THE church is apostolic as we have seen before. It is also catholic, i.e. universal.
Every denomination or ministry should therefore follow this format. Beyond this, it becomes man-made.
We’re still pursuing the inquiry on the emphasis of the Gospel of Christ.
Previously we saw that we can’t rely on testimony of “founders” that they heard from God.
We will be at their mercy and we will be susceptible to manipulation.
I have put founders in quotes because no human being can be a founder.
The founder of the church is Jesus Christ. The Bible is very clear on that, 1 Corinthians 3:11, “For other foundation can no man lay than that is laid, which is Jesus Christ.”
Jesus Christ is the foundation of His Church upon which we build.
- Unpacking Christ; our wisdom (2)
- Sunday word: Battle of Biblical 'Armageddon'
- Grace tidings: Beware of false teachers and bad doctrine (Part 2)
- Grace tidings: He loves you unconditionally
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What’s the format of Jesus’ church? We read Ephesians 4:11-12, “[11] And he gave some, apostles; and some, prophets; and some, evangelists; and some, pastors and teachers; [12] For the perfecting of the saints, for the work of the ministry, for the edifying of the body of Christ:”
These gifts usually called ascension gifts or four or five fold ministry gifts should be evident and manifest at the local church just as they are manifest in the universal church.
Depending on interpretation, they’re five when listing them as apostles, prophets, evangelists, pastors and teachers.
If we follow the wording, pastors and teachers is one as pastoring teachers to make it four fold ministry gifts.
The local assembly also functions with all gifts of the Holy Spirit as in 1 Corinthians 12:7-10, “[7] But the manifestation of the Spirit is given to every man to profit withal. [8] For to one is given by the Spirit the word of wisdom; to another the word of knowledge by the same Spirit; [9] To another faith by the same Spirit; to another the gifts of healing by the same Spirit; [10] To another the working of miracles; to another prophecy; to another discerning of spirits; to another divers kinds of tongues; to another the interpretation of tongues:”
No assembly should be deficient of anything spiritual.
Every assembly has to evangelise, teach, give pastoral oversight, prophesy and walk in fullness of all spiritual gifts.
It’s impossible for any assembly where two or three people are gathered in the name of Jesus to lack prophetic knowledge for example.
There’s nothing that will befall any member of the assembly that the Spirit of God has not revealed.
I always say that a praying family gets to know everything prophetic.
This church at the family unit should always be able to cast out demons and pray for the sick.
When we gather at the local church, we’re bringing our individual gifts for the benefit of us all.
Because of lack of proper teaching, many assemblies don’t have full package of spiritual gifts.
Members end up going all over the show looking for healing, demon check and so called anointing and impartation.
In some cases especially on our continent, business people and even comedians gather people and use the Bible to call it a church.
It seems cheaper for some to go to church where the pastor or papa has a “business anointing” than attend business school.
From the list above, there’s no spiritual gift called business anointing or youth anointing, couples anointing, widow/widower or divorced anointing.
If someone says God has called them to start a denomination or ministry specifically for singles, are they hearing from God?
From the format of Jesus’ church, it’s their passion speaking like God. Is it right to pursue that passion? Yes, only under a full entity according to the New Testament church.
Sometimes we simply have to be sincere like Ezra who did mighty things not because he was called by God but had a passion for Jerusalem.
There are economies where certain things become irrelevant.
Some economies have almost zero unemployment, very robust transport infrastructure, housing and other amenities.
Messages like, “I have a special anointing for houses, cars and jobs,” will appear to be jokes.
These societies are bombarded left, right and centre by organisations offering 50-100 year housing loans.
Cars are not testimonies. In our country we give testimonies of putting solar in our homes, buying generators and installing boreholes. You can’t carry that anointing all over the world.
Now unto him that is able to keep you from falling, and to present you faultless before the presence of his glory with exceeding joy, To the only wise God our Saviour, be glory and majesty, dominion and power, both now and ever. Amen. Grace and peace be multiplied to you through knowledge.
