Truth Seeker - Pillars Two

1st Century Pillars of Faith or a Governing Body?

Page Two

Acts of the Apostles

Amazingly, Paul didn't go to Jerusalem until 14, fourteen, years later to meet with the Apostles in Jerusalem. At this time he met with three of the apostles.

Galatians 2:1,Then, after fourteen years, I went up again to Jerusalem with Barnabas, taking Titus also with me.
9And when they had known the grace that was given to me, James and Cephas and John, . . . (DRC)

In a very large way Paul demonstrates that he "condescended not to flesh and blood." Therefore, it is extremely unlikely that a church Governing Body existed in the form that we experience today in so many churches.

Though, let us examine what is mentioned of the acts of the apostles more closely to understand how things worked. (DRC)

Acts 8:14, Now when the apostles, who were in Jerusalem, had heard that Samaria had received the word of God, they sent unto them Peter and John.

26Now an angel of the Lord spoke to Philip, saying: Arise, go towards the south, to the way that goeth down from Jerusalem into Gaza: this is desert.

Acts 11:1, AND the apostles and brethren, who were in Judea, heard that the Gentiles also had received the word of God. 2And when Peter was come up to Jerusalem, they that were of the circumcision contended with him, 3Saying: Why didst thou go in to men uncircumcised, and didst eat with them?

Acts 11:17, If then God gave them the same grace, as to us also who believed in the Lord Jesus Christ; who was I, that could withstand God? 18Having heard these things, they held their peace, and glorified God, saying: God then hath also to the Gentiles given repentance unto life.

Acts 11:22, And the tidings came to the ears of the church that was at Jerusalem, touching these things: and they sent Barnabas as far as Antioch. (DRC)

Acts 15:

1, And certain men came down from Judaea and taught the brethren, saying , Except ye be circumcised after the custom of Moses, ye cannot be saved. 2And when Paul and Barnabas had no small dissension and questioning with them, the brethren appointed that Paul and Barnabas, and certain other of them, should go up to Jerusalem unto the apostles and elders about this question. (ASV)

4And when they were come to Jerusalem, they were received by the church, and by the apostles and ancients, declaring how great things God had done with them. (DRC)

6And the apostles and ancients assembled to consider of this matter. 7And when there had been much disputing, Peter, rising up, said to them . . .

12And all the multitude held their peace; and they heard Barnabas and Paul telling what great signs and wonders God had wrought among the Gentiles by them.

13And after they had held their peace, James answered, saying: . . .

19Wherefore my judgment is, that we trouble not them that from among the Gentiles turn to God; 20but that we write unto them (ASV)

22Then it pleased the apostles and ancients, with the whole church, to choose men of their own company, and to send to Antioch, with Paul and Barnabas, namely, Judas, who was surnamed Barsabas, and Silas, chief men among the brethren. 23Writing by their hands: . . . (DRC)

28For it hath seemed good to the Holy Ghost and to us, to lay no further burden upon you than these necessary things:

Acts 16:4, And as they passed through the cities, they delivered unto them the decrees for to keep, that were decreed by the apostles and ancients who were at Jerusalem. 5And the churches were confirmed in faith

Conclusion

The above is not all that is needed to reach a conclusion. Furthermore to be considered is also what and how church dogma got to be established.

Without a doubt we see pillars, apostles and presbyters, older men, being gathered. They listened, disputed, listened to what God had wrought and based on this evidence through reason, common sense, and Holy Spirit reached a conclusion.

Thus we see that their conclusions weren't based on a democratic consensus of emotional matter that had no basis in the real world. Rather, their conclusions were based on the evidence that existed about the workings of the Holy Spirit, the commands that pre-existed the Law Covenant such as the edict forbidding the consumption of blood and meat from strangled animals given to Noah after the deluge.

In this sense, they functioned as repositories for reason, for scriptural knowledge which was brought to bear on the problem at hand, they functioned as supports, as pillars of the spirit of truth that already had been revealed in the far past and the recent past. They were not despots, a tyrannical governing body arbitrarily deciding church dogma no matter the scriptural evidence.

They dispatched brothers to take care of various matters that needed special care. So we do see that the apostles and the elders in Jerusalem behaved in a supervisory manner. They did handle these issues that affected the whole church. Did they issue an edict to the church at large? Yes, they did. But it was certainly guided and drawn from scripture and the activity of the Holy Spirit that all had witnessed. There was no personal unguided decision here.

The same may be said about the teaching in Paul's letters. All his teachings are based on previous scripture and unalterable scriptural principles found in the OT. The only things he decided personally were things belonging to the new Christian congregations that became intermingled Gentiles and Jews such as how to conduct meetings and find marriage mates only in the Lord, a teaching that originates with God. When Paul e.g. spoke about singleness, we see that he encouraged this because of what life had taught him through personal experience. As such, he advises those who can to remain single so as to have less tribulation in the flesh; however, with sound reason, he tells those that need to marry to do so to avoid sinning; in no way did he dogmatically make singleness a must-adhere-to church teaching.

One thing may be established without a doubt. These Pillars of the Faith were not appointed to any Governing Body. Some were appointed Elders, others as Apostles. This alone permitted them access to the proceedings taking place in Jerusalem. If you want to use the term 'governing body' then please also let the rest be as it was then and do not go beyond what scripture shows to be true for the Pillars who assembled in Jerusalem in times of old.

Most importantly, we should realize that above all, we must worship God in truth and spirit, and that we should "condescend not to flesh and blood" (paraphrased). Thus our dogma must not be controlled by men. Following teachings of men leads to God's disapproval and rejection.

Colossians 2:20, If ye died with Christ from the rudiments of the world, why, as though living in the world, do ye subject yourselves to . . . after the precepts and doctrines of men? (ASV)

Matthew 15:9, But in vain do they worship me, Teaching as their doctrines the precepts of men. (ASV)

Guided, Yes, by elders, by apostles, and by teachers and, Yes, verified according to the example of the Beroeans – dogma should be and be made sure of in all things (paraphrased). This each one must do so that we avoid the idolatry that serving men causes to exist.

Our gospel is that of the Bible's; our worship seeks not to please men – whether these men be apostles, presbyters, as in older men, or even those that consider themselves a governing body. We have been given the intellectual capacity by Christ to understand the fullness of the body of teachings. The Helper gives, in fact, guides us to the proper understanding of the scriptures through our deep study of God's word, by personal meditation, from notetaking, and in serious effort.

I John 5:19, We know that we are of God, and the whole world is seated in wickedness. 20And we know that the Son of God is come: and he hath given us understanding that we may know the true God, and may be in his true Son. This is the true God and life eternal. 21Little children, keep yourselves from idols. Amen. (DRC)

John 14:26, But the Comforter, even the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in my name, he shall teach you all things, and bring to your remembrance all that I said unto you. (ASV)

If you look at the Sectism page, you will see a discussion of the things that Christians must agree on. Clearly in a congregation with several mature individuals, plenty of opportunity existed to get help with difficult issues, to extend a helping hand to those that didn't understand certain material. In the end, each Christian must individually make sure that what he believes is God's truth as revealed in the Holy Scriptures.

The New Testament itself consists of much material written for this specific purpose. By God's will, Paul connected all the dots for us so that we through his writings were given to understand how the OT relates to the NT. The evidence is against those that use this concept of governing body to control all teaching and who lock the truth up in their tightfisted attempt at usurping God's throne by suppressing Bible truths as stated in II Thess chapter two.

As our study showed, that was not how the first century congregations and the church worked then.