PCG’s latest article on church government takes Scriptures out of context in order to justify the doctrine of a “one man rule”. Gerald Flurry actually teaches that he is the one man that God has set up to follow.
In the first part, we started looking critically at PCG’s latest article. We very briefly looked yet again at the OT system of government and saw that it varied over time. We then looked at the structure of the family, both in Heaven (God the Father, Christ the Son) and the human family structure. However, there is no Biblical support for extending that to a civil government. Not only that, but the ultimate marriage of Christ and His Church show that Christ is the Head of the Church, and not a man!
Therefore, to conclude that God only uses hierarchical forms of governance contradicts what the Bible really says. More importantly, the Bible contradicts the entire notion of only working through one man at a time.
Before we blast away at the rest of PCG’s article, though, how about some context? What did Jesus say about church governance?
1. Who is the “greatest”, that is, the one in charge?
1At the same time came the disciples unto Jesus, saying, Who is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven?
2And Jesus called a little child unto him, and set him in the midst of them,
3And said, Verily I say unto you, Except ye be converted, and become as little children, ye shall not enter into the kingdom of heaven.
4Whosoever therefore shall humble himself as this little child, the same is greatest in the kingdom of heaven.
5And whoso shall receive one such little child in my name receiveth me. (Matthew 18:1-5, King James Version)
11But he that is greatest among you shall be your servant.
12And whosoever shall exalt himself shall be abased; and he that shall humble himself shall be exalted. (Matthew 23:11-12, King James Version)
33And he came to Capernaum: and being in the house he asked them, What was it that ye disputed among yourselves by the way?
34But they held their peace: for by the way they had disputed among themselves, who should be the greatest.
35And he sat down, and called the twelve, and saith unto them, If any man desire to be first, the same shall be last of all, and servant of all.
36And he took a child, and set him in the midst of them: and when he had taken him in his arms, he said unto them,
37Whosoever shall receive one of such children in my name, receiveth me: and whosoever shall receive me, receiveth not me, but him that sent me.
38And John answered him, saying, Master, we saw one casting out devils in thy name, and he followeth not us: and we forbad him, because he followeth not us.
39But Jesus said, Forbid him not: for there is no man which shall do a miracle in my name, that can lightly speak evil of me.
40For he that is not against us is on our part. (Mark 9:33-40, King James Version)
Let’s not forget the rule that if something is in the Bible, it is important, if it is twice in the Bible, it is very important, and if it is in the Bible three times, it must be supremely important.
46Then there arose a reasoning among them, which of them should be greatest.
47And Jesus, perceiving the thought of their heart, took a child, and set him by him,
48And said unto them, Whosoever shall receive this child in my name receiveth me: and whosoever shall receive me receiveth him that sent me: for he that is least among you all, the same shall be great.
49And John answered and said, Master, we saw one casting out devils in thy name; and we forbad him, because he followeth not with us.
50And Jesus said unto him, Forbid him not: for he that is not against us is for us. (Luke 9:46-50, King James Version)
2. Did Jesus give a pattern as how not to organize?
25But Jesus called them unto him, and said, Ye know that the princes of the Gentiles exercise dominion over them, and they that are great exercise authority upon them.
26But it shall not be so among you: but whosoever will be great among you, let him be your minister;
27And whosoever will be chief among you, let him be your servant: (Matthew 20:25-27, King James Version)
42But Jesus called them to him, and saith unto them, Ye know that they which are accounted to rule over the Gentiles exercise lordship over them; and their great ones exercise authority upon them.
43But so shall it not be among you: but whosoever will be great among you, shall be your minister:
44And whosoever of you will be the chiefest, shall be servant of all. (Mark 10:42-44, King James Version)
24And there was also a strife among them, which of them should be accounted the greatest.
25And he said unto them, The kings of the Gentiles exercise lordship over them; and they that exercise authority upon them are called benefactors.
26But ye shall not be so: but he that is greatest among you, let him be as the younger; and he that is chief, as he that doth serve.
27For whether is greater, he that sitteth at meat, or he that serveth? is not he that sitteth at meat? but I am among you as he that serveth. (Luke 22:24-27, King James Version)
2Saying The scribes and the Pharisees sit in Moses’ seat:
3All therefore whatsoever they bid you observe, that observe and do; but do not ye after their works: for they say, and do not.
4For they bind heavy burdens and grievous to be borne, and lay them on men’s shoulders; but they themselves will not move them with one of their fingers. (Matthew 23:2-4, King James Version)
3. Who did Jesus say your master is?
8But be not ye called Rabbi: for one is your Master, even Christ; and all ye are brethren.
9And call no man your father upon the earth: for one is your Father, which is in heaven.
10Neither be ye called masters: for one is your Master, even Christ. (Matthew 23:8-10, King James Version)
4. If Jesus is our Master, and He came to serve, then what should we be doing?
15For I have given you an example, that ye should do as I have done to you.
16Verily, verily, I say unto you, The servant is not greater than his lord; neither he that is sent greater than he that sent him.
17If ye know these things, happy are ye if ye do them. (John 13:15-17, King James Version)
So, tell me again who the “preeminent” apostle was?
Any verse used to beat us over the head as to who God is working through must be examined in light of these very clear Scriptures. Start with the clear Scriptures and then lay the not so clear ones by them to interpret them rather than the other way around!