Do Elders Exist Today?

DO ELDERS EXIST TODAY?

My considered answer is that there should be qualified, recognised elders (plural) in every local Assembly of the Lords' people. But, sadly, I have never known of a single elder who met every requirement demanded in the N.T. as to their acceptance for the onerous task of oversight. This is NOT a condemnation of any particular individual or company of the Lords' people, simply a personal observation over a period of nearly half a century while "gathering to the Name of our Lord Jesus Christ."

I would perhaps of preferred to ask, "Is it better to have unqualified elders, rather than none at all?" To this I confess I have no suitable answer. But I do believe that there is a phrase in the N.T. Scriptures that may enable those in local Assembly fellowship to experience real help.
THE PHRASE: Those who "take the lead among you."

There is a certain calibre of believers who are referred to in the N.T. as those who "take the lead," not exclusively elders.These are brethren, (and sisters, in their own sphere,) who have Christ-given spiritual gifts and abilities, and who are recognised as such. Because they do no "aspire to oversight,"  should not preclude them from assisting in guiding, guarding, teaching and leading the "flock." With the assistance of these spiritually-minded brethren, the weighty burden of maintaining a bright testimony for the One "Whom having not seen" we love, will be a little easier. Furthermore it may well help avoid prejudice and partiality, real banes found in our Assemblies, often caused by near family relationships, (nepotism,) and close friendships; these sometimes result in wrong decisions, especially, but not only, in matters of discipline. We must remember that it is not an elder, nor the entire oversight, who make decisions, determine reception to the Lords' Table, or who "put away" offenders. They must give counsel and guidance, of course. But Assembly decisions are the responsibility of the whole company, in subjection to the Lord of the Assemblies.  

Qualifications for Eldership: 1 Timothy 3:1-7; Titus 1:5-9; 1 Peter 5:1-4.

The phrase those who "Take the lead among you:" (J.N.D.) 1 Thessalonians 5:12,13;
1 Timothy 5:17.
The expression, "Your leaders: (J.N.D.) "Hebrews 13:7,17,24.

I must emphasise that this is my own PERSONAL view, and is not intended to promote any disrespect or rebelliousness towards elders in the meetings. It is with a view to help local Assemblies, especially those who have so few numerically, in fellowship.



More Assembly Closures

MORE ASSEMBLY CLOSURES

I recently heard of two more Assemblies in South Wales who have relinquished their testimony for the Lord in their respective localities. One Meeting has not disclosed any reason for their action, while the other pleads, "lack of numbers." In His omniscience the Lord Jesus provided for such circumstances, by His promise to the twos and threes "gathered to His name," declaring unequivocally the He would be "in the midst of them." Matthew 18:20. Furthermore the Word of God declares, " For all the promises of God in Him, are the yea, and in Him the Amen, unto the glory of God by us." 2 Corinthians 1:20. we wonder if the Assemblies in question have "snuffed out" the light or if the Lord has removed the "Lampstand."

One Assembly in N. Ireland comprises just two brethren in fellowship and no sisters at all. Back in July they held a series of Gospel Meetings! They should thereby put many of the Lords' people to shame!

It is precious to remember that the Lord Jesus in His infinite loving care for His believing ones, has made provision even for the individual saint who is unable to enjoy fellowship with the Lords' people; and that in a Laodicean generation!

Revelation 3:20.

May the Spirit of God, in His grace, effect a revival in the hearts of many individual saints that will transform the weakness of walk, the feebleness of affections and dullness of discernment prevalent in the character of so many Assembly testimonies in these "last days."



E.S.V. The Extremely Subtle Version

E.S.V

The Extremely Subtle Version.

On Lords' Day afternoon our Assembly held the weekly Gospel Meeting, as usual. A brother from a neighbouring Assembly had been entrusted with the responsibility of proclaiming the "Glad Tidings."

He approached the "platform," laid his Bible on a nearby seat, and announced his "subject" as that of "forgiveness."

He was very eloquent, using three longish illustrations, (true accounts,) as the substance of his address. He told us that there was a real need to be saved. He explained that forgiveness was of considerable benefit. And he indicated that the Lord Jesus was the only Saviour, and that His death paid the ransom that sets us free. But he never ventured to tell us how anyone could be saved! Not one verse of Scripture was quoted, and his Bible remained untouched just where he left it!

I think that is about the third or fourth time in the last few years that a Gospel Meeting I have attended has been conducted without opening the Word of God! I believe this attitude towards the Holy Scriptures to be both reprehensible and inexcusable!

At the close of the meeting the "preacher" went to the cloakroom, leaving his Bible on another chair, next to where I was standing. I noted the version he uses, (when he cares to read from it,) was the E.S.V.

