866-295-4143, fbns@wayoflife.org
One of the many tactics that some Independent Baptist preachers have used to remain above reproof and discipline is the misapplication of Scripture.
One of these is Matthew 18:15-20. We have dealt with this several times in recent articles. The context has nothing to do with warning about a public preaching and teaching ministry. It has to do with personal offense. If Paul Chappell had committed some offense against me personally, that passage would come into play. But even then, it could not be pursued beyond a long-distance private discussion, because I am not a member of Chappell’s church and he lives on the other side of the world and I have no way to take someone with me to discuss things with him or to present the issue before his church (or my church, for that matter).
Another Scripture that I have heard misapplied repeatedly over the past four decades is 1 Samuel 24:10, upon which is based the doctrine of “touch not God’s anointed.” David said, “Behold, this day thine eyes have seen how that the LORD had delivered thee to day into mine hand in the cave: and some bade me kill thee: but mine eye spared thee; and I said, I will not put forth mine hand against my lord; for he is the LORD’S anointed.”
The context has to do with killing an anointed king of Israel. Apparently some Independent Baptist preachers think they are kings. And they must also think that someone who reproves them is trying to kill them.
Jack Hyles certainly acted like a king and put himself above reproof and discipline, and so does Jack Schaap and many others who are imitating this exceedingly unscriptural, ungodly type of pastoral model.
But even an Israelite king was not above reproof. David didn’t kill King Saul, but the prophet Samuel did not draw back from reproving the sorry old king, and the prophet Nathan did not draw back from reproving King David, and we could give many other examples.
A Baptist pastor is not an Israelite king, but even kings could be reproved by God’s preachers. And so can Baptist pastors.
Titus 2:15 These things speak, and exhort, and rebuke with all authority. Let no man despise thee.
2 Timothy 4:1-2 I charge thee therefore before God, and the Lord Jesus Christ, who shall judge the quick and the dead at his appearing and his kingdom; 2 Preach the word; be instant in season, out of season; reprove, rebuke, exhort with all longsuffering and doctrine.
[Note: A different, but similarly named, report "Touch Not the Lord's Anointed," is found HERE]
- Receive these reports by email
- www.wayoflife.org
______________________
Sharing Policy: Much of our material is available for free, such as the hundreds of articles at the Way of Life web site. Other items we sell to help fund our expensive literature and foreign church planting ministries. Way of Life's content falls into two categories: sharable and non-sharable. Things that we encourage you to share include the audio sermons, O Timothy magazine, FBIS articles, and the free eVideos and free eBooks. You are welcome to make copies of these at your own expense and share them with friends and family. You may also post parts of reports and/or entire reports to websites, blogs, etc as long as you give proper credit (citation). A link to the original report is very much appreciated as the reports are frequently updated and/or expanded. Things we do not want copied and distributed are "Store" items like the Fundamental Baptist Digital Library, print editions of our books, electronic editions of the books that we sell, the videos that we sell, etc. The items have taken years to produce at enormous expense in time and money, and we use the income from sales to help fund the ministry. We trust that your Christian honesty will preserve the integrity of this policy. "For the scripture saith, Thou shalt not muzzle the ox that treadeth out the corn. And, The labourer is worthy of his reward" (1 Timothy 5:18). Questions? support@wayoflife.org
Goal:Distributed by Way of Life Literature Inc., the Fundamental Baptist Information Service is an e-mail posting for Bible-believing Christians. Established in 1974, Way of Life Literature is a fundamental Baptist preaching and publishing ministry based in Bethel Baptist Church, London, Ontario, of which Wilbert Unger is the founding Pastor. Brother Cloud lives in South Asia where he has been a church planting missionary since 1979. Our primary goal with the FBIS is to provide material to assist preachers in the edification and protection of the churches.
Offering: Offerings are welcome if you care to make one. If you have been helped and/or blessed by our material offerings can be mailed or made online with with Visa, Mastercard, Discover, or Paypal. For information see: www.wayoflife.org/about/makeanoffering.html.
