If you would, be turning to 1
Corinthians chapter 12. 1 Corinthians chapter 12. I'm gonna read the first seven verses
for now. Now concerning spiritual gifts,
brethren, I would not have you ignorant Ye know that ye were
Gentiles carried away unto these dumb idols, even as ye were led. Wherefore, I give you to understand
that no man speaking by the Spirit of God calleth Jesus accursed,
and that no man can say that Jesus is the Lord, but by the
Holy Ghost. Now there are diversities of
gifts, but the same Spirit. And there are differences of
administrations, but the same Lord. And there are diversities
of operations, but it is the same God which worketh all in
all. But the manifestation of the
Spirit is given to every man to profit with all. I read an article sent on a forum
that was done by a man named Carl Ketcherside. The title of
it was The Royal Priesthood. It was just a few chapters from
his total book. But Carl Ketcherside, as I understand
it, was part of the restoration movement. Some say this was the
beginnings of the Campbellite church. Some dispute that, and
I'm not here to talk about that specifically. Besides, I don't
care what a person says or a person is called in certain organization
or certain denomination, it's what they say that matters. The
article's main premise, as I see it, was to point out that all
of God's people are all priests, meaning all men and women, of
which I do not disagree. First Peter 2.9 says, but ye
are a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, and holy nation,
a peculiar people, that ye should show forth the praises of him
who hath called you out of darkness into his marvelous light. It is how each of us go about
that, that showing forth the praises of him who hath called
us out of darkness into his marvelous light, that we are to look at. Not all of us do the same things. Each are given a specific place
in the body of Jesus Christ and they perform the function for
which they were ordained to perform. And more on this later. My purpose
today is not to embarrass those who may have read or shared the
article. I obviously read it too. I too
sometimes go and read writers of times past as well as current
ones. Some of which I may not know
where they stand on some, and some that I do. I've read many
good gospel messages by doing this. For me, this was not one
of them. Just to be clear, there are no
perfect assemblies, and that includes this assembly. There
are no perfect writers, there are no perfect pastors, or any
of God's people. But each assembly should search
out the scripture and prayerfully seek out that which honors Jesus
Christ. That is in how they conduct themselves
in their worship. This does not begin at looking,
this does not begin at looking back at the primitive church
and how they did things. Unless by primitive, you happen
to mean by going into God's word to see how God tells us to conduct
ourselves. But if that's the case, just
say, go to the word. Scripture does give us these
details. We, in fact, have an apostle who was given us, and
one of the reasons was for this very thing. Paul was the apostle
to the Gentiles, and I believe all of us here are Gentiles.
And most who were reading this article were Gentiles, as far
as I'm aware of. However, it is this assembly
that I'm concerned with. Paul the Apostle in several of
his epistles speak to us about how we are to do things in the
local assembly, all over the place, almost every single one
of his epistles, not to mention James and Peter and John, John's
book. This instruction is certainly
good for all assemblies to benefit by. But clearly the epistles
are written to specific assemblies, letter to Corinth, letter to
Ephesians, My point being that sometimes certain instructions
are more needful for one assembly to hear than at other times.
That can change over time because there are no perfect assemblies.
If we're going to talk about how things should be done, and
this article's main premise is how the assembly should conduct
itself, it is geared specifically about certain things for sure.
Who should stand up and speak? How money should be distributed?
Our mode of worship, for lack of a better term. So it makes
scriptural sense, if we're going to talk about these things, that
we should look at these epistles to see what God tells us as it
concerns worship in the local assembly. This article certainly
referenced some scripture, and there were some things that I
agreed with. But the overall point of the article was way
off base. The article never went into any
of the passages in the epistles by the Apostle Paul to see if
Scripture agreed on the stance. The article also gave this disclaimer,
it said, this book is not exhaustive in its treatment of the subject,
but suggestive in nature, and is intended to arouse God's children
to think for themselves in light of the Holy Scripture. It certainly
was not exhaustive, but it was exhausting to read. I do not
want someone to suggest to me what God's word says. I want
them to just tell me plainly what God's word says. That way
I do not have to think for myself, but bow down to God's word and
what he says. Now one more thing I want to
say up front. Jesus Christ is the great high priest, of which
this article did not disagree. But when you see priest in the
Old Testament, when it's talking about sacrifices, Jesus Christ
is the priest in all cases as the type. Jesus Christ is the
head, we are the body. You can think of it as an analogy
of the human body. The scripture uses this, so it's
okay for us to use it. Christ is the head on the body,
and his church is the body. Where the head goes, the body
goes, because it is directed by the head. What is the purpose
of a priesthood? That we should show forth praises
of him who hath called us out of darkness into his marvelous
light. How do we do this? Paul tells
us in his epistles, so I wanna go through those and see what
it says in these points. Who should speak in the assembly?
