Home » Theological Doctrine » NT Theology » God`s Truths for the maturing of the Body of Christ.
| God`s Truths for the maturing of the Body of Christ. [message #11691] |
Mon, 03 August 2015 07:31  |
 Marilyn Crow
Messages: 598
Registered: September 2013
Location: Australia |
Senior Member |
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Hi Gary, (& James & others)
Now recently you were talking about the good things of the Lord in the past. Also about the `funny,` or `wrong` beliefs we had. I so identify with what you were saying. We couldn`t wear make up, ear rings or jeans/pants etc. Yet I remember the `glory` times we had, where the presence of the Lord was wonderful & the singing, preaching & prophesying so uplifting.
Now I thought it would be good to share with each other what we see the Lord has been doing in relation to building His Body. We know that we are in unity by the Holy Spirit, yet the unity of our beliefs has yet to come together. And this, `unity of the Faith` is what the Lord has & is doing across His Body over the past 2000 years.
`...till we all come to the unity of the faith & the knowledge of the Son of God, to a perfect man, to the measure of the fullness of Christ; that we should no longer be children, tossed to & fro & carried about with every wind of doctrine, by the trickery of men, in the cunning craftiness by which they lie in wait to deceive, but, speaking the truth in love, may grow up in all things into Him who is the Head - Christ.` (Eph. 4: 13 - 15) `
So...What truths do you know that Christ, by His Holy Spirit has brought across the Body of Christ in the past? Now? And then needs to be understood in the future for the Body to come to Maturity?
Looking forward to your thoughtful & insightful answers.
Marilyn.
Marilyn C
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| Re: God`s Truths for the maturing of the Body of Christ. [message #11692 is a reply to message #11691] |
Mon, 03 August 2015 13:04  |
james
Messages: 2138
Registered: April 2008
Location: Birmingham, AL |
Senior Member |
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| Marilyn Crow wrote on Mon, 03 August 2015 02:31 |
So...What truths do you know that Christ, by His Holy Spirit has brought across the Body of Christ in the past? Now? And then needs to be understood in the future for the Body to come to Maturity?
Looking forward to your thoughtful & insightful answers.
Marilyn.
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Salvation is by Grace, through faith in Jesus Christ...and it's a GIFT of God, nothing to boast of, it should result in humility and gratitude.
“But God commendeth His love toward us, in that, while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us,”
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| Re: God`s Truths for the maturing of the Body of Christ. [message #11693 is a reply to message #11692] |
Tue, 04 August 2015 07:17 |
Marilyn Crow
Messages: 598
Registered: September 2013
Location: Australia |
Senior Member |
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Hi James,
Thank you for your input. Yes, Salvation through our precious Lord Jesus Christ. The basis on which to receive any other truth that the Holy Spirit would give to believers.
Now I thought I might give my overview of what I see from scripture & the history of the main errors that were brought against the Church, the Body of Christ. This will enable us then, I believe, to appreciate the restoration of truths by the Holy Spirit down through the centuries.
I see that the Apostle Paul was given great revelation of the Body of Christ that was not previously known. He then said to the Ephesian Elders – (Acts 20: 17)
`For I have not shunned to declare to you the whole counsel of God.` (Acts 20: 27)
The early believers had the full revelation, the whole counsel of God, given to them. However, Paul goes on to say that when he goes, he knows that people will arise from their groups & bring in grievous errors.
`Therefore take heed to yourselves & to all the flock....For I know this, that after my departure savage wolves will come in among you, not sparing the flock. Also, from among yourselves men will rise up, speaking perverse things, to draw away the disciples after themselves.` (Acts. 20: 29 & 30)
The errors introduced by these false teachers, which I see from scripture are –
- Lording it over others, (3 John 9 & 10)
- False leaders,(2 Cor. 11: 20)
- legalism, gnosticism, ceremonialism, etc. (Gal. 1: 6 – 9 & Col. 2: 16 - 23)
The errors I see from history to the reformation are –
- Bishops substituted. (AD 110)
- Formalism of worship. (3rd C.)
- Amalgamation Church & State. (AD 323)
- Infant sprinkling. (6th C.)
- Penance Indulgence AD 1063)Dark Ages.
Truths being restored to the Body of Christ, by the Holy Spirit.
1. The Reformation Lutheran 1517. (Justification by Faith)
2. ...............................
3. ...............................
4. ...............................
5. ...............................
Often we take for granted what Christ has been doing, building & maturing the Body of Christ by the Holy Spirit, revealing & clarifying truths. If we have been a believer for many years then we would have come through different moves of the Spirit where truths have been highlighted & restored across the Body. When we can see this then we will not be measuring the Body by `meetings,` or `organisations,` etc but by what the Holy Spirit is doing. Then we can rejoice for we are part of standing for the truth plus enabling others to grow in knowing our Lord & His purposes better.
What do you think?
Marilyn.
Marilyn C
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| Re: God`s Truths for the maturing of the Body of Christ. [message #11696 is a reply to message #11693] |
Fri, 07 August 2015 20:05 |
james
Messages: 2138
Registered: April 2008
Location: Birmingham, AL |
Senior Member |
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| Marilyn Crow wrote on Tue, 04 August 2015 02:17 |
Truths being restored to the Body of Christ, by the Holy Spirit.
