Wednesday | 16 October 2024
Peter taught that it is commendable, because of our conscience toward God, when we take a stand against sin, and endure grief and suffering wrongfully. 1Pe 2:19. Satan is successfully resisted and overcome as we remain steadfast in faith, which is demonstrated through our obedience in the midst of pressure and contrary circumstances. 1Pe 5:8-11.
However, under pressure, some people will deviate from the pathway that Christ has authored for their salvation, and they will be overtaken in a fault. In fact, from time to time, we are all like sheep who have gone astray and must return to the Shepherd and Overseer of our souls. 1Pe 2:25. The elders, or presbyters, who are among the ‘sheep’, are to ‘shepherd the flock of God’, and to recover those sheep who are overtaken in a fault. 1Pe 5:1-3. Gal 6:1.
The first work of shepherding the flock of God is to proclaim the word of Christ. This word, ministered from the presbytery through the lordship of the Holy Spirit, comes to every individual. It is proclaimed to both the obedient and the disobedient, urging them towards repentance and the works of faith that belong to their sanctification.
The word that is proclaimed from the presbytery is a ‘mirror’ to a person regarding their personal and relational situations as they journey in life. This mirror can also be extended to a hearer through the admonition and instruction that they receive in dialogue with shepherding elders. We note these two aspects of the ministry of the word in Paul’s instruction to Timothy. He wrote, ‘Preach the word! Be ready in season and out of season. Convince, rebuke, exhort, with all longsuffering and teaching’. 2Ti 4:2.
The call to repentance is the first word of the gospel that is proclaimed by the elders. On Solomon’s porch, Peter, having illuminated his hearers to their sins, declared, ‘Repent therefore and be converted, that your sins may be blotted out, so that times of refreshing may come from the presence of the Lord’. Act 3:19.
Further Study:
1 PETER 2
References:
1Pe 2:19
For this is commendable, if because of conscience toward God one endures grief, suffering wrongfully.
1Pe 5:8-11
Be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the devil walks about like a roaring lion, seeking whom he may devour. Resist him, steadfast in the faith, knowing that the same sufferings are experienced by your brotherhood in the world. But may the God of all grace, who called us to His eternal glory by Christ Jesus, after you have suffered a while, perfect, establish, strengthen, and settle you. To Him be the glory and the dominion forever and ever. Amen.
1Pe 2:25
For you were like sheep going astray, but have now returned to the Shepherd and Overseer of your souls.
1Pe 5:1-3
The elders who are among you I exhort, I who am a fellow elder and a witness of the sufferings of Christ, and also a partaker of the glory that will be revealed: Shepherd the flock of God which is among you, serving as overseers, not by compulsion but willingly, not for dishonest gain but eagerly; nor as being lords over those entrusted to you, but being examples to the flock.
Gal 6:1
Brethren, if a man is overtaken in any trespass, you who are spiritual restore such a one in a spirit of gentleness, considering yourself lest you also be tempted.
2Ti 4:2
Preach the word! Be ready in season and out of season. Convince, rebuke, exhort, with all longsuffering and teaching.
Act 3:19
Repent therefore and be converted, that your sins may be blotted out, so that times of refreshing may come from the presence of the Lord.