Posts from May 2016 (Page 10)
Chorus Leaders vs Bands
Q. Most Assemblies use chorus leaders at their meetings. Why don’t you favour Bands or Worship Teams? They produce better quality music and singing. A. Let’s consider the purpose of music in the Church. It certainly has a part to play, but what is that part? God is not interested in good music as such; He seeks worshippers and their worship. Of course music may assist us to worship the Lord, but where it becomes more than that, or even…
Care for the Aged
Q. My 81yr old Mom is in hospital with very low blood pressure. The cardiologist is not giving us much hope and we can’t decide about a pacemaker for her. What shall we do? A. If your Mom was strong and healthy before her heart problem, then a pacemaker is a viable consideration. On the other hand, if she was weak and sickly, it would only prolong her poor quality of life. If she loves the Lord, passing on would…
A Boy’s Faith Under Fire
Q. My ten-year-old son moans because we don’t allow him to see the PG-13 and R-rated movies or to listen to the evil music like other boys at school. They laugh him to scorn when he explains the reason he doesn’t join in is because he’s a Christian! A. I feel for your boy – and for you! But this is actually a good thing happening to him! Matthew 5:11-12 says that he will be blessed when others revile and…
Big Churches and Small Ones
Q. The CAOG seems to go for small churches rather than big ones; is this intentional? A. We cannot design the Church, or its composition or structure. The Lord Jesus alone builds His Church, and each individual Fellowship, as it pleases Him – Matt 16:18, 1 Cor 12:18. We are not persuaded that the Mega-Church path is the way we should, or could take. While not making a doctrine out of this, we see wisdom in the Lord Jesus asking…
Being in Fellowship
Q. I’m a relatively new Christian and come to all the meetings I can. But is this the being “In Fellowship” I hear people talking about? A. The Lord is prompting you into more than you already enjoy; great news! Your Assembly Elders will guide you into a fuller experience in the Body of Christ. However, here are a few pointers to start with: When you were saved, the Holy Spirit baptised you into the Body of Christ and put…
Authority to Act on God’s Behalf
Q. In Genesis 19:13, two angels claim they would destroy Sodom, but verse 24 records that the Lord destroyed it. Why? A. Clearly, Lot understood the angels to be acting as agents of God under His authority. Thus, whatever role the angels would have in the coming destruction, the Lord’s judgment and power were ultimately responsible. The principle of delegation means that when one in authority commands an action, he can rightly be given credit for it, even if he…
Apostolic Vision
Q.What exactly is “the Vision of our Apostolic Brethren” which Golden Greetings aims to support and inspire? A. Assemblies are wise to hear God’s direction from their Elders as they minister in close co-operation with Apostolic Brethren. Indeed they hear from God themselves but, in the wider context of direction, are team players with the Apostolic Brethren. It’s no secret that our Apostolic Brethren are constantly on the run from Convention to Convention, from Assembly to Assembly, in Golden Harvest…
Suspecting Addiction
Q. What should one do when one suspects a Drug or Addiction problem? A. If the person for whom you are concerned is a close friend or your child, you may try a gentle and kind approach with an offer of working the problem through with him (or her). Reference to a godly specialist in drugs may be sought but, if that specialist is not born again, we recommend you first seek the counsel of your local oversight. If the party…
Recognising Addictions
Q. How may a relative, friend or a colleague recognise a Drug or Addiction problem? A. Generally, Substance Abuse may be detected by changes in normal or characteristic behaviour such as mood swings, anger, hostility or anxiety. Excessive or unusual use of Lip-ice, Vaseline or Zambuk – as pupils at some Cape schools mix cocaine into these gels to apply to their lips during school hours. Other tell-tale signs may be learned from the comments against the substances mentioned in…
Freedom from Pornography
Q. How can I be free from pornography? A. Pornography is a perversion of God’s declared order, and is in rebellious conflict against Him. According to Rom 1 it opens the door to being given over to a reprobate mind by God. It clings tenaciously to the human mind and is difficult to overcome since it appeals to a person’s base instincts. As with any sin or habit, breaking it is not easy. But Jesus died and rose to set…
Computer Capture
Q. My wife’s computer has captured her! It’s either the Internet or Solitaire. She always “just wants to check out a couple of websites.” But after two hours I wonder, Did she marry me or the computer? How can I stop her? It’s really serious! A.There is, with many women, as with men, an increasingly disturbing trend toward computer addiction. Some people play games for eight hours a day and get irritable and moody if they can’t have constant access…
Answering Addiction
Q. What is the answer to Drug or other Addiction problems? A. Without hesitation we say that (a) the addict, once ensnared, cannot free himself, despite his good intentions or strong promises, and (b) the Lord Jesus is the only answer to lasting deliverance from addiction. Demonic activity is often involved and counselling must be accompanied by intense prayer, total dependence upon the Holy Spirit’s guidance and His gifts, and, imperatively, the guidance and participation of your local oversight. ‘Going…