[Biblemat] A just made post

[Don Martin]

Don Martin sharing a just made post:

I just made the following post to a list where this post will be a bomb,
I predict, explosive in its basic nature.  Please read what the one said
that prompted my post and what I said in response.  I promise you there
will be a serious adverse reaction to my post.  I will be assigned all
manner of names, such as legalist.  However, what can they do to disprove
what I have said in my post?  It is so sad that so many in the "church" have
totally lost all concept of collective versus individual action.  Based on
this post, I shall be further labeled as divisive, contentious, and in
general, a trouble-maker, having weird views.  Some will take the position
that what I have said is wrong, because of the way I said it.  Carefully
look at the post and consider this.  Some will say that I am riding my
hobby; hence, I am wrong.  Some will charge that what I have said is even
unworthy of being read because I personally attacked the good, sincere
brother who wrote the quote (I will be presented as not good and sincere).
There will be an effort exerted to call attention to other nuances involved
in the teaching of I Timothy 5, deflecting and down playing the plain
statement in verse 16. Bottom line:  No one will be able to responsibly
and dialectically address my post!  This one, simple post could result in
weeks of debating, back and forth.  Most will distance themselves from
me because the leaders on this particular list will present me in such a bad
light. I shall be stigmatized and the truth of my post will be placed off in
a forgotten corner. Yet, the truth remains.  All of this is part of
aggressively preaching today in an age of apostasy (Jude 3, Phili. 1: 7,
17).  I know all of this and, yet, I make such posts.  Why?  Perhaps there
will be even one that will honestly consider the post and the reactions to
it and learn a precious truth!


Don Martin biding all a good day.

One recently posted:

I was driving by the local First Baptist Church recently and I
couldn't help but notice their new tour bus. They've had an old
greyhound bus for years. I suppose it has seen better days, and now is
being replaced by this newer tour bus. And, I couldn't help but cast
a disparaging look at it and at their manicured lawns and landscaping.
Well, being one who enjoys a nice landscape, I couldn't help but
notice theirs, BUT not at the Church. And I enjoy taking trips to
Branson too, BUT not as a church.

How can I criticize them for the things I do myself. Doesn't it make
me a hypocrite? Sure, it's easy to say, "They should have spent
that money on this good work or that good work". Maybe, they'd
like to tell me the same thing. I spend considerable time and money on
my landscape. I get in my car and drive to Branson. And they get on
their bus and all go together. Who is the better steward?

Don comments:

A cursory look at such verses as Genesis 1: 26 reveals that man has
supremacy, authority, and, yes, attendant stewardship over many
things appertaining to this earth.  However, I would like to inject a
basic thought relative to the church and individual.

Here is my basic point:  There are things the individual can do that the
church may not do; hence, there is a difference in church and individual
action.  How do I know this?  Consider Paul's teaching to Timothy:

"16: If any man or woman that believeth have widows, let them relieve
them, and let not the church be charged; that it may relieve them that are
widows indeed" (I Tim. 5).

Part of my responsibility as a father, husband, etc. is to provide various
things, including "recreation."  Yes, I took my family to Branson.
However, it is not the work of the local church to provide such
recreation, this is the "social gospel."  The church is primarily a
spiritual institution, providing edification and sound teaching (I Tim. 3:
15).  Even in the isolated area of church benevolence, there are
restrictions. Children and grandchildren come first in the matter of
relieving their parents and grandparents (I Tim. 5).

Allow me to just briefly mention in this post that based on I Timothy 5:
16 and the relevant context, I observe the following:

1). There is a difference in individual and church action.

2). There are things the individual may do that the church may not do.

3). In the case of benevolence, children and grandchildren occupy a first
place position and the church is not to assist in this circumstance.

4). The teaching of I Timothy 5: 16 presupposes that there is a "treasury,"
hence, enabling the church (collective noun representing collective or
group action as opposed to individual action) to execute or not execute
the considered action (entirety of I Timothy 5).

Cordially,
Don Martin  dmartinbtbq at comcast.net

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