Bush becoming a Catholic?

This is going to have long term ramifications from the Christian right. I am not a part of the so called Christian right. I am a Conservative, but do not align myself with these people. However, this is kind of like a betrayal. I am sure that at the Judgment seat there are going to be a lot of surprised Roman Catholics that they will not be there, because they trusted in the wrong Christ. Yes, the Roman Catholic Christ is not the same as the one I call the Lord Jesus. Their Christ was married to Mary apparently, you need to read The Two Babylons to get what I am talking about.

Bush Becoming a Catholic?
Monday, June 16, 2008 11:05 AM

By: Jim Meyers

President Bush may follow in the footsteps of his brother Jeb and convert to Catholicism, several European papers are reporting.

In the wake of the president’s visit to see Pope Benedict XVI at the Vatican, Italian newspapers, citing Vatican sources, said Bush was open to the idea of converting to Catholicism.

The Italian newspaper Il Foglio referred to such talk about Bush’s possible conversion and stated that “anything is possible, especially for someone reborn like Bush.”

Noting that Tony Blair converted to Catholicism after leaving office as Britain’s prime minister last year, the paper also stated that “if anything happens, it will happen after he finishes his period as president, not before. It is similar to Blair’s case, but with different circumstances.”

President Bush welcomed Pope Benedict XVI warmly when he visited the U.S. in April. And Vatican watchers noted that Bush met privately with the pontiff in the private gardens of the Vatican last Friday – an unprecedented place for the Pope to meet a head of state. Typically, the Vatican gardens are used by the Pope for private reflection.

A Vatican spokesman said the Pope used the unusual locale to reciprocate for the “warmth” Bush showed when the two met in Washington.

Though the Catholic Church has criticized the U.S. war in Iraq, Bush has been an ardent supporter of pro-life issues; he has staunchly opposed stem-cell research; and he opposes gay marriage – all issues important for Rome.

Currently Bush belongs to a Methodist church in Texas and attends an Episcopal church in Washington, D.C.

A friend of Bush, Father George William Rutler – who converted to Catholicism in 1979 – told the Catholic News Agency that Bush “is not unaware of how evangelicalism, by comparison with Catholicism, may seem more limited both theologically and historically.”

© 2008 Newsmax. All rights reserved.

The Doctrines That Must Be Emphasized In Successful Evangelism

This article was written at the begging of the last century and was one of the 90 articles that comprise what is known as The Fundamentals A Testimony to the Truth”. These articles are what gave rise to a return to the truths of God’s Word from the errors of German Liberalism.