1. The Reformation Lutheran 1517. (Justification by Faith)
2. ............................... ...............................
4. ...............................
5. ...............................
What do you think?
Marilyn.
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Well, a lot could be mentioned, but the outpouring of The Holy Spirit/Body ministry/gifts that resurfaced in the early 1900's was big.
“But God commendeth His love toward us, in that, while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us,”
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| Re: God`s Truths for the maturing of the Body of Christ. [message #11698 is a reply to message #11696] |
Sat, 08 August 2015 07:15 |
Marilyn Crow
Messages: 598
Registered: September 2013
Location: Australia |
Senior Member |
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| james wrote on Sat, 08 August 2015 06:05 |
| Marilyn Crow wrote on Tue, 04 August 2015 02:17 |
Truths being restored to the Body of Christ, by the Holy Spirit.
1. The Reformation Lutheran 1517. (Justification by Faith)
2. ............................... ...............................
4. ...............................
5. ...............................
What do you think?
Marilyn.
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Well, a lot could be mentioned, but the outpouring of The Holy Spirit/Body ministry/gifts that resurfaced in the early 1900's was big.
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Thank you james for your contribution to the discussion which I think is so important for us as believers in the Body of Christ. We so need to appreciate what Christ has done through His Holy Spirit in bringing His Body closer to maturity in Him.
So we have restored truth through ages -
1. Salvation. (Lutheran 1517)Salvation by faith & not works.
2. Baptist. (Baptist 1608) Adult baptism in water on confession of faith.
3. .........
4. Pentecostal. (1906)(& subsequent Charismatic revival. 1950`s & `60`s) restoring the understanding & experience of the infilling of the Holy Spirit.
5..........
6..........
Can you remember any other movements of the Holy Spirit where truths have been restored to the Body of Christ?
Marilyn.
Marilyn C
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| Re: God`s Truths for the maturing of the Body of Christ. [message #11699 is a reply to message #11698] |
Sat, 08 August 2015 11:54 |
james
Messages: 2138
Registered: April 2008
Location: Birmingham, AL |
Senior Member |
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| Marilyn Crow wrote on Sat, 08 August 2015 02:15 |
Can you remember any other movements of the Holy Spirit where truths have been restored to the Body of Christ?
Marilyn.
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I can't right off the top of my head 'so to speak'; I've read about them in church history...
Personally, the revelation of God's Grace has been life changing for me...and that revelation was by The Spirit of God.
“But God commendeth His love toward us, in that, while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us,”
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| Re: God`s Truths for the maturing of the Body of Christ. [message #11703 is a reply to message #11699] |
Wed, 12 August 2015 00:57 |
Marilyn Crow
Messages: 598
Registered: September 2013
Location: Australia |
Senior Member |
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Hi james,
Oh, so you have studied Church history. I`ll refresh your memory. Now these are just the main ones -
1. Salvation. (Lutheran 1500`s)Salvation by faith & not works.
2. Baptism in water. (Baptists 1600`s) Adult baptism in water on confession of faith.
3. Holy Living. (Methodists. 1700`s)
4. Holy Spirit infilling. (Pentecostal. (1900`s)(& subsequent Charismatic revival. 1950`s & `60`s) restoring the understanding & experience of the infilling of the Holy Spirit.
5.Restoration of the gifts of the Holy Spirit - healing, deliverance, prophetic ministries etc.
6.Restoration of 5 fold ministries of Christ. (Evangelist, Pastor, Teacher, Prophet & Apostle)
7....................................
Like me you`ll have experienced the wonderful moves of the Lord from the `60`s onwards. Now many people do not realise that Christ the Head of His Body has been restoring the truths eroded over the years. These truths have been revealed by the Holy Spirit to some & then then rest of the Body has received it.
I believe that it is very important for people to understand that those who first had a truth restored had persecution & often had to die for such truths. We know that those who received the infilling of the Holy Spirit back in the early part of last century had to leave their ministry or eldership & eventually their denomination. But over the years that particular truth has been received across the Body.
Now why is all this so important. I believe that because we are so blessed with the wonderful truths of the grace of God, (as you said) His sending the Holy Spirit to guide us, the giftings & the ministries of the Lord Himself, that we often do not realise what the Lord the Head of the Body is really doing - bringing the whole Body to maturity in Himself.
And obviously we have not yet come into all the truth of Christ for we are not yet taken to be with Him. So can you think what truth has yet to be restored, clarified in the Body, so that we are no longer `tossed to & fro?`
Marilyn.
Marilyn C
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| Re: God`s Truths for the maturing of the Body of Christ. [message #11704 is a reply to message #11703] |
Wed, 12 August 2015 20:25 |
james
Messages: 2138
Registered: April 2008
Location: Birmingham, AL |
Senior Member |
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| Marilyn Crow wrote on Tue, 11 August 2015 19:57 |
And obviously we have not yet come into all the truth of Christ for we are not yet taken to be with Him. So can you think what truth has yet to be restored, clarified in the Body, so that we are no longer `tossed to & fro?`
Marilyn.
