ELDERS AND SAVAGE WOLVES by steve finnell

Acts 20:17-30 From Miletus he sent to Ephesus and called for the elders of the church.......27 "For I have not shunned to declare to you the whole counsel of God. 28 "Therefore take heed to yourselves and to all the flock, among which the Holy Spirit has made you overseers, to shepherd the church of God which He purchased with His own blood. 29 "For I know this, that after my departure savage wolves will come in among, not sparing the flock. 30 "Also from among yourselves men will rise up, speaking perverse things, to draw away the disciples after themselves. (NKJV)

What should be the relationship of church elders and savage wolves? Should the shepherds of the church of God guard against savage wolves, or should they appoint wolves to  positions of authority?

 Should the church elders place men who deny that water baptism is essential to salvation to preaching and teaching positions in the church?

 Should the overseers of the church hire men who believe in the false doctrine of "once saved always saved," as teachers in Christian schools?

 Should shepherds of the church ignore members of the flock who believe that Jesus is simply one of many ways to heaven?

When the apostle Paul told the elders of the church to take heed of savage wolves and disciples who speak perverse things, did he mean tolerate those who teach that baptism is not essential for salvation. Did he mean hire false teachers for Christian schools and Bible colleges. Did he mean appoint preachers who pervert the gospel to the ministry of the church? Did he mean participate in evangelistic outreach with those who deny what Jesus said "He who believes and is baptized will be saved..(Mark 16:16)

The question is, why do elders in the contemporary church ignore what the apostle Paul taught ?

DOES THE LORD'S CHURCH NEED TO REPENT AND TEACH AND PREACH FROM THE BIBLE, RATHER THAN FOLLOW WAYS THAT SEEM RIGHT  MEN?