BY
EVANGELIST L. W. MUNHALL, M. A., D. D.,
Germantown, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
First of all, What constitutes Successful Evangelism? Some will answer, “Great audiences, eloquent preaching and soul-stirring music.” But I reply, “We may have all these and not have real evangelism; as we may have successful evangelism without them.” Others will answer, “Any movement that will add large numbers to the membership of the churches.” I reply, “We may have successful evangelism and not many be added to the churches; and, we may have large numbers added to the churches’ membership without successful evangelism.” Yet others will answer, “A work or effort that will bring into the church people who will be steadfast.” I reply, “We may have members added to the church who will hold out, and the work, evangelistically, be unsuccessful; and we may have a highly successful evangelistic work and the accessions to the churches from it not hold out for any great length of time.”
Let us briefly consider three points:
First, No matter how great the multitude, eloquent the preaching and soulstirring the singing, if the God-ordained conditions are not fully met, failure is inevitable. While these things are of value they are dispensable. Great successes have been achieved without them.
Second, I have known not a few evangelistic campaigns to be successful, as such, in a marked degree, and one or more churches identified with it, professedly, received but a few members, or none, from the movement. They united in the movement from wrong motives. They were not prepared for the work; were formal, worldly and unspiritual; were without faith. Putting nothing of value into the work, they got nothing out of it. Or the work was not properly followed up.
Also, I have known not a few widely advertised and thoroughly organized evangelistic campaigns, in which mere sentiment was far more conspicuous than the Holy Spirit, and the lachrymals more frequently appealed to than the intellect and conscience; and large numbers were added to the membership of the cooperating churches, who knew nothing whatever of the regenerating work of the Holy Ghost.
Third, I have known not a few persons who have been faithful members of the church for many years and never been born again – “had a name to live and were dead.” There are many churches full of life, and apparently great successes, because of humanitarian, educational and socialistic matters in which they are engaged, and entertainments that they give from time to time; and some of the members who give most time and money to these things, and take most pride in them, are spiritually dead.
Also, I have known persons, who were, without doubt, saved and sincere, to unite with the church as a result of an evangelistic campaign, to run well for a season and then fall away; and the falling away was unjustly charged to the campaign. The real cause of it may have been one or more of the following reasons: First, The atmosphere of the church was not congenial, being unspiritual and cold. This is of vital importance to “babes in Christ.”
Second, In not a few instances the pastors, instead of “feeding the church of God,” with “the sincere milk of the word, that ye may grow thereby,” were like those mentioned in the twenty-third chapter of Jeremiah; or have turned their pulpits into lecture platforms, and the members going for bread received a stone; and in many cases were off after false teachers who promised them what they needed, and what they should have received at home. Third, The positively bad example set by a large majority of the members of most churches, in that they conspicuously fail to meet their solemn obligations to God and the church. And there are yet other reasons for the falling away of the weak and inexperienced.
But again it is asked, “What constitutes successful evangelism?” I answer, “Preaching the Gospel according to Divine conditions and directions.” In the great commission, as given by Matthew, Jesus said, “Teach all nations.” Make disciples, is what the word “teach” here means. Mark puts it in these words, “Preach the Gospel to every creature.” Luke states it thus, “Repentance and remission of sins should be preached in His name among all nations.” And in Acts 1:8, Jesus said, “But ye shall receive power, after that the Holy Ghost is come upon you: and ye shall be witnesses unto Me both in Jerusalem, and in all Judea, and in Samaria, and unto the uttermost part of the earth.”
THE CONDITIONS
What are the conditions?
First, Discipleship. Jesus commissioned only such. One must know, experimentally, the power and joy of the Gospel before he is competent to tell it out.
Second, Power. The disciples were told to “Tarry ye in the city of Jerusalem until ye be endued with power from on high.” Since the apostles and disciples of our Lord, who waited personally upon His wonderful ministry and witnessed His marvelous doings, were not qualified for testimony and service without power from on high, we, most surely, must have Divine help. “Without Me ye can do nothing.”
Third, Faith, – since the Almighty One has said, “For as the rain cometh down, and the snow from heaven, and returneth not thither, but watereth the earth, and maketh it bring forth and bud, that it may give seed to the sower and bread to the eater: so shall My word be that goeth forth out of My mouth: it shall not return unto Me void, but it shall accomplish that which I please, and it shall prosper in the thing whereto I sent it,” the proclaimer need have no misgiving as to the result, knowing full well that “He is faithful that promised.”
THE DIRECTIONS
What are the directions?
First, “Go into all the world” and tell it “to every creature.” The field is the wide world; and the good news is for every soul of man.
Second, It is to be “preached.” The God-sent preacher is a kerux – a herald. He has no message of his own. It is the King’s message he is to proclaim. According to the heraldic law, if the herald substituted so much as a word of his own for the king’s, he was beheaded. If this law was enforced in these days a lot of preachers would lose their heads, indeed many have lost their heads, judging by the kind of messages they are delivering.
Third, The preacher is to be brave, a witness – martus – martyr. All the apostles, like our Lord, went to martyrdom for faithfully proclaiming the Word of God. The Master said, “If they have persecuted Me, they will also persecute you.” And, “Woe unto you, when all men shall speak well of you, for so did their fathers to the false prophets.” Paul said, “If I yet pleased men, I should not be the servant of Christ.” The mind of the natural man is enmity against God; therefore the unsaved demand of the preacher, “Prophesy not unto us right things, speak unto us smooth things, prophesy deceits;” and a premium is placed upon finesse by many in authority in the church. Because of this, it requires as sublime courage in these days to speak faithfully the Word of God as was shown by Micaiah, when he stood before Ahab, Jehosaphat and the four hundred lying prophets; or Simon Peter when he said to the threatening, wrathful rulers of Israel, “We cannot but speak the things which we have seen and heard.”
There never was so much need of fearlessness on the part of the servant of God as in these days; brave true men, who will not receive honors of men, or seek their own, are absolutely necessary to successful evangelism.
THE MESSAGE
Now then, as to the message itself: Timothy was commanded to “Do the work of an evangelist;” and, in doing it, to “Preach the Word * * * with all long-suffering and doctrine.” Doctrinal preaching is therefore necessary to evangelistic success. But what doctrines? I answer, First, Sin – its universality, nature and consequences.
(a) Universality. “As by one man sin entered into the world, and death by sin; and so death passed upon all men, for that all have sinned, * * * by one man’s offence death reigned by one, * * * by the offence of one, judgment came upon all men to condemnation, * * * by one man’s disobedience many were made sinners,” etc. (Romans 5:12-21. See also Psalm 51:5; 58:3; Ecclesiastes 7:20; Romans 3:10; 1 John 1:8,10, etc.)
(b) Nature. There are numerous words in the Bible rendered sin; and these words mean iniquity, offence, trespass, failure, error, go astray, to cause to sin, and miss the mark. In 1 John 3:4 we are told that “Sin is the transgression of the law.” The word rendered transgression is anomia, and means lawlessness. Failure to conform to the law is as certainly sin as to violate the commandments of God. Unbelief is sin. (John 16:9; 3:18).
In Genesis 6:5 we are told, “God saw that the wickedness of man was great in the earth, and that every imagination of the thoughts of his heart was only evil continually,” and in Genesis 8:21, “The imagination of man’s heart is evil from his youth.” The word rendered imagination in these passages signifies also the desires and purposes of the individual. Therefore guilt lies in the desires and purposes as certainly as in the act. The common law requires that one shall have committed an overt act of violation before he can be adjudged guilty. But according to the Divine law one is guilty even though he never committed an overt act, since guilt lies in the desires and purposes of the heart. “Whosoever hateth his brother is a murderer” (1 John 3:15). “Whosoever looketh on a woman to lust after her hath committed adultery with her already in his heart” (Matthew 5:28). “The Lord seeth not as man seeth; for man looketh on the outward appearance, but the Lord looketh on the heart” (1 Samuel 16:7).
Because of the “lust of the flesh, and the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life,” every mouth is stopped and the whole world is guilty before God. (Romans 3:19). The Almighty and Sovereign Creator is infinite in holiness. Therefore His “law is holy, and the commandment holy, and just, and good.” Sin is ruinous, heinous and damning: the most awful thing in the universe.
(c) Consequences. Sin separates and estranges the sinner from God; and he becomes an enemy of God by wicked works (Romans 8:7), has no peace (Isaiah 57:21), no rest (Isaiah 57:20), is polluted (Ephesians 4:17-19), condemned (John 3:18), and without hope (Ephesians 2:12). Oh, the curse and ruin of sin!
If unrepenting and unbelieving, the future has for him,
First, inexorable and awful judgment. (See Matthew 25:30-46; Hebrews 9:27; Jude 14,15; Revelation 20:11-13; 22:11-15).
Second, the wrath of God. (See Ezra 8:22; Psalm 21:9; John 3:36; Romans 1:18; 2:5; 4:15; 5:9; 12:19; 13:4; Ephesians 2:3; 5:6; Colossians 3:6; 1 Thessalonians 1:10; Revelation 6:16,17; 14:10; 16:19; 19:15, etc.)
Third, eternal torments. (See Psalm 11:6; Isaiah 33:14; Daniel 12:2; Matthew 3:12; 22:11-13; 23:33; 25:41, 46; Mark 9:43,48; Luke 12:5; 16:22-31; John 5:28,29; 2 Thessalonians 1:7-9; Hebrews 10:28,29; 2 Peter 3:5-12; Revelation 19:20; 20:14,15; 21:8, etc.)
The preacher who ignores these three awful and inexorable truths preaches an emasculated gospel, be he never so faithful in proclaiming other truth. He who preaches the love of God to the exclusion of God’s justice and wrath proclaims but idle sentiment. No one will ever truly desire salvation unless he first realizes that there is something to be saved from.
“By faith Noah, being warned of God of things not seen as yet, moved with fear, prepared an ark to the saving of his house” (Hebrews 11:7); all of which symbolizes the sinner’s condition, need, motive and hope. In no way can the love of God be so clearly, beautifully and convincingly set forth as in the fact that God makes plain to the sinner his condition and peril, and then shows him the way of escape, having, in His great mercy, Himself provided it at infinite cost. Now, at this point the Gospel comes in as indeed good news, showing God’s love for the sinner.
The supreme motive for the atoning work of our Lord was His infinite love for us. The supreme object had in view was to save us from eternal ruin. “For God so loved the world, that He gave His only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in Him should not perish, but have everlasting life” (John 3:16).
Our Lord, while among men, had far more to say about the doom of the finally impenitent than about love and heaven. Is it not wise and safe to follow His example who said, “The word which ye hear is not Mine, but the Father’s which sent Me.” How can any minister reasonably expect to have evangelistic success if he fails to imitate the Master in this particular?
“When I say unto the wicked, O wicked man, thou shalt surely die; if thou dost not speak to warn the wicked from his way, that wicked man shall die in his iniquity; but his blood will I require at thy hand” (Ezekiel 33:8).
Second, Redemption through Jesus’ blood. “The Lord laid on Him the iniquity of us all” (Isaiah 53:6). “The Son of Man came * * * to give His life a ransom for many” (Mark 10:45). “For Christ also hath once suffered for sins, the just for the unjust, that He might bring us to God, being put to death in the flesh, but quickened by the Spirit” (1 Peter 3:18). “For He hath made Him to be sin for us, who knew no sin; that we might be made the righteousness of God in Him” (2 Corinthians 5:21). “For Christ is the end of the law for righteousness to every one that believeth” (Romans 10:4). “Christ hath redeemed us from the curse of the law, being made a curse for us; for it is written, Cursed is every one that hangeth on a tree” (Galatians 3:13). “And ye are not your own. For ye are bought with a price” (1 Corinthians 6:20. See also Leviticus 17:11; Hebrews 9:22; Matthew 20:28; 26:28; John 3:14,16; Romans 3:24-26; 5:9; 1 Corinthians 1:30; 10:16; 2 Corinthians 5:14-21; Ephesians 1:7; 2:13- 17; Colossians 1:14,19-22; 1 Timothy 2:6; Hebrews 9:12-14,24- 26; 10:19; 13:12; 1 Peter 1:2,18,19; 2:24; 1 John 1:7; Revelation 1:5; 5:9; 12:11).
On no other ground than the cross can the sinner be justified and reconciled to God. If the atoning work of our Lord was not vicarious, then the sacrifices, ordinances, types and symbols of the old economy are meaningless and of no value. The moral influence theory of Bushnell is all right for the saint; but the atonement is of no value to the sinner if it is not substitutional.
More than thirty years ago, in Denver, Colorado, I met an aged Congregational minister, who was a pastor in Hartford, Connecticut, during Dr. Horace Bushnell’s pastorate in the same city. He told me this:
“I spent an hour with Dr. Bushnell the day before he died. He then said to me, ‘Doctor, I greatly fear some things I have said and written about the atonement may prove to be misleading and do irreparable harm.’ He was lying upon his back with his hands clasped over his breast. He lay there with closed eyes, in silence, for some moments, his face indicating great anxiety. Directly, opening his eyes and raising his hands he said, ‘O Lord Jesus, Thou knowest that I hope for mercy alone through Thy shed blood.’”
Third, Resurrection.
“If Christ be not risen, then is our preaching vain and your faith is also vain. * * * Ye are yet in your sins;” and “they also which are fallen asleep in Christ are perished. If in this life only we have hope in Christ, we are of all men most miserable. But now is Christ risen from the dead, and become the firstfruits of them that are sleeping” (1 Corinthians 15:14-20).
Jesus was “declared to be the Son of God with power * * * by the resurrection from the dead” (Romans 1:4). Therefore the apostles and disciples went everywhere preaching “Jesus and the resurrection.” (See Acts 2:24-32; 3:15; 4:2,10,33; 5:30; 17:18, 32; 23:6; 24:15,21; 1 Corinthians 15:3-8; 1Peter 1:3-5). “He was delivered for our offences, and was raised again for our justification” (Romans 4:25). “By the resurrection of Jesus Christ, who is gone into heaven, and is on the right hand of God; angels and authorities, and powers being made subject unto Him” (1 Peter 3:22). “Wherefore He is able also to save them to the uttermost that come unto God by Him, seeing He ever liveth to make intercession for them” (Hebrews 7:25).
Fourth, Justification.
“Being justified freely by His grace through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus: Whom God hath set forth to be a propitiation through faith in His blood, to declare His righteousness for the remission of sins that are past, through the forbearance of God; to declare, I say, at this time His righteousness: that He might he just, and the justifier of him which believeth in Jesus” (Romans 3:24,25,26). “And you, that were sometime alienated and enemies in your mind by wicked works, yet now hath He reconciled in the body of His flesh through death, to present you holy and unblameable and unreproveable in His sight” (Colossians 1:21,22). “Who shall lay anything to the charge of God’s elect? It is God that justifieth” (Romans 8:33), for “There is therefore now no condemnation to them which are in Christ Jesus; for the law of the spirit of life in Christ Jesus hath made me free from the law of sin and death” (Romans 8:1,2). Believers are “not under the law, but under grace” (Romans 6:14) and can rejoicingly say, judicially, of course, “As He is, so are we in this world” (1 John 4:17).
Fifth, Regeneration.
The unchristian man is spiritually dead (Romans 5:12), and must be “born again,” or “he cannot see the kingdom of God” (John 3:3). Richard Watson defined regeneration as “That mighty change in man wrought by the Holy Spirit, by which the dominion which sin has over him in his natural state, and which he deplores and struggles against in his present state, is broken and abolished; so that with full choice of will and the energy of right affections, he serves God freely, and runs in the way of His commandments.”
He who receives Jesus as Saviour and Lord, is made a “partaker of the Divine nature” (John 1:12,13; 2 Peter 1:4): “He is a new creature [creation]: old things are passed away, behold, all things are become new” (2 Corinthians 5:17).
THE METHOD
The following is the method: The words of the Gospel “are spirit, and they are life” (John 6:63). If the repenting sinner receives them into his heart and life to believe and obey them (James 1:21); the Holy Spirit operating through them accomplishes the new birth (James 1:18), and he will be “born again, not of corruptible seed, but of incorruptible, by the Word of God, which liveth and abideth forever” (1 Peter 1:23). Saved, “By the washing of regeneration and renewing of the Holy Ghost; which He shed on us abundantly through Jesus Christ our Saviour; that being justified by His grace, we should be made heirs according to the hope of eternal life” (Titus 3:4-7. See also John 1:12,13; Galatians 6:15; Ephesians 2:1-3; Colossians 2:13, etc.)
Sixth, Repentance.
Repentance means a change of mind; and this change of mind is brought about by the Holy Spirit, through the knowledge of the sinner’s condition, needs and peril, by which the sinner is convicted “of sin, and of righteousness, and of judgment” (John 16:8), and is induced to yield himself wholly, immediately and irrevocably to God. (See Matthew 9:13; Mark 6:12; Luke 13:2-5; 24:47; Acts 2:38; 3:19; 17:30; 26:20; Romans 2:4; 2 Corinthians 7:9,10; 2 Timothy 2:25; 2 Peter 3:9).
Seventh, Conversion.
Conversion means to turn about or upon. When the unsaved sinner is convinced of sin and resolves to turn from his transgressions and commit his ways unto the Lord, he has repented; and when he acts upon that resolve, and yields himself to God in absolute selfsurrender, he is converted. (See Psalm 19:7; 51:13; Matthew 18:3; Acts 3:19; James 5:19,20).
Eighth, Faith.
Until the sinner changes his mind with regard to his relation to God, and resolves with all his heart to do it, his faith is a vain thing, he is yet in his sins; but, when he sincerely repents and turns to God, and believes the record God has given of His Son, his faith is of the heart and unto righteousness. (Romans 10:9,10. See also Hebrews 11:6; Romans 10:17; Galatians 5:22; Ephesians 2:8; Galatians 3:6-12; 2:16-20; Romans 4:13-16; 3:21-28; Acts 16:30,31; John 6:47).
Ninth, Obedience.
Faith is a vital principle. “If it hath not works, is dead, being alone” (James 2:17,18). Two things are required of the believer, immediately upon his profession of faith in Jesus as Saviour and Lord, namely, verbal confession and water baptism. “With the heart man believeth unto righteousness; and with the mouth confession is made unto salvation” (Romans 10:10. See also Psalm 107:2; Matthew 10:32,33; Romans 10:9; 1 John 4:15, etc.) “He that believeth and is baptized shall be saved” (Mark 16:16). The believer is not saved because he is baptized; but, baptized because he is saved. We are saved through faith alone, but not the faith that is alone, because “Faith without works is dead, being alone.” Water baptism is a divinely ordained ordinance whereby the believer witnesses to the world that he died with Christ, and is risen together with Him,” an habitation of God through the Spirit. (See Matthew 28:19,20; Acts 2:38,41; 8:12,13,16,36,38; 9:18; 10:47,48; 16:15,33; 19:5; 22:15,16; Romans 6:3,4; Colossians 2:12; 1 Peter 3:21; 1 John 2:3; 3:22).
Tenth, Assurance.
Salvation from spiritual death by the new birth, and from the guilt of sin in justification, immediately follows “repentance toward God, and faith toward our Lord Jesus Christ.” “For by grace have ye been saved through faith” (Ephesians 2:8). “These things have I written unto you, that ye may know that ye have eternal life, even unto you that believe on the name of the Son of God” (1 John 5:13).
It is here stated that certain things are in God’s Word by which the believer is to know he has eternal life. Here are some of them: “He that heareth My Word, and believeth on Him that sent Me, hath eternal life, and cometh not into judgment, but hath passed out of death into life” (John 5:24). “He that hath the Son hath the life.” “Whosoever believeth that Jesus is the Christ is begotten of God” (1 John 5:12,13. For confirmation see 1 John 2:3; 3:14,24; 4:20,21; etc.).
“And by Him every one that believeth is justified” (Acts 13:39) – an accomplished work. So the Bible uniformly teaches. Believing these words of assurance, one finds peace and joy. It is the business of the preacher to make this matter plain to converts, that they may be surely and safely anchored; and “that their hearts may be comforted, they being knit together in love, and unto all riches of the full assurance of understanding, that they may know the mystery of God, even Christ, in whom are all the treasures of knowledge hidden” (Colossians 2:2,3).
There are some other doctrines, of a persuading character, such as Love, Heaven, Hope, Rewards, that may be emphasized to advantage in an evangelistic campaign; but, those I have enumerated will most surely be owned of God in the salvation of souls, if proclaimed as they should be. In going about among the churches as I do, I find three things increasingly true.
First, Ministers and people in large numbers are awakening to the fact that the so-called “new theology” and up-to-date methods are utterly barren of spiritual results. Prof. A. H. Sayce once said, “Higher criticism saves no souls.”
Second, Because of this indisputable fact, very many are turning again to the doctrines of the historic faith, for it is seen that they are still workable and produce results as in former times.
Third, Great numbers of ministers are seeing that their ministry is a failure unless it results in the salvation of souls. They really feel as did the late Henry Ward Beecher. While conducting an evangelistic campaign in Brooklyn Tabernacle I one day met Mr. Beecher. As he held my right hand in both of his, he said:
“I hear you are having a great blessing in your meetings with Dr. Talmage. I very much wish we could have you for a campaign in Plymouth Church.” He trembled as he held my hand. He then said, “But I fear my people would not stand for it.” Then, after hesitating for a few minutes he added, “I would like to see an old-time Holy Ghost revival in Plymouth Church before I go hence.” He then broke down and cried as if his heart would break …. Three weeks later, to a day, his body was laid in the grave.
Life and opportunity are ours. Men are dying, and the whole world lieth in the wicked one, lost in the ruin of sin. Redemption is an accomplished fact, and salvation is possible for all. We have been chosen to tell out the message of life and hope; and are assured of glorious success if faithful; if unfaithful we had better never been born.

