Where do people get the spiritual authority?

[MatthewG]

It isn't merely that I say so. God's word does.

Yes, if you've been born-again, you've gained a spiritual family; and to that family each member of it has God-commanded responsibilities. No Christian can claim to be walking well with God while neglecting the Body of Believers of which God has made them a part, giving to His children spiritual gifts He intends each of them should use to the edification of the Body.

1 Corinthians 12:12-20
12 For as the body is one and has many members, but all the members of that one body, being many, are one body, so also is Christ.
13 For by one Spirit we were all baptized into one body—whether Jews or Greeks, whether slaves or free—and have all been made to drink into one Spirit.
14 For in fact the body is not one member but many.
15 If the foot should say, “Because I am not a hand, I am not of the body,” is it therefore not of the body?
16 And if the ear should say, “Because I am not an eye, I am not of the body,” is it therefore not of the body?
17 If the whole body were an eye, where would be the hearing? If the whole were hearing, where would be the smelling?
18 But now God has set the members, each one of them, in the body just as He pleased.
19 And if they were all one member, where would the body be?
20 But now indeed there are many members, yet one body. 21 And the eye cannot say to the hand, “I have no need of you”; nor again the head to the feet, “I have no need of you.”

Ephesians 4:11-16
11 And He Himself gave some to be apostles, some prophets, some evangelists, and some pastors and teachers,
12 for the equipping of the saints for the work of ministry, for the [e]edifying of the body of Christ,
13 till we all come to the unity of the faith and of the knowledge of the Son of God, to a perfect man, to the measure of the stature of the fullness of Christ;
14 that we should no longer be children, tossed to and fro and carried about with every wind of doctrine, by the trickery of men, in the cunning craftiness of deceitful plotting,
15 but, speaking the truth in love, may grow up in all things into Him who is the head—Christ—
16 from whom the whole body, joined and knit together by what every joint supplies, according to the effective working by which every part does its share, causes growth of the body for the edifying of itself in love.

Herbrews 10:23-25
Let us hold fast the confession of our hope without wavering, for He who promised is faithful.
24 And let us consider one another in order to stir up love and good works,
25 not forsaking the assembling of ourselves together, as is the manner of some, but exhorting one another, and so much the more as you see the Day approaching.



I don't say so, God does. See above. Would you say, in light of the above passages, that God is pleased with your persistent separation from the Body of which He's made you a part? The Bible says that we know we have passed from death unto life if we love the brethren (1 Jn. 3:14). How do you love the brethren well while remaining for years separate from them? To properly love your siblings in the Lord, to love them best, you must have a personal relationship with them, your life open to them in self-sacrificing care of them (1 Jn. 4:7-11). Is this how you've been living?

Hello @Kokyu

With all due respect, you’re neither my father nor my mother.

Scholar.

Let me demonstrate what truly pleases God.

Hebrews 11:6 (NLT): “And it is impossible to please God without faith. Anyone who wants to come to him must believe that God exists and that he rewards those who sincerely seek him.”

So, I pose these questions sincerely:

• Does God know where I stand in my relationship with Him?
• Can He see whether I truly seek Him or not?

You shouldn't be able to say "the bible says so, this time."

I’ve already read the Gospels and the Letters, so no need to quote them—unless you feel like it, of course. I just think there’s a lot of value in someone exploring the Bible for themselves and discovering what it really has to offer. That kind of personal journey is meaningful.

When it comes to how I live my own life, I’ll be honest—I'm far from perfect, and I fall short in so many ways. But the beautiful part is this: Yeshua did everything I never could. He lived in full obedience to the Father—not just for me, but for everyone in the world. That truth brings me peace and hope every single day.

 

[MatthewG]

With all due respect, you’re neither my father nor my mother.

Scholar.

Let me demonstrate what truly pleases God.

Hebrews 11:6 (NLT): “And it is impossible to please God without faith. Anyone who wants to come to him must believe that God exists and that he rewards those who sincerely seek him.”

