Robert McLaughlin Bible Ministries
Guidelines for choosing the right Pastor-Teacher and the right local assembly, Part 3.
Friday, April 6, 2001
Does the local church stay true to all the central doctrines of the Christian faith?
Find out exactly where the church stands in its presentation of the character and nature of God.
Does the pastor equip himself with preparation before God in study? 2TI 2:15, COL 1:10, PHI 1:9-10,20-21,EPH 3:16-19. 4.
Does he preach the whole counsel of God?
Does the music ministry bring glory to God or glory to the performers?
What is the structure of the local church government?
There is one pastor-teacher who is responsible to Jesus Christ for any particular assembly; EPH 4:11-16, TIT 1:5,7.
Epaphroditus was the right pastor-teacher to the Philippians, PHI 2:25.
The apostle John was the right pastor-teacher to Gaius and his church, 3Jo 4.
Titus was the pastor at Corinth for a while, 2CO 7:14.
Timothy was the pastor at Corinth at one time, 1CO 4:17, and then at Ephesus, 1TI 1:3.
They were each responsible for the spiritual progress of their local assembly under the headship of TLJC, the one and only Chief Shepherd, 1PE 5:4.
The right church government is made up of deacons who function according to 1TI 3:8-13, ACT 6:1-6, PHI 1:1.
1CO 11:19 For there must also be factions among you, in order that those who are approved may have become evident among you.
The local church must have categorical doctrine, and it should also dogmatically believe that Christ has finished the work of redemption forever, JOH 19:30.
The work of salvation is by grace alone — grace plus nothing, ROM 11:6.
We receive grace for salvation, EPH 2:8-9, and we receive grace for growing, 2PE 3:18.
JUD 1:4 “For certain persons have crept in unnoticed, those who were long beforehand marked out for this condemnation, ungodly persons who turn the grace of our God into licentiousness and deny our only Master and Lord, Jesus Christ.”
Consider if the local assembly involves the practical application of the whole counsel of God.
The most fundamental belief in Christianity is the unlimited atonement and eternal security.
If the pastor does not reveal the truth about who God is, then he will not reveal the truth about what Christ has done.
Does the church produce an atmosphere where people know that God loves them in adversity, tribulation, and persecution, as well as when they sin?
JER 31:3 “The Lord appeared to him from afar, {saying,} I have loved you with an everlasting love; Therefore I have drawn you with lovingkindness.”
EZE 16:8 “Then I passed by you and saw you, and behold, you were at the time for love; so I spread My skirt over you and covered your nakedness.”
ZEP 3:17 “The Lord your God is in your midst, A victorious warrior. He will exult over you with joy, He will be quiet in His love,”
Concerning our Lord and the way He treated Judas Iscariot, JOH 13:1, He loved him to the end.
While they practice this marvelous virtue-love of God, does the ministry also take a stand against sin and unrighteousness?
Does the local church teach and practice the importance of being members of the body of Christ? 1CO 12:12-14.
Do the believers in the church lay down their lives to bear one anothers burden, fulfilling the law of love? GAL 6:2, 1JO 3:14.
Do they practice divine order in church discipline?
Do they practice accepting an accusation only when there are two or three witnesses? DEU 19:15.
1TI 5:19 “Do not receive an accusation against an elder except on the basis of two or three witnesses.”
Divine forgiveness always forgives and forgets, MAT 6:12, EPH 4:32, COL 3:13.
Do they make a practice of repeating a matter to others, PRO 17:9?
11. Consider the vision and the goals of the local assembly.
1CO 4:20 “For the kingdom of God does not consist in words, but in power.”
MAR 10:14 “Permit the children to come to Me; do not hinder them; for the kingdom of God belongs to such as these.”