Question:

43.1—A friend of mine “belongs” to a denomination that practices church discipline. She wonders why she can’t break bread within the assembly because as far as she’s concerned (and the church she attends is concerned) any sin within the gathering is dealt with. The question she asked me was: “Just because I agree with having official pastors I can’t have communion with you?” Addressing this issue would be greatly appreciated.

43.1—The appointing of “official pastors” in the churches is a practice that has become unquestionably accepted by most Christians.  It is an ancient tradition.  However, one looks in vain in the Scriptures for any word about it.  This practice is based upon a supposed authority that “a church” or others have.  Such authority was never delegated to anyone by the Lord.  Even the apostles, who had authority from the Lord in the laying of the foundation of the Church, never presumed any authority over the Lord’s servants.  The presumption of authority or any control over His servants amounts to the displacement, perhaps the refusal, of the Lord’s authority.

We read in Ephesians 1:22 that Christ is “the Head over all things to the Church.”  We read in Ephesians 4:8 that “when He ascended up on high, He….gave gifts unto men.”  It tells us in verse 11 about some of those He has gifted so that His Body, the Church, would receive ministry from Him through them.  All of this has been done by the Head in heaven, our Lord Jesus Christ. All the work of God that is done on earth should be done through the authority and direction of the Head in the power of the Holy Spirit (1 Corinthians 12:4-6), in accordance with God’s revealed truth.  Christ has appointed His pastors (shepherds) as well as all His other servants and there can be nothing right about others presuming to do so or attempting to exercise any degree of control over them.

At least one more thing should be said on this topic.  The position of the appointed pastor results in damage to the Lord’s people.  Please consider that we are a “holy priesthood to offer up spiritual sacrifices, acceptable to God by Jesus Christ” (1 Peter 2:5).  The position and/or authority of the appointed pastor prohibits the exercise of our God-given priesthood.  In a “church service,” everything is done by “the pastor”: the singing, the praying, reading of Scripture, administering the Lord’s supper, and all else.  No one else has the liberty to do these things and nearly everyone would consider such action to be presumptuous.  Yet God in His Word teaches and encourages us to function in these and other ways in our priesthood as the Holy Spirit leads. The clergy/laity system robs God of the united praise of His people and robs them of the joys and blessings they could have when they are in assembly.  To express it very plainly, any way of things based upon human authority is evil in the light of God’s Word. 

Please understand that this is not written in judgment upon the many faithful, godly “pastors” of churches.  No doubt many in their love for the Lord are wanting to fill the place to which they have been appointed.  Nevertheless, I say in all kindness, they are ignorant of the truth of what is God’s order in His Church and of what is the Church’s testimony to its Head in heaven, according to Scripture. 

So to restate, I am judging a humanly ordered way of things based upon human authority, which is in opposition to God.

Question:

42.2—In 1 Corinthians 12:28 we read about the gift of apostles. Is there a place for apostles today and if so how are they used?

42.2—Scripture does not allow for the continuation of apostles today.  Those who were apostles in the beginning of the Church of God were men who had seen the Lord (1 Corinthians 9:1).  The Apostle Paul states that he was THE LAST OF ALL (1 Corinthians 15:8) so no one after him has seen the Lord, or is an apostle.

Paul warns us to beware of false apostles already arising amongst the believers (2 Corinthians 11:13-15).  These were characterized as ministers of Satan. To see what a real apostle is like, read carefully 2 Corinthians 11:23; 12:19.  To see what a false apostle is like, read carefully 2 Corinthians 11:12-22.

Today we still have the full benefit of the apostles’ gifts and ministry preserved for us in the Epistles and The Acts.  We have the Holy Spirit to teach us all things.  With the completed inspired Scriptures God has provided all we need for today.  In the last chapter of Revelation we are told not to add to or take away from the Scripture.  An “apostle” today would likely claim power to do that, as many men, including the Pope, have done down through the ages.

Question:

42.1—Being “slain in the Spirit” is becoming a more and more common/popular thing. We discussed this a little bit at camp and I came back confident it was wrong. Then I talked to a friend of mine who believes it’s right. She used the verse in Revelation that says that God would rather that we be hot than lukewarm. Can we discuss this? Is it right? It seems weird, uncomfortable in my soul.

