CHAPTER 2. THE CHURCHES MUST OBEY JESUS AS LORD.

A. THE EARLY CHURCH OWNED CHRIST'S LORDSHIP IN EVANGELISM AND WORSHIP.

The Scriptures insist that Jesus is the Head of our churches, and so we should seek His will, plans and guidance, and not depend on our plans or programmes. Mt.18v18-20. 28v18-20. Eph.1v20-23. 4v7-16. 5v21-23. Phil.2v9-11. Col.1v18,19. 2v19. 3v9-11. Rev.19v16. The early Church at Jerusalem enjoyed the liberty, flexibility and power of the Holy Spirit in both fellowship and evangelism; this resulted in a great number of converts, and a considerable variety of content and great blessing in their fellowships meetings. It was not like so many modern Churches who extol Jesus as Lord, but do not obey Him, and please themselves in what they do. Peter learned by bitter personal experience that it was wise to obey his Lord, God cleansed him of his bigotry, and made him a great blessing. Acts.10v1-48.

Paul states that the Holy Spirit should direct our Church gatherings, and the person who is moved by the Holy Spirit has the right to minister. All rights in a church fellowship gathering should depend upon the direction and blessing of Christ, and rigid control of a meeting by one person should be unknown. The early church Pastors guided and taught each local church, but they certainly did not monopolise the ministry in a church, several believers could minister on a theme as the Lord led them, and other Christians ministered in "psalm, doctrine, tongue, revelation, or interpretation." 1Cor.14v26. Even the most spiritual and capable were not allowed to monopolise a meeting, they had to give way to others who had something from God, "Let the first hold his peace." 1Cor.12v29-31. The domination of ministry by one person denies Christ's Lordship over His Church. It is not till post-apostolic times and literature that we read of a presiding officer in the worship and fellowship meetings of the local churches. It is true that Paul as an evangelist had a preaching hall and took the lead there as the principle speaker and debater, and he could and did take the major part in a special meeting for ministry, but he did not monopolise the local Church fellowships. Paul said that in the local Church fellowships, the Christians were to act as a body, and to minister to one another under the direction of the Holy Spirit and Christ. Acts.19v8-10. 20v6-12. 1Cor.12v4-27.

The presence of God through communion with Him is the secret of blessing and victory.

Moses was quite unwilling to lead Israel and fight her enemies without the presence, blessing and guidance of God, he had the sense to realise that it was only God's overshadowing providence that made Israel different from the surrounding nations. Exod.33v11-20. N.B.v14. 34v5-9. It was the presence and power of God that gave the early Church victory. The acid test of our dependence upon God, is the amount of time that we give to prayer and waiting upon God, as groups or individuals. True prayer is not the ability to say long prayers in public, God condemns this. Mt.6v5-15. 23v14. Mk.12v40. Luke.20v47. If we fail to earnestly seek God we shall be in the same lamentable spiritual state as the church at Laodicea. They were "wretched, and miserable, and poor, and blind, and naked;" but they did not know it. They said they had need of nothing, when they needed to seek Jesus and humbly ask Him to open their eyes and heal their pitiful spiritual condition. Rev.3v17-19. Those who really love God love His presence. Heb.11v5,6. Ps.27 all, N.B. v4,8. Earnest and prolonged seeking of God is a searching test of ones spirituality and love of God. See how the early Church practised prayer and waiting upon God.

The verb "deomai." Lk.10v2. 21v36. 22v32. Acts.4v31. 10v2. 2Cor.8v4.

The verb "erotao." Lk.16v27. John.14v16. 16v26. 17v9,15,20.

The verb "euchomai." Rom.9v3. 2Cor.13v7,9. James.5v16. 3Jn.v2. Acts.26v29. 27v29.

The verb "proseuchomai." Lk.3v21. 5v16. 6v12,28. 9v28,29. 11v1,2. 18v1,10,11. 22v46. Acts.1v24. 6v6. 8v15. 9v11,40. 10v9,30. 11v5. 12v12. 13v3. 14v23. 16v25. 20v36. 21v5. 22v17. 28v8. Eph.6v18. Col.1v3,9. 4v3. 1Cor.14v13,14,15. 1Thes.5v17,25. 2Thes.1v11. 3v1. 1Tim.2v8. James.5v13,14,18. Jude.v20.

The noun "deesis." Lk.1v13. 2v37. 5v33. Rom.10v1. 2Cor.1v11. 9v14. Phil.1v4,19. 2Tim.1v3. Heb.5v7. Jas.5v16. 1Pet.3v12.

The noun "enteuxis." (Intercession) 1Tim.4v5. plural in 2v1.

The noun "entugchano." Rom.8v26,27,34. Heb.7v25.

The noun "proseuche." Mt.21v13,22. Luke.6v12. Acts.1v14. 2v42. 3v1. 6v4. 10v4,31. 12v5. 16v13,16. Rom.1v9. 12v12. 15v30. 1Cor.7v5. Eph.1v16. 6v18. Phil.4v6. Col.4v2,12. 1Thes.1v2. 5v5. Philemon.v4,22. 1Pet.3v7. 4v7.

B. THE VARIETY AND FLEXIBILITY OF A FELLOWSHIP LED BY THE HOLY SPIRIT.

In the early Church there was flexibility under the guidance of God, in many modern churches the services are in a cast iron rut and routine, with a resultant spiritual deadness and bondage. Paul's preaching in the Hall of Tyrannus was to non-Christians, here he preached and defended the Gospel; the Christian fellowship meetings took place in the homes of Christians. We need to clearly see the difference between an evangelistic mission and a Christian fellowship, where Christians are gathered together to build each other up in God.

a. Informal Christian Fellowship Gatherings.

