New Wineskin

Unity

2011-11-05T06:09:00.000-04:00

Unity

Is biblical unity across denominational lines a real possibility or simply a pipe dream

As much as I, and many others, would like it to be so, I personally believe that denominational unity is just wishful thinking -- a pipe dream. If you're wondering where the expression "pipe dream" comes from, it means "a fantastic but vain hope (from fantasies induced by the opium pipe)." In other words, we're just not thinking rationally!

I once thought that God could move the hearts of denominational pastors, but as hard as I, and others, have prayed it has became quite evident there will be no substantial change of heart. Defending doctrinal differences seems to be much more important than unity.
Oh, some well meaning pastors have tried for unity and have met with others of different denominations, but the invisible lines of separation were always subtly in place -- and no one dared cross them. This is not biblical unity -- it's not even close.

Unity across denominational lines will never happen because the churches will never allow it to. While it is true that the one world religious ecumenical movement will be successful to a degree through compromise; the true church of Jesus Christ will never unite beneath the torn banners of doctrinal differences. Nor will it ever meet under a banner of compromise.

The reason is simple -- biblical unity is Spirit-based

True biblical unity is Spirit-based. It is called "the unity of the Spirit" (Eph 4:3; 1 Cor 12:13). The natural religious mind is incapable of grasping the intricate workings of the Holy Spirit. Jesus described the Holy Spirit this way:

"The wind blows where it wishes, and you hear the sound of it, but cannot tell where it comes from and where it goes. So is everyone who is born of the Spirit (John 3:8).”

We cannot denominational-ize the Holy Spirit. He cannot, and will not, freely function in such exclusive environments. This is the very reason why the glory has all but departed from the institutional, corporate church. What typically remains in the churches is a very convincing spiritual imitation made up of psychological and emotional elements. In some churches we even find hysteria masquerading as the Spirit.

Thank God that the message of salvation remains somewhat in tact and souls do get saved in many of these denominational settings. I personally got saved in such a setting. The sad part is that those who do get saved in this way become corporate church slaves perpetuating the denominational thinking that created the problem of disunity in the first place.

Unity Has nothing to do with the physical church

Biblical unity has absolutely nothing to do with church structure; whether it is traditional, denominational or contemporary.
Unity has absolutely nothing to do with church leadership whether it be a Pastor, Bishop, Priest, Pope or any other religious person that tries to sets up a class distinction between the "priesthood" and the "laity" (the so-called common people; or attendees).

Man cannot produce godly unity no matter how clever or spiritual he thinks he is. True unity comes from the Spirit of God.

Unity is an automatic, supernatural byproduct of salvation imparted by the Holy Spirit (1 Cor 12:13)

Unity is simply the Holy Spirit indwelling all true believers and thereby making them one (brothers and sisters in Christ). The very same blood of Jesus Christ that runs through all born-again Christian's spiritual veins connects us closer than our own biological blood relatives.
If we could somehow remove divisive doctrines from off the waters of Christianity, unity would very naturally rise to the surface and the true Body of Christ would spontaneously become one.

God absolutely loves unity

To God unity is "pleasant" and "precious" just like the morning dew which he places upon the earth to show us the delicate beauty that symbolizes true unity. Psalm 133 describes this best:

"Behold, how good and how pleasant it is for brethren to dwell together in unity!
It is like the precious ointment upon the head, that ran down upon the beard, even Aaron's' beard: that went down to the skirts of his garments;
As the dew of Hermon, and as the dew that descended upon the mountains of Zion: for there the Lord commanded the blessing, even life for evermore."

Will it be persecution that finally drives the church to unity?

   Winds of persecution are already beginning to blow on the church and will increase in intensity as our society becomes more and more liberal (if that be possible). Morality will finally surrender to the filth of Sodom and Gomorrah and all hell will ultimately break loose.
     The day will come when the true church will be forced underground. At this point the denomination you belong to and the demonic, divisive doctrines you were taught to adhere to will no longer matter. Christians will experience a genuine unity like they've never known before -- just in order to survive.
     Don't put all your chips on an easy out either. The many different doctrines of "the rapture of the church" are riddled with demonic reason and logic and are thereby not trustworthy. We must be wise and strengthen ourselves in Christ for what just might be a long hard, haul. We, quite frankly, really don't know.
     Christ will birth unity one way or the other -- of this we can be sure -- and then He will return ... !

Let's Build a Church_Part 2

2011-10-29T06:31:00.000-04:00

Last week we presented some of the facets of the contemporary non-biblical church model. This week we'll be looking at the biblical church model as presented in the New Testament.
It is important to note that, without the Holy Spirit's presence, no church model will ever work. If we were to simply try and copy-cat this New Testament model we would just end up with another empty form of a Christian social gathering. On the other hand to have a basic, certifiable biblical setting where the Holy Spirit feels comfortable to move and minister is a huge step in the right direction.

The Biblical Church Model

A N.T. (New Testament) styled church was automatically birthed when a group of Christians simply, and very naturally, met in some basic location such as a home in order to celebrate Christ together.
This N.T. Church did not have a name. The churches in the New Testament were known by where they met. Ex: The church that meets on Main Street at John Doe's house (not "The 5th Street Baptist Church"). The average size of a group of believers would be perhaps fifteen or so folks (not two to five hundred). It was a simple family styled church that would occasionally gather together with other such small churches to celebrate Christ together (Acts 20:20;12:12; Rom 16:5, 1 Cor 16:19; Col 4:15; Philemon 2). Note: as soon as the Church is given a name it inevitably becomes sectarian and a wall of separation (division) is established. The result of this is called denominational-ism.
The N.T. church is the people and not the building.
The biblical church is designed by God to be a spiritual church; birthed, operated and empowered by the Holy Spirit (Birthed: Acts 2:1-4 Operated: Acts 8:29; 20:28; Rom 8:14 Empowered: Acts 1:8; Rom 15:19; 1 Cor 2:4; 1 Cor 12)
This biblical N.T. church was built on the foundation of the apostles and prophets, Jesus Christ himself being the chief cornerstone (Eph 2:20-21).
The church is to be made up of living stones; you and me (not bricks and mortar): (1Pet 2:5)."
We are all to be baptized into one body of believers. There is only one body of true believers on planet earth (1 Cor 12:13-14)."
The Church of the N.T. was overseen by a plurality of elders (not by the single super-hero we have come to call the "Pastor"). Acts 14:23; 20:17; Titus 1:5; Jas 5:14.
The N.T. Church was gifted with a five-fold ministry (Eph 4:11-12): "And He Himself gave some to be apostles, some prophets, some evangelists, and some pastors and teachers, for the equipping of the saints for the work of ministry, for the edifying of the body of Christ." Please note that in this verse the goal of the ministry is that all would become equipped to be ministers.
A pastor's role in the N.T. church was not that of an office (like the president of a corporation), but rather a natural function. He was not the person that everybody idolized and placed above everyone else. The word pastor simply means shepherd, or one who has a heart for, and gently cares for the flock. Psalm 23 gives great insight into the role of this function in the church.
There was no head elder in the N.T. church, but rather elders (plural) (Acts 14:23; 20:17; Phil1:1; 1 Tim 5:17; Titus 1:5). These elders submitted to the Holy Spirit as to direction for the church. This eliminated the impulse leading by one person to do whatever, whenever he wants to do it.
Each local gathering was autonomous (independent and self-governing, like a family) while at the same time connected to the whole collective church through the Holy Spirit that birthed them. Rev 1:4; Acts 14:23
The elders did not control the meeting; the Holy Spirit did through the various spiritual gifts and callings which He distributed to the believers. The elders bore responsibility for, and gave spiritual oversight and direction to the local church (1 Pet 5:1-3).
People participated by: "letting the word of Christ dwell in them richly in all wisdom, teaching and admonishing one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing with grace in your hearts to the Lord (Col 3:16)." A reading of chapters 1 Cor 12-14 will give a clear sense of a N.T. meeting. Add a love feast and the Lords supper to this, as led by the Holy Spirit, and you'll never want that contemporary thing we now call "The Church" again.
There were little or no expenses incurred because the church met mostly in homes, with the exception of the collective gatherings which may, or may not have incurred expense.
Everyone shared what they had. "Now all who believed were together, and had all things in common, and sold their possessions and goods, and divided them among all, as anyone had need (Acts 2:44-45)."

    Well, there you have it, a quick overview of the two different church models: The one in the previous Blog ("Let's Build a Church Part 1") is contrived (artificial; labored) by men and the one in this Blog is profoundly spiritual. We can clearly see the simple, natural beauty and potential for individual growth the N.T. model affords. It seems clear that the church the Holy Spirit birthed was to be primarily spiritual where everyone could participate!
   This is very unlike the Pastor controlled contemporary church model which we are so accustomed to. The church is not meant to be man inspired, man led, or man controlled. The church, to be effective, must be Spirit-birthed, Spirit-led and Spirit-empowered!
    Bearing all this in mind the question really becomes: are we willing to pay the price (in terms of persecution from the contemporary church) to give the reigns back to the Holy Spirit.
I have to sadly say that, up to this point in time, the majority of contemporary Christians I have shared these biblical truths with have responded just like the picture of this ostrich. Although they agree biblically and know it's true, the weight of change is too much for them. I know first hand, for I too, knowingly, held out for many years.
   There is however a new wave of God coming and when it fully hits it will shake the contemporary church tree and many believers will fall from its branches and will be the fruit of this new spiritual awakening.
   Even now many younger Christians simply refuse to play church. They are tired of going to the Christian theater each week and just watching the show. They clearly see the biblical inconsistencies of the contemporary church and stand ready for change; a change based on the biblical model of the Church. Perhaps they will be used to spearhead this new revolution on planet earth.

. Who's up for a Spirit-led, New Testament style Reformation?
Are you?

As always, I welcome your comments ...

Let's Build a Church _ Part 1

2011-10-22T06:27:00.001-04:00

There are basically two different types of Christian church models in the earth today:

The biblical church model that God builds ... if we allow Him to.
The non-biblical church model that man has traditionally built, and continues to build.

Let's take a look at both of these models. I think you will be amazed with the potential and simplicity of the biblical model and, at the same time, surprised at what we now call "The Church." Part 1 is going to be a presentation of the "Non-biblical Church" and next week, in Part 2, we'll look at the "Biblical Church" model. I want to save the best for last.

The Contemporary Church Model:

First of all we must think of a suitable name for the church building. This will help to distinguish us from the other churches.
Find and purchase a nice location; an attractive setting is everything if you want to attract people.
Hire an architect to design it and the various construction crews to build and finish it. It must be perfect in order to glorify God. Spare no expense to make it a total teaching and worship facility. Plan for two to five hundred attendees per service. (One of our churches in America has had 47,000 people in attendance}.
Special attention must be given to the sanctuary such that the audience (the believers) will be comfortable.
Set up a large elevated platform with a pulpit facing the audience.
Equip the sanctuary with the latest high tech sound, projection and lighting equipment to insure a total worship experience.
Hire a multifaceted pastor to preach, teach and organize all the various outreaches and programs for the church with an emphasis on the youth.
Choose or hire a youth leader, and perhaps a board of elders to make sure the pastor's wishes are carried out.
Choose, or hire, a gifted, charismatic worship leader to lead the audience (the believers) into the presence of God.
And last but not least set up a predictable order for the service to follow so that everyone will know what to expect next.

These are some of the facets that make up the non-biblical church model. What's that? ... you thought that this was the biblical church model? This model is not even close. Truth be known, this "corporate church" model was designed in hell so that the church would stay connected to and tolerated by the world, and enjoy its benefits such as a nice tax exempt status.
The most devastating part of this model is that it spends inordinate sums of money to perpetuate itself; money that should be used to meet the needs of the believers as it once was in the N.T. (Acts 4:32-37).

Just take a look at the interior of these mega-churches. The question becomes does this really glorify God or does it rather bring fame and fortune to the ones who designed and those who lead them? Do you think that God needs a crystal cathedral (left), or a highly styled sanctuary (right) in which to be properly worshiped?
I personally have trouble finding this type of extravagant Christianity in the Bible. I heard a poem many years ago that made a lasting impact on my thinking:

I thought I heard the voice of God,

And so I climbed the highest steeple,

But God said, "No, come down again,

I dwell among the people."

When 3000 souls got saved on the day of Pentecost (Ac 2:41) they didn't stop and build a physical church. Neither did they do so when 5000 souls got saved on another day (Acts 4:4). They simply did what was natural; they met in small homes and large public open places. The emphasis was not on the packaging of Christianity into neat little isolated empires where men, and not God are exalted. Since the days of Constantine (in approx. A.D. 300) carnal thinking men, out of ego-necessity, took control of the church and have continued to draw attention to themselves and their position in the church. Beloved, these things simply ought not to be so.
Jesus' disciples were simple men just like everyone else. They were taught by Jesus to remain simple men; men full of the Holy Spirit's power. In this way God received all the glory. These men did not seek out fame, fortune or position. Jesus rebuked the Pharisees (the religious leaders of his day) for this very thing. He said,

" They make their phylacteries broad and enlarge the borders of their garments. They love the best places at feasts, the best seats in the synagogues, greetings in the marketplaces, and to be called by men, ‘Rabbi, Rabbi.’ But you, do not be called ‘Rabbi’; for One is your Teacher, the Christ,and you are all brethren. Do not call anyone on earth your father; for One is your Father, He who is in heaven. And do not be called teachers; for One is your Teacher, the Christ. But he who is greatest among you shall be your servant. And whoever exalts himself will be humbled, and he who humbles himself will be exalted (Matt 23:5-12)."
If we use our imaginations we don't have to work very hard to relate to the modern day pharisees who clearly exalt themselves above their congregations, standing piously behind their altars and podiums, talking down to those who hold them in high esteem. Jesus had a real problem with this type of leadership and called them "Nicolaitans" (Those who lord it over the people of God [Rev 2:15-16] ).

We want a King just like all the other nations!

   This need in man to be controlled and led by "special" men has been the norm ever since the days of Samuel (the last judge of Israel). At this time Israel rejected God as their King and wanted a "real" king like all the other nations (1 Sam 8:1-7).
   Many years later, (approx 1400 years) after the outpouring of the Holy Spirit on the day of Pentecost, God (the Holy Spirit) once again began to lead his people (the New Testament Church). It was an awesome church led by the Holy Spirit and confirmed by many signs and wonders (just like Jesus' ministry).
   History shows us that it didn't take long for man to once again grab the reins away from Him and begin to run Christianity into the ground. Out of these spiritual ruins the wicked Roman Catholic Church emerged and controlled all of Christianity until the Protestant Reformation took a big slice out of its religious pie. It was the protestant church and its control over the people that has led to the office of the modern-day "Pastor". These men, for the most part, are the reason the church is divided and fractured into so many isolated and defensive pieces rather than united in the unity of the Holy Spirit that Jesus prayed for in John 17:21.
   This is not God's plan; it is man's plan; and it's wrong! I know that this comment about pastors will upset many who love their pastors and their churches, but we must put the word of God first and not sentimentality. The Bible must be our frame of reference or else we will end up with a powerless and divided church ... just like the one we now have.

   Well, in contrast to all of this, I think you will be pleasantly surprised at the biblical model we will be looking at in our next Blog entitled, "Let's Build a Church! Part 2".
   I look forward to your comments ...

Exploring the New Testament Model, Part 6 "Overseers in the Local Church"

2011-10-15T15:42:00.005-04:00

We want a King! We want a King!

God has always wanted to remain the only King of Israel, but the elders of Israel wanted something more. They wanted a king that they could touch, and be physically led by, just like all the other nations round about them. When Samuel, the last Judge of Israel was old the elders of Israel came to him with this request:

"Then all the elders of Israel gathered together and came to Samuel at Ramah, and said to him, “Look, you are old, and your sons do not walk in your ways. Now make us a king to judge us like all the nations.” But the thing displeased Samuel when they said, “Give us a king to judge us.” So Samuel prayed to the LORD. And the LORD said to Samuel, “Heed the voice of the people in all that they say to you; for they have not rejected you, but they have rejected Me, that I should not reign over them (1 Sam 8:4-7)."

