Open Rebuke
There are two very valuable examples concerning how the apostle Paul dealt with the eldership concerning
problems surrounding elders' behavior.
(5) ―Who then is Paul, or who is Apollos, but ministers through whom you believed, even as the Lord
gave to every man?
(6) I have planted, and Apollos has watered; but it is God who gave the increase.
(7) So then neither is he that plants or he that waters anything great, because it is God that gives the
increase.
(8) The one who plants and the one who waters have the same goal, and each will receive a reward for
his own work.
(9) For we are all laborers together with God: you are God's husbandry, you are God's building". (1 Cor
3:5-9 Para.)
The context of this Scripture is Paul's rebuke to the elders and the rest of the congregation at Corinth for
allowing divisions and cliques to exist in their congregation. He also reprimands them for focusing on
different personalities in the ministry instead of focusing on YHWH the Father and Y‘shua.
(11) ―But when Peter came to Antioch, I confronted him face to face, because he was to be blamed. For
before some came from James he ate with the Gentiles.
(12) But when they came, he drew back and separated himself, being afraid of those of the circumcision.
(13) And the rest of the Jews also separated with him, even Barnabas was lead away with their
separation.
(14) But when I saw that they did not walk uprightly with the truth of the gospel. I said to Peter before
them all, if you being a Jew live as a Gentile, and not as the Jews, why do you compel the Gentiles to
behave as a Jew?" (Gal 2:11-14)
Paul speaks of confronting Peter about his behaviour concerning the Gentile converts when he was around
the Jews. Peter was obviously wrong in his attitude and behaviour and was setting a wrong example to the
church and the Jews. Therefore, Paul rebuked Peter for his error.
The Scriptures very clearly state that when an elder sins, he must be rebuked. And if no repentance or
resolution to his problem is forthcoming, he must be separated from fellowship – just as anyone else who
would blatantly disobey the laws and ways of YHWH.
SECTION VII
TEACHINGS ON THE KINGDOM
MATTHEW 19:1- 30
TEXT:
(1) ―And it came to pass, that when Jesus had finished these sayings, he departed from Galilee, and
came into the coasts of Judaea beyond Jordan;
(2) And great multitudes followed him; and he healed them there.
(3) The Pharisees also came unto him, tempting him, and saying unto him, Is it lawful for a man to put
away his wife for every cause?
(4) And he answered and said unto them, Have ye not read, that he which made them at the beginning
made them male and female,
(5) And said, For this cause shall a man leave father and mother, and shall cleave to his wife: and they
twain shall be one flesh?
(6) Wherefore they are no more twain, but one flesh. What therefore God hath joined together, let not
man put asunder.
(7) They say unto him, Why did Moses then command to give a writing of divorcement, and to put her
away?
(8) He saith unto them, Moses because of the hardness of your hearts suffered you to put away your
wives: but from the beginning it was not so.
(9) And I say unto you, Whosoever shall put away his wife, except it be for fornication, and shall marry
another, committeth adultery: and whoso marrieth her which is put away doth commit adultery.