Congregations without Elders

By Kent Heaton

It is clear that many of the New Testament churches existed for a time without elders. Barnabas and Paul “returned again to Lystra, and to Iconium, and Antioch, confirming the souls of the disciples, and exhorting them to continue in the faith, and that we must through much tribulation enter into the kingdom of God. And when they had ordained them elders in every church, and had prayed with fasting, they commended them to the Lord, on whom they believed” (Acts 14:21-23). Titus was left in Crete to “Set in order the things that were wanting, and appoint elders in every city, as I gave thee charge.” (Titus 1:5). The Revised Standard Version says, “That you might amend what was defective, and appoint elders in every town as I directed you” (Titus 1:5).

A congregation without elders is a New Testament church. It has not come to the full maturity that God intends but it can function within the boundaries of the New Testament pattern of church work, worship and organization. Until such a time elders can be appointed, the church must carry out its work of evangelism, benevolence and discipline as prescribed by God’s law. A means to carry out that work is referred to as a “business meeting” and this serves to fulfill the work of the church. This process is a valuable tool to use in the absence of men who would serve as elders.

The business meeting must be viewed as a temporary means to grow to full maturity with the oversight of elders. The elders are the ones whom the Holy Spirit has made to be overseers and to care for the church of God purchased with the blood of Jesus Christ (Acts 20:28). They have been entrusted with the watch-care of souls (Hebrews 13:17). The qualities listed in 1 Timothy 3 and Titus 1 are given for the work of elders to carry out the mission of the church. The business meeting – while effective to maintain a decent and orderly working of the church – has not been given those admonitions.

One of the most important works that a congregation without elders must include in church work is to grow to the establishment of elders. This must be the constant focus and planning of the brethren. There can be many reasons why this cannot be accomplished in a certain period of time but when a congregation continues to exist year after year without efforts being made to establish an eldership they have failed to mature to the pattern commanded by the Lord in the New Testament.

Men must be encouraged to strive to this goal – whether from their youth or their older age. New converts must be shown the pattern to strive for in their lives to fulfill and mature to the role of the elder one day. In existing elderships, men must be challenged to prepare for the future to maintain the eldership. As elderships grow older, other men must fill those shoes. Let these men be of the character the Lord seeks as in the days of Ezekiel when He said, "I searched for a man among them who would build up the wall and stand in the gap before Me” (Ezekiel 22:30).

We need families who will rise to the challenge of the eldership so that the church of our Lord can mature in spirit and number as found in the pattern of the New Testament church. As we stand for the truth in seeking to be the New Testament church, let us not forget to stand for the truth within our own ranks to obey the commands of Him who gave His life for the church. &

Sin is Deadly

By Bob Myhan

In the last four issues of Faith Builder we have dealt with the deceptiveness, degeneracy, destructiveness and divisiveness of sin. Another of its chief traits is deadliness. As we shall see, it is deadly precisely because it is divisive.

Separation is the essence of death, “For as the body without the spirit is dead, so faith without works is dead also” (James 2:26). The prodigal son “’was dead’” because he was separated from his father and his brother (Luke 15:32).

Spiritual death is the inevitable consequence of sin because sin divides, or separates the sinner from God—the only source of spiritual life (Isaiah 59:1,2; Romans 6:23). God told Adam he would die if he ate of the forbidden fruit (Genesis 2:17). Adam ate of the fruit and he died. “Therefore … through one man sin entered the world, and death through sin” (Romans 5:12). One who lives in sin is dead spiritually though alive physically (1 Tim. 5:5-6).

Those who die in their sins will experience the second death, which will be eternal (John 8:21-24; Rev. 20:11-14; 21:8). They will go into everlasting fire, where there will be eternal punishment and eternal torment (Rev. 20:10; Matthew 25:41-46), implying eternal consciousness; for apart from consciousness there can be neither punishment nor torment.

Thus, those who are presently “dead in sin” (Eph. 2:1-5) must become “dead to sin” in order to escape the second death (Romans 5:20-6:7,23).

It is easy to see, therefore, why it is the case that “evil company corrupts good habits” (1 Cor. 15:33). Those who are deceived by sin, to the point of being enslaved thereby, “grow worse and worse, deceiving and being deceived” (2 Tim. 3:13). Sin has the capacity for being not merely epidemic but pandemic, affecting every one either directly or indirectly. It is, indeed, the worst contagion the world has ever seen. &

Influence

By Bob Myhan

By influence is meant, “The power to produce an effect without using force.” Influence, therefore, is a type of indirect operation. Many think that brute force is the only tool at their disposal in bringing about a desired effect in others. But influence can be a much greater power than brute force. It is from the same Latin root as “influenza.” This means that our actions and attitudes are contagious.

The apostle Paul tells us, “evil company corrupts good morals” (1 Cor. 15:33). The foreign wives of Solomon adversely influenced him (Ex. 34:10-16; Deut. 7:1-5; 17:17; 1 Kings 11:1-13). The people of God adversely influenced the priests during the post-exile period of Judah, (Hosea 4:9). Even Peter was influenced by brethren from Jerusalem to withdraw and separate himself from faithful Gentile saints (Gal. 2:11-14).

It is for this reason that impenitent members must be disciplined (1 Cor. 5:1-13). God expects His people to have a positive, rather than negative influence on those who are yet in the world (Matt. 5:13-16).

How can we have a positive influence on those in the world? There are at least five things necessary. First, we must have a good reputation, which is why “A good name is to be chosen rather than great riches” (Prov. 22:1). Second, we must be sincere, rather than hypocritical (Matt. 23:1-4; 1 Thess. 4:9-12; James 2:1-9). Third, we must refuse to compromise or sacrifice the truth (Matt. 6:24; 2 John 10-11). Fourth, we must be careful not to cause our brethren to stumble (1 Cor. 8:1-13). And fifth, we must be willing to serve (Matt. 23:11; Rom. 12:18-21).

There are those we know we are influencing, and there are those we do not know we are influencing. But we can make sure our influence is positive on both groups. Are you having a positive influence on the lives of others? &

Leaving It Behind

By Kyle Campbell

The other day, my son asked me why my elbow was a certain way, and I responded, “Because I’m old.” Although I was half kidding, it does make me think. The older I get, the more I have to leave behind. Growing older is a reminder of 2 Corinthians 4:16:

For which cause we faint not; but though our outward man perish, yet the inward man is renewed day by day.

Life goes on, and the body decays. God could have made a body which would never age until the time we die, but it would never remind us that life is so brief. David said,

“For we are strangers before thee, and sojourners, as were all our fathers: our days on the earth are as a shadow, and there is none abiding” (1 Chronicles 29:15).

As you grow older, use wisdom to see that this world is not your home. Obey God and inherit a glorious home for eternity. &