Gabriel,
I do not want to downplay the seriousness of this situation. It is troublesome but I honestly do not have all the facts about this man who is pastoring this Baptist church. I cannot say if it is even a church or not. I think you would be wise to pray for your friends, fellowship with them as often as possible, and
be careful not to judge them. I mean, where were any of us years ago? And where has the Lord brought us? How did He bring us to where we are? By faithful, constant, loving discipleship in the Word of God.
In light of this circumstance I do have a hypothetical question for you and for anyone else to answer:
If you had lived in the UK in the mid-1800s would you have attended Spurgeon's church? Do you ever read Spurgeon's sermons? Do you read his devotionals?
Why do I ask? Those of you who are familiar with Spurgeon know where I am headed. Spurgeon was called by God, affirmed to be the pastor of the church, a greatly gifted and annointed preacher, and all the while HE WAS NEVER ORDAINED by men to the ministry!
Ultimately, whatever ones view on church governemnt and authority, this is what we can be sure is true - if God has called you and appointed you (Eph 4:11) then no man can stand against you and succeed. And if God has NOT called you and appointed you then no credential from any church, any denomination, or any man can qualify you to minister in the Body of Christ.
As James White correctly notes (while defending the stance of a plurality of elders ruling in each independent local church) in his section of
Perspectives on Church Government is this: the authority behind the office of an elder comes directly and only from Christ calling and appointing him to that office.
And He Himself gave some to be ..... pastors and teachers
Phillip
[Edited on 10-3-05 by pastorway]