This consisted of prayer, praise and worship, conversational sharing of experience, discussion of problems and prayer for them, the manifestation of spiritual gifts, the study of the Scriptures, with all being able to comment, and a meal at which the Lord's Supper took place. In Cor.11v1 to 14v40., Paul is correcting disorders at the Lord's Supper, and showing them the correct way to conduct their gatherings for fellowship, prayer and worship. The Last Supper conducted by Jesus gives us the divine order for Christian fellowship, as well as the celebration of the Lord's Supper. We shall consider this in greater detail later when we consider the body ministry of the early Church. However, we will now note the great blessing produced by the open and flexible informal fellowship meetings, which were under the guidance and control of the Holy Spirit. Nowadays, religious leaders exclude almost all ministry or participation from their flocks, and do not allow God to inspire Christians to give a contribution and to develop their ministries, and so ministries are often strangled at birth. The ministries that do develop, do so in spite of these religious systems, and not because of them. No matter how competent a minister may be in preaching and pastoral work, he is a failure if he does not practice informal body ministry and develop ministries in the local church. God desires His children to develop ministries, not remain in permanent spiritual babyhood. Some will object to this participation in ministry by all Christians and say, "You open the door to fanatics and encourage the immature to make mistakes by your informal body ministry." To this I answer, "Informal body ministry is God's order, not mine."

Godly, wise, spiritual and gracious elders will preserve churches from the dangers of fanaticism, and gently correct the mistakes of the immature and inspire them to further effort. We should not restrain profitable ministries, but unprofitable ministries should be restrained. Jesus has set ministries in the Church, but He has not relinquished the control of the Church to them, He is the Head of the Church. The substitution of Christ's Lordship over His Church and informal body ministry, with one man ministry, cannot help but produce frustration, barrenness and division. Formal, spiritually lifeless services are as great an abuse of God's order as fanaticism, and are just as great an offence to God. There can only be real growth and blessing when the Holy Spirit is given His rightful place and ministry.

b. An informal evangelistic meeting.

This could take place in synagogues, the open air, hired building, or home; to large groups, or even to one person, like our Lord's conversation with the woman at the well. There are instances of Jesus and Paul preaching sermons, however, the practice of informal discussion in synagogue, hall, home, or open-air, and the confirmation of the truth by miracles, was the usual Divine pattern for apostolic evangelism. Rom.15v18-21. This informal evangelism was attractive to the outsider, and was anything but boring, which certainly cannot be said of many modern services, which often have to be endured rather than enjoyed. I am not thinking only of some traditional churches; the lightness and frivolity, spoken of in the A.V. of Jer.23v32., has afflicted many Pentecostal churches. "Lightness," is "pachazuwth," 6350, frivolity, from 6348, "pachaz," to bubble up or froth. See 2Cor.1v17. "elaphria," 1644, levity. God wants us to enjoy His presence and the fellowship of other Christians in profound depth, this will fill us with "joy unspeakable and full of glory." 1Pet.1v8.

Jesus and His apostles expected to be questioned or interrupted while preaching, and they experienced this regularly, indeed, it was the norm. In their proclaiming the gospel as an herald, "kerusso," Acts.8v5. 9v26. 10v37,42. 15v21. 19v13. 20v25. 28v36.; or telling and announcing good news, "euangelizo," Acts.5v42. 8v4,12,35,40. 10v36. 11v20.14v15. 15v35. 17v18.; they "talked and discoursed, "laleo", Acts.8v25. 11v19. 13v42. 14v25. 16v6.; they told thoroughly, "katangello," Acts.4v2. 13v5,38. 15v36. 17v3,13. 1Cor.9v14.; they often did this in a conversational style by reasoning, questions and even heated debate, "suzeeteo," Mk.8v11. 12v28. Lk.24v15,32. Acts.6v9. 9v29.; and dialogue, "dialegomai," Acts.17v2,17. 18v4,19. 19v8,9. 20v7,9. 24v12,25. (also occurs Mk.9v34. Heb.12v5. Jude.v9). See also "peitho," to persuade." Acts.13v43. 14v19. 18v4.19v8,26. 26v28. 28v23. 2Cor.5v11. The best method of evangelism, preaching and teaching is by informal discussion, dialogue and persuasion in friendly and amiable conversations with people.

The early Church Christians did not invite people to hear the Gospel and sit passively and mutely until an appeal was made; they preached the Gospel in the open air, in their daily contacts, and from house to house, and those who were converted joined their Christian fellowships. Acts.5v42. 8v4. Inviting unbelievers to meetings is not normal New Testament evangelism, the early Church went out to preach the Gospel. The miraculous was the cutting edge of New Testament evangelism, in Rom.15v18,19., Paul said that he made the Gentiles receive and obey the Gospel "by word and deed, through mighty signs and wonders, by the power of the Spirit of God; so that from Jerusalem, and round about unto Illyricum, I have fully preached the gospel of Christ." Formal Church services will certainly not meet the needs of this modern generation, we need the greater apostolic and evangelistic ministries to win converts and break the ground for the witness of the ordinary church members. The informal New Testament meetings for fellowship, under the blessing and guidance of the Holy Spirit, will sustain those who come to know Jesus as their Saviour. This Divine pattern is suitable, and will be successful, with every age and nation. When Jesus is owned as Lord, the Church is victorious in both evangelism and worship.

