faith, they’d trust God to supply their needs, then they would not have to lie to people and tell them that God told them they have to give 10% of their income to the church or they are robbing and God and will be cursed and not blessed. For if one is to obey one OT law, then they are to obey all the laws or they are cursed and also in doing so, they cancel out the cross. For one no longer lives under Grace but back under the Law.
These new tradition Pastors are not mentioned in scripture. The bible does mention elders, bishops and deacons. Women can not pastor churches for they are not men. They may lead a bible study class for women or teach children or lead a ministry, but they are not to have leadership over a man in the church. Women pastors is another unbiblical traditional practice of the modern church system.
Some may feel it is hateful to say something. I do not see how they can think that. I believe it is more hateful to teach lies and live in falseness. I know the bible truth. So, how is knowing, teaching and preaching bible truth a hateful thing? Some may take it a personal attack, but it’s not a personal thing against anyone. It is against false teachings and practices that go on in the church that is not in the bible. It is ever spoken against, but Christians’ today do what fancy’s them anyway not caring what the bible says.
We certainly do have many Gestapo’s today and no spiritual leaders. Yes, where are the Christian corporate leaders? If one is truly called by God to lead and teach, then they would not charge money for it like Paul did not. They would not lie to people and tell them they had to give 10% of their income to their church for Jesus nor the Apostles, nor the Disciples collected that set amount. They did not teach or practice tithing. The NT says we are to Give as is purposed in our hearts to Give.
The new Gestapo leaders that drive the fancy limo’s and have penthouse office suites and fancy silk suits, teach these lies for they have the love of money and pride and control issues.
Jesus was homeless. The Apostles or disciples did not live the way most of these Gestapo’s are living. They spoke against it.
Why can’t the leaders of the Church do things the way Jesus said to in the bible? We need to care where our money goes. We are to be good stewards of the gifts that God has blessed us with. We can not carelessly give money to someone and just hope they use is for the glory of God. Yes, we are to be led by The Word. Jesus is The Word. We are to follow Jesus and His Word and not the false leaders and their own words.
Yes, the Laity needs to wake up. The focus is way too much on what ‘My Pastor’ says rather than what Jesus says.
Some people feel that when we preach and teach bible truth that we are causing division. Oh, ya.. there is division all right. Dividing those that are His from those that are not. The sheep from the goats. The sheep that hear His Voice from the sheep that hear and follow other voices. God will handle the false leaders alright. That has been prophecied and we are definitely in the end times.
Some Christians that believe lies and follow false teachers and false doctrines, like to cry: ‘oh you must have been hurt’. Um, ya…. Lies are hurtful I suppose. Once I read in the bible the truth, it did make me angry that these men and women are lying to people and teaching false doctrines. That is why I do not go to organized church denominations any longer. Duh! I know the truth, and it’s certainly not in any of those building they call churches. I am not free is Christ, not under any kind of false teachings. Under Grace. I refer to no man or woman as Pastor for that is not biblical. I will still respect them as a person, but will not address them as such even if they tell me I have to and that they will not talk to me or like me if I don’t. They are the ones being hateful and mean. I will never address any man or woman as ‘Pastor’. In the south, we may put the word Miss in front of a woman’s name out of respect. One can even put the word Mister in front of a man’s name. Like Miss Shari, or Mr. Bob. That is acceptable.
We do not go around calling our teachers, Teacher Smith. And there are not more Apostles or Prophets today. No one should even have the word Reverend in front of their name for only God is reverend. The word Bishop is ok. If that person is a man and they have been chosen by the congregation and his wife is as how the bible says to be and his children are too. I have not heard of anyone being called Elder Bill, or Bishop Brian or Deacon James. Although those men that lead the church have that calling and are anointed as such, they are not referred to in person that way. They are ‘the’ elder, bishop, deacon who pastor the church.
All Christians are accountable to God and will give an account one day on what they do, teach and who or what they follow. I only obey and follow true leaders who teach and practice true bible doctrine.
Yes, Ecumenicalism. That’s what’s going on. It basically teaches that all denominations and doctrine are correct weather they are biblical or not, that we need to just love each other and let each believe what they want and do good things for the Kingdom of God. But that is not what the Bible says. WE are to be like minded of One Spirit and be in One Church.
Miss ‘Pastor’ woman should not call herself a pastor for that is not biblical. She may be a type of leader, but can not pastor a church. This is not said out of any kind of hate. How would that bring about haters? Maybe haters of false teachings and false doctrines. Jesus hates falseness too, that is why He warned us and gave us the Written Word so we can know true doctrine and teachings of Jesus Christ and not follow after man or woman ideas and teachings that are not biblical, like Tithing. Oh, these people may be good motivational speakers and give clever sermons, but if they are not in true bible teachings then it’s all in vain and just blowing in the wind.
Many are definitely being led astray by false teachers and false leaders and false teachings. It is very obvious in both RCC and PC. I am in neither.
When we know the truth, then we can definitely see and know the lies. We are not to go by our own conclusions, we are to follow Jesus. There is no strain in reading God’s Word. It is very easy. Jesus yoke is easy and light. The Holy Spirit teaches us and leads us into all truth. Jesus is the Truth. The truth is in the bible for all to see and know. The only not knowing is the not reading of the Word, and only going by what is said by someone else. WE need to know what is said in the Bible so we are not led astray by anyone. Even if they have all the good intentions in the world. They can still be sincerely wrong and not even know it themselves.
Yes, I sure wish that spiritual leaders would look to Jesus and start teaching His Word, but most are not.
When a leader takes the word Pastor from before their name and stop teaching tithing, then I will believe that they are real, loving and repentive and humble leaders. Only then will I trust a spiritual leader, when they start teaching and practicing Bible Truth. Until then, I will not follow such a one. For I only follow Jesus and His Truth.
Yes, many young people are not following God or Jesus or true Christianity. My girls go to a public school and they are surprised when they hear someone say they go to church or are a Christian for they never would have guessed they were. They certainly do not show any signs of being a Christian.
And what about all those poor victimized children in the RCC? So many have been destroyed by leaders in that religion.
Yes, R: The church should be the way Jesus intended it to be. It’s not hard at all. What messes it all up and complicates things is when prideful false teachers and leaders get in there and start changing things around.
Yes, Jesus has left the Building! His Church is being reborn and it is alive and well. Just not in the institutional organizations called ‘church’. Yes, the Church is not confined to one building at one set time for a set time amount. We are The Church 24/7.
Yes, God has allowed the people to have what they want. The traditions of man and doctrines of man. All have a choice on what and who they will follow.
The Eunuch had to be told (taught) for it was not written down anywhere, He wanted to know, so he asked. When we to ask someone something, we should be told the truth if we do not have it available to us in any other form. I do not know Greek or Hebrew, so I look those words up. I am then being ‘told’ or taught by someone else who knows those words whether in person or on paper in a book or even the internet.
Mentors are to guide and teach yes, and they best be teaching bible truth but we can also know the truth by reading the Bible. A mentor comes along someone to help and encourage someone else younger in the faith. That is very biblical.
Yes, we are to discern the differences. Are they Jesus’ words, or man’s?
As long as the ones that are more mature in the Faith, teach only true bible doctrine, then ok. Yes, there is definitely a leadership order in the Church. Unfortunately the organized system of today is not at all how Jesus intended for His Church to be.
I too am a sheep that has left the false shepherd and the false fold and now follow the One and only True Shepherd, pastor and bishop of my soul; Jesus Christ.
|