How does the Body of Christ Mature.
The Apostle Paul gave the early disciples the whole counsel of God. They were taught the full revelation of Christ, His character and His purposes.
`For I (Paul) have not shunned to declare to you the whole counsel of God.` (Acts 20: 27)
Then Paul said that after he left, (died) `savage wolves` would come in not sparing the flock.
Here is a summary of the main truths, then the errors that came in and finally the restoring of those truths through the centuries.
5.Justification by Faith - Penance Indulgence. (AD 1063 / Dark Ages)
6.Reformation, Lutheran - Justification by Faith. (1517)
7. Baptist - Full Immersion. (1608)
8. Methodist - Holiness. (1738)
9. Pentecostal - Indwelling of the Holy Spirit. (1906)
10. Apostolic - Christ`s ministries (Eph. 4: 11) (1916)
Christ`s ministries, (apostle, prophet, teacher, pastor, evangelist) develop the believers and the whole Body into spiritual maturity and understanding. They stimulate the perfecting of the `Christ life` and promote the function and ministry of each member in the Body.
When Christ ascended `He gave some (people) to be apostles, some prophets, some evangelists, some pastors and teachers, for the equipping of the saints for the work of the ministry, for the edifying of the Body of Christ,
Till we all come to the unity of the faith and the knowledge of the Son of God, to a perfect man, to the measure of the stature of the fullness of Christ......may grow up in all things into Him who is the head - Christ.` (Eph. 4: 11 - 15)
The Apostle Paul gave the early disciples the whole counsel of God. They were taught the full revelation of Christ, His character and His purposes.
`For I (Paul) have not shunned to declare to you the whole counsel of God.` (Acts 20: 27)
Then Paul said that after he left, (died) `savage wolves` would come in not sparing the flock.
Here is a summary of the main truths, then the errors that came in and finally the restoring of those truths through the centuries.
- Ministry gifts (Eph. 4: 11) - Bishops were substituted. (AD 110)
- Holy Spirit infilling and gifts - Formalisation of worship. (3rd C)
- Holiness - Amalgamation of Church and State. (AD 323)
5.Justification by Faith - Penance Indulgence. (AD 1063 / Dark Ages)
6.Reformation, Lutheran - Justification by Faith. (1517)
7. Baptist - Full Immersion. (1608)
8. Methodist - Holiness. (1738)
9. Pentecostal - Indwelling of the Holy Spirit. (1906)
10. Apostolic - Christ`s ministries (Eph. 4: 11) (1916)
Christ`s ministries, (apostle, prophet, teacher, pastor, evangelist) develop the believers and the whole Body into spiritual maturity and understanding. They stimulate the perfecting of the `Christ life` and promote the function and ministry of each member in the Body.
When Christ ascended `He gave some (people) to be apostles, some prophets, some evangelists, some pastors and teachers, for the equipping of the saints for the work of the ministry, for the edifying of the Body of Christ,
Till we all come to the unity of the faith and the knowledge of the Son of God, to a perfect man, to the measure of the stature of the fullness of Christ......may grow up in all things into Him who is the head - Christ.` (Eph. 4: 11 - 15)
