This is God's process, and it does not happen by human effort. We cannot strain to yield. We must let God do the work in us. When we fail, we get up and walk again. When our brother or sister misses the target, we help them to get up and walk again. We restore them. If one walks away from God, we look to God for how to bring them back, but we only do that which He sends us to do. Whatever is not of faith is sin. The only thing that we can bring to this process is submission, and even our submission is a gift of God.

God Has A Way To Come To His Full Maturity, And It Is In The Bible.

At the start, it must be stated that there is no way that you can earn maturity just as there is no way you could have earned your initial salvation. Jesus paid it all. If you refuse to believe in Jesus and receive His salvation, then you will not be born into the family of God. If you aren't born into God's family, there cannot be any maturity or fulfillment. Once you are born again, if you refuse to walk in the Spirit, you will stay a baby in Christ. If you walk in the Spirit, you are simply believing and receiving what Jesus already paid for. You are not earning your way into the Kingdom of God.

God's order for coming to Him will be the way. And that order will be in place 'til we all come to the full completeness of the likeness of Christ. This is the duration. God's order must be in place.

True ministry is the flow of that Anointing from member to member. The ministry is from the Christ in one member to the Christ in the other. It assembles the Body together.

Ephesians 4:11 Till we all come in the unity of the faith, and of the knowledge of the Son of God, to a perfect man, to the measure of the stature of the fulness of Christ:

But how? Through the Church. We Need The Church. This is God's order. These are God 's sent ministries. These are God's called out people walking in God's Spirit.

You may have been dissatisfied with church. You may have known, by the Spirit of God, that something was wrong or phony. Perhaps you stopped attending. Perhaps you knew, by the Spirit and by the Bible, that the Church has a certain order, and that order was not being followed.

Ephesians 3:10 To the intent that now to the principalities and powers in heavenly places might be known by the church the manifold wisdom of God,

This verse is not referring to the man-made Church, but the Church of the Scripture, the called-out ones. God's way. God's order. Many people are surprised at how much of what we call Christian is actually not even in the Bible. It is surprising how much of what the Bible has to say is left out, but God continues to restore. All may come, but God forces Himself on no one.

Just make sure that, when God speaks to you through your conscience, that you don't ignore Him. (some caveats about hearing God's Voice)

God Has Restored Much Of What Is Necessary So That The Church Can Come Into The Fullness. Don't ignore the Spirit of God because of what some men and women are doing that is contrary to the Spirit of God. If you seek God, you will find Him. God will lead you and give you power for righteousness.

God has a method for bringing us to maturity in Him. His plan is that we would be transfigured by the renewing of our minds. For this process, He has given gifts of the Spirit to the members of the Body of Christ, so that there is none that has preeminence. All are necessary. His method is that every member have one or more gifts and that those gifts be the manifestation of God in the earth. Those gifts grow into ministries as they are used. They are used to minister outside the church, but they are the means by which every member ministers to every other member. It is a body ministry.

Ephesians 4:15-16 But speaking the truth in love, may grow up into him [Christ] in all things, which is the head, even Christ: From whom [Christ] the whole body fitly joined together and compacted by that which every joint supplieth, according to the effectual working in the measure of every part, maketh increase of the body to the edifying of itself in love.

Topic: The Church, What Is It and What Is Its Purpose

Romans 8:18-23 For I reckon that the sufferings of this present time are not worthy to be compared with the glory which shall be revealed [Apocalypse, Unveiling] in us. For the earnest expectation of the creature waiteth for the manifestation [Apocalypse, Unveiling] of the sons [huios, mature sons] of God. For the creature was made subject to vanity, not willingly, but by reason of him who hath subjected the same...

Haggai 2:7-9 And I will shake all nations, and the desire of all nations shall come: and I will fill this house with glory, saith the LORD of hosts.  The silver is mine, and the gold is mine, saith the LORD of hosts.  The glory of this latter house shall be greater than of the former, saith the LORD of hosts: and in this place will I give peace, saith...