"They have not rejected you, but they have rejected Me"

Can you feel God's pain? God has known rejection from His covenant people throughout Bible times. Nothing has really changed from then to now either. Man still wants a physical king to follow and a palace to house him, just like all the other religions. They have once again rejected God who desires to lead His people through the ministry of the Holy Spirit.

Jesus hated what overlords did to His church in the New Testament, and I'm quite certain He feels the same way now.

It took less than sixty years for the church to become infected by dominating overlords. The Bible records the word "hate" proceeding from Jesus lips only twice; both times when referring to the letters to the churches in the second chapter of the book of Revelation. Both times this word was directed to the doctrine of the same group of people. This group was known as the Nicolaitans. This is what Jesus said to the church of Ephesus, "But this you have, that you hate the deeds of the Nicolaitans, which I also hate (Rev 2:6)." And then to the compromising church of Pergamos Jesus said, "Thus you also have those who hold the doctrine of the Nicolaitans, which thing I hate (Rev 2:15)."

Now if Jesus hated the doctrine of this group known as the Nicolaitans, shouldn't we try and understand what it was about this group that he so hated? In order to do this we must dissect the word "Nicolaitan".

This word Nicolaitan is made up from the combining of two words: Nicholaus and the word laity. The word Nicholaus (according to the flow of the Greek in Strong's Concordance beginning at #G-3531) means to conquer or to triumph over one’s own group of people. The word laity as defined by the Webster Dictionary refers to: the people of a religious faith as distinguished from its clergy. On the surface this all seems like what we're used to, but not so with Jesus. He hated it! The only one who is to rule the church is Jesus Christ himself through the ministry of the Holy Spirit.

Just look at this verse:

"Shepherd the flock of God which is among you, serving as overseers, not by compulsion but willingly,not for dishonest gain but eagerly; nor as being lords over those entrusted to you, but being examples to the flock; and when the Chief Shepherd appears, you will receive the crown of glory that does not fade away (1 Pet 5;2-4)."

A good illustration of this godly oversight might be that of a shepherd and a flock of sheep. A good shepherd would typically lead the sheep in his care to a green pasture, beside still waters (i.e. Psalm 23) and guard them as they grazed. He did not go from sheep to sheep stuffing grass in their mouth. He allowed them to pasture. This is what God desires from the elders the Holy Spirit sets up in local church settings. For the most part overseer’s are invisible in a gathering unless something go wrong, and then they exercise their responsibility to correct and/or to protect.

There was to be no class distinction in the Body of Christ

All of us make up the Body with Christ as our head. This ministry is to be carried out by the Holy Spirit working through the spiritual gifts of men and women. God has set overseers, called elders, bishops or presbyters (not overlords), to bear responsibility for the spiritual church as it functions through the leading of the Holy Spirit. The word elder is interchangeable with bishop or presbyter, however it’s interesting to note that the term “elder” indicates the maturity, spiritual experience and understanding of those so described; the term “bishop” or “overseer,” indicates the character of the work undertaken. The use of the term “bishop or presbyter” is not very common nowadays.

The five-fold ministry spoken of in Ephesians 4:11-13 is not speaking of a group of overlords, but rather of those more mature gifted believers who help to equip the saints to be all that Jesus has called them to be, so that they can one day do the same. The biblical role of a pastor is clearly not that of "the Office of Pastor," but rather the function of a pastor who may or may not even be an elder. Perhaps this will help clarify:

Apostles have a passion to expand and establish the Body of Christ. Their ministry was biblically accompanied by signs and wonders (and should still be today).
Prophets have a passion to speak forth the mind of God in the first person.
Evangelists have a passion to win souls.
Pastors have a unique burden to, one on one, (spiritually) care for believers that make up the local body of believers.
Teachers have a passion to drive home the teachings that come forth through the Spirit.

This five-fold ministry may, or may not, be the overseers of the local church. The Holy Spirit is the one who should be allowed to distribute these functions amidst the church; not men.

Exploring The New Testament Model; Part 5 "A New Testament style Meeting"

2011-10-08T12:26:00.011-04:00

A Backdrop of Worship

One of the most important elements in a believers’ meeting is the element of worship. Worship is the backdrop for all that the Holy Spirit desires to do in the midst of His people. Worship ushers in the anointing (the very presence of the Holy Spirit) and sensitizes the believers to His gifts and enablements such that they begin to operate. This then allows the Holy Spirit full expression through which he can speak and move in the midst of his people as He sets forth revelation, correction, direction, healing, miracles, etc. I am including a symbolic diagram of what a typical church meeting might be like (see figure 1).

A Pattern for a Typical Believer's Meeting

Allow me to explain the diagram: As the praise begins, it’s like a powered airplane beginning to climb skyward. Behind the plane is attached a glider which represents the believers which are present. The worship team (the powered plane) lifts the believers to new heights as the anointing begins to build. When this powered plane has reached a suitable height the glider is released to soar into realms of worship upon the wind currents (the Holy Spirit). The glider begins spiraling its way slowly back to earth; occasionally catching an updraft (air current). As the glider of worship is freely soaring, the spiritual gifts (i.e., the gifts of prophecy or a combination of tongues and interpretation) begin to manifest themselves.

When these gifts of the Spirit are through being manifested, those gifted in preaching or teaching (depending on the nature of the information manifested) begin to tie together all that the Spirit has just revealed into a cohesive revelation of the purpose and plan of God for that specific meeting. The teaching, at this point, could be fortified by testimonies, revelations, scripture readings, or by other gifts of the Spirit (i.e., word of knowledge, word of wisdom, etc). All this would lead to new levels of commitment by those in attendance. In conjunction with this move of the Holy Spirit there is a spiritual checks and balances system in operation, using the gift of discerning of spirits in order to distinguish the move of the Holy Spirit from the move and deceptions of the enemy. Remember, spiritual warfare is always raging. The prophets also have a checks and balances system. All prophecy is judged and evaluated by those other prophets in attendance.

When all is said and done, the plane lands and this is the end of that portion of the meeting. At this point some of the other gifts of the Spirit (i.e., the gift of faith, the gifts of healing, or the gift of working of miracles) could begin to function. Communion (the Lord’s supper) might be in order, or a continuation of worship might bring the meeting to a close.

This pattern for a spiritual meeting (which all meetings should be) is very general because the Holy Spirit desires to be creative; however, the pattern elements that make it up are basically the same. Pretty exciting, huh? This is what Christianity is supposed to be--alive, life changing, and exciting.

The Key Ingredient -- the Holy Spirit

There’s only one way to have a truly spiritual meeting. We must humble ourselves and call on the name of the Lord with all our hearts until these types of meetings are restored from heaven. A group of believers desiring this type of an outpouring might have to come together for an extended time in praise, worship, prayer, and possibly even fasting; doing those things that invite the move of God but not doing those things that substitute it. The following scriptures seem applicable:

Jer. 29:11-14 (KJV); Matt. 5:6 (KJV)

It’s interesting to note that the first scripture, in its context, is referring to Israel’s captivity and because of this one might not think this scripture fits our application very well. But I ask you, are we not a spiritual Israel (grafted into Israel’s branch [Rom. 11:17-18])? Have we not been in captivity from the deep things of God? Is it not God who has (because of our stiff necks of unsound biblical logic, reason and tradition) driven us away from the true life of the church?

God desperately desires to restore His body of believers to New Testament Church life if we will just return to and follow the instructions (patterns) He has given.

The beauty of this type of a meeting is that it maximizes our spiritual potential (as we are led by the Holy Spirit) and minimizes the control elements that men are so accustomed to initiating. Why would we want anything less than a spiritual meeting--a divine encounter with God in the midst of His people?

Yes, beloved, if we want what God has prepared for us, we have to purpose a new vision, and then we must walk in it by faith waiting on God to supply. God must do the rest…

Exploring the New Testament Model; Part 4 "What's in a Name?"

2011-10-01T17:17:00.003-04:00

Ephesians 4:1-6 (NKJV)

¹ I, therefore, the prisoner of the Lord, beseech you to walk worthy of the calling with which you were called, ² with all lowliness and gentleness, with longsuffering, bearing with one another in love, ³ endeavoring to keep the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace. ⁴ There is one body and one Spirit, just as you were called in one hope of your calling; ⁵ one Lord, one faith, one baptism; ⁶ one God and Father of all, who is above all, and through all, and in you all.

Reflections:

There is a great challenge before us and that is to keep the church united, as one, all over Planet Earth. The Bible tells us that the church is the people and not the building. She (the Church – the Body of Christ – the Bride of Christ) is made up of living stones (people) (1Pet 2:5; Eph 2:20-22).

One very simplistic, but profound way to keep the church as one is not to name it! The church will automatically take on its own identity from the location where it is meeting. For example, if the saints (us, the redeemed ones) are meeting at John and Betty’s house on Wildwood Ave, its identity might be “the church that meets on Wildwood Ave, or the church that meets at John and Betty’s. If it shifts to Bill and Nancy’s house on Plymouth Street next week, it would take on a different identity. If a collection of small churches met occasionally in a certain city, let’s say Boston, it could be called the church that meets at, for instance, the Civic center in Boston.

The problem with assigning a name to a group of believers is that it sets up a unique identity establishing an invisible wall of distinction. This sets it apart from the whole. The next logical step in its digression would be to set up a checking account with the churches name on the account. Next would come the building fund and the name above the door or on a marquee along with a tax exempt status. Before long it could become a totally isolated entity, or even worse -- another denomination!

When we look at the church we should see only the saints that make her up. We must “endeavor to keep the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace (Eph 4:3).” One simple way is “not to name it!” …

Exploring the New Testament Model; Part 2: The INVISIBLE/visible Church

2011-09-17T15:13:00.003-04:00

1 Peter 2:5 (NKJV)

you also, as living stones, are being built up a spiritual house, a holy priesthood, to offer up spiritual sacrifices acceptable to God through Jesus Christ.

Reflections:

In our last Blog we biblically established the role, and extreme importance, of the Holy Spirit’s moving in our midst. The Holy Spirit is He who makes the church a “living church.” Without His life manifested in our midst we are left with a dry form religion. One that has to be “pumped up” with a theater–like approach substituting spirit-life for performance and “pastoral” charisma.

Let’s be honest; truth be known, all eyes are on the Pastor, are they not? What in fact should happen is that all eyes should be on “one another” as each saint brings forth life as they are led through the ministry and gifting of the Holy Spirit.

The church is not that building down the street made up of brick and mortar with a cross on it. It's not! The church in the Greek is the "ekklesia" "the called out ones." Those born-again believers, the "living stones" who come together to celebrate Jesus Christ as one.

Whether or not they meet in a home , an open field, or some building. The church remains the people who make it up. The church is world wide in its presence, and local in its expression of worship. There is only one church and we must no longer let man-made walls of doctrinal division keep her apart.

The church:

Was established initially through Peter: Matt 16:17-19; Acts 2:1-47
Made up of living stones: 1 Pet 2:5
Jesus Christ the chief cornerstone: Matt 21:42; Acts 4:11;1 Pet 2:6
The foundation: 1 Cor 3:10-12; Eph 2:19-20
Becomes the Temple of God through the Spirit: Eph 2:21-22
We are God’s building: 1 Cor 3:9
Exhortation about how to build: 1 Cor 3:10-15
We are individually the temple of God: 1 Cor 3:16-17
In its simplest form: Matt 18:20

It is high time for the church to RISE UP AND BE ONE!!!

Pastor's

2011-09-03T12:36:00.003-04:00

Ephesians 4:11-12 (NKJV)

¹¹ And He Himself gave some to be apostles, some prophets, some evangelists, and some pastors and teachers, ¹² for the equipping of the saints for the work of ministry, for the edifying of the body of Christ,

Reflections:
It’s really hard to speak to this issues of, denominational, corporate church pastors. I know firsthand the dedication and passion some of these godly men have towards their churches. We have no reason at all to look down at, or to have anything personal against these men. They are performing what they have been taught to do in their denominations, and in most cases, they do it with all their heart as unto the Lord, be it right or wrong biblically.

The Church is a Mess!

Having said that, the church is a mess! Where to begin? Even the very meaning of the word “church” has been twisted beyond biblical recognition. The word church, in the Greek, is “ekklesia” and refers to those people called out from the world and set apart for Christ’s salvation, and use in the earth. It does not refer to a building. The true church is architecturally invisible; made up of living stones (we born-again believers) (1 Pet 2:5) who assemble together. The gathering could be a home or other building; even an open field. None of these physical places is the church. The church is God’s collective people (Matt 18:20)! We don’t go to church, we are the church wherever we gather.

The Format is Spiritually Corrupt!

Even the format of the traditional church service is all wrong. The church we have inherited follows a “Basilica” style pattern for its format. A Basilica style architecture is where you have a platform with a podium higher that of the people who are seated in rows below facing the platform; like in a theater or auditorium. The only person who dictates order, and has opportunity to function, is the pastor, while everyone else simply sits and listens, or participates occasionally at his behest.

Is One Person Better that Another?

This sets up a class distinction between the pastor and the body of believers. This is why everybody drools accolades, and dotes over a pastor after a typical “church” service. We as the church are guilty of following the worlds corporate structure as our model, which is based on class distinction. This thinking was instituted into the church approximately 320 A.D. by Emperor Constantine. After having an experience, with who he believed was Christ, he mandated that his entire kingdom would be Christian, like it or not!

The New Testament Pattern

This is in clear contrast to the New Testament pattern where everyone is at the same level, and without class distinctions. We may all be called to function somewhat differently, as the Holy Spirit leads, but that certainly doesn’t set one above another. We’re all simply sinners saved by grace. Those that willingly take on, and bear, more responsibility are clearly worthy of double honor simply because they labor hard in the area God is using them. However, those that would desire the greater callings are to be all the more the servants of all in heart, and in actions.

How About We all Share?

I like to think of the church in terms of a round table gathering where everyone has opportunity to share and to bring forth their spiritual endowments as led by the Holy Spirit, for the express purpose of building up one another in God's love (Gal 5:13;Col3:16).

A Pastor: One Who Simply Serves

The biblical pastor is not a corporate position to be desired, but rather a “function” of service. A pastor (or shepherd) is the one who has been “gifted” with a heart of compassion to see that all God’s sheep stay spiritually well and remain so (Ps 100:3).

A New Season

2011-08-28T12:56:00.002-04:00

Psalm 126:1-3 (KJV)

¹When the LORD turned again the captivity of Zion, we were like them that dream. ²Then was our mouth filled with laughter, and our tongue with singing: then said they among the heathen, The LORD hath done great things for them. ³The LORD hath done great things for us; whereof we are glad.

Reflections:

This verse is speaking specifically of the return of the Jewish exiles from Babylon and how ecstatic they were to be in their homeland again. They had undergone a severe national trial of their own making through neglect of God, and the things of God. They were punished, and now it was over. A new day and a new hope had dawned.

These verses surely apply prophetically to the Church, the Body of Christ, today. The church (the one that God established on the day of Pentecost [Acts 2]) was a spiritual community of believers made up of “living stones (1 Pet 2:5)” united, and empowered, by the Holy Spirit (Lk 24:49). There was to be only one church whose walls were made of Salvation, and her gates made up of Praise. She was to be invisible in terms of specific architecture, she was to be beautiful, and she was to be one (John 17:21).

The devil has seen to it that she has become visible, not so beautiful, and clearly not one. She is in spiritual exile because of neglect of the word, and purposes of God in the earth. This is evident by the lack of genuine Holy Spirit power in the church. The glory has all but departed and we have been left with a powerless corporate substitute of what once was.

But, take heart, God is about to turn her captivity and to restore her to her former biblical glory. The Holy Spirit is, in this generation, opening the eyes and ears of zealous Christians all over the earth. These Christians will be used to reconnect the true living stones; spiritually networking them together as one. Make no mistake about it, there is “one” spiritual church rising and no man will be able to stop her. The true spiritual church’s exile is over, and God has already begun the work of restoration.

