____________________________________________________ THE GOSPEL OBSERVER "Go therefore and make disciples of all the nations...teaching them to observe all that I commanded you; and lo, I am with you always even to the end of the age" (Matthew 28:19,20). ____________________________________________________ September 15, 1996 ____________________________________________________ "You Asked For It" by Bob Crawley Question: ``Is it disrespectful to use `You' in our prayers? Some of our members think we should always say `Thou' when we are talking to God.'' Reply: We must unquestionably have the utmost respect for God and should express it in all our speaking, either to Him in prayer or in talking about Him to others. Some of us, especially the older ones, grew up hearing godly people pray using a style of speech characterized by ``thee, thou, thy, thine'' and ``ye.'' With these pronouns we also heard such verb forms as ``doeth'' for ``does,'' ``dost for ``do,'' ``goeth'' for ``go,'' etc. To us it has become quite natural both to hear and to use such style of speech in prayers. Some have come to regard this style of speech as uniquely biblical, religious, or pious. This is probably because they have encouraged it only in the church and in reading their Bible--a Bible which, for most of them, is the King James Version (first published in 1611 during the reign of James I of England). What seems to them to be especially religious is, in reality, merely old fashioned. If they were to become familiar with other literature from the same period (about the same time as the writing of William Shakespeare) they would realize that the ``thee'' and ``thou'' style of speech was as much the language of the street as of the church, of the gutter as well as the pulpit, and of cursing as well as of praying. Such words do not, then, of themselves, signify respect. To insist upon a particular old fashioned style of speech and attribute to it an exclusively religious superiority is to make the same mistake which is made by the Amish people, and others, in requiring a dress code which is not particularly spiritual but merely out of date. In the Bible there is no difference in the form of the pronouns used for prayer and for other forms of speech. While it is true that in Matthew 6:9-13 (in the King James Version), in the prayer that Jesus taught his disciples, he is quoted as using ``thy'' and ``thine.'' This is not, however, because it is addressed to God for notice that in the preceding four verses he uses ``thou,'' ``thy,'' and ``ye'' in speaking to his disciples in ordinary conversation. Neither is such speech peculiarly the language of respect for observe that in Acts 13:10, in the same version, the apostle Paul uses the same style of speech to denounce the contemptible Elymas the sorcerer. Be aware, too, that the language of the original New Testament writing (the Greek of the first century A.D.) likewise makes no distinction between the form of the pronouns used for prayer and those used for other occasions. Respect or disrespect are matters of the attitude of the heart and are not determined by whether one uses modern or old fashioned styles of speech. The truly respectful person will use those words which most naturally express the respect which he has when praying to God. The younger among us will need to be patient with those of us who find it natural to use the old style, which has become so traditional with us. And we, who for so many years have been used to hearing the prayers prayed in the style of the era of Kings James I, of England, will need to realize that those who address God in a dignified, but more up-to-date style are no less respectful than we. -- Today, January 1984 ___________________________________________ Mantras of the 90's: #3 By Warren Berkley In the popular ecumenical tradition, we may hear the suggestion that all matters of doctrinal difference or disagreement over scripture is irrelevant. Even from those who claim to be simple, New Testament Christians it may be implied that... ``If we are right about Jesus, we can be wrong about everything else.'' Let's put the theory to the test. Does this mean, if we are right in our view of Jesus and we believe in Him, it doesn't matter if we are wrong about baptism? We have an account of such a case in the New Testament. Apollos apparently knew the truth about the person of Jesus Christ, for Luke says he ``was speaking and teaching accurately the things concerning Jesus.'' Yet, he was acquainted ``only with the baptism of John'' (Acts 18:25). Priscilla and Aquila ``took him aside and explained to him the way of God more accurately'' (v. 26). Knowing and teaching ``accurately the things concerning Jesus'' was not enough then, and isn't enough today. If we really want to know Jesus and believe in Him and please Him, we'll accept everything He has said about anything; this is a function of our trust in Him. Jesus said, ``He who believes and is baptized shall be saved'' (Mark 16:16a). My regard for Him makes this teaching important. What about personal purity? If we are right in our view and conviction about the person of Christ, does this mean we can slight personal purity? ``Finally then, brethren, we urge and exhort in the Lord Jesus that you should abound more and more, just as you received from us how you ought to walk and to please God; for you know what commandments we gave you through the Lord Jesus. For this is the will of God, your sanctification: that you should abstain from sexual immorality; that each of you should know how to possess his own vessel in sanctification and honor, not in passion of lust, like the Gentiles who do not know God; that no one should take advantage of and defraud his brother in this matter, because the Lord is the avenger of all such, as we also forewarned you and testified. For God did not call us to uncleanness, but in holiness. Therefore he who rejects this does not reject man, but God, who has also given us His Holy Spirit'' (1 Thess. 