The Church can come into fullness. Fulfillment will happen God\'s way. Whoever will may come. There are no guarantees for the unfaithful, those not full of faith. God\'s pattern is more than a pattern. It is the very method of bringing us to salvation. God restored all the following: Spiritual rebirth by grace through faith: (read article) Freedom from worldly constraints, forms, rituals, rules, dead works Baptism in water: (read article) Baptism in the Holy...

It is important that we are obedient to the Spirit of God as He reveals the order in the Scripture.  We are learning to hear His Voice and respond to it.  It is also important to note that no one can select his or her own calling or gift.  No one can decide to have an office in the Church or a gift of the Spirit or a certain ministry. ...

As already mentioned, the Body of Christ is Christ the Body.  When we can discern the Body of Christ, it opens a door for us to see more clearly in the realm of the Spirit.  While our fleshly nature thinks that we have a real identity outside of the Body of Christ, this is not reality.  The reality is that our identity is in Christ, specifically, the Body of Christ...

Discerning the Body of Christ is righteousness. \"Now therefore ye are no more strangers and foreigners, but fellow citizens with the saints, and of the household of God; And are built upon the foundation of the apostles and prophets, Jesus Christ himself being the chief corner stone; In whom all the building fitly framed together groweth to a holy temple in the Lord: In whom ye also are builded together...

Many are captive to the religious systems of this age. About half of all Christian churches teach more liberalism than they teach the gospel of Jesus Christ. Many who teach the gospel of Jesus Christ are intent on proving that they have the completeness. The word, "peace," in Jeremiah 6:14, means "completeness." It is the Hebrew word, "Shalom," which is used for "hello" and "goodbye" but means "completeness."  Note also that they...

Teachings of Scriptural Christianity Biblical Christianity\'s Teachings on God: The Only God is triune, Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. He is all-powerful, all-knowing, everywhere-present, and has always existed. No person can find purpose or meaning in life or be fulfilled outside of a relationship with God. God is love and wants a personal relationship with every person. Biblical Christianity Teachings on the Perfect Creation: God created the universe and everything in it,...

Now concerning spiritual gifts [lit. spirituals], brethren, I would not have you ignorant. Ye know that ye were Gentiles, carried away to these dumb [incapable of speaking] idols, even as ye were led. So God speaks. (some caveats about hearing God\'s Voice) Wherefore I give you to understand, that no man speaking by the Spirit of God calleth Jesus accursed: and that no man can say that Jesus is the Lord, but...

The purpose of this page is to set aside some of the definitions of the word, church. When the Bible is speaking of the Church, it is not speaking of a building. When the Bible is speaking of the Church, it is not speaking of an organization or a denomination. When the Bible is speaking of the Church, it is not speaking of the people. When the Bible is speaking of the Church, it is not speaking of the...

What are the Scriptural Christianity Teachings? What is the good news (gospel) and why should I care? What was the price that was paid so that I could be forgiven? Did Christ Both Die And Rise From The Dead? What Will Be The Last Enemy To Be Defeated? Why did Jesus really pay such a price? Are all who call themselves Christians free from religious systems of this age? How great is God's love? How does the...

1 Timothy 1:3 As I besought thee to abide still at Ephesus, when I went into Macedonia, that thou mightest charge some that they teach no other doctrine 1 Timothy 6:3. If anyone teaches a different doctrine, and doesn't consent to sound words, the words of our Lord Jesus... Ephesians 3:5 Which in other generations was not made known to the which in other generations was not made known to the children of...

  2 Corinthians 11:13 and Revelation 2:2 speak of false apostles.   Acts 13:6, 2 Peter 2:1, Mark 13:22, Mathew 24:24, Mathew 24:11, Luke 6:26, Isaiah 44:25, Jeremiah 50:36, Jeremiah 23:16, Jeremiah 23:21, and many other Scriptures speak of false prophets.   Acts 20:29, 2 Peter 2:1, 2 Peter 2:12, and Matthew 7:15 speak of false teachers.   Ezekiel 34:2-10, Ezekiel 34:17-22, and John 10:12-13 speak of...