It won’t be long before we will be like them that dream, our mouth will be filled with laughter, and our tongue with singing: then the heathen will say, The LORD hath done great things for them. The LORD hath done great things for us; whereof we are glad…

Landmines

2010-05-01T19:41:00.002-04:00

Landmines are one of the most insidious devices man has come up with and are responsible for killing or maiming over one million people since 1975. A landmine is usually placed just below the surface of the ground and is designed to be exploded usually by the weight of vehicles or troops passing over it. Even after a war is over, and everyone has gone home, these undetonated mines remain active for decades to come as an ever present danger to unsuspecting civilians.

The landscape of Christianity is littered with "spiritual" landmines just waiting to be stepped on. They were placed there by Satan who comes to steal, kill and to destroy (John 10:10). I'd like to set forth a few of the areas where landmines surely exist and hopefully help to expose some of these spiritual booby traps.

Sexual Temptation

     Satan is the prince of the power of the air (Eph 2:2). Not many folks think about this, but this means he pretty much controls all of the radio and television media with a few exceptions. He also controls most of Hollywood along with a vast majority of the internet; which allow us instant access to any foul temptation imaginable.
     Unless we as Christians are very discerning, and are walking in holiness of heart, we will step on these spiritual landmines. These mines are made up of subtle (and not so subtle) immorality that plays itself out over and over every day before our very eyes, and ears.
     99% of all the movies that Hollywood produces are unfit for the spiritual heart. The flesh of loose women and men desiring recognition, fame and fortune is peddled by Satan for his pernicious goal of bringing devastation to the kingdom of God and his archenemy Jesus, the Christ of God. If he can't defeat Jesus then he'll settle for us, His followers.
Watch out for the commercials:
   Even if a Christian is discerning in his, or her, choice of programming, guess what, the commercials will slay them! Many commercials prey on the lust of the eyes and the lust of the flesh in order to sell their products and thereby further encourage immorality.
Compromise is a killer:
     There are many Christians who knowingly and deliberately watch questionable programming in order to "feed their flesh" or to "just relax a bit." These Christians have convinced themselves that they can handle it and that those sitcoms, reality shows and Hollywood masterpieces wont effect them spiritually. To those I quote 1 Cor 10:12 "Therefore let him who thinks he stand take heed lest he fall." And fall we will; it's just a matter of time. We can be confident in one thing: our sin will surely find us out and will ultimately undermine our spirituality.
Satan shows no mercy:
     These spiritual landmines know no age in the Lord. Whether we are baby Christians or so-called veteran Christians who have experienced the warfare; all are apt to step on a mine, at any time -- that is unless you are dialed in in terms of discernment, committed to Christ and Spirit-led (Gal 5:16).
     Sad to say that many Christian do not truly understand the importance of living in true righteousness and holiness before the Lord. As a result their senses slowly become dulled over time until the appetites of their flesh go on a pornographic feeding frenzy, or something worse. In times like these they have learned to treat the Holy Spirit's calls to holiness as mere "legalism," in order to justify their sin-binge not realizing that the landmine is about to blow any second and maim them for life spiritually.
Sin leaves scars:
     I was once told, early on in my Christian walk, that "sin leaves scars." It is of course true that if we truly repent of sin Christ will be faithful to forgive our sin and to cleanse us from all unrighteous. However, spiritual scar tissue remains as a reminder of the ravaging effect that sin had on us. We have witnessed TV evangelists who have fallen into sin and have risen again in the media, but their past remains and their lives will never be the same. God forgives and forgets 100%, society doesn't. Although we know we're forgiven Satan will attempt to surface our past over and over again and kick us with it when we're down.

Intimidation

This spiritual landmine is designed to make us feel timid or fearful. It preys on our insecurity and on our past in an attempt to neutralize our full potential in Christ.

"You're a loser"
"You're not spiritual enough"
"You don't know enough"
"You haven't really changed"

If we are in Christ, none of this is true. True Christianity isn't about us, but rather about Christ in us! We have "put on Christ" and we are hidden with Christ in God (Col 3:3). The life we now live we live by faith in the Son of God who loved us and gave himself for us (Gal 2:20). And that wonderful verse "If any man be in Christ he's a new creature old things are passed away behold all things become new (2 Cor 5:17)."
A personal testimony:

     I once walked in a serious insecurity that affected every area of my life, but when I came to Christ, and was baptized in water I purposed to leave my old self (whom I disliked very much because I felt I was a weak person) dead and buried beneath the waters of said baptism. I emerged having purposed to put on Christ. I now see myself "in" Christ. I now draw my identity from Christ -- literally! I now desire to be looking out through His eyes, speaking through His heart, touching with His touch and walking as led by the Holy Spirit.
     It's not about us! It's all about Christ. Yes, I was timid and weak, but now I consider myself dead to self and alive in Christ! Now He has become my strength, my song and my victory!
   There is absolutely no need for the Christian to walk in defeat. We are complete in Him -- if we are in Him (Col 2:10)! Don't fool around with Christianity, it doesn't work. Be either all the way in or all the way out. The middle ground is a tormenting hell on earth.

Substitution

Oh, watch out for this one, beloved. The hand is quicker than the eye. Satan is the master of spiritual prestidigitation and can make himself appear as an angel of light and deceive even the very elect -- he does it all the time. These variety of spiritual landmines are very tricky to spot because their made up of subtle half-truths. Here are a few types of mines that are worthy to ponder:

Substituting grace with works (Eph 2:8-9) (Gal 3:1-4).
Substituting works with grace (Rom 6:1).
Substituting the Holy Spirit (Gal 3:3).

Substituting grace with works:

The devil loves to tell the world that salvation is by works and that all roads (religions) lead to heaven. The Bible presents one, and only one, road and it's the narrow way that leads straight to, and through the cross of Jesus Christ. This might seem obvious to you, but how about all those professing Christian sects that believe in works such as sacraments, liturgy and adherence to legalistic doctrines being the only way into heaven (Gal 5:18).

Most religious folks believe that God has a scale up in heaven where he will place your bad works at one end and your good works in the other and whichever outweighs the other will determine your destiny. The Bible teaches us that it is by grace that we are saved through faith and that not of ourselves. It is a gift of God and not of works lest anyone should boast (Eph 2: 8-9).

Salvation is a free gift. It's free simply because we could never earn it on our own merits. Jesus took our place and earned it for us -- freely.

Substituting works with grace:

While it is true that salvation is a free gift, once saved we are to present our bodies a living sacrifice, wholly acceptable to God which is our reasonable service (Rom 12:1). There is a plague rippling it's way through the church and it is that of hiding behind grace as a license to sin and to justify fleshly habits.

Many Christians couples are living together, having sex outside of commitment to each other or to God. Others fill their senses with filth. While still others continue in ungodly associations and ungodly habits justifying them all by grace. Grace, beloved, is primarily for salvation, because without it you could never get saved.

God doesn't expect us to be perfect once we become a Christian, but He does expect us to desire with an insatiable desire to be pure. This is the mark of God on the human heart at salvation -- a spiritual hunger to want to know God and to be like Him! This is our part -- and the rest the Holy Spirit will take us through and ultimately empower us to become more than conquerors in Christ in every area of our lives.

Substituting for the Holy Spirit:

     This is a very subtle spiritual landmine and sometimes very hard to detect. For instance, have you ever been so caught up in studying your Bible or doing things for God that weeks go by where you spend no time in worship, praise or prayer with God? Or do you do what the Bible says by wrote and never really submit yourself and wait on the Holy Spirit to direct your path?
    These are spiritual landmines and great errors in judgment -- subtle schemes whispered by the devil into our thinking to divert us from the power of Holy Spirit. We must remember that the kingdom of God is within us. It's all supposed to happen from the inside out and not the other way around. We must learn to be Spirit-led.
   It is truly amazing how many times I have personally missed God over the years doing things with all my might and commitment for Him because I assumed He would honor my works. Well, it didn't work.
     What was I doing? I was substituting for the Holy Spirit. How foolish I was! I'm doing better now waiting on the Lord until I feel the breeze of the Holy Spirit before I move out. I just wish someone had taken me aside and told me all this many years ago. I was deceived into believing that God would bless what I did for Him whether He wanted me to do it or not. I had stepped right smack dab into the middle of a spiritual landmine, not only once mind you, but many, many times.

Conclusion:

Well, I sure hope that all this has opened up your thinking a bit more and that I wasn't just rambling on for nothing. We sometimes find it hard to believe that spiritual things are so ever-present all around us and if we don't pay attention we could in fact step on a mine at any time (1 Pet 5:8) ...

A Typical New Testament Church Meeting

2010-04-10T00:00:00.003-04:00

The Church in Worship

Allow me to explain the diagram:

As the praise begins, it’s like a powered airplane beginning to climb skyward. Behind the plane is attached a glider which represents the believers which are present. The worship team (the powered plane) lifts the believers to new heights as the anointing begins to build. When this powered plane has reached a suitable height the glider is released to soar into realms of worship upon the wind currents (the Holy Spirit). The glider begins spiraling its way slowly back to earth; occasionally catching an updraft (air current). As the glider of worship is freely soaring, the spiritual gifts (i.e., the gifts of prophecy or a combination of tongues and interpretation) begin to manifest themselves.

It's not over yet!

When these gifts of the Spirit are through being manifested, those gifted in preaching or teaching (depending on the nature of the information manifested) begin to tie together all that the Spirit has just revealed into a cohesive revelation of the purpose and plan of God for that specific meeting. The teaching, at this point, could be fortified by testimonies, revelations, scripture readings, or by other gifts of the Spirit (i.e., word of knowledge, word of wisdom, etc). All this would lead to new levels of commitment by those in attendance.
In conjunction with this move of the Holy Spirit there is a spiritual checks and balances system in operation, using the gift of discerning of spirits in order to distinguish the move of the Holy Spirit from the move and deceptions of the enemy. Remember, spiritual warfare is always raging. The prophets also have a checks and balances system. All prophecy is judged and evaluated by those other prophets in attendance.

There's still more!

How can we have meetings like these?

You may be asking yourself just how all this can come to be; how can we have meetings like these? First of all, we must remember that the church is primarily spiritual and that without the help of the Holy Spirit the best we can hope for is a form of religion with little or no real anointing or power. The genuine gifts come from God through the ministry and application of the Holy Spirit. To their own chagrin many churches try to mimic these gifts.
There’s only one way to have a truly spiritual meeting. We must humble ourselves and call on the name of the Lord with all our hearts until these types of meetings are restored from heaven. A group of believers desiring this type of an outpouring might have to come together for an extended time in praise, worship, prayer, and possibly even fasting; doing those things that invite the move of God, but not doing those things that substitute it.

Let's look in on a Messianic New Testament church meeting:

Robert D. Heidler in his booklet "The Messianic Church" relates what might have been an early church meeting: "Let's imagine we are walking down a street in the city of Rome. It is A.D. 95 ... more than 60 years have passed since the day of Pentecost. We are about to "drop in" on a typical church service in that city.

The time is Saturday evening. By Jewish reckoning, the first day of the week began at sundown on Saturday. The church meets in the evening because most of the people have to work during the day. We arrive at the door at a typical Roman house, and are warmly welcomed by the host.

The particular church we are going to visit is a house church. The early church operated on two levels: The house church and the congregation. Even if the church grew to 20 or 30,000 members, its primary unit would still be the house church. From time to time the house churches would also congregate in larger groups, many times outdoors or in a rented auditorium. In Jerusalem they met in the Temple courts.

We are going to visit a house church. Let me warn you before you go in, to be prepared for a serious case of "culture shock". What you are about to witness is not church life as you have known it.

As we walk through the door, you look across the entrance into a large open courtyard of the home. There appears to be some sort of party going on. Some of the people are playing flutes, lyres, and tamborines, while others are singing, dancing, and clapping their hands.

You immediatly look around to make sure you came into the right house! As you listen to the words, however, you realize that this is the right place, for the words of the songs are words of praise to Jesus! The people are overflowing with joy because they have come to know the living God.

What you are witnessing is the way the early church praised God. This type of worship is foreign to much of the church today, but from the biblical and historical records, this is what the worship in the early church was like. It was a free and joyful celebration, with a great deal of singing and dancing.

Most church services would begin with the people getting in a ring (or several concentric rings) and dancing Jewish-style ring dances (like the Hora) ...

So here we are in a large courtyard. There is a great deal of singing, dancing, and rejoicing in the Lord. As the songs slow down a little, many people get down on their knees before the Lord. Most are lifting up hands to Him. A tremendous sense of the Lord's presence fills the courtyard.

During the churches praise and worship, there are spontaneous shouts of praise. Some shout, Amen!" to voice their agreement with what others have said. As we enter into the worship, we are overwhelmed by the love and acceptance of the people.

After much singing and dancing, food is brought out. People find their seats and prepare for the meal. We are surprised to see people eating a meal in the middle of a church service, but this is described by Paul in 1 Corinthians, as well as by Jude, and Peter. This shared weekly meal is called the "love feast" or Agape.

To begin the meal one of the leaders stand stands with a cup, blesses the Lord, and offers thanks. It also is passed from person to person. This is the Lord's supper in its original context.

The meal is a joyful time centered on devotion to the Lord. As they eat, the believers talk about the things of God, share testimonies, recite and discuss scripture, and sing praises to the Lord. You are impressed that, while very few have copies of any biblical books, most of those present appear to have large portions of the Bible memorized.

After the meal ends, worship continues until at some point, a change begins to take place. There is a subtle shift in the atmosphere. The air seems to thicken. A tangible sense of the presence of God come and rests in the place. First Corinthians chapter five describes it this way, "When you are assembled in the name of the Lord Jesus ... and the power of our Lord Jesus is present ..."

Those who have studied revival literature recall that a tangible sense of God's presence has frequently accompanied the great revivals of history. The manifest presence of God is, in fact, the hallmark of true revival. In the presence of a Holy God sinners find salvation, backsliders find repentance, and the miraculous becomes commonplace. "

The Humpty Dumpty Church

2010-04-02T22:12:00.000-04:00

Humpty Dumpty sat on a wall, Humpty Dumpty had a great fall. All the King's horses and all the King's men, Couldn't put Humpty together again.

A short history lesson

According to information I found on the web, Humpty Dumpty was a colloquial term used in 15th century England to describe someone who was fat or obese. Humpty Dumpty was in fact an unusually large cannon, which was mounted on the protective wall of “St. Mary’s Wall Church” in Colchester, England. It was intended to protect the Parliamentarian stronghold of Colchester which was in the temporary control of the Royalists during the period of English history described as the English Civil War (1642-1649). A shot from a parliamentary cannon succeeded in damaging the wall underneath Humpty Dumpty, causing the cannon to fall to the ground. The Royalists, all the King’s men, attempted to raise Humpty Dumpty onto another part of the wall but even with the help of ‘all the King’s horses’ failed in their task, and Colchester fell to the Parliamentarians after a siege lasting eleven weeks.

How does this apply to the church?

The impression I always received from this nursery rhyme, when I was a child, was that Humpty was broken and shattered into so many pieces that he just couldn’t be repaired. Although I found the above interesting, I think I’m going to fall back to my childish understanding which then allows me to more clearly contrast it with the state we find our churches in--broken and shattered in terms of unity. Although I think the terms “fat” and “a broken cannon” are also apt descriptions. I hope we can all agree by now that she’s broken, but thank God (unlike all the king’s horses and all the king’s men) there is one who can put Her back together again and that someone is the Holy Spirit.

But before the Holy Spirit can use us to put her back together again we need to know what the church looked like when it was whole.

What is the "biblical" foundation upon which
the early New Testament church rested?

