Thoughts on life, love and faith by Plasticmind.

29 July 20071. LaRosa:

First and foremost, congratulations! I knew you could do it! And to think, we started talking because of MT, only to find out that you were just as much into Christianity as I am. Anyway, on to the questions (with brief answers)

1) Yes

2) #1 - leading my flock, teaching them the Word of God and how to read/study it for themselves... #2 standing for Biblical truth and sound doctrine, standing against false doctrine... #3 being a voice for the Lord in the community, being a witness of the gospel and sharing the love of Christ

3) The constant rise of false doctrine and people having no desire for the things of God, and showing people that the Bible is true in every way possible

4) Not very far; I believe church is for the edification of believers and equipping them to go outside the walls of the church and share the gospel with the unsaved

5) Manuscripts are the greatest tool we have in preserving Scripture as the shear number of manuscripts that we have allows us to have as solid as a text as possible. But even when translating, we should do our best to keep from straying from the original meaning of the text and reading our own interpretation & feelings into it

6) Welcome him/her with loving arms because even they can receive the saving grace of our Savior, treating them like we would any other member. Even with that, still recognizing that we are fallen, thus, being aware not to put them in a position of ministry where they are alone with or overseeing children.

7) The short answer: approach the believer, if they don't change, bring along another witness or two... from there, if they still fail to comply, bring it before the church as a whole and excommunicate if they still refuse to submit/turn from their sin... and this is the same with an elder/pastor, although this instance does require at least two or three witnesses to establish the matter (so as to prevent slander or false witness)... i forget the passages right off hand, but one was in Matthew and I believe the other is 2nd Timothy

8) Marriage is supposed to be a lifelong commitment that isn't entered into lightly, as it is a covenant made before God and man. Quite frankly, we shouldn't divorce, but the few biblical allowances for divorce that I've seen include: adultery, abandonment, and abuse. If divorcing for one of those reasons, then remarriage is a possibility. As far as limitations towards ministry, it does say that we are to be the husband of one wife. Personally, I think this should be taken literally, but it more likely implies that we should be a "one woman man" only having eyes for our wife; thus a person can be remarried, as long as their previous marriage ended for one of the above reasons (or becoming a widow/widower)

9) Nope. I'm just a sinner saved by grace, relying on the Lord and the Holy Spirit on a daily basis to lead, guide and direct me in this. This office is not one that I can hold and carry out in my own power, but only through the strength of Him who is in me. But I firmly believe that He has called me to this office to be a leader in His church.

LOL... so much for being brief, although I could have said a lot more :)

lj.

29 July 20072. ren:

It's amazing how tiring that king of experience can be. After all, you're just sitting there answering questions, but it really is exhausting. Congratulations, Jesse!

30 July 20073. Marlo:

Congrats! I'd love to hear your answers to all of it. Did they really ask you the TULIP questions?

30 July 20074. Byrne Reese:

Congrats buddy!

30 July 20075. Sara:

Congrats Jesse.

31 July 20076. Mark:

That is wonderful, Jesse. I admit I am more than curious how you handled things. Granted, I don't know a lot about where you are doctrinally, but I gather from tidbits here and there that you are more reformed than some of the circles you used to run in, perhaps a pseudo-reformed Epiptopresbymethobaptopalian (as introduced by Dan Phillips at TP)... never mind. Or maybe less reformed than I think. I also know you are more practical than many, and more intellectually honest than most. Regardless, congratulations, and may you continue to increase in your knowledge, understanding, and love of God.

31 July 20077. Mark's Mom:

How wonderful, Jesse. God knows how to pick those who have a heart for Him and for His people, a willing servant trained well through godly parents. How could you have turned out otherwise............ well, we won't get into that. Just honor God and make your testimony count for eternity. May you cast many crowns at His feet. Congratulations Jesse.