How should we conduct those services? Is it wrong for those who feed
us with spiritual food to get paid, even a salary? According to the article, it
would seem that because the scripture says we are a royal priesthood,
that anyone should be able to speak. Let's first look at who
scripture says should not speak in the eloquent assembly, because
it does tell us. I mean, according to how we are
told by the apostle Paul, the apostle to the Gentiles, knowing
that all scripture is given by inspiration of God, we know Paul
was moved by the spirit of God to write these things for our
edification. So I don't have to make anything
up or come up with anything on my own. It's all in God's word
for us already. There is no thinking for myself
that needs to be done. First of all, we are told women
are not to speak. More specifically, usurp authority
over the man. 1 Corinthians 14.34 says, let
your women keep silence in the churches, for it is not permitted
unto them to speak, but they are commanded to be under obedience,
as also saith the law. And 1 Timothy 2.12 says, but
I suffer not a woman to teach, nor to usurp authority over the
man, but to be in silence. So although women as a part of
the body of Christ and being a royal priesthood, we are told
that they should not speak in the church. So right off we have
some that should not be speaking in the local assembly. A woman
may proclaim outside of the assembly and we have many examples of
that in scripture. Even where some women instruct
men. But it is not to be part of the local assembly. This has
nothing to do with any inferiority in women. just a priority of
position, as Walter has pointed out before in one of his messages.
It's how God says it's to be done. Who else should not speak? Anyone speaking in tongues that
does not have an interpreter. 1 Corinthians 4, 27 and 28 says,
if any man speak in an unknown tongue, let it be by two, or
at the most, by three, and that by course, and let one interpret. But if there be no interpreter,
let him keep silence in the church and let him speak to himself
and to God. anyone who is an outward overt
sin because we are not to accompany with them. 1 Corinthians 5 verses
4 and 5 says, in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, when you
are gathered together in my spirit with the power of our Lord Jesus
Christ to deliver such in one unto Satan for the destruction
of the flesh, that the spirit may be saved in the day of the
Lord Jesus Christ. We are talking about those who
are called brethren because in 1 Corinthians 5 verse 11 it says,
but now I have written unto you not to keep company if any man
that is called a brother be a fornicator or covetous or an idolater or
a railer or a drunkard or an extortioner with such and one
know not to eat. Who else? Someone who bridleth
not his tongue should not speak because his religion is vain.
You can read James for that. It does not specifically say
not to let them speak, but what edification would it be to hear
vain preaching? So this is obvious we do not
want them speaking. But we also read in Titus 1,
again, vain talkers and deceivers should not be speaking in the
assembly. Titus 1 verses 10 and 11, it says, for there are many
unruly and vain talkers and deceivers, especially they of the circumcision,
whose mouths must be stopped, who subvert whole houses, teaching
things which they ought not for filthy lucre's sake. So I do
not believe they should be speaking in the local assembly. A novice
should not be speaking. First Timothy 3.6 says, not a
novice, lest being lifted up with pride, he fall into the
condemnation of the devil. Again, this does not say he should
not speak specifically, but one who desires the office of a bishop
is certainly one who will be speaking. It says here that a
novice should not be a bishop. Bishops, elders, pastors, teachers,
main function is to preach the gospel of Jesus Christ and him
crucified. This passage clearly tells us
that it should not be a novice. So there must be some discernment
in who it is that we should let speak in the local assembly.