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Well sister, since (as you've written) we have not yet "come into all the truth of Christ", how could I tell you what that truth is going to be that will keep us from being 'tossed to & fro'? Obviously it will include maturity and unity of all those chosen unto salvation as His Body...but when that will come and what else will be involved, only He knows...I think....unless you do
“But God commendeth His love toward us, in that, while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us,”
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| Re: God`s Truths for the maturing of the Body of Christ. [message #11705 is a reply to message #11704] |
Thu, 13 August 2015 06:36 |
Marilyn Crow
Messages: 598
Registered: September 2013
Location: Australia |
Senior Member |
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Hi james,
Some good thoughts these bro. Now we have God`s word & His Holy Spirit to guide us into all truth. Thus, I would say it is for us to `hear what the Spirit is saying...`
In the early days of the Body of Christ, we know that the Apostle Paul gave the believers the `whole counsel of God.`
`For I never shrank or kept back or fell short from declaring to you the whole purpose & plan & counsel of God`. (Acts 20: 27 AMP)
This we can see from scripture is God`s plans & purposes for the Body of Christ, what it is, its purpose & how Christ is the Head & will mature it – individually & as a whole Body of believers, in truth.
They also believed in Christ`s ministry gifts, the Holy Spirit`s gifts, the importance of living a holy life, adult baptism in water & the foundation – salvation through faith in Christ`s sacrifice.
In history we can see that these truths were eroded, one by one, starting from the plans & purposes of God through to salvation. Then from the 1500`s we see that each truth has been restored by the Holy Spirit till today when we look expectantly for Him to guide us into all the truth of God`s plans & purpose for the Body of Christ.
The Apostle Paul goes on to encourage the believers –
`And now brethren, I commit you to God, I deposit you in His charge, entrusting you to His protection & care. And I commend you to the Word of His grace to the commands & counsels & promises of His unmerited favour. It is able to build you up & give you your rightful inheritance among all God`s set-apart ones, those consecrated, purified, & transformed of soul.` (Acts 20: 32 AMP)
Hope we can discuss more of this `whole counsel of God` together.
Marilyn.
Marilyn C
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| Re: God`s Truths for the maturing of the Body of Christ. [message #11706 is a reply to message #11705] |
Thu, 13 August 2015 18:57 |
james
Messages: 2138
Registered: April 2008
Location: Birmingham, AL |
Senior Member |
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Marilyn, the point I was trying to make, (or maybe not so much a point as just making a comment or observation of my personal experiences in 'the body of Christ') with Gary was this is how we came to have 3-4 thousand different denominations, every single one truly believes that they have been taught the 'truth' by The Holy Spirit as revealed in The Word of God. When I believed women shouldn't wear slacks or jeans or makeup or have short hair or whatever concerning stuff that in hindsight is NOT what the scriptures were saying unto me (of course I wasn't the only one, our whole 'charismatic circle' believed it because the man who taught it to us used scripture to backup his views, so we, as faithful 'overcomers' received it as gospel...and made certain anyone who wanted to be in our midst followed these rules...opps! I mean principles. But I now realize that we took scriptures out of context or twisted the meanings into saying what we <and it's still being done, especially within the 'Word of Faith' camp> wanted it to say)
I have no doubt in my mind that even today, 30+ years later, there's still things I haven't 'got right' as to what The Spirit is truly saying through The Word of God. But, praise God one thing has changed, I now at least have a clue what humility is and don't think I am the only one with 'the truth'...I can now read about Grace and know in my heart that I have experienced it, every single day of my life is lived in gratitude and thanksgiving knowing that to be a fact as stated in Romans 3:24 that Jesus and Him alone procured my salvation and God has declared me in right standing with Him due to the Righteousness of Christ and His sacrifice of death for my sins. And the knowledge and understanding that HE chose me and GAVE me the faith to believe The Gospel of Jesus Christ is so, so, so humbling. NO flesh will glory in His presence, He WILL be glorified for ever and for ever.
Hey, just a thought, maybe if everyone naming the Name of Christ came to a place of humility and repentance from their/our self righteous pride and know-it-all attitude maybe we would be in unity and maybe the world would see Jesus in 'the church/body'.
“But God commendeth His love toward us, in that, while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us,”
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| Re: God`s Truths for the maturing of the Body of Christ. [message #11707 is a reply to message #11706] |
Fri, 14 August 2015 07:17 |
Marilyn Crow
Messages: 598
Registered: September 2013
Location: Australia |
Senior Member |
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Hi james,
How wonderful to come to `die to self,` & know that we have been changed by the power of God. And then to realise that that is what the Holy Spirit is doing in all the Body of Christ right across the world.
It is one thing to appreciate what God has & is doing in our lives every day & another to realise & appreciate what He is doing in the Body of Christ, not only across the Body through out the world, but down through the centuries.
It gets us out of the `me` focussed & on to Christ the Head, & appreciate what He has done, is doing & will do. To look expectantly to being guided into all the truth of `the whole counsel of God,` is to live in thankfulness of being `set,` in the Body of Christ.
Marilyn.
Marilyn C
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