What we have done: We have taken the great, sanctified Baptist doctrine of the priesthood of the believer, and made it to cover every damnable heresy that mind could imagine! It’s a tragedy--it's a tragedy.
W. A. Criswell
Priesthood of Believer
Discussion in 'General Baptist Discussions' started by Shortandy, Feb 24, 2010.
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Revmitchell Well-Known MemberSite Supporter
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1 Timothy 3 (New American Standard Bible)
Overseers and Deacons
1 It is a trustworthy statement: if any man aspires to the office of overseer, it is a fine work he desires to do.
2 An overseer, then, must be above reproach, the husband of one wife, temperate, prudent, respectable, hospitable, able to teach,
3 not addicted to wine or pugnacious, but gentle, peaceable, free from the love of money.
4 He must be one who manages his own household well, keeping his children under control with all dignity
5 (but if a man does not know how to manage his own household, how will he take care of the church of God?),
6 and not a new convert, so that he will not become conceited and fall into the condemnation incurred by the devil.
7 And he must have a good reputation with those outside the church, so that he will not fall into reproach and the snare of the devil.
8 Deacons likewise must be men of dignity, not double-tongued, or addicted to much wine or fond of sordid gain,
9 but holding to the mystery of the faith with a clear conscience.
10 These men must also first be tested; then let them serve as deacons if they are beyond reproach.
11 Women must likewise be dignified, not malicious gossips, but temperate, faithful in all things.
12 Deacons must be husbands of only one wife, and good managers of their children and their own households.
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Be realistic, having children vote might help them feel ownership in the church at some point, perhaps for simple decisions of the church family, but they don't have the maturity to handle decisions in the manner described above. -
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Please excuse my ignorance CF1 but I am struggling to see how the scripture you quoted has anything to do with converted kids voting when it speaks about qualifications for overseers and deacons...please explain further.
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Perhaps CF1 is alluding to the fact that there are very strict and narrow guidelines in Scripture concerning leaders, their maturity, stability, spirituality, etc... apart from the fact that everyone who is redeemed is a NT priest.
It would seem therefore that God (being a very consistent type of person) would require somewhat similar guidelines (howbeit perhaps not so confining) of "decision makers" who guide the church.
Even the world has enough sense to not allow children to drive a car, vote in elections, pilot a 747 airliner, etc.
How much more to allow them to guide the church which has an eternal consequence?
Personally, and IMO, children should not be allowed to vote no matter their "spirituality" and standing as NT priests just as the offices of leadership (deacon, pastor) have additonal requirements above and beyond the NT priesthood.
If it were left up to me, the right to vote on local church matters would require that:
One be a baptised believer, a member by choice/will in attendance and good standing at that local church for at least a year and over 18 years of age.
Even at that, these requirements leave plenty of room for mischief.
HankD -
I believe the concept of the priesthood of the believer has everything to do with intercessory prayer on behalf of another. This even a child in faith can do.
It has nothing to do with voting. -
I can't believe that adults in a church seriously took this position.
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Revmitchell Well-Known MemberSite Supporter
Children have no business voting. They lack the experience and maturity to be dealing with church business.
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Revmitchell Well-Known MemberSite Supporter
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Revmitchell Well-Known MemberSite Supporter
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With that said, I don't support a minimum age for voting in church business meetings, because that would make me a hypocrite. -
Revmitchell Well-Known MemberSite Supporter
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