C. THE NEW TESTAMENT MINISTRY GIFTS ARE APPOINTED BY GOD, NOT BY MEN.

The ministries that God sets in the Church, are based on His spiritual gifting and not on natural talent or ability. The early Church turned the world upside down by spiritual ministry gifts from God, not by their natural talents, and it is these ministry gifts that the Church needs so badly today, not more money, machinery, or better education. These ministry gifts are the result of divine sovereignty, not human desire, or ordination. God sets these gifts and ministries in the Church, and Jesus directs them. Mt.9v38. 1Cor.12v28. Eph.4v8-11.

Ordination, is it from Heaven, or from men? Mt.21v25. Mk.11v30. Lk.20v4.

Some object to the statement that ordination to ministry comes from heaven, and not from men, and state that elders, deacons, and even apostles, had hands laid upon them to appoint them to a ministry. This was undoubtedly true, however, this appointment to God's work, was really the recognition of the gift and call already received from God, and which was already manifested in their ministries. The laying on of hands by men is an empty formality without the divine ordination and gifting of God. The religious leaders who killed Jesus were certainly not ordained by God, they resisted God. Acts.7v51-53. In God's eyes a person has authority in Christ's Church, not because men will it, or because a person has received ecclesiastical training or ordination, but because He Himself has given them a ministry.

The modern term "ordination" has come to have a technical significance not found in the New Testament. The Greek words translated as "ordain" in the Authorised Version simply mean "to appoint, choose and set apart." Acts.6v5,6. 13v2,3. 14v23. 1Tim.2v7.4v14. 5v22. 2Tim.1v6. Modern denominations have replaced God's ordination and Christ's commission, with their ordaining councils. I recognise that ordaining councils do choose people who have had a call from God. However, it is also true that many people are ordained to lead in God's work who have no call or right to do so, and many others who have received a definite commission from Christ are excluded and rejected. Very few of our modern denominations would have ordained any of the twelve apostles, even though they are so highly regarded by religious leaders today. Many Church leaders today reject the miraculous powers that the apostles experienced, and oppose those who manifest the same spiritual gifts. These religious leaders, as in Christ's day, extol the prophets of the past, but oppose the same kind of ministries in the present. Mt.23v29-39. The apostles of Christ's day were looked upon as deluded, undesirable, unlearned and ignorant men, by the religious leaders of Israel. Christ's apostles had not been taught in the schools of the Rabbis, but they were certainly not unlearned or ignorant in regard to hearing and obeying the voice of God. The apostles were lacking in men's ecclesiastical training, but they had been trained in the essentials of true religion by God Himself.

Systematic traditional training often disqualifies one from divine ordination.

God did not choose any of the learned Rabbis that men had ordained, the systematic training in men's traditions had made them entirely unsuitable for leadership in Christ's Church. Christ's apostles had the essentials of true religion, faith, hope, love, humility, a love for Jesus, and a thirst for God, and so God chose these simple, earnest, and spiritual young men to lead His Church. Young men, who have received spiritual gifts and spiritual ministries from God, have an important part to play in Christ's Church today. The apostles were chosen by God, and not by men, or by themselves, even Jesus did not appoint Himself. 1Cor.12v18,28. Heb.5v1-10. It was ordination from heaven that counted.

Giving people the names of the New Testament offices will not give them that ministry, a person has to have a ministry from God, or they are an empty pretender. In the New Testament it was the actual ministry of a person that decided what they were called. They were not just called apostles, prophets, pastor-teachers, and evangelists, they possessed and manifested these ministries, and they were clearly seen and recognised by the members of the churches. You can label "treacle," as "best quality jam," but it is still "treacle;" an empty claim to New Testament ministry gifts is even more foolish and wrong.

Denominational closed-shop ministries often oppose divinely given ministries.

The early Church ministry was not a closed denominational shop. The ministerial certificate of the early Church was a ministry gift from Christ, which was accredited by signs, wonders and miracles. It is sad that ecclesiastical machinery has replaced God's empowerment in many denominations, and this is a major reason for the lack of revival.

The elders who pastored and taught the local churches, were ordained by Paul, not by his own feelings, it was because they were seen to possess a ministry gift from Christ. The Holy Spirit had given these ministries and made them overseers in their churches. Their ministries were actually in operation in the local churches before Paul appointed them, it was purely a matter of recognising these divinely given ministries. Acts.20v28-32. The seven deacons at Jerusalem were chosen by the people for their spiritual ministry as well as their wisdom and godly character. They were well-known and well-trusted by all the Christians, not only on the grounds of their wisdom, graciousness, godly character, and ability to "show mercy;" they were also "full of the Holy Spirit," and possessed a definite spiritual ministry. Deacons should not only be gentle and kind, and good people of "good reputation," they must be "full of faith and the Holy Ghost." Acts.6v3,5,8.

The early Church recognised and appointed local people to Church leadership.

When the local church was founded and the elders appointed, the local church recognised and appointed other ministries that the Holy Spirit had given and developed in the church. Timothy was appointed by the local church, and the elders laid hands on him and asked God to bless him. They recognised that his ministry had developed sufficiently for Timothy to take his place among the ministries of the local church. 1Tim.4v12-16. 2Tim.1v6. When Paul wrote his letters to Timothy, he was between 35 and 40 years of age. Local elders did not resent developing ministries in their churches, they glorified God for them; and if God gave some younger Christian in the local church a greater ministry than any one else in it, the elders particularly rejoiced, because this was the fruit of their oversight and proof that their ministry was a success. It is a bitter, sour, Saul-like spirit of jealousy that looks upon developing ministries in the local church as a threat to one's authority. 1Sam.18v6-14. Love greatly rejoices when others are blessed more than themselves, and heartily thanks God for the part that He has given them in developing these ministries, and the part that they have to play in God's work. 1Cor.13v4-7.

