"Thinking Outside The Box"


Dr H.. said:
The phrase, ?thinking outside the box? is commonly used in our vernacular to describe those who refuse to be limited by traditional or conventional thinking. The box represents anything that limits or confines what we believe to be in the realm of possibility.

Consider and it is the Bible as God?s Text Book, His Written Word that leads us back to Him or Salvation. The problem is God has not / did not departed from us, we abandoned Him thru Adam and Eve. Thus, we have the word {Bible} of God, to redirect us back to him. The Bible is no more than a ?roadmap? that take us back home, because we were ?and some still are? lost. Contained within the bible ?The box, instructions, container, life line, blood line? is what God prescribes as the remedy for spiritual healing. God is the doctor and we are his patients.

Thus, the bible is the ?Box? when you start living or thinking outside of what God has prescribed thru [His word / Instructions] for us as a medication, to heal us and bring us back to spiritual and physical health. We will remain sick, thus our bodies are not able to heal, allowing all types of infections [Sin] to enter and control our bodies.

True, we can ?Think Outside The Box? on certain ways way of spreading the gospel ?TV, Radio, Newspapers and so on? Why, because God said ?The Great Commission? he did not say how, but do it. However, when it comes to requirements, he did not leave those wide open, for us to do, as we like. When He say baptized, He means be baptized, not sprinkled. When He said ?Repent? that?s exactly what He mean, He did not say report, because you got caught. When He designed the requirements for a ?Preacher or Bishop? that?s exactly what he mean?s. I am sure God?s knows the different between a man and a woman. After all he is the creator. God, told Noe (Noah) to use ?Gopher Wood? why, because God knew exactly what he wanted and what type of wood was best suited for the flood. Then he told Noe, to pitch it within and without [Pitch is Tar]. What if Noe said, ?God, I am going to ?Think Outside the Box or Your Word and use Tree Bark. Then I am going to use cork and not pitch? Now in your opinion, do you think the Ark would float or served God?s purpose? Absolutely not, ask yourself why. The same hold true for the OT sacrifices of animals, God had specific requirements and if you disobeyed God, you were struck down or stoned to death.

In the NT under the Gospel, God continues to have specific requirements. And when you start ?Thinking Outside the Box or Gospel? you are disobeying God. God said

Wherefore the law was our schoolmaster [to bring us] unto Christ, that we might be justified by faith. But after that faith is come, we are no longer under a schoolmaster ? Gal. 3:24, 25.

For whatsoever things were written aforetime were written for our learning, that we through patience and comfort of the scriptures might have hope. Romans 15:4

Ye stiffnecked and uncircumcised in heart and ears, ye do always resist the Holy Ghost: as your fathers [did], so [do] ye. Acts 7:51

God gave us the OT and examples of what happen to Israel, so we do not make the same mistakes. What was Israel mistakes, disobedience or ?Thinking Outside of the Box / Law?

I do not, understand why people are making God's word, so hard to understand. Paul told Timothy, that a child can understand God's word. A child "Hebrew" was someone from 5 - 12 years old. So are folks saying that their IQ or level of understanding, is less than that of a 12 year old child. This is redicilous, how can an adult,not know the difference between a man and a woman. God Forbid.


I agree. The Bible is our "box" and it will never agree with our flesh. If we can live within the confines of God's word as He prescribes for us we won't have the problems that we create for ourselves. There is so much room inside the box (God's Word). The problem is some think that the box is restricting instead of liberating. If what someone calls being outside the box as just a term then they better make sure it is scriptural.
 
Springs

Well stated -

=====

The Church is a "Typology" of heaven / the Kingdom of God. In every kingdom, there are rules and regulations that "every" subject [Christians] has to abide by and in every Kingdom there must be a ruler or king. In this case Christ is the King and we are his subjects.

If you are not living within the rules established by the King, he has the right to dismiss you from the kingdom. And punish according to the rules of "His" Kingdom.


