A First Century Church
in the
Twenty First Century
Forbidden
Wycliff
Wesley
Erasmus Luther
Calvin
Zwingly
Ephesians 3:11
According to
the eternal purpose
which he purposed
in Christ Jesus our Lord:
Romans 8:28 And we
know that all things
work together for good
to them that love God, to
them who are the called
according to his purpose.
προθεσις prothesis proth'-es-is
from 4388; a setting forth, i.e.
(figuratively) proposal (intention);
specially, the show-bread (in the
Temple) as exposed before
God:—purpose, shew(-bread).
Ephesians 1:22 And hath put
all things under his feet, and
gave him to be the head over
all things to the church,
Colossians 1:18 And he is the
head of the body, the church:
who is the beginning, the
firstborn from the dead; that in
all things he might have the
preeminence.
πρωτευω proteuo prote-yoo'-o
from 4413; to be first (in rank or
influence):—have the
preeminence.
contracted superlative of 4253;
foremost (in time, place, order or
importance):—before, beginning,
best, chief(-est), first (of all),
former. PROTOTYPE (ELIO)
Ephesians 1:23 Which is his
body, the fulness of him that
filleth all in all.
Huh? DUH?
300 YEARS OF PROSECUTION
UNTIL Constantine
October 31, 1517 Martin Luther 95 statements
“I WILL PUT THE BIBLE IN THE HANDS OF THE
PLOWBOY”
Reformation
Lutheran, Presbyterians, Episcopalians, Anglicans, Methodist,
Baptists, Assembly of God.
When the PRIESTHOOD of the believer was NOT resored,
The wind blew on...
If you are on a raft, and it sinks, jump off and jump on
something that floats.
The rise of the Clergy,
The Creation of the “Layman”
A performer and an Audience!
This came from Ignatius of Antioch – 2nd Century
“Office of the bishop should be OVER the elders”
Cyprian of Carthage – 3rd Century
Bishops were called “PRIESTS” temples, altars, sacrifices
brought back.
ONE Priests instead of the “Priesthood of the believer”
Scripture:
Revelation 1:6 And hath made us kings and priests unto God
and his Father; to him be glory and dominion for ever and ever.
Amen.
Revelation 3:21 To him that overcometh will I grant to sit with
me in my throne, even as I also overcame, and am set down
with my Father in his throne.
MELCHIZEDEK !
Genesis 14:18 And Melchizedek king of Salem brought forth
bread and wine: and he was the priest of the most high God.
Psalms 110:4 The LORD hath sworn, and will not repent, Thou
art a priest for ever after the order of Melchizedek.
Hebrews 6:20 Whither the forerunner is for us entered, even
Jesus, made an high priest for ever after the order of
Melchisedec.
Hebrews 7:16 Who is made, not after the law of a carnal
commandment, but after the power of an endless life.
Was BEFORE the Aaron priesthood, Jesus restored that
The churches got stuck in Aaron’s
Revelation 5:9 And they sung a new song, saying, Thou art
worthy to take the book, and to open the seals thereof: for
thou wast slain, and hast redeemed us to God by thy blood
out of every kindred, and tongue, and people, and nation;
Revelation 5:10 And hast made us unto our God kings and
priests: and we shall reign on the earth.
Matthew 4:19 And he saith unto them, Follow me, and I
will make you fishers of men.
IF you follow me THEN i will make you fisher.
Logic
If you are not a fisher, then you did not follow...
Acts 2:46 And they, continuing daily with one accord in the
temple, and breaking bread from house to house, did eat their
meat with gladness and singleness of heart,
Community of priests, all ministering to one another.
THE CHURCH DESCRIBED AS
A BODY
Romans 12:5 So we, being many,
are one body in Christ, and every
one members one of another.
WHY DO YOU
COME TO
CHURCH ?
WHY DO YOU COME TO CHURCH?
To be spiritually fed.
To learn about God
To worship God
To get blessed or receive ministry
To obey God
WHY DO YOU COME TO CHURCH?
To be spiritually fed.
The church is a restaurant or feeding station?
To learn about God
The church is a classroom
To worship God
I will come if the worship is good, like a drug
To get blessed or receive ministry
The church is a hospital
To obey God
Saddest reason, make sure God doesn’t get mad
WHY DO YOU COME TO CHURCH? (wrong question) U R
To be spiritually fed.