Paul appointed local people as leaders whose life and ministry gift were recognised, appreciated and loved by the people in the local church. The question seems to have been, "Who do you have confidence in to lead you?" After Paul had appointed the first elders in the local church, the appointment of other elders was left in the hands of the local elders and Christians; they knew the spiritual qualifications that were necessary for a man to be an elder or deacon, because Paul had instructed them in this matter. 1Tim.3v1-16. Titus.1v4-16. Paul and the other itinerant ministries exercised a spiritual oversight and moral authority over the local churches, but they did not take the control of the churches out of the hands of the elders, or interfere with their decisions, each church was responsible to God for its own work. The apostles exercised the oversight of love and fellowship, not of official position, their work was to start churches, and then to instruct and inspire the flocks and develop their ministries, not to dominate, or dictate to them. Eph.4v8-14. 1Pet.5v1-7.

D. THE MINISTRIES GOD GIVES CAN ONLY BE SUSTAINED BY COMMUNION WITH GOD.

We must follow the glory cloud.

The New Testament ministries can only be sustained by communion with God. We see in the Scriptures that God gave His authority to those who followed His leadings and commands. Moses was Israel's leader, but he did not lead them in his way and will, he obeyed God's orders. God led Israel through His glory cloud, Moses had the good sense to obey God's directions, and follow His glory cloud. This same is true of the New Testament ministries, only those who have a ministry of divine life and follow the glory cloud, who have the right of leadership and authority in Christ's Church. 1Cor.12v28. Acts.10v38.

We can be channels of God's love and power.

Jesus earnestly desires us to be channels of His love and power, He longs to pour His mercy, tenderness, truth, delivering power, and deep affection through us to others, but this can only happen when we abide in Christ. Jn.15v1-17. No one is a true minister of Christ who does not minister His love, mercy and power to others. It is not enough to preach truth, truth must minister God's power, life and love to needy souls and bodies. 1Pet.1v12. All the ministry gifts are intended to minister the love, power and grace of God to God's flock and to knit it together in love. The ministry of elders is particularly pastoral, however, the Lord Jesus told the young apostle Peter, that pastoral ministry was included in his apostolic ministry. John.21v15-19. The ministry gifts should reveal Christ and the Father to people. Gal.1v15,16. A spiritual ministry does not just teach doctrine, it brings people into a living experience of God.

The development, extension, and interdependence of spiritual ministries.

The ministry gifts Jesus gives are capable of development and extension. Stephen and Philip were ordained to be deacons, because the church recognised that their spirituality, godliness and love for people, proved that they had a ministry from Christ to fulfil that work. Jesus also ordained them to be fervent evangelists, and they had a double ministry. We read in Acts.13v1,2., that Paul and Barnabus possessed teaching ministries in the church at Antioch, then God made them apostles. They had received a previous call to this work, "Separate me Barnabus and Saul for the work to which I have called them." They had faithfully prepared for this work by fulfilling a pastoral and teaching ministry, and so the call became a reality, and God sent them out on an apostolic mission. They were not sent out at their own desire, or man's direction, they were sent out by the Holy Spirit, God confirmed the reality of their call through other prophets and teachers.

In Acts.13v1,2., we see that the ministry gifts were directed by God, but they were not independent of other Christians, they worked together, as should all the parts of the body of Christ. Even apostles needed helpers, and the comfort and spiritual help of other Christians, a striking example of this is in 2Cor.2v12-14., where Paul states that he was incapacitated because Titus was not there, and so was not able to take advantage of God's door of opportunity. See also Acts.12v11,12. 21v4,11,12. 28v12-15. 1Cor.8v6. 2Cor.8v16-80. Eph.6v21,22. Phil.2v25. 1Thes.3v1,2. 2Tim.4v9-13,20. 21. Titus.1v5. 3v12,13. We read in Acts.15v32., that Silas was a prophet, but when he went with Paul, God gave him the additional authority and ministry of an apostle. 1Thes.1v1 with 2v6. Peter was an apostle, but, Jesus also gave him the office of Pastor and Elder as well. John.21v15-19. 1Pet.5v1-5. So we can see that one person can have several ministries given to them by Christ. God usually founded local churches through apostolic or evangelistic ministry, then He developed ministries in this church. Every ministry working together and operating under the guidance of Christ the Lord.

E. GOD STILL SETS THESE MINISTRIES IN THE CHURCH TODAY.

God has "set" spiritual ministries and their accompanying spiritual gifts in the Church all through this age of grace, and He still sets them in the Church today, when He can find those who love God and people enough, to desire to be channels of His power and love. The word for "set" in 1Cor.12v28., is "etheto" the third person singular aorist indicative of "tithemi," it is the same word that is used in Jn.15v16., which is translated "ordained." It simply means, "to put, place, or appoint." See Acts.5v25. Mt.5v15. 1Tim.1v12. 2v7. 2Tim.1v11. Heb.1v2. etc.. God has permanently placed these gifts in His Church during this age. Those who say that these miraculous ministries of the Church no longer exist, resist this ordination and gifting by God. The truth is that they do not have the spiritual qualifications to manifest these ministries, and are unwilling to expend the spiritual effort necessary to receive these qualifications, and to keep these ministries. They fear the opposition that comes against such ministries. It is spiritually demanding to seek God for His plans and power, but there is little spiritual effort required to rely upon oratory, good music, and a pleasant program of services, and so men have replaced God's abilities and ministries with their own standards, abilities and ministries. This unwillingness to follow the example of the early church, and obey God's command to desire spiritual gifts, is a grave sin, " For rebellion is as the sin of witchcraft, and stubbornness is as iniquity and idolatry." 1Sam.15v23. It is certainly not Scriptural to say that spiritual gifts ceased after the apostolic age, as the following facts prove.

