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Introduction
Within any society and era, there are a number of crucial issues which must be biblically addressed by the church. The following information gives what the elders of Cornerstone Bible Church feel is a biblical approach to some of thekey issues of our day. The goal of this is to help our people apply the scriptures to issues they may be confronted with.
Outline:
I. Church Discipline
II. Sign Gifts
III. Understanding Salvation
IV. Woman's Role
THE PROCEDURE OF CHURCH DISCIPLINE
I. Offenses worthy of church discipline
1. Matters of personal conduct, lifestyle
a. Lying to and testing the Holy spirit, hypocrisy (Acts 5:1-11)
b. Sexual immorality, greed, idolatry, slander, drunkenness, swindling (I Cor. 5:1-13)
c. Idleness, busybodies (I Thes. 5:14, 2 Thes. 3:6, 11-13) 2. Unresolved interpersonal issues (Matt. 18:17)
3. Matters of church conduct
a. Divisiveness, upsetting the faith of some (Rom 16:17-18, Titus 3:9-11)
b. Hypocrisy, leading others astray (Galatians 2:11-14)
c. Wrong teachings
1. False teaching for profit (Titus 1:10-16, Rev. 2:14-16)
2. Adding to, going beyond Scripture (2 John 9-11) d. Insubordination (Titus 1:10-11, 16)
e. Blasphemy (I Timothy 1:20)
4. Matters of belief, doctrine (James 5:19-20, Rev. 2:2, 20)
5. Sin in general: disobedience to Scripture (Galatians 6:1-2,2 Thess. 3:6, 11-15, James 5:19-20) II. Practices and procedures for church discipline and restoration
1. Summary statement, "turn him back" (James 5:19-20)
2. Principle: The kind, length and rigor of the discipline depends on the nature and circumstances of the sin (Cf. Calvin, Institutes, IV, 12: 4, 5, 6) Principle: The kind, length, and rigor of the discipline depends on the notoriety of the sin and sinner (Cf. Calvin, Institutes, IV, 12:4, 5, 6)
Principle: The kind, length and rigor of the discipline depends on the attitude and actions of the sinner- has there been repentance?
a. Level 1- A momentary, uncharacteristic lapse into sin where there is genuine grief and repentance; gentle restoration (Galatians 6:1-2, Matt. 18:15-18) III. Procedure
1. Reprove in private (Matt.18:15)
2. Bring along a witness (Matt. 18:16)
3. Tell it to the church (Matt. 18:17)
4. Let him be as a Gentile (Matt. 18:17)
b. Level 2- More serious sin (willful disobedience) or longer duration, and mixed signals regarding repentance; warning, rebuke, correction (Galatians 2:11-14, I Thes. 5:14, Titus 1:10-16, 3:10)
c. Level 3- Severe sin on a long-term basis, and no repentance
(1) Judgment (I Cor. 5:3)
(2) Corporate grief (I Cor. 5:1-2)
(3) Expulsion, excommunication from fellowship (Matt. 18:17; Rom. 16:17,I Cor. 5:2, 11-13, 2 Thes. 3:6, 11-15, Titus 3:10-11, 2 John 9-11)
(4) In some instances, delivering to Satan (I Cor. 5:4-5;I Timothy 1:20)
(5) Forgiveness, comfort, love when repentance is demonstrated
SIGN GIFTS
God does work differently through out History. (I Peter 3:3, Romans 11:25-26, Ephes. 2:11-16)
As God made major changes with the human race, He almost always announced the changes with the spectacular, just so we would not miss it. During the time of Moses and the introduction of the Law, there were incredible miracles and wonders. During the time of Elijah and the prophets, there were miracles and wonders present to establish their authority and the writings of the Old Testament. And during the foundation of the church there were signs and wonders to establish the authority of the apostles and the writings of the New Testament.
#1-The Apostles were Foundational
Ephesians 2:20 "The church is built upon the foundation of the Apostles and prophets, Jesus Christ Himself being the chief cornerstone."
1st. Eyewitnesses
Acts 1:22 "a witness with us of His resurrection"
I Corinthians 9:1, Am I not an apostle, am I not free? have I not seen Jesus Christ our Lord?