Empty Hearts, Empty Souls and Empty Minds, Part I

What do these three things have in common? These three things are the natural result of pereferal damage due to the seeker movement, aka purpose driven church/life. The reason I think that this is such a problem stems from what we call the post emergent church or the post modern church. The envolvement of these two areanas is basically a call back to evangelical roots on the part of the neo orthodox movement of half a century ago. This time it is the evangelical churches that are being attacked and decimated by something that has a good intentions, after all we all want to have more people in our churches right? It also kind of sounds catchy to say Purpose Driven Church or Life, it has a good sound to it. Sure I want to have a purpose in life. The problem is that the Purpose Driven Church is not what a church is told to do in the scriptures. We are not given plans to follow and a procedure or what ever. We are commanded to disciple new believers and bring them into the church to grow. The pulpit is to be a place of nurture in doctrine and the truth’s of God’s infallible word.

So, that brings us to empty hearts, empty souls and empty minds, what do they have to do with this? Basically, if we intend to follow a program destined to bring droves (of visitors) into our church, then we are going to have a church full of people that have these three e’s. It is feasible to have several hundred new believers and only a handful of people to actually teach them. The pastor (of many churches in America) will be of no help in this because he (Warren and those like him) is off having confrences to promote his purpose driven’s. Even when he is around then he is the problem, he is entertaining these people on sunday morning trying to attrack ever larger groups of people, all of which have the three e’s.

So what does the bible have to say about reaching people with the gospel in our churches? What does it have to say about the function of the ministry in churches? Is there anything in the scriptures that lays down the function of pastors and churches?

The first section (comprises all of part I) here is taken up with the basic teaching of what the bible has to say about elders also known as pastors. The true church only has these two offices, elders, who are the same as pastors and deacons who function as helpers to the elders. The qualifications for both of these offices is layed down specifically in scripture. There are no other offices that have been set in scripture. Apostles are not a church office, neither are prophets or evangelists. An elder possesses certain gifts and you will find those below as well.

The Pastor Teacher as Shepherd and Elder

I have been contemplating what the office of pastor entails for several years and have felt that now is the time to place it in writing. It includes all of the scripture that is given below, plus Psalm 23. (list of scriptures used) Through out this little study please remember that in addition to being a pastor, a pastor is also a sheep or lamb himself.

This opening verse is probably one of the most well known scriptures and is heard often at funerals. I have included it here in this discussion, because a pastor is a shepherd as we shall see. The 23rd Psalm gives us a good glimpse into the oriental concept of a shepherd. What most people do not realize is that David was alive when he penned these words and his message was how God was taking care of him as a living person. If you read in the life of David as recalled beginning in I Samuel 18 you will find that not everything turned up as roses. The message of Psalm 23 is to the living and not to the dead. In that respect this is an apt description of the work of a pastor/shepherd/teacher.

Sheep need several things and they need them in abundance. They need clean water and hopefull it is not running fast, because they will try to drink of fast moving water, but since they are not real steady on the foot, they can fall in and drown. They need pasture to feed in, but they need to be protected from their own indulgence. They will eat until they drop and then the feed will produce gas, which in turn will cause them to bloat and roll onto their backs. At this point the suffocate and die. They can only be moved to greener pastures either in the very early morning or in the evening.
They have several diseases that can either kill them outright or take some time to kill them. There are diseases that can spread like wild fire and kill the whole flock. There are enemies that will kill the sheep, such as wolves or coyotes. There are those who will steal the sheep away for their own uses.
This all apply’s in one way or another to God’s flock. We also have enemies and a host of issues that the pastor/teacher needs to be on the lookout for. Surprisingly they are exactly the same kinds of things that sheep need.
Table of Contents
John 21:15–19
Acts 20:1–38
Psalm 23
John 10
Ephesians 4:11–12
I Timothy 3:1–7
Titus 1:5–8
Hebrews 13:7, 17
I Peter 5:1–6
II Peter 2:1
Revelation 2 and 3

Psalm 23:1-6
(1) “The LORD is my shepherd; I shall not want.”

Notice what the shepherd does for us these are spiritual things for the most part and where those spiritual things meet the real world our Lord Jesus meets our wants in His way and time. Sometimes He will even carry you through difficult times and you may not even know that He is near. If we draw near to Him and stay close then we will not have wants.

(2) “He maketh me to lie down in green pastures: he leadeth me beside the still waters.”

He finds our place to be feed spiritually, the shepherd is responsible to find the best of pasture to feed us. He feeds us with the Word of God so that we learn to be content with HIM. He finds safe places for us to drink deeply of the water that comes from the Lord Jesus gives read what our Savior told to the women at the well in Samaria: John 4:14

(14) “But whosoever drinketh of the water that I shall give him shall never thirst; but the water that I shall give him shall be in him a well of water springing up into everlasting life.”

(3) “He restoreth my soul: he leadeth me in the paths of righteousness for his name’s sake.”

When we fall by the way side or stumble He is there to pick us up and restore us. These days we find that as often as not the church instead of reaching out to reconcile reaches out to condemn. The Lord Jesus will lead us into the right paths, the ones that are safe for us spiritually. This is why He is called the Lord our Righteousness, because he is the one who is perfectly good.

(4) “Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil: for thou art with me; thy rod and thy staff they comfort me.”

Daily in this world we are living in the shadow of death. It is there all around us, just turn on the radio or TV and you will hear about some one dying. However, believers are in Christ and have nothing to fear of death or even its shadow. With Christ as our guide we can feel the tap on our shoulder from God’s Word that says do not go that way. We can find comfort in the Lord Jesus’ discipline.

(5) “Thou preparest a table before me in the presence of mine enemies: thou anointest my head with oil; my cup runneth over.”

We can feast on the table of God’s Word even when we are in the presence of our enemies, because we can hide the Word of God in our hearts Psalm 119:11 “Thy word have I hid in mine heart, that I might not sin against thee.” We have the empowerment of the presence of the Holy Spirit who indwells us and it is that presence that makes it possible for us to feast on God’s word in the presents of those who wish us harm. In fact His presence in our life can be so abundant that it over flows into our daily lives for our enemies to see.