1. Peter said that spiritual gifts would continue to the end of this age.

In Acts.2v16-21., Peter confirmed the prophecy of Joel that spiritual gifts would continue right up to the great and terrible day of the Lord, the day of Christ's return. Rev.16v14-16. 6v12-17. Mt.24v29-31. Peter insists that the gift of the Holy Spirit is for all, "For the promise is unto you, and to your children, and to all that are afar off, even as many as the Lord our God shall call." Acts.2v38,39. There is no Scripture to contradict or limit the prophecy of Joel, indeed, both Scripture and Christian experience confirm this prophecy. Those who deny that spiritual gifts are for today have looked in vain for one clear Scriptural statement that spiritual gifts were withdrawn after the apostolic age. They have wrested and distorted 1Cor.13v8-13. in an attempt to justify their unbelief, and have made the quite unwarranted assumption that the, "that which is perfect," at which the gifts of the Holy Spirit are to pass away, was the completion of the canon of Scripture. Honest theologians state that there is no justification for this interpretation. Ellicott says of the "that which is perfect," "This verse shows, by the emphatic "then," that the time when the gifts shall cease is at the end of this dispensation. The imperfect shall not cease until the perfect is brought in."

"A New Testament Commentary," edited by Howley, Bruce and Ellison, states on 1Cor.13v10., that there is no support in the Biblical usage of "perfect," or its cognate forms, for the suggestion that "the perfect" refers to the completion of the Scripture canon, and that the interpretation of "that which is perfect" as the Scripture canon, has been made to explain away the absence of certain spiritual gifts from their churches. How illuminating! An examination of 1Cor.13v10., proves that it is totally untrue to say that "that which is perfect" is the Scripture canon.

a. The subject under discussion in 1Cor.13. is love in relation to the whole of Christian experience.

Paul includes giving, martyrdom and knowledge, as well as spiritual gifts, there is no mention of the Scriptural canon. Paul's theme is love, he does not close 1Cor.13. with the greatest of these is the Scriptural canon," he says, "the greatest of these is love." "That which is perfect," occurs at the coming of the kingdom of God, when we have a face to face to face vision of the God of love. 1Cor.13v12. The Christian enjoys this kingdom at death, 2Cor.5v6-8. Phil.1v21-23. Heb.12v22-24. Rev.6v9-11., but this endless kingdom of love will not come to earth until the return of Jesus on the great "day of the Lord," at the end of this age.

b. How can it be the Scripture canon if "full knowledge" has not been given and perfected.

It is certainly inconsistent and dishonest to say that 1Cor.13v8. informs us that spiritual gifts have passed away, and yet admit that our present partial knowledge has not yet been replaced by the full knowledge of God's kingdom. This verse makes it quite clear that the "perfect day," when "that which is perfect" comes, is when God's kingdom comes to earth. It is only then that we shall have the full knowledge of ourselves and others, and "we shall fully know as we are fully known." This "full knowledge" occurs at the judgement seat of Christ, when our works and character are revealed. 1Cor.3v11-15.

The time when the gifts "pass away," is when the Church of Christ on earth exchanges its present partial spiritual power and knowledge, for the complete and perfect "face to face" experience of God and the "full knowledge" of His power, truth and love. What 1Cor.13v8., is really teaching, is that the Church on earth can expect its spiritual gifts and limited knowledge to continue, until they are superseded by, and swallowed up in the experience and knowledge of God's kingdom. When 1Cor.13v8. is really fulfilled, the Church will be glorified in Heaven and enjoying God's glory, power, truth and love to the full.

c. Paul compares his own Christian experience on earth with that of the perfect day.

Paul compares his experience of God on earth with that in heaven to a non-speaking baby's experience with that of an intelligent man. This certainly does away with the idea that Paul is referring to the Scripture canon, when he speaks of the perfect day, for Paul even knew truth outside of the New Testament canon, truth he was not permitted to utter. 2Cor.12v1-4. Paul knew by revelation much, if not all, of the truth contained in the book of Revelation, for he speaks of the trumpets, 1Cor.15v51-53.; of the evil career of Antichrist and his judgement, 2Thes.2v1-12.; of the two resurrections and the last judgement. 1Cor.15v21-28. The lack of the future knowledge of the condition of the churches in Revelation did not make Paul "a none speaking babe," he knew the vast preponderance of New Testament truth. Indeed, Paul knew more of God's truth in theory and experience than any person who has ever lived, except the Lord Jesus. 1Cor.15v10.

Paul was certainly not a babe in knowledge compared with we who have the full New Testament canon, indeed, in comparison with Paul, it is ourselves who are the babes. The illustrations that Paul used of a non-speaking babe compared with a man, and a dull reflection in contrast with a face to face vision, only makes sense if they are interpreted in the clear sense of the context, as a comparison of our present earthly experience of God now, compared with our experience of God in His kingdom. The only things that will bear any comparison with Heaven, and are the same in Heaven as on earth, are faith, hope and love; our present knowledge is nothing compared to the knowledge of Heaven. Paul said that his partial knowledge was to cease and pass away when the complete came, so it cannot be the canon of Scripture, for we still need all of it until Jesus comes. Those who insist on interpreting, "that which is perfect," as the Scripture canon, end up with a great many contradictions and difficulties, a proof of wrong exposition.

d. Notice how Paul tells the Corinthians after 1Cor.13., to desire spiritual gifts.

