Archives for June 2015

Every decade or so, dreadful scandals involving certain evangelical celebrities arise, and they hamper the witness even of faithful churches. Such scandals could be avoided if Christians paid better attention to God’s instructions regarding elders in 1 Timothy 5:17–25. In a nutshell, he tells us to seek the Lord and practice presbyterianism.

But where does this passage mention presbyterianism? Everywhere! The Greek word translated “elder” gives us the synonym presbyter. A council of elders is a “presbytery” (1 Tim. 4:14). And from that word we get presbyterianism—a term that refers to church government by councils of elders.

In this passage, the Holy Spirit speaking through the apostle Paul gives us three ways to seek the Lord and practice presbyterianism.

First, he instructs us to respect our elders in a Christ-centred way: “The elders who direct the affairs of the church well are worthy of double honour, especially those whose work is preaching and teaching” (v. 17). Above all, this means that we should honour them as Christ’s official representatives. Christ alone is the Head of the Church, but he rules it by his Word and Spirit through his office-bearers. Therefore, he delegates some of his own authority to the elders. They function as Christ’s official representatives to the Church, clothed in Christ’s authority. It’s for Christ’s sake, then, that we’re to respect our elders’ authority (see also 1 Thess. 5:12, 13; Heb. 13:17).

But there’s a flip side. One way that we honour Christ’s representatives is by steadfastly refusing to recognize as office-bearers those who are not lawfully ordained and installed. There’s no shortage of self-ordained “ministers” on radio and TV and the internet and throughout our communities. But if they don’t have a lawful calling, then it’s our duty under our Lord Jesus Christ not to honour them as ministers. Verse 18 expands on the “honour” that’s due to those who are lawfully ordained and installed: “For the Scripture says, ‘Do not muzzle the ox while it is treading out the grain,’ and ‘The worker deserves his wages.’ ”

Clearly this means that congregations should pay their pastors (see also 1 Cor. 9:14). But notice: verse 17 also mentions ruling elders. You see, it’s right for us to recognize extra involvement. For example, if a ruling elder sacrifices vacation time to go to a presbytery or general assembly meeting, wouldn’t it be good to honour him financially? If he puts a lot of miles on his vehicle attending to church business, wouldn’t it be good to honour him financially? God calls upon us to respect our elders in a Christ-centred way.

Second, the Lord instructs us to correct our elders in a Christ-centred way. This is especially a role of the session (the council of elders of the local church) or the presbytery  (the council of elders of the regional church). It includes protecting elders from sinful accusations: “Do not entertain an accusation against an elder unless it is brought by two or three witnesses” (v. 19). The Bible insists that a church court may not convict anyone except on the testimony of two or three witnesses. But in the case of elders, the church isn’t even to receive accusations without that many witnesses!

Why should there be such special treatment? Because God knows that Satan works overtime to stir up trouble. He aims to alienate people from their spiritual leaders. His reason for that is to distance them from the means of grace. John Calvin’s comments on this verse are still pertinent:

It is necessary to guard against the malice of men in this way. For none are more exposed to slanders and insults than godly teachers. This comes not only from the difficulty of their duties, which are so great that sometimes they sink under them, or stagger and halt or take a false step, so that wicked men find many occasions of finding fault with them; but added to that, even when they do all their duties correctly and commit not even the smallest error, they never avoid a thousand criticisms. It is indeed a trick of Satan to estrange men from their ministers so as gradually to bring their teaching into contempt. In this way not only is wrong done to innocent people whose reputation is undeservedly injured, but the authority of God’s holy teaching is diminished. And it is this that … Satan is chiefly concerned to achieve ….

At the same time, the council of elders must protect the church from sinful elders. Verse 20, still speaking of elders, says, “Those who sin are to be rebuked publicly, so that the others may take warning.” Elders, then, are to get special treatment not only when they are accused. Because they are responsible to represent Jesus Christ in a special way, they are to be judged all the more severely if they are found guilty.