(6) “Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life: and I will dwell in the house of the LORD for ever.”

The goodness and mercy of God follows us as believers every day of our lives even when it seems like he has left us. This is much like it is in “The Footsteps in the Sand” when the going gets rough, it is these times that he is actually there carrying us. There are times when dwelling in God’s house is a retreat from a world and situations that will do us harm. I am in His presence both in prayer and in His word.

What does this have to do with the pastor/shepherd? It has everything to do with the pastor/shepherd, because the pastor is to be a shepherd to us. A pastor is to us as a shepherd from God and as such he is to deal with us as God would. The 23rd psalm is really a good description of the relationship between us as believers (sheep), The Lord Jesus as the Chief Shepherd and Pastors as under shepherds. We see decline among pastors today as meeting the requirements that God has set for a pastor.

My premise is that the Lord Jesus spelled out very specifically the work of a pastor in John 10 and 21. The Lord Jesus exemplified what we are to be as pastors, since he is The Good Shepherd, The Great Shepherd and as well as being The Chief Shepherd. One of the gifts given to the church is that of a pastor as an office and that office is filled by an elder.

Titus 1:7-9 and 2 Timothy 3:1-7 spell out the requirements for being an elder (bishop) and we know from Acts 20 that an elder is a pastor. So these qualities or characteristics are for an elder as pastor of a local church. Therefore the requirements in Titus and 2 Timothy are those for a pastor. We also through these verses see that in addition to teaching his flock he is also charged with the spiritual oversight of his flock.
Paul links elders, pastor and overseer’s with the same office.
In Acts 20:17 the Apostle Paul says that he had determined to come by Ephesus for the sole purpose of doing what he talks about:

Act 20:17
(17) “And from Miletus he sent to Ephesus, and called the elders of the church.”

Later in this same chapter he gives instruction to these same elders he was talking about in the :17th verse. Look at what he tells them:

Act 20:28
(28) “Take heed therefore unto yourselves, and to all the flock, over the which the Holy Ghost hath made you overseer’s, to feed the church of God, which he hath purchased with his own blood.”

Paul made it well known to these church leaders also called elders/pastors/teachers that they were to take their work seriously this word “heed” means pay attention to, be cautious about, apply oneself to, adhere to, attend, beware or have regard to what? A pastor is to be so focused on the flock to which God has called him and placed under his care, that he has only the flock’s needs on his mind. He cannot do this if he is caught up in the daily worries of life. If his support becomes such that he sees to be able to depend on God, then he is also less likely to pay heed to the saftey of his flock. So what is it thyat they are to take heed too the answer is that they are to oversee and feed the flock.
The word overseer used here in acts is the same root word used in I Timothy 3:1 translated in the KJV as bishop. This word speaks more to the elder’s position in the church as over looking the work of the church. The other side of this is in the second function of the elder, which is to feed the flock.
The word we use Pastor comes from the word used for flock in Acts 20:28 and is related to the word used for “to feed”. The meaning hear was to do more then just the physical spooning food into a babies mouth, but to the whole act of tending to the flock. A pastor should be leading the flock into the green pastures of God’s Word. Caring for all the needs of the congregation including the infants (physical and spiritual), working adults, seniors, elderly, teens, children, it gives no room for alienating anyone in the congregation. This aspect of tending the flock is lost on most ministers today.
Now we use this back ground from Acts 20:17-38 to help us understand the other uses of these three words, oversee, pastor and elder.
The word elder used here in Acts is the same word that is also used in 1Pe 5:1 (this scripture will be further commented on later in this study)
(1) “The elders which are among you I exhort, who am also an elder, and a witness of the sufferings of Christ, and also a partaker of the glory that shall be revealed:”

Act 20:28
(28) “Take heed therefore unto yourselves, and to all the flock, over the which the Holy Ghost hath made you overseer’s, to feed the church of God, which he hath purchased with his own blood.”

The word used in Ephesians 4:11 for pastor is the same word used in Acts 20:28 for to feed. The only difference being between a verb and a noun, but it is the same word. By comparing these words we come to the conclusion that a pastor is a shepherd.

Paul links elders and pastors as being one in the same, because the elders he called together in the book of Acts 20 were pastors and we know this from Eph 4:8-14
(8) “Wherefore he saith, When he ascended up on high, he led captivity captive, and gave gifts unto men.” This is a quote that Paul made out of the Psalms specifically:Psa 68:18
(18) “Thou hast ascended on high, thou hast led captivity captive: thou hast received gifts for men; yea, for the rebellious also, that the LORD God might dwell among them.”
and this Psalm show how that the on high spoken of was heaven: Psa 102:19
(19) “For he hath looked down from the height of his sanctuary; from heaven did the LORD behold the earth;”
He has captured sin and judgement, then entered heaven triumphant to send the Holy Spirit back with spiritual gifts for men. This is to be taken in a literal sence, Christ literally ascended up to heaven from the Mount of Olives. These two Psalms and Ephesians 4:8 are to be taken in the very literal sence.

(9) “(Now that he ascended, what is it but that he also descended first into the lower parts of the earth?”
He came from heaven first in His incarnation and in his death he descended to where the Old Testament dead were held in captivity. This very same Jesus is spoken of in this manner: Act 1:10-11
(10) “And while they looked stedfastly toward heaven as he went up, behold, two men stood by them in white apparel;”
These two men were angels who were bring this message to the disciples.

(11) “Which also said, Ye men of Galilee, why stand ye gazing up into heaven? this same Jesus, which is taken up from you into heaven, shall so come in like manner as ye have seen him go into heaven.”
The message was that the Lord Jesus was going to return literally. They had seen Him and fellowshiped with Him on earth and now He had returned to heaven. The message was one of literal return, not figurative. The message to the Ephesians was that the ministry of the Holy Spirit was just as real as the ascension of Christ was very real.

(10) “He that descended is the same also that ascended up far above all heavens, that he might fill all things.)”
“It was the same divine Person, the Son of God, who assumed human nature, and suffered in it, which is meant by his descent, who in that nature ascended up to heaven: this proves that Christ existed before he took flesh of the virgin; and that though he has two natures, yet he is but one person;” (John Gill)

(11) “And he gave some, apostles; and some, prophets; and some, evangelists; and some, pastors and teachers;”
1. Apostles are delegates, specifically an ambassador of the Gospel. They were formally commissioned by Christ with miraculous gifts. A messenger from a king or ruler. Another way to translate this word is “one sent having authority”. The gift of God to the church, that were apostles ceased to be needed with the completed canon of Scripture
2. Prophets are both foreteller of future events and forthteller of a message from God. The gift of Prophet to the church also ceased to be necessary with the completed cannon of Scripture.
3. Evangelists are specific gifts to the church, that excel at winning the lost to Christ. They are also preachers that have a single message, the Gospel of Christ. In this sence we have but one message and that is Christ crucified.
4. Pastor and Teacher, these two refer to one and the same individual. The complete reference to this is the pastor and teacher. This construction in the Greek always refers to the two as being the same. These two are the linking together of both functions, a pastor as shepherd is also to teach Biblical truth to his flock.

(12) “For the perfecting of the saints, for the work of the ministry, for the edifying of the body of Christ:”
I believe that this verse presents a three-fold ministry for the gifts to the church these gifts are: Evangelists and Pastor/Teacher. Many today will have different ways of trying to define the mission of the church and they come up with worldly mission statements. However, when it comes down to it there are only three primary ministries of the church, that are carried on by evangelists and pastor/teachers. These three ministires are: “perfecting” this means the complete furninshing of the believer in what it means to be a believer, the “work” of the ministry is what the perfecting leads to and “edifying” which is the building up of the believer in the body of Christ which is the church. This might shock you, but the church is not commanded to evangelize, but believers as disciples are commanded to do just this. That is the gifts of the Word of God to the church through the Apostles and Prophets was to provide for a complete furnishing for the believer.
(13) “Till we all come in the unity of the faith, and of the knowledge of the Son of God, unto a perfect man, unto the measure of the stature of the fulness of Christ:”
This is the goal of the three fold ministry of the church, the perfecting, work of the ministry and building up of the church results in oness of faith. The work of those who God has placed into the church should lead to a thorough knowledge about Christ. It should develop into a full portion of completeness in Christ. If the Lord Jesus is not our full portion and we are not complete in Him, then we have actually fallen short of what the ministry is to do in the church. If all that the ministry of the church has done is create a large congregation and these three things are not in evidence, then there will be no unity, no perfect man (complete) and no measaure of the presence of Christ. This is not the work of our sunday schools, youth groups, missionary society or Wednesday prayer meetings or even Bible studies. This is the work of those who have been called to minister to the church. Our pastors are not suggested to do this, but commanded to fulfill this ministry in our midsts as a flock of God. This explains the church splits and fights, simply put it is not up to the congregation to make make the decisions as to what is taught or what direction the church should go. It is up to the elders to direct the church in the path that will fulfill what we are talking about. Bringing the flock to a fulness of conviciton as to what and who Christ is.
(14) “That we henceforth be no more children, tossed to and fro, and carried about with every wind of doctrine, by the sleight of men, and cunning craftiness, whereby they lie in wait to deceive;”
We (those who have believed the gospel) are no longer just children of men, but children of God. All of us (those who have believed the gospel) were at one time children of disobedience, but are now children of obedience and light. It would be well if in some respects we remain little children of God, in the respect of a fired up and ardent faith in Christ. A desire for the sincere milk of the Word of God. Thus to be children in that respect is a good thing. However, the children here spoken of are children of this world who when it comes to doctrine are easily persuaded, adults who when it comes to the things of God are ignorant and without any hope.
What Paul is saying is we are not anymore like these, we have become children of God and are not influenced by the volley of changing doctrine. In our times there seems to be a new idea or doctrine or thinking that is always making its way among children of men. There are those who would attempt to take children of God away and inculcate in them a new wind of doctrine or teaching. The new ideas of men that are cunning and crafty designed to please the senses. Ideas that on paper may sound reasonable. However, they are not from God, but come from the depraved human spirit. Satan lies in wait desiring to deceive if he can the children of God.
Paul is saying that the gifts to the church are their to prevent children of God from being deceived by the evil one. We dare not make an accusation against him, but flee to Christ as our only refuge in this storm we call life. Doctrines of demons and of those who would slay Christians abound and this is why Paul urges to be not children who are tossed to and from, but children of God who are grounded in the sincere milk and meat of God’s Holy Word.

