In the NT, there is no distinction between clergy and laity
The title of this post comes from an entry in Dave Black’s un-pseudo-blog-type-thing. (See entry #2 from Monday, April 4, 2011 at 11:54 a.m.)
Here’s the entire entry:
The New Testament gives no suggestion that there is any distinction between clergy and laypeople. All Christians are called upon (and expected) to minister. In the New Testament, moreover, leaders came from within the Body and their leadership was always corporate and shared. There are few aspects of Christianity that demand a more radical reappraisal than its ecclesiology, if we are to be obedient to the call of Christ. If we are prepared to take the Scriptures seriously as the foundational documents of our faith, this will mean a complete rethinking of the wineskins and a return to the guidelines for Christian ministry as set down in the New Testament.
I think the key to this entry (besides the lack of distinction between “clergy” and “laity”) is this: “All Christians are called upon (and expected) to minister.”
What would it take for churches and Christians today to move towards this way of life in Christ?
A Completely Biblical Church. That’s what we all want, right? Right?
While looking back through some old posts, I found this one called “A Completely Biblical Church.” I originally published it 3 years ago on April 1, 2008. I’m not sure what happened, because I am not part of a church like this. It’s been 3 years, you’d think we’d look more like this post. Well, we’ll have to keep trying.
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I’ve decided to begin a new church which I’m calling a Completely Biblical Church – since it is originating completely from Scripture. Trust me… this is completely legitimate… not a joke at all… I wouldn’t lie to you… not today, or all days.
To determine the practices of this church, I’ve scoured Scripture and determined practices that most churches ignore, using the same hermeneutical principles used to determine church practices by other churches today. Here are a few of the new practices along with the texts which demonstrate that these are scriptural practices:
- No church meetings will be held in rooms that are at ground level or below. All meetings will be held above ground level.
He will show you a large upper room furnished and ready… (Mark 14:15)
And when they had entered, they went up to the upper room, where they were staying… (Acts 1:13)
There were many lamps in the upper room where we were gathered. (Acts 20:8)
- Regardless of the start time, every preacher or teacher will continue speaking until midnight (or someone falls out of a window, whichever comes first).
[W]hen we were gathered together…, Paul talked with them…, and he prolonged his speech until midnight. (Acts 20:7)
- Songs will only be sung silently (in the heart). In public, songs will only be spoken out loud.
[S]peaking to one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing and making melody to the Lord in your heart… (Ephesians 5:19)
[S]inging psalms and hymns and spiritual songs with thankfulness in your hearts to God… (Colossians 3:16)
- The people of the church will eat together every day.
And day by day…, they were sharing their food with glad and generous hearts… (Acts 2:46)
- Only young people under 30 will allowed to be leaders.
Let no one despise you for your youth, but set the believers an example in speech, in conduct, in love, in faith, in purity. (1 Timothy 4:12)
- Only those with stomach ailments will be allowed to be leaders. Those with other types of ailments will be considered under special circumstances.
No longer drink only water, but use a little wine for the sake of your stomach and your frequent ailments. (1 Timothy 5:23)
- All women will give birth in pairs (or more), while a man from the church helps them.
Yes, I ask you also, true companion, help these women, who have labored side by side… (Philippians 4:3)
- All prayers will be spoken while kneeling with the hands raised.
For this reason I bow my knees before the Father… (Ephesians 3:14)
I desire then that in every place the men should pray, lifting holy hands… (1 Timothy 2:8)
- A “conversion” will only be considered valid if the “converted” actually falls down on his or her face. If the fall draws blood, the person’s conversion will be considered extraordinary and the person will immediately be entered into a leadership training program and put on a lecture circuit.
But if… an unbeliever or outsider enters, he is convicted by all, he is called to account by all, the secrets of his heart are disclosed, and so, falling on his face, he will worship God… (1 Corinthians 14:24-25)
- When meeting to pray, the prayer will not end until the meeting place begins to shake.
