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What's wrong with ministers sitting on a platform?

Submitted: 3/31/2008
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Question: I want to know if there is something wrong with ministers of a local assembly sitting on a platform i.e. the elders, decons, etc. In a personal view I don't think there is anything wrong with it as long as it is not used by them to say to the rest of the memebers that we are better than you are or we are more annointed. I know that the Bible doesn't teach this though by implication Jesus did stand on an elevated place when he brought forth the sermon on the mount (Matthew 5-7)

Answer: We know of nothing that explicitly states that Jesus stood on a elevated place while delivering the Sermon on the Mount. Matthew 5:1 says, 'And seeing the multitudes, He went up on a mountain, and when He was seated His disciples came to Him.' You should be more careful about your Bible facts.

What Jesus did say is this: 'But all their works they do to be seen by men... 6 They love the best places at feasts, the best seats in the synagogues... 10 And do not be called teachers; for one is your Teacher, the Christ.11 But he who is greatest among you shall be your servant.12 And whoever exalts himself will be humbled, and he who humbles himself will be exalted' (Matthew 23:5-12). We should all be careful to guard our hearts against the insidious influence of pride. Setting all the so-called 'ministers of the assembly' on a platform in front of the people only gives the impression that they are in some way superior. From a biblical perspective, every member of the body of Christ is a minister of God. We believe in the priesthood of all the believers.