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zeebrook
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Whilst some disdain the idea of an authority in a local church, one has to face the facts that there are those who rule in a local church, those who take responsibility for it to which other members submit.
"The elders who rule well are to be considered worthy of double honor, especially those who work hard at preaching and teaching." (1 Timothy 5:17). So an elder is one who is to rule (proistemi perfect active participle be at the head, rule).
" Obey your leaders and submit to them, for they keep watch over your souls as those who will give an account. Let them do this with joy and not with grief, for this would be unprofitable for you." (Hebrews 13:17). The call is to obey and submit to your leaders (hegomai articular present middle participle lead, guide)
" "Be on guard for yourselves and for 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." (Acts 20:28). The Holy Spirit appointed "overseers" to the church (episkopos overseer, guardian, supervisor)

Do any of these inhibit a believers ability to learn the word of God? No way. But the pastor-teacher, teacher do have the responsibility for teaching the word to those they oversee (cf 1 Timothy 5:17; Hebrews 13:7 to name a few).

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Truthtesty
Yet another usage of peitho is "esteem":

“Let nothing be done through strife or vainglory; but in lowliness of mind let each esteem(peitho) other better than themselves.” Philippians 2:3 This is ALL CHRISTIANS, INCLUDING PASTORS AND TEACHERS. Thieme was to have esteem others better than himself.

“And to esteem (peitho) them very highly in love for their work's sake. And be at peace among yourselves." 1 Thessalonians 5:13

The usages of peitho in these cases use "esteem" and do not use "obey" as Hebrews 13:17 shouldn't. So again it is possible to translate (2000 year old paraphrasing) Hebrews 13:17 as "Esteem those leading in the Lord and yield...". My sense of those "leading in the Lord" are all christians doing thier part, exercising thier gift(s). All esteeming one another and submitting one unto another.

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wickedshepards
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As with the word “o-b-e-y,” it is clear that the translator’s choice of the English word “rule” or “rule over them” was deliberately designed to not only benefit, but also to bolster the already embedded practice of institutional church control. (And yet again, the word “over” is no where present in the original text, and should be dismissed.)
When we check what the Greek word translated “rule” is in this verse and verses like it, we find that this is not a translation but a redefinition of one Greek word. The Greek word translated "rule over you" in Hebrews 13:7 and 17 and 24 is “hegeomai,” Strong's #2233 and it is normally translated “count,” “esteem,” “to lead” or “to go before.” “…Them that have the rule over…” is a substitution by the translators. There is no connotation whatsoever of “ruling over.” True leadership is nothing more than going on ahead.
Here are some verses where this word is properly translated.
“Let nothing be done through strife or vainglory; but in lowliness of mind let each esteem other better than themselves.” Philippians 2:3
“Yea verily, and I count all things to be loss for the excellency of the knowledge of Christ Jesus my Lord: for whom I suffered the loss of all things, and do count them but refuse, that I may gain Christ.” Philippians 3:8
“And to esteem them very highly in love…” 1 Thessalonians 5:13
Hebrews 13:17 should read “Be persuaded of those you highly esteem," NOT "Obey them that have the rule over you." No church leader has "dominion over your faith."
2 Corinthians 1:24 “Not for that we have dominion over your faith, but are helpers of your joy: for by faith ye stand.”
Look again at Matthew Chapter 20. “But Jesus called them unto him, and said, Ye know that the rulers of the Gentiles lord it over them, and their great ones exercise authority over them. Not so shall it be among you: but whosoever would become great among you shall be your minister; and whosoever would be first among you shall be your servant; even as the Son of man came not to be ministered unto, but to minister, and to give his life a ransom for many.”
"It is NOT so among" church elders! True leaders in God’s ecclesia use His word to "persuade" those in the assembly to humble themselves and be servants one of another. They never "exercise dominion" over anyone in their care. They are rather "helpers of their joy."
The dictionary’s use of the word “rule” or “rule over” fits very nicely in today’s local institutional church:
Control, dominion: 'under the rule of a dictator,' dominating power, authority, superior, preeminent, predominate, 'rule the roost,' command, regnancy, ascendancy, mastery.
Is this what we see in the Scriptures concerning leaders in the assembly, or is this what we see in today’s religious institutions? The English definition of the word “rule” or “rule over”is totally devoid of any meaning or even suggestion of service, of ministering, of servanthood, of being an example. Shouldn't this by itself open your eyes? This alone should arouse our suspicions, considering that Christ-like leadership is servanthood.
"Assuredly, I say to you, unless you turn and become as little children, you will by no means enter the kingdom of heaven. Whoever therefore shall humble himself as this little child, the same is greatest in the kingdom of heaven." Matthew 18:3-4
“…Just as the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give his life a ransom for many." Matthew 20:28
“And whoever exalts himself will be humbled and the one who humbles himself will be exalted.” Matthew 23:12
“If I then, the Lord and the Teacher, have washed your feet, ye also ought to wash one another's feet. For I have given you an example, that ye also should do as I have done to you.
…If ye know these things, blessed are ye if ye do them.” John 13:14-17
The same is true in regards to1 Timothy 5:17: “Let the elders that rule (proistemi) well be counted worthy of double honor.” The Greek word proistemi, rendered “rule,” bears no association at all with authority, power, or control. It merely meant that elders (older men) are to stand with zeal; maintain themselves; should be foremost in knowledge and quality of life; a quality which rightfully should be embodied in all saints. “Proistemi” is not therefore for the few, but the duty of all.
“Go ye, and stand and speak in the temple to the people all the words of this Life." Acts 5:20
“…when I stood before the council, except it be for this one voice, that I cried standing among them, Touching the resurrection of the dead I am called in question before you this day.” Acts 24:20-21
“…to the end that they who have believed God may be careful to maintain good works.” Titus 3:8
“And let our people also learn to maintain good works for necessary uses, that they be not unfruitful.” Titus 3:14
How did the word rule or rule over, which in the mind of the English reader conveys control and mastery over the people, find its way into the text when Paul himself wrote: “Not that we are trying to dictate to you what you must believe; but are fellow workers and helpers of your joy, for by your faith you stand." 2 Corinthians 1:24..."

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leubanks63
I began attending Berachah in the 1970s when I was 8 or 9 years old. I soaked up all the Colonel's teachings like a sponge. We went to church every night of the week except Saturday, and also on Sunday mornings. I began to attend less frequently when I was in college. It was around that time when Thieme sent a letter to my mother kicking her out of the church and saying that if she were ever seen on the premises, the police who guarded the church would remove her. It was not until I was in my late 20s and began attending a normal church that I realized how warped and destructive the teachings had been at Berachah and how strange the church was when compared to other churches.

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leubanks63
Was Buddy Dano the pastor of Grace Bible Church? When I began attending Berachah in the 1970s, Dano was an assistant pastor. Over the years, Thieme got rid of both assistant pastors.