heb 13v07 17 How Should A
Local
HOW SHOULD A
Hebrews 13-7. 17
At
first the church of the New Testament was under the direct government of Christ
himself. After his ascension back into heaven it was under the rule of the
apostles of Christ. The apostles appointed deacons to relieve them of the
mundane duties of watching over money, property, and the care of widows (Acts
It
is the pastor's responsibility to rule in the house of God, taking the
oversight of it (I Tim. 3:1-7). He does not rule by bullish force, by
intimidation, or by legislative power. But he must rule. He is responsible to
God to rule the church in precisely the same manner as a husband is responsible
to God to rule his own house. THE AUTHORITY FOR HIS RULE is the God he
represents. He is God's ambassador. That gives him authority! THE BASIS OF
HIS RULE is the Word of God. THE PRINCIPLE BY WHICH HE RULES is
love, love for Christ, love for the gospel, and love for the people of God. He
rules by his own example of faith and faithfulness. By his own exemplary
conduct and demonstration of consecration and self-denying commitment to the
gospel, he wins the respect of God's people and earns their loyal submission to
his spiritual leadership. THE