And when they had prayed, the place in which they were gathered together was shaken… (Acts 4:31)
We will continue to study Scripture to determine what activities should be practiced by the members of this church and how those activities should be carried out. Why? Because, we want to make sure that everything we do is completely biblical using the common hermeneutic of today.
If you would like to be part of this church… there’s something wrong with you. Get help immediately.
Thinking about narrative again. Can we use stories the way that Jesus did?
When asked about the greatest commandment, Jesus gave two: 1) Love God and 2) Love your neighbor as yourself. When asked, “Who is my neighbor?” Jesus told a story. He used a narrative (without explanation) to help people understand the two great commandments.
When describing the kingdom of God, Jesus told stories. He told simple stories of physical things that everyone could understand in order to help explain spiritual things that they were having a hard time understanding. Again, many times he told these stories without explanation.
When Jesus wanted people to understand who much he cares for them and how he would never run away and leave them, he told stories. He compared himself to a shepherd who owns the sheep and contrasted himself with hired helpers.
When Jesus wanted his disciples to understand how important it was for them to stay connected to him, the told them a story, probably as they walked through a vineyard. He compared their relationship to the Father and to Himself to the connection between the gardener, the vine, and the branches.
Why do you think Jesus explained such important ideas and concepts using stories, often with very little explanation? Do you think we can use stories in the same way today? Why or why not?
What caused you to start studying the church?
Last week, I was talking with someone, when he brought up the subject of the church. He had read some of my blog posts, and he asked me why I started studying the church.
I explained that I began questioning some of my own understanding of the church during a seminary class on the subject of worship. One of my assignments was to write an essay on worship. I decided to write an essay about the “worship service” from a scriptural perspective.
The more I studied the subject, the more difficult it became to write the essay. Eventually, I changed the topic of my essay, but I continued the study the “worship service.” I quickly learned that what I had been taught (either through books, classes, preaching, or example) could not be backed up by Scripture.
This led me to study the church meeting from Scripture. I soon discovered that many (most?… all?) ecclesiology (and then theological) topics are intertwined. Thus, changing what I understood about the church meeting meant that I also needed to examine what I understood about communion (the Lord’s Supper), church leadership, fellowship, spiritual gifts, etc.
But, as I begin to think back about the conversation with my friend last week, and other conversations that I had with other people during the last few years, I remembered that different people begin to examine their own understanding of the church for different reasons.
If you (currently or in the past) have questioned your understanding of the church, what caused (prompted) you to being that study in the first place? If you haven’t questioned your understanding of the church, what convinces you that what you’ve been taught is valid?
(I’m not saying that my understanding of the church is valid; I’m simply interested in other people’s thoughts on this.)
God, it’s me, Elijah, again
For the backdrop of this story, you may want to read 1 Kings 17:1-7. This is how that story would have gone if I were praying….
Hello God,
It’s me, Elijah, again. I may as well admit it; you know already. I’m frustrated. Yes, I know that I prayed that it would stop raining, and it stopped. That’s really awesome, and I am grateful to you for answering my prayer.
And, yes, I heard you tell me to go to Cherith and hide, and so, here I am. But, God, I’m hungry and thirsty. Do you know how long it’s been since I’ve had anything to eat or drink? Yes, of course you do.
But every time I kneel down to pray, I barely get my eyes closed and these black birds start fluttering around me! I can’t concentrate! They’re so distracting!
Like I said, I’m frustrated. I’ve barely been able to pray for 10 minutes this morning. I’m not even close to getting my one hour of quiet time in. How am I supposed to pray for an hour when these birds keep bothering me.
And, as if the fluttering and cawing isn’t enough, they’re dropping things on me! Come on, God! Don’t you control everything, even these birds? Can you give me just a few more minutes of quiet time so I get on with my day?
Wow… God… that’s great! The birds are gone! Amazing! Thank you so much for answering my prayer.
Ugh… now I can hear that stream gurgling again. That brook is always flowing and bubbling and… do you know how many times I have to get up in the night to relieve myself because of that stream? Have you ever tried to sleep with the sound of running water always ringing in your ears?
