Quote:
Originally Posted by Igzy
I don't buy the special calling argument at all.
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I noticed
Cassidy using terms like "ministry", "work", "calling", "commission", and "authority", to reinforce the idea of a christian holding some special apostolic position, with assemblies "affiliated with the ministry" (a phrase I saw atop Lee's 'local church' webpages) vicariously sharing in that special apostolic mission.
I agree with
Igzy; I don't buy it at all. I don't buy it for two reasons. First,
every Christian has a special calling. We are the "called-out ones", and it is arguably quite special to hear the voice of the Savior, and to respond. Each one who is born again is special in the Father's eyes. Each one who is struggling to fully emerge from the darkness and into the glorious light of the children of God. Do you think anyone is
not special in Jesus' eyes? The Shepherd loves His sheep, and will leave 99 who are safe, to rescue any lost one.
Second, to say that "we" have a special calling implies that there is a "they" who do not. The only "we" who have a special calling are the believers. The only "they" who don't have a special calling, work, ground, or ministry, are the unbelievers. To make any further demarcations is sectarianism, no matter how assiduously crafted. Our ground, our calling, is faith in the Lord Jesus Christ. Any and all other ground is sinking sand. Anyone who tries to be "special", apart from that, is probably just cutting themselves off. The "common faith" is not common: it is special. It is as special as our God is special, and likewise our Savior.