Topical Studies
What the Bible says about Spiritual Degeneration
(From Forerunner Commentary)
Notice all the words that suggest leading and/or following: elder(s), shepherd, flock, serving, overseers, lords, entrusted, and examples. This clearly establishes that God's church is a body in which He has placed leaders to oversee and care for His people. Further, the leadership is to provide examples for them to follow.
The Bible nowhere anticipates independent Christians in its instructions, but it always assumes the body has ministers given by Christ to provide teaching and guidance. Too frequently, people separate from one group then regroup around a person whom Christ has not appointed to teach His Word. It is not that this person cannot teach at all but that Christ has not given him the gifts to teach His people in His behalf. He was not placed in the body for that purpose. Steady spiritual degeneration within that group occurs.
John W. Ritenbaugh
'I'll Never Follow Another Man!'Related Topics: Authority | Church, The | Elder | Elder, Function of | Feeding the Flock | Guarding the Flock | Independent Christians | Leadership | Minister | Minister, Duty of | Ministry | Ministry, Function of | Overseer | Overseer, Function of | Shepherd | Shepherd as Metaphor | Shepherding the Flock | Spiritual Degeneration
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