A Weekly World Wide Word of Encouragement to those in the Ministry
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A WEEKLY ‘WWW (world-wide word) OF ENCOURAGEMENT’
TO THOSE IN MINISTRY
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Issue No: 820 Published: 17 Jul 2017
WHOSE CHURCH IS IT ANYWAY? Part 6
THE POST APOSTOLIC CHURCH
We have been able to follow the development of the early church through the writings recorded in the Epistles. We have seen that informal groups of believers grew rapidly, relying upon the leading of the Holy Spirit, and the operation of spiritual gifts.....
4 There are different kinds of gifts, but the same Spirit. 5 There are different kinds of service, but the same Lord. 6 There are different kinds of working, but the same God works all of them in all men. 7 Now to each one the manifestation of the Spirit is given for the common good. 8 To one there is given through the Spirit the message of wisdom, to another the message of knowledge by means of the same Spirit, 9 to another faith by the same Spirit, to another gifts of healing by that one Spirit, 10 to another miraculous powers, to another prophecy, to another distinguishing between spirits, to another speaking in different kinds of tongues, and to still another the interpretation of tongues. 11 All these are the work of one and the same Spirit, and he gives them to each one, just as he determines. (1 Corinthians 12:4-11)
'Ministry' (meaning servanthood) was regarded as a function, as a role, not a formal position, enabled by the Holy Spirit to train the people to do the work of the body of Christ - in unity!
11 It was he who gave some to be apostles, some to be prophets, some to be evangelists, and some to be pastors and teachers, 12 to prepare God’s people for works of service, so that the body of Christ may be built up 13 until we all reach unity in the faith and in the knowledge of the Son of God and become mature, attaining to the whole measure of the fullness of Christ. (Ephesians 4:11-13)
Traditional teaching (including mine), has taught that the 'church' (we will look at its meaning and origin at a later time), gradually lost these spiritual giftings and guidance, becoming fully formalized and organised through the time Roman Emperor Constantine's conversion around 312AD, and the subsequent development of the formal Roman Catholic Church.
While, to a large extent, this was true for the majority of the church, we will see that the Lord always maintained a spiritual light amongst a portion of His people, even during the spiritually dead Dark Ages, through to today.
A summary of the traditional teaching, drawn from my book EAGLES FLY HIGH! p41 follows.....
c.100 Death of the last of the Apostles, John. Authority and unity of ‘apostleship’ disappeared.
THE DECLINE OF THE CHURCH:
130 Laying on of hands becomes a formal ritual.
140 Ministry of the prophets vanishes.
150 Gifts of the Spirit are disappearing entirely.
160 Plurality of eldership fades away.
180 Local church autonomy diminishes as churches start to come under the control of Rome.
187 First infant baptism and sprinkling. Form over substance.
200 Ritual becoming the norm as the church had form but had lost its power. Water baptism in the name of the Lord Jesus Christ denied, largely through Pope Stephen.
210 Doctrine of the priesthood of all believers rejected as a class of clerics developed.
225 Church membership became based on a creed rather than salvation.
240 Holiness disappeared and worldliness infiltrated the church.
350 Roman Emperor Constantine made Christianity the state religion. Salvation by faith not required for membership, with many ‘heathen’ being forced to accept Christianity by the sword.
380 Rome became the final authority in church matters.
We will now discover that there has always been a remnant who, to a large extent, has followed the Holy Spirit led principles of the early church .
This has been a voyage of discovery for me, and I trust it will be for you too. We will then be able to proclaim the truth of our conclusion that, even during the darkest times of the church's history.
(Continued next week)
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FROM THE WORD
THE WORDS OF JESUS
May we hear what the Lord is saying to us.
Jesus Teaches Against Greed (Luke 12:13-21)
And to the crowd, including a man who asked about sharing an inheritance.
