Required reading
Discussions (Vol 2) by Robert L. Dabney (Available from Amazon or free here) - Conclude 'Theories of the eldership'.
My summary
Today Dabney continues to establish that ruling elders as well as preachers are the proper official elders in the Scripture sense.
Last week we saw his first three points.
So this week, Dabney, fourthly, demonstrates the existence of ruling elders by looking at Scripture proofs from:
(i) Romans 12;
(ii) 1 Corinthians 12;
(iii) 1 Timothy 5;
(iv) 1 Peter 5.
Fifthly Dabney examines church history for the role of ruling elders.
Sixthly Dabney teaches that ruling elders are quite distinct from preaching elders.
What grabbed me
Again, as a Baptist, I naturally did not 'drink in' all of Dabney's thoughts.
For example, I do think Dabney may be overstating his case with this comment: '...to rule is to teach; and therefore the ruling elder should be "apt to teach," though he is never to mount the pulpit.'
I think most elders should be expected to mount the pulpit at least occasionally.
Next week's reading
Read 'On dangerous reading'.
Now it's your turn
Please post your own notes and thoughts in the comments section below.
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