So, I pose these questions sincerely:

• Does God know where I stand in my relationship with Him?
• Can He see whether I truly seek Him or not?

You shouldn't be able to say "the bible says so, this time."

I’ve already read the Gospels and the Letters, so no need to quote them—unless you feel like it, of course. I just think there’s a lot of value in someone exploring the Bible for themselves and discovering what it really has to offer. That kind of personal journey is meaningful.

When it comes to how I live my own life, I’ll be honest—I'm far from perfect, and I fall short in so many ways. But the beautiful part is this: Yeshua did everything I never could. He lived in full obedience to the Father—not just for me, but for everyone in the world. That truth brings me peace and hope every single day.

Even as I share all this, I truly believe Yahavah—God—is far greater than the pages bound within the Bible. While I cherish that sacred book and see it as an incredible gift to anyone who chooses to dive into its message and meaning, I also believe God isn’t confined to it.

He’s not distant or out of reach. I believe He dwells within our hearts, ready to walk with us if we choose to have faith, seek Him earnestly, and welcome His presence into our lives. That kind of relationship isn’t just found in a book—it’s lived faithfully every day.

 

[Kokyu]

Hello @Kokyu

With all due respect, you’re neither my father nor my mother.

No, I'm not your parent. I don't recall saying that I was...

Let me demonstrate what truly pleases God.

Hebrews 11:6 (NLT): “And it is impossible to please God without faith. Anyone who wants to come to him must believe that God exists and that he rewards those who sincerely seek him.”

There are a number of non-negotiables, essential elements, of walking well with God. Faith is one. So is knowledge, and love, and submission. There are others besides these ones. It is not enough to please God merely to know and believe He exists and is a rewarder of those who diligently seek Him. The apostle James makes this point:

James 2:14-20
14 What does it profit, my brethren, if someone says he has faith but does not have works? Can faith save him?
15 If a brother or sister is naked and destitute of daily food,
16 and one of you says to them, “Depart in peace, be warmed and filled,” but you do not give them the things which are needed for the body, what does it profit?
17 Thus also faith by itself, if it does not have works, is dead.
18 But someone will say, “You have faith, and I have works.” Show me your faith without your works, and I will show you my faith by my works.
19 You believe that there is one God. You do well. Even the demons believe—and tremble!
20 But do you want to know, O foolish man, that faith without works is dead?

Faith, then, vital as it is, by itself is not pleasing to God. It must be coupled to corresponding deeds, to love (Matt. 22:36-38; 1 Co. 13:1-3), to submission (Ja. 4:7; Ro. 6:13-22), to holiness (1 Pe. 1:15-16; Matt. 5:48; He. 12:14b), and to fellowship (Rev. 3:20; 1 Co. 1:9; 2 Co. 13:14; 1 Jn. 1:3b).

o, I pose these questions sincerely:

• Does God know where I stand in my relationship with Him?
• Can He see whether I truly seek Him or not?

You shouldn't be able to say "the bible says so, this time."

Yes, God knows where you stand in your relationship with Him. He's God; He knows all. And so, yes, He can see whether or not you're truly seeking Him.

1 Samuel 16:7
16 But the Lord said to Samuel, “Do not look at his appearance or at his physical stature, because I have refused him. For the Lord does not see as man sees; for man looks at the outward appearance, but the Lord looks at the heart.”

Psalm 139:23
23 Search me, O God, and know my heart;
Try me, and know my anxieties;
24 And see if there is any wicked way in me,
And lead me in the way everlasting.

Those who are truly seeking God live in the way the Bible describes and thus demonstrate to those looking on that they are, in fact, seeking God. No one who is enjoying God deeply and is being transformed by Him will be able to keep it secret that they are. They will love the Church as Christ does, sacrificing themselves for its well-being (Eph. 5:25; 1 Jn. 4:7-11), they will walk in holiness, joy and peace, and their life will be open to fellow believers in a hospitable, generous, spiritually-edifying way. Is this the case with you?

