From: sing <singpenang@gmail.com>
To: Dr. Sanny
Date: Apr 10, 2011, 7:07 PM
Subject: Battered sheep
Dear brother Sanny,
Thank you for the article “When Should a
Christian Leave a Church? (Part 3)” by John G Reisinger.
John is a younger brother of Ernest C
Reisinger. Though brothers, they differ quite vehemently over some of the
doctrinal issues. Mr Ernest pastors a
typical RB church, claiming 1689 as the doctrinal standard. John moves in the
right direction… but is labelled as antinomian!
John is dealing with a typical problem that
prevail in not a few Reformed Baptist churches, in the USA and elsewhere...
where authoritarianism and heavy 'shepherding' and lording over the flock is
the norm. Many such big RB churches have eventually disintegrated when people
come to their senses. The churches pastored by Mr. Martin and Mr Hogg (and our friend, BS, knows both these men) have crumbled because of this authoritarianism.
It all began with the plurality of elders
pushed beyond the biblical bounds. 'Plurality of elders' becomes a smokescreen
for authoritarianism. Also, a false and forced and deliberate distinction
between the membership and the eldership is another instrument... like the
Romish distinction between the clergy and the laity.
You have used two apt
words - "preposterously dangerous." I have seen and experienced some of it while
in Sydney and in KL... and I am determined to guard the liberty of Christ's
sheep.
Some RB churches have crippled and messed up
the lives of God's children through authoritarianism and lording over them.
Others have done the same harm by neglecting to exercise care over them. From
my own experience, and in accordance with the Scriptures, I regularly teach my
people that each one of them is a FREEMAN in Christ and answerable to Christ
alone, and that I am committed to guard their, and my freedom under Christ.
Every member of a church, including the
pastor and elders, is EQUALLY under the authority of Jesus Christ alone, they
are all equal as brothers and sisters in Christ; Christ alone is Lord and above
us. And elders are there to minister to the sheep, and not to lord over them.
Eldership is not an office of authority, but an office of ministering the RULE OF CHRIST over the
saints.
If one thing needs to be emphasized and
pointed out regularly, it is the elders' solemn responsibility to nurture and
guard the spiritual well-being of Christ's sheep. 1Tim 3:1 reads, "This is
a true saying, If a man, desire the office of a bishop, he desireth a good
work." See the word WORK... WORK...
WORK. Eldership is an office of WORK... WORK... WORK... to feed, nurture,
defend, train, comfort, exhort, rebuke, admonish, etc.; it is not an office of authority to lord over God's heritage!
What elders say is NOT the last word. Every
member can challenge the elders' words from the Scriptures... make our people
bold to do so... and it is well for everyone... for the pastor and elders
too... so that everyone is guided by the Scriptures alone, and not by
Scriptures INTERPRETED by the elders alone!
I have said too much.
Must get ready for the evening service.
Your brother and servant in Christ,
sing
======
John 21 KJT
¶ 15 So when they had dined, Jesus saith to Simon Peter, Simon, son of Jonas, lovest thou me more than these? He saith unto him, Yea, Lord; thou knowest that I love thee. He saith unto him, Feed my lambs.
John 21:16
¶ 16He saith to him again the second time, Simon, son of Jonas, lovest thou me? He saith unto him, Yea, Lord; thou knowest that I love thee. He saith unto him, Feed my sheep.
John 21:17
¶ He saith unto him the third time, Simon, son of Jonas, lovest thou me? Peter was grieved because he said unto him the third time, Lovest thou me? And he said unto him, Lord, thou knowest all things; thou knowest that I love thee. Jesus saith unto him, Feed my sheep.
Act 20:28
Take heed therefore unto yourselves, and to all the flock, over the which the Holy Ghost hath made you overseers, to feed the church of God, which he hath purchased with his own blood.
