Submission

Submission

by | Sep 12, 2021 | Bible, Simple Bible Truth

Submission

Submission, Not Subjection

This blog is part six of a ten-part series on the church.

What do you think about when you hear the word, “submission?” Most people jump right to wives submitting to their husbands.  Unfortunately, most Christian literature and sermons only address this single biblical aspect and neglect the rest. I hope to take this topic a bit deeper today, and it may surprise you. It will also probably be the longest blog in the series because it is an essential topic that is rarely fully discussed!

Since we are discussing the body and different forms of leadership, we will also consider Ephesians 5:22-33. This passage uses marriage to describe how things are between Christ and the church.

Submit to Messiah

The whole church must submit to Messiah because he is the head of the church and savior of the body. He sanctified, cleansed, and fed her with his words (teachings); for the purpose of making her glorious with no blemishes.

The word “head” not only implies a ruler or lord but a cornerstone uniting two walls. https://biblehub.com/greek/2776.htm Jesus and husbands alike unite two walls and should make the building stronger than if each wall stood on its own.

Jesus’ Example

Jesus cares for the church and meets it’s needs and we must submit to him, which is not difficult because he laid down his life for us and demonstrated his sacrificial love toward us. He was a servant to his people. He thought of us first, and not himself. And in this same way, husbands are to love their wives.

Jesus chose to sacrifice his life for ours. He not only did this literally when he was crucified, but he did it each day of his life when he made the hard choice not to give in to temptation and to sin. The life he lived was a sacrifice, not only the life he gave up when he was murdered, which the Father accepted as a judicial sacrifice and payment on our behalf.

When we submit, we humble ourselves and joyfully choose to trust him. It is a blessing, not a curse, and we do it eagerly, not with reluctance (at least we should!)

Willingly Submit

Jesus humbled himself and washed feet, as well as submitting himself to the cross. He chose to lay his life down for us. We are told to submit to each other out of reverence to Messiah, both men and women (Ephesians 5:21) and to submit, or yield, to authority (Hebrews 13:17).

To submit means to give away without resistance, to surrender yourself. Submitting one to another means that we willingly put other’s needs before our own. Submission is not meant to be oppressive, and it is our choice, not forced subjection. On both sides it is the highest form of love for another being. It even says in John 15:13 that there is no greater love than one who lays his life down for his friends. Rarely, this may be literal, but daily it will simple self-sacrifice, putting others needs or desires before your own, again, in regards to the one submitting and the one being submitted to.

When we submit to Christ, we declare that we trust him and are willing to obey (which is not difficult because we trust he has our best interests in mind and he was willing to sacrifice himself for us.)

Obedience & Submission are a Choice

The word “obey” is again a choice and connotates persuasion and having confidence in (https://biblehub.com/greek/3982.htm). It is choosing to be allied with or binding oneself to the one you are choosing to obey.

So, if you are in a ruling position, you certainly should work to be a person others would choose to be allied with. We have a choice as to if we will submit or not, men and women, and we must choose wisely as to whom we will bind ourselves.

Submission in Marriage

The same points about submission are made about marriage; and seeing Jesus’ example, it makes known the great responsibility husbands have to actively love their wives JUST AS Christ loved the church, self-sacrificing and willing to lay down his needs and desires for his wives needs and desires.

He must be a spiritual leader feeding his wife not only with Christ’s words, but his own as Christ did. His own words must feed her and help make her be glorious and blameless, not discourage or humiliate her. His words must build her up, not tear her down. He must provide for her needs and feed her. He must love and care for her as he does his own body. I don’t know why we don’t hear this message preached or books written on this subject. This is where submission begins!

Wives Submit

Likewise, wives should submit to husbands as they do to Christ. But don’t forget, men and women both must submit to Christ equally, and we are told to submit to each other. These commands are no less than the command for a wife to submit to her husband. It isn’t just about wives submitting to husbands, but that too should be done. A wife chooses to willingly surrender her will to her husband just as her husband chooses to surrender his will to Christ, and all Christians submit one to another.