Seriously, first the birds, and now this stream again. You answered my prayer about the birds, even though I asked out of frustration, do you think you can do something about the brook?
I mean, I would really like a few more minutes of quiet time with you. I wanted to tell you that I’m hungry and thirsty, and then trust that you would answer my request, but every time I started I would get distracted, first by the birds, and now by the brook.
So… oh… hey… the brook is drying up. No more sounds to distract me. Now, I can finally pray and know that you are hearing me!
So, God, I’m really hungry and thirsty. Do you think you send me something to eat and drink?
Thanks,
Elijah
Your Lamp is Lit
You are the light of the world. A city set on a hill cannot be hidden. Nor do people light a lamp and put it under a basket, but on a stand, and it gives light to all in the house. In the same way, let your light shine before others, so that they may see your good works and give glory to your Father who is in heaven. (Matthew 5:14-16 ESV)
You can’t help it. Your lamp is lit.
Jesus is the light of the world. Because his Spirit dwells in you, you are the light of the world.
God did not light your lamp and expect that light to be hidden from the world. He did not expect you to hide your light under a basket.
He expects your light to shine brightly and light up everything that your life touches, much like a lamp placed on a stand lights up the entire house.
When you life shines (by the light of Jesus) people will notice and they will question. This is the opportunity to explain that your light comes from Jesus; it is not your own.
So, what is your light? What is the light that Jesus shines through you? Jesus says it is your good works.
Your lamp is lit. You can do nothing about that. God himself lit your lamp when he indwelled you.
But, he also places your lamp in your own hands. Onto what stand are you placing your lamp? Into what darkness are you shining?
Narrative, Storytelling, and Discipleship
This post will not be a complete study of either narrative, storytelling, or discipleship. However, I’d like for us all to take a moment to consider the intersection of these three: narrative, storytelling, and discipleship.
To begin, think about Scripture. By a wide margin, the most used genre in Scripture is narrative. Even those parts of Scripture that are not directly narrative (prophecy, psalms, proverbs, epistles) are written within a narrative framework.
Next, consider Jesus’ primary means to teaching: storytelling. He told short stories called parables which had a meaning deeper than the story itself. There are other examples of storytelling withing the narrative of Scripture. For example, consider Nathan confrontation of David which was done through a story. The prophets often voiced their revelation in story form.
How does this relate to discipleship? Well, in spite of the proliferation of narrative in Scripture and the use of story by the characters in Scripture, the most used method of discipleship today is through principles, explanations, or commands. (By the way, I think teaching/discipling by example is related to teaching/discipling by storytelling.) Could we be missing something?
I believe that we are missing something, and I believe that our understanding of God, of who we are, and of our relationship with one another is reduced by a lack of story. (By the way, I’m not talking about the occasional practice of sharing testimonies. I believe that “testimonies” can be good, but they are also limited. I’m talking about sharing both true stories from our life and sharing parable type stories that may not be true.)
What do you think about teaching and discipling by story? Do you have any suggestions that would help people use stories, narratives, and parables more while discipling others? Or, do you think I’m wrong and that we should stay away from stories and narrative?
Studying Colossians Together
Our study of Colossians is going great so far. We’ve read through the whole book each of the last two Sundays that we’ve met together. Then, we’ve studied a particular passage in detail each week.
The first Sunday, we studied Colossians 1:1-14, and the second Sunday, we studied Colossians 1:15-2:5. The first Sunday turned out to be more of a lecture with less discussion, although there was certainly some very good discussion. The second Sunday was more discussion oriented.
Each week while I was studying the book and the particular passage, there were certain things that I wanted to bring out. It is very exciting to see how God is teaching me through the perspectives of my brothers and sisters as they also study the book of Colossians and bring out different parts of the letter.
You see, I’ve always heard that the “preacher” (the person teaching a particular passage) gets more out of a study than the audience. Well, I think that is only true when the “preacher” is the only one speaking or teaching.
