Now the Spirit speaketh expressly, that in the latter times some shall depart from the faith, giving heed to seducing spirits, and doctrines of devils; ( 1 Timothy 4:1)
2 Timothy 3:13 But evil men and seducers shall wax worse and worse, deceiving, and being deceived.
I will repeat once again that the concept of John 16:8; in the fact that sin; righteousness and judgment aren't exactly the focus of many of today's confessions in professing Christian churches. The basic issue is that the end result of hell is downplayed; and people aren't expected to change from the state when they are welcomed into the fold the first time as a visitor. What they are pressured into is a particular agenda quite often that follows a course designed to promote whatever the leadership wants which often is exaltation of a Pastor and promotion through media and hype which is puffed up far beyond anything God ever intended. Rule 1 against this abuse of power is before committing to membership we should determine what the accountability for all including leadership is with doctrinal statements and proper scriptural approach mandated by Christ Himself when we see a brother in sin. PASTOR'S AREN'T IMMUNE TO SUCH DISCIPLINE!! At least in Reformed circles this is generally accepted in most congregations; it doesn't guarantee the outcome as being correct as flawed humans are involved with that process but we should avoid any leader that will not accept this for their own teaching; that can particularlly be an issue with a "stand alone" type church where there aren't elders or deacons balancing things out.
On the other side of the coin is accountability we each have as laypersons to obey the things which those in authority who enforce scripture teach and require. On the line is whether we really want Christ to rule and reign in our hearts or fall for the "rugged individualism" our nation tends to proudly stand on. Without it; we are a group who meet Sunday all flying solo.
2 Timothy 3:13 But evil men and seducers shall wax worse and worse, deceiving, and being deceived.
I will repeat once again that the concept of John 16:8; in the fact that sin; righteousness and judgment aren't exactly the focus of many of today's confessions in professing Christian churches. The basic issue is that the end result of hell is downplayed; and people aren't expected to change from the state when they are welcomed into the fold the first time as a visitor. What they are pressured into is a particular agenda quite often that follows a course designed to promote whatever the leadership wants which often is exaltation of a Pastor and promotion through media and hype which is puffed up far beyond anything God ever intended. Rule 1 against this abuse of power is before committing to membership we should determine what the accountability for all including leadership is with doctrinal statements and proper scriptural approach mandated by Christ Himself when we see a brother in sin. PASTOR'S AREN'T IMMUNE TO SUCH DISCIPLINE!! At least in Reformed circles this is generally accepted in most congregations; it doesn't guarantee the outcome as being correct as flawed humans are involved with that process but we should avoid any leader that will not accept this for their own teaching; that can particularlly be an issue with a "stand alone" type church where there aren't elders or deacons balancing things out.
On the other side of the coin is accountability we each have as laypersons to obey the things which those in authority who enforce scripture teach and require. On the line is whether we really want Christ to rule and reign in our hearts or fall for the "rugged individualism" our nation tends to proudly stand on. Without it; we are a group who meet Sunday all flying solo.
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