I Peter 5:1 uses the word presbuterous the word means an elder and is used other places in reference to the Sanhedrin. It is some times translated presbyter. it means an older man, senior or Christian elder. It spells out how that the pastor/elder was to take care of the flock which the chief shepherd has placed in his hands.

Finally, my main point here is that the pastor functions as a shepherd, because that is what the word pastor means. It also means that he has to do all the things that a shepherd does with his sheep, feed, water, nourish, doctor, protect. This last item to me is where many pastors today fail, that is to protect the flock that the Lord Jesus has given to him to care for.

The main reason for this article is that the Whole Counsel of God is taught in these verses in regard to a pastor’s work (Acts 20:27 I have not shunned to declare unto you all the counsel of God.) This particular phrase ‘all the counsel of God’ leads us to call it the whole counsel of God.

John 10 has been called the New Testament Psalm 23 and this short commentary serves as an introduction to the subject of a pastor as a shepherd of God’s flock.
John 10:1-16
(1) “Verily, verily, I say unto you, He that entereth not by the door into the sheepfold, but climbeth up some other way, the same is a thief and a robber.”
This is a stern warning to the apostles to be on the look out for those who would do harm to God’s flock. He says to be on the watch, because there are those who are thief’s and robbers that will enter into the lives of God’s flock. He says of these that they did not enter into the church by the door, but found another way into the sheepfold. Here he is talking about supposed Christian pastors, which found there way into the sheepfold without coming in through the door. According to verse 7 the Lord Jesus is the door to the sheepfold. It is impossible to become a Christian in any other fashion, then through the Lord Jesus. This passage follows naturally from the previous chapters and the confrontation that the Lord had with the Pharisee. He considered them as thieves and robbers of the sheepfold of Israel. They considered themselves the shepherds of Israel. However, they had entered the sheepfold of Israel in another manner then the door.

(2) “But he that entereth in by the door is the shepherd of the sheep.”
The one who enters through the door instead of in some other way is the shepherd of the sheep. A real pastor is himself a sheep and he must have also entered the same way that the rest of the sheep got there. In biblical times they would find an enclosure that had only one way into the fold and it is there that the shepherd would place themselves. The true door is Jesus and the true shepherd is one that has also come through the same door, who is the Blessed Lord Jesus.

(3) “To him the porter openeth; and the sheep hear his voice: and he calleth his own sheep by name, and leadeth them out.”
The shepherd would leave his sheep in the care of an under shepherd for the night. When he returned in the morning the under shepherd would open only for him. The sheep knew the voice of the shepherd not the porter. The sheep hear the voice of their shepherd and he calls them by name. The shepherd would then lead his sheep out to the fields in the early morning hours to graze. Our shepherd in heaven knows us by name and he leads us to still water to drink. He finds safe places for us to nourish. Like David of old if an enemy threatens the safety of the flock the shepherd is there to protect.

(4) “And when he putteth forth his own sheep, he goeth before them, and the sheep follow him: for they know his voice.”
The shepherd goes before the sheep much like the Lord Jesus going before us; He has been down the trails and roads that we traverse in life. He knows the hidden and unhidden dangers and the safe places. The difference between a sheep or goat and a wolf is that the sheep know the voice of Him. Yes we do know the voice of Him and another we will not follow.

(5) “And a stranger will they not follow, but will flee from him: for they know not the voice of strangers.”
Sheep will not follow a stranger, but will run from him. If the stranger appears to be one of them as in a wolf in sheep’s clothing, then they can be fooled, but they cannot fool the Chief Shepherd. Israel was the sheepfold of God in the Old Testament hence the illusion here to the sheep. The leaders of Israel in Jesus day were supposed to be sheepherding God’s flock, but they had laid waste to the flock. It is to this that the Lord Jesus was speaking. They do not know the voice of strangers, because the real sheep will only respond to the shepherd.

(6) “This parable spake Jesus unto them: but they understood not what things they were which he spake unto them.”
His disciples at the point of time in which this had occurred had not yet made the connection between the religious leaders of the day being thief’s and robbers. In fact they probably had yet to make the connection between themselves as sheep and the Lord as their shepherd. It really does not mater, because he was still their shepherd and was going to protect them just as he said in His High priestly prayer of John 17 “While I was with them in the world, I kept them in thy name: those that thou gavest me I have kept, and none of them is lost, but the son of perdition; that the scripture might be fulfilled.” John 17:12

(7) “Then said Jesus unto them again, Verily, verily, I say unto you, I am the door of the sheep.”
Since they seemed unable to understand what he had said up to this point the Lord Jesus made sure they got the message. The door of the sheep fold is not our doors, but Jesus is the door spoken of here. There is no other way to either be in this sheep fold or get access to the sheep fold. If you have not come by Christ then you are none of His. Notice that he uses the emphatic form here, in reference to being the self existent Lord of the Universe and He says, “I I am the door of the sheep”.
(8) “All that ever came before me are thieves and robbers: but the sheep did not hear them.”
I believe that this was in reference to the Pharisee and Sadducees, because they were robbing the flock of God. In fact the events and message of John 10 immediately follow the events of John 10. Jesus calls them blind, but they say they are not blind. Since they admit to being able to see, then the sin of neglect in caring for the sheep remains. The sheep were not listening to the religious leaders of that day, because they can only hear the voice of the Lord Jesus. This is good news for today, because amid all the voices that are speaking to us, we can only hear the voice of our Great Shepherd.

(9) “I am the door: by me if any man enter in, he shall be saved, and shall go in and out, and find pasture.”
The Lord Jesus is the only way into salvation. When one of God’s sheep have become convinced that the load of sin is too great and they come to the door (Jesus) then they can enter by Him. Salvation is only found by that one single door and there is not another door available. We can find pasture to feed in and ample still clear water to nourish us spiritually, but it can only be found by coming through the Lord Jesus.
(10) “The thief cometh not, but for to steal, and to kill, and to destroy: I am come that they might have life, and that they might have it more abundantly.”
These thieves and robbers are the Pharisee’s and Sadducees who were the spiritual leaders and feeder of the flock of Israel. They had not come into the fold through the door of God’s grace and mercy, but had found another way into the sheepfold. The thieves and robbers spoken of here are only interested in what they can steal, kill or destroy of God’s flock. Jesus has given us life and that in abundance. It can not get any better then the abundance that he gives to His flock. Today that flock is believers covenanted together in churches; Jesus has given us an abundance of eternal life. There are still thieves and robbers out there who would pillage God’s flock.

(11) “I am the good shepherd: the good shepherd giveth his life for the sheep.”
Here is the real meat of this portion of God’s Word. Jesus is the good shepherd and he has given his life for the sheep. Since he has given us his life, we now posess eternal life. We belong to Him, because he is our Shepherd. He is the one who cares for us.

(12) “But he that is an hireling, and not the shepherd, whose own the sheep are not, seeth the wolf coming, and leaveth the sheep, and fleeth: and the wolf catcheth them, and scattereth the sheep.”
The Pharisee and Saducces were but hirelings and were not the shepherds of the flock of Israel that they were supposed to be. When conflict with outside forces such as Rome, these hired help would flee and leave the flock to destruction. They were just those hired to help in the absent of the shepherd. They have no personal stake in the safety of the flock and so when they see the wolf coming they will run. Then the wolf has nothing to stop him and he will skater and kill sheep for his own pleasure and dine on the sheep. Our pastors today you do not dare run from the flock, when they need you the most. When we see things happening around us that can harm the flock, it is not time to run, but it is time to protect the flock God has given you to shepherd.

(13) “The hireling fleeth, because he is an hireling, and careth not for the sheep.”
When it comes right down to it, those religious leaders who have not found there way into God’s flock by faith in the mercy and love of Christ, will run at the first sign of trouble. These leaders whether they are like the Pharisee or Sadducee of Jesus day or more like the post modern leaders, that are afraid to preach Biblical truth for fear of looking ignorant, will flee from the flock when trouble comes. The Pharisee had seeked to lead the flock of Israel astray.

(14) “I am the good shepherd, and know my sheep, and am known of mine.”
Jesus had come to give not to take from the flock. Jesus had come to give life and to give it more abundantly. Those that are in the sheepfold are known by the Shepherd, the Lord Jesus knows them and those in the sheep fold know him.
(15) “As the Father knoweth me, even so know I the Father: and I lay down my life for the sheep.”
The contrast is to the hired help that careth not for the sheep, because they are not the sheep and will flee. The religious leaders of Jesus day would not stay and protect the sheep. However, since Jesus does know God the father and is known by the father, it follows that Jesus is willing to lay down his life for the flock.
(16) “And other sheep I have, which are not of this fold: them also I must bring, and they shall hear my voice; and there shall be one fold, and one shepherd.”
Christ by laying down His life and then taking it up again had done the most sublime thing. He had taken the flock of Israel and lifted it out of the hands of the Pharisee usurper tenders of the flock. Jesus went one step further, because there were sheep that God had that were not of the fold of Israel. Jesus was speaking of the gentiles, that is us, He was making two flocks into one flock, with one shepherd. A pastor is an under shepherd to Christ who is the Chief Shepherd. We have a very special Sheep Herder, that has given His life for us.