I’ve already read the Gospels and the Letters, so no need to quote them—unless you feel like it, of course.

Generally, I cite Scripture whenever I make a claim about the doctrines, commands, principles and practices of the Christian faith. It's a good way for me to rehearse chapter and verse, which helps my memory recall enormously, and it assures those to whom I'm writing that my statements have a concrete grounding in God's word.

I just think there’s a lot of value in someone exploring the Bible for themselves and discovering what it really has to offer. That kind of personal journey is meaningful.

Yes, we all ought to have our own individual walk with God in which He's communing with, teaching, using and changing us.

When it comes to how I live my own life, I’ll be honest—I'm far from perfect, and I fall short in so many ways.

This is the case for all of God's children. Ironically, the holier their lives become, they more clearly they see God, which reveals to them just how indescribably far from His holy perfection they are.

But the beautiful part is this: Yeshua did everything I never could. He lived in full obedience to the Father—not just for me, but for everyone in the world. That truth brings me peace and hope every single day.

Yes, we are always accepted by God because of Christ in whom we've been made "new creatures" (Eph. 1:1-13; 2 Co. 5:17). This is a wonderful, peace-giving truth! But it ought to be coupled to what the apostle Paul wrote:

Romans 6:1-2
1 What shall we say then? Shall we continue in sin that grace may abound?
2 Certainly not! How shall we who died to sin live any longer in it?

Yes, our sin is covered by the atoning work of Christ at Calvary but this ought never to be something of which the Christian takes careless advantage (I'm speaking generally, here, not of you specifically). No Christian who is walking properly with God will be caught in an endless, unchanging cycle of sin>confession>sin>confession.

2 Corinthians 3:17-18
17 Now the Lord is the Spirit; and where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is liberty.
18 But we all, with unveiled face, beholding as in a mirror the glory of the Lord, are being transformed into the same image from glory to glory, just as by the Spirit of the Lord.

 

[MatthewG]

No, I'm not your parent. I don't recall saying that I was...

Hello @Kokyu,

I’d really appreciate it if you could communicate with me in a more conversational and natural way.

You're quoting scripture is irrelevant. I just wanted an answer to the two questions I asked.

I don't want to go line by line, that just breaks my entire conversation up completely.

Warm regards, Matthew

 

[Kokyu]

You're quoting scripture is irrelevant. I just wanted an answer to the two questions I asked.

??? You'll never get a response from me about Christian belief and/or practice that doesn't include God's word. There is nothing more relevant to everything than God's Truth.

I’d really appreciate it if you could communicate with me in a more conversational and natural way.

Why would you require strangers online to fit your mould of interaction? "To each their own," I think, which is why I've not made any demands of you to interact with me in a way I find more to my liking. I take folks as they come, being myself in the manner of my posts and letting them do the same in theirs. Is there some good reason, besides personal preference, that you can't do the same?

Besides, you aren't the only one who is likely to read our exchange. I write also for those who are information-gathering - new believers, perhaps - who would benefit from a chapter-and-verse response to your questions.

 

[MatthewG]

??? You'll never get a response from me about Christian belief and/or practice that doesn't include God's word. There is nothing more relevant to everything than God's Truth.



Why would you require strangers online to fit your mould of interaction? "To each their own," I think, which is why I've not made any demands of you to interact with me in a way I find more to my liking. I take folks as they come, being myself in the manner of my posts and letting them do the same in theirs. Is there some good reason, besides personal preference, that you can't do the same?

Besides, you aren't the only one who is likely to read our exchange. I write also for those who are information-gathering - new believers, perhaps - who would benefit from a chapter-and-verse response to your questions.

