Rabi Gunaratnam's Blog - Posts Tagged "clergy"
Christianity is Not a Religion
According to the New Testament every believer in Jesus belongs to a royal priesthood of believers (1 Pet. 2:9). Every believer can access the throne of grace with confidence because we have a High Priest in heaven—Jesus—who understands our weaknesses and will extend mercy and grace in time of need (Heb. 4:14–16). There is thus no need for a layer of priests or others to be intermediaries. In the New Testament church there were however offices: elders (or bishops) and deacons. There were also people with special gifts: apostles, prophets, evangelists, pastors and teachers (Eph. 4:11). These people could be elders or deacons or other believers. But over time some church elders took on extended roles—roles not supported in the New Testament—to administer opinions, judgments, and decrees. This layer of people who took on this extended role of elders stood between God and the believers. According to some scholars these people because of this kind of teaching and practices are referred to as the Nicolaitans. This over time has expanded into the clerical system—the systems of clergy—that we see in some established denominations. According to the letters to the churches found in Revelations, the introduction of the clerical system is displeasing to God (Rev. 2:6, 15).
Jesus had words to say about the religious leaders of His time. Luke 20:45–47 says, “Then, with the crowds listening, He turned to His disciples and said, "Beware of these teachers of religious law! For they like to parade around in flowing robes and love to receive respectful greetings as they walk in the marketplaces. And how they love the seats of honour in the synagogues and the head table at banquets. Yet they shamelessly cheat widows out of their property and then pretend to be pious by making long prayers in public. Because of this, they will be severely punished" (NLT). This was true of the teachers of the law then and it bears similarities to what we find today.
Contrast this with the way Jesus acted towards His disciples and the instructions He gave them as found in John 13:12–17, “After washing their feet, He put on His robe again and sat down and asked, "Do you understand what I was doing? You call Me 'Teacher' and 'Lord,' and you are right, because that's what I am. And since I, your Lord and Teacher, have washed your feet, you ought to wash each other's feet. I have given you an example to follow. Do as I have done to you. I tell you the truth; slaves are not greater than their master. Nor is the messenger more important than the One who sends the message. Now that you know these things, God will bless you for doing them” (NLT).
Washing of each other’s feet symbolises serving each other in a humble way. Paul expands on this in his letter to the church in Philippi (See Phil. 2:2–11).
In summary, Christianity was not meant to be a religion where people are expected to follow a set of rules, regulations and rituals administered by an elite group of individuals. Christianity is a way of life, lived like Jesus in fellowship with God and with man.
Jesus had words to say about the religious leaders of His time. Luke 20:45–47 says, “Then, with the crowds listening, He turned to His disciples and said, "Beware of these teachers of religious law! For they like to parade around in flowing robes and love to receive respectful greetings as they walk in the marketplaces. And how they love the seats of honour in the synagogues and the head table at banquets. Yet they shamelessly cheat widows out of their property and then pretend to be pious by making long prayers in public. Because of this, they will be severely punished" (NLT). This was true of the teachers of the law then and it bears similarities to what we find today.
Contrast this with the way Jesus acted towards His disciples and the instructions He gave them as found in John 13:12–17, “After washing their feet, He put on His robe again and sat down and asked, "Do you understand what I was doing? You call Me 'Teacher' and 'Lord,' and you are right, because that's what I am. And since I, your Lord and Teacher, have washed your feet, you ought to wash each other's feet. I have given you an example to follow. Do as I have done to you. I tell you the truth; slaves are not greater than their master. Nor is the messenger more important than the One who sends the message. Now that you know these things, God will bless you for doing them” (NLT).
Washing of each other’s feet symbolises serving each other in a humble way. Paul expands on this in his letter to the church in Philippi (See Phil. 2:2–11).
In summary, Christianity was not meant to be a religion where people are expected to follow a set of rules, regulations and rituals administered by an elite group of individuals. Christianity is a way of life, lived like Jesus in fellowship with God and with man.
Should We Fast or is Just Praying Enough?
When I ask people about fasting I receive one of three standard responses. Some agree that fasting and praying should be part of the Christian life. Some speak about the health benefits of fasting, and others say that in New Testament times fasting is unnecessary.
