Do not accept an accusation against an elder unless it is based on [the testimony of at least] two or three witnesses.
AS FOR THOSE [elders or church workers] WHO CONTINUE IN SIN, REPRIMAND THEM IN THE PRESENCE OF ALL [the congregation], SO THAT THE REST WILL BE WARNED.
I solemnly charge you in the presence of God and of Christ Jesus and of His chosen angels that YOU GUARD AND KEEP THESE RULES WITHOUT BIAS, DOING NOTHING OUT OF FAVORITISM."
1 Timothy 5:19-21 (AMP)I am writing these things to you now, even though I hope to be with you soon,
so that if I am delayed, YOU WILL KNOW HOW PEOPLE MUST CONDUCT THEMSELVES IN THE HOUSEHOLD OF GOD. This is the CHURCH of the LIVING GOD, which is the PILLAR and FOUNDATION of the TRUTH."
1 Timothy 3:14,15 (NLT)
• Disciplinary actions are no longer effective in the Church again, due to the multiplication or proliferation of Churches.
- Someone who is being disciplined in a local church could decide to jump Church, leave the church where he or she has been disciplined and move to another Church without any remorse.
IN the new Church, the person would readily be welcomed as a new convert, or first timer. THEY might court the person, wanting such to be part of the church. Of course, they would not know where such is coming from, they would want the person to be part of them! - If you are disciplined in a church and the punishment is meted out: probably you are not allowed to do anything or discharge any duty in the Church again for a period of time, or you are not allowed to sit among the leaders or church workers.
YOU THUS feel ashamed or think you are too big to be ostracized. THEN you decided to jump church—change the church you attend. - You may escape the discipline of that local church, but God Himself would monitor your case and see to it that you are duly disciplined, and it may be severer than that of the church you left (1 Corinthians 11:31,32).
- In the new Church you join, as long as the church is the Church of Jesus Christ, the discipline or chastisement continues in your Life.
THOSE at your new Church may not know what you did where you are coming from, they may even see you as an instrument in the hand of God and assigned you to work as soon as you join the church, especially if the church is a small church.
• Church Government
- The Church is empowered to discipline whenever anyone erred, or did wrong (1 Corinthians 5:1-5).
- Whatever the Church prohibits on earth is prohibited in heaven, and whatever the Church allows is allowed in heaven (Matthew 18:20).
- If the Church PUT you under a discipline and you Refused to serve the punishment, but decided to jump church, move to another Church, you are still under God’s discipline or chastisement wherever you go because the church has not FORGIVEN your Sin (John 20:23).
- If the Church corrected you on a particular issue, but you take offence as a result of IT, and you do not heed the correction; know that you are under God’s discipline or chastisement, even if you left the place (John 20:22,23).
- The Church government is the strongest government, and it is the Supreme government on earth.
WHATEVER decision the Church makes, such is backed up by God!
IF A Church decided to gather and pray concerning a matter, God will honour it. Jesus says: “For where two or three gather together as my followers, I AM THERE AMONG THEM" (Matthew 18:20 NLT). - WHEN the Church decided on a matter, such decision has the backing or the approval of God: 22 And when He [Jesus] had said this, He breathed on them [the Disciples] and said to them, “Receive the Holy Spirit. 23 IF YOU [as the body of Christ, the Believers] FORGIVE THE SINS OF ANY, THEY ARE FORGIVEN THEM; IF YOU WITHHOLD FORGIVENESS FROM ANY, IT IS WITHHELD" (John 20:22,23 ESV).
READ: Matthew 18:18-20; 1 Corinthians 5:1-5
• Hierarchy in the church
- God Set up leaders in the Church as His delegates, representatives, they are God's delegated authorities: "So God has appointed and placed in the church [for His own use]: first APOSTLES [chosen by Christ], second PROPHETS [those who foretell the future, those who speak a new message from God to the people], third TEACHERS, then THOSE WHO WORK MIRACLES, then THOSE WITH THE GIFTS OF HEALINGS, the HELPERS, the ADMINISTRATORS, and SPEAKERS IN VARIOUS KINDS OF [unknown] TONGUES" (1 Corinthians 12:28 AMP).
READ: Ephesians 4:11-14; Titus 1:10-14 - When you rebel against the Church authority, you have rebelled against God.
- Whatever you do to God’s delegated authorities, either good or bad, is considered to have been done to God: "Therefore WHOEVER resists the authorities RESISTS WHAT GOD HAS APPOINTED, AND THOSE WHO RESIST WILL INCUR JUDGEMENT" (Romans 13:2 ESV).
- If you despised your Pastor or other leaders Set up to watch over you in the Church, you have despised God (Hebrews 13:17).
- If you flout or defy the instructions or commands of your Pastor or other leaders in the Church, that are in line with the Word of God, you have flouted God’s order.
- The moment Someone is appointed by the Church authority as a leader, you have a responsibility to obey, respect and honour such a person—regardless of the person's age and status.
GOD would not take it lightly with anyone who violates His principles. Disregarding His representatives is an affront to Him! - Know that the Church Government is Superior to that of the Family.
YOUR spiritual father and other leaders in the Church have more authority over your life than your earthly parents. - When you violate the order or instructions of your spiritual Leaders or Parents that are in line with the Scriptures, in order to please your biological Parents who's instructions are contrary to be Bible; know that you would be chastised or disciplined by God Himself for such an act.
- The only exception is when the Pastor or the church leaders give an instruction that is contrary to the Word of God, the Bible (Acts 4:19,20).
• Handling the delegated authorities in the church
I. Honour them and obey their instructions: OBEY YOUR [spiritual] LEADERS AND SUBMIT TO THEM [recognizing their authority over you], for they are keeping watch over your souls and continually guarding your spiritual welfare as those who will give an account [of their stewardship of you]. LET THEM DO THIS WITH JOY AND NOT WITH GRIEF AND GROANS, FOR THIS WOULD BE OF NO BENEFIT TO YOU" (Hebrews 13:17).
II. Bless them with your material things: "THE ONE WHO IS TAUGHT THE WORD [of God] IS TO SHARE ALL GOOD THINGS WITH HIS TEACHER [contributing to his spiritual and material support]" (Galatians 6:6).
READ: 1 Timothy 5:17; Philippians 4:14-19
III. Pray for them. IF you pray for your Pastors and Leaders in your own private time of prayer, you are honouring them and God will reward you with honour for doing that (Ephesians 6:18,19; 1 Thessalonians 5:11,12).
AS your pastor and other leaders in your local church pray for you, you also have a responsibility to pray for them:
2-4 ALWAYS MAINTAIN THE HABIT OF PRAYER: be both alert and thankful as you pray. INCLUDE US [Paul and his team members] IN YOUR PRAYERS, please, that God may open for us a door for the entrance of the Gospel. PRAY THAT WE MAY TALK FREELY OF THE MYSTERY OF CHRIST (for which I am at present in chains), and that I may make that mystery plain to men, which I know is my duty" (Colossians 4:2-4 PHILLIPS).
- You should not be a parasite but a protege. Parasite only lives on others or benefits from others, and do not add anything to the person or people they live on or rely on.
THEREFORE, PRAY for your Pastor and other Ministers whom God has used to bless your Life.
• You will not fail in Jesus' name.
Peace!