Hi Kokyu,

Well, just know you are talking to me. Not some new believer, your choice is your choice. I was just like you when I first was a new believer. I don't do that so much, though I might quote here or there from time to time. Unless its a bible study matter, I'll typically teach something there with use of the scriptures sometimes.

Thank you man, in all respect, Matthew

 

[Kokyu]

Hi Kokyu,

Well, just know you are talking to me. Not some new believer, your choice is your choice. I was just like you when I first was a new believer. I don't do that so much, though I might quote here or there from time to time. Unless its a bible study matter, I'll typically teach something there with use of the scriptures sometimes.

Thank you man, in all respect, Matthew

Well, I'm not a new believer; I've been a child of God for fifty years. I've served as an Elder/Teaching Pastor, Youth Pastor, Bible Camp director, and one-on-one discipler of men over the last thirty years. How about you? Instead of God's word growing secondary in my mind and my speech, it's only grown more vital, more central, to all I think and do as God's child. But this is what Scripture says should be the case for those who are walking well with God (Ps. 1; 119; Matt. 4:4; 2 Ti. 3;16-17).

I never lose sight of the fact that I'm talking to you, which is evident in the specificity of my responses to you. But this thread isn't a chat room, right? I'm not just hanging out with you, shooting the breeze about whatever in our back-and-forth. I'm in a thread discussing a particular set of questions and ideas pertaining to the Christian faith and this fact is reflected in how I address what you post. I don't mean to be unpleasantly didactic, or to come off as cold and academic, but I'm not trying to be your new best friend, either, in our exchange.

Respectfully,

Kokyu.

 

[MatthewG]

Dear @Kokyu,

Throughout my life, I’ve come to realize that any value in what I’ve accomplished stems entirely from the grace of God. It is through, Yeshua, and His sacrifice, burial, and resurrection that I’m even privileged to have a relationship with God at all. Whenever something good or bad arises in my life, I credit it to God. He is the one working within me, shaping my heart—as long as I remain faithful and open to His guidance.

I believe that what I receive at the end of this journey will be both good and just, granted by God according to His promises, as long as I continue walking faithfully with Him.

While our actions hold meaning, I believe their deepest significance lies in glorifying God. From my perspective, all credit ultimately belongs to Him.

I'm thankful for the ability to reference scripture—it can be powerful—but what truly matters is our ability to love one another, as we are commanded. Without love, even the most eloquent words or knowledge fall short.

The questions I’ve asked come from a desire to understand what truly pleases God, as referenced in Hebrews 11:6.

Whatever path you take, may God bless you with the reward He promises at the end of life’s journey.

I’m mindful that others are watching, reading, and observing with intent.

With love, Matthew

 

[MatthewG]

A topic for anyone interested!

Just now got done watching the whole thing its quite insightful, though some of the wording is a little weird either way it definitely something I enjoyed listening to and watching and perhaps it may help anyone out there.

 

[amadeus]

Thankful that you are still alive and breathing as well @amadeus! Hope your family is doing good.

And thanks to you old friend in Christ! My family is doing well.

 

[Lizbeth]

What does that mean to you? Peter was given the authority? What does that mean for the rest of the whole world?

Peter did have authority, so did Paul, so did John, So did Jesus?

Is that what you mean to say that these people in the bible had authority?

Yes, they did, and they were assigned to keep the "Church bride of Christ" together, pure, holy, undeflied, unbelmished, without spot or wrinkle until Yeshua came back.


They did their job. Today I see Yahavah/God as the one whom writes on the hearts and minds of those whom are his, today and that is all by the Spirit of Christ.

Not men, or people today who say you must do this, or you must do that, but Yahavah/God whom writes on the hearts and minds of those whom are his.

Spiritual authority is by the Spirit of Christ as well. It is according to the gifts/graces given to each person as the Spirit wills, and greater gifts carry greater authority. But that authority isn't to be used like worldly authority.....Jesus taught His disciples that they were not to exercise authority upon the people like the world does. It is not to be coerced or forced, but submitted to voluntarily.