Especially not just someone who comes in to the local assembly
that we do not know. If we do not know who they are,
we do not know if they are a believer or a deceiver. If they are a
believer, we have no idea if they are a novice or not. And
we would not know if they bridle if not their tongue. So now we
have those who I've pointed out that should not speak in the
assembly. Does the scripture tell us who should speak in the
assembly? Let's first understand what an
elder, a pastor, or a bishop is. An elder is a senior or an
older believer, not necessarily older in age than everyone else,
but older in the faith. We know that because of their
being novices. Novices could be 80 years old
if God brings them into his church at 80. A pastor is a shepherd
or one that tends to the flock. It is probably better said that
they are under shepherds because Jesus Christ is the great shepherd. How does the shepherd tend the
flock? He feeds the sheep. He watches over them. He also
teaches them because the scripture includes when it talks about
gifts to the church, pastors and teachers, that's one office. They both preach and teach. Bishop
is one that looks over or inspects the flock. These three are interchangeable,
although there may be some differences in what function each of these
signify, but they are talking about the same person. We know
that scripture certainly gives qualification to those who desire
to have this office. So if one is to be one who's
going to preach and teach, they first must desire the office,
and they must qualify for the office according to God's word,
and I'm not gonna go through those. But 1 Timothy 3 says,
this is a true saying. If a man desire the office of
a bishop, he desireth a good work. We also know that the men
who will be proclaiming his word are to be found faithful men.
1 Corinthians 4 says. Moreover, it is required in stewards
that a man be found faithful. So again, you have to have something
that will let you know this is true of someone. And it does
not happen when someone walks in the building for the first
time. There are other ways you can know about someone, especially
if they are from another place. You can listen to their messages.
that they have preached to see what they say and preach. You
can talk with other believers that you know individually and
see what they say about it. But they also need to be able
to teach, it says. 2 Timothy 2 and verse 2 says,
and the things that thou hast heard of me among many witnesses,
the same commit thou to faithful men who shall be able to teach
others also. If they do not have this ability,
then the scripture does not instruct us to let them speak. Second
Timothy 2.24, and the servant of the Lord must not strive,
but be gentle unto all men, apt to teach, patient. So am I saying
that only certain men should be standing up before you proclaiming
God's word? No, God is telling us in his
word that only certain men, that is males, should be standing
in the local assembly proclaiming God's word. So let me move on. The article went on to talk about
how we do things in the local assembly, even going so far as
to insinuate what furniture we should use or not be using. There
is nothing in God's word that tells us the furniture we should
use in our assembly. Nowhere does it say we have to
gather around a table, sit in chairs, lay on the floor, or
sit on the floor. The article said that back in
the New Testament time, they sat around the table. And now,
today, we sit in front of a pulpit. This is not entirely true, therefore
the whole statement is false. The writer even goes on and mentions
these other things himself. However, it's not done admitting
that what he previously said was false. The fact is we're
not really ever clearly given any indication of how that we
are situated, if you will, when we meet to worship. Meaning,
were they sitting? Were they standing? Were they
laying down halfway? There are some places where we
read it might say that they sat back down, indicating that they
were, if they were sitting or not. But whether they were gathered
around the table all the time, I gather from scripture, it is
not really true. I think we can use our judgment
as to what God has given us as to what is the most comfortable
for us or not. Not that we have to be comfortable.
We seem to think sometimes everything has to be comfortable or easy
for us. But if we can be comfortable, then there's no problem with
us doing that if God has given us the means to do so. We have
both tables with chairs here and just chairs. So some here
are gathered around a table in front of a pulpit and some just
in chairs in front of a pulpit. I think it works out pretty well
considering how many people we have in the place we have. This
is all given by God and we are blessed. Having a man who is
speaking to you, standing in front of you, seems to me to
be a reasonable thing. It means you can both see him
and better hear him. Some places may do things differently
than we do here. But if they follow what God's
word says as to what we are to do, or how we are to conduct
ourself in the local assembly, then it is okay. An assembly
does not have to do things exactly how we do them to honor Christ.
There are some things, though, that we are definitely instructed
to do. Ephesians 5.19 says, speaking to yourselves in psalms and hymns
and spiritual songs, singing and making melody in your heart
to the Lord. And also in Colossians 3 verses
16 and 17 it says, let the word of Christ dwell in you richly
in all wisdom, teaching and admonishing one another in psalms and hymns
and spiritual songs, singing with grace in your hearts to
the Lord. And whatsoever you do in word
or deed, do all in the name of the Lord Jesus Christ, giving
thanks to God and the Father by him. So we are to speak to
each other by way of singing hymns, psalms, and spiritual
songs. This is to be done making melody
in our heart, singing with grace in our hearts to the Lord. We
are to sing about what Jesus Christ has done for us, sing
about what we are and who he is. I'm not going to go in much
detail about if we should use stringed instruments or not.
