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The truth of God demands ALLEGIANCE. |
March 31, 2011
Dear Brother,
Concerning admission into church membership, let me share my thoughts:
Amitting
older (age-wise) Christians from other church backgrounds must be done with much
prudence, otherwise, it would cause sorrow and grief to the church. Such people
often have very set views about things that differ from the beliefs of the
church. It is best for them to be honest and transparent when they apply for
membership.
The church must be honest and transparent too, saying with firmness. "These are the present beliefs of the church. Do you understand and hold to them? If you do, then we welcome your desire to join with us. If you don't, and you still desire to join with us, then you are also welcome on the condition that you refrain from raising those issues. Otherwise, just continue with us, as a non-member. We will extend our fellowship and minister to you as best we can as a brother in Christ. Meanwhile, consider and inquire and study why the church's view differs from yours. We are willing to listen to you... but you must also be ready to listen to the church. The basic and fundamental principle of fellowship is laid down by Amos, "Can two walk together, except they be agreed?", 3:3
Admitting a new convert into the church has fewer potential problems. See how quick Michael grasped the truth of grace compared to the RB pastor-theologians!!! I stand amazed at the abundant grace of God.
Emphasis on doctrine and truth DOES NOT have to be hard and cool. In fact, doctrines should be warm and passionate... because it has to do with the comfort, hope, assurance and peace of God's children. False doctrines and errors are injurious and harmful to God's children... they are to be warned against such with passion and conviction. Ever since the Lord has shown me those precious truths, my view towards those in error have changed... they are brethren to be loved... not to be denounced and written off. They are to be laboured with... and ministered to, and be led back to the truth of their salvation. The Lord is gracious to me. The basic thesis of the RBs is this: only those who are clear-minded like them, believing as they do are true children of God. Those who are muddled, are NOT God's children.... so they are denounced and written off as alien. But they are God's children... even though their head is muddled. The gospel ministry is the very means ordained to set them straight in doctrines and practice!
There
is a helpful paragraph from the Confession of Faith concerning the church
government: 1689.26.7
"To
each of these churches thus gathered, according to His mind declared in His
Word, He hath given all that power and authority, which is in any way needful
for their carrying on that order in worship and discipline, which He hath
instituted for them to observe; with commands and rules for the due and right
exerting, and executing of that power."
The
PRECISE wordings are very helpful.
To
EACH church that is properly gathered (i.e. constituted) in accordance to
Christ's mind as declared in the Scriptures, Christ has given ALL that power
and authority, which is in any way needful/required for their carrying on what
an NT church is called to do. All the authority is vested by Christ with the
CHURCH... not the elders. How that power and authority vested in the church is
to be administered has been determined by Christ. The congregation (elder part of
the congregation) decides in subjection to Christ, and the elder administers
what the congregation has decided. Christ ALONE is above the congregation, NOT
the elders! Both congregation and elders are equally under subjection to
Christ... I teach SDC these things. I expect them to be subject to Christ, they
have the same right to subject me to Christ. This is the safest policy because
it is the biblical principle. Headship of Christ over the church must be seen
to be done within a church...
I fear over time, Von Saint's way becomes more authoritarian than anything else. The church is relegated to the role of a rubber stamp. I tell you, I had bad experiences of his 'lording' over other churches... even though he preaches about Independency. Because of his 'strong' leadership, he virtually made decisions for other churches. In those days, he 'appointed' himself as the point-man with overseas people, and discouraged other men to correspond with Christian leaders overseas. Those were the days.
I have this distinct personal experience. When Von Saint ceased fellowship with us, it was actually a great blessing in disguise for me personally. Without his so-called stifling 'leadership' I felt a great sense of relief and freedom... it was from then that I began to get to know people, and started learning and thinking for myself. With the newfound freedom, the Lord was pleased to lead me to some good men from whom I learned to rightly divide the word of truth! Those far more able elders among the Old School Particular Baptists graciously and patiently converted a staunch and haughty RB to the truth of the gospel of grace. I asked questions ferociously... and they assisted me and led me to the truth of the gospel of grace! Bless the Lord!
But Brother Jonathan was one of them who helped me... it all began when I read his article 'When was Paul saved?' posted by someone else on a discussion forum. That article opened my mind to rejoice in the truth stated in it. My mind was already beginning to wrestle with what I perceived as inconsistencies and deficiencies (these are apt adjectives) of the RBs doctrines of salvation. And the Lord was pleased to grant me light.
I
regularly warn the SDC... when we reject the truth that the Lord want to show
to us, the truth of these passages will begin to operate:
Mt
13:12 For whosoever hath, to him shall be given, and he shall have more
abundance: but whosoever hath not, from him shall be taken away even that he
hath.
Mt
25:29 For unto every one that hath shall be given, and he shall have abundance:
but from him that hath not shall be taken away even that which he hath.
He who has a desire to know and receive the truth, more shall be given, and he shall have abundance.
Note the SOLEMN warning... BUT from him that DOES NOT have the desire to receive the truth, even the little that he has SHALL BE TAKEN AWAY. I fear that this has taken place with the folks in xyzC... from the little that I gather from you and Kaylong. I am grieved and saddened. The little truth that the RBs brethren did believe inconsistently and deficiently is disappearing fast... they are morphing into Arminians.
Sorry, I have rambled a bit. Thanks for a listening ear! The Lord bless you and your better half.
Thankful
for your fellowship in Christ,
sing