God's word is to be preached and taught, and it is still inspired by God and profitable for instruction in righteousness, reproof, rebuke, correction etc. If it's done properly, that is not man saying you must do this, or not do that, but it is from the mouth of God instructing, correcting, encouraging, reproving or rebuking....every word of which we "live" by. God's word is alive and active....it's sanctifying....."the washing of the water of the word".

And I really believe that. Just an observation, but back when a preponderance of people in western societies used to attend a church once a week or even just a few times a year, hearing the word of God preached and not rejecting it reminded and helped them to have at least some consciousness of God and know what sin is and isn't and society was better off overall. I'm not even talking about those who are born again, but just people in general at least hearing the word helped them behave and live better overall than the things that are going on today. That is the power of God's word. I believe it had a cleansing effect on society.

 

[amigo de christo]

Spiritual authority is by the Spirit of Christ as well. It is according to the gifts/graces given to each person as the Spirit wills, and greater gifts carry greater authority. But that authority isn't to be used like worldly authority.....Jesus taught His disciples that they were not to exercise authority upon the people like the world does. It is not to be coerced or forced, but submitted to voluntarily.

God's word is to be preached and taught, and it is still inspired by God and profitable for instruction in righteousness, reproof, rebuke, correction etc. If it's done properly, that is not man saying you must do this, or not do that, but it is from the mouth of God instructing, correcting, encouraging, reproving or rebuking....every word of which we "live" by. God's word is alive and active....it's sanctifying....."the washing of the water of the word".

And I really believe that. Just an observation, but back when a preponderance of people in western societies used to attend a church once a week or even just a few times a year, hearing the word of God preached and not rejecting it reminded and helped them to have at least some consciousness of God and know what sin is and isn't and society was better off overall. I'm not even talking about those who are born again, but just people in general at least hearing the word helped them behave and live better overall than the things that are going on today. That is the power of God's word. I believe it had a cleansing effect on society.

and what happened when society began coming against any reminders of this truth .
REPROBATION SET IN .
They do not and did not want ANY REMINDER of GOD in their streets , schools , in their conscious .
and worse the church has set the bar , or the mark so low as to what a christain is
and lower that bar gets all the time .
THE MARK was NEVER once to be set upon the world and or wordly men and their examples .
THE MARK for how a christian is to walk WAS TO BE SET UPON CHRIST . TO walk as HE DID .

 

[amigo de christo]

Spiritual authority is by the Spirit of Christ as well. It is according to the gifts/graces given to each person as the Spirit wills, and greater gifts carry greater authority. But that authority isn't to be used like worldly authority.....Jesus taught His disciples that they were not to exercise authority upon the people like the world does. It is not to be coerced or forced, but submitted to voluntarily.

God's word is to be preached and taught, and it is still inspired by God and profitable for instruction in righteousness, reproof, rebuke, correction etc. If it's done properly, that is not man saying you must do this, or not do that, but it is from the mouth of God instructing, correcting, encouraging, reproving or rebuking....every word of which we "live" by. God's word is alive and active....it's sanctifying....."the washing of the water of the word".

And I really believe that. Just an observation, but back when a preponderance of people in western societies used to attend a church once a week or even just a few times a year, hearing the word of God preached and not rejecting it reminded and helped them to have at least some consciousness of God and know what sin is and isn't and society was better off overall. I'm not even talking about those who are born again, but just people in general at least hearing the word helped them behave and live better overall than the things that are going on today. That is the power of God's word. I believe it had a cleansing effect on society.

The example for HOW a christain should walk
MUST be set ON THE ONE WHO SAVED US , CHRIST JESUS .
But if you take notice
and worse this keeps getting
This church age is setting the mark on what makes a christain and how one should walk
LOWER and LOWER , and lower and lower . Now adays we see so called christains holding rainbows
and kissing korans . And if we even dare to correct that
ITS you haters dont know JESUS . BUT let us all compare
their version of jesus to the one IN that bible , HIS words , and later the words of the apostels .
IF they even did that for themselves
they would have seen , WOAH nelly , woa we are being led to the wrong jesus
and as the bar lowers , farther and farther away FROM HE who could have saved them .