1Pe 5:1-14
(1) “The elders which are among you I exhort, who am also an elder, and a witness of the sufferings of Christ, and also a partaker of the glory that shall be revealed:”
These are the responsiablities that have come upon those who have placed in a position of rule (benevolent for the safety and welfare of saints) in the church. Peter says that he is also an elder, in fact some translations say that Peter is calling himself a fellow elder. This places him on an equal footing with the other elders. He is not ruling over elders, elders only have One ruling over them. We are responsible directly to the Sovereign God of creation for our actions and words. We owe no need to answer to a human authority of any kind, only answerable to God himself.
The word elder refers to one designated as being advanced in years. It is also the official designation of the officers of the church, of which there are only two. Pastor (elder) and Deacon are the only officers that are recognized in the New Testament. The idea of any primacy on the part of Peter is completely foreign to the scriptures. Peter did not claim or assume any higher designation then a fellow-elder.
Peter was a witness to the life of Christ and a witness of the events of that night when Christ was taken from the garden to be tried. Peter was there out in the garden and denied our Lord three times. He knew of the agony of Christ on the cross and the defeat that brought to himself (Peter). Peter was with Christ on the mountain when he saw him transfigured. Peter knew who Jesus was, but was afraid to say a word in His defense. He knew of the crown of thorns, the whipping, the spitting and the humiliation that Christ suffered. Not just on that night, but during the whole of the three and one-half years of Jesus ministry.
Peter also knew of the glory associated with the transfiguration, which was a preview to him of what would be shortly. Peter is saying that he knew of the glory that was going to be revealed.
What does this have to do with being an elder? Peter is saying that his time with Christ through His suffering and even up through the resurrection and Ascension of the Lord was his affirmation as an elder. He was passing this affirmation of faith onto the elders that would come after him.
One of the most awesome experiences is to be an elder/pastor in a church that loves the preaching, teaching and living of God’s Word. This being an elder is more important then any other job, but it is not a job and it is a very humbeling position. Peter says that elders among other things must not lord it over God’s people, but nourish and teach. Then pass on to others that which has been committed unto us.
From this point on are characteristics that God requires of elders.

(2) “Feed the flock of God which is among you, taking the oversight thereof, not by constraint, but willingly; not for filthy lucre, but of a ready mind;”
First lets look at this little word “Feed” (following in Appendix A) , it is the translation of a word that means to tend, shepherd, feed or rule (this last in the benevolent sence). The Elder is given by God the responsibility to tend the flock of God. The elder/pastor is charged to be an undershepherd, caring for the needs of his flock. This means in the oriental sence of the word. We have seen as in the Psalm 23 what it means to be a shepherd/pastor. Feeding or caring for the flock entails watching that your flock is thriving and not shriveling. This for a lack of feeding new believers with God’s Word. Without the proper nourishment new believers will not thrive.
1Peter 2:2-3
(2) “As newborn babes, desire the sincere milk of the word, that ye may grow thereby:”
Peter says in I Peter 1:1 that he writting to strangers that are “scattered throughout Pontus, Galatia, Cappadocia, Asia, and Bithynia,” we are as believers and we are just passing through this world on our way to the heavenly city. If Peter was talking to gentiles as opposed to Jewish believers why does he refer to the receiptents of this letter as “…having your conversation honest among the Gentiles:” Strangers here refers to Jewish converts to Christianity who were dwelling outside of Israel. This is why he talks about them as being scattered. These Jewish people were referred to as diaspora as in those who had been dispereased throughout the gentile nations. They had been dispersead throughout the nations mentioned. The application however is to all of us who are living on this side of the vale.
Peter says just before these two verses that we should lay aside our malice, guile, hypocrisies, envies and evil speaking. All of these things are centered around the fruits of the flesh. Peter agrees with Paul that these things have been nailed to the cross of Christ. If it is true and it is that these things are forever deprived of their power over us, then it makes sence that we as believers starting at the time when we were new believers to make our main desire of the Christian life to study and live God’s Word.
Those of us who are more mature believers are ready for the meat, but babies in Christ are not ready for meat, but need to be bottle fed from

(3) If so be ye have tasted that the Lord is gracious.
I Peter 2:2-3 seems to be saying that the feeding of God’s children is both according to the graciousness of Christ and the consistent teaching of the Word of God.
Many pastors today are guilty of allowing there flock to dwindle both spiritually and in numbers. I think he is more concerned though when the flock fails to thrive spiritually. Numbers are not as important to our Lord as the spiritual welfare of believers. Peter says here that in the process of tending to God’s family, it is not to be done as though forced to do so, or even as if it was just a job. This shepherdling ministry is done willingly and not for the thousands of dollars that can be made and are made by many pastors today. A pastor/elder needs to have a ready mind for teaching God’s Word to God’s people. A good example is found in John 21:16, where by the way the same word is used for feed as is here. Remember that in this passage we are talking about the same Peter that wrote I Peter 5:2.
Joh 21:16
(16) “He saith to him again the second time, Simon, son of Jonas, lovest thou me? He saith unto him, Yea, Lord; thou knowest that I love thee. He saith unto him, Feed my sheep.”
The Lord Jesus commanded Peter to tend to God’s flock. This is not an option, it is a mater of complete obedience to the Lord Jesus. Can an elder fail now and again. Yes, sometimes, but he also knows the way back through I John 1:9. Peters little discussion with the risen Lord did settle one thing. We can see here who is really the master of every situation we come into. Peter possibly had no idea that the Lord knew what happened in the courtyard while Jesus was being tried. However, Jesus did no what happened and He had this situation under control. Peter again went on to tell elders to feed the flock, he passed on to others what he had passed to him by Christ. We are now passing on to others what was delivered to us and this will continue until Christ comes again.

(3) “Neither as being lords over God’s heritage, but being ensamples to the flock.”
Not lords in the sense of to control, subjugate, exercise dominion over or to be lord over. This verse forbids the kind control that is exercised by most ecclisiology organizations, either protestant or catholic. This is a qualification to the previous verse, where Peter says that the elders are to feed or rule over the flock of God. The qualification is that being an elder who is ruling over the church is not to exercise the kind of dominion that places the sheep subjugated to the elder. The pastor is not to subjugate or exercise dominion over his flock. He is not to make a church into a little nation with him as king. The next qualification is to the flock itself, Peter says under inspiration that the flock is God’s heritage. This means that churches belong to God and are under His direct control and Pastors are merely their as under Shepherds to the great shepherd of the sheep fold Himself, Jesus Christ.
Instead elder/pastors are to be a leader and ruler of the flock of God by the persuasion of a Christ centered lifestyle. An elder must place Christ at the very center of his life, not church, not people, but Christ and Him alone. To rule by example as a shepherd ruler of God’s heritage has shown itself historically to have the greatest amount of influence to the flock over which God has made us shepherds, then anything else that we are called to do. This far outweighs any amount of modern methodology or programs. A pastor that will show his congregation what it means to follow Christ far out ways any amount of degrees or programs. This includes all the self help programs and principle centered living. The churches rightful leader and husband is Christ not some program or some personality.
(4) “And when the chief Shepherd shall appear, ye shall receive a crown of glory that fadeth not away.”
One day maybe not to far from the point we are living in historically Jesus is returning. The Words chief Shepherd are the translation of a compound word meaning the head or ruling shepherd, that is one that rules over shepherds as well as sheep. The word appear means to render apparent or more literally to manifestly declare or shew. This means that one day The one chief or ruling Shepherd shall return and when He does he wants an accounting. At this very important juncture in time is what is called “bahma seat” or more correctly the reward seat. Jesus is going to hand out crowns, based on God’s grace. God’s work is to only be accomplished in His way and manor. Those works in ministry that are based on fleshly desires will disappear in fire to burn away all that is not silver, gold or precious stones. Hence the crown, not made by man or out of wood, hay or stubble. Personally I will not have mine for long it is going to be tossed at the feet of my perfectly wonderful God and Kind. He shall reign forever over all of His creation and over all of our hearts.
1Jn 3:2
(2) “Beloved, now are we the sons of God, and it doth not yet appear what we shall be: but we know that, when he shall appear, we shall be like him; for we shall see him as he is.”
We are going to be like Him in that we will no longer have corruptible flesh, but be clothed in His righteousness alone. This can only be appropriated thru faith in the risen Savior Himself. In our hands will be those crowns made of precious metals and stones.
Rev 4:10
(10) “The four and twenty elders fall down before him that sat on the throne, and worship him that liveth for ever and ever, and cast their crowns before the throne, saying,”
This seen occurs in heaven after the coming of Christ. We see the elders that represent both Old Testament and New Testament saints falling down before the Lord sitting on His thrown. This is what is referred to as an parenthetical event. It actually is placed long after the events that the immediate passage talks about. This brings up another point and that is the timelessness of God. He is not ruled by the laws of time and space so he can hence forth create events in anyway He sees fit. We are talking about a sovereign God here and man can not tell Him that the creation was not by God. Things do not just happen and neither do they occur with out God’s approval in heaven. We will toss those crowns before Him

The twenty four elders are going to toss their crowns to the feet of Him that is eternal. I see no reason why we should not also be throwing our crowns before Him. He is the risen that we who know Him as savior shall be their. The world hates Jesus and did so long before it knew us. We are only their according to grace and for that reason these rewards belong to HIM.