“My friend,” “Who appointed me as your judge to decide how your inheritance should be divided?” “Watch out, and beware of all greedy thoughts and actions, for a person’s life isn’t summed up by how many possessions they have.”
Using the example of the Parable of the Rich Fool.
“Once there was a rich man who owned land that was very productive. The man said to himself, ‘What shall I do? I’ve nowhere to store my crops?’ ‘I know what I’ll do,” he decided. “I’ll pull down my barns and build bigger ones, and then I’ll be able to store all my crops and everything I own. Then I’ll tell myself, ‘You have enough to live on for many years, so take life easy: eat, drink, and enjoy yourself!’ But God said to him, ‘You foolish man! Your life will be demanded back this very night, and then who will get everything you’ve stored up?’ This is what happens to people who hoard up wealth for themselves but are not rich as far as God is concerned.”
We are Not to Worry (Luke 12:22-34)
Speaking to the disciples.
“That’s why I tell you don’t worry about life, about what to eat, or about what clothes you should wear. Life is about more than food, and the body is about more than wearing clothes. Look at the ravens. They don’t sow or reap, they don’t have any storerooms or barns, but God feeds them. And you’re far more valuable than birds! Can you add an hour to your life by worrying about it? If you can’t do anything about such small things, why worry about the rest? Think of the lilies and how they grow. They don’t work, and they don’t spin thread for clothes, but I tell you, not even Solomon in all his glory was as beautifully dressed as one of them.
“So if God clothes the fields with such beautiful flowers, which are here today but gone tomorrow when they are burned in a fire to heat an oven, how much more will God clothe you, you who have so little trust!
Don’t be concerned about what you’re going to eat or drink—don’t worry about it. These are all the things that people in the world worry about, but your Father knows you need them. Search for God’s kingdom, and you’ll be given these things as well. Don’t be afraid, little flock, for your Father is happy to give you the kingdom. Sell what you have, and give the money to the poor. Get yourselves purses that don’t wear out: treasure in heaven that will never run out, where no thief can steal it and no moth can destroy it. For your heart will be wherever your treasure is.
You can download the complete 'Words of Jesus' here.
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9 BOOKS are now available on Amazon (Kindle)!
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Your support would be appreciated and they could well change your life!
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BOOK OF THE WEEK
AND THE GREATEST OF THESE IS LOVE:
THE CENTRAL FOCUS OF THE TEACHING OF JESUS
The answer is actually very simple in principle, if not so simple to activate! For the answer is found in one word - LOVE…..
13 So now faith, hope, and love abide, these three; but the greatest of these is love. (1 Corinthians 13:13)
But what is Godly love?
Let us find out.
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'THE WORDS OF JESUS' REMAIN AVAILABLE FOR PDF DOWNLOAD
Join the many who have downloaded the 'The Words of Jesus'. I am sure you will be blessed by it, as I have been.
One key element here is the setting out in chronological order (as far as it is possible to do so) our Lord's words drawn from all the Gospels, and the elimination of repetition between Gospels.
You may be surprised by the different perspective this presentation gives you both in understanding of His life and ministry, and in achieving a closer relationship with Him.
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DAVID'S DOODLINGS
CHARACTER
1110. Love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control are the fruit of the 'Character Tree'.
1111. Sin decreases as character builds.
1112. Sin is overcome by a godly character.
1113. Character and sin are mutually exclusive. The more we have of the one the less we have of the other.
1114. The best protection against sin is the development of a godly character.
1233. Godly character can only be developed through a submissive heart.
1234. The less of us in us, the more room in us for God!
1235. As we give our character to God, so He builds His character in us.
1236. Submission to God's will removes an 'o', transforming 'good' character into 'God' character!
1237. To receive God's character we need to give away our own!
1238. Our character is often more known by others than understood by ourselves.
1239. A godly character must be inherited from God. It cannot be developed in our own strength.
1108. Believers believe in God, while disciples build a godly character.
Please feel free to quote these quotes. Acknowledgement of David Tait as the author would be appreciated. There are now over 1300 David sayings for you to view at ...