Praying is something every Christian does, especially, asking for things that affect us. When it comes to fasting and praying there is some confusion and disagreement. In this brief article we will look at a small selection of Scriptures in order to understand fasting.
When is fasting necessary?
When We Face a Difficult Challenge
When the disciples could not heal the boy with Epilepsy they asked Jesus why they were unsuccessful. Jesus’s first told them that they did not have faith, and followed it by saying, “However, this kind does not go out except by prayer and fasting" (Matt. 17:21 NKJV). Jesus indicated by this statement that fasting got the Father’s attention and that difficult cases needed more of the Father’s help, besides the person receiving spiritual strength and insght.
Jesus Fasted to Gain Spiritual Strength
Immediately after Jesus’s baptism, He was led by the Spirit into the wilderness to be tempted by the devil, where he fasted forty days and forty nights. It was at this time that the devil came up with the three temptations and was soundly beaten by Jesus (see Matt. 4:1–11). Instead of weakening His will, fasting had strengthened Him spiritually. After all He need not have fasted. God could have fed Him in the same way that He fed Elijah (1 Ki. 17:1–6). But, fasting was called for by the Spirit in this instance.
The Right Motives in Fasting
In Matthew 6:16–18 Jesus taught the multitudes that unlike the Pharisees who fasted just to show others that they were a pious lot, real fasting should only be for the Father’s eyes. He assured them that the Father will reward them.
When we are Seeking Direction
The church in Antioch had prophets and teachers. Barnabas and Saul had just returned after fulfilling their ministry in Jerusalem. Acts 13:2 suggests that they were worshiping and fasting to seek the Lord’s direction, and the Holy Spirit asked them to set apart Barnabas and Saul for a special work. They received what they were seeking—clear direction.
Commissioning People for Special Ministries
Acts 13:3 suggests that they fasted and prayed before commissioning Barnabas and Saul by the laying on of hands. We see the church gaining further confirmation as to where they should go, and possibly also earnestly requested success in ministry and protection, through fasting and prayer (Acts 13:4).
We must do the same in our churches today with regard to the ministries that we ought to start and in the selection or setting apart, and commissioning of people for these ministries. This is what Barnabas and Saul (now referred to as Paul) did in the selection and appointment of Elders in every church that they planted. This is recorded in Acts 14:23 as, “So when they had appointed elders in every church, and prayed with fasting, they commended them to the Lord in whom they had believed” (NKJV).
Fasting and Prayer Should be Done Responsibly
We are warned in 1 Corinthians 7:5 to do this in a responsible and sensible way. Although Paul is writing about abstaining from sexual relations during a time set aside for fasting and prayer as agreed between husband and wife, it applies in most situations where Satan can use this opportunity to tempt us. Remember that Satan started tempting Jesus when he had fasted and was very hungry. We too need to guard ourselves against the one who is our adversary—the devil—who walks about like a roaring lion, seeking whom he may devour, so that he might not ‘have us for lunch’ (see 1 Pet. 5:8).
In summary, we learn from these passages that when we are facing a tough challenge or seeking direction, as prompted by the Holy Spirit we must fast and pray in a sensible way. We are assured that God will reward us.
To support the statements above I quote a personal story from my book “Time to Wake Up Church!”
I would strongly encourage churches to follow the practice of the early church in all matters, including fasting and prayer to see God work in and through us.
Praying is something every Christian does, especially, asking for things that affect us. When it comes to fasting and praying there is some confusion and disagreement. In this brief article we will look at a small selection of Scriptures in order to understand fasting.
When is fasting necessary?
When We Face a Difficult Challenge
When the disciples could not heal the boy with Epilepsy they asked Jesus why they were unsuccessful. Jesus’s first told them that they did not have faith, and followed it by saying, “However, this kind does not go out except by prayer and fasting" (Matt. 17:21 NKJV). Jesus indicated by this statement that fasting got the Father’s attention and that difficult cases needed more of the Father’s help, besides the person receiving spiritual strength and insght.