(5) “Likewise, ye younger, submit yourselves unto the elder. Yea, all of you be subject one to another, and be clothed with humility: for God resisteth the proud, and giveth grace to the humble.”
Peter in his epistle is now speaking to the younger elders about being in subjection to more senior elders of the church. The idea of submission here is an imperative and contains an element of emptying oneself of self. Selfishness is a human trait that will always end up in the middle of the word sIn. The body of Christ must learn to live in subjection to Christ this is especially true of the elders. The church must learn to accept the rule of Christ in her midst. This is exemplified in how we submit to those who God has placed in our midst to nurture and rule over the body as well as how our elders live the Christian life. The idea of rule is done primarily by example of how to live a Godly life on the part of the elders. These are men who have shown themselves to have spiritual insight and have exemplified what it means to be a Christian.
Peter does not leave it right here with those who are younger elders submitting to the more senior elders, but carries this idea of submission in Christ to all that belong to Him. The idea of clothing is the picture of being a servant, as in an apron to wear. Once we have placed ourselves in the position of be a committed a willing servant to God, then we should be able to become a servant to each other. The humility spoken of her is humiliation of mind or modesty. A humble attitude towards others, towards God and towards those elders which God has placed in our midst to watch for our souls. The best way to really grow in Christ is to learn how to exemplify a Christ like spirit. A Christ like Spirit is a very humble way to live, putting aside the human necessity of meeting the needs of self.
God is opposed to those who would elevate themselves above others in a very conspicius manner. He is more pleased by those who have a humble spirit and a desire to place himself into the control of the Holy Spirit. This would be impossible to do in the power of the human spirit. In fact, the human spirit will lead to the very center of pride. The very thing that God is opposed too. Once we have submitted ourselves to God and then in this world to our spiritual leaders (keep in mind that these same spiritual leaders are also in subjection to God as well as to the whole body of Christ) and each other, then God will give us grace or graciousness as a manor of acting. This is only found in the influence on the mind by the Holy Spirit. As the Holy Spirit works on the mind, it will be reflected both in the heart and our lives. I believe that this is a promise through Peter on the part of God to give elders graciousness as we are in a life lived by the principle of humility.
(6) “Humble yourselves therefore under the mighty hand of God, that he may exalt you in due time:”
To humble yourself means to put aside your desire of selfish gains. It simply means to depress what you want for yourself and replace it with Christ. This word also means to humiliate yourself in the sence of abasing your own desires. Humility is one of those Christian qualities that is both essential and hard to obtain. There are tons of stories out there about humility, but in all honesty it shows Christ in the best possible way. Perhaps it would be best to explain this quality of humility by coupling it with the phrase that follows. If you make yourself empty (hallow) of personal desires, then God can grasp a hold of you. The ultimate plans of God for us is that we would be exalted by Him, but not for our own works. This is linked to the future tense of salvation. Our great God is going to exalt Himself through us when we go to meet Him. This is called glorification, we are going to be glorified through Him. The due time here then is at the point when you go to meet Him at death.
(7) “Casting all your care upon him; for he careth for you.”
In this verse there are three interrelated words casting, care and careth they all refer the manner of living by the elders. The meaning of these words is very important to understand. The first casting means literally to throw upon or to cast upon. When you have nothing of your own, it is easy to cast all of your pocessions on to Him. However, what is to be cast is more important then this particular word, because we are casting ourselves to Him for his care. The word care means distractions or solicitude and solicitude means: A state of being concerned or anxious or to place your attention and cares on the things that make you distracted, perhaps what he has in mind here is the life style of elders being dependent on God. Finally the fact that God is interested in our concerns and cares, that he wants are distractions cast on Him indicates just how much He loves and really is concerned about our worldly cares.
In the context of these verses, in order to be able to cast your cares onto Him, it requires a humble spirit, one that is capable of the humility that is required that will place all of our worldly cares into His hand. An once of humility is enough to teach our flocks about the importance of humility in the Christian life.
Remember he is telling this to elders/pastors, if they are unable to cast their worldly concerns on to the Lord, then how can they possibly be an example to their flocks. If a pastor is always worrying about things that are happening to him and he is not able to cast those cares onto the Lord, then he is not able to show you how that can be done. Peter also made it clear that believers are to be subject one to another, this includes this very concept of being transparent. In other words an elders life needs to be transparent so that he can show how Christ can care for his life concerns.
(8) “Be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the devil, as a roaring lion, walketh about, seeking whom he may devour:”
Being sober goes way beyond the concept of abstaining from wine and enters into our lives as being discreet. How an elder lives as a believer, that is how he applies biblical truths to himself has a long range effect on his flock. This should extend into everything that we do. Nothing should be done to extreme except placing your worldly cares into God’s hands.
Vigilant means to keep awake, this does not mean to go without sleep, but it does mean that during your waking hours to be alert and watchful. An elder can not give up the work of being a shepherd to his flock. He is to do this right on down until the day he dies.
The reason for being sober or discreet and awake or watchful is that Satan as our opponent or arch enemy is seeking to do harm to us. He will do his best to tempt the elders among us with worldly concerns, balancing the costs of living with being in submission to Christ is not the easy road. Remember Satan is the arch enemy of God. When we are not watchful or discreet in our actions we give him an avenue of reproach. The reasoning here is that Satan would like to destroy our testimony (elders) and he will do so by devouring it, if we fail to remain watchful and persistently leaving your worldly concerns in His hands. Vigilance can be had without resorting to monasticism as in the Catholic Church or to formalism as in some protestants. Vigilance means to always be alert to things that are dangerous to the flock. If ever there was a plausible theory weighed in the balance and found utterly wanting, it is the favourite theory that celibacy and monasticism promote holiness. An elder can and should live a life of holiness and be a family man at the same time.
(9) “Whom resist stedfast in the faith, knowing that the same afflictions are accomplished in your brethren that are in the world.”
The word resist here has the meaning of to stand against, oppose or withstand. It is coupled here with the word steadfast which means solid, stable, strong and sure. This is saying that elders are to be solid, stable, strong and sure as they care for the flock and oppose any attacks on God’s word. Elders are to resist and stand against the devil like a solid brick wall. My father a long time ago made a brick wall in the place of a fence in our back yard in Sacramento. That brick wall was steadfast, it is still standing. Resistence however, without a solid basis in the faith doctrinally is useless. It is this basis of revealed Biblical truth that is the bulwark necessary to keep out the devil. Standing sure and firm the gospel is the only real defense against the wiles of the wicked one. Elders are there tosee to it that the doctrinal integrity of the word of God is protected.
Knowing here is not knowing by experience, but by imperical fact. The ressurection is not an experiential fact, but a real fact. The evidence for the ressurection of the Lord Jesus is so sure, that even a court in today’s world would be convinced without a shadow of doubt. It is that assurance in the faith that makes resisting the devil so very possible. An assurance that will stand by inspite of some real serious aflictions, both physical and spiritual. This is what made Christians in the first century go through persecution and do so with assurance. This happened not only in Israel, but in all of the world to which believers had gone.
(10) “But the God of all grace, who hath called us unto his eternal glory by Christ Jesus, after that ye have suffered a while, make you perfect, stablish, strengthen, settle you.”
These are graces that are not only bestowed on elders, but on every believer.What words of comfort and of grace from our God even when everything arround us shattering. Afflictions may abound and overwelm, but the Lord God has bestowed on us grace without measure. This grace is seen in “election,adopting, justifying, pardoning, and regenerating grace; and is the giver of the several graces of the Spirit, as faith, hope, love, repentance, &c. and of all the supplies of grace; and by this character is God the Father described as the object of prayer, to encourage souls to come to the throne of his grace, and pray, and hope for, and expect a sufficiency of his grace in every time of need; as well as to show that the sufferings of the saints here are but for a while; that they are in love and kindness; and that they shall certainly enjoy the glory they are called unto by him; and which is the next thing by which he stands described,” (John Gill)
The Lord God has bestowed this on us through the sacrifice of His Son our Lord Jesus Christ. There is no trouble that is to much for the God of all grace. God has called us with an effectual call into receiving of His matchless grace. This call is not a mere external call, but an effectual life changing call. His goal is to present us before the Father God completely and totally glorified. The world only gets to see the children of God through the eyes of envy and hate, but God see’s us through the eyes of grace and of the shed blood of His Son. We are His effectual property having been redeemed out of all nations, peoples and tongues to stand faultless before His thrown in heaven.
The greek for ‘make you perfect’ has led most Bible students to believe that this refers to the future. It means that Our Lord is going to present us perfect before the thrown of His Father in heaven. This is the future tense of salvation, another term for is it glorification. Though we are suffering much in this world, we will stand faultless before Him, complete in Christ.
These four things are what awaits us after death, that is perfect, establish, strengthen and settle. These are all in the future tense and are not now being experienced by us in this world. They will be when we either part this life by death or at the second coming. We will all stand before God in glory. The word perfect means amont other things restored or complete thoroughly. The word establish means to turn resolutely in a certain direction or to confirm. I like to think of this as our confirmation in glory. When we will stand resolutely before Our Blessed Savior Jesus Christ. The word strengthen among other things carries with it the idea of bodily vigor. He is going to return us to health, both physically and spiritual health. Finally he is going to settle us, much as you would tape a jar of sugar or salt to get more into it. He will restore our spiritual foundations. What a day that is going to be after having served God here in this world, to stand before Him complete.

(11) “To him be glory and dominion for ever and ever. Amen.”
This is one of many doxologies found in scripture. The compound word doxology is composed of the greek word dox, meaning praise and logy meaning a study or presentation. We are going to be giving Him the glory He deserves, casting our crowns before His thrown. This time of glorifiying God in heaven is a time of honoring the fact that God is the ruler of this world and regardless of what happens He is still in control (dominion) this is Our Fathers world and will be for all of eternity. Even so come Lord Jesus. Amen means even so or so be it. God will be glorified, even by a world that has turned its back to Him. Dear reader do you know Him. The first step to experience these things is to come to Him in simple faith. Acknowleding that you are lost and without hope. He is the only hope and supplier of free grace.