There's no direct words given in scripture against it, nor
is there any scripture given for it. Do you have someone that
can play an instrument? Then if it can aid the assembly
or that person seen in honoring Christ in hymns, psalms, or spiritual
songs, then use it. I have my preferences, but others
have theirs. It does not matter as long as
it is done with grace in your hearts to the Lord. We are also
to read the scriptures. 1 Timothy 4.13 it says, till
I come, give attendance to reading, to exhortation, to doctrine.
So we are to read the scriptures. Read passages from the scripture
to show what God has said in his word. But we are to exhort
one another. That is to comfort and console
one another with God's word. We are in this world to go through
tribulations. There is no getting out of that.
God says that is what we are here to go through. But we, through
the word and proclaiming the truth of Jesus Christ and him
crucified, can comfort and console one another with his teaching.
Hearing the name of Christ, that pleasant name will cause great
joy in the soul and comfort, knowing he does all things well
and will not let anything or anyone pluck us out of his hand.
We are to teach doctrine, that is the doctrine of Jesus Christ.
I know some may not think that is what I'm doing right now,
but that is what I'm doing right now. This is how God tells us
in his word we are to do things when we are gathered together
with him in our midst. We are his body. We are to pray. We are to partake of the Lord's
table. As oft as we do it, we do it
in remembrance of him. Other than this, there is no
other clear teaching of how we are to conduct ourself in the
house of God, as far as I've read. And I read through all
the epistles to look at this, but I could have missed something.
But all that is done should be done to his honor and glory,
for it is all his. Anything, no matter what it is,
if it's done for man's honor and glory in any way, it is not
how we are to worship. Whether what we, whether what's
being done is for the glory of man or what is being said is
said honoring man, that is not the worship of Christ. So let's
move on. Now I don't want to minimize
this. Are there some out there who are out for money? Yes, there
are. And this point is, is it wrong
for those who feed us with spiritual food to get paid? There are people
out there that are just out for money. They preach for money.
They may even preach the truth. But we are not about what the
world is, nor are we going to allow the world to judge us in
how we do this. The word of God will judge us.
This world may do things for gain, but neither is this world
preaching the truth of Jesus Christ. And as I said, even pastors in
grace assemblies may preach for money. The love of money is the
root of evil. Money itself is not a problem. The problem is with me. Whether
it be just as people give money to him, you know, the pastor,
they just personally hand him some money. Here you go. Or if
the whole assembly even has purposed in their heart to give a man
a salary. Nowhere in scripture does it
speak against a pastor getting a salary or not getting a salary.
There is no doubt that God's people should give. They should
actually give cheerfully. Second Corinthians 9, 7 says,
every man according as he purposes in his heart, so let him give. Not grudgingly or of necessity,
for God loveth a cheerful giver. The local assembly should help
those in need and not just the pastor. If someone has a need
that is a brother or sister in Christ, the local assembly should
help them. But if there is someone in need
that has a family in the local assembly, then their family should
be helping them and not to burden the assembly. First Timothy 5.16,
it says, if any man or woman that believeth have widows, let
them relieve them, and let not the church be charged, that it
may relieve them that are widows indeed. Is it because we don't
care about them? No, it is so we can take care
of those who have no one else that can help them. Now just to be clear, giving
is not just money. Money is a big part of it because
the way things are today, most everything is based off of having
to have money to get it. Back then they may have done
a lot of trading and so on to get food and so on to eat. Giving
can be of your own time to help at the local assembly or to help
other in the local assembly. Maybe you do not have much money
to give, then give of your time and of yourself. Cleaning where
we meet, mowing where we meet, cleaning the dishes when we have
a dinner and other things that you can give of yourself. Cleaning
the dishes, that way you can give of yourself and your time
doing that, helping others so others don't have to do it. Certainly
money is needed to continue getting the gospel out any way we can
and to take care of what God has given us. That includes taking
care of his spiritual gifts. But Paul is clear that a pastor
has the right to forbear working. 1 Corinthians 9, 6 says, or I
only and Barnabas have not we power to forbear working? Now
Paul did not use this right. But that does not mean it is
wrong if others use this right so they can devote themselves
to studying God's word and proclaiming God's word to the local assembly.
And elsewhere if they have opportunities. Paul rebukes some who did not
give. Second Corinthians 11 eight.
