Conditions & Comments   -   Bible  Counsel - Feature Page 12  

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Some conditions or issues, letters, and thoughts here for meditation by the gathered saints.  This page is to share thoughts and information, and responses are welcome.  It is not expected that everyone will agree with all things.  Responders ought to identify themselves also by their assembly association.  Send thoughts to the site manager directly at sojourning@charter.net.  Replies will be held confidential.  Thank you.    - R. DeWitt

THOUGHTS  ON  ASSEMBLY  DECISIONS

                                        

                                                                                                                                            5/01

Dear_______:

  I wanted to send along some thoughts regarding some concerns recently expressed by ones, which I understand you also are troubled by.  I refer to some actions taken in another assembly.  It is a difficult matter and God knows all about it. The Lord is in "the midst" of His assemblies, for which we can be glad.

  I hear things second and third hand, and am too far away to know much. It is just as well, for God's government is over there. I need to hold my peace lest I stumble others. We ought to pray much and wait upon God. When an issue is not our local assembly matter we can do little more than pray and try to set a good example.

  The government of God is committed unto the assembly (Matt.18:18), and every saint there should be exercised over issues that arise. One can speak "yea and nay" for the honor of the Lord, whether they know all the scriptures or not. Silence may give approval to the assertions of others. After due consideration by the assembly and humility before the Lord, the overseers normally must conclude a matter (Acts 20:28; I Thess.5:12-13; I Cor. 1:10; Titus 1:9; Heb.13:17; etc.). They are as "the angel of the church" (Rev.2 & 3) and God holds them accountable. There is no perfection with men, so much prayer is needed. You might also like to read my paper on Assembly Government.

  Many Christians among us want to have an assembly fellowship where they can feel comfortable, have good friends, worship God and somewhat follow the scriptural way. When some of these Christians find things unpleasant to them where they are, they will leave and seek a more comfortable place, for they have little commitment to God's Word.  Is that what they do when the courts or civil governments rule contrary to their pleasure?  I might say to them:  Is that church truth?  Is that the meaning of Matthew 18:20?  Does it say, wherever two or three CHOOSE to gather together in My Name, there am I?  Is it all about what men want?

  We would all surely like to find a perfect place, but when we think we have found it, how long will it be before someone offends or fails, one feels uninspired, or one feels uncomfortable? It will happen sometime. The flesh is ever among us.  We first need to know what constitutes a scriptural gathering, and not be a part of a gathering by men.

  There is no end to changing church fellowship as long as we focus on the saints or are trying only to please ourselves. One ought to ask:  What can I do for the good of God's true testimony?  Hebrews 10:25 tells us that God wants us to value it. God is not pleased with dissention, divisions, and sectarianism (Phil.2:2-3; I Cor.12:25; Prov.6:16-19; etc.). One must not go off and bring more division in God's testimony. I believe I must support His revival of the early 1800's.

  The universal church in the world and the local scriptural assembly is God's testimony. We hope to find lovely saints there, a godly manner, and the Word of God followed. What happens when there is failure?  Some will pray about it, perhaps speak to the ones it concerns, and trust God (Matt. 18:15-18). It will be corrected in time if it is God's gathering. We must know that and be patient. I see that some Christian fellowships are sects established by men, so I don't say we should go on with that.

  A gifted and godly Bible scholar said years ago, that no amount of failure or evil would cause him to leave a scriptural assembly, but refusal by the assembly to judge evil would. That is the godly principle. We must be shut up to God and not react to every error or failure we perceive. God will deal with individuals. There may be legal and loose elements in most assemblies, sadly to say, and if either extreme has gift for academic pursuit and leadership, they might try to rise up to sway opinion. Gift is not the same as godliness and holiness, to be sure. The saints can all pray and honor God, speaking the truth in humility. We ought to work to honor God, and "first cast out the beam out of thine own eye" (Mt.7: 3-5). One day in glory we will see perfection.

  Well, I thought it might help to speak a little on this. I appreciate your concerns for the good of all.  May God help us all go on well.

Your brother in Christ, [R. DeWitt]