THE ADMINISTRATION OF THE CHURCH
AND THE MINISTRY OF THE WORD
Read and pray: "As many as I love, I rebuke and discipline. Be zealous therefore, and repent." (Rev 3:19)
DEMOLITION LEADS TO DISSENSION AND DAMAGES AUTHORITY IN THE CHURCH
We need to examine our hearts and consider whether our work in the past six months has led to unanimity or dissension. Being in unanimity is building up; being in dissension is demolishing the building.
The responsible brothers are in dissension if they change the decision of the elders without realizing that they are actually demolishing the building. If only seven out of twenty-eight home group meetings are in this condition, the church in Taipei will be in discord and divided.
We are not here to establish the authority of the elders as if they were "popes," but we need to ask ourselves whether there truly is administrative authority in the church. In whose hands should this authority be found?
If it is in the hands of the thousand brothers who regularly meet, we will become like the church in Laodicea (Rev 3:14-22). If this authority is in the hands of a "pope," we will be like the Roman Catholic Church.
The administration of a church is in the hands of the elders. They must learn to be submissive to God and fear Him. They must administer the church with fear and trembling and learn to be strong. They must fear making mistakes and being weak and indecisive. If a group meeting needs to be discontinued, the elders must make that decision without hesitation; otherwise, the remaining home group meetings will become like small local churches.
If no one in a local church has been broken, fears God, or recognizes the authority in the church and its ministry, the church is in discord. Its many activities will result in greater demolition. It would be practically better to have fewer activities.
If any of the responsible brothers in the church in Taipei holds a different opinion from the decision of the elders, there will be a work of deconstruction in the church. Such a situation of dissension will cause death. If the leaders of the home groups act this way, the group members will also express opposing opinions.
This type of tendency can be compared to the body when it contracts an infection—this can kill the body itself. This is dissension and destruction of the building. Through Satan's subtle scheme, our effort may actually become a work of demolition.
Some have made great sacrifices for the Lord and for the church. On the one hand, we should not boast about the sacrifices we have made; on the other hand, once we have made such a sacrifice, we must not allow Satan's scheme to enter our midst. If we serve amid discord, we will not be able to progress. Satan's most cunning scheme is to carry out a work of dissension and division among us.
Satan's work is not to lead everyone into open arguments; rather, it is to carry out a work of demolition through people's good desires and good intentions. This is the trick. Apparently, the responsible brother’s suggestion to study another book of the Bible is for the good of the saints, when in reality it is not.
However, if we truly learn the lesson, we will see that although church service organization is flexible and not rigid, there must be harmony and a single move in the church. This will prevent the church from falling into Satan’s schemes.
THE AUTHORITY OF THE HOLY SPIRIT IN THE BIBLE
Every church, large or small, needs to honor the authority of the Holy Spirit. For example, although thousands of Jews believed in the church in Jerusalem (Acts 21:20), there was no assembly to vote on the various issues raised in chapter 15.
Instead, the apostles and elders gathered in God’s presence, and after some shared their experiences and understanding, James stood up and spoke (vv. 6, 22, 13). This is the authority of the Holy Spirit in the Bible.
After gathering, they wrote a letter to the Gentile believers (v. 20). They did not argue, nor did the church hold an assembly for the believers to express their opinions through voting; rather, the apostles and elders met before God to decide the matter. Once they made a decision regarding the circumcision issue, no other opinion was expressed.
DO NOT PLANT THE SEED OF DEATH OR DISSENSION
Those who have learned the lesson will say amen when the elders decide that the home groups should study the Gospel of John. Those who consider that this book is too long should receive help from those who have learned this lesson so that they submit to the church and respect the authority of the church.
First, we need to help the saints accept what was planned by the elders before suggesting that a shorter book be studied. Helping the saints in this way is wonderful and contains the element of building up in unanimity.
If, from an impure motivation, someone responsible questions the decision of the elders and shares their feelings with other responsible ones, the factor causing death will spread. Perhaps they do not slander or oppose the elders, but in their speech, they may spread the idea that the church is a dictatorship. This will cause dissension. The seed of discord planted in the saints may grow and eventually lead them into dissension with the church. This is demolishing God's work.
Even in preaching the gospel and instructing the saints, there can be an element of demolition. This can be compared to drinking a cup of tea that contains tuberculosis bacteria. After drinking it, we will contract the disease.
It is very serious if a brother, who previously had no inclination toward dissension, begins to express an element of dissension in his service after being instructed by us. A city church will be ruined if the saints are divided among themselves. We must be alert to this great danger.
Satan's most cunning scheme is to plant the seed of dissension through those who serve. When he does this, the Lord’s work is broken, and discord arises in the church service. A person who contracts tuberculosis may appear healthy, yet within a year, their entire being will collapse.
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