Old Dog V
CONSTRUCTING A SOLID FOUNDATION
Bob Neumann
Dear WPA,
11 And he gave some, apostles; and some, prophets; and some, evangelists; and some, pastors and teachers;
12 For the perfecting of the saints, for the work of the ministry, for the edifying of the body of Christ:
There is only one TERM in THESE TWO VERSES which is actually important….. EDIFYING… In modern Greek it is a architectural term…to construct, build, assemble according to a plan. In old Greekit is used for buildings…and putting buildings together. Check Dr STRONG #3619…
So to build the "church"…the body of CHRIST we need some prophets and pastors.. some apostles and evangelists…some teachers. Without them the "church" can not do "THE PERFECTING OF THE SAINTS". The root term for "perfecting" means….
1) to render, i.e. to fit, sound, complete a) to mend (what has been broken or rent), to repair
1) to complete
b) to fit out, equip, put in order, arrange, adjust
1) to fit or frame for one's self, preparec) ethically: to strengthen, perfect, complete, make one what he ought to be
Basically THE SAINTS are completed…equipped…to do THE MINISTRY….not the CLERGY…try getting that idea past any pastors conference. JESUS never designated a clergy/laity demarcation. You notice the term "laity"…."lay people"…..straight out of the ROMAN CATHOLIC Catechism. Soooo….why do the "main line" denominations use it? Why do the Pentecostals and the charismatics?
It is an honest question. Why do people who say they are in "professional ministry" get so intense about separating the "professionals" from the "amateurs"?Why do they ask for your "papers"? Why do they ask what "seminary" or "bible college" you attended?
The same reason why the Pharisees asked JESUS who HIS RABBI was…. "And when he was come into the temple, the chief priests and the elders of the people came unto him as he was teaching, and said, By what authority doest thou these things? and who gave thee this authority?" Now if JESUS had sat at a man's feet and been instructed the "chief priests" and "elders" could argue against HIM and his HUMAN source.
The problem was that JESUS came to this world "under authority", and because of that HE could easily declare all authority had been given HIM.
So why do men who hold positions act as if they had all authority and power when dealing with "us" common men. Because the religious authorities of HIS day had no FEAR OF GOD, so they did about all they wanted to do. Their only fear was ROME. They refused to answer JESUS question because they also "feared" the common people. As long as we keep the people quiet and controlled, ROME will not replace us.
That is how they saw the issue. And that is how they saw JESUS… a threat to their control. They feared the common people rising up and putting JESUS in a secular throne, and bringing civil war and rebellion against IMPERIAL ROME. Here was JESUS preaching a gospel unlike their traditions. Miracles and stuff were talked about daily. People were getting into a MESSIAH mind set. So thereligious authorities were troubled. If JESUS would play ball with them and join their "side" the people could be kept safely under control and ROME would not bother religious authority. So we see JESUS invited to homes of Pharisees quite often.
After John was beheaded, HE was the top SUPERSTAR on the scene. JESUS coming to dinner at your villa awed the peasants…the common people. Just as long as those same common people did not hear JESUS call "us" a brood of vipers or whitewashed sepulchers.
Then religious authority ruled and controlled the people. JESUS warned of "THE NICOLAITINS". So what do we have today in our organized religions, mainline and not so mainline denominations? RELIGIOUS PROFESSIONALS….PASTORAL DICTATORSHIPS …PROPHETIC POTENTAITS….APOSTALIC EMPIRES.
Why are MEGA-CHURCHES desirable?
Why do some pastors fear honest questions?Why do we spend tons of money on mortgages to buildbig fancy monuments to men, and not to GOD?Why spend tons of money to by TV, Satellite, Cable, and Radio airtime and nothing for the local population around the block?
BECAUSE NICOLAITINS WORSHIP MAMMON!
In the world you have to spend money to make money! So it is in the FALSE CHURCH.
And since no one has a clue what a TRUE CHURCH looks like, acts like, sounds like….we have no comparison.
What we do know is in very few places will you find "clergy" bringing all the people into the ministry scripture asks for. Read ISAIAH 58 and see if thoseare the areas of intense effort in your "church"? Take a good look at what a MOST HOLY GOD SAYS IS IMPORTANT TO HIM….
[Is] not this the fast that I have chosen? to loose the bands of wickedness, to undo the heavy burdens, and to let the oppressed go free, and that ye break every yoke?
[Is it] not to deal thy bread to the hungry, and that thou bring the poor that are cast out to thy house? when thou seest the naked, that thou cover him; and that thou hide not thyself from thine own flesh?
Then shall thy light break forth as the morning, and thine health shall spring forth speedily: and thy righteousness shall go before thee; the glory of the LORD shall be thy reward.
Wonder why the LAND is COVERED IN DEEP DARKNESS?
You have your answer…
selah
bob
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