Quote:
Originally Posted by Terry
ZNP:
First, let me ask you a question, where in the NT does it say that anyone should be under the control of the elders?
Closest you'll find is Hebrews 13:17
Obey your leaders and submit to them, for they keep watch over your souls as those who will give an account. Let them do this with joy and not with grief, for this would be unprofitable for you.
Key words and phrases in this verse are, obey, submit, watch over your souls.
I'll get back to this verse momentarily.
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ZNP: Thankyou, I also consider this the best verse. ”Obey them that have the rule over you, and submit yourselves: for they watch for your souls, as they that must give account, that they may do it with joy, and not with grief: for that is unprofitable for you.”
This verse could refer to anyone that has rule over you – a policeman, a teacher, an elder. However, the authority of the police is limited to very clear rules (a policeman can pull your car over based on any concern he has, but he cannot enter your house without a judge first agreeing that it is warranted), likewise the authority of the teacher is limited to very specific rules (the teachers authority is pretty much limited to everything within the walls of the school, outside of those walls the kids are not under their authority). There is no justification to say that elders have unlimited authority, so the question is what is the limit of their authority?
In the LRC they think that elders and leaders can excommunicate members. I disagree. I think this authority is given specifically to the church and must be based on the NT. I think BP as a leader has a right to express concern over anything the members of the church are doing that he feels is spiritually unhealthy. But I feel that is the limit of his authority. He has no right to dictate who you fellowship with, to do so is cultic and oversteps the NT. Nor does he have the right to dictate the what you fellowship or How you fellowship (your question). He can teach, exhort, encourage, but the elders are not supreme dictators.