 

[Lizbeth]

You’re questioning where people claim to get spiritual authority—especially those who use the Bible to command or judge others, saying, “You must do this or you’re not truly a believer.” You find it troubling when individuals act like gatekeepers between someone and God, declaring who’s saved or deceived based on personal interpretations.

You challenge the idea that anyone can force belief—especially around things like the end times or divine prophecy. Belief should be personal, not coerced.

You also express deep concern over spiritual manipulation, such as faith healers or “prophets” promising blessings in exchange for money. You ask: Who gave them the authority to misuse the Bible like that?

In the end, you emphasize that true followers of Christ should be guided by love and the spirit within—not by people elevating themselves as judges over others.

There is always room for abuses and excesses. Jesus knew this and even said He is sending us out as sheep among wolves. The flesh is ever present and the devil always ready to take advantage of it. That's why as we grow in the Lord we learn to be weaned off being taught by men to being taught by the Lord. But even that doesn't at all necessarily mean it will go perfectly, because we ourselves are fallible and bring our own flesh with us So we need to learn to examine and test ourselves too as we go along. and remain humbly malleable and teachable in the Potter's hands, and always looking to Him. Nobody promised us that there wouldn't be bumps in the road.....this is a war that doesn't end until we leave this mortal coil.

 

[Lizbeth]

It means that Jesus gave Peter authority over HIS church.

Not in the way Catholics think and do.

 

[Lizbeth]

If you believe that the end of the world is coming, then your predictions must come to fruition.

People have been saying this world is going to come to an end for over 1000 years.

That is all I can say. While some people believe the "end of the world," is talking about today, I believe the context concerns that of the end of the Mosiac Age, the World that Jesus had lived in and knew, was going to come to an end.

The reason why, is because once John the Baptist had shown upon the seen, everything mentioned in Malachi started to become into play.

While you may rely on passage of scripture for your belief, I'm personally considering the whole.

That doesn't mean you have to accept what I am saying but test it out for yourself if you want.


The great and dreadful day of the LORD was going to come upon that generation which Jesus spoke of, and also gather that Church bride then in that day.

To the Jew first, then the Gentile. It all happened to the Jews/Israel first, yes.. But not to the Gentiles yet. If everything that is written to and for the Jews/Israel, is not for us as well, that would leave the mostly Gentile church with a very thin and sparse bible and hardly anything to go by. But scripture says these things happened unto them and were written for OUR examples and admonishment.

We can see that the church at large is falling away from sound doctrine and into sins, and our societies are crumbling and coming under judgment as a result because there is a famine of God's word in the land. Temporal means temporary....it would be hard for me to believe this temporal world is going to go on forever laden with increasingly heinous sins and unspeakable suffering and obscene cruelties. It looks to me as though transgression is just about coming to the full and waiting to be cut down and harvested and thrown into the fire. When God starts exposing it all, that is a sign He is getting ready to judge it. And a lot sure seems to be getting exposed these days...it has taken me some years to accept and believe the things that God is exposing and to face just how evil this world really is. I can't fathom that He is going to hold back His justice forever. This age of grace has an end.....Christ ruling and reigning a "thousand years" signifies a time limit....that it has an end. "When once the Master of the house stands up and shuts to the door....."

 

[JohnDB]

People assume they have the authority to overtly cover and decide for others what is right and what is wrong concerning the bible.

Is there a passage of scripture which one can take the bible for today, and assert this authority over people?

Yep,
John 1:12.
Those who received him, those who believed in his name, he gave the right to be called children of God.

Now this "authority" is limited. It's not for browbeating our neighbor and telling him how horrible he is.

