As a suggestion, I will be submitting the following to Stove Bolts, Administrator, be included as our new ToS, which shouldn't be called ToS, but instead, the Title of the new guidance to replace the present ToS, I suggest should be named "Instruction For Biblical Conduct" @ CForums.
Matthew 18:15-17 (KJV)
15 Moreover if thy brother shall trespass against thee, go and tell him his fault between thee and him alone: if he shall hear thee, thou hast gained thy brother.
16 But if he will not hear thee, then take with thee one or two more, that in the mouth of two or three witnesses every word may be established.
17 And if he shall neglect to hear them, tell it unto the church: but if he neglect to hear the church, let him be unto thee as an heathen man and a publican.
And:
Matthew 7:12 (KJV)
12 Therefore all things whatsoever ye would that men should do to you, do ye even so to them: for this is the law and the prophets.
And:
Luke 6:31 (KJV)
31 And as ye would that men should do to you, do ye also to them likewise.
And at least one more (this is not exhaustive, there may be more).
From 1 Corinthians 11:17-19 below of which I would like to comment and instruct. When we have this Biblical instruction in place as our new 'guidance;' for conduct at Christian Forums I recommend that the REPORT button is changed from its present name to maybe something like "OVERSEE" or something of that nature.
My second suggestion is for these moderators' names be changed to something like "Elder" or some Biblical designation that speaks towards being overseer/overseeing the forums and also of authority. "Elder" may work fine.
Next, I submit that if we have the Scripture that instructs God's people in their behavior towards one another in Covenant and member of the Body of Christ, we must all be aware of the following: "Elders" must not intervene into a matter between brethren UNTIL the 'Oversee' button is clicked and mediation is requested. This means, in short, that WE WILL BE POLICING OURSELVES and it is the instruction and command of the Lord that when brethren offends another brethren - and I mean OFFENSE in which the believer has a sense of being 'trampled on' by another and their behavior needs attention BUT ONLY AFTER Matthew 18:15 has been invoked and the offended believer has sent a private message to the presumed offender to discuss their offense.
If after this private message has gone out and a response has been made - and it matters not - one, two, three repeat communication has been made but no apology has been offered, or the offended believer had misunderstood the offending brethren's position or words and it has been resolved at this level, things go on as before,) but if the offending believer disagrees with the offense and does not confess (means, say the same thing) as the one offended and it is not resolved to the offended brethren's satisfaction, the OVERSEE button can be clicked and an Elder can now mediate this disagreement, and the Elder will elicit another Elder (two or three witnesses) and the matter can be judged BUT the one who did the offending can disagree with the two/three Elder's joint decision at which case the matter brought before the Church. If you have 100 members there may be five Elders. If 200 members then 10 Elders, etc., as Moses did in the OT. I understand God may grant 700 members in time, but we stop at ten Elders. "Bringing it to the Church" (Matt. 18:17) would mean selecting (in rotation?) five other brethren who will represent the Scripture and hear the matter, and when a judgment has been delivered and the offending brethren does not submit, they are then SAT DOWN (unable to post for 30 days.) Membership here can write a message to the Elders with their recommendations as well during the deliberation stage.
If after the 30 days the brethren return to the fold and they do the same thing again (Offend in the same way), I suggest depending on the offense, removal from the site and from the fellowship. Excommunicated, if you will. And any excommunication of brethren from a Biblical fellowship is VERY SERIOUS and should not be treated 'flippantly' or carelessly.
I will add more and will take questions to test what I have submitted can stand the exercise of questions and Biblical precedent.
Now, to 1 Corinthians for ALL your consideration - and Stove Bolt's consideration.
1 Corinthians 11:17-19 (KJV)
17 Now in this that I declare unto you I praise you not, that ye come together not for the better, but for the worse.
18 For first of all, when ye come together in the church, I hear that there be divisions among you; and I partly believe it.
19 For there must be also heresies among you, that they which are approved may be made manifest among you.
There are TWO THINGS that divide a church fellowship: Heresy and Schism.
Heresy divides and is doctrinally related.
Schism divides and it is 'lack of love' being manifested which is contrary to the Love the Lord has for His people.
Example of schism: A brother or sister in fellowship sees another sister wearing a nice hat or headwear and says, "look at sister so-so, she thinks she looks so good in that hat..." OR, brother says, "Pastor so-so, he's always asking for donations and volunteers...."
Do you get the picture? That is schism, or the Greek, "schisma." Lack of love divides. Heresy divides. And I don't mean a brethren posts doctrine which is not received because some do not have eyes to see or ears to hear or they never/can't see "it" that way.
Heresy means a direct affront to Biblical doctrine, not church holding. The word means "choice" in Greek.
Here is an example: Let's say Peter is preaching what happen that day Jesus fed 4ooo people on a two-piece meal-deal and someone stands up and says, "Hold on! I was there. That Rabbi was feeding the people with at least seven baskets full of fish, it wasn't two fish!"