It says, I robbed other churches taking wages of them to do you
service. So here it says he took wages
of them. That was for him specifically,
that's what it says. He said, I took money from other churches
so that I could preach the gospel to you. But there are numerous
scriptures where Paul instructs the people of God that the man
who preaches God's word to them should be taken care of in some
way. Galatians 6 says, let him that
is taught in the word communicate unto him that teacheth in all
good things. That is talking about take care
of him, give him something. Now those who are overseers,
that is pastors and teachers, elders and bishops, should also
be aware of the circumstances they are in. Even though the
pastor does have the right to forbear working, but a man over
God's assembly should not want to put their local assembly in
poverty so that he can live high on the hog, as they say. But
they should be taken care of where it is needed. God's ministers
should not lord over God's heritage, but In fact, those who preach
the word are to be counted worthy of double honor of what you do
for anyone else. Again, back in 1 Timothy 5.16
we read, If any man or woman that believeth have widows, let
them relieve them. And let not the church be charged,
that it may relieve them that are widows indeed. Then in verse
17 it says, let the elders that rule well be counted worthy of
double honor. And that's talking about money,
that's what that word means. Especially they who labor in
the word and doctrine. Now if you would, turn with me
to 1 Corinthians 9. 1 Corinthians 9. in verse 7. 7 through 19. Who goeth a warfare
any time at his own charges? Who planteth a vineyard, and
eateth not of the fruit thereof? Or who feedeth a flock, and eateth
not of the milk of the flock? Say I these things as a man?
Or saith not the law the same also? For it is written in the
law of Moses, Thou shalt not muzzle the mouth of the ox that
treadeth out the corn. Doth God take care for oxen?
Or saith he it altogether for our sakes? For our sakes, no
doubt, this is written, that he that plows should plow in
hope, and that he that thresheth in hope should be partaker of
his hope. If we have sown unto you spiritual
things, is it a great thing if we shall reap your carnal things?
If others be partakers of this power over you, are not we rather? Nevertheless, we have not used
this power, but suffer all things, lest we should hinder the gospel
of Christ. Do ye not know that they which
minister about holy things live of the things of the temple,
and they which wait at the altar are partakers with the altar?
Even so hath the Lord ordained that they which preach the gospel
should live of the gospel. But I have used none of these
things, neither have I written these things that it should be
so done unto me. For it were better for me to
die than that any man should make my glorying void. For though
I preach the gospel, I have nothing to glory of. For necessity is
laid upon me, yea, woe is unto me if I preach not the gospel. For if I do this thing willingly,
I have a reward. But if against my will, a dispensation
of the gospel is committed unto me. What is my reward then? Verily, that when I preach the
gospel, I may make the gospel of Christ without charge, that
I abuse not my power in the gospel. For though I be free from all
men, yet have I made myself servant unto all, that I might gain the
more. If individuals or the local assembly
cheerfully commit to or want to give their pastor a salary
so that he does not have to work a job, thank God for it. If God enables them to be able
to do this, thank God for it. We know Paul did not do this.
He worked with his own hands as a tent maker. There is nothing
wrong with this. But as we have read, even if
the pastor works with his own hands, you are not to muzzle
the mouth of the ox that treadeth out the corn. Let him take what
he wants, whether he works with his own hands or he doesn't.
The elders also should be aware, as I've said before, of what
God has given to the local assembly so as not to burden them with
something they cannot do. We must do all things in love
and thinking about others rather than ourselves. As I've spoke
about before, the number of pastors and teachers, elders, bishops
does not matter as long as they fall into line with what God
says about the matter. So why is it important to know
all these things? If you would now turn back with
me to 1 Corinthians 12. 1 Corinthians 12 and verses 12
through 21. 12 through 21. For as the body is one and hath
many members, and all the members of that one body being many are
one body, so also is Christ. For by one spirit are we all
baptized into one body, whether we be Jews or Gentiles, whether
we be bond or free, and have all been made to drink into one
spirit. For the body is not one member,
but many. If the foot shall say, because
I am not the hand, I am not of the body, is it therefore not
of the body? And if the ear shall say, because
I am not the eye, I am not of the body, is it therefore not
of the body? If the whole body were an eye,
where were the hearing? If the whole were hearing, where
were the smelling? But now hath God set the members,
every one of them, in the body, as it hath pleased him. And if
they were all one member, where were the body? But now are they
many members, Yet but one body, and the eye cannot say into the
hand, I have no need of thee, nor again the head to the feet,
I have no need of you. We are all priests unto God to
give praise to his name. But we are all in the body of
Christ. We are not all an eye, we are
not all an ear, and we are not all a mouth. We all have different
functions. So our priesthood is a priesthood
in his body and he guides us and places us where he wants
us to be. To try and do something different
is to say, I am the hand and I am not of the body. What does
this cause? A schism in the body. That is
a split, a gap or division. To have anyone and everyone that
wants to stand up and speak is not to the edification of God's
people. God has not ordained it to be
this way. Paul says in 1 Corinthians 14
and 26, he says, how is it then, brethren, when ye come together,
every one of you hath a psalm, hath a doctrine, hath a tongue,
hath a revelation, hath an interpretation? Let all things be done unto edifying. He does not say this because
he is wondering how this could be. Paul is saying this because
it was a free for all. Everyone wanted to be involved
and do their own thing. This is not how it is to be done.