(I have referred to this version in a previous "post," but felt the need to probe it a little further.) It is based upon the textual criticism of WESTCOTT & HORT. Hort called the Textus Receptus, "Vile and villainous."I researched these two scholars and concluded from their own statements that neither were "born anew." They both denied the inerrancy and infallibility of the Word of God; and both were at pains to reject many precious truths earnestly contended for by the saints. Thus their "scholoarship" is to be thoroughly rejected, and the E.S.V. along with it! 
I would carefully enquire if the version has had an unhealthy effect upon this brother already; I find it difficult to accept it is but mere coincidence! 

"HE" - a poem.

 

 

He bore the curse,

He wore the shame,

He bore Gods' wrath

Endured the pain.

 

He bowed to death,

He graced the tomb,

He brake the bars

Dispelled the gloom.

 

He vanquished death,

He ope'd the graves,

He rent the rocks

And freed its' slaves.

 

He "shewed Himself,"

He banished fear,

He whispered "peace"

Dried every tear.

 

He blessed His own,

He clave the sky,

He upward rose

And reigns on high.

 

He comes again,

 He takes His own,

He brings them "there"

to share His throne.

T.W. 2012

 

 



Mans' Hatred: A Simple Poem

MANS' HATRED: A Simple Poem

 MANS’ HATRED

  CROWNED WITH THORNS UPON THE TREE,

SUFF’RING SUCH DEEP AGONY;

HANDS AND FEET NAILED TO THE CROSS,

HANGING THERE IN SHAME AND LOSS.

BLEEDING, BRUISED AND SPIT UPON,

MOCKED, REVILLED, GODS’ LOVELY SON;

ALL MANS’ HATRED VENTED THERE

HIS ALONE THE LOAD TO BEAR.

BITTER GALL TO SLAKE HIS THIRST,

MANS’ INTENT TO DO HIS WORST.

IN THEIR RAGE AND ANGER FIERCE

LAST HIS SIDE WITH SPEAR THEY PIERCE.

T.W. 2012

His Love: A Short Poem

HIS LOVE :  A Short Poem

HIS LOVE

                                                              JESUS ONLY SAVIOUR

IN THY CROSS I BOAST,

FOR ‘TWAS THERE LORD JESUS

THOU DID’ST LOVE ME MOST

NAY, ‘TIS NOT THE TRUTH, LORD,

THOU STILL LOVEST ME

UPON THY THRONE IN GLORY,

AS MUCH AS ON THE TREE

AND THOU LOV’ST ME ALWAYS,

FROM ETERNITY,

WITH A LOVE AS CHANGELESS

AS THYSELF MUST BE

YEA, THY LOVE’S ETERNAL,

VAST, IMMENSE AND FREE,

ONLY, EVER, ALWAYS,

I AM LOVED BY THEE.

T.W. 2012

Redeemed One: A Poem

REDEEMED ONE - A Poem

REDEEMED ONE

REDEEMED ONE LOOK OFF AND SEE

AUTHOR OF FAITH COMPLETE FOR THEE

THE PATH OF FAITH, AND PRECIOUSLY

SECURE THY SOUL ETERNALLY.

REDEEMED ONE LOOK THROUGH AND SEE

ALL THAT HIS WORD REVEALS TO THEE

OF HIM WHO DIED IN LOVE DIVINE

THAT HE MIGHT  CALL THEE “WHOLLY MINE.”

REDEEMED ONE LOOK BEYOND AND SEE

HIS PRESENCE GRACE ETERNITY,

FULLNESS OF JOYS, UNCLOUDED BLISS,

PLEASURES REPLETE THY SOUL CARESS.

REDEEMED ONE LOOK IN AND SEE

WHAT HIS SALVATION WROUGHT FOR THEE,

FORGIVEN SINS, A NATURE CHANGED,

HIS LIFE IMPARTED, HEAVEN GAINED.

REDEEMED ONE LOOK BACK AND SEE

JESUS, GODS’ SON ON CALVARY,

HUNG UP ‘TWIXT HEAVEN AND EARTH FOR THEE,

THAT THOU MIGHTEST LIVE ETERNALLY.

REDEEMED ONE LOOK UP AND SEE

THE SAVIOUR CLEAVE THE SKY FOR THEE,

WITH ANGEL VOICE AND TRUMP OF GOD

HE’LL TAKE THEE HOME TO HIS ABODE.

REDEEMED ONE LOOK UP AND SEE

THE LORD HIMSELF DESCEND FOR THEE,

CAUGHT UP TO MEET HIM IN THE AIR,

WITH ALL HIS OWN HIS THRONE TO SHARE.

REDEEMED ONE LOOK AROUND AND SEE

CREATION ALL SO BLESSED, WITH THEE,

ALL SUBJECT TO GODS’ LOVELY SON,

ALL OWN THE NAME THAT HE HAS WON.

T.W. 2012