Paul does not say that they did not need to bother with spiritual gifts any more because they were soon to finish, he gives them the correct teaching on the gifts, and tells them to seek them for their spiritual welfare. 1Cor.14v1-3,12,18,39. Spiritual gifts profit and built up Christians, they carry on the ministry of Christ, and meet great needs in the body of Christ. 1Cor.12v7,18-31. Both Israel and the Church have always needed God's power, as well as God's truth, to meet the needs placed before them.

e. In 1Cor.13., Paul considers spiritual gifts and the other principal aspects of our experience in relation to love.

Paul speaks of "ALL sacred secrets and ALL knowledge," the ultimate in sacrificial giving, and martyrdom for God's sake, as well as spiritual gifts. The knowledge mentioned is not just supernatural knowledge, it is "all knowledge" and includes Scriptural knowledge. Even divinely inspired truth will be nothing compared with the face to face meeting with God its author. There is no Scripture that gives stronger evidence that spiritual gifts will continue right up to the end of this age, than Paul's statement in 1Cor.13., that spiritual gifts will continue right up to this face to face meeting with God.

2. Spiritual gifts occurred throughout the Old Testament dispensations in periods of revival.

This was usually when there were people willing to receive them and seek God for them. If spiritual gifts were manifested throughout the age of Law, should they not be manifested throughout the age of grace, during which the spirit of God is said to work in greater measure and with greater manifestations, than he did in the age of Law. Heb.8v10-13. 2Cor.3v6-18. The Scriptures tell us that the new covenant was to be more glorious and more full of the Holy Spirit's workings throughout all its duration, than the age of the Law.

There is no Scriptural justification for the statement that signs, wonders and miracles could only be expected at the start of the age of grace. Acts.2v16-21,38,39. To say that we could not expect miracles after the apostles finished their ministries, would mean that the age of grace was less spiritually powerful than the age of Law, a statement the Scripture absolutely refutes. The cause of the lack of spiritual gifts in this age of grace, is the same as it was in the previous age of Law, spiritual apathy, backsliding, low or non-existent faith, and the lack of love for needy mankind. Gideon had the sense to realise that when God was with you, miracles took place. Judges.6v13. The Jews required a sign of spiritual authority from any prophet, they knew that if God commissioned anyone, He gave them the spiritual power and authority to manifest spiritual gifts. 1Cor.1v22. All New Testament ministries, including elders, were expected to manifested spiritual gifts. 1Cor.12v28. James.5v13-19. If God manifested spiritual gifts throughout "the ministration of death," that is, the Law, how much more will He do it during, "the ministration of the Spirit." 2Cor.3v6-11. The New Testament dispensation is promised, and possesses, more gifts from God than the Law, not less. All thirsty believers in Christ can receive the Holy Spirit's power and fullness. Jn.7v37-39.

3. All spiritual gifts must be here if all have not gone.

Those who insist that spiritual gifts and spiritual ministries are not for today, must insist that God has removed them all, not just some, if they are to be consistent. If they believe that spiritual gifts and spiritual ministries are not for today, then they must not pray for divine healing, this is a gift of healing; they must not pray for guidance or illumination upon a problem, this is a word of wisdom; they must not pray for God's anointing upon ministry or for Satan's power to be lifted from people's lives or minds, or for people to be blessed, this is a gift of faith; they must not pray for material needs to be met, this is a working of miracles; they must not pray for a revelation of God to the soul, this is a discerning of spirits; they must not pray for an inspired utterance from God, this is a prophecy; they must not pray for inspired praying, this is the prime use of the gift of tongues.

Those who say that spiritual gifts have ceased, often actually pray for the manifestation of spiritual gifts. Christians who say that spiritual gifts are not for today are really unwilling to seek God for those gifts, they refuse to submit to the experience that God desires to give them. They are not prepared to accept the full Scriptural standard, or the Lordship or wisdom of Christ over these spiritual gifts. Those who reject spiritual gifts completely, would in reality totally remove God's influence from His Church. If God only works through His word today, as some insist, there is no point in the ministries of the Holy Spirit at all. Paul clearly states in 1Cor.12v21., that we cannot say that we have no need of these ministries and gifts, they are all essential, if Christ's body is to function as He intends. It is only difficult for Christians to witness effectively if God's gifts and ministries are missing.

Some would say, "I believe in God's power and influence, but how can you be sure that you will get the Holy Spirit and not some evil spirit?" We answer that true Christians believe the promise of Christ, that they cannot receive any false spirit or gift, if they are seeking God for His gifts and blessing. Indeed, the Scriptures emphatically state that it only by seeking God for His power and gifts that we can be spiritually safe, and successfully resist the Devil, we certainly can't outwit or defeat Satan on our own. Ps.24v3-6. 27v1-14. 42v1-11. 46v10. 62v1,2. Acts.1v14. 2v42. 3v1. 4v29-33. 6v2-4. 8v14-17. 9v11,12. 10v2,9-20. 12v5,12. 13v1-4. etc. Eph.6v10-20. James.4v7-10. 1Pet.5v5-11. etc. Those who refuse to seek God's power for fear of receiving some false spirit, have in reality already been defeated by Satan, and have shown a lack of faith in God's ability to care for His children. Satan kept Israel out of Canaan through fear and unbelief, they could not trust God to look after them. Indeed, the Scriptures reveal that it has always been those who have failed to seek God for His blessing and spiritual gifts, who have been influenced by evil spirits. Heb.3 and 4. Let us see, then:

F. THE DISTINGUISHING CHARACTERISTICS OF GOD'S SPIRIT-FILLED CHILDREN.

a. God's children believe God's promise of blessing for them.