The Five-Fold Ministry or 5-fold ministry has become a popular subject in some circles, although the major revelation concerning this subject was unveiled by the Spirit of God about the middle of the twentieth century.  Many of the newer human interpretations of this Divine revelation have modified the Truth to allow some people to cater to considerations of money, power, pleasure, and prestige.  The original revelation concerning apostles, prophets, evangelists,...

God has a method for bringing us to maturity in Him. His plan is that we would be transfigured by the renewing of our minds. For this process, He has given gifts of the Spirit to the members of the Body of Christ, so that there is none that has preeminence. All are necessary. His method is that every member have one or more gifts and that those gifts be...

Search The Scripture And You Will Find That It Says A Lot About Apostles--and They Are For Today, Not Just The Past. An apostle must be set by God.  No one can appoint himself to the office of the apostle.  It is NOT an office that glorifies the individual now, any more than it was in the early days of the Church.  There is no such thing as a maverick apostle or a chief...

God has a pattern for the Church, and that pattern is in Scripture.  His pattern is important to Him....

There Is Only One Scriptural Church Government Order.  There Are Many Man-engineered Orders For Church Government.  Scriptural Church Order: There is only one order defined in Scripture for the Church.  That order of authority is the Spiritual order.  It is the order of the Holy Spirit.  In the Kingdom of the Heavens, when it fully comes, this Spiritual order will become the order of the government of the entire earth. ...

The Bible doesn\'t really say much about pastors (as a noun).  It talks about elders (plural) who are to pastor (a verb meaning to care for as a shepherd cares for sheep) the local church members.  Pastors (as a noun) are only mentioned among the five traveling ministries/offices in Ephesians 11.  Something happened during the dark ages to destroy the order of the church.  New ideas were introduced by people...

God's Way is not a smorgasbord from which the Christian may pick and choose.  For each person, God pulls back the veil of the flesh so the person can see some element of the Kingdom of God.  The person either receives the revelation or not.  We are all on the road somewhere.  Many are stuck in a rut because they continually reject what God has revealed to them.   Many rejected...

The apostolic age is an assumption that support the theological position that miracles, tongues, the power of God, apostles, prophets, the gifts of the Spirit, the leading of God\'s Spirit, and many other things are no longer available to the church. Duration: Ephesians 4:11-13 The apostles will be here until we all come to the unity of the faith and of the knowledge of the Son of God to a perfect man...

The Church has many functions, but it has two main purposes: The purpose to assure that the called are born into God's family. The purpose to assure that the born grow up to Christ's fullness. Romans 8:28-29...

What are the strengths and weaknesses of the Church?   The strengths of the Church are:   Obedience to God through the power of the Holy Spirit.     And understanding of Scripture through the power of the Holy Spirit.     The orders of the church as God has laid them out in Scripture.     Hope in the promises of Scripture.   The weakness of the Church are:   Disobedience, ungodliness, and...

It seems as if the Scriptural order of the Church is widely rejected by religious people.  There are several reasons. First, any precept of God is spiritual in nature.  Spiritual things must be revealed.  They are not reasoned out.  Even the Scripture says that spiritual things must be spiritually discerned.  How can someone walk according to something they can't understand.  Every Christian should be in constant prayer for God's continual unfolding revelation.  There are things that...

Scripture defines the Church and its purpose. It is the Bride of Christ, but God\'s purpose is that it become totally clean and without defect first. God\'s purpose is for total unity in the Church. God\'s purpose is the the Church is the Kingdom of God. It is the final holy temple of God. Without the Church that is built according to the pattern, you will never find fulfillment. To...

Great Babylon of the Apocalypse is the confusion of voices. It is the divided church, squabbling, making merchandise of the saints and of religion. It is the divisional denominational system that has the unbelievers so mixed up that they wonder who they should believe. Babylon has come into existence from man-made forms, rituals, and governments--church orders that in no way reflect the orders that are established in Scripture. How many 1...

Romans 8:28-29 The purpose is that those who have been born are conformed to the image of Jesus Christ. Research indicates that many are leaving the traditional churches because those churches are not meeting this need. No amount of human effort could make it happen, but God has a plan. God has a method. God has a way. God has a pattern for everything and His pattern is the only way.  Hebrews...

