An addendum to "Why?"

Much of what you will see posted here has been a culmination of many separate Bible studies that were researched and written prior to the development of this blog, some of which were done years ago, and some more recently.

The core question that I kept asking myself is, "Has our current church foundation been laid on other well-intended affairs that have been practiced for the last 150 years in physical church buildings?" Have we been led down wrong paths of men even with the right intentions?

The theme that will be primarily discussed here are the traditions and codes of conduct that are being practiced in our churches that do not represent the New Testament, Jesus Christ or His gospel of grace clearly. This conduct and certain traditional observations often go beyond the intended effect and in the end reproach Him, the gospel, and even His Book. A person can deceptively claim to represent a revered Book, while misrepresenting Jesus Christ and His New Testament.

I am discussing extremes when discussing these issues. I realize a person can go far in any extreme. Many Fundamentalist churches are witnessing the unorthodoxy become the orthodoxy. These extremes are rapidly become more common place and acceptable. It must be said that balance and understanding play crucial roles in our lives as Christians. If our incorrect denominational traditions, no matter who or where they come from are held as a doctrine, then incorrect or false doctrine will soon follow.

Should our attitudes really be, "Well, at least they are preaching Christ and doing something" when justifying some preachers' actions? Why do we justify disorderly preaching and conduct in the pulpit and other places? Men in pulpits want the double honor and the support that goes with it without accepting and performing the act of laboring of the word and doctrine. Many pastors are spinning their wheels laboring in vain in other so-called ministries that most will find themselves not even able to give themselves continually to prayer and the ministry of the word.

Men have invented other ways or special ministries, and they call it "His ministry or the call of God". The pastors and preachers of the Book have to be accountable to the body of Christ as well as the men and women sitting under them. They are not so far removed from their own flesh or pride that they themselves never waver or slip.

We should no longer accept disorder from men because they profess to be a priest or preacher and write it off as unorthodoxy or some mystical special calling as in a "he's just out there attitude", or "he has a special ministry". They are either in agreement and accord with the New Testament, or they are not. And if they are not, then any Christian around them is no longer bound to follow them due to peer pressure, pay check, or fear of a breaking of fellowship. These men are cankerous. A Christian no longer has an obligation or biblical reverence to that man's leadership or advice and they can biblically, orderly and respectfully withdraw from disorderly men. Let all things be done decently and in order.

A Christian, especially those "IN" the ministry, should not believe that it is right to do wrong to get a chance to do right. Men have their gifts and their personalities. We are different members of His body, in particular. We all have varying gifts and callings. However, our gifts and callings should not contradict the word of God. Our gifts and callings are not our own to say how they are to be used and by what order or by what authority we speak. We have the word of God for those matters and answers.

This blog is not a forum to debate or to consider some new doctrine, but is rather established primarily to exhort the Christian who has had dealings with this spirit of error in churches. It has also been established in an attempt to show a difference between traditional and doctrinal. Christians can follow men, but we do not have to imitate these brethren, their man-made ministries, or any man's flesh-filled actions to have the power of God or to have a ministry for God.

I am not against Christians following the leadership of men. But the men we follow should follow Christ, Paul, and the teachings and doctrines of the New Testament. "Be ye followers of me as I am of Christ". All Christians, including the "elite branches", should simply consider their ways before saints and sinners and to make sure that we are in fact what we say we are, Bible Believers. Men often mention the Great Commission as the basis for many traditions, programs, and actions we see. We must remember that with a great commission comes great responsibility. We do have a great responsibility. Our many actions are what influences the decisions of many.