However, the wounds from a friend are more sure than the kisses from an enemy.

There is supposed to be a healthy measure of grace and humility in both parties.

Of COURSE people are going to abuse and misuse the scriptures to exercise an authority they never had.....they have been doing it for almost 6,000 years now. Why would they stop now?

However, if a blind person needs a guide who can see to lead them where they WANT to go...their ideas on right or left turns are not going to be correct. They lean on the sighted person for navigation. Not their own "feelings".
And how often does the blind man berate the sighted guide? Should he?

Blessed are the pure in heart for they shall see God.

Now the biggest thing is the two greatest Commandments. EVERYTHING needs to be filtered through these two commandments. If it gets stopped by the filter....then we don't do them.

Because we need to guide, not for our desires primarily, but for the person we are guiding. Meaning that if we berate them constantly they will want someone else to guide them. Regardless of the truth of their message.

No one cares how much you know if they don't know how much you care.

Standing is everything with mentoring.

Meaning I don't have any standing for the college girls bikini modeling team. I'll probably (for good reason) be branded as some sort of old letch. However, for old broken down construction working guys...I probably have some strong standing in mentoring some of them.

And....there is no condemnation in asking the right questions. "Who told you that you were Naked? "
"Where is Sarah?"
"Can you place a belt around the Orion star constellation or fill the oceans?"

Leadership requires willing followers. Not a boss yelling at scared sheep.

 

[Lizbeth]

The example for HOW a christain should walk
MUST be set ON THE ONE WHO SAVED US , CHRIST JESUS .
But if you take notice
and worse this keeps getting
This church age is setting the mark on what makes a christain and how one should walk
LOWER and LOWER , and lower and lower . Now adays we see so called christains holding rainbows
and kissing korans . And if we even dare to correct that
ITS you haters dont know JESUS . BUT let us all compare
their version of jesus to the one IN that bible , HIS words , and later the words of the apostels .
IF they even did that for themselves
they would have seen , WOAH nelly , woa we are being led to the wrong jesus
and as the bar lowers , farther and farther away FROM HE who could have saved them .

Amen brother. There seem to be only a few Elijah voices today trying to get the people of God to return to the real God and Christ, which means the God and Christ that is in accordance with His word and Spirit, and they often get treated as we see Elijah and John the Baptist being treated. Not to say that anyone is perfect, because not even Elijah or Peter for that matter were perfect, but they had their God-given jobs to do. Elijah and John were voices crying in the wilderness, trying to get the people to stop trying to serve God and the spirit of the world at the same time. The church at large is circling the drain, and it is tragic to have to see it happening, and like Israel only a remnant will be saved. Jesus is coming soon and a few years ago I "heard" in the Spirit through someone who was speaking, that we are to be preparing for Him in this day. Preparing His way. How did Elijah and the Baptist do that? Through confronting the errors of their day and calling for repentance. Repentance is how the Bride prepares herself for the Bridegroom.....getting rid of spots and wrinkles, adorning herself with righteousness and cleansing her way.

 

[MatthewG]

Spiritual authority is by the Spirit of Christ as well. It is according to the gifts/graces given to each person as the Spirit wills, and greater gifts carry greater authority. But that authority isn't to be used like worldly authority.....Jesus taught His disciples that they were not to exercise authority upon the people like the world does. It is not to be coerced or forced, but submitted to voluntarily.

God's word is to be preached and taught, and it is still inspired by God and profitable for instruction in righteousness, reproof, rebuke, correction etc. If it's done properly, that is not man saying you must do this, or not do that, but it is from the mouth of God instructing, correcting, encouraging, reproving or rebuking....every word of which we "live" by. God's word is alive and active....it's sanctifying....."the washing of the water of the word".

