[ZNPaaneah]

After perusing this post of yours I still don't know what you mean by the term "average Christian". I do hope you could give us a definition in 100 words or less.

I do know that the NT says "work out your own salvation with fear and trembling" so although the elders are watching over the flock, ultimately the responsibility for your walk as a Christian is up to you. So if you receive the teaching of someone that leads you astray, no doubt they will be judged, but you also will be held accountable. RG's teaching that even if you are wrong, if you are following "the Apostle" you are right, in my mind is a bogus teaching.

I do know that the NT teaches that we each will have to stand before the judgement seat of Christ to answer for what we have done during this life, whether good or bad. So even if Jim Jones or someone else gave the order to prepare the Kool aid, you are still responsible for your actions. Similar to the way the Nazi war criminals are judged.

I do know that Jesus said "abide in me and I in you" and that any branch that didn't abide in Him would be cut off and cast into the fire. Arguing that you were just following some other man's teaching when you agreed to excommunicate TC, to me, does not justify you. Even if you want to argue that you were an "average Christian" in the LRC. You are still held accountable for realizing that the basis for the excommunication was not scriptural. I feel that if someone cuts someone off from fellowship, as in the case of TC, based on teachings that are erroneous, they are in fact the ones being broken off from the vine. I think this is evidenced by a group becoming exclusive and not wanting to fellowship with the rest of the Body, they themselves have been broken off from the vine.

I do know that we have many different gifts in the body, but just because someone is a gifted evangelist doesn't mean that other Christians who are not "gifted" are not responsible to preach the gospel. I know that the charge that the Lord gave us to go into world and preach the gospel was to every Christian, not merely to the "gifted" ones. This word in Matthew "28:18 And Jesus came and spake unto them, saying, All power is given unto me in heaven and in earth. 28:19 Go ye therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost: 28:20 Teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I have commanded you: and, lo, I am with you alway, even unto the end of the world. Amen." Was spoken to all Christians.

Is it true that many Christians are not "gifted" teachers, and that only a few should go so far as to publish books? I would agree with that. But on the other hand I believe that the charge to be ready in season and out of season to give an answer to those that ask should apply to all christians, whether or not you are a "gifted" teacher. You are the best person to answer your coworkers question, or your friends question, or your relative's question.