But we should look to Christ and what he is pleased to have
us to do. He will let us know. Let us follow his word as to
how we will do things. Not looking to this world or
back at the primitive church, because if the primitive church
is in ruins, and this article was talking about the church
being in ruins and looking back and trying to find where we went
wrong. If it's in ruins, there is a
good reason why they are in ruins. Go to God in his word and prayerfully
ask him to reveal his word and what he is pleased for you to
do, or us to do. If we find we are not doing things
according to his word, then we change what we are doing. I did
not bring this message because I am interested in getting money,
nor am I interested in making sure someone else gets any money.
Nor did I bring this message because I believe we're doing
things against the way God's word says in scripture. I did
not do this message to say that only one man or even multiple
men should be speaking before the assembly. If there's only
one man that desires to do it, then you have one man. If there
are multiple, then you can have multiple. This assembly has been
given grace and has been blessed by God to give liberally of what
they have. We have less people now than
we ever have had, but we have, it seems, more money coming in
than we ever have had coming in. We are truly blessed by God
here. We have our wants taken care
of both physical and spiritual. I thank God for everyone giving
here, whether that is of their time and efforts or giving money.
I am also thankful to God that we have Walter and Joe who have
been faithful ministers for many years. I pray he continues to
bless us that we might praise his name. I pray he allows me
to be faithful to proclaim his name until I see him as he is.
but we must be ready to hear the word of God. James 119 says,
wherefore, my beloved brethren, let every man be swift to hear,
slow to speak, slow to wrath. Be quick to hear what God says
in his word. Check the scriptures daily to
see if these things being spoken here are the truth. Slow to speak
what we think. Scripture instructs us on how
we are to hear as well. Whatever we do, it should be
done to the honor of Jesus Christ and His gospel. Philippians 127
says, only let your conversation, that is your way of life, be
as it becometh the gospel of Christ, that whether I come and
see you or else be absent, I may hear of your affairs, that ye
stand fast in one spirit, with one mind, striving together for
the faith of the gospel. This is what we are to do here. This is what's to be done. Those
for whom God has given us those spiritual gifts, we pray God
continues that. We ask God to allow us to sing
psalms, hymns, spiritual songs with grace in our hearts. Breaking
bread at the Lord's table as oft we do it, remembering him.
Helping one another out when there is a need by his grace
and taking care of those who watch over us and proclaim his
word. not forsaking the assemblings of yourselves together, as Joe
so ably pointed out in his message on TV this morning. And I will
add, now more than ever do this, because the scripture says in
Hebrews 10, 25, not forsaking the assemblies of ourselves together,
as the manner of some is, but exhorting one another. And so
much the more, as ye see the day approaching, Jesus Christ
does all things right. How he instructs us in his word
is what we should follow. We know scripture of those who
wanted to do things their own way, and it does not turn out
well for them. Paul told Timothy these things
because there is a certain way that we should behave ourselves
in the worship of God in the local assembly. I or we cannot
change any other local assembly, although they may by chance hear
some of these words in this doctrine, and maybe it might help them.
I've heard sound doctrines from other men, and it's helped me.
The straight stick is God's word. You want to know if something
is crooked? Then compare it to God's word. That is where we
will find what is right. Don't try to pull one verse out
of the scripture and try to make it fit with some kind of idea
you have. Compare scripture with scripture.
What we will find there is Christ. Christ being the head of the
church and it is he who has put his body together as he sees
fit. Follow after Christ and give
praise and honor and glory to his holy name. Ephesians 4, 11
and 12 says, And he gave some, apostles, and some prophets,
and some evangelists, and some pastors and teachers, for the
perfecting of the saints, for the work of the ministry, for
the edifying of the body of Christ. O God, may you send us your gifts
and teach us of yourself, edifying us, your body. Amen.