Reading the New Testament, I notice that even the apostles were known and were referred to primarily by their personal names. They sometimes referred to themselves as "servant of Jesus Christ", and they followed their name with their calling as "an apostle" small a.
Paul, an apostle of Christ Jesus by the will of God (2 Corinthians 1:1).
Paul, a servant of Christ Jesus, called to be an apostle, set apart for the gospel of God.. (Romans 1:1).
Paul and Timothy, servants of Christ Jesus, (Philippians 1:1).
Peter, an apostle of Jesus Christ, (1 Peter 1:1).
James, a servant of God and of the Lord Jesus Christ, (James 1:1)
James, a servant of God and of the Lord Jesus Christ, (James 1:1)
Jude, a servant of Jesus Christ and brother of James, (Jude 1:1).
One afternoon Peter and John were going up to the temple at the hour of prayer.. (Acts 3:1).
One afternoon Peter and John were going up to the temple at the hour of prayer.. (Acts 3:1).
The scriptures are clear enough surely:
For they make their phylacteries broad and their fringes long, 6and they love the place of honour at feasts and the best seats in the synagogues and greetings in the marketplaces and being called rabbi by others. But you are not to be called rabbi, for you have one teacher, and you are all brothers. And call no man your father on earth, for you have one Father, who is in heaven. Neither be called instructors, for you have one instructor, the Christ. The greatest among you shall be your servant. Whoever exalts himself will be humbled, and whoever humbles himself will be exalted. (Matthew 23:5-11).
For they make their phylacteries broad and their fringes long, 6and they love the place of honour at feasts and the best seats in the synagogues and greetings in the marketplaces and being called rabbi by others. But you are not to be called rabbi, for you have one teacher, and you are all brothers. And call no man your father on earth, for you have one Father, who is in heaven. Neither be called instructors, for you have one instructor, the Christ. The greatest among you shall be your servant. Whoever exalts himself will be humbled, and whoever humbles himself will be exalted. (Matthew 23:5-11).
I let Bill Randles first fallacious ad hominem remark pass when he called me a "feminist" on TBCKAWAII's video - Prasch Lynching Bill Randles {1} I simply responded by asking the question: Where is your evidence?
Predictably, Randles has now followed up his first insult by labelling me an "abusive reviler" along with others. {2} Once again: Where is your evidence Bill Randles.. are you attempting to pass off ad hominem remarks as acceptable Christian practice? Once again, you break the scriptures by making accusations you are not prepared to back up with specific examples and facts. (2 Corinthians 13:1).
I have left a response on Randles recent blog post.. but I doubt that he will he publish it:
"I do object to being labelled a "very abusive railer" Bill.. you need to retract this insult? This is the second time you have made a false accusation against me, "feminist" being the first time.. I WOULD NOT DARE to make an accusation against a brother or sister in the Lord without citing the evidence! Do you forget that I have evidence of your wife's very abusive behaviour against David Nathan, albeit behind his back? As for Prasch's associations.. he is provably involved with proven false prophets/ecumenists David Noakes and Clifford Hill.. I do not think that you are a false teacher per se.. but you do seem to have some questionable associations and your arrogance is insupportable."
Having stated that Bill Randles is not a false teacher as far as doctrine is concerned, the personal behaviour of an elder/pastor is a critical factor for anyone in church leadership: Keep a close watch on yourself and on the teaching. Persist in this, for by so doing you will save both yourself and your hearers. (1 Timothy 4:16 cf. 1 Peter 2:1). Some translations have: Keep a close watch on your life and doctrine.. The Randles' habit of making unsubstantiated accusations and slandering their fellow believers is a very grave matter indeed, unacceptable in fact from people in their position.
If I absolutely must expose a sample of the horrible behaviour of both Bill and Kristin Randles, then let it be so. The conversation I had with Kristin begs the question: Who actually is the reviler? I have not published this material previously because I wanted to spare David Nathan further pain. Please bear in mind that Kristin Randles said these things to me as a complete stranger.. I had no prior exchange with her prior to the communication below:
Bill Randles responds to slander of Jacob Prasch and Moriel
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1jv8eJu3KbQ&t=215s
Bill Randles 2nd response to Moriel Board - Jacob Prasch
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=p74A2vFyG-o&feature=youtu.be
These self-exalting honorific titles must be a stench in God's nostrils!
ReplyDeleteCorrect me if I am wrong, but in the New Testament, is it not factual that all true Christians were saints, but there was no "Saint John". All true Christians were priests, but there was no "Priest Peter". Some Christians were elders, but there was no "Elder Philip".Some were bishops, but there was no "Bishop Andrew". Luke was "the beloved physician". But never "Doctor Luke".
Some were pastors; but was there ever "Pastor James"?
It was always "Paul an apostle", but NEVER the "Apostle Paul"!
All the New Testament saints, without exception, so I believe addressed each other by their personal names, what we today call our Christian names. Through the ages many Church leaders (non-conformist) rejected the use of flattering titles, they tended to be the sole preserve of the state churches, especially the Church of England where Bishops would gain entry to the House of Lords!!!
God Bless
Yes I believe so Colin. Certainly the New Testament confirms this to be the case. Randles does insist on the title "Pastor", and he has attempted to defend it by some contrivance of his own. Whilst Randles is not a false teacher as such, his behaviour, and that of his wife is totally disgusting and unchristian. He hopes "for some kind of way we can glorify God in this mess." That would exclude their own repentance is my guess!
ReplyDeleteGod bless.
I have just added two recent videos released by Bill Randles at the end of this post. I find it amazing that he says he doesn't hate us and in the next breath calls us "very abusive railers"... !!!
ReplyDeleteI think this is what is known as a forked tongue. Psalm 12:1-2? and "double minded" James 1:8?
ReplyDeleteJust a reminder-in your comment on 8th October, you say that "Randles is not a false teacher as such" has he abandoned Dispensationalism? Or maybe your "as such" means "besides this"?
God bless.
I am not sure about his stance on dispensationalism Colin.. What I meant was that I have not heard any false teaching from him.. However Pat and Mike did point out his misleading teaching about sin and I completely agreed. https://closingstages.net/2019/09/06/bill-randles-twists-and-turns-eisgese/
ReplyDeleteI have been reliably informed that SIX ELDERS AND THEIR FAMILIES left Believers in Grace Church in 2018 - this is the split that they refer to. Apparently only Bill and one elder remain, but it appears that Bill and Kristin call the shots.
God bless.
In all honesty, I feel that Randles' video responses were pathetic and playing into JP's hands. He appears to revel in these public mud-throwing matches and slander sessions. If someone publicly and falsely called me a 'Judas', I would not dignify the accusation with a response, let alone attempt to be conciliatory.
ReplyDeleteThe evidence given above shows that none of these people should be given the proverbial time of day. My best, Mike
I am not impressed either Mike! The comments on Mike and Pat's link are interesting:
ReplyDeletehttps://closingstages.net/2019/09/06/bill-randles-twists-and-turns-eisgese/
I was wondering what was the ‘split’ that occurred in their church? The fellowship I attend watch Bill on FB weekly and have told us that the split occurred because the others tried to take over. That’s all they said to us. We’ve never met him but they’ve traveled regularly to visit his church and adore him
ReplyDeleteI do not have any details Irma.
ReplyDeleteGod bless