Jesus Fasted to Gain Spiritual Strength
Immediately after Jesus’s baptism, He was led by the Spirit into the wilderness to be tempted by the devil, where he fasted forty days and forty nights. It was at this time that the devil came up with the three temptations and was soundly beaten by Jesus (see Matt. 4:1–11). Instead of weakening His will, fasting had strengthened Him spiritually. After all He need not have fasted. God could have fed Him in the same way that He fed Elijah (1 Ki. 17:1–6). But, fasting was called for by the Spirit in this instance.
The Right Motives in Fasting
In Matthew 6:16–18 Jesus taught the multitudes that unlike the Pharisees who fasted just to show others that they were a pious lot, real fasting should only be for the Father’s eyes. He assured them that the Father will reward them.
When we are Seeking Direction
The church in Antioch had prophets and teachers. Barnabas and Saul had just returned after fulfilling their ministry in Jerusalem. Acts 13:2 suggests that they were worshiping and fasting to seek the Lord’s direction, and the Holy Spirit asked them to set apart Barnabas and Saul for a special work. They received what they were seeking—clear direction.
Commissioning People for Special Ministries
Acts 13:3 suggests that they fasted and prayed before commissioning Barnabas and Saul by the laying on of hands. We see the church gaining further confirmation as to where they should go, and possibly also earnestly requested success in ministry and protection, through fasting and prayer (Acts 13:4).
We must do the same in our churches today with regard to the ministries that we ought to start and in the selection or setting apart, and commissioning of people for these ministries. This is what Barnabas and Saul (now referred to as Paul) did in the selection and appointment of Elders in every church that they planted. This is recorded in Acts 14:23 as, “So when they had appointed elders in every church, and prayed with fasting, they commended them to the Lord in whom they had believed” (NKJV).
Fasting and Prayer Should be Done Responsibly
We are warned in 1 Corinthians 7:5 to do this in a responsible and sensible way. Although Paul is writing about abstaining from sexual relations during a time set aside for fasting and prayer as agreed between husband and wife, it applies in most situations where Satan can use this opportunity to tempt us. Remember that Satan started tempting Jesus when he had fasted and was very hungry. We too need to guard ourselves against the one who is our adversary—the devil—who walks about like a roaring lion, seeking whom he may devour, so that he might not ‘have us for lunch’ (see 1 Pet. 5:8).
In summary, we learn from these passages that when we are facing a tough challenge or seeking direction, as prompted by the Holy Spirit we must fast and pray in a sensible way. We are assured that God will reward us.
To support the statements above I quote a personal story from my book “Time to Wake Up Church!”
“In 2008, we were in the process of opening the Glen Waverley Healing Rooms. We had the team trained and everything was ready except for a suitable venue for the Healing Rooms. After having looked at many options over a period of six months and spoken to several people, it was a case of the places being unsuitable or we were unwelcome there. I was beginning to wonder whether it was the Lord’s will for me to start the Healing Rooms. I decided to fast and pray. In the first hour of my fasting and prayer, the Lord spoke in an audible voice the name of a pastor. I heard Him say “Call Pastor John Temby.” I located Ps. Temby by looking up the white pages, phoning his office and getting his mobile phone number. We knew of each other through a mutual friend, Richard Brohier at whose 60th Birthday we had both said a few words. When I called John he had gone for his usual morning walk (and probably prayer). When I explained what I was seeking, his answer was immediate. He said yes we can have it at their church, but he would speak to the elders and confirm it by evening. I continued the fast and it was now past 4.00 pm and I had not heard back from John. I said to the Lord “Father, is it a yes or a no? What are you saying through this delay?” At that very moment the phone rang and John confirmed that the elders were all in favour. The following week we opened the Glen Waverley Healing Rooms to the public and continue to hold it at St Matthew’s Anglican Church to date.
When we did open the Healing Rooms, this experience of waiting on God had given a boost to my faith and confidence that God was with us. If God is with us, we are sure to see Him perform great miracles of healing and deliverance. On the opening night a believer who was being tormented by evil spirits and sickness came for ministry. The ministry team drove away the spirits in Jesus’ Name and the man was completely freed and healed instantly. Praise the Lord for His faithfulness.” (Chapter 10 – We Need to Exercise Faith).
I would strongly encourage churches to follow the practice of the early church in all matters, including fasting and prayer to see God work in and through us.
