THE QUESTION:
How would one describe an appropriate relationship between the individual and his/her congregation? Are we to be totally sold out and under the authority of our group and is this the same as being submitted under God and our Messiah Yeshua? I know there are scriptures ascribed to the Messiah saying we must forsake everything and follow him and his disciples. Now in 2019, a lot of assemblies and congregations are saying the same thing.
DAVE'S REPLY:
In short, if you run into an a congregation that teaches to submit to their authority - RUN as fast as you can away. All true congregations of God clearly recognize and teach that EVERYONE is to be submitted to Jesus (Y'shua) AS THEIR ONLY MASTER. In God's congregations, the members SERVE EACH OTHER, not try to control one another. While some people can get overcome with passion and to love one another, and there might be pressure to join in group activities, this is completely different than an authoritarian control.
This might put things in perspective...
Is Jesus (Y'shua) dead? I think not.
Since when is he not the head of his church? He still is.
Since when is he not the master, teacher, and model for us as disciples?
He is our only master, for we cannot serve two.
The issue is: who do we look to, who do we submit to, who do we look for approval from? 🙂
Yes, only Y'shua.
Who is the only one to which we are loyal to, serving him only?
Yes, only Y'shua.
If you find other brothers and sisters doing the same, then you have a gift of family. Serve one another just as Y'shua loved us.
Though God's Holy Spirit and Scripture (All of It) - these things are the foundation to our walk. God gives us his Holy Spirit to teach us IN ALL THINGS. How do we learn his voice? We test it against Scripture. Scripture is truth, the Holy Spirit is the Spirit of Truth that will never contradict Scripture.
HERE ARE SOME VERSES:
John wrote in 1 John 2:27, talking about God's Holy Spirit:
"But the anointing that you received from him abides in you, and you have no need that anyone should teach you. But as his anointing teaches you about everything, and is true, and is no lie—just as it has taught you, abide in him."
Jesus (Y'shua) said in John 5:44
"How can you believe, when you receive glory from one another and do not seek the glory that comes from the only God?"
Paul said in Galatians 1:10
"For am I now seeking the approval of man, or of God? Or am I trying to please man? If I were still trying to please man, I would not be a servant of Christ."
Jesus (Y'shua) said in John 15:12
"This is my commandment, that you love one another as I have loved you."
Jesus (Y'shua) said in Matthew 12:50, talking about who is his real family:
"For whoever does the will of my Father in heaven is my brother and sister and mother."