It has EVERYTHING to do with the world, as we’re the ambassadors of God
The church is made up of priests. We are a Royal Priesthood.
The world is not priests. The world is not a Royal Priesthood.
Join For His Glory for a discussion on how
https://christianforums.net/threads/a-vessel-of-honor.110278/
https://christianforums.net/threads/psalm-70-1-save-me-o-god-lord-help-me-now.108509/
Read through the following study by Tenchi for more on this topic
https://christianforums.net/threads/without-the-holy-spirit-we-can-do-nothing.109419/
Join Sola Scriptura for a discussion on the subject
https://christianforums.net/threads/anointed-preaching-teaching.109331/#post-1912042
Strengthening families through biblical principles.
Focus on the Family addresses the use of biblical principles in parenting and marriage to strengthen the family.
Read daily articles from Focus on the Family in the Marriage and Parenting Resources forum.
It has EVERYTHING to do with the world, as we’re the ambassadors of God
Before this rebirth, we were all of the “world”.
There is no one greater than another in the body of Christ as it takes all the members, being one, that makes up the whole body of Christ. Without each member there would be no body. The Pastor is no greater than the one who cleans the Church as we are all servants of God.But some servants are greater than others, some are spiritually more mature than other, understanding the Scripture better; some endure hardship and remain faithful to God, they truly bear fruit; others are disheartened and backsliding. This is both a biblical warning and a reality we’re living in.
I think it's unwise to take too much pride in this, grow a sense of entitlement and question sound teachings from the pulpit. Pride is the greatest sin.The church is made up of priests. We are a Royal Priesthood.
Then why are some servants given five talents, some two, some one? (Matt. 25:15) Why does the same seed of gospel yield various amount, some thirtyfold, some sixtyfold, some up to a hundredfold? (Matt. 13:8) Why is some wicked servant beating up his fellow servants and joining the heathens, when he thinks the Lord has delayed His coming (Matt. 24:48-49)? Why is the first last and the last first (Matt. 19:30)? Why the lawbreakers are called the least and the lawkeepers are the great (Matt. 5:19)? And if the pastor is no greather than others, then why is he the pastor preaching at the pulpit while you and me are not? I understand that you might've grown up with the values of democracy, freedom and equality, but those are not the greatest values within the body of Christ, for Christ is the king, we're all bound to him and he the master is greater than all of us his servants, and bishops and deacons are ordained to run the chruch (1 Tim. 3).There is no one greater than another in the body of Christ as it takes all the members, being one, that makes up the whole body of Christ. Without each member there would be no body. The Pastor is no greater than the one who cleans the Church as we are all servants of God.
What you are not seeing is the fullness of collective faithful servants of God being the full body of Christ for God's purpose within His ministry whether it is the called and anointed Pastor/teacher or someone who scrubs the toilet. We are His eyes, ears, voice, hands and feet that God works through. God does not want our ability, but wants our availability to serve Him no matter the capacity of His calling.Then why are some servants given five talents, some two, some one? (Matt. 25:15) Why does the same seed of gospel yield various amount, some thirtyfold, some sixtyfold, some up to a hundredfold? (Matt. 13:8) Why is some wicked servant beating up his fellow servants and joining the heathens, when he thinks the Lord has delayed His coming (Matt. 24:48-49)? Why is the first last and the last first (Matt. 19:30)? Why the lawbreakers are called the least and the lawkeepers are the great (Matt. 5:19)? And if the pastor is no greather than others, then why is he the pastor preaching at the pulpit while you and me are not? I understand that you might've grown up with the values of democracy, freedom and equality, but those are not the greatest values within the body of Christ, for Christ is the king, we're all bound to him and he the master is greater than all of us his servants, and bishops and deacons are ordained to run the chruch (1 Tim. 3).
None of us are worthy of God's mercy and grace and it is not us that declare ourselves entitled to anything, but that God has called those who have come to Him by faith through Christ Jesus a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, an holy nation, a peculiar people and we are proud of such an honor.I think it's unwise to take too much pride in this, grow a sense of entitlement and question sound teachings from the pulpit. Pride is the greatest sin.
We need to test everything that comes from the pulpit as we test the spirits that teach us as many false prophets are out there in the world teaching errors, 1John 2:27; 4:1-6.I think it's unwise to take too much pride in this, grow a sense of entitlement and question sound teachings from the pulpit. Pride is the greatest sin.
The errors are accepted and acceptable on forums (I'm sure you already know this).We need to test everything that comes from the pulpit as we test the spirits that teach us as many false prophets are out there in the world teaching errors, 1John 2:27; 4:1-6.
We also need to be patient, quiet and humble. One of the evil spirits is the spirit of Korah who organized a rebel against Moses, and he and all his coconspirators were swallowed by the earth. Yes, there are false teachers like Joel Osteen and Rick Warren, those are the modern day Balaams, in such cases, expose them and leave.We need to test everything that comes from the pulpit as we test the spirits that teach us as many false prophets are out there in the world teaching errors, 1John 2:27; 4:1-6.
