Posts from May 2016 (Page 8)

Q.   How do smaller Assemblies feature in the bigger picture?  A.   When Jesus fed ‘the five thousand’, the number could actually have been larger than double 5,000 according to the ‘besides women and children’ comment. While the Lord appeals to the whole world, and draws crowds in some instances, He deals primarily with the individual and then corporately with the Body of Christ through local Assemblies. It is significant that He made the multitude sit down in companies of 50 and 100…

Q.   I heard that the Breaking of Bread is the most important meeting so it’s OK if I don’t always get to the others. Is this right? A.   Certainly NOT! Hebrews 10:25 says you must not stop gathering with God’s people – especially as Jesus’ Return draws near. The Lord Jesus specially instituted four specific kinds of gathering to bring you to maturity and honour His Name. Read Acts 2:42 carefully. The Apostles’ Doctrine imparts to you the Principles of Christ by…

Q. Our pastor believes he needs a “spiritual covering” and has chosen another pastor of a big church to be his pastor. Is this right? A. A Church should not operate independently. God teaches that Elders who are in submission to an apostolic ministry should lead churches. Another pastor may provide good fellowship but not the apostolic care necessary.  

Q.   How do smaller Assemblies feature in the bigger picture?  A.   When Jesus fed ‘the five thousand’, the number could actually have been larger than double 5,000 according to the ‘besides women and children’ comment. While the Lord appeals to the whole world, and draws crowds in some instances, He deals primarily with the individual and then corporately with the Body of Christ through local Assemblies. It is significant that He made the multitude sit down in companies of 50 and 100…

Q.   I’ve heard that we’re not allowed to question or criticise leaders. Is this so? 1 Chron 16:20-22 has been quoted. A.   When we come into fellowship in an Assembly, it is understood that we submit to the authority of the Elders God has placed in leadership. They bear responsibility for the believers before the Lord – Heb 13:17; ‘they watch for your souls’ and must account to Him for each one of us. Negative criticism and ‘murmuring’ is abhorrent to God…

Q.   I’m amazed that so many people pay scant attention to meetings. They come to those they like and ignore others they feel are optional. Are there optional meetings? A.   What does God’s Word say to you? What does the Holy Spirit say to you? What do your oversight brethren say about the matter? If you really want me to elaborate, please ask again and I will. But answer my questions first. Perhaps people make a choice about the level of their…

Q.   You seem to place great emphasis on Missions. But, seriously, how important is this activity? Is it Biblical? Is it actually relevant?  A.   If one were to take the Bible and God’s heart seriously, one would suggest that the Church actually does not place enough emphasis on Missions. Jesus’ Great Commission makes that very clear; He says in Matt 28:18-20, … Go ye therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing them … teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I have commanded…

Q.   Why don’t women go on Mission with the Teams?       A.   Ladies could be a great help on Mission, but our present resources are limited. Each lady would exclude a vital ministering brother. Teams go into rural areas and use tents for overnight stints. Sisters would require more equipment, more space on our limited transport. Finally, the health, hygiene, washing and food conditions are really not good. But our sisters actually do ‘go’ on Mission; our Missions pages tell of the…

Missions Here are a few questions about Missions. We offer brief answers with the prayer that many hearts will be stirred to ‘do something about it’! Q.   What are the differences between evangelism, a Mission and a Charity Organisation? A.   Evangelism is a broad term covering every endeavour to reach the unsaved with the Good News, Gospel, and the only sure hope of Salvation through Jesus Christ. A Mission normally refers to establishing the Lord’s work, ministries and churches, in other areas. In…

Q.   What’s wrong with giving leaders, especially senior men, titles in the Assembly? Surely this gives them respect and dignity? A.   I sometimes smile wryly when I hear someone being called Pastor when the man is actually an evangelist or a teacher. Of course, God’s Word tells us not to call anyone Father, Matt 23:9, and it is strange to hear someone, unmarried, being called Father! Nowhere in the New Testament Church do we find the use of titles. Some refer to…

Q.   Is a Church building holy and to be reverenced? A.   The Scripture does not teach us to venerate buildings. In fact Acts 7:48 says … the most High dwelleth not in temples made with hands. However, since Christ indwells us, whatever we possess or do becomes holy – separated for His purposes. We are not really possessors of things for ourselves; we are rather stewards of what we have on God’s behalf. It follows that we would care for whatever comes…

Q. My friend says that Christianity is a crutch and that I need to learn to stand on my own two feet. How can I answer this? A. Long ago I had a friend who said that he was big enough to face God on his own terms. Just three weeks later he phoned to tell that he had knocked over a child in his car and had to go to Court. He was terrified and asked if I would…