In August of 1956, 1 heard the late brother
Gardner Hall preach on "The Baptism of Diotrephes." I recall very little
of the sermon beyond the announcement of the title and brother Hall's
unique way of introducing it. It went something like this:
We do not know who baptized Diotrephes. We
do not know when or where he was baptized. We only know that he must
have been baptized somewhere by someone, since he was a member of the
church. All we know for sure about his baptism is that with it the
church received a first class troublemaker.
Brother Hall then went on to say that it is
a pity that about all we can say about some members of the church is
that when they were baptized that the church received trouble rather
than an asset.
I was a very young and inexperienced
preacher. I am sure I had read Third John before, but had not been
impressed with this character, Diotrephes. I knew little about
congregational problems, so had little to which I could relate the
application of his sermon. In the years since, I have come to know
churches whose effectiveness has either been greatly hampered or even
destroyed because they have allowed themselves to be dominated by a
modern Diotrephes. Let me remind you of what John said about Diotrephes:
I wrote to the church, but Diotrephes, who
love to have the preeminence among them, does not receive us. Therefore,
if I come, I will call to mind his deeds which he does, prating against
us with malicious words. And not content with that, he himself does not
receive the brethren, and forbids those who wish to, putting them out of
the church (3 Jn. 9).
How could a church become a victim of such a
church bully? How does such a church dictator gain enough power to lord
his will over a whole congregation? These questions were raised in my
mind when this passage was first called to my attention by brother
Hall's sermon. As I have since meditated on this passage and personally
observed a few modern cases, I think I have a better insight in to it
now. Though I have known so very few churches who, in my judgment, were
under the power of such a person, those I have known have truly suffered
at their hands. Among the church bullies I have known, one was an elder,
one was a preacher and another was "just a member" of the congregation.
In each case they all had a common denominator they loved preeminence
and would do almost anything to gain it over their brethren.
Such a person seldom stops until either his
control over the church is near absolute or the church is in shambles.
It is his way or no way. His self-evaluated superior judgment must reign
supreme or else. He seldom stops until he can yell "jump" and the
brethren reply, "How high?'9 It matters little to him how many are hurt
or how much confusion is created on his way to gaining control of the
church.
If one, like Diotrephes, could ascend to
such power in a church during the apostles' lifetime, how much more
likely is it to happen today? Sometimes it takes place with good
brethren being almost powerless to prevent it. However, if brethren can
identify a preeminence lover early and understand how he maneuvers his
way into position, it will go a long to minimizing the damage he can do.
So, we again we raise the question, "How can
a Diotrephes happen?" We need to understand, first, that one cannot do
it alone. He must have either the support or acquiescence of other
members of the church. As a starter, he can generally count on that
goodly number who are going to remain passive, regardless of what
happens. They will not actively support wrong, but they are not going to
actively oppose it either. A Diotrephes may not gain their active
support, nor will he ever provoke their active resistance.
In most cases, like a school-yard bully, he
gains the active support of a few disgruntled cohorts who, for reasons
of their own, are willing to join hands with him in his work. From this
power nucleus, unless stopped early, he gradually extends his power over
the rest of the congregation until his judgment becomes the law for that
church.
A Diotrephes usually skillfully makes use of
three powerful tools to reach his ambitious goal of controlling the
church -captivation, intimidation and elimination.
Captivation
At first, he wins as many supporters as
possible by turning on his charming personally. Like the young man out
to win the heart and consent of an innocent young maiden, he zealously
circulates among unsuspecting members of the congregation, zealously
courting them with "smooth words and flattering speech" (cf. Rom.
16:17,18), sometimes even showering them with gifts and favors.
Paul, in another place, mentions such captivators: "They zealously court
you, but for no good; yes, they want to exclude you, that you may be
zealous for them " (Gal. 4:17 with emphasis mine). Those first
century self-serving courters had an advantage of sorts over Paul. Paul
was duty bound to tell the Galatian brethren the truth - no matter what.
He must tell them what they needed to hear, not merely court their
favor. So, he raised the rhetorical question, "Have I therefore become
your enemy because I tell you the truth?" (v. 16) in contrast to those
who were courting the brethren for their own purposes.
One seeking preeminence over people is
usually a good student of human nature and the art of having one's way
with people. He knows how to cleverly manipulate their base yearnings
and anxieties to his advantage. Man's basic desires for attention,
acceptance, approval, or affluence can be skillfully used by a would-be
Diotrephes to gain control over his brethren. It matters not whether he
can deliver these things, as long as people think he can.
Of those modern Diotrepheses that we can
observe, such courting or charming is their first and most productive
approach. They use the dangling carrot to the fullest before bringing
out their sticks. But, since they are seldom able to gain complete
control over the congregation through captivation, they now must take
additional measures.
Intimidation
Having failed to charm all the brethren into
subjection, the Diotrephes now rips off his sweet-spirited mask and
begins to play hard ball. He proceeds to whip the remaining hold-outs
into line through intimidation. The Diotrephes of 3 John used "malicious
words" against those who stood in his way of complete control.
Some brethren, though they may be as
harmless as doves, are as wise as serpents and can see right through a
veneer of "smooth words and flattering speech." They are not fooled for
a minute. Brother Diotrephes must, somehow, gain control over these
brethren. Smooth words have failed, now it is time to beat them into
subjection with malicious words, if he can. Where enticements fail -
attacks and/or threats often succeed. He now plays on their fears,
rather than their aspirations. So, brethren often cease all resistance
and let him have his way, rather than subject themselves to continual
verbal abuse.
If he does not get his way, he may threaten
them, personally or collectively as the church, for not yielding to his
judgment. Such a person often threatens to leave the congregation,
taking with him those under his influence. So, not only would the church
lose members, it would also likely lose money and talents. So,
intimidated by the threat, brethren yield rather than run that risk. So,
he has now extended his control a step further.
Elimination
Now the very few who were not wooed by his
sweet courting nor intimidated by his malicious words, still stand in
the way of his complete control. It is elimination time. Note what John
said Diotrephes did: "And not content with that, he himself does not
receive the brethren, and forbids those who wish to, putting them out of
the church. " As long as he gets his way, a Diotrephes cares not how
many good brethren he eliminates - either by driving them away or
wrongfully "putting them out of the church." His basic problem is his
love for preeminence and he will resort to any measure to get it.
Brethren, if you have in your midst one that
is showing signs of seeking preeminence over his brethren, you need to
keep an eye on him. When and if he begins to form a faction around
himself, deal with him early (cf. Tit. 3:10) or he will make
havoc of the church. The sad truth is, he may gain the upper-hand before
his true character manifests itself to enough people to stop him. We
need to study diligently and regularly pray for wisdom and courage so
that perhaps we can keep the church where we worship from being ruined
by a modern Diotrephes.
Guardian of Truth - August 20, 1992
Other Articles by Edward O.
Bragwell, Sr.
A Convenient Doctrine
Cutting Wood and Restoring
N. T. Christianity
About Christians Feeling
Unworthy and Undone
Holding a Church Hostage
What Can God do?
Undercover Agents for Christ
Reformation or Transformation?
Be Careful With the Blame
Game
Is Unrestricted Loyalty a Virtue?
A New Dogma
How to Raise a Heartache
The Right Baptism
Standing Alone
- Caffin,
B.C. (1950), II Peter – Pulpit Commentary, H.D.M. Spence
and Joseph Exell, eds. (Grand Rapids: Eerdmans).
|
For Past Auburn Beacons go to:
www.aubeacon.com/Bulletins.htm
|
Anyone can join the mailing list for the Auburn Beacon! Send
your request to:
larryrouse@aubeacon.com |