It starts from the head and the head must first submit, as Jesus did to his Father. Submission does not begin with the one choosing to submit. If the husband has truly submitted to Christ, what woman would not be willing to submit herself to her husband if he was treating her like Christ did the church, and showing honor to her and loving her in such a great way?! Most people would gladly submit themselves to someone who was willing to sacrifice their own life and desires for them.

Submission is not Subjection

True submission cannot be forced; it is done willingly. Submission is not subjection, which is forced submission and is oppressive. The marriage relationship is not meant to be oppressive as a master or ruler over a slave, but is for the greater good, more like a lover caring for his beloved, again, as Christ did and does for the church.

Imagine a couple doing ballroom dancing. Both dance and both partners are just as important to make the dance successful; but, only one can lead or it would be disastrous. The leader is not greater than the one he is leading; it is just a different role to help make the dance beautiful. When done properly, both dancers look good and feel good about their performance. It is a team effort, and as they say, it takes two to tango.

Authority Comes with Great Responsibility

Authority was given to Christ and authority is given to husbands. But, with authority comes great responsibility! Christ gave up his life for the benefit of his bride, and a husband ought to do the same.

Just as a man and woman leave their families to become one flesh, the church leaves the world to become one flesh with Christ! (The verse says, “This mystery is great—but I am actually speaking with reference to Christ and the church.”)

Again, the point of this passage was to understand Christ and the church, “nevertheless, each one must also love his own wife as he loves himself, and the wife must respect her husband.” (Ephesians 5:33, Colossians 3:18-19)

Husbands, Love Your Wives

Even though husbands are to respect their wives and wives are to love their husbands, perhaps the emphasis on men loving their wives and women respecting their husbands is because each of these is not only what the other desires but what is hardest for each one to do. (The word for love here is from “agape” which is unconditional love that cares for the wellbeing of another, it is a choice. It is not sexual or merely friendly emotional love. Respect is fear that proceeds from love, or reverence.) Many men are self-centered and many women fear giving such power to another individual. To obey this command, both must trust the other, and ultimately God, that their needs and desires will be met. 

Marriage Mirrors Christ & the Church

Marriage should mirror Christ and the church, that is, the love of Christ for his church, and the willingness to submit to Christ. We can learn how to be better husbands and wives when we study the church’s relationship to Christ and Christ to the church. And if we want a healthy church, it must start in the life of the believer and in Christian homes.

Silent in the Church?

In regards to women, I will also mention 1 Corinthians 14:33 compared to 1 Corinthians 11:2-16, but will not delve into the details since this has been addressed adequately by many others. The two passages cannot contradict each other, nor go against the fact that all gifts were given to all people (since they were not differentiated as to some to men and some to women, or none to women.) So, women cannot be silent, that is not speak, when the church gathers. In fact, we are told that everyone (not excluding women), is to come with something to share.

If to look at the context of 1 Corinthians 14, the issue at hand, and not only women speaking, but tongue speakers and prophets as well, was an issue of disorder. The church lacked order and Paul was helping solve their problems.

Can Women Teach in the Church?

Another text many have difficulty with is 1 Timothy 2:11-12. As with any teaching, we must weigh it with the rest of Scripture and know that any one verse cannot contradict other verses.

“A woman must learn quietly with all submissiveness. But I do not allow a woman to teach or exercise authority over a man. She must remain quiet.”

3 Points: Be Calm

There are three points here to address. We will start with the last one about women keeping quiet or being silent. This word does not mean speechlessness. It is stillness, implying a God-produced calm for the believer, inner tranquility that supports appropriate action. https://biblehub.com/greek/2271.htm  A woman should have this calmness in her, not getting herself worked up because she has been placed by God in a submissive role.

Be a Good Student

Next is “learning quietly with all submissiveness.” Again, it does not mean speechlessness. It is a stillness or calm in one’s inner spirit. It is also elevating women from that day and allowing them to learn and gain knowledge. Simply stating, “be a good student.”

Authority Over Men?

Lastly, and the most difficult to grasp, is not allowing a woman to teach or exercise authority over a man. We have to weigh this with the gifts being given to all believers, that women will prophesy, and that in the past there were women judges over Israel. So, how do we understand what seems to be a contradictory teaching here in Timothy?

