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Been a Baptist long?

Acts 14:23

If the congregation has a say in the appointment of elders, it has a say in the acceptance of members.

 

Doesn't matter what you call it. It's still a vote.

 

No it isn't. It is a veiled attempt at getting the members to agree to a foregone conclusion regarding acceptance for membership. A vote is a straight head count with a yes or no/ majority rules outcome. In other words, "Slight of Hand."

 

It would seem by some of these post it doesn't matter what anyone decides to do they always say God is directing me to do this or God told me to do that. I do not believe God will direct someone to join a church or pastor a church that you are in disagreement with on doctrine. There is just to much difference in sovereign grace and free will that they will not walk together. How can two walk together accept they agree. Evan I don't think you rightly understand Gods Free grace to sinners, you may understand the doctrine of election and predestination but a sovereign grace preacher preaches Christ the person is sinners salvation. The church you joined will preach to you each Sunday giving you illustration on how good a Christian should be and the pastor will usually use himself as the pattern. So everyone will go out of the door at the end of the service feeling super good about themselves thinking God can't do without them.

 

21 years. Never saw this done in any of the four churches of which I've been a member.

No. Not even. Can't be remotely implied from the Acts verse. Church isn't a club. Voting on accepting a member makes it a club.

Nope. We're not voting on anything. We're committing to them as brothers and sisters in Christ.

 

I've never taken the context to refer to congregations but to Paul and co. They were the ones appointing elders.

 

What are your thoughts on the comments of John Gill and John Calvin on that passage?

 

No it doesn't. And, yes, the ordination of elders in Acts 14:23 was a vote signified by an outstretched hand.

You can call a dog's tail a leg all you want. It's still a tail.

 

Ohhhhhhhh, haaaaaaa haaaaaaaa....... and thats very true! NAILED IT!!!!: :laugh:

 

OK..... do you feel doctrine is a secondary issue?

and isnt there any REFORMED Churches in Denver.....like OPC, PCA, Reformed Baptist etc.

 

I simply asked you a few questions.....its you that is both paranoid & defensive.

 

I missed this. I see what you're saying. Yeah, who's gonna object on Sunday morning in front of everybod? (Who except someone like me, that is.) Membership should be voted on in a business meeting, and it was in a church I attended.

 

Then ate you involved to the point of interviewing the guy or gal? also what do you look for in a person & what wouldnt you accept?

 

We disagree.

For elders. No way it can be made to fit acceptance of one's fitness as a mere member.

 

No kidding. I also doubt that members had a formal application to join these early churches, or were even referred to as members. A profession of faith and baptism is probably all one needed to do to become a "member".

 

Duh.

You asked for a biblical foundation. Athority rests in the body, not in the presbytery. Elders do not rule without consent of the body, and none join to a body without that consent.

 

Who's talking about applications?

Your bylaws don't state the conditions of membership, or describe what it means to be a member in good standing?

 

Exactly. That is the current church model, as well. Faith and Baptism. Anything else is something man made up.