Pagină:Organization-part-I-1938.djvu/6

Lord treat the church as a democracy; that the idea of a democracy is entirely absent in the writings of the apostles concerning the church; that there is no intimation that there is a confederacy or unity existing in the congregations, such as exists amongst the states of America, it must be concluded that the Hierarchy form of government, so seductive to many minds, is clearly a product of the Devil; also that the democratic form of government is contrary to the Word of God. Such was the case with the priest-ridden Jerusalem, as shown by the prophecy of Jeremiah, when the self-constituted elect class, the clergy, ruled contrary to the will of God. Likewise ‘‘the Roman Catholic Hierarchy of authority’’, and similar ‘authoritative’ governments and religious organizations, are clearly of the Devil, instituted and practiced for the purpose of turning men away from God and his King, and bringing them under the control of the representatives of the Devil. Therefore the faithful apostles of the Lord Jesus Christ could not have started an organization which for its method of operation is a government by democratic methods or a rule by ‘‘orders’’ of priests or hierarchy. The rule of Jehovah God, both that with his typical people Israel and that of his people taken out for his name, is purely a theocratic rule. God’s kingdom or organization is a pure theocracy, not subject to the whims or rules of any creature.

        ¹⁵ Smarting under the tyrannical rule by the clergy and Hierarchy, sincere men turned to the democratic government of religious organizations with a hope of a better condition, and that method has for years been followed in religious organizations. But is such in harmony with the Scriptures? The fact that such a method was adopted in the congregations of those who claimed to serve the Lord is no proof that it is right. During the Elijah period of the church sincere followers of Christ Jesus left the Babylonish organization and they came out with spots on their garments, which they had received by reason of associating with that devilish organization. Within the period known as ‘‘the Elijah time of the church”’ elders and deacons in the congregations were selected by a vote of the members expressed by the stretching forth of the hand. Whether this was proper or not, at least the Lord permitted it or did not interfere. The intention or purpose of the Christians who adopted and followed this method was, no doubt, good, but that would not make it Scriptural. The authority for such action or voting, it was claimed, was found in Acts 14:23. Barnabas was associated with Paul in the work of preaching the gospel and setting matters aright in the congregations. Having this in mind, which is shown in this same chapter, note the words of Acts 14:23: ‘‘And when they [Paul together with Barnabas, and not the congregation] had ordained [(Greek) cheirotoneo] them [that is, in the respective congregations] elders in every church, and had prayed with fasting, they [Paul and Barnabas, the apostles, and not the company] commended them [the ones chosen] to the Lord, on whom they believed.’’

        ¹⁶ In the same manner Paul commended the elders of Ephesus to God. (Acts 20:32) The Greek word cheirotoneo is, in the foregoing text at Acts 14:23, rendered ‘‘ordained’’; but ‘‘ordain’’ or ‘‘ordained’’ is a wrong word, as will be observed by the examination of subsequent scriptures herein cited. The Greek word cheirotonein means ‘‘to extend or stretch forth the hand’’. But the question is: Was the stretching forth of the hand the act performed by the apostles or by the congregation? Was the stretching forth of the hand a sign or means of voting? Manifestly it was the apostles who stretched forth the hand, not as a means or sign of voting, but as an act of confirming those men chosen for the office of service. The Greek word cheirotones, rendered ‘‘ordained’’ at Acts 14:23, in fact means chosen. This is shown by the text at 2 Corinthians 8:18,19, wherein that same Greek word is rendered ‘‘chosen’’. This latter text, however, does not show that the men were chosen by the company or congregation, but by those upon whom the apostles had previously conferred authority by stretching forth of their hands as at Acts 14:23.

        ¹⁷ The selection of officers or servants by the democratic method of voting by the congregation ignores the command concerning ‘‘the Higher Powers’’. (Rom. 13:1) Only the Almighty God and Christ Jesus constitute the higher powers, and the apostle Paul was a special representative of such higher powers, and Paul, acting by virtue of the authority conferred upon him, designated others to represent the higher powers. The stretching forth of the hand was an act of confirmation by the apostles. The following texts support that conclusion: In the sixth chapter of the Acts of the Apostles it is seen that the apostles instructed the brethren to ‘look out’ or nominate certain men to perform certain duties of service, and to bring these before or to the attention of the apostles; and concerning these men it is written: ‘‘Whom they set before the apostles, and when they [the apostles] had prayed, they [the apostles] laid their hands on them.’’ Thus the congregation or company recognized the Higher Powers acting through the apostles, and the apostles, after praying to the Higher Powers, laid their hands on these men, thus confirming their selection. Clearly therefore it was the apostles who stretched forth or put forth their hands. The following texts show that it was the apostles who stretched forth the hand: ‘‘Then laid they their hands on them, and they received the holy [spirit].” (Acts 8:17,18) ‘‘When they heard this, they were baptized in the name of the Lord Jesus. And when Paul had laid his hands upon them, the holy [spirit] came on them; and they spake with tongues, and prophesied.’’ (Acts 19:5,6) ‘‘Neglect not the gift that is in thee, which was given thee by prophecy,