It seems that the word “authority” in 1 Timothy 2:12 is only used once in the Bible. It implies governing, dominating, or having mastery over. It seems to be more of an attitude, “I am domineering over.” It is usurping or taking authority away from a man. It is self-appointed and literally means to take up arms and act like an autocrat.  https://biblehub.com/greek/831.htm

In reality, even a man should not do this in the church. But if to consider what this is saying about women in the church, it simply means to be under another’s authority and not make yourself the head. It does not mean that you cannot use your gifts or serve the church.

Under Authority

One last thing to consider is perhaps there are general “rules,” but as with most, there are also exceptions. The general rule was that most Judges were men, but some women were called by God to fill that role. Typically, it is an elder, who is male, who teaches and preaches during the assembly of the ekklesia, but there are women who are called to teach and prophesy, as well as other men who are not elders.

Unfortunately, today’s worldview has made submission to be evil or a position of humiliation. In reality, submitting and placing oneself under authority is actually putting yourself in a position of security and care as you exercise your gifts. There is nothing wrong with placing yourself under a godly and self-sacrificing elder or husband.

I will give one example and then we will move on because this could be a whole series in itself. I use the example of me teaching or speaking under Anthony Buzzard at his church. Even though I am speaking or teaching, I am still under his authority. He has given me the opportunity to speak. At any time he could stop me and say not to teach such and such. I answer to him and he ultimately is responsible before God for what I say. Just because I am speaking does not mean that I am domineering over him or usurping his authority. At no time could I tell him what to say or not say, yet he could me.

Submission Starts at the Top

Unfortunately, most books, sermons, and teachings are focused on women and wives submitting. In all reality, it should start with the husband and Christian men if they truly are the head or specific leaders in the church. Leadership and a healthy, functioning body should start at the top and work their way down.

How can we make this happen? First of all, as I said, we must look to Christ’s example and see what he taught his disciples. After that, we need more teaching on, and exhortation to boys and men. The culture and worldview today have stripped them of their God-given strengths and roles. They must be encouraged in the church and family to step up and take responsibility. They should be in training to serve and spiritually protect at minimum, the women in their lives.

Mutual Submission, Serving Together

I acknowledge that over the years if it wasn’t for faithful women working and keeping the church alive, many would be long gone. I am not saying that the women need not work or serve in the church. Women must continue to use their God-given gifts and ministries for the benefit of the church, but men need to wake up, step up and use their gifts and ministries as well if we want to see a healthy church and one representing Christ and the Kingdom to this world. If men step up, this does not mean that we are asking women to step down. We are a team, and our team is weak when everyone is not playing their position, so to say, the positions that have been given to each one by the head of the church.

Christian Men, Stand Up & Get Moving

Men claiming to follow Christ, must stand up and start moving in order to actually follow Jesus. Christ is not standing still and if we are not moving, there is no way we can say that we are following him. Those who don’t move will be left behind and judged accordingly. Christian husbands and men in the church, Jesus will ask, “what have you done with what you have been given?”

In part seven we will continue some of these thoughts and dig a little deeper into the topic of church leadership.

Money and Tithing

Money and Tithing

by | Sep 3, 2021 | Bible, Simple Bible Truth

Money and Tithing

Money and Tithing

This blog is part five of a ten-part series on the church.  Today we are going to examine the confusing topic of money and tithing.

  • Have you ever wondered why the church practices tithing or collects money during a service?
  • What is your financial responsibility as a Christian?

Many Christians do not want to talk about money and giving, but it is essential to understand and follow the New Testament command and practice if we wish to prosper individually, and as a church.

Supporting Those That Minister

First of all, according to 1 Corinthians 9: 3-18 those who serve the body have the right to financial support. Those that minister to the saints and are on the front lines sharing the Gospel of the Kingdom, have a right to be supported by the rest of the church.

Common sense tells us as well as did the law of Moses “Do not muzzle an ox while it is treading out the grain.’  If spiritual blessings are sown, the sower can reap material things. Those who serve in the temple, eat food from the temple, and those who serve at the altar receive a part of the offerings. In the same way, the Lord commanded those who proclaim the gospel to receive their living by the gospel.

