Image123:
I knew it, I knew it. These pastors are servants, they shouldn't even sit. We are 'making progress'.

Did I say they shouldnt sit, are there no seats in the church? Must they sit at the alter?Christ is made it plain. NO be me write am....

plappville:

Did I say they shouldnt sit, are there no seats in the church? Must they sit at the alter?Christ is made it plain. NO be me write am....

What you fail to realise is that some of these so called christians would rather follow their MOG than follow christ.

plappville:

Did I say they shouldnt sit, are there no seats in the church? Must they sit at the alter?Christ is made it plain. NO be me write am....

my dear they can seat anywhere. they are the leaders of the church. You are close to telling them not to sit, not there yet but close.

Image123:
my dear they can seat anywhere. they are the leaders of the church. You are close to telling them not to sit, not there yet but close.

Actually that is not true. the issue is not whether they sit or not but that most of them love to sit on special thrones in their palaces oops sorry churches.

davidylan:

If everyone is equal then what is the purpose of chief seats?

I love that word IF that you used. We are not all equal, sorry. I DON"T COUNT MYSELF HIGHER THAN ANYONE BTW. i think it is fallacious to say that we are all equal. i understand that we all have equal opportunities, as in we can all come to God boldly, obtain grace, salvation etc. But God doesn't consider all humans as equal. John baptist is not equal to Isaiah, John is greater in God's eyes.
Mat 11:11 Verily I say unto you, Among them that are born of women there hath not risen a greater than John the Baptist: notwithstanding he that is least in the kingdom of heaven is greater than he.
This passage shows that humans are not equal in God's eyes. i am not equal with a sinner, God forbid. i don't consider them as lesser humans or useless but we are definitely NOT in the same class. Actually, the Bible says not to be equal with them even.
2Co 6:14 Be ye not unequally yoked together with unbelievers: for what fellowship hath righteousness with unrighteousness? and what communion hath light with darkness?
God enjoins us to recognise authority everywhere, in the home, in the government and in the church. i am not equal with a king, i am not equal with my father. He is not my mate. i am not equal with the president or the governor. And i am not equal with my elders in church. My elders are WORTHY of double honour, i am not.
1Ti 5:17 Let the elders that rule well be counted worthy of double honor, especially they who labor in the word and doctrine.
You don't treat an elder the same way you are to treat a younger. THEY ARE NOT EQUAL.
1Ti 5:1 Rebuke not an elder, but entreat him as a father; and the younger men as brethren;

Even in Heaven, John beloved saw some people seated on thrones, and some people standing. Everyman is according to his work. It'scrazy the respect and regard we have for our primary school teachers, but we think our spiritual leaders don't deserve anything. Many never question that the class teacher's seat is different from the pupil/student's bench or desk. In many churches, its usually an issue of buying bulk number of plastic chairs for the whole congregation because of space, cost and design. Then in the front area, they usually have more comfortable chairs. The officiating minister(whoever it is) sit in those seats in front,while others seat on the bulk. Its that simple, and normal in every place including outside church. It's a shame that it is been question only in the church. just like its a shame that my post would not be looked at roundly, but folks will seek to pick phrases(not politically correct) to dwell on. If a pastor is not officiating on that day, they would likely sit with the congregation. Both poor and rich members of the church sit on the same types of seat so its wrong to misquote James here. Sometimes or some places have reserved seats for first-timers and/or imminent VISITORS. There is nothing wrong with that. It could be just a reserved seat in front, same type as the others. It may be more comfy seats, it may be rice and biscuits, it may be simply clapping for them, whatever. All that is reception and not critical issues. Why did they clap for some and not for everybody? imagine some ridiculous questions we sometimes ask? What James is talking of/hitting at is partiality or preferential treatment in judgement.
There is nothing strange in a person that is teaching to take a position or posture different from those hearing him. He may stand while others sit as is often the case. He may sit while others stand. He may be up in an elevated area or down like in a theartre like building.
Mat 13:2 And great multitudes were gathered together unto him, so that he went into a ship, and sat; and the whole multitude stood on the shore.
Imagine if a pastor sat today while the congregation stood, some folks will perhaps go berserk. There are of course instances where Jesus stood and others sat, and where they all took same postures. And on and on.

Image123:
I love that word IF that you used. We are not all equal, sorry. I DON"T COUNT MYSELF HIGHER THAN ANYONE BTW. i think it is fallacious to say that we are all equal. i understand that we all have equal opportunities, as in we can all come to God boldly, obtain grace, salvation etc. But God doesn't consider all humans as equal. John baptist is not equal to Isaiah, John is greater in God's eyes.
Mat 11:11 Verily I say unto you, Among them that are born of women there hath not risen a greater than John the Baptist: notwithstanding he that is least in the kingdom of heaven is greater than he.
This passage shows that humans are not equal in God's eyes. i am not equal with a sinner, God forbid. i don't consider them as lesser humans or useless but we are definitely NOT in the same class. Actually, the Bible says not to be equal with them even.
2Co 6:14 Be ye not unequally yoked together with unbelievers: for what fellowship hath righteousness with unrighteousness? and what communion hath light with darkness?
God enjoins us to recognise authority everywhere, in the home, in the government and in the church. i am not equal with a king, i am not equal with my father. He is not my mate. i am not equal with the president or the governor. And i am not equal with my elders in church. My elders are WORTHY of double honour, i am not.
1Ti 5:17 Let the elders that rule well be counted worthy of double honor, especially they who labor in the word and doctrine.
You don't treat an elder the same way you are to treat a younger. THEY ARE NOT EQUAL.
1Ti 5:1 Rebuke not an elder, but entreat him as a father; and the younger men as brethren;

Even in Heaven, John beloved saw some people seated on thrones, and some people standing. Everyman is according to his work. It'scrazy the respect and regard we have for our primary school teachers, but we think our spiritual leaders don't deserve anything. Many never question that the class teacher's seat is different from the pupil/student's bench or desk. In many churches, its usually an issue of buying bulk number of plastic chairs for the whole congregation because of space, cost and design. Then in the front area, they usually have more comfortable chairs. The officiating minister(whoever it is) sit in those seats in front,while others seat on the bulk. Its that simple, and normal in every place including outside church. It's a shame that it is been question only in the church. just like its a shame that my post would not be looked at roundly, but folks will seek to pick phrases(not politically correct) to dwell on. If a pastor is not officiating on that day, they would likely sit with the congregation. Both poor and rich members of the church sit on the same types of seat so its wrong to misquote James here. Sometimes or some places have reserved seats for first-timers and/or imminent VISITORS. There is nothing wrong with that. It could be just a reserved seat in front, same type as the others. It may be more comfy seats, it may be rice and biscuits, it may be simply clapping for them, whatever. All that is reception and not critical issues. Why did they clap for some and not for everybody? imagine some ridiculous questions we sometimes ask? What James is talking of/hitting at is partiality or preferential treatment in judgement.
There is nothing strange in a person that is teaching to take a position or posture different from those hearing him. He may stand while others sit as is often the case. He may sit while others stand. He may be up in an elevated area or down like in a theartre like building.
Mat 13:2 And great multitudes were gathered together unto him, so that he went into a ship, and sat; and the whole multitude stood on the shore.
Imagine if a pastor sat today while the congregation stood, some folks will perhaps go berserk. There are of course instances where Jesus stood and others sat, and where they all took same postures. And on and on.

Very good explanation. It is ok to say i was wrong on this one. thanks for the exposition.

davidylan:

You seem rather confused. the christian standard is that the husband is the HEAD of his home.
The christian standard in the church is that ALL (at least all who have attained the age of accountability) are equal in his sight. Acts 10:34 tells us that God is no respecter of persons... whether you're the church pastor cleaner... all are equal in his eyes.

So how is the christian standard not applied in every case here?



I'm sorry but this is not a serious response. The priests were elevated in the old testament solely because of the dispensation of that time. The people were not allowed to approach God individually but had to go through the priests (who acted as intermediaries)...

Under the dispensation of grace, the veil has now been torn from the temple... and all are now able to approach Him in faith. Acts 10.

n the church, we have elders and even fathers. John was an elder. There were chief apostles even. Paul did not consider himself equal to other apostles.
1Pe 5:1 The elders which are among you I exhort, who am also an elder, and a witness of the sufferings of Christ, and also a partaker of the glory that shall be revealed:
Why is Peter talking about elder and younger if all are equal in everything? The elders are leaders anf shepherds to the flock. Christ is the Chief Shepherd/Bishop.
2Jo 1:1 The elder unto the elect lady and her children, whom I love in the truth; and not I only, but also all they that have known the truth;
John made a conscious division between fathers, young men and children in the house of God.
1Co 15:9 For I am the least of the apostles, that am not meet to be called an apostle, because I persecuted the church of God.
i don't think Paul was the least, neither do many consider him as the least. Most would even argue that he was the greatest. The point is that they were not equal. They were one in unity, and the church is to be one, united. But equality, i verily doubt. i'm not equal with Paul the apostle, and i wouldn't deceive myself into thinking that God would regard and reward us the same. We can both approach God, there is no discrimination in matters of grace and salvation and righteousness. But in matters of ministry and offices, there is differences. Are all prophets? Are all teachers? Do all have THE BEST gifts? DO i need to quote the scripture that says something similar? ok
1Co 12:28 And God hath set some in the church, first apostles, secondarily prophets, thirdly teachers, after that miracles, then gifts of healings, helps, governments, diversities of tongues.
1Co 12:29 Are all apostles? are all prophets? are all teachers? are all workers of miracles?
1Co 12:30 Have all the gifts of healing? do all speak with tongues? do all interpret?
1Co 12:31 But covet earnestly the best gifts: and yet show I unto you a more excellent way.
First, Secondarily, Thirdly, those are not terms used to describe equality. Best gifts means some other gifts are not equal.

