Romans 12
1I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that ye present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable unto God, which is your reasonable service.
2And be not conformed to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God.
3For I say, through the grace given unto me, to every man that is among you, not to think of himself more highly than he ought to think; but to think soberly, according as God hath dealt to every man the measure of faith.
4For as we have many members in one body, and all members have not the same office:
5So we, being many, are one body in Christ, and every one members one of another.
Sometimes I think Paul really stressed equality among Christians and used Apostolic Authority when it came to problems... then stressed his own faults to help folks understand...
We need to see ourselves the way that God sees us, there is a tension between these two ideas between recognzing and embracing our giftedness and at the same time embracing the unity of the body
__________________ For you, brethren, have been called to liberty; only do not use liberty as an opportunity for the flesh, but through love serve one another. For all the law is fulfilled in one word, even in this: "You shall love your neighbor as yourself." But if you bite and devour one another, beware lest you be consumed by one another! (Gal 5:13-15/ NKJV)
Jurisdiction is a legal term, but authority is faith/spiritual term, people follow those that are gifted because they want to receive from that gift.
People followed Jesus because he spoke with authority and demonstrated it with signs following.
Authority and power gives your credibility and creedance where words or office alone won't do. I would direct your attention to
I Cor. 4:19-20
19 But I will come to you very soon, if the Lord is willing, and then I will find out not only how these arrogant people are talking, but what power they have. 20For the kingdom of God is not a matter of talk but of power.
a couple of things...
1. I truly believe jurisdiction is an inescapable parameter whenever authority is evoked. I can rebuke another brother all day long but he will not be subject to my command because my authority is being exercised in an area that I have NO jurisdiction.
If I come in the name of Jesus (by the authority of Jesus) against the tempter, he will flee, because the jursidiction of my authority by the name of Jesus includes treading on serpents.
2. Amen...to the principle that people follow guides that DEMONSTRATE authority with signs following.
This was the message Jesus sent back to John facing death in Herod's prision. My understanding of the scriptures charge ME WITH making observation of GIFTING-SERVANT-GUIDES that God has provided. I should focus on the Spiritual areas that they seem to demonstrate authority....it certainly blessed Phillip's witness of Jesus among the Samaritans; ..."For unclean spirits, crying with loud voice, came out of many that were possessed [with them]: and many taken with palsies, and that were lame, were healed"
3. Concerning your invitation to I Co 4:19-20 (what translation was that?)
AMEN. Paul understood the simple test of knowing if a servant was operating in the authority of his master by looking for what "power" was demonstrated.
I hope we would agree that the authority that should be demonstrated is over principalities and powers and not flesh and blood.
If we apply this admonition/test that Paul speaks of, what would you suggest we expect to see in anyone who would claim to be a guide? Was it present in those who were your servant/ministers pointing you toward the Christ?
__________________
Wherefore, my beloved brethren, let every man be swift to hear, slow to speak, slow to wrath [James 1:19]
Equal in opportunity at grace and mercy? yes
Equal in responsibility and accountability? nope....
I disagree. Everyone is both equally responsible and accountable to God for their actions and choices.
Quote:
Originally Posted by Ferd
add one more.
Equal in accomplisment in the kingdom?
I think where honor is due it is in this area....what has one done for the kingdom.
And I disagree here. Well. Kinda. There are many whose accomplishments are not seen by men, but of God. Are there many who are honored here on earth for their accomplishments? Of course. But I believe the Bible says that the first shall be last in the kingdom of heaven.
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