[ZNPaaneah]

Originally Posted by OBW

Let's elaborate.

Do you think that everything is equally applicable to everyone because it was written down and included in the scriptures? Does a specific, particular promise made to someone become something that we can all bank on if we can dredge up enough "faith"?

The qualifications for elder are given by Paul, once in some detail, and then little bits and pieces in other places that enhance the understanding. Since it is known how an elder should be, do we declare that all should be the same? Is there a serious spiritual deficiency for those believers whose background is such that they cannot ever be an elder (for example, they are divorced and remarried)?

I asked one question, "Who was the book of Matthew written to?" and now I am reaping 4 questions. So let's go through these.

1. Do I think everything is equally applicable to everyone? Well, let's not talk about everything since I cannot even think about all that might entail, let's just focus on the commission in Matthew. As for "equally applicable", don't really understand what that means. The NT is clear that we have 5 talented members and 1 talented members, so I suppose you could say that the Lord does not expect the same out of both. Fair enough, but in saying this the Lord also points out that every member of the Body does have at least one talent and that by burying that talent they will be judged. The judgement that we all will get equally is "did you invest the talent the Lord gave you?" So my answer is that I think the commission in the book of Matthew is applicable to me, just as it was to Peter and Paul. They may be 5 talented members and I may not be, but either way I have been given like precious faith as they and I will be judged for what I do with that faith, as they also will be.

2. Does a specific, particular promise made to someone become something that we can all bank on if we can dredge up enough "faith"? Again, I am not comfortable turning this into a hypothetical that is applicable in any imaginable situation. Rather, I would like to keep this focused on the Commission 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.

Two promises here, "all power is given unto Me in heaven and in earth." and "I am with you alway, even unto the end of the world." Yes, I believe we can all bank on these two promises if we receive them by faith.

3. Since it is known how an elder should be, do we declare that all should be the same? This word "same" I fear can be seriously twisted. For example an elder should be the husband of one wife. Does that mean that everyone who is a "husband" is "the same"? I think that every congregation should take these qualifications and treat them with the utmost respect when choosing elders. For example if you have two candidates, everyone loves one, he is charming, charismatic, considerate, gifted, and has never been married. The second is a solid brother, he has raised his family well, he is the husband of one wife, and no one has a bad word to say about him. However he is not even slightly charismatic and can even be described as dull. Many fear that if he is the elder membership will drop by 10% as a result. If this is the choice I feel the NT is very clear as to who should be the elder. Choosing the unqualified brother is, to my mind, choosing according to the flesh.

4. Is there a serious spiritual deficiency for those believers whose background is such that they cannot ever be an elder (for example, they are divorced and remarried)? I am divorced and remarried, so please keep that in mind as you read my response. I believe that the requirement for an elder to be the husband of one wife and to have raised his family well is an indication of how important those two characteristics are to the Body of Christ. If the family situation of the church is healthy, then it will thrive. We know the family situation in the world is a mess, so we know people will be saved from broken homes, broken families, and all kinds of messed up family relationships and marriage relationships. Therefore, in the midst of this chaos, it is extremely beneficial to the Body to have someone who has sailed through this storm successfully lifted up as an example to all, and set up as someone who can counsel all. Disqualifying someone, like myself, who has been divorced and remarried, is not, to my mind, judgmental. Rather, it is saying that what we need for this job is someone who can guide the other saints in this evil and adulterous age. So is there a serious "spiritual" deficiency? I don't know, perhaps not. But is there a serious "human" deficiency, I think so, and I am speaking from personal experience. In my own experience congregations will usually have a choice between two candidates, one has not been divorced, but everyone prefers the brother who has been divorced. Ignoring Paul's word is to my mind, choosing according to the flesh.