3rd John

9/21/2010 fccsj men's bible study

3rd John (a chapter only 1/2 page in length)
<> Local leader lording over group of believers >Follow Paul's instructions: go first to confront alone, then with a witness, and as a last resort in front of whole church. It is the intent of calling a person's actions into question that matters. Doing so for status quo or institutional comfort is wrong. The process of engagement should be equally painful for both parties to be an honest one, guided by prayer and The Word, not by personalities or emotional responses.

<> Reference to the local pagans >these worship local dieties, rather than the non-Jew "God Fearers" who were seeking God's favor.

<> Church >while the original Jesus follower's included early leaders who countenanced and coached local gatherings as a recognizable (if persecuted, secret) Body of Believers; i.e., Church, there was no formal authority to issue any charter to define and recognize a particular collection of people to be "a church," at least to begin with. Similarly of Apostles (those given a mission), Disciples (students/followers of...), or Brothers (and Sisters). One could become these things unilaterally? Or would some leaders dub a person to be any or all of these statuses?