If God did not have a “Box” He wanted us to operate within, then there would not be a need for the following scripture.

Enter ye in at the strait gate: for wide [is] the gate, and broad [is] the way, that leadeth to destruction, and many there be which go in thereat: Because strait [is] the gate, and narrow [is] the way, which leadeth unto life[/u], and few there be that find it. Matthew 7:13, 14

We are familiar with this particular scripture [The Two Gates and the Two Ways]. If God, was not concerned about how we operated, then He would not have allowed this to become part of the gospel. This only prove that He as requirements and expect us to operate within specific guidelines. Notice Gods choice of words, Many, Wide [destruction], Few, Narrow [life]. Many live outside of God word, which is the [Wide] that leadeth to destruction and those that are living within his word [Narrow] that leadeth unto life.
 



Dr H.. said:
I hope that I am misreading this statement. Are you saying the bible does not outline the requirements for those positions mentioned. If so, then anyone can hold those positions, including a child.

In that 1 Tim 3 is so clear for bishops (pastors) and deacons, no such requirements are specified for the other offices.

"And elder must be ... an apostle must be ... and evangelist must be..." are not delineated in the scripture. If you know where they are so specified, please share it with us. It would benefit us all.

Thanks.
 
Go and read again - In Acts it points out the requirements of an Apostle. One statement is he must have been with Christ.

The Apostle Paul writes, "The signs of an apostle were wrought among you..." as the result of his apostleship. [2Cor. 12:12] He sets forth certain conditions--the signs of an apostle. He also wrote, that he had seen Christ. [1 Cor.9; 1-2; 15:8] Paul and other apostles stated that they were especially selected/chosen by Christ as apostles. [Lk. 6:13; Acts 1:2; 1 Tim. 1:1; 2:7]

The apostles had their understanding opened personally by Christ. [Lk. 24:45; Gal. 1:16-19; 2Cor. 11:5]

--"...of all Jesus began both to do and teach until the day in which he was taken up, after he, through the Holy Spirit, had given commandment unto the apostles whom he had chosen." [Acts 1:1-2]


Acts 20:17, 28-31 (NAU)

17 From Miletus he [Paul] sent to Ephesus and called to him the elders of the church...

28 "Be on guard for yourselves and for all the flock, among which the Holy Spirit has made you overseers, to shepherd the church of God which He purchased with His own blood.


Elder=overseer=shepherd [They are the same]

A ?pastor?, from the latin for ?shepherd?, is an elder/overseer/shepherd. I Timothy 5:17-20 for elders that ?preach and teach?.The title ?bishop?, taken from ?overseer

Titus 1:5-9
1 Pet 5:1-4
1 Tim 3:1-7
Eph 4:11-16


Acts 20:27-35

Two primary things:

It is the Holy Spirit who given them their position of responsibility, and
He has made them overseers.

The term ?elder? (Greek: presbuteros), meaning one who is older and having the corresponding wisdom, the apostle also gives us the term ?overseer?. Now an overseer (Greek: episcopos, episcopoi, in the plural) is one who watches over things circumspectly. They have a responsibility to look at things in overview [overseer], spiritually looking for proper balance, looking for the future needs and direction of the ody of Christ [Church].

In verse 17 calls these men elders (presbuteroi), yet now calls these same men overseers (episcopoi). Reading next clause gives them an assignment to be shepherds ? the verb equivalent of what is elsewhere translated ?pastor? (Ephesians 4:11).The elders who are also overseers appointed by the Holy Spirit are given the responsibility to shepherd (i.e., pastor) the flock.


