35) Hebrews 13:17 says,
"Obey your leaders and submit to their authority. They keep watch over you
as men who must give an account. Obey them so that their work will be a joy,
not a burden, for that would be of no advantage to you." What is the
expiration date of this verse? When did it become okay not only to disobey the
Church's leaders, but to rebel against them and set up rival churches?
Equivocation Fallacy. While the Question
defines "obey your leaders" as did Ignatius of Loyola who insisted
all "to believe that the white that I see is black, if the hierarchical
Church so decides."-(Rule 13) the writer of Hebrew
said "Be persuaded" (peithoo) which
in context (13:7-17) means "be persuaded by your leaders who keep you from
accepting strange doctrines which contradict the Word of God."
Hebrews 13:7 Remember them which have the rule over
you, who have spoken unto you the word of God: whose faith follow,
considering the end of their conversation. 8 Jesus Christ the
same yesterday, and to day, and for
ever. 9 Be not carried about with divers and strange
doctrines....
The obedience follows persuasion what they say is in accord with those who went
before, whose end everyone knew was faithful, and not something new and
strange.
The persuaders are watching over the souls and must give an account of their
ministry, whether it was faithful to God's Word or not.
So the text does not teach rival churches cannot be set up where rebellion and
apostasy against the Word of God has occurred.
Acts 5:27 And when they
had brought them, they set them before the council: and the high priest
asked them, 28 Saying, Did not we straitly command
you that ye should not teach in this name? and,
behold, ye have filled Jerusalem with your doctrine, and intend to bring this
man's blood upon us. 29 Then Peter and the other apostles answered and said, We ought to obey God rather than men.
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The times of this ignorance God winked at; but now commandeth
all men every where to repent:
Behold, I stand at the door, and knock: if any man hear my voice, and open the
door, I will come in to him, and will sup with him, and he with me.-kjv