God has given many "exceeding great and precious promises" that tell us that He will give us spiritual blessing and spiritual gifts, those who deny that the miraculous is for today, don't have a Scriptural leg to stand on. All the promises of God are still "yea" and "Amen" in Christ Jesus, and we can still experience God's love, gifts and power today. 2Cor.1v17-20. It is certainly not honest or consistent to believe in a Christianity that has none of the New Testament love, life, and power. Just as the body is dead without the spirit, so is an intellectual Christianity that is devoid of the movings of the Holy Spirit. James.2v26. Christianity is not a doctrinal exercise, it is an experience of God. Those who refuse to accept that spiritual gifts and spiritual ministries are for today, make Christianity an intellectual exercise over God's dealings in the past, instead of a living experience of God and His gifts in the present. God's children should accept God's promises to them, not try to find an excuse for not seeking or receiving them, by wresting the Scriptures.

b. God's children earnestly seek and love God's presence.

Those who have clean hands and pure hearts love to seek God, " this is the generation of them that seek Him," Ps.24v3-6. True Christians, like David, love to wait upon and seek God. Ps.40v1. 62v1,5. Their hearts pant for Him. Ps.42v1-3. The last thing that heretics and apostates want to experience is the overwhelming presence of God, but true Christians long for it. The early Church loved to seek God and spent hours and days doing it. There is a vast difference between a short prayer aimed at the hearers, and the prolonged and earnest seeking of God that we see in the New Testament. False cults may say short prayers, but they will not spend time in prolonged seeking of God, for the evil spirits that influence them, will not allow them to do this. False cults are under the influence of evil spirits, and in Deut.18v9-19., we see that seeking God, and true and full recognition of Christ is diametrically opposite to seeking or pursuing evil spirits. Lev.19v31. 20v6. Is.8v19-20. Prolonged, earnest seeking of God, is an acid test of one's source of inspiration. Heb.11v6. 1Jn.4v1-6.

c. God's children manifest God's character and love in their lives.

Jesus said "by their fruits ye shall know them." Mt.17v15-23. This does not mean the size or growth of a church organisation. True Christianity does not consist of statistics or empty talk, but rather of consecration to God, purity of life, and love of people. Paul warned those of the Corinthians, who were living deplorable lives, that they had no knowledge of God. 1Cor.15v34. It is true that even godly men, like David or Peter, may fail God badly under heavy temptation, but this is totally different from the sinful wallowing in the mire spoken of in 2Pet.2v1-22. Jude.v3-25. and Rev.2v13-16,20-24.. Christian love and purity cannot be truly counterfeited or imitated by Satan's children. Hypocrites may pretend and play-act, but "agape" love is inimitable and incomparable. Christians will not only die for their brethren, but also for their enemies. 1Jn.5v1,2. 2v1-22. Mt.5v43-48.

d. God's children believe the truths in God's Word.

Another acid test of a person's source of inspiration is whether they conform to the fundamental doctrines of Scripture. If a person is moved by the Holy Spirit, their doctrines and practices will be the same as those of the early Church. When a person is taken over by an evil spirit, their doctrine is corrupted and bears no resemblance to New Testament truth. John said that those who are inspired of God believe that Jesus is the promised Messiah, and that He has come in human flesh, whereas those who are inspired by Satan reject this. The Messiah of the Old Testament is "the mighty God," Hebrew, "El Gibbor," an exclusive title of Jehovah. Is.9v6. 10v21. Jer.32v18. He is "God with us." Is.7v14. with Mt.1v23. Many Scriptures state that Jesus is the eternal Creator God of the Old Testament.

A person's source of inspiration is revealed by their attitude to Jesus, those who reject His deity, humanity, atonement, and teaching, are moved by Satan, those who accept them are inspired by God. The personal appropriation of Christ's sacrifice for sin is always the cleavage point between Divine and Satanic doctrine. Rev.12v10-12. We know and rejoice in the experience of redemption by Jesus from the penalty and power of sin. False cults reject the Christian teaching about sin and judgement, and state that personal redemption by Christ's blood is unnecessary. False cults either reject completely the idea of a personal God, or so pervert the idea of God that He is unrecognisable as the Christian's God. Many false prophets address prayers to God and Christ, but they distort the doctrine of Christ, and preach "another Jesus,---and another gospel," and are "accursed." 2Cor.11v3,4. 1Jn.4v1-5,15. 2v11,23. 5v1. Mt.7v15-29. Gal.1v8,9.

e. God's children desire to answer Satan's lying wonders with God's miracles.

How illogical and inconsistent it is to say that the Almighty God no longer does any miracles, and only Satan does miracles today. God is a God that only does wonders, and His children should do the same by His power. Exod.3v20. 15v11. Job.9v10. Ps.77v11,14. 136v4. Is.8v18. Acts.4v22,43. Rom.4v2,3. Heb.2v4. God has not left all the miracle-working to Satan during this age, God has promised miracles throughout this age, and that this age will close with the greatest show of spiritual power the world has ever seen, God's two witnesses have amazing spiritual gifts given to them to answer Satan's lying wonders through the Antichrist. Rev.11v1-12. 2Thes.2v7-12. None of the prophets or apostles vindicated God merely by talk, God confirmed the truth of their words through signs, wonders and miracles.

