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always obey?

A threat or a blessing

Dear William, it is true that the elderly account for a local church are put in place by God and must be obeyed, any decision can be taken?

The answer to this question, which can hide serious problems and disagreements in the church, even abuses, is "Yes" and "No".

We read in the writings of the Apostle Paul (and see in his example) that the church must recognize how the elderly, so obvious and clear, brothers who have the qualities listed in 1 Timothy 3 and Titus 1 and then take that are the people that God has prepared and recommended for this difficult and delicate task. In this situation

Ideally, the church must continually support the elderly with prayer, "keeping them in high esteem and loving" (1 Thess. 5:13), while recognizing that they are not infallible. It can happen, unfortunately, that's their decision is not fully understood or approved because it does not seem biblical. In this case it is important to pray that God makes them see and understand, with his methods and his time, their possible error and humbly that they are ready to remedy the situation. Those who pray must also be ready to change their assessment.

Maybe "obey" the elderly seems too strong an expression, and some would choose the word "accept" or "no objection" alle loro decisioni, ma l’autore della Lettera agli Ebrei, nel versetto 13:17, adopera proprio la parola “ubbidire”, cioè fidarsi.

Il fatto che siamo tutti fallibili, anche quando abbiamo le migliori intenzioni, potrebbe permettere, col passare del tempo, che si capisca che il riconoscimento di alcuni anziani non abbia funzionato perfettamente.

Perciò è facile dedurre che non sempre tutti i fratelli in tutte le chiese, che svolgono la funzione o ministero di anziani, abbiano davvero tutte le qualifiche necessarie, che siano stati effettivamente preparati e scelti da Dio e che la Chiesa abbia fatto l’indicazione e conferma degli anziani sotto la guida di Dio.

Difatti, le debolezze umane, le preferenze umane e la carnalità possono permettere che alcuni uomini siano riconosciuti sulla base di amicizia, parentela, imposizione, simpatie o altro. In questo caso, che mi auguro sia raro, è evidente che le decisioni che questi anziani potranno prendere, come pure la loro guida della chiesa, si dimostrino, nel tempo, carenti e, a volte, addirittura carnali.

In questo caso, i credenti devono, per forza, “ubbidire” agli anziani? La risposta è “Nì”. La risposta potrebbe essere: “Sì” quanto all’ubbidienza, ma con la riserva di impegnarsi a pregare che, se è la volontà di Dio, quella decisione sia in futuro cambiata.

There are two mistakes to avoid. No believer should believe called to oppose, as an individual, for the elderly. With prayer and meekness, many problems can be solved. It is very important that the harmony of the church is not destroyed by the personal opinion of one or two, that few believers.

The second thing to avoid is criticism or criticism involving a group which engages in a guerrilla war against the direction of the church, such as young people against old people, women against men or families against families. Obviously, it is essential to address the problem and seek a solution biblically, humbly and lovingly.

There is, in extreme cases, the possibility to say "No" if you are convinced, after Bible study and prayer, that demands obedience to the elderly being disobedient to God but we must realize that a situation so dramatic, if not resolved soon, may be necessary for consistency , leave the church.

The biblical solution to any problem in the church, in the words of Paul:

"Following the truth in love, may grow (each individual and the whole church) in every way into him who is the head, even Christ (Ephesians 4:15). Is this what you're looking for?
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