Something I wonder about as well is the fact that the Acts church met more than once a week thus allowing the Spirit to do different things within the body. So perhaps on Monday there is a prophecy given, Tuesday a tongue & interpretation, I think you get the gist. But we show up on Sunday, and sometimes Wednesday, and expect God to do all of that in one hour. Not that He cannot, but why would HE?
_________________Ron Bailey
Philologos, I think that makes more sense. I have often wondered what that passage in 1 Corinthians was talking about. When the whole church is together, as if they could not always be togehter, and thus it was a wonderful time when all could come together to use their gifts. It is also interesting to me that Paul does not seem to lay out this structure to any of the other churches he writes to. Why is that?Also I think that 1 Corinthians 13 comes before 1 Corinthians 14 to show that love is the key. Hence at the end of chapter 12 Paul say "but I show you a more excellent way"
_________________patrick heaviside
It is also interesting to me that Paul does not seem to lay out this structure to any of the other churches he writes to. Why is that?
_________________Jimmy H
Earlier in this thread it was pointed out the one of the roles of the spiritual leader - the shepherd was to protect the sheep from enemies. I haven't seen too many comments on that. Back in Bible days people didn't have near the outside influences they have today - TV, cellular phones, internet, in addition to schools, peers, etc. Actually we are under constant bonbardment from enemy influence which can lure us away from truth and defile our minds. Even "Christian" TV is dangerous. Clearly today pastors are not the most influencial people in the lives of their parishoners. How can they fulfill their role in protecting the sheep when they are competing with so many very influencial "shepherds"?Diane
_________________Diane
How indeed?It seems that many people have been wounded by other people(shepherds or other) and thus it becomes very difficult to trust anyone with any kind of authority or leadership in their life. I know that at times I even struggle with this to a degree. But what if there is a truly Christ like leader before us, who can say "follow me as I follow Christ." I believe that this would change so many peoples' hearts, and break down many of those walls. The hard part is that when someone is wounded, it is not always as easy as saying "get over it" to them. I think that a shepherd is kind, and compassionate to the sheep that are injured so that they eventually trust him enough to eat from his hand, knowing that he has only their best intentions in mind. Then again though this requires vulnerability, which is hard to come by.
t seems that many people have been wounded by other people(shepherds or other) and thus it becomes very difficult to trust anyone with any kind of authority or leadership in their life. I know that at times I even struggle with this to a degree. But what if there is a truly Christ like leader before us, who can say "follow me as I follow Christ." I believe that this would change so many peoples' hearts, and break down many of those walls. The hard part is that when someone is wounded, it is not always as easy as saying "get over it" to them. I think that a shepherd is kind, and compassionate to the sheep that are injured so that they eventually trust him enough to eat from his hand, knowing that he has only their best intentions in mind. Then again though this requires vulnerability, which is hard to come by.
Clearly today pastors are not the most influencial people in the lives of their parishoners.