2nd. The apostles were Proxies of Jesus, authorized agents for Jesus.
Matthew 10:1 (Jesus,) "the twelve disciples,. . . He gave them authority over unclean spirits, to cast them out, and to heal every kind of disease and every kind of sickness."
The Lord uniquely invested His apostles with the same power that He Himself had demonstrated. The apostle of a man is as the man himself! (2 Thess. 3:6, I Cor 4:21)
3rd. Only the Apostles were accepted as the Writers of Scripture.
John 16:13, "When He, the Spirit of truth, comes, He will guide you into all the truth." He will teach you all things, and bring to your remembrance all that I said to you.
I Corinthians 14:37 "If anyone thinks he is a prophet or spiritual, let him recognize that the things which I write to you are the Lord's commandment" #2-Sign gifts were Evidence of Apostleship
Apostles were authenticated by miraculous signs. All the signs from the day of Pentecost on were performed either by the apostles, by those in their presence, or by those upon whom they laid their hands. (Acts 1:26, 2:1, 7, 14)
Acts 2:42-43 "They devoted themselves to the apostles' teaching...& everyone kept feeling a sense of awe; and many wonders and signs were taking place through the apostles." At the hands of the apostles many signs and wonders were taking place among the people.
Philip was not an apostle. But after the apostles had laid their hands on him in Acts 6:6, he did signs and wonders authenticating apostolic authority, Acts 8:6.
In Acts 8, when Philip preached to the Samaritans, many believed. But none of them could work the miracles Philip did. Until... the apostles came from Jerusalem and they laid their hands on the new converts, in vs. 17
The same thing happened with the first Gentile converts in Acts 10 and the disciples of John the Baptist in Acts 19.
It was only the apostles who had the authority to give these signs and wonders to another.
No one having received such power from the apostles could give it away...all the signs and wonders originated from the Apostles, thus authenticating their Words, their Writings and their Authority to speak as the Proxy/Apostle of Jesus Christ
All the signs from the day of Pentecost on were performed either by the apostles, by those in their presence, or by those upon whom they laid their hands.
#3-The Bible states and demonstrates a Transition fromApostles to today.
- Stated
The authority of the apostles and their authenticating signs is clearly stated in the N.T.
Hebrews 2:3-4 How shall we escape if we neglect so great a salvation? After it was at the first spoken through the Lord, it was confirmed by those who heard {The apostles} verse 4.
God also bearing witness with them... (the apostles} bearing witness with them, both by signs and wonders and by various miracles and by gifts of the Holy Spirit according to His own will.
- Those signs and wonders belong those who heard Jesus Himself - the apostles.
- Demonstrated
Apart from the clear statements of scripture that there is a transitioning from apostolic signs and wonders, to todays church, the NT also demonstrates that there is a transition.
1. Not all could be healed by Apostles (Philippians 2:25-27, I Tim. 5:23, 2 Tim.4:20).
2. You see a similar transition occurring with Spiritual gifts.I Corinthians 12, written in AD 54
Romans 12, written in AD 55
Ephesians 4, written in AD 60
and I Peter 4, written in AD 63
the gift of Tongues and interpretation of tongues is not recorded in any list except for the very earliest.
UNDERSTANDING SALVATION
The Issue
- The fundamental issue centers on what is the nature of saving faith. Some teach that saving faith is primarily a volitional trust in Christ as savior and does not necessarily include a willingness to obey or follow Him. But we teach that saving faith includes trusting in Christ as Savior and acknowledging Him as Lord/ master over my life.
Note: In many ways this is a moot issue if one truly believes in election and that God is the one that gives faith in the first place.
Understanding the Lordship of Christ
1. The Scriptures indicate that Christ is Lord and true believers will acknowledge Him as such.
John 20:28 Thomas answered and said to Him, "My Lord and my God!"
Acts 2:36 God has made Him both Lord and Christ.
Rom. 10:9-10 That if you confess with your mouth Jesus as Lord, and believe in your heart that God raised Him from the dead, you shall be saved.
Phil. 2:9-11 that every tongue should confess that Jesus Christ is Lord
Rev. 19:16 "King of Kings and Lord of Lords.