Jesus Christ himself is to be the chief corner stone (Eph 2:19-20 NKJV)
The foundation is to rest upon the apostles and prophets teachings (Eph 2:19-20 NKJV)
The whole (spiritual) building, being fitted together, is to grow into a holy temple in the Lord (Eph 2:21 NKJV)
We the temple are being built together for a dwelling place of God in the Spirit (Eph 2:22 NKJV)
We are the precious living stones that make up this temple (1 Pet 2:4 NKJV)
We, as living stones, are being built up a spiritual house, a holy priesthood, to offer up spiritual sacrifices acceptable to God through Jesus Christ (1Pet 2:5 NKJV).

We beloved, along with others in Christ, make up the the Church -- not some corporate institution!

It should be fairly clear from the above that the church is not a building. The true church is essentially invisible and Spirit-led. There is a very real difference between corporate church structure and biblical church order. God doesn't need clever organizers or overlords masquerading as biblical pastors. What God wants is what He originally established in the New Testament patterns for oversight and guidance in the church. It is as follows:

"And He Himself (Jesus) gave some to be apostles, some prophets, some evangelists, and some pastors and teachers, for the equipping of the saints for the work of ministry, for the edifying of the body of Christ, till we all come to 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 fullness of Christ" (Eph 4:10-14 NKJV).

Elders were the overseers of the church

It seems that elders were the overseers of the church. Elders being older, more experienced, responsible men who would watch over and care for the church as it moved freely in the Spirit.

"The elders who are among you I exhort, I who am a fellow elder and a witness of the sufferings of Christ, and also a partaker of the glory that will be revealed: Shepherd the flock of God which is among you, serving as overseers, not by compulsion but willingly, not for dishonest gain but eagerly; nor as being lords over those entrusted to you, but being examples to the flock; and when the Chief Shepherd appears, you will receive the crown of glory that does not fade away" (1 Pet 5:1-4 NKJV).

Position in the church was not an occupation nor was it something to grasp at. The church didn't need a superman who could do and be everything that the church needed -- that was to be the Holy Spirit's position. On the contrary, biblical "elders" humbly took responsibility to serve and to see that the church remained in order as it worshiped collectively in the Spirit.

The church is to be self ministering

The church is to feed itself as each one, in unity, shares their gifts from the Holy Spirit -- the choreographer and orchestrator being the Holy Spirit himself. In this way the church shares a diet of spiritual food with each other and each is allowed to fully mature in Christ (1 Cor chapters 12-14).

Can you see how different this is from what we typically call "church"? This was the biblical pattern for church life, growth and unity all across the Body of Christ. The Holy Spirit led his church in the earth and turned the entire known world upside down with the glorious gospel of Jesus Christ s' good news of salvation.

When and where did they fellowship?

Whenever they could and wherever they could. For the most part they met very naturally in homes as was the Jewish custom. They would break bread together and celebrate Messiah Jesus with prayer, song, and worship. They occasionally met in larger collective gatherings.

We do well to remember that for the first sixty years there would be no New Testament writings to study. These writings weren't yet written down. Just think, no New Testament at all! Jewish men who were brought up in the scriptures from childhood referenced the Old Testament writings in the context of the New Covenant of grace. They did so as they were led by their new-found guide, the Holy Spirit.

These types of spontaneous meetings continued for a few hundred years until Emperor Constantine put a stop to them (approx. A.D. 325) and altered the face of Christianity forever -- or at least up until now.

Well, here we are in 2010 and the church remains very much Constantinian in its structure. The question is are we ready to pay the price in order to change the landscape we now call Christianity? Do we have the courage to return to biblical patterns such that unity can once again emerge and thrive in a Spirit-led atmosphere ... ?

A Note of Caution

Bible patterns are to be our frame of reference, but to be applied effectively we must be led by the Holy Spirit. To build according to any pattern (even a biblical one) without the Holy Spirit's leading will only produce another subtle form of religion. Let's become wise master builders and be led by God.

For now just to grasp the truth about what the church has become, in contrast to God's plan for it will suffice -- that is until the Holy Spirit makes his move in the earth once again ...

About institutional pastors

If you've been following this Blog for awhile you may have gotten the impression that I don't like pastors very much. I want you to know that this is absolutely untrue. I've never had a bad pastor; all of them were special people and unique in different ways. I honestly believe that each and every one of them loved the Lord with all their hearts and were, and still are, laying down their lives for Christ.
These pastors are being faithful to what their mentors taught them and theirs were faithful in turn to theirs. Unfortunately the problem goes back well over one thousand years -- back once again to the Emperor Constantine. There is way too much information to cover here, but briefly, Constantine established a class distinction between the priesthood and the laity (us common folk) and set up a structured setting for formal worship.

Institutional Pastors are unknowingly Satan's pawns

     Pastors that have been preconditioned in Bible colleges and seminaries etc. are so programmed that they never even think to question their denominational, doctrinal foundations. For the most part they have swallowed it all, hook, line and sinker -- and sink the church did!
     It's as though they were given a set of church blinders at graduation. Since then they haven't bothered taking them off to look at New testament church patterns -- the true roots of Christianity.
     What I'm opposed to is the institutional church model. This model sets up a false "Office of Pastor" in the church. This is clearly not biblical, but permeates nearly all of Christianity.

So please don't think for one moment that I have a personal vendetta against pastors -- I don't. What I have is a personal vendetta against Satan for what he's done to our church (the Body of Christ).
The only way to undo Satan's handiwork is to speak out against the institution as it is, and to try and bring folks back to their New Testament roots ... This is what this "New Wineskin" Blog has been all about. I suppose I could sugar-coat it, but that never works.

Allow me to sum it up:

What we call church is not God's definition of church. Really folks, you cannot have church without the presence of the Holy Spirit. All you can do without Him is act out another dry form of religion seasoned with psychological manipulation and or emotionalism.
As long as man holds the reigns and gets all the attention the Holy Spirit will continue to distance himself .
It's time we say goodbye to the Humpty Dumpty Church and begin afresh and anew. The way to begin is to learn about and be faithful to biblical patterns of church life and to pray for a fresh visitation and outpouring of the Holy Spirit. And remember ...

God does not share His glory with men ...

Unity -- Possibility or Pipe Dream

2010-03-26T22:51:00.045-04:00

Unity

Is biblical unity across denominational lines a real possibility or simply a pipe dream

The reason is simple -- biblical unity is Spirit-based

"The wind blows where it wishes, and you hear the sound of it, but cannot tell where it comes from and where it goes. So is everyone who is born of the Spirit (John 3:8).”

Unity Has nothing to do with the physical church

Biblical unity has absolutely nothing to do with church structure; whether it is traditional, denominational or contemporary.
Unity has absolutely nothing to do with church leadership whether it be a Pastor, Bishop, Priest, Pope or any other religious person that tries to sets up a class distinction between the "priesthood" and the "laity" (the so-called common people; or attendees).

Man cannot produce godly unity no matter how clever or spiritual he thinks he is. True unity comes from the Spirit of God.

Unity is an automatic, supernatural byproduct of salvation imparted by the Holy Spirit (1 Cor 12:13)

God absolutely loves unity

To God unity is "pleasant" and "precious" just like the morning dew which he places upon the earth to show us the delicate beauty that symbolizes true unity. Psalm 133 describes this best:

Will it be persecution that finally drives the church to unity?

The Great Exchange

2010-03-20T07:16:00.000-04:00

The great exchange ... Christ for man

Has caused me to surrender.

The second great exchange is me ...

My kingdom for His splendor!

Christian Water Baptism

Is the water baptism new Christians receive spiritually rich, or has it too been diluted as it's made its way down through the ages?
Is there more to water baptism than what meets the denominational eye?
Is there a life changing dynamic in Water Baptism that has been overlooked?

The answer to these questions is YES! For the most part Christians are a product of religious institutional thinking. These well meaning institutions have conditioned us as to how to think and act when it comes to Christianity -- and most of us have been obedient little followers perpetuating their empty, emaciated doctrinal edicts.
Many a church has split over this issue of water baptism. What I was taught about water baptism as a young believer is that we do so as a testimony to the church and to the world. In so doing we proclaim that we have chosen to be followers of the Lord Jesus Christ. I still believe this to be true, but is that all there is to it?

In this Blog I'd like to present some other aspects that make up water baptism -- aspects which can help a new believer maximize their spiritual potential in Christ. The very best way to do this is to look at what the Bible has to say about this amazing ordinance of God.

Is water baptism a place of being forgiven for our past?

Col 2:11-14 NKJV In Him you were also circumcised with the circumcision made without hands, by putting off the body of the sins of the flesh, by the circumcision of Christ, buried with Him in baptism, in which you also were raised with Him through faith in the working of God, who raised Him from the dead. And you, being dead in your trespasses and the uncircumcision of your flesh, He has made alive together with Him, having forgiven you all trespasses, having wiped out the handwriting of requirements that was against us, which was contrary to us. And He has taken it out of the way, having nailed it to the cross.

     Oh, I can just hear all the religious pharisees rending their garments over this one. There is however an undeniable divine linkage presented here between the circumcision of the heart, being buried with Christ in baptism, and the cross of Christ. Do we dare dissect them doctrinally? I don't, but we can attempt to understand them a little better. We mustn't be afraid to think outside the religious box.
   For instance, what was it in (Acts 8:34-39 NJKV) that so compelled the Ethiopian eunuch to desire to be baptized right there and then? He didn't want to wait another minute. What did Phillip say to him that caused him to immediately stop his chariot and head for water?
     I think it had a lot to do with what Peter said on the day of Pentecost when the crowd asked him, "What must we do to be saved." Peter's words, "repent, be baptized and receive the gift of the Holy Spirit" still ring out from the pages of the past as they did to this eunuch (Acts 2:38 KJV).
     I believe what Luke (the writer of the Book of Acts) has documented here is a biblical pattern which is intended to insure a full, solid and meaningful salvation experience. We can avoid all the doctrinal arguments over water baptism if we simply follow this rich biblical pattern:

Repent
Be baptized
Receive the Holy Spirit

This pattern is actually longer than I have indicated. These verses (Acts 2:37-38) were preceded by Peter preaching the cross, and explaining that it was they (the Jews) that crucified Christ. This led to heavy conviction. We could therefore extend the pattern:

There was a divine encounter with Christ (vs. 1-12)
Christ was preached (vs. 15-36)
Their sin was made manifest to them (vs. 36)
They came under heavy conviction (vs. 37)
They repented (vs. 42)
They were baptized (vs. 42)
They received the gift of the Holy Spirit.

I truly believe that biblical patterns are the key to unity, because they're something everyone can agree on. There is no need to doctrinally split hairs over them -- but rather just simply follow them.

Water Baptism is a place of death to self

Romans 6:3-6 NKJV Or do you not know that as many of us as were baptized into Christ Jesus were baptized into His death? Therefore we were buried with Him through baptism into death, that just as Christ was raised from the dead by the glory of the Father, even so we also should walk in newness of life. For if we have been united together in the likeness of His death, certainly we also shall be in the likeness of His resurrection, knowing this, that our old man was crucified with Him, that the body of sin might be done away with, that we should no longer be slaves of sin.

     When we are truly ready for Christ -- we are also truly ready for death to self. This is because our kingdom has already failed and turned to ashes. We come looking for a new life, a new beginning, a new hope. We come to Christ seeking a resurrection for the living dead (us).
   Prior to this our world revolved around self. Self was the center of our universe and everything we did was essentially self-serving in some way. Didn't pan out so good, did it?
   It is at the edge of the waters of baptism that we make the decision as to whose kingdom will be served -- ours or God's. Once we go under the waters of baptism and are buried with Christ we must purpose to leave our kingdom there forever. From henceforth Jesus Christ becomes the center of our universe and all things are to revolve around Him. Our lives take on the aroma of heaven as we become ambassadors for Christ in an earth suffering the intense pain of moral decay.
   If our ego is not dealt with here, under the waters of baptism, it will continually taunt us as we attempt to move on in Christ. We will remain divided in our allegiance between the kingdom of God and the kingdom of self. However, if we do leave it buried under the waters of baptism we will undergo a glorious metamorphosis. We literally do become that "new creation" the Bible speaks of (2 Cor 5:17 KJV).

Water Baptism is a place of unity with all true believers

1 Cor 12:13 NKJV For by one Spirit we were all baptized into one body—whether Jews or Greeks,whether slaves or free—and have all been made to drink into one Spirit.

      I love this aspect of water baptism. There is only one body of believers in the earth and they're joined together spiritually by the Holy Spirit at the very moment of water baptism.
     Despite all the denominational walls men have erected in an attempt to exalt their own little mini-kingdoms -- beneath all the traditional, denominational and contemporary doctrinal rubble still lies a unity of all truly born-again Christians. Unfortunately it is not free to manifest itself.
   Think about it, beloved -- when people first get saved they don't know anything about Christian unity. Everything they initially learn comes from what they're taught at the church they attend. The problem is, of course, that the church typically teaches a unity that is confined within their own denominational walls made up of their doctrine. Unity confined is not biblical unity. We must see this for what it clearly is ... wrong!

But there's a new day coming ...

There's a new day coming when we Christians will finally break free from all the unnecessary doctrinal baggage and bondage that the organized church has piled upon us. We will emerge unencumbered at long last and in love with all true Christian believers the world over. This is because unity has already been accomplished at the waters of baptism!
We can't see it all that clearly yet because the churches have so muddied the water! But the days are quickly approaching, beloved, when those corporate blinders will be removed such that the true church will once again see clearly -- at long last! When this does come to pass John 17:21 will become a reality!

All this makes you want to get baptized all over again -- at least it does me -- maybe I will !!!

This Blog has touched upon water Baptism lightly. There is so much more spiritual depth to plummet if one so desires to go deeper. A diligent personal bible study would reveal many nuggets of truth; if your so inclined to do so. I have also included a link to a little over eight pages of my personal conclusions after studying this subject. Most folks nowadays don't like reading that much information at once, but it's there if you desire to do so. Just click on the following link:

"Read More"

Are You Hiding Behind Grace

2010-03-13T06:57:00.003-05:00

Come Out, Come Out, Wherever You Are!

Are You Hiding ... Behind Grace?

There is a doctrinal plague sweeping through the institutional church which allows professing Christians to justify their sinful lifestyles. These professing believers are hiding behind a cloak of grace as the churches look the other way ... after all what's more important holiness ... or a full house. An ongoing message of holiness drives unsaved people away and therefore doesn't pay the bills whereas the message of grace keeps 'em comin' back for more.

Many churches have become fair havens for these carnal attendees who are given to crude bodily pleasures and appetites. They brazenly continue unchecked in their cycles of sexual gratification; all the while hiding behind a facade of grace, and the church allows it ... and then we wonder where the Holy Spirit went (1 Thess 5:19)!

What exactly is biblical grace?

unmerited divine assistance given humans for their regeneration or sanctification
a virtue coming from God
a state of sanctification enjoyed through divine grace

Grace is how we get saved. It is God's mercy extended to us even though we don't deserve it (Rom 3:24; Eph 2:8-9). There is nowhere in scripture that leads us to believe that grace is a license to sin. As a matter of fact just the opposite is true.

Grace is not a license to sin

Just look at these verses:

What shall we say then? Shall we continue in sin that grace may abound? Certainly not! How shall we who died to sin live any longer in it? Or do you not know that as many of us as were baptized into Christ Jesus were baptized into His death? Therefore we were buried with Him through baptism into death, that just as Christ was raised from the dead by the glory of the Father, even so we also should walk in newness of life. (Rom 6:1-4 NKJV)

Church pastors will get up behind their polished pulpits and boldly herald these scripture, verses, but alas -- you can tell a tree by it's fruit. If the pews remain lined with habitual abusers of holiness, attempting to take advantage of grace; then something is sorely amiss.

Churches aren't doing anyone a favor by allowing this type of behavior. Many of these adherents have convinced themselves that it's all right to sin as long as they say a little sorry to God now and then. Reminds me of the confessional in the church I grew up in. You went in, said I'm sorry, did penance, and went out the next week and did it all over again only to return for more absolution next time. Allow me to be really blunt here:

"If you are living in repeated cycles of sin there is a very real possibility that you were never really saved at all."