In all these cases, however, we should not take sides automatically: “I charge you, in the sight of God and Christ Jesus and the elect angels, to keep these instructions without partiality, and to do nothing out of favouritism” (v. 21). It’s human nature to prejudge a case (“I like that guy, so he must be right,” or “That guy rubs me the wrong way, so he must be wrong”). But by God’s grace—no matter who is involved or how we feel—we are to seek Christ’s side! Seek the Lord and practice presbyterianism.

Even so, our Lord warns us not to expect a perfect church in this life. Verse 24 says, “The sins of some men are obvious, reaching the place of judgement ahead of them; the sins of others trail behind them.” As long as we are on this side of glory, there will be sinners in the church—and that includes you and me—and, unhappily, there will be hypocrites.

Knowing this doesn’t mean that we should try to read hearts! A pastor once proved that he did not do something he had been accused of. His accuser quickly retorted, “Well, you thought it!” God condemns such presumption. “Man looks at the outward appearance, but the LORD looks at the heart” (1 Sam. 16:7). Don’t pretend to read thoughts and motives. Only God can do that. To try, then, is to play God, and that’s a serious sin!

Third, God calls us to select our elders in a Christ-centred way. We should be diligent to seek and train men for office. But we should never be overly eager to ordain and install them: “Do not be hasty in the laying on of hands, and do not share in the sins of others. Keep yourselves pure” (v. 22). We can create a lot of trouble by failing to “wait on the Lord” in this matter!

Still, don’t despair of finding qualified officers. The Lord knows how discouraged we can get! So he reassures us, “In the same way, good deeds are obvious, and even those that are not cannot be hidden” (v. 25). Keep seeking and training gifted men. And above all, seek the Lord! Sooner or later, he’ll bring to the surface the gifts and graces of his men for the task. So don’t become weary in well doing. Seek the Lord and practice presbyterianism!

Why do you think verse 23 (“use a little wine because of your stomach”) is there? Some seem to think it’s there so alcohol-sipping Christians can poke fun at teetotalers. But why is wine mentioned in this context? I think the reason is that diligent Christ-centered church leadership involves stress. God inspired the apostle Paul’s expression of concern for Timothy’s stomach problems. In this way, God encourages us to be sensitive to the fact that faithful pastors and elders face tremendous pressures.

Christians sometimes fail to obey God’s instructions regarding the selection and treatment of elders. This sets the scene for grievous scandals. We can avoid many of these problems if we faithfully follow our Lord. Trust and obey! Keep seeking the Lord and keep practicing presbyterianism.

Reprinted (slightly edited) from New Horizons, June-July 1991.

Tim Keller writes:

I find it frustrating when I read or hear columnists, pundits, or journalists dismiss Christians as inconsistent because “they pick and choose which of the rules in the Bible to obey.” Most often I hear, “Christians ignore lots of Old Testament texts—about not eating raw meat or pork or shellfish, not executing people for breaking the Sabbath, not wearing garments woven with two kinds of material and so on. Then they condemn homosexuality. Aren’t you just picking and choosing what you want to believe from the Bible?”

I don’t expect everyone to understand that the whole Bible is about Jesus and God’s plan to redeem his people, but I vainly hope that one day someone will access their common sense (or at least talk to an informed theological adviser) before levelling the charge of inconsistency.

First…

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Guy Waters writes:

The words justification and sanctification have largely fallen out of use in Western culture. Sadly, they are also fading from sight in the Christian church. One reason this decline is distressing is that the Bible uses the words justification and sanctification to express the saving work of Christ for sinners. That is to say, both terms lie at the heart of the biblical gospel. So, what does the Bible teach about justification and sanctification? How do they differ from one another? How do they help us understand better the believer’s relationship with Jesus Christ?

Justification is as simple as A-B-C-D.

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As serious disciples of Christ more and more find themselves swimming against the stream in our modern world, we do well to learn from others who have previously had to swim against the stream.

The Belgic Confession was written in 1561. It owes its origin to the need for a clear and comprehensive statement of the Protestant faith during the time of the Spanish inquisition in the Lowlands of Holland.

Guido de Brès, its primary author, was pleading for understanding and toleration from King Philip II of Spain who, for his part, was determined to root out all Protestantism in his jurisdiction.

