We as believers are consider by Paul as a Body of Christ, where Jesus himself as the head over us. His superiority is being mentioned by apostle Paul in Ephesians 1:22-23 that God appointed Christ as the head over the church, which is his body.
As believers acknowledging the Lordship and authority being placed by God to our Lord Jesus Christ, it is important for us to submit under his' lordship and leading. For we are one body and each of us is part of it where no one is superior than the other, but we all need to complement to one another. For Jesus himself stated in John 15:5 apart from him we can do nothing (bear no fruit). So all the more when we come in union with Christ, the image of togetherness as one body all the more need to be address. 2 Timothy 2:20-21 clearly pointed to us that each of us can be as noble instrument being used by God for his purpose.
So as believers we need to support one another as ligament (Ephesians 4:16) build up one another in love, faith and giving glory to God. For we the church as one body serve under the headship of our Lord Jesus, in giving all the glory, majesty and honor to our Almighty God (1 Chronicles 29:11).
Please do comments and impart your knowledge or insight for the benefits of the body of believers.
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9 comments:
Do Christians in general recognize that they are 'the Body of Christ'? Is the understanding and practice of this idea extant and vibrant?
According to Paul he encourages the Jews and the Gentiles to be united as the "body of Christ" rather than arguing over the gentiles in following the laws in order to be accepted. So Paul have been emphasizing this particular matter back in the NT times over the issue. The outcome of the statement in accepting one another and be united as a "body of Christ" and honoring Christ himself as the head over the body do upset some.
Today's in general Christian do recognize that they are the body of Christ, I do belief it may not be all, but majority of them, because as a whole the Christian is working towards unity rather than separation between denomination. Even though they may be some doctrinal and theological differences among the denomination, however if Christian as a whole can focus upon Christ as the head over the church, it will not be the issue.
The understanding and practice of the church upon this idea is vibrant because it have been pushing through since the days of Christ till present in promoting to the fellow Christians in recognizing the oneness "the body of Christ" among the believers.
If Christ is the head of the church, why then is the need of pope, bishop, senior pastor or elders?
Are we not supposed to practice theocracy?
In the time of Samuel, God is unhappy that the Israelite opted for a king to rule over them instead of God Himself.
Are you sure that God is happy that pope, bishop, senior pastor and elders are "ruling" the church today?
In the OT times, God already appointed high priests, priests, prophets to lead his' people. When it came to NT times,more specific people like the pharisees, rabbis, Sadducee, teachers of the law are appointed to teach his people about the laws, interpreting to them about the Torah, and performing temple sacrifices and more.
Through the years God had appointed many leaders to lead his people over specific issue that arise during the time with reason.
Just like God has choose Abraham to be a father of all nations, David a king choose by God and not by men, Nehemiah to rebuilt the temple, Peter to the Jews and Paul to the gentiles.
As for today God choose different leaders in position to lead over a specific group of people like the Pope over Vatican, pastor over the church, apostles, evangelists and elders in position to lead, minister, counsel and meeting the needs of the people.
Their position is not the head as being mention by Paul in the bible (Ephesians 1:22-23) as equal to Christ himself but over a group, an assembly, denomination or church.
Their position is crucial given the task to lead(Ephesians 4:11-14) and built up the body of Christ.So the practice of theocracy is still being practice at large in all this groups of people.
I'm not the one who can judge or know the mind of God whether he's happy over the current days of pastors and leaders in ruling the church, but one thing for sure, if they didn't perform well to their given task to serve God, they will surely be remove them from their position.
In OT where Isaiah in bright daylight proclaiming judgment upon the people and leaders who's sins against Yahweh, the same goes with Nehemiah, Jeremiah, Daniel and Jesus in NT rebuke the Pharisee and Sadducee as brood of vipers (Matthew 23:33-34).
God is unhappy that the Israelite opted for a king (Saul)to rule over them instead of God Himself because they're influenced by the nations surrounding them which practices idols worshiping.
I agree with you that God appointed priests and prophets to lead His people. He also appointed the judges.
However, can you explain further and provide some Scripture on where you find the idea that pharisees, rabbis, Sadducee, teachers of the law are appointed to teach his people about the laws, interpreting to them about the Torah, and performing temple sacrifices and more?
I only understand form your answer that God has put various leaders, pastors, evangelist or Pope to lead His people.
These people are put by God but some are in their place because they made their way there. Agree?
Some even fall short of their calling (e.g. Ted Haggard, Mike Mike Guglielmucci)
Can you explain further in details on how theocracy is evident in churches today?
I also noticed that you mentioned "apostle" in your answer.
Can you explain about the role or the ministry of an apostle in today's church?
Thank you for your respond, I'm glad we can continue to exchange knowledge and understanding about the topic being discuss.
In the book of Matthew chapter 23, Jesus is sharing to the crowds about the lifestyle of teachers of the law and the Pharisee, telling the crowds to obey their teaching but not imitate their way of living.
Note that Jesus saying that the pharisee and teachers position themselves in Moses seat (likened to Moses - v.2), which Moses himself the legislator of the Jewish people and in a certain sense the founder of the Jewish religion. He wrote the first five books of the Bible, commonly referred to as the Books of Moses (The written law - Torah).
They follow onto the written law and perform what Moses' did (performing temple sacrifices - in the book of Leviticus), teaching the people to observe and live likewise but they themselves didn't follow.
I totally agreed with you that some people are put by God but some are in their place because they made their way there and you have supported it with names. Jesus himself mentioned that not all who call him Lord will be save,the Pharisee being an example who're respected in the eye of men but not of God. They're consider the brood of vipers (Matthew 3:7-8;12:34;23:33). This people make their way to the top, but what the Lord requires is producing good fruits and keeping with repentance that counts but not position that will guarantee them eternal salvation. All this people who're in sheep clothing will be reveal in the days of the Lord.
Some churches do perform theocracy and it's evident. Churches like the Unification church, Christian Reconstructionism do belief in government by priests or religious officials who they believed to be divinely guided by God.Even some nation is drive by this belief in supporting some strong leaders of the Islamic party and republican party who're recognizing God as the divine civil leader.
The apostle of today and Jesus' time is still the same, given the task according to the Gospels, followers whom Jesus had chosen, named, trained to be send for a specific mission, establish churches by evangelism by the spreading of the "good news".
I found your answer about Theocracy too brief. Can you explain more? For example, tell us the model of Theocracy from the Scripture that can be relevant to today's post modern society.
Also, I have concern on your answer for apostle. I am sure Rev. Lim Yeu Chuen will shake his head if he reads your comment on apostle. However, this is not the place to talk about apostle
To:Sydks...
Theocracy is a government by leader or religious officials believed to be divinely guided or rule in the name of God.
This can lead us to the time of Moses until Saul become king. Where Moses leading the Israelites in the name and authority of God.The model of theocracy in Moses' time can mirror to today's post modern society where the appointing of Pope and Bishop which exercised the power of God vested in them.
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