Why church government is NOT hierarchical contd...
21) Matt 18:1 At the same time came the disciples unto Jesus, saying, Who is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven?
2 And Jesus called a little child unto him, and set him in the midst of them,
3 And said, Verily I say unto you, Except ye be converted, and become as little children, ye shall not enter into the kingdom of heaven.
4 Whosoever therefore shall humble himself as this little child, the same is greatest in the kingdom of heaven.
The greatest are like children, not Barons.
22) Parables never show a class between Christ and disciples. Eg. Shepherd and sheep (no super-sheep). Christ the head us body parts (none better than other), vine and branches (no branch better than another).
23) All of Christ's commands are to all, not the chosen few.
Mark 16:15 And he said unto them, Go ye into all the world, and preach the gospel to every creature. Go YE, not the minister only.
24) The 13th apostle was decided by a vote and a lottery. Not by a hierarchy.
25) 1 Cor 3 condemns following a man and denominationalism.
4 For while one saith, I am of Paul; and another, I am of Apollos; are ye not carnal?
26) Continuing with 1 Cor 3
11 For other foundation can no man lay than that is laid, which is Jesus Christ.
12 Now if any man build upon this foundation gold, silver, precious stones, wood, hay, stubble;
Again we see every man building for himself upon Christ.
27) Philippians 2:12 Wherefore, my beloved, as ye have always obeyed, not as in my presence only, but now much more in my absence, work out your own salvation with fear and trembling. No hierarchy or church can do it for you. Many act like they hold the keys to your salvation.
28) Paul did a lot of beseeching. E.g. 1 Corinthians 1:10 Now I beseech you, brethren... Why would Paul beseech 22 times. If he endorsed hierarchy or had power to order he would have ordered. Despots do not beseech.
29) In a victory procession, kings went first, captive slaves last. Paul uses this analogy of his apostleship. Does this sound like he acted like a despot?
1 Cor 4
8 Now ye are full, now ye are rich, ye have reigned as kings without us: and I would to God ye did reign, that we also might reign with you.
9 For I think that God hath set forth us the apostles last, as it were appointed to death: for we are made a spectacle unto the world, and to angels, and to men.
10 We are fools for Christ's sake, but ye are wise in Christ; we are weak, but ye are strong; ye are honourable, but we are despised.
11 Even unto this present hour we both hunger, and thirst, and are naked, and are buffeted, and have no certain dwellingplace;
12 And labour, working with our own hands: being reviled, we bless; being persecuted, we suffer it:
13 Being defamed, we intreat: we are made as the filth of the world, and are the offscouring of all things unto this day.
Contrast Paul's example with say the Vatican where they do rule like kings.