What this person has done is introduced "choice" to the ears and mind of God's people. And this is seriously dangerous for it confuses the people of God and hijacks any faith/trust in the words of Peter WHO WAS AUTHORIZED to speak on the Lord's behalf.
I have posted things that some have recognized as "Calvinism," and although I am familiar with the TULIP, I have never read nor studied Calvin, but what I have posted come from my personal studies NOT USING COMMENTARIES but me, my KJV, and the Holy Spirit and under the anointing. Through the last two decades, my knowledge of Scripture has increased dramatically and it is not because of Calvin's works. It is because I personally find these holdings in Scripture and I am quite prepared to defend. I plant, and I water, God gives the increase. I have been in phone communication with Stove and he's told me about the Calvinist's that were once here, and are no more and I say, "Good!" Please, take me and the Scripture I post at face value. I won't beat you over the head, but I will post.
1 Corinthians 11:17-19. Take a look at verse 19. "those that are approved."
In the First Century, everyone saw the SAME Jesus. Everyone said the same thing as God. There was no real, serious heresy, and everyone was in a daily "love feast" with everyone else in the Body of Christ. But heresy did creep in slowly. They had no Bible and the first epistle/letter was written about AD 54, maybe 49. So, doctrine was mainly word of mouth, and when a prophet or apostle came to town.
and there were traveling prophets, they took pre-eminence over the elder, the pastor, the apostle (OK, James, come at me
,) and they spoke the oracles of God.
TO THE BRETHREN: You can take your disagreement with other brethren as far as you want if you can handle it. It is also up to you to decide if you'd want to hit the OVERSEE button or continue in your disagreement.
TO THE ELDERS: If you see brethren in heated or otherwise disagreement you MUST allow it to 'play out.' EVERYONE IS WATCHING AND READING what is going on. But you MUST allow it to 'play out.' There is a dynamic being manifested that must be allowed to come to conclusion on its own, or UNTIL the OVERSEE button is clicked and mediation is requested.
Do not forget, the Holy Spirit is also involved and those that witness the interaction MUST SEE its resolution or conclusion. If you come in without being requested in an official capacity you may 'short-circuit' the Holy Spirit and the witnessing brethren will not see who is approved 'unto God.' There is a difference between taking an active and sincere involvement and being a BUSY-BODY. I, myself, know this dynamic and I have witnessed brethren come to a better understanding, apologize without the OVERSEE button being pushed, and the fellowship BECOMING STRONGER and a respect being built up. And THAT is the result we want.
Stove, please consider the above and if there is anything you may require to assist your understanding please call me.
To God Be the Glory.
Everyone else....this is open to discussion.
Thank you.
Matthew 18:15-17 (KJV)
15 Moreover if thy brother shall trespass against thee, go and tell him his fault between thee and him alone: if he shall hear thee, thou hast gained thy brother.
16 But if he will not hear thee, then take with thee one or two more, that in the mouth of two or three witnesses every word may be established.
17 And if he shall neglect to hear them, tell it unto the church: but if he neglect to hear the church, let him be unto thee as an heathen man and a publican.
And:
Matthew 7:12 (KJV)
12 Therefore all things whatsoever ye would that men should do to you, do ye even so to them: for this is the law and the prophets.
And:
Luke 6:31 (KJV)
31 And as ye would that men should do to you, do ye also to them likewise.
And at least one more (this is not exhaustive, there may be more).
From 1 Corinthians 11:17-19 below of which I would like to comment and instruct. When we have this Biblical instruction in place as our new 'guidance;' for conduct at Christian Forums I recommend that the REPORT button is changed from its present name to maybe something like "OVERSEE" or something of that nature.
My second suggestion is for these moderators' names be changed to something like "Elder" or some Biblical designation that speaks towards being overseer/overseeing the forums and also of authority. "Elder" may work fine.
Next, I submit that if we have the Scripture that instructs God's people in their behavior towards one another in Covenant and member of the Body of Christ, we must all be aware of the following: "Elders" must not intervene into a matter between brethren UNTIL the 'Oversee' button is clicked and mediation is requested. This means, in short, that WE WILL BE POLICING OURSELVES and it is the instruction and command of the Lord that when brethren offends another brethren - and I mean OFFENSE in which the believer has a sense of being 'trampled on' by another and their behavior needs attention BUT ONLY AFTER Matthew 18:15 has been invoked and the offended believer has sent a private message to the presumed offender to discuss their offense.
If after this private message has gone out and a response has been made - and it matters not - one, two, three repeat communication has been made but no apology has been offered, or the offended believer had misunderstood the offending brethren's position or words and it has been resolved at this level, things go on as before,) but if the offending believer disagrees with the offense and does not confess (means, say the same thing) as the one offended and it is not resolved to the offended brethren's satisfaction, the OVERSEE button can be clicked and an Elder can now mediate this disagreement, and the Elder will elicit another Elder (two or three witnesses) and the matter can be judged BUT the one who did the offending can disagree with the two/three Elder's joint decision at which case the matter brought before the Church. If you have 100 members there may be five Elders. If 200 members then 10 Elders, etc., as Moses did in the OT. I understand God may grant 700 members in time, but we stop at ten Elders. "Bringing it to the Church" (Matt. 18:17) would mean selecting (in rotation?) five other brethren who will represent the Scripture and hear the matter, and when a judgment has been delivered and the offending brethren does not submit, they are then SAT DOWN (unable to post for 30 days.) Membership here can write a message to the Elders with their recommendations as well during the deliberation stage.