Do you ever eat at home?
To learn about God
Study to show yourself approved unto God
To worship God
They fell down and worshipped him EVERYWHERE
To get blessed or receive ministry
Always concerned with self, not others.
To obey God
Hebrews not forsaking the assembling is no building.
Ephesians 1:22 And hath put all things under his feet,
and gave him to be the head over all things to the church,
Ephesians 5:23 For the husband is the head of the wife,
even as Christ is the head of the church: and he is the
saviour of the body.
Colossians 1:18 And he is the head of the body, the
church: who is the beginning, the firstborn from the dead;
that in all things he might have the preeminence.
THERE IS ONLY ONE UNDISPUTABLE HEAD
Acts 13:1 Now there were in the church that was at Antioch
certain prophets and teachers; as Barnabas, and Simeon that
was called Niger, and Lucius of Cyrene, and Manaen, which
had been brought up with Herod the tetrarch, and Saul.
Acts 13:2 As they ministered to the Lord, and fasted, the Holy
Ghost said, Separate me Barnabas and Saul for the work
whereunto I have called them.
Acts 13:3 And when they had fasted and prayed, and laid their
hands on them, they sent them away.
PROPER HEADSHIP OF THE HOLY SPIRIT
The Church fasted and prayed, the Holy Spirit spoke
Ephesians 4:12
For the perfecting of the saints,
for the work of the ministry,
for the edifying of the body of
Christ:
PURPOSE
Elders, Deacons, Overseers
Always Plural.
The letters in Revelation were
written to the Church (es)
Danger of becoming a hireling
Or a dictator driven by fear
Your Identity
Forgiveness
Identity
Who you are
Where you are
What you have
Child of God
1 John 3:1-3
Priest of God
1 Peter 2:9
Temple of God
1 Corinthians 6:19-20
New Creation
2 Corinthians 5:17
Friend of God
John 15:15
Servant of God
Isaiah 54:17
Saint of God
1 Corinthians 1:2
Chosen one
Collossians 3:12
God’s Posession
1 Corinthians 6:20
Bride of Christ
2 Corinthians 11:2
Soldier
Ephesians 6:10-17
Conqueror
Romans 8:35-37
ONE BODY
MANY MEMBERS
THE GIFTS GIVEN TO THE BODY
ROMANS 12
Prophecy, teaching, exhortation, giving, leading, showing mercy
1 CORINTHIANS 12
Word of wisdom, word of knowledge, faith, healing, miracles,
discerning of spirits, different tongues, interpretation of tongues
EPHESIANS 4
Apostles, prophets, evangelists, pastors/teachers.
THE GIFTS BELONG TO THE BODY
EVERY MEMBER MUST FUNCTION IN
LOVE
THE TESTIMONY OF THE CHURCH
THE DEMONSTRATION OF POWER
LIGHT AND SALT TO THE WORLD
PRAY FOR BOLDNESS
HINDRANCES
LOVE NOT THE WORLD
1 John 2:15 Love not the world, neither the things that are in
the world. If any man love the world, the love of the Father is
not in him.
Matthew 6:24 No man can serve two masters: for either he
will hate the one, and love the other; or else he will hold to the
one, and despise the other. Ye cannot serve God and mammon.
MUTUALLY EXCLUSIVE
HOT or COLD, WET or DRY
HAS TO BE FULL BODY MINISTRY
Every member actively functioning
Every member responsible
Endless variety of non control ( example )
Community life
Preparation of the bride
Stages of growth
Suffering
The law of love
Spiritual Warfare ( fasting )
Putting on the armor
PRIESTLY CONSECRATION
The sprinkling of the blood, pinky,
toe, ear
Washing of water by the word
Thirst ( only those that are hungry )
Water needs to flow...
The anointing with OIL, JOY
The Kingdom of Heaven
Matthew 6:33 But seek ye first
the kingdom of God, and his
righteousness; and all these things
shall be added unto you.
The KINGDOM
1. The King
2. The Constitution
3. The Population
THE SECRET PLACE
Psalms 91:1 He that dwelleth
in the secret place
of the most High
shall abide
under the shadow
of the Almighty.