2. The term "Lord" Kurios was a normal term in the Greek language used for "master" or someone that was to be obeyed and submitted to.
Matt. 6:24 No one can serve to masters(lord-kurios) for either he will hate the one and love the other, or he will hold to one and despise the other.
Matt. 24:45 Blessed is that slave whom his master(lord-kurios) finds so doing when he comes.
Col. 3:22 Slaves, in all things obey those who are you master(lord-kurios) on earth
3. The Scriptures consistently link saving faith with a life of obedience and submission to Christ.
John 3:36 He who believes in the Son has eternal life; but he who does not obey the Son shall not see life
4. The Scriptures indicate that there is a kind of faith that does not save.
James 2:14 What use is it, my brethren, if a man says he has faith, but he has no works? Can that faith save him?...You believe that God is one. You do well; the demons believe, and shudder
5. It is biblically incompatible for a person to say that they want to receive Christ's free offer of salvation yet at the same time deny that he has any ownership over their life. It is impossible to come to the cross to be received and not depend on Him completely to do it.
6. Acknowledging Christ as Lord is not a work--but a desire--remembering that even that desire is from God--we cannot even believe without the Holy Spirit's ministry of regeneration in our life.
7. SUBMITTING TO THE LORDSHIP OF CHRIST IS NOT SOMETHING ADDED TO BELIEF, BUT RATHER IS A VITAL PART OF TRUE SAVING FAITH
| Christ knew nothing of the man-made, twentieth century suggestion that taking Jesus as Lord is optional. For Him it was no second step which is essential for great blessings but unnecessary for entering God's kingdom. The altered message of today had deceived men and women by convincing them that Jesus will be glad to be a Saviour even to those who refuse to follow Him as Lord. It simply is not the truth! Jesus' invitation to salvation is "Come, follow me." Walter Chantry |
WOMAN'S ROLE
Equal in identity, position and access.
The Scriptures teach that as far as person and identity, women are created equal with men.
Just like men, women are created in God's imageGen. 1:27 ...in the image of god He created them; male and female He created them. In relation to salvation and standing in Christ, women are equal with men.Gal. 3:28 There is neither Jew nor Greek, there is neither slave nor free man, there is neither male nor female, for you are all one in Christ Jesus. Different Role in the Family and the Church
Although equal with men as far as identity and person, women have a distinct and different role.
In the Home
The majority of the scriptural data strongly indicates that the primary arena of impact for a woman is in the home.
The fundamental reason that the woman was created was to be a helper for her husband.
Gen. 2:20-23 ...a helper suitable for him... Within the marriage the woman is called to lovingly submit to her husband. This is not "doormat devotion" but rather is loving service and mutual submission.
Eph. 5:22 Wives, be subject to your own husbands, as to the Lord. Although 21st century society says otherwise, the primary arena for the woman is at home. This is primarily where God has ordained her to fill out her role (It is also recognized that God has sovereignly allowed singles and women without children to have a unique freedom for other ministry).
I Tim. 5:14 Therefore I want younger widows to get married, bear children, keep house... Raising children is the primary means by which women can have an influence for the kingdom of God.
I Tim. 2:15 But women shall be preserved through the bearing of children if they continue in faith and love and sanctity with self-restraint.
Titus 2:4 & 5 That they may encourage the younger women... to love their children.... to be workers at home. In the Church
Any woman that is a Christian has a spiritual gift and is expected to utilize it in ministering to the Body.
I Cor. 12:7 But to each one is given the manifestation of the Spirit for the common good. One of the primary avenues of ministry is for older women to teach younger women.
Titus 2:3-5 Older women...teaching what is good, that they may encourage the younger women... It is also appropriate for certain women who have proven their faithful service to serve as a deaconess.
I Tim. 3:11 Women must likewise be dignified, not malicious gossips...
Rom. 16:1 I commend to you our sister Phoebe, who is a servant (Deacon) of the church which is at Cenchrea. The primary prohibition for women in the church is that they are not to teach or exercise authority over men.
I Tim. 2:12 But I do not allow a woman to teach or exercise authority over a man, but to remain quiet.
I Cor. 14:34 Let the women keep silent in the churches... |
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