The apostle Paul sent a letter to the professing believers in Galatia and writes:

Now the works of the flesh are evident, which are: adultery, fornication, uncleanness, lewdness, idolatry, sorcery, hatred, contentions, jealousies, outbursts of wrath, selfish ambitions, dissensions, heresies, envy,

murders, drunkenness, revelries, and the like; of which I tell you beforehand, just as I also told you in time past, that those who practice such things will not inherit the kingdom of God (Gal 5:19-21 NKJV).

In this we have all failed by allowing the world's standard to slither into our midst and inject it's poison into the very bloodstream of Christianity.
Beloved, we must come to our senses and realize that it is not okay ...

That the divorce rate in the church is the same as the world outside (Mal 2:16).
That we allow couples to live in sin without saying a word (1 Cor 5:11-12).
For both young and older men alike to dress and act according to the spirit of rebellion that so permeates the world. (1 Cor 2:12)
For young girls as well as grown women to dress sensually in order to draw attention to their bodies -- fishing for attention; always wiggling the worm so to speak. The really sad part is that they've been lulled into thinking that the way they present themselves is actually godly. They honestly don't even know what pleases God and what holiness is all about (1 Tim 2:9-10).

You might be getting a bit upset with me at this point, but what I'm writing is true and we all know it at some level. There are a lot of people professing Christ as their Savior and wondering why things are no better in their lives.They live defeated miserable, down trodden lives trying anything and everything to try to feel better... Perhaps your one of them.

If the Body of Christ doesn't offer folks like this a genuine salvation they will go elsewhere looking for relief. Yes, the Devil has slowly boiled the frog (the church) in the water of the world's standards.

Is the following not an apt description of our churches today?

Rev 2"14 To the angel of the church in Laodicea write:

These are the words of the Amen, the faithful and true witness, the ruler of God's creation. I know your deeds, that you are neither cold nor hot. I wish you were either one or the other! So, because you are lukewarm—neither hot nor cold—I am about to spit you out of my mouth. You say, 'I am rich; I have acquired wealth and do not need a thing.' But you do not realize that you are wretched, pitiful, poor, blind and naked. I counsel you to buy from me gold refined in the fire, so you can become rich; and white clothes to wear, so you can cover your shameful nakedness; and salve to put on your eyes, so you can see. Those whom I love I rebuke and discipline. So be earnest, and repent. Here I am! I stand at the door and knock. If anyone hears my voice and opens the door, I will come in and eat with him, and he with me. To him who overcomes, I will give the right to sit with me on my throne, just as I overcame and sat down with my Father on his throne. He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches."

The good news is that ... Genuine salvation works!!!

True salvation is a miracle of God; one that has cost him dearly. The sinless blood that our Lord Jesus shed for sin is very precious. It has earned a response of holiness from those who partake of it -- not in terms of behavior modification (trying to be good) but by receiving the powerful, free gift of a new creation (Eph 2:8-9 KJV).

Any one who is truly saved is changed deep, deep down inside. Our spirit is made alive in Christ and we have the power of God living in us. Our hearts cry out "Abba Father." and we take on a new-found passion for holiness where every cell in us cries out, "I want to be like Christ!" This is not natural -- this is supernatural! This is genuine Christianity!!!

It is this gift (our new nature in Christ) that propels us to desire holiness, righteousness, modesty and humility. This is what rips our heart out of the world and into living out our citizenship in the kingdom of God. We find that we have entered into a new dimension where out hearts are in heaven with Christ, even though our feet walk upon earths troubled sod.

The Perfect Law of Liberty

"But this shall be the covenant that I will make with the house of Israel; After those days, saith the LORD, I will put my law in their inward parts, and write it in their hearts; and will be their God, and they shall be my people (Jer 31:33 KJV)."

Could it be that the "perfect law of liberty" mentioned in the letter of James is the fulfillment of the above Old Testament prophecy in which the law of God is indelibly branded onto our hearts and we become the property of another (Jas 1:25 KJV)?

As partakers of this new heart we find ourselves automatically fulfilling "the perfect law of God" in joy and Liberty out of pure gratitude. A glorious liberty which brings with it the freedom to be who God created us to be. The sheer magnitude of the joy of sins forgiven ignites an insatiable all consuming fire that burns deep within us (Lk 3:16 NKJV). At last we become free to practice the virtue of true holiness. And that wonderful verse found in Matt 11:30 comes to life ... "for His yoke truly is easy and His burden truly is light" --- hallelujah (paraphrased)!

Who the Son sets free is free indeed!

If your not living in liberty such as this, with a new heart that cries out for true holiness, then my advise to you is to return to Acts 2:38 and to begin again. Receive a true salvation along with the of the promise of the Father (the Holy Spirit). Don't settle for the soft-sell, watered-down, cheap gospel that many institutional churches are peddling for prestige and financial gain. Unconditionally surrender your life to Christ and be truly born-again!

If you do, you will never be the same ...

Here's a few more verses to help nail holiness down:

1 John 3:6 NKJV Whoever abides in Him does not sin.
Whoever sins has neither seen Him nor known Him.

1 John 3:9 NKJV Whoever has been born of God does not sin, for His seed remains in him; and he cannot sin, because he has been born of God.

1 John 5:18 NKJV We know that whoever is born of God does not sin; but he who has been born of God keeps himself, and the wicked one does not touch him.

Spirit-Led

2010-03-06T06:24:00.011-05:00

I So Want to be Spirit-Led

My sheep hear my voice, and I know them, and they follow me (John 10:27).

"They Follow Me"

The constant theme that runs through the New Testament scriptures is the importance of the Holy Spirit, and the need to be truly led by Him. The Father, Jesus and the Holy Spirit are all one; but three unique personages. When Jesus said, "they follow me" He wasn't saying we would all follow him and ascend into heaven with him, but that we would be led by him.
The agent of the Trinity on earth is now the Holy Spirit and He is the one we are to follow. Jesus sent Him here, as he had promised, on the Day of Pentecost for that very reason. Many Christians are perplexed as to how to aactually ccomplish this supernatural appeal from Jesus to follow him down here on planet earth. Well, that's what this week's Blog is all about -- how to be Spirit-led.

You've already been Spirit-led whether you know it or not.

Any truly born-again Christian has experienced being Spirit-led. Do you remember the gentle (or maybe not so gentle) tugging on your heart that you felt when you really heard and understood the gospel for the first time? Well, that tugging was the Holy Spirit convicting you of your sinful state and your need of salvation. This may have been the first and last time you heard His voice, but nonetheless, you were Spirit-led.

Good News

God wants us all to be Spirit-led, but the Institutional Church has, for the most part, has left the Holy Spirit on the outside looking in (Lk 13:34 KJV). We are not longer encouraged to listen for His still small voice and are left with only divisive Bible doctrine, psychological motivation and emotionalism which titillates our souls, but not our spirits. The good news is that the Holy Spirit is still available in power and wants to be restored to his rightful place in the Body of Christ (the one without walls of division).

How did Jesus' disciples become Spirit-led?

Well, it all began at what we have come to call the Last Supper. "And Jesus breathed on them and said receive the Holy Spirit" (John 20:22). After this the disciples were given instructions, by Jesus, to go to Jerusalem and to wait until they received the "Promise of the Father." Jesus was speaking of the coming of the Comforter (the Holy Spirit) in power (Acts 1:8 NKJV).
Once they received this second impartation (or the empowering of the Spirit) they received an ongoing access to, and relationship with, the Holy Spirit. Without this (the Holy Spirit's empowerment) one cannot understand what it truly means to be Spirit-led.

I never could figure this out:

I don't know why God set it up the way he did regarding what seems to be two separate and distinct encounters with the Holy Spirit, but it seems as though that is exactly what he did (that is unless you want to remove some of the pages of the Bible). Some churches fight to keep the Holy Spirit out by saying that there is no more empowerment from Him to the church -- that somehow it all stopped when the Bible was canonized and went to press.

They still want the salvation part of course, but reject the rest. It's kinda like God putting out a buffet where you get to pick and choose what parts of the Bible you want to eat and just pass by the parts you don't like the taste of.

Here are the two distinct encounters with the Holy Spirit:

We have the one at the point of salvation described in John 20:22 (KJV) and again in Rom 10:9-10 (KJV)
And we have the one through which we receive power Lk 24:49 (KJV), Eph 4:8 (KJV) and 1 Cor chapters 12-14 9 NKJV). Receiving this power from God is accompanied with speaking in tongues and is commonly referred to as the "Baptism in the Holy Spirit"

Oh no, not tongues!

Believe it or not there are some denominations that consider speaking in tongues some sort of badge of spirituality, and that without it your salvation is questionable at best. How's that for a demonic doctrine with which to create division in the Body of Christ? We should not be seeking tongues anyway; but rather the Holy Spirit. The tongues is the outward manifestation of the inner reality of having received the full empowerment of the Holy Spirit.

Let me back up a bit here

For those of you who don't even know what "speaking in tongues" is, you can find references to it in the following verses:

Mark 16:17; Acts 2:3; Acts 2:4; Acts 2:11; Acts 10:46; Acts 19:6; 1 Cor 12:10; 1 Cor 12:28; 1 Cor 12:30; 1 Cor 13:1; 1 Cor 13:8; 1 Cor 14:5; 1 Cor 14:6; 1 Cor 14:18; 1 Cor 14:21

Now that's a whole lot of verses to have to remove from the Bible if you don't like them!

The institutional church is the culprit

The reason tongues are considered so offensive to so many folks is because of the way the church has attempted to administer it. Typically it turns into an emotional side show with a lot of shouting and psychological manipulation -- it's been that way every time I have witnessed it.
Truth of the matter is that the Holy Spirit rarely shows up because he's the Spirit of unity; and institutional churches promote division. The only choice the institution has is to fake it!

A story of Jack and Jill

A couple by the name of Jack and Jill are visiting a church where the Pastor is ministering the Baptism in the Holy Spirit. Let's listen in: "Look over there Jill," says Jack. "Do you see those believers ... that group there; over in the corner? They're seeking "The Baptism in the Holy Spirit." Can you hear the Pastor encouraging them to begin praying?" Jill responds, "Yea, and he's really being quite aggressive." Jack kinda chuckles, "Whew, he sure is -- and he's gettin' 'em pretty fired up too."

     Jill responds, "He's even got 'em raising their hands and worshiping out loud now. Wow, listen to that will ya! Actually sounds pretty neat, huh?"   Jack whispers, "Okay, okay , shhh, let's see what happens next!"
     Jill is wide-eyed by now and continues, "Look! now he's laying hands on each one and is praying in tongues over each of them. He's telling everybody tn the room that had previously received tongues to all begin to pray in tongues also. This is gettin' way emotional, huh?"
     Jack replies, "Yea. and I don't believe my ears. Did you hear the Pastor tell them to mimic those others believers who are speaking in tongues -- and they're actually doing it!!" At this point Jill can' barely contain herself, "Everyone is so emotional and their all shouting, "You got it!" "You got it!" "You're speaking in tongues!" "You're speaking in tongues!" "this whole thing is gettin' outta control!"
Jill looks at Jack with a total look of unbelief on her face, "Now this is really weird!" Jack whispers over to Jill, "What da ya say we get outa here ... quick!"

Well, there you have it

     The sad part of this fictitious account is that it is not an exaggeration. This is the way most churhces administer the Baptism in the Holy Spirit. After a meeting such as this is over, the "newly initiated" will end up leaving all pumped up thinking that they have something that they simply do not have.
     As time passes, and they begin to realize that getting emotionally stirred up and mimicking someones else's tongues didn't bear any fruit, they either abandon the whole idea as something that "just isn't for me" or from then on just make up words in their heads so as to be accepted by their peers.
     I have no doubt that folks that minister the Baptism in the Holy Spirit in this way are sincere and well meaning, but even good intentions are no excuse for this type of psychological and emotional manipulation. There is nowhere in the Bible that a scene such as this ever takes place. How did we ever get so far off biblical base? If it wasn't for God's grace no one would ever receive the Baptism in the Holy Spirit.

So what am I supposed to do?

First of all know that God wants you to be Spirit-filled and Spirit-led. This is how he directs the real Body of Christ in the earth to do spiritual assignments. Notice that on the Day of Pentecost, as described in Acts 1:4 (NKJV), that it was "the Spirit" that gave them utterance." They didn't have to mimic anything -- they just had to be desiring the Holy Spirit and expecting whatever it was that God had for them. Yes, tongues came next, but they had no idea that it would. Let me say that again, IT WAS THE SPIRIT (and not men) that gave them utterance!

Other similar accounts in the Bible:

There was another account of this happening at Cornelius' house in Acts 10:44 (NKJV). As Peter was still speaking to them, of salvation through Jesus Christ, the Holy Spirit came upon them and they began to spontaneously speak in tongues.

There was yet another account found in Acts 19:6 where Christ was preached, they were baptized in water, Paul laid his hands on them and they received the holy Spirit along with the manifestation of speaking in tongues.

This is my recommendation for receiving
the Baptism in the Holy Spirit:

Just let God be God!

God didn't need any help on the Day of Pentecost and he doesn't need any help now. We need to learn to get out of the way and let God be God! His arm is not too short to reach out to you, after all it's Jesus who wants this for you. The following is a reasonable biblical approach to being Baptized in the Holy Spirit:

Get saved (Acts 2:38 KJV).
Desire to be Baptized in the Holy Spirit (Lk 3:16 NKJV).
Wait for the promise of the Father; just like the disciples did on the Day of Pentecost. Acts 2:39 (KJV)
Spend time with the Lord as you praise and worship Him. Lk 24:49-52 (KJV); Rom 4:21 (KJV); Heb 10:23 (KJV) You don't have to beg or plead, just remain receptive.
If you don't receive right away, just walk in it for a season. God is faithful to His promise (Matt 7:7 KJV).

You will want to look at this preceding verse (Mat 7:7) in the Amplified Version also -- just click here.

I know that in one of the verses above the apostle Paul laid his hands on them and they received. If you have an apostle (or other truly anointed person) on hand, by all means avail your self to the Holy Spirit's anointing working through him. Many folks claim to be apostles nowadays, but you can easily tell one by their supernatural fruit -- no supernatural fruit, no apostle.

Now what?

Once you have received this second impartation of the Holy Spirit, and whenever the need arises to be really Spirit-led, you will simply need to be still in order to hear the Holy Spirit speak to your heart. Of course you will then have to act upon what you hear by faith.

Conclusion

If we simply let God be God, without the distractions of all the religious trimmings, we'll be used and empowered by God in exactly the way He wants us to be ...

If you would like to receive an e-mail each week notifying you of a new Blog, simply send me an e-mail at ronrosi@comcast.net The e-mail will be be sent as an "undisclosed recipiants list" so that only your name will appear at the top.

The Sword of the Lord

2010-02-27T07:43:00.006-05:00

The Hidden Secrets of the

"Sword of the Lord" Unveiled

For the Word that God speaks is alive and full of power [making it active, operative, energizing, and effective]; it is sharper than any two-edged sword, penetrating to the dividing line of the breath of life (soul) and [the immortal] spirit, and of joints and marrow [of the deepest parts of our nature], exposing and sifting and analyzing and judging the very thoughts and purposes of the heart, Heb 4:12 (Amp).

This article can be life changing!

Many believers in this generation are beginning to discover a dynamic that has been veiled for well over a millennium. When Emperor Constantine (approx. A.D. 320) established Christianity as a legal religion the Holy Spirit jumped ship and took the anointing with Him. This man-established "Christian" religion sank into total disrepair during the reign of the Papacy and then began to emerge again when the Protestant Reformation came about. Since that time many, many different denominations have been formed because of dessention over biblical doctrine.

Doctrines of demons

Last week we looked at "Doctrines of Demons" and their insidious effect on the church. The reason these deceiving devils had free sway was because the Holy Spirit (the Spirit of unity) wasn't present when men read their Bibles. The "Sword of the Lord" has lost its most vital edge. There was no Holy Spirit dynamic taking place -- no quikening of the written Word of God to men's hearts -- only deceiving spirits. These spirits preyed on men's logic and reason as they struggled to understand the scriptures.