If after the 30 days the brethren return to the fold and they do the same thing again (Offend in the same way), I suggest depending on the offense, removal from the site and from the fellowship. Excommunicated, if you will. And any excommunication of brethren from a Biblical fellowship is VERY SERIOUS and should not be treated 'flippantly' or carelessly.
I will add more and will take questions to test what I have submitted can stand the exercise of questions and Biblical precedent.
Now, to 1 Corinthians for ALL your consideration - and Stove Bolt's consideration.
1 Corinthians 11:17-19 (KJV)
17 Now in this that I declare unto you I praise you not, that ye come together not for the better, but for the worse.
18 For first of all, when ye come together in the church, I hear that there be divisions among you; and I partly believe it.
19 For there must be also heresies among you, that they which are approved may be made manifest among you.
There are TWO THINGS that divide a church fellowship: Heresy and Schism.
Heresy divides and is doctrinally related.
Schism divides and it is 'lack of love' being manifested which is contrary to the Love the Lord has for His people.
Example of schism: A brother or sister in fellowship sees another sister wearing a nice hat or headwear and says, "look at sister so-so, she thinks she looks so good in that hat..." OR, brother says, "Pastor so-so, he's always asking for donations and volunteers...."
Do you get the picture? That is schism, or the Greek, "schisma." Lack of love divides. Heresy divides. And I don't mean a brethren posts doctrine which is not received because some do not have eyes to see or ears to hear or they never/can't see "it" that way.
Heresy means a direct affront to Biblical doctrine, not church holding. The word means "choice" in Greek.
Here is an example: Let's say Peter is preaching what happen that day Jesus fed 4ooo people on a two-piece meal-deal and someone stands up and says, "Hold on! I was there. That Rabbi was feeding the people with at least seven baskets full of fish, it wasn't two fish!"
What this person has done is introduced "choice" to the ears and mind of God's people. And this is seriously dangerous for it confuses the people of God and hijacks any faith/trust in the words of Peter WHO WAS AUTHORIZED to speak on the Lord's behalf.
I have posted things that some have recognized as "Calvinism," and although I am familiar with the TULIP, I have never read nor studied Calvin, but what I have posted come from my personal studies NOT USING COMMENTARIES but me, my KJV, and the Holy Spirit and under the anointing. Through the last two decades, my knowledge of Scripture has increased dramatically and it is not because of Calvin's works. It is because I personally find these holdings in Scripture and I am quite prepared to defend. I plant, and I water, God gives the increase. I have been in phone communication with Stove and he's told me about the Calvinist's that were once here, and are no more and I say, "Good!" Please, take me and the Scripture I post at face value. I won't beat you over the head, but I will post.
1 Corinthians 11:17-19. Take a look at verse 19. "those that are approved."
In the First Century, everyone saw the SAME Jesus. Everyone said the same thing as God. There was no real, serious heresy, and everyone was in a daily "love feast" with everyone else in the Body of Christ. But heresy did creep in slowly. They had no Bible and the first epistle/letter was written about AD 54, maybe 49. So, doctrine was mainly word of mouth, and when a prophet or apostle came to town.
and there were traveling prophets, they took pre-eminence over the elder, the pastor, the apostle (OK, James, come at me
,) and they spoke the oracles of God.TO THE BRETHREN: You can take your disagreement with other brethren as far as you want if you can handle it. It is also up to you to decide if you'd want to hit the OVERSEE button or continue in your disagreement.
TO THE ELDERS: If you see brethren in heated or otherwise disagreement you MUST allow it to 'play out.' EVERYONE IS WATCHING AND READING what is going on. But you MUST allow it to 'play out.' There is a dynamic being manifested that must be allowed to come to conclusion on its own, or UNTIL the OVERSEE button is clicked and mediation is requested.
Do not forget, the Holy Spirit is also involved and those that witness the interaction MUST SEE its resolution or conclusion. If you come in without being requested in an official capacity you may 'short-circuit' the Holy Spirit and the witnessing brethren will not see who is approved 'unto God.' There is a difference between taking an active and sincere involvement and being a BUSY-BODY. I, myself, know this dynamic and I have witnessed brethren come to a better understanding, apologize without the OVERSEE button being pushed, and the fellowship BECOMING STRONGER and a respect being built up. And THAT is the result we want.
Stove, please consider the above and if there is anything you may require to assist your understanding please call me.
To God Be the Glory.
Everyone else....this is open to discussion.
Thank you.
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