Greek New Testament {GNT} also found in the Septuagint


apostolos - noun - someone who represents fully the person who sent; one who is commissioned; bearer of the N.T. message.

diakonia - noun - service, office, ministry, aid, office of deacon

diakonos - noun - servant, helper, deacon (masculine)

didaskolos - noun - teacher

episkopeo - verb - to look at, inspect, to be circumspect, heedful, to oversee, to exercise the office of

episkope - noun - visitation, office, office of a bishop

episkopos - noun - overseer, guardian, bishop

presbuterion - noun - council of elders

presbuteros - adjective/substantive - older (adjective); older person, ancetor, elder, presbyter (substantive)

proistemi - noun - to lead, direct, guide

poimaino - verb - to feed, pasture, tend a flock

poimen - noun - shepherd

poimne - noun - flock

sumpresbuteros - noun - fellow elder, fellow presbyter


The office of elder (also bishop or overseer) and the office of deacon. The office of bishop is described in Greek with the word episkope (office of bishop) which is used as a title. In some scriptures this same word means [visitation]. The description of this office is described in Greek with the word episkopos (overseer).

Therefore one who holds the office of bishop (episkope) is one who is an overseer, guardian, bishop (episkopos). The word presbuteros is used to describe an elder or presbyter. The word poimen is used for shepherd. Episkope (office of bishop) and presbuteros (elder) are theh same and that they both are episkopos (overseers or guardians) of congregations and they are also both called to be a poimen (shepherd - i.e. one who feeds, tends, cares for).

The Hebrew word zaqen is similar in meaning to the Greek presbuteros. It also has a two-fold meaning of age or title

If one is called the "other" therfore, to hold the office the qualifications has to be the same. Example, President of the United States = The Head of State. To hold either position [Title] the qualification are the same. Insome countries the President of the U S., is called to Head of State.
 
Dr. H,

Thank you for your thorough explanation of the TERMS. The TERMS which I (and hopefully most of us) already studied and know. We know that both men and women SERVED as apostolos, poimen, etc. What I asked for was the delineation of the REQUIREMENTS. Here is an example of what I mean.

When the saints were gathered at Jerusalem after the resurrection of Christ and immediately before Pentecost, Matthias was chosen to be numbered among the apostles. The requirements for consideration for selection were:
Acts 1:15-22

15 And in those days Peter stood up in the midst of the disciples, and said, (the number of names together were about an hundred and twenty,)

16 Men and brethren, this scripture must needs have been fulfilled, which the Holy Ghost by the mouth of David spake before concerning Judas, which was guide to them that took Jesus.

17 For he was numbered with us, and had obtained part of this ministry.

18 Now this man purchased a field with the reward of iniquity; and falling headlong, he burst asunder in the midst, and all his bowels gushed out.

19 And it was known unto all the dwellers at Jerusalem; insomuch as that field is called in their proper tongue, Aceldama, that is to say, The field of blood.

20 For it is written in the book of Psalms, Let his habitation be desolate, and let no man dwell therein: and his bishoprick let another take.

21 Wherefore of these men which have companied with us all the time that the Lord Jesus went in and out among us,

22 Beginning from the baptism of John, unto that same day that he was taken up from us, must one be ordained to be a witness with us of his resurrection.


In contrast, Paul's first encounter to follow Jesus occurred on the Damascus road after Jesus was ascended. He later went into Arabia apparently without the consultation of the seated apostles as was known of James alone until the council at Antioch. Thus, Paul did not meet the conditions of the only recorded requirements, yet he filled the office of an apostle.
 
Dr H.. said:
Crit

Women?s Responsibility / Place in The Church.

Are you asking?

When can she lead a prayer, can she teach, can she preach and so on, thinking in the ?flesh.? I would say yes, she can do it all and most of them are more qualified than men. However, since this a bible question thus it deserves a bible answer. These types of questions are easy to answer, by using what?s already prescribed. Not only does women ?females? have place in the Church, there are some men that God has told ?just set down and serve? you cannot be a preacher, elder or deacon.

What do you think a woman?s role / responsibilities are in the Church.

One priority is outlined in Titus Chapter 2.

Well, I guess my church is messed up cause we have a woman pastor.
 
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