Theology Q&A
By Dr. J. Rodman Williams
Theologian
Dr. J. Rodman Williams answers theological questions, exclusively on CBN.com.
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13. Church and Ministry
We go to a fundamental community church. It is Baptist based. Sermons
are very biblical, but there is much control. The folk are expected to
stay much within the dotted line -- no raising of hands or audible "amens,"
even when a rare praise song mentions an expression of praise. We are
finished in one hour. Prayers from the pulpit are read, but sound reverent
enough. I need advice. I have increasing hunger for a Holy Spirit manifestation.
Am I having a critical spirit?
I do not sense in what you say a critical spirit but a hungry spirit:
in your own words an "increasing hunger for a Holy Spirit manifestation."
A church may basically be doing everything right but be lacking in life
and vitality without the Holy Spirit's presence and power. Pray continually
for this and talk with your pastor and church leaders about your felt
need. Do this in a loving, non-judgmental way. The Lord will surely bless
a Bible-based and Spirit-filled congregation!
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I belong to a Pentecostal (Assembly of God) Church and over the past
few months have discovered that my current Pastor is obtaining about 95%
of his messages from the Internet (namely, Pastors.com). Mostly these
messages are delivered verbatim and without personal illustrations. Previously
I was accustomed to my Pastor praying to the Spirit for the messages,
and they seemed more timely and alive. Plus the Spirit was really "thick."
How should I now feel with these "dry," non-anointed messages?
Dry, non-anointed messages do not belong in the pulpit! Go to your pastor
and tell him that the congregation deserves more than that. Even a poorly
worded sermon that comes from the heart is far better.
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If I teach my children to believe in God and live a Christian life,
is it wrong not to attend church?
It is admirable that you give Christian teaching to your children, but
this should not exclude participation in the life of a local church. A
good church fellowship will broaden and deepen your home life and teaching.
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Did women ever serve as pastors/elders in the New Testament church?
There is no record of women so serving.
For a delineation and summary of the twelve-fold activities of women
serving in the New Testament church, see my Renewal
Theology, 3: "Ministry of Women," pages 210-216.
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I have a lot of good friends that are in the House Church movement
that I am really having a tough time with. To me it is almost cult-like,
and I wish to be able to learn more about the early church and their house
meetings. Can you help me?
1 Corinthians 16:19, Romans 16:3-5, Colossians 4:15, and Philemon 1:2
are good New Testament examples of the house church. I am not sure about
the present "House Church" movement. So long as they do not claim the
"House Church" as the only church, they surely have substantial biblical
background and may be recovering valid insights for our time.
For a description of the house church in the New Testament, see my Renewal
Theology, 3: pages 38-40.
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Is it scriptural for a woman today to be an apostle? I need to know
before getting involved with one. Thanks.
There are no scriptural examples of women apostles. Christ's original
twelve apostles were all men and so were others like Paul and Barnabas.
If a woman assumes the title of "apostle" today, it is without scriptural
warrant.
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On what is the church Jesus built and is still building?
Jesus said to Simon Peter: "Thou art Peter, and upon this rock, I will
build My church; and the gates of hell shall not prevail against it" (Matthew
16:18). Peter had just declared to Jesus, "Thou art the Christ, the Son
of the living God" (verse 16). On that confession about Jesus, not on
Peter himself, the church was to be built. It is a mistake to view Peter
as the foundation of the church. The church is built and continues to
be built on the basis of faith that Jesus Christ is the Son of God.
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I believe in Jesus but don't have a church such as Baptist, Catholic,or
Methodist. How do I go about finding a church?
I suggest that you pray for guidance. Since you believe in Jesus, He
will surely help your choice. Then take time to visit various churches
where you find a people that love Jesus and seek to do His will. It should
be a church that challenges you to build on your faith and grow in Christian
maturity.
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What is meant the "replacement theory"?
The replacement theory deals with the relationship between Israel and
the Church. It affirms that the Church has replaced Israel as the people
of God; therefore, all the promises to Israel are obsolete and instead
find their true fulfillment in the Church. My reply: The Church is the
spiritual people of God uniting both Jew and Gentile. This is not to eliminate
Israel from having a special place in God's purposes.
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What is meant by the term "five-fold ministry"?
The five-fold ministry refers to apostles, prophets, evangelists, pastors
and teachers (Ephesians 4:11) given by Christ for the equipping of the
saints for serving and building up the body of Christ. A well equipped
church will function fully in all these ministries.
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In the 16th chapter of Matthew, Jesus asks Peter who He is. After Peter's
response that He is the Christ, Jesus says "Upon this rock I will build
mychurch." Is the rock Jesus is referring to Peter, or is it the faith
of knowing Jesus is the Christ?
The rock on which the church is built was not Peter himself but his confession
that Jesus is "the Christ, the Son of the living God." The genuine church
continues to be built on that confession. If so, the very gates of hell
"will not prevail" against it.
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Is the church age over? Is the Holy Spirit not in the churches
anymore? I heard this on the radio.
The church age is not over. It will continue as long as there are people
who believe in Christ, fellowship with one another, and carry the gospel
to the ends of the earth. In fact, nothing can destroy the church. In
Jesus' own words, "I will build My church and the gates of hell shall
not prevail against it" (Matthew 16:18). There surely are churches in
which little life is present. But there are also countless numbers of
churches that are alive with activity of the Holy Spirit. So be not defeatist;
but be assured of victory!
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Can deacons preach?
Deacons can certainly preach if called by God. Two of the most outstanding
preachers in the New Testament were Stephen and Philip, both deacons.
See Acts 6 for the names of several early deacons and Acts 6 through 8
for the record of Stephen and Philip's preaching. See Renewal
Theology, 3:207-210, for more on deacons.
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Why do some churches stress the importance of membership?
I tithe and practice living God's way, but I don't understand the reason
for membership.
Since all Christians are spiritually members of the body of Christ-"members
of one another" (Romans 12:5)-this should normally express itself
by physical membership in some local body. Why would you want to hold
back? See Renewal
Theology, 3: pages 61-71.
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What would be considered the seven churches, as mentioned
in Revelation, today?
Do the seven churches in Revelation, chapters 2 and 3, pertain to
the future or has this already been fulfilled? If they pertain to the
future, what would be considered the seven churches today?
The seven churches in Revelation 2-3 were specific churches in Asia Minor
at that time. However, the letters are quite relevant for our own time
also. Seven is a composite figure that refers to the totality of churches
at any period in history.
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Why worship on Sunday and not Saturday which is the Sabbath?
Jesus rose from the dead on the day after the Sabbath (see, e.g., Mark
16:1-2-"When the Sabbath was over…very early on the first day
of the week"). The first day, namely Sunday, was the Day of Resurrection,
and soon became the special day of worship. For example, see Acts 20,
verse 7-"On the first day of the week when we gathered together";
1 Corinthians 16:2-"On the first day of every week." The first
day soon came to be known as "the Lord's Day" (see Revelation
1:10-"I was in the Spirit on the Lord's day." Thus the first
day of the week may properly be called the Christian Sabbath.
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