Quote:
Originally Posted by John
Igzy: These churches are led by leaders who have the right and obligation to vet ministries for the sake of those they lead (Heb 13:17; Rev 2:2). Although members are charged to obey and submit to leaders, this charge is not absolute (Acts 5:29).
Here is my analysis of these statements along with questions to foster any clarification, comment, or retraction you might wish to make:
- Heb 13:17 does not give church leaders such a right and obligation. True or false?
- Rev 2:2 does not give only church leaders such a responsibility; the whole body has the responsibility. True or false?
|
I have to believe that Heb 13.17
does give healthy church leaders the responsibility to oversee and vet outside ministries which impact their congregation. The metaphor of sheep and a shepherd is apt here. Are not elders primarily shepherds caring for the feeding of the sheep? Should not they be watching also for false teachers disguised as wolves, ready to prey on their charge? This is not to say that the Recovery way of exclusively feeding on Lee is in any way healthy, but to go from one extreme to another, does not serve God's people very well either.
I have to believe that the elders in Ephesus took the lead to try these false apostles, but that does not indicate that
only church leaders have such a responsibility. Perhaps it was some praying sister who first signaled the elders of problems with these outside ministries. Perhaps the Ephesian leaders sought out other church leaders for input. I do believe, however, that such a serious decision as proving evil men posing as apostles
must include all the elders, deacons, or spiritual ones for prayer and fellowship.
It's hard to place this responsibility on the "whole body." Would that be the "whole body" in Ephesus, or the "whole body" of Christ? It's not possible to simply answer your true/false question. The first part is somewhat true, though misleading. The second part is only true with caveats and clarifications.