Elders' Authority - Flock Book

berrygerry

The biggest surprise in the Flock book was the hiding-for 3-years serious sin absolution provision for elders (if with "Jehovah's evident blessing").

The second is the remark regarding an inactive person, and the situation:

"Is the person willing to meet with a committee, thus admitting accountability to the Christian congregation?"

Now, the Bible says: “I want you to know that the head of every man is the Christ; in turn the head of a woman is the man; in turn the head of the Christ is God.” (1 Corinthians 11:3)

For me, Corinthians is black-and-white - a Christian man's head is Christ - not ANY man. Therefore, no man is "accountable" to a committee (the Christian congregation).

Any thoughts from elders?

I am not an elder. But experience tells me that they will simply states that the committee is made up of spirit anointed men - which means chosen by Jesus - so trough spiritual direction these men are going to be able to convey Jesus judgement on the matter.

Phizzy

The only authority they have over you is that which you give them in your head.

In my case they have none.

You owe them nothing, not even respect as far as their "Position" goes, you do not owe them a response.

There seems to be little hope of beating them on Doctrinal grounds, they will not believe your version, or on what the "Flock" book may say, they can find ways, as above in JD's post, to justify their position, and ways to DF or DA you if they wish whether you respond in any way or not.

I think a lovely response is what dear Nugget* did, she recognised what the letter was and returned it unopened. Good one !

* Nugget (Cantleave's Guv'nor) is an infrequent Poster here these days, too busy with her phenomenal and beautiful Art, and enjoying life as it should be lived no doubt.

stuckinarut2

Are those quotes for REAL????

Seriously?? An elder can get away with sin if it is hidden for three years???

And that quote about "being willing to meet thus being accountable"??

My head is going to explode....

The Searcher

(Matthew 18:15-17) "Moreover, if your brother commits a sin, go and reveal his fault between you and him alone. If he listens to you, you have gained your brother. [problem solved without involving anyone else!] 16 But if he does not listen, take along with you one or two more, so that on the testimony of two or three witnesses [witnesses of the sin - not of the individual being confronted] every matter may be established. 17 If he does not listen to them, speak to the congregation. [the whole congregation (ecclesia) See also 1 Tim. 5:20] If he does not listen even to the congregation, let him be to you just as a man of the nations and as a tax collector. [don't shun them, but do not invite such ones for fellowship meals into your homes]

Did you notice what it says about reporting serious wrongdoings to the Elders, and how they must set up a Judicial Committee to deal with such sinners?

No, neither did I! Just another perversion of scriptures by you-know-who.

minimus

The elders have no authority. Period.

_Morpheus

The KS does NOT specifiy 3 years. I will pull the quote and paste but its something about a significant period of time

blondie

Who is the head of an unmarried, divorced (scripturally), or widowed woman if not Christ? I had one elder tell me it would be the brother or father or even who son thinking that women stayed in a male relative's household in OT times but not today. Or that the elders would be their head.

*** w60 11/1 p. 655 par. 27 Marriage in Paradise ***

In the case of an Israelite woman God’s law through Moses stated: “In the case of the vow of a widow or a divorced woman, everything that she [without a husband as her head] has bound upon her soul will stand against her.

” (Num. 30:9-13, 15)

sir82

Verbal direction from Bethel trumps anything written in the book.

sowhatnow

and inactive person is only inactive because the elders did not have the time to follow everyone around like a lost puppy. if and when someone finally gets around to me, I will ask them where they were when I needed help? and what good came from all my loyal years going to the hall? where are all my good close friends?

Im no worse off now than before. they will only have excuses not answers .

there is the key blondie, in the case of an ISRAELITE WOMAN Gods law through MOSES.

none of which is in effect for any of us and In my opinion has no purpose in my life and i cannot be bound by rules from an ancient civilization.

if an elder can hide sin for 'three' years, who knows when the 'three years' started? lol

people hide sin all the time. were sinners we cant help it, that's why we have UNDESERVED KINDNESS.

and its not for men to judge. thats my story, and Im going to stick with it. lol