In doing so, those proclaiming the Gospel can focus on just that, proclaiming the Gospel. They have already given up their personal lives for this work and if to have to divide their efforts, they can do neither to its fullest.

Tentmaking

Paul was in a position to pass on this “right” and chose to provide for his own needs for the most part because he could. If those proclaiming the Gospel or serving a local church can provide for their own needs, this is certainly good; if not, those being served should help meet the physical needs of the one sowing and serving. Not all ministers of the Gospel have this opportunity as Paul did.

Church Care

As we saw in Acts 2:42- 47, the church cared for its members. All local members cared for one another, and when they heard of a need elsewhere in the world of like-minded believers in need, they helped meet their needs as well.

Only after all the members of the church are cared for, then can you look outside the local body as to whom you may help, and even then, it should still be in the household of like-minded faith.

When all the needs are met in the global church, then can one invest in those outside of the church. (I am not saying it is wrong or bad to help a local homeless person who crosses your path. Of course, we must, just like the parable Jesus taught about the good Samaritan, but we should not be supporting and investing in other organizations and ministries where people may receive a little physical food, but are starved of the true Bread of Life and the Living Water, or worse yet, fed a poisonous false Gospel.

We are told that those outside the church will be blessed when they see the love we show to one another, not by opening another soup kitchen. We will be known by our love amongst the church, Christians to Christians first.

Money and Tithing in the New Testament

In the New Testament, we are simply told to give generously. There is no law as to how much we should give, it just must be generous. All that we have and own belongs to God and He has blessed us.

Tithing was part of the old covenant law in the Old Testament. Unfortunately, many churches today preach on, require, or guilt people into tithing. If you think you have to tithe, then I hope you are keeping all the rest of the Law because tithing was only a small part of it.  Also, if to research tithing, it isn’t what people have made it to be today. (You can read more on tithing and giving here.)

Cheerful Giving

It says that God loves a cheerful giver and that you should not let your left hand know what your right hand did. When we give, we should give with joy in our hearts and release the gift to God. We also should do it humbly and not make it known to everyone.

Once you give, you are no longer the manager of that money. You release it and God will be the judge as to how it was used. Of course, you should be wise and if you see it mismanaged, then you just don’t give anymore to that person, church, or organization.

A good practice is to listen to God speaking to you in your spirit. Ask Him to show you to whom or for what you should give, and then give generously. It truly is more blessed to give than receive, but if you are on the receiving end, accept it graciously and give praise to God for His provision.

God’s Provision

Jesus told us that if we seek God’s Kingdom first, and His righteousness, then our needs will be met. And if Jesus said it, we can believe it! This requires faith and obedience! It is not easy to do, but it is an amazing experience when you see God’s hand at work and providing for your daily needs.

In part six we will discuss the topic of submissions and how this relates to individuals and the church.

Headship and Spirit

Headship and Spirit

by | Aug 10, 2021 | Bible, Simple Bible Truth

Headship and Spirit

Headship and God’s Spirit Given to the Church

This blog is part two of a ten-part series on the church.  We are exploring the church, the believers that make up the church, and how the local body should function biblically.

Have you ever wondered if God’s spirit is given to all believers, no matter their gender or position in the church? Or maybe, if we are equal, why did God still institute headship?

The  Need to Understand Headship

As we mentioned in part one, we must understand that every member of the church is equal in worth and salvation. Also, every believer is promised God’s spirit when they obey and are baptized. (Acts 2:38) But even so, God still instituted headship. We see in Scripture that He did this for the care and well-being of His people. It was meant for good, not to be a problem.

Unfortunately, with the fall and continued selfishness and sin, this role is often misunderstood and abused. But that does not mean that headship in the church and home should be thrown out. It just means that Christians should desire to understand it better and practice it as God intended it to be, whether as a parent, husband, or elder.

The Curse

Before we dig in, we must remember the curse given to women in Genesis 3:16. This seems to be the beginning of many of the problems we have today. Not only will she have pain in childbearing, but she will want to control her husband, yet he will dominate her. Dominating any individual is not part of God’s plan, and especially not a part of his plan for marriage.