CARTOONS FROM TOON FEVER
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TUESDAY TEACHINGS
THIS WEEK: A REVELATION OF... THE POWER OF THREE IN GOD AND THE CHURCH
In walking further with Jesus, I increasingly appreciate that this particular revelation of 'threes in God' has been hugely important in developing my understanding of God and how He works both in the church and in our lives.
It matters not whether you are a 'oneness', 'twoness', or 'trinitarian' believer. The concept still applies.
If you can grasp this simple, yet profound concept, I'm sure it will open up new realms of understanding for you too about God and His plans for His people in these end days.
Next week's teaching is an introduction. It will be followed in coming weeks by examples of this principle's application to the church and us as individuals.
Let's start, shall we.
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LAUGHING AT OURSELVES
***Blessed are those who can laugh at themselves for they shall never cease to be amused***
*** Those who can't laugh at themselves leave the job to others. ***
22. Heavenly Guidance
A boy was watching his father, a pastor, write his sermon. "How do you know what to say?" he asked.
"Why, God tells me."
"Oh, then why do you keep crossing things out?"
QWIK QWIP: “WARNING: “Exposure to the Son may prevent burning.”
23. The Flight To Egypt
A Sunday School teacher ask her class to draw a picture of their favourite Bible story.
All were beautiful, deep but understandable until she came to Johnny. For Johnny’s picture showed four people on an aeroplane.
"What’s that? she asked. "Oh, the flight to Egypt," Johnny replied.
"I see…. And that must be Mary, Joseph and the baby Jesus," she said. "But who’s the fourth person?"
"Oh, that’s Pontius – the Pilot!"
24. Still More Church Bulletin Bloopers
*** The Pastor will preach his farewell message, after which the choir will sing, "Break Forth Into Joy."
*** A songfest was hell at the Methodist Church on Wednesday.
*** Next Sunday Mrs Vinson will be the soloist for the morning service. The pastor will then speak on "It’s a Terrible Experience."
*** Due to the Rector’s illness, Wednesday’s healing service will be cancelled until further notice.
*** Stewardship Offertory: "Jesus Paid It All."
FACTS FOR FUN
LAST WEEKS QUESTION: Why isn't Puerto Rico on the list of countries?
ANSWER: ANSWER: Puerto Rico is not a nation because it is a commonwealth associated with the United States. Technically it's an American territory, not an independent nation. (Suffer split personalities?)
THIS WEEK'S QUESTION: What invention has resulted in less sleep times for humans?
SOME FUN FACTS
23. Swan Lake
A young swan is called a "cygnet". (Identified upon marriage by a ‘cygnet ring?’)
24. Puffing People
The world’s largest Employer is the Indian Railways, employing over one million people. (Yet it works well – most of the time.)
25. Inflation
In 1920, the average check at a diner was 28 cents. (The ‘average diner’ must have been on a diet!)
A WORD PUZZLE FOR YOU
Make another word from this word using all the letters.
PULPER
Answer at the end of A David Musing
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PAUL
13: What was Paul's trade?
a. Metal worker
b. Tent maker
c. Builder
d. Fisherman
Source: http://biblequizzes.org.uk
Answer at the end of A DAVID MUSING
IF ONLY I'D THOUGHT OF IT!
"""OTHER'S SAYINGS TO ENLIGHTEN, AMUSE, OR BEMUSE"""
STILL MORE THOUGHTS
1] Prayer is not a 'spare wheel' that you pull out when in trouble, but it is a 'steering wheel' that directs the right path throughout.
2] So a Car's Wind Shield is so large & the Rear view Mirror is so small ? Because our PAST is not as important as our FUTURE. So, Look Ahead and Move on.
3] Friendship is like a BOOK. It takes few seconds to burn, but it takes years to write.