Logic and reason without the Holy Spirit decimates truth.

When men apply logic and reason to the Bible (without the tutelage of the Holy Spirit) they end up driving a wedge of division into the Body of Christ. On the other hand when the Holy Spirit is our teacher and guide (using the very same Bible) He becomes the glue that bonds the Body of Christ together in unity. Without the Holy Spirit you cannot have a double-edged sword -- only a man-weilded single-edged one; and a very dangerous one at that.

The other edge of the Sword of the Lord

had become veiled with false doctrines!

This Sword of the Lord was originally made up of two edges:

Edge one = Knowing the written word of God as a frame of reference
Edge two = Being led by the Holy Spirit (The Living Word of God) who teaches us how to apply scripture correctly in every situation

This second spiritual edge has been lost in the evil abyss of time and it's absence has been substituted by self-exalted overlords such as Popes and Pastors who want to tell us how, what and when to think. The sad part is that we have all bought into this at some level. This has affected our walk with God and with how we perceive other believers. I'm hoping that this article will shed some light on this missing edge and how to restore it to our swords.

Let's begin by looking at a few verses form the Bible:

2 Tim 3:16-17 (KJV) All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness: That the man of God may be perfect, thoroughly furnished unto all good works .

2 Pet 1:20-21 (Amplified Bible) Yet] first [you must] understand this, that no prophecy of Scripture is [a matter] of any personal or private or special interpretation (loosening, solving). For no prophecy ever originated because some man willed it [to do so--it never came by human impulse], but men spoke from God who were borne along (moved and impelled) by the Holy Spirit.

The Greatest Book ... Ever!

Within the pages of the Bible lies all that you and I will ever need to fundamentally know about God:

God's wondrous creation
His character and nature
The fall of mankind
The redemption story
Jesus Christ our Savior
The ministry of the Holy Spirit
His general plan for our lives.
And so, so much more

The Bible is one of the edges of this sword of the Spirit and is our training manual to prepare us for an incredible spiritual journey. The Holy Spirit will always operate within the confines of the truths set forth in this sublimely profound and incredible volume inspired by God.

Knowing what lies within it's pages is paramount to becoming all that God has called us to be. The reason for this is really simple. He uses us by drawing from the biblical knowledge we have stored in our hearts and minds. If there is little to nothing in us, biblically speaking, we will not be very effective for God in the earth. We will find ourselves always dependent on other Christians, such as a pastor or elder, to finish what we've tried to begin.

Bible-led Christians

Most of Christianity has come to believe that in order to receive direction and provision from God one simply needs to read and apply the biblical promises to their lives by faith. Some call this the "name it, claim it and frame it approach to receiving direction and provision from God. For the purpose of this presentation let's refer to this type of person as being a Bible-led Christian. Bible-led Christians obtain all their direction from the Bible. This all sounds well and good ...

But is the Bible alive?

No, the Bible is not alive however many Bible-led Christians act and talk about the Bible as though it were. Some worship God through their Bible; some even worship their Bible as God. At the extreme, others treat the Bible like a Ouija board or a horoscope. They close their eyes and jam their finger in it believing God will lead them to a passage that will guide their way.

This is a dangerous approach to God's guidance system and fertile soil for demonic deceptions. I am not saying that the Holy Spirit couldn't do this; but what I am saying is that it is a rather dangerous practice to rely on for spiritual guidance.

What is alive is what God speaks through the Holy Spirit

The other approach to guidance is to know the Bible really well and to depend on the Holy Spirit for instruction -- and then to apply faith to it. Now, let's call folks that obtain guidance this way Spirit-led Christians. These two different approaches to being led may not sound all that different, but believe you me they are light years apart. To be led by the Spirit is to be led like Jesus was led. This being led about by the Holy Spirit is the edge of the sword that's missing.
The Bible is God's preparation and instruction manual. It is the milk of God's word. Being led by the Holy Spirit as He speaks to our hearts and minds is the meat; the reality of God's word in action. The Bible prepares us for the journey, but it should be the Holy Spirit who guides us along the way.

How was Jesus led?

When Jesus came upon folks with infirmities He sometimes laid hands on them and at other times he would cast out a demonic spirit. He dealt differently in each situation because each and every situation is unique. The question is then, when do I do what? How do I obtain a clear and accurate direction from God at all times? The Master, the Lord Jesus Christ, took his marching orders from His Father John 8:28. He did only what the father told Him to do (through the Holy Spirit).

He did only what the Father told Him to do

He was led about by the Holy Spirit from the time He was baptized (when the Holy Spirit descended upon Him in the form of a dove) until the time He was taken up into heaven. Jesus knew the Old Testament scriptures inside and out. He spent His whole life studying them as part of his Jewish heritage and culture. This was Jesus' frame of reference, but it was the Holy Spirit who directed His path.

Because of this He consistently manifested the glory of God wherever He went. Never once did he fail in discerning the Father's specific direction for His life. Receiving direction by applying biblical scriptures randomly, versus receiving direction from the Holy Spirit, is like the difference between a shotgun and a rifle.

The difference between a shotgun and a rifle

When using a shotgun you slip your shotgun shell into the barrel, snap it shut, point it in the general direction of the target and fire. At this point you are hoping that some of the spray, of the many pellets in the shotgun shell, will hit its mark. This is analogous to trying to randomly apply biblical direction intellectually.

On the other hand when using a rifle you only have one single projectile (bullet) and if you hope to hit your target you must carefully aim at it and gently squeeze the trigger until it fires off the round.

To attempt to intellectually gain direction from the Bible is the shotgun.
To receive specific direction from the Holy spirit is the rifle.

A "Bible-led" Christian, like a storm trooper, will witness to everyone in his path hoping to hit on a hungry soul now and then. But those that are "Spirit-led" will go right to the hungry soul and harvest it for God. This is the shotgun/rifle analogy in action. God knows which ones are ready and will lead us right to them if we learn to be led by Him.

A Spirit-led Christian will be at rest and always “ready to give a reason for his faith 1 Pet 3:15” where as a Bible-led Christian can't keep still and ends up usually turning a lot of folks off. When we are Spirit-led we will function from a place of peace and faith-rest in God and life will be the result.

Romans 8:5-6 For they that are after the flesh do mind the things of the flesh; but they that are after the Spirit the things of the Spirit. For to be carnally minded is death; but to be spiritually minded is life and peace.

If we think the scriptures through, all this becomes very obvious.

The Bible prepares us for the battle,

but it's the Holy Spirit that shows us how to fight

Before the Holy Spirit descended upon Jesus He had done no miracles; not even one. His life was spent in preparation for that moment. Once baptized, and having received the Holy Spirit, he was sorely tested of the devil and then, and only then, did he begin to manifest the glory of God in the earth. All that Jesus spoke and did (the preaching of the kingdom of God, the miracles and the casting out of demons) was done according to the leading and power of the Holy Spirit coursing through His spirit being.

The Living Word of God is the very dynamic of the Holy Spirit directing spirit-led Christians to accurately do the will and work of God in the earth. Jesus did only what he was told to do.

How can less equal more?

The New Testament believers had no New Testament writings. They couldn't read the gospels, or Paul's, or John's, or Peter's letters because they hadn't been written yet. It would be approx 60 more years until the New Testament church would have New Testament writings. They were totally dependent on the Holy Spirit (who drew from Old Testament truths) to lead them with signs and wonders following. These Spirit-led men and women had the sword of the Lord and literally turned the known world upside down! We have so much more than they had (the New Testament scriptures) and we bring forth so much less ... why? Perhaps one of the answers is that we're Bible-led and not Spirit-led (missing one edge on our sword).

Being "Spirit-led" is our heritage

This being "Spirit-led" is our heritage; which for the most part we lost somewhere along the way of traditionalism, denominationalism and contemporary so-called Christianity. But take heart beloved, the church (God's born-again people) will soon be called upon to rise again; but this time we will be unified in the Holy Spirit and we will be wielding a very sharp, double-edged ...

"Sword of the Lord"

Allow me to leave you with a few more supporting verses for being Spirit-led edge of the sword:

Matt 4:4 (NKJV) But He (Jesus) answered and said, "It is written, ‘Man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word that proceeds from the mouth of God." (Note that the verse doesn't say proceeded (past tense), but rather proceeds).
John 14:26 (NKJV) But the Helper, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in My name, He will teach you all things, and bring to your remembrance all things that I said to you.
Eph 6:17 (NKJV) And take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God. (Notice that it's the "Spirit's" sword; it's not ours to use as we please, but to rather weild it as He leads. He's the only one who really knows how to effectivly use it).

John 3:8 (NKJV) The wind blows where it wishes, and you hear the sound of it, but cannot tell where it comes from and where it goes. So is everyone who is born of the Spirit.”
Romans 8:14 (KJV) For as many as are led by the Spirit of God, they are the sons of God.
I hope all this helps you as much as it has me ... I welcome your comments ...

Doctrines of Demons

2010-02-19T23:28:00.003-05:00

Has the church swallowed a camel?

"Woe to you, teachers of the law and Pharisees, you hypocrites! You give a tenth of your spices—mint, dill and cummin. But you have neglected the more important matters of the law—justice, mercy and faithfulness. You should have practiced the latter, without neglecting the former.You blind guides! You strain out a gnat but swallow a camel (Mat 23:23-24).

What Jesus found, while on earth, was a perverted "Law of Moses" which had been reduced to ritualistic demands and distorted teachings about the things of God. How did things get so twisted and confused in the minds of men? God is not the author of confusion, but unfortunately Satan is. But how did he accomplish this? He did it through whispering demons persuading men to accentuate the ridiculous and to devalue that which God truly desired.

Now the Spirit expressly says that in latter times some will depart from the faith, giving heed to deceiving spirits and doctrines of demons (1 Tim. 4:1) ...

These doctrines of demons have also taken it's toll on Christianity -- there's a lot of camel's meat being served in the Body of Christ. Satan's definitely in the kitchen cookin' it up, and the waiters who are serving it are the traditional and contemporary pastors of our time. These doctrines of demons are the doctrines that have divided and compartmentalized the body of Christ into a gazillion denominations and sects. Let me begin by stating that:

Sound Doctrine Unites --Unsound Doctrine Divides

Our approach to arriving at sound doctrine (which unites) versus unsound (which divides) will be a simple one. We will list doctrines which unite the Body of Christ and also those that divide the Body of Christ. Our job will then be to abandon those doctrines which have divided the church and embrace those which would unite it. Pretty simple, huh? Somehow I don’t think it’s going to be quite that easy.

Let's define sound and unsound doctrine:

The definition I’m going to apply to sound doctrine is: that doctrine which is either clearly stated in its totality within a single verse or context, or one that is unfolded progressively throughout the scriptures and is clearly supported (not contradicted) by other scriptures and the overall tenor of scripture.
The definition I’m going to apply to unsound doctrine is -- that which is not clearly stated in its totality within a single verse or context, but is rather a combining of fragments of scripture tied together using unbiblical reason, logic and or sentimentality. Unsound doctrine is usually found to be contradicted by other, equally persuasive opposing scriptures and therefore leads to various interpretations and ultimately to division.

What's a contrived doctrine?

Have you ever contrived a doctrine in your thinking and then gone to the Bible seeking to substantiate and validate it as true. This is never a good approach and is quite analogous to putting the cart before the horse. Nevertheless, many Bible students, as well as scholars, take this approach to developing doctrine.

I give you my mind ...

Our seminaries and bible colleges go about the process of systematically preconditioning the minds of multitudes of young men and women in spite of verses like 1 John 2:26-27. These hallowed halls of learning stamp out cookie cutter Christians in all the various denominationally biased flavors imaginable. Well meaning students, with a desire to serve God, emerge as denominational-minded Frankensteins (made up of everyone else's doctrinal pieces) -- well schooled in how to keep the body of Christ divided. All one has to do to validate all of this is to look upon the landscape of Christianity and see the obvious divisions this has caused in the Body of Christ and how it contrasts with John 17:21. You can easily tell a tree by it's fruit.

Let’s begin by listing some sound doctrines first

At the head of the list is this first scripture (Eph. 4:1-6) which, in and of itself, is capable of establishing true unity across the entire Body of Christ.

Eph. 4:1-6 (KJV)

I therefore, the prisoner of the Lord, beseech you that ye walk worthy of the vocation wherewith ye are called, With all lowliness and meekness, with longsuffering, forbearing one another in love; Endeavouring to keep the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace. There is one body, and one Spirit, even as ye are called in one hope of your calling; One Lord, one faith, one baptism, One God and Father of all, who is above all, and through all, and in you all (italics mine).

Let’s break this down a bit:

One Body (the universal global Body of Christ) Col. 1:18
One Spirit (the Holy Spirit that abides in us and makes us one) John 14:17
One hope of your calling (eternal life) Mark 10:30
One Lord (Jesus Christ) Acts 15:11
One faith (that leads to salvation in Jesus Christ) Eph. 2:8
One Baptism (into the Body of Christ) 1 Cor. 12:13
One God and Father (the triune God) Deut. 6:4

Let’s add to this list the following:

Heb. 6:1-2 (KJV)

Therefore leaving the principles of the doctrine of Christ, let us go on unto perfection; not laying again the foundation of repentance from dead works, and of faith toward God, Of the doctrine of baptisms, and of laying on of hands, and of resurrection of the dead, and of eternal judgment.

Let’s also break this verse down:

Repentance from dead works (Acts 26:20; Heb. 9:14; Gal.5:19-21)
Faith toward God (Heb. 11:6; Mark 11:22; Heb. 11:1-3)
Doctrines of Baptisms (Acts 2:38; Gal. 3:27-28)
The laying on of hands (Mark 16:18; Acts 8:17; 1 Tim. 5:22)
The resurrection of the dead (John 11:25; 1 Cor. 15:51-57; 1Thess. 4:16-17)
Eternal Judgment (Matt. 12:36; 2 Cor. 5:10; Rev. 20:12-14)

Other sound doctrines:

The virgin birth (Is. 7:14; Matt. 1:18; Matt. 1:23; Lk 1:34-35)
The authority of the Bible as the written word of God (2 Tim. 3:16; 2 Pet. 1:21)

Notice that these sound doctrines easily unite us. We can all agree on them. They are clear, concise and can be substantiated in many places throughout the Bible. They are like glue that binds us together into one inseparable body of born again believers. With pure doctrines such as these we can change the face of Christianity such that the world will see our love and unity in Christ and believe!

Oh, Oh! Here comes the bad ones!

On the other hand, the following doctrines have divided the church time and time again because they have two or more opposing, and very convincing arguments and therefore cannot be fully substantiated. They are unstable at best and make up this category of Unsound Doctrines:
The first and most damaging unsound doctrine of all time has got to be Calvanism verses Arminianism (election verses free will). For those of you who don't know, Calvanism states that God chooses us, we don't choose Him. We have no choice in the matter, and we cannot lose our salvation. Arminianism states that we choose salvation and most believe that it can be lost due to sinful neglect.
These two opposing doctrines are the sacred cows of Protestantism and are where battle lines are quickly drawn. Many a church has been split over this doctrinal argument. The church that you now attend is most probably one or the other. Click here for a chart showing the differences between these two opposing camps within Christianity.

Is there any value in these two opposing doctrines?

These useless doctrines (yes, useless) have divided Christians for centuries. Whether or not we agree with one or the other really doesn’t matter. It doesn’t change anything? If we live for Christ there is no value added by defensively proclaiming these divisive doctrines. Our time would be much better spent developing godly unity.
I know this is a tough pill to swallow and I’m sure that I’ve upset a lot of folks with the above statement (that these are useless doctrines) but to be painfully blunt, I really don’t care because it’s the truth. These are the primary doctrines that have caused tremendous division in the church, and this is clearly not God’s intended purpose. This is not to say that one of these viewpoints might or might not be true, but this will only be revealed in eternity. For now they are useless in terms of unity, and we need to trash them!

