Perspective:-
Structural Changes for the Church!
NTK
Recently a brother in his prayer circular wrote a very special prayer request. Church leaders in his state are considering a structural change for the church there. He is not fully sure about how it should be done and what would be the outcome of such a change. We do not know what kind of change they are contemplating but on the basis of what we hear from different corner is that many have the notion that a centralized body is imperative for effective functioning of the local churches.
Remember, he is talking about the local churches commonly called the ‘brethren assemblies’ who are well known for their commitment to the New Testament church principles. One of the distinctive features of the ‘brethren’ is the absence of any centralized authority to control the affairs of local assemblies in an area. They consider each local church as autonomous and directly responsible to the Lord. Thousands of assemblies and numerous missionaries continue in their testimony for the Lord with out any headquarters or central leadership.
The New Testament does not teach about a centralized administration for the local churches. We do not see any one as the head of the church except Christ. This truth is revealed very clearly in the letters to the local churches in Asia Minor. (Revelation ch.2, 3). There is no human authority for those assemblies in that province. The Lord sends seven different letters for the seven churches. Each one is directly under the control of the Lord. He is carefully watching the affairs of each church. We should not forget the words of the Lord, “I will build my church”. Matthew.16:18. Church belongs to the Lord Jesus Christ. Acts.20:28. He is the builder; He has the master plan for His church.
Change is not bad, if it doesn’t undermine the foundation. Quite often we hear about tenants changing the structure of a building internally and that weakens whole building and consequently falls down. We should be very careful in making such changes in the church of God. Even if there are some benefits in the short term, but could be fatal in the long term. In every aspect of Christian life, ultimate authority is the word of God. We are not supposed to follow any doctrine or practice which is totally against the New Testament.
With much difficulty and sacrifice our forefathers came out of the ecclesiastical system to gather together to the name of Christ with out even taking any name. ‘Brethren’ is the title others gave seeing their brotherly love. Shall we go back to what we forsook years ago? In the name of change, openness or even expansion, we can not change the fundamental principles laid out in the word of God. Structural changes, violating the word of God are disastrous. Pray to the Lord of the Church to guide His servants to be faithful stewards of the church truths, hold it, practice it and teach it boldly.
Pulpit Echo:- Persecution with a Purpose
Dr. Babu K. Varghese, Mumbai, India
What shall we do at persecution? When Herod beheaded John the Baptist the disciples took away his body and buried it, and then went and told the Lord Jesus Christ. Matthew. 14:8, 12. That exactly is what we ought to do now.
Persecution for the Lord’s people is not a new thing. Down through the centuries it remains a fact that the blood of the martyrs is the seed of the church. Persecution empowers the church and draws us to the feet of Christ. Opposition gives new strength of the Lord and an undying passion for the souls. Ultimately persecution helps the church!
More than the persecution from outside, persecution from inside is more serious! Corruption from inside destroys the church. Carnality, fighting, backbiting, covetousness, unfaithfulness and marital discord etc corrupts the local church and that remains the biggest challenge more than opposition form out side.
We see such a situation in Acts ch.5 & 6 there was financial fraud and fighting in the church. Then we see persecution purifies the church in ch.8. Still He does that! Let us fall at His feet, stop living in sin, live in harmony and reconcile to one another. Love, edify and help the people of God. 1Peter.4:1—8.
Be serious about the present and be prepared to preach the gospel. Take leadership in the assembly and encourage the people of God. You may not supported by the people but God will take care of you. 1Corinthaians.15:58. Opposition is opportunity, persecution develops the church.
(Summery of a message given at a prayer meeting of the Lord’s servants in Mumbai recently)
Out line: -
Promises for the Humble
- Prayers will be heard. Psalm.9:12
- God will dwell with them. Isaiah.57:15
- Delivers them from troubles. Job.22:29
- God regards them (concerned). Psalm.138:6
- Leads & teaches them. Psalm.25:9
- Receives Grace James.4:6, 1Peter.5:5
- Receives Wisdom Proverbs.11:2
- Long & prosperous lives Proverbs.22:4
- Exalted & honoured. Proverbs.15:33; Matthew.23:12; James.4:10
- 10. Greatest in God’s kingdom. Matthew. 18:4.
Anecdote: -
Israeli Parents forgets daughter at airport
We may have only read about the possibility of a mother forgetting her child, but here is a true story, just happened very recently in Israel. According to the Jerusalem airport police, a local couple embarked on a European vacation forgot their three-year-old daughter at the airport. The parents didn’t notice the child was missing until they were told, in the air, that she had been found at Ben-Gurion airport. The child, accompanied by an airline staffer took the next flight to Paris where she was safely reunited with her parents.
Matters for Prayer & Praise:
Persecution unabated in India
Persecution of Christians in India is continuing unabated. More than a month ago attack against Christians started in the state Orissa as an aftermath of a murder of Hindu priest by the Maoist Naxalites. Hundreds of Christians were killed and many injured. Many Christians had to flee to forest for safety and could not come back to their houses. Hundreds of Churches, prayer halls and Christian homes were burnt.
Now the attack is spread to others states, like, Karnatka, Kerala, Tamil Naudu, M.P and Utaranchal. It seems the local as well as central government has miserably failed to contain violence against Christians. According to reliable reports not even 3% of what happens there is coming out through the media. Even in the midst of such turmoil antichristians continue with their re-conversion drive, it is reported that many Christians in Orrisa are embracing Hinduism to escape further attack.
In the mean while, some Christians have opened an online petition to the president of India. Concerned Christians may click the link and sign it on line. http://www.PetitionOnline.com/thecsf17/petition.html
News & Views
Big Bang Experiment – in Search of ‘God particle'
Laboratory recreation of the Big Bang that scientists believed to have created the universe has begun near Geneva on Wednesday September 14, 2008. Read on line
Worthy Quotes:-
Persecution
“The true Christian is like sandle woodwhich imparts it’s fragrance to the axe which cuts it,
without doing any harm in return. ---------Sundar Singh “The tyrant dies and his rule ends, the martyr dies and his rule begins. “ ----------Soren Kierkegaard “The more thy mow us down, the more we grow; the seed is the blood of Christins. “ ---------Tertullian
Finally, beloved brethren, will you please pray for me?
For grace in His work, and health to move around easily! Love to all. NTK
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