LET THE BIBLE SPEAK.

THE CHURCH OF CHRIST: ELDERSHIP, AND REASONS FOR SETBACK IN THE APPOINTMENT OF ELDERS. Dr. Benson Omole. In the Bible, and so in the Churches of Christ, men could be appointed to the same office which Bible describes in three ways: Eldership, Shepherds,  Overseers, and  Stewards.  The Men so appointed were to lead, feed, and protect the congregation. Acts 20:28, 1 Peter 5:2, Titus 1:5. Somehow, the standard of qualification is very high, 1 Tim 3:1-7, Titus 1:6-9, many congregations experience delays or setbacks, in it's appointments.  Here Are The Most Common Reasons: 1. BIBLICAL QUALIFICATION ISSUES. a. No qualified men. 1 Tim 3:2-7 requires being blameless, husband of one wife, sober, hospitable, able to teach, rule his own house well, etc. b. Family problems. Children not faithful or home not in order. Titus 1:6. c. Lack of "apt to teach". Some men may be spiritually matured, but may not be able to defend the Gospel publicly. d. Recent converts. 1 Tim ...

REASONS THE APOCRYPHA BOOKS WERE NOT PART OF THE BIBLE. EVER HEARD OF THE GOSPEL OF JUDAS, THOMAS OR MARY MAGDALENE? HERE’S WHY THEY’RE NOT IN THE BIBLE  Once upon a time, even in the early days of Christianity, many writings appeared claiming to tell the story of Jesus. Some were called “Gospels”… but they weren’t Matthew, Mark, Luke, or John. They had titles like: 📜 The Gospel of Thomas 📜 The Gospel of Mary Magdalene 📜 The Gospel of Judas 📜 The Infancy Gospel of James 📜 The Gospel of Peter 📜 The Gospel of the Egyptians 📜 The Gospel of the Twelve 📜 The Protoevangelium of James 📜 And many more… So what happened to them? And why weren’t they included in the Bible? Let’s break it down 👇🏽 ✝️These writings are known as the “Apocryphal Gospels” or “Gnostic Gospels.” The word "apocryphal" means hidden, doubtful, or not authentic, because these books were not recognized as inspired by the Holy Spirit or faithful to the life, death, and resurrection of Jesus. Why not? Beca...

The strategic Leadership structure made for the Church does not forcefully control obedience, but by themselves being the examples, and be obedient. This makes the Saints willingly surrender by trusting the leadership ways, and means. The strategic Leadership structure made for the Church does not forcefully control obedience, but by themselves being the examples, and being obedient.  This makes the Saints willingly surrender by trusting the leadership ways, and means. Forceful control creates distance. Trust creates connection, and confidence. 1 Peter 5:1-4 ASV "...The Elders (Pastors/Bishops, therefore among you I exhort, who am a fellow-elder, and a witness of the sufferings of Christ, who am also a partaker of the glory that shall be revealed: Tend the flock of God which is among you, exercising the oversight, not of constraint, but willingly, according to the will of God; nor yet for filthy lucre, but of a ready mind; neither as lording it over the charge allotted to you, but...

A Critical Look At Some Scriptural Qualifications of Elders  - by Gbenga Fabunmi Theme: The Scriptural Organization of the Local Church. Introduction: 1. By adding together all the qualities given in both Timothy and Titus, we have the full picture of what an elder must be. In one list a more full and complete quality may be given than in the other, yet in either list the general qualifications are complete (1Tim. 3:1-7; Tit. 1:5-9). 2. We must keep well in mind that these are the qualifications given by the Holy Spirit, and no man can change them in any form to suit his own motion (1Tim. 3:1; Jn. 17:17) 3. Taking a critical look at 3 out of about 24 qualifications in both Timothy and Titus must, therefore, be done with a great caution because each of the qualifications is as important and essential as the others. 4. With the above facts well settled in our mind, we want to take a critical look at: * Plurality if children versus single child (1Tim. 3:4; Tit. 1:6). * An elder being...

The "Christian" President James Garfield was the only minister elected as President. He was a preacher, even having as a young man once preached in a meeting with an elderly Alexander Campbell. It is claimed that he said upon his election as our 20th president, "'I now step down from being an elder of the Lord's church to serve as president." Others say he said, "I resigned from the highest office known to man to be president;" by implication referring to the eldership. Either way, it seems likely he was unique in this regard. President Garfield was baptized into the Lord's church on March 4, 1849 at the age of 17. He was planning to take a riverboat trip with friends. He recalled, “But two days before we intended to leave, I injured my foot while chopping wood. It was only a small cut, but the blue dye in the homemade socks I wore poisoned the wound, and I was compelled to stay at home. While my friends were on their journey, a powerful prea...

REVELATION CHAPTER 13 VERSE 18. An In-Depth Teaching on Revelation 13:18:- "Here is wisdom. Let him that hath understanding count the number of the beast: for it is the number of a man; and his number is Six hundred threescore and six." (Revelation 13:18) This is one of the most discussed verses in the entire Bible. Sadly, it is also one of the most misunderstood. Many people become fascinated with the number 666 while ignoring the spiritual warning behind it. The Holy Spirit did not give this verse to satisfy curiosity but to prepare God's people for discernment. 1. The Context of Revelation 13 To understand verse 18, we must first understand the whole chapter. Revelation 13 introduces two evil powers. a. The First Beast 1. Rises from the sea. 2. Receives power from the dragon (Satan). 3. Exercises political and military authority. 4. Blasphemes God. 5. Makes war against the saints. b. The Second Beast 1. Rises from the earth. 2. Appears gentle ("two horns like a l...