Ah ha....I see what your saying. Thank you.
The Apostles were individuals however they made a group decision on what was binding upon all Christians at the Council of Jerusalem (Acts 15:6-20).
don't mean to get into your conversatation, but the Jerusalem Council was debating a sticking point, and not general church rules. but Learning and being guided in God word is a personal responsibility, (WHEN ONE IS INITIALLY PREACHED TO). example, Acts 17:11 "These were more noble than those in Thessalonica, in that they received the word with all readiness of mind,
and searched the scriptures daily, whether those things were so." and God commands the hearer of his word to ... John 5:39 "
Search the scriptures; for in them
ye think ye have eternal life: and they are they which testify of me." John 5:40 "And ye will not come to me,
that ye might have life."
again all must adhered to the scriptures, be ye elders or not. now those in a "WORK", and not what we call an OFFICE, but in a "WORK" of God is to help other to understand the scriptures, (this is where elders come in at). and they must have the Holy Ghost first themselves. Ephesians 4:11 "And he gave some, apostles; and some, prophets; and some, evangelists; and some, pastors and teachers;"Ephesians 4:12 "For the perfecting of the saints, for the work of the ministry, for the edifying of the body of Christ:"
but let me say this, one can have the Holy Ghost and still be in the dark about a matter untill the Holy Spirit enlighten them. case in point, when Peter, the apostle, yes, an apostle, was enlighten when God brought in the Gentiles when he went to captian Cornelius house in Act chapter 10.
this is why that same apostle, yes, the same apostle, said this in Acts 6:3 "Wherefore, brethren, look ye out among you seven men of honest report, full of the Holy Ghost and wisdom, whom we may appoint over this business." Acts 6:4 "
But we will give ourselves continually to prayer, and to the ministry of the word." a leader in God's church must always be prayed up and reading/studying God's words. for how can one help another if they need help themselves?. and understand this, not just the Leaders must have the Holy Spirit, likewise the fellow workers also, as well as the Lay member in the church also. but each have a "work" to do. and not all are apostles, prophets, and teachers...ect. but by having the Holy Spirit, one can learn from one another, (Faith to Faith), as well if need be to
keep their mouth shut to some things. the Holy Spirit is the controlling factor, if we let him.
as Paul, another apostle, said this, Philippians 3:13 "Brethren, I count not myself
to have apprehended: but this one thing I do, forgetting those things which are behind, and reaching forth unto those things which are before," Philippians 3:14 "I press toward the mark for the prize of the high calling of God in Christ Jesus." so, just as Paul, an apostle, no one knows eveything about God, (that's why he had 12 apostles, one knew one thing very good, another, another thing, but when they all come together, they knew more together than apart). but if you have the Holy Ghost in you, he will speak for you if you don't know something. and if he don't speak for you,
then you don't speak, but seek his gudiance. again, Romans 12:3 "For I say, through the grace given unto me, to every man that is among you,
not to think of himself more highly than he ought to think;
but to think soberly, according as God hath dealt to every man the measure of faith."
and this is one of the problem in the church today, we have too many who think of themselves more highly than he ought to think. some, not all, who are educated, THINK, they know it all. and some who are slick, deceive. and that's how as we speak, cults form. yes, form. and yes, we all has been deceive .... now, or before. and if the deception is in the Leadership that bad, ... worest. for one don't know the TRUTH.
but God always give us a way out of anything, even cults.
READ YOUR BIBLE WITH THE HOLY SPIRIT. for he will guide you in all TRUTH. that's a sure bet. be like those in "Berea" search the scriptures, for this is a command for the Lord Jesus Himself, John 5:39 "
Search the scriptures; for in them ye think ye have eternal life: and they are they which testify of me.". NOW THAT'S A DIRECT COMMAND FROM GOD HIMSELF. if you go to hell, at least go on your own, and not because of someone else. sorry about that just being plain.
see, we have a responsibility, GET RID OF, OR SWALLOW OUR PRIDE, especially before the fall comes. if one have a LEADER as such, leave... in a hurry.
PICJAG
101G The "Spiritual Saboteur"