This verse seems to say that prior to the curse, the woman would not have pain in childbearing and her husband would not dominate or rule over her. Men and women were created to work side by side (which is probably why God took Adam’s rib rather than his heel). Each one should complement the other, even if man was created first and given extra responsibilities. (And by the way, that is really what it is, not less for women, but it is more work and responsibility for men. There is a difference!)

The curse implied that the husband would now abuse his authority and take advantage of his wife, rather than tenderly care for her and serve his family. Unfortunately, we see this in the church as well.

A Call to Christian Men

Christian men, you were created and ordained to love your wives and care for your families, to meet their needs, and to fulfill their desires. Just like Christ, you are called to lay down your desires for your wife’s desires, and your life for hers. You are called to sacrifice! If you are the head, the relationship begins with you! You are the captain of the team, and a captain plays right alongside the rest of the team, always thinking about what is best for each team member and the team as a whole.

Teamwork

If we consider sports teams, they have coaches and captains. These people are not better than the others, they just have added responsibility and serve the team for the team’s best interest, for the well-being of each athlete, and with the goal to win the games. If the coaches or captains didn’t have players, there wouldn’t be a team, and if the team didn’t have coaches or captains, it would probably become disorderly and have much fighting and bickering. The team would become weak and most likely, with time, cease to exist.

If the whole team thought they had to plan the practices, set up games, pay the refs, get the gear out, schedule the bus, order the uniforms, and line the field, everything could get out of order pretty quickly, not to mention, not be very efficient. Actually, focusing on practicing and becoming better for the team and focusing on playing and winning, would slip away.

God’s Same Spirit Given to All the Church

Our foundation as believers is that God’s spirit is given to all who will believe, men and women.  “Peter said to them, “Repent, and each one of you and be baptized in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins, and you will receive the gift of holy spirit.  For the promise is for you and your children, and for all who are far away, as many as the Lord our God will call to himself.” (Acts 2:38-39)

All believers are given the same spirit, but there are different manifestations of God’s spirit working in and through us. As it says, what body would function well if all were feet or all were a mouth?!

If we lived alone in the woods there wouldn’t really be a need for leadership.  But since we interact and meet together, God has established positions in the local churches and family to help them function best for all people, to protect and to make sure everyone’s needs are met.

Headship and God’s Spirit Given to the Church Make it Stronger

When you come together, each one (men and women) has a song, has a lesson, has a revelation, has a tongue, has an interpretation. Let all these things be done for the strengthening of the church.” (1 Corinthians 14:26)

When the early church followed this guidance and did these things, the Lord made the church grow! If we want church growth, we ought to look at this example!  Every person is important and each one has gifts and ministries to encourage and make the body stronger.

The Living Church

It says that they were “devoting themselves to the apostles’ teaching and to fellowship, to the breaking of bread and to prayer. Reverential awe came over everyone, and many wonders and miraculous signs came about by the apostles. All who believed were together and held everything in common, and they began selling their property and possessions and distributing the proceeds to everyone, as anyone had need.  Every day they continued to gather together by common consent in the temple courts, breaking bread from house to house, sharing their food with glad and humble hearts, praising God, and having the goodwill of all the people. And the Lord was adding to their number every day those who were being saved (Acts 2:42- 47).

This was not a liturgical service. They were coming together to fellowship with one another, to worship, and to study. They met outside of the homes and at people’s houses where they had meals together. They were a living organism thriving as each one did his part. They were a family!

Needs Met

As the church grew, deacons were put in positions of leadership to care for the physical needs of the body and make sure the elderly and those who had physical needs were getting those needs met. Just like a family, the church had a responsibility to make sure everyone’s spiritual and physical needs were met. (On a side note: it says that the deacons were added as a result of needs not being met because there were so many people. These roles are for each individual’s benefit, not to have someone lord over people. They were added to the leadership team so that the elders and overseers could focus on their appointed service to the body.)

We will continue to take a deeper look at these roles later on in the series.

In part three we will explore the gifts and ministries that are given to all believers, compared to certain roles given to only some, to those who hold an office.