God's Way is not a smorgasbord from which the Christian may pick and choose.  For each person, God pulls back the veil of the flesh so the person can see some element of the Kingdom of God.  The person either receives the revelation or not.  We are all on the road somewhere.  Many are stuck in a rut because they continually reject what God has revealed to them....

Jesus prayed a prayer in John 17: 21, and that prayer will be answered in the affirmative. Jesus didn't pray a foolish or unacceptable prayer in John 17:21. All His prayers will be fulfilled. The one prayer in which He prayed, "Not my will but Thine be done... " was his prayer for release from the cup, and that was probably prayed more for our sakes than His, showing that the...

God is not so much concerned with numbers of members in a church.  He is concerned with your growth.  God has given the church what is needed to make this growth take place, but much of the church is taken up with the money, power, and prestige or religion, so they don't listen to God's voice. 1 Corinthians 12:28 And God hath set some in the church, first apostles, secondarily prophets, thirdly...

Our walk is a walk of submission, because God created us to be joined to Him in a mighty relationship of His soveriegn love and our submission to His love.  God is love.  He leads, we acknowledge Him, so faith comes opening the door to His free gift (grace) of righteousness, which is His love.  His love, the free gift of righteousness, does righteousness through us.  By degrees, our eyes...

The Greek word for church, Ekklesia, literally means \"called out or summoned, assembled with a purpose.\"  The disorders in Jesus\' church will fall away, disorders that have been introduced by human ideas.  These human-generated disorders will be replaced by the orders of God, which are the orders of Scripture.  Then, we will find that, just as the Bible says, the church is the very method by which we come into complete...

As with the home, God has an order for the Church, and that order is in the Scripture.  There may be more that needs to be revealed from Scripture, but some things appear to be quite easily understood in the light that God has given today.  We believe that the Holy Scriptures teach:   The 5 apostolic ministries(Ephesians 4:11)   The nine gifts of the Spirit (1 Corinthians 12:8-10)   Local congregations...

And are built upon the foundation of the apostles and prophets, Jesus Christ himself being the chief corner stone;   Ephesians 2:20 Jesus Christ is the foundation of the Church.  There can never be any other foundation.  And we must be careful how we build because our work will be tested by fire.  The apostles are built on the foundation of Jesus.  So many organizations have creative little ways to define their doctrines, but...

Unity is righteousness. God\'s Way: apostles; prophets; evangelists; pastors teachers equipping the believers for the work of ministry, which is for building of the body of Christ UNTIL... And he gave some, apostles; and some, prophets; and some, evangelists; and some, pastors and teachers;  For the perfecting (equipping) of the saints, for the work of the ministry, for the edifying of the body of Christ: Till (Until) we all come in...

Can these be counterfeited? Yes.  Every gift of God can be and is counterfeited by the human mind and by powers and principalities.  Even salvation itself is counterfeited.  Worship is counterfeited.  The Bible is counterfeited with false translations.  Ministries are counterfeited.  Healing is counterfeited.  Miracles are counterfeited.  Prophecy is counterfeited.  Tongues are counterfeited.  And, of course, apostles, prophets, evangelists, pastors, and teachers are counterfeited.  This makes the real no less real, but, in...

\"A horrible and shocking thing has happened in the land: The prophets prophesy lies, the priests rule by their own authority, and my people love it this way. They dress the wound of my people as though it were not serious. \'Peace, peace,\' they say, when there is no peace.\" Jeremiah 5:30-31, 6:14. It\'s notable that the word that is translated \"peace\" in this verse is the word, Shalom. Shalom...

If They Are Forbidden From The Spirit, They Will Partake Of Flesh. People are starved for reality, for real contact with God and real power for righteousness by the Spirit of God. Some well-meaning pastors and teachers try to protect their flock from any further experience in God. They insist that the theoretical and the intellectual experience is all that is needed. The people of God are literally starving to death...

In some cases, people are being taught that only certain parts of the Bible are valid. What is considered valid or not valid can vary widely across organizations. Some organizations want to get rid of the creation account and what the Bible says about the age of the Earth. Some want to get rid of apostles, prophets, and gifts of the Spirit. Others want to get rid of speaking in...