42.1–What spirit would invite people to come see its own supernatural manifestation today? We know from Ephesians 1:13 that the moment we believe on Christ, we are SEALED with the Holy Spirit. The experience some claim to have today (including tongues, healing, etc.) has all the symptoms of “another spirit” whom we have not preached. Those who look for manifestations of the Spirit as in evidence of His existence are usually easily fooled into thinking that this is the Holy Spirit sent from God. I believe it is not the true Holy Spirit that would lead people to be “slain.” For the work of the Spirit is to glorify Christ, not to exalt Himself. “Howbeit when He, the Spirit of truth, is come, He will guide you into all truth: for He shall not speak of Himself; but whatsoever He shall hear, that shall He speak: and He will show you things to come. He shall glorify Me: for He shall receive of Mine, and shall show it unto you” (John 16:13,14).

Where is the glory focused toward and how is the truth manifest in people getting knocked unconscious when the preacher punches them in the forehead? What does it mean to be “slain in the Spirit?” Is this scriptural? I have had trouble finding reference to it. I find no Scripture for this activity. Where in Scripture does this ever occur? YET CHRISTIANS ARE PRACTICING SOMETHING NOT TAUGHT IN SCRIPTURE.

“Truly the signs of an apostle were wrought among you in all patience, in signs, and wonders, and mighty deeds” (2 Corinthians12:12).  We have no Apostles today! Be careful as to who and what is leading you and those who teach you.

Question:

42.1—Being “slain in the Spirit” is becoming a more and more common/popular thing. We discussed this a little bit at camp and I came back confident it was wrong. Then I talked to a friend of mine who believes it’s right. She used the verse in Revelation that says that God would rather that we be hot than lukewarm. Can we discuss this? Is it right? It seems weird, uncomfortable in my soul.

42.1 There is a book by Hank Hanegraaff entitled “Counterfeit Revival” that has quite a bit to say about the “slain in the spirit” phenomenon.  This book quotes the Dictionary of Pentecostal and Charismatic Movements as saying: “An entire battalion of Scripture proof texts is enlisted to support the legitimacy of the phenomenon, although Scripture plainly offers no support for the phenomenon as something to be expected in the normal Christian life.”  Mr. Hanegraaff also cites several examples of serious injury, death, severe depression, and spiritual backsliding resulting from being “slain in the spirit.”

The key point here is that the Bible says absolutely nothing about being slain in the spirit.  Very likely it is that fact, plus the Holy Spirit dwelling in you, that makes it seem weird and uncomfortable in your soul.  If we study what the Bible has to say about this, we would find that we could be occupied full time taking advantage of all of the activities of the Holy Spirit who dwells within us.  The anointing of the Spirit teaches us the truth of God’s Word (1 John 2:20,27).  The baptism of the Spirit unites us with the other believers in the one body, the Church (1 Corinthians 12:12, Ephesians 4:3).  The filling of the Holy Spirit empowers us to speak and preach boldly to others of our Lord and Saviour (Acts 4:31).  The Holy Spirit ministers the characteristics of Christ to us (John 16:13-16) that they may be reproduced in us as “the fruit of the Spirit” (Galatians 5:22,23).  The Holy Spirit gives to each believer a spiritual gift whereby we are enabled to serve the Lord and build up the body of Christ (1 Corinthians 12).  If we are faithfully seeking the Holy Spirit’s leading in each one of these areas, we will truly be “hot” or “on fire” for the Lord.  In contrast, I can’t think of anything “colder,” less spiritual, or less helpful to others than just lying on the floor, unable to move, for minutes or hours on end.

Was Jesus hot, cold, or lukewarm?  How about the apostle Paul? Study their lives and study the Scriptures to find out what kind of life is well-pleasing to God.

Question:

42.1—Being “slain in the Spirit” is becoming a more and more common/popular thing. We discussed this a little bit at camp and I came back confident it was wrong. Then I talked to a friend of mine who believes it’s right. She used the verse in Revelation that says that God would rather that we be hot than lukewarm. Can we discuss this? Is it right? It seems weird, uncomfortable in my soul.

42.1—There is no instance in Scripture of a believer being “slain in the Spirit.” There are instances of believers such as Abraham, Daniel, Peter, Paul, and John being in a trance.  Also unbelievers such as Balaam, and King Saul, (both who also prophesied).

Believers are also said to have died with, or to have been crucified with, Christ in Romans 6:8 (but read the whole chapter) and Galatians 2:20. This is not a physical or spiritual experience.  It is a grace granted position, accepted by faith, entitling the believer to reckon himself dead to sin and alive to God, freeing him from the bondage of sin (the bondage of our sinful nature) after being saved.  This is not “slain in the Spirit.”

Daniel and John fell at the Lord’s feet as dead when they saw Him.  This is not being “slain in the Spirit.”  It is the result of having seen the Lord (Daniel 8:17; Revelation 1:17).

In 2 Corinthians 11:19-21, the apostle Paul says those “who would smite you in the face” are false apostles, or ministers of Satan (13-21).  Need we say more?