I’m talking about availability as much as you are. What you’re not seeing is that a vibrant relationship with God must be constantly maintained. Most “servants” nowadays rarely touch their Bible, whereas some have devoted their whole life to study the word of God, are they equally available to God? How is the latter not greater than the former? In Rev. 2-3 Jesus addressed each of the seven churches collectively, but at the end of each letter he called out INDIVIDUALS who’d heed his calling: “he who has an ear, let him hear!”What you are not seeing is the fullness of collective faithful servants of God being the full body of Christ for God's purpose within His ministry whether it is the called and anointed Pastor/teacher or someone who scrubs the toilet. We are His eyes, ears, voice, hands and feet that God works through. God does not want our ability, but wants our availability to serve Him no matter the capacity of His calling.
This is all empty platitude around unrealistic talking points. A “Royal Priesthood” is what we’re to the world, every one of us is a priest between God and the mission field, not just the clergy and influencers, by no means does that put every individual with the church on equal footing. If you’re really a woman, 1 Tim. 2:12 forbids woman to teach and order them to be silent, and some members on this very forum take this literally, according to these misogynists’ standard, what you’re doing right now is in violation of God’s word, you wouldn’t even be entitled to the first Amendment right of free speech! What I’m saying is, if you don’t wanna take “women be silent” literally, don’t take “royal priesthood” literally and immediately identify yourself as such either, put that in both biblical and cultural context, do some research, and think carefully, inquire God’s wisdom, not your own.None of us are worthy of God's mercy and grace and it is not us that declare ourselves entitled to anything, but that God has called those who have come to Him by faith through Christ Jesus a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, an holy nation, a peculiar people and we are proud of such an honor.
I think it's unwise to take too much pride in this
The truth is that we’re priests to the mission field, but no to each other. We’re not all bishops and deacons, each is endowed by our creator with a different gift, some in this and some in that. My point is just to remind you that we’re also sinners fallen short of God’s Grace, and we’re of a wild olive tree grafted into the commonwealth of Israel. Don’t be the Pharisee who brags before God, be the tax collector who cries out for God to have mercy on him - a sinner.No pride, just the truth.
Laodocea ?I doubt that. Paul ordained bishops and deacons in 1 Tim. 3 as church leaders to teach the word of God and rebuke false doctrines, there's a distinction between the laity and the clergy, i.e. the amateurs and the experts. In fact, in Revelation 2-3, the name "Laodicea" literally means "rule of the laity", that's a sign of apostasy, the defection from sound teaching, which Paul had predicted.
So? God's holy word predates his whole creation, as a blueprint predates the project thereof.Laodocea ?
Laodice I - Wikipedia
en.wikipedia.org
Her namesake for the city .
That city predates the new testament .
Laodicea on the Lycus - Wikipedia
en.wikipedia.org
The city was founded as laodicea in 256 bcSo? God's holy word predates his whole creation, as a blueprint predates the project thereof.
Nonetheless, the name Laodecia literally means rule of the people - laity in particular, regardless of its history. And it's also a fact that this is exactly what's happening in many modern churches, their leaderships have abandoned biblical principles to accommodate popular demand. Instead of their congregation becoming more godly, they themselves become more worldly. Case in point, the methodist church just lifted its ban on LGBTQ and welcome this leaven to puff the whole lump. If you only think of Laodicea and the other six as ancient cities in Asia minor, and build your whole argument from that perspective, then that's all ancient history, none of that would matter to our 21st century ears. But that's NOT just ancient history, it matters very much, especially Laodicea the last one, I've just shown you with an example.The city was founded as laodicea in 256 bc
There was no church then ,no gentiles could ever be in the presence of God .
Notice I said new testament. The maccabean revolt and the prophecy of Daniel about Alexander the great was fulfilled around this time .
There was no herod,no third temple ,the one Jesus spoke of was the third temple .zerubabbel temple was not destroyed yet .
The name of the city ,name sake is a Greek one that has nothing to do with city of laity .
Thats what I pointed out .
You said that Paul spoke against a city .the church was in that city but the city wasn't named because it was to be called the city of the laity.
Laodice of Macedonia - Wikipedia
en.wikipedia.org
Fourth century women whose descendant is the name sake one of many cities she had named in Asia minor .
Definition of LAITY
the people of a religious faith as distinguished from its clergy; the mass of the people as distinguished from those of a particular profession or those specially skilled… See the full definitionwww.merriam-webster.com
The word laity is much later .
That is what I meant .don't take that I don't support
Deacons,bishops ,I'm a presbyterian. We have elders who can remove my pastor outside of the church if need be and they account to others .
Im merely pointing out a flaw in that use of the definition.city of laiity .
Laodician is a pejorative for Luke warm .
The truth is that we’re priests to the mission field, but no to each other. We’re not all bishops and deacons, each is endowed by our creator with a different gift, some in this and some in that. My point is just to remind you that we’re also sinners fallen short of God’s Grace, and we’re of a wild olive tree grafted into the commonwealth of Israel. Don’t be the Pharisee who brags before God, be the tax collector who cries out for God to have mercy on him - a sinner.
Again, we are not all bishops or deacons, and we have NOT replaced biblical Israel. I'm mentioning this because I sense that we're treading dangerous water of replacement theory by claiming that we the church are all priests. Also, I'm not saying that you're wrong, I'm just reminding you that don't blow this "royal priesthood" statement out of proportion in its proper context, lest you grow a sense of pride and entitlement.Again, we are all priests.