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What We Believe To Be True...
Upon this rock...
Jesus said unto Peter "and I say also unto thee, that thou art Peter, and upon this rock I will build my church: And the gates of hell shall not prevail against it. And I will give unto thee the keys of the kingdom of heaven: And what so ever thou shalt bind on earth shall be bound in heaven: And what so ever thou shalt loose on earth shall be loosed in heaven" (Matt. 16:18,19). Jesus gave the authority unto His Apostles, and later the Apostle Paul gave a charge to the Elders, take heed. Therefore unto yourselves and to all the flock, over which the Holy Ghost hath made thee overseers (Bishops) to feed the Church of God, Which he hath purchased with his own blood (Acts 20:28). Wherefore Lord, why is there so many Churches of Christ that have Elders with a charge to oversee the Church of God, yet have surrendered their authority to the Evangelist? Never-the-less they are deceived like the children of God, Israel when they were told, it is too much for you to go up to Jerusalem read. (I Kings 12:27-30). The Elders are told the same thing. It is too much for you to take care of the weightier matters of troubles and division among members of the church, just let the Bishop or pastor take care of the matter. And when I investigate I will make the decision and bring it back for you (Elders) to approve or reject my decision. God has ordained for the Elders or bishops to be the overseers of the church and that means whatever problems arise among the members. God knew whether the Elders could do the work or He would not have given them the charge to be overseers and feed the church of God, which he purchased with his own blood. After the Church of Christ was established, God did not leave it in the hands of just anybody, but he gave qualifications to the Apostles and the Elders (Acts 1:21, 22; I Tim. 3:1-7). So you see Elders we have an awesome job to fulfill. God has charged the Evangelist to preach the word; be instant in season, out of season; reprove, rebuke, Exhort with all long suffering and doctrine. For the time will come (has come) when they will not endure sound doctrine; but after their own lust shall they heap to themselves teachers having itching ears; And they shall turn away their ears from the truth; and shall be turned unto tables. Do the work of the Evangelist, Make full roof of thy ministry (II Tim. 4:1-5).
...charge to the Elders...
...weightier matters of troubles and division...
...Elders have an awesome job to fulfill...
...we are subject one to another...
The Elders' and the Evangelist's Ministries over lap each other, we are subject one to another. But woe unto the churches that have been established over ten to twenty years and never set in order the things that are wanting and ordained Elders and deacons. Is it because they want to be the Bishop or Elder over the church and have the dominion over it, like Diotrephes, who loveth to have the preeminence (III John 1:9). Some who do ordain an Elder, at the same time ordain the Evangelist in order for him to still have the preeminence.
Speaking the Truth In Love. Your Brother in Christ who wants to save himself and those that hear me.
-- Willie J. Hooper, Sr., Elder Emeritus