Quote:
Originally Posted by Indiana
What things are we CHARGED BEFORE GOD to do WITHOUT PARTIALITY? We are charged to make ABSOLUTELY CERTAIN that sinning leaders of God's flock are exposed and PUBLICLY REBUKED if they are in sin, have been approached about that sin, and have failed to repent and turn from that sin. In fact, the only clear rendering of verse 22 that I have seen is the Wuest translation. It says: "Be laying hands hastily on not even one [elder, that is, do not reinstate a sinning elder hastily], neither be a partner in others' sins."
I understand this to say that if we, through carelessness or sentimentality, allow a corrupt leader to remain or return to "authority," and they continue in sin, we ourselves become a "partner" in that sin.
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I had the impression that "laying hands on hastily" referred to, shall we say, being too quick to get someone in trouble? Sort of the opposite of "reinstating" someone.
Quote:
Originally Posted by Indiana
God cares for the church. We old LCers know how drastically God dealt with Moses for being in authority and misrepresenting God to His people. No doubt, the demand for public exposure of sinning elders (once it is clear on the mouth of 2 or 3 witnesses) is for the protection of the flock. Such men should NOT be "covered" or their sins not dealt with. Every believer is charged with impartiality to deal within the house of God for pure leadership. I, for one, would never be willing to be a part of that wicked movement---even though I know there are many dear, ignorant saints (apart from the leadership) who are blindly held hostage there.
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Yes, there are many who are unaware of the things that went on.
But I always have this nagging reminder of all those folks (not in the leadership)
who do know, who plow ahead as committed as ever, if not more committed than before.
What do we make of that?