Elders: On the Authority of Elders, Part 3.5

Posted on January 24, 2012 by Jay F Guin

Grizz wrote,

Why do you think there is so often such a blind spot that insists that elders MUST HAVE authority when there is nary a word in the NT about such a thing???

Amazed and amused and saddened into seriousness Continue reading →

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Elders: On the Authority of Elders, Part 3

Posted on January 24, 2012 by Jay F Guin

Peter

Peter was an elder. Evidently, the apostles of Jerusalem came to adopt “elder” as their own title, indicating their leadership over the city of God on earth, I suppose. Or perhaps they wanted a more equal relationship with the non-apostles elders in Jerusalem.

We really don’t know. It’s interesting, isn’t it, that Peter chose what to us would be lesser title. Continue reading →

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Elders: On the Authority of Elders, Part 2

Posted on January 23, 2012 by Jay F Guin

Paul’s farewell discourse

Paul’s farewell discourse to the elders in Ephesus speaks to their duties —

(Act 20:28-30 ESV) 28 “Pay careful attention to yourselves and to all the flock, in which the Holy Spirit has made you overseers, to care for the church of God, which he obtained with his own blood.  29 I know that after my departure fierce wolves will come in among you, not sparing the flock;  30 and from among your own selves will arise men speaking twisted things, to draw away the disciples after them.”

(Act 20:35 ESV)  35 “In all things I have shown you that by working hard in this way we must help the weak and remember the words of the Lord Jesus, how he himself said, ‘It is more blessed to give than to receive.'”

Paul refers to the congregation as the elders’ “flock” and speaks of “fierce wolves.” Obviously, he is speaking of the elders as shepherds. Continue reading →

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Elders: On the Authority of Elders, Part 1

Posted on January 22, 2012 by Jay F Guin

Charles McLean asks,

My question is, how did we come up with all this stuff that requires centralized rule?

Jason Stockton asks,

Jay, I wanted to encourage you to go at it again.  Give us a perspective that comes from the teaching of Jesus.  Experience aside, what does Jesus say about leadership and how it should function? Continue reading →

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Acts 2:46-47 (Having Favor of All the People)

Posted on January 21, 2012 by Jay F Guin

“Day by day”

(Act 2:46 ESV) 46 And day by day, attending the temple together and breaking bread in their homes, they received their food with glad and generous hearts,

“Day by day” indicates a continuous practice. Many translations” say daily.”  Continue reading →

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Theology, General: The Gospel and Football, Part 2

Posted on January 20, 2012 by Jay F Guin

But seriously folks, the preacher really should preach against Auburn. Every week. That would generate some major enthusiasm!

Okay, that’s not serious at all — except in this sense: in football, we know who the enemy is. It’s Auburn. And there are some other teams that are enemies of Alabama, too. But it’s mainly Auburn. Continue reading →

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Theology, General: The Gospel and Football, Part 1

Posted on January 19, 2012 by Jay F Guin

Reader Bill Perkins wrote this comment:

Football is better than religion for many, and here is why:

1.  No one is late for the game, as a matter of fact they show up hours early for fellowship with fellow fans.

2.  People are content to sit for 3-4 hours packed in shoulder to shoulder on metal bleachers with no backs and never complain that it’s too crowded or uncomfortable. Continue reading →

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Acts 2:44-45 (All things in common)

Posted on January 18, 2012 by Jay F Guin

“All things in common”

(Act 2:44-45 ESV) 44 And all who believed were together and had all things in common. 45 And they were selling their possessions and belongings and distributing the proceeds to all, as any had need.

According to Robert Wall, in the New Interpreters Bible Commentary, “all things in common” is a common phrase, borrowed from Greek philosophy, for a close friendship. They didn’t merely attend church together, they were such good friends that they shared everything. Continue reading →

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Acts 2:42-43, Part 3 (Prayer and Awe)

Posted on January 17, 2012 by Jay F Guin

“The prayers”

Most translations say the disciples devoted themselves “to prayer,” but the ESV translates the Greek article, to give us “to the prayers.” Hmm … Is this a reference to regularly scheduled, liturgical prayer?

Interestingly, the definite article (“the”) appears before each element: the teaching, the fellowship, the breaking of bread, the prayers. This suggests that Luke intends to emphasis particular teaching, fellowship, breaking of bread, and prayers. Continue reading →

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Acts 2:42-43, Part 2 (Life in the Jerusalem Church of Christ)

Posted on January 16, 2012 by Jay F Guin

“The breaking of bread”

To “break bread” was a common idiom for a shared meal, the emphasis being on the sharing. The host would take the bread, break it into pieces, and distribute the bread among the participants. A close analogy would be the ceremonial carving of the turkey at Thanksgiving, where the father carves the meat and distributes it.

Thus, to “break bread” is to exercise hospitality, inviting guests to your table to share food and fellowship. Continue reading →

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