4] All things in life are temporary. If going well, enjoy it, they will not last forever. If going wrong, don't worry, they can't last long either.
5] Old Friends are Gold! New Friends are Diamond! If you get a Diamond, don't forget the Gold! Because to hold a Diamond, you always need a Base of Gold!
6] Often when we lose hope and think this is the end, GOD smiles from above and says, 'Relax, sweetheart, it's just a bend, not the end!
7] When GOD solves your problems, you have faith in HIS abilities; when GOD doesn't solve your problems HE has faith in your abilities.
8] A blind person asked God : 'Can there be anything worse than losing eye sight?' He replied: 'Yes, losing your vision!'
9] When you pray for others, God listens to you and blesses them, and sometimes, when you are safe and happy, remember that someone has prayed for you.
10] WORRYING does not take away tomorrow's TROUBLES, it takes away today's PEACE.
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A REVELATION OF..... THE 3 PRIESTHOODS
As God is pure and we are not, He can only be approached through a mediator, a priest.
This study is about the establishment and development of the priesthood from the earliest of times until today.
I trust that we will all grasp the essence and magnificence of God's perfect plan for each one who believes back into relationship with Him.
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WAXING LYRICAL
When you suffer from lack of inspiration, real rubbish comes out!
NON-SENSE
My inspiration has gone,
Mind isn't switched on.
Oh dear, what shall I do,
Just haven't got a clue!
So a witty ditty I ought to write
In the hope all will be alright,
For you to entertain if not inform,
The purpose for which I was born?
But to entertain one must have a wit,
If one's not to become a total twit,
For from wit to twit is a very, very, very small jump,
A 't' for Tait or 't' for tea - just a tiny wee bump.
It's easy to write nonsense you see,
Likely send us both up the tree,
The view from the top is an amazing sight to behold,
If to climb back down to earth, we are not too old.
Well, this dribble has gone on long enough,
For I know you are made of sterner stuff.
You would not bother to waste your ink,
On verse that really is, simply stink.
Stuck in the tree,
That, you can see,
Of my own volition,
While on a mission.
More of David's 'poetry' here.....
A DAVID MUSING
I n Africa! Back next week as we get a little organisd!
Until next week.......
MAY GOD BLESS YOU AND YOU BLESS GOD.
His servant and yours
David Tait
Today's 'Word Puzzle' Answer: PURPLE (For royalty. Spiritually represents God the Father.)
TODAY'S 'BIBLE QUESTIONS' ANSWER: b. Tent maker (Acts 18:3)
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ABOUT US
WALKING WITH JESUS MINISTRIES is a non-profit, non-denominational, Bible based ministry located in Hastings, New Zealand. A ministry dedicated to developing discipleship, fostering unity amongst God's people to achieve the Great Commission, and in doing so, preparing for Christ's return. It is securely based upon the foundational principles of the Apostles Creed while recognising the wide and rich diversity of beliefs amongst Christians in other areas. In accordance with the Lord's direction, materials produced by the ministry are available, free of charge, to genuine enquirers upon request. The ministry is solely funded by donations, as the Lord provides. A list of materials available (plus some fun!) is obtainable and freely downloadable from our websitewwj.org.nz or by contacting us as follows.
Walking With Jesus Ministries
7 Bull Street
Ahuriri
Napier
New Zealand
Phone: (06) 835 0567 International (+64) 6 835 0567
Email: enquiries@wwj.org.nz
Web: wwj.org.nz
Our role is to bless and encourage those in ministry while promoting co-operation and unity of direction amongst the body of Christ, as emphasised 3 times by Jesus in His longest prayer, immediately prior to His arrest and crucifixion. "... so that they may be one as we are one." (John 17:12, 21, 23-4) Our website is currently being developed to encourage your participation one with another, to share resources, and to enable you to promote events and items of interest to the body as a whole - and have a smile while doing it!
For comments upon and contributions to this service, please contact
david@wwj.org.nz