Tag Archives: structure

Coherence and Morality (Word to the Wise)

20 Friday May 2016

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It is an abomination to kings to commit wickedness: for the throne is established by righteousness (Proverbs 16:12, NKJV). Any institution that desires longevity has to have two things in place: a) a coherent structure, b) a moral foundation upon which it is founded. Without a coherent structure (such as community government or school administrators, etc.), it is not long before confusion then chaos begins to rule the day. Without a moral foundation, or an ethical policy, the structure will soon come tumbling down. People within the structure won’t know what needs to be done, how it is to be done or even why it needs to be done. If the structure is in place with a moral foundation, then the institution is strengthened. But if the leadership at top is committed to self-service rather than service to the community, then the community suffers. In time, the community breaks down, falling apart. How much more so with regard to a nation? RT

 

 

The Mechanical Structure

30 Monday Dec 2013

Posted by in history, Man-Made Churches

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Did Jesus tell His disciples what was the “mechanical structure” of the church He established? The term “mechanical structure” is a term used by a church history book dealing with the organization of the church; the author of that book say he did not. “He did not tell His disciples what the mechanical structure of the Church was to be…” In fact,  “He did not arrange for an organization; He taught the principles upon which it should be built” (The Church in History, B. K. Kuiper, Eerdmans, p. 4, 1964).

The New Testament, however, gives another picture. To begin, the Lord “built” His church (Matthews 16:19-19), and this suggests an organization is in place—unless builders build in an unorganized way! Secondly, the apostle Paul appointed elders in every church (Acts 14:23), and told Titus to do the same on the island of Crete (Titus 1:5). This is second tier leadership in place, after the Lord (cf. 1 Peter 5:1-4). This is clearly associated with structure. Third, when Paul addressed his letter to the church at Philippi, he addressed the elders, deacons, and the whole local church (Philippians 1:1), something that very much indicates there is structure to the local body of Christ. Fourth, Paul said that Christ is the head of the church, and that the head has a body (Ephesians 1:22-23). With these four points in place, do you see any structure?

The importance of this topic is in relation to the misinformation spread by this church-history book concerning church structure or organization (or what he calls “mechanical structure”). It has encouraged a great many people to think there is no local structure to the church when the Holy Spirit very much affirms there is. Consequently, this approach in the church history book invites men to establish man-made churches with its own peculiar organization (structure). This is tremendously unfortunate because it is not in accordance with the teachings of the Holy Spirit.

A great many people want to speak about the time of the year and honoring the birth of the Lord Jesus, but do they really honor Him by altering what His word said on such things like the structure of the church? RT