19“In accordance with the working of the strength of His might 20 … He (Father God) brought about in Christ, when He raised Him from the dead and seated Him at His right hand in the heavenly places, 21 far above all rule and authority and power and dominion, and every name that is named, not only in this age but also in the one to come. 22 And He put all things in subjection under His feet, and gave
This is a brief essay on a passage in Paul’s letter to the Ephesians. My “bottom line” flies in the face of a current tendency in much of the professing Church in western nations, including most of the so called “Ekklesia” movements. That tendency is to shun the reality and necessity of authentic spiritual leadership.[1] To be clear, by “authentic spiritual leadership” ministries I am NOT referring to those who have well-known, large, and popular, “successful” ministries. Nor am I
In Search of New Covenant Worship in Spirit & Truth In his book, “Custom and Command”[1], Stan Firth’s stated purpose was this: “All I am trying to do in this book is to encourage dear friends in the unstructured churches that they are well within God’s framework in the way they are moving; and to re-assure dear friends in the ‘structured’ churches that those of us who have ‘gone unstructured’ have not gone off the rails, as they may have
The Church (Ekklesia) In the Wilderness (Acts 7:38) “But what did you go out into the wilderness to see?” (Matthew 11:7) God has a purpose in the wilderness. He wants His people to SEE “Something Better”.[1] People see what they want to see usually quail.[2] “But what did you go out into the wilderness to see?” Our father of faith “obeyed to GO OUT as a sojourner in the land of promise”.[3] It takes faith to see
Preface In this teaching, “Breaking of Bread”, I attempt to elucidate what the term means and what it is referring to by discussing its Hebrew origins and its connection with the Old Covenant Meal – The Passover Meal, as well as its Christian usage and its connections with The New Covenant Meal – The Lord’s Supper. Both of these meals are examples of “Breaking Bread” – essentially an Agape Meal to Celebrate Life. The Old Covenant Meal ~ The Passover
“For we are God’s co-workers; you are God’s field, God’s building.” 1 Corinthians 3:9 ******* This essay is about “tearing down” and “building up” the people of God – “God’s field” or “God’s building”. There are plenty of scripture references which speak about exposing error.[1] This essay is NOT questioning IF we should expose error. It is questioning HOW MUCH TIME AND EFFORT we should spend tearing down and exposing error? What should be THE PRIMARY FOCUS of ministry? *******
“For we are God’s fellow workers; you are God’s field, God’s building.” 1 Corinthians 3:9 We must seek God for guidance in the work of God. When I speak of “seeking God for guidance”, it can be equated with “the fellowship of the Holy Spirit”[1]. Reflect on how Jesus described the ministry of the Holy Spirit towards us who are His disciples: 25 “These things I have spoken to you while abiding with you. 26 But the Helper, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will
This article will be an investigation into the nature of “the elementary principles of the world” (ta stoicheia tou kosmou) – a phrase penned by Paul, the apostle. We will look into the meaning of the Greek word, stoicheia; review the passages of scriptures in which Paul uses the term “elementary principles of the world”; reference the major interpretations of the term; state what seems to be the most consistently accurate meaning of the term; and discuss the sacralization of
A Prophetic Word A little over 40 years ago, while reading the scriptures, I had a very brief vision : The “canvas” was entirely black. Then out of the blackness, bright specs jumped into the center of the picture. This continued until the center had grown into a bright golden sphere. The understanding that immediately came to me was this: In “latter time”, people would be “jumping” out of the world into the Household (Kingdom) of God. This vision took
“… the weakness of God is stronger than mankind”. 1 Corinthians 1:25b This is, indeed, a captivating phrase penned by Paul – “the weakness of God”. The Greek word translated “weakness” is : asthenes[1], meaning “without strength”. There is a wonderful mystery in the many passages in which Paul speaks of “weakness”: It is OUR weakness which we give to God, He takes it and fills it (perfects, completes, finishes it) with His strength. This is GOD’S METHODOLOGY “from before
