This series of messages presents the biblical teaching of eldership in the local church. By Alexander Strauch. Part 1 of 9. Visit our website at www.BiblicalEldership.com
About 3 years ago I was preaching through the book of 1st Peter, and when I got to chapter 5 when Peter addressed the Elders I was blown away as I studied in depth on how the NT speaks of a plurality of elders, not a senior pastor model. Thank you for your video.
This is a revelation God gave me long before I even knew there were others teaching this. It scared me as I was made to see how unscriptural the CEO typed pastor is. I was shocked that that was missed by so my enlightened "reformation" christians. I shared it with one or two friends who witnessed to the wisdom of this revelation but did not see the command that the biblical church MUST be set in this order. To them it is no big deal. Then one day I visited a neighbourhood pastor. I saw his liberary. He said I can go through it and borrow any two books. You could have imaged my utter surprise to find your book there. It was new to me. I read it, in fact I devoured it. It was a blessing....it was everything the Lord had revealed to me...like thought for though...word for word...spirit for spirit.I was relieved to know others saw this truth...I rejoiced in christ greatly. God bless you richly my brother.
What a blessing to hear the truth about church leadership ,always thought the one pastor leadership,didn't seem good for the church ,because one man made all decisions and didn't listen to the members, concerning many subjects even when they were biblical .such as discipline, and other issues. It was I'm the pastor if you don't like it you can leave. Thank you for bringing this truth to my heart,I'm going to try to bring this to his attention. This is all the members know we're we come from all congregations are one man led
Amen amen amen my bro....I thank God for you. Our churches are at the point Israel was when Christ walked the earth steeped in religious traditions. The Lord has shown me something recently and it marvelled me. It is that preaching/teaching MUST take two attitudes, which scripture supports, one of instruction for salvation and the other of resisting trends that distort the way of truth- vehemently oppose error. This is so important. To me this is why the term shepherd/overseers was even used in the first place. Shepherds nurture sheep by feeding and protect sheep from predators. This was the emotion and imagery that the term evoked.Oh that pastors knew this. The biggest predator of the "sheep"are traditions that serves to take away from the "liberty"in Christ. Making vain or of none effect the promises of God.... This ought to get pastors and preachers so stirred so as to seek to climb the highest pinnacle and declare to words of God lest the enemy corrupt the gospel of Christ. We are in danger of seeing the last flames of the reformation being put out by institutionalized religion. But God shall reserve a remnant and you my brother are definitly ministering to them.
Such a great topic, sorely misunderstood but not any more your quick enthusiastic teaching nailed it down and fleshed it out .. I am personally proud of you Larry.
Thank you very much for your work on this desperately needed and hungered for doctrine! We preach the gospel the apostles preached(Acts 2:38; Galatians 1:8-9) but desire to be apostolic in every way we can and elders, NOT a solo pastor/priest pattern of church governance is the only right way.
Good question, I have never been apart of a church that had the office of prophet, nor is there on in the NT. I think some who have the gift of prophecy are in the eldership but some are members of the body (mouths). Reference 1 Corinthians 14:3.
