Results 1 - 3 of 3
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Results from: Notes Author: kaleo Ordered by Date |
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Results | Verse | Author | ID# | |||
1 | The foundation of the church | Eph 2:20 | kaleo | 69423 | ||
The book of Acts is the beginning of the church. As with the parable of the mustard seed that grew into a big tree and flourished the kingdom DOES NOT DIMINISH. Look at the church today, instead of advancing from the book of Acts it has diminished. With all due respect sir/madam the church that I witness today has in no way surpassed Acts (as the seed of the church). We cannot ignore the division within the church nor can we ignore our doctrinal differences which, if it continues will never lead to the unity of the faith. But thank God He will not allow that for His word is true - there will be the unity of the faith. Since the dark ages He began to restore truth to His church beginning in the 1500's with Martin Luther (which I believe operated in an apostolic frequency breaking patterns of erroneos religiosity as did the early apostles in the midst of the Pharisees)proclaiming justification by faith in the midst of opposing doctrine that existed in his time. Similarly God has used other moves such as the Holiness/Evangelical, Pentecostal, Latter Rain, Charismatic moves to restore foundational truths to the church as was present in the book of Acts so that we can grow unto perfection/completion (i.e. without spot or wrinkle). With reference to apostles - the issue is not in the name APOSTLE but in the function of the office. You said "An apostle was a witness of the resurrected Christ". Yet Paul never met Jesus Christ in the physical sense as did the twelve. Jesus presented Himself to Paul on the Damascus road and spoke to him throughout his ministry truths that were never before revealed. I believe that this is a principle that we as believers must ask the Holy Spirit to reveal to us - the relevance of God choosing someone outside of 'the twelve' to play such a significant role as an apostle to the church. Looking forward to continued conversations and hearing your views on the matter. |
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2 | The foundation of the church | Eph 2:20 | kaleo | 69379 | ||
What divides us is inaccurate doctrine. The government and rule of the kingdom of God is expressed in the earth through his governmental organizational structure found in the joint operations of the apostles, prophets, evangelists, pastors and teachers. Ephesians4:11-14 states that Christ gave these gifts to the church and their responsibility is to equip God's people to do His work and build up the church, the body of Christ, until we come to such UNITY in our faith and knowledge of God's Son that we will be mature and full grown in the Lord, measuring up to the full stature of Christ. The unity of the faith and knowledge of God's Son implies doctrine - the truth of the laws of the kingdom. Until we all agree on what God considers an accurate interpretation of His word we will continue to be divided and confused as to what is right and what isn't. God is not the author of confusion He is a God of order, which is why in 1 Corinthians 12:28 He appointed 1st apostles, 2nd prophets, 3rd teachers and so on... The order of God puts apostles first and prophets second this does not in any way mean first or second in importance, but is a matter of rank and order in FUNCTION AND HENCE SPIRITUAL AUTHORITY. In the book of Acts we see all five ministry offices functioning, however it is the apostles such as Paul and Peter (and others) who were at the forefront of building accurate doctrine in the early church. Today, we see no such order in the church, in fact most believers seem to believe that the apostles ceased to exist since the beginning of the early church. It is because we fail to understand that 'apostle' is an office - no different (in principle) than the office of the President of the United States. If somehow President Bush was no longer able to function as president the office/hence the function of the president would still be needed - it is not wrapped up in President Bush or any person who would then take his place. So it is with the office of the apostle, as well as the office of the other gifts to the church. That which is to become the perfect global church will have to accept this and each person called to any of these kingdom offices must understand his/her function in the kingdom as it relates to the mandate of perfecting the saints for the work of the ministry. Eph. 4:13 does state that there is an UNTIL. That means that these ministry functions have a finish, a completion a set target. This target is to prepare ALL saints for the work of the minstry, not just what we have limited ministry to within the confines of the four walls of the church. If each person who is a believer is to function in ministry,and this ministry is made complete through the combined giftings of these 5 governmental offices, therefore, the onus is on the persons in these governmental offices to must be able to function in the apostolic, prophetic, teaching, evangelistic and pastorial anointings. It is not that each believer will become an apostle, prophet, teacher, evangelist, pastor but in the daily functions of their lives they will access the grace given for these functions and wherever they are at work, home, school they will be in ministry so that ministry becomes no longer and isolated church term but a MANIFESTED, CONSISTENT LIFESTYLE. |
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3 | The foundation of the church | Eph 2:20 | kaleo | 49445 | ||
I see where the apostles(eg. Paul) and prophets (Judas and Silas)were sent to correct inaccurate teachings in the church at Antioch in order to ensure that the foundation of the church planted there remained stable. It tells me that it is not enough to start the church of Jesus Christ with these two anointings as foundation it tells me that it takes the two to continue to maintain the foundation of the church. Which leads me to my next concern - When we look at church today do we see these two "governmental offices" in the church working together to ensure a stable foundation of doctrine upon which the teachers, pastors and evangelists are to build upon. There are many erroneous teachings out there that give Jesus Christ a bad name and it will most definitely take apostolic and prophetic activity to set things on the proper foundation. Eph. 4:11-16 Talks about the five-fold ministry being given "...to prepare God's people for works of service, so that the body of Christ may be built up until we all reach unity in the faith......". If we are honest with ourselves this "unity of the faith" does not currently exist we must ask ourselves "Why?". Given the scripture Eph. 4:11-16 we should realise that the answer lies in the all the governmental offices (apostles, prophets, teachers, pastors, evangelists) working together and focusing on the global church achieving this goal - and not only working together but also IN THE ORDER THEY ARE TO WORK TOGETHER. 1Cor. 12:28 says, "And in the church God has appointed first of all apostles, second prophets, third teachers, then workers of miracles......". It tells me that unless the church understands the dynamics of how each office should operate individually and corporately as well as in the order God has set them we will never see unity, and persons will continue to be "..tossed back and forth by the waves, and blown here and there by every wind of teaching and by the cunning craftiness of men in their deceitful scheming". In conclusion, if the unity of the faith is as a result of the five-fold ministry operating together as one and in the order God sets it, and we can honestly say that there is no "unity of faith" of the global church then it implies that we as the church (the body of Christ) have to enquire of the Lord to know his will for attaining this position called "the unity of the faith". I ask again, Is the church we see today (being continually) built upon the foundation of the apostles and prophets [ensuring accurate doctrine and teachings and interpretation of the word of God - focusing on God's original intent for the church that, "His intent was that now, through the church, the manifold wisdom of God should be made known to the rulers and authorities in the heavenly realms, according to his eternal purpose which he accomplished in Christ Jesus our Lord"(Eph. 3:10-11)]. |
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