And I really believe that. Just an observation, but back when a preponderance of people in western societies used to attend a church once a week or even just a few times a year, hearing the word of God preached and not rejecting it reminded and helped them to have at least some consciousness of God and know what sin is and isn't and society was better off overall. I'm not even talking about those who are born again, but just people in general at least hearing the word helped them behave and live better overall than the things that are going on today. That is the power of God's word. I believe it had a cleansing effect on society.

There is always room for abuses and excesses. Jesus knew this and even said He is sending us out as sheep among wolves. The flesh is ever present and the devil always ready to take advantage of it. That's why as we grow in the Lord we learn to be weaned off being taught by men to being taught by the Lord. But even that doesn't at all necessarily mean it will go perfectly, because we ourselves are fallible and bring our own flesh with us So we need to learn to examine and test ourselves too as we go along. and remain humbly malleable and teachable in the Potter's hands, and always looking to Him. Nobody promised us that there wouldn't be bumps in the road.....this is a war that doesn't end until we leave this mortal coil.

To the Jew first, then the Gentile. It all happened to the Jews/Israel first, yes.. But not to the Gentiles yet. If everything that is written to and for the Jews/Israel, is not for us as well, that would leave the mostly Gentile church with a very thin and sparse bible and hardly anything to go by. But scripture says these things happened unto them and were written for OUR examples and admonishment.

We can see that the church at large is falling away from sound doctrine and into sins, and our societies are crumbling and coming under judgment as a result because there is a famine of God's word in the land. Temporal means temporary....it would be hard for me to believe this temporal world is going to go on forever laden with increasingly heinous sins and unspeakable suffering and obscene cruelties. It looks to me as though transgression is just about coming to the full and waiting to be cut down and harvested and thrown into the fire. When God starts exposing it all, that is a sign He is getting ready to judge it. And a lot sure seems to be getting exposed these days...it has taken me some years to accept and believe the things that God is exposing and to face just how evil this world really is. I can't fathom that He is going to hold back His justice forever. This age of grace has an end.....Christ ruling and reigning a "thousand years" signifies a time limit....that it has an end. "When once the Master of the house stands up and shuts to the door....."

Okay? All I know is no person in a church can tell a person if they are a believer or not.

They have no spiritual authority to make claims they must be believed either.

 

[MatthewG]

Yep,
John 1:12.
Those who received him, those who believed in his name, he gave the right to be called children of God.

Now this "authority" is limited. It's not for browbeating our neighbor and telling him how horrible he is.

However, the wounds from a friend are more sure than the kisses from an enemy.

There is supposed to be a healthy measure of grace and humility in both parties.

Of COURSE people are going to abuse and misuse the scriptures to exercise an authority they never had.....they have been doing it for almost 6,000 years now. Why would they stop now?

However, if a blind person needs a guide who can see to lead them where they WANT to go...their ideas on right or left turns are not going to be correct. They lean on the sighted person for navigation. Not their own "feelings".
And how often does the blind man berate the sighted guide? Should he?

Blessed are the pure in heart for they shall see God.

Now the biggest thing is the two greatest Commandments. EVERYTHING needs to be filtered through these two commandments. If it gets stopped by the filter....then we don't do them.

Because we need to guide, not for our desires primarily, but for the person we are guiding. Meaning that if we berate them constantly they will want someone else to guide them. Regardless of the truth of their message.

No one cares how much you know if they don't know how much you care.

Standing is everything with mentoring.

Meaning I don't have any standing for the college girls bikini modeling team. I'll probably (for good reason) be branded as some sort of old letch. However, for old broken down construction working guys...I probably have some strong standing in mentoring some of them.

And....there is no condemnation in asking the right questions. "Who told you that you were Naked? "
"Where is Sarah?"
"Can you place a belt around the Orion star constellation or fill the oceans?"

Leadership requires willing followers. Not a boss yelling at scared sheep.

I don't believe there is any on earth that can go around with spiritual authority today.


I don't even believe in all those faith healer stuff or anything like there.


There are many liars out there that try to con people, and also try to be the middle man between them and God.