Humanistic Speculations Whether a member of the New Age, the Humanist movement, the Intellectualism movement, the Agnostic movement, the Atheist movement, or whatever the movement (we\'re referring to ungodly anti-Christ movements), an incredible thing seems to happen almost every time the ungodly express themselves. They first assert that they stick to facts, then they smoothly transition to a fictional story, and then they insist that the story is a fact....

So what is the meaning of life? You were designed and made for better than what you have been experiencing. You probably know intuitively that we are living far below what God has planned for us. You were designed and made for glory, to have the power of the Spirit of God flowing through you. Your spirit was made to be joined to the Spirit of God. Your mind, your...

When we think seriously of our individual relationship with Jesus, it might seem like this is such an individual walk that there is no need for the church.  That is not the case in any way.  The church is a vital part of the walk.  We quickly come to the point where the Holy Spirit puts the church on our hearts.  We can see the mighty opposition of all Satan's...

2 Corinthians 10:18 tells us that an apostle must be an apostle by more than just his own commendation and appointment. Acts 6:1-7 records the setting of a number of deacons to help the apostles. Galatians 2:8-9, Acts 9:26-30, and Acts 13:1-2 show that the apostles were on guard against false apostles, but Peter, James, and John discerned the call on Paul and a door opened so...

Question:     My question is this. Our church is beginning to tolerate just about anything. Our Pastor is wanting our board (deacons) to only have the duty of financial matters. He wants all other responsibilities himself. He wants to leave scriptures out of our by-laws that relate to dealing with sin in the congregation. He has a young man at this moment sitting out of our praise and worship team...

Question: What is the church? How it should be governed. what kind of worship is most pleasing God? Describe the different answers given in the 17th century church of England to these questions. what was the outcome of these controversies? What challenges to traditional theology were experienced in the 17th century and 18th century? and what effects could be seen in the life of the Christian church? what was the usual...

Even in the early church, there were false apostles. Notice that the counterfeit did not make the genuine any less genuine.  And there are false apostles today, but the counterfeit does not make the genuine any less genuine.  This is written because some use the false apostles as an excuse for man-made church orders that cannot be found in the Bible. 2Corinthians 11:13 For such are false apostles, deceitful workers, transforming...

I heard a Christian say that she is trying to practice random kindness and senseless acts of beauty. I realized that God isn\'t random or senseless. He doesn\'t need our ideas. He is full of ideas. He doesn\'t want us to use our imaginations to come up with a vision out of our own hearts. He wants us to see a heavenly vision that starts and ends with Him. With these...

There was a man who got a job as pastor in a medium-sized church.  The man had a vision for the big city near his church, so he said.  He generated a lot of support for his vision among pastors of other small churches and became a bit of a folk hero among them.  He spoke with lots of passion.  In these circles, various winds of doctrine would sweep through...

There was a Christian radio personality who used his position on the airwaves to preach against any modern-day apostles. The word, apostle, means \"one sent.\" In other words, he was preaching against any who seem to be sent by God. He claimed that anyone who does not believe what he believes (and a lot of what he believes is very speculative) does not have the Spirit of God. He claimed...

Galatians 2:2 And I went up by revelation [Apokalupsis: removal of a covering or veil] , and communicated to them that gospel which I preach among the Gentiles, but privately to them which were of reputation, lest by any means I should run, or had run, in vain. Apocalypse (two Greek words, apokalupsis, and apokalupto meaning approximately the same thing) Literally, it means the removal of a covering or a veil....

God\'s way has the Scriptural structure and order and a sure foundation. God is a God of order. He has an opinion on everything, including how the foundation of His Church will be laid. No man can send himself to this work. 2 Timothy 2:19 Nevertheless the foundation of God standeth sure, having this seal, The Lord knoweth them that are his. And, Let every one that nameth the name of...

Is God All Powerful? Is God Omnipotent? Genesis 18:14 Is any thing too hard for the LORD? At the time appointed I will return to thee, according to the time of life, and Sarah shall have a son. Luke 18:27 And he said, The things which are impossible with men are possible with God. Revelation 19:6 And I heard as it were the voice of a great multitude, and as the voice of...