Let's get real!

     It’s about time we stop pretending that we absolutely know something for sure when we absolutely do not.
It is truly amazing that these two doctrines, more than any others, have divided so many churches. These, beloved, are truly the "filet mignon" of camel’s meat because they cause us to strain at the gnats, and we end up swallowing the camel of division.
     These and other unsound doctrines are contrived and are nothing more than Doctrines of Demons designed to fracture the Church--it’s time we stop holding fire to our bosom. How many times do we have to be burnt before we learn this crucial lesson?
     It was always clear to me that demons had doctrines, because the Bible said so, but what were these doctrines? And how do they affect us? I have come to understand that they are the biblical counterfeits--deceptions made up of fragments of scripture in an attempt to confuse, divide and kill the life of the church and to ultimately undermine the work of the Holy Spirit.

Ephes. 4:14-15 (KJV)

That we henceforth be no more children, tossed to and fro, and carried about with every wind of doctrine, by the sleight of men, and cunning craftiness, whereby they lie in wait to deceive; But speaking the truth in love, may grow up into him in all things, which is the head, even Christ

Some other major unsound doctrines which have caused so much division are (to name just a few):

Eschatology (the chronology of prophetic end time events)
The Rapture (the time of Christ’s coming for His Church)
Millennium (the thousand-year period mentioned in Rev 20)

You can find a breakdown of these three doctrines plus so much more on this vital topic of doctrines of demons in chapter four of the book "The Father's Heart." There's a link in the right column of this Blog which will bring you to a storefront where you can obtain a copy if you so desire.
For now we would do well to remember that you can always tell a doctrinal tree by it's fruit as follows:

Sound Doctrine Unites --Unsound Doctrine Divides
It really is that simple!

Lamb's Brains, Human Flesh and Blood

2010-02-06T07:49:00.011-05:00

I recall one very memorable Saturday when I was a young teenager. I had just arrived home and mom called to me, "lunch is ready." I sat down waiting hungrily for her to put our lunch on the table so that we could eat together. I remember staring at my plate as she set it on the table. "What was that strange looking object in my plate," I asked myself. There may have aslo been veggies and perhaps mashed potatoes; I don't quite recall that part, but I shall never forget that odd looking "thing" sitting there on my plate?

Whatever it was had been obviously dipped in egg and bread crumbs before frying. I said to her, "what is that?" She replied, "try it." I replied a bit more assertively, "what is it?" Again, she said, "try it." I said, no no no, I don't think so -- it looks like a brain!" After admitting that it actually was a brain, she then began to try to persuade me of the benefits of eating it, but there was no way I was going to eat a LAMB'S BRAIN!!! I could only imagine biting into a spongy mass of foul tasting substance. It was absolutely repulsive to me and so -- I made a peanut butter sandwich instead. Well anyway, that's my experience with a lamb's brain.

Jesus, the Master Communicator

Now, Jesus had this incredible way of getting everyone's attention. Sometimes it was through the signs and wonders He performed, and sometimes it was through the powerful words He spoke. Take for example the time Jesus said in (John 6:51-66),

"Except ye eat the flesh of the Son of man,

and drink his blood, ye have no life in you."

Whoa! Flashback! Now, I know that Cannibals and Satanists eat human flesh and drink human blood, but I think I'm going to pass on this one too! Imagine Jesus' disciples trying to process this bizarre sounding statement? They knew all too well that Jewish law absolutely forbade the drinking of blood (Lev 7:26-27). Then why in the world would Jesus, who was claiming to be the Son of God, say such a thing?
Jesus' disciples simply could not handle this hard, seemingly outrageous statement and were probably repulsed by it just like I was with the lamb's brain. Well, finally Jesus explained himself and said "It is the spirit that quickens; the flesh profits nothing: the words that I speak unto you, they are spirit, and they are life." But even after Jesus' explained it many of his followers left Him and turned away. They simply couldn't handle any more of this Jesus' spirit stuff.

"It is the spirit that quickens"

The disciples thought that Jesus was speaking to them of natural things, but Jesus was really speaking to them about the realm of the Holy Spirit. Jesus wanted them to know that the Holy Spirit is the very dynamic of God in the earth. It is He, and only He, that quickens (brings to life). Most Christians today live out an emotional or intellectual "in the natural" Christianity all wrapped up in neat little doctrinal packages. The only thing that is missing is the dynamic of the Holy Spirit; the very thing Jesus was trying to communicate. Most religious folks believe that you get to heaven by being a relatively good person and by doing good works. These folks believe that they are Christians, but they're really not. They are religious impostors.

Without the Holy Spirit there can be no Christianity!

We must nail this down once and for all. This is what Jesus was saying to His disciples. Just think for a moment; without the coming of the Holy Spirit on the day of Pentecost:

There would be no possibility of salvation (even though Jesus made provision for one)
There would be no spiritual growth
There would be no genuine unity in the spirit
There would be no spiritual gifting
There would be no spiritual fruit

What would Christianity be without the Holy Spirit?

The answer is a dead religion; just a futile form of godliness devoid of the life of God. For the most part this is what the traditional and contemporary "church" has become -- dead and virtually devoid of life. Of course they still retain a "form of godliness" in that they still preach from the Bible, sing songs and hymns, pray (usually not really believing) and do that thing called "church." Now, even though they don't have the genuine moving of the Holy Spirit in their midst, they do keep their parishioners occupied with:

Theater type "church" services with all the multimedia state of the art technology. This is where folks just sit sleepily by and watch the "church" show once or twice a week. (Going to church does not make you spiritual -- the Holy Spirit does!)
Sunday school
Youth groups
All sorts of programs, seminars, self help and support groups
Outings
Music which mimic the rhythms of the world

Where can we find all of these outstanding attributes of the "church" in the New Testament?

The truth is that we can't; they're not there! And furthermore, the above is done competitively to perpetuate and to justify each individual church's doctrinal position and to try to attract as many tithers as possible such that the church can continue on in its pernicious, corporate way.

Life from the dead!

Just think for a moment what would happen if the unrestrained power of the Holy Spirit really did show up in our midst. That's right! It would be life from the dead! Now I'm not talking about emotionalism, nor am I speaking of fanaticism. I'm talking about the very same Holy Spirit that quickened Jesus ministry and raised Him from the dead; the same Holy Spirit that arrived on the day of Pentecost and literally transformed the world. Eight thousand souls were saved within a very short period of time. All of Jerusalem and the known world was turned upside down by God! But alas, all that is left today, for the most part, is dry, very dry bones.

Has God simply lost interest and abandoned us?

No, not even for a moment. God desires to pour out His Spirit today just as much as He did then. I believe that He's just waiting for a people that will stop pretending that He's in "church" when He really isn't. I believe He's waiting for a mass exodus out from the "church of the wilderness" by those who are willing to move on into the "promised land" where the people are the church once again. God is not going to certify what most Christian folks call church for if He did He would be indicating that He approved of it -- and He does not approve of it! Goose-bumps and emotional responses to clever preaching techniques and all the trimmings do not represent the anointing. They never have, and they never will.

We desperately need the unrestrained power and ministry of the Holy Spirit; nothing less will do!

What can we do? The answer is really quite simple:

Stop doing that which does not glorify God (use New Testament as your frame of reference).
Stop substituting for His lack of presence.

We must collectively pursue Him with all that is within us for an outpouring of the Holy Spirit just like prior to the day of Pentecost when Jesus said, "go and wait until you be endued with power from on high."

What we need, beloved, is another Pentecost!!!

Even if we were to try and mimic New Testament church life, without the dynamic of the Holy Spirit, we would ultimately end up with just another subjective form of religion. The only viable solution left is to eat the flesh of the Son of man, and to drink his blood, if we are to have life in us.

"The words that I speak to you, they are spirit and they are life"

Well, that's my take on it ... what's yours?

Chained Part 5_Severing Ungodly Soul Ties (full version)

2010-01-23T19:17:00.002-05:00

Do you as a professing Christian feel like a hypocrite?

Do you live with a sense of deep guilt and shame?

Are you bound to perverse passions?

Severing Ungodly Soul Ties

Before I even begin allow me to apologize for this lengthy blog. I was unable to upload the main article so that you could then download it. As a last resort I decided to just make the whole thing one long Blog.

This is the last in our series on spiritual bondage and how to be freed form it. Thus far we have covered the following topics:

The results of preaching a "Soft Gospel"
Behavior Modification Versus a New Creation.
The Root of Bitterness
Generational Curses

It's really quite amazing the trouble Satan has gone through in an attempt to foil humanity such that they will be ineffective when and if they come to Christ. He strikes on multiple fronts all at once and he never lets up, but thanks be to Jesus Christ for He has given us victory on every hand. We've been untangling this vicious rat's nest for several weeks now and are almost done.

I must congratulate you on your perseverance and resolve to be free. I know it's not easy. You've had to do a lot of work during this series, but I assure you, if you did it with all your heart, you will begin to feel the freedom that comes from finally putting your past behind you. There will be a load lifted simply by virtue of the fact that there is no longer any unconfessed sin hiding in the crevices of your soul. Christ will have gained full access to your heart so that you can now move forward in Him unencumbered.

In this, the final Blog in our series, we will be severing ungodly soul ties. We will learn:

What soul ties are in general
What ungodly soul ties are
What demonic soul ties are

And then we will go about severing them once and for all. Before we do all this I would like to present something I call "Triggers" to you.

What are triggers?

Triggers are sort of like a rabbit snare or a mouse trap; when we least expect it, they go off! You've heard the expression, "Watch out for him, he's got a hair trigger." Just what is the origin of these triggers that make us react in ways contrary to our desire? I'm reminded of the verse in Romans 7:19 "For the good that I will to do, I do not do; but the evil I will not to do, that I practice."

Some of these triggers are a result of "Generational Curses," some are formed through the "Root of Bitterness," and some are set up through ungodly soul ties.

Basically triggers are the way we instinctively react to certain stimulus.

Do you walk around emotionally half-cocked and ready to fire at the slightest perceived provocation?
Do you react with a round of ungodly responses made up of anger, foul language and demeaning verbal attacks?
Are you always in self-defense mode?
Does everybody have to walk on eggshells when their around you?

When I think of these triggers it helps me to envision the ungodly ones firing from my left side (my old infected sin nature), and my godly triggers firing from my right side (my new man in Christ). The process of converting my triggers from firing from my left side, to them firing from my right side, is the process known as the renewing of the mind (Rom 12:1-2).

This is one of the goals of this "coming out of bondage series," to convert ungodly responses to godly ones. Wouldn't you always like to be found re-acting with the mind of Christ rather that your caustic old sin nature? This weeks topic of "Severing Ungodly Soul Ties" is our final stepping stone which will help us to do just that.

What exactly are soul ties?

Soul ties are most easily explained when seen in the light of marriage. When Jesus was addressing the subject of divorce He said, "But from the beginning of the creation, God ‘made them male and female. ‘For this reason a man shall leave his father and mother and be joined to his wife, and the two shall become one flesh’;so then they are no longer two, but one flesh. Therefore what God has joined together, let not man separate (Mk 10:6-9).” What this teaches us is that in the act of sexual intercourse, between a married couple, there is a spiritual connection that takes place between a man and a woman that binds them together for life. Intercourse is really the biblical definition of marriage where the two souls become one. This is a godly soul tie.
Another beautiful picture of a godly soul tie is found in 1 Cor 6:17 "But he who is joined to the Lord is one spirit with Him." That's right, we have a wonderful soul tie with God that has eternal potential! This all beautifully takes place in the waters of baptism when I surrender myself totally to Christ (Gal 3:26-28).

An excellent soul tie

Just look at this beautiful soul tie that existed between Jonathan and David in 1Sam18:1-4: "Now when he had finished speaking to Saul, the soul of Jonathan was knit to the soul of David, and Jonathan loved him as his own soul. Saul took him that day, and would not let him go home to his father’s house anymore. Then Jonathan and David made a covenant, because he loved him as his own soul. And Jonathan took off the robe that was on him and gave it to David, with his armor, even to his sword and his bow and his belt.

What is an "ungodly" soul tie?

An example of an ungodly soul tie is as follows:The apostle Paul when writing to the church in Corinth wrote, "Do you not know that your bodies are members of Christ? Shall I then take the members of Christ and make them members of a harlot? Certainly not! Or do you not know that he who is joined to a harlot (prostitute) is one body with her? For “the two,” He says, “shall become one flesh.”
It would be well to note that in both of the above examples a marriage takes place and that is in effect until death. This is why fornication and adultery are such grievous sins to God because it violates His design in creation.

What are demonic soul ties?

   I guess before we can speak of demonic soul ties we first need to define a demon. A demon, as described in the Bible, seems to be a malevolent (a very evil force) disembodied spirit who takes up residence in people and or animals. The demon's goal seems to be to dominate and to express himself through his host as wickedly as he possibly can.
   Approximately one third of Jesus ministry was spent in the delivering of God's people from these demonic intruders. He would cast them out of their host and the person would be miraculously set free from sickness, disease and emotional torment instantly. Jesus passed this authority over to believers to do the same as He. Look at this verse in Mark 16:17-18:And these signs will follow those who believe: In My name they will cast out demons; they will speak with new tongues; theywill take up serpents; and if they drink anything deadly, it will by no means hurt them; they will lay hands on the sick, and they will recover.”
   A demonic soul tie is one forged through sins such as occult involvement, perversion and being party to religious cults.
   Many folks have inordinate soul ties to animals such as dogs and cats. They like them better than people and their lives are bound up in them. Bestiality is when people have sex with animals and it is a grievous sin before God. This is beyond an emotional sickness; it is purely a demonic soul tie!

Guess what, it's time to make another list

Invite a brother or sister in Christ (depending on your sex; male to male and female for female) to walk through this with you according to (Jas 5:16). Get out your pen and paper and make a list of ungodly soul ties allowing the Holy Spirit full access to all the compartments of your heart:

List those whom you have had sex with other than your spouse.
If not married list all fornication (sex with an unmarried person) and adultery (sex with another persons spouse).
List all acts of perversion done willfully or against your will.
All occult or cult involvement as it relates to specific individuals you were involved with (we dealt with this in Generational Curses, but didn't sever soul ties).
List all evil, influential friendships that involved drugs, alcohol or the like.
List all negative mentors that you trusted your life to and who have led you along on an ungodly pathway.
List carnal relationships in the body of Christ that are founded on non-biblical principles and that draw you away in terms of justifying the flesh and its lusts.
List your mommy if your still tied to her apron-strings while you should be one with your spouse.
Anything else you can think of, or that the Holy Spirit brings to your attention.

Okay, let's sever ungodly soul ties now!

Go through your list slowly and In the name of Jesus Christ sever all soul ties one at a time until you have completely exhausted your list. Envision the severing process in your minds eye if it helps.

When your all done be sure and thank God for His wonderful provision; and don't forget to thank your brother or sister in Christ who hung in there with you through it all.

Is it all over now?

At this point I would venture to say that sin has been effectively neutralized in your life. It's now time to allow the Holy Spirit to renew your mind through Christ, through His Word, prayer, faith and godly desire to be all you can be in Christ. You're relationship with Christ should become much sharper now. Keep moving forward in God desiring to be used by Him. Always be hungering and thirsting after righteousness and to know Him more. This process should unfold very naturally.
Once we have overrun the enemy and have gained solid ground we must remember to do spiritual maintenance as we go forward. If we are walking in Christ the Holy Spirit will be faithful to point out areas of our lives that are heading in the wrong direction. Your response to these warning will determine your tomorrows. Remember, "Be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the devil walks about like a roaring lion, seeking whom he may devour (1 Pet 5:8)."

If at this point you should still feel tormented, the reason may well be that although we say we have repented, there is still a part of us that really doesn't want to break with one ore more specific sins. This is because at some level we receive gratification from them. This unwillingness on our part to truly desire to forsake sin allows it to continue in us. You can yell and scream Jesus name all day long and it will do no good until you finally deal with it. Again give the Holy Spirit permission to do whatever it takes to get you to a place where you can truly repent.