Hence, this confession took pains to point out the continuity of Reformed Protestant belief with that of the historical Christian creeds, as well as to distinguish it from Roman Catholicism (on the one side), and from Anabaptist teachings (on the other).

Guido de Brès died as a Christian martyr in 1567.

Here is a sample:

Belgic Confession

ARTICLE 27 – THE CATHOLIC CHRISTIAN CHURCH

We believe and profess one catholic or universal church,¹ which is a holy congregation and assembly² of the true Christian believers, who expect their entire salvation in Jesus Christ,³ are washed by his blood, and are sanctified and sealed by the Holy Spirit.4

This church has existed from the beginning of the world and will be to the end, for Christ is an eternal King who cannot be without subjects.⁵ This holy church is preserved by God against the fury of the whole world,⁶ although for a while it may look very small and as extinct in the eyes of man.⁷ Thus during the perilous reign of Ahab, the Lord kept for Himself seven thousand persons who had not bowed their knees to Baal.⁸

Moreover, this holy church is not confined or limited to one particular place or to certain persons, but is spread and dispersed throughout the entire world.⁹ However, it is joined and united with heart and will, in one and the same Spirit, by the power of faith.¹⁰

1. Gen 22:18; Isa 19:6; Eph 2:17-19.
2. Psalm 111:1; John 10:14, John 10:16; Eph 4:3-6; Heb 12:22-23.
3. Joel 2:32; Acts 2:21.
4. Eph 1:13; Eph 4:30.
5. 2 Sam 7:16; Psalm 89:36; Psalm 110:4; Mat 28:18-20; Luke 1:32.
6. Psalm 46:5; Mat 16:18.
7. Isa 1:9; 1 Pet 3:20; Rev 11:7.
8. 1 Kgs 19:18
9. Mat 23:8; John 4:21-23; Rom 10:12-13.
10. Psalm 119:63; Acts 4:32; Eph 4:4.

ARTICLE 28 – EVERYONE’S DUTY TO JOIN THE CHURCH

We believe, since this holy assembly and congregation is the assembly of the redeemed and there is no salvation outside of it,¹ that no one ought to withdraw from it, content to be by himself, no matter what his status or standing may be. But all and everyone are obliged to join it and unite with it,² maintaining the unity of the church. They must submit themselves to its instruction and discipline,³ bend their necks under the yoke of Jesus Christ,⁴ and serve the edification of the brothers and sisters,⁵ according to the talents which God has given them as members of the same body.⁶

To observe this more effectively, it is the duty of all believers, according to the Word of God, to separate from those who do not belong to the church⁷ and to join this assembly⁸ wherever God has established it. They should do so even though the rulers and edicts of princes were against it, and death or physical punishment might follow.⁹

All therefore who draw away from the church or fail to join it act contrary to the ordinance of God.

1. Mat 16:18-19; Acts 2:47; Gal 4:26; Eph 5:25-27; Heb 2:11-12; Heb 12:23.
2. 2 Chron 30:8; John 17:21; Col 3:15.
3. Heb 13:17.
4. Mat 11:28-30.
5. Eph 4:12.
6. 1 Cor 12:7, 1 Cor 12:27; Eph 4:16.
7. Num 16:23-26; Isa 12:11-12; Acts 2:40; Rom 16:17; Rev 18:4.
8. Psalm 122:1; Isa 1:3; Heb 10:25.
9. Acts 4:19-20.

ARTICLE 29 – THE MARKS OF THE TRUE AND THE FALSE CHURCH

We believe that we ought to discern diligently and very carefully from the Word of God what is the true church, for all sects which are in the world today claim for themselves the name of church.¹ We are not speaking here of the hypocrites, who are mixed in the church along with the good and yet are not part of the church, although they are outwardly in it.² We are speaking of the body and the communion of the true church which must be distinguished from all sects that call themselves the church.