Under the order of local elders and deacons according to the Scriptural pattern, we no longer have the useless overhead of massive salaries and building costs. We are able to give two thirds of the tithe money for mission work and care of the poor throughout the world. Most of the money the we use locally is available to help those who are in need. Very little goes for overhead...

Notice that the anointing of oil is reserved for the elders of the church. The elder is also a bishop. This order was changed by men after the order had been established by God. Interestingly, there is no mention ever of a single elder or bishop in a local church. There is no mention of a chief elder. There is no mention of a locally abiding pastor, although the elders...

I have a question about James chapter 5 verses 13 and 14. In verse 13 we are told that if we are afflicted to pray and if we are merry to sing psalms. However, in verse 14, instead of praying for ourselves when we are sick, we are told to call on the elders.   In 13 we do the praying and rejoicing ourselves, but not in 14.   Why does it...

Mt 16:18 And I say also to thee, That thou art Peter, and upon this rock I will build my church; and the gates of hell shall not prevail against it. Mt 18:17 And if he shall neglect to hear them, tell it to the church: but if he neglect to hear the church, let him be to thee as an heathen man and a publican. Ac 2:47 Praising God, and having...

Don\'t Miss The first step The Church can come into fullness. Fulfillment will happen God\'s way. Whoever will may come. There are no guarantees for the unfaithful, those not walking in the Spirit by grace through faith. God\'s pattern is more than a pattern. It is the very method of bringing us to salvation.   God restored all the following: Spiritual rebirth by grace through faith: (read article) Freedom from worldly constraints, forms, rituals, rules,...

To many, it seems that the church is not fulfilling its purpose.  The reason Christians are leaving many church organizations is because there is no scriptural way provided by which they may grow to the measure of the stature of the fullness of Christ, which is spoken of in the Scripture. Yet, the Bible plainly lays out the way.  The churches, in many cases, prefer man-made ways to the Bible.  That means that...

Have you considered that your life has a purpose and God knows it and wants to reveal your purpose to you? Do you know your purpose in life?  Are you happy, fully satisfied and completely fulfilled... or do you want something more?  If you continue to think as you have always thought, then you will continue to get what you have always got.  Is it enough?  You can find out...

God so loved the world, that is the cosmos, the universe and its order, that He gave His unique Son so that whoever believes into Him should not die but should have the life of the coming age, an uncreated life that does not end. And how do we believe into Him? It is \"into\" in the original language. Well, who is Christ?  Christ is the Head of the Body in...

For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life. John 3:16 God loved you (put your name in here) so much that he gave His only unique Son so that if you (put your name in here) believe in Him, you won\'t die, but you will have a Aionial life. This is a specific kind...

Jesus said, "You must be born again."  Nicodemus didn't have a clue what Jesus meant.  He asked, 'How can I be born again?"  It's a great question.  The answer is, "you must believe in Jesus for deliverance from your sins."  Being born again is getting started on the road to spiritual success.  Once you get started, hopefully, you take ground, hold the ground, and go on to total victory. ...

Question: I have been a member of a denominational church for about 19 years. How can I introduce foundational truth about the Five Fold Gifting to the house and still be submitted to my Pastor? I am sold out for God and I do not want Him to say to that I did not do as he has commanded me to do. Now I know that my commission is great. I...

1 Corinthians 13:1 \"Though I speak with the tongues of men and of angels, and have not charity [agape love], I am become as sounding brass, or a tinkling cymbal.\" 1 Corinthians 13:5 \"[agape love] Doth not behave itself unseemly\" Romans 5:5 \"And hope maketh not ashamed; because the love of God is shed abroad in our hearts by the Holy Ghost which is given to us.\" Hope is...

The apostles and the 5-Fold Ministry, What a concept. Do apostles and the 5-Fold Ministry exist in the Bible? As you will see, apostles and the 5-Fold Ministry do indeed exist in the Bible. There are those who would like to ignore apostles and the 5-Fold Ministry. Can we pick and choose those parts of the Bible that we want and leave the rest, sort of like a cafeteria Christian? There...