More about demons

If we really think this thing (about generational curses, the root of bitterness and demonic soul ties) through we will probably come to ask ourselves:

Just what is it that passes down from one generation to another?
What is it that is driving the Root of Bitterness?
What does a demonic soul tie do me to?

   The answer is the same in each case. It is demonic activity going on inside of us. Now we certainly don't want to believe that we personally could be demonized, but I will say this about that. If it is demonic activity that is behind all the emotional suffering we can finally put all the pieces together as to why our lives have been so out of control.
   If it is demons that are tormenting us then we can, in the name of Jesus Christ, and through His delegated authority be set free once and for all. This is what we have systematically been doing over these last five weeks; getting delivered.
   Just to finalize all that we have done, it would seem wise to make a final command in the name of Jesus Christ for all demons to leave right now. This command might go something like this: "In the name and in the authority of the Lord Jesus Christ I command all demonic spirits of _______ (you fill in the blanks by going down your lists) to leave me right now. This make take a little time but it is time well spent.

If after all this you are still seriously tormented you would do well to locate someone who ministers deliverance and allow that person to work with you until you are totally set free.
I do hope and pray that this series has been helpful to you and as always, I welcome your comments ...

Chained Part 4_Cancelling Generationa Curses

2010-01-16T07:41:00.005-05:00

Do you as a professing Christian feel like a hypocrite?

Do you live with a sense of deep guilt and shame?

Are you bound to perverse passions?

Generational Curses

Generational curses are the effects of the sins of our forefathers that have been passed down from one generation to the next. They play out their sick passions through our unsuspecting lives while all the while we are unaware that we are living under a curse. We find ourselves helplessly acting out these compelling self destructive behaviors over and over again never understanding why.

In order to logically justify these behaviors we decide to call them a sickness (like alcoholism) or we are told that we that are born male are really a female in disguise or vice versa. Truth be know, these are curses that have been allowed by God as a judgment on sin. Please take a moment to look at the following verses:

Numbers 14:18 The LORD is longsuffering, and of great mercy, forgiving iniquity and transgression, and by no means clearing the guilty, visiting the iniquity of the fathers upon the children unto the third and fourth generation.

Rom 1:27-32 Likewise also the men, leaving the natural use of the woman, burned in their lust for one another, men with men committing what is shameful, and receiving in themselves the penalty of their error which was due. And even as they did not like to retain God in their knowledge, God gave them over to a debased mind, to do those things which are not fitting; being filled with all unrighteousness, sexual immorality, wickedness, covetousness, maliciousness; full of envy, murder, strife, deceit, evil-mindedness; they are whisperers, Backbiters, haters of God, despiteful, proud, boasters, inventors of evil things, disobedient to parents, Without understanding, covenant breakers, without natural affection, implacable, unmerciful: Who knowing the judgment of God, that they which commit such things are worthy of death, not only do the same, but have pleasure in them that do them.
God did not create us to participate in such extreme behaviors. We are created in His image.

How many folks do you know that are bound by uncontrollable behaviors, emotional disorders, depression and diseases. These are people we love, who seem to be controlled by some unseen force to do things that not even they want to do.

The good news is that Jesus Christ canceled the curse!

In Gal 3:13 we're told that Christ became a curse for us. He was afflicted by the curse on the cross so that we could be free. Because of Christs' sacrifice we have the authority, in His name, to cancel all curses, and ultimately their effects.
You may be saying to yourself, "well, all this really doesn't apply to me" -- I'm okay -- I think I'll just skip this article. While it is true you may not be suffering in the extremes, you may in fact still be a victim of generational curses. It's certainly worth your while to check it out.

A personal Testimony

   For the first twenty-five years of my life I lived in fear and insecurity. I had a couple of close friends but even they didn't know of my battle within. Whenever they went somewhere with a group I would stay behind for fear I would not be able to keep up socially. I never played sports, went swimming or did anything that might challenge me for fear I would fail in front of my friends.
   I found that being alone was safe; all the while wishing I were more like them and not the odd man out! I know that this isn't as extreme as drug addiction or homosexuality but to me this was a curse and I didn't like myself very much.
   All that began to change as soon as I gave my life to Christ. I became, and am still becoming, the new person the Bible speaks about in 2 Cor 5:17. I was free at last to be all God had created me to be ...

CLICK HERE
for more on Generational Curses

Chained Part 3_The Root of Bitterness

2010-01-09T06:55:00.012-05:00

Do you as a professing Christian feel like a hypocrite?

Do you live with a sense of deep guilt and shame?

Are you bound to perverse passions?

In our last two Blogs we have looked at the effects of the preaching of a "Soft Gospel" and "Behavior Modification" versus "A New Creation." In this Blog we will be looking at "The Root of Bitterness (Heb 12:14-15)."

The Root of Bitterness

Not a very pretty picture, is it?

Could something like this be growing inside of you?
Are you bitter and angry way down deep inside?
Have you been unable to truly forgive those who have hurt you?
Do you bear deep emotional scars that torment you?

I remember growing up and although I had a lot of cousins on my mothers side, I didn't see them for nineteen years. My mom and her two sisters had a falling out over something (to this day I don't know what it was) and there was bitterness and resentment that lasted all those years. My children, as a result, never got to meet my cousins children; and when they finally did, they were total strangers.

It wasn't until my father died, and mom's sisters came to his wake, that healing finally took place. Although everyone was re-united, the nineteen years lost and the family links that were broken remained estranged.

This is only one small story of not forgiving and the results of a root of bitterness. We all, at one time or another, have been hurt by others or have hurt someone else. Some of us have suffered very serious emotional injury and bear deep scars which affect us everyday of our lives. Many, many Christians suffer from this very insidious root of bitterness.

Do you suffer from a root of bitterness?

Do you want to finally be free of it?

This article will show you how!

Click Here

Chained Part 2_Behavior Modification Vesus a New Creation

2010-01-02T06:56:00.026-05:00

New Blog Format

I'm told that Blogs are supposed to be short and not long like mine are. And so this week I'd like to try something new. I'm going to present sort of an outline of what the article covers with a "link" to the full length article. Please let me know which you would prefer in the future -- the outline with a link to the article, or just a long Blog.

Do you as a professing Christian feel like a hypocrite?

Do you live with a sense of deep guilt and shame?

Are you bound to perverse passions?

"Behavior Modification" versus "A New Creation"

In our last Blog we stated that most of our contemporary churches preach a soft, and popular gospel; one that pleases the hearer. Because of this soft gospel many have not really been born-again, and as a result church buildings are filled with unbelievers who believe that they are saved, but in fact are not. This is a clear victory for Satan because a "miss is as good as a mile." The worst part of all this is that it keeps folks from breaking through to the freedom they so desperately long for.
Hopefully, if you were the victim of a soft gospel, you have since become genuinely saved. What follows will only work for a truly born again Christian.
Okay, so lets continue on our journey. The big question those who suffer emotionally are asking is:

Why can't I seem to overcome my own shortcomings no matter how hard I try?

This article answers that question!

We will be looking at the following:

Psychology and what it offers the Christian
The difference between a pig and a lamb
Christ's sacrifice and what we can expect for our lives
Where the battle lines are to be drawn
How to get rid of the emotional suffering once and for all

This may all sound too good to be true, but it is; and it can all be yours as a gift from your loving heavenly Father:

"If the Son therefore shall make you free, ye shall be free indeed (John 8:36)."

"The thief does not come except to steal, and to kill, and to destroy. I have come that they may have life, and that they may have it more abundantly (John 10:10)."

For more on "Behavior Modification" versus "A New Creation"

CLICK HERE

As always, I welcome your comments ...

Chained Part 1_Why Do Christians Struggle So With Sin?

2009-12-26T07:46:00.016-05:00

Do you as a professing Christian feel like a hypocrite?

Do you live with a sense of deep guilt and shame?

Are you bound to perverse passions?

Why Do Professing Christians Struggle So With Sin?

It might seem to some like I'm not staying the course here in terms of contrasting the Bible with the contemporary church, but if the individuals who make up the church are not spiritually well our chances of accomplishing anything in Christ will be greatly hindered. And so I have decided to spend several Blogs presenting spiritual tools that can help remove those things that hinder us and keep us chained to the past. For starters, there are two very important things we need to know:

As a Christian, there is definitely a way out of spiritual darkness and bondage.
You are not alone. A vast number of Christians suffer just the same as you do.

Many believe that once we come to Christ these awful effects of sin should disappear. Sometimes this is true, and sometimes it is not. When I personally got saved God instantly delivered me from the desire for Cigarettes and foul language. I didn't even have to try; they just vanished. However many other areas of my life had to go through deep spiritual renewal. I can gratefully say that the Holy Spirit has walked with me through every single one of these spiritually debilitating bondage's into a wonderful and lasting freedom in Christ.

Residual Sin is the Culprit

There is a place of victory over this type of past sin and it is found in the Lord Jesus Christ. This level of sin is what I call residual sin; leftovers from the old ungodly lifestyle. This ugly stuff must be stripped away at its roots if the Christian is to ever walk in faith and victory. The Holy Spirit wants to lead you out of the darkness of emotional bondage into the glorious light that Christ provides to all that surrender to His Lordship.

Normal Spiritual Maintenance

After this residual sin is stripped away will we still have sinful thoughts? The answer is yes! And we always will; this is normal. These sin suggestions are believed to be what Eph 6:16 calls the "fiery darts of the wicked." If we allow these sin suggestions to play out their fantasy, then we in fact will have sinned. The thought in and of itself is not the sin. It's what we do with the thought. If we do as 2 Cor 10:4-5 says and take these sin thoughts captive and cast them down making them obedient to Christ they will be ineffective. The devil wants us to believe that the thought is the sin. This is not true; it is only a sin suggestion (a fiery dart).
This is the "normal spiritual maintenance" each of us as Christians must deal with. However, there are several reasons why many professing Christians live in severe defeat and never get to this; "the maintenance phase" of their walk with the Lord. We will address the reasons for this inability to obtain a victory over these besetting sins and debilitating thoughts of guilt and shame. We will do so by addressing the following issues:

Did you get saved through the preaching of a soft gospel?
Do you find yourself, constantly wrestling with futile attempts at behavior modification?
Do you have a root of bitterness growing deep inside?
Have you canceled generational curses?
Have you severed ungodly soul ties?

The Soft Gospel

This week we will address issue #1.
A soft gospel is a stripped down version of the real thing. For example: a church, or a professing Christian says to you, "If you simply repeat these words audibly or quietly in your heart, after me, you will be saved;" and so you do. Does this mean you got saved? There is a real possibility that the answer is no. The problem with this "soft" approach to the gospel is that words only, in and of themselves, simply can not save you. Salvation is a deep issue of the heart.

Most of our churches preach a soft and popular gospel so that everyone will feel good, because that's what this generation is all about; "if it feels good, do it!" Perhaps you have responded to this kind of a gospel. Many churches are founded, and grow quickly because they are based on the preaching of a soft gospel.

The Bible is very clear on how to approach God for His free gift of salvation and it as follows:
“Repent, and let every one of you be baptized in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins; and you shall receive the gift of the Holy Spirit (Acts 2:38)." This is the most concise prescription for salvation in the entire Bible and the one that will most effectively lead a seeking soul to rich and meaningful salvation. Is this the gospel you received? Is this how you came to Christ? Let's look at it again:

Repent (preceded by a deep sorrow for sins and a desire to turn from them)
Be baptized (via immersion in water)
Receive the gift of the Holy Spirit

This is the Bible way to salvation. The "soft gospel" is a compromised, powerless gospel. It is an unstable and cheapens Christ sacrifice on the cross.You become the loser and not a winner in this scenario. A soft gospel leads to a questionable salvation at best and at worst, no salvation at all. Without a real salvation we cannot continue down the road of emotional wellness. Like all other Christ-less roads, it will lead to nowhere...
Some of the ways you can tell if you really made it through to salvation is to ask yourself these questions:

Do I have a genuine hunger for the written Word of God?
Do I have a passion for holiness no matter what the cost?
Do I have a desire to fully surrender my life, and rights, to the Lordship of Jesus Christ?

If you're not truly saved you probably find yourself hiding behind grace, mercy and God's forgiveness, all the while continuing in your uncontrollable godless thought-life, or lifestyle. Over time you may have learned how to look and talk like a Christian and fit in amidst the flock, but down deep within somehow you know, that as hard as you try, you are really not able to become who you say you are in Christ.This is what makes you feel like such a hypocrite. We must remember that Satan can disguise himself as an angel of light (leading us to a false salvation).

A Moment of Truth

This is where you must be painfully honest and ask yourself, "Am I like so many folks that sit in church; a passive spectator who perhaps shouts amen when the pastor crescendos with his voice, or when my soul gets emotionally titillated? Has there been a lasting change in my heart. Has the truth that “I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me” ever truly reached my spirit? Am I saved or not? Could all this pain I'm experiencing be, at least to some extent, the result of the preaching a soft, compromised gospel?" You, and you alone, must decide ...

An Invitation

If all this seems to fit, why not simply follow the biblical prescription described in Acts 2:38 and receive a life altering salvation now! “Repent, and let every one of you be baptized in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins; and you shall receive the gift of the Holy Spirit." Seek out a true Christian and allow them the honor of helping you through to a full, genuine and overcoming salvation.

In our next Blog we'll look at "Behavior Modification Versus a New Creation" ... As always, I welcome your comments ...

Click here for full version of article

So What's With the Name “New Wineskin” Anyway?

2009-11-27T08:53:00.004-05:00

It's actually very appropriate: in Eastern countries a wineskin is a large bag for holding wine, made of the skin of an animal. In the Bible we find these words written by Luke:

Luke 5:37-39 (NKJV)

³⁷ And no one puts new wine into old wineskins; or else the new wine will burst the wineskins and be spilled, and the wineskins will be ruined. ³⁸ But new wine must be put into new wineskins, and both are preserved. ³⁹ And no one, having drunk old wine, immediately desires new; for he says, ‘The old is better.’”

The wineskin would stretch as the new wine in it continued to ferment. When totally fermented they would harden. If new wine was again put into an already hardened wineskin, the continued fermentation risked bursting the skin.

What does this have to do with this blog? Everything!

The wineskin we call “The Church” has burst, and the wine (the life of the Holy Spirit) has spilled out!
Christianity as we know it today hardly represents the biblical patterns from which it was birthed.
Christians struggle with their ungodly sin patterns (just like the world) and they can't find their way to victory or to a real purpose on earth.

For this initial blog lets just consider the first point about the church:

This picture is not the Church, it is a religious building.

The New Testament presents the church as those that are called out of the world and have surrendered their lives to Christ; to use them as He sees fit. The Greek word for church is Ekklesia and means “the called out ones.” It is used in Matt 16:18 where Jesus said, “I will build my church (ekklesia).” There is to be only one Christian church on earth made up of believers all over the planet. This is called “the Body of Christ” (Col 1:24). Denominational-ism was spawned in hell to divide, conquer and fracture the church into many, many unlinked Christian factions. If one does not agree with a churches specific doctrinal views, they are given the "left" hand of fellowship and are asked to leave or are ignored until they do. Does this seem right to you?

In John 17:21 (KJV) Jesus prayed: “That they all may be one; as thou, Father, art in me, and I in thee, that they also may be one in us: that the world may believe that thou hast sent me.“

If Jesus prayed this do you think it will come to pass?
What will it really take for the world to realize that the Father sent Jesus to die for their sins and to reconcile it back to God? That's right, unity (in the Holy Spirit and not through denominational-ism or the slight of men).

Beloved, God is looking for a new generation of Christians who will knock off all the religious nonsense and become a part of one sold-out body of believers in the earth. This can be done and it will be done, but only by the workings of the Holy Spirit. It's time to pray for that new wineskin, because if we try to fit it into the old it will surely burst ( it already has)!

I welcome your comments ... (Next new Blog will be posted on Saturday 12/05/09)