John 21:15-19
(15) “So when they had dined, Jesus saith to Simon Peter, Simon, son of Jonas, lovest thou me more than these? He saith unto him, Yea, Lord; thou knowest that I love thee. He saith unto him, Feed my lambs.”
The Lord waited for dinner to be finished before He started a time of ministry to Peter. This is a good study in how our Lord ministered. We should first notice that He uses a series of questions. The primary question He uses is this: “lovest thou me more than these?” In the light of what we know about Peter’s history this is a very good question. How committed was Peter, or shall we say how fearful was he? Would he repeat this same stumble again? Surprise he actually did something very closely related read Gal2:11-12, here we read that Peter was afraid of a party called the circumcision; these were Jewish Christians that wanted to impose on Gentiles the Jewish practice of circumcising all males. This is probably one of the reasons that our Lord asked this question of Peter. Our Lord also used the more emphatic form of the word for love. We talk often of agapaō type love; this is the word that our Lord used for love. Peter answered with the word for love which we would translate “like” phileō, Yes! Lord you know I like phileō you. How committed are you to the Gospel of Christ? If you are committed Peter, will you feed my lambs, literally my little ones, my babies.
One question is not enough remember that Peter denied the Lord three times. This was done in a very short period of time, we are told it was done before the cock crowed, he would deny Him three times. The number of times that the Lord asked questions of Peter is very important.
So here is the second question, but abbreviated, Okay Peter lets try this again
(16) “He saith to him again the second time, Simon, son of Jonas, lovest thou me? He saith unto him, Yea, Lord; thou knowest that I love thee. He saith unto him, Feed my sheep.”
This time our Lord goes just a little closer to the heart of the question, Peter do you Love agapaō me? This time Peter again answers the question with sure he likes phileō the Lord. The Lord knows our hearts and He knew the heart of Peter. It is very interesting to watch how tenderly our Lord deals with Peter. Yes! Peter I want you to feed my sheep; I want you to be a pastor to my sheep, to those whom God has given unto me. Peter still was not convinced; personally I feel for Peter, he was convinced of his unworthiness. Our Lord was not quite finished with Peter. Even a third time was not going to be enough.
(17) “He saith unto him the third time, Simon, son of Jonas, lovest thou me? Peter was grieved because he said unto him the third time, Lovest thou me? And he said unto him, Lord, thou knowest all things; thou knowest that I love thee. Jesus saith unto him, Feed my sheep.”
Now the Lord takes a little different approach to Peter, okay Peter I will travel down this road with you. Peter do you like phileō me? What broke Peter heart was not that the Lord used some kind of fancy psychology, but that He was able to look into the heart of Peter. This was into the very fear that Peter had to use the word agapaō love. Jesus was able to see into Peter so deeply that Peter knew he was known by Christ. Peter however, still used the word phileō for love, but he also I believe had gotten the message. We know that Peter was very fond of the Lord, but could not bring himself to use the much stronger word for love (agapaō). He was to demonstrate his commitment to Christ by being Pastor Peter. A commission to him was given to be the first pastor, but not as in the Roman Catholic concept. He was to shepherd the early flock. Then the Lord left Peter with something to keep in mind. This was probably the very thing that Peter feared the most. He had already denied the Lord and fulfilled the Lord’s prophecy about his denying the Lord three times. The Lord was not in the vicinity of where Peter was during the trial and yet He knew the heart of Peter better then Peter did.
(18) “Verily, verily, I say unto thee, When thou wast young, thou girdedst thyself, and walkedst whither thou wouldest: but when thou shalt be old, thou shalt stretch forth thy hands, and another shall gird thee, and carry thee whither thou wouldest not.”
Here the Lord gives Peter a glimpse of what he was to experience in the future. History tells us that Peter was crucified upside down. I believe that Peter was very frightened of the prospect of giving his life in martyrdom. The lesson learned here is that even during the midst of persecution that the Holy Spirit would carry him through it. When Peter had the vitality of youth he could care for himself, old age would bring not only infirmity, but a cross as well. The following verse explained what the Lord meant, but from the viewpoint of the apostle John. Then these verses are looking at this from the viewpoint of the fulfilled prophecy that this made. Verse 18 was the prophecy and verse 19 is its fulfillment. Remember that the Apostle John outlived all the apostles and could view these events from his remembrances of the events. John could couple the words of Christ with their fulfillment. The final words here have major significant to the words that follow in verse 20. Peter was pointing at John and that makes these words very significant when the Lord told Peter to follow Him. A pastor’s main concern is to be a follower of Christ and to keep his eyes off of anything else.
(19) “This spake he, signifying by what death he should glorify God. And when he had spoken this, he saith unto him, Follow me.”

Tit 1:5-14
(5) For this cause left I thee in Crete, that thou shouldest set in order the things that are wanting, and ordain elders in every city, as I had appointed thee:
(6) If any be blameless, the husband of one wife, having faithful children not accused of riot or unruly.
(7) For a bishop must be blameless, as the steward of God; not selfwilled, not soon angry, not given to wine, no striker, not given to filthy lucre;
(8) But a lover of hospitality, a lover of good men, sober, just, holy, temperate;
(9) Holding fast the faithful word as he hath been taught, that he may be able by sound doctrine both to exhort and to convince the gainsayers.
(10) For there are many unruly and vain talkers and deceivers, specially they of the circumcision:
(11) Whose mouths must be stopped, who subvert whole houses, teaching things which they ought not, for filthy lucre’s sake.
(12) One of themselves, even a prophet of their own, said, The Cretians are alway liars, evil beasts, slow bellies.
(13) This witness is true. Wherefore rebuke them sharply, that they may be sound in the faith;
(14) Not giving heed to Jewish fables, and commandments of men, that turn from the truth.

1Ti 3:1-7
(1) This is a true saying, If a man desire the office of a bishop, he desireth a good work.
(2) A bishop then must be blameless, the husband of one wife, vigilant, sober, of good behaviour, given to hospitality, apt to teach;
(3) Not given to wine, no striker, not greedy of filthy lucre; but patient, not a brawler, not covetous;
(4) One that ruleth well his own house, having his children in subjection with all gravity;
(5) (For if a man know not how to rule his own house, how shall he take care of the church of God?)
(6) Not a novice, lest being lifted up with pride he fall into the condemnation of the devil.
(7) Moreover he must have a good report of them which are without; lest he fall into reproach and the snare of the devil.
Appendix A
There are several greek words that are used for the english word often translated “feed” in the New Testament. The word translated in I Peter 5:2 is “poimaino” and is translated feed, but means to tend or shepherd in the sence of being a benevolent rule. It is not to be taken in the sence of being forcible, but willingly and with love for the flock of God. This is the whole point that is made in Jn 21:16 where this same word is used for feed. Peter was told to lovingly, kindly and whole heartedly both love the church, then to tend to it.
This word is also used in Acts 20:28 where the Apostle Paul tells the elders at the church in Ephesus to tend (feed) to the church of God. This doctrinal point is so vital that you will find it several times in the New Testament. This includes the book of Revelation 7:17 where we see the Lamb of God tending to the church in heaven.
Other places that you will find this same word used for feed in the New Testament are:
Matt 2:6
Luke 17:7
Jn 21:16
I Cor 9:5
Jude 1:12
Revelation 2:27
Revelation 12:5
Revelation 19:15
Finally, I Peter 5:2 also uses this same word. The meaning is to do more then just perach or teach God’s Word. It means to tend to the church family that God has placed in your care. This is why Peter goes into this subject in so much detail, because it is essential that a pastor be a shepherd. How can he be a shepherd if he does not understand what a shepherd is?

The Faith once delivered to the saints.

“I could take you today to a million villages … they got a church. Or they got a synagogue. They got something. They got a house of worship. The church is the biggest organization in the world…. And I came up with a thing called the P.E.A.C.E. Plan. When Jesus sent the disciples out, he said, ‘When you go into a village, you find the man of peace.’ Now this person doesn’t have to be a Christian…. You find the person of peace, and then you begin to do the P.E.A.C.E. Plan … Now why am I telling this to you? Because we’re going public with it this next year in 2006…. And I believe it will change the world.” —Rick Warren*

(Jud 1:3) Beloved, when I gave all diligence to write unto you of the common salvation, it was needful for me to write unto you, and exhort you that ye should earnestly contend for the faith which was once delivered unto the saints.

Men will call peace, peace and there will not be peace. This is something that has been saught by man for hundreds, even thousands of years and has yet to be found. Why is this true? The fact is that until all men acknowledge the Lord Jesus as Lord and Savior there will be no peace. The best thing you can do is go back home and start preaching and teaching the word of God to your people. I say this to all the Rick Warren’s of the world.

When people have been brought to the foot of the Crosss and acknowledge Him as savior, then through the indewelling power of the Holy Spirit they will find peace with God. Peace with God is more important then peace between men. Peace treaties have a way of being broken. Peace with God and the Peace of God (two seperate ideas here) have a way of coming into stay. Once you have made your peace with God “Rom 5:1 Therefore being justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ:”. Which follows faith in God by having acknowedge Him as your personal savior After you have done this you not only will have made peace with God, but you will have the peace of God.

(Php 4:7) And the peace of God, which passeth all understanding, shall keep your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus.

If these people will just go back to the churches that they have and start faithfully preaching and teaching the word of God instead of starting movements, I can guarantee eternal results. I have said before that it is better to have a church of 300 people that are being taught and nurtured through God’s Word, then 1,000 members, most of whom never get taught and nurtured in the Word. 300 members in a church and 275 of them saved and growing is better then 1,000 members with only 275 actually saved and growing. I am not impressed with this new concept of what a church should be doing. The church is walking away today from it’s God given responsibility to build up believers in the faith.

More New Age Babble

This is a quote from an article at this location: True Discernment

“…the information network called the Christ consciousness..”, (Quote taken from a quote of Quantum Spirituality, p. 122) this sounds strangely like Mary Baker Eddy, if you do not know who she is and you ought to she founded Christian Science and all of its fellow travelers. See New Age is not really new it is the same old oriental mysticism with a new coat of paint. Only now it is be connected on some kind of mystical level. Much as cells are in the body says this author, (Quantum spirituality, p 122) These New Age ideas and thinking are really not New at all, but really very ancient. The concept that you can in some mystical sense be connected to god and by pass the cross is a very old and dangerous idea.

Truth in these days has become very subjective. Any truth not based solely on God’s Word is a lie. If it totally leaves God out of the equation and leans on man’s abilities, then it is not of God. The question that needs to be asked is found in this verse 1Jn 4:2 “Hereby know ye the Spirit of God: Every spirit that confesseth that Jesus Christ is come in the flesh is of God:” is this new spirituality dependent on the Word of God, or is it dependent on some kind of misty feeling. Our relationship to God is dependent on a very real relationship of faith in a literally resurrected Christ. Jesus really did come to earth and he really is God manifest in human flesh and he really died and he really rose again.

Anything that denies a literal Christ and a literal gospel is not of God. Further if the message is diluted from this it becomes a false gospel. If Christ dying for sinners and coming back from the dead very alive is not a part of the a gospel then it is a false gospel. The preaching of the cross is to them who are perishing foolishness, but to those of us who are saved it is the power of God.

For some reason the preaching of the cross is now being moved to the back burner, I as one preacher am moving it back to the front burner. This New Age message is just another form of humanism, it is man centered and will usher in a time of judgment unlike any the world has ever seen. Stand back and watch what God is going to do next, this is an exciting time in which to live, just to see the culmination of the age.