I don’t consider my teaching style to be “preaching” – and trust me, none of my preaching professors at seminary would confuse it with “preaching.” But, even when I teach, I also want to learn. And, I don’t mean that I only want to learn from my own personal studies.
Therefore, when I teach, I am not the only one speaking. I always encourage others to teach, comment, question, etc. That way, we learn even more than if I was the only person talking.
Adorn the doctrine of God
I wrote a post called “Adorn the doctrine of God” four years ago while we were studying Paul’s personal letters (1&2 Timothy, Titus, and Philemon). I love the way that Paul describes “sound doctrine”! Then, at the end, he says that our life “adorns the doctrine of God.” Interesting way to put it… Here’s the post.
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I usually don’t copy long passages of Scripture in this blog, but take a moment and read this passage, carefully:
But as for you, teach what accords with sound doctrine. Older men are to be sober-minded, dignified, self-controlled, sound in faith, in love, and in steadfastness. Older women likewise are to be reverent in behavior, not slanderers or slaves to much wine. They are to teach what is good, and so train the young women to love their husbands and children, to be self-controlled, pure, working at home, kind, and submissive to their own husbands, that the word of God may not be reviled. Likewise, urge the younger men to be self-controlled. Show yourself in all respects to be a model of good works, and in your teaching show integrity, dignity, and sound speech that cannot be condemned, so that an opponent may be put to shame, having nothing evil to say about us. Slaves are to be submissive to their own masters in everything; they are to be well-pleasing, not argumentative, not pilfering, but showing all good faith, so that in everything they may adorn the doctrine of God our Savior. (Titus 2:1-10 ESV)
I will be teaching this passage in a few weeks, so I’ve been studying it. I’ve noticed a few interesting things already.
First, notice that Paul encourages Titus to teach what accords (what is fitting) to sound doctrine. So, what “doctrines” does Paul encourage Titus to teach? This passage seems to focus on behavior, attitudes, speech, and relationships much more than what we usually call “sound doctrine”. Or, perhaps Paul is talking about “sound doctrine”, because he does not differentiate between “doctrine” and “practice” the way we do at times.
Second, and related to the first, did you notice what happens when the younger women do not live according to sound doctrine? The word of God is reviled. The word “reviled” is the same word that is usually translated “blasphemed”. I would think that this would apply to each group, not just the younger women. When we do not “live” according to sound doctrine, we blaspheme the word of God. Isn’t that interesting… blasphemy may have as much to do with our practice as our statements of doctrine.
Third, did you notice the “focus on the family” (oops… I hope I didn’t violate any copywrite laws). Seriously, this passage is directed toward older men, older women, younger women, younger men, and slaves. These are all the various “members” of a household in that society. Apparently, the “sound doctrine” was being taught and being caught, being spoken and being lived within family structures.
Finally, what happens when our actions match our doctrines? What happens when we actually practice what we preach? What happens when we walk the talk? We “adorn” the doctrine of God. “Adorn” is from a verb that can also mean “trim, put in order, decorate, make beautiful, make attractive”. I wonder, does my life demonstrate the doctrines of God and make them attractive to others?
Let me fix you
Often, when people deal with depression, anxiety, or other mental or emotional disorders, there are no easy answers. Many well-meaning friends may approach the person with a “let-me-fix-you” attitude, which is not helpful, appreciated, or necessary.
Dan from “The Ekklesia in Southern Maine” is dealing with alot of these issues in a loose series of posts. Here are the first three posts:
“This is serious: a warning to christian counselors”
“Clarity“
If you struggle with emotional issues, or if you know someone who does, then please take the time to read these posts and the comments. (The dialog and discussion in the comments of these posts is tremendous! The people are working through their perceived differences with respect and concern for one another.)
If you don’t struggle with emotional issues and if you don’t think you know anyone with emotional issues, then I would definitely recommend that you read these posts and comments. Trust me: someone in your life is struggling with depression, anxiety, or some other issue. But, they’re hiding it from you and others because they don’t think they will be accepted or loved, but will instead be judged – even and especially by Christians.