Serious About Scripture

Mentoring and motivating Christ’s people to live his words

7 Brief Reflections on Pastoring ALL the Flock

Acts 20:28 is one of the most memorable verses of Paul’s charge to the Ephesian elders: “Pay careful attention to yourselves and to all the flock, in which the Holy Spirit has made you overseers, to care for [to shepherd; to pastor] the church of God, which he obtained with his own blood.” These leaders (elders/pastors/overseers) of the church in Ephesus were responsible to pastor “all the flock.” What follows are seven reflections on that concept. First, the elders are…

Ephesians Riches and Blessing Diagram

This is a simple diagram to help me consider how God’s riches relate to his blessings in Ephesians. See what you think. Doing this in my meditation on books and larger passages of the Bible has been a sincere joy to me. It slows me down and forces me to think. I hope you will try it, even if it’s imperfect like mine. A side note: notice the second funnel called “Christ’s Inheritance.” Like the others in the diagram, it…

DO Something When You Are Maligned

When stressed through the ill-will or stinging insults and persistent opposition by someone who wants to cause you trouble, we know there is something to think. We are to think the truth about God and ourselves. We don’t take their evaluation as true, but only God’s. Also, we are to think of God’s loving and purposeful sovereignty over his children, meaning that difficulties can bring about good results in character and progress for the gospel. But there is also something…

Is Baptism a Requirement for Church Membership?

In our view, baptism and membership in a local church are inseparable, the former necessarily preceding the latter. While baptism is never explicitly said to be a prerequisite for church membership, the following biblical factors lead to that conclusion: Baptism is commanded of every believer.Baptism is an act of obedience, not only on the part of the individual Christian, but on the part of those who are commanded to baptize new disciples (Matthew 28:19-20). Disciples who will not submit to…