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Thinking Of Men Above What Is Written

The Corinthian church was deeply troubled when Paul wrote the letter of 1 Corinthians. Members of the church harbored sin, sued each other, abused gifts of the Spirit and doubted the resurrection (1 Corinthians 5, 6, 14, 15). Too, Paul addressed their excessive esteem for men, that is, they were lining up behind certain men (1 Corinthians 1:12; 3:4).


In addressing this carnal attitude, Paul said, "Now these things, brethren, I have figuratively transferred to myself and Apollos for your sakes, that you may learn in us not to think beyond what is written, that none of you may be puffed up on behalf of one against the other" (1 Corinthians 4:6).


The Corinthians were not the last Christians to be stricken with "preacheritis." There are still those who tenaciously adhere to their favorite man. It may be because of his personality, past help, preaching style or prominence. Sometimes this disease goes undetected. At others, it is pronounced. Such is the case with a recent meeting announcement we received. In discussing the "guest preacher," the church's letter of invitation said, "Brother _______'s passion for truth and respect for our Lord coupled with his unique style of preaching will make, we believe, your time even more well spent in the worship of God" (emphasis mine, sfd).


Statements like these bring up questions.


Does this mean other guest preachers there or elsewhere have not been so beneficial to the worship of God?


Is time not so well spent when the non-guest (local) preacher is teaching?


What is it about this brother's preaching that is so great? Is it his unique style or does he have a greater "passion for truth and respect for our Lord" than other men?


In June 1960, Bill Cavender wrote an article titled Trends Toward Apostasy (The Gospel Guardian, Vol. 12, No. . In it he noted three basic elements needed for apostasy to develop: "(1) A lack of knowledge of the will of God and a disrespect for the same; (2) The exaltation of human leaders and human pronouncements; (3) Time." The first two of these has come to pass. The last is in progress.


Here is our point: More and more, brethren are exalting preachers above what is written. Paul said such people are "carnal" and "babes in Christ" (1 Corinthians 3:1). "To be carnally minded is death" (Romans 8:6).


Ask yourself if you are a follower of a man and his teaching or the Man and His Word?


- Steven F. Deaton

http://www.lawofliberty.com/thinkingofmenabove.htm

[Daniel]

Revelation 2:6 But this thou hast, that thou hatest the deeds of the Nicolaitanes, which I also hate.
15 So hast thou also them that hold the doctrine of the Nicolaitanes, which thing I hate.

Nicolaitane, comes from two Greek words: Nikao which means to conquer, and Lao which means the laity. Nicolaitane means, "to conquer the laity." Now why is this such a terrible thing? It is terrible because God has never placed His church in the hands of an elected leadership which moves with political mindedness. He has placed His church in the care of God- ordained, Spirit-filled, Word-living men who lead the people through feeding them the Word.
http://www.nathan.co.za/doctrine.asp

The Nicolaitian doctrine is more widespread in the Church today than you may think. It may be more easily identified in the Catholic Church, which has a clear clergy/laity system. But it is just as prevalent in the protestant Church. It is a hidden thing which skillfully avoids the light. But if the truth is revealed to you, then you must follow Christ’s example and be against it.
http://www.church.sierra-vista.az.us/church/tst/nicolaitanes.htm

When our Lord Jesus Christ walked among men, He taught His disciples to beware of the leaven of the Pharisees, whom He denounced as hypocrites. With them He classed the chief priests and officials of the temple, together with the recognized teachers, (scribes, or "professors" Ferrar Fenton Translation) in the Synagogues. He declared they had so corrupted the truth of God, which they were supposed to preach, with the doctrines and ordinances of men, that the truth, as originally given, was no longer with them. That which these blind leaders of the blind were giving forth as truth of God was making their converts twofold more the children of hell than they were before accepting the [schi]ism by these corrupt teachers.

Do Not Become Exalted
http://www.biblestudy.org/basicart/nicoltn.html