The true church is to be recognized by the following marks: It practises the pure preaching of the gospel.³ It maintains the pure administration of the sacraments as Christ instituted them.⁴ It exercises church discipline for correcting and punishing sins.⁵ In short, it governs itself according to the pure Word of God,⁶ rejecting all things contrary to it⁷ and regarding Jesus Christ as the only Head.⁸ Hereby the true church can certainly be known and no one has the right to separate from it.

Those who are of the church may be recognized by the marks of Christians. They believe in Jesus Christ the only Saviour,⁹ flee from sin and pursue righteousness,¹⁰ love the true God and their neighbour¹¹ without turning to the right or left, and crucify their flesh and its works.¹² Although great weakness remains in them, they fight against it by the Spirit all the days of their life.¹³ They appeal constantly to the blood, suffering, death, and obedience of Jesus Christ, in whom they have forgiveness of their sins through faith in Him.¹⁴

The false church assigns more authority to itself and its ordinances than to the Word of God. It does not want to submit itself to the yoke of Christ.¹⁵ It does not administer the sacraments as Christ commanded in His Word, but adds to them and subtracts from them as it pleases. It bases itself more on men than on Jesus Christ. It persecutes those who live holy lives according to the Word of God and who rebuke the false church for its sins, greed, and idolatries.¹⁶

These two churches are easily recognized and distinguished from each other.

1. Rev 2:9.
2. Rom 9:6.
3. Gal 1:8; 1 Tim 3:15.
4. Acts 19:3-5; 1 Cor 11:20-29.
5. Mat 18:15-17; 1 Cor 5:4-5, 1 Cor 5:13; 2 Thes 3:6, 2 Thes 3:14; Titus 3:10.
6. John 8:47; John 17:20; Acts 17:11; Eph 2:20; Col 1:23; 1 Tim 6:3.
7. 1 Thes 5:21; 1 Tim 6:20; Rev 2:6.
8. John 10:14; Eph 5:23; Col 1:18.
9. John 1:12; 1 John 4:2.
10. Rom 6:2; Phil 3:12.
11. 1 John 4:19-21.
12. Gal 5:24.
13. Rom 7:15; Gal 5:17.
14. Rom 7:24-25; 1 John 1:7-9.
15. Acts 4:17-18; 2 Tim 4:3-4; 2 John 9.
16. John 16:2.

The following is paraphrased into modern English from Morning and Evening by Charles Spurgeon:

June 2

“For what the flesh desires is opposed to the Spirit, and what the Spirit desires is opposed to the flesh; for these are opposed to each other, to prevent you from doing what you want” (Galatians 5:17).

In every believer’s heart there is a constant struggle between the old nature and the new. The old nature is very active. It loses no opportunity to wield all the weapons of its deadly arsenal against new-born grace. Meanwhile, on the other hand, the new nature is ever on the watch to resist and destroy its enemy. Grace within us employs prayer, and faith, and hope, and love to cast out the evil. It takes to itself “the whole armour of God” (Eph 6:11) and wrestles earnestly.

These two opposing natures will never cease to struggle as long as we are in this world. The battle of “Christian” with “Apollyon” lasted three hours, but the battle of Christian with himself lasted all the way from the Wicket Gate to the river Jordan (see The Pilgrim’s Progress by John Bunyan).

The enemy is so securely entrenched within us that he can never be driven out as long as we are in this body. But even though we are closely assailed and often in sore conflict, we have an almighty Helper, even Jesus, the Captain of our salvation. He is ever with us. And he assures us that we will eventually come off more than conquerors through him. With such assistance the new-born nature is more than a match for its foes.

Are you fighting with the adversary today? Are Satan, the world, and the flesh all against you? Do not be discouraged or dismayed. Fight on! For God himself is with you: Jahveh-nissi is your Banner (see Ex 17:8–15), and Jahveh-rapha is your Healer (see Ex 15:25–26). Fear not, you shall overcome, for who can defeat Omnipotence? Fight on, keeping your eyes on Jesus (Heb 12:2), and though long and stern be the conflict, sweet will be the victory, and glorious the promised reward.

“From strength to strength go on;
wrestle, and fight, and pray,
tread all the powers of darkness down,
and win the well-fought day”
(Charles Wesley, from “Soldiers of Christ, Arise”)