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If someone you knew held to the view with which you disagree, what is your best response to them?
The big question is what happens when there is no church and no official church officers to administer the sacraments. Are we to conclude that where there is no ordained presbytery, there is no church and no mission?One must give a biblical definition of "missionary" and "missions" first before the other questions may be answered. It appears to me that the missionary work of Preaching, Sacrament, and Church-planting we see being accomplished in Scripture belonged to officers in the church, commissioned by the Lord via Presbyteries, etc. In that particular regard, not everyone is a missionary. However, Christians in the church need to support the ministry of the Word by praying for the Pastor & session, tithing, the mission work he/they may be doing, attend upon their preaching, speak to others when opportunity arises about the great things Christ has done for them, and be forward to invite others to church, etc.
The big question is what happens when there is no church and no official church officers to administer the sacraments. Are we to conclude that where there is no ordained presbytery, there is no church and no mission?One must give a biblical definition of "missionary" and "missions" first before the other questions may be answered. It appears to me that the missionary work of Preaching, Sacrament, and Church-planting we see being accomplished in Scripture belonged to officers in the church, commissioned by the Lord via Presbyteries, etc. In that particular regard, not everyone is a missionary. However, Christians in the church need to support the ministry of the Word by praying for the Pastor & session, tithing, the mission work he/they may be doing, attend upon their preaching, speak to others when opportunity arises about the great things Christ has done for them, and be forward to invite others to church, etc.
I thought we were talking about whether there's a missionary, not whether there's a church and mission.
If this is so, then one can conclude that there is no mission outside the eldership. While this is fine in contexts where there are plenty of ordained clergy and established churches, this is simply not the case in most parts of the world where the gospel is spreading.I would go on to say that the actual missionary function of the church is given to the eldership. They are empowered by Christ to conduct the public preaching of the word, the giving of the sacraments and church discipline
6. Evangelism is the proclamation of Jesus Christ as Saviour and Lord as he is offered in the Gospel. Christ laid the responsibility upon the whole Church to make this proclamation. The task is not restricted to ordained officers. Each member is to take his share of the responsibility according to the gifts God has given him.
7. Those evangelizing should use all available means consistent with the Bible so that every person may be given the opportunity to hear, understand, and receive the Gospel. While guarding against undue pressure, we must urge men to be reconciled to God.
8. Evangelism is not only to seek the conversion of sinners but also to build them up to become effective in the Church's continuing task.
9. The Great Commission requires the Church to take the whole Gospel to the whole world. The Bible recognizes the legitimacy of diverse cultures. Every culture is to be transformed and made subject to Christ through redeemed men, all for the glory of God.
10. Wherever consistent with faithfulness to God's truth, different branches of the visible church should cooperate in evangelism to strengthen their witness by demonstrating their unity in Christ.
If yes, why?
If no, why not?
If someone you knew held to the view with which you disagree, what is your best response to them?
If this is so, then one can conclude that there is no mission outside the eldership. While this is fine in contexts where there are plenty of ordained clergy and established churches, this is simply not the case in most parts of the world where the gospel is spreading.
If yes, why?
If no, why not?
If someone you knew held to the view with which you disagree, what is your best response to them?
A Christian is compelled to share the gospel.
A Christian is compelled to share the gospel.
What is the difference between sharing the Gospel and preaching the Gospel?
A Christian is compelled to share the gospel.
What is the difference between sharing the Gospel and preaching the Gospel?
Sharing the gospel is giving your personal testimony. Preaching the gospel is giving the Lord's testimony.
A Christian is compelled to share the gospel.
What is the difference between sharing the Gospel and preaching the Gospel?
Sharing the gospel is giving your personal testimony. Preaching the gospel is giving the Lord's testimony.
Can you back this up Scripturally?
It would seem to me that verse 42 describes early church services and the rest of the chapter is a result of those services. It does not seem to say that the addition of souls is a result of praising God.
Also making sharing the Gospel and praising God as synonyms seems to be importing 21st century terminology into Scripture.
The gospel is the story of God's greatest deed and is thus his greatest praise.
The gospel is the story of God's greatest deed and is thus his greatest praise.
But the Greek is describing the people singing praises to God. You are using your definition of "praise" and attempting to use this verse to say that everyone was "sharing their personal testimony." The passage says nothing about giving a testimony.
Praising God is always giving a testimony. The two cannot be separated.
Here are some more if you don't like those:
1 Peter 3:15 ESV
But in your hearts honor Christ the Lord as holy, always being prepared to make a defense to anyone who asks you for a reason for the hope that is in you; yet do it with gentleness and respect,
Colossians 4:6 ESV
Let your speech always be gracious, seasoned with salt, so that you may know how you ought to answer each person.
Romans 1:16 ESV
For I am not ashamed of the gospel, for it is the power of God for salvation to everyone who believes, to the Jew first and also to the Greek.
Praising God is always giving a testimony. The two cannot be separated.
Here are some more if you don't like those:
1 Peter 3:15 ESV
But in your hearts honor Christ the Lord as holy, always being prepared to make a defense to anyone who asks you for a reason for the hope that is in you; yet do it with gentleness and respect,
Colossians 4:6 ESV
Let your speech always be gracious, seasoned with salt, so that you may know how you ought to answer each person.
Romans 1:16 ESV
For I am not ashamed of the gospel, for it is the power of God for salvation to everyone who believes, to the Jew first and also to the Greek.
The passage is describing a church service. It is not describing everyone being missionaries.
Also Colossians and Romans say nothing about "giving your testimony" as "sharing the Gospel."
Any description of praising God is giving a testimony.
Any description of praising God is giving a testimony.
This is not true. One can be praising God for His beautiful creation and never delve into anything remotely soteriological. Although we praise God for the salvation of our souls, it is not the only thing we praise God for.
If this is so, then one can conclude that there is no mission outside the eldership. While this is fine in contexts where there are plenty of ordained clergy and established churches, this is simply not the case in most parts of the world where the gospel is spreading.
Your conclusion doesn't follow from the proposition. The missionary is sent FROM the church, not TO the church (although the sent elder may work with an established local church if one is available.) But the fact that there is not an organized church where the missionary is sent does not change the fact that he was sent from a church.
And David Biser who said:It appears to me that the missionary work of Preaching, Sacrament, and Church-planting we see being accomplished in Scripture belonged to officers in the church, commissioned by the Lord via Presbyteries, etc.
I would go on to say that the actual missionary function of the church is given to the eldership. They are empowered by Christ to conduct the public preaching of the word, the giving of the sacraments and church discipline.