G. THE FINANCIALLY UNDEMANDING STRUCTURE OF THE EARLY CHURCH MINISTRIES.

The itinerant ministries enjoyed some measure of support from the churches, but they were not directed by the churches, nor were the churches controlled by them. Acts.13v1-4. 16v6,16. Phil.4v10-19. 3Jn.v5-11. In the early churches there was no local church buildings, or centrally governed denomination into which funds were sent, and which kept the preachers of the Gospel with a fixed income. In the Bible we see individual faith in God, not faith in an organisation. Ministers in a modern church organisation can expect some measure of security without trusting and depending on God. Few modern ministers would be prepared to accept the financial insecurity and poverty of Christ and His early Church ministries. Mt.8v19,20. Lk.9v57,58. Acts.3v6. 2Cor.8v9. A sacrificial cross was an essential part of New Testament ministry. Mt.10v38. 16v24. The Lord Jesus chose men who were prepared to trust God over their finances, the idea of a group of Christians building a church building, and supporting their minister, was unknown in the early Church. The pastor-elders of the early Church usually worked and kept themselves, those who had devoted themselves to study and Church responsibilities, and were financially embarrassed as a result, received gifts from the local church, but usually on the level of financial aid given to the poorest in the church. 1Tim.5v17,18. 1Pet.5v1,2. The itinerant ministries also received gifts and hospitality to meet their needs, or like Paul they worked to meet their own essential needs. 1Cor.9v1-19. 2Cor.11v8,9. Phil.4v10-19. The vast majority of the finances collected by the early churches was for the poor, and these collections for the poor are totally different from the disgraceful and corrupt appeals for money that we often see in our day from some so-called Christian ministries. Jn.12v5,6,8. 13v29. Acts.2v44,45. 4v32-37. 2Cor.8v1-9. Rom.16v17,18.

Hatch writes on page 147 and 148 of his Bampton Lectures on "The Organisation of the Early Christian Churches:"

"The funds of the primitive communities had consisted entirely of voluntary offerings. Of these offerings those officers whose circumstances required it were entitled to a share. They received such a share only on the grounds of poverty. They were, so far, in the position of the widows and orphans and helpless poor. Like soldiers in the Roman army, or slaves in a Roman household, they were entitled to a monthly allowance. The amount of that allowance was variable. When the Montanists proposed to pay their clergy a fixed salary the proposal was condemned as a heretical innovation, alien to Catholic practice. (Eusebius H.E.5.18.2.: 5.28.10:) Those who could supplemented their allowances by farming or by trade. There was no sense of incongruity in their doing so. The Apostolical Constitutions repeat with emphasis the apostolic injunction, 'If any man would not work, neither should he eat.' (Const. Apost.2.62. 2Thes.3v10,12. 1Thes.4v11.).Those who could supplemented their allowances by farming or trade. There is no early trace of the later idea that buying and selling, handicraft and farming, were in themselves inconsistent with the office of a Christian minister. The bishops and presbyters of those early days kept banks, practised medicine, wrought as silversmiths, tended sheep, or sold their goods in open market. They were like the non-juring bishops a century and a half ago (about 1730), or like the early preachers of the Wesleyan Methodists. They were men of the world taking part in the ordinary business of life. The point about which the Christian communities were anxious was, not that their officers should cease to trade, but that in this as in other respects, they should be examples to the flock." End of quote.

Hatch continues in his notes at the bottom of page 148, to tell how the leaders of the primitive Church usually worked, he states;- "Among the latter are the case of Spiridion who tended sheep in Cyprus,---of a bishop who was a weaver at Maiuma,---of one who was a shipbuilder in Campania---one who practised in the law courts,---of a presbyter who was a silversmith at Ancyra.--- Basil, Epist.198 (263), vol.4 p.290) speaks of the majority of his clergy as earning their living by sedentary handicrafts, and Epiphanius,---speaks of others doing it in order to earn money for the poor." End of quote.

All Christians are priests in the eyes of God. 1Pet.2v5,9. Rev.1v6. 5v10. 20v6.

The early Church Christian ministry was not looked upon as a priesthood, in the sense of ministers alone having a priestly authority and power. God has made all Christians members of "a royal priesthood," and "kings and priests unto God." When two or three Christians gather together, they make up a church, even if no church ministries are present. There is only one High Priest of Christianity, Jesus Christ our Lord. The early church at Jerusalem shows us that God intended His Church to be a voluntary fellowship of Christians, who are united by love for Christ and one another, and free from priest craft, despotism, or dictatorship.

Authority or Insubordination?

The Scribes and Pharisees challenged both John Baptist and Christ as to the source of their authority, they looked upon them as insubordinate rebels, and divisive trouble makers. The Church of Jesus has always had the same problem, Christ's heaven-sent ministries have always been looked upon as "insubordinate" and "divisive," by people who are determined to preserve their religious power-structure and position. The apostles were insubordinate to men, but obedient to God; the Scribes and Pharisees were obedient to men but insubordinate to God. Dissension always comes between those who seek influence from men, and those who seek authority from heaven. Authority from Heaven is not decided by human opinion, it is proved by Divine gifting and conformity to Biblical teaching and experience. The people who murdered Jesus claimed that they had been given authority from God to kill Him, this false claim to Divine authority has been repeated again and again in Church history, by those who have murdered many dear children of God, who had received a definite authority from God. Indeed, it almost seems impossible not to be called an heretic by men, when you have God's authority, and we should certainly doubt if our calling and ministry is from God, when all men speak well of us. Mt.5v10-12. 23v19-39. Lk.6v26.

CLICK HERE FOR PREVIOUS PAGE....        CLICK HERE FOR NEXT PAGE....