Jesus’ Ekklesia

Jesus’ Ekklesia

by | Aug 9, 2021 | Bible, Simple Bible Truth

Jesus’ Ekklesia

Jesus’ Ekklesia

This blog is part one of a ten-part series on the church.  We will explore the church and the believers that make up the church, and how the local body should function biblically. I will list the passages of Scripture in the description below that I reference throughout this series.

Questions about the Ekklesia

Have you ever wondered if women should be pastors or elders? Or who can, or should, teach and manifest the other gifts given to the church? Or, what should a healthy church look like today?

There are many questions people ask today and we must seek our answers in Scripture, not according to traditions or what the “church” has evolved into, today.

The True Church – People

I would like to propose that we take a fresh look at the church from Scripture, the church as God’s people, compared to the organization that is has become today. Please be a Berean and search to see if what I am saying is true.

Unfortunately, most people today equate a “church” with a building, a denomination, or an organization. The church in Scripture is the people. There is a global church (ekklesia), that includes all believers all over the world and Christ is the head. Then there are many local churches/ekklesia, where Christ is still the head, but he has delegated headship to local leaders and gives them authority to “govern,” protect, and keep order in the specific body for the well-being of that “ekklesia.”

Gifts, Ministries, & Offices

We will take a look as we go as to who biblically has been called to these positions and what the qualifications are for this role in the church. We will also consider other aspects of church life in regards to gifts and ministries and believers in general because they are what makes up the church.

1577 ekklēsía(from 1537 /ek, “out from and to” and 2564 /kaléō, “to call”) – properly, people called out from the world and to God.

One Body, Many Parts

We are one body, yet there are parts of that body that meet in different places, like the church in Corinth, the churches in Asia, or the church that meets in Nympha’s house. And we know where two or three are gathered, the Lord is there (Matthew 18:20), even with the church that meets online!

In Christ Jesus we are all sons of God through faith and heirs of the Kingdom.  When we are baptized into Christ, we have clothed ourselves with Christ. There is neither Jew nor Greek, there is neither slave nor free, there is neither male nor female—for all are one in Christ Jesus. And if you belong to Christ, then you are Abraham’s descendants, heirs according to the promise (Galatians 3:26-29).

Equality

In regards to worth, faith, and salvation, all believers are equal. Having appointed elders in local churches, or appointed leadership in a family, does not change that fact. Consider, during the millennial Kingdom, people will be appointed to different places of leadership and ministry. Will we be complaining then or fighting what will be instituted? Headship or leadership should not be taken as something negative or demeaning.

The First Will Be Last

We see from the discussion with James and John’s mother with Jesus, that the answer is simple, God has chosen some people for certain positions in the Kingdom, and for various Kingdom roles, so why would it be odd to have designated roles today to keep things running smoothly and to be as effective as possible?

Jesus’ disciples even argued over who was the greatest.  But Jesus told them if you want to be elevated, you must be willing to humble yourself to all. If you want to be first, you must be willing to be last and put other people first.  You are there to serve, not to rule over people.

Local Leadership

Not simply those using their gift of leadership in the church in various ways, but those that take on local leadership roles, have greater responsibility and will have to give an account as to how they served in the office they held.

The Bible, I believe, says that men are appointed to elder/overseer positions in the local churches (elder/overseer and deacon). I will discuss this further in subsequent videos, but it should not be on a “women’s rights” agenda to disprove for the sake of “equality.”

Leadership is Beneficial, But it Doesn’t Have to Be You

When you join a club or another organization, do you feel less of a member just because you are not serving as president over all the organization, or do you enjoy what they have to offer and contribute as you are able?

We all know that when people come together there tends to be differences, and having a peacemaker and leader is beneficial for all.

Jesus is the Head of the Ekklesia, But All Must Serve

So, to lay the foundation of the church we must recognize that even though God set Jesus up as the head of the church, and in local bodies positions of leadership for the benefit of the church, every member of the church is equal in worth and salvation, and every member is called to serve with his or her gifts.

In part two we will focus on the fact that God’s spirit is given to all believers, no matter their gender or position in the church, and will consider how God still instituted headship for the care and well-being of His people