Talking about respect of persons, this is what God is saying below,
Deu 1:17 Ye shall not respect persons in judgment; but ye shall hear the small as well as the great; ye shall not be afraid of the face of man; for the judgment is God's: and the cause that is too hard for you, bring it unto me, and I will hear it.
It is a question of judgement. Its a matter of partiality. Because someone is your friend, or rich or relative, or has offered gifts, then you become unfair in judgement between him and another. This is wrong. It is different from respecting your elders or those in authority. We are to honour them.
1Pe 2:13 Submit yourselves to every ordinance of man for the Lord's sake: whether it be to the king, as supreme;
Sitting in an elevated place is just common sense. Its easier a large audience to see and hear who is speaking. Thank God at least that Jesus did it, we for no hear word. Jesus often went to an elevated piece like on a mountain and the people would be below, Or He will stand while others sat etc. Someone is asking about if sitting in a particular seat is christlike, i'm like, do these folks even know what it means to be christlike at all? Being christlike is not just doing all the physcical things Jesus did, it is having the Spirit of God and doing the will of God. Jesus walked on water, it doesn't mean it is a christlike thing to walk on water, even as the scriptures say to walk even as He walked. Its ridiculous to conclude that we are to walk with the same gait/stride/bounce, or to feed five thousand. Some churches think it is the christlike thing to wear a long white robe. It is the same spirit of interpretaton that folks are introducing here. There was an issue in the early church, everybody did not come together to solve it, they were not all equal. It was the apostles and elders that came together to solve it.
Act 15:6 And the apostles and elders came together for to consider of this matter.
Heb 13:17 Obey them that have the rule over you, and submit yourselves: for they watch for your souls, as they that must give account, that they may do it with joy, and not with grief: for that is unprofitable for you.
Some people are guides, some are not. Give the guides their place.

oh just saw this. You are welcome

davidylan:

Very good explanation. It is ok to say i was wrong on this one. thanks for the exposition.

I don't think you are correct Image123. Why I said so. We may not be equal in the sight of God but inequality to God is not to be characterized by the size of the earthly things we occupy, but the spiritual role we play. Sitting on big chairs is not the kind of greatness christ taught. The person you call an elder may not be such in the sight of God due to his poor spirituality. Material things don't indicate greatness, but the level our spirit occupy in the scheme of things of God is what matters. So, no chair signifies anything here.

Reyginus: I don't think you are correct Image123. Why I said so. We may not be equal in the sight of God but inequality to God is not to be characterized by the size of the earthly things we occupy, but the spiritual role we play. Sitting on big chairs is not the kind of greatness christ taught. The person you call an elder may not be such in the sight of God due to his poor spirituality. Material things don't indicate greatness, but the level our spirit occupy in the scheme of things of God is what matters. So, no chair signifies anything here.

you are the one making the chair significant here.

Image123:
you are the one making the chair significant here.

No. You supported those chairs are no problem.

Reyginus: No. You supported those chairs are no problem.

yes, they are no problem. You just implied that it doesn't signify anything in God's eyes. It is not a measure of greatness, so they are no problem. But folks are seeing them as problem on this thread.

Image123:
yes, they are no problem. You just implied that it doesn't signify anything in God's eyes. It is not a measure of greatness, so they are no problem. But folks are seeing them as problem on this thread.

No. That's not my point. We are not saying the same thing. My point is that since that's not the kind of demarcation in greatness christ is about, doing it is self-exaltification which the bible is against.

.

Reyginus: No. That's not my point. We are not saying the same thing. My point is that since that's not the kind of demarcation in greatness christ is about, doing it is self-exaltification which the bible is against.

i'm not having this argument. You are not the arbiter of demarcation or measure of self exaltification and whatever else grammar you want to post.

Image123:
i'm not having this argument. You are not the arbiter of demarcation or measure of self exaltification and whatever else grammar you want to post.

Your point?