4:1-8, NKJV). Regardless of how accurate I am in my understanding of Jesus, or how much I verbally praise Him--if I become involved in sexual immorality and fail to walk as instructed by the apostles...well, listen to Paul: ''...he who rejects this does not reject man, but God...'' If we are right about Jesus, are we free to ignore what He said about marriage, divorce and remarriage? Can I ignore, can I shun what He said and take comfort in my correct view of who He is? I cannot. My regard for Him must translate into respect for what He said. ``And I say to you, whoever divorces his wife, except for sexual immorality, and marries another, commits adultery; and whoever marries her who is divorced commits adultery'' (Matt. 19:9, NKJV). Being ``right about Jesus'' means: I believe in God, I regard Jesus as the only begotten Son of God, and my heart and life is committed to Him as a person. That certainly means, I will respect and follow everything He has said about anything. I will continue steadfastly in the apostles's doctrine, and observe His commandments. ``He who says he abides in Him ought himself also to walk just as He walked'' (1 Jno. 2:6). ``Whoever transgresses and does not abide in the doctrine of Christ does not have God. He who abides in the doctrine of Christ has both the Father and the Son'' (2 Jno. 9, NKJV). -- Via Gary's List ___________________________________________ Please Don't Call Me ``Pastor'' by Wayne S. Walker Right after I moved to work with the church at Warrenton, MO, in Sept., 1975, one of the members took a picture of me and we went to the local newspaper office to submit an article about me as the new preacher with the congregation. However, when the article came out, the newspaper had attached the headline, ``Church of Christ welcomes new Pastor.'' Therefore, I had to write a letter to the editor to correct the mistake. Every week, I receive several sales calls at the office, and nearly always the first question is, ``Are you the pastor?'' or, ``May I speak with the pastor?'' Usually I simply explain that I am the minister or preacher. Not long ago, a little girl was visiting relatives who live near the church building. Every time that she saw me, she said, ``Hello, Pastor.'' I would assume that in the church where she attends it is customary to ``honor'' the preacher by calling him ``Pastor.'' The word ``pastor'' is found only one time in the King James Bible. ``And He Himself gave some to be apostles, some prophets, some evangelists, and some pastors and teachers'' (Eph. 4:11). However, the word in the original language that is translated ``pastor'' here is found in many other places. Its literal meaning and usual translation is ``shepherd.'' Sometimes, it refers to actual sheep-keepers (Lk. 2:8). Other times it is used metaphorically of Christ who leads His people as a shepherd leads his sheep (Jn. 10:11, Heb. 13:20, I Pet. 2:25). But in Eph. 4:11 it refers by extension to ``the overseers of the Christian assemblies'' (Thayer). One thing that the passage itself should make abundantly clear is that there is to be a distinction understood between the work of those who serve as evangelists (preachers or ministers) and the work of those who serve as pastors. Therefore, it is plain that a preacher and a pastor are not the same thing, at least according to the Bible. So who are ``pastors''? The verb form of the noun translated ``pastor'' is used in a couple of passages which help us to identify who is to do this work in a local church. In Acts 20:17 Paul spoke to the elders of the church at Ephesus and in v. 28 told them, ``Therefore take heed to yourselves and to all the flock, among which the Holy Spirit has made you overseers, to shepherd the church of God which He purchased with His own blood.'' Also, in I Pet. 5:1-2 Peter wrote to elders and told them, ``Shepherd the flock of God which is among you, serving as overseers, not by constraint but willingly, not for dishonest gain but eagerly.'' This verb is translated ``feed'' and ``tend'' in the King James Version, but it means to act as a shepherd. These passages tell us that it is not preachers who are to do the work of shepherding in a local church, but elders. Also, this helps us to understand why there are no examples of anyone being identified as ``The Pastor'' in a church. There are to be ``elders'' (plural) in every church (Acts 14:23; Tit. 1:5). These elders are also known as ``bishops'' or overseers (Phil. 1:1). Since those doing the work of pastors are the elders or bishops in every congregation, there must be a plurality of pastors, not just one. The work of an evangelist (preacher, minister) is to preach the word (2 Tim. 4:1-5). The work of pastors (elders, bishops) is to rule and watch (Heb. 13:17). It may be that one who serves as an evangelist may also meet the qualifications and be chosen by a local church to serve as one of its pastors as well (I Tim. 3:1-7, Tit. 1:6-9). But since I am not currently qualified to be appointed as an elder nor am I serving as an overseer in this congregation, please do not call me ``Pastor.'' -- Via Gospel Truth, August 4, 1996 ___________________________________________ "Not that I speak from want; for I have learned to be content in whatever circumstances I am. I know how to get along with humble means, and I also know how to live in prosperity; in any and every circumstance I have learned the secret of being filled and going hungry, both of having abundance and suffering need. I can do all things through Him who strengthens me" (Philippians 4:11,12). ___________________________________________ NEWS & NOTES Let us be remembering in prayer those who were caught in the destructive path of hurricane Fran recently. I was talking with Nancy Atkinson the other week, who, along with her husband Les, used to be a member here. They are now living in Wilmington, NC; and their city, as you're probably well aware, was shaken just several days ago by Fran's ferocity, causing major damages to businesses and local residences--and even leaving several families bereft of loved ones. Fortunately, the Atkinsons came through pretty well, though they did lose the beauty of about 7 of 17 huge trees around their house, and their storage shed roof was crushed by one of the fallen trees. Elmo Wilson writes: ``I would appreciate the prayers of all the saints on the behalf of my wife Carolyn Wilson. We will be leaving Jeffersonville, IN, September 9, 1996 to go to Little Rock, Arkansas, for the purpose of her having a bone marrow transplant. She has Multiple Myeloma, which is a Cancer of the bone marrow. This will take from five to eight weeks.'' Several of the members here have had to miss a service or two, due to sickness. There appears to have been a virus of some sort going around. It's hard to believe that next Sunday Autumn will begin. Have we been using our summer wisely? Thanks to each of you who are visiting with us this day. We trust you'll find the service edifying and in harmony with God's word. If we practice or teach--or don't practice nor teach--anything you might have questions about, feel free to ask. We hope you'll make visiting with us an often event! ________________________________________ Tri-State CHURCH OF CHRIST 713 13th Street, Ashland, Kentucky 41101 Sunday: 10:00 A.M. Bible class 10:50 A.M. Worship 6:30 P.M. Worship Wednesday: 7:30 P.M. Bible study evangelist/editor: Tom Edwards (606) 325-9742 e-mail: tedwards@wwd.net ________________________________________