4. Growing in Truth. (1900 - 2000)
At the beginning of the 1900`s there was another significant stage of growth in the Body of Christ. God`s Holy Spirit awakened people to a deeper understanding and walk with Him.
Then in the `60`s & `70`s across the Body of Christ many people came to a fuller understanding of the Holy Spirit.
`there are diversities of gifts, but the same Spirit...for one is given the word of wisdom...to another the word of knowledge...faith.....healings....miracles... ....prophecy...discerning of spirits...` (1 Cor. 12: 4 - 11)
Later in the `90`s the five ministries of Christ were more readily recognised than before.
`Christ.... gave some (people) to be apostles, some prophets, some evangelists, and some pastors and teachers, for the equipping of the saints...` (Eph. 4: 11 & 12)
Many false ministries arose and `lorded it over` the people, often amassing huge fortunes. Also many false teachings abounded promising, prosperity, success, name it and claim it, and motivational speakers appealing to people`s pride.
5. Maturity. (2000 - 2020 ?)
Now in the new century, the Body of Christ is in the final stage to maturity. This involves recognising that Christ is Head of the Body and not man.
`Let no one defraud you of your reward....and not holding fast to the Head, from who all the Body,....grows....from God.` (Col. 2: 18 & 19)
We can see whether a leader is operating under Christ for they will have a father and mother heart, but not `lording it over` others.
`Paul, Silvanus and Timothy.....we were gentle among you, just as a nursing mother cherishes her own children....you know how we exhorted and comforted, and charged every one of you, as a father does his own children.` (1 Thess. 1, 7, 12)
`Shepherd the flock of God which is among you, serving as overseers, not by constraint but willingly, not for dishonest gain but eagerly, nor as being lords over those entrusted to you, but being examples to the flock...` (1 Peter 5: 2 & 3)
The believers are to be waiting eagerly, looking expectantly for the coming for the Lord. This is a very important attitude as many will be too busy about their earthly cares and material possessions.
`To those who eagerly wait for Him He will appear a second time,..`(Heb. 9: 28)
`...exhorting one another and so much the more as you see the Day approaching.` (Heb. 10: 25)
Many will gather in houses as the early believers did and thus we have come full circle.
At the beginning of the 1900`s there was another significant stage of growth in the Body of Christ. God`s Holy Spirit awakened people to a deeper understanding and walk with Him.
Then in the `60`s & `70`s across the Body of Christ many people came to a fuller understanding of the Holy Spirit.
`there are diversities of gifts, but the same Spirit...for one is given the word of wisdom...to another the word of knowledge...faith.....healings....miracles... ....prophecy...discerning of spirits...` (1 Cor. 12: 4 - 11)
Later in the `90`s the five ministries of Christ were more readily recognised than before.
`Christ.... gave some (people) to be apostles, some prophets, some evangelists, and some pastors and teachers, for the equipping of the saints...` (Eph. 4: 11 & 12)
Many false ministries arose and `lorded it over` the people, often amassing huge fortunes. Also many false teachings abounded promising, prosperity, success, name it and claim it, and motivational speakers appealing to people`s pride.
5. Maturity. (2000 - 2020 ?)
Now in the new century, the Body of Christ is in the final stage to maturity. This involves recognising that Christ is Head of the Body and not man.
`Let no one defraud you of your reward....and not holding fast to the Head, from who all the Body,....grows....from God.` (Col. 2: 18 & 19)
We can see whether a leader is operating under Christ for they will have a father and mother heart, but not `lording it over` others.
`Paul, Silvanus and Timothy.....we were gentle among you, just as a nursing mother cherishes her own children....you know how we exhorted and comforted, and charged every one of you, as a father does his own children.` (1 Thess. 1, 7, 12)
`Shepherd the flock of God which is among you, serving as overseers, not by constraint but willingly, not for dishonest gain but eagerly, nor as being lords over those entrusted to you, but being examples to the flock...` (1 Peter 5: 2 & 3)
The believers are to be waiting eagerly, looking expectantly for the coming for the Lord. This is a very important attitude as many will be too busy about their earthly cares and material possessions.
`To those who eagerly wait for Him He will appear a second time,..`(Heb. 9: 28)
`...exhorting one another and so much the more as you see the Day approaching.` (Heb. 10: 25)
Many will gather in houses as the early believers did and thus we have come full circle.
