The ekklesia at Antioch of Syria had both prophets and teachers at work. One is more interested in interpreting the past (teacher) and the other is more interested in interpreting the present and the future (prophet). For both to be welcome as leaders, it must have been like a man who can bring out of his storehouse both old things and new things (Matthew 13:52). “You have heard it said […]
Category Archives: Church
Meeting With the Flock
If the congregation you meet with were to meet in a way that resembled what Paul seemed to be writing about in what we call his first letter to the congregations that were meeting in Corinth (chapters 11-14), there might be people prophesying and other people testifying and others teaching. Imagine just the one probable improvement, if the person leading your congregation is really a pastor, that there would be […]
Gifts for the Past, the Present, and the Future
Teachers interpret the past, prophets interpret the present and the future. Why would we doubt what the Scriptures clearly state as normal, simply because some other people doubt? Why wouldn’t our default type of decision be that we would agree with the Scriptures rather than with people who say “those times are over…”? If you do not find in the part of the church where you serve both gifted teachers […]
Drawing the Right Lines
There is a place for variety of culture in the ekklesia of Christ (the songs we sing, the clothing or costumes we wear), but no place for class (rich, poor; high, low; important, unimportant). There is a place for authority and responsibility in the ekklesia of Christ (the Spiritual gift of administration, the responsibility for leadership that is related to revelation and love), but no place for lords (only servants; […]
Needs and Responsibilities
How far are we from learning that we each need the gifts of other parts of the Body of Jesus, and that we are responsible for living in a way that other parts gain access to part of His life through our contributions? How devoted are we to doing whatever we can to enable and encourage the rest of the Body, and laying down our lives so that the Head […]
Difference of Opinion
I am convinced that the Holy Spirit has a difference of opinion with religious leaders regarding the concepts of clergy and laity being valid categories of church membership. Luke recorded the apostles’ reaction to a controversy about a ministry of feeding widows as not being important enough for them to do the work of fixing it (Acts 6 and Acts 8). Since the complaints were coming from the believing Jews who’s […]
Praying For You
Now many have become Levitical priests, since they are prevented by death from remaining in office. But because He remains forever, He holds His priesthood permanently. Therefore He is always able to save those who come to God through Him, since He always lives to intercede for them. For this is the kind of high priest we need: holy, innocent, undefiled, separated from sinners, and exalted above the heavens. He […]
Falling Away
If I am still unconvinced that the Scripture references to being members of the body of Jesus are speaking of identity and nature, and the references to the Kingdom are speaking of commandments, obedience, and judgement, I will not be able to properly find the truth in passages like Hebrews 6:4-12. The two judgements that will be faced by every human (Revelation 20:11-15) are a watershed between these two subjects. […]
Visited by Jesus
Around the planet, Jesus is paying special attention to people who have been enslaved by Islam. Introducing Himself to them in dreams, answering unbelievers’ prayers for miracles, using the Qur’an to draw them to Himself; He is creating congregations in places where it is illegal to evangelize. He seems to frequently show special love to people most people are hating at the time. His first declaration of His identity to […]
Inviting People
You have influence over someone. That influence may be great or small. It may be greater than anyone else’s over a certain person or group, and still be small. Whatever the size or the expectation of its strength, stay alert for any opportunity the Spirit of God gives you to invite someone to life in Jesus. You can prophesy even if you are not a prophet. You can teach somebody […]