00:00 - 00:03 | Here's the thing. A vow is a vow whether it's in writing or not. |
00:04 - 00:05 | A marriage vow is and ought to be binding |
00:05 - 00:07 | Why is that acceptable when a church covenant isn't? |
00:08 - 00:12 | Neither have direct or explicit support from Scripture, but we have no problem with one of them |
00:12 - 00:15 | I think there is precedent. It just may be that you're looking in the wrong place. |
00:17 - 00:19 | The Bible nowhere speaks of Christians covenanting with each other |
00:19 - 00:21 | under the New Covenant we are not instructed to covenant with each other |
00:24 - 00:26 | But... |
00:27 - 00:28 | A church covenant is designed |
00:31 - 00:33 | designed typically to help provide discipline for its members |
00:34 - 00:36 | and to enable members to commit to the Christian way of life together |
00:53 - 00:58 | The New Testament has absolutely nothing to do with the Old Testament |
01:13 - 01:15 | The covenant eras were completely distinct from each other |
01:15 - 01:17 | and had absolutely no dependence of one on the other |
01:18 - 01:23 | NO church member has any type of authority over another church member |
01:25 - 01:28 | What happened in Israel under the Old Covenant isn't the guide |
01:29 - 01:31 | I dont care if he/she is a Senior Pastor or Elder |
01:31 - 01:34 | Its a rather weak attempting at reinterpreting the spirit and intent of the written Word |
01:34 - 01:37 | It promotes an emphasis on the work of the Holy Spirit being supplemented |
01:37 - 01:40 | by the rules, interpretations and documents of men |
01:40 - 01:42 | The Holy Spirit has been working through humanity and its institutions since the beginning |
01:42 - 01:46 | I tried at least twice to direct your attention |
01:46 - 01:48 | The Holy Spirits work isnt supplemented (or supplanted) here |
01:48 - 01:52 | The very nature of your response implies an ecclesiological template |
01:53 - 01:54 | that requires church elders to interpret |
01:56 - 01:57 | both scripture and the modus operandai of conduct |
01:57 - 02:00 | for the covenant signers under the ruse |
02:00 - 02:03 | of church discipline |
02:04 - 02:08 | It's a shame that some churches make members sign contracts |
02:08 - 02:13 | that contain a to do or don't lists based on legalistic rules |
02:14 - 02:16 | I agree this is simply about controlling church members |
02:17 - 02:21 | to conform to their personal standards |
02:27 - 02:29 | But anything that would need my SIGNATURE |
02:30 - 02:34 | and then would REQUIRE my following the decision of anyone else |
02:34 - 02:36 | BEFORE I make a decision about my service |
02:41 - 02:42 | goes beyond the pale not to mention scripture itself |
02:43 - 02:47 | It winds up being closer to something cultic than it does Christian |
02:48 - 02:53 | Someone I read said that they thought marriage vows |
02:54 - 02:56 | are similar to a church covenant |
02:56 - 02:59 | I have NEVER required or requested anyone to sign a list of marriage vows |
03:00 - 03:02 | When I sign their marriage certificate |
03:04 - 03:07 | it is ONLY for legal purposes in satisfying the laws of the land |
03:14 - 03:16 | the Bible nowhere speaks of Christians covenanting with each other |
03:19 - 03:23 | To create another covenant beyond the New Covenant |
03:25 - 03:26 | leads to idolatry |
03:31 - 03:33 | of church membership over our relationship with Jesus. |
03:40 - 03:46 | When a Christian signs a church covenant |
03:46 - 03:49 | he or she